Self-Taught: Former Foster Youth on Sex, Health, and Life

Feb 12 2024

Self-Taught: Former Foster Youth on Sex, Health, and Life Podcast artwork

Welcome to Self-Taught: Former Foster Youth on Sex, Health, and Life, a podcast from foster youth, for foster youth, with unfiltered conversations about about puberty, relationships, sexual health, identity, and much more that we wish were part of our upbringing. When you are in foster care, there aren’t always people to answer the big questions or to make it easy to open up about sensitive stuff. That’s why we’re bringing these conversations to you. We hope these episodes spark questions and provide resources —for you,— to find answers, feel empowered, and have community. Self-Taught: Former Foster Youth on Sex, Health, and Life is hosted by the youth advisory board of the Reproductive Health Equity Project at the National Center for Youth Law and supported through agrant to the National Center for Youth Law from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. Please like and subscribe to our podcast to get future episodes. Learn more about the podcast and the Reproductive Health Equity Project at www.fosterreprohealth.org. ©National center for Youth Law

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It’s Complicated: Mental Health and Foster Care

Feb 12 2024 27 mins

Kat, Elyzabeth, Alexis, and Esme talk about the unique challenges (former) foster youth face when accessing the mental healthcare services they need. Esme, Community Policy Associate, Mental Health Team at National Center for Youth Law, points to key resources that you might find useful, drawn from “A Young Person’s Guide to Accessing Affordable Mental Health Care.” Guests sh

Abortion Care According to Former Foster Youth

Feb 12 2024 37 mins

RHEP Youth Advisory Board members Tamar, Phillisha, and Cody discuss abortion care in this open, unflinchingly honest episode. They share what went into their own decisions when they were pregnant, expand on different kinds of abortion (medication or procedural), explain how to weigh your options, lean on supportive people & more. Alex Morse, Planned Parenthood Community Health

Caring For Yourself With A Newborn

Feb 12 2024 10 mins

Kat, Phillisha, Cody, and Sarah share stories and tips about the ups and downs they faced when accessing prenatal care (medical care for someone who is pregnant or planning to become pregnant). The team talks about little-discussed topics— like caring for yourself after the baby is born and struggling with postpartum depression as a young parent. We created this bonus episode jus

What Foster Youth Need To Know About Prenatal Care

Feb 12 2024 33 mins

What should foster youth expect from pregnancy and prenatal care? Kat, Cody, Phillisha and Sarah talk about getting the care you need leading up to birth, which is known as prenatal care. They dive into getting the support you need from the medical system, building your own support system, and exploring the parts of pregnancy or starting a family that people who have been in foster

Former Foster Youth On Preventing Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

Feb 12 2024 47 mins

Let’s talk about how to stay safe and prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs), also known as sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). We discuss methods for safe sex, relatable accounts of what it’s like to navigate the healthcare system with an STI, shaking off stigma, being open and feeling safe with partners, and more. Tamar and Cody of RHEP’s Youth Advisory Board are

How Can Foster Youth Use Birth Control on Their Terms?

Feb 12 2024 21 mins

How do hormonal and non-hormonal birth control methods work? How can you properly use birth control? As a young person in the foster care system, how can you advocate for yourself? The good news is there is no one-size-fits-all approach. It’s all about what works best for you. Kat and Brandy of RHEP’s Youth Advisory Board talk about their personal experiences with birth control

What Are Foster Youth’s Rights To Healthcare?

Feb 12 2024 32 mins

Did you know that there is a Foster Youth Bill of Rights? These rights ensure that foster youth have the opportunity to get the healthcare they need and deserve— including sexual & reproductive services.Tamar and Alexis of RHEP’s Youth Advisory Board sit down with Rebecca Gudeman, a lawyer and the Senior Director of Health at the National Center for Youth Law (NCYL), to hig

Reparenting

Apr 02 2023 28 mins

Phillisha and Tamar are all-star moms who happen to be former foster youth as well. Hear how they each actively sought to reparent themselves - filling in gaps from their own development - in order to be the best parent for their child. Plus, they share how their upbringing taught them some do’s and don’ts now that they’re in the parent role. Guests: Phillisha (she/her), form

“Mixed Diaspora" and finding a sense of belonging

Mar 19 2023 22 mins

Fitting in, being yourself, belonging… no matter what you call it, it’s hard to not feel like an outsider when you’re in foster care. Add to that Alexis’ experience being multiracial and coming from a background not often associated with the foster care system, and there’s a lot to navigate as a young person. Kat and Alexis talk about how they have found a sense of belong

Consent

Mar 06 2023 33 mins

Tamar and Kat dig into consent as an important component of any healthy relationship - not just sexual ones. Join them to explore crucial questions like: What does a healthy relationship look like with a partner? How do you spot unhealthy relationships with peers or adults when you’re a youth in foster care? How can you be your own best advocate? No tiptoeing around it, Tamar and