In this really special episode for Foster Care Awareness Month, Nicole sits down with DiEmma, the biological mom of her three adopted kids—for an honest conversation about what it actually looks like to choose relationship in the middle of really hard things.

What started over ten years ago in the middle of addiction, loss, and the foster care system has slowly grown into something neither of them expected, a relationship built on respect, compassion, and a shared love for the same kids. Together, they talk about the fears that can keep foster families from connecting with biological parents, and gently push back on the idea that it has to be “us vs. them.”

From relapse to healing, boundaries to grace, it hasn’t been easy, but it’s been worth it. DiEmma shares what it’s like from her side: not just as a biological mom, but as someone who was in foster care herself, and what it meant to feel supported instead of judged. Nicole talks about how important it is to stay grounded in who you are, choose empathy, and remember that loving a child means caring about where they came from, too.

At the end of the day, this episode is a reminder that foster care isn’t about swooping in to save the day, it’s about showing up, again and again. It’s messy, it’s hard, but it’s also where real healing can happen. And when it’s safe and healthy, connection between foster and biological families can be one of the most powerful gifts we give kids. This is what “For the One” looks like in real life.

Episode Highlights:

• Foster care awareness
• Bio family connection
• Standing in the gap
• Shared motherhood story
• Restoration is possible

Find More on Hope Bridge:

• Chat with a Hope Bridge Staff Member
• Visit Our Website
• Follow us on Instagram
• Follow us on Facebook

In this special episode of Restoried, we’re coming together as the four directors of HopeBridge to launch something that is deeply personal to us: our new campaign and heart posture, “For the One.” This conversation is really about what has been forming in us for a long time—how we see people, how we do ministry, and how we stay anchored in the middle of work that can often feel overwhelming in scale.

We talk about how easy it is to slip into a “numbers mindset,” especially in the nonprofit and foster care world, where outcomes, stats, and impact reports often take center stage. But over and over again, we come back to this truth: our work has never been about reaching everyone at once—it’s about being faithful to the one person in front of us. One child. One mom. One family. And ultimately, the One who leads it all—Jesus.

As we share, we reflect on how Jesus consistently modeled this for us in Scripture—stopping for the one, noticing the overlooked, and restoring individuals in deeply personal ways. That same heart is what we want to shape everything we do at HopeBridge: how we show up with churches, how we support foster families, how we care for single moms, and how we love each other as a team.

At the core of this conversation is a shared conviction: we are not called to fix everything or everyone—we are called to faithfully respond to the one God places in front of us. And in doing so, we reflect the heart of Jesus, who sees, knows, and loves each of us fully.

This episode is our way of launching the “For the One” campaign, but more than that, it’s an invitation—to slow down, to be present, and to believe that one act of obedience can carry eternal weight.

Episode Highlights:

• Foster Care Awareness Month
• For the One Campaign
• Foster Care
• Adoption
• Faith
• Our Heart Posture at Hope Bridge

Find More on Hope Bridge:

• Visit Our Website
• Follow us on Instagram
• Follow us on Facebook

In this episode of Restoried, Brian Troyer discusses the power of scripture memorization as a key practice for spiritual formation. Moving beyond simply studying the Bible, he emphasizes how hiding God’s Word in our hearts transforms the way we think, respond, and live. Through personal stories, Brian shares how scripture became a source of strength, truth, and real-life change during both challenging parenting seasons and his cancer journey.

This episode is both an encouragement and a challenge to intentionally memorize and meditate on God’s Word, allowing it to shape your heart and guide you through everyday life and difficult seasons.

Episode Highlights:

• Spiritual Formation
• Memorizing Scripture
• Spiritual Discipline

Find More on Hope Bridge:

• Visit Our Website
• Follow us on Instagram
• Follow us on Facebook

In this episode, we’re taking time to reflect on some of our favorite takeaways from Mobilize Ohio 2026. Every year, we’re amazed by the way God shows up in this space, and this year was no different.

Our theme was Surrounded, and it was powerful to see each speaker bring that to life through their own stories and experiences. It all came together in a way that felt both grounding and deeply encouraging.

We hope everyone who attended left feeling refreshed and re-energized to continue stepping into this kingdom work. And if you weren’t there, this episode is a great way to hear some of our key takeaways from the day.

If you were with us, we’d love to hear what stood out to you and what you’re still carrying with you.

Episode Highlights:

• Mobilize Ohio 2026 Reflections
• Stacking Stones
• Surrounded
• The Hills Are Full
• Encouragement for Foster, Adoptive, and Kinship Families

Find More on Hope Bridge:

• Contact a Staff Member
• Register for our 4th Annual Benefit Dinner
• Listen to our Episode with Ryan North
• Listen to our Episode with Reuben West
• Listen to our Episode with Trisha White Priebe
• Visit Our Website
• Follow us on Instagram
• Follow us on Facebook

In honor of Volunteer Appreciation Month, this episode of Restoried highlights the incredible impact of volunteers at Hope Bridge and the vital role they play in supporting foster families, single moms, and vulnerable children. While not everyone is called to foster, we are all called to care, and Hope Bridge gives people tangible ways to step into that calling. Simply put, this work would not be possible without the faithful, consistent presence of volunteers who give their time, talents, and resources to serve others.

You’ll hear firsthand from Matt, a dedicated volunteer, as he shares what inspired him to step in, how serving aligns with his faith, and the joy he’s found in building meaningful relationships with the kids and families he serves.

This episode also explores the many practical ways you can get involved, whether through childcare, mentorship, transportation, meals, or even leveraging your unique skills or resources. If you’ve ever wondered how you can make a difference, this conversation is a reminder that everyone can do something. When we choose to care for the vulnerable in our community, even the smallest step can create a lasting impact.

Episode Highlights:

• Volunteer Appreciation Month
• Volunteer opportunities
• Everyone can help
• Consistency builds impact
• Use your gifts
• Small acts matter

Find More on Hope Bridge/Links from this episode:

• Volunteer Form
• Join the Bridge
• Comfort & Care Bag Amazon Wishlist
• Empower U Meal Train
• Louisville Single Mom Support Group Meal Train
• Visit Our Website
• Follow us on Instagram
• Follow us on Facebook

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, and in this episode of Restoried, we sit down with author, speaker, and advocate Stephanie Ellison to talk about the realities of child abuse, especially the parts we don’t always see.

Stephanie shares pieces of her own story growing up in instability, navigating trauma, and learning how those experiences shaped her as both a child and an adult. She helps us understand how kids cope in different ways, some becoming quiet and unseen, others acting out, both responses rooted in survival.

We also talk about how complex abuse really is, how generational cycles play a role, and why compassion matters, not just for kids, but for struggling families too. This conversation is a reminder that we don’t have to do something big to make a difference. Sometimes, being a safe, consistent presence is enough to change a child’s life.

If you’ve ever wondered how to recognize signs of abuse or how you can help, this episode will both challenge and encourage you.

Episode Highlights:

• Child Abuse Prevention Month
• Abuse isn’t always visible
• Kids cope in different ways
• Trauma shapes behavior deeply
• Small actions make big impact
• Safe people change lives

Find more on Guest:

• Listen to Stephanie’s Previous Restoried Episode Here
• Stephanie’s Book- Always Forever
• Stephanie’s Non-Profit’s Website
• Fostering Hope Podcast
• Stephanie’s Blog
• Stephanie’s Instagram
• Stephanie’s Facebook

Find More on Hope Bridge:

• Visit Our Website
• Follow us on Instagram
• Follow us on Facebook

In this episode of Restoried, we’re talking about Sabbath, what it actually looks like in real, everyday life. It’s not just about taking a day off, but about creating a rhythm of stopping, resting, delighting, and spending time with God.

We get into how Sabbath can sometimes feel rigid or unrealistic, but how it can actually become something really freeing and life-giving. Even small, intentional shifts, like unplugging from your phone or slowing down enough to connect with the people around you, can bring a sense of peace back into your home and your week.

At the end of the day, Sabbath is a gift, not a rule, and it doesn’t have to be perfect to be meaningful.

Episode Highlights:

• Sabbath is intentional, not legalistic
• Start Sabbath with realistic rhythms
• Rest is an act of trust
• Remove distractions, deepen connection
• Small rhythms transform your home

Find More on Hope Bridge/Links from this episode:

• Sabbath for Families PDF
• Visit Our Website
• Follow us on Instagram
• Follow us on Facebook

In this episode, we are having a conversation on a powerful concept many child welfare workers feel but don’t always have language for: moral injury.

We unpack the difference between simple burnout and the deeper, soul-level injury that happens when we know what compassionate, ethical care should look like, yet are forced to operate inside systems that often make that impossible.

We reflect on how this plays out across social work, foster care, and kinship care, where both workers and families can feel powerless, conflicted, and even complicit while trying to do the right thing.

This is a heavy but important conversation for those serving in helping professions, and we end by encouraging those carrying these burdens, naming that moral injury is real, and reminding you that ultimate justice and restoration belong to God.

Episode Highlights:

• Social Work Appreciation Month
• Moral Injury
• The Weight of Child Welfare
• Soul Care

Find More on Hope Bridge/Links from this Episode:

• Follow The Christian Social Worker on Instagram
• Follow Socialworkaholic on Instagram
• The Legacy Scholarship from The Christ Foundation
• Visit Our Website
• Follow us on Instagram
• Follow us on Facebook