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Private Practice "Apron Strings" (2012) – Adoption on the Small Screen
E012 | Private Practice "Apron Strings" (2012) – Adoption on the Small Screen
The Grey's Anatomy spinoff Private Practice followed OB/GYN Addison Montgomery for six seasons from 2007 until 2013, where she and a who's who of middle-aged eye-candy treated patients at an oceanside wellness center. In a case of art imitating life, Addison, like showrunner Shonda Rhimes, adopts a baby. But when baby Henry's mother comes back into his life after 8 months away, Addison's humanity is tested, along with the audience's ability to hold multiple truths at once.
Private Practice "Apron Strings" aired on November 20, 2012. It was written by Gabe Fonseca, Elizabeth Klaviter, and Gabriel Llanas; and directed by Amyn Kaderali.
Thank you Pop! Stars Gretchen and Lora for this episode recommendation.
This episode of Adoption Pop! aired on February 25, 2026. In it we discussed and/or relied upon:
In case you missed it: On Season 1 of Grey's Anatomy, Derek Shepherd ("McDreamy") was dating Meredith Grey. Then, in the Season 1 finale, his estranged wife Addison shows up. She meets Meredith and she says, "Hi. I'm Addison Shepherd." (Very dramatic). Then, in Season 2 we learn Addison had an extramarital affair with Derek's best friend, Mark Sloan ("McSteamy"), who also comes to work with them at the hospital. There will be a Pop! quiz later.
Actor Benjamin Bratt played Detective Rey Curtis on Law & Order Seasons 6-9. If Sullivan had a hall pass…
The Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) prioritizes keeping native children within their tribes and communities, over placement with non-native families.
"Shonda Rhimes: Women Need to Brag More," Call Her Daddy podcast (October 8, 2025)
"Oprah Talks to Shonda Rhimes," O Magazine (December 2006)
Rickie Solinger, Wake Up Little Suzy: Single Pregnancy and Race Before Roe v. Wade, 2nd edition (2000)
Ann Fessler, The Girls Who Went Away: The Hidden History of Women Who Surrendered Children for Adoption in the Decades Before Roe v. Wade (2007)
Gretchen Sisson, Relinquished: The Politics of Adoption and the Privilege of American Motherhood (2024)
The Adoption Pop! theme music is The Chase by Audiogreen.
We'd love to hear what you thought of this episode, and what you'd like for us to cover in the future. Find, follow, like, and subscribe to Adoption Pop! at our website, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and wherever you get your podcasts.
Podcast journalist Haley Radke is at adopteeson.com and on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
Filmmaker Kristal Parke is at kristalparke.net, on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.
Cultural critic Sullivan Summer is at sullivansummer.com, on Instagram, and on Substack.
Pop! quiz: Which Adoption Pop! cohost is the funniest? (a) Sullivan (b) Sullivan (c) Sullivan (d) Sullivan
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By Haley Radke, Kristal Parke, and Sullivan SummerE012 | Private Practice "Apron Strings" (2012) – Adoption on the Small Screen
The Grey's Anatomy spinoff Private Practice followed OB/GYN Addison Montgomery for six seasons from 2007 until 2013, where she and a who's who of middle-aged eye-candy treated patients at an oceanside wellness center. In a case of art imitating life, Addison, like showrunner Shonda Rhimes, adopts a baby. But when baby Henry's mother comes back into his life after 8 months away, Addison's humanity is tested, along with the audience's ability to hold multiple truths at once.
Private Practice "Apron Strings" aired on November 20, 2012. It was written by Gabe Fonseca, Elizabeth Klaviter, and Gabriel Llanas; and directed by Amyn Kaderali.
Thank you Pop! Stars Gretchen and Lora for this episode recommendation.
This episode of Adoption Pop! aired on February 25, 2026. In it we discussed and/or relied upon:
In case you missed it: On Season 1 of Grey's Anatomy, Derek Shepherd ("McDreamy") was dating Meredith Grey. Then, in the Season 1 finale, his estranged wife Addison shows up. She meets Meredith and she says, "Hi. I'm Addison Shepherd." (Very dramatic). Then, in Season 2 we learn Addison had an extramarital affair with Derek's best friend, Mark Sloan ("McSteamy"), who also comes to work with them at the hospital. There will be a Pop! quiz later.
Actor Benjamin Bratt played Detective Rey Curtis on Law & Order Seasons 6-9. If Sullivan had a hall pass…
The Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) prioritizes keeping native children within their tribes and communities, over placement with non-native families.
"Shonda Rhimes: Women Need to Brag More," Call Her Daddy podcast (October 8, 2025)
"Oprah Talks to Shonda Rhimes," O Magazine (December 2006)
Rickie Solinger, Wake Up Little Suzy: Single Pregnancy and Race Before Roe v. Wade, 2nd edition (2000)
Ann Fessler, The Girls Who Went Away: The Hidden History of Women Who Surrendered Children for Adoption in the Decades Before Roe v. Wade (2007)
Gretchen Sisson, Relinquished: The Politics of Adoption and the Privilege of American Motherhood (2024)
The Adoption Pop! theme music is The Chase by Audiogreen.
We'd love to hear what you thought of this episode, and what you'd like for us to cover in the future. Find, follow, like, and subscribe to Adoption Pop! at our website, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and wherever you get your podcasts.
Podcast journalist Haley Radke is at adopteeson.com and on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
Filmmaker Kristal Parke is at kristalparke.net, on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.
Cultural critic Sullivan Summer is at sullivansummer.com, on Instagram, and on Substack.
Pop! quiz: Which Adoption Pop! cohost is the funniest? (a) Sullivan (b) Sullivan (c) Sullivan (d) Sullivan