Shows
Adoption TodayGuest - Simone Knego: The Extraordinary UnOrdinary YouOn this episode we are fortunate enough to chat with author and adoptive parent Simone Knego.
Her book The Extraordinary UnOrdinary You is a great read anytime, but it is also something that really resonates with a new year and new opportunities. She has a way of reminding us that life happens in the little, everyday moments, like saying hi to your neighbor or waiting a beat to answering a personal question. The stories that come from those encounters, and from her life with her husband and six children, will make you think about the way you a...2021-01-0536 min
Adoption TodayAdoptionly Yours Greeting Card FoundersEver wish you could find the perfect card to celebrate an adoption or recognize a birth parent? So did we!
And then we found Adoptionly Yours, a local Tampa Bay-based greeting card business run by two moms.
Stacy Clark and Jane Alfieri both have daughters through the gift of adoption, and met while working in the advertising industry. The writer and artist put their heads and hearts together and came up with the perfect words and illustrations to recognize the adoption journey. Their line of greeting cards includes cards and gifts to support and celebrate new parents, honor birth parents a...2020-07-3141 min
Adoption TodayCorona Kids Follow Up / episode 2of2(Hey all- we did this podcast as socially distant as possible, which means we were on three separate phone lines. So there is a little lag on some of the audio which can make it sound out of sync. Hopefully it's not too bothersome, because there is some good info here! Sorry about that!)
Jennifer Street, a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, is back on the podcast for another episode on taking a trauma-informed approach to mental health during this pandemic. We discuss what we hope will be some helpful reminders for parents and new resources as well.2020-05-1442 min
Adoption TodayCoronavirus Pandemic and Children - Special Guest Jennifer StreetChildren around the country are feeling the effects of the coronavirus quarantine. If your child is experiencing anxiety, grief, confusion over closings or frustration with their changing world, you’re not alone! Behavioral regression in children is a trauma response. Our guest is Jennifer Street who is a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional who specializes in trauma work to find the best ways we as parents can help children navigate these troubling times. (This is part one of what will be at least a two-part series on mental health. We- Carrie and Karyn- are not doctors, or mental health experts! Bu...2020-05-0741 min
Adoption TodayEpisode 27: Amy Williams / Custom Made KidAmy Williams is the author of a beautiful children's book about adoption, called "Custom Made Kid." She and her husband have three daughters and live in Birmingham, Alabama. She shares her story with us about her very own custom made kid, who came to her family by way of adoption. If you've ever been frustrated by the waiting game of adoption or the cruelty of infertility, Amy's example is comforting and inspiring. You will appreciate her honesty when it comes to talking adoption, motherhood and God's divine timing in all things!2019-05-2349 minAdoption TodayEpisode 26: Pregnancy Through Embryo AdoptionThere are so many ways to have a family, and embryo adoption is a path to parenthood that may not even be on your radar!
We didn't know much about it either, so we found someone who does answer all our questions: Is it IVF? Adoption? A combination?
Our guest, Leigh, shares her story of growing her family this way after several failed fertility treatments.
Why she and her husband chose to adopt an embryo- and what that even means- will have you considering the many advantages for all involved.
For more information on e...2019-05-0843 min
Adoption TodayEpisode 25: Kelly Zarle: Foster Advocate and Chapter Head for Foster FloridaSometimes you meet someone who inspires you and amazes you with their spirit and drive. Our guest Kelly Zarle is one of those people! She fired up to help foster children in the state of Florida, and determined to raise awareness of the need for more foster families.
Kelly and her husband Aaron have three children, and are currently foster parents to two babies: a one-and-a-half year old and a newborn. They began their foster care journey a few years ago not knowing where exactly it would lead them. As she says, she just kept saying "yes" a...2019-04-2438 min
Adoption TodayEpisode 24: Barbara Allen Part 2 Adopting from KoreaIn our last episode with Barbara from February 2019, we ended with their family waiting on final approval to go to Korea and meet their little girl! In this episode we talk all about the journey that unfolded since then and how it all went down! 2019-04-1133 min
Adoption TodayEpisode 23: Part 2 of Mary Anderle's Foster JourneyOur very first podcast guest and friend, Mary Anderle, is back with an incredible update to her story.
You may remember that Mary and her husband have two biological children and were in the process of trying to adopt a third son through foster care. Their foster care journey began with creating a safe, loving space for a few children who turned out to be short-term placements. And then just before Hurricane Harvey hit, they welcomed a newborn, Baby B, into their home and into their hearts. When we last spoke to Mary, they were in limbo about his future, w...2019-03-2838 minAdoption TodayEpisode 22: What Not to Say to Foster and Adoptive ParentsSometimes we wish our friends and family knew certain things about adoption... like, what not to say to people who are adopting! Well-meaning people often unknowingly use words in ways that aren't the most constructive. When it comes to questions, statements and assumptions, we have heard some interesting ones!
We've got some real life examples, as well as some suggestions for how people can rephrase common questions and statements to make everyone feel better.
And remember, when in doubt, laugh it off! At the very least it makes a good story.2019-03-1425 min
Adoption TodayEpisode 21: Barbara Allen - Adopting from KoreaBarbara Allen and her husband live in California with their two biological children, and their family is growing again as they are about to adopt a child from Korea! When we spoke to her, they were in the last part of their wait to bring their daughter home. Barbara shares the reasons they selected Korea, how they were finally matched, and their next steps in the process.
Mentioned in this episode:
AAC Adoption in Colorado (Barbara's agency)
Holt Adoption (founded the Korean adoption process)2019-02-2729 min
Adoption TodayEpisode 20: Adoption LoveWe are feeling the love!
We wanted to share the top five things we love about adoption. We think it rocks, and we want to shed some light on how we feel adoption helps you grow as a person, become a family, grow closer with God and even build an amazing community.
Mentioned in this episode is one of Karyn's favorite authors, Janet Landsbury, who wrote, among other books: No Bad Kids. For more info on her parenting approach, follow this link. (Not sponsored. Just love her). 2019-02-1226 min
Adoption TodayEpisode 19: Meredith Emerick's Adoption Journey to ChinaMeredith tells us her story of adopting their sweet son Luis from China. This episode is a candid and honest look at how the process works before, in country, and after, bringing their child home. For more info on adoption from China check out Holt International - http://www.holtinternational.org/china/2018-10-2149 min
Adoption TodayEpisode 18: Jen King's StoryJen King is a fellow mother, wife and friend who loves to entertain friends and family. She and her husband Kiley live in Tampa, Florida with their two young daughters. Jen was kind enough to share her adoption story with us: how she found out she was adopted and how she felt about that knowledge growing up. She also shared her feelings about taking a chance on a Facebook message and meeting her birthmother and biological family members once she was an adult.2018-10-1527 min
Adoption TodayEpisode 17: The System of Carelessness in Florida - The Real Root Cause and How We Can Solve ItThere was another tragic death here in Tampa Bay involving an innocent child in the state's foster care system. Two year old Jordan Belliveau was senselessly murdered after being removed from his foster family. His biological mother is charged in his murder.
Tragically, the foster care system in Florida is not doing enough to protect children like Jordan, and we are obligated to speak out and do something about it! On this episode we talk about some of the faults in the system, the laws governing the best interest of the child, and what we believe could be beneficial in...2018-10-0731 min
Adoption TodayEpisode 16: Working as a MomAre you a mom who works full-time outside the house, or a stay- at-home mom, or a combo of the two? Whatever your family situation, there are always benefits and struggles. We each bring our own unique perspective in discussing how we make it work!2018-09-2330 min
Adoption TodayEpisode 15: Jed and Vicki Taufer's Adoption Adventure In NepalJed and Vicki have two beautiful children adopted from Nepal and Thailand. We are talking all about how their first adoption from Nepal didn't quite go as planned. It left Vicki in Nepal for 6 months not knowing if their adoption would ever got through and changed their lives forever!2018-09-1049 min
Adoption TodayEpisode 14: Adoption Cost and FundraisingThe cost of adoption can be a big stumbling block for many people- but it doesn't have to be. We have some great info to help you over the financial hurdle of paying those adoption fees. From employer matching plans to the government tax credit, and fundraising or crowd-sourcing, it may be more manageable than you think! Carrie also shares her non-profit, the Promise Love Foundation, which helps fund adoption-related expenses for people right here in Tampa Bay.
Here are some of the links to info we shared:
Adoption Tax Credit Info: http://fundyouradoption.tv/adoption-tax-credit/
Foster/Adoption Process:
www...2018-08-2628 min
Adoption TodayEpisode 13: Children's Adoption Book ReviewWe take a look at some popular children's books about adoption. Each has a slightly different message, so we checked out some geared towards international adoption, and others that are better for domestic infant adoptions. Here are the ones we reviewed:
"Wonderful You"
"When I Met You"
"Motherbridge of Love"
"The Family Book"
"Tell Me Again About the Night I Was Born"
"Yes, I'm Adopted!"
"A Mother for Choco"
"How God Makes Babies"
"I've Loved You Since Forever"
And we also are looking forward to reading the Dungy's family's new booking coming out February 2019.2018-08-1933 min
Adoption TodayEpisode 12: Adoption TravelMany times in adoption, families have to travel to another state to meet their baby and bring him or her home. That usually means the adoptive parents will need to remain in the state where the baby was born for a few weeks after the birth. Karyn and Scott did just that when they lived in Nashville and traveled to Tampa to be present for the birth of their son. Listen to hear tips on staying sane while staying in a hotel with a newborn baby.2018-07-3021 min
Adoption TodayEpisode 11: Anna Bolton, Russian AdopteeAdoptive parents: For anyone who has ever wished they could ask what adoption feels like from the other side, Anna shares what she wishes all adoptive parents could know.
Meet Anna Bolton:
Anna was adopted from Russia as a toddler and has grown up here in the United States with her mom, dad and brothers. She is about to begin her freshman year in college, but when she's not spending time with her family, hanging out with friends or working as a hostess, she loves talking about adoption. Anna shared with us how her family told her about her adoption...2018-07-2341 min
Adoption TodayEpisode 10: Liz AgueroLiz Aguero and her husband have been foster parents for six years, in addition to having two biological children. Most of their foster placements have been babies and toddlers who wound up finding forever homes with relatives. Their current foster care child is 18 months old, and he was just matched with his permanent adoptive family, right here in Tampa! So, yes, despite what you may have heard, it is possible to adopt a baby or toddler through foster care.
(Keep in mind that any child in foster care has been through some emotional or physical trauma or neglect.)
We talked...2018-07-0155 min
Adoption TodayEpisode 9: Jessica Alvarez TherapyIn today's episode, we talk about forming a secure attachment with your child, and where to go for help if that doesn't come easily.
Jessica Alvarez helps families in need of attachment-focused therapy and provides adoption-competent services. Jessica graduated with her Masters of Social Work, and is currently a Registered Clinical Social Work Intern at Adoption Related Services of Pinellas County.
We talked with Jessica about the needs of children who have come through the foster care system or are adopted. Jessica shares why attaching to a primary caregiver is so important, and how she is able to help families...2018-06-2444 minAdoption TodayEpisode 8 Foster Care: When you have to say goodbye."I could never foster, because I couldn't give them back." Sound familiar? Maybe you've said it or thought it. What kind of people can do that, knowing it might rip their hearts out? Are they superhuman? Reuniting a foster child with his or her biological family is usually the goal of foster care. It can sometimes also be a path to adoption, but in this episode we focus on the placements that are short-term, and the families who step up to parent children with unknown futures. Carrie shares the story of loving and caring for their foster baby for six...2018-06-1745 min
Adoption TodayEpisode 7: Father's DayCheck out our conversation with our sweet husbands, David and Scott. The Dads stole the show on this episode- and we're ok with that!
David and Scott share their feelings and provide a look at adoption from a dad's perspective. David also shares his bacon-cooking tips. If that doesn't make you tune in, we got nothing.2018-06-1141 min
Adoption TodayEpisode 6: Our First Guest Mary Anderle and her Foster JourneyOur guest, Mary Anderle, is the mother of two biological children, and currently she and her husband are fostering a third child as well!
Baby B is 9 months old and has been with the Anderle family since birth. We talked with Mary about the joys, frustrations and love that comes from fostering. We can’t thank her enough for sharing this intimate look into their life, and for her honesty and vulnerability. We promise to update you soon on Baby B's journey.
If you’ve ever wondered what fostering is like or how you can help support foster parents, this epis...2018-06-0345 min
Adoption TodayEpisode 5: The Tale of Two HospitalsAren't all hospitals "adoption friendly?" No, it turns out! Every hospital's policy is unique. We'll share our very different stories and provide some tips for your stay in the hospital.
Carrie and I (and our families) were each lucky enough to be present for the births of all of our children. This sweet picture is of Carrie and David and their family leaving the hospital after the birth of her youngest daughter. If you're considering infant adoption, you might be fortunate enough to celebrate your baby's actual "birthday" as well!2018-05-2724 minAdoption TodayEpisode 4: The Private Adoption Process: How does it work?Private adoption is one way to adopt, and it's done through an agency or an adoption attorney. We give an overview of the paperwork involved, picking an agency, making a portfolio for birth parents to view (no pressure! Just pick the best photos of your life! Hahah!), and how it all comes together in an open adoption like ours. For more information on the adoption process, head over to Promise Love Foundation www.promiselovefoundation.org/blog/2014/4/17/private-adoption-how-does-it-work
for all the essential details and links to learn more.2018-05-2132 minAdoption TodayEpisode 3: Our StoriesWe share the journeys we have taken that led to being matched with our children! We'll also talk about what it means to have an open adoption and how - and why!- we communicate with our children's birth mothers.2018-05-1431 minAdoption TodayEpisode 2: Mothers DayWouldn't it be great if we could tell our children's birth moms exactly how much we appreciate them on Mother's Day? The cool thing about open adoption is that we can! And we do. In this episode, we also talk about Mother's Day from several perspectives, including women who are struggling to become moms. We also share what our first Mother's Days were like, and our favorite things about being moms. Plus, Mom Guilt, it happens to (almost) everyone!2018-05-0630 minAdoption TodayEpisode 1: Adoption Today Meet Us!Our very first episode get to know Carrie and Karyn. Well talk about why we're qualified to talk about adoption and what we've got in store for this podcast!2018-04-2624 min