2 Adoptive Mamas

The Main Thing:

We've had the privilege of exploring the adoption process from a number of angles thanks to our guests and their willingness to step into the mess with us!

For Episode 058 we're sitting down with MacKenzie Mygatt - not only is she an adoption consultant (and walked the process with Sarah during her second domestic adoption process!) she is also an adoptive mom and has an incredible heart for the entire journey that is the adoption process. To know MacKenzie is to know thoughtfulness, incredible care, encouragement, and to be covered in prayer. She is such a light in this daunting process for families and has such a breadth of knowledge when it comes to navigating the ups and downs.

If you're considering adoption and curious about what it means to have a consultant be part of the plan, this episode is for you! 

Episode Resources:

We love sharing resources! Do you have a favorite? Please share with us by emailing [email protected]. You can visit our resource list by clicking HERE.

2 A.M. Connect: 

If you enjoyed today’s episode, or know someone who could benefit from our show, the best thing you can do is leave us a rating and review wherever you listen to your podcasts. We’re grateful to host the Two Adoptive Mamas podcast for a third season!

Learn more about how you can support our ongoing work through our Patreon at twoadoptivemamas.com. As always, it’s been fun! Until we meet again, remember, you’ve got this mama.

Support the show

The Main Thing:

Tracy always had a heart for orphans, so when their family learned of the opportunity to host international orphans in hopes of helping them to find a forever family stateside, they were all-in. After a few opportunities, the Scoggins family hosted a young boy from Ukraine and he immediately stole Tracy's heart. With a heart for adoption, she was hopeful that her family might also feel the special connection.  Sadly, the young boy returned to his home, and Tracy was left with an impossible feeling of emptiness.

But God.

Join us for Episode 057 to hear Tracy's story of trust, faith, and perseverance. It's a story only God could write for a family willing to follow the call. We're so grateful for our time with Tracy and we know her story will be an encouragement to all who listen!

Episode Resources:

Adoption Through the Rearview Mirror by Karen Springs

2 A.M. Connect: 

If you enjoyed today’s episode, or know someone who could benefit from our show, the best thing you can do is leave us a rating and review wherever you listen to your podcasts. We’re grateful to host the Two Adoptive Mamas podcast for a third season!

Learn more about how you can support our ongoing work through our Patreon at twoadoptivemamas.com. As always, it’s been fun! Until we meet again, remember, you’ve got this mama.

Support the show

The Main Thing:

It's special when you hear from more than one part of the adoption triad, and that's exactly what is happening for Episode 056 of the Two Adoptive Mamas podcast. Daniel Kreider is sharing his story of adoption and how it's transformed his walk with the Lord. As a husband, father, and youth pastor, his insight is not only heartfelt but undoubtedly tells a story of grace, restoration, and growth. It was a privilege to hear from Dan's mom, Deb for Episode 055, and such a treat to now have his perspective and story of hope for our listeners!

Episode Resources:

We love sharing resources! Do you have a favorite? Please share with us by emailing [email protected]. You can visit our resource list by clicking HERE.

2 A.M. Connect: 

If you enjoyed today’s episode, or know someone who could benefit from our show, the best thing you can do is leave us a rating and review wherever you listen to your podcasts. We’re grateful to host the Two Adoptive Mamas podcast for a third season!

Learn more about how you can support our ongoing work through our Patreon at twoadoptivemamas.com. As always, it’s been fun! Until we meet again, remember, you’ve got this mama.

Support the show

The Main Thing:

If we've learned one thing amidst our own parenting journies, it's the value of hearing from someone who has gone before you. They've been there, done that, and had to have those conversations. It's refreshing to know we're not alone and that while we might not be in that stage now, we will eventually, and by the grace of our Heavenly Father we will find a way to thrive!

Deb Kreider is a mom who loves Jesus and holds fast to the promise of His grace and provision for her family. She and her husband built their family through adoption, and while there have been ups and downs, they wouldn't trade their journey for anything.   During Episode 055 Deb shares her experience of parenting adult adoptees and even more so how adoption looks now compared to when her children were infants.  Deb's honesty, transparency, and encouragement will meet you where you're at and encourage you with some timeless wisdom for when you reach "that stage" of parenting.  We're so grateful for our time with her, and we know you'll benefit from it too!

Episode Resources:

Check out our Two Adoptive Mamas resource list HERE. This week, we're highlighting Paul David Tripp's, Parenting: 14 Gospel Principles That Can Radically Change Your Family.  

2 A.M. Connect: 

If you enjoyed today’s episode, or know someone who could benefit from our show, the best thing you can do is leave us a rating and review wherever you listen to your podcasts. We’re grateful to host the Two Adoptive Mamas podcast for a third season!

Learn more about how you can support our ongoing work through our Patreon at twoadoptivemamas.com. As always, it’s been fun! Until we meet again, remember, you’ve got this mama.

Support the show

The Main Thing:

As parents, sometimes there is nothing as comforting as hearing from someone who has been in your shoes, is walking a similar journey, and is willing to share insight from their own experience.

For Episode 054 we're sitting down with adoptive mom, Taylor Johnson. When they adopted their son through the National Down Syndrome Adoption Network, they had lots of questions and sought out the support offered by the network. Together their family has navigated the needs of their son, but most of all embraced the love and joy he brings to their family.

Taylor's steadiness and humble confidence are refreshing as she shares their family's path to working with NDSAN and how they've continued to be active in the support and resources/education offered by their local support group.  Whether you're pursuing adoption, considering a partnership with NDSAN, or seeking to better support a family in your community touched by Down Syndrome, this episode is for you!

Episode Resources:

For the NDSAN Parent Group Listing, Click HERE.

The National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC) has an entire library of webinars - a one-stop resource for educating adoptive families on all the topics. Click HERE to access it!

2 A.M. Connect: 

If you enjoyed today’s episode, or know someone who could benefit from our show, the best thing you can do is leave us a rating and review wherever you listen to your podcasts. We’re grateful to host the Two Adoptive Mamas podcast for a third season!

Learn more about how you can support our ongoing work through our Patreon at twoadoptivemamas.com. As always, it’s been fun! Until we meet again, remember, you’ve got this mama.

Support the show

The Main Thing:

For Episode 053 we’re welcoming Stephanie Thompson, Director of the National Down Syndrome Adoption Network (NDSAN). She is the parent of a son with a Down Syndrome diagnosis and a professional who has been a lifeline and resource to so many families. She’s sharing her personal story along with the care and support the NDSAN provides locally and nationally to adoptive families.

As prospective or current adoptive families, there are so many pieces that can seem overwhelming and like just too much. Facing any type of diagnosis for your child will leave you with questions and wondering who else has been there and what kind of support there is as you walk the journey. For parents of children with a Down Syndrome diagnosis, NDSAN has become a highly sought-after resource. Whether you’re pursuing a Down Syndrome adoption, have recently learned of a diagnosis, want to know more about what it would be like to welcome a child with this diagnosis into your family forever, or are supporting a family who is touched by Down Syndrome — this episode is for you!

Episode Resources:

For the NDSAN Parent Group Listing, Click HERE.

The National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC) has an entire library of webinars - a one-stop resource for educating adoptive families on all the topics. Click HERE to access it!

2 A.M. Connect: 

If you enjoyed today’s episode, or know someone who could benefit from our show, the best thing you can do is leave us a rating and review wherever you listen to your podcasts. We’re grateful to host the Two Adoptive Mamas podcast for a third season!

Learn more about how you can support our ongoing work through our Patreon at twoadoptivemamas.com. As always, it’s been fun! Until we meet again, remember, you’ve got this mama.

Support the show

The Main Thing:

JT Olson is a one-of-a-kind guy. His heart for the Lord, care for vulnerable widows and children, and commitment to living out the gospel are unmatched. He’s funny, heartwarming, real, and so down to earth when it comes to equipping others to be the hands and feet of Jesus — and he lives by example! Join us for Episode 052 of the Two Adoptive Mamas Podcast to learn more about JT’s personal story, his family’s connection to adoption, and the unique opportunity that led to the creation of the Both Hands organization.  To date, Both Hands has helped thousands of children find their forever families and has touched the lives of widows in need in the process. For more on how you can be involved, visit bothhands.org. 

Episode Resources: 

Get your copy of JT's book, The Widow, The Orphan, and Me - click HERE!

2 A.M. Connect: 

If you enjoyed today’s episode, or know someone who could benefit from our show, the best thing you can do is leave us a rating and review wherever you listen to your podcasts. We’re grateful to be hosting the Two Adoptive Mamas podcast for a third season!

Learn more about how you can support our ongoing work through our Patreon at twoadoptivemamas.com. As always, it’s been fun! Until we meet again, remember, you’ve got this mama.

Support the show

The Main Thing:

From day one it's been a priority at Two Adoptive Mamas to magnify important conversations that need to be happening in the foster and adoption world. More importantly, it is crucial to discuss these topics while embracing each part of the adoption triad.

For Episode 051 we're sitting down with Eleanor and Marlene to take a deeper dive into navigating open adoption. Capturing both the adoptive mom and birth mom's perspectives in this episode, we're removing the titles and making way for what really matters when it comes to loving our children.

We laughed, cried, and found a lot of common ground during our minutes together. While you can't see it as a listener, we had the privilege of watching Eleanor and Marlene sit side by side and share their respect, love, and commitment to family. 

This is one of those episodes that stopped us in our tracks. While you may have to adjust or rewind a few times to catch all the audio, we promise it's worth it. We'll treasure this conversation forever.

Episode Resources: 

Catch our conversation with Eleanor from Season 1 on the adoption triad HERE.

2 A.M. Connect: 

If you enjoyed today’s episode, or know someone who could benefit from our show, the best thing you can do is leave us a rating and review wherever you listen to your podcasts. We’re grateful to be hosting the Two Adoptive Mamas podcast for a third season!

Learn more about how you can support our ongoing work through our Patreon at twoadoptivemamas.com. As always, it’s been fun! Until we meet again, remember, you’ve got this mama.

Support the show

The Main Thing:

To those who follow her, she's a constant resource, encouragement, and much-needed dose of reality when navigating the ups and downs of foster care. Her heart for the Lord, care for vulnerable children, and desire to keep educating and supporting adoptive and foster families are unmatched.

For Episode 050 of the Two Adoptive Mama's Podcast, we're sitting down with Jamie Finn from Foster the Family to talk about love and loss. She's sharing her family's story, her work with Foster the Family, and more about authoring her very first book. Together our conversation spanned a variety of topics that together make up the complicated, challenging, yet necessary components of stepping into foster care. Whether you're considering foster care or find yourself in the "thick of it," Jamie's words will meet you right where you're at. We so enjoyed our time together, and know this episode will be an encouragement to you! 

Episode Resources: 

Foster the Family  by Jamie C. Finn

www.fosterthefamily.org

For other 2AM episodes pertaining to attachment and trauma-informed parenting, click HERE.

2 A.M. Connect: 

If you enjoyed today’s episode, or know someone who could benefit from our show, the best thing you can do is leave us a rating and review wherever you listen to your podcasts. We’re grateful to be hosting the Two Adoptive Mamas podcast for a third season!

Learn more about how you can support our ongoing work through our Patreon at twoadoptivemamas.com. As always, it’s been fun! Until we meet again, remember, you’ve got this mama.

Support the show

The Main Thing:

It's really important to us at Two Adoptive Mamas that we dive into different stories, perspectives, and experiences in hopes that we'll meet our community of listeners where they're at.  Dr. Taylor Whittington brings the adoptee perspective to this conversation, sharing her personal story of adoption and how as an adult and mental health advocate she is passionate about the dialogue among today's adult adoptees.

While Taylor's experience may not mirror that of others, her story and perspective are thought-provoking as we think about raising the next generation of adoptees, providing opportunities for support, and continuing to serve as resources to one another.

At Two Adoptive Mamas, we are grateful for the insight and wisdom of those in our community. We're here to talk about it. We believe that in order to be the best mamas we can be for our kids, it's crucial to learn from one another and lean into each other so we can embrace and thrive within the plan God has for our families.  

We are so grateful to Dr. Taylor Whittington for sharing her story with us; we know you'll enjoy it too!

Episode Resources: 

Pear the Adopted Bear, by Dr. Taylor Whittington

2 A.M. Connect: 

If you enjoyed today’s episode, or know someone who could benefit from our show, the best thing you can do is leave us a rating and review wherever you listen to your podcasts. We’re grateful to be hosting the Two Adoptive Mamas podcast for a third season!

Learn more about how you can support our ongoing work through our Patreon at twoadoptivemamas.com. As always, it’s been fun! Until we meet again, remember, you’ve got this mama.

Support the show