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
Gavin Glynn: You Have Get Them To Trust
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
Jayne Amelia speaks with single foster dad and entertainment producer Gavin Glynn. Gavin and his then partner fostered to adopt a young boy, then Gavin went on to foster a foursome sibling set when he was a single dad. In order to keep all the kids in the house, Gavin gave up his lucrative but very demanding career as a producer in the entertainment business and became an educator. He says raising his family, in spite of the many challenges, is the most rewarding thing he has ever done and would do it all again.
Potluck Club "an all-volunteer nonprofit, was launched and incorporated in West Hollywood. It began in 1998 with a group of gay men who wanted to be parents... though none of them were yet. Today the group includes about 300 families who altogether have about 500 kids."
Extraordinary Families works with many LGBTQ+ parents and kiddos in helping to find safe and nurturing families for all children in foster care.
See bonusbabies.org to learn more about what we are doing and please donate to support us by making a 100% tax-deductible contribution. EVERY PENNY OF YOUR CONTRIBUTION GOES TO RECORDING AND PLATFORMING THESE STORIES. Yeah!
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