Episode 70: From Foster Care to Thriving Adulthood with Carlos Rios Redd
In this powerful episode of Fostering Conversations, host Amy Smith sits down with former foster youth Carlos Rios Redd to talk about lived experience in foster care, sibling separation, adoption disruption, resilience, and hope.
Carlos entered foster care as a baby, lived in more than ten homes, and experienced three adoptions. Despite repeated trauma and instability, Carlos shares how relationships, faith, and supportive families helped shape the life he leads today.
Now married and working as a K9 handler with the Utah Highway Patrol, Carlos reflects on how growing up in foster care influenced his compassion, maturity, and commitment to service. His story offers meaningful insight for foster parents, youth currently in care, and professionals who work within the child welfare system.
In this episode, we discuss:
- What it is like to grow up in foster care and experience multiple adoptions
- The impact of sibling separation and staying connected
- Reconnecting with biological siblings after years apart
- Being a permanent child in a fostering household
- Resilience, healing, and allowing yourself to be loved
- Advice for youth currently in foster care
- Why maintaining relationships matters long after placements end
Carlos speaks honestly about trauma without bitterness and shares why he believes connection is one of the most powerful tools for healing.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
- Learn more about foster care in Utah: Utah Foster Care
- Listen to this episode HERE or wherever you get your podcasts.
- Licensed foster parents can get training credit for listening. Check out the training portal for more information.
If you are a foster parent, considering fostering, or supporting youth in care, this episode offers perspective that is both grounding and hopeful.
