Thriving Adoptees - Let's Thrive

"Other people's opinions of us are none of our business." Winston Churchill. I love that quote. For me it's about doing what feels authentic to me. Being me. Doing me. I could never have imagined that the starting point for our conversation - stigma - was going to empower my advocacy. Make me bolder. Listen in and see where this episode takes you. 

About Becky's last interview...

Following failed and miscarriages Becky and her husband Kip adopted 2 girls who are now thriving teenagers. Listen in as Becky shares what she's learned - and continues to learn - for insights on how you can navigate your own journey as an adoptive parent. There are tonnes of insights into handling the tests our kids bring us, building relationships with birth parents and much, much more. Practical, relatable and insightful

Here's a link to it https://thriving-adoptees.simplecast.com/episodes/handling-tough-stuff-with-adoptive-mom-becky-fawcett

HelpUsAdopt.org, founded in 2007, is a national 501(c)(3) adoption grant program. HelpUsAdopt.org was founded by Becky and Kipp Fawcett as a response to their own personal adoption experience - they have 2 daughters -  in an effort to make adoption more feasible for all families. 

The organization is the only one of its kind in the United States that embodies all of the following criteria:

• awards large, life-changing and problem-solving grants up to $15,000
• supports all types of families (married couples, single parents and LGBT families)
• supports all types of adoptions (domestic, international, foster care)
• supports all types of religions, and does not require a statement of faith
• does not charge applicants to apply

Find out more at:

https://www.instagram.com/becky.fawcett/?hl=en

https://www.helpusadopt.org/

https://www.facebook.com/helpusadopt.org

https://www.instagram.com/helpusadopt/

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.

Do feel different? Less than? Do you deserve to thrive? Doug always felt different. But he didn't know he was adopted until he was 12. Listen as we dive into insights, sobriety and more in this profound and empowering episode.

Check out Doug's book - There Are More Like Me: Search, Reunion, and Synchronicity in Adoption here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/There-Are-More-Like-Synchronicity/dp/B0DYQJN7FK

Check him out on Substack here https://douglasbhenderson.substack.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.

Another episode with a difference courtesy of two ladies with huge hearts. Empathy for others in the adoption constellation is foundational to thriving and communication. Listen in as birth mother Laura and adoptee Hannah explore the path to empathy. 

Hannah Andrews  was born in Chicago and was adopted as an infant during the Baby Scoop Era. She was raised on a Midwestern farm with two older adoptee brothers. In 2018, a chance meeting with author birthmother  Laura Engel sent Hannah in search of her own history. She found more questions than answers, but found guidance and community from fellow triad members. She joined the AKA board to provide that same support to others. Hannah is a writer, pianist & pet enthusiast .  She lives in San Diego, CA with her dog Josie and three Pussycats .

https://www.instagram.com/hannahshannonmashup/

https://medium.com/@writingsbyhannahandrews

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100074619925818

https://www.adoptionknowledge.org/our-board-of-directors.html

Here's a bit about Laura and her book from her website:

My book is about Laura, a woman who lived her life with her secrets finds her greatest secret unearthed at age 67. The child she was forced to give up for adoption when she was 17 in an Unwed Mothers Home in New Orleans unexpectedly sends her an email.  Meeting her 49 year-old son rocked her world and cracked her soul wide open. She found the acceptance and love she had always denied herself had been with her all along. My book tells an incredibly sad story but ends with a story of grace, hope, and extraordinary joy.

https://www.facebook.com/lauralengelauthor/

https://www.instagram.com/storytellerlaura/

https://lauralengel.com/

https://lauralengel.com/books/

Listen to Laura's previous interview here https://thriving-adoptees.simplecast.com/episodes/goodby-shame-with-birth-mother-laura-engel

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.

The Promise is that Scotland's children and young people will grow up loved, safe and respected. This episode dives into how Fraser, his team and partners are delivering on that. We explore resilience, expectations and more.

Fraser has been Chief Executive of The Promise Scotland since September 2022. Prior to that, he spent 16 years working for Audit Scotland, including ten years as Controller of Audit and Director of Performance Audit and Best Value.

Before joining Audit Scotland, Fraser was a public services consultant in Edinburgh and London. He specialised in leadership, change management, facilitation and process improvement.

Fraser is committed to systems change, focusing on how public money is spent more effectively to enable better lives for children, young people, care experienced adults, families, and communities.

Here's the link to Adoption UK's Barometer https://www.adoptionuk.org/news/record-crisis-levels-for-adopted-people

More at:

https://thepromise.scot/

https://www.facebook.com/ThePromiseScotland/

https://x.com/thepromisescot

https://www.instagram.com/thepromisescotland/

https://www.youtube.com/@thepromisescotland617

https://www.linkedin.com/in/fraser-mckinlay-b2b48122

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.

At times our trauma threatens to overwhelm us. To overcome us. But how would it be to see that we are bigger than our trauma? Not just to see that. To feel it. To let go of blame. To be free. Listen in as Cher and I dive deep into understanding, forgiveness and more.

Cher became a passionate advocate for children and decided to help children break the cycle of abuse after experiencing a traumatic childhood herself. The neglect and abuse she experienced gave her a compassionate heart towards children in crisis, and ultimately paved the way for the tremendous impact she continues to make within the organisations she runs - Trinity Youth Services and the Children's Foundation of America.

Find out more at

https://www.linkedin.com/in/cher-ofstedahl-5b952412/

https://trinityys.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.

Are you feeling out of balance? I know I do sometimes. And often because our perspective is to narrow. Listen in as Danny shares a broader, and deeper, perspective on thriving. Powerful and thought provoking.

If we want our kids to grow, we need to grow. So how do we do that? Danny shares a wealth of insights into how we can grow based on a lifetime's experience working with kids and parents. It's wide-ranging, fascinating and empowering. 

Here's a link to Danny's last interview 

https://thriving-adoptees.simplecast.com/episodes/helping-adopted-kids-grow

Dr. Daniel Huerta oversees Focus’ initiatives that equip mothers and fathers with biblical principles and counsel for raising healthy, resilient children. 

A bilingual, licensed clinical social worker, Dr. Huerta addresses issues related to parenting such as communication, conflict resolution, spiritual growth, discipline, stress, anxiety, depression, media discernment and healthy sexuality.

He has been interviewed by media outlets including Fox News, Fatherly, Christianity Today, WORLD Magazine, The Christian Post and CBN, and he regularly speaks on Christian radio stations across the United States. He’s also written for publications including The Washington Post on topics related to marriage and parenting.

Dr. Huerta earned a master’s degree in social work from the University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. He’s currently working on his doctorate in psychology at California Southern University.  

He has maintained a private practice in Colorado Springs since 2003 and served as a board member on the El Paso County Mental Health Association for almost four years.  

He and his wife, Heather, have been married since 1997 and have two children, Alex and Lexi.

Focus on the Family is a global Christian ministry dedicated to helping families thrive. We provide help and resources for couples to build healthy marriages that reflect God’s design, and for parents to raise their children according to morals and values grounded in biblical principles.

We’re here to come alongside families with relevance and grace at each stage of their journey. We support families as they seek to teach their children about God and His beautiful design for the family, protect themselves from the harmful influences of culture and equip themselves to make a greater difference in the lives of those around them.

No matter who you are, what you’re going through or what challenges your family may be facing, we’re here to help. With practical resources – like our 1-800 Family Help line, counseling and websites – we’re committed to providing trustworthy, biblical guidance and support.

https://www.facebook.com/focusonthefamily

https://twitter.com/FocusFamily

https://www.instagram.com/focusonthefamily/

https://www.youtube.com/user/FocusOnTheFamilyUSA

https://www.focusonthefamily.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.

There's no such thing as bad kid. There's no such thing as a bad adult. Although that doesn't stop us feeling bad right? Listen in as Matthew and I dive under our beliefs and trauma to see the inherent goodness at our core.

Matthew McCall started at The Home in 1998 as a Child Care Worker. Matthew has held virtually every client serving role at The Home, from counselor, to clinician, program and department director, in both congregate care and community settings. 

For much of his career at The Home, Matthew served as an internal consultant to all The Home’s programs, providing support and leadership during times of transition, challenge, growth, or reimplementation. In his current role he brings these skills to bear developing and supporting new programs, business lines, and initiatives for The Home. Matthew also oversees The Home’s Family Support Programs, Foster Care and Adoption, Transition Aged Youth, and Therapeutic After-School Programs. 

Matthew has spent most of his professional career at The Home, working in a variety of their programs. He is a graduate of Curry College and Simmons School of Social Work, and is a professor of Social Work Practice at Simmons University and Bridgewater State University.

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

The Home for Little Wanderers helps build stable lives and hopeful futures for children who are abused, neglected or at-risk.

Here's some more from their website:

As the oldest child welfare agency in America, we have maintained our commitment to children since before the Civil War. Because every child deserves happiness, and no child should go through life alone.

Each year, our community-based programs and residences meet the needs of more than 15,000 diverse youngsters and family members. These children are often society’s most vulnerable, victims of trauma, violence or shattered family lives.

We ensure their emotional, social, educational and physical well- being from birth to age 26 through a dedicated team of professionals and a wide range of critical services. As a result, disadvantaged kids have safe surroundings, loving relationships and a secure path toward tomorrow.

Find out more at

https://thehome.org/

https://www.facebook.com/thehomeforlittlewanderers

https://twitter.com/thehomeorg

https://www.instagram.com/thehomeforlittlewanderers/

https://www.youtube.com/user/home271

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.

Is trauma getting in the way on your journey to home? To peace? Is your ego pulling you off the path?  Adoptive mom Chasity was adopted by her step-father whilst she was in pre-school. Listen in as we explore the journey home, obstacles and more...

Connect with Chasity at

https://www.linkedin.com/in/chasity-galyon-2b4994250/

https://alovingoptionadoption.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.

So many of us struggle to see our worth. To feel valid. Listen as we explore safety, connection and purpose before going way deeper into worth. You're going to want to listen right until the end of this when Linda drops a bombshell about her that explains so much of what we discuss. Wow! A truly belief busting episode with breathtaking clarity.

Linda Michie has a Graduate Degree in Urban Studies with a focus on Social Organization and Governance. She majored in Psychology and minored in Criminal Justice during her undergraduate studies.

Linda has been working with children and families throughout her career; in Private Investigations, Child Protective Services, Therapeutic Foster Care, and in Court Advocacy for abused and neglected children. Although a natural investigator, Linda’s more noteworthy career accomplishments are in child-benefitting curriculum design, and her passion is in training her designs.

Linda’s fierce determination to help children achieve safety and permanence is evident in her work every day.

Find out more about Linda here:

https://www.wishingwellfamilies.com/founder/

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.

Do you want more peace and contentment? Who doesn't? Listen in as Janelle and I dive deep in to being content with who we are, fulfilment and more.

Adoptive mom Janelle serves as Program Coordinator at Adoption Network Cleveland and in this position, she is responsible for coordinating programming for Families and Youth.  This includes program improvements, development, planning and implementation.  In this role, Janelle acts as one of the co-facilitators for the Mediation Program, and facilitates service around the Family Resilience Fund. She is also responsible for organizing and planning special events for families and youth.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/janelle-poskocil-18400343/

https://x.com/AdoptionNetCLE

https://www.instagram.com/adoptionnetcle/

https://www.adoptionnetwork.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.