In the first episode of 'Conversations with Friends', host Jill Woodworth sits down with Tonya Matthews to discuss her profound journey as a passionate, big hearted individual who takes seriously the value of every child. While she is a former foster mom, and that is the majority of what we discuss on this episode, Tonya has had a multitude of lived experience, from which she has learned and grown and continues to operate in many realms. She brings this depth into everything she does. In this interview, Tonya shares her experiences caring for children with significant needs, navigating the intricacies and systemic challenges of the foster care system, and the emotional highs and lows of fostering and adopting. The episode dives into topics such as the impact of faith, maintaining relationships with biological parents, and the resilience required in foster parenting and systemic breakdown and compartmentalization that creates challenges that are not necessarily for the good of anyone involved. Tonya operates with much finesse holding this knowing and working against the grain to do what is right and from the heart. This candid and heartfelt conversation highlights the dedication of foster parents and the lasting impact they have on children's lives.

00:00 Introduction to Conversations with Friends
02:48 Meet Tonya Matthews: A Former Foster Mom
04:46 Tonya's Journey into Foster Care
07:04 Challenges and Rewards of Foster Parenting
09:34 Navigating the Foster Care System
3:57 Advocacy and Systemic Issues
22:25 Personal Reflections and Parenting Lessons
31:51 Reflecting on Parenting Challenges
32:42 Joyful Moments with Foster Babies
33:54 Medical Challenges and Learning
36:10 Genetic Disorders and Their Impact
40:23 Navigating the Foster Care System
44:37 Deciding to Adopt
52:04 Faith and Community Support
56:38 Conclusion and Future Plans