In the very first episode of 'Flourishing and Adoption and Beyond,' host Francine Apy celebrates the podcast's launch on her birthday, marking it as a significant milestone. With over 25 years in HR leadership, 30 years as an adoptive mom, and starting a Master's in Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) at UPenn, Francine introduces her mission to elevate adoption conversations through her company, SoulFilling. She discusses the PERMA Model from positive psychology, outlining the five key elements of flourishing: Positive Emotions, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment. Francine emphasizes the importance of addressing both the joys and complexities of adoption, aiming to offer practical tools, research insights, and personal stories. The podcast promises short, 10-20 minute-long meaningful episodes to help listeners not just survive, but thrive in their adoption journeys (and beyond)!