Bonus Babies
The Anthem Awards-winning BONUS BABIES podcast is the only series of its kind to explore the foster care system through the immersive, 360-degree perspective of a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer. Through powerful firsthand accounts from foster youth, former foster children, caregivers, attorneys, social workers, therapists, adoptees, foster and adoptive parents, and community advocates, the podcast delivers an unflinching look at the realities of life within the child welfare system.
Hosted and created by Jayne Amelia Larson, a CASA volunteer herself, BONUS BABIES examines the foster care “maze” in much the same way a CASA approaches a case: by listening to every voice, seeking out every perspective, and ensuring that the experiences of vulnerable children are seen, heard, and understood. The series documents both the heartbreaking failures and inspiring successes of the system while fostering open, honest conversations about trauma, resilience, advocacy, and belonging.
By blending investigative curiosity with compassionate storytelling, BONUS BABIES creates a platform that educates audiences, amplifies lived experience, and encourages meaningful social engagement. The podcast has resonated with listeners around the world for its emotional depth, cinematic production quality, and commitment to illuminating stories that are too often overlooked.
Original music is composed by Christina Apostolopoulos. Audio engineering and mixing are provided by Adam Harr of Blue Oak Mastering. Cover art is by John Crowther, and the Executive Producer is Jake Eberle.
Bonus Babies
Elle Fox: It's So Worth It Even With The Pain That You Feel At The End
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Jayne Amelia speaks with artist and foster sibling, Elle Fox. Elle, a high school student, has been sketching for as long as she can remember. Growing up in a family that fostered children, Elle draws on her experience of life, love, and loss while sharing her heart and home for a period of time with numerous babies and children. As an author, illustrator, and entrepreneur, Elle launched Elle Fox Art to showcase her illustrations and share the aspects of life that Inspire her.
"Hello, I'm Elle Fox and I love to create! I first declared my passion for making art at the age of three, then at five I received my first sketchbook and decided to become an artist! Since then, I've been busy developing my skills in various mediums and cultivating my own artistic perspective. I was born in Buffalo, NY but moved to South Australia after preschool, where my experiences at the beach, markets, parks, and art classes inspired me to draw. I've always been ambitious, and with the influence of my grandmother and various other mentors, I decided early on that I would be an art teacher. When I was eight, my family relocated to the Philadelphia area and we welcomed the first of many foster children into our home the following year. The subject matter of many of my projects has been greatly influenced by the children that we've known and loved; they always seem to find their way into the meaning, story, or purpose of my art. Family is vitally important to me, and mine has enormously supported my creativity and allowed me to grow far more than I could have on my own. Over the years, I have experimented greatly with how to share my work when I stumbled across an idea for a children's book that I couldn't let go to waste. Now, thanks to the goodness of God and the amazing people who've helped me along the way, I have been able to fully embrace this medium of storytelling."
ellefoxart.com
IG @ellefoxart
Meatball and Little Birdie available on Amazon and elsewhere.
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