Two years ago, on Episode 130 of The Forgotten Podcast, we had the opportunity to hear Brenna Hunter’s journey to reunification with her children who were placed in foster care due to substance abuse. Today, we get to hear how her story continued, as she eventually started working with the very same agency that managed her case. Brenna is working to be a voice for those who are navigating foster care and spreading hope through her own incredible transformation.
In today’s episode, you’ll hear why biological parents can sometimes feel like the system is out to “get” them, how her perspective of foster care agencies has changed since her case closed, what working with other parents walking a similar road to recovery has been like, and so much more.
This was a special episode, and I don’t want you to miss it. Listen in!
TAKEAWAYS FROM TODAY’S CONVERSATION:
1. It’s all about trust.
It can be difficult to trust other people when you have experienced being consistently let down. When we hear stories of struggle and restoration from people who have been in our shoes, it can help us build trust and see that they are in our corner. That trust helps us see that those people will be the ones to cheer us on and champion what is best for us.
“Every single person had lived experience with addiction. I remember that built a level of trust that I didn’t have with anyone else.”
2. Know your limits.
Many of us have things in our past that are still tender and bring up trauma for us. Brenna shared that she’s had to be careful working too closely with people who are still early in their addiction recovery process as that has been a trigger for her. It’s important to know our limits and what we can and can’t handle at a specific season in life.
“I feel like one day I’ll be there, but right now if it hits too close to home for the non-healed end of the spectrum, I can’t do that yet.”
3. We are not alone.
No matter what we have been through, it’s crucial that we find people who can come around us to encourage us and give us hope for the future. We don’t have to have all the answers, but we can still be an encouragement to one another by sharing our stories and letting each other know we are not alone.
“I wanted to have someone hear me out and understand it fully. Not have answers, but to know that I wasn’t alone.”
- Episode 130: The Road Back to Reunification
- Connect with Brenna on Instagram
- Join Team 3:10
Meet Our Guest
Brenna Hunter was homeschooled and later competed in cross country running at Davenport University while she got her degree for medical assistance. But just below the surface, Brenna was struggling. As more of those struggles came to the surface, it led her down the path that would ultimately end with her two children entering foster care. Brenna shares her story of working for the very same agency that managed her case shortly after reunification with her children.
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