Empowered to Connect Podcast

It's that time of year again - only this time - the 2020 version of 'that time of year' now involves Zoom, Covid Testing, quarantines and a whole host of other complications. 

That's why we joined forces with ETC Parent Trainer Jesse Faris  and Tona Ottinger to talk about how to prepare for the holidays before, during and after your interactions with family. Have no idea how to prep for meltdowns? Wondering how your kids are processing their time together? We've got you covered.

We've also linked a blog here below that was written a few years ago (pre-Covid) that could be some help as well - check it out! 

https://empoweredtoconnect.org/tis-the-season/

We'll be taking a break for a few weeks as we celebrate the holiday season but we'll be back and better than ever in January!

Merry Christmas and Happy holidays!

It's the Holiday Season - time for spending too much, eating too much and reaching our wit's end as we attempt to 'just survive' this season with our kids! Just me? 

This year, let's change our mindset as we go into the home stretch of the holiday season and talk about how we can thrive as families (and individuals). We've got ETC Parent Trainer Jesse Faris and Mo and Tona Ottinger on to talk about some simple practices, reminders and tips to help your family thrive through the holidays!

To learn more about ETC, check out empoweredtoconnect.org, like us on Facebook or follow us on Instagram!

If you don't follow the YouTube channel 'Yes I'm Adopted, Don't Make it Weird' you'll want to do that right away after hearing from our guests today. Brett Carleton and Dave Overholser join us to talk about the creation of their popular YouTube channel and Facebook page, a common bond as adult Asian adoptees, some of the things you should never say to someone who's been adopted and some of the things their parents did that made a huge difference as they grew up. 

Dave O and Brett also dive into the idea of neuroplasticity and the hope it brings. You're going to love this episode!

November is National Adoption Awareness Month (NAAM) -To read the history of NAAM, click here. 

For those most impacted by adoption - adoptees - the month of November can be a time that brings up a wide array of emotions. So in staying true to our mission here at Empowered to Connect we are spending the month of November listening to the hearts and stories of adoptees who are part of transracial families.  

To learn more about ETC, check out empoweredtoconnect.org, like us on Facebook or follow us on Instagram!

This week we continue our series on transracial adoption with Psychologist and Adult Adoptee Dr. Chaitra Wirta-Leiker.

Dr. Wirta-Leiker is a Psychologist, Author, Speaker, Adoptee, Adoptive Parent and overall powerhouse voice in the conversation on transracial adoption worldwide. Her resource page, linked here, is one of the best collections you will find of research based resources on transracial adoption for adoptees and parents alike.  

Dr. Wirta Leiker talks about everything from the Adoptee Hierarchy of Needs to advice she has as a professional, adoptee and adoptive parent for those in any seat at the table of conversation around adoption! You'll want to take notes (and budget to buy all of the resources she's got on her website), we hope you enjoy today's episode!

November is National Adoption Awareness Month (NAAM) -To read the history of NAAM, click here. 

For those most impacted by adoption - adoptees - the month of November can be a time that brings up a wide array of emotions. So in staying true to our mission here at Empowered to Connect we are spending the month of November listening to the hearts and stories of adoptees who are part of transracial families.  

To learn more about ETC, check out empoweredtoconnect.org, like us on Facebook or follow us on Instagram!

As we continue our series on transracial adoption, we've got one of our favorite voices on the subject, Rhonda Mae Roorda!

Rhonda is a fund manager for an educational advocacy organization in Lansing MI, and the co-author of four landmark books on transracial adoption: In Their Own Voices, In Their Parents' Voices, In Their Siblings Voices, and In Their Voices: Black Americans on Transracial Adoption - the books are unequivocally essential reading on the topic of transracial adoption and you can buy them here. 

Rhonda shares her story with us and walks us through the history of transracial adoption in America, her own experience as an adult adoptee and her hope for the future as a result of what she's learned (as well as her work consulting on the critically acclaimed TV show "This Is Us", no big deal). Trust us - you will want to make the time to listen through this entire episode!

November is National Adoption Awareness Month (NAAM) -To read the history of NAAM, click here. 

For those most impacted by adoption - adoptees - the month of November can be a time that brings up a wide array of emotions. So in staying true to our mission here at Empowered to Connect we are spending the month of November listening to the hearts and stories of adoptees who are part of transracial families.  

To learn more about ETC, check out empoweredtoconnect.org, like us on Facebook or follow us on Instagram!

November is National Adoption Awareness Month (NAAM) -To read the history of NAAM, click here. 

For those most impacted by adoption - adoptees - the month of November can be a time that brings up a wide array of emotions. So in staying true to our mission here at Empowered to Connect we are spending the month of November listening to the hearts and stories of adoptees who are part of transracial families.  

Today, Ramya Gruneisen and her dear friends the Hamms (who are ETC Parent Trainers in St. Louis, MO.) join us to talk about growing up in a white family as a person of color, the work needed to be done as white parents to create a safe environment in a transracial home and so much more. 

To read Ramya's article on why adoption may not be for everyone, click here

To learn more about the Hamms and their work in St. Louis, click here

To learn more about ETC, check out empoweredtoconnect.org, like us on Facebook or follow us on Instagram!