003 | The Family Stone (2005): Adoption on the Big Screen
In this episode of Adoption Pop!, podcast journalist Haley Radke, filmmaker Kristal Parke, and cultural critic Sullivan Summer delve into the dysfunctional dynamics of The Family Stone. Race, queer rights, adoption, heirloom jewelry, and a beloved family recipe for strata—this film has everything (except maybe likeable characters engaged in healthy communication). But don't take our word for it. Sit through what is perhaps the cringiest Christmas Eve dinner in history, and judge for yourself.
The Family Stone (2005) was written and directed by Thomas Bezucha, and produced by Michael London.
This episode aired on December 25, 2025. In it we discussed and/or relied upon:
Adoptees On podcast, Episode 240: Sandra Steingraber
Adoptees On podcast, Episode 276: Sanjay Pulver
Craig T. Nelson played Hayden Fox, coach of a fictional NCAA Division I football team in the ABC sitcom Coach from 1989-1997.
According to Miriam Webster dictionary, "smarmy" is an adjective that means "revealing or marked by a smug, ingratiating, or false earnestness," or "of low sleazy taste or quality." As in, Sullivan believes Everett Stone is smarmy.
Rachel McAdams played Regina George, the primary antagonist in the 2004 film, Mean Girls. We only wear pink on Wednesdays.
Roger Moore, "'The Family Stone' speaks volumes with sign language," The Seattle Times (December 27, 2005)
The Adoption Pop! theme music is The Chase by Audiogreen.
We'd love to hear what you thought of this episode, and what you'd like for us to cover in the future. Find, follow, like, and subscribe to Adoption Pop! at our website, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and wherever you get your podcasts.
Podcast journalist Haley Radke is at adopteeson.com and on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
Filmmaker Kristal Parke is at kristalparke.net, on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.
Cultural critical Sullivan Summer is at sullivansummer.com, on Instagram, and on Substack.
