Connect with Ian at https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-forber-pratt-753b0311/ Here's what The Institute For Child Welfare Innovation is all about: "Here at the Institute we promote logical, effective and healing child welfare services that produce great results. We challenge the mindset of old-school thinkers, and we bring passion, patience and experience to the table. But we’re always ready to learn more! For us, we demand that children, families and communities are treated fairly and equitably. W...
Aug 25, 2021•50 min•Ep. 59
HollyAnn and her husband John founded Addy’s Hope in 2005 after a personal tragedy during an adoption. John and HollyAnn have 9 children: Paizley, CallieAnn, Noah, Toben, Ava, Madison, Journey, Ella and Deacon. HollyAnn has been involved in the adoption community in various roles since 2001 when she and John adopted their oldest son. HollyAnn’s first official title in the adoption world was “Mom” and this greatly impacts the way she views her role at Addy’s Hope. HollyAnn served as an adoption a...
Aug 24, 2021•57 min•Ep. 58
Karen leads Texas Foster Care and Adoption Services. Connect with Karen at https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-perez-9b2212b0/ Texas Foster Care and Adoption Services is a private non-profit child placing agency licensed by the State of Texas. The organization was formed by like-minded individuals, dedicated to the mission of making a real difference in the lives of children in the State of Texas. The number of foster children are growing more and more every year. Today more than ever, we face the...
Aug 23, 2021•38 min•Ep. 57
Jodi is the President of The Adoptee Group and Josh is their mental health director. The Adoptee Group was founded in 2020 to serve the Korean adoptees. It was later decided to support all adoptees and the adoption community. The group grew to 23 volunteers in the early stages. In 2021, their organization will launch TAG Network, a program that will offer mentors for youth age adoptees, coaches for adult age adoptees and mental health professional support for all adoptees. They will also launch ...
Aug 17, 2021•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 56
Here's what Steffany says about herself "I have been a part of the adoption field since 1993 and found it to be very rewarding. I was introduced to the field of adoption in college while obtaining my first master’s degree in Family Life Education and Consultation. I had always had an interest in unplanned pregnancy and infertility, but it was not until this point that I began to see how it all fit together. While obtaining my second master’s degree in Social Work, I had the opportunity to also s...
Aug 16, 2021•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 55
Connect with Whitney at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-whitney-9270a312b/ Creating a Family is the national adoption & foster care education and support nonprofit. Their mission is to strengthen and inspire adoptive, foster & kinship parents and the professionals who support them. Their vision is that every adopted and foster child has a family who understands their unique gifts and challenges and is equipped to help them thrive. All of their resources are expert-based and trauma-inf...
Aug 12, 2021•52 min•Ep. 54
Sandra Flach is a wife, mom of eight—five through adoption, and Mimi to five precious grandchildren. Her heart and calling is to encourage and equip adoptive and foster parents and to inspire Christians to tangibly care for children and families in crisis as co-founder of Justice For Orphans. For more about Sandra visit: https://www.sandraflach.com/ https://twitter.com/sandraflachjfo?lang=en Justice for Orphans exists to rally the Church for the cause of the fatherless. We INSPIRE, EDUCATE and E...
Aug 11, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 53
Find out more about Brenda here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brenda-farrell-5b20359a/?originalSubdomain=uk Barnardos are the largest not-for-profit fostering and adoption agency in the UK and have over 100 years' experience of placing children with families. They find, train and support carers and adoptive families so they can transform children’s lives. Thomas Barnardo set up a ‘ragged school’ to help disadvantaged children in 1867. Now they’re helping hundreds of thousands of children, young p...
Aug 10, 2021•50 min•Ep. 52
Greg was adopted at 7 days old, find out more about him at: https://twitter.com/gregoryluce?lang=en https://gregoryluce.com/ He's a lawyer working exclusively for adult adopted people, find out more at: https://adopteerightslaw.com/ https://www.facebook.com/adopteerightslaw https://twitter.com/adopteelaw/ He's also the founder of a national U.S. nonprofit tax-exempt organization with an unwavering commitment to equality for all adopted people find out more at: https://adopteesunited.org/ https:/...
Aug 09, 2021•53 min•Ep. 51
Renée Carter is the CEO of Adopt Change, which also operates the program My Forever Family NSW. Renée is also a member of the Institute Advisory Group for the independent research centre Institute of Open Adoption Studies (The University of Sydney) and is Vice Chair of the NSW Committee on Adoption and Permanent Care (COAPC). Renée is a member of Australian Institute of Company Directors, and has a strong background in communications and executive management, along with board level experience in...
Aug 06, 2021•45 min•Ep. 50
Rich Valenza is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of RaiseAChild. As the father of two children adopted through Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services, Rich understands firsthand the trials and tribulations of LGBT community members and of single parents who seek to build families. In addition to his personal experience, he brings the knowledge gained from serving five years as a board member and three years as the president of The Pop Luck Club, which promotes the w...
Aug 04, 2021•59 min•Ep. 49
Check out Joe at: https://www.adoptionhealing.com/ https://www.facebook.com/joe.soll https://twitter.com/joesoll1?lang=en https://www.linkedin.com/in/joesoll/ Get his book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Adoption-Healing-path-recovery-Soll-ebook/dp/B0032AMDN2 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0032AMDN2/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0 #adoption #adoptionawareness #adoptionevent #adoptionislove #adoptionjourney #adoptionlove #adoptionresponsable #adoptions #adoptionstories #adoptionstory #adoptionsuppor...
Aug 03, 2021•59 min•Ep. 48
Here's a bit about Ranjanna "I am passionate about empowering you and your child to rise above and beyond your challenges and lead the life you truly deserve. I work with meditation, gratitude and breathing exercises, using a combination of NLP coaching techniques and ‘Huna’, the ancient Hawaiian healing technique to increase spirituality and energy. What if you could experience and connect on a physical, emotional, mental and spiritual level with a Higher Power? Something that gives you the too...
Aug 02, 2021•44 min•Ep. 47
Here's what Brianne says about herself: "I am an innovator at the intersection of genealogy and DNA with a passion for ancestry testing and other DNA testing that helps people understand more about their past, present, and potential future. My diverse background includes clinical genetic counseling, research, project coordination, public speaking, writing, social media engagement, and multi-media development. I excel in visual, audio, and text-based communication of complex information to the la...
Jul 29, 2021•51 min•Ep. 46
Ade offers bespoke recruitment package for fostering and adoption panels. Matching individuals that hold diverse skills and bring valuable experiences with requirements that meet fostering and adoption panels. Train and coach panel members. Consultancy and review of central list composition. Mentorship for panel members. Find out more at https://www.linkedin.com/in/adelarigo #adoption #adoptionawareness #adoptionevent #adoptionislove #adoptionjourney #adoptionlove #adoptionresponsable #adoptions...
Jul 28, 2021•31 min•Ep. 45
Here's a little about Nathan : "I am a therapist and national child welfare consultant who uses my life, educational, and professional experiences to improve the foster care system throughout North America. I entered foster care when I was 10 after significant abuse and neglect, as well as insufficient child welfare interventions, resulted in two of my siblings dying. Once in care, I received a wealth of supports and services that allowed me to heal and thrive, and I was later adopted. Upon disc...
Jul 27, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 44
Jamie and Tom are proud dads via adoption to their two handsome sons, Lyall and Richard. Their boys had a rough start to their little lives so their mission is to provide their lads with extraordinary experiences and memories. Visit the Daddy & Dad blog where they share all the highs and lows of adoptive parenting , collaborate with global family brands and respond to the latest LGBT news and current affairs. https://www.daddyanddad.co.uk/ Connect with them at: https://www.instagram.com/dadd...
Jul 26, 2021•54 min•Ep. 43
Zack is the oldest of 10 kids. He first spoke at the adoption agency his mom founded when he was 13. He went onto work there after college. As Associate Director, Zack is responsible for the day-to-day operations of Adoption STAR. His position includes accomplishing compliance objectives, establishing compliance standards, and taking the lead on the planning and organization of site visits and licensing reviews. He is also responsible for supervising staff, human resources, and enhancing a clien...
Jul 23, 2021•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 42
Listen to Richard's podcast here: https://uk-podcasts.co.uk/podcast/adoption-adventures Hear his interview with me here: https://uk-podcasts.co.uk/podcast/adoption-adventures/meet-simon-benn Find out more here: https://www.adoptionadventures.co.uk/ https://www.instagram.com/adoption.adventures/ https://www.facebook.com/adoption.adventures https://twitter.com/adoptionadvent1?lang=en #adoption #adoptionawareness #adoptionevent #adoptionislove #adoptionjourney #adoptionlove #adoptionresponsable #ad...
Jul 22, 2021•1 hr•Ep. 51
Phil describes himself as " a foster carer, recruiter of foster carers for Liverpool City Council, adopter, birth father and purveyor of quality compost." More about him at: https://fosteringandadoptionwithphil.com/ https://twitter.com/philwatson184?lang=en Liverpool City Council Fostering Service is the Local Authority fostering service responsible for over 1,500 looked after children in Liverpool. Their priority is the welfare of our children and young people. They are not-for-profit and as mu...
Jul 21, 2021•53 min•Ep. 50
Princess Land is an adoptee who inspires other adoptees to find their voice and advocate for themselves and other adoptees. Find out more about her at: https://linktr.ee/Princesslandd Cathy Murphy is the adoptive mother of 2 grown up children and leads The Adoption Council of Canada. Find out more about her at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathy-murphy-b8248917/ https://twitter.com/cathylmurphyott?lang=en Find out more about their advocacy program at: https://www.adoption.ca/youth-speak-out Find ...
Jul 20, 2021•48 min•Ep. 49
Tiegan is an adoptee who uses her experiences to help train, teach and provide her perspective to those working with children and young people. Tiegan has worked closely with youth groups in North Yorkshire, including as part of the Young Inspectors. The Young Inspectors inspect local services to see what they do well and what improvements they need to make to ensure services are led by the needs of young people. Tiegan became interested in sharing her experiences after joining an adoption group...
Jul 19, 2021•48 min•Ep. 48
Here's what Paul says on his website: "My name is Paul Field, and I was an Adoptee born in Kingston, London, England, and grew up on the Isle of Wight. I went to Wroxall Primary , Ventnor Middle and Sandown High Schools. When I left school, I went to work for Videotron Cable TV , on West Quay Rd, in Southampton. I also worked for GEC Avery, now known as Avery Berkel, before moving to the United States in January of 1994, where I met my wife, Denise (pictured above), and had my daughter, Kaitlyn....
Jul 16, 2021•1 hr 23 min•Ep. 47
"I truly believe in life, there are no coincidences. We each have a road that we’re destined to travel.This is my very personal story, about the long road I traveled towards motherhood. All I longed for was a baby in a baby carriage and to be called mom." Nancy August Connect with Nancy on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/nancyaugust04 Check out the book she talks about in the interview: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lucky-Penny-Nancy-August-ebook/dp/B0951BS212/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&qid=1626341300...
Jul 15, 2021•45 min•Ep. 45
Deborah Evans is the CEO of For Children’s Sake of Virginia (FCSVA). A graduate of Catholic University with a Master’s degree in Social Work, she has worked extensively with children and families since 1992. Deborah came to For Children’s Sake of Virginia with a professional background in finance and is a veteran of the USMC. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Board Certified Diplomate, a Certified Sex Offender Specialist (CSOTS), a Certified Sex Offender Addictions Specialist, a Certifie...
Jul 14, 2021•50 min•Ep. 44
David Schunk was born in Smolensk, Russia in 1994. He was adopted at a young age by an American family from New Hampshire. He was a resident of Bedford, New Hampshire since he could remember until he left for college in 2013. He studied Computer Networking and Cyber Security at Champlain College, located in Burlington Vermont. David currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors and Founder for the Russian Adoptees nonprofit organization. In addition, he served as a Board Member for the ...
Jul 13, 2021•54 min•Ep. 43
Nick Mabey is an adoptee whose created Being Adopted because "I created Being Adopted because, at various points in my life, when feeling lost, isolated, angry or just bewildered, I looked for help and mostly couldn’t find it. So I made a promise to create a place of belonging and help for others who’ve walked in similar shoes; this is the outcome of that promise. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you are adopted and have other ideas that would help a place like this." You can find out more...
Jul 12, 2021•50 min•Ep. 42
Check out Rebecca's film here: https://reckoningwiththeprimalwound.com/ Connect with Rebecca here: https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=41801212 https://www.instagram.com/bunnybecca/?hl=en https://m.facebook.com/reckoningwiththeprimalwound/ #adoption #adoptionawareness #adoptionevent #adoptionislove #adoptionjourney #adoptionlove #adoptionresponsable #adoptions #adoptionstories #adoptionstory #adoptionsupport #adoptiontails #primalwound #nancyverrier Guests and the host are not (unless mentione...
Jul 09, 2021•56 min•Ep. 41
Alkes is the Chief Executive of Compassion for Orphans and is responsible for the management and oversight of day to day operations, service delivery, and the support and guidance for applicants through the adoption programme. ‘Compassion for Orphans’ (CFO) is a Christian not for profit organisation established in 2003 to facilitate the adoption of legally adoptable overseas children into loving New Zealand families. To get the App Alkes mentions go to https://www.cfo.org.nz/resources For more o...
Jul 08, 2021•25 min•Ep. 40
Irene Clements and her husband have 5 kids, 23 grandkids and 3 great grandkids. She is also Executive Director, National Foster Parent Association Board of Directors, Texas Foster Care Association Board Member, SAFE Coalition for Human Rights Advisory Board Member, NCTSN Chair, Board of Directors, EveryChild, Inc. Texas Board Member, Texas COAC Foster Care Consultant To connect with Irene visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ireneclements/ The National Foster Parent Association is a non-profit, vo...
Jul 07, 2021•57 min•Ep. 39
