April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, and in this episode of Restoried, we sit down with author, speaker, and advocate Stephanie Ellison to talk about the realities of child abuse, especially the parts we don’t always see.

Stephanie shares pieces of her own story growing up in instability, navigating trauma, and learning how those experiences shaped her as both a child and an adult. She helps us understand how kids cope in different ways, some becoming quiet and unseen, others acting out, both responses rooted in survival.

We also talk about how complex abuse really is, how generational cycles play a role, and why compassion matters, not just for kids, but for struggling families too. This conversation is a reminder that we don’t have to do something big to make a difference. Sometimes, being a safe, consistent presence is enough to change a child’s life.

If you’ve ever wondered how to recognize signs of abuse or how you can help, this episode will both challenge and encourage you.

Episode Highlights:

• Child Abuse Prevention Month
• Abuse isn’t always visible
• Kids cope in different ways
• Trauma shapes behavior deeply
• Small actions make big impact
• Safe people change lives

Find more on Guest:

• Listen to Stephanie’s Previous Restoried Episode Here
• Stephanie’s Book- Always Forever
• Stephanie’s Non-Profit’s Website
• Fostering Hope Podcast
• Stephanie’s Blog
• Stephanie’s Instagram
• Stephanie’s Facebook

Find More on Hope Bridge:

• Visit Our Website
• Follow us on Instagram
• Follow us on Facebook

Join us for our Annual Benefit Dinner!

In this episode of Restoried, we’re talking about Sabbath, what it actually looks like in real, everyday life. It’s not just about taking a day off, but about creating a rhythm of stopping, resting, delighting, and spending time with God.

We get into how Sabbath can sometimes feel rigid or unrealistic, but how it can actually become something really freeing and life-giving. Even small, intentional shifts, like unplugging from your phone or slowing down enough to connect with the people around you, can bring a sense of peace back into your home and your week.

At the end of the day, Sabbath is a gift, not a rule, and it doesn’t have to be perfect to be meaningful.

Episode Highlights:

• Sabbath is intentional, not legalistic
• Start Sabbath with realistic rhythms
• Rest is an act of trust
• Remove distractions, deepen connection
• Small rhythms transform your home

Find More on Hope Bridge/Links from this episode:

• Sabbath for Families PDF
• Visit Our Website
• Follow us on Instagram
• Follow us on Facebook

Join us for our Annual Benefit Dinner!

In this episode, we are having a conversation on a powerful concept many child welfare workers feel but don’t always have language for: moral injury.

We unpack the difference between simple burnout and the deeper, soul-level injury that happens when we know what compassionate, ethical care should look like, yet are forced to operate inside systems that often make that impossible.

We reflect on how this plays out across social work, foster care, and kinship care, where both workers and families can feel powerless, conflicted, and even complicit while trying to do the right thing.

This is a heavy but important conversation for those serving in helping professions, and we end by encouraging those carrying these burdens, naming that moral injury is real, and reminding you that ultimate justice and restoration belong to God.

Episode Highlights:

• Social Work Appreciation Month
• Moral Injury
• The Weight of Child Welfare
• Soul Care

Find More on Hope Bridge/Links from this Episode:

• Follow The Christian Social Worker on Instagram
• Follow Socialworkaholic on Instagram
• The Legacy Scholarship from The Christ Foundation
• Visit Our Website
• Follow us on Instagram
• Follow us on Facebook

Join us for our Annual Benefit Dinner!