Thriving Adoptees - Let's Thrive

How do we see our wholeness? How do we feel whole? Listen in as we dive deep into life's biggest questions.

https://lifesong.org

https://www.facebook.com/lifesongfororphans

https://twitter.com/lifesongorphans

https://www.instagram.com/lifesongfororphans/

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.

What do we need to succeed? What tools do we have already? What tools can we get? Join us for a deep dive with a fellow metaphor lover Amanda into empowerment and thriving.

Connect with Amanda here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-angell/

https://www.facebook.com/FosterandAdopt

https://mofosteradopt.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.

The past is a place of reference not a place of residence. So what drives us forward? What keeps our momentum? Listen is as foster kid David shares his insights on growing forward.

How many ex foster kids are professors? How many have dedicated their lives to improving the lives of children from hard places. Dr David Cross is uniquely placed to support you the adoptive parent and this episode is a gem. The paradox of helping your kids thrive is that it starts with you thriving. Listen in with big ears as David shares succinct and clear insights into how you can make that happen.

Here's a link to David's previous inerview: https://thriving-adoptees.simplecast.com/episodes/attaching-securely

Here's some more about David and the Institute he lead from their website:

Dr. David Cross was the Rees-Jones Director of the Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development and a Professor in the TCU Department of Psychology. He led the KPICD in its triple mission of research, education, and outreach to improve the lives of children from hard places. Together with the late Dr. Karyn Purvis, Dr. Cross created Trust-Based Relational Intervention®, (TBRI®) a holistic, attachment-based, trauma-informed, and evidence-based intervention for children who have experienced relational trauma. 

The Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development strives to help children suffering from the effects of early trauma, abuse and/or neglect. We conduct research to deepen understanding about the complex needs of these children and how to help them overcome social, behavioral, and emotional challenges. Through various outreach initiatives, we train professionals in Trust-Based Relational Intervention®, a research-based, holistic model developed by Dr. Karyn Purvis and Dr. David Cross. Please understand that we are not a service provider, and do not provide clinical services of any kind. 

https://www.facebook.com/child.tcu

https://twitter.com/Child_TCU

https://child.tcu.edu/

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.

What's beyond your dreams? Tapping into the dreams beyond our dreams can take us to extraordinary places. Listen in as inspirational leader and adoptive dad Chris shares what he's learned about impact, dreams and much more.

Connect with Chris here:

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

https://www.onelfs.org/

https://www.facebook.com/OneLFS

https://x.com/OneLFS_

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.

What if we were content with being content? OK with feeling OK? Searching for happiness prolongs the search. Listen in as Brett and I dive into the big sea of contentment. The one between the high tide of happiness and the low tide of a low mood.

Here's a link to Brett's previous interview https://thriving-adoptees.simplecast.com/episodes/how-adoptees-change-safety-addiction-more-with-dr-brett-furst

Here's some info on Brett and the Center he works at from their website.

Dr. Brett Furst holds a B.S. in Child and Adolescent Development from The University of California, Davis, an M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy from Chapman University, and is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. He has his Doctorate in Psychology from Alliant International University. Dr. Furst is a fully trained, EMDRIA approved, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapist. Dr. Furst, in addition to his focus on the underlying causes of addiction, specializes in academic and educational difficulties, and provides supportive services to those clients pursuing continuing education at PACE, including managing ADHD symptoms, proper study habits, and processing difficulties, from a therapeutic lens. Therapeutically, Brett comes from a Gestalt perspective, placing emphasis on the exploration of the authentic self and how inauthenticity and the negative personas clients create contribute to their unhealthy habits and the disconnection from themselves through substance. Dr. Furst has worked at several local treatment facilities where he has customized several young adult curriculums. Brett has also developed one of the first experiential poetry groups, and finds group work to be some of the most rewarding he has done. He enjoys spending time with his family and dog, and exploring new parts of his native Orange County.

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

https://fursttherapy.com/

At PACE Recovery Center, we believe in empowering our clients to fulfill their own particular dreams. We believe that Positive Attitudes Change Everything. Our trained addiction treatment staff will help our clients identify their specific recovery goals, and help them achieve them. From our home base in Orange County, we also provide in-depth mental health services that address the root issues driving addiction and mental illness. Once men leave our program, they have all the tools they need to thrive in recovery.

Long-term sobriety is more than simply not using alcohol or drugs, it is about living life. Helping our clients develop life skills, educational aims, or vocational goals not only teaches them about responsibility and accountability, but also helps improve their self-esteem.

https://www.instagram.com/pacerecovery/

https://www.facebook.com/PaceRecoveryCenterLLC

https://www.pacerecoverycenter.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.

What does growth mean to you? How do we grow? Listen in as we dive into this BIG subject. Insights and practical guidance aplenty.

Cynthia K. Jensen is a Certified Social Worker in the State of Wisconsin.  Cindy graduated Cum Laude from Milton College in 1978 with a Bachelor of Arts degree.  From 1990 to 2009 she was employed by another Wisconsin child placing agency.  During that time Cindy placed more than 550 children with adoptive families.  Cindy keeps current on adoption practice by obtaining an additional 30 hours (or more) of continuing education every two years as required to maintain state certification.  In addition, over the past 28 years Cindy formed strong professional relationships throughout the adoption community as well as with numerous other referral resources.  She has excellent working relationships with the various professionals involved in the adoption process in Wisconsin as well as several other states. Cindy served on a legislative task force to create legislation for a birth father registry in the State of Wisconsin.  She also spoke at the national convention for the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys and has been a presenter regarding the adoption process in many different forums. Cindy is also a past member of the National Association of Social Workers.

https://www.facebook.com/cynthia.jensen

https://www.linkedin.com/in/cindy-jensen-a2b55555/

Adoption Avenues, Inc. strives to provide environments of love and stability for children in need. Education and support is offered for everyone in the adoption process, from the person giving up parental rights to the new loving family. We are a Wisconsin licensed child placing agency offering a full range of adoption services. Our social workers have years of experience. Adoption can be difficult and confusing. We are here to help navigate the process for birth parents who are placing a child for adoption and for adoptive parents trying to choose the best avenue for building a family.

The services we offer include birth parent counseling for women experiencing unplanned or crisis pregnancies, home studies for all types of adoption, step-parent screenings, pre-adoptive preparation, foster home licensing and post-placement supervision services. Wisconsin is an "agency" state, thus a private adoption agency must be involved in every adoption.

https://www.adoptionave.com/

https://www.facebook.com/adoptionave/

https://www.instagram.com/adoption_avenues/?hl=en-gb

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.

Would you like more peace? Does trauma drown out peace for you? Listen in as we dive deep and deeper still to find peace. Perhaps one of the most profound and powerful conversations in 542 episodes. Enjoy.

Here's a bit about Elmarie:

I WRITE TO BREAK THE SILENCE.

I was adopted through the closed adoption system in 1966, just five days after I was born. For decades, my story remained locked away—silent, like so many others. But silence never brings healing. "Un-Adoptically Me — My story. My truth. My voice" is my way of reclaiming my voice, my truth, and my identity.

Through 88 vignettes, I share the raw realities of adoption—the love and loss, the trauma and resilience, the search for belonging. My journey has taken me through deep pain and profound joy, and now, nearing my sixth decade, I embrace both. I live a tranquil life in a valley of vineyards, mountains, and open skies, a world away from the chaos of my past. I am happily married, grateful, and now fiercely passionate about the hearts of adoptees.

This memoir is just the beginning. I’m listening—to fellow adoptees, to readers, to the conversations sparked by this book. Their voices will help shape what I write next.

If you believe in the power of truth, in the courage of speaking out, and in the unbreakable strength of the human spirit, then you’re in the right place. Let’s continue the conversation.

https://foreverfree.co.za/elmarie/un-adoptically-me/

https://www.facebook.com/unadoptically

https://x.com/unadoptically

https://www.instagram.com/unadoptically

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 much of our lives has been based on protecting ourselves. And understandably so when we've felt so vulnerable and insecure. How would shifting our focus move us forward? Listen in as Ryan takes me - and you - on a profound learning journey. A truly mind shifting  and belief busting episode.

Ryan is adopted. He and his wife are the proud parents of two adopted daughters through kinship care, a son, and two beloved dogs who have yet to realize their own size.

Ryan is deeply passionate about loving and serving others, with a heart for making a lasting impact. He was first introduced to Hope’s Closet through its annual gala and was immediately drawn to its mission. Two years later, he joined the board of directors, and his passion for serving others ultimately led him to transition from his facility management career to become Hope’s Closet’s Executive Director.

Ryan’s greatest hope is that every child who walks through Hope’s Closet feels loved, supported, and truly valued.

Find out more at https://www.hopesclosetohio.org/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-craig-16a4b8168/

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.

What we resist persists. How about more freedom instead? Listen in as Danielle dives into emotional freedom, what it means and how we enjoy it. Profound and practical. Here are two of Danielle's previous interviews on Thriving Adoptees:

https://thriving-adoptees.simplecast.com/episodes/upping-our-empathy-game

https://thriving-adoptees.simplecast.com/episodes/seeing-our-untarnished-soul

Danielle Gaudette is an emotional healing coach and author of, Healing Tree: An Adoptee’s Story About Hurting, Healing and Letting the Light Shine Through.

She is a 24-year Body & Brain trainer and coach, as well as a certified practitioner of Emotional Freedom Techniques. She has dedicated her life to helping others do the work she is committed to doing for herself: the work of transforming their relationship with their emotional suffering and, in doing so, uncovering the innate light of self-love within.

Bringing over two decades as a master trainer, she gently guides her clients towards inner healing and self-acceptance with understanding and compassion. 

Danielle is available to work with anyone in the world through online sessions and you can reach out to her via my website if you'd like to get in touch.

https://www.daniellegaudette.com/

https://www.facebook.com/danielle.gaudette.33

https://www.facebook.com/DGhealingtree

https://www.instagram.com/danielle.gaudette/

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.

Feeling free to be our authentic selves. Being accepted as we are. What does that mean for you? How can you help the people you love feel that? Listen is as adoptive mom and adoption professional Ligia shares what she's learned - and continues to learn - on two big topics. Especially as they relate to race. An eye opening episode.

https://www.instagram.com/ligiaspeaks/

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.