The First You Talk podcast is about taking complex problems that affect Central Floridians and guiding listeners to understand the issue in a digestible way and come out of each episode being better informed, experiencing an increase in empathy toward others, and the ability to discuss these difficult problems in a thoughtful way.

11. after aging out: Ryan Hatcher

Aligning with Episode 10. Understanding the Foster Care System, this episode explores the perspective of the child who goes through “the system.” Ryan Hatcher, a graduate student at the University of Central Florida, sits down with Laurie to share his foster care story, which began as an infant and is still evolving today. We were able to connect with Ryan through his involvement as a client and now advocate of the Foundation for Foster Children, a local nonprofit that was represented in Episode 10.