Episode 27

Episode 27 – Thanksgiving Special: Choosing Gratitude in the Beautiful Chaos of Foster Care & Adoption

Published on: 25th November, 2025

In the Thanksgiving episode of The Dream Small Podcast, Jason and Whitney open the door to their joyful, loud, messy, and love-filled home. Whether you're driving to family gatherings, prepping holiday meals, or simply needing encouragement this week, this conversation is full of warmth, humor, and reminders of God’s goodness.

This episode dives into:

  • The joyful chaos of parenting seven kids
  • Why gratitude matters — even in seasons that feel overwhelming
  • Their daughter’s hilarious 6th-grade teacher and the viral “because he’s fat” family joke
  • The emotional, courageous decision that allowed their 2-year-old foster daughter to officially become adoptable
  • The story of saying an unexpected “yes” that changed their family forever
  • The unique privilege of being a dad (and mom) to kids who didn’t share their DNA
  • How foster care has strengthened their marriage, stretched their faith, and shaped their children into more compassionate humans
  • Remembering that gratitude doesn’t ignore hardships — it reframes them
  • The beauty of being chosen to love children for a season or for a lifetime
  • Learning to see God’s faithfulness in everyday “small” moments

If you are a foster parent, adoptive parent, or someone considering taking that step, this episode will encourage your heart, make you laugh, and may even bring a few tears (Jason included!).

Scripture of the Episode:

“Be thankful in all circumstances.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NLT)

Perfect for listeners searching:

foster care stories • adoption encouragement • Christian parenting • family joy • trauma-informed parenting • Thanksgiving gratitude • foster parent podcast • adoptive family podcast

🔗 Connect With Us

Email: dreamsmallpodcast@gmail.com

Instagram: @dreamsmallpodcast

Facebook: Dream Small Podcast

Twitter/X: @DreamSmallShow

Support the show: https://dream-small-podcast.captivate.fm/support

Music: “Paradise Found” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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About the Podcast

Dream Small Podcast
The Dream Small Podcast is a foster care and adoption podcast hosted by Jason and Whitney Small, foster and adoptive parents who have welcomed more than 14 children into their home and adopted three. Through honest conversations and real life stories, the podcast encourages foster parents, adoptive families, and those considering foster care.

Each episode explores the realities of foster care, adoption, and parenting children from hard places, offering practical encouragement and hope for families navigating the foster care journey. Jason and Whitney share lessons from their own experience, faith, and conversations around trauma informed parenting, family life, and supporting vulnerable children.

Whether you are a current foster parent, an adoptive parent, considering becoming a foster parent, or someone who supports foster families, the Dream Small Podcast exists to encourage and equip you along the way.

Jason and Whitney believe that changing a child’s life rarely happens through big moments. More often, it happens through small, faithful acts of love lived out every day.

If you're thinking about becoming a foster parent or walking the foster care journey, this podcast will help you navigate the challenges, celebrate the wins, and stay encouraged along the way.
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