The Other Side Of Potential
Welcome to The Other Side of Potential podcast, hosted by Dr. Sharon Spano. Each episode explores the many complexities of our world that often disrupt our ability to effectively lead ourselves and others.
Join Sharon in provocative conversations with cutting-edge trailblazers as they navigate The Art of High-Impact Leadership and how to move beyond the daily pressures of success to a place of radical abundance.
The Other Side Of Potential
Episode 344: Best Of: Raising Other People’s Children—Trauma, Boundaries, and Belonging with Debbie Ausburn
In this heartfelt and eye-opening conversation, Dr. Sharon Spano welcomes Debbie Ausburn, who has spent decades raising children who weren’t biologically her own—as a foster parent, step-parent, and advocate. Drawing on her career in social work and law, Debbie shares compassionate, practical advice on how to build trust with traumatized children while holding clear boundaries and protecting your own wellbeing.
Whether you’re a foster parent, stepparent, or a caregiver stepping into a child’s life in a season of crisis, Debbie’s wisdom will help you approach the journey with realistic expectations and courage.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- Why divorce and family disruption are still traumatic—even when we normalize them
- How trauma affects children’s development, behavior, and ability to trust
- The difference between supporting a child and trying to “fix” everything
- How to set healthy boundaries while staying loving and consistent
- Why children often express loyalty to absent or biological parents, and why that’s okay
- How to balance caregiving with your marriage, career, and personal wellbeing
- Why every child needs to know exactly where they stand—and what the rules are
- The importance of acknowledging your role without trying to replace a parent
- Tips for managing time, appointments, and the emotional demands of foster or step-parenting
- The power of showing up with empathy, clarity, and steadiness over time
Transcript: Here
Debbie Ausburn:
Website: https://debbieausburn.com/
Book: Raising Other People’s Children
Sharon Spano:
Website: sharonspano.com
Facebook: facebook.com/SharonSpanoPHD
Instagram: instagram.com/drsharonspano/
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sharonspano/
Book: thetimemoneybook.com
Contact: sharon@sharonspano.com
Substack: substack.com/@drsharon
The Other Side of Potential Podcast: sharonspano.com/podcast/