Thriving Adoptees - Let's Thrive

Some believe that some kids and adults broken. That's downright demoralising, depressing and disheartening. There's no hope. Listen in as Morganne brings hope as we explore life beyond fear, finding new identities and more.

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https://jri.org/

Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

Some say change is hard. What if believing that is keeping us stuck? Even if it's change for the better? What if we were open to change? Held our expectations more loosely? Questioned our beliefs more? Saw that our beliefs are made of thoughts so we can see them crumble? Listen in as we dive into changing expectations, giving up regrets and coming to a greater understanding.

Irene Steffas is the founder of St. Nick’s Kids and served as the agency’s first Executive Director from 2019 to 2024. Currently, she is the Director of Domestic Adoptions and Global Development, where she assumes a variety of services. Irene established St. Nick’s Kids to provide comprehensive adoption services for children, birth parents, and adoptive families. Licensed to practice law in Georgia and Florida, Irene has dedicated over 40 years of her legal career to complex intercountry and domestic adoptions. Her professional expertise is deeply personal, as she and her husband are proud parents of two sons, one of which is adopted. Fluent in both Greek and English, Irene brings a global perspective to her work. She believes her efforts are guided by a higher purpose, describing herself as a tool witnessing God’s hand at work. Through her leadership and dedication, Irene continues to make a profound impact on children and families worldwide.

Find out more at:

https://snkinc.org/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555386085410

https://www.linkedin.com/in/irene-steffas-b4a22317/

Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

If we want adoptees to thrive, adoptive parents and birth parents all need to thrive. Listen in as we dive into thriving across the adoption triad. And how openness helps us thrive.

Adoptive mother Linda R. Sexton is an open adoption pioneer who seeks to educate on today’s practice of open adoption where the biological parents and adoptive families know each other and remain in contact after the adoption is finalized.

https://www.lindarsexton.com/

https://www.facebook.com/lindarsextonauthor#

https://www.instagram.com/lindarsextonauthor/

https://x.com/lindarsexton

Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

Guilt is feeling bad about what we've done. Shame is feeling bad about who we are. And it's the feeling that fuels imposter syndrome. What if there was another way? Listen in as adoptive mother Anna talks about owning our own story WITHOUT shame.

Anna Schocket, a single adoptive mother, embarked on a heartfelt journey to pen this book as a way to open a dialogue about adoption with her young daughter.

With a career as a senior executive in Talent Development, Anna leveraged her learning background and her belief in the power of teachable moments to create a meaningful resource for other adoptive and nontraditional families.

Anna and her daughter thrive together in Oakland, California.

Here's the link to her kickstarter 

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1640715224/the-heart-that-found-you-childrens-picture-book?ref=diwwpj

Find out more about Anna and her book here:

 https://www.netgalley.com/widget/915622/redeem/a676056001beb20d9eaa66425ec10ca911497ff86a19cee3c4282df828a32249

https://annaschocket.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/annaschocket/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575153751146#

Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

Are you looking for more ease and flow in your life? Who isn't? Listen in adoptive mother and coach Francine shares her insights on flow helps us thrive. We also explore how meaning enriches our lives.

Here's a bit about Francine from her website:

Adoption is a way some of us are called to grow our families, and I’m here to support that journey however I can.

I’m Francine Apy, an adoptive mom of three, a writer, speaker, and coach who believes in the power of encouragement, clarity, and faith to move us forward. SoulFilling reflects not just my story, but a calling: to help others walk their own adoption path with perspective, purpose, and an open heart.

Here's a link to her website https://www.soulfillingadoption.com/

Connect with on social media at:

https://www.instagram.com/soulfilling_by_francine_apy/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/francine-apy-4310b7221/

https://www.youtube.com/@SoulFillingAdoption

Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

Left for dead in a war zone. Now Jackson Terkeurst is speaking to the world. Listen in as this truly inspirational adoptee shares what helped move from stuck to thriving. 

Jackson is an entrepreneur and leader who continues to defy the odds as a first-generation immigrant from West Africa who owns and runs a small business. The adopted son of bestselling author and speaker Lysa TerKeurst, Jackson is passionate about drawing together people from diverse backgrounds to experience authentic community. He lives with his wife and their two children outside Nashville, Tennessee.

https://www.facebook.com/jackson.terkeurst

https://www.instagram.com/jacksonterkeurst_/?hl=en

https://www.jacksonterkeurst.com/

Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

If we always do what we've always done, we'll always get what we've always got. We need new solutions if we are going to move forward with the tough stuff. Listen in as Kelly shares learnings on persistence, creativity and much more.

Kelly Henderson, Ph.D. is Executive Director of Formed Families Forward.

A special educator by profession, Kelly is a former public school teacher of students with emotional and behavioral disorders, and has worked in national and federal special education policy and research settings. Kelly’s family is formed in part through public foster care and adoption. Her young adult sons have a range of learning, behavioral, medical and cognitive disabilities. Pulling from her personal lived and professional experiences, Kelly consults with and trains adoptive, foster and kinship families and professional partners on special education and related topics. She also serves on numerous advisory boards and committees.

Kelly earned a Ph.D. in Special Education from the University of Maryland College Park and served as an Executive Branch Policy fellow for the Society for Research in Child Development. In addition to her work at FFF, Kelly serves as part-time instructional faculty at George Mason University, training special education teachers. Kelly believes that when formed families have information and tools to advocate for critical educational services, their children and youth experience improved academic, social emotional, and behavioral outcomes.

We are a family-led nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting foster, kinship, and adoptive families of children and youth with disabilities and other special needs. We offer critical resource tools to empower families to advocate for better special education, behavioral health and other services for the children in their care. Services to Northern Virginia parents, caregivers and family-serving professionals include training and events, peer supports, resource navigation and parenting and youth classes.

Formed Families Forward’s mission is to improve developmental, educational, social, emotional and post-secondary outcomes for children and youth with disabilities and other special needs through provision of information, training and support to adoptive and foster parents, and kinship caregivers.

https://formedfamiliesforward.org/

https://www.facebook.com/FormedFamiliesForward

https://www.instagram.com/formedfamiliesforward/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAXmFiDD2phNTeRJ9PBqBAg

Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

How do we grow? What kind of environment helps us grow? How do we harness our mistakes for growth? Listen in to this empowering, metaphor rich dive into all things growth. Powerful and insightful. Just as we love our episodes here on Thriving Adoptees.

Jenifer Jarriel is Board President & Chief Executive Officer of Depelchin. Jesse Booher is Chief Operations Officer and Senior VP. 

DePelchin Children’s Center supports and sustains children and the families who care for them. Some of our programs, such as parenting classes and counseling, preserve and strengthen families. Other services, such as foster care and adoption, ensure children have the care and support they need to overcome trauma, both now and in the future. Our work is driven by our belief that all children should be part of safe, loving homes.

DePelchin has been serving children and families in the Houston area since our founding in 1892. Our programs and services have evolved throughout our history, but our commitment to helping children has never changed. Today we also provide services in and around Austin, Lubbock and San Antonio, and we gratefully receive support from individuals, foundations, corporations, and government grants.

Find out more at:

https://www.depelchin.org

https://www.facebook.com/depelchin

https://www.instagram.com/depelchinchildrenscenter/

Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

FASD is caused by exposure to alcohol in utero. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder is a neurodevelopmental condition with lifelong cognitive, emotional and behavioural challenges. Listen in as Brian shares his learnings on how families thrive with FASD.

Brian Is Director of Education & Well-being for the National Organisation for FASD and has been the lead author and co-ordinator for the Me & My FASD project and leads our training team. Brian has been a Local Authority foster carer for over 30 years. Along with his wife they have provided long term foster care for large sibling groups. They have been the Special Guardians of children that they previously looked after and currently can provide a home for three young people with FASD.

Brian has been Virtual School Head in two English Local Authorities and was one of the Virtual Heads who was on the Department for Children, Schools and Families national pilot. He was also closely involved in national pilots on One to One Tuition, Multi-Therapeutic Treatment Foster Care and the Assisted Boarding School Pathfinder.

He trained and practiced as a teacher for over 25 years His experience covers Humanities Education, Careers Education and Guidance, Young People’s Voice and Leadership and he was England’s only Advanced Skills Teacher for Enterprise Education.

www.nationalfasd.org.uk

www.fasd.me

www.preventfasd.info

https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-roberts-b082a361

https://www.facebook.com/NationalFASD

https://x.com/NationalFASD

Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

How does lifelong learning help us show up better with our families, friends and the rest of the world. Dr Rick's passion is palpable. Listen in as we dive into his learnings from raising 3 kids adopted internationally and a huge Italian Mastif. Humility, self awareness and God play their part in a great episode. We both hope you love it.

As Vice President of Engagement, Rick Morton shepherds the ministry’s outreach to individual, church, and organizational ministry partners as well as the ministry’s commitment to publishing resources that aid families and churches in discipling orphans and vulnerable children. Prior to Lifeline, Rick served for 15 years as a college and seminary professor, and he also served local churches in Tennessee, Louisiana, and Mississippi. He is an accomplished writer and sought after speaker. Most notably, Rick is the co-author of the popular Orphanology: Awakening to Gospel-centered Adoption and Orphan Care and the author of KnowOrphans: Mobilizing the Church for Global Orphanology. Rick and his lovely wife Denise have been married for over 32 years, and they have 3 children, all of whom joined their family through international adoption. God has continued to grow their family, and he now enjoys the role of “Doc” to his precious granddaughter!

More at:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/drrickmorton/

https://www.facebook.com/lifelinechild

https://lifelinechild.org/

https://www.instagram.com/lifelinechild/

https://twitter.com/lifelinechild

https://vimeo.com/lifelinechild

Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.