In this episode, Karlos Dillard interviews Diana Colon, who shares her harrowing journey from being born in Russia and living in orphanages to being adopted in America. Diana recounts her traumatic experiences in the orphanage, including abuse and neglect, and the challenges she faced in her adoptive home. Despite the struggles, Diana emphasizes the importance of resilience and healing, and she offers valuable advice for future adoptees. Her story is a testament to the strength of the human spir...
Jun 30, 2025•53 min
In this episode, Karlos Dillard speaks with Shantel about her experiences as a kinship adoptee. They discuss the challenges of growing up in an adoptive home, the impact of abuse and neglect, and the importance of resilience and support systems. Shantel shares her journey through teenage pregnancy, navigating relationships with her biological family, and the resources available for young parents. They also explore the concept of the 'adoption fog' and the necessity of therapy for adoptive famili...
Jun 17, 2025•54 min
In this episode, Karlos Dillard and Shana discuss the complexities of adoption, including the importance of sharing personal stories, the trauma associated with being adopted, and the role of therapists in understanding adoptee experiences. Shana shares her own adoption story, the challenges of identity, and the impact of closed adoptions on her life. They also explore the legal implications of adoption and the emotional journey of reunification with birth family, emphasizing the need for greate...
May 27, 2025•49 min
Hey Lightshiners! In this engaging conversation, Karlos Dillard and Dr. Cre explore the importance of building relationships and support systems for youth, particularly those in foster care. They discuss the significance of creating safe spaces, effective communication, and the role of structure and boundaries in fostering healthy development. Dr. Cre shares insights from her experiences and emphasizes the need for adults to be open, nurturing, and willing to learn from young people. The discuss...
May 05, 2025•1 hr 31 min
Hey, Light Shiners! I am joined by Jasmine, a foster youth who shares her experience. She also speaks to us about what it is like being a kinship caregiver herself! Watch the Video Podcast Join me for the “ Bring the Light to Truth Book Tour 2025! If you would like to be on the show, please sign up here...
Mar 27, 2025•48 min
Hey Light Shiners! I am joined by Hart, who is a pre-birth match adoptee who is joined by their biological brother Michael. They speak about how reunification has been for them and Hart speaks about having a net-positive adoption, but still feeling the loss of their sibling Watch the Video Podcast! Join me for the “Bring the Light to Truth Book Tour 2025! If you would like to be on the show, please sign up here Please help us keep shining light on the truths of the foster care system by donating...
Feb 28, 2025•1 hr 3 min
Hey Light Shiners! I am joined by Jasmine a former foster youth who has just aged out of foster care. She speaks about life in group homes and how she made a plan to make it out of the system without being institutionalized. Watch the Video Podcast HERE ! Check me out on Patreon and get 1 on 1 time to get your questions answered! If you would like to be on the show please sign up HERE ! Please help us keep shining light on the truths of the foster care system by donating. Please click the link t...
Feb 04, 2025•41 min
Hey Light Shiners! I am joined by Lisa an adoptee who didn’t find out she was adopted until she was 7 or 8. She also shares about the abuse she survived at the hands of her stepbrother. We share reunification stories and end the podcast with advice for one another. Watch the Video Podcast! https://www.youtube.com/@KarlosDillard www.patreon.com/user?u=45714095&fan_landing=true If you would like to be on the show please fill sign up here https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeZwdv6RQrI49p0...
Jan 25, 2025•1 hr 5 min
Hey Light Shiners! I am joined by MGD a former foster youth. She speaks about her struggle with her identity and how a DNA test helps discover who she truly is. www.patreon.com/user?u=45714095&fan_landing=true If you would like to be on the show please fill sign up here https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeZwdv6RQrI49p0kqtzBblV5eQIGAE81dV3Ey3ZQRgmWOeS1A/viewform?usp=preview Please help us keep shining light on the truths of the foster care system by donating. Please click the link to d...
Jan 14, 2025•51 min
Hey Light Shiners! I am joined by Tara who is a transracial adoptee and she shares her experience with dealing with religious trauma from the Mormon church. She also speaks about how she still loves her white adoptive parents but struggles with her racial identity. Watch the video of this episode only on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/user?u=45714095&fan_landing=true If you would like to be on the show please fill sign up here https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeZwdv6RQrI49p0kqtzBbl...
Jan 01, 2025•1 hr 7 min
Hey Light Shiners! I am joined by Cassidy a former foster youth who was being abused by her birth brother in their home. She speaks about how hard reunification can be and how child abuse can cause lifelong trauma in families. Watch the video of this episode only on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/user?u=45714095&fan_landing=true If you would like to be on the show please fill sign up here https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdFZxNnCSntbuvjrxjjvZco3BmsCVNELmU1WzlYPCOongNNiA/viewform?us...
Dec 17, 2024•59 min
I am so excited to share with you more stories of lived experiences so we can all learn and grow! If you would like to be on the show please fill sign up here https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdFZxNnCSntbuvjrxjjvZco3BmsCVNELmU1WzlYPCOongNNiA/viewform?usp=pp_url Please help us keep shining light on the truths of the foster care system by donating. Please click the link to donate! https://karlosdillard.com/checkout/donate?donatePageId=611ab8be7dbb68767abf984e...
Nov 25, 2024•2 min
Hey Light Shiners! I am joined by Laura a birth mom who almost lost her kids to the system because of a mental health crisis. She speaks about co-parenting with an abusive Ex-spouse and how she was alienated as a mom. Follow the guest on social media! @Iwinnard1982 also check out her business at Crystal Hope Creations Watch the video of this episode only on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/user?u=45714095&fan_landing=true If you would like to be on the show please fill sign up here https://d...
Jun 18, 2024•29 min
Hey Light Shiners! I am joined by CJ a birth father who was on the show 2 years ago. He gives us an update and how he has been advocating for himself and his daughter. Follow the guest on social media! @Childlessparent Watch the video of this episode only on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/user?u=45714095&fan_landing=true If you would like to be on the show please fill sign up here https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdFZxNnCSntbuvjrxjjvZco3BmsCVNELmU1WzlYPCOongNNiA/viewform?usp=pp_url...
Jun 05, 2024•52 min
Hey Light Shiners! I am joined by ShaVonnda, a birth aunt who helped her brother fight the family policing system and tried to adopt his daughter out to foster parents. They fought for 8 years and won! Follow the guest on social media! @kinship.is.care (tiktok) @Emily_brooks_foundation Support this family and fight back! https://www.gofundme.com/f/u2prd-bringing-emily-home?qid=64b886178566f29b75ddd2a49f67e4c7 Watch the video of this episode only on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/user?u=4571409...
May 16, 2024•1 hr 30 min
Hey Light Shiners! I am joined by George a native adoptee who had a net positive adoption experience. He talks about how his adoptive parents keep his birth family and culture involved while growing up and why ICWA is so important. Follow the guest on social media! @Ibakedinupiaq Watch the video of this episode only on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/user?u=45714095&fan_landing=true If you would like to be on the show please fill sign up here https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdFZxNn...
Apr 18, 2024•40 min
Hey Light Shiners! THERE IS A SUICIDE TRIGGER WARNING in this episode. I am joined by Scottie a same-race Black adoptee who shares about their net-positive adoption experiences and religion trauma. We do speak about assisted suicide so please use caution listening and speak to mental health professionals If you are having suicidal thoughts. Always Shine Your Ligjht. Follow the guest on social media! @scottieslittlelife Watch the video of this episode only on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/user...
Apr 03, 2024•48 min
Hey Light Shiners! In this episode, I am joined by Petrea an international adoptee who was adopted from Russia. She speaks on her net-positive adoption and how isolating it was to grow up in a single-mother household. Follow the guest on social media! @dosvidaniyababy6669 Watch the video of this episode only on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/user?u=45714095&fan_landing=true If you would like to be on the show please fill sign up here https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdFZxNnCSntbuvj...
Mar 25, 2024•40 min
Hey Light Shiners! In this episode, I am joined by Tiffany and adoptee who shares her story about her adoption, her adoptive parents divorce and how that affected her life. Follow the guest on social media! @Sistatiph Join the BLACK MOTHERS MARCH! https://www.blackmothersmarch.com/ Watch the video of this episode only on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/user?u=45714095&fan_landing=true If you would like to be on the show please fill sign up here https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdFZx...
Mar 11, 2024•49 min
Hey Light Shiners! In this episode, I am joined by Shellie who speaks about how her adoptive parents paid for her and how that made her feel. Follow the guest on social media! @ShellBell Watch the video of this episode only on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/user?u=45714095&fan_landing=true If you would like to be on the show please fill sign up here https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdFZxNnCSntbuvjrxjjvZco3BmsCVNELmU1WzlYPCOongNNiA/viewform?usp=pp_url Please help us keep shining lig...
Feb 27, 2024•1 hr 3 min
Hey Light Shiners! In this episode, I am joined by Sandra a foster youth and adoptee whose story will shock you. She shares her experience of being adopted twice...will at least she THOUGHT she was adopted. Follow the guest on social media! @chickanddog PRESELL for BOOK @ HERE Watch the video of this episode only on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/user?u=45714095&fan_landing=true If you would like to be on the show please fill sign up here https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdFZxNnCSn...
Feb 05, 2024•1 hr 10 min
Hey, Lightshiners! In this episode, I am interviewing Will Powerrr an adoptive father who went viral on TikTok for brushing his Transracial adoptee's hair. After going viral and facing backlash Will came onto my Tiktok Live to share his lived experience. Please be sure to check out the 2024 Black Mothers March on Washington Black Mothers March
Jan 26, 2024•1 hr 4 min
Hey Light Shiners! In this episode, I am joined by Rosie who speaks about her childhood and reuniting with her birth family. She explains that reunification is not easy and explains why. Watch the video of this episode only on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/user?u=45714095&fan_landing=true If you would like to be on the show please fill sign up here https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdFZxNnCSntbuvjrxjjvZco3BmsCVNELmU1WzlYPCOongNNiA/viewform?usp=pp_url Please help us keep shining lig...
Jan 17, 2024•54 min
Hey Light Shiners! In this episode, I am joined by Ginger, a foster youth bounced between many foster placements and group homes. She speaks about how she could age out and access the resources but how difficult that process was. Follow the guest on social media! @gingerchaney07 Watch the video of this episode only on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/user?u=45714095&fan_landing=true If you would like to be on the show please fill sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdFZxNn...
Dec 28, 2023•53 min
Hey Light Shiners! In this episode, I am joined by Holly who explains to us how she was illegally adopted and how that affected her life. Follow the guest on social media! @YAYA Watch the video of this episode only on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/user?u=45714095&fan_landing=true If you would like to be on the show please fill sign up here https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdFZxNnCSntbuvjrxjjvZco3BmsCVNELmU1WzlYPCOongNNiA/viewform?usp=pp_url Please help us keep shining light on the...
Dec 20, 2023•38 min
Hey Light Shiners! In this episode, I am joined by Keziah an adoptee who was separated from her twin sister at birth. She speaks about the death of her adoptive mother and how her adoptive father supported her. Keziah also talks about how it is growing up without her Romani culture. Follow the guest on social media! @ Watch the video of this episode only on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/user?u=45714095&fan_landing=true If you would like to be on the show please fill sign up here https://d...
Nov 30, 2023•55 min
Hey Light Shiners! In this episode, I am joined by David a foster youth who shares his experiences bouncing between group homes and foster homes as a child growing up. He shares how he created safety nets for himself like going to college to become successful/ Follow the guest on social media! @ Watch the video of this episode only on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/user?u=45714095&fan_landing=true If you would like to be on the show please fill sign up here https://docs.google.com/forms/d/...
Nov 08, 2023•38 min
Hey Light Shiners! In this episode, I am joined by Barbara a former foster youth and adoptee. With over 25 years of private practice as a ministerial counselor, Barbara Lane has dedicated herself to serving individuals and families. Her educational background in human development, social sciences, and family psychology, with a specialization in child abuse, fuels her passion for sharing expertise on topics close to her heart. Watch the video of this episode only on Patreon! https://www.patreon.c...
Nov 04, 2023•47 min
Hey Light Shiners! In this episode, I am joined by Diamond who aged out of foster care. She shares her experience entering the foster care system and how it has affected her. Follow the guest on social media! @Theelevenshop_ Watch the video of this episode only on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/user?u=45714095&fan_landing=true If you would like to be on the show please fill sign up here https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdFZxNnCSntbuvjrxjjvZco3BmsCVNELmU1WzlYPCOongNNiA/viewform?usp=...
Oct 24, 2023•36 min
Hey Light Shiners! In this episode, I am joined by Kristyn an adoptee who was given up at birth by her biological mother. She speaks about how her adoption was positive overall but had an issue with reunification as an adult. Follow the guest on social media! @ThaNuggetsMom17 Do you want to see Karlos speak as a Keynote Speaker in Virginia in November? Check out the Identity Theft Conference. Get more info here https://e.givesmart.com/events/wGC/ Watch the video of this episode only on Patreon! ...
Oct 10, 2023•55 min
