Episodes
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This is episode two of a two-part conversation with Shrounda Selivanoff. We are continuing our ongoing series on Termination of Parental Rights. If you haven't already, please listen to the first episode where Shrounda and I talk about her family's experience of TPR and how they had to fight to maintain custody of her grandson and protect her son's rights from being terminated.
In this episode, we talk mostly about House Bill 1747, which was passed in Washington state in 2022. Most fundamentally, the law requires the Department of Children, Youth, and Families to rule out guardianship before considering Termination of Parental Rights and adoption. While this is largely a policy conversation, we gourd it in what matters the most, which is family, and belonging, and our right to be connected.Here is the link to HB 1747 if you would like to learn more.
Washington State Legislature
As we move into our production pause, I'd like to say Thank You! I'm beyond grateful for everyone who has listened, joined the podcast club, and been part of the incredible community we've built. You are why we make this show. Let's stay connected. Please follow Imagination Factory on LinkedIn, Instagram (@imgnfactory), or email me directly at [email protected]. See you soon...Please connect with me, Matt Anderson, on LinkedIn - Matt Anderson | LinkedIn
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In this journal episode I talk about the impact that decision overload can have on us, particularly for those of us who are introverts, and how I keep my energy for the most important things. When you take a minute to think about the quantity of decisions we make every day, week, month, and year it can be staggering. And considering the weight of some of these decisions, it becomes clear that there is real value in auditing where we spend our mental and emotional energy.
What decisions can I let go of to create more space for my future to emerge?
I share four ways that I've found helpful to minimize the number of decisions I make and their impact on my energy. These include self-awareness, delegation, simplification, and letting go. I'll leave you with a journal prompt to consider the practice of letting go.You are invited to join the Proximity Podcast Club, a community of people supporting one another through their process of becoming who they want to be in this work. We have two options to make this community accessible. We meet every Monday at 9am ET and 9am PT (12pm ET). You can join the club by filling out this form and we'll send you the meeting invite. Proximity Podcast Club - Google Forms
Please connect with me, Matt Anderson, on LinkedIn - Matt Anderson | LinkedIn
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Missing episodes?
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In this episode we return to our ongoing series on Termination of Parental Rights. This is part one of a two-part conversation with Shrounda Selivanoff. Shrounda is the Chief of Parent Representation Initiatives with the Washington State Office of Public Defense. She has a long history as an effective policy director and respected advocate for parental rights. She also brings her own personal experience of CPS, child welfare, and TPR as a mother and a grandmother. In part on of our conversation, Shrounda shares her story of fighting for her son's rights as a parent and for her grandson's right to know and be connected to his family. In part two of our conversation we'll dive into the policy she worked in WA and the implications it has in the ongoing conversation about a world without TPR.
Here are links to the article that Shrounda referenced about safety, permanency, and well-being as well as HB 1747.
Oregon Child Welfare Review Assessment Findings Report, 2023
Washington State Legislature
You are invited to join the Proximity Podcast Club, a community of people supporting one another through their process of becoming who they want to be in this work. We have two options to make this community accessible. We meet every Monday at 9am ET and 9am PT (12pm ET). You can join the club by filling out this form and we'll send you the meeting invite. Proximity Podcast Club - Google FormsPlease connect with me, Matt Anderson, on LinkedIn - Matt Anderson | LinkedIn
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This week's journal picks up on the main theme of last week's episode with Jalaycia Lewis. So many of us have great ideas for things we want to do or create but we tend to get stuck in the idea phase. In order to have the impact we want, we have to get out of ideation and into action, but this is difficult, and we need some simple tools. I talk about the importance of acknowledging that we are stuck, why we are stuck, and three simple steps we can take to get us moving towards action. I also talk about the benefits of using speech acts and generative communication to help us continue to take action so we can bring our ideas into reality.
If you want to learn more about generative language, there are some great resources at Bhavana Learning Group. There e-book is particularly valuable. Generative Communication pt.1 | Bhavana Learning Group
You are invited to join the Proximity Podcast Club, a community of people supporting one another through their process of becoming who they want to be in this work. We have two options to make this community accessible. We meet every Monday at 9am ET and 9am PT (12pm ET). You can join the club by filling out this form and we'll send you the meeting invite. Proximity Podcast Club - Google FormsPlease connect with me, Matt Anderson, on LinkedIn - Matt Anderson | LinkedIn
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This is a particularly exciting episode because we are doing something a little bit different. Today’s guest is Jalaycia Lewis who is part of the Imagination Factory community and someone I’ve been coaching for the past 6 months or so. Like so many of us, Jalaycia has ideas and dreams for what she wants to do in the world. She wants her work to align with her values, what she loves, what she’s good at, and how she wants to create a more just world. For her, that is an idea she calls The Social Recipe, which is an organization she’s wanted to start for years.
In this episode you are going to drop into a live coaching session with me and Jalaycia. You'll her about what The Social Recipe is, what she’s been working on, and a key question she’s focused on right now. I hope you enjoy this one and find it valuable. I would love to hear your feedback, please hit me up on LinkedIn or email.
You are invited to join the Proximity Podcast Club, a community of people supporting one another through their process of becoming who they want to be in this work. We have two options to make this community accessible. We meet every Monday at 9am ET and 9am PT (12pm ET). You can join the club by filling out this form and we'll send you the meeting invite. Proximity Podcast Club - Google FormsPlease connect with me, Matt Anderson, on LinkedIn - Matt Anderson | LinkedIn
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In this week's journal episode, I share a simple exercise that my coach, Brendalyn King shared with me. Since then, I have shared this with a number of people I work with, and they typically resonate with it and find it valuable. This came to me at a time in my process where I was questioning the impact of my work and if I was doing enough and doing "the right" things. I think this is an experience that most of us have felt throughout our lives and careers. The exercise helps us to identify where those feelings are coming from and how we can remind ourselves that we are always enough, and we can trust our future to emerge.
If you haven't listened to the episode with Brendalyn, I would highly recommend doing so. She is an incredibly skillful coach and absolutely amazing person. You can listen here. Should I Leave My Job with Brendalyn King
Here is this week's journal prompt.
- Am I Enough?
- Am I Doing Enough?
- Can I Measure My Impact?
- Can I Trust My Future to Emerge?
You are invited to join the Proximity Podcast Club, a community of people supporting one another through their process of becoming who they want to be in this work. We have two options to make this community accessible. We meet every Monday at 9am ET and 9am PT (12pm ET). You can join the club by filling out this form and we'll send you the meeting invite. Proximity Podcast Club - Google FormsPlease connect with me, Matt Anderson, on LinkedIn - Matt Anderson | LinkedIn
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I've been under the weather, so I decided to rerelease a gem from season one. I'm excited to share my conversation with Dr Jessica Pryce. Dr Pryce's book, Broken: Transforming Child Protective Services, gave us a great backdrop to a wide-ranging conversation. At the beginning of the book, she lays out a framework or process of moving from being an agent of the child protection system to becoming an advocate and then activist. We talk about what these terms mean, the process of moving from one to the other, and how this has played out in Jessica's career. The conversation then turns to the subtitle of the book, transforming child protective services, Dr Pryce's Ted Talk, and her perspective on Termination of Parental Rights.
Please visit Dr Pryce's website to learn more about her work, listen to her Ted Talk, or to purchase her new book. Reimagine Child Protection (jessicaprycephd.com)
You are invited to join the Proximity Podcast Club, a community of people supporting one another through their process of becoming who they want to be in this work. We have two options to make this community accessible. We meet every Monday at 9am ET and 9am PT (12pm ET). You can join the club by filling out this form and we'll send you the meeting invite. Proximity Podcast Club - Google FormsPlease connect with me, Matt Anderson, on LinkedIn - Matt Anderson | LinkedIn
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In this week's journal episode, I wanted to return to the conversation about Termination of Parent Rights. I've been surprised by the number of conversations that are happening around TPR in recent months, more than any time in my career, including national working groups. While we have a long way to go in terms of making significant strides, it seems as though we are normalizing the conversation about a world without TPR. So, I wanted to come back to the thought experiment of, "what if TPR no longer existed?"
I also reference a future episode that we are developing that will likely touch on a particular policy in Washginton state that was passed in 2022, which requires the state to rule out guardianship before proceeding with adoption and TPR.
Can you read the bill language here. 1747-S HBR FBR 22 (wa.gov)
The journal prompt this week is...in ten years, TPR will no longer exist, what will need to change between now and then to be prepared for a world without TPR? This is a creative constraint to help us imagine the future we want to see rather than how we want to change the current structures of the system.
You are invited to join the Proximity Podcast Club, a community of people supporting one another through their process of becoming who they want to be in this work. We have two options to make this community accessible. We meet every Monday at 9am ET and 9am PT (12pm ET). You can join the club by filling out this form and we'll send you the meeting invite. Proximity Podcast Club - Google FormsPlease connect with me, Matt Anderson, on LinkedIn - Matt Anderson | LinkedIn
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We're excited to bring you an update on what is happening with Together with Families (TwF) since our last episode with Sarah Winograd. TwF is, in my opinion, one of the more innovative organizations working with families impacted by the child welfare system. I had the pleasure of catching up with Sarah and her partner and co-founder Andel Jones-Foster.
TwF is an interesting organization for us all to learn from but not because of what they do but rather how they do it. I think what makes them unique is their ability to build relationships, to share power, and to co-design with the families they serve. Their approach leads to an organizational culture and programming that is far more relevant, responsive, and impactful.
TwF is about to launch The Hub, which is their new office location and family resource center. They’ll also be launching a new website, a short film about their work, and a playbook that anyone can use to learn about and apply their unique approach. We will update these notes with links as soon as the website is live.
You are invited to join the Proximity Podcast Club, a community of people supporting one another through their process of becoming who they want to be in this work. We have two options to make this community accessible. We meet every Monday at 9am ET and 9am PT (12pm ET). You can join the club by filling out this form and we'll send you the meeting invite. Proximity Podcast Club - Google Forms
Please connect with me, Matt Anderson, on LinkedIn - Matt Anderson | LinkedIn
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One of the biggest lessons I've learned over the past few years is that the practice of letting go is critical to my process. I've see how letting go has helped me and many others I've had the opportunity to work with. In this episode I talk about letting go as the practice of creating space for our future to emerge. And one of the key elements of this practice is discerning between things that we think are comforts but are actually constraints. This is a practice of letting go what feels like security but is actually holding us back from the future we really want to create.
The journal prompt is, what parts of my life have I come to see as comforts, but are actually constraints? Another way to reflect on this is, what I do I believe is giving me security but is actually holding me back? Lastly, what can I let go so that I am free to create my future?
You are invited to join the Proximity Podcast Club, a community of people supporting one another through their process of becoming who they want to be in this work. We have two options to make this community accessible. We meet every Monday at 9am ET and 9am PT (12pm ET). You can join the club by filling out this form and we'll send you the meeting invite.
Proximity Podcast Club - Google FormsPlease connect with me, Matt Anderson, on LinkedIn - Matt Anderson | LinkedIn
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This is the next in a series of conversations about the intersection of child welfare and affordable housing. Nationally, 10% of children come into foster care simply because their families cannot access affordable housing. Dustin Koury describes how Wisconsin came to a decision that rather than removing children, causing undue stress and harm, they would instead invest in stable housing and related support. Dustin and I start the conversation with a question we often come back to on the show, should I stay, or should I go? In other words, can I have the kind of impact that is aligned with my values while working within the system, or do I need to work from the outside. Dustin talks about some of the conflicts that exist within this work and how he has come to his decision.
We will update these notes as soon as the Family Keys films are available. In the meantime, you can find more information about the project here. Family Keys Pilot Puts Families First
You are invited to join the Proximity Podcast Club, a community of people supporting one another through their process of becoming who they want to be in this work. We have two options to make this community accessible. We meet every Monday at 9am ET and 9am PT (12pm ET). You can join the club by filling out this form and we'll send you the meeting invite. Proximity Podcast Club - Google FormsPlease connect with me, Matt Anderson, on LinkedIn - Matt Anderson | LinkedIn
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In this week's episode I return to one of the core questions that not only led to the development of the show but also my decision to leave my job. Am I in right relationship? I share a few thoughts on being in integrity with my values as one way to answer the question. Then I dive more deeply into what has emerged for me over the past year or so, which is that I want to work and live at the intersection of purpose, joy, and justice. I talk about what these words mean to me and offer an example of how my work shows up right now at that intersection.
The journal prompts for this week are, 1) am I in right relationship with myself and the people I serve, 2) what are the conditions for how I work that would put me in right relationship (I reference two examples in the episode purpose, joy, and justice and freedom, joy, and sanctuary)?
Please use this short survey to share your feedback. This will help us make the show better as we move into year two. Thank you. The Proximity Process - Google Forms
You are invited to join the Proximity Podcast Club, a community of people supporting one another through their process of becoming who they want to be in this work. We have two options to make this community accessible. We meet every Monday at 9am ET and 9am PT (12pm ET). You can join the club by filling out this form and we'll send you the meeting invite. Proximity Podcast Club - Google FormsPlease connect with me, Matt Anderson, on LinkedIn - Matt Anderson | LinkedIn
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This is the one-year anniversary of The Proximity Process podcast. Thank you for listening and being part of the community that we are building. To mark this milestone, we thought we'd go back into the archives and pull clips of our guests answering the question that ends every episode. What does proximity mean to you? I also talk about what the proximity process means to me. I hope you enjoy.
I'm going to send 5 people a small gift as a gesture of gratitude. All you have to do is share this episode on social media and tag me in your post (so I see it). The first 5 people will get a little something to say thank you for helping us get to the one-year mark.
You are invited to join the Proximity Podcast Club, a community of people supporting one another through their process of becoming who they want to be in this work. We have two options to make this community accessible. We meet every Monday at 9am ET and 9am PT (12pm ET). You can join the club by filling out this form and we'll send you the meeting invite. Proximity Podcast Club - Google FormsPlease connect with me, Matt Anderson, on LinkedIn - Matt Anderson | LinkedIn
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Why do we remove kids from their family and pay for foster care when stable housing is a better solution? 10% of children in foster care are removed due to unstable or unsuitable housing. Investing in affordable housing programs to prevent foster care is better for kids, families, communities, and its less expensive.
When we start to look at the child welfare system through an economic justice lens, we can gain a better understanding of the root cause issues and solutions. In this episode I share some of my own process of beginning to see myself and my work from this perspective, and why I'm particularly interested in affordable housing solutions.
To learn about the data being released by Chapin Hall you can look follow this link: Family and Child Well-being System: Economic & Concrete Supports as a Core Component to Address Race Equity
To learn more about the Family Keys program in Wisconsin you can follow this link: Family Keys Pilot Puts Families First | Wisconsin Department of Children and Families
You are invited to join the Proximity Podcast Club, a community of people supporting one another through their process of becoming who they want to be in this work. We have two options to make this community accessible. We meet every Monday at 9am ET and 9am PT (12pm ET). You can join the club by filling out this form and we'll send you the meeting invite. Proximity Podcast Club - Google FormsPlease connect with me, Matt Anderson, on LinkedIn - Matt Anderson | LinkedIn
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In this week's episode my friend Carol King joins me for a conversation about why she made the pivot from technology to affordable housing. The story actually starts during her childhood. Carol grew up with her father as the primary caregiver and in an environment that wasn't always safe. She eventually made the difficult decision to remove herself from the home and ultimately go into foster care. In spite of the ups and downs Carol always knew she had the respite and stability of a home to go to at the end of the day. As Carol become more established in her career, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing, that she wasn't solving the right problem. She never let go of the idea that stable housing is an important factor in the well-being of families, and it's a significant problem facing many families caught up in the child welfare system. So, with great consideration she took the leap to pursue her dream of launching an affordable housing venture in her hometown of Kansas City.
You are invited to join the Proximity Podcast Club, a community of people supporting one another through their process of becoming who they want to be in this work. We have two options to make this community accessible. We meet every Monday at 9am ET and 9am PT (12pm ET). You can join the club by filling out this form and we'll send you the meeting invite. Proximity Podcast Club - Google FormsPlease connect with me, Matt Anderson, on LinkedIn - Matt Anderson | LinkedIn
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For this week's journal episode, I scrolled back into my photos to see where I was one year ago. I was on production of Standing with Mom's, a short film we produced for Mother's Outreach Network about their guaranteed income pilot. One of the lessons I learned from MON's founder, Melody Webb, is that we should believe in people, invest in people, and our investments should meet the need as defined by the people we serve. I talk about how this lesson can be turned into a simple framework for assessing our organizations, programs, and ourselves. And by creating the space to go through a process of answering a series of questions, I think we can see if we are in right relationship with ourselves and the people we serve.
If you want to watch Standing with Mom's and learn more about Melody and Mother's Outreach Network, you can visit their website. Standing with Moms Film - Mother's Outreach Network
You are invited to join the Proximity Podcast Club, a community of people supporting one another through their process of becoming who they want to be in this work. We have two options to make this community accessible. We meet every Monday at 9am ET and 9am PT (12pm ET). You can join the club by filling out this form and we'll send you the meeting invite. Proximity Podcast Club - Google FormsPlease connect with me, Matt Anderson, on LinkedIn - Matt Anderson | LinkedIn
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This week's episode is the next in a series of conversations with a variety of guests on the topic of Termination of Parental Rights. The question we've been asking is, what if TPR didn't exist? In past episodes with Vivek, we've talked about two TPR cases he's been appealing and the opportunity he had this summer to present oral arguments to the Michigan Supreme Court. A few weeks ago, the Michigan Supreme Court released their decision in both cases. Vivek shares their decision, his reaction, and what's next in the fight for a world without TPR.
If you want to learn more about Vivek and the work of his law clinic at The University of Michigan, you can visit their website. Vivek S. Sankaran | University of Michigan Law School
You are invited to join the Proximity Podcast Club, a community of people supporting one another through their process of becoming who they want to be in this work. We have two options to make this community accessible. We meet every Monday at 9am ET and 9am PT (12pm ET). You can join the club by filling out this form and we'll send you the meeting invite. Proximity Podcast Club - Google FormsPlease connect with me, Matt Anderson, on LinkedIn - Matt Anderson | LinkedIn
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In this week's episode I talk about why I'm cofounding the Imagination Factory and what I'm learning about myself and the work to advance justice. Systems change, changing the structures of what currently exists, is not enough to advance justice. We need to imagine and create a future where families and communities have what they need to thrive. While many of us have dreams and ideas for the future we want to create we don't always have the community, support, or resources we need. The Imagination Factory is building a community and offering programs to help individuals and organizations unlock their creative capacity so they can move from dreaming to taking action and ultimately having an impact. Our cornerstone program is our 8-week Accelerator where cohort members clarify their dream and intention, learn principles and practices, develop action plans, and build community.
Please check out the website to learn more about the organization, programs, and cofounders. Imagination Factory
You can also follow us on Instagram at Imagination Factory (@imgnfactory).
You are invited to join the Proximity Podcast Club, a community of people supporting one another through their process of becoming who they want to be in this work. We have two options to make this community accessible. We meet every Monday at 9am ET and 9am PT (12pm ET). You can join the club by filling out this form and we'll send you the meeting invite. Proximity Podcast Club - Google FormsPlease connect with me, Matt Anderson, on LinkedIn - Matt Anderson | LinkedIn
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In this episode I talk to leading trauma expert, Dr. Bruce Perry. I wanted to continue an ongoing conversation Bruce and I have been having about why systems don't change and the important role of storytelling in personal transformation. Dr. Perry is working on a new book about why systems don't change, and we thought it would be great to talk about what he's learning. We covered a number of topics that could be considered the right kinds of conditions for personal transformation. We started the conversation with Bruce sharing his perspective on the overall thesis of this show, that systems change starts with personal transformation.
If you want to learn more about Dr. Perry's work you can visit his website. The Neurosequential Network
You are invited to join the Proximity Podcast Club, a community of people supporting one another through their process of becoming who they want to be in this work. We have two options to make this community accessible. We meet every Monday at 9am ET and 9am PT (12pm ET). You can join the club by filling out this form and we'll send you the meeting invite. Proximity Podcast Club - Google FormsPlease connect with me, Matt Anderson, on LinkedIn - Matt Anderson | LinkedIn
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In this week's journal episode, I talk about the practice of Right Relationship and how it has been a significant part of my process. I share a few different definitions that can be helpful in how we think about what this principle and practice actually means. I also walk through the Japanese concept of Ikigai as a tool that we can use to assess whether or not we are living in Right Relationship with purpose, joy, and justice. The episode ends with a journal prompt that we all can use to help us grow in our understanding of this principle and its application in our own lives and process.
This is a good resource from Calm about what Ikigai is and how you can use it. Ikigai: what it is and how to use ikigai to find your purpose
You are invited to join the Proximity Podcast Club, a community of people supporting one another through their process of becoming who they want to be in this work. We have two options to make this community accessible. We meet every Monday at 9am ET and 9am PT (12pm ET). You can join the club by filling out this form and we'll send you the meeting invite. Proximity Podcast Club - Google FormsPlease connect with me, Matt Anderson, on LinkedIn - Matt Anderson | LinkedIn
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