Self-Taught: Former Foster Youth on Sex, Health, and Life
Self-Taught is a podcast created by former foster youth for foster youth. It features unfiltered conversations about puberty, relationships, sexual health, identity, and other topics the hosts wish had been part of their upbringing. The show is hosted by the youth advisory board of the Reproductive Health Equity Project at the National Center for Youth Law. It aims to provide resources, spark questions, and help listeners feel empowered and connected. The podcast is supported by a grant from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation.
Episodes
Finding joy in your sexuality & expression: Advice from the foster youth community
Send us Fan MailOur all-former-foster-youth squad chats about self-discovery, challenging gender norms, and self-care. Our speakers also discuss how to create a supportive community, and how to love yourself, even in a world that seems full of hate. You deserve self-love and the opportunity to find others who appreciate you for you! Content Advisory: The stories we are sharing sometimes touch on d
Abortion care: your needs before (and after) matter
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we discuss the stigma that comes with choosing abortion care, especially for the foster youth community. Our all-former-foster-youth crew clears up important medical terms – like the differences between in-clinic abortions and medication abortions. We also give tips on how to prepare for your medical visit and consider your needs for childcare, transportation, a su
How foster youth can navigate bias and stigma in sexual & repro healthcare
Send us Fan MailUnfortunately, not all medical workers treat foster youth with respect. In this episode, we share how we have sometimes had to stick up for ourselves to get the sexual and reproductive health care we need (and deserve!). Listeners: you have the right to ask questions, say no, and make choices about your own health. You should feel respected and listened to by your doctors— and if y
Prioritizing your mental health in a relationship
Send us Fan MailWe’re kicking off Season 3 with a convo our all-former-foster-youth podcasters are so eager to explore— How can we prioritize our mental health while navigating romantic relationships? Derenice and Myh’Keith explain ways to talk openly—even about the hard stuff. They also explain how “growth-bonding” can be a great way to build your relationship. We get into the red flags that mi
It’s Complicated: Mental Health and Foster Care
Send us Fan MailKat, 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 share th
Abortion Care According to Former Foster Youth
Send us Fan MailRHEP 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 Healt
Caring For Yourself With A Newborn
Send us Fan MailKat, 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 just
What Foster Youth Need To Know About Prenatal Care
Send us Fan MailWhat 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 foste
Former Foster Youth On Preventing Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
Send us Fan MailLet’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 joined
How Can Foster Youth Use Birth Control on Their Terms?
Send us Fan MailHow 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 an
What Are Foster Youth’s Rights To Healthcare?
Send us Fan MailDid 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 highlig
Reparenting
Send us Fan MailPhillisha 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), former fos
“Mixed Diaspora" and finding a sense of belonging
Send us Fan MailFitting 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 belonging throug
Consent
Send us Fan MailTamar 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 K
Finding Myself
Send us Fan MailDaniel doesn’t sugarcoat anything in this discussion about hiding certain parts of himself while he was in foster care, and becoming more of his full self each day now that he is an adult. He shares why he didn’t feel comfortable coming out as gay when he was growing up, what motivates him to be an advocate for the gay community now, and what he means by bringing “me and all of my
Intersections of Identity in Foster Care
Send us Fan MailWhat’s it like as a non-binary teen to be in a group home structured for boys and girls? Emilio talks about their intersectional identity, including being non-binary and neuro-divergent. Hear how they found allies in the court system as well as advice for youth who don’t fit into the structures around them. Guest: Emilio (they/their) former foster youth, RHEP Youth Advisory Board
Nobody Taught Me About Sexual and Reproductive Health
Send us Fan MailKat and Phillisha get personal about having “the talk,” puberty, birth control, and finding the right doctor while growing up in foster care. With shoutouts to Planned Parenthood, Teen Talk, and an above-and-beyond doctor, they share stories and lessons learned along the way to adulthood.Guest: Phillisha (she/her) former foster youth, RHEP Youth Advisory Board memberContent warning
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