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Bonus Babies

Author: Jayne Amelia Larson

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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.

105 Episodes
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Send us Fan Mail Jayne Amelia speaks with former foster youth, adoptive mom, and equine therapist Stacy Grenier. Stacy Grenier is a widow, mother of three, and proud grandmother of three whose life has given her a rare perspective on the child welfare system. She has experienced it a a foster and juvenile child, as an at-risk foster parent, and as the parent of a child who later entered residential treatment. Those experiences have given her insight into every side of the system. For more tha...
Send us Fan Mail Jayne Amelia talks with former foster youth, Michael Custos. Michael Custos is a writer and father who grew up in group homes throughout Southern California. His life changed when Kelly, a Court Appointed Special Advocate, entered his case and remained long after her temporary assignment ended. So he wrote a book about her. Michael went on to spend more than a decade in sales while building a career and a family from the ground up. His book, "Her Name Was Kelly", publis...
Send us Fan Mail Jayne Amelia speaks with child advocate and executive director of CASA of the Ninth in Colorado, Traci Gurley-Tomashosky. Traci is a distinguished educational leader and advocate with over 22 years of experience dedicated to the development and success of children and youth. Currently serving as the Executive Director for CASA of the Ninth, Traci combines a deep clinical background in special education with a visionary approach to community-based advocacy. Her career is defin...
Send us Fan Mail Jayne Amelia speaks with therapist and founder of Restore Of Ada, Dana Hargus, M.Ed., LPC. Dana is a foster mom and adoptive mom, and now a grandmother of many children. Dana was raised in the Ada area and has a bachelor's in education and special education and a master's degree in school counseling. After successfully working with students with behavioral and developmental issues, she returned to earn her degree in counseling. She has been working as a counselor for over twe...
Send us Fan Mail Jayne Amelia speaks with Jenny Serrano, a former foster youth and now administrator at DCFS. Exiting foster care in the 1990s after spending six years in the child welfare system left an indelible mark on Jenny Serrano. Ill-prepared for the responsibilities that came with living on her own, she struggled. “After I left care, I was homeless, lived in a shelter and remained precariously housed until I finished graduate school,” Jenny said. “When I exited care, there were...
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