Adoption is often painted as a beautiful, selfless act, but what happens when we look beneath the surface? In this deeply honest and eye-opening conversation, Anna Bernacki sits down with birth mother advocate Jessie Mattos to unpack the ethical complexities that many families never see coming. From hidden coercion to overlooked birth mother support, this episode challenges the narratives that have shaped adoption for decades.

Jessie brings nearly a decade of experience and her own lived story to shed light on what truly ethical adoption should look like. She shares powerful insights into red flags adoptive parents must watch for, the emotional realities birth mothers face, and why centering the adoptee is essential for long-term healing. This isn’t just about doing adoption “right” it’s about confronting uncomfortable truths so that children, birth parents, and adoptive families can all thrive.

If you’re considering adoption, already parenting through it, or simply want a more honest understanding of its impact, this episode will change the way you think and feel about adoption forever.

What You’ll Learn:

• The biggest red flags and green flags when choosing an adoption agency
• How subtle coercion shows up in adoption (and why it matters)
• Why open adoption should be the standard—not the exception
• The lifelong impact of adoption language on adoptee identity
• How adoptive parents can build trust and security through relationships
• The truth about birth mothers and breaking harmful stereotypes
• Why “love isn’t the reason” behind placement decisions

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