Every Child Belongs

It's the one-year anniversary of Every Child Belongs and this episode flips the script. With Dave kicking things off, Kim Botto reflects on what the past year has meant, what surprised her most, and what she's learned from conversations with educators, therapists, parents, and advocates.

You'll hear the biggest themes that kept showing up across the season: why proximity matters, why behavior is often misunderstood, why listening is so closely tied to love, and why adults have a responsibility to stay in the game longer than feels comfortable. Kim and Dave also talk about the power of...

Duration: 00:39:58

In this episode of Every Child Belongs, host Kim Botto sits down with licensed mental health counselor, registered play therapist, and author Brianna Edwards.

Brianna shares how play can become one of the most powerful tools we have for helping kids feel safe, connected, and understood. She explains why play is a child's natural language, how adults can use it to disarm fear and build connection, and why behaviors often have deeper stories underneath the surface.

Kim and Brianna talk about practical ways parents, teachers, and church leaders can support kids with big feelings or...

Duration: 00:38:00

What happens when years of serving families affected by disability suddenly becomes your story too? In this heartfelt conversation, Kim Botto sits down with Jenni Von Tobel, longtime disability ministry leader at Willow Creek Community Church and mom of five, including her youngest daughter, Everly Rose, who has Down syndrome.

Jenni shares how becoming a parent on "the other side of the table" transformed her approach to ministry—from advocacy to invitation, from teaching inclusion to living it. She reflects on celebrating life in the face of a diagnosis, what families really need to hear, and how pro...

Duration: 00:45:22

In this episode of Every Child Belongs, host Kim Botto welcomes bestselling author, counselor, and podcast host Sissy Goff. With over 30 years of counseling experience, Sissy is known for her calming presence and practical wisdom in helping kids and parents navigate the challenges of today's world.


Together, Kim and Sissy explore why anxiety is on the rise in both kids and parents, and how adults can respond with empathy, hope, and practical tools instead of dismissing or overreacting. Sissy shares strategies like "chunking" overwhelming situations into smaller steps, practicing calming techniques, and creating safe spaces where...

Duration: 00:44:01

In this episode of Every Child Belongs, host Kim Botto welcomes Camille Robinson, host of the Moments of Joy podcast and soon-to-be published author with Penguin Random House. Camille shares her story as a mother of five, including her son Maison, who was born with a congenital heart condition and later diagnosed with autism and an intellectual disability.

Camille opens up about the challenges and joys of parenting children with special needs, from navigating IEPs and medical interventions to advocating for inclusion in schools and churches. She talks about how her experiences reshaped her view of motherhood and...

Duration: 00:39:09

What happens when the Church shows up for those who often go unseen? In this powerful conversation, Kim sits down with Jami Kaeb (mom of eight and founder of the Forgotten Initiative) to explore how churches can truly come alongside foster families, kids, and especially the often-forgotten caseworkers who hold the system together.

Jami shares the story of how God transformed her family's view of adoption and foster care, how a simple "yes" led to a national movement, and why supporting those behind the scenes is one of the most impactful things the Church can do. This ep...

Duration: 00:45:50

What if the Church wasn't just a place where kids with disabilities were cared for—but discipled, included, and seen as indispensable?

 

In this inspiring episode, Kim Botto talks with Ellie Axford, Director of Embrace Special Needs Ministry at Brentwood Baptist in Nashville. Ellie shares how a ministry that started with four kids and a closet has grown into a thriving, full-spectrum program that includes worship, discipleship, and lifelong support.

 

You'll hear powerful stories of reverse inclusion, church leadership buy-in, baptisms, and practical advice for churches just starting their journey. Whether you...

Duration: 00:43:19

Jen Kendall on identity, parenting, public spaces, and raising kind kids.

In this episode of Every Child Belongs, Kim Botto talks with longtime friend, mom, and creative leader Jen Kendall. As a little person, Jen offers an honest look at what it's like to navigate everyday life—and parent—in a world that often overlooks people with different bodies.

She shares real stories about public spaces, awkward interactions, and helping her kids understand and embrace who they are. With humor and practical insight, Jen gives helpful ideas for how to raise kids who are curious, kind...

Duration: 00:38:29

What do you do when a child's behavior feels overwhelming—or misunderstood? In this honest and practical conversation, Dr. Chinwé Williams—licensed therapist, speaker, and author of Calm, Courageous, and Connected—joins Kim Botto to talk about how we can better support neurodivergent kids and their families in everyday spaces.

"Calm, Courageous, and Connected: A Parent's Guide to Raising Emotionally Resilient Kids" by Dr. Chinwé Williams
https://amzn.to/45bU5Q6

Chinwé shares her personal story as a mom of a child diagnosed with autism, the impact of being seen and unseen in faith communitie...

Duration: 00:53:06

On this episode, Kim Botto welcomes licensed clinical social worker Daniela Coats—founder of With Siblings and a powerful advocate for birth children in foster and adoptive families. Daniela brings a deeply personal and professional perspective, having grown up as a "bio kid" in a foster family and now parenting children through both birth and adoption. She's also the author of a beautiful children's book, The Day Lily Turned Uninvisible, which shines a light on a group often overlooked in caregiving spaces: the biological children in foster and adoptive homes.

Daniela shares how growing up with foster siblings shaped her id...

Duration: 00:43:57

In this episode of Every Child Belongs, Kim Botto talks with entrepreneur and dad Chris Heslip, founder of PushPay and CEO of Amazing Life. Chris shares how his passion for creating welcoming church spaces for all kids stems from personal experience—raising two sons, one with ADHD and the other with autism. Through vulnerability and vision, Chris opens up about the grief, learning, and breakthroughs that shaped his family's journey and deepened his commitment to inclusive ministry.

Chris and Kim discuss the practical and emotional challenges families face when their children are neurodivergent. From being turned away at...

Duration: 00:50:01

In this episode of Every Child Belongs, Kim Botto welcomes Dr. Steve Grcevich, a child and adolescent psychiatrist and founder of Key Ministry. With decades of experience and a deep passion for inclusion, Dr. Steve shares his journey from medical practice to ministry, focusing on helping churches welcome families impacted by hidden disabilities and mental health conditions.

Dr. Steve unpacks eye-opening data showing that families raising children with mental health challenges—like anxiety, ADHD, and autism—are significantly less likely to attend church. He explains the barriers these families face, from stigma and social isolation to sensory proc...

Duration: 00:53:09

It's the summer! Our routines change, the way we do things change, and so we're changing up Every Child Belongs for the month of July with a couple of mini-episodes. 

When we started this podcast in January 2025, one in 36 kids were being diagnosed with autism. Just a few months ago, the CDC, Center for Disease Control, released new research which shows that one in 31 kids are being diagnosed with autism. And it made Kim think back on a couple episodes that we had with two moms who are parenting kids who are autistic.  

Our very fi...

Duration: 00:03:20

It's the summer! Our routines change, the way we do things change, and so we're changing up Every Child Belongs for the month of July with a couple of mini-episodes. 

  As Kim has been reflecting, a recent episode that stands out was with Dr. Dwonna Thompson Lenoir and the three things she said we could do in order to be a safe place for kids.   One is, be curious. Like if a kid is behaving in a way that you don't understand, be curious.    Second thing is have a conversation. Talk with the child, not at the child.    Third is...

Duration: 00:02:05

In this episode of Every Child Belongs, host Kim Botto sits down with her friend and fellow advocate Sandra Peoples. 

Sandra shares her unique story of growing up in a family shaped by disability—her older sister had Down syndrome—and how that upbringing influenced her calling. Years later, Sandra and her husband became parents to two boys, one of whom was diagnosed with profound autism. This dual perspective—both as a sibling and now a parent—has fueled her lifelong work in encouraging families and guiding churches toward true inclusion.

Sandra's book, Unexpected Blessings, unpacks th...

Duration: 00:39:10

In this heartfelt episode, Kim Botto is joined by Jamie Finn—foster and adoptive mom, author, and founder of Foster the Family. Jamie shares her candid journey into foster care and the powerful lessons she's learned along the way. With humility and wisdom, Jamie emphasizes that being "qualified" isn't about credentials—it's about love, faith, and a willingness to grow.

 

Jamie opens up about what it really means to step into the foster care world unprepared but faithful, highlighting the importance of trauma-informed care, surrounding yourself with community, and approaching others with grace. She gives insigh...

Duration: 00:43:56

Welcome to Every Child Belongs, Kim Botto—an adoptive mom, grandma, and passionate advocate for children and teens with disabilities—explores how we can build spaces where every child feels seen, heard, and valued. With decades of experience in student and kids' ministry, Kim invites listeners into meaningful conversations with parents, educators, professionals, and community leaders to uncover real-life strategies for inclusion. Whether a child is neurodivergent, differently abled, or has experienced trauma, this podcast offers support and encouragement for anyone invested in their well-being.

 

 

In this episode, Kim talks down with Dr. Terisha...

Duration: 00:44:55

In this special mailbag episode, host Kim Botto and producer Dave dive into real questions from parents and church leaders who are walking alongside neurodivergent kids or those impacted by trauma. From navigating overstimulation in youth group to meeting sensory needs at home, Kim offers practical, grace-filled strategies grounded in curiosity and compassion.

You'll also hear why your stories and questions matter—and how they help shape a community that sees, supports, and values every child. Whether you're a parent, educator, or ministry leader, this episode brings real encouragement and tangible tools.

Kim Botto has sp...

Duration: 00:36:41

In this inspiring episode of Every Child Belongs, Kim Botto welcomes longtime friend and changemaker Chuck Mingo. Chuck, a teaching pastor at Crossroads Church and co-founder of Undivided, shares his heart for creating spaces of belonging and his journey of advocating for racial healing.


As a natural "includer," Chuck brings wisdom on how we can move beyond surface-level conversations to create genuine connections where every story is heard and valued.


Chuck opens up about the origins of Undivided, a transformative experience that equips people to engage in honest dialogue about race, faith, and...

Duration: 00:50:37

Kim talks with Dr. Dwonna Thompson-Lenoir (PsyD, LPCC-S), a seasoned psychologist and licensed professional clinical counselor, to explore how trauma impacts children and their sense of belonging.


Drawing from years of experience working with children and families, Dr. Dwonna unpacks what trauma really means, how it affects a child's brain and behavior, and why perception plays such a critical role.


Together, they dive into practical ways caregivers, teachers, and trusted adults can build trust with children who've faced trauma.


From fostering curiosity and conversation to showing unwavering consistency, Dr. Dwonna...

Duration: 00:40:40

In this episode of Every Child Belongs, Kim welcomes Becky Davidson, co-founder of Rising Above, a ministry dedicated to supporting families raising children with disabilities. 


Becky shares her journey as a mother to her son, Jon Alex, who has profound disabilities, and how her family's experience led to the creation of Rising Above—a community that provides encouragement, resources, and connection for families who often feel unseen and isolated.


Becky opens up about the early challenges of parenting a child with special needs, the struggle of isolation, and the importance of letting people int...

Duration: 00:41:55

Dr. Lamar Hardwick, also known as "Autism Pastor," joins Kim on Every Child Belongs to share his journey of being diagnosed with autism at 36 and how that has shaped his work as a pastor, author, and disability advocate.


Dr. Lamar has dedicated his life to creating spaces where individuals with disabilities don't just share space but actively shape it. He emphasizes the importance of awareness, acceptance, and advocacy—both in churches and society at large—to build truly inclusive communities.


In this episode, Dr. Lamar opens up about the challenges he faced growing up und...

Duration: 00:50:33

Ryan is the co-founder of One Big Happy Home and the host of the Empowered Parent podcast, which is closing in on 200 episodes! One Big Happy Home equips churches, organizations, and parents with the tools they need to support kids from hard places.


Side note, Ryan is absolutely hilarious—so be prepared for some laughs (and maybe a few coughs).


In this episode, Ryan shares his passion for trauma-informed care and explains why it's not just about helping kids at home, but also in schools, churches, and every environment they enter.

Duration: 00:50:45

Kim reunites with her friend, Jess Berryhill! They first met a few years ago at a conference, where we were thrown together to help lead a meetup—and the rest is history.

Jess is the student and disability minister at Mount Pleasant Church in Terre Haute, Indiana, and the work she's doing is nothing short of incredible. She started out as a youth pastor, but when a handful of students with disabilities and neurodivergence started coming to her ministry, everything changed. Today, she leads a thriving community that gathers over 100 students each week!

In this ep...

Duration: 00:40:55

In this episode, Kim is joined by her dear friend Bethany Robertson, one of the best kids pastors Kim knows.

Bethany serves as the kids pastor at Vineyard Cincinnati, and does amazing work when it comes to making sure every child belongs. She has an incredible gift for building up volunteers and creating a team that welcomes all kids with open arms.

Beyond her work in ministry, Bethany is a mom to five precious kids, a wife, and very involved in her community.

In this conversation, we dive into the importance of creating a...

Duration: 00:46:03

In this episode, Kim is joined by Beth Guckenberger—author, adoptive mom of 11, and co-executive director of Back2Back Ministries, an international organization serving vulnerable children. Beth also helped launch Trauma Free World, a leader in trauma-informed care training now offering their powerful resources completely free.

Together, Kim and Beth dive into what it looks like to create safe, healing environments for kids who've experienced hard things. They talk practical strategies, faith in the messy middle, and why trauma-informed care matters in every setting—from churches to schools to living rooms.

Whether you're new to trau...

Duration: 00:47:02

Welcome to the very first Mailbag episode of Every Child Belongs! In this special Q&A format, Kim Botto is joined by friend and podcast producer Dave Little as they tackle some of the most common challenges faced by those who care for kids—especially those with disabilities,  neurodivergence, or who have experienced trauma.

In this episode, we tackle questions like:

Why do kids with trauma, disabilities, or neurodivergence sometimes seem defiant or manipulative?

How can we create truly inclusive—not just welcoming—spaces for every child?

With warmth, honesty, and a dose...

Duration: 00:35:55

Kim talks with Lexi, a special education teacher and the founder of The Adapted Way, a business dedicated to helping churches break down behavioral and instructional barriers so kids with disabilities can fully access children's ministry programs.

Lexi's experience in the classroom has shaped the way she equips churches to create inclusive spaces for every child. While her education provided a strong foundation, it was working directly with kids that truly taught her how to adapt and engage in meaningful ways.

Now, she's using that knowledge to help churches ensure that every child, regardless of a...

Duration: 00:30:25

Kim talks with two incredible educators, Rachel Caswell and John Gesenhues, about their elementary school's commitment to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment for all students.

 

Join us for this heartfelt conversation as we talk about leadership, inclusion, and the incredible work these two are doing to make schools a place where every child is seen, valued, and loved. Their stories and perspectives are sure to inspire!

 

"Boundless Hope for Every Child" by Kim Botto
https://amzn.to/3Uj0MKg
(affiliate links)

 

Every Child Belongs exp...

Duration: 00:37:26

In this episode, Kim is thrilled to welcome Dr. Robert Crosby, Executive Director of Reach Hurting Kids and a professor of psychology at California Baptist University.


With decades of experience serving children and youth in the local church, Robert also conducted a 10-year research project on the intersection of church and child development. We dive into his incredible work and discuss how to ensure every child feels like they belong, especially kids with disabilities, those who are neurodivergent, or children who've experienced trauma.

Robert shares how his dedication for youth ministry and education—bo...

Duration: 00:47:13

In this episode, we sit down with Kari Baker, a former financial services executive and business owner who has transformed her career into one of advocacy and inspiration. Carrie is now an author, speaker, and podcaster, as well as the founder of KIND Families—an organization dedicated to supporting Kids with Invisible Neurological Differences (KIND). She also hosts the Kind Families podcast, where she shares insights and resources for parents navigating similar journeys.

 

Kari's story began in 2014 when her son, Brady, was diagnosed with autism at three years old. Feeling isolated during that challenging time, she...

Duration: 00:39:08

In this episode, we're joined by Ashley Meier Barlow, a special education and estate planning attorney based in Kentucky. She's also the owner of The Collaborative IEP, a digital platform dedicated to empowering and inspiring parents and advocates in the world of special education.

 

Through her work, Ashley provides invaluable guidance to help families better advocate for their children. You can follow her on Instagram or visit her website, The Collaborative IEP, for expert insights and resources.

 

Ashley's impact doesn't stop there—she's an active leader in the advocacy space, serving on s...

Duration: 00:40:01

Heather is a passionate advocate for inclusion and belonging, with experience that spans the roles of special education teacher, parent, and community leader.

 

As a mom to a child with special needs and those who have experienced trauma, she brings a unique perspective to supporting children with diverse needs. Her professional and personal journeys intertwine, making her an inspiring voice for ensuring every child feels valued.

 

With her warmth, humor, and love of tacos, Heather is an authentic and relatable advocate who inspires action and connection.

 

"Boundless Hop...

Duration: 00:38:44

As a mother of three, including a son with autism, Larah Robert's passion for disability ministry is deeply personal. Along with her husband Collin, Larah co-authored the book "How to Advocate and Stay Christian," offering support and guidance to parents of special needs children.

 

Larah also encourages parents on her podcast and Instagram at @RaisingAutisticDisciples. Raising Autistic Disciples aims to be a gospel focused resource and encouragement for those desiring to raise autistic disciples for God's Kingdom.

 

Larah Roberts (pronounced like Sarah with an L) has over 20 years of experience in lea...

Duration: 00:38:21