I have two aunts that were adopted at birth. I also have some cousins who were adopted as babies, and others who were adopted as older children. The motives people have to enlarge their families are varied, as are the motives of those who place children in the care of others. Both endeavors are quite often noble and selfless actions. I’ve thought about adopting children ever since I was one. It was something that I’d ponder, oddly, at a very young age. While I have not (yet…?) done so, it’s still something that lingers in my mind and heart.

This episode is not a referendum on the choices individuals and families make regarding adoption from the side of the birth family or the adopted family. Rather this is an exploration of the feelings of connection that come with being a family, whether or not one joins that family biologically. My co-host is my thoughtful and hilarious friend Bob Ahlander. Though he too grew his family the old-fashioned way, he once traveled to a foreign country to help a relative bring home adopted twin boys. This week’s guest is Bill Hobson, Executive Producer and host of the radio show and podcast The Big Impact (bigimpactradio.com), where he tells uplifting stories of incredible people each week. Bill himself is adopted, as is his younger sister. Bill talks openly about his feelings regarding his adoptive parents and the love they unconditionally showed him. He also talks about the many members of his extended family who are also adopted, and what the meaning of “family” truly is.