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After a season of grief, rest, and healing, Iris returns with renewed purpose to Adoptees in Arms, the podcast dedicated to encouragement, honest storytelling, and faith-filled conversations for adoptees and those who love them.

This fall, Iris opens up about the loss of her father and how it connects with adoption grief, while also launching Roots and Branches, a special series for National Adoption Awareness Month. In these episodes, fellow adoptees share where they’ve come from, who they’re becoming, and how they’re finding hope along the way.

Whether you’ve been listening from the beginning or are just joining in, this podcast is a safe place to explore identity, belonging, and healing. Together, we’re removing shame from our stories.

Subscribe now so you don’t miss an episode—and step into this journey of faith, healing, and community.

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In this episode of Adoptees in Arms, I open up about a deeply personal experience—one that almost silenced me. A Facebook post challenged my voice, my truth, and my purpose, leaving me questioning whether sharing my adoptee journey was worth the pain. But through faith, reflection, and the encouragement of those who believe in me, I found the courage to keep speaking.

If you've ever faced negativity for sharing your truth, this episode is for you. Let’s talk about resilience, purpose, and the power of our voices in the face of criticism.

Plus, I’m excited to introduce the Faith Collective for Truth and Healing in Adoption, a space dedicated to faith-driven conversations about adoption. Learn more at adoptionfaithcollective.org.

Let’s keep this conversation going—send me a message or share your experiences. And if this episode resonates with you, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs to hear it.

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The adoption reunion experience is complicated and brings with it its own set of challenges. Join me as I unpack key moments from the Kirk Franklin documentary, “Father’s Day.” If you need help understanding the complexities of this journey and finding peace when you’re missing pieces, this episode is for you.

Connect with Iris:

• Join our online community, Adoptees in Arms

• Instagram

• Facebook

Connect with Iris

Find Community at: Adoptees in Arms

Follow us on Instagram

Send us a text

 What happens when you get too dependent or too attached to the opinions, the feedback, or expectations of others? I've often spoken of people pleasing, but what about when we take things personally?

Welcome to this new season of Adoptees in Arms where we help adult adoptees find hope and peace in God's word.

Join me in this episode where I simply encourage you to not take it personally.

Scripture Mentioned in This Episode:

Jeremiah 17:5 NKJV

Other Resources:

Our Website: AdopteesinArms.com

Known and Loved - YouVersion Bible Reading Plan

Connect with Iris

Find Community at: Adoptees in Arms

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How do we handle setbacks, disappointments, and unexpected losses?

Let me tell you, I have had my share of all of the above.

This journey is not easy, but I want to walk alongside you as you find the strength you need to trust God for whatever is next.

The new season of Adoptees in Arms will provide you with the insight and biblical wisdom that you need to navigate any difficult season you may face.

Episode 1 releases on Thursday, September 7th. Make sure to follow so you don't miss a single  episode.

I am excited about finding hope and healing in God's word.

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As we conclude the month of February, National Heart Health Month, I desire to encourage you with a message straight from my heart. If you have been hurt or wounded on this journey, don’t expect your healing to come at the hands of those who wounded you. I want to invite you to lay your cares down at the feet of Jesus–all of your cares, those spoken and those tucked away in the crevices of your mind.

Allow HIs perfect love to restore you and heal you everywhere you hurt.

Trust me, He is well able to do that.

 Scripture Resources:

"O Lord, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off." - Psalm 139:1-2 NKJV

"The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying: “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you." Jeremiah 31:3 NKJV

"Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.'" Matthew 13: 45-46 NKJV

Let's Connect:

Website | Instagram | Join our private Facebook Community

Download this free resource: 10 Scriptures to Pray in the Face of Rejection

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When I was prompted by Holy Spirit to shift the podcast from Hidden Jewels to Adoptees in Arms, one of the first people I talked to was my best friend since 4th grade, Debra Cheek. She made a statement that was also recently shared by a faithful listener, “Iris, we need to hear your story!”

I pondered her statement for several weeks before I asked her if she would interview me as a way of kicking off the conversation through the Adoptees in Arms podcast. Without hesitation, she agreed. 

In this episode with the Believing Wife, Debra Cheek, we share a candid conversation about my adoption story. 

Connect with Iris:

NEW Online Community, Adoptees in Arms

Instagram

Facebook

Free Resource: Known and Loved, a 4-Day YouVersion Bible Reading Plan for Adult Adoptees

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https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/34124-known-and-loved-a-4-day-devotional-for-adult"So, you're called to podcast, huh?"

"Who's going to want to hear what you have to say?"

"You're gonna talk about what?"

These are the internal questions that I have battled for over a year and the answers to these questions have led me to this moment--

Welcome to the first episode of the newly relaunched Adoptees in Arms podcast.

I am so excited that you are here!

In this episode, I will share why we pivoted and made the change from Hidden Jewels to Adoptees in Arms. 

Connect with Iris:

• NEW Online Community, Adoptees in Arms
• Instagram
• Facebook

Finding Hope & Peace:

Here are some of the things I talked about in this episode:

• The power of using our voice
• The importance of community
• Why advocacy is so important to me

Here are some of the things I talked about in this episode:

Quotes:

"I was not given up for adoption because I did something wrong, but because there was a greater purpose God desired to fulfill in my life." - Iris P. Bryant

"I finally know where my voice belongs, and that has made all the difference." - Iris P. Bryant

Links and Resources:

Sheryl Lee Ralph's Acceptance Speech

Want to listen to my podcast episodes on people-pleasing? Check out Confessions of a Recovering People Pleaser and More Confessions of a Recovering People-Pleaser.

Be sure to also check out my book How I Got Over:An Overcomer's Anthology

Known and Loved: A 4-Day YouVersion Bible Reading Plan for Adult Adoptees

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For the past year, our church, Love and Faith Christian Fellowship, has been going through a preparation for new leadership. 2002 has been considered the year of shifting for us in ministry. I understood that and embraced it.

However, it just dawned on me that it is also a time of shifting as it relates to the ministry assignment of Hidden Jewels. 

This is the final episode of Hidden Jewels, but I will continue podcasting, just with a new name and a new mission.

It is my prayer that you will be encouraged as you cross over into the new that God has prepared for you. 

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We are still elevating the voices of adult adoptees in our series "Adopted and Healed." Today I have the opportunity to speak with Kristen Yates is a Transracial Afrolatina Adoptee. She loves to find ways of being creative, capture a moment in a photo and enjoy making memories with those I love. She has an extensive background with adolescents and a degree in Psychology. She has recently changed direction in her career by working with young adults where she coaches and mentors them through various life situations.

She will be releasing a workshop in 2023, which is designed to equip adoptive parents and provide productive tools through a biblical worldview.

She is passionate about educating Adoptive parents while seeing Adoptees spiritually healed from Adoption Trauma through the power of Holy Spirit. She is married with four kids and they currently reside in Tennessee. 

This episode will bring healing and deliverance to those who desire a closer relationship with God or who just desire to have peace in their lives.

It's not just for adoptees. It is for anyone who wants to know what real peace feels like.

Connect with Kristen on Instagram

Visit her website

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