Adopt Well Podcast

Imagine your child is 16, 25, or even 59 years old and reading your timeline - is there anything you would change? Social media has such potential for good, but with that comes a downside too. Knowing how to share (or not share) your child's story well takes some navigating! In this episode we will give you some things to think about before you post and share some tips for navigating online groups. Our kids stories, and their birth family's story, is not ours to share. None of us post anything with malintent, but if there are regrets we can prevent you from, we want to! We are sharing from lessons learned along the way, because we are right here learning with you! We hope this offers practical guidance. Connect with us: www.AdoptWell.com @AdoptWell [email protected]

Are you new to the adoption process? The home study is one of the first things hopeful adoptive parents check off the list.

The idea of someone coming to "study your home" can feel a bit intimidating, but it doesn't have to be! We sat down with a licensed clinical social worker, Erin Nasmyth, and she answered all of our questions and then some. We talked about things like:

• What to expect when a social worker comes to your house.
• What happens if you move?
• Who actually sees the home study?

Erin offered such practical guidance, we hope it's helpful!

She is also the Executive Director of Adoption Support Alliance in Charlotte, NC. They provide families with three key services: classes, community and counseling. Learn more at www.adoptionsupportalliance.org.

Connect with us:

www.AdoptWell.com

@AdoptWell

[email protected]

Dr. Lucretia Berry from Brownicity: Many HUES. One HUEmanity! offers such a rich understanding of race and ethnicity. From discussing our subconscious biases to the historical man-made constructs of race, this conversation is loaded with topics to ponder and practical ways to discuss skin color with our kids. If you are a hopeful adoptive family open to adding a child from a different racial category to your family, this episode is a great tool for you to further understand what it means to be a multi-ethnic family. If you are already part of a multi-ethnic family, this episode gives language to so many thoughts or feelings you may have experienced. Get to know Lucretia on instagram at @LucretiaBerry and @Brownicity Connect with us: www.AdoptWell.com @AdoptWell [email protected]

Did you know you can adopt and give birth to the same baby? It's called embryo adoption!

Tune in to hear more about logistics, as well as a very personal story of what embryo adoption now looks like for one family.

Rebekah Heilman sat down with us to give us a peek into her life as an adoptive Mama through embryo adoption. Rebekah's daughters have an open relationship with some members of their biological family.

If you have adopted embryos or are considering it - this podcast is packed with practical topics.

Ready to learn more about embryo adoption? Visit https://www.quiverfulladoptions.com/embryo.

Connect with us:

www.AdoptWell.com

@AdoptWell

[email protected]

Adoption is a big deal in the church, as it should be. As Christians, we believe that we should strive to do things well - and ethically. We sat down with Shane and Kasi Pruitt to discuss adoption and christianity.

Shane and Kasi are parents to five cute kiddos, three of whom joined their family through adoption. With years of Biblical study and ministerial careers, the Pruitt's have a clear understanding of what the Bible says about adoption.

This podcast covers topics like:

- "adoption is the gospel"

- "you were always meant to be in our family"

- and things you should (and maybe shouldn't) pray for.

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If you enjoyed today's episode, check out Shane's newest book - 9 Common Lies Christian Believe.

Connect with us:

www.AdoptWell.com

@AdoptWell

[email protected]

Today we chatted with a good friend of ours, Sharday Dufresne. Shar is a transracial adoptee who grew up in a closed adoption. She has spent the last year walking through reunion with members of her birth family, and today she was kind enough to share some of the ups and downs of that journey with us. This episode is especially valuable to adult adoptees who are considering reunification and offers adoptive parents a peak into what their child may experience. Sharday Dufresne: @shardayrenee Amy Bagwell: @ahbagwell Macie Perreault: @adoptwell Before you go, please leave an honest review & share your thoughts on social media with #AdoptWellPodcast. www.AdoptWell.com

Today one of our hosts, Amy Bagwell, is sharing about her experience in adopting a toddler. She briefly tells her story, then gives many valuable tips for adding a toddler or adolescent to your family. She talks about surviving the first night home, finding an adoption competent pediatrician, cocooning, and more. We hope you will feel prepared & armed with helpful tips after this episode.

This episode will be valuable to those who are open to adopting a toddler or adolescent, and even to foster parents.

Amy Bagwell:

@ahbagwell

Macie Perreault:

@adoptwell

Before you go, please leave an honest review & share your thoughts on social media with #AdoptWellPodcast.

www.AdoptWell.com

In this episode, we talk with Christa Jordan about navigating a closed adoption. Her son Kai joined their family by way of international adoption from Japan at five months old. We discuss the struggles and complexities of a closed adoption, as well as some practical tips to navigate it all. If you are an adoptive parent or adoptee who finds yourself in a closed or semi closed adoption where limited information is accessible, this episode will be helpful for you! Christa is also the author of the Before You Adopt workbook. If you're considering adoption, this is a valuable resource. Learn more at www.spoonfulofjordan.com/shop We would love to connect with you on social media: Christa Jordan: @spoonfulofjordanblog Macie Perreault: @adoptwell Amy Bagwell: @ahbagwell Before you go, please leave an honest review and share your thoughts on social media with #AdoptWellPodcast. www.AdoptWell.com

A note from your hosts: Content in this podcast may be triggering due to circumstances around placing a child for adoption.

In this episode, we talk with Ashley Mitchell about the grief cycle of a birth mother. As a birth mother of 13 years, her vulnerability and transparency is refreshing and so helpful to so many of us in the adoption community.

Understanding what a birth mother experiences after placing her child with another family is a key piece of education for each member of the triad, and for those hoping to adopt.

Ashley is the owner of Lifetime Healing LLC and is on mission to increase care, understanding, and resources for birth mothers across the country.

We would love to connect with you on social media:

Ashley Mitchell:

@bigtoughgirl

@lifetimehealingllc

Macie Perreault:

@adoptwell

@mrsperreault

Amy Bagwell:

@toddleradoption

@ahbagwell

Before you go, please leave an honest review and share your thoughts on social media with #AdoptWellPodcast.

www.AdoptWell.com

Welcome to the first episode of the Adopt Well podcast! We're your hosts, Macie and Amy. Adopt Well is an educational community for those touched by adoption. In this brief episode, hear a bit about our story, how we became friends, and the heart behind the Adopt Well podcast. We'd love to get to know you! Connect with us on social media: Macie: @AdoptWell @MrsPerreault Amy: @toddleradoption @ahbagwell Before you go, please leave an honest review and share your thoughts on social media with #AdoptWellPodcast. www.AdoptWell.com