Episode
Called To Foster: An Honest Guide with Jen Lilley and Dr. John DeGarmo
- Podcast
- From Foster to Forever
- Published
- Apr 29, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 2370
- Processing state
not_requested- Canonical source
- https://www.fromfoster2forever.com/
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Summary
Host Rachel Fulginiti is joined by returning guests Jen Lilley —a successful Hollywood actress who followed a deep calling to foster and ultimately fostered to adopt two children —and Dr. John DeGarmo , a nationally recognized foster care expert who has fostered over 60 children and adopted multiple children . In this episode they share insights from their new book, Called To Foster: An Honest Guide to Getting Started , offering a raw, honest, and practical roadmap for anyone considering foster care. Together, they bring both heart and expertise to an urgent conversation about the current state of foster care in the U.S.—and why more families are needed now than ever before. From a critical shortage of foster homes to the alarming reality that some children are being placed in juvenile detention centers simply because there’s nowhere else for them to go , this episode sheds light on a system in crisis—and how everyday people can step in to help. 🎧 Listen to Jen's & Dr. John’s original episodes (Season 2) Show Notes: The latest episode of Foster to Forever dives deep into the heart of foster care, shedding light on some serious and heartfelt issues while keeping it real and relatable. One of the standout moments features Jen Lilly recounting her experience meeting a woman who had a rather shady take on fostering, suggesting that a ‘D rate kid’—a child with behavioral issues and educational challenges—can actually be a more profitable choice for foster parents. It's a jaw-dropping moment that really makes you think about the motives behind fostering and the systemic shortcomings that allow such views to flourish. They discuss the alarming shortage of foster homes and how desperate states have resorted to placing children in juvenile detention centers due to a lack of…