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This is the February 2021 episode of the podcast. Today we have Victoria DiMartile with Wreckage and Wonder on to discuss the history of transracial adoption and adoption in the black community. We discuss Victoria's story of growing up as a transracial adoptee in a small white Kentucky town. Victoria talks about adoption in the black community, and the need for better appreciation, celebration, and understanding of the black family. We also discuss the need for more education in transracial adoption, and how what has been acceptable "colorblindness" has really been damaging to family relationships.   Connect with Victoria: website   For more information on Adoption Advocacy Podcast, and to participate in this episodes discussion board, please visit: http://www.adoptionadvocacypodcast.com   Find the podcast on social media: facebook twitter instagram

This is the January 2021 Episode of Adoption Advocacy Podcast; Kirsta Bowman comes on the podcast, and we discuss how adoption agencies operate in the United States, and the unethical practices used by many. Kirsta shares with us the story of her own adoption, and how in the search for her biological family she found that her placement happened in less than ideal/ethical circumstances. Having an adoptive mother who started her own agency, Kirsta had first hand seat to what goes on behind the scenes in adoption, and discusses much of what she experienced. Also in this episode, Kirsta and I pull together information we have gathered in our collective research to describe how the industry works at each level of the adoption process.   Connect with Kirsta: Instagram   For more information on Adoption Advocacy Podcast, and to participate in this episodes discussion board, please visit: http://www.adoptionadvocacypodcast.com   Find the podcast on social media: facebook twitter instagram

This is the December 2020 episode. Today we chat with Stephanie Oyler, Melissa Guida- Richards, and Ferera Swan - three transracial and transethnic adoptees. We discuss their collective experiences with the holidays, and they explain why it is so important to hold space for adoptees who come from different backgrounds and cultural traditions than their parents. We also discuss how important it is for adoptive families to be sensitive to the emotions and feelings that might arise during this time of year. Lastly, we talk about how they are all feeling as transracial and transethnic adoptees during this political climate, and how it has affected their relationships with adoptive and extended family members.   Connect with Stephanie: Facebook Instagram Consulting Site   Connect with Melissa: Facebook Instagram Website Twitter   Connect with Ferera: Facebook Instagram website twitter   For more information on Adoption Advocacy Podcast, and to participate in this episodes discussion board, please visit: http://www.adoptionadvocacypodcast.com   Find the podcast on social media: facebook twitter instagram  

This is the November 2020 episode of the podcast. Today we have Tiffany Henness with adoptee influencer network as our special guest. Tiffany discusses how she emerged from the fog after giving birth to her first born, it was an experience that brought her closest to experience of her first mother. She tells us how she began learning about adoption trauma and found it helped to processed it all through writing and sharing her experience with others. Before becoming involved in the adoption advocacy community, Tiffany was a fitness influencer on social media and during this time learned how to boost content and create community among others doing the same work. Tiffany shares that the fitness influencer groups she was a part of really helped give advice and feedback, keep creativity, inspiration, and connection flowing which really helped members to create content. Tiffany saw a this as a huge need in the adoptee community of influencers. She created adoptee Influencer Network as a group where adoptees could come together, work together, problem solve, get support, and  share each others content. Please check out Tiffany and adoptee influencer network online. Connect with Adoptee Influencer Network: Facebook Page Facebook Group Instagram Twitter Website Connect with Tiffany: Facebook Instagram Website

Brittany Nash is a Black domestic transracial adoptee and the founder of The Daily Adoptee blog and soon to be online publication that highlights the experience and expertise of transracial adoptees.   As an adoptee, turned foster child, who from Southern MN, she uses her experience of growing up in predominantly white spaces to connect the dots of the intent and impact of the adoption industry and foster care system as they align with history, politics, racism, discrimination, and mental health.    She graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelors of Arts degree in Communication from Bethany Lutheran College where her emphasis was Journalism and Business. While there she also worked for the college's Diversity Center where she started to kindle her passion for social advocacy. She combines her love for investigative journalism, descriptive writing, and racial justice to bring a unique adoptee narrative to adoption and foster care spaces. Timeline of Events and Key Legislation:  1921: Tusla Race Massacre 1935: Social Security Act 1939 -1945: World War ll  1945: Baby Scoop Era begins 1947: Cold War begins 1948: Executive Order 9981: Desegregation of the Armed Forces  1954: Civil Rights Movement 1955 - 1975 Vietnam War 1954: Browning vs Board of Edu 1961: ADC Foster Act 1962: Aid to Families with Dependent Children 1962: Public Welfare Amendment  1965: Death of Malcolm X 1964: Civil Rights Act 1968: Death of Martin Luther King Jr. 1968: Civil Rights Movement 1969: Death of Frank Hampton 1967: Loving vs the State of Virginia  1970: Baby Scoop Era ends 1971: War on Drugs begins 1978: Indian Child Welfare Act 1980: The Adoption Assistance & Child Welfare Act 1991: Cold War ends 1993: Family Preservation & Family Support Services Program (MEPA) begins 1994: The Multi-Ethnic Placement Act 1996: Inter-Ethnic Placement Provisions (revised parts of MEPA) 1997: the Adoption & Safe Families Act   Reference Articles: A Brief Legislative History of the Child Welfare System Brief History of the Drug War The case for national action- the negro famil Donate to the TRA Writers & Educators Fund  

Kate Carper comes on the podcast to discuss her experience with adoption. Kate tells us how she grew up with adopted siblings, and always felt like adoption was a part her future family making plan. After having two biological children, Kate and her husband explored how they could help a child in need through adoption. Through much research and soul searching, Kate discovered an agency that specialized in the adoption of children with down syndrome. Kate explains a lot about this agency and how they support expectant parents who have discovered their child has down syndrome, as well as facilitate adoptions. Kate and her husband adopted their son, and then later adopted a daughter. We further discusses how her family has sought out a more diverse community in which to raise their children, and how important that is, especially in transracial adoption. 

Matt comes on the podcast to discuss his experience as an adoptee, and how his life experiences shaped him. We also discuss his heartfelt reunion.    Connect with Matt: mattsevenoaksuk@gmail.com Twitter Instagram Article For more information on Adoption Advocacy Podcast, and to participate in this episodes discussion board, please visit: http://www.adoptionadvocacypodcast.com   Find the podcast on social media: facebook twitter instagram  

Geri Pfieffer comes on the podcast to discuss the reality of America's child welfare system. Geri began working and creating America's Taken when she lost her grandson to child protective services. I encourage everyone to take a listen to todays episode to further understand what is going on in this country's child welfare system, and the reform that needs to take place now. I was very happy to bring this topic to light through this episode and hope to do more episodes like this one in the future.    Connect with Geri: Website Facebook Instagram Twitter   For more information on Adoption Advocacy Podcast, and to participate in this episodes discussion board, please visit: http://www.adoptionadvocacypodcast.com   Find the podcast on social media: facebook twitter instagram  

Laureen Pittman comes on the podcast to discuss her experience as an adoptee, and her book "The Lies that Bind." Growing up, adoption didn't mean that much to Laureen, it was just something that she knew to be a fact, but didn't think much further on it. As she got older, Laureen became more interested in her origins. As Laureen began the search for her birth parents, she discovered she had actually been born in prison. Everything she discovered she chronicled in her book "The Lies that Bind". Listen in to hear about Laureens journey! Connect with Laureen:  Book Blog Facebook Twitter For more information on Adoption Advocacy Podcast, and to participate in this episodes discussion board, please visit: http://www.adoptionadvocacypodcast.com   Find the podcast on social media: facebook twitter instagram  

Jesse Bradley comes on the podcast to discuss how life's twist and turns lead him to a journey of faith and adoption. Jesse was once a professional soccer player, whose career was cut short when a medication he took to prevent malaria built up toxic levels in his system, and he became too sick to play. Jesse later discovered god and became a pastor. He now leads a city wide movement for churches to become more multicultural. Jesse preaches to his congregation the need for people to open their homes to foster youth, and adoption. Jesse discusses his own journey with adopting his youngest child, and what adoption has meant to him.  Connect with Jesse: Website Instagram Twitter facebook   For more information on Adoption Advocacy Podcast, and to participate in this episodes discussion board, please visit: http://www.adoptionadvocacypodcast.com   Find the podcast on social media: facebook twitter instagram

Cassandra Adams comes on the podcast to discuss how she discovered she was actually donor conceived, and the man who had raised her was not actually her biological father. We discuss the complexities of being a donor conceived person, and what needs to change to make donor conception more ethical.   Connect with Cassandra: Facebook Instagram Donor Conceived Facebook Group YouTube YouTube YouTube Documentary Petition to keep Donor Conceived records open for a minimum of 50 years Featured Article We Are Donor Conceived   For more information on Adoption Advocacy Podcast, and to participate in this episodes discussion board, please visit: http://www.adoptionadvocacypodcast.com   Find the podcast on social media: facebook twitter instagram  

Linda L. Franklin comes on the podcast to discuss her experience as a first mother who placed her son for adoption during the baby scoop era. Linda tells us her story of placing her son through the Gladney Agency, her life after placement, her reunion, and what lead to her writing her book "Ill Always Carry You".   Connect with Linda: Twitter Personal Facebook Author Facebook website   For more information on Adoption Advocacy Podcast, and to participate in this episodes discussion board, please visit: http://www.adoptionadvocacypodcast.com   Find the podcast on social media: facebook twitter instagram  

Today on the podcast, Paige Adams Strickland discusses her experience with adoption, and her two books "Akin to the Truth" and "After the Truth". Paige tells us about her adoptee experience as a child, and what lead to her searching for her biological roots. We also discuss what lead to her publishing two books about her experience finding her biological family.    Connect with Paige: Website Facebook Instagram "Akin to the Truth" "After the Truth"   For more information on Adoption Advocacy Podcast, and to participate in this episodes discussion board, please visit: http://www.adoptionadvocacypodcast.com   Find the podcast on social media: facebook twitter instagram  

Today on the podcast we have Kelli Belt. She is an adoptive mother and created of the Podcast "Beauty is Rising". Kelli discusses her journey with adopting her daughter from Ethiopia, the process to get her to the united states, parenting a child with her daughters background, and what it has taught her. Kelli works with other adoptive parents to teach and share ways of helping ones own adopted child. In this episode Kelli does not share her daughters story, rather her story when it comes to her transformation and growth as a result of adopting her daughter.    Connect with Kelli: Instagram   For more information on Adoption Advocacy Podcast, and to participate in this episodes discussion board, please visit: http://www.adoptionadvocacypodcast.com   Find the podcast on social media: facebook twitter instagram  

Blake comes on the podcast to discuss his experience as an adoptee born in the United States, and adopted in the UK. Blake discusses his difficult childhood and his feelings about being an adoptee. We also discuss Blakes views on adoption and adoption in the LGBTQ community. Connect with Blake: Facebook Group- Queer We Go   For more information on Adoption Advocacy Podcast, and to participate in this episodes discussion board, please visit: http://www.adoptionadvocacypodcast.com   Find the podcast on social media: facebook twitter instagram  

Laura Gray comes on the podcast to discuss her experience with adoption as a first mother. Laura, as a teen, found herself pregnant for a second time after already having twins. With the help of her mother, she looked into placing her child for adoption. Soon after starting a prayer chain she was re-connected with a church friend from New Jersey, where she used to live, and she decided to place her child with her and her husband. Shortly after the placement, Laura realized this couple did not have any intention of keeping their promises to her about maintaining a relationship with her child. In this episode, Laura details the ups and downs of being a first mother, and what she has learned, and what she wishes other people would know before considering adoption.    Connect with Laura: Personal Facebook Page The Secondhand Children   For more information on Adoption Advocacy Podcast, and to participate in this episodes discussion board, please visit: http://www.adoptionadvocacypodcast.com   Find the podcast on social media: facebook twitter instagram

Elena Hall comes on the podcast to discuss her experience as an adoptee from Russia. Elena discusses her experience as an international adoptee, and navigating the complex emotions surrounding adoption. We discuss her feelings about Russia no longer allowing international adoption and how her journey has lead her to writing both her books and going into the social work field.  Connect with Elena: Facebook Instagram Website "Through Adopted Eyes" "Through Adopted Hearts"   For more information on Adoption Advocacy Podcast, and to participate in this episodes discussion board, please visit: http://www.adoptionadvocacypodcast.com   Find the podcast on social media: facebook twitter instagram  

Today on the podcast, Christian Mayer discusses his experience as an international/ transracial adoptee from Chile. Christian tells us how he began experiencing challenges as an adolescent surrounding his adoption, and how this later lead to a reunion with his first family, and struggle with alcoholism. Through his recovery process he realized how adoptees are over-represented in those seeking treatment and decided to be proactive in helping young adoptees navigate these issues.    Connect with Christian: The Brightening Center Email For more information on Adoption Advocacy Podcast, and to participate in this episodes discussion board, please visit: http://www.adoptionadvocacypodcast.com   Find the podcast on social media: facebook twitter instagram  

Marcie comes on the podcast to discuss her experience as a first mother of loss to adoption.  Marcie and I discuss what lead her to the decision to place her first daughter for adoption, their reunion, as well as her advocacy in the adoption community. She currently serves as Vice President and Treasurer for the Indiana Adoptee Network, and has recently released the memoir "The Shoebox Effect".  Connect with Marcie: Website Book Facebook Twitter Instagram   For more information on Adoption Advocacy Podcast, and to participate in this episodes discussion board, please visit: http://www.adoptionadvocacypodcast.com   Find the podcast on social media: facebook twitter instagram  

Ferera Swan comes on the podcast to discuss her journey as an adoptee. We discuss what its like to be an advocate in the adoption community,  as well as navigating the complexity of reunion. I am super excited to interview Ferera, her advocacy has made such a difference in the adoption community. I know we have all seen her impactful memes, now get a glimpse of her personal journey.    Connect with Ferera: Website Facebook Facebook Music Instagram Twitter   For more information on Adoption Advocacy Podcast, and to participate in this episodes discussion board, please visit: http://www.adoptionadvocacypodcast.com   Find the podcast on social media: facebook twitter instagram