In Case You Forget

Nurturing Relationships Outside of Work (w/ Cheryl Nitz) S1:E7

In this episode of In Case You Forget, Jami and Jamie sit down with Cheryl Nitz, a licensed clinical social worker and university department chair, to navigate the unique tension caseworkers face: carrying heavy, profound stories that are not theirs to share. Drawing from her doctoral research on attachment and her decades of clinical and personal experience as an adoptive parent, Cheryl discusses the practice of being 100% present with clients while successfully releasing that burden at the end of the day. The conversation highlights how caseworkers can protect client confidentiality as a sacred trust while still inviting external friends and family to care for their own emotional needs. Cheryl offers profound reminders that while frontline workers cannot control case outcomes, their obedience and presence build lasting, life-changing bridges of hope. About the Guest Cheryl Nitz is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with over 30 years of experience specializing in trauma, attachment, foster care, and adoption. She serves as the Chair of the Department of Social Work at Liberty University, where she helps prepare future social workers to lead with compassion and a commitment to justice. Cheryl brings deep personal insight to her work as a foster and adoptive mother of four and a grandparent of six, with doctoral research focused on attachment and emotional intimacy. In This Episode * Navigating the emotional cost of walking through trauma and pain with families without becoming calloused or distant. * The theological peace of realizing you are not responsible for the ultimate outcome of a child's life, only for your individual faithfulness to the tasks given. * Depersonalizing difficult behaviors by recognizing that biological families and children often respond out of their own historical trauma. * Developing specific personal transition rituals—such as prayer, classic rock, or visual boundaries—to mark the clear separation between work life and home life. * Overcoming the "compulsive caregiver" mindset to communicate personal limitations and accept reciprocity in primary attachments. * Understanding that friends serve different functions: learning when to lean on friends who bring lightness and laughter versus those who speak direct truth. * How to invite personal community to support your heart through heavy seasons without breaking client privacy or sharing identifying details. * Honoring key strategic moments by listening to a client's venting process fully before jumping in with platitudes, Bible verses, or quick solutions. Resources + Links Learn more about The Forgotten Initiative: https://theforgotteninitiative.org/ [https://theforgotteninitiative.org/] Follow TFI on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theforgotteninitiative/ [https://www.instagram.com/theforgotteninitiative/]

Building a Culture of Care (w/LaQuisha White) S1:E6

In this episode of In Case You Forget, Jami sits down with LaQuisha White, Director of Foster Care at WinShape Homes, to discuss how frontline workers can meaningfully influence their agency's culture—even when they feel they lack authority. Having served as both a therapist and a leader, LaQuisha offers a perspective rooted in "open hands" leadership. They explore the reality that caseworkers are the primary influencers of culture because they are the "boots on the ground" representing the agency in homes and courtrooms. LaQuisha provides practical guidance for navigating the "winding road" of reunification and offers specific advice for workers who don't feel supported by their supervisors. The conversation serves as a powerful reminder that while the work is generational and heavy, the individual relationship between a worker and a child is life-changing work that matters regardless of the final outcome. About the Guest LaQuisha White is the Director of Foster Care at WinShape Homes, where she leads program operations and partners with churches to support families through a trauma-informed approach. With a background as a therapist for children in therapeutic foster care and a variety of leadership roles in mental health and adoption, she is known for her steady leadership and passion for strengthening systems while keeping frontline workers at the center. In This Episode * Understanding that frontline workers are the biggest influencers of culture because they are the face of the agency to the community. * Moving beyond an "open door" policy to an "open hands and open heart" posture as a leader. * How to speak about biological families and children as "image-bearers" rather than just case files. * Practical steps for workers who feel unsupported: Finding your "why" and identifying external support systems. * Redefining self-care as a professional responsibility, including "micro-moments" of reflection and setting firm communication boundaries. * Encouragement for new workers: You are changing a child's life simply by being a supportive, consistent presence in their story. Resources + Links Learn more about The Forgotten Initiative [https://theforgotteninitiative.org/] Follow TFI on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/theforgotteninitiative/] Check out WinShape Homes [https://winshapehomes.org/]

Managing Your Hard Days (w/Blake Boyer) S1:E5

In this episode of In Case You Forget, Jami and Jamie are joined by Blake Boyer, a seasoned social worker and TBRI (Trust-Based Relational Intervention) practitioner. TBRI is a holistic, trauma-informed intervention designed to meet the complex needs of vulnerable children by focusing on connection, empowering environments, and proactive correction. Blake shares her personal journey through nine years of child welfare work, offering a candid look at how secondary trauma and the weight of human depravity can lead to exhaustion. The conversation explores the spiritual and practical discipline of setting boundaries, emphasizing that a caseworker's faithfulness to God is more important than their output at work. Blake encourages listeners to reject the "savior complex," reminding them that they are humans "made of dust" and that God is the only one sovereign over the outcomes of their cases. About the Guest Blake Boyer is an MSW and practitioner of Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) with nine years of experience in child welfare, working at both micro and macro levels. She is the creator of the Instagram page @ChristianSocialWorker, where she provides education and support for believers navigating the ethical and emotional complexities of the foster care system. Blake lives in the North Georgia Mountains with her husband and son. In This Episode Recognizing that it is okay to "switch it up" or move into different roles within social work to preserve your marriage, health, and faith. The importance of a "warm handoff"—transitioning cases planfully and healthily rather than quitting abruptly due to burnout. How to foster a culture of collaboration and servant leadership within a child welfare office. Staying grounded by focusing on "molecular" responsibilities: controlling your own attitude and obedience when the system feels out of control. Identifying the signs of a "callous heart" as a primary indicator that you are in desperate need of a break. Practical "in-the-moment" breaks, such as parking the car to pray or checking in with your nervous system during a long day of visits. Finding your identity in the character of God (the Just Judge and Savior) rather than in your professional performance. The necessity of having a life and hobbies—like art or hiking—outside of social work to keep your soul soft. Resources + Links Learn more about The Forgotten Initiative [https://theforgotteninitiative.org/]

Learning From Your Anxiety (w/Blair Linne) S1:E4

In this episode, Jami and Jamie speak with author and Bible teacher Blair Linne about her unexpected battle with debilitating anxiety. Blair recounts how a "buildup" of life stressors—moving for a church plant, postpartum changes, and a car accident—led to a season of panic attacks and a loss of identity. She challenges the stigma of anxiety in Christian circles and reframes weakness as a "portal" to deeper dependence on God. This conversation offers caseworkers practical "body-guarding" tools, such as box breathing and "stacking" time, to help navigate the heavy weight of secondary trauma. About the Guest Blair Linne is a Bible teacher, author, and spoken word artist based in Dallas, Texas. She is the author of several books, including Made to Tremble: How Anxiety Became the Best Thing That Ever Happened to My Faith. Blair is a pioneer in Christian spoken word and co-hosts The Glo Podcast with The Gospel Coalition. In This Episode * How "high capacity" individuals can be blindsided by postpartum and trauma-induced anxiety. * Reframing weakness as a teacher that helps us receive help and lean on God. * Identifying the "buildup" of stress that can lead to a tailspin from one final event. * The connection between anxiety and grief: Grieving the life and dreams you thought you would have. * Practical "body-guarding" tools: Box breathing, "blue spaces," and the physiological benefits of dancing. * Moving from being "depleted" to being "dependent" on God's strength. * How to avoid being "Job's friend" by listening well to a person's unique story of struggle. Resources + Links Learn more about The Forgotten Initiative [https://theforgotteninitiative.org/]

Walking Your Story Alongside Theirs (w/Mia Arrington) S1:E3

Jami and Jamie welcome Mia Arrington, a therapist and former foster youth, to discuss the complex intersection of personal history and professional service. Mia shares her journey of "surrendering" to a career in social work despite her initial vow to never deal with foster care again. She explores how personal "triggers" can actually be a gift, indicating a deep level of empathy for the lives being served. The episode provides a roadmap for workers to recognize when they are burnt out, the importance of "Sabbath" and disconnection, and how to appropriately share one's story to humanize the therapeutic process. About the Guest Mia Arrington is a wife, mom, therapist, and social worker. As a former foster youth and adoptee, she is the founder of A Fostered Love, a faith-rooted space providing trauma-informed support for foster alumni, adoptees, and parents to help them understand and heal their stories. In This Episode * Navigating the "obedience" of returning to the foster care field after personal trauma. * Seeing adoption and foster care as a "celebration" of image-bearers, even amidst loss and trauma. * Normalizing triggers: Why being impacted by a client's story is a sign of a healthy, feeling heart. * The ethical balance of "judicious disclosure"—sharing parts of your own story to benefit the client. * The life-changing gift of Sabbath: 15 years of prioritizing a "non-negotiable" day of rest. * Building a "toolkit" for grounding your nervous system, from cozy blankets to fiction books. Resources + Links Listen to Mia's episode of The Forgotten Podcast [https://open.spotify.com/episode/6pmUyiRCdMbF0GSd9TVfEq?si=0f1333a2fbc34ac7] Learn more about The Forgotten Initiative [https://theforgotteninitiative.org/]