What Listeners Are Saying

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Just As Special sounds like it will be the This American Life of foster care podcasts.

— Ethan McGrath

Just what I need!

As someone who is considering becoming a foster parent, a podcast like this is just what I am looking for!

I appreciate the chance to hear the experience of different foster families firsthand and am especially excited to hear the perspectives of different races coming together as a family.

— Nicole via Apple Podcasts

Recommend for all families

I was a kinship foster parent long ago with no financial resources or information resources. Through the Just As Special Instagram, website, and podcast episodes I’ve learned so much that I did right and so much I did wrong.

I recommend this for all parents because it can benefit all families and households.

— @staciestac via Instagram

Been waiting for this

Listening to your podcast for the first time - oh my gosh! I feel like I have been waiting for something like this for so long.

Most podcasts I’ve found on the subject of foster care center the parents or are problematic for a variety of reasons. It meant so much to turn Just As Special on and immediately hear savior/white savior complex getting called out!

— @kelseeeanne via Instagram

For more than foster families

Even in just a few short moments of this initial episode, it’s clear that the creators hold meaningful discussions with each other and their guests to inspire empathy and learning from diverse perspectives.

I look forward to the expansion of the humanizing, thought provoking dialog introduced in the trailer.

Our family is foster adjacent (we don’t foster, but are close with several families that do), and the inclusive discussions presented here are exactly what our family has been looking for to better support them.

— Pam Wolford

Expanded my perspectives

It was my first time listening and just wanted to say thank you! I'm a single foster mom in Brooklyn, and while I have my 'squad' of 2 other Brooklyn foster moms, it's always nice to hear other perspectives, be pushed to expand some of my perspectives, and be validated in some of my feelings and experiences.

So, just wanted to say thank you! I'll definitely spread the word!

— Kara Masi

Excellent

Showcasing foster care from so many perspectives is really an amazing idea. It’s a subject that has so many stereotypes but also so many different dimensions. I am excited to learn more!

— Laurlor44 via Apple Podcasts

Gaining understanding from the inside

Such a great idea! There is no doubt our foster care system needs to be improved. Instead of criticizing and complaining, Just As Special is delving into finding the “why” from people who have experienced various aspects of foster care.

Gaining understanding from the inside and from all different perspectives. Wow, great job!

— T. Davis

A rare find

Natasha clearly puts a lot of effort and is very passionate about the topic of foster parenting. So well put together and well thought out, I’m a big fan of the fantastic work she’s doing in terms of production and as a fantastic public service to foster families around the world.

I was delighted by the amount of effort she puts into this. You rarely find such well-produced content in a typically bureaucratic and slow subject matter. Well done!!

— JMack via Apple Podcasts

Incredibly Informative

Started listening to this podcast because I wanted an honest take on foster care from a BIPOC perspective which is not easy to find. Just As Special has provided that for me and more.

I’ve really resonated with Natasha’s experiences as a women of color who fosters and her many guests, some of whom are foster parents or former kids in care.

This podcast really emphasizes many diverse perspectives each episode and condemns the “savior complex” that is often intertwined with foster care.

I can’t recommend this podcast enough for anyone looking to learn more about fostering, or just wanting to hear a unique take on life!

— BusyBee1127 via Apple Podcasts

Highly Recommend

I really recommend Just As Special for anyone who is thinking about being a foster parent (and a parent in general, to be honest).

I learn a lot and finally started foster care paperwork this year!

— Sabah via Instagram