Open Adoption Project

Open Adoption Project

By Lanette & Shaun NelsonSociety & CultureRelationshipsParentingKids & Family
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Open Adoption Project episodes

  • Intentional Cultural Connections with Robert Reese
    In this episode we hear from Robert Reese. Robert was adopted from South Korea as an infant, and was raised in the United States. When he was 16, he began searching for his birth mom. He shares what searching was like for him, and how his adoptive parents supported him in that endeavor. He also discusses racial and cultural mirrors and thoughts regarding how the adoption community can support adoptees in their different experiences.
    47 min
  • The Adoption Constellation with Professor Michael Grand
    In this episode, we hear from Professor Michael Grand, the father of the term “adoption constellation.” Professor Grand shares highlights from his academic career as a psychology professor in and researcher who spent years studying a myriad of aspects relating to adoption. He discusses his professional research and his personal experience as a step-adoptee, and the importance of openness and connection. He also discusses the importance of adoptees’ constellations, including grandparents, friends, ecclesiastic leaders, and others who impact adoptee perspectives and identities. Professor Grand’s book, “The Adoption Constellation,” is available on Amazon.
    1 hr 6 min
  • Boundaries with Hopscotch Songs
    Joanna Pace, a teacher and adoptive parent, shares lessons she’s learned about helping children set boundaries, and what led her to write the “Setting Boundaries” song with her musician husband and partner at Hopscotch Songs. She talks about how parents can help children advocate for their safety and why boundaries matter, both in the adoption world and beyond.
    39 min
  • Challenging the “Lucky Adoptee” Narrative with Allison Olson
    Adoptee Allison Olson, author of the children’s book “Surrounded by Love,” discusses the impact of the “lucky adoptee” narrative and adoptee wellness. The vast spectrum of what “open adoption” means and how openness impacts experiences across the adoption constellation are subjects Allison is well-versed in. She discusses the importance of adoptee access to their own original birth certificates, the differences she’s seen on adoptee wellness when open adoption is practiced. Allison is now also an adoptive parent and shares how her experience as an adoptee impacted that journey as well. Follow her on social media @kidsbooksbyallisonolson, find her book on Amazon, and visit her website ouradoptionbooks.com
    1 hr 1 min
  • The Complexities of Adoption with Eileen Skahill

    In this episode we hear from Eileen Skahill, an adoptee and academic who studies adoption. She shares her experiences and perspectives and also discusses a current research project she’s working on.

    Are you and adoptee that is interested in participating in Eileen's current research? If so, please contact her at [email protected]

    1 hr 8 min
  • “I Just Wanted to Know She’d Be Okay” with Lauren Eisenhauer

    Lauren Eisenhauer is a birth mom who placed her daughter for adoption 18 years ago, and maintained contact throughout her daughter’s childhood. She talks about her experience choosing adoption as a teenager, and what that looked like, including naming her daughter with the adoptive parents and making choices about what she wanted things to look like. She talks about shame and stigma as well as the importance of therapy. She shares thoughts on open adoption relationships transitioning into adulthood as well.

    1 hr
  • The Power of Connection with Patrick Hawes

    Patrick Hawes, an adoptee raised in a multicultural home, shares his experience being adopted as an infant and reuniting with his biological mom later in life. He shares different struggles that came with not talking about adoption in the home and the healing that came with finding his family.

    Sign up for our newsletter here, apply for free assistance using DNA to find your biological family here.

    1 hr 3 min
  • Navigating the Complexities of Adoptee Reunion with Heather Rodriguez

    In this episode, we discuss some of the complexities of adoptee reunion with Heather Rodriguez. Heather Rodriguez is an adoptee as well as a foster and adoptive parent. She shares raw experiences and emotions from her reunion experiences and her thoughts on adoptees’ need to connect with and understand their ancestry.

    1 hr 1 min
  • Search and Support
    In this episode, we hear thoughts about searching for one’s biological family from five adoptees– Sara Odacio, John Saintignon, Amanda Justice, Devanie Roberts, and Amy Wilkerson– including thoughts on preparing for potential outcomes, support, self-care, and connecting. Devanie Roberts, an adoptee who we talked to on the show in March, is going to select a few adoptees to help in the search for their biological families for upcoming episodes. If you know of someone who would like to apply to be one of the adoptees she helps on our show, click here. A link to a study cited in the episode can be found here. Also, if you’re interested, sign up for our monthly newsletter here.
    35 min

About Open Adoption Project

From the publisher's feed

This podcast is about connecting. It's about growing. It's about stretching. In society nowadays, it's easy to fall into echo chambers. This is not an echo chamber. Open Adoption Project is a…

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