The Adoption Roadmap Podcast

This episode is unlike any adoption conversation we’ve had before.

Angela’s story begins with impossible odds: born two months premature, weighing barely three pounds, surviving life-threatening medical complications, and spending the first months of her life fighting to stay alive. But what unfolds after that is a story about far more than survival. It’s about identity, belonging, race, reunion, resilience, and the power of choosing your own narrative.

In this episode, Rebecca sits down with Angela H. Legg, speaker, communication expert, and adoptee, for a deeply honest and at times controversial conversation about what it meant to grow up as a Black adoptee raised by a white single mother in the 1980s.

This conversation explores interracial adoption, reunion, family dynamics, identity, healing, and the complexity of navigating two very different worlds — all through Angela’s unapologetically authentic perspective.

Whether you agree with every viewpoint shared or not, this episode invites you to think more deeply about adoption, perspective, personal responsibility, and the narratives we choose to carry.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Angela surviving impossible medical odds after being born premature

• Growing up as a Black child in a white family and predominantly white communities

• The difference between race and culture — and how Angela views both

• Navigating identity, belonging, and societal expectations as an adoptee

• Angela’s reunion story with her biological sister, mother, and father

• What Angela wishes adoptive parents understood about raising adopted children

• Why honesty, vulnerability, and freedom shaped her relationship with her adoptive mother

About Angela:Angela H. Legg is a speaker, communication expert, sales strategist, and leadership coach who helps executives, entrepreneurs, and creatives find and own their voice. Drawing from her extraordinary life story and background in sales, branding, and storytelling, Angela teaches people how to communicate with authenticity, confidence, and impact. Her work focuses on helping individuals and brands connect more deeply through narrative, identity, and human connection.

Connect with Angela: 

Website: https://bio.site/angelahlegg

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angelahlegg/

RG Adoption Consulting

Website → ⁠https://rgadoptionconsulting.com⁠ 

Book a Complimentary Adoption Strategy Session → ⁠https://rgadoptionconsulting.com/contact

Are You Ready to Adopt? Take the Quiz to Find Out → https://www.rgadoptionconsulting.com/quiz

Before you choose an agency, spend money, or move forward—start with these 10 honest conversations that will help you: https://www.rgadoptionconsulting.com/10-conversations-before-you-adopt 

Tune in to The Adoption Roadmap Podcast every Wednesday. If you like what you hear, I'd appreciate a follow, a 5-star rating & review! THANK YOU!

For questions about adoption, episode suggestions, or to appear as a guest on The Adoption Roadmap Podcast, email⁠⁠⁠⁠ [email protected]⁠⁠⁠

This episode will probably make some adoptive parents uncomfortable, and that’s exactly why you should listen.

Jade Amez grew up in a white family in the Midwest constantly being asked questions like:

“Where are you really from?”

“Do you know your real parents?”

“Aren’t you grateful you were adopted?”

And while most people thought they were “just being curious,” Jade explains what those questions actually feel like from the adoptee side.

In this conversation, Jade opens up about the moments that made her feel different, the subtle ways adoptive families can unintentionally erase culture, and why representation matters more than many parents realize. She also shares what happened when she reunited with her birth mother in Taiwan — and the complicated emotions that came with it.

This isn’t a conversation about being a “perfect” adoptive parent.

It’s a conversation about listening harder, asking better questions, and realizing that love alone doesn’t erase identity struggles.

If you’ve ever said:

“We don’t see color in our family,”

“She’s just like any other kid,”

or “I don’t want adoption to define them…”

…this episode may challenge you in ways you weren’t expecting.

In this episode:

• The adoption questions adoptees are exhausted from answering
• Why “Where are you really from?” hits differently than people think
• The subtle ways adoptive parents can unintentionally “whitewash” their children
• What Jade wishes her parents had done differently growing up
• The emotional reality of reconnecting with biological family
• Why adoptees don’t all feel the same way about adoption
• How books, culture, food, and representation shape identity

Connect with Jade:

Website: whereamifrombook.com

Follow Jade on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whereamifrombook/

RG Adoption Consulting

Website → ⁠https://rgadoptionconsulting.com⁠ 

Book a Complimentary Adoption Strategy Session→ ⁠https://rgadoptionconsulting.com/contact

Are You Ready to Adopt? Take the Quiz to Find Out: https://www.rgadoptionconsulting.com/quiz

Tune in to The Adoption Roadmap Podcast every Wednesday. If you like what you hear, I'd appreciate a follow, a 5-star rating & review! THANK YOU!

For questions about adoption, episode suggestions, or to appear as a guest on The Adoption Roadmap Podcast, email⁠⁠⁠⁠ [email protected]⁠⁠⁠

Why does your child’s behavior feel so hard… even when you’re trying to do everything right?

In adoption, behavior isn’t just behavior.

It’s layered with loss, attachment, and experiences that often go unseen.

And in the moments that feel the most overwhelming—when your child is melting down, shutting down, or pushing you away—it’s easy to wonder:

Am I handling this wrong?

In this episode, we’re breaking down what’s really happening beneath those moments—and how to respond in a way that actually builds trust and connection over time.

I’m joined by Jeanette Yoffe, adoptee, therapist, and founder of the Celia Center, who brings both lived experience and over 20 years of clinical work supporting adoptive families.

This conversation goes beyond surface-level parenting advice.

We talk about why behavior can feel so intense in adoptive families, how early experiences shape the way children relate to their parents, and what it really looks like to stay grounded when emotions run high.

If you’ve ever felt triggered, unsure, or like you’re not getting it “right,” this episode will meet you there—and give you a different way to move forward.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Why behavior in adopted children can feel more intense and personal
• What’s actually happening beneath meltdowns, shutdowns, and pushing away
• The difference between reacting vs. responding in high-stress moments
• What “co-regulation” really looks like in real life
• How trauma and early separation impact attachment and trust
• Why children often internalize blame—and how that shows up in behavior
• Recognizing when your child is emotionally younger than their age
• The 5 A’s framework and how to use it in everyday moments
• How to manage your own triggers so you can show up more consistently
• What helps build safety, connection, and long-term trust

About Jeanette:

Jeanette Yoffe is a licensed psychotherapist, adoptee, and founder of the Celia Center, a nonprofit supporting individuals and families impacted by adoption and foster care. With over two decades of experience, she specializes in attachment, trauma integration, and family healing. She is also the author of The Traumatized and At-Risk Youth Toolbox and creator of the YouTube channel Genetically Speaking, where she breaks down complex topics into practical, accessible tools for families.

Connect with Jeanette: https://www.jeanetteyoffe.com

Learn more about Celia Center: https://celiacenter.org

RG Adoption Consulting

Website → ⁠https://rgadoptionconsulting.com⁠ 

Book a 30-Minute Consult → ⁠https://rgadoptionconsulting.com/contact

Are You Ready to Adopt Your Baby Quiz: https://www.rgadoptionconsulting.com/quiz

Tune in to The Adoption Roadmap Podcast every Wednesday. If you like what you hear, I'd appreciate a follow, a 5-star rating & review! THANK YOU!

For questions about adoption, episode suggestions, or to appear as a guest on The Adoption Roadmap Podcast, email⁠⁠⁠⁠ [email protected]⁠⁠⁠

Adoption is often told as a beautiful, full-circle story.

But what happens when the story keeps unfolding decades later?

In this episode, Rebecca sits down with Niemah Scherlacher, whose adoption story spans cultures, religions, and nearly 60 years of unanswered questions. Born in Jerusalem to a Palestinian mother, placed in a Jewish orphanage, and adopted by a Christian American family—her story has always been described as a miracle.

Until the full truth came out.

This conversation goes beyond the surface of adoption and into what it actually means to live it—through childhood, adulthood, and the moments that reshape everything you thought you knew about your identity.

Because being chosen doesn’t erase being given up.

And love doesn’t cancel loss.

This is a deeper look at the lifelong emotional reality of adoption—and what adoptive parents need to understand if they want to truly support their child.

What We Cover:

• Why “you were chosen” isn’t the full story
• The emotional impact of uncovering your adoption story later in life
• How identity evolves at 5, 15, 35, and beyond
• The role of faith—and when it helps vs. shuts things down
• What adoptive parents often miss (and why it matters long-term)
• Why avoiding hard conversations creates more harm than good
• The complexity of growing up across cultures, religions, and histories
• How to support adoptees through grief, even when everything “looks good”

Resources:

Poem Mentioned: The Adoption Creed poem by Fleur Conkling Heyliger

Connect with Niemah: https://www.instagram.com/niemahanne_

RG Adoption Consulting

Website → ⁠https://rgadoptionconsulting.com⁠ 

Book a 30-Minute Consult → ⁠https://rgadoptionconsulting.com/contact

Are You Ready to Adopt Your Baby Quiz: https://www.rgadoptionconsulting.com/quiz

Tune in to The Adoption Roadmap Podcast every Wednesday. If you like what you hear, I'd appreciate a follow and 5-star rating & review! THANK YOU!

For questions about adoption, episode suggestions or to appear as a guest on The Adoption Roadmap Podcast, email⁠⁠⁠⁠ [email protected]⁠⁠⁠

You don’t expect the waiting to feel like this… until you’re in it.

Season four of The Adoption Roadmap opens with something that might feel a little surprising: joy.

Not the kind that ignores what’s hard.

The kind that shows up right in the middle of it.

In this episode, Rebecca resets the roadmap—so if you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, unsure where you are, or questioning if you’re doing this “right,” this is where you come back to center.

She also shares what this season is really about—what’s coming, the voices you’ll hear, and why some of these conversations might challenge the way you’ve been thinking about adoption.

Because adoption isn’t one story. It never has been.

And before you keep going on this path, there’s one idea you’re going to want to carry with you.

What You’ll Hear:

• A grounding look at where you are in the journey
• Why this season is centered around joy (and what that actually means)
• A perspective shift many adoptive parents don’t hear early enough
• A preview of what’s ahead this season

If you’re in the waiting, or anywhere on this path, this one is for you.

New episodes every Wednesday.

In this episode of the Adoption Roadmap Podcast, Rebecca recaps her rapid fire questions she asks every guest. They share personal stories and shout outs to individuals who have impacted their journeys, emphasizing the need for education and understanding in navigating adoption. The conversation also touches on the challenges faced by adoptive parents and the significance of maintaining curiosity about the experiences of adoptees.

Important Links

Brianna & Shay

Dr. Ellen Weber Libby

Jennifer Skiles

Tony Hynes

Connie Going

Ricky Watters

Raquel McCloud & Leah Outten

Genie Gillespie

Sydney Curtin

Max Weinberg

Michelle Madrid

RG Adoption Consulting

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Adoption Roadmap Podcast

01:10 Shout Outs: Influences in Adoption Journeys

02:54 Rapid Fire Round: Influential Figures in Adoption

05:38 Organizations Supporting Adoption and Birth Families

08:35 Personal Stories and Community Impact

12:37 Advice for Adoptive Parents

14:24 Navigating Challenges in Adoption

16:17 Curiosity and Understanding in Adoption

17:49 The Power of Love in Adoption

19:24 Building Relationships with Birth Parents

21:49 Patience and Understanding in the Adoption Journey

23:50 The Importance of Openness and Honesty

24:42 Embracing the Child's Past

26:53 Navigating Trauma in Adoption

29:29 The Transformative Nature of Adoption

31:54 Intentionality in Relationships

33:00 Understanding Temperament and Biology

35:00 Describing Adoption: Perspectives and Insights

Tune in to The Adoption Roadmap Podcast every Wednesday. If you like what you hear, I'd appreciate a follow and 5-star rating & review! THANK YOU!

For questions about adoption, episode suggestions or to appear as a guest on The Adoption Roadmap Podcast, email⁠⁠⁠⁠ [email protected]⁠⁠⁠

In Part 2 of this powerful conversation on The Adoption Roadmap Podcast, Rebecca Gruenspan continues her discussion with author, advocate, and adoptive mom Deborah Olivia Farmer.

Deborah opens up about raising her 14-year-old son as a single Black mother, navigating father-longing, bullying, identity, and the realities of preparing a Black boy for the world. She shares honestly about fear — not fear of race-based discrimination as much as fear of cruelty from peers — and how intentional parenting, community, and cultural pride shape her son’s confidence.

Important Links

RG Adoption Consulting

• Website → https://rgadoptionconsulting.com• Book a 30-Minute Consult → https://rgadoptionconsulting.com/contact

Deborah Farmer

• Website → https://www.myjourneytojoshua.com/• Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/fromfearstofamilies/

Our Chosen ChildVisit https://ourchosenchild.com and use code ROADMAP for $100 off the Social Media Plan & Post Program.

Chapters

00:00 Sponsor: Our Chosen Child
01:25 Fatherhood Longing & Open Adoption
04:20 Raising Black Boys & Representation
06:40 Bullying, Identity & Self-Awareness
09:00 Controlling Your Adoption Story
12:00 Breaking Fear in the Black Community
15:45 Why Representation in Marketing Matters
19:20 Becoming Cultural Ambassadors in Adoption
22:00 My Journey to Joshua
24:20 From Fears to Families
27:00 Affirmations & Moving Forward
28:30 Rapid Fire Questions

Tune in to The Adoption Roadmap Podcast every Wednesday. If you like what you hear, I'd appreciate a follow and 5-star rating & review! THANK YOU!

For questions about adoption, episode suggestions or to appear as a guest on The Adoption Roadmap Podcast, email⁠⁠⁠⁠ [email protected]⁠⁠⁠

In this episode of the Adoption Roadmap Podcast, Guest, Deborah Olivia Farmer shares her journey of adoption, motherhood, and the unique challenges faced by single black mothers. She discusses the importance of breaking stigmas surrounding adoption in the black community, the power of surrendering to life's plans, and the fears that come with raising a black son in today's world. The conversation emphasizes the need for more open discussions about adoption and the vital role of community support in the parenting journey.

Important Links

RG Adoption Consulting

• Website → https://rgadoptionconsulting.com

• Book a 30-Minute Consult → https://rgadoptionconsulting.com/contact

Deborah Olivia Farmer

→ https://www.myjourneytojoshua.com/

→ https://www.instagram.com/fromfearstofamilies/

Sweet Peach Tree

→ https://sweetpeachtree.com — use code ROADMAP10 for 10% off

Chapters

00:00 The Intersection of Love and Adoption

03:48 Finding Purpose in Adoption

06:54 The Power of Surrender

10:07 Facing Fears in Adoption

14:28 Breaking Stigmas in the Black Community

18:35 The Need for Black Families in Adoption

22:21 Normalizing Adoption Conversations

25:16 Navigating Fatherhood as a Single Mom

Tune in to The Adoption Roadmap Podcast every Wednesday. If you like what you hear, I'd appreciate a follow and 5-star rating & review! THANK YOU!

For questions about adoption, episode suggestions or to appear as a guest on The Adoption Roadmap Podcast, email⁠⁠⁠⁠ [email protected]⁠⁠⁠

In this episode of the Adoption Roadmap Podcast, Rebecca Gruenspan and Jennifer Morovic discuss the intricacies of creating an impactful adoption profile. The conversation covers overcoming insecurities about personal photos, the importance of emotional connections in profiles, and the rising trend of using video to enhance storytelling. Additionally, the episode delves into strategies for independent adoption, what to avoid in profiles, and the evolving language surrounding adoption. The discussion emphasizes the need for authenticity and emotional resonance in connecting with expectant parents.

Important Links

RG Adoption Consulting

• Website → https://rgadoptionconsulting.com

• Book a 30-Minute Consult → https://rgadoptionconsulting.com/contact

• Our Chosen Child - Use code ROADMAP for $100 off the Social Media Plan + Post Program.→ https://ourchosenchild.com

Chapters

00:00 Overcoming Photo Insecurities

06:30 Navigating Feedback in Profile Creation

10:50 Creating Emotional Connections in Profiles

15:41 The Rise of Video in Adoption Profiles

20:29 Independent Adoption Strategies

24:34 What to Avoid in Profiles

36:35 Final Thoughts and Rapid Fire Round

Tune in to The Adoption Roadmap Podcast every Wednesday. If you like what you hear, I'd appreciate a follow and 5-star rating & review! THANK YOU!

For questions about adoption, episode suggestions or to appear as a guest on The Adoption Roadmap Podcast, email⁠⁠⁠⁠ [email protected]⁠⁠⁠

In this episode of the Adoption Roadmap Podcast, host, Rebecca Gruenspan and guest, Jennifer Morovic discuss the complexities and evolution of adoption profiles, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and emotional connection in the profile creation process. They explore the frustrations many hopeful adoptive parents face when creating their profiles, the significance of quality photography, and the necessity of showcasing diversity in adoption profiles.

Important Links

RG Adoption Consulting

• Website → https://rgadoptionconsulting.com

• Book a 30-Minute Consult → https://rgadoptionconsulting.com/contact

• Our Chosen Child - Use code ROADMAP for $100 off the Social Media Plan + Post Program.→ https://ourchosenchild.com

Chapters

00:00 The Evolution of Adoption Profiles

04:30 Understanding the Frustration of Profile Creation

12:34 The Process of Creating an Adoption Profile

25:49 The Importance of Quality Photos

38:51 Diversity in Adoption Profiles

Tune in to The Adoption Roadmap Podcast every Wednesday. If you like what you hear, I'd appreciate a follow and 5-star rating & review! THANK YOU!

For questions about adoption, episode suggestions or to appear as a guest on The Adoption Roadmap Podcast, email⁠⁠⁠⁠ [email protected]⁠⁠⁠