ADOPTION NOW: Recent Episodes

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You may not have intended to adopt a child with special needs, or perhaps you did. Regardless of how you arrived at this point, you find yourself searching for answers online and scheduling doctor appointments in hopes of finding the right path for your child. If this resonates with you, this episode is so important. Adoption is a journey, and often, challenges arise after finalization. April and Season, both experienced adoptive moms, understand this reality. The perfect story may face hurdles, but it can still be incredibly beautiful. Season Cowdrey is a returning guest on ADOPTION NOW. She shared her story in 2017, and she is back to share her post-adoption story. In this new ADOPTION NOW segment called “Real Moms - Real Adoption,” April and Jordan sit down with Season to discuss the realities of adoption. Season wants parents to know that there are resources available to help adoptive families with special needs. While Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) are helpful for school, there is also support available for home life. Finding the right diagnosis (and sometimes medications) can be challenging and may feel like a battle, but it is a fight worth having. Sometimes, the hardest step is coming to terms with the reality that entering the world of adoption often also means stepping into the world of special needs. To hear Season’s full adoption story, check out her episode here!

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Shannon and Nick grew up in Texas and met while attending Texas A&M University. They have been happily married since 2018, but their journey has not been without challenges. After several years of trying to start a family and experiencing multiple losses, they decided to buy an RV and travel, all while seeking God’s guidance for their next steps. In early 2022, they decided to pursue adoption.

After their travels in the RV, they chose to leave Texas and move to Colorado, excited for new adventures and eager to start their family. They began working with an adoption consultant and eventually matched with an agency. However, this led to an ADOPTION SCAM!! They were at the airport, ready with car seats and strollers to bring home twin boys, when they were informed that the birth mother had disappeared and there were no babies. Not only had they lost their dream of becoming parents, but they had also invested over $65,000, which was now gone. This story is one of resilience and finding one’s voice as a potential adoptive parent. Their experience transformed a heartbreaking situation into a story of hope, ultimately leading to a twin blessing.

The post TWIN SCAM: Nick and Shannon Balser Share Their Adoption Story [S8E15] appeared first on ADOPTION NOW.

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Emily Chapman Richards, daughter of Christian music artist Steven Curtis Chapman and current Advisor and Ambassador of Show Hope joins this episode. Emily shares her journey as a biological sibling in this adoption story that began when she was inspired at just 11 years old. After a trip to Haiti, Emily became the catalyst for her family’s decision to begin to pray about adoption which led to bringing home three sisters from China. April Fallon, the host of ADOPTION NOW asks how Emily’s parents prepared their biological siblings for such a life changing event? What responsibilities would she and her siblings have? They family worked together as they expanded. She opens up about the joy they experienced and also how her family went through a devasting loss after their third adoption. The Chapman family held on to each other as they went through grief and continued to press forward to help other families.

Today, Emily carries forward her family’s legacy through Show Hope, the organization her parents founded that has helped over 9,000 children find forever families from around the world. Emily’s passion shines through as she shares her heart for viewing adoption not as an obligation but as an invitation to experience love in a profound way.

Whether you’re just beginning to explore adoption or maybe you are experiencing grief in the process, this conversation offers heartfelt encouragement and direction for your own adoption journey.

The post Show Hope: A Biological Sibling’s Perspective with Emily Chapman Richards [S8E13] appeared first on ADOPTION NOW.

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We know that the financial parts of adoption can feel overwhelming. Trust me, we’ve been there too. With domestic infant adoption costs typically ranging from $20,000 to $45,000, it can feel impossible to move forward. The good news is that there are many organizations dedicated to helping families like yours through adoption grants. Let’s walk through the options available and how you can access them.

What is an Adoption Grant?An adoption grant is a financial gift provided to help families with adoption-related expenses. Unlike loans, grants never need to be repaid, making them an invaluable resource for adoptive families.

Most adoption grants range from $1,000 to $15,000, though award amounts vary by organization. These funds can be used for various adoption expenses, including agency fees, legal costs, and travel expenses. While the application process takes time and effort, grants can reduce your out-of-pocket costs and help make adoption more affordable.

Each grant organization has its own mission, requirements, and application process. Some focus on specific types of adoption situations, while others aim to help as many families as possible. You can apply for multiple grants, and many families successfully combine several grants to help fund their adoption.

Types of Adoption GrantsFoundation Grants * Many foundations are staffed by adoptive parents and adoption professionals who understand your journey. * Each foundation has its own unique mission, meaning you can find ones that align with your situation. * Most allow you to combine their grants with other funding sources. * They often provide support beyond just financial assistance. * Application fees are typically minimal or non-existent.

While foundation grants can take time to apply for and process, they’re worth considering because:

• Multiple grants can be used together to create substantial support.
• The application process helps you organize your adoption planning.
• Many foundations offer additional resources and community support.
• Some foundations specialize in specific situations (special needs adoption, older child adoption, etc.).

Foundation Grant OrganizationsGift of Adoption Fund

• Award amounts: Up to $15,000
• Heart of the program: Focuses on helping unite children with their forever families, especially those with medical needs, sibling groups, or at risk of separation
• When to apply: You can submit your application at any time throughout the year
• What you’ll need: A completed home study and U.S. citizenship

HelpUsAdopt.org

• Award amounts: Up to $30,000
• Application windows: Opens six times a year, grants awarded six times a year
• What you’ll need: A completed home study and information about your financial situation

The JSC Foundation

• Offers matching grants for adoptive families
• Focus on both domestic and international adoption
• Rolling applications accepted
• Emphasis on demonstrated financial need

A Child Waits Foundation

• Provides grants up to $7,500
• Primarily focuses on helping overcome financial barriers
• Considers family size and income in decisions
• Applications accepted year-round

Faith-Based GrantsFaith-based grants represent a significant portion of adoption funding resources, offered by religious organizations, churches, and faith-affiliated foundations. These grants often view adoption support as part of their ministry and mission to care for children and families.

Key aspects of faith-based grants:

• Usually require a statement of faith or testimony
• May need a reference letter from a religious leader
• Often require active involvement in a religious community
• Often provide spiritual support alongside financial assistance

While faith-based grants may have specific religious requirements, they often offer:

• Strong community support systems
• Additional resources beyond financial assistance
• Ongoing support throughout the adoption journey
• Connection to other adoptive families sharing similar values

Faith Based Grant OrganizationsABBA Fund

• Christian organization providing adoption assistance
• Offers grants and interest-free loans
• Focuses on both domestic and international adoption
• Requirements include church membership and pastoral reference

God’s Grace Adoption Ministry

• Offers matching grants
• Emphasis on Christian families pursuing adoption

Show Hope

• Award amounts: $8,000 – $12,000
• Who they serve: Faith-based families
• When to apply: Multiple opportunities throughout the year
• What you’ll need: A statement of faith, reference from your religious leader, and completed home study

Professional Organizations and Their Grant ProgramsBeyond foundation and faith-based grants, several professional organizations within the adoption community offer financial assistance. These organizations often combine grant programs with advocacy work and educational resources, making them valuable partners in your adoption journey.

National Adoption Foundation

• Welcomes all prospective adoptive parents
• Offers several grant programs
• Support ranges from $500 to $2,000
• Applications accepted year-round

Walking Through the Grant Application ProcessWhile the number of grants and their requirements might feel overwhelming at first, breaking down the application process into manageable steps can help you stay organized and confident. Many families successfully secure multiple grants by following a systematic approach. Let’s walk through exactly what you’ll need and how to present your family’s story in the most compelling way.

1. Document Preparation ChecklistStart gathering these documents at least 2-3 months before your first application:

Financial Documentation:* Last 3 years of tax returns * Most recent 3 months of pay stubs * Current bank statements for all accounts (usually 3 months’ worth) * Investment/retirement account statements * Monthly budget worksheet showing income and expenses * List of outstanding debts with balances and monthly payments * Documentation of any other financial assets or liabilities

Adoption Documentation:* Completed and approved home study (most grants require this first) * Adoption agency agreement or attorney contract * Detailed adoption cost breakdown from your agency * Timeline of adoption process with expected milestones * Proof of any adoption education courses completed * Agency/attorney’s license and credentials * Any placement agreements if you’re already matched

Personal Documentation:* Government-issued IDs for both parents * Marriage certificate (if applicable) * Birth certificates for both parents * Previous adoption documentation (if applicable)

Reference Letters:* Employment verification letter (dated within 30 days) * 2-3 character references from non-family members * Reference from religious leader (if applying to faith-based grants) * Letter from your adoption agency about your status * Professional reference from employer or colleague

2. Application Strategy and ProcessDocument Organization:* Create a master file of all documents (both digital and physical) * Make multiple copies of everything * Scan all documents as separate PDFs and also as one combined file * Name files clearly with your name and document type (e.g., “Smith_TaxReturn_2024”) * Keep a spreadsheet tracking expiration dates of time-sensitive documents

Writing Your Personal StatementMost grant applications require some form of personal statement or letter. This is often the most important part of your application. It’s your opportunity to help grant committees understand your family’s unique story and commitment to adoption. While each organization has different requirements for length and content, most are looking for authentic, heartfelt narratives that also demonstrate careful thought and planning. Here’s how to craft a compelling statement:

1. Opening (250-300 words):
   • Share your family background
   • Explain your heart for adoption
2. Financial Section (300-400 words):
   • Break down your current financial situation
   • Detail your adoption savings plan
   • Explain specific need for grant funding
   • Include any fundraising efforts already undertaken
3. Family Preparation (250-300 words):
   • Describe your support system
   • Detail adoption education completed
   • Explain your parenting philosophy
   • Discuss any relevant experience with children
4. Closing (200-250 words):
   • Share your vision for your family
   • Describe your commitment to adoption
   • Express gratitude for consideration

Budget PresentationWe know that sharing your financial situation can feel vulnerable, and you might wonder if you’ll qualify for grants. Remember that grant organizations understand that most families need help with adoption costs. That’s why they exist. They’re looking for honesty and thorough planning rather than perfect finances. Here’s how to present your financial information clearly and effectively:

• Create a detailed grid showing:
  • All adoption expenses itemized
  • Amount saved so far
  • Other funding sources and amounts
  • Specific amount requested
  • Monthly family budget
  • Debt reduction plan (if applicable)

Application Management Tips1. Create a grant calendar with: * Application deadlines * Document expiration dates * Follow-up schedules * Decision notification dates 2. Set up an application tracking system: * Use a spreadsheet to track: + Grant organization name + Amount requested + Documents submitted + Follow-up dates + Contact information + Application status + Response received 3. Document submission best practices: * Submit at least 1 week before deadlines * Use certified mail for physical applications * Request delivery confirmation * Keep copies of all submission confirmations * Follow up within 5 business days to confirm receipt 4. Professional presentation: * Use consistent formatting throughout * Create a cover page for each application * Include table of contents for large packets * Use high-quality paper for physical submissions * Include labeled tabs for different sections

3. What to ExpectThe typical timeline will vary depending on the organization but may look like this:

1. Initial application review (2-4 weeks)
2. Additional questions from the organization (1-2 weeks)
3. Committee consideration (4-8 weeks)
4. Finding out their decision (1-2 weeks)
5. Receiving funds if approved (2-4 weeks)

Setting Yourself Up for SuccessNow that you understand the types of grants available and have gathered your documentation, let’s focus on strategies that can help strengthen your applications. Here are key tips and best practices that can help maximize your chances of receiving funding.

Making the Most of Your Applications1. Cast a Wide Net * Apply to several grant organizations * Keep track of when applications are due * Take time to personalize each application 2. Pay Attention to Details * Follow all formatting guidelines carefully * Include every document they ask for * Submit everything on time * Be thorough with financial information 3. Let Your Heart Show * Share your story authentically * Include the specific details that make your journey unique * Help them understand why adoption is calling you * Show how you’re preparing for your child

Common Challenges to Avoid1. Missing Pieces * Incomplete applications usually aren’t considered * Review requirements carefully * Keep copies of everything 2. Financial Planning Gaps * Make sure your budget is clear * Be honest about your needs 3. Timing Issues * Watch those deadlines carefully * Give yourself plenty of time to prepare * Plan ahead for reference letters

Words of EncouragementRemember that the grant application process is a journey in itself. It takes time, organization, and perseverance. Start early in your adoption process, as many grants need several months for review. Many families find success by combining different types of support – grants, tax credits, loans, and community fundraising.

Keep good records of your applications, save copies of everything you submit, and don’t hesitate to follow up on your applications. While the process might feel daunting at times, countless families have successfully used grants to help build their forever families through adoption.

Your adoption agency or attorney can be a wonderful resource for grant recommendations and might know of local opportunities. They can also help you understand how different funding sources work with your specific adoption path.

Please note that grant amounts and requirements may change over time. We recommend checking directly with each organization for their most current information.

ADOPTION NOW COACHINGADOPTION NOW provides expert coaching that helps you navigate every stage of the adoption journey with confidence. Schedule a free call to learn more!

Get StartedThe post Guide to Adoption Grants appeared first on ADOPTION NOW.

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Real Moms – Real Adoption

In this episode of ADOPTION NOW, host April Fallon shares her family’s journey through the ups and downs of open adoption, pulling back the curtain on what happens when these relationships don’t follow a perfect script. Through personal stories and vulnerable moments, April opens up about helping her children process their feelings while navigating her own complex emotions as an adoptive mom.

From surprise FaceTime calls to years of silence, this episode tackles the real challenges of open adoption relationships. Whether you’re just starting your open adoption journey or working to maintain long-standing connections, this conversation will help you feel less alone and more prepared to navigate the complexities. You’ll find practical wisdom, emotional support, and permission to not have all the answers as we figure out this journey together.

The post Open Adoption Conversations: April Fallon Shares with Jordan Moreno the Latest with Their Open Adoption [S8E12] appeared first on ADOPTION NOW.

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Real Moms - Real Adoption

In this episode of ADOPTION NOW, host April Fallon shares her family's journey through the ups and downs of open adoption, pulling back the curtain on what happens when these relationships don't follow a perfect script. Through personal stories and vulnerable moments, April opens up about helping her children process their feelings while navigating her own complex emotions as an adoptive mom.

From surprise FaceTime calls to years of silence, this episode tackles the real challenges of open adoption relationships. Whether you're just starting your open adoption journey or working to maintain long-standing connections, this conversation will help you feel less alone and more prepared to navigate the complexities. You'll find practical wisdom, emotional support, and permission to not have all the answers as we figure out this journey together.

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Real Moms-Real Adoption

Your child deserves every chance to succeed at school – but sometimes you have to fight for it. In this episode of ADOPTION NOW, host April Fallon welcomes back Darcy Olsen, Founder & CEO of the Center for the Rights of Abused Children, for an honest conversation about navigating IEPs, understanding diagnoses like ADHD, and becoming your child's strongest advocate. With honesty and vulnerability, they share what it really takes to ensure your child gets the support they deserve.

Real Moms-Real Adoption - these stories will make you laugh as they talk about the realities of parenting children with diverse needs. From emotional and behavioral challenges to raising teens, they offer concrete strategies for building a supportive community that truly "gets it." Whether you're just starting your journey with IEPs or are a seasoned advocate, this conversation will leave you feeling more equipped, supported, and ready to fight for what your child needs.

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Ever wonder what it's really like to adopt from foster care? In this episode of ADOPTION NOW, host April Fallon sits down with Rita Soronen, President and CEO of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, who brings hard-earned wisdom about the foster care journey. They tackle the tough questions head-on: Can older kids really attach? What support do you actually need? How do you stay hopeful while being realistic?

Whether you're just starting to explore or already in the process, Rita shares essential guidance on evaluating your readiness, building your support network, and finding adoption-competent professionals who get it. She emphasizes that success takes more than just love – it requires understanding trauma, being ready for the long haul, and having the right resources in place.

The episode features the moving story of Marisol, whose journey to finding her forever family at 19 reminds us why this work matters. April and Rita share both the joys and challenges of foster care, while offering practical ways everyone can help – from mentoring to community support. If you're considering foster care, this conversation gives you both the inspiration and real-world guidance you need to begin your journey.

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Ever wonder what adopted kids really think about adoption? In this special episode of ADOPTION NOW, hosts April and Noah step back and let their four amazing kids do the talking! AJ (14), Lily (11), Vivy (9), and Maliyah (7) open up about what it's like being part of an adoptive family – from the awesome moments to the tough stuff. They share everything from school stories to what it's like when people ask those awkward questions about their family.

The kids don't hold back! They talk about supporting each other through hard times and how they've learned to embrace their differences. AJ even shares his dream of growing the community to help other adopted children feel less alone.

If you're part of an adoptive family or thinking about adoption, you don’t want to miss these powerful insights straight from the children themselves. They get real about the challenges, but they also share why being adopted makes them feel special, loved, and safe. Join us for a family conversation about the real meaning of family, love, and adoption.

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Adoption Fears?? Yep, we have all had them. We recognize adoption is a big, life changing process to start. There are so many questions and unknowns. It can feel overwhelming.

In this episode, host April Fallon and co-host Jordan Moreno explore the common fears of starting the adoption journey and how it is normal to feel this way.

The two adoptive moms share their personal experiences with financial concerns, initial hesitations about open adoption, and the fear of birth mothers changing their minds.

Don’t think this episode is just for moms!! They also talk about the important role the husbands played in the process and how being on a team has a pivotal role in placement.

Whether you're just beginning to explore adoption or are already on your path, you'll find the support and encouragement you need to move forward with confidence. ADOPTION NOW wants to help you move beyond your fears and into trusting God’s calling as you take the next step!

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In this episode, hosts April and Noah share how their kids turned a school diversity week into something unexpected — a celebration of adoption as their family culture. When their son AJ rocked a bear mascot costume and their daughter found courage with her sister by her side, they watched adoption transform from a sensitive topic into something kids could proudly share.

Through stories of their school experience and eight years of podcasting, the couple talks about their dream of making adoption an everyday conversation — one where children can speak freely about their stories, where families find connection, and where being adopted isn't whispered about but celebrated. As Noah puts it, it's not about being perfect; it's about being real and building a community where everyone belongs, and where healing takes place.

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The summer of 2016 was heavy with both heat and heartache. In the aftermath of losing our daughter Emma shortly after birth, followed by a miscarriage, the question of whether we’d become parents felt as stifling as the humid air. It was the kind of summer where grief and heat tangled together, making it impossible to tell which one was making it harder to breathe.

One July afternoon, restless and searching for distraction, I found myself scrolling through podcasts. That’s when I found ADOPTION NOW. We weren’t considering adoption then—we were still trying for another baby—but something about the show made me pause. Before I knew it, I couldn’t stop listening.

What captured me wasn’t just the stories themselves, but their honesty. The podcast shared perspectives from all sides of adoption: adoptive parents, birth parents, and adoptees. These weren’t polished, picture-perfect tales—they were real accounts of both the joys and the struggles.

Some couples had lost babies like we had. Others faced infertility or simply knew adoption was their path. But we all shared that familiar mix of grief and hope. We all just wanted to be parents.

Finding a New PathWhile we tried fertility treatments, I kept listening. Each IUI brought its own cycle of hope and letdown. Our refrigerator, which once displayed Emma’s ultrasounds, now held a row of medication bottles and syringes. But somewhere between doctor’s appointments and podcast episodes, something changed. I started to see a different possibility—one I hadn’t really considered before.

By June 2017, after five unsuccessful IUIs and countless hours of listening, we decided to pursue adoption. Looking back, I know that without ADOPTION NOW, we might never have found the courage to take that step.

The Journey ForwardDuring our adoption journey, the words of ADOPTION NOW’s host April—a mother to four adopted children—became a source of comfort. I’d tell my husband, “April says we just need to hold on—our baby is coming.” He’d give me that loving but skeptical look that clearly said, “You’re taking life advice from a podcast host?” But somehow, those words helped me keep going.

Months of waiting followed, but April was right. We brought our daughter Liza home. The podcast that had carried me through our journey took on a different meaning then—a reminder of how far we’d come, of all the stories that had led us to her.

Sharing Our JourneyWhen Liza turned five, I felt pulled to share our story on the podcast. Despite being an introvert, I knew it mattered. Late one night, I quickly wrote three paragraphs, hit submit on the application, and immediately closed my laptop, thinking, “What did I just do?” Then I tried to forget about it entirely.

A year later, April’s email arrived in my inbox, inviting me to pre-interview for the show. I actually thought it was spam at first, but decided to reply anyway. The pre-interview hit harder than I expected—talking through everything from losing Emma to our adoption journey brought it all back. I nearly backed out.

But something stronger than fear kept me going. I thought about all those nights I’d sat alone in my quiet house, finding comfort in strangers’ voices through my headphones. Their courage had carried me through my darkest moments. Maybe now it was my turn to do the same for someone else.

Coming Full CircleThe day we recorded, I said a quick prayer and sat down to talk with April. There I was, a self-proclaimed introvert, about to share our whole story with the world. But April has this gift of making you feel safe. The conversation flowed naturally, and sharing our journey brought an unexpected sense of peace. Even listening to it later felt like another step in healing.

When the episode aired, the messages started coming in—confessions from other women who’d been sitting alone in their own quiet houses, wrestling with similar losses and fears. One friend told me it was the first time adoption felt like a real option for her family. Each message reminded me of myself, listening to those first episodes years ago, searching for hope.

A Message of HopeIf you’re holding onto your own story, whether it’s about adoption or loss or love or fear—share it. It doesn’t have to be on a podcast or even with more than one person.

But somewhere, someone is sitting in a quiet room, feeling alone with their thoughts, just like I was that hot summer day. Your words might be the very thing that helps them breathe a little easier, that shows them a path forward they couldn’t see before.

Even if you never know it, your story might be exactly what someone else needs to feel less alone.

The post Finding Hope through Stories: A Journey to Adoption appeared first on ADOPTION NOW.

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Two Babies, Ten Weeks Apart

Noah and April sit down with birth mother Jessica and adoptive mother Connie for a story that they have not heard before. Even after telling hundreds of adoption stories, nothing could have prepared them for this combination of embryo adoption and traditional adoption happening at once.

An Unexpected Match, with Unexpected Timing

After getting married late in life, Connie and Matt struggled with expanding their family. The couple went through a miscarriage and decided to look at other options. They decided to pursue traditional adoption through an agency. They were set and ready to go when Connie heard about embryo adoption. The process moved so quickly and at the age of 43 Connie was pregnant!

When Jessica found out she was unexpectedly pregnant with her third child at 21, she did not feel she could add another baby to the family. She had just started school for a career she felt would change her and her son’s lives. Through much thought, she decided adoption was her best option. She found a national agency and moved forward.

The agency, having no idea that Connie was pregnant, matched them.

Would the agency let Connie adopt 10 weeks after she delivered a baby? Would Jessica still choose to be matched to a mom who was already pregnant?

Noah and April had so many question in this interview, and you can see how the connection between Connie and Jessica was a true match!

Listen now to hear how this adoption story came together.

The post Two Babies, Ten Weeks Apart: Adoptive Mother and Birth Mother Pregnant Together [S8E6] appeared first on ADOPTION NOW.

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Two Babies, Ten Weeks Apart

Noah and April sit down with birth mother Jessica and adoptive mother Connie for a story that they have not heard before. Even after telling hundreds of adoption stories, nothing could have prepared them for this combination of embryo adoption and traditional adoption happening at once.

An Unexpected Match, with Unexpected Timing

After getting married late in life, Connie and Matt struggled with expanding their family. The couple went through a miscarriage and decided to look at other options. They decided to pursue traditional adoption through an agency. They were set and ready to go when Connie heard about embryo adoption. The process moved so quickly and at the age of 43 Connie was pregnant!

When Jessica found out she was unexpectedly pregnant with her third child at 21, she did not feel she could add another baby to the family. She had just started school for a career she felt would change her and her son's lives. Through much thought, she decided adoption was her best option. She found a national agency and moved forward.

The agency, having no idea that Connie was pregnant, matched them.

Would the agency let Connie adopt 10 weeks after she delivered a baby? Would Jessica still choose to be matched to a mom who was already pregnant?

Noah and April had so many question in this interview, and you can see how the connection between Connie and Jessica was a true match!

Listen now to hear how this adoption story came together.

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A letter of hope and guidance from a birth mother, sixteen years after placement

If you’re reading this, you’re probably in one of the hardest seasons of your life. I know, because I’ve been there. Sixteen years ago, I was a 21-year-old single mom with two babies in diapers, trying to get off welfare, living in a rented room, and facing an unexpected pregnancy. Today, I want to share some things I wish someone had told me then.

Your Worth Isn’t Measured by Others’ JudgementsI remember being in the grocery store, pregnant, with my two little boys in the cart. A stranger looked at me and said, “You poor thing.” I nearly broke down crying because she had no idea how right she was. But here’s what I know now: those moments of judgment don’t define you. Your story is so much bigger than what others see in a snapshot of your life.

Trust Your InstinctsWhen I chose adoption, many people had opinions. My pastor thought I should parent. My aunt offered to adopt the baby. My father, who was adopted himself, struggled with the idea. But deep down, I knew what I needed to do. If you feel a certain path is right for you, trust that feeling. You know your situation better than anyone else.

Your Reasons Are ValidI wasn’t choosing adoption because I couldn’t parent. I was already parenting two children. I was choosing it because I wanted to give my baby opportunities I couldn’t provide at that time, and I needed to create a stable future for all my children. Whatever your reasons are, they are valid. Don’t let anyone make you feel otherwise.

It’s Okay to Set Your Own TermsWhen choosing an adoptive family, I wanted ongoing contact. I wanted my child to know her story. I wanted a genuine connection with the family. These were my terms, and I’m so glad I stood by them. You have the right to envision what you want this journey to look like.

The Grief is Real – And So is HopeI won’t sugarcoat it: after placement, I spent many nights crying in my bed. The grief was real and deep. But I want you to know something that someone once told me that I didn’t believe at the time: being a birth mother won’t always feel this heavy. When my aunt told me that in ten years I might be married with another child, I couldn’t see it. But that’s exactly what happened.

You Don’t Have to Have It All Figured OutAt the time of my placement, I was in the middle of a pharmacy tech program. I had to pause my externship. I didn’t know exactly how things would work out. I just knew I had to keep moving forward. It’s okay not to have all the answers right now.

Your Child’s Story Isn’t Over – And Neither is YoursSixteen years later, as a birth mother, I have a beautiful relationship with my placed daughter and her family. I’m married, have another daughter, and have built the stable life I dreamed of back then. Your story doesn’t end at placement. It’s just one chapter in a much longer book.

Some Practical Advice for Birth Mothers:* Take pictures if you want them * Write down your feelings and memories * Accept help when it’s offered * Don’t feel pressured to make decisions quickly * Trust your gut when choosing a family * Take care of yourself physically and emotionally

When It Gets DarkThere will be moments when you question everything. When you’re overwhelmed with grief. When you can’t see how life will ever feel normal again. In those moments, remember this: you don’t have to stay in that dark place forever. I know it’s hard to believe when someone tells you this while you’re in that space— I didn’t believe it either. But I had to keep going because I had two little boys who needed me. Whatever your reason is, hold onto it.

Looking ForwardLife has a way of surprising us. The stability I wanted to give my placed daughter? I eventually created that for myself too. The education I was pursuing? I finished it. The happy family life I dreamed of? I found it. I’m not sharing this to minimize your current pain, but to tell you that your current circumstances don’t define your future.

Final ThoughtsYou are stronger than you know. You are making thoughtful, loving decisions in difficult circumstances. You are not “giving up” anything. You are making a plan for your child’s life while also honoring your own.

With understanding and hope,

A birth mom who has been there

P.S. Whatever you decide, be gentle with yourself. You deserve that kindness.

About the AuthorJessica Ramos, 37, is an accomplished Account Manager in Medical Pharmacy and a dedicated birth mother to Madeline. In addition to her professional success, she is a loving mother to three children – Jaiden (19), Riley (17), and Aurora (9). Drawing from her personal experience, Jessica advocates for birth mothers by sharing her own adoption journey to support others on similar paths.

Finding Your CommunityYou don’t have to walk this journey alone. Connect with other birth mothers who understand what you’re experiencing:

• Big Tough Girl
• Birth Mother Retreats – Experience healing and connection through retreats designed specifically for birth moms

Remember, seeking support is a sign of strength, not weakness. These communities are here to walk alongside you, whenever you’re ready to reach out.

The post From One Birth Mother to Another: Wisdom from the Other Side appeared first on ADOPTION NOW.

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A Life-Changing Choice at 21 At 21, Jessica was a single mother of two young boys, pursuing her education and trying to get off welfare when she discovered she was pregnant. With the baby’s father in prison and her own path toward stability just beginning, she made the brave decision to explore adoption.

An Unlikely Match Made in Perfect Timing After months of struggling to match with a family due to concerns about her medical history, Jessica finally connected with Connie and Matt. The twist? They were already expecting a baby through embryo adoption, due just ten weeks before Jessica’s delivery. Rather than deterring her, this unique situation drew Jessica to them even more, especially when they discussed raising the girls as sisters.

From Darkness to Light: 16 Years Later Today, 16 years after placement, Jessica’s story has come full circle. She went on to complete her education, marry, and have another daughter. The open adoption has allowed her to maintain a connection with her daughter and the adoptive family, with annual visits that have helped heal generational wounds – including her own father’s adoption experience. Her journey from a struggling young mother demonstrates the power of choosing hope in the midst of difficult circumstances.

The post She Might Be President: Jessica Ramos Chooses Life and Adoption for Her Baby [S8E5] appeared first on ADOPTION NOW.

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Standing at the beginning of your adoption journey can feel like looking up at an enormous mountain – the path ahead might seem steep, complicated, and maybe even a little scary.

That’s exactly why we created our pre-placement adoption coaching program. We’ve guided hundreds of families through this journey, and we’re here to help you too.

What is Pre-Placement Coaching?Think of our four focused sessions as having a trusted friend who’s not only walked this path before but has helped countless others find their way too. We transform that overwhelming mountain into clear, manageable steps that lead you exactly where you want to go.

Why an Adoption Coach Makes all the DifferenceHere’s what we’ve learned from working with hundreds of couples. Two main obstacles tend to stop people in their tracks when they’re starting their adoption journey:

• Fear of the unknown
• Feeling overwhelmed by the sheer complexity of the process

Our coaching program transforms these obstacles into stepping stones. By the end of our four sessions together, you’ll have:

• A clear understanding of which adoption path fits your family
• Confidence in your decisions and next steps
• A practical, step-by-step action plan
• Agreement with your spouse on key decisions
• Knowledge of exactly what questions to ask agencies or attorneys
• Resources specific to your state and situation

Let’s Break Down What We CoverSession 1: Understanding Your “Why”We start right where you are – with your story. Whether you’re exploring adoption after experiencing infertility, have always dreamed of growing your family through adoption, or already have biological children, we create space for honest conversation about your journey.

Here’s something interesting we’ve discovered: Many families come to us convinced they know exactly which type of adoption they want to pursue (often based on a friend’s experience or what they think they can afford). But after exploring all the options and removing some common obstacles (like concerns about costs), they often choose a completely different path – one that better fits their family’s unique situation.

Session 2: Exploring Your Options* Private Infant Adoption * Foster Care Adoption * International Adoption * Embryo Adoption

As adoption coaches, we’ll walk through the real pros and cons of each option, going way beyond just the surface-level stuff you might find online. We provide a detailed information packet before this session, so you can follow along and take notes as we discuss what each path really looks like.

Session 3: Understanding the Heart of AdoptionThis session is often eye-opening for families. We explore why birth families choose adoption and discuss something we call “currency” – a powerful concept that helps you understand the true equality in adoption relationships. For families pursuing infant adoption, this session transforms how they view potential relationships with birth families. For those choosing foster care, we focus on understanding trauma and attachment, preparing you for the unique challenges and rewards ahead.

Session 4: Making Your PlanOur final adoption coaching session is all about practical next steps, completely customized to your chosen path. We’ll cover:

• State-specific requirements
• Home study preparation
• Financial planning and resources
• Questions to ask potential agencies or attorneys
• What to expect in the waiting period
• How to prepare your heart and home

Adoption Coach: More Than Just InformationHere’s what makes our pre-placement adoption coaching different: We’re not just handing you a manual and sending you on your way. We’re walking alongside you, helping you process emotions, answer difficult questions, and prepare your heart for the beautiful complexity of adoption.

Remember that mountain we talked about at the beginning? By the end of our coaching sessions, you won’t just have a map – you’ll have a clear path forward, the right equipment for the journey, and the confidence to take those first steps.

Instead of starting your adoption journey feeling overwhelmed and uncertain, you’ll begin with clarity, confidence, and a solid plan. We break down this big journey into manageable weekly steps, ensuring you’re never overwhelmed and always moving forward.

Ready to transform your adoption journey from overwhelming to achievable? That’s exactly why we’re here.

The post Ready. Set. Adopt: Your Pre-Placement Adoption Coach appeared first on ADOPTION NOW.

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Darcy Olsen is the founder & CEO of the Center for the Rights of Abused Children, an organization dedicated to uniting people in the fight to protect America’s abused children. They have helped over 775,000 children nationwide. Darcy has fostered ten babies and adopted four as a single mother! Darcy shared her full story last week.

Jordan had her first baby and then experienced secondary infertility. She and her husband, Jose, adopted their second child in less than 5 months! Jordan shares how her perspective on the process changed and about her experience with open adoption. Listen here for her full story on the ADOPTION NOW Podcast.

April Fallon has adopted 4 children with her husband Noah. As they were trying to expand their family, they said yes to 7 placements but only finalized 4. The joy and challenges of adoption left them compelled to start ADOPTION NOW, to give adoption a voice and create a community to understand adoption through story telling.

This episode is filled with important lessons and how adoption can cause such deep personal growth as you recognized that you have no control over many things in the process!! Children are a gift from God and adoption is not transactional. It is about staying committed to the journey no matter how hard it is, remembering that you do have it in you! If these 3 moms can do it, you can too!

The post Adoptive Mom Club: Moms Sharing How Adoption Changed Them [S8E4] appeared first on ADOPTION NOW.

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Thinking about starting the adoption process? If your head’s spinning with questions and you’re feeling overwhelmed, that’s 100% normal.

We’ve been there before, too, so let’s break down the process together.

The Adoption JourneyAdoption is a rollercoaster. There’s paperwork that’ll test your patience, waiting that might feel endless, and a whole spectrum of emotions to navigate. But talk to any adoptive parent, and they’ll tell you – it’s worth every step of the way.

Why Choose Adoption? Maybe you’ve faced infertility challenges. Maybe you’ve always dreamed of providing a loving home to a child who needs one. Or maybe you’re expanding your family in a way that feels right to you. Whatever your reason, it’s valid. The only thing that matters is that you’re ready to open your heart and home to a child.

Breaking Down the Adoption ProcessEvery adoption story is unique, but here’s the general roadmap:

1. Learn: Dive into the adoption world. Books, podcasts, and support groups – soak it all in. This is your time to figure out if adoption is truly your path.
2. Choose your path: Local or international? Foster care or private? Each has its own set of challenges and rewards. Do your homework and trust your gut.
3. Select your professional: Whether it’s an adoption agency or an attorney (depending on your state), find someone you truly connect with. This relationship matters – they’ll be walking alongside you through the journey.
4. Home study: Deep breath – it’s not about having a house straight out of a magazine. Think of it as a coffee date with a social worker with the goal of child safety.
5. The wait: This part can test your patience. Use it to prepare your home and heart for the little one that’s coming your way.
6. Bringing home your child: The moment you’ve been dreaming of! However, there’s still paperwork to finalize after your child arrives.
7. Legalization: The court makes it official. But remember, adoption’s a lifelong journey, not a destination.

Is Adoption Right for You?Adoption’s beautiful, but it’s not a walk in the park. Here’s what you need to consider:

Emotional ReadinessAdoption’s an emotional journey. You and your partner (if you have one) need to be all in, 100%. Before you dive in, ask yourselves:

• Are you ok with a child that doesn’t look like you?
• Can you handle the possibility of unexpected challenges, whether they’re developmental, emotional, or medical?
• If you are adopting an older child, are you trauma informed?

Can you handle the possibility of unexpected challenges, whether they’re developmental, emotional, or medical?

It’s not about having all the answers. It’s about being willing to face these challenges head-on and grow alongside your child.

Financial Real TalkLet’s talk about money. Adoption can be expensive:

• Foster care: $0 – $2,500
• Domestic infant adoption: $20,000 – $45,000
• International adoption: $20,000 – $50,000
• Embryo adoption: $10,000 – $12,000

Don’t let those numbers scare you. There are ways to make it work:

• Some employers offer adoption benefits (worth checking with HR)
• Consider fundraising options
• Adoption-specific grants and loans exist
• The adoption tax credit can be a game-changer

Remember, where there’s a will, there’s often a way.

Types of AdoptionLet’s break down the different paths to adoption. It may seem like a lot, but we’re going take it step by step.

Domestic Infant AdoptionThis typically means newborns – occasionally a child under a year old, but most often you’re welcoming a brand new baby. The first crucial step is understanding your state’s requirements, as they vary significantly:

• Agency States: Some states (like Colorado) require you to work with a licensed adoption agency. In these states, the agency maintains control of your home study and handles all documentation.
• Non-Agency States: Other states (like Florida) allow more flexibility. You can work directly with birth parents through an attorney, and you can independently arrange your home study with a social worker. You’ll receive a copy of your home study to share with different agencies or attorneys as needed.

Keep in mind that while domestic infant adoption might be quicker, it’s not guaranteed (every adoption has its own timeline). The main risk? Birth mom might change her mind and choose to parent. However, many find the opportunity to bond with a newborn particularly appealing, especially if pregnancy was initially part of your family planning.

International AdoptionInternational adoption often involves older kids. It’s a longer process, and you’ll need a passport. Get ready for some serious paperwork and probably a trip or two.

Foster Care AdoptionFoster care adoption can be an amazing way to grow your family. But remember that the system’s main goal is reuniting children with their biological families. You have to be emotionally ready for that possibility.

Embryo Adoption This unique path allows you to experience pregnancy while also building your family through adoption. With embryo adoption, you adopt frozen embryos from families who have completed their IVF journeys and chosen to make their remaining embryos available for adoption. The embryos are sent to you or your clinic as you prepare your body for implantation, and if the transfer is successful, you carry and give birth to your adopted child. This option combines elements of both adoption and fertility treatment, requiring medical screening and procedures along with adoption paperwork.

Open vs. Closed Adoption: It’s Not Black and WhiteOpen vs. closed has evolved. These days, most adoptions have some level of openness.

• Open Adoption: Means contact with the birth family. Could be anything from sending photos and updates to meeting up regularly.
• Closed Adoption: No contact between families. You might see this more in international adoptions.

Remember, it’s not all or nothing. A lot of families find a middle ground that works for everyone

Choosing Your Adoption Path: It’s PersonalPicking your adoption route is personal. Ask yourself:

• How do you feel about birth parent involvement?
• Are you ready to parent a child who might have some extra needs?
• What does your budget look like? Your timeline?
• How do you feel about traveling?

There’s no right or wrong answer here. It’s about what feels right for your family.

First Steps in Your Adoption JourneyYou’ve decided to start the adoption process. Let’s talk about how to get started without getting too overwhelmed right away.

Dive into ResearchFirst things first: do your homework. Websites like AdoptUSKids.org have great information. And if you’re more of an audio learner, podcasts like ADOPTION NOW can be your new best friend.

Let’s Talk Money (It’s Awkward, But Necessary)Adoption is expensive and can be uncomfortable to discuss. Look into grants, tax credits, and see if your employer offers any adoption benefits. For foster care adoption, there might be subsidies available.

Choosing an Adoption ProfessionalYou’re going to need some experts to walk you through the adoption process. Here are some options:

• Adoption agencies: They’ll hold your hand through the process, but it’s often expensive.
• Adoption attorneys: Lawyers who specialize in adoption.
• Adoption consultants: They help you navigate the process but don’t place children themselves.
• Adoption coaches: We’re talking your new BFF who’s been there, done that, and has the emotional scars to prove it.

What to Look for in Your Adoption ProsWhen you’re sizing up potential agencies or attorneys, keep these things in mind:

• Experience: How many adoptions have they handled?
• Reputation: What are other adoptive families saying about them?
• Transparency: They should be upfront about fees, timelines, and potential challenges.
• Support: Do they offer counseling or support groups?
• Communication: Are they responsive? Do they explain things clearly?

Questions to AskDon’t be shy and ask the tough questions. Here are some starters:

• “What’s your average wait time for placement?”
• “Can you break down all the fees?”
• “How do you support birth parents?”
• “What happens if a placement falls through?”
• “How do you handle open adoptions?”

Remember, a good pro will be happy to answer all your questions. If they start dodging, consider it a red flag.

The Home Study: It’s Not as Scary as You ThinkLet’s talk about the home study. It sounds scary, but don’t freak out – it’s not as terrifying as it seems.

What’s a Home Study?Think of it as adoption’s version of a background check. It’s how social workers make sure you’re ready for the adoption process. Here’s what to expect:

• Chats with a social worker (solo and as a couple, if you’re adopting with a partner)
• Home visits (don’t panic – they’re not looking for a perfect house, just a safe one)
• Background checks (criminal records, child abuse clearances, etc.)
• Health check-ups
• Financial statements
• Personal references
• CPR certification (many agencies require this)

Remember, this isn’t about judging you. It’s about prepping you for the adoption process and making sure you can provide a safe, loving home. Believe it or not, many adoptive parents end up enjoying this process.

The Paper Trail: Documents You’ll NeedHere’s a list of documents you’ll probably need:

• Birth certificates
• Marriage certificate (if applicable)
• Driver’s licenses
• Social Security cards
• Tax returns (usually the last 2-3 years)
• Proof of employment
• Medical reports
• Pet medical records and vaccination certificates

Pro tip: Start gathering these now. It’ll save you a lot of stress later.

Home Visits: No White Glove Test, We PromiseWhen the social worker comes, don’t panic. They’re not looking for a perfect home. They just want to see:

• Where the child will sleep
• That you have smoke detectors and fire extinguishers
• That your pets friendly and up to date on shots
• Windows and safety locks
• Childproofing measures (outlet covers, cabinet locks, etc.)

Don’t worry if you haven’t childproofed everything yet – they’ll actually help teach you how to make your home safe for a child. They’ll walk you through what needs to be done and give you guidance on proper childproofing techniques.

Creating Your Adoption ProfileYour adoption profile is how birth parents or agencies get to know the real you. Remember, this isn’t about being perfect – it’s about being authentic.

What to include:

• Photos of you, your home, and your lifestyle
• Information about your jobs, hobbies, and interests
• Why you want to adopt
• Your thoughts on open adoption
• Details about your extended family and support system

Include photos that show the real you. Expectant parents are not looking for the perfect family. They just want to know you’re going to love and care for their child.

The Waiting GameWaiting to be matched is tough. But knowing what you’re in for can help. Here’s a rough idea of timelines:

• Domestic infant adoption: 1-2 years on average
• Foster care adoption: 6 months to 2 years
• International adoption: 1-3 years
• Embryo adoption: 3 – 6 months from application to matching, plus time to complete fertility treatments and a pregnancy (keep in mind success rates vary and multiple transfers may be needed)

Remember, these are averages. Some people wait longer, some shorter.

Surviving the Wait: How Not to Lose Your MindHere’s how to keep your sanity (mostly) intact while waiting:

• Stay busy with hobbies or projects
• Connect with other waiting families
• Take a vacation
• Use this time to read books on adoption, take parenting classes, and childproof your home

MatchingFor domestic infant adoption, your profile will be shown to expectant parents who will then choose a family. It’s common for expectant parents and adoptive families to meet shortly after matching, but if that’s not the case, don’t worry. Every adoption process is unique.

Talking to the Birth Parents: It’s Not as Scary as You ThinkIf you’re going the open adoption route, you’ll probably be chatting with the birth parents before and after the baby arrives. This could mean:

• Swapping emails or calls
• Meeting in person (breathe, they’re probably as nervous as you)
• Sharing updates and photos after placement

It might feel awkward at first but setting some ground rules can help. Maybe pick a day of the week for updates.

Adoption LawsAdoption laws vary by state and country, and they’re always changing. Here are some basics:

• In the U.S., adoption is mainly governed by state laws
• For international adoptions, you’ll need to follow both U.S. and the child’s home country laws
• There are federal laws too, like the Child Welfare Act

Understanding the Role of Adoption AttorneysThe need for an adoption attorney varies by state:

• In some states, attorneys can handle your entire adoption process
• In agency-required states, an attorney’s role may be limited or unnecessary for standard cases
• However, it’s wise to know a qualified attorney in your area, understand when legal representation might be needed
• Be prepared if complications arise

Remember: Your state’s requirements will determine if and when you need an attorney. An adoption professional can help you understand what’s required in your situation.

FinalizationFinalization is when the adoption becomes official. Here’s what usually happens:

• You’ll go to court (don’t worry, it’s usually pretty casual)
• A judge will review your case
• You’ll answer some questions
• The judge will sign the adoption decree

After the Adoption: The Real Adventure BeginsCongrats, you’re legally parents! But the journey’s just starting. Here’s some post-adoption support and resources to consider:

• Join an adoptive parents’ support group (because sometimes you need to talk to people who get it)
• Connect with other adoptive families
• Check out ADOPTION NOW’s Patreon group to join our adoption community

Keeping in Touch with the Birth FamilyIf you’ve got an open adoption, you’re navigating some pretty unique relationships. This might mean sending updates and photos and arranging visits. Remember, these relationships can change over time. It’s all about finding what works for everyone.

You’ve Got ThisThe adoption process is a wild ride. It’s going be challenging, exciting, scary, and amazing – sometimes all at once. But here’s the thing: every adoption story is unique, and it’s totally okay to have doubts or fears along the way.

At ADOPTION NOW, we’ve been in your shoes. We know it’s hard, but we also know it’s worth it. Let us help you navigate this journey. Sign up for our coaching program, and we’ll walk you through the process in 4 steps. Or join our Patreon page to learn from other adoptive parents who’ve been there, done that.

Remember, you’re not just building a family – you’re becoming part of a community. And trust us, it’s an awesome one to be part of.

Join PatreonJoin our Patreon community and connect with the adoption community. You’ll see behind-the-scenes content and learn from other adoptive parents who’ve been there, done that.

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Darcy Olsen is the founder & CEO of the Center for the Rights of Abused Children, an organization dedicated to uniting people in the fight to protect America’s abused children. They have helped over 775,000 children nationwide. Darcy has fostered ten babies and adopted four as a single mother!

Darcy’s dedication to supporting abused children and navigating the foster care system is truly inspiring. If you’re looking to support children in foster care or considering adoption from the system, here are some key ways to make a difference:

1. Educate Yourself on the Process: Understand the ins and outs of the foster care and adoption process. Each state may have different laws and procedures, so it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with those specific to your area.
2. Advocate for Legal Change: Stay informed about legislation affecting foster care and adoption. Advocacy can include reaching out to local representatives or participating in community initiatives that push for improved protections and rights for children.
3. Consider Fostering or Adopting: Taking the step to foster or adopt can have a profound impact on a child’s life. If you’re not ready to foster or adopt, consider supporting foster families in your community.
4. Provide Support to Organizations: Engage with and support organizations dedicated to helping abused and foster children, whether through donations, volunteering, or raising awareness.
5. Seek Legal Advice: If you’re contemplating foster care, seeking legal advice can help you navigate the complexities of the process if questions or concerns arise on behalf of the child’s rights.

As we listen to this episode, we hear how to take these steps, so we work together and contribute to create lasting and positive change for children in the foster care system.

The post Center for the Rights of Abused Children: Darcy Olsen, CEO & Adoptive Mother Shares Her Story [S8E3] appeared first on ADOPTION NOW.

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McKenzie’s journey is a testament to the resilience and strength that many couples show in the face of loss and grief. It’s inspiring to hear how she and her husband Kim found support through the ADOPTION NOW Podcast, which provided guidance and comfort as they explored adoption as a path to parenthood. Sharing their story on the podcast is a powerful way to connect with others who may be experiencing similar challenges, and it’s wonderful that McKenzie is able to give back to the community that helped her. This kind of shared experience can be incredibly impactful for other individuals and couples considering or going through adoption.

The post Two Tickets to Texas, Please: McKenzie Ellis Shares Her Adoption Story [S8E2] appeared first on ADOPTION NOW.

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We have a new season of hope and connection! April Fallon sits down with Jordan Moreno to reflect on ADOPTION NOW’s remarkable journey and the episodes that have left a lasting impact on her and her family.

As we celebrate reaching over 1 million downloads worldwide, we invite you to join our community of adoptees, adoptive parents, and birth families.

Visit our Patreon page and ADOPTIONNOWPodcast.com to explore coaching resources and be inspired by the collective power of our stories.

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Interviewing April Fallon, adoptive mom, and host of the international podcast, ADOPTION NOWDo you listen to podcasts? If you don’t, you should! And if you do, you should check out ADOPTION NOW! April Fallon, and her husband Noah, are the founders and hosts of the international podcast, ADOPTION NOW. A platform where they interview adoptees, birth parents, and adoptive parents. After 7 seasons, they have been able to tell the stories of so many members of the adoption triad. They bring the joys and trials of adoption to the public from all perspectives. April and Noah are the parents of 4 beautiful adopted children. Through their own adoption experiences, and interviewing other members of the triad, they are an incredible source of adoption advice and knowledge. I had the great honor of interviewing April for Adoption.com. She shares her personal family story and the story of her very successful podcast. She also shares many words of wisdom for adoptive parents and the rest of the triad.

Tell me about yourself.

My name is April Fallon. I was raised in Michigan, went to college in Denver, graduated and moved to Africa for 3 years. I developed a deep love for children and served in many orphanages. I loved it so much! After my 3 year commitment was up, I decided to move back to the United States and go to school for media arts. My hope was to move back to Uganda, Africa.

Tell me about your husband, and how you met and got married.

A few months after returning from Uganda, I met Noah. I was running events for a big apartment complex in the Denver Tech area to save money for broadcasting school. When we met, he asked me out and I told him, “NO WAY!” He continued to chat with me and told me his sister was planning on visiting Uganda! At that point I was interested in meeting his sister! I let Noah know that I planned to either return to Uganda after school, or adopt children. He shared that his youngest brother and sister were adopted from Cambodia and Vietnam! It was so unbelievable, but shortly after meeting I was accepted to broadcasting school and I was headed to Detroit. We continued talking long distance, and in 2007 we were married!

Tell me about how you came to adopt, and what caused you to choose adoption.

In 2008 I was working in broadcasting and loving my career. I did miss Uganda every day, and in 2010 we took a trip to visit the country I love so much. We served for 3 weeks in a home with children rescued with their mothers from abusive fathers. They would teach the mother a trade, and help her get a job. They helped heal the children by giving them a safe environment and an education. We brought in music and the joy we saw on their faces healed even a part of us. It really changed us both and we decided it was time to pursue adoption.

Tell me about how you started the process of adoption, what was it like? How long did it take?

We came back to the States and searched for an agency. We thought we were going to do international adoption. When we would talk to the different agencies, we did not connect or it was too expensive or we weren’t married long enough…etc. It seemed like a dead end for us. But then someone mentioned a very small local agency that was affordable. We went to meet them and it was an instant connection. They were small so we knew it might be a long wait, like 3 years, but we got our home study done. We planned a trip with friends AND…. 2 weeks later….AJ was born! I remember the agency calling us and saying a baby was in the hospital and we could go get him!!! WHAT??? We had nothing for a baby! We were at the store throwing baby things in a cart. When we saw him for the first time, a love I never knew filled my heart. I was a mother, and I would do anything for this little person. AJ was what they call a “hospital drop,” so the birth mother had signed papers right away and left. When we started the process I was scared of open adoption. I thought for sure the mom would someday just take the child back, and I would be left crying like some terrible scene in a movie. Our agency helped train us, and I met other families that had wonderful open adoptions. I became excited about the opportunity of having an open adoption. So to walk in the hospital and never meet the birth mother was hard and sad. She wanted a closed adoption. I felt a piece of the story was missing, but even though we were sad, we respected her decision. I often wish I could see her and just thank her. Her son is a gift, and I want her to know how amazing he is. We hope one day we will get to do that, but on August 31, 2010, AJ was waiting for parents to come get him. We showed up and the medical team had bad news for us. (I share the full story on the podcast) They thought AJ had a rare brain condition. He was missing part of his brain and they let us know he would possibly never see, hear, talk or walk. It was a lot to take in but we trusted that no matter what, we could do it. After many tests, the doctors were amazed. When AJ was 6 months they told us nothing was wrong with this baby boy. His brain formed correctly and he does not qualify for any child development services. Total miracle!

Tell me about your other adoptions, and those experiences –

After that experience, we were ALL ABOUT ADOPTION! We wanted to adopt again and so in 2012 we started the process and hoped to self-match. We thought if we just made it known we wanted to adopt someone could connect us to someone who knows someone, right? Well it did happen, a mother had a baby boy that she did not want. She met us, went to our agency to do the therapy hours, signed the paperwork, and literally handed us an 8-month-old baby boy. He was very sick, so we took him to the hospital and we found out that she had been starving him. They took x-rays and saw a button in his chest, carpeting…etc. I mean whatever he could try to eat, he did. When the mom found out we were at the hospital, she showed up and said she changed her mind. The paperwork had not been processed yet so she had the right to change her mind, but she could not take the baby home because of abuse. We learned he stayed in the system for 4 years. The whole experience was a lot and it was hard to have a baby, and then not have a baby. We went on to get matched in 2013 to a baby girl being born in Florida. Her birth mom was due in 2 months. I flew out to meet her and the birth dad, and loved them so much! We knew drugs were involved but the information we got was very vague. We did not know we were working with a crooked lawyer who was stealing money from us and not getting birth mom the medical help he had promised. It was a huge mess. She said she was very sick so we took her to hospital after hospital but without prenatal care, no one would take her. FINALLY, I pulled an ER doctor aside and explained that I was the potential adoptive parent and that I would pay out of pocket to have an ultrasound. She did it and it saved the birth mom and the baby’s life! They had to do an emergency c-section and baby Lily was born! That summer in 2013 we walked through a long hospital stay for Lily and her birth mom. We had to fire that bad attorney. We hired another one, and somehow it all worked out! This adoption is an open adoption. The birth dad told us, “You guys love us more than our own parents do.” At that point, we learned about the amazing journey of open adoption. Shortly after, we got matched again! The birth mother was due in December of 2013. We got all the paperwork ready and flew out to Florida to meet her. We were so excited to bring home another baby, and the birth mom really connected with Noah. I think she felt he was a good father and she wanted that for her baby. She delivered on December 28th. We were celebrating Christmas with family and we bought tickets that day to go. As we were boarding a plane, she texted that the birth dad changed his mind and was taking the baby. It was a hard loss. We had such an empty feeling. I think because I knew she did not want to raise the baby. We had learned to be very gracious and loving. We told her we supported his decision, but if he changed his mind we were only a phone call away.

In 2014 we brought home a 2-year-old boy to foster. They asked if we would take him but told us he had been severely abused. We had never experienced RAD (reactive attachment disorder) before. It was a very challenging time. AJ was 3, and Lily was 10 months. This was our first time with extreme trauma in our home. Our agency told us that it would be best to find a family who did not have other small children. As he became adoptable, we helped them find his forever home. That experience was truly wonderful and hard. The family who adopted him was so happy! We were honored to be a part of that, but it left us feeling like we had somehow failed.

We wanted to isolate ourselves and not answer any questions about the experience. We loved that little boy, as we have loved all the children we have potentially adopted and adopted. We knew it was a foster care situation but it was hard to see him go, but we also knew he was exactly where he needed to be. Isolating was not the answer, we opened our lives up to other adoptive families and they became like family to us. They understood the depths of pain that adoption had opened our eyes to. We often just tell the joyful parts but many of us in the adoption world have seen both sides. We learned that sometimes in adoption the journey does not end with the child in your arms. Sometimes you play a different role in the adoption story. That little boy is thriving and we get updates on him.

At this point, we were pretty tired! We took some time as a family of 4 and thought maybe we were done. I was working in media for CBS Channel 4 in Denver and we took an adoption break. In 2015 we got a call from where birth mom that we were going to adopt the baby from in 2013, the one that the birth dad took the baby home. She was pregnant and asked us to adopt. We were not ready to jump in again, but we did update our home study just in case. We got the call in March of 2015 that she was in labor. I jumped on a plane to Florida and was there for the birth. Baby Vivy was born, and when they went to hand the birth mom the baby, the birth mom said “I am not the mom, she is.” They placed that 4-pound baby in my arms and I was overwhelmed with gratitude. We have an open adoption. We closed our home study and felt complete….3 children.

As we grew our adoption community, I started realizing I was talking more about adoption than anything else. My boss at CBS suggested I start a radio program about adoption. ADOPTION NOW was born 2016. It started as a pilot show with just Noah and I telling our stories. Then we grew and started interviewing adoptees and birth parents. My life was forever changed by these interviews and we decided to put the show on iTunes. It then became an international podcast. We were so honored to tell such deep, true stories that were teaching so many aspects of adoption.

Then we got the call…..

As the show was growing, we became a non-profit and we got a call from Vivy’s birth mom that she was pregnant again. She asked if we would keep the siblings together.

Tell me about the circumstances surrounding your children’s adoptions.

Let me tell you, I said no to the last baby! How was I going to grow the show and go on an adoption journey? Then we had a family on the podcast that went to adopt in the DRC, 3 sisters. The country said you can pick 2. The adoptive mom could not leave one sister behind, so she jumped on a plane and flew to the DRC and for months fought to bring them ALL home. She inspired me so much that we were compelled to keep the siblings together. Maliyah Kate was born March 2017. She is the baby that tied our whole family together.

Tell me about ADOPTION NOW, the trials and triumphs.

The trials are so small compared to the joy that the show has brought us. The guests and their stories have helped me become a better mother.

Is there a favorite episode you would recommend to people?

I love all the episodes because I really love everyone who has been on the show for the last 7 years. I think the one that was a special gift to me was when I interviewed an adoptive dad from Uganda. It was a full circle moment of two parts of my life that I am passionate about, coming together in one lively episode. When I spoke to Peter, I had peace that I was doing exactly what I was meant to do.

How do you raise your adopted children? Is adoption an ongoing conversation in your home?

Our 4 children are the biggest fans of ADOPTION NOW. So because of that, they talk about adoption a lot. They ask about the show and they learn from other adoptees. We raise them in an open environment, so they can ask the questions that are hard. I like what AJ said to me when he was 5, it sums up adoption for us. “Mommy, when I was at the hospital as a baby, you needed me.” That is exactly true! I needed my children as much as they needed us. I needed their birth parents in my life as much as they needed us in theirs. Adoption is a match, a match of lives joining together to create a really beautiful story.

Do you plan to adopt more?

No, I love the thought, but we are tired!

How has adoption impacted your life and the lives of those around you?

As I say on the show, “We have adopted the whole story.” We are in it to win it. Even as we have children with special learning needs, we have been on a mission to find the answers and get the resources we need. We encourage our listeners to not give up, and stay in it! We know it can be challenging but once you find that awesome doctor or teacher or therapist and you see your child thrive, there are no words to express the “parenting win” you feel!

I quit my job to do ADOPTION NOW. When I have days where I think “will I ever stop telling adoption stories?”, The answer is no, because I will never stop being on the adoption journey. Adoption is for life, and as an interracial or multicultural family, no matter where we go, people see it!

What is one thing you would say to adoptees?

What would I say to an adoptee? I say it all the time to all adoptees, “Tell me your story so I can become a better, more understanding adoptive parent.”

What is one thing you would say to birth parents from an adoptive parent?

Well I can say to our birth parents, you are really the hero in the story. You gave your baby life. You chose what you thought was best for your child, and your unselfish act made me a mother. I am forever grateful for the gifts you gave me.

I am a huge advocate for birth mother care. We must make sure our birth families get the therapy and the healing they need. As the adoptive family is rejoicing over the baby, we must remember a mother is leaving the hospital with empty arms. We must have compassion for the adoption process. As Lily’s birth dad said to us as he signed the paperwork, “your greatest day is my worst day.”

What is some advice you would give to hopeful adoptive parents or parents who have adopted?

To hopeful adoptive parents, I tell them to not be afraid. There was not one thing on our journey that did not change us for the better. You need the story and the story needs you. I always say on the show, your baby/child is coming, do not give up. And I really believe that.

To parents who have adopted, I say come join our community! Come tell your story! Someone else might need to hear exactly what you have been through.

Is there anything else you would like to say about your journey or the podcast?

Adoption has changed my life. In this journey, I have been stretched, heartbroken, and crushed. But I have also been strengthened, joyful, and filled with hope. The episodes on ADOPTION NOW are so down-to-earth and truthful. The guests are real people, sharing real experiences, and through storytelling, we learn so much!

In closing, I want to say thank you to April for being willing to be interviewed by me. I am so grateful to April for all she does for the adoption community. ADOPTION NOW was the first adoption resource I found as a young adult adoptee. April’s podcast got me through some very difficult times related to my adoption story. I now consider myself a super fan of the podcast. I have listened to every single episode, some of them twice! She gives voices to adoptees, adoptive parents, and birth parents. “Adoption is a match, a match of lives joining together to create a really beautiful story”… this quote sums up April’s heart for adoption and her mission in the adoption community. If you are a member of the adoption triad, you should consider telling your story on ADOPTION NOW. And if you haven’t already, check out ADOPTION NOW on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Instagram, and YouTube.

Interested in telling your adoption story with April on ADOPTION NOW? Click here.

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Last week we were joined by an incredible birth mother, Laura, who shared her beautiful story of honesty and open communication in her adoption experience. Today we are joined by the adoptive parents, Jen and Alan, as well as my husband Noah, to get their side of the story on this seemingly perfect adoption. After finding each other through love at first sight, Jen and Alan tried to get pregnant through IVF before deciding adoption was right for them. Once Laura selected them as her adoptive parents, they worked together to create a healthy and open relationship. Today Jen and Alan are telling us all about the research that went into finding their birth mother, what their first ‘perfect date’ was really like with Laura and Jerome, and the details that came together to make this story “meant to be.” Every adoption story is different, and Jen and Alan are proof of that. Their journey is filled with hope, positivity and lots of love.

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Reggie Rivers played six seasons as a running back for the Denver Broncos. He is now the president of his own business consulting firm and a highly successful corporate motivational speaker. On this episode he shares how he and his wife Stephanie did not want children. It wasn’t until Stephanie’s sister had a son and she began struggling with addiction that led him to consider being a father. Reggie shares how they made the decision to bring the little boy home and how he changed their lives.

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Brandi Miller shares her story of becoming a birth mother at 16 years old. She talks about how she chose her adoptive parents and how she overcame shame after placement. Brandi also shares her advice on transgender in adoption. Her daughter, now called Micah, has opened that conversation up and Brandi shares how she responded.

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Lori Tapparo and her husband Kenny tried for 16 years to have biological children. After she had an emergency hysterectomy, the couple decided to pursue adoption through the foster care system in Colorado. Within 1 year and 2 months, they had 4 children! Lori shares the ups and downs of their journey and what it is like to adopt bio siblings. She also talks about what she did when one of her sons was unexpectedly reunified with his birth mother. She ended up getting him back with a huge surprise!

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Sometimes a story comes along that makes you question the things you thought you knew about adoption, and today is one of those stories. Laura is a birth mother from California who feels passionately about sharing her incredibly positive adoption experience. After placing her child in an open adoption over three years ago, Laura is still beaming with joy about her adoption process and the adoptive family. She believes that not all birth mothers go through the same grief process, and she is sharing her story about her life-changing experience in the hopes that it will empower and inspire other women. She shares how she and the birth father immediately connected with the adoptive parents, and why she decided to spend the first three days together with them and the baby after placement. Laura feels she was meant to have a different experience in order to show people that there are other ways to process loss. This episode offers a very inspiring and fresh perspective that proves everyone has their own story in the adoption journey.

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Jack and Adrian are birth parents who placed their baby girl up for adoption when they were in college. They wanted a better life for her, although later they would find out it wasn’t exactly what they had hoped for. Jack shares from a birth father’s perspective on how he moved forward after leaving the hospital without his daughter and Adrian shares what it was like as a birth mother grieving the loss of her baby. They went on to get married, have 3 more children together and then they adopted a baby boy! They share their experiences as adoptive parents and the emotions they went through helping the birth mother through her loss. Then they reconnect with the daughter they placed and she wants to be a part of their family. This episode is filled with so many aspects of the adoption journey!!!

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Adrienne Elliott has worked in all aspects of the child welfare system including intake, child protection, permanency and adoption. She is now the Executive Director of Adoption Options. On this episode April Fallon sits down with Adrienne to ask YOUR questions about adoption. What do you need to start the adoption process? Should a family adopt an older child and bump birth order? How do you talk to your child about their adoption story? April shares funny stories of parenting moments she wished she had done better and how Adrienne has helped her! Don’t miss this episode!!

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On today’s episode, Cherie Burton shares her story as a birth mother in an open adoption and an adoptive mother. She is an author, international speaker, and former Mrs. Utah. She and her husband have two biological children together and they have adopted two babies. She talks about the heartbreak and peace she experienced as she did what she felt was best for her first daughter. Cherie also opens up about the challenges she faced while going through the adoption process and what it was like to become an adoptive mother. This is a very unique story told from two sides of the adoption triad.

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Meg was adopted from Seoul, Korea at the age of 6 months to a family in Northern Minnesota. She grew up shy, introverted and misunderstood by many of her teachers and peers. Although she attached to her adoptive parents, whom she loved very much, she struggled with depression. On this episode Meg talks with April Fallon about the repressed grief she did not know she carried and her journey to find peace with her adoption story.

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Nellya and her husband had two biological children and they were fostering a child when they decided to adopt a baby from India. In the process they found out they were pregnant and then said yes to 3 more foster children! Their house was full as they waited to bring home baby Millie. When the agency went silent on updates, Nellya found out some devastating news. On this episode we see a mother’s heart to save a child no matter the cost.

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On this episode, our featured guest is Mallory Fogas, who started the company Arrow and Root to create modern adoption profile books. Today, you will not only hear how their adoption profile books help adoptive families, but you will hear the story of how these adorable kids became a family! Mallory has a passion and heart for all things adoption because she is half adopted and she has 5 adopted siblings with Down Syndrome. This is a story of how amazing it can be to say yes to adoption!!

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John DeYoung returns to ADOPTION NOW. He was adopted from Korea and has now started Shift Freedom Conference. On this episode, April Fallon talks to John about Adoption and Human Trafficking. If you are in the adoption world, this is something you must be aware of.

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We are finishing National Adoption Month with this great interview about Foster Care!

Meaghan Nally from Nightlight Christian Adoptions and Shelly Radic from Project 1.27 discuss the extreme need for foster families across the USA, and the sense of urgency in Colorado in particular.

Meaghan breaks down exactly how the process works and what it is that they look for in a family.

Shelly is President of Project 1.27 and has been a foster parent, adopted through foster care, and has a brother who was adopted through foster care as well. Project 1.27 is a Biblically based, state-approved training program for families looking to get certified.

The need for foster families and respite care is far greater than you think, and through volunteering or fostering you can be the person that changes a child’s life!

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When the host of ADOPTION NOW, April Fallon, started this show she had no idea that she would be in the middle of an adoption while interviewing other families on this topic. When she and her husband got a call about a biological sibling to their youngest daughter, the journey began. It was not easy and seemed very hopeless at times. Today Christine Thurman, their Adoption Lawyer, joins the show to help them tell the story of how they brought baby Maliyah Kate home. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed during the adoption process, we hope this episode can give you some hope to keep fighting.

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New ADOPTION NOW Podcast! April Fallon, the Host of ADOPTION NOW, opens up with her husband about the journey of adoption they have been on. Adoption has changed their lives. They talk about the joy and challenges that has brought them closer in their marriage and increased their faith. This season they are on a new station in Denver, 94.7FM!! This podcast is for anyone who is thinking of starting the adoption process, in the middle of the process or someone who just needs encouragement! Noah and April have been through the process 7 times and it has not always been easy, yet out of their experience, they started ADOPTION NOW.

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We are SO excited to be featuring our first embryo adoption donor family story today on the podcast! Katie and Scott were a bit older when they decided that they wanted children, and after researching both fostering and adoption, they were heartbroken and discouraged. After a fateful lunch with a good friend, the idea of surrogacy and IVF was planted, and ultimately proved to be the correct path for them. They ended up being blessed with a set of twins, but also had another set of embryos which they knew they would not be using. Katie and Scott faced the choice that a lot of IVF parents face: Either donate your extra embryos to science, keep them frozen in storage, or discard them. They felt uncomfortable with each of these choices and ended up doing some research of their own. Out of this research came the National Registry for Adoption, which Katie created with her friend Charis, to help pair embryo donors with waiting adoptive families that wanted to carry their adopted children. As she puts it “It’s like the Match.com of the embryo donation and adoption world”. They decided to donate their embryos to an adoptive family that successfully carried twins. Katie and Scott gave their embryos life and blessed a family with children!! Today they tell ADOPTION NOW about that journey.

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Heather Avis and her husband are parents of three adopted children, two of whom have Down Syndrome. At the start of their adoption journey, they set out to adopt a healthy baby, but after meeting their future daughter Macy, a baby girl with both Down Syndrome and a congenital heart defect that would require surgery and medication, they found themselves in limbo. Unable to say no to this little girl who needed parents, but unable to say yes to the effect this would have on their lives, they struggled with the decision to adopt her before finally realizing that while it might be a challenge, it was the right step for them to take. Heather is the author of “The Lucky Few” based largely on her experiences adopting children both healthy, and with special needs. On this podcast she shares some of that insight with us, as well as what a blessing it’s truly been for her and her family to take the leap and say yes to stepping outside of their preformulated ideal of what their adoptions – and family – would look like. This journey caused them to be one of “The Lucky Few.”

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Today on the podcast we have a birth mother story from California. Angela Rushing shares her story of how she was brought up in a traumatic household with an alcoholic father and passive aggressive mother, and how this situation ultimately led her to feel unwanted and unnurtured. Before she knew it, she had undergone 2 abortions, and when she found herself pregnant once more, she knew she couldn’t do it again. This is where she began to look into private adoptions and discovered the couple who would become the adoptive parents of her child. Angela gets very honest about the whole process and how it wasn’t until after she gave birth that the depression and suicidal thoughts triggered her to look into her past to be able to deal with her feelings and come to terms with her life. We also dig into her current life and her relationship with her daughter and how that reconnection has helped her become the woman she is today.

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We have all heard stories of people who adopt children from abroad and of people who adopt children with disabilities, but today we have a story with both. Sara Berry and her husband were parents to 5 beautiful children when their faith lead them on a path that resulted in the adoption of two children from China. From the start they knew that both children had disabilities but their immediate love for them, made the decision easy, even if the process wasn’t always. Sally was their first adoption and underwent surgery within weeks of arriving in the US, but it was Charlie that proved to them that miracles can and do happen. On this podcast Sara discusses how her faith has influenced her decisions throughout life and especially when adopting, and the importance of redefining things for your adoptive children whether they are from the US or abroad. Sara is the author of A Cord of Three Strands and A Broken Mirror, which are adoption based and must reads if you enjoy adoption stories.

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Michelle Madrid Branch understands adoption in ways that most others do not. She is both an adoptee and an adoptive parent. She was adopted in the U.K. as a toddler, found her biological family as a teenager, and after she got married and had one biological son, she and her husband adopted two children internationally. They brought home a son from Russia and a daughter from Ethiopia. Michelle has great insight into the struggles and triumphs that adoption can bring to all those involved. She is truthful about her journey and so inspiring!! She is an author, speaker, and global advocate for women and children. Her books include “Mascara Moments,” “Adoption Means Love,” and “The Tummy Mummy,” which was voted one of the top 25 adoption books for children. She is also the Executive Producer and Host of “The Greater Than Project,” which is a documentary web series exploring the intrinsic greatness within women.

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Beverly Boerner-Reynolds is an adoptive mother from Texas who wrote a book about the love a birthmother has for her child. When she first met her son’s birthmother she thought maybe she was a scam artist! When you hear this story, you might think so also!! But what started in doubt, turned into a beautiful friendship and placement of a healthy baby boy.

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Jessica shares Scott and her journey through several failed adoptions, bringing home their first baby Ty, their plan to try embryo adoption, and the phone call that brought baby number two!

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April Fallon talks with Brittany about her and her husband’s journey adopting their son Connor. After a very difficult road and months of waiting for finalization, the couple wanted another baby, but could not afford (financially and emotionally) another traditional adoption. Chris and Brittany discovered Embryo Adoption! She is now 6 months pregnant with a baby girl that the couple adopted. Tune in to this episode to hear this remarkable story!

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This week we have an adoption story from Oklahoma!! This family lived in Zambia, had 4 biological sons and then adopted a little Zambian boy. They share their journey back to the U.S. and their experience in foster care and domestic adoption. This story is for anyone who has been disappointed in God. Andy and Robyn share how they kept their faith through the loss of their biological son and how adoption changed their lives.

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Jen Donahue was adopted as a baby. She talks about life as a child and talks openly about her experience in a family as the only adopted child. When Jen turned 37, she finds her birthmother in Denver. Her journey to fill in the holes of her birth story are amazing!

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Kim shares their journey through infertility and becoming pregnant. She opens up about giving birth to their daughter, a full term baby, that only stayed with them for 6 days. She talks about her struggle with deep grief and their journey into adoption. In the year they lost their daughter, Kyla, they also had 2 failed adoptions. Ryan and Kim had no money left and they were still not parents. Hear hear how this couple persevered and how they started Kids for Kyla.

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Brooke adopted her son at Denny’s (yes Denny’s) and her youngest daughter 6 years later. Both adoptions were under $8,000, so she decided to start Fuller Arms Adoption Education. She educates adoptive parents on how to find their birth mother without an agency.

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John and Alicia have two biological kids and went to Haiti to bring home their son. Years later they went back after the earthquake to get their youngest daughter. Listen to their story as they openly share their journey of adoption.

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Allison was adopted as a baby, and at 27, she searches for her Birthmom to find out some medical information. When Allison finds her, you won’t believe how her story unfolds!

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Marty and Elizabeth chose embryo adoption to expand their family. Another family donated their embryo that was frozen for 18 years! Elizabeth was able to carry the baby full term, and gave birth to Marley in June.

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Adoption from India! Steve and Kristen talk about bringing home a sibling group for India. This beautiful family tells their story and the incredible journey God has brought them through.

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April Fallon hosts Lana and Steve Wagner as they share their stories of foster care and adoption

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April Fallon talks with John DeYoung about his adoption story!

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Season Five of ADOPTION NOW!

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As always, ADOPTION NOW focuses on the many powerful stories centered around adoption and foster care. This episode also includes a topic April Fallon is new to, the topic of surrogacy. Dr. Claire Dumke tells us the story of her two daughters, Ruby and Hazel, and how she pursued both adoption and surrogacy at the same time. As a result of this, her two daughters were born 8 months apart!

Key Links

• Insights Colorado Assessments and Therapy: (303) 935-5307

The episode focuses on the many joys that were felt throughout her experience, but also on the challenging aspects. And in addition, surrogacy is explained: the price, what to expect, regulations, details on medication, and so forth.

Below are four of the most crucial aspects of this episode ranging from surrogacy in a nutshell, transracial adoption, the importance of agencies and the selection process for adoption, as well as the relational interplay between biological and adoptive mothers.

[#1 What to Expect When your Surrogate is Expecting]

• As was the case with Dr. Claire, surrogacy may be an option for a family if they have embryos either through IVF but cannot personally carry them to full term.
• It is very expensive! Dr. Claire mentions that the price was in the six-figure range at least. But as always, no amount of money is too much for the wonderful gift of life.
• Dr. Claire also discusses and warns of the emotional distress that can occur for surrogates after they give birth. Counseling is a very powerful tool for this common circumstance and Dr. Claire highly recommends that the biological family is prepared to provide this resource.

[#2 Transracial Open Adoption ]

• Ruby–Dr. Claire’s first daughter and who was adopted through an open agreement with her African American birth mother–didn’t make Claire nervous in the slightest at the dynamic. Although she does talk about how nervous she was to meet the extended family of the biological mother, she stresses just how beautiful and wonderful Ruby is.
• The concept of providing racial mirrors for Ruby is brought up as well, meaning that considerable attention to positive reinforcement of Ruby’s racial identity is a large focal point in their family.
• And through Claire’s relationship with Ruby’s biological mother and her extended family, Ruby has that much more reinforcement.

[#3 Agencies and The Adoption Selection Process ]

• When talking about how expectant mothers choose adoptive parents for their child, the best advice is, “Be yourself!” As April states; you never know just what detail will stand out and speak to a birth mother in the midst of her choice. And like it is discussed within the episode, the difference between you being chosen or not could have to do with if you have a golden retriever or not; be yourself!
• Agencies are very important for introducing you to a bigger pool of possibilities for being matched with a child. And the multi-state agencies also give you a higher probability to be selected faster due to more choices. The Adoption Choices of Colorado was the agency Dr. Claire used. She and her husband were pleasantly surprised to find themselves in Texas for Ruby after just two short months of waiting.

[#4 Relationship Dynamics Between Surrogates, Biological Mothers, and Adoptive Parents ]

• There is a fair amount of discussion on the interactions between adoptive parents, the birth mother and a surrogate mother. There can be a lot of grief after placement, so counseling and sensitivity towards that issue are imperative.
• As Dr. Claire states during the episode, what words are there to express to a birth mother or surrogate mother besides gratitude, gratitude, and more gratitude!
• In addition, the whole process has strengthened the bond between Dr. Claire and her husband.

More details at: https://adoptionnow.com/podcast/destined-for-motherhood-a-story-of-adoption-and-surrogacy

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The post Destined for Motherhood: A Story of Adoption and Surrogacy [S5E1] appeared first on ADOPTION NOW.

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April Fallon and her husband Noah share their first story of adoption

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The post A Warrior of a Child: AJ’s Incredible Adoption Story [S1E1] appeared first on ADOPTION NOW.

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Today, on this little recap episode of ADOPTION NOW, Reshma’s story is analyzed by April and Noah Fallon.

Key Links

• Last week’s episode featuring Reshma McClintock
• John DeYoung’s first appearance in Season 1
• John DeYoung’s second appearance in Season 3

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Because of the complexity of the Reshma’s story and her take on adoption, both hosts wanted to take some time and delve a bit deeper into the topics that were discussed.

In This Episode of ADOPTION NOW

• John DeYoung, a South Korean adoptee, shares his reactions to Reshma’s story and talks about his own.
• The importance of letting every adoptee establish their own voice and narrative.
• Why noticing the adoptee and respecting their comforts and discomforts is essential for better parenting and communication.
• The pitfalls of the ‘hero mentality’ for adoptive parents.
• John talks about the practice of ‘discovering your child’ to fully respect them.

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The post What Adoptees’ Stories Can Teach Us [S5E6] appeared first on ADOPTION NOW.

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Glenn Morey has worked in film since 1981—as a writer, creative director, and a commercial and documentary filmmaker for many years. His documentary “Side by Side” is an Official Selection of the San Diego Asian Film Festival (organized by Pacific Arts Movement), and the Boston Asian American Film Festival, among many other awards.

Key Links

• Website: sidebysideproject.com
• FB: facebook.com/SidebySideDocumentary/
• Twitter: @sidebysideproj

Glenn’s personal story, as an inter-country adoptee from South Korea, was the initial motivating and creative force behind “Side by Side.” And in this interview, he delves into his own experience to build upon many common elements of the South Korean adoption experience.

What follows in this podcast is a really interesting and layered talk on the complexity of the adoption experience for many South Koreans, and how giving them a platform to find their voice is so essential.

Below are some (but not all!) of the most compelling aspects of the talk, ranging from Glenn’s realization that he had operated under a supplied narrative about his own racial identity, to the importance of communicating and being honest with your adopted children about the complete picture of their ethnic identity.

[#1 Some Details on Glenn’s Adoption from Seoul]

• Glenn retells the details of how he came to be claimed from city hall in Seoul, later placed in an orphanage, and then how he found himself on a plane with 81 other babies to the U.S.
• This whole experience would eventually become the catalyst for “Side by Side” and would lead him to find how fortunate he had been to become adopted and have such a relatively positive experience.
• He was adopted by a loving family who lived in Littleton, Colorado. He joined 3 biological daughters, was the first of four adopted children in the family, and had multiple siblings.

[#2 Important Conversations About Race]

• Because of Glenn’s experience with not having the proper amount of racial mirroring and acknowledgment during his upbringing, he didn’t fully understand from a sociological and psychological perspective that he was Asian until he was in his middle age. He understood it intellectually, just not culturally.
• So when considering transracial adoptees, he wants to stress the importance of having open, honest acknowledgments about race and what is apparent to the child. Don’t suppress it and don’t shut out their culture for your own.
• Glenn reminds us that a good rule of thumb when having conversations about race with your child is that if you’re afraid to have the conversation, you should consider having it anyways, despite the discomfort you feel because it really is that important!
• Glenn talks about how there was zero acknowledgement in his own story and he subsequently built up an identity that didn’t include the most essential aspects of his story.

[#3 Film and Interview as a Platform for the Voiceless]

• After he worked through the counter-narratives of his adoptive experience in the U.S., he began to understand that his story was actually a cliche when compared with other Korean American adoptees.
• There was immense power in having that reinforcement of other South-Korean adoptees who had the same experience in America. And through interviews and what would lay the groundwork for the “Side by Side” project, Glenn gave a platform for those who hadn’t shared their story virtually anyone else before. He helped them find their voice.

[#4 The Traditional Narrative of Adoption for Glenn]

• During the interview, he talks about some of the reasons for adoptees not telling their story. The most prominent one being that adoptive parents were told that assimilation into the culture had to be seamless–this generally meant that ignoring the culture of the adopted child was seen as the best way to achieve this assimilation.
• And because the standard narrative of adoption was often: “You are extremely lucky to have escaped poverty and abject conditions.” Most adoptees Glenn interviewed didn’t feel comfortable subverting this traditional narrative. They felt reluctant to go against that sentiment of how fortunate they were.

More details at: https://adoptionnow.com/podcast/out-of-a-south-korean-orphanage-glenn-moreys-story-about-finding-his-voice-and-creating-a-documentary

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The post Out of a South Korean Orphanage: Glenn Morey’s Story About Finding His Voice and Creating a Documentary [S5E4] appeared first on ADOPTION NOW.

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Mike Marsden is an adoptee from Nashville whose story is filled with timing, loss, gratitude, and faith. After being delivered prematurely at only 3 pounds and 2 ounces, Mike spent months in the hospital before finding his forever family.

Despite a tragic loss at a young age, Mike was able to move forward and find the courage to reach out and connect with his birth mother, only to suffer yet again. Despite his trials, Mike tells his story with grace, humility, and compassion for others.

This inspiring journey is filled with faith re-establishing moments that are sure to help you heal and move forward. Mike is a true example that despite what life can throw at us, it is indeed a beautiful thing.

Below are some of key links in Mike’s story that trace the outline of a tragic life, but one that is full of resiliency and strength as well!

[#1 Some Details on Mike’s Birth and His First Meeting of His Foster Parents]

• In the episode, Mike talks about his adoptive parents and how they had fostered about 30 children before they adopted Mike.
• After adopting Mike as an infant, his parents stopped fostering other children.
• He was born prematurely at 3 pounds, 2 ounces but flourished despite this tough beginning.
• And Mike was named as a tribute to his adoptive uncle who passed away while he was still a baby.

[#2 Tragedy as a Vehicle for Re-Establishing Your Faith ]

• Mike wants to remind you that tragedy can be used as a strengthener of your faith. It may not seem like it at the time, but you can build and reinforce your faith as a result of tragic events in your life.
• He states this because he himself had doubts and his faith had started to waver. But in the long run, he knew that God was looking out for him.

[#3 Mike’s Motivations and Methods For Searching for His Biological Mother ]

• After taking his biological son to the doctor, Mike realized he didn’t have any family medical history to draw from because he was adopted. This was further inspiration to seek his birth mother.
• After using the DNA tracing service 23andMe, he was able to find a last name which he used as a starting point. While at first this seemed to lead to a dead end, Mike didn’t give up.
• Mike ended up typing in “Wisconsin Adoption” in a search engine and picked an agency. He then sent a letter, filled an application, and paid $80. And this was last year (2018)! So, this is a viable option for those who have been adopted and looking to connect with their biological parents.

[#4 The Emotional Impact of Meeting His Birth Mother After 35 years! ]

• Mike was ecstatic to learn that after going through the process of finding his birth mother, she agreed to release the necessary information to meet with him!
• During the episode, Mike also talks about the power of the letter that he wrote to his mother, and how he thinks it ultimately helped them reconnect.
• And as a testament to the maxim that things work out in the end, what his mother wanted for Mike was indeed provided by his adoptive parents. She wrote a letter back to him with her contact information and they talked and one of the first things they did was meet up!
• In addition to meeting her son, Mike’s birth mother also got to meet her grandson.

[#5 A Miracle of Timing: A Testament Towards Reconnection ]

• As Mike states, as tragic as the story ends, he ultimately received the blessings of closure and completeness in this aspect of his life.
• He states that he is wholeheartedly glad he embarked on his journey of reconnection.
• And he gives advice for adoptees when he states, you really have to be open to any type of outcome when reconnecting with a biological parent. You may not get the outcome you want, but if you don’t do it, you won’t be able to experience the joys as well!

More details at:

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The post A Miracle of Timing: Mike Marsden’s Story of Faith, Adoption, and Resilience [S5E2] appeared first on ADOPTION NOW.

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This episode of ADOPTION NOW is told from the perspective of Erica Shields. As she shares in the episode, she has never really told anyone her full story before, so this is special for all of us.

Key Links

• Erica Sheilds on Facebook
• The Kempe Center For The Prevention and Treatment of Child Abuse and Neglect

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For many years, Erica didn’t have all of the answers. Since she was seven years old though, she was obsessed with finding every detail of her story: who her biological parents were, the details of her birth that weren’t openly discussed, her real name, and why her original adoptive parents gave her back to be placed in foster care.

With charm and a likable lightheartedness, Erica recounts some of the most tragic moments of her life, as well how grateful she is to just be alive and to have been adopted.

In This Episode of ADOPTION NOW

• What it was like for Erica to have a Japanese mother and Caucasian father.
• The moment she first realized she was adopted.
• On being Mormon and how that helped drive her search for her genealogical roots.
• How she ended up getting the information about her adoption.
• The challenges of searching for biological parents and the emotional response this can elicit from adoptive parents.
• On cultural differences between siblings.
• Erica meets her biological mother.
• Her advice to listeners.

More details at: https://adoptionnow.com/podcast/mrs-colorado-2016-erica-shields-amazing-adoption-story-s5e9/

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The post Mrs. Colorado 2016 Erica Shield’s Amazing Adoption Story [S5E9] appeared first on ADOPTION NOW.

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Three years! Wow, what a journey it has been so far for April and Noah Fallon. Starting from a radio show with a small domestic following to a now international reach, Host April and her husband Noah reminisce about the overall evolution of ADOPTION NOW.

Key Links

• One of April’s favorite ADOPTION NOW stories: Nellya, Adopting a Baby from India

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April and Noah both share the hardships and the mostly-joyous moments of their adoption journey, leading to their reinforced position that yes, adoption is incredibly life-changing, but at the same time, not easy at all.

Within the episode, they answer the questions of listeners, share their favorite moments of the show, and get candid about their views that have changed, and those that have not.

In This Episode of ADOPTION NOW

• April and Noah share their favorite ADOPTION NOW moments.
• Your questions and comments are addressed!
• On Christianity and religion in the adoption experience.
• How adoption is a constant learning experience.
• Advice for those who are waiting for their child.
• How adoption will change you in a positive way if you let it!

More details at: https://adoptionnow.com/podcast/celebrating-3-years-of-adoption-now

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The post Celebrating 3 Years of ADOPTION NOW! [S5E8] appeared first on ADOPTION NOW.

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April Fallon shares a story that happened a few weeks ago. You would be surprised at what people stop and say to her family. Education on adoption and foster care is so important. This podcast helps us understand how to address strange questions we get as adoptive families, and also the right way to approach an adoptive family in a public setting.

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The post What NOT TO SAY to Adoptive Parents (And How To Get It Right) [S4E2] appeared first on ADOPTION NOW.

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Luke and Jillana Goble are parents to five children ranging in age from preteen to young adult. They fostered children and eventually ended up adopting. In 2019, Jillana published No Sugar-Coating, a book with practical suggestions on fostering children. Now she has released a new book entitled A Love-Stretched Life: Wrangling Hope, Embracing the Unexpected & Discovering the Meaning of Family.

In this episode we talk about how they reconnected with a child that was in their home for some time, and he has now rejoined their family as an adult! This interview shows us that when showing true love in fostering, you can still plant seeds that last a lifetime, even when the child does not stay in your home permanently.

We also talk about the wonderful and often complicated relationships between birth parents and adoptive parents. If you like this episode check out next week, when we bring the birth mother of Jillana’s son on for an interview!

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The post A Love-Stretched Life: Author, Speaker, and Adoptive Mother, Jillana Goble, Talks About Her New Book and Her Journey Through Foster [S66E14] appeared first on ADOPTION NOW.

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Kim de Blecourt is an award-winning author, international speaker and Executive Director of Nourished Hearts, a non-profit serving orphaned and vulnerable children. Kim and her husband Jahn adopted their son from the Ukraine and told their story on ADOPTION NOW in 2016. She has just written a 6 week study called “I Call You Mine – Embracing God’s Gift of Adoption.” On this episode April Fallon talks with Kim about this book and how it can help adoptive families and people looking to start the adoption/foster care process.

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The post I Call You Mine [S4E3] appeared first on ADOPTION NOW.

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James and Noell adopted through the foster care system. This family said yes to two brothers and later found out a biological sister was born! They have gone through so much, including dealing with Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD). Noell shares on this episode how they had to make some very hard decisions to get their oldest adoptive son the help he needs.

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The post James and Noell Blevins’ Story [S3E2] appeared first on ADOPTION NOW.

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Here is part 2 of this incredible story! A perfect baby was born to a college athlete who was told 8 times she was not pregnant by a doctor. She thought she had a stomachache, ended up delivering a baby, then decided to place him for adoption. She had to pick a family within hours!

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The post Ghost Pregnancy – Part 2 [S3E7B] appeared first on ADOPTION NOW.

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April Fallon talks to Republican candidate for Governor, Victor Mitchell, and his wife, Amy, about adoption and how to bring change to adoption law.

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The post Let’s Talk Adoption and Politics [S3E9] appeared first on ADOPTION NOW.

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Do you have questions about PTSD related to adoption? Do you struggle as a parent to understand a child that has experienced early childhood trauma? On this episode of ADOPTION NOW, April Fallon talks with Carrie O’Toole about how to deal with a challenging placement and how to see signs of trauma in the brain. Carrie is an author and life coach with a Masters Degree in Counseling. She now works with adoptive families who are on the brink and trying to put their family back together.

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The post Talking About Trauma with Carrie O’Toole [S2E7] appeared first on ADOPTION NOW.

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Today on the podcast, we are so excited to feature Renee Hettich’s story of her experience adopting 4 children internationally. One of her children is from Guatemala, and three of them are from China, our first Chinese adoption story on the podcast! Renee shares how none of the four adoptions went exactly according to plan, with undisclosed health difficulties of which she was unaware at the time, developmental delays and a host of other issues. She knows better than most the challenges of adopting internationally, but she also shares her joy at being able to give lives to these kids who may otherwise have been stuck in the terrible conditions of an orphanage.

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The post Renee’s Story [S2E9] appeared first on ADOPTION NOW.

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We often hear the stories of adoptees, birth mothers, and adoptive parents on this podcast, but it is very rare to find ALL THREE in one person! Today’s guest Kitty however, has experienced the triad of adoption and today she walks us through the struggles, heartbreak, and happiness she has felt in each of the roles. Kitty Ravert was adopted as a baby into a loving home, she placed a baby in her early 20’s and later adopted an African American son. She has found her birth parents, found her biological son and has an open adoption with her son’s biological family. This is a must listen to podcast as she is uniquely positioned to speak to every aspect of adoption with the clarity and grace that we all wish we could possess during the difficult and wonderful times that we experience throughout the adoption process.

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The post Kitty Ravert’s Story [S2E15] appeared first on ADOPTION NOW.

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Ashley is a birthmother who placed her son 11 years ago and is navigating through open adoption. She talks very openly about the pain she went through the years after placement and now she is an advocate for other birthmothers. She has just released a new curriculum for adoption professionals to help other birthmothers in their journey of healing.

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The post Ashley Mitchell – Big Tough Girl [S2E3] appeared first on ADOPTION NOW.

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Jen Milian was adopted from Colombia into a loving family as a baby. She had no idea that 6 (maybe more!) of her biological siblings were also given up for adoption. One of her biological brothers grew up just miles from her in New York. On this episode of ADOPTION NOW, Jen talks about what it was like to be adopted, her struggles as she found herself, and her recent incredible story about her biological family.

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The post Jen Milian’s Story [S1E44] appeared first on ADOPTION NOW.

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Adopting through the foster care system can seem scary but as Brian and Season tell their story we learn that having an agency can be a big help. They got a call about this little girl who was born at 27 weeks and doctors thought she may be blind, deaf and not able to walk. She became their miracle.

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The post Brian and Season’s Story [S1E32] appeared first on ADOPTION NOW.

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Jessica shares her journey to adopt as a single woman. She always knew she wanted to be a mother, but had no idea the process would be so challenging! Two years ago, Jessica was matched to an expectant birthmother in Florida. She shares what she went through to bring home baby Maryn.

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The post Jessica’s Story [S1E36] appeared first on ADOPTION NOW.

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Noah and April share their current adoption journey. They invite their lawyer, Christine Thurman from Thurman Law Firm, to share her insight on adoption. She has placed 22 babies in the last year and she is fighting to keep the costs low.

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The post Noah and April’s Adoption Update [S1E38] appeared first on ADOPTION NOW.

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Brian and Danna have 13 children. They have 4 biological kids, 4 kids from Ethiopia and 5 children from The DRC. They share their adoption story and how God opened their hearts to adoption through unexpected ways.

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The post Brian and Danna’s Story [S1E16] appeared first on ADOPTION NOW.

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David and Natalie have adopted two children from the Ukraine and their journey is amazing. They brought home a son with special needs and watched him overcome. Their daughter came home malnourished, and they helped her gain weight quickly! Natalie shares about how she helped the kids attach and heal. She also talks about how she dealt with “Adoption Postpartum Depression” after she returned home from traveling.

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The post David and Natalie’s Story [S1E22] appeared first on ADOPTION NOW.

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When Jahn and Kim decided to pursue adoption in the Ukraine, they had no idea how intense the fight would be to bring home their son. ADOPTION NOW is so honored to have Kim de Blecourt on the podcast! She is the award-winning author of “Until We All Come Home” and the President of Nourished Hearts. You do not want to miss her adoption story!

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The post Kim and Jahn’s Story [S1E28] appeared first on ADOPTION NOW.

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Rodney and Mary Leah are both attorneys in Alabama. For ten years, they walked the journey of infertility before welcoming twins, Dalton and Mary Elizabeth, through Snowflakes Embryo Adoption Program.

They also serve on the board of Carrywell, a non-profit that helps couples walking through infertility, miscarriage and infant loss through groups and grants. They are passionate about helping families through grief and healing as couples explore other options into parenthood. This episode is so inspiring for those interested and wanting to learn more about how the embryo adoption process works.

The post Snowflakes Babies: Rodney and Mary Leah Share Their Embryo Adoption Story [S7E23] appeared first on ADOPTION NOW.

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Aida Phillips and her husband longed to be parents but found that conceiving naturally was not possible for them. They began infertility treatments, which ultimately proved unsuccessful and took a significant toll on Aida both mentally and physically.

She started looking into adoption, but her husband was hesitant, and EVEN MORE so when they met with a crooked adoption attorney in Miami!

It was a journey to be matched to their daughter, but they did not give up.

Aida is from Mexico and Jewish. In this episode we hear how that added to the obstacles of being matched to the right birth family who would accept the child to be raised Jewish. Despite these challenges, their resilience led them to a successful match.

Just wait until you hear about the day when they met their new baby daughter and the joy that filled their family! This profound experience inspired Aida to start a non-profit organization, “Born From Our Souls,” to support the Hispanic community in the adoption process. Her organization aims to hold the hearts and hands of those pursing adoption.

The post Born From Our Souls: Aida Phillips Shares Her Adoption Story [S7E22] appeared first on ADOPTION NOW.

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Rodney and Mary Leah are both attorneys in Alabama. For ten years, they walked the journey of infertility before welcoming twins, Dalton and Mary Elizabeth, through Snowflakes Embryo Adoption Program.

They also serve on the board of Carrywell, a non-profit that helps couples walking through infertility, miscarriage and infant loss through groups and grants. They are passionate about helping families through grief and healing as couples explore other options into parenthood. This episode is so inspiring for those interested and wanting to learn more about how the embryo adoption process works.

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Aida Phillips and her husband longed to be parents but found that conceiving naturally was not possible for them. They began infertility treatments, which ultimately proved unsuccessful and took a significant toll on Aida both mentally and physically.

She started looking into adoption, but her husband was hesitant, and EVEN MORE so when they met with a crooked adoption attorney in Miami!

It was a journey to be matched to their daughter, but they did not give up.

Aida is from Mexico and Jewish. In this episode we hear how that added to the obstacles of being matched to the right birth family who would accept the child to be raised Jewish. Despite these challenges, their resilience led them to a successful match.

Just wait until you hear about the day when they met their new baby daughter and the joy that filled their family! This profound experience inspired Aida to start a non-profit organization, “Born From Our Souls,” to support the Hispanic community in the adoption process. Her organization aims to hold the hearts and hands of those pursing adoption.

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After Michael and Naomi’s unsuccessful attempts to start a family, they were led to a fertility clinic where they were diagnosed with male-factor infertility. They were told IVF would be the only real option. The couple experienced a lot of grief and started praying about what to do to become parents.

They started to research their options when God opened the door to the National Embryo Donation Center in Knoxville, Tennessee!!

This is where Michael and Naomi began their life-changing journey of becoming pregnant with two adopted boys through embryo adoption and the real twist of the story is the twins are NOT biologically related. What a MIRACLE STORY!!!

In this episode, they want to encourage other couples facing infertility that what feels like God’s “NO” in your life (infertility, loss, etc.) may actually be leading you face-to-face with His beautiful and perfect “YES” for your family.

The post Embryo Twins: Michael and Naomi’s Embryo Adoption Story [S7E21] appeared first on ADOPTION NOW.

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Adoption doesn’t always have to be a daunting task! Jordan Moreno’s story tells us that the timeline might be faster than you think! Jose and Jordan have a beautiful adoption story, as they all are, but this one had an ease about it that will make anyone who is nervous feel at peace that everything can fall perfectly into place and QUICKLY!!! They announced to their family in November that they had plans to adopt, finished their home study in February, matched in June and their daughter was born July 2nd!!! After experiencing secondary infertility for 5 years after their son was born, the family was so grateful to be able to expand their family through adoption and want to encourage others in this journey!

The post Adoption in 5 Months! Jordan Moreno Shares her Adoption Story [S7E20] appeared first on ADOPTION NOW.

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Jenell M. Jones is the author of “Shattered,” a book that shares her experience as an adoptive mother. Last week we heard her story on adopting Mercy from the foster care system. Mercy joined the family of 6 children and had many mental and physical traumas that affected her day-to-day life. On part two, Jenell talks about how the system is set up to help children but often fails to provide resources to help foster children heal and be able to thrive in a family. On this episode she shares about the next level of trauma that vulnerable children could face. How does adoption and foster care play into human trafficking? What is being done to protect our children?

The post Shattered Part Two: Author Jenell M. Jones Shares Her Story on Foster Care and Human Trafficking [S7E18] appeared first on ADOPTION NOW.

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Brady & Andrea Murray are the proud parents of eleven children, seven of which are adopted. After having a biological child diagnosed with Down Syndrome, the couple started RODS Heroes, which was founded in 2013. RODS Heroes inspires families to answer the call to adopt a child with Down Syndrome or other unique circumstances. As they were helping other families, they went to China to bring home their son, Cooper, who has become the baseball star you see on Instagram @bradymurray21. The couple went on to adopt two daughters from foster-care and then said yes to another international adoption, this time from Colombia. They just recently traveled and brought home a sibling group of 4 to join the family! Listen to this episode to hear about adopting special needs children from China, how to start your process adopting from Colombia and how adopting through the foster care system might be the right path for you!

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Jenell M. Jones is the author of “Shattered,” a book that shares her experience as an adoptive mother. Last week we heard her story on adopting Mercy from the foster care system. Mercy joined the family of 6 children and had many mental and physical traumas that affected her day-to-day life. On part two, Jenell talks about how the system is set up to help children but often fails to provide resources to help foster children heal and be able to thrive in a family. On this episode she shares about the next level of trauma that vulnerable children could face. How does adoption and foster care play into human trafficking? What is being done to protect our children?

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Jenell M. Jones is the author of “Shattered,” a book that shares her experience as an adoptive mother. Jenell is currently operating multiple early learning centers, which specialize in providing high quality learning experiences to children who experience trauma in low-income areas, while also raising 7 children! When she brought home Mercy she found out that her expectations about adoption were shattered.

Her passion is helping foster parents and adoptive parents ask the right questions on this journey. In this episode we get very real about the day-to-day challenges of raising children with mental and physical trauma. She gives advice to parents (and soon to be parents) on what they need to hear most about the foster care system. What questions do you ask social workers? What do you need to be prepared for when bringing home an older child? What do you need to know about trauma and loss?

This episode helps us understand how important it is that children find healing and what resources Jenell had to use to hopefully lead her daughter to find truth and peace in her story.

The post Shattered Part One: Author Jenell M. Jones Shares Her Foster to Adopt Story [S7E17] appeared first on ADOPTION NOW.

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President & CEO of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption has joined ADOPTION NOW for an incredible interview. Rita Soronen has worked on behalf of abused, neglected and vulnerable children for more than 30 years. As the leader of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, a national nonprofit public charity, her mission is to dramatically increase the number of adoptions from foster care. They are working hard to find permanent families for the more than 140,000 waiting children in the United States foster care system. The non-profit was inspired by Dave Thomas, the founder of Wendy’s fast-food restaurant chain, who was adopted himself! Rita shares his story, as well as her own journey in working with families and children. If you are interested in adopting an older child from the foster care system, this episode is for you!

The post Dave Thomas Foundation For Adoption: Rita Soronen, President and CEO, Speaks on Foster Care and Adoption [S7E16] appeared first on ADOPTION NOW.

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President & CEO of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption has joined ADOPTION NOW for an incredible interview. Rita Soronen has worked on behalf of abused, neglected and vulnerable children for more than 30 years. As the leader of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, a national nonprofit public charity, her mission is to dramatically increase the number of adoptions from foster care. They are working hard to find permanent families for the more than 140,000 waiting children in the United States foster care system. The non-profit was inspired by Dave Thomas, the founder of Wendy’s fast-food restaurant chain, who was adopted himself! Rita shares his story, as well as her own journey in working with families and children. If you are interested in adopting an older child from the foster care system, this episode is for you!

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Author Sarah D. Shearer joins ADOPTION NOW to talk about her adoption story.  In her words, her story started off with little hope, “I was born with various medical needs and was left in a Russian hospital where nuns helped to keep me alive until I was transferred to an orphanage.” The Russian orphanage was convinced…

The post Grateful Adoptee: Author Sarah D. Shearer Shares Her Adoption Story From Russia [S7E15] appeared first on ADOPTION NOW.

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PART 2!! As we heard on the last episode, Jacob and Jessica already had 2 biological children when they adopted a baby boy while being filmed on the Oxygen show “I am Having Their Baby.” The family of 5 soon became a family of 6, as they went on to adopt a little boy with…

The post Ready, Set, Adoption Part 2: The J Family Continues Their Adoption Journey [S7E14] appeared first on ADOPTION NOW.

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As cameras rolled, Jessica and Jacob started their adoption journey on the Oxygen show “I’m Having Their Baby.” On this episode, Jessica talks to us about the experience of adopting while being filmed on a TV show (as if the hospital time isn’t stressful enough)! They had 2 biological children when they started the process,…

The post Ready, Set, Adoption: As Cameras Rolled, Jessica and Jacob Started Their Adoption Journey [S7E13] appeared first on ADOPTION NOW.

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PART 2!! As we heard on the last episode, Jacob and Jessica already had 2 biological children when they adopted a baby boy while being filmed on the Oxygen show “I am Having Their Baby.” The family of 5 soon became a family of 6, as they went on to adopt a little boy with clubfoot. On this week’s episode Jessica shares how their journey was not over after 2 adoptions! As they waited on the agency’s adoption list, a situation came up that involved drug exposure to the unborn baby. The couple had to make a quick decision if they wanted to keep moving forward and say yes. Listen to hear the rest of the J Family's story!

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As cameras rolled, Jessica and Jacob started their adoption journey on the Oxygen show “I’m Having Their Baby.” On this episode, Jessica talks to us about the experience of adopting while being filmed on a TV show (as if the hospital time isn’t stressful enough)! They had 2 biological children when they started the process, and as you will hear, they just kept saying yes to situations. This is part 1 of 2 episodes on how they became a family of 8!

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Kurt and Megan were married and had 2 sons when they went on a mission trip to Haiti. God began to stir in their hearts a call to adopt. This is a story about surrendering to God’s plan and being obedient to taking the next steps. They knew that if they did not pursue adoption, they would miss out on what God had planned for them. The process was not easy but eventually they brought home a 4-year-old little girl named Esther. They were all so excited but as time went on, they learned about trauma and grief in children. In this episode we hear from Megan about the joy and chaos of learning to parent differently and how to let go of the expectations of what they thought raising a daughter would look like. Through prayer and resources, they have seen Esther grow in ways that have brought love and understanding to their whole family.

The post Joyfully Hard: Megan Shares Her Story on Adopting from Haiti [S7E12] appeared first on ADOPTION NOW.

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Noah joins April on this episode to talk about so many things…like the new WEBSITE! They update us on how the kids are doing and share what is next for ADOPTION NOW. You do not want to miss this candid conversation the two of them have about life as a multicultural adoptive family.

The post ADOPTION NOW Update: Noah and April Share About Their Family, New Website and What is Next! [S7E11] appeared first on ADOPTION NOW.

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Our guest on this episode comes to us from Tennessee and works for Ramsey Solutions. Jessica Ross tells us what Dave would say about adoption and debt! She and her husband said yes to adopting a baby and had no idea how expensive the attorney would be. As she shares her story on bringing home Gabby, it turns out money was not going to be the hardest part of the journey. Her story was featured on The Ramsey Show, you can watch the clip here. We loved having Jessica on the show talking about what giving back looks like, and how we can support other families financially as they walk through adoption.

The post Debt Free Adoption: Jessica Ross from Ramsey Solutions Shares Her Story [S7E10] appeared first on ADOPTION NOW.

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Our guest on this episode comes to us from Tennessee and works for Ramsey Solutions. Jessica Ross tells us what Dave would say about adoption and debt! She and her husband said yes to adopting a baby and had no idea how expensive the attorney would be. As she shares her story on bringing home Gabby, it turns out money was not going to be the hardest part of the journey. Her story was featured on The Ramsey Show, you can watch the clip here. We loved having Jessica on the show talking about what giving back looks like, and how we can support other families financially as they walk through adoption.

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Do you know someone who is adopting a baby that has been exposed to drug use in utero?

Are you an adoptive or foster parent that has jumped into a world that you have no idea about?

What does a detoxing baby need?

This interview is so important to the adoption community and will answer those questions.

Tara Sundem is a neonatal nurse that has opened a recovery center for newborns going through the withdrawal process. Hushabye Nursery works with families to give short-term care to infants that are detoxing. They provide training and support to the caregivers or parents that are walking through this recovery process with the baby. On this episode, we share many tips and advice for families that have a child that has gone through a challenging first start.

The post Hushabye Nursery: Tara Sundem Shares Her Journey to Help Babies During Withdrawal [S7E9] appeared first on ADOPTION NOW.

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Do you know someone who is adopting a baby that has been exposed to drug use in utero?

Are you an adoptive or foster parent that has jumped into a world that you have no idea about?

What does a detoxing baby need?

This interview is so important to the adoption community and will answer those questions.

Tara Sundem is a neonatal nurse that has opened a recovery center for newborns going through the withdrawal process. Hushabye Nursery works with families to give short-term care to infants that are detoxing. They provide training and support to the caregivers or parents that are walking through this recovery process with the baby. On this episode, we share many tips and advice for families that have a child that has gone through a challenging first start.

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What does it take to adopt from the Dominican Republic? Abby, a Midwest mother and teacher, shares her adoption story to bring home her 2nd daughter from the Dominican. After they signed with an agency to do a new DR adoption program, they were matched to a little girl. The family traveled with their biological daughter and stayed in country for 135 days! Although it was not easy, they were grateful for the time they had together, getting used to being a family for 4. On this episode, we talk about how often the adoption journey pulls you out of your comfort zone and into an adventure. Abby shares what it was like to bring home a child that does not speak English and has been raised in an orphanage for her first 5 years. It was such a change for her new daughter and a big family change for her biological daughter! Listen to this story to be encouraged that in time, things do come together!

The post Dominican Republic Adoption: Abby Shares Her Adoption Story [S7E8] appeared first on ADOPTION NOW.

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Have you ever gone through loss on your journey to become a parent? Have you lost a baby or had an adoption fall through? Does it seem like the waiting to bring home your child is lasting FOREVER? This episode is for you.

Sharon Broxton is the host of the Unwanted Sisterhood Podcast a place for women to share their experiences with infertility and struggles to become a mother. On this episode Sharon opens up about her own journey with infertility, a stillborn birth, and one disrupted match. Though she was tired, she never gave up and in November 2022 her family finalized on their new baby girl! She also shares how they raised $28,000 towards their adoption fees!

The post Don’t Give Up: Sharon Broxton Shares Her Adoption Story From Georgia [S7E7] appeared first on ADOPTION NOW.

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“Making an adoption plan does not mean that you’re not a present or loving member of your child’s family. Family is built from love, not always just blood. Regardless of how you were raised or what your childhood experiences of a family are, you can learn how to be a part of a healthy family.”

Shannon is a birthmother who loves being a part of her child’s life after placement. On this episode she shares her story with the adoptive mother she chose to raise her baby. We hear why she picked her and how their relationship has changed both of their lives. Adoption has created more love for both of them. Click to hear how Shannon and Makayla navigate open adoption.

Check out this episode!

The post Choosing Adoption: A Birthmother’s Story on Choosing Open Adoption [S7E6] appeared first on ADOPTION NOW.

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Buckle up Buttercup! Makayla Chadwhick has a story to tell! She has waited years to be on ADOPTION NOW and this is her moment!! Her and her husband have adopted two beautiful babies but not without trials and grit! You can listen on podcast or watch on YouTube!

Check out this episode!

The post Buckle Up Buttercup: Makayla Chadwick Shares Her Adoption Adventures [S7E5] appeared first on ADOPTION NOW.

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Eithne Ring is an author and birth mother from Ireland. She has just written a new book, “Does My Son Take Sugar” an Irish Mother’s Memoir. A true story of love, scandal, regret, and reunion.

In this episode, we talk about adoption in Ireland and how birth mothers were treated. Eithne shares how she was forced to hide the pregnancy and went on in silent grief over the loss of her child. This story has a surprising twist and is a beautiful reminder of how wonderful things can still come even after trauma. You can listen to this episode on podcast or watch it on YouTube!

Check out this episode!

The post Does My Son Take Sugar: Eithne Ring, a Birth Mother from Ireland, Shares Her Story [S7E4] appeared first on ADOPTION NOW.

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Noah and April interview Wendy Gossett and share about their experience with brain mapping and discovering their family’s personalities.

Wendy helps parents understand their children by using temperament psychology and neuroscience. She has over twenty years of experience in education, working in the classroom and corporate sector.

“We often believe we are seeing reality when we are actually looking through a skewed lens, because of our own personality and biases. As parents, we need to put on a different lens to see each one of our children clearly, so they can become the people they were originally designed to be.”

In this episode, Noah and April open up about things in their family that they needed help with. Wendy was able to give them a road map into what the children may need and how to strengthen their marriage by understanding each other better. You do not want to miss this episode on Podcast and on YouTube!

Check out this episode!

The post The Brain Mapping Interview: Family Coach and Author, Wendy Gossett, Shares How She Helps Families [S7E3] appeared first on ADOPTION NOW.

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Michele Fisher was adopted at 4 months old into a family with 2 other adopted brothers in Pennsylvania. She always knew she was adopted, and in her family, adoption felt very normal. She loved her parents but as she started getting older, she had some medical questions and wanted to know about her biological parents. She waited years as to not upset her adoptive parents in her search. Finally, she went forward and got the “Summary Completed” paperwork from the agency. As she read it over, she realized she had more questions than answers about who her birth parents really were and the nature of their relationship. When Michele decided to take a DNA test, the family connections opened up and the journey began.

Check out this episode!

The post The Hidden Story: Adoptee, Michele Fisher, Searches for Answers About Her Adoption [S7E2] appeared first on ADOPTION NOW.

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Have you ever gone through loss on your journey to become a parent? Have you lost a baby or had an adoption fall through? Does it seem like the waiting to bring home your child is lasting FOREVER? This episode is for you.

Sharon Broxton is the host of the Unwanted Sisterhood Podcast a place for women to share their experiences with infertility and struggles to become a mother. On this episode Sharon opens up about her own journey with infertility, a stillborn birth, and one disrupted match. Though she was tired, she never gave up and in November 2022 her family finalized on their new baby girl! She also shares how they raised $28,000 towards their adoption fees!

The post Don’t Give Up: Sharon Broxton Shares Her Adoption Story From Georgia [S7E7] appeared first on ADOPTION NOW.

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Have you ever gone through loss on your journey to become a parent? Have you lost a baby or had an adoption fall through? Does it seem like the waiting to bring home your child is lasting FOREVER? This episode is for you.

Sharon Broxton is the host of the Unwanted Sisterhood Podcast a place for women to share their experiences with infertility and struggles to become a mother. On this episode Sharon opens up about her own journey with infertility, a stillborn birth, and one disrupted match. Though she was tired, she never gave up and in November 2022 her family finalized on their new baby girl! She also shares how they raised $28,000 towards their adoption fees!

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“Making an adoption plan does not mean that you’re not a present or loving member of your child’s family. Family is built from love, not always just blood. Regardless of how you were raised or what your childhood experiences of a family are, you can learn how to be a part of a healthy family.”

Shannon is a birthmother who loves being a part of her child’s life after placement. On this episode she shares her story with the adoptive mother she chose to raise her baby. We hear why she picked her and how their relationship has changed both of their lives. Adoption has created more love for both of them. Click to hear how Shannon and Makayla navigate open adoption.

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Buckle up Buttercup! Makayla Chadwhick has a story to tell! She has waited years to be on ADOPTION NOW and this is her moment!! Her and her husband have adopted two beautiful babies but not without trials and grit! You can listen on podcast or watch on YouTube!

View Details

Eithne Ring is an author and birth mother from Ireland. She has just written a new book, "Does My Son Take Sugar" an Irish Mother's Memoir. A true story of love, scandal, regret, and reunion.

In this episode, we talk about adoption in Ireland and how birth mothers were treated. Eithne shares how she was forced to hide the pregnancy and went on in silent grief over the loss of her child. This story has a surprising twist and is a beautiful reminder of how wonderful things can still come even after trauma. You can listen to this episode on podcast or watch it on YouTube!

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Noah and April interview Wendy Gossett and share about their experience with brain mapping and discovering their family’s personalities.

Wendy helps parents understand their children by using temperament psychology and neuroscience. She has over twenty years of experience in education, working in the classroom and corporate sector.

“We often believe we are seeing reality when we are actually looking through a skewed lens, because of our own personality and biases. As parents, we need to put on a different lens to see each one of our children clearly, so they can become the people they were originally designed to be.”

In this episode, Noah and April open up about things in their family that they needed help with. Wendy was able to give them a road map into what the children may need and how to strengthen their marriage by understanding each other better. You do not want to miss this episode on Podcast and on YouTube!

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Michele Fisher was adopted at 4 months old into a family with 2 other adopted brothers in Pennsylvania. She always knew she was adopted, and in her family, adoption felt very normal. She loved her parents but as she started getting older, she had some medical questions and wanted to know about her biological parents. She waited years as to not upset her adoptive parents in her search. Finally, she went forward and got the “Summary Completed” paperwork from the agency. As she read it over, she realized she had more questions than answers about who her birth parents really were and the nature of their relationship. When Michele decided to take a DNA test, the family connections opened up and the journey began.

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Welcome to season 7!!! We are so honored to have Ayden Lincoln as our guest. She was born in China and abandoned at birth with her umbilical cord still attached. She spent the first year of her life in an orphanage before her family flew half-way across the world to bring her home right before her first birthday. She quickly attached to her parents and siblings but coming to America did not solve all of her problems. She experienced the trauma of adoption, mental health issues including a battle with anxiety, ADHD, and regular outbursts. She struggled in school and felt alone. Now at 20 years old, Ayden shares what her parents did to help her succeed and how one teacher forever changed her life. Her message is clear. Do not give up being an advocate for your child, they need you. She believes you will find the resources you need!

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For the first time ever, Noah and April bring the whole family on to say goodbye to season 6 and talk about what ADOPTION NOW means to each one of them. AJ introduces “Grandpa Joe” while Maliyah tries to steal the spotlight! Lily and AJ’s heartfelt answers will make you want to hear more about their thoughts on adoption, and Vivy is proud to tell you what she is good at! This family was built on adoption, loves adoption, and has embraced adopting the whole story. Together they have brought you ADOPTION NOW, Telling Your Adoption Story. Adoption stories from all over the world shared by adoptees, birth parents and adoptive parents. Don’t miss this sweet family episode! Goodbye season 6…. hello season 7!

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For the first time ever, Noah and April bring the whole family on to say goodbye to season 6 and talk about what ADOPTION NOW means to each one of them. AJ introduces “Grandpa Joe” while Maliyah tries to steal the spotlight! Lily and AJ’s heartfelt answers will make you want to hear more about their thoughts on adoption, and Vivy is proud to tell you what she is good at! This family was built on adoption, loves adoption, and has embraced adopting the whole story. Together they have brought you ADOPTION NOW, Telling Your Adoption Story. Adoption stories from all over the world shared by adoptees, birth parents and adoptive parents. Don’t miss this sweet family episode! Goodbye season 6…. hello season 7!

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Tim Elder is the founder of the Infant Adoption Guide Podcast, Blog and Online Community. He's been married to his wife Tisha for over 28 years. On their journey they have experienced infertility, a miscarriage, and two rounds of cancer. They have been blessed to adopt 3 children as newborns. Tim's mission is to deliver hope and inspiration through his guides, courses, and community so others just like him can finally reach their dream of building a family through infant adoption.

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On this episode, Christian Markeey shares his adoption story from the Lakota Sioux Tribe in South Dakota. He was one of eight children being raised by parents that were both alcoholics. Christian shares what it was like to start life in the midst of chaos, but then meeting his adoptive mother at age 4. It was a couple of years later when his life would change forever. She was able to fully adopt him and bring him to Arizona. Though he did love and attach to her, he deeply missed his biological family. He shares about those conflicting emotions that many adoptees feel. He talks about searching for his Native American roots and how he overcame suicidal thoughts and alcoholism. This episode is an inspiring story and helps us understand the adoptee’s journey. Christian is now married and has 2 daughters. His best advice to adoptive parents is to remember “your presence means more than you can know.” He encourages those thinking of adopting to pursue what is in your heart because though adoption is tough, he is overwhelmingly grateful for his journey.

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The Kendrick Brothers, Kirk Cameron Entertainment and Fathom Events announce the release of their latest film LIFEMARK. David was adopted as a baby and grew up always knowing he was adopted. His comfortable world was turned upside down when his birth mother unexpectedly reaches out to him, longing to meet the 18-year-old son she’s only held once. They connected on Facebook and because of the encouragement of his adoptive parents, David goes on a journey of discovery that leads to a staggering truth from his past. From executive producers Kirk Cameron and the Kendrick Brothers—creators of WAR ROOM and FIREPROOF—comes LIFEMARK, based on an inspiring true story that celebrates adoption, reconciliation and love.

We sat down with David to talk about the movie and importance he found in finding the whole story behind his placement. In this episode we talk about what it is like to grow up adopted and how every part of the adoption triad has a voice and matters. You must hear this interview and see the movie!

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Peter Mutabazi was born in Uganda, Africa. At the age of ten years old he ran away from his abusive father to live on the streets of Uganda. He had nothing. No future and no hope - until one day he met a man who would change his life forever. Peter was given the opportunity to go to school and get an education. Now he lives in the United States and has dedicated his life to helping children. He worked for Compassion International and World Vision. He was then inspired to become a foster parent and eventually became an adoptive father! In this episode we learn what it takes to be from another country and get certified and become a foster home. Peter has now adopted two sons and has written a new book, “Now I am Known”, sharing his journey into a life he never dreamed could be possible.

It just took one person to change his life. Could you be that one person for a child in need? Listen to this episode to hear this amazing story of overcoming and giving back to the next generation.

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Michael and Ashley set out to adopt teenagers until they got a call for a little girl who needed a home. They fell in love with her, only to get the news that she was unexpectedly going back to her biological family. The couple shares what it was like to say goodbye to a baby they thought would be staying with them. When they decided to sell their house and go with private infant adoption, they got a call and the calls kept coming. This episode is about pressing through heart break and not giving up on the dream to become parents. 

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Alexia McLeod is a licensed Psychotherapist and CEO of Therapeutic Center for Hope. She has been working in adoption for over 20 years. She guides families and birth parents through the adoption process. She facilitates home studies, hospital plans, post placement therapy, family counseling and so much more! She helps those involved through their emotions during the journey and discusses the ins and outs of what they need for a smooth adoption. On this episode we talk about realistic expectations and WHAT ARE THE RISKS??? If you are thinking of adoption or need support in adoption this episode is for you!!

“Every baby that is meant for you, will be for you.”

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Tera Naset is the mom of two adopted children. She lives in Phoenix, Arizona, along with her husband John and their dog Ralph. They adopted while living in Chicago, where they learned about an organization called “The Save Abandoned Babies Foundation.” This organization works to advertise the Safe Haven Law in Illinois, which was created to prevent illegal and often deadly infant abandonments. On this episode, we learn about this law state to state, and how it can save infants and place them immediately into adoptive homes. Tera is also a dietitian and gives us advice on how to help your children snack less and get into healthy eating habits!

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SaVanna and her husband, Nate, live in rural North Dakota. Both of them were born and raised there. They are grain farmers, raising mostly wheat and soybeans. When they struggled to become parents, they decided to go on the adoption journey through foster care. SaVanna shares what it was like bringing home a medically fragile baby and finding out that the baby might go to another foster family. In this episode we learn how important it is to stay loving and consistent in the adoption process.
She says, “Sometimes it’s the unexpected parts of the journey that you end up loving the most. Not only do you have to be very open and vulnerable when going through the adoption process, but you also have to be very open and vulnerable while raising the child. Unexpected things continue to pop up, but you learn, advocate, and adapt.”

She now has two beautiful daughters who are loving the farm life!

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Do you have questions about the adoption process and what to expect on the journey? This episode is for you!

Kathryn P. Pidgeon is an attorney that has practiced exclusively in the field of adoption for the past 33 years.

She has participated in over 3,000 adoptions in her career and she shares some of her experiences! She shares her passion on how to encourage and lift up families who are building a family through adoption. Kathryn tells us how she got into adoption law and how important it is to assist in a caring, ethical way.

In this episode Noah and April talk on how they wished they had known Kathryn when they were in the midst of their wild adoption stories! Finding the right attorney is so important, listen to this episode to find out why!

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This episode comes to us from Tennessee. Brittany and Jason went on the adoption journey after they experienced undiagnosed infertility. This is the story everyone hopes for when they start the process!!! They were matched quickly and became parents to a baby girl in 2016!

It was when they started the process for the second adoption that they learned of the many challenges that can come up. They decided to match online and though they went through some obstacles the couple brought home their second daughter in June, 2021! She is just celebrating her first birthday! Listen to this episode to hear how this couple build their family through adoption and trusted God lead them.

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Last week, Author Jillana Goble joined the show to talk about her foster care and adoption journey. She shared her experience with open adoption that she has written about in her new book called “A Love-Stretched Life.”

On this episode, Jillana joins the show again with the birth mother of her son, Micah.

Jennifer Bracken was raised in the foster care system nearly her entire life. After running away several times, she aged out of the system and found herself pregnant at 18. By 19 she had two children and child welfare was involved. Jennifer shares her way through addiction and recovery. This episode shows us how open adoption can change not only the child’s life, but also the birth mother’s life. Jillana never stopped believing in Jennifer, who has now been sober for 6 years! Today Jillana and Jennifer speak together, sharing their story to state caseworkers, giving them a picture of an uncommon collaboration. Their message is that building a bridge between the biological mother and adoptive mother can multiply the love, and not divide.

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Luke and Jillian Goble are parents to five children ranging in age from preteen to young adult. They fostered children and eventually ended up adopting. In 2019, Jillian published No Sugar-Coating, a book with practical suggestions on fostering children. Now she has released a new book entitled A Love-Stretched Life: Wrangling Hope, Embracing the Unexpected & Discovering the Meaning of Family.

In this episode we talk about how they reconnected with a child that was in their home for some time, and he has now rejoined their family as an adult! This interview shows us that when showing true love in fostering, you can still plant seeds that last a lifetime, even when the child does not stay in your home permanently.

We also talk about the wonderful and often complicated relationships between birth parents and adoptive parents. If you like this episode check out next week, when we bring the birth mother of Jillian’s son on for an interview!

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Aubrey and Eric Mueller are from the Midwest and always knew they would adopt. After having two biological sons, they decided to pursue domestic infant adoption. The adventure begins as they are matched several times, and even connected to a notorious scammer that was on the TV show, Dr. Phil! Finally, after four years, they welcomed their third child and only baby girl into their family — along with her incredible birth family! All the trials were worth it, as they found their darling daughter. But wait…listen to this episode to hear how another unexpected surprise happens!

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This story comes to us from Australia!!! After a ten-year journey of failed IVF treatments, 9 miscarriages, 2 ectopic pregnancies, and unsuccessful attempts at surrogacy, Kaisey and Ashley share how their two incredible children came into their home through adoption. Noah and I have waited a long time to interview this couple and though we have never met them, this episode sounds like we have been friends forever! It’s very exciting to know that ADOPTION NOW is reaching other countries and bringing together like-hearted people who want to share their story in hopes it may inspire you in your journey!!

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Tiffany and Jeff live in a small Midwest town. They always knew they would adopt but had no idea the journey God would take them on. We often ask ourselves, where is the beauty from these ASHES?? The way that Tiffany speaks on the deep loss and sorrow that propels their family into action is profound. God is in the midst, and those that can see through the confusion and walk into His plan are blessed in ways that are beyond this world. It is not often that a story leaves me absolutely speechless like this one did. When you listen, you will understand how beautiful this adoption story is from the DRC!

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Diane is an adult adoptee and the author of the award-winning memoir, Fixing the Fates. She is also the host of “Dropping In,” a show on VoiceAmerica.com.

In this episode, Diane speaks on the magic of being an adoptee and how she feels “lucky” to have grown up in the home she did. She was adopted from a German orphanage and traveled with her new grandmother to the United States. When Diane searches to find the truth about her story, she learns about her biological mother’s love for her!!! (It's amazing - grab your Kleenex box) 

This interview is so heart-warming, and Diane's outlook is…adoptees are SO special!!  In fact, she feels they have heroic qualities. They often have the ability to activate the creative side of their brain and are very resilient and courageous.

Many switch from logical thinking to the intuitive side, which is a great gift to them and those around them.

You must listen to this episode if you are in the adoption community, it is so encouraging and gives insight into the adoptees’ super powers and giftings!

“If it is…it is as it was meant to be.”

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“Lord, give us children who really need us.” That was Marlin and Lisa’s prayer as they started their adoption journey.

In this episode they share their story of adopting four children, all of whom have special needs. Their oldest is on the Autism spectrum and the younger three all have Down syndrome. Ten years ago, they began publishing Plain Values, a monthly print magazine, to highlight Biblical ministries, share the beauty of adoption, promote the dignity of kids with special needs, and to cultivate anchored community.

There are many kids with special needs who need a family. They want others to know that you don’t have to be perfect or extraordinary, you just have to be willing. It’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it.

https://plainvalues.com/

https://www.roomtobloomfoundation.org/

https://extraordinaryadoption.com/

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April Fallon interviews Kim Kriesel, a licensed Professional Counselor who helps couples who are struggling to grow their family. For many women, not being able to fulfill their expectation of motherhood is the most devastating experience.

Kim and her husband went through infertility and experienced many losses along the way. In overcoming her own grief, her passion now lies in helping others who are experiencing this kind of distress.

In this episode, Kim talks about recognizing the pain surrounding infant loss and infertility. The road to healing is not easy, but having someone who understands can make the journey less lonely. Kim also gives her clients the hope and support they need to explore other options in building a family.

If you or someone you know has gone through infertility, this episode is for you!

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Lynn Deiulis is an adult adopted person and retired adoption worker from Canada who has written a book called “What Is Your Story”: Let’s Talk About Adoption and Kinship. 

Children are inquisitive people, especially about their history and their story. Lynn spent her whole life searching for information about her adoption story and her biological parents. In 1991 she connected to her half-sister who was also adopted into another family. Together they go on a journey to find the truth about their birth mother but the search comes to an end when the mother refuses to connect with them. The two do not give up and continue to search for answers. Listen to this episode to hear how they discovered why they were placed and how meeting their other half sisters opened up the door to create this book. The book is designed to help adopted children talk about their stories and explore conversations with the people they love.

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When Bailey and her husband said yes to growing their family through the foster care system, they had no idea what to expect!!

23 children later and 4 adopted into their family, Bailey shares what she learned on the journey. She never would have guessed how much her heart would change and how God would open the doors to have authentic relationships with birth families. She now runs a non-profit in South Florida called, “The Hands and Feet.” They support children and families in the child welfare system by providing basic necessities when children come into care. Check out this episode and her website! https://www.handsandfeetfl.com/

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The timing of this interview is amazing when so many orphans are in a country at war. 13 Children and wanting more!! In this interview, Liz talks about how her husband always wanted a big family. “I am all in,” she says! After having biological children and adopting one child from foster care, they felt God calling them to adopt special needs children in Ukraine. In this episode, you will hear how much it took to bring home their two daughters and how the couple went on to adopt through all of the adoption avenues. Foster Care, Infant Adoption, International Adoption and Embryo Adoption. You do not want to miss this episode!!

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After struggling with infertility, Jaime and Erin decided to travel state to state to adopt their two children. Erin talks about being honest in the matching process and how to be yourself when meeting the birthparents.

After adopting their two children, Erin started an online adoption platform called PairTree.

PairTree provides adoptive and birth families with a one-stop adoption platform. Beginning with the home study process by coordinating online home study options tailored to individual state requirements, they work closely with a network of family law and adoption attorneys. They also match prospective parents with birth mothers. This matching process increases transparency for biological parents and adoptive families, resulting in highly compatible matches. They have had over 20 successful matches made in the company’s first 12 months of business and were recently featured in People Magazine. Providing this umbrella of adoption services “under one roof” creates a seamless adoption experience for birth and adoptive parents.

Check it out….

www.pairtreefamily.com.

If you are starting your adoption process, use the code ADOPTIONNOW20 to receive 20% off of your matching fee!!

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From the time Richelle was a child, she knew she was called to adopt. When she married Zach, they were blessed with two biological children. They started their adoption journey and had no idea what it would take to bring home a third child. Through all the heartbreak  and disappointment, they never gave up. When you listen to this story, you will see the tenacity they had to find their baby and how they learned to love children passing through their arms.

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When Chris and Ruthie experienced loss through many painful miscarriages they were not sure how they would get through the grief. They both wanted to become parents and decided to look into adoption. It was then that they realized families are built in many different ways and truly, love is what makes a family. This is their story of how one person’s act of love brought them two beautiful children.

Ruthie is now an infertility, baby loss and adoption advocate, as well as the author of “How Many Kisses” that she wrote for her daughter.

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ADOPTION NOW PODCAST is back in studio! Noah and April share some updates and have 2 very special guests on to express their excitement about the show! The whole family has missed recording and sharing your adoption stories. Season 6 is back in action! Get ready to hear the incredible stories you have missed so much!!

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Noah and April speak from the heart about the journey they have had with ADOPTION NOW and the much needed break they need at this time. Don’t miss this episode as they bring on a special guest, AJ, their 9 year old son, who shares his thoughts on adoption.

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Author, Adrian Collins, is a returning guest on ADOPTION NOW. Last year she and her husband came on to share their journey as birth parents and adoptive parents. Together they have 5 children, three biological sons, one adopted son, and one daughter relinquished at birth and later re-adopted back into the family. You can hear that full episode here.

Today she speaks on a topic that she has never publicly opened up about and that has not been discussed on ADOPTION NOW until this episode: Abortion vs. Adoption.

What is it like to have an abortion?
What is it like to choose adoption?
What is the grief process like with both choices?

Adrian shares about getting pregnant as a teenager and feeling trapped and overwhelmed. She did not think she had any choices and did not feel the support from her family. Abortion seemed like the easy way out. It seemed it was a way that could solve the problem fast and bring the least amount of shame. What she learned was quite different.

"I knew God was there, I knew I was forgiven, I just couldn't accept it for myself."

This episode is a look into what a woman goes through on the journey of an unplanned pregnancy. Adrian shares from the heart in this very candid and raw interview.

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Our guests today on ADOPTION NOW are Aaron and Kelli Couch. They have been married for 25 years, serve as pastors in the Denver area, and have planted 2 churches. They have 3 biological children and one child they adopted from China. On today's episode, April Fallon and her husband Noah talk with Aaron and Kelli about adoption in the church and their experience with international adoption.
This episode addresses the relationship between the church and adoptive/foster families as well as some common mistakes churches make when supporting a family going through adoption or foster care. It also touches on what God says about adoption and how to love a child that has endured trauma.
These topics are discussed as Aaron and Kelli share about their adoption experience. They talk about what it was like to travel to China and adopt a baby the same day that 73 other babies were being adopted!! They share what it was like to say yes to a special needs baby and how she responded to them during the first few days they were together.

Aaron and Kelli give a unique perspective on how to love a child that is not born to you biologically. They unpack the questions they had before bringing Ellie home, including their concerns about adopting a child with special needs. Ellie was born with Microtia and Aural Atresia. She did not have ears, and her paperwork stated that she was "stubborn and liked loud places." It was their oldest daughter, Cartier, that knew this baby was meant to be her sister, and they had to go get her. Ellie was 19 months when they brought her home. It wasn't a comfortable journey at first, but over time, Ellie did attach.

Aaron said at first Ellie would not even look at him, but he decided…
"I am going to love this child because this child is worthy of being loved; that doesn't mean they are going to love me back well."

Adoption is a never-ending journey that takes commitment and dedication, and it can take time for a child to trust their new parents. When choosing to adopt, it is best not to "missionary adopt." April says,
"Don't adopt out of the kindness of your heart, adopt because you want to parent a child and you're in it for the long run. Adoption is a journey forever."

Noah shares about his experience as a dad and the fears he had not only becoming a father but becoming a father through adoption. Aaron and Noah agree that that the child you bring home is meant to be with you and you love them more than you ever thought possible. They become your child, and you love them as your own because they are yours.
Kelli opens up about what Ellie was like as a little girl and how the siblings got along together. She is now 14 years old, and through many surgeries, they have reconstructed her ears, and she can hear. Ellie completed the Couch family, and they needed her just as much as she needed them. Follow us on Twitter @Adoption_now

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In this episode, we have an adoption story from across the pond. Earl and Rebecca Robinson stop by and give you a breakdown of what an adoption in the UK looks like.

Key Links

• Earl’s book Our Road to Adoption: Softcover & Kindle

In particular, two common themes that run parallel throughout this story are patience and trust in God. They faced a lot of waiting, uncertainty, and confusion, Earl and Rebecca needed to trust in God as much as they could.

Wow, the results definitely speak for themselves! God blessed them repeatedly with the gift of children, and to this day their decision to stick with adoption despite the difficulties is a great example of just how beautiful adoption can be.

In This Episode of ADOPTION NOW

• Information on working with U.S. adoption agencies while living in the UK.
• How long it takes to become a long term resident of the UK.
• The importance of patience and determination in adoption.
• How to adopt in the UK.
• Information on Earl and Rebecca’s home studies and adoption training.
• What a matching panel is.
• The exhilaration of getting the call for a match!
• How waiting led to a complete family.

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The guest of this episode is Nicole Ketchum. She has her own business called Hey Girl Decor, and like the beautiful acrylic chandeliers she crafts, her story is just as exceptional.

Key Links

• Hey Girl Decor

Nicole talks about the challenges of adoption, as well as the emotional heartbreak of failed IVF treatments, her difficulties with endometriosis, and how she all but gave up on having children. In fact, adoption was her last attempt to be a mother. Through that decision, her life changed forever.

As she said no to multiple phone calls about possible matches, as she had false starts with lawyers and agencies, Nicole trusted her gut, and eventually she and her husband were matched with the perfect little girl: Lulu.

In This Episode of ADOPTION NOW

• Why doing an independent adoption might be a wrong choice for you.
• The importance of trusting your gut when it comes to adoption lawyers.
• Why physically meeting the birth mother (no matter what!) is so important.
• Being gentle with the birth mother and why it’s a necessary step.
• Adoptive mothers and their right to be depressed, sad, or emotional during the adoption.
• Why birth mothers deserve a lot of care and attention during any adoption.
• Telling the adoptee their story at the right time.

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This story is told from the invaluable perspective of Kathy Mackecheny, who is an adoption-competent therapist. She knows what it’s like to be an adoptee and to have burning questions about finding the truth of one’s unique narrative.

Key Links

• Kathy’s Therapy Practice: https://www.adopteetherapy.com/
• Contact her at: kathy@adopteetherapy.com

She answers questions about the right way to approach communication with your adopted child, the importance of openness, and other important aspects of the adoption experience.

Her story is full of surprises, interesting nuggets of information, and overall a testament to the connective power of adoption and how it can pave the way for reconnection.

In This Episode of ADOPTION NOW

• Information on Oklahoma adoptions and ‘closed states’.
• The importance of treating your child like an adoptee as well as a part of the family.
• On the communication role that adoptive parents have.
• The importance of staying open with your children.
• The steps she took to reconnect with her birth parents.
• Information on her birth parents and their stories.
• How Kathy came to be an adoption-competent therapist.

More details at: https://adoptionnow.com/podcast/how-being-adopted-led-to-becoming-an-adoption-therapist-kathy-mackechenys-story/

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Veronica has a varied perspective on adoption. As a child welfare professional, Veronica was called to fight for the rights of traumatized and broken children. Through that calling, she worked with adoption and foster care.

Key Links

• The organization Veronica currently works for: https://www.wayfinderfamily.org/

At first, she had no idea she’d end up adopting. After three years of trying for pregnancy, Veronica and her husband pursued IUI and were successful! God had also called Veronica to go through foster care. He gave her a sign and before they knew it, they said yes to a baby girl.

After fostering her, having a biological daughter, and then later adopting another boy, Veronica now has a full house. In this story, she gets honest about the struggles as well as the countless blessings that adoption has brought her family.

In This Episode of ADOPTION NOW

• Perspectives on adoption from a social worker.
• On frustrations and empathy towards birth parents.
• What it like to go through foster care.
• Why resources like ADOPTION NOW is so important for new adoptive parents.
• How God has worked in Veronica’s life.
• Loving your biological child the same as your adopted child.
• The struggles of reunification when you attach to a child.

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Natalie was here in 2017, when she shared the story of her first adoption and just how smoothly everything worked out during that whole process.

Key Links

• Natalie and Stephen’s Story from Season 2

Fast forwarding to the past year, Natalie had a second adoption which would prove to be more chaotic than the first. Although she was weathered the storm and is enjoying her beautiful baby boy, Adam, her story is still hard to relive.

Her experiences with Adam’s adoption can also function as a cautionary episode. After everything she went through, you should take note of what Natalie has to say on her experience with agencies, lawyers, and child services.

In This Episode of ADOPTION NOW

• A discussion and reminder of the high cost of adoption.
• The risks of not being involved with an agency.
• Important information on private infant adoption.
• Why hiring an adoption lawyer specifically is crucial.
• What Natalie describes as the most difficult day of her life.
• A brief explanation of ‘agency states’, and why it’s important to know if your state is an agency state.
• How this story can help us avoid the occasional chaotic adoption.
• An exciting announcement at the end of the episode!

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Involved in a seemingly healthy open adoption with a birth mother named Elizabeth Jones, Matt and Laura were ecstatic that they had found the right mom. But things were not as they seemed.

Key Links

• A Sibling for Hudson

Even though they had been confronted with a few red flags and ignored some aspects of the open adoption that they pegged as strange, Matt and Laura gave Elizabeth the benefit of the doubt.

This episode is full of twists and turns and is a cautionary story for all adoptive parents to seek proof of pregnancy!

In This Episode of ADOPTION NOW

• Why Matt and Laura decided against an agency at first.
• How their website connected them to Elizabeth.
• The importance of having your lawyer sign paperwork that allows for crucial medical documents.
• Details on why adoptive parents should always get proof of pregnancy.
• On the prevalence of adoption scams.
• Elizabeth’s prosecution and charges.
• Words of advice from Matt and Laura on why those who commit adoption fraud should be held accountable!

More details at: https://adoptionnow.com/podcast/adoption-scam-matt-laura-traytes-devastating-story/

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This episode of ADOPTION NOW is told from the perspective of Erica Shields. As she shares in the episode, she has never really told anyone her full story before, so this is special for all of us.

Key Links

• Erica Sheilds on Facebook
• The Kempe Center For The Prevention and Treatment of Child Abuse and Neglect

For many years, Erica didn’t have all of the answers. Since she was seven years old though, she was obsessed with finding every detail of her story: who her biological parents were, the details of her birth that weren’t openly discussed, her real name, and why her original adoptive parents gave her back to be placed in foster care.

With charm and a likable lightheartedness, Erica recounts some of the most tragic moments of her life, as well how grateful she is to just be alive and to have been adopted.

In This Episode of ADOPTION NOW

• What it was like for Erica to have a Japanese mother and Caucasian father.
• The moment she first realized she was adopted.
• On being Mormon and how that helped drive her search for her genealogical roots.
• How she ended up getting the information about her adoption.
• The challenges of searching for biological parents and the emotional response this can elicit from adoptive parents.
• On cultural differences between siblings.
• Erica meets her biological mother.
• Her advice to listeners.

More details at: https://adoptionnow.com/podcast/mrs-colorado-2016-erica-shields-amazing-adoption-story-s5e9/

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Three years! Wow, what a journey it has been so far for April and Noah Fallon. Starting from a radio show with a small domestic following to a now international reach, Host April and her husband Noah reminisce about the overall evolution of ADOPTION NOW.

Key Links

• One of April’s favorite ADOPTION NOW stories: Nellya, Adopting a Baby from India

April and Noah both share the hardships and the mostly-joyous moments of their adoption journey, leading to their reinforced position that yes, adoption is incredibly life-changing, but at the same time, not easy at all.

Within the episode, they answer the questions of listeners, share their favorite moments of the show, and get candid about their views that have changed, and those that have not.

In This Episode of ADOPTION NOW

• April and Noah share their favorite ADOPTION NOW moments.
• Your questions and comments are addressed!
• On Christianity and religion in the adoption experience.
• How adoption is a constant learning experience.
• Advice for those who are waiting for their child.
• How adoption will change you in a positive way if you let it!

More details at: https://adoptionnow.com/podcast/celebrating-3-years-of-adoption-now

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This episode is all about adult adoptee Jackie Bradfield and her experience with trying to connect with her birth parents. She states that reaching out to her birth parents is to learn more about her overall story.

Key Links

• To contact Jackie for therapy: jackie@agapementalhealth.org

• Her Agape Mental Health webpage

• Sarah Winger’s ADOPTION NOW episode (referenced)

Because she had amazing adoptive parents, she stresses that she grew up with strong parental anchors in her life. But because she has not learned her full story--the perspective of her birth family--she has made it her quest to reconnect with her biological parents for closure and to learn more about herself in the process.

Within the episode, Jackie shares the autobiographical details that led to her finding ADOPTION NOW, the struggles of reconnection, and much more!

In This Episode of ADOPTION NOW

• On the need to search for your birth parents no matter how amazing your adoptive parents are.
• Details on Jackie’s acceptance of being adopted as a child and adult.
• Common perceptions that individuals have towards adoptees.
• The birth parent reconnection process that Jackie underwent.
• How she used DNA testing to locate her birth father.
• On finding closure amidst the unknown elements of reconnection.
• The importance of cultivating an adoption community for adoptees.

More details at: https://adoptionnow.com/podcast/helping-adoptees-find-their-birth-parents-and-understanding-their-journey-the-jackie-bradfield-story/

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Today, on this little recap episode of ADOPTION NOW, Reshma’s story is analyzed by April and Noah Fallon.

Key Links

• Last week’s episode featuring Reshma McClintock
• John DeYoung’s first appearance in Season 1
• John DeYoung’s second appearance in Season 3

Because of the complexity of the Reshma’s story and her take on adoption, both hosts wanted to take some time and delve a bit deeper into the topics that were discussed.

In This Episode of ADOPTION NOW

• John DeYoung, a South Korean adoptee, shares his reactions to Reshma’s story and talks about his own.
• The importance of letting every adoptee establish their own voice and narrative.
• Why noticing the adoptee and respecting their comforts and discomforts is essential for better parenting and communication.
• The pitfalls of the ‘hero mentality’ for adoptive parents.
• John talks about the practice of ‘discovering your child’ to fully respect them.

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Today we are joined by Reshma McClintock. She’s a writer, an adoptee from India, and the focal point of the new documentary Calcutta is my Mother.

Key Links

• Information for Calcutta is my Mother: http://calcuttafilm.com/

• Reshma’s website: https://writtenbyresh.com/

• Her Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/writtenbyresh/

• Her Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/reshma_mcclintock/

She sits down with April and Noah to share some of the best, most impactful experiences she’s had with adoption. But to balance out the entire story, she also provides the more challenging aspects of her life, ranging from her identity crisis as an Indian woman who only identified as being white, to the culture and heritage she left behind when she was adopted.

All in all, Reshma is an amazing woman and a shining example of just how important it is to share these adoption stories.

In This Episode of ADOPTION NOW

• Reshma’s parents and their decision to adopt
• Her adoption from Calcutta
• The different components of grief as it relates to adoption
• On the importance of communication between parents and adoptees
• The dichotomy of conflicting good and bad emotions that adoptees often feel
• How children often save the parents and not the other way around
• Reshma’s incredible return to Calcutta
• More details on the film Calcutta is my Mother

More details at: https://adoptionnow.com/podcast/calcutta-is-my-mother-reshma-mcclintocks-adoption-story/

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Glenn Morey has worked in film since 1981—as a writer, creative director, and a commercial and documentary filmmaker for many years. His documentary “Side by Side” is an Official Selection of the San Diego Asian Film Festival (organized by Pacific Arts Movement), and the Boston Asian American Film Festival, among many other awards.

Key Links

• Website: sidebysideproject.com
• FB: facebook.com/SidebySideDocumentary/
• Twitter: @sidebysideproj

Glenn's personal story, as an inter-country adoptee from South Korea, was the initial motivating and creative force behind "Side by Side.” And in this interview, he delves into his own experience to build upon many common elements of the South Korean adoption experience.

What follows in this podcast is a really interesting and layered talk on the complexity of the adoption experience for many South Koreans, and how giving them a platform to find their voice is so essential.

Below are some (but not all!) of the most compelling aspects of the talk, ranging from Glenn’s realization that he had operated under a supplied narrative about his own racial identity, to the importance of communicating and being honest with your adopted children about the complete picture of their ethnic identity.

[#1 Some Details on Glenn’s Adoption from Seoul]

• Glenn retells the details of how he came to be claimed from city hall in Seoul, later placed in an orphanage, and then how he found himself on a plane with 81 other babies to the U.S.
• This whole experience would eventually become the catalyst for “Side by Side” and would lead him to find how fortunate he had been to become adopted and have such a relatively positive experience.
• He was adopted by a loving family who lived in Littleton, Colorado. He joined 3 biological daughters, was the first of four adopted children in the family, and had multiple siblings.

[#2 Important Conversations About Race]

• Because of Glenn’s experience with not having the proper amount of racial mirroring and acknowledgment during his upbringing, he didn’t fully understand from a sociological and psychological perspective that he was Asian until he was in his middle age. He understood it intellectually, just not culturally.
• So when considering transracial adoptees, he wants to stress the importance of having open, honest acknowledgments about race and what is apparent to the child. Don’t suppress it and don’t shut out their culture for your own.
• Glenn reminds us that a good rule of thumb when having conversations about race with your child is that if you’re afraid to have the conversation, you should consider having it anyways, despite the discomfort you feel because it really is that important!
• Glenn talks about how there was zero acknowledgement in his own story and he subsequently built up an identity that didn’t include the most essential aspects of his story.

[#3 Film and Interview as a Platform for the Voiceless]

• After he worked through the counter-narratives of his adoptive experience in the U.S., he began to understand that his story was actually a cliche when compared with other Korean American adoptees.
• There was immense power in having that reinforcement of other South-Korean adoptees who had the same experience in America. And through interviews and what would lay the groundwork for the “Side by Side” project, Glenn gave a platform for those who hadn’t shared their story virtually anyone else before. He helped them find their voice.

[#4 The Traditional Narrative of Adoption for Glenn]

• During the interview, he talks about some of the reasons for adoptees not telling their story. The most prominent one being that adoptive parents were told that assimilation into the culture had to be seamless--this generally meant that ignoring the culture of the adopted child was seen as the best way to achieve this assimilation.
• And because the standard narrative of adoption was often: “You are extremely lucky to have escaped poverty and abject conditions.” Most adoptees Glenn interviewed didn’t feel comfortable subverting this traditional narrative. They felt reluctant to go against that sentiment of how fortunate they were.

More details at: https://adoptionnow.com/podcast/out-of-a-south-korean-orphanage-glenn-moreys-story-about-finding-his-voice-and-creating-a-documentary

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Shawn and Shannon’s story began with multiple heartbreaks, but their desire to create and grow a family persevered past the disappointments, and they are now parents to three beautiful children.

After failed fertility treatments left them feeling disheartened, they were told that adoption was the best option. They decided to pursue foster care first but landed on private infant adoption. At the same time, an episode of ADOPTION NOW got them interested in embryo adoption. On this episode, Shawn and Shannon dive deep into their story and the heartbreaking and heartwarming decisions one is faced with when trying to have children. They share why they decided to listen to their heart and God for answers, and how their ‘empty car seat experience’ ultimately ended up leading to the creation of their family.

Here are just a few of the most impactful parts of the episode:

[#1 The Devastating Nature of Shawn and Shannon’s Failed Fertility Treatments ]

• Since her first date with Shawn, Shannon expressed her strong desire to be a mother. And shortly after marriage, they tried their best to have children. But after a year of not conceiving, they decided to see a fertility specialist.
• They started with fertility treatments and then went to IUI, but were again unsuccessful.
• Still steadfast and determined to get pregnant, Shawn and Shannon would begin In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) treatment. And despite the confidence of Shannon’s doctor, they were not successful.
• Yet despite the hardships faced and the tragedy of being called the night before their last round of IVF, when Shawn and Shannon were told not to come in because none of the embryos had continued to divide, they still didn’t lose hope.
• Shawn and Shannon were overwhelmed with emotion and frustration during their fertility treatments--feeling helpless but ultimately, they maintained faith and hope despite the tribulations they experienced.

[#2 Their Decision for Adoption ]

• Shortly after suffering a year and a half of frustration and tribulation with failed fertility treatments, the newly-married couple set their sights on adoption as a viable option for parenthood.
• They went through the state first, but this proved to be the wrong route for Shawn and Shannon because the state forbade fertility treatments alongside the foster-to-adoption process.
• Also, Shawn points out the difficulty of not being able to finalize the adoption for a couple of years with the possibility that the child would be reconnected with their biological parents. As a first step, they decided they weren't emotionally comfortable with a foster-to-adopt dynamic.

[#3 Finding the Right Agency and the Importance of Leaving Good Impressions ]

• For Shawn and Shannon, it was Bethany Christian Services that became the adoption agency they would immediately fall in love with. And just two months later they were matched with an expectant mother!
• Despite suffering hardship and tragedy with the disruption of their first private infant adoption, they showed the necessary resolve and persevered despite all odds. In the episode, they chronicle just how difficult this period of their lives was. But it was also because of their positive mentality and patience that they were ultimately rewarded in the end.
• Truly, as Shawn and Shannon have shown through their story, showing grace in the face of disappointment can become very tangible blessings. It’s all about maintaining faith and understanding that your baby’s on the way. It’s only a matter of time!!

[#4 Details on Their Overseas Embryo Adoption Experience]

• As shared in the episode, embryo adoption is a way to adopt a baby with DNA different from your own, but of course, you still get to carry and deliver the baby yourself!
• Shawn and Shannon decided on going to Prague to undergo the process. They were sent the medication through the mail and it was all needle-free, unlike the IVF treatments that Shannon had undergone.
• The embryo adoption, including the plane tickets to Prague, was only around $7,000 to $9,000, which is so much less expensive than in the U.S. And the couple has nothing bad to say about the whole process. It was smooth and now, because they had twins they’re an extremely happy family of five!!

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Mike Marsden is an adoptee from Nashville whose story is filled with timing, loss, gratitude, and faith. After being delivered prematurely at only 3 pounds and 2 ounces, Mike spent months in the hospital before finding his forever family.

Despite a tragic loss at a young age, Mike was able to move forward and find the courage to reach out and connect with his birth mother, only to suffer yet again. Despite his trials, Mike tells his story with grace, humility, and compassion for others.

This inspiring journey is filled with faith re-establishing moments that are sure to help you heal and move forward. Mike is a true example that despite what life can throw at us, it is indeed a beautiful thing.

Below are some of key links in Mike’s story that trace the outline of a tragic life, but one that is full of resiliency and strength as well!

[#1 Some Details on Mike’s Birth and His First Meeting of His Foster Parents]

• In the episode, Mike talks about his adoptive parents and how they had fostered about 30 children before they adopted Mike.
• After adopting Mike as an infant, his parents stopped fostering other children.
• He was born prematurely at 3 pounds, 2 ounces but flourished despite this tough beginning.
• And Mike was named as a tribute to his adoptive uncle who passed away while he was still a baby.

[#2 Tragedy as a Vehicle for Re-Establishing Your Faith ]

• Mike wants to remind you that tragedy can be used as a strengthener of your faith. It may not seem like it at the time, but you can build and reinforce your faith as a result of tragic events in your life.
• He states this because he himself had doubts and his faith had started to waver. But in the long run, he knew that God was looking out for him.

[#3 Mike’s Motivations and Methods For Searching for His Biological Mother ]

• After taking his biological son to the doctor, Mike realized he didn’t have any family medical history to draw from because he was adopted. This was further inspiration to seek his birth mother.
• After using the DNA tracing service 23andMe, he was able to find a last name which he used as a starting point. While at first this seemed to lead to a dead end, Mike didn’t give up.
• Mike ended up typing in “Wisconsin Adoption” in a search engine and picked an agency. He then sent a letter, filled an application, and paid $80. And this was last year (2018)! So, this is a viable option for those who have been adopted and looking to connect with their biological parents.

[#4 The Emotional Impact of Meeting His Birth Mother After 35 years! ]

• Mike was ecstatic to learn that after going through the process of finding his birth mother, she agreed to release the necessary information to meet with him!
• During the episode, Mike also talks about the power of the letter that he wrote to his mother, and how he thinks it ultimately helped them reconnect.
• And as a testament to the maxim that things work out in the end, what his mother wanted for Mike was indeed provided by his adoptive parents. She wrote a letter back to him with her contact information and they talked and one of the first things they did was meet up!
• In addition to meeting her son, Mike’s birth mother also got to meet her grandson.

[#5 A Miracle of Timing: A Testament Towards Reconnection ]

• As Mike states, as tragic as the story ends, he ultimately received the blessings of closure and completeness in this aspect of his life.
• He states that he is wholeheartedly glad he embarked on his journey of reconnection.
• And he gives advice for adoptees when he states, you really have to be open to any type of outcome when reconnecting with a biological parent. You may not get the outcome you want, but if you don’t do it, you won’t be able to experience the joys as well!

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As always, ADOPTION NOW focuses on the many powerful stories centered around adoption and foster care. This episode also includes a topic April Fallon is new to, the topic of surrogacy. Dr. Claire Dumke tells us the story of her two daughters, Ruby and Hazel, and how she pursued both adoption and surrogacy at the same time. As a result of this, her two daughters were born 8 months apart!

Key Links

• Insights Colorado Assessments and Therapy: (303) 935-5307

The episode focuses on the many joys that were felt throughout her experience, but also on the challenging aspects. And in addition, surrogacy is explained: the price, what to expect, regulations, details on medication, and so forth.

Below are four of the most crucial aspects of this episode ranging from surrogacy in a nutshell, transracial adoption, the importance of agencies and the selection process for adoption, as well as the relational interplay between biological and adoptive mothers.

[#1 What to Expect When your Surrogate is Expecting]

• As was the case with Dr. Claire, surrogacy may be an option for a family if they have embryos either through IVF but cannot personally carry them to full term.
• It is very expensive! Dr. Claire mentions that the price was in the six-figure range at least. But as always, no amount of money is too much for the wonderful gift of life.
• Dr. Claire also discusses and warns of the emotional distress that can occur for surrogates after they give birth. Counseling is a very powerful tool for this common circumstance and Dr. Claire highly recommends that the biological family is prepared to provide this resource.

[#2 Transracial Open Adoption ]

• Ruby--Dr. Claire’s first daughter and who was adopted through an open agreement with her African American birth mother--didn’t make Claire nervous in the slightest at the dynamic. Although she does talk about how nervous she was to meet the extended family of the biological mother, she stresses just how beautiful and wonderful Ruby is.
• The concept of providing racial mirrors for Ruby is brought up as well, meaning that considerable attention to positive reinforcement of Ruby’s racial identity is a large focal point in their family.
• And through Claire’s relationship with Ruby’s biological mother and her extended family, Ruby has that much more reinforcement.

[#3 Agencies and The Adoption Selection Process ]

• When talking about how expectant mothers choose adoptive parents for their child, the best advice is, “Be yourself!” As April states; you never know just what detail will stand out and speak to a birth mother in the midst of her choice. And like it is discussed within the episode, the difference between you being chosen or not could have to do with if you have a golden retriever or not; be yourself!
• Agencies are very important for introducing you to a bigger pool of possibilities for being matched with a child. And the multi-state agencies also give you a higher probability to be selected faster due to more choices. The Adoption Choices of Colorado was the agency Dr. Claire used. She and her husband were pleasantly surprised to find themselves in Texas for Ruby after just two short months of waiting.

[#4 Relationship Dynamics Between Surrogates, Biological Mothers, and Adoptive Parents ]

• There is a fair amount of discussion on the interactions between adoptive parents, the birth mother and a surrogate mother. There can be a lot of grief after placement, so counseling and sensitivity towards that issue are imperative.
• As Dr. Claire states during the episode, what words are there to express to a birth mother or surrogate mother besides gratitude, gratitude, and more gratitude!
• In addition, the whole process has strengthened the bond between Dr. Claire and her husband.

More details at: https://adoptionnow.com/podcast/destined-for-motherhood-a-story-of-adoption-and-surrogacy

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ADOPTION NOW is produced and distributed by Simpler Media

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Season Five of ADOPTION NOW!

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Brandi Miller shares her story of becoming a birth mother at 16 years old. She talks about how she chose her adoptive parents and how she overcame shame after placement. Brandi also shares her advice on transgender in adoption. Her daughter, now called Micah, has opened that conversation up and Brandi shares how she responded.

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Reggie Rivers played six seasons as a running back for the Denver Broncos. He is now the president of his own business consulting firm and a highly successful corporate motivational speaker. On this episode he shares how he and his wife Stephanie did not want children. It wasn’t until Stephanie’s sister had a son and she began struggling with addiction that led him to consider being a father. Reggie shares how they made the decision to bring the little boy home and how he changed their lives.

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Last week we were joined by an incredible birth mother, Laura, who shared her beautiful story of honesty and open communication in her adoption experience. Today we are joined by the adoptive parents, Jen and Alan, as well as my husband Noah, to get their side of the story on this seemingly perfect adoption. After finding each other through love at first sight, Jen and Alan tried to get pregnant through IVF before deciding adoption was right for them. Once Laura selected them as her adoptive parents, they worked together to create a healthy and open relationship. Today Jen and Alan are telling us all about the research that went into finding their birth mother, what their first ‘perfect date’ was really like with Laura and Jerome, and the details that came together to make this story “meant to be.” Every adoption story is different, and Jen and Alan are proof of that. Their journey is filled with hope, positivity and lots of love.

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Sometimes a story comes along that makes you question the things you thought you knew about adoption, and today is one of those stories. Laura is a birth mother from California who feels passionately about sharing her incredibly positive adoption experience. After placing her child in an open adoption over three years ago, Laura is still beaming with joy about her adoption process and the adoptive family. She believes that not all birth mothers go through the same grief process, and she is sharing her story about her life-changing experience in the hopes that it will empower and inspire other women. She shares how she and the birth father immediately connected with the adoptive parents, and why she decided to spend the first three days together with them and the baby after placement. Laura feels she was meant to have a different experience in order to show people that there are other ways to process loss. This episode offers a very inspiring and fresh perspective that proves everyone has their own story in the adoption journey.

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Lori Tapparo and her husband Kenny tried for 16 years to have biological children. After she had an emergency hysterectomy, the couple decided to pursue adoption through the foster care system in Colorado. Within 1 year and 2 months, they had 4 children! Lori shares the ups and downs of their journey and what it is like to adopt bio siblings. She also talks about what she did when one of her sons was unexpectedly reunified with his birth mother. She ended up getting him back with a huge surprise!

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Adrienne Elliott has worked in all aspects of the child welfare system including intake, child protection, permanency and adoption. She is now the Executive Director of Adoption Options. On this episode April Fallon sits down with Adrienne to ask YOUR questions about adoption. What do you need to start the adoption process? Should a family adopt an older child and bump birth order? How do you talk to your child about their adoption story? April shares funny stories of parenting moments she wished she had done better and how Adrienne has helped her! Don’t miss this episode!!

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Jack and Adrian are birth parents who placed their baby girl up for adoption when they were in college. They wanted a better life for her, although later they would find out it wasn’t exactly what they had hoped for. Jack shares from a birth father‘s perspective on how he moved forward after leaving the hospital without his daughter and Adrian shares what it was like as a birth mother grieving the loss of her baby. They went on to get married, have 3 more children together and then they adopted a baby boy! They share their experiences as adoptive parents and the emotions they went through helping the birth mother through her loss. Then they reconnect with the daughter they placed and she wants to be a part of their family. This episode is filled with so many aspects of the adoption journey!!!

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Becky Fawcett is an adoptive mother of two children. As she was adopting she realized the cost was so high that she had to do something to help other families bring home their children. She started helpusadopt.org, an equality based organization that seeks to reduce the financial burden of adoption by awarding large, life-changing, problem-solving grants. Her non-profit has given over 2.6 million dollars away to adoptive families! She could help you if you’re on the adoption journey❤️

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On this episode, our featured guest is Mallory Fogas, who started the company Arrow and Root to create modern adoption profile books. Today, you will not only hear how their adoption profile books help adoptive families, but you will hear the story of how these adorable kids became a family! Mallory has a passion and heart for all things adoption because she is half adopted and she has 5 adopted siblings with Down Syndrome. This is a story of how amazing it can be to say yes to adoption!!

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Nellya and her husband had two biological children and they were fostering a child when they decided to adopt a baby from India. In the process they found out they were pregnant and then said yes to 3 more foster children! Their house was full as they waited to bring home baby Millie. When the agency went silent on updates, Nellya found out some devastating news. On this episode we see a mother’s heart to save a child no matter the cost.

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Meg was adopted from Seoul, Korea at the age of 6 months to a family in Northern Minnesota. She grew up shy, introverted and misunderstood by many of her teachers and peers. Although she attached to her adoptive parents, whom she loved very much, she struggled with depression. On this episode Meg talks with April Fallon about the repressed grief she did not know she carried and her journey to find peace with her adoption story.

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On today’s episode, Cherie Burton shares her story as a birth mother in an open adoption and an adoptive mother. She is an author, international speaker, and former Mrs. Utah. She and her husband have two biological children together and they have adopted two babies. She talks about the heartbreak and peace she experienced as she did what she felt was best for her first daughter. Cherie also opens up about the challenges she faced while going through the adoption process and what it was like to become an adoptive mother. This is a very unique story told from two sides of the adoption triad.

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James and Noell adopted through the foster care system. They had two biological kids when their family decided to bring home another child...then they got 3!! On this episode, Noell comes back on the show to give us an encouraging update on how their oldest adopted son is doing after being placed in a different home to help address his attachment issue.

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When Shane and Beth got married, Shane did not want children. They got pregnant unexpectedly and that changed everything. After baby Allen’s 1st birthday the couple decided to go on an adoption journey to Nigeria, Africa. On this episode, Beth takes us through all the challenges and blessings they experienced bringing sweet Ruth home...then Beth shares surprising news about their family!

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Kim de Blecourt is an award-winning author, international speaker and Executive Director of Nourished Hearts, a non-profit serving orphaned and vulnerable children. Kim and her husband Jahn adopted their son from the Ukraine and told their story on ADOPTION NOW in 2016. She has just written a 6 week study called “I Call You Mine - Embracing God’s Gift of Adoption." On this episode April Fallon talks with Kim about this book and how it can help adoptive families and people looking to start the adoption/foster care process.

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April Fallon shares a story that happened a few weeks ago. You would be surprised at what people stop and say to her family. Education on adoption and foster care is so important. This podcast helps us understand how to address strange questions we get as adoptive families, and also the right way to approach an adoptive family in a public setting.

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On this podcast, April Fallon, the host of ADOPTION NOW, shares an update from the summer and talks about what is to come with this podcast.

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Last episode, we had Kelene on the show, who is a birth mother that made an adoption plan 26 years ago. That little baby girl, named Chrissy, was born early and was only 3 pounds. Kelene and the adoptive parents worked together to love this little baby and today she joins the show! This is the first ADOPTION NOW episode to have both the birth mother and the adoptee together sharing their journey. It’s an incredible story and it’s so helpful in understanding open adoption.

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Kelene is a birth mother who placed her baby 26 years ago with a family she babysat for down the street. She had an open adoption with her daughter, Chrissy, and this week she shares what it was like to have a daughter she knows and sees but is not raising. This episode helps us understand how “open adoption” works as an adoptive family brings home a baby and a birthmother heals.

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Chris Prange-Morgan wrote an article that was published in the Huffington Post on “Trauma” after she and her husband adopted two kids from China. She suffered from PTSD after bringing home their son who had severe medical needs and attachment issues. She started to rock climb to relieve stress. One day, overwhelmed with all that was going on, she climbed a wall but did not clip in. She fell 28 feet.... On this episode she talks about this accident that changed her life. She also gives her advice for adoptive parents who may need help during and after the adoption process.

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Chris Prange-Morgan wrote an article that was published in the Huffington Post on "Trauma" after she adopted two kids from China. She suffered PTSD after bringing home her son who had severe medical needs and attachment issues. On this episode Chris talks to April Fallon about her journey and the accident that changed her life. She fell 28 feet, had multiple fractures, and ended up losing her leg. She is now a voice for adoptive parents getting the help they need through the adoption journey and after.

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After Laura led a medical mission trip to Haiti she knew she wanted to adopt from there. The process took 3 1/2 years but finally they brought home their 5 year old little girl. On this episode Laura shares about what it was like to bring home an older child and how it inspired them to help other families in their adoption process by providing grant funding. Learn more about how you can apply for funding today at www.inspiringorphancare.com

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April Fallon invites her mom, Mary, and her husband, Noah, to share what they have learned during their 7 adoption experiences. On this episode you will hear how to support your adult children as they fight to grow their family.

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On this episode, April Fallon talks to Heather Clark, who fostered 22 children in 7 years. She gives us tips on how to prepare for the foster care journey and what to expect during the process. She is now a Community Leader for a group called "Friends of Adoptive & Foster Families" at Cherry Hills Community Church in Colorado.

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Susan Mitchell shares what it was like to bring two children home from Russia. She shares how God brought her family together and how these two lives consoled her through great loss.

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April Fallon talks to Republican candidate for Governor, Victor Mitchell, and his wife, Amy, about adoption and how to bring change to adoption law.

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This episode has it all. Wendy talks to April Fallon about how she and her husband grew their family. They now have 6 beautiful children and a biological daughter being raised by another family through embryo donation. Don't miss this Adoption Story, you will be amazed at how it all comes together!

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Here is part 2 of this incredible story! A perfect baby was born to a college athlete who was told 8 times she was not pregnant by a doctor. She thought she had a stomachache, ended up delivering a baby, then decided to place him for adoption. She had to pick a family within hours!

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ADOPTION NOW was a part of this adoption story with Thurman Law firm in Florida. He was a perfect baby boy born to a college athlete who was told 8 times by a doctor she was not pregnant! One night, she ends up in a hospital with stomach problems and ends up delivering a healthy baby boy, and decides to chose adoption. This Adoption Story is so amazing and it all happened so fast!

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37 years after her adoption, Sarah finds her birth family through ancestry.com. She flies to Texas to meet them and to hear the real story behind her adoption.

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Dausi is a birth mother who placed her baby girl 2 years ago. On this episode of ADOPTION NOW Dausi talks about her struggle with addiction and how she became pregnant in rehab. It was the choice to pursue open adoption that changed her life. When she met Brandon and Corrine, she knew that they would love her daughter and protect her baby from the life she knew. What happened to Dausi through that relationship was a miracle.

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Brandon and Corrine have 5 adopted children and 2 biological. They just recently brought home twins! On this episode Corrine returns to ADOPTION NOW to update us on their new adorable additions, and to talk about her passion for open adoption. Corrine is a huge advocate for birth parent support. "You can't always open up your home but you can open up your heart." She has just launched a new business helping adoptive families make profile books as they prepare to be matched to an expectant mother. Let her experience help you in your adoption process!

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John DeYoung returns to ADOPTION NOW. He was adopted from Korea and has now started Shift Freedom Conference. On this episode, April Fallon talks to John about Adoption and Human Trafficking. If you are in the adoption world, this is something you must be aware of.

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James and Noell adopted through the foster care system. This family said yes to two brothers and later found out a biological sister was born! They have gone through so much, including dealing with Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD). Noell shares on this episode how they had to make some very hard decisions to get their oldest adoptive son the help he needs.

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New ADOPTION NOW Podcast! April Fallon, the Host of ADOPTION NOW, opens up with her husband about the journey of adoption they have been on. Adoption has changed their lives. They talk about the joy and challenges that has brought them closer in their marriage and increased their faith. This season they are on a new station in Denver, 94.7FM!! This podcast is for anyone who is thinking of starting the adoption process, in the middle of the process or someone who just needs encouragement! Noah and April have been through the process 7 times and it has not always been easy, yet out of their experience, they started ADOPTION NOW.

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When the host of ADOPTION NOW, April Fallon, started this show she had no idea that she would be in the middle of an adoption while interviewing other families on this topic. When she and her husband got a call about a biological sibling to their youngest daughter, the journey began. It was not easy and seemed very hopeless at times. Today Christine Thurman, their Adoption Lawyer, joins the show to help them tell the story of how they brought baby Maliyah Kate home. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed during the adoption process, we hope this episode can give you some hope to keep fighting.

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We are finishing National Adoption Month with this great interview about Foster Care!

Meaghan Nally from Nightlight Christian Adoptions and Shelly Radic from Project 1.27 discuss the extreme need for foster families across the USA, and the sense of urgency in Colorado in particular.

Meaghan breaks down exactly how the process works and what it is that they look for in a family.

Shelly is President of Project 1.27 and has been a foster parent, adopted through foster care, and has a brother who was adopted through foster care as well. Project 1.27 is a Biblically based, state-approved training program for families looking to get certified.

The need for foster families and respite care is far greater than you think, and through volunteering or fostering you can be the person that changes a child’s life!

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If you were with us last week, you heard Katie and Scott’s story about being embryo donors. Today we have a story about an adoptive family that has 3 beautiful children, 2 from traditional adoption and one through embryo adoption. Charis and her husband battled for years with infertility, and tried everything including IVF, IUI and countless tests and diagnostic procedures to find out the cause of their struggles. After realizing that this was not the way they were going to grow their family, they attempted both foster to adopt and agency organized domestic adoption on three different occasions, all which failed, leaving them heartbroken and with empty arms. After all the heartbreak however, Charis met with a lawyer who led them down the path of private adoption, ultimately resulting in the birth of their first daughter. They were looking to grow their family further when a friend introduced Charis to the idea of embryo adoption, and while her husband took some convincing at first, the rest is history. Charis is now the co-founder of the National Registry for adoption with her friend Katie (last week’s guest), which is as they describe it, “the Match.com of embryo donors and waiting families”. NRFA allows both donors and waiting families to find and connect with possible matches, a process Charis can vouch for herself after finding a donor family through the service she helped create.

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We are SO excited to be featuring our first embryo adoption donor family story today on the podcast! Katie and Scott were a bit older when they decided that they wanted children, and after researching both fostering and adoption, they were heartbroken and discouraged. After a fateful lunch with a good friend, the idea of surrogacy and IVF was planted, and ultimately proved to be the correct path for them. They ended up being blessed with a set of twins, but also had another set of embryos which they knew they would not be using. Katie and Scott faced the choice that a lot of IVF parents face: Either donate your extra embryos to science, keep them frozen in storage, or discard them. They felt uncomfortable with each of these choices and ended up doing some research of their own. Out of this research came the National Registry for Adoption, which Katie created with her friend Charis, to help pair embryo donors with waiting adoptive families that wanted to carry their adopted children. As she puts it “It’s like the Match.com of the embryo donation and adoption world”. They decided to donate their embryos to an adoptive family that successfully carried twins. Katie and Scott gave their embryos life and blessed a family with children!! Today they tell ADOPTION NOW about that journey.

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We often hear the stories of adoptees, birth mothers, and adoptive parents on this podcast, but it is very rare to find ALL THREE in one person! Today’s guest Kitty however, has experienced the triad of adoption and today she walks us through the struggles, heartbreak, and happiness she has felt in each of the roles. Kitty Ravert was adopted as a baby into a loving home, she placed a baby in her early 20’s and later adopted an African American son. She has found her birth parents, found her biological son and has an open adoption with her son’s biological family. This is a must listen to podcast as she is uniquely positioned to speak to every aspect of adoption with the clarity and grace that we all wish we could possess during the difficult and wonderful times that we experience throughout the adoption process.

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Michelle Madrid Branch understands adoption in ways that most others do not. She is both an adoptee and an adoptive parent. She was adopted in the U.K. as a toddler, found her biological family as a teenager, and after she got married and had one biological son, she and her husband adopted two children internationally. They brought home a son from Russia and a daughter from Ethiopia. Michelle has great insight into the struggles and triumphs that adoption can bring to all those involved. She is truthful about her journey and so inspiring!! She is an author, speaker, and global advocate for women and children. Her books include “Mascara Moments,” “Adoption Means Love,” and “The Tummy Mummy,” which was voted one of the top 25 adoption books for children. She is also the Executive Producer and Host of “The Greater Than Project," which is a documentary web series exploring the intrinsic greatness within women.

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We have all heard stories of people who adopt children from abroad and of people who adopt children with disabilities, but today we have a story with both. Sara Berry and her husband were parents to 5 beautiful children when their faith lead them on a path that resulted in the adoption of two children from China. From the start they knew that both children had disabilities but their immediate love for them, made the decision easy, even if the process wasn’t always. Sally was their first adoption and underwent surgery within weeks of arriving in the US, but it was Charlie that proved to them that miracles can and do happen. On this podcast Sara discusses how her faith has influenced her decisions throughout life and especially when adopting, and the importance of redefining things for your adoptive children whether they are from the US or abroad. Sara is the author of A Cord of Three Strands and A Broken Mirror, which are adoption based and must reads if you enjoy adoption stories.

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Today on the podcast we have a birth mother story from California. Angela Rushing shares her story of how she was brought up in a traumatic household with an alcoholic father and passive aggressive mother, and how this situation ultimately led her to feel unwanted and unnurtured. Before she knew it, she had undergone 2 abortions, and when she found herself pregnant once more, she knew she couldn’t do it again. This is where she began to look into private adoptions and discovered the couple who would become the adoptive parents of her child. Angela gets very honest about the whole process and how it wasn’t until after she gave birth that the depression and suicidal thoughts triggered her to look into her past to be able to deal with her feelings and come to terms with her life. We also dig into her current life and her relationship with her daughter and how that reconnection has helped her become the woman she is today.

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There are few more challenging achievements that the average person looks up to more than summiting Mt. Everest. Now imagine doing it blind. That’s what today’s guest Erik Weihenmayer did, becoming the first blind man to do so, along with summiting the rest of the Seven Summits, and kayaking the entire 277 miles of the Grand Canyon on the Colorado River. But his greatest challenge, as he writes in his latest book "No Barriers," was adopting his son Arjun from Nepal and finding a way to fight through the bureaucracy, corruption, and unknowns that can accompany international adoptions. This week on ADOPTION NOW, Erik shares the crazy story of the circumstances around the adoption (there was a civil war in the country at the time), some of the challenges of adopting a 5 year old from a foreign country across the world, and how they were able to integrate Arjun into their family.

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Heather Avis and her husband are parents of three adopted children, two of whom have Down Syndrome. At the start of their adoption journey, they set out to adopt a healthy baby, but after meeting their future daughter Macy, a baby girl with both Down Syndrome and a congenital heart defect that would require surgery and medication, they found themselves in limbo. Unable to say no to this little girl who needed parents, but unable to say yes to the effect this would have on their lives, they struggled with the decision to adopt her before finally realizing that while it might be a challenge, it was the right step for them to take. Heather is the author of "The Lucky Few" based largely on her experiences adopting children both healthy, and with special needs. On this podcast she shares some of that insight with us, as well as what a blessing it’s truly been for her and her family to take the leap and say yes to stepping outside of their preformulated ideal of what their adoptions - and family - would look like. This journey caused them to be one of "The Lucky Few."

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Today on the podcast, we are so excited to feature Renee Hettich’s story of her experience adopting 4 children internationally. One of her children is from Guatemala, and three of them are from China, our first Chinese adoption story on the podcast! Renee shares how none of the four adoptions went exactly according to plan, with undisclosed health difficulties of which she was unaware at the time, developmental delays and a host of other issues. She knows better than most the challenges of adopting internationally, but she also shares her joy at being able to give lives to these kids who may otherwise have been stuck in the terrible conditions of an orphanage.

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ADOPTION NOW has our first story from Canada! Andra and her husband, Chung, were our first family to apply from a different country. Tune in this week to hear about the Canadian foster care system and how this family found their daughter!

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Do you have questions about PTSD related to adoption? Do you struggle as a parent to understand a child that has experienced early childhood trauma? On this episode of ADOPTION NOW, April Fallon talks with Carrie O'Toole about how to deal with a challenging placement and how to see signs of trauma in the brain. Carrie is an author and life coach with a Masters Degree in Counseling. She now works with adoptive families who are on the brink and trying to put their family back together.

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Beverly Boerner-Reynolds is an adoptive mother from Texas who wrote a book about the love a birthmother has for her child. When she first met her son's birthmother she thought maybe she was a scam artist! When you hear this story, you might think so also!! But what started in doubt, turned into a beautiful friendship and placement of a healthy baby boy.

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Stephen and Natalie had dreams of adopting from the foster care system but the process was not as easy as they had hoped it would be. By a miracle they heard of an infant situation on Facebook and they decided to apply. On this episode of ADOPTION NOW we hear about their rushed journey to bring home a baby through private infant adoption. They had only 6 weeks to get home study ready and figure out how to pay the agency. Their journey still continues as the birthmother is pregnant again! Are they ready to bring home another baby?

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This week on ADOPTION NOW - "Telling Your Adoption Story," Annie Peguero joins the show! Annie was adopted as an infant, and though she loved her parents very much, she wondered about her birth family. This year she decided to go live on Facebook to find them. Her video got 70,000 views and she received a message from someone who thinks they may be related to her. The journey she goes on answers the questions she has had for years and brings her to a place of wholeness.

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Ashley is a birthmother who placed her son 11 years ago and is navigating through open adoption. She talks very openly about the pain she went through the years after placement and now she is an advocate for other birthmothers. She has just released a new curriculum for adoption professionals to help other birthmothers in their journey of healing.

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This week on ADOPTION NOW, April Fallon interviews Victor Mitchell, candidate for Governor of Colorado. It's important when you start the adoption process to know your state law on adoption and foster care. Victor and April talk about what every family needs to know before they say yes to adoption.

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This week on ADOPTION NOW April Fallon interviews her social workers from Nightlight Christian Adoptions. Meaghan and Corie talk about their four adoption programs at Nightlight and how to get started in the adoption process. We cover costs, the homestudy process and questions you should be asking your agency. It was because of these two and Thurman Law Firm, PLLC that April was able to bring home baby Maliyah from Florida.

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Brad Pearse shares his adoption story. He was found as an abandoned baby in the Philippines and was severely underweight. A family from Denver wanted to adopt a baby from that country and were waiting for the call to be matched. God brought them together and by a miracle, Brad would be the one to save his Father's life.

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Carrie O'Toole experienced the pain and suffering of infertility, miscarriage, and an international adoption that went painfully awry. Nothing could have prepared her for the decade-long journey of trying to love her little boy, who struggled to trust and connect after leaving the only home he’d ever known, a Vietnamese orphanage. This week on ADOPTION NOW Carrie sits down with April Fallon to share her adoption story.

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Bethann was raised in an adoptive family. She was the only biological child out of five siblings. This week on ADOPTION NOW she talks about what it was like to grow up in an interracial family. She shares her own journey growing a family with her husband Zach. After they had two miracle sons, Bethann could not have any more children. They decided to start the adoption process and had no idea the rollercoaster they would be on to finally bring home Baby Vera.

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Jen Milian was adopted from Colombia into a loving family as a baby. She had no idea that 6 (maybe more!) of her biological siblings were also given up for adoption. One of her biological brothers grew up just miles from her in New York. On this episode of ADOPTION NOW, Jen talks about what it was like to be adopted, her struggles as she found herself, and her recent incredible story about her biological family.

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Heath and Laura's Story by April Fallon

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Corrine Hellyar Christian is the Director of Colorado United for Adoption. She is passionate about all aspects of adoption. She is an advocate for birthmother care and open adoption. Corrine shares her journey through miscarriages, adoptions, and pregnancies. She speaks on how she has kept her heart and home open to her children's birthparents and even their extended family. Her story is so inspiring!

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Ashley is an birthmother whose adoption story started in an abortion clinic. She shares about her life changing moment and how she placed her baby 11 years ago. Ashley Mitchell has shared her story all over the country through nationally acclaimed writing series, award-winning service, television + radio interviews and hundreds of blogs + business sites. She is known for her vulnerability and realness through her speaking, writing, mentoring and advocacy work for the adoption community. She is the owner of Big Tough Girl™, serving women world wide in their desire to live life as a Big Tough Girl™. She believes strongly in the power of sharing your story, educating yourself on the issues, and providing the resources so that women can feel empowered and successful in their journey. Ashley and her husband now have 2 children. She is learning daily how to navigate open adoption and how to create a life after placement. www.bigtoughgirl.com

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Lauren Stokes, M.A., L.P.C., is a licensed professional counselor at Create Connectivity Counseling PLLC. She is also a writer for Adoption.com. She is an adult adoptee who was raised in an open adoption. This means that after she was adopted at 2 1/2 weeks old, her adoptive parents allowed her biological parents into Lauren's life. In this interview Lauren shares the great benefits of open adoption, while also emphasizing the need to embrace the complexities of the emotional journey through adoption.

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April Fallon talks with Brittany about her and her husband's journey adopting their son Connor. After a very difficult road and months of waiting for finalization, the couple wanted another baby, but could not afford (financially and emotionally) another traditional adoption. Chris and Brittany discovered Embryo Adoption! She is now 6 months pregnant with a baby girl that the couple adopted. Tune in to this episode to hear this remarkable story!

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Noah and April share their current adoption journey. They invite their lawyer, Christine Thurman from Thurman Law Firm, to share her insight on adoption. She has placed 22 babies in the last year and she is fighting to keep the costs low.

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Jessica shares Scott and her journey through several failed adoptions, bringing home their first baby Ty, their plan to try embryo adoption, and the phone call that brought baby number two!

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Jessica shares her journey to adopt as a single woman. She always knew she wanted to be a mother, but had no idea the process would be so challenging! Two years ago, Jessica was matched to an expectant birthmother in Florida. She shares what she went through to bring home baby Maryn.

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Kim shares their journey through infertility and becoming pregnant. She opens up about giving birth to their daughter, a full term baby, that only stayed with them for 6 days. She talks about her struggle with deep grief and their journey into adoption. In the year they lost their daughter, Kyla, they also had 2 failed adoptions. Ryan and Kim had no money left and they were still not parents. Hear hear how this couple persevered and how they started Kids for Kyla.

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Jen Donahue was adopted as a baby. She talks about life as a child and talks openly about her experience in a family as the only adopted child. When Jen turned 37, she finds her birthmother in Denver. Her journey to fill in the holes of her birth story are amazing!

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This week we have an adoption story from Oklahoma!! This family lived in Zambia, had 4 biological sons and then adopted a little Zambian boy. They share their journey back to the U.S. and their experience in foster care and domestic adoption. This story is for anyone who has been disappointed in God. Andy and Robyn share how they kept their faith through the loss of their biological son and how adoption changed their lives.

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Adopting through the foster care system can seem scary but as Brian and Season tell their story we learn that having an agency can be a big help. They got a call about this little girl who was born at 27 weeks and doctors thought she may be blind, deaf and not able to walk. She became their miracle.

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Brooke adopted her son at Denny's (yes Denny's) and her youngest daughter 6 years later. Both adoptions were under $8,000, so she decided to start Fuller Arms Adoption Education. She educates adoptive parents on how to find their birth mother without an agency.

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Liz was young when she got pregnant. She was in a committed relationship but the birth father did not want children. She had limited options and decided to choose adoption for her baby boy. She told no one. After years of grief and a failed marriage to the birth father, Liz radically changed her life. She never stopped missing her son. Twenty-one years later she got an email....

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Marty and Elizabeth chose embryo adoption to expand their family. Another family donated their embryo that was frozen for 18 years! Elizabeth was able to carry the baby full term, and gave birth to Marley in June.

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When Jahn and Kim decided to pursue adoption in the Ukraine, they had no idea how intense the fight would be to bring home their son. ADOPTION NOW is so honored to have Kim de Blecourt on the podcast! She is the award-winning author of "Until We All Come Home" and the President of Nourished Hearts. You do not want to miss her adoption story!

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Allison was adopted as a baby, and at 27, she searches for her Birthmom to find out some medical information. When Allison finds her, you won't believe how her story unfolds!

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John and Alicia have two biological kids and went to Haiti to bring home their son. Years later they went back after the earthquake to get their youngest daughter. Listen to their story as they openly share their journey of adoption.

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Adoption from India! Steve and Kristen talk about bringing home a sibling group for India. This beautiful family tells their story and the incredible journey God has brought them through.

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Brandi Lea adopted her son from Liberia, she cares for 8 children in Uganda and has 2 biological kids! She encourages mothers to be honest and real. If we can be ourselves and choose healing in our lives, then we can help our children heal.

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Joy opens up to April Fallon about her struggle through infertility and having three miscarriages. It was 4 years until one day, she got a call about a baby girl. You will love this story!

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David and Natalie have adopted two children from the Ukraine and their journey is amazing. They brought home a son with special needs and watched him overcome. Their daughter came home malnourished, and they helped her gain weight quickly! Natalie shares about how she helped the kids attach and heal. She also talks about how she dealt with "Adoption Postpartum Depression" after she returned home from traveling.

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Nathan and Shannon's Story by April Fallon

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Sarah Wenger was adopted at 4 months old. She is filled with grace, love and truth about her journey through life. She speaks on growing up in a diverse family and what her parents did that helped her feel safe and connected.

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The road to bring this family together was not easy. After suffering loss several times, they chose adoption, only to wait two years for a Ugandan baby that never came home. When the country closed the couple grieved another loss. Hear their adoption story and how God brought them a son!

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10 years ago, Brittany chose adoption. She talks about giving up her daughter and how difficult that decision was. Do not miss this birthmother's story!!

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Silas was adopted from Ethiopia as a teenager. He talks about life in the orphanage, his transition to America, and his amazing journey back to his country to find his birth parents. He is the oldest of the 13 Hopkins' children.

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Brian and Danna have 13 children. They have 4 biological kids, 4 kids from Ethiopia and 5 children from The DRC. They share their adoption story and how God opened their hearts to adoption through unexpected ways.

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Jenny and Jeremiah talk openly about their REAL struggles in unifying the family with April Fallon on Adoption Now. Do you have an adopted child that you struggle to connect with? Their story will help you understand that you are not alone.

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Noah and April share their adoption stories and why they started Adoption Now.

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Travis and Jenny share their adoption story about traveling to The DRC to adopt baby Bailey. They were matched with her at two weeks but had to wait for 11 months to finally meet her. The two talk about the moment they first saw her and open up about the journey to adopt baby #2. It has not been easy but they are not giving up on their dream to expand their family.

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Bringing home baby Eva was not an easy process, though this was a designated adoption, the birth mother had an unexpected visit from the birth father in the hospital that threatened the placement. Hear these adoptive parents speak about how God led them to love the birth mother first, then be the best parents to the baby even if they were going to lose her.

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Megan Clark was adopted from Korea at 11 months old. The transition to America was not easy for her. Hear how her parents loved her through that time and how she finally attached. Megan shares how thankful she is that she got a forever family and she gives advice for adoptive parents who are raising little ones.

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Two brothers adopted from the foster care system. How they ended up together in the same home is a miracle. Do not miss this interview as they encourage interracial families to stay strong and unified. Both brothers are married now and are talented musicians.

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April Fallon and Dr Jason Richardson begin a discussion around having an interracial family and trying to make sense of everything going on in our world today.

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Dan and Noelle share the ups and downs of fostering to adopt, eventually celebrating the joy of finalizing on their daughter!

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Jessica Fox tells us about their journey to Uganda to bring home Owen, how her pregnancy with Atlas helped her family bond, her heartbreaking experience through the foster care system and her new pursuit of private infant adoption. She talks very honestly about her experience and their family's calling to love the fatherless.

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Bringing home Lex. Leo and Heidi's adoption journey.

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April Fallon talks with John DeYoung about his adoption story!

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April Fallon hosts Lana and Steve Wagner as they share their stories of foster care and adoption

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April Fallon shares the story of finalizing Lily, going through a second disrupted adoption, and adopting Vivy.

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April Fallon and her husband Noah share of their first disrupted adoption and begin the story of adopting Lily.

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April Fallon and her husband Noah share their first story of adoption