Seen Out Loud artwork

Seen Out Loud

30 episodes - English - Latest episode: 11 months ago -

Seen Out Loud is a show about disrupting the child welfare system by the simple act of seeing families in their full humanity. Seeing people for who they truly are, and learning from their stories, offers new perspectives and compelling insights that can lead to radical transformation of America’s foster care system. Listen with us to families as they share deeply personal stories about their experiences with the child welfare system. Hear them express how the moments they were finally seen and valued shaped the trajectories of their lives. In this podcast, we accompany these stories with conversations about the work happening on the front lines of the family well-being movement—a collective effort aimed at meeting the needs of families to prevent systems intervention and the removal of children from parents. Hear leaders of the movement describe how they are actively building a future where families are engaged in systems work and have what they need to stay together and thrive.

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Episodes

BONUS EPISODE: Rewriting the Narrative on Fatherhood with Shaka Senghor

April 24, 2023 09:00 - 36 minutes - 25.1 MB

Author, speaker, and mentor Shaka Senghor talks with host Matt Anderson about his lessons learned through fatherhood and 19 years of incarceration. Shaka reflects on how mentorship, literature, writing, and family influenced his journey through imprisonment and led to his success today. In discussing his latest book “Letters to the Sons of Society,” Shaka also touches on the potential impact of contextualizing the entirety of people’s experiences to change narratives and inspire humanity. ...

Addressing Poverty to Keep Families Together with Sarah Winograd

July 27, 2022 09:00 - 47 minutes - 32.8 MB

Sarah Winograd’s journey as a “professional volunteer” led to the realization that poverty was a driving factor in the child removals in the families she was working with. See how Sarah mobilized her community to address family poverty to help families stay together. Through the Together for Families program, Sarah lives out her vision of supporting families by helping them meet basic needs. Show Notes 00:00:30  | Matt opens this episode reflecting on the child welfare system’s association ...

Addressing Poverty to Keep Families Together with Sarah Winograd

July 27, 2022 09:00 - 47 minutes - 32.8 MB

Sarah Winograd’s journey as a “professional volunteer” led to the realization that poverty was a driving factor in the child removals in the families she was working with. See how Sarah mobilized her community to address family poverty to help families stay together. Through the Together for Families program, Sarah lives out her vision of supporting families by helping them meet basic needs. Show Notes 00:00:30  | Matt opens this episode reflecting on the child welfare system’s association ...

In the Community, Of the Community with Cherie Craft

July 13, 2022 09:00 - 50 minutes - 34.7 MB

Cherie Craft, the founding CEO and Executive Director of Smart from the Start, talks about her organization’s unique approach to engaging communities and addressing conditions to enhance child and family well-being. Cherie references a previous episode of Seen Out Loud with Matthew Jackson to explain how Smart from the Start builds trust with families. Cherie also offers advice for other organizational leaders on relationship building, reducing recidivism rates, and incorporating social just...

In the Community, Of the Community with Cherie Craft

July 13, 2022 09:00 - 50 minutes - 34.7 MB

Cherie Craft, the founding CEO and Executive Director of Smart from the Start, talks about her organization’s unique approach to engaging communities and addressing conditions to enhance child and family well-being. Cherie references a previous episode of Seen Out Loud with Matthew Jackson to explain how Smart from the Start builds trust with families. Cherie also offers advice for other organizational leaders on relationship building, reducing recidivism rates, and incorporating social just...

The Impact of Community Conditions with Matthew Jackson

June 29, 2022 09:00 - 43 minutes - 30.1 MB

In this episode, Matthew Jackson explains how the community conditions he grew up in influenced the trajectory of his life into adulthood, and the difficulties he experienced with leaving “Jungle” in the past and charting a new path for the betterment of his family. Listen as Matthew shares his story as a single father, passionately invested in his daughter’s life, and how he’s helping other dads, with similar beginnings in Boston, MA and Washington, D.C.  [Warning: This conversation contai...

The Impact of Community Conditions with Matthew Jackson

June 29, 2022 09:00 - 43 minutes - 30.1 MB

In this episode, Matthew Jackson explains how the community conditions he grew up in influenced the trajectory of his life into adulthood, and the difficulties he experienced with leaving “Jungle” in the past and charting a new path for the betterment of his family. Listen as Matthew shares his story as a single father, passionately invested in his daughter’s life, and how he’s helping other dads, with similar beginnings in Boston, MA and Washington, D.C.  [Warning: This conversation contai...

The Risk and Power of Storytelling with Keri Hope Richmond

June 15, 2022 09:00 - 30 minutes - 21.2 MB

Keri Hope Richmond, Child Welfare Policy Advocate, Speaker, joins conversation on engaging storytellers with lived experience with the child welfare system. Listen as Keri talks about her experiences sharing her story about navigating foster care—some empowering and some not—and the lessons she’s learned along the way. She also passes along advice to organizations on the do’s and don’t’s in engaging storytellers with lived expertise. Show Notes 00:02:55  | When was the first time Keri publ...

The Risk and Power of Storytelling with Keri Hope Richmond

June 15, 2022 09:00 - 30 minutes - 21.2 MB

Keri Hope Richmond, Child Welfare Policy Advocate, Speaker, joins conversation on engaging storytellers with lived experience with the child welfare system. Listen as Keri talks about her experiences sharing her story about navigating foster care—some empowering and some not—and the lessons she’s learned along the way. She also passes along advice to organizations on the do’s and don’t’s in engaging storytellers with lived expertise. Show Notes 00:02:55  | When was the first time Keri publ...

In Search of Belonging with Sana L. Cotten, Part Two

June 01, 2022 09:00 - 28 minutes - 19.3 MB

Pick up where part one left off with Sana L. Cotten on her journey to find answers about her family history. In this episode, Sana, who has never met her father, goes on a 10-year search to locate her paternal family and find belonging. She reflects on how her unfulfilled need for family connection after entering foster care has impacted her through adulthood.  Show Notes 00:00:30  | S2 E3: In Search of Belonging with Sana L. Cotten, Part One is a prelude to the conversation that continue...

In Search of Belonging with Sana L. Cotten, Part One

May 18, 2022 09:00 - 35 minutes - 24.3 MB

Determined to discover where she came from, Sana L. Cotten recalls her ventures to uncover her past, face her family’s trauma, and reconnect with relatives who are part of her story. Hear from Sana how the process of learning about her birth family after adoption has helped her break generational cycles, shape her identity, and begin a journey to healing through empathy.  Trigger Warning: Descriptions of rape and sex trafficking Show Notes 00:01:19  | Meet Sana L. Cotten, as she recalls,...

In Search of Belonging with Sana L. Cotten, Part One

May 18, 2022 09:00 - 35 minutes - 24.3 MB

Determined to discover where she came from, Sana L. Cotten recalls her ventures to uncover her past, face her family’s trauma, and reconnect with relatives who are part of her story. Hear from Sana how the process of learning about her birth family after adoption has helped her break generational cycles, shape her identity, and begin a journey to healing through empathy.  Trigger Warning: Descriptions of rape and sex trafficking Show Notes 00:01:19  | Meet Sana L. Cotten, as she recalls,...

A Pivotal Moment For Parent Allyship with Gina Wassemiller

May 04, 2022 09:00 - 21 minutes - 14.9 MB

Gina Wassemiller is a mother of three and a passionate parent ally. In the short film “Being Gina” she shares her evolution from being a parent struggling with substance use disorder, domestic abuse, and the removal of her children to being a leader at the F.I.R.S.T. Legal Clinic. This organization supports new mothers experiencing substance use challenges with legal advocacy and other services to prevent Child Protective Services removals. Gina is also a contracted Social Service Specialist...

A Pivotal Moment For Parent Allyship with Gina Wassemiller

May 04, 2022 09:00 - 21 minutes - 14.9 MB

Gina Wassemiller is a mother of three and a passionate parent ally. In the short film “Being Gina” she shares her evolution from being a parent struggling with substance use disorder, domestic abuse, and the removal of her children to being a leader at the F.I.R.S.T. Legal Clinic. This organization supports new mothers experiencing substance use challenges with legal advocacy and other services to prevent Child Protective Services removals. Gina is also a contracted Social Service Specialist...

How to Influence Systems Change with Dr. Bruce Perry

April 20, 2022 09:00 - 31 minutes - 21.7 MB

Dr. Bruce Perry and Matt pick up from their conversation in Season 1 to dive deeper into strategies for creating positive change for families. Hear Dr. Bruce Perry give his advice for organizations like the Institute for Family on what it takes to make an impact—from shifting mindsets through storytelling to creating sustainable connections in communities. Show Notes  00:02:00  | Picking up from S1 E3: PEOPLE CHANGE THROUGH STORIES, Matt recalls a compelling statement from Dr. Bruce Perry...

BONUS EPISODE: NAVIGATING TOGETHER WITH JAQUIA AND RAVEN

March 17, 2022 09:00 - 12 minutes - 8.56 MB

On this bonus episode celebrating social work month, Jaquia Wilson returns to the mic with her former social worker Raven Mitchell. Hear from Jaquia and Raven about the solid foundation they built during Jaquia’s time in foster care. Get insight on the importance of relationship-building between youth in care and social workers and how impactful Raven has been on Jaquia’s early years.  Show Notes  00:00:36  | On S1, E5: CRACK THE CONCRETE WHEN YOU WALK we meet Jaquia Wilson and learn about...

BONUS EPISODE: NAVIGATING TOGETHER WITH JAQUIA AND RAVEN

March 17, 2022 09:00 - 12 minutes - 8.56 MB

On this bonus episode celebrating social work month, Jaquia Wilson returns to the mic with her former social worker Raven Mitchell. Hear from Jaquia and Raven about the solid foundation they built during Jaquia’s time in foster care. Get insight on the importance of relationship-building between youth in care and social workers and how impactful Raven has been on Jaquia’s early years.  Show Notes  00:00:36  | On S1, E5: CRACK THE CONCRETE WHEN YOU WALK we meet Jaquia Wilson and learn about...

BONUS EPISODE: TAKING QUESTIONS

February 10, 2022 10:00 - 21 minutes - 14.5 MB

Reimaging child welfare starts with looking inward. On this bonus episode, get to know more about host Matt Anderson as he provides candid responses to listener questions about reimaging child welfare, the power of listening, and his source of hope.  Call in with your questions and reactions at (512) 815-3956. 00:01:45  | Adrian McLemore, Program Officer, Annie E. Casey Foundation, and Host, FosterStrong Podcast: What keeps you hopeful while doing this work, given how the premise of foste...

THE MOMENTUM IS BUILDING

November 19, 2021 13:00 - 33 minutes - 22.7 MB

From the national to community level, hear how the movement to prioritize family well-being is gaining momentum. In this season finale, three guests give insight on conversations taking place across the country around supporting families and recognizing their value. Jerry Milner, former Associate Commissioner at the Children’s Bureau, shares his perspective on the progress of the child welfare transformation work on a national scale. Sharee Pemberton and Commissioner Hope B. Haywood of a rur...

THE MOMENTUM IS BUILDING

November 19, 2021 13:00 - 33 minutes - 22.7 MB

From the national to community level, hear how the movement to prioritize family well-being is gaining momentum. In this season finale, three guests give insight on conversations taking place across the country around supporting families and recognizing their value. Jerry Milner, former Associate Commissioner at the Children’s Bureau, shares his perspective on the progress of the child welfare transformation work on a national scale. Sharee Pemberton and Commissioner Hope B. Haywood of a rur...

THE WALLS STARTED TO COME DOWN

November 10, 2021 09:00 - 45 minutes - 31.3 MB

Brett and Jessica Crisp have been married for over a decade and have a 9-year-old adopted son. They served as licensed foster parents with Children’s Home Society of North Carolina from 2016 to 2020. Through their experiences as adoptive parents and former foster parents, they have become advocates for reunification, as well as parents and foster parents working together. SHOW NOTES 00:01:25  | How do children in foster care bond with foster parents?    00:03:38  | Hear from the Crisps’ ab...

CRACK THE CONCRETE WHEN YOU WALK

November 03, 2021 08:00 - 37 minutes - 26.1 MB

Hear what life was like for Jaquia Wilson, the youngest of nine children, who went from growing up with a loving mother in the Bronx to aging out of foster care without a support system. Jaquia demonstrates resilience through a series of tragedies, resulting in her entering foster care as a teenager. With a little help from a caring social worker, Jaquia’s fighting spirit leads her to college and, now, advocacy work for youth in care.  Show Notes: 00:01:05  | Meet Jaquia Wilson as she shar...

CRACK THE CONCRETE WHEN YOU WALK

November 03, 2021 08:00 - 37 minutes - 26.1 MB

Hear what life was like for Jaquia Wilson, the youngest of nine children, who went from growing up with a loving mother in the Bronx to aging out of foster care without a support system. Jaquia demonstrates resilience through a series of tragedies, resulting in her entering foster care as a teenager. With a little help from a caring social worker, Jaquia’s fighting spirit leads her to college and, now, advocacy work for youth in care.  Show Notes: 00:01:05  | Meet Jaquia Wilson as she shar...

MY DARKEST MOMENT WAS NO LONGER GOING TO BE BLEAK

October 27, 2021 08:00 - 46 minutes - 31.9 MB

Hear from Alise Morrissey about the impacts of individuals—a volunteer, a judge, an attorney, and a program leader—who offered glimmers of hope by seeing her for who she was instead of her circumstances. Alise tells her story of going from straight-A student to giving birth amidst a prison sentence. She reveals how her faith, the people who showed her kindness, and the determination of being there for her child led to recovery from substance use disorder and reunification with her daughter. ...

MY DARKEST MOMENT WAS NO LONGER GOING TO BE BLEAK

October 27, 2021 08:00 - 46 minutes - 31.9 MB

Hear from Alise Morrissey about the impacts of individuals—a volunteer, a judge, an attorney, and a program leader—who offered glimmers of hope by seeing her for who she was instead of her circumstances. Alise tells her story of going from straight-A student to giving birth amidst a prison sentence. She reveals how her faith, the people who showed her kindness, and the determination of being there for her child led to recovery from substance use disorder and reunification with her daughter. ...

PEOPLE CHANGE THROUGH STORIES

October 20, 2021 08:00 - 33 minutes - 23 MB

Systems change when people change. And people change through stories. Dr. Bruce Perry candidly offers compelling insights on the power and science of storytelling. This episode demonstrates how some of the most important things we can do to improve family well-being and change systems starts with listening. Show Notes:  01:45  | Matt shares his origin story as a caseworker and shares what happened when he stepped back from his social worker checklist and listened to someone’s story. 07:...

LOOKING FOR THAT WARM HUG ALL MY LIFE

October 18, 2021 08:00 - 38 minutes - 26.5 MB

Shrounda Selivanoff takes us on a journey from childhood to motherhood, including a head-on collision with the child welfare system. Hear from Shrounda on how being seen and acknowledged for who she was changed her life forever. Shrounda is a passionate mother, kinship caregiver, and parent ally who inspires and helps other parents who experience the system through her work as public policy director at Children’s Home Society of Washington.  Show Notes:  0:50  | Meet Shrounda Selivanoff, w...

WHAT IF WE DIDN’T HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL BAD ENOUGH

October 13, 2021 09:00 - 24 minutes - 17.2 MB

Spoken word poet, Slam Anderson, and her mom, Lillie Lee-Williams, engage in an emotional conversation demonstrating the strength of family bonds despite a 14-year child welfare-initiated separation. This episode questions what would happen if the child welfare system was designed to support root causes of family stress instead of waiting for late-stage intervention. Plus, Slam recites her spoken word poem “My Need for Change,” detailing her experiences with the system, which Matt Anderson r...

Seen Out Loud Podcast Trailer

September 29, 2021 18:00 - 2 minutes - 1.45 MB

Seen Out Loud, formerly Seen and Heard, is a show about disrupting the child welfare system by the simple act of seeing families in their full humanity. Listen to their stories with your host Matt Anderson. Tune in weekly to hear new perspectives and compelling insights that can lead to the radical transformation of America’s foster care system. 

Seen and Heard Podcast Trailer

September 29, 2021 18:00 - 2 minutes - 1.45 MB

Seen and Heard is a show about disrupting the child welfare system by the simple act of seeing families in their full humanity. Listen to their stories with your host Matt Anderson. Tune in weekly to hear new perspectives and compelling insights that can lead to the radical transformation of America’s foster care system. 

Twitter Mentions

@instituteforfam 16 Episodes