Shows
The Mom Next Door: Stories of Faith231 - Answering the Call: Faith, Adoption, and Community Support - Jodi Jackson Tucker & Lisa C. QuallsWelcome to our neighborhood! Sit on down with Pam, Jodi Jackson Tucker and Lisa C Qualls to chat about the fulfilling yet challenging journey of foster care and adoption. Jody and Lisa dive into the dynamics of large, blended families and the vital role of faith in navigating the complexities of adoption. They offer insight into how communities can rally support around adoptive and foster families, shining a light on the global orphan crisis and the transformative power of prayer. This episode is packed with encouragement, practical resources, and real stories of God's faithfulness...
2025-03-2942 min
Called to Love: An Adoption Podcast for Christian Parents - Christian Adoption, Trauma and Healing, Foster Care, Parenting Adopted ChildrenUnderstanding Blocked Care with Lisa C. QuallsWelcome to the Called to Love Podcast! In this episode, I am joined with an incredible guest: Lisa C. Qualls. Lisa is the proud mother of both biological and adopted children, twelve in fact, and is an accomplished author, speaker, and Enneagram coach with TBRI training. Together, we focus on the concept of 'blocked care'—a self-protective mechanism that can hinder emotional connection between parents and children. Lisa shares her personal journey into adoption, the challenges faced, and the development of her ministry aimed at supporting adoptive and foster families. We discuss the neuroscience behind bloc...
2025-03-2544 min
Moms Take TenFoster Care and Adoption with Lisa C. Qualls and Jodi Jackson TuckerAdoption is joy and grief, loss and gain. Every member of the adoption triad experiences it differently, and even experiences it differently in different seasons of their life. My guests today, Lisa C. Qualls and Jodi Jackson Tucker, can attest to this. Lisa is a birth, adoptive, and former foster mom. Jodi is an adoptive mom. In their own lives, and in their ministry to other adoptive parents, they are journeying the complexity that adoption is. And through it all, they have found the goodness of God and the healing he brings. Join us as Lisa and Jodi share...
2024-12-0212 min
Dive Into The Full Audiobook That Keeps Book-Lovers Hooked.Healing for Every Heart in Adoption by Betsy S. Kylstra, Lisa C. Qualls, Jodi Jackson Tucker, Peter Mutabazi - foreword byPlease visithttps://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/2/audible/169191to listen full audiobooks.
Title: Healing for Every Heart in Adoption
Author: Betsy S. Kylstra, Lisa C. Qualls, Jodi Jackson Tucker, Peter Mutabazi - foreword by
Narrator: Sarah Zimmerman
Format: mp3
Length: 6 hrs and 48 mins
Release date: 11-05-24
Ratings: Not rated yet
Genres: Adoption & Fostering
Publisher's Summary:
In this groundbreaking book, adoption advocates Betsy S. Kylstra, Lisa C. Qualls, and Jodi Jackson Tucker-an adoptee, a birth mother, and an adoptive mother-reveal that adoption is rooted in both loss and redemptive victory. And healing is needed by all in the adoption triad-adoptees, birth parents...
2024-11-056h 48
Adoption Wise#245: The Science of Caring with Dr. Jon Baylin and Jessica Sinarski
We often get questions about whether teachers or other folks who interact with our kids can have blocked care. Or what about siblings? Also, can you have blocked care towards a spouse? Since we weren’t the first ones to name blocked care, we went to the source. We are thrilled to bring you this conversation with Dr. Jonathan Baylin, author of Brain-Based Parenting and other works, and Jessica Sinarski of BraveBrains. Besides digging deeper in the science of caregiving, we also talk about the differences between primary and secondary blocked care and blocked compassion.
Dr. Ba...
2024-05-2841 minAdoption Wise#244 When Blocked Care Affects Your Marriage
Marriage is already hard, but add in parenting children with significant needs and blocked care, and staying married may seem impossible. In this episode, Lisa and Melissa answer two listener questions about marriage and blocked care with personal stories and practical tips. If you’re not married, you’ll still find insights you can apply to your close relationships with folks who love your family.
Click here to download a transcript for this episode.
Relevant Links
FREE Blocked Care Assessment
Dr. Sue Johnson (Emotionally Focused Therapy)
Books...
2024-05-1435 minAdoption Wise#243: The Power of Community when Reclaiming Compassion with Kayla North
We believe that overcoming blocked care is best in community. In this episode, we explore the power of community and compassion in the journey of foster care and adoption. Kayla North generously shares her experiences of blocked care and how support, self-care, and practical strategies can lead to resilience and healing. They also talk about how mom’s found hope through attending Reclaim Compassion book clubs last summer.
Ryan and Kayla North are a dynamic husband-and wife duo who have dedicated their careers to helping adults create environments where children feel safe, welcome, and loved. Through th...
2024-04-3042 min
Locked and Probably Loaded with DJ and KellyVapes, Lisa Frankenstein, and Bad Porn Acting | Episode 7Send us a Text Message.
Kelly has to use a password to buy vapes. DJ and Kelly BOTH hated the movie Lisa Frankenstein (I loved it) They both arent having sex (with other people not each other get your mind out of the gutter) Kelly breaks down the acting in porn, DJ shares stories from set and standing up for himself, and we watch little children swear in the bathroom. Join the conversation by emailing us at probablyloadedpod@gmail.com and follow us on social media by clicking the links below.
Support the Show.
2024-04-2456 minAdoption Wise#242: How a Child’s Mental Health Impacts the Family with Amber Reynolds
Lisa and Amber Reynolds (our Director of Communications) chat about the challenges of parenting a young child struggling with mental illness. Amber shares candidly about what she wishes she had done differently, how her son’s mental illness affected her health, and how she’s overcoming blocked care. As an Enneagram 8, Amber loves advocating well for all those in her care. She and her husband, Chris, have been foster parents for seven years and have three children through adoption.
Click here to download a transcript for this episode.
Relevant Links
Conne...
2024-04-1646 minAdoption Wise#241: [workshop] What Shapes You: Unlocking Your Family System for Hope
Generally, what we carry into our childhoods and throughout our adulthood is part of a wider series, even patterns, of behavior, traumas, and worldviews. In this workshop, Dr. Stoker will give a very brief overview of Family Systems theory. You will learn:
highlights for Family Systems theory
a narrative that will assist you in seeing systems more objectively
tools to heal and offer hope for those with whom you live and serve
Dr. Andy Stoker (he/him) is married to Megan, and they are parents to two sons, Alex (20) and Wesley (15). Andy is an ordained United...
2024-04-021h 00
Empowered to Connect Podcast[E184] Becoming Adoption Wise and Overcoming Blocked Care with Lisa C. Qualls and Melissa CorkumToday on the show, friends of the program and prolific authors, Melissa Corkum and Lisa C. Qualls join us to talk about some exciting news! They cover their decision to re-brand their organization (formerly The Adoption Connection) to "Adoption Wise" and their newest resource "Foundations for Overcoming and Preventing Blocked Care" - a course you can take in community to begin working through the healing process and learning how to reclaim compassion in your parenting journey.
As always, Lisa and Melissa meet us right where we are with compassion and empathy and SO much practical wisdom to h...
2024-03-1936 minAdoption Wise#240: Tangible Ideas for Processing Grief
Foster care and adoption are full of ambiguous losses and disenfranchised grief. In this episode, Lisa and Melissa discuss the gap between expectations and reality which can lead to feelings of grief. They offer tangible practices, including writing, verbal processing, and bodywork. The importance of acknowledging and processing darker emotions such as sadness, anger, or resentment without judgment is emphasized. Lastly, they mention adapting these practices for children experiencing similar grief and loss.
Click here to download a transcript for this episode.
Relevant Links
Reclaim Compassion: The Adoptive Parent’s Guid...
2024-03-1928 minAdoption Wise#239: Fostering Children of Incarcerated Moms with Rebekah Cook
Rebekah Cook shares her experiences of fostering children of incarcerated moms through a ministry called Jonah’s Journey. She emphasizes the importance of establishing a relationship with the biological parents and discusses the unique challenges and rewards of this type of foster care. Rebekah also touches on her struggle with blocked care and how she sought support and healing.
Rebekah is a stay at home mom and former elementary school teacher who is passionate about loving and serving vulnerable moms in her community. She and her husband, Josh, are parents to 7 kids through birth, adoption and fo...
2024-03-0540 minAdoption Wise#238: Finding Life-Giving Connection
One of the signs of blocked care is isolation. In this episode, Lisa and Melissa chat about the importance of building supportive communities in virtual and real-life spaces. They recommend parents seek out and engage in safe, validating communities where they can discuss their challenges openly. All parents need to fill up their “relationship bucket” in order to maintain compassionate parenting.
Click here to download a transcript for this episode.
Relevant Links
Join Reclaim Compassion
Join our free Facebook group
House of Eve* by Sadeqa Johnson
...
2024-02-2025 minAdoption Wise#237: [mailbag] PDA, teen borderline personality disorder, despair
This week we answer listener questions such as:
What resources would you recommend for Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA)?
Do you have any wisdom to share about parenting a teenager with borderline personality disorder?
What if things don’t get better?
Click here to download the transcript for this episode.
Relevant Links
PDA Masterclass
Melissa’s Ted Talk on Redefining Success
The Gap and the Gain Podcast
2024-02-0625 minAdoption Wise#236: [workshop] Supporting Kids with FASD Part 2 with Sandra Flach
Many adoptive and foster parents wonder if their child may have FASD or they have a diagnosis but aren’t sure what to do next. Last time Sandra explored the impact of prenatal exposure to alcohol on a developing baby and identify the primary, secondary, and tertiary symptoms of FASD. This week in Part 2, you will learn practical techniques for accommodating and supporting children with FASD.
Sandra Flach is a mom of 8 children, 5 through adoption—2 diagnosed with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. She encourages and equips foster and adoptive parents through her weekly Adoption & Foster Care Journey Podcast and...
2024-01-2327 minAdoption Wise#235: [workshop] Supporting Kids with FASD Part 1 with Sandra FlachMany adoptive and foster parents wonder if their child may have FASD, or they have a diagnosis but aren't sure what to do next. In Part 1 of this workshop, you will explore the impact of prenatal exposure to alcohol on a developing baby and identify the primary, secondary, and tertiary symptoms of FASD. In Part 2, you will learn practical techniques for accommodating and supporting children with FASD.
Sandra Flach is a mom of 8 children, 5 through adoption—2 diagnosed with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. She encourages and equips foster and adoptive parents through her weekly Adoption & Foster Care Journey Podcast and blogs at Sa...
2024-01-0941 min
A Woman’s Heart with Lisa GrangerChristmas Traditions: Decorations and More with Dr. Charles QuallsIn this special Christmas episode, we dive deep into the origins and significance of various Christmas traditions that have become an integral part of the holiday season. Join us as we sit down with Dr. Charles Qualls, Senior Pastor of Franklin Baptist Church, to explore the rich history and spiritual implications behind beloved traditions such as Christmas trees, tinsel, nativity sets, Silent Night, candy canes, and gift-giving.
Be sure to check out the rest of the series on Christmas Traditions and a previous series on People of the Nativity!
Connect with Dr. Qualls:
...
2023-12-1930 minAdoption Wise#234: What We Learned in 2023Last year's reflection episode was a listener favorite, so we're back with another one! With the demands of life and parenting, it can be hard to find time to stop and reflect. But pausing and reflecting is good for our soul, our nervous system, and our relationships. In this last episode for 2023 we thought it would be fun to answer the following questions:
Describe a moment of clarity in 2023
Name something that became newly important to you in 2023
What is one new thing you want to explore in 2024
What do I have right now that, five years ago, I only...
2023-12-1235 minAdoption Wise#233: Maintaining Compassion as a Kinship Provider with Nakole WooleyKinship care, the full-time care of a child by relatives, comes with many added relationship dynamics and complexities. In this episode Nakole Wooley shares how they navigate the challenges of kinship care, and the importance of overcommunication and compassion in the process.
Nakole and her husband, Brandon, have been married 15 years. They are raising six kids including three who joined their family through kinship care. She is a military veteran and a licensed master social worker in Missouri. She and Brandon are also Cultivate Connection Facilitators.
Click here to download a transcript for this episode.
Relevant Links
Blocked Care 101
Reclaim C...
2023-11-2834 minAdoption Wise#232: Navigating Blocked Care When Your Community is WatchingIn this episode Angela Coston, the executive director of For the Sake of One, shares her journey as an adoptive and foster mom. She candidly discusses her experiences and challenges in parenting children with complex needs while being a community leader. Angela explains how being able to name blocked care helped her shed the shame that she was abnormal or a bad parent. She shares practical strategies that helped her overcome blocked care and highlights the importance of setting boundaries and taking time for nervous system care to maintain resilience. Through her personal experiences and growth, Angela offers hope to...
2023-11-1434 minAdoption Wise#231: [workshop] Calm Your Child’s Stress Response Using Neurodevelopmental Movement with Sonia StoryMany children with early adversity have an overactive stress response that can create challenging behaviors. In this engaging workshop you will see compelling case studies, visuals, and research about the role of innate neurodevelopmental movements in healthy physical, mental, and social-emotional functioning. You will gain a new perspective about the importance of neurodevelopmental movements and how they can help with anxiety disorders; sensory issues; overwhelm; and fight, flight and freeze states.
Sonia Story developed the Brain and Sensory Foundations curriculum to provide comprehensive training in the use of neurodevelopmental movements for addressing sensory, learning, physical, behavioral, emotional, social, and speech...
2023-10-3139 minAdoption Wise#230: Blocked Care 101Is your adoption journey turning out differently than you imagined? You had so much love to give, but now you feel ashamed and bewildered by your lack of compassion.
You may be experiencing blocked care—a self-protective mechanism in your nervous system that makes it difficult to connect with your child and maintain compassion. When it happens, it’s like your heart seems to have left the relationship.
In this episode, we identify the ten signs of blocked care and how to overcome them. It is never too late to reclaim compassion for yourself and your kids!
Click here to downlo...
2023-10-1722 minAdoption Wise#229: Honoring the Mystery in Adoption Stories with Suzanne StabileEvery adoptee walks through life dealing with the loss of at least their first family, and each one will experience that loss with a different lens. This week, Suzanne Stabile joins Lisa and Melissa for a rich conversation about adoption, the Enneagram, mystery, and curiosity. Suzanne shares vulnerably about how she's dealing with the "adoption-shaped hole" in her life.
As an internationally recognized Enneagram Master, Suzanne has conducted over 500 Enneagram workshops over the past 30 years. She's the author of The Road Back to You, The Path Between Us, and The Journey Toward Wholeness. When she is not on the road...
2023-10-0351 minAdoption Wise#228: [workshop] Helping Kids Who Live in La-la Land with Robyn Gobbel, MSWDo you have a child who doesn't seem to be fully present? Perhaps it seems they're often daydreaming or in la-la land. This can be especially frustrating if they have trouble focusing at school or completing a task. In this workshop you'll learn:
the neurobiology of shutdown
how la-la land is protective
how to offer safety and connection
Robyn loves cultivating deep, resonant connections with anyone who is up for it, and is especially fond of all the grown-ups in the world who love and care for kids impacted by trauma- helpers, healers, educators, and parents. Her favorite thing ever (b...
2023-09-1948 minAdoption Wise#227: [mailbag] preparing for a placement, young adult rejection, spouses with blocked care, choices for child with FASDsThis week we answer listener questions such as:
How do I prepare for every possible scenario and keep balance in our lives?
Why does our young adult reject us but show loyalty to practical strangers?
How do I help my spouse with blocked care?
How do I provide choices to a child who doesn't learn from poor ones?
Click here to download the transcript for this episode.
Relevant Links
# 41: Mentally Preparing For Your Adoption or Fostering Journey – The 11 most important things you need to know
#42: Practically Preparing For Your Adoption or Fostering Journey – The 6 most important things you need to do
2023-09-0525 minAdoption Wise#226: Navigating the Emotions of Special Needs Parenting with Amy J. BrownJoin Lisa as she talks with Amy J. Brown about the journey of parenting children with special needs. We talk about the moment she realized her children's challenges were going to change her life and family forever. We talk honestly about guilt and shame as adoptive moms, blocked care, and a practical exercise for moving from guilt to acceptance.
Amy J. Brown is a writer, mentor, and co-host of the podcast, Take Heart. She is the author of the book The Other Side Of Special: Navigating the Messy, Emotional, and Joy-Filled Life of a Special Needs Mom. Amy has a...
2023-08-2241 minAdoption Wise#225: [workshop] Using the TBRI® Nurture Group as a Family with Tristen McGheeIt's easy to get bogged down in big behaviors and forget to have positive interactions with your kids. TBRI® Nurture Groups provide a positive, attachment-rich environment that is imperative to helping your child increase their sense of felt safety while connecting and learning new skills for life.
In this workshop, you will learn:
importance of Nurture Groups
six aspects of a Nurture Group
how to implement the components into your family
Tristen McGhee is a certified Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI®) Practitioner, adoptive mom, foster/adoptive parent trainer, as well as a trauma-wise parent coach. She has extensive experience working wi...
2023-08-0829 minAdoption Wise#224: [Summer Swap] Finding Connection Through Your Adoption JourneyWe often have opportunities to be guests on other podcasts, and we've had some great conversations. We'd hate for you to miss them. Because we're taking the month of July off from recording new episodes, we thought it would be the perfect time to share some of those interviews with you right here on our podcast.
We couldn’t be happier to share this conversation with Melissa Corkum & Lisa Qualls of The Adoption Connection. We have long respected the work these two remarkable women are doing in the world. They are some of our favorite voices, offering hope and encouragement, to...
2023-07-2538 minAdoption Wise#223: [Summer Swap] Our Enneagram and Blocked Care JourneyWe often have opportunities to be guests on other podcasts, and we've had some great conversations. We'd hate for you to miss them. Because we're taking the month of July off from recording new episodes, we thought it would be the perfect time to share some of those interviews with you right here on our podcast.
The authors of Reclaim Compassion and hosts of The Adoption Connection podcast, Melissa Corkum (Enneagram 7) and Lisa C. Qualls (Enneagram 3) join Suzanne Stabile and Joel on the Journey.
Parenting is HARD
Working together as a 3 and a 7 and how they related differently to feelings
...
2023-07-111h 04Adoption Wise#222: [Summer Swap] Healing from Blocked CareWe often have opportunities to be guests on other podcasts, and we've had some great conversations. We'd hate for you to miss them. Because we're taking the month of July off from recording new episodes, we thought it would be the perfect time to share some of those interviews with you right here on our podcast.
Blocked Care is language identified by Jon Baylin & Dan Hughes which describes the experience whereby:
Overwhelming stress in a parent’s nervous system can create this subconscious, not on purpose, self-protective mechanism that makes it so that some of the parts of our brain an...
2023-06-2758 minAdoption Wise#221: Questions to Ask YourselfOur "What We Learned in 2022" episode got such great feedback that we decided to drop in with a mid-year reflections conversation.
We spontaneously answered the questions:
What did you discover in the first half of the year?
Share something that's on your mind right now.
What is one thing you would like to learn this summer?
These make great journal prompts or conversation starters with a friend. How would you answer them?
Click here to download a transcript for this episode.
Relevant Links
Reclaim Compassion: The Adoptive Parent's Guide to Overcoming Blocked Care with Neuroscience and Faith* by Lisa C. Qu...
2023-06-1338 minAdoption Wise#220: Why Encouragement May Be Better Than Consequences with adoptee, Stephanie FastAbandoned at a young age, Stephanie wandered the war-torn countryside of Korea. Due to her bi-racial ethnicity, she was abused and violated in every way. She was adopted around the age of nine by David & Judy Merwin. Her parents surrounded her with "lavish love" and encouragement instead of consequences when she acted out during her childhood. They seemed to understand her behaviors came from a well of deep hurt and shame. A profound personal encounter with Jesus Christ enabled her to exchange her pain with Him at the cross and see her identity and purpose in the light of God's lo...
2023-05-3038 minAdoption Wise#219: [workshop] Successful Vacation Planning for Adoptive FamiliesVacations are fun until they're not. The anticipation anxiety, change in routine, and potential overstimulation can make enjoyable vacations feel impossible.
In this episode, you'll learn:
things to consider when planning
how to set realistic expectations
tried and true tips for keeping the fun in vacation
Rachel Bell is an adoptive mom and founder Bell Travel Co. (@belltravelco), that specializes in travel for families and also individuals with food allergies and special needs.
Kristen Perso is an adoptive mom and founder of Cherry Blossom Vacations (@cherry_blossom_vacations) which renews families through the gift of vacation
Click here to download a t...
2023-05-1641 minAdoption Wise#218: [mailbag] connection with adult children, older child adoption, hugs and attachmentThis week we answer listener questions such as:
How do I give "yesses" to an adult child to strengthen connection?
Is younger child adoption easier than older child adoption?
Can you explain why my child begs for hugs and then rejects them?
Click here to download the transcript for this episode.
Relevant Links
The Connected Parent* by Dr. Karyn Purvis and Lisa C. Qualls
Join Reclaim Compassion
*This is an affiliate link
2023-05-0234 minAdoption Wise#217: [workshop] Explaining Our Families to Others with Beth Smith Feger, PhDParenting kids who have experienced trauma, loss and separation can be challenging. Finding strategies that heal and actually work provides hope to parents who are struggling, but these strategies can seem strange to others. Our parents, neighbors, friends, and family (maybe even that lady we see at church each week) have opinions, suggestions and perhaps even judgment about our new parenting strategies. This workshop will give us some tools to help our loved ones understand why we parent the way we do.
Beth Smith Feger has over 20 years of experience in training and education. Since completing a Ph.D. in...
2023-04-1839 minAdoption Wise#216: Breaking Free from the Cycle of Generational Abuse with Former Foster Youth Kristen ThomasWhen Kristen Thomas acted out as a child at school, it was a cry for help, but she was instead labeled as a "difficult child." Eventually placed in foster care, Kristen struggled with shame and being misunderstood by the people who were supposed to protect her. In this episode, she openly shares her story of how she's breaking the cycle of generational abuse in her family. She also shares the importance and role of community and what she needed from her caregivers.
Click here to download a transcript for this episode.
Relevant Links
Connect with Kristen on Instagram
Free blocked ca...
2023-04-0428 minAdoption Wise#215: [mailbag] birth family, psychosomatic symptoms, blocked care for non-parent caregiversThis week we answer listener questions such as:
How do you talk about love from birth parents when there's been extensive abuse?
How do you address psychosomatic symptoms in your child?
Is the new book helpful for other caregivers who interact with my child?
Click here to download the transcript for this episode.
Relevant Links
Body work episodes
#160: Essential Oils and Mental Health with Dr. Danielle Daniel
Reclaim Compassion
2023-03-2126 minAdoption Wise#214: Reclaim Compassion Book PreviewIs your adoption journey turning out differently than you imagined? You had so much love to give, but now you feel ashamed and bewildered by your lack of compassion.
You may be experiencing blocked care—a self-protective mechanism in your nervous system that makes it difficult to connect with your child and maintain compassion. When it happens, it’s like your heart seems to have left the relationship. But the good news is you are not a bad parent. You can heal from blocked care, and compassion can be rekindled in your heart.
Written by @lisacqualls and @melissacorkum_ who have them...
2023-03-0726 minAdoption Wise#210: Exploring How Your Past Impacts Your ParentingAs Dr. Karyn Purvis famously said, "You cannot lead a child to a place of healing if you do not know the way yourself." Making sense of our histories is essential to helping our children heal. In today's episode, Lisa reads portions of Chapter 2 of The Connected Parent, the book she co-authored with Dr. Karyn Purvis.
Click here to download a transcript for this episode.
Relevant Links
The Connected Parent* by Purvis and Qualls
Join Reclaim Compassion
*This is an affiliate link
2023-01-3118 minAdoption Wise#203: Adoption as a Single MomListen in as Lisa talks with two single moms about their experiences of becoming adoptive parents. Susan chose international adoption. Britani became an adoptive mom through a kinship care foster placement. They speak candidly about the blessings and challenges of being a single adoptive mom and where they find the support they need.
Click here to download a transcript for this episode.
Relevant Links
Holiday Survival Resources
The Village (use code podcast)
2022-11-2944 minAdoption Wise#198: Staying Connected to Your Spouse When You’re Grieving Differently with Lisa QuallsWhen your adoption journey is different than what you expected, there are a lot of ambiguous losses to grieve. Every parent will process and experience grief individually and on their own timeline. This week, Lisa shares five ways to hold onto your marriage, even if grief seems to be tearing you apart.
Click here to download a transcript for this episode.
Relevant Links
#119: Prioritizing Your Marriage as Adoptive Parents with Currey and JJ Blandford
#195: [workshop] Maintaining a Strong Marriage When Parenting Is Hard
Join The Village (use the code: podcast)
2022-10-1811 minAdoption Wise#193: Living a Love-Stretched Life with Jillana GobleSaying "yes" to fostering kids often stretches us in ways we never imagined. Jillana Goble is an author, advocate, non-profit founder, and—with her husband, Luke—parent of five children ranging in to age from pre-teen to adult. With honesty, faith and a dose of humor, her debut memoir, A Love-Stretched Life, chronicles what she’s continually learning on the suspension bridge. This week, Jillana joins Lisa to talk about grief, unexpected twists, and blessings during her journey.
Click here to download a transcript for this episode.
Relevant Links
Jillana's Website
Connect with Jillana on Instagram
Connect with Jillana on Facebook...
2022-09-1336 minAdoption Wise#190 Keeping Hope AliveIs your experience of parenting children with early trauma turning out the way you expected? Or is it vastly different from what you imagined? If you are experiencing a gap between what you imagined and your reality and feeling discouraged, you are not alone. In this episode, Lisa shares seven things to help you keep your hope alive.
Click here to download a transcript for this episode.
Relevant Links
Join the Village (use code podcast)
2022-08-2312 minAdoption Wise#185: [Summer Swap] Real-life Strategies for Building Trust and AttachmentWe often have opportunities to be guests on other podcasts, and we've had some great conversations. We'd hate for you to miss them. Because we're taking the month of July off from recording new episodes, we thought it would be the perfect time to share some of those interviews with you right here on our podcast.
Last summer, Lisa sat down with Chris, Kayla, and Ryan of the Empowered Parent Podcast to talk about her book, The Connected Parent. They talk about the writing process with Dr. Karyn Purvis and how this book complements The Connected Child.
Click here to...
2022-07-191h 03Adoption Wise#183: [Summer Swap] Following God Into The HardWe often have opportunities to be guests on other podcasts, and we've had some great conversations. We'd hate for you to miss them. Because we're taking the month of July off from recording new episodes, we thought it would be the perfect time to share some of those interviews with you right here on our podcast.
This week, we're replaying a conversation Lisa had with Jamie Finn (@realmompodcast and @fosterthefamilyblog) about fostering a teen, jumping from 7 to 11 children, when adoption gets hard, residential treatment centers, and what it looks like to engage with God through it all.
Click here to d...
2022-07-0547 minAdoption Wise#177: Attachment and Connection for Overwhelmed Parents with Lisa QuallsEven if you have a large family or a very busy life, finding time to connect with our kids and build strong attachment is imperative. Lisa shares simple tips for building attachment and connection that you can fit into your already full life.
Click here to download a transcript for this episode.
Relevant Links
Join the Village (use code podcast)
2022-05-2408 minAdoption Wise#169: Putting Our Hope in God When Parenting is Hard with Lisa QuallsHave you ever felt like your adoption journey shipwrecked your life? How do you find hope when you can hold your head above water?
This week, Lisa shares how God carried her family safely to shore. He gave them a new lens through which to view their kids and a whole new way of parenting.
Click here to download a transcript for this episode.
Relevant Links
Lisa's blog
The Connected Parent* by Lisa Qualls and Dr. Karyn Purvis
*This is an affiliate link
2022-03-2912 minAdoption Wise#154: Live Q&A with birth mom, Lisa QuallsLast month in The Village, we hosted "Ask Lisa Anything About Being an Birth Mom." Listen in as we chatted about how to navigate birth parent relationships with our kids.
Click here to download a transcript for this episode.
2021-11-1648 minAdoption Wise#151: Brainspotting for Adoptive Families with Brooke Randolph, LMHCAs adoptive parents ourselves, we're always looking for tools and therapies that may help our children heal. This week Lisa sat down with therapist and author, Brooke Randolph, to talk about Brainspotting. This gentle, therapeutic technique can help children process and heal from trauma even if they are unable to speak about it. It can also help parents process the stress of parenting children with high needs.
Click here to download a transcript for this episode.
Relevant Links
Brooke's website
Connect with Brooke on Facebook
Connect with Brooke on Instagram
Connect with Brooke on Twitter
Brainspotting with Children and Adolescents* by...
2021-10-2643 minAdoption WiseThe Podcast Goes on Summer Vacation!The podcast is on summer vacation for the month of July.
We invite you to join us in our free Facebook community and to scroll back to past episodes you may have missed.
Click here to download a transcript for this episode.
Top 5 Most Popular Episodes
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#88: The Connected Parent by Dr. Karyn Purvis and Lisa Qualls
2021-07-0608 minAdoption Wise#138: Dad Connection with Ryan NorthDad Connection: Join us this month as we hear from foster and adoptive dads.
Ryan and his wife Kayla have 6 children. They spent 10 years as foster parents and learned many of the things they share with families, churches, and schools just being a family. He is the co-founder of One Big Happy Home and is considered an expert on childhood trauma and its impacts. Listen in as Ryan shares about how God brought them to adoption and his journey from traditional parenting to connected parenting.
Click here to download a transcript for this episode.
Relevant Links
One Big Happy Home Webs...
2021-06-2938 minAdoption Wise#127: Processing Trauma through EMDR with Laura TaylorIf you're heard the acronym EMDR and wondered what it's all about, you're going to love this episode. Lisa interviewed Laura Taylor who is an EMDRIA Certified Therapist. We talk about what EMDR is, how it works, and who it can help. Laura finds EMDR therapy to be very helpful for clients with attachment wounds as well as many other types of traumatic issues and distressing life experiences.
Click here to download a transcript for this episode.
Relevant Links
The Body Keeps the Score* by Bessel van der Kolk
EMDRIA website (top right has a tab Find An EMDR Therapist)
Pa...
2021-04-1350 minAdoption Wise#124: [Mentor Moment] How can the Enneagram help adoptive parents?Mentor Moments give you a chance to join the conversation as we answer a listener question. These episodes guarantee we're providing the most helpful tools and resources for exactly where you are.
This week's question is:
How can the Enneagram help adoptive parents?
Share your experience and advice in our private Facebook group or ask your own question for a future episode. Click here to join.
Click here to download a transcript for this episode.
Relevant Links
The Road Back To You by Cron and Stabile*
#24: My 2 Parts in the Triad: Melissa’s Story of Being an Adoptee and Adoptive Mom
Li...
2021-03-1613 minAdoption Wise#119: Prioritizing Your Marriage as Adoptive Parents with Currey and JJ BlandfordParenting children with histories of early adversity can be really hard on a marriage. Today Lisa is talking with Currey and JJ Blandford about how to intentionally stay connected in the midst of it all. Currey and JJ are adoptive parents, he is a pastor and she is a therapist. and they lend their knowledge to this conversation.
We talk about everything from finding a good therapist to creating small spaces of time to connect. We even talk about observing the Sabbath as a day of rest and connection.
Click here to download a transcript for this episode.
Relevant Links
Ep...
2021-02-0954 minAdoption Wise#113 [Mentor Moment] What is the most memorable gift you’ve received?As we wrap up 2020, Lisa and Melissa reflect on the highlights for The Adoption Connection. We also asked you to tell us about your most memorable gifts. They ranged from comical to heartwarming. This is a fun listen while you prep for the holidays.
Click here to download a transcript for this episode.
Relevant Links
Exploring Grief, Trauma, and Rejection with the Enneagram
2020-12-1515 minAdoption Wise#112: Finding Hope as a Birth Mother with Hope O BakerAt twenty-one years old, Hope O Baker made one of the hardest decisions a person can make: she placed her son for adoption. Afterwards, she struggled with depression, addiction, and overcoming the stigma that surrounds birth mothers. This week, Melissa talks to Hope about some of the unusual parts of her story and about Hope's memoir, Finding Hope: A birthmother's journey into the light.
Click here to download a transcript for this episode.
Relevant Links:
Hope's Website
Connect with Hope on Instagram
Finding Hope: A birthmother's journey into the light* by Hope O Baker
#23: My 2 Parts in the Triad -Lisa’s St...
2020-12-0847 minAdoption Wise#111: Equine Therapy for Children with Early Adversity with Rebecca BrittJoin us as Rebecca Britt, the founder of Stable Moments, she shares her story of growth as a young adoption caseworker and her later development of a unique equine therapy program. This conversation is fascinating for those of us who want to understand more about our children's fear responses. Children can be mentored to learn new awareness of themselves and skills for relating to others - both horses and human.
Click here to download a transcript for this episode.
Relevant Links
Stable Moments Website
Stable Moment on Instagram
#30: How Horses Can Help Kids Heal
Melissa and Lisa on Rebecca's Podcast
Fa...
2020-12-0141 minAdoption Wise#107: Helping Children Understand Their Big Feelings with author, Jessica SinarskiDo you have a child who quickly moves to the fear responses of fight, flight, or freeze? In this episode Lisa interviews Jessica Sinarski, a trauma-informed adoption therapist and the author of Riley the Brave: The Little Cub with Big Feelings. You'll love hearing about how her book helps children and their caregivers recognize these fear responses as courageous ways of coping in hard circumstances.
As Riley, the little cub, embarks on a journey to overcome his fears, he learns that sometimes, being tough or loud isn't the bravest thing to be - sometimes it's asking for help, or being...
2020-10-2742 minAdoption Wise#105 A Birth Mother’s Story of Adoption Reunion with Adrian CollinsIf you love adoption stories like we do, you won't want to miss this one. Adrian Collins shares her story of giving birth as a young college student and placing her daughter for adoption. Years later she readopted her daughter as an adult. Add to this that Adrian is an adoptive mom, and this all adds up to a fascinating conversation.
Click here to download a transcript for this episode.
Relevant Links:
Adrian's website
Connect with Adrian on Facebook
#23: My 2 Parts in the Triad -Lisa’s Story of Being a Birthmom and Adoptive Mom
2020-10-1346 minAdoption Wise#100: Surprise Guest Hosts and a Celebratory GiveawayIt's time to celebrate! This is the 100th episode of The Adoption Connection podcast! We've worked hard to show up consistently with great content for our listeners. Honestly, producing the podcast gives us joy and we're happy to know it's serving you well.
To celebrate we have two guest co-hosts, Claire Qualls, Lisa's 17-year-old daughter, and PJ Corkum, Melissa's 17-year-old son. We're also giving away tons of great gifts so you can join in our happiness.
Don't miss this fun episode!
Click here to download a transcript for this episode.
Visit Our Sponsors!
Click here to enter the giveaway via...
2020-09-0134 minAdoption Wise#91: Ethical Orphan Care and Adoption with Whitney RunyonWhen Whitney and Nick Runyon put together her photography skills and his ability to travel on a budget as an airline pilot, a beautiful organization was born. The Archibald Project uses stories to educate people in all the ways to care for orphaned and vulnerable children. Melissa chats with Whitney about how her and Nick navigated their adoption, their whirlwind romance, and how others around the world are caring for their vulnerable children right in their community.
Relevant Links:
Connect with Whitney on Instagram
The Archibald Project's Website
Before We Were Yours: A Novel by Lisa Wingate*
*This is an...
2020-06-3033 min
Limitless with Lisa Z.Being Her Episode 1: Ebony QuallsBeing Her is a podcast by Lisa Zahiya. The podcast is dedicated to highlighting, celebrating, and learning from women who have consciously create the lives of their dreams. In episode 1, Lisa interviews Ebony Qualls, a famous bellydancer who has travelled the world teaching dance. She was toured with the Bellydance Superstars and Bellydance Evolution. Ebony choreographed and toured with Zoe Jake's House of Tarot. Ebony has performed onstage with Grammy-nominated band Thievery Corporation and with electronic musician and performance artist Peaches. Her mission is to help people express their unique creativity through dance, and she is dedicated to...
2020-06-2754 minAdoption Wise#88: The Connected Parent by Dr. Karyn Purvis and Lisa QuallsParenting under the best of circumstances can be difficult. And raising children who have come to your home from “hard places,” who have their own set of unique needs, brings even more challenges. You may have discovered that the techniques that worked with your birth children are not working with your adopted or foster child.
On July 7, the last written work of renowned child-development expert Dr. Karyn Purvis releases into the world. The Connected Parent:
Real-Life Strategies for Building Trust and Attachment was co-authored by our own Lisa Qualls.
This week she shares how the book came to be and what...
2020-06-0931 minAdoption Wise#82: Helping Our Kids Process Loss and Disappointment During the QuarantineOur kids are struggling with disappointment over things that have been lost due to quarantine - track season, dance recitals, and prom, for example. Lisa's daughter, Claire, is finishing her senior year of high school without a graduation ceremony. Today we're talking about recognizing grief and supporting our kids.
Additionally in this episode, we talk honestly about grief surrounding foster care and adoption through the lens of Elisabeth Kubler-Ross's Five Stages of Grief, plus an additional sixth stage.
Links Relevant to this episode:
5 Stage of Grief
Episode 20: The Bitter and Sweet of Foster Care Reunification with Jamie Finn
Episode 31: 7 Ways...
2020-04-2842 minAdoption Wise[Refresh Rewind] A Transracial Adoptee’s Thoughts on Growing Up Black in a White Family with Derek HamerIf you could have a candid conversation with a transracially adopted young black man, what would you want to ask him?
This is the question we asked members of our Facebook group prior to Lisa's interview with Derek Hamer. He shares his story with vulnerability that helps us see through his eyes.
Relevant Resources and Links:
Waking Up White: and Finding Myself in the Story of Race* by Debby Irving
The Skin I'm In* by Sharon Flake
No One Ever Asked* by Katie Ganshert
The Color of Us* by Karen Katz
Why are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in...
2020-03-031h 05Adoption Wise#71: Creating Daily Practices for Strong Family Relationships with Beth GuckenbergerSometimes you have a guest who can speak to so many topics, you don't know where to start. Lisa had the privilege of interviewing author, speaker, and minstry leader, Beth Guckenberger.
Beth shares wisdom and a unique perspective on marriage for all parents, especially those with demanding schedules and/or parenting kids with unique needs.
Relevant Links:
Join the Compassion Challenge
Some of Beth's books:
Start with Amen: How I Learned to Surrender by Keeping the End in Mind*
Reckless Faith | A 40 Day Journey to Saying Yes *
Tales of the Not Forgotten*
Connect with Beth on her website.
Connect with B...
2020-02-0445 minAdoption Wise#67: An Unexpected Open Adoption with Tonya DixonWhat would you do if your young child asked you to find her birth father? Our guest today experienced that exact situation when her young daughter told her she wanted to see her birth father.
The relationship with her daughter's birth mom had already evolved from being nearly closed to completely open. But this was a big step.
Listen as Tonya shares her story of listening, trusting God, and putting her child's needs above her personal comfort.
Books Tonya Recommends:
In Their Own Voices*
In Their Parents’ Voices*
In Their Siblings’ Voices*
All By Rita Simon and Rhonda Roorda*
The Open...
2020-01-0743 minAdoption Wise[Winter Rewind] Giving Voice to SiblingsIf your family is a blend of kids by birth and adoption/foster care, or if you had an established family created by adoption and then added new children from “hard places,” don’t miss this interview with Lisa’s daughter, Annarose.
How do siblings in the family feel, and what do they experience, when you add children to the family through adoption or foster care? What if the new children come with lots of challenges?
In this episode, Lisa interviews her daughter and middle child of eleven, Annarose, about the challenges and blessings of being a sister to kids through...
2019-12-2434 minAdoption Wise#64: Finding Adoption Support In Your Church with Jen DeckerMany adoptive and foster parents feel supported by their churches before bringing new children into the family and in the early months following placement. As the needs grow enthusiasm seems to wane and parents are left feeling isolated and in need of help.
In today's episode, Lisa interviews Jen Decker, who runs a thriving ministry for adoptive and foster parents at her church in Kansas City, Missouri. We discuss how parents can seek support and how churches can meet those needs.
Relevant Resources and Links:
Connect with Jen
Re: Conference
Live the Promise
Promise 686
Article: "Walk a Mile in Baby's...
2019-12-0353 minAdoption Wise#61: A Transracial Adoptee’s Thoughts on Growing Up Black in a White FamilyIf you could have a candid conversation with a transracially adopted young black man, what would you want to ask him?
This is the question we asked members of our Facebook group prior to Lisa's interview with Derek Hamer. He shares his story with vulnerability that helps us see through his eyes.
Relevant Resources and Links:
Waking Up White: and Finding Myself in the Story of Race* by Debby Irving
The Skin I'm In* by Sharon Flake
No One Ever Asked* by Katie Ganshert
The Color of Us* by Karen Katz
Why are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in...
2019-11-051h 04Adoption Wise#57: Adoption Reunion Reflections with Sherrie EldridgeIn this week's episode, Lisa chats with Sherrie Eldridge, adult adoptee and author of the best-seller, Twenty Things Adopted Kids Wish Their Parents Knew.
With great wisdom and experience, Sherrie Eldridge shares her experience of being an adoptee in the era of closed adoptions and searching for her first family many decades later. We learn about recent first meetings with siblings now in their seventies!
Relevant Resources and Links:
Sherrie's Website
Sherrie on Facebook
Sherrie's grief box presentation
Little Branch Gets Adopted by Sherrie Eldridge*
Twenty Things Adopted Kids Wish Their Adoptive Parents Knew by Sherrie Eldridge*
*affiliate link
2019-10-0845 minAdoption Wise#53: Restoring Your Sanity with Jayne SchoolerWhy is self-care important? And who has time for it anyway?
Adoptive and foster moms are often drowning in the needs of their children. We have so many people to care for, we can't begin to take care of ourselves. Can you relate to this?
Today on The Adoption Connection podcast, Jayne Schooler shares some thoughts on seven different types of rest and the importance of implementing them in your life.
Physical
Mental
Spiritual
Emotional
Sensory
Social
Creative
Relevant Resources and Links:
Connect with Jayne on Facebook
Connect with Jayne at Back 2 Back's website
Sacred Rest: Recover Your Life, Renew...
2019-09-1035 minAdoption Wise#37: Are video games actually bad for kids?Video games - do you love them or hate them? Do you worry about the influence of gaming on your kids?
In this episode, Melissa and her husband, Patrick, discuss video games and their approach to managing gaming in their family. You may be surprised at some of their thoughts. Can video games teach kids how to solve problems, work as a team, and even help us connect as families?
Relevant Resources and Links:
Reality Is Broken: Why Games Make Us Better and How They Can Change the World by Jane McGonigal
Jane's TedTalk: Gaming Can Make a Better World
...
2019-05-0752 minAdoption Wise#34: 10 Habits for Less Anxiety and Better Sleep with Tania MillikenIf you have trouble sleeping or tend to feel anxious and worn down, don't miss this interview with Tania Milliken. She shares ten daily habits to help our families thrive. Some of them may surprise you!
Links Relevant to this episode:
Connect with Tania at her website
Join Tania's Facebook group - Access Ease
Connect with Tania on Instagram @tania.milliken
Episode 25: Regulating Through Movement and Play with Robyn Gobbel
Stop, Breathe & Think (app for mindful breathing)
Yoga with Adriene
Down Dog (yoga app)
Mentor Moments:
This week Lisa and Melissa answer the question:
"I'm looking for ways of helping...
2019-04-161h 00Adoption Wise#32: Parenting Perks We Didn’t Know We Needed with Sharon HujikAre you trying to figure out how to juggle parenting your children while also pursuing your dreams? Do you even know what your passions are anymore?
In this episode, Lisa sits down with her friend, Sharon Hujik, to talk about balancing being a mom of kids from "hard places" and a business coach. We discuss the importance of doing something that gives you joy in the midst of intense therapeutic parenting.
Links Relevant to this episode:
Connect with Sharon at her website
Connect with Sharon on Facebook
Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown
Faith, Hope, & Connection: A 30...
2019-04-0244 minAdoption Wise#30: How Horses Can Help Kids HealImagine a foster or adopted child relating to a horse in a way that actually helps heal his brain.
Learn how equine therapy helps children's brains heal from trauma in this fascinating interview with Reccia Jobe about a trauma-focused equine-assisted psychotherapy, Natural Lifemanship.
Links Relevant to this episode:
Pecan Creek Ranch on Facebook
Pecan Creek Ranch on Instagram
Natural Lifemanship Website
Mentor Moments:
This week Lisa and Melissa answer the question:
"What if a child might say something that would get us investigated?"
2019-03-1951 minAdoption Wise#28: Hope for Youth Aging Out of Foster Care with Pam ParishDid you know there are 700 kids who age out of foster care each year just in Georgia? 97% of youth who age out without a significant, stable person in their lives will end up in poverty or worse. 70% of male youth who age out will end up in jail or prison.
There is a solution to these dire statistics. Today's guest, Pam Parish, tells us what that is. She also talks about ways we can support these youth and change their futures.
Pam Parish is the founder of Connections Homes an Atlanta-based organization impacting the lives of young adults who are...
2019-02-2642 minAdoption Wise#27: Tips for Getting Chores DoneChores - do you make your kids do them? Is it worth it? What if your child refuses to do his chore?
In this episode, Lisa and Melissa talk about the importance of including our kids in the work of the family, while also being mindful of our kids' needs and abilities.
We talk about how and when our families do chores and how we avoid huge conflicts. Don't miss this practical episode.
Join the discussion about chores in our private Facebook group. Click here to join.
Links Relevant to this episode:
How To Get Your Kids To Do Chores...
2019-02-1930 minAdoption Wise#26: What To Do When Your Child is Out of Control with Robyn GobbelPicture this, your child is falling apart, ramping up, and he's totally flipped his lid. Your fear starts to creep up. How do you make him stop?
You've been there, right? So have we.
In this week's episode, Robyn Gobbel helps us understand what is happening in us and our kids during times of dysregulation. Then she offers practical tips to help our children regulate.
Don't miss her explanation about the importance of matching our children's energy in the moment, which is different from being calm.
Links Relevant to this episode:
Robyn on Facebook
Gobbel Counseling Website
Episode 6: Helping Kids P...
2019-02-1256 minAdoption Wise#25: Regulating Through Movement and Play with Robyn GobbelWhy is it so hard for our kids to stay calm and regulated? And how can we help them learn how to do it?
Today's guest, Robyn Gobbel, gives us a great explanation of how our kids' brains respond to stressors. She offers us practical ways to help them regulate through movement that is:
Rhythmic
Repetitive
Relational
Somatosensory
Links Relevant to this episode:
Robyn on Facebook
Gobbel Counseling Website
Episode 6: Helping Kids Process Scary Events with Robyn Gobbel
Episode 26: What To Do When Your Child is Out of Control with Robyn Gobbel
The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog b...
2019-02-0552 minAdoption Wise#24: My 2 Parts in the Triad: Melissa’s Story of Being an Adoptee and Adoptive MomDo happy adoptees exist? In this episode, Lisa interviews Melissa about her life as a Korean adoptee, what her parents did right, connections to culture, and many other fascinating topics. We also talk about her life as an adoptive mom and how being an adoptee influences her.
Like Lisa, Melissa holds two roles in the adoption triad. She's an adult adoptee and an adoptive mom. Her positive adoption experience contributed to her decision to become an adoptive mom, which has been a much more complex journey.
We hope you love this episode as much as we enjoyed creating it.
Links...
2019-01-291h 01Adoption Wise#23: My 2 Parts in the Triad -Lisa’s Story of Being a Birthmom and Adoptive MomHave you ever felt like you're standing in two worlds simultaneously? We're not referring to science fiction, we're talking about holding two of the three roles in the adoption triad.
In this week's episode, Melissa interviews Lisa about being a birth/first mom and an adoptive mom. Lisa talks about her experience of losing her first son to adoption, grief and loss, bitterness, healing and restoration, and how she became the most unlikely adoptive mom.
There's lots of vulnerability in this interview, and quite a few tears (we had to stop recording at least once). It's tender and personal, please...
2019-01-2248 minAdoption Wise#22: Winning the Heart of Your Child with Mike BerryDo you ever wonder if you're doing the right thing as a parent? Do you wonder if you're focusing on the right things?
Today's guest is our friend, Mike Berry, who talks about what matters most, the hearts of our children. Their behavior, appearance, successes, and failures are not the core of who they are. We want to reach their hearts and develop relationships that will last a lifetime.
Mike shares great wisdom from his, soon to be released book, Winning the Heart of Your Child: 9 Keys to Building a Positive Lifelong Relationship with Your Kids.
Links Relevant to this...
2019-01-1548 minAdoption Wise#20: The Bitter and Sweet of Foster Care Reunification with Jamie Finn"I couldn't do foster care because I'd never be able to give them back."
How many times have you heard this, said this, felt this? There's no doubt, it's so hard to love and care for a child and then return him to his family. And yet...
Lisa sat down with Jamie Finn to talk about the bitter and the sweet of loving children and then letting them go. Jamie shares her journey from viewing herself as the rescuer of children to being a loving support to them and their birth families.
This was a beautiful conversation - we hope...
2018-12-1851 minAdoption Wise#19: How to Stay Connected to Kids Not Living at HomeWhat are some great ways to say connected with kids who aren't living at home?
Melissa and Lisa share their experiences of having children leave home for a short time or longer - some happy reasons and some hard.
How do we stay connected when emotions are tough? How do we connect with our big kids when our days are consumed with younger, or simply more demanding, siblings?
We share our best tips in this episode!
Links Relevant to this Episode:
Blog post by Melissa
2018-12-1130 minAdoption Wise#18: Intentional Parenting and Trauma-Sensitive Schools with Stacy ManningDo you want your kids living their best lives at home and at school? Our guest, Stacy Manning, believes in that goal.
Stacy adopted from Russia back before we were talking about trauma-informed parenting. She researched and found information on her own, which led her to develop resources and support groups for other parents.
Her newest area of interest is supporting educators and providing them with the knowledge and tools they need to be trauma-sensitive teachers. We loved hearing about that, and we know you will too.
Links Relevant to this episode:
Adoptive & Foster Parenting Facebook Page
Trauma-Sensitive Teachers Facebook...
2018-12-0459 minAdoption Wise#16: The Ultimate Shopping Guide for Adoptive FamiliesMelissa and Lisa share some of their favorite gift ideas for the people you love, and a few suggestions for you too in this episode. Maybe you'll find some new ideas here!
We'd love to hear your suggestions. Join the conversation on our private Facebook group.
Babies and Toddlers
Growth chart
Cardboard bricks
Toy kitchen
Preschoolers
PlasmaCar
Strider bike
Homemade Playdoh
Click here for a tried and true recipe.
Add citrus oils for an energizing experience or floral oils for a calming ritual.
Duplos
Gorilla gym
Rice bin with toys - link to a blog post
Early Elementary
Kinetic Sand
...
2018-11-2046 minAdoption Wise#14: Joys and Challenges of Fostering and Adopting as a Single Mom with Molly FordToday on The Adoption Connection podcast, Lisa sits down with her friend, Molly Ford, a single foster/adoptive mom. Molly shares her story, the good and hard. We also talk about post-adoption depression and grief that affects many parents in this beautiful and complex journey.
Links Relevant to this episode:
Molly Ford on Facebook
Lisa and Melissa answer this reader question:
My child seems nervous and worried a lot. How can I increase his felt safety?
2018-11-0659 minAdoption Wise#12: Lessons from a Seasoned Foster Mom with Tereasa MansfieldBeing a foster parent is rewarding, challenging, joyful and heartbreaking. It takes courage!
Melissa sits down with seasoned foster mom, Tereasa Mansfield. Tereasa shares her fostering journey from how they became foster parents to what they’re doing now. She also talks about how she went from being lonely and overwhelmed to connected to a tribe that came through with the help she needed.
Tereasa is a parent trainer and coach who motivates overwhelmed moms wanting connected relationships with their children. She also educates caregivers and professionals on the effects of toxic stress and trauma, and how healing can begin.
Af...
2018-10-2350 minAdoption Wise#11: Hope for Battle-Weary Parents with Pam ParishAdoptive parenting is a tough job. It's even harder when a child is struggling with challenging behaviors—defiance, rejection, running away, drug addiction, sexual misconduct, criminal activity, attachment issues, rage and beyond. Parenting a child in crisis leaves parents worn out from isolation, exhaustion, frustration, and fear.
If you are battle-weary from the day-to-day struggles of parenting a child with difficult behaviors and feel like you want to quit, you will be encouraged by Pam's faith and perseverance with her daughters. She has stubbornly stuck by her girls through multiple crises and shares her wisdom and hope in this episode. The...
2018-10-1636 minAdoption Wise#10: Why won’t my kids just go play?!?!Do you feel frustrated when your kids won’t just go play? And what about the bins of Legos and awesome craft supplies? Why won’t they play with them?
Or, do you see playful moms and wish you could be more like them? Lisa and Melissa both do!
In this episode, Lisa interviews Melissa about play. Melissa has done her research and shares great information that will help you view play in new ways. You'll also gain insight into your kids and yourself.
Relevant Resources and Links:
Books (affiliate links):
Play: How it Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and...
2018-10-0936 minAdoption Wise#09: Are Newborn Adoptions Easier? (with Rebecca Vahle)A lot of parents check certain boxes looking for a "lower risk" adoption. The thought is that the younger a child comes to you, the "easier" it will be because less has happened to the child.
Sometimes parents of children adopted as newborns do not recognize challenging behaviors as due to trauma. Children often go misdiagnosed or the parents mistakenly think that it's all their fault.
If you adopted an infant or are looking to adopt a newborn, don't miss this interview with Rebecca Vahle.
Rebecca Vahle is the Founder and Director of Training and Curriculum Development for the Family...
2018-10-0256 minAdoption Wise#07: Tips for Advocating for Your Child at School with Sandi LermanKids with a history of trauma and adverse experiences often struggle in a traditional learning environment. As parents, it's daunting to know how to best advocate for your student. You may feel like it's you against the school and no one is on your side. This week Sandi Lerman, MA Ed, shares her best tips for helping your child get the free and appropriate education the law requires.
Sandi Lerman is an Education Consultant and the proud Mama Bear of a 17-year old who was adopted at age 10 from Guatemala. Additionally, she is founder of WingBuilder, LCC, providing parent training...
2018-09-1849 minAdoption Wise#06: Helping Kids Process Scary Events with Robyn GobbelIf you’ve ever wondered how to help your child process frightening events, don’t miss this great interview with Robyn Gobbel.
Robyn is a therapist whose clinical practice is focused exclusively on working with families of children who have experienced a history of toxic stress and complex trauma.
How should we talk to our kids about scary events in the world? And what if we’re really afraid too? Robyn answers the question, “Should we fake it till you make it?”
She also gives tips for calming ourselves and gives us a great example of how to help kids process tr...
2018-09-1147 minAdoption Wise#05: Giving Voice to SiblingsIf your family is a blend of kids by birth and adoption/foster care, or if you had an established family created by adoption and then added new children from “hard places,” don’t miss this interview with Lisa’s daughter, Annarose.
How do siblings in the family feel, and what do they experience, when you add children to the family through adoption or foster care? What if the new children come with lots of challenges?
In this episode, Lisa interviews her daughter and middle child of eleven, Annarose, about the challenges and blessings of being a sister to kids through...
2018-09-0444 minAdoption Wise#04: How to Talk to Your Kids About Their StoryMany adoptive and foster parents have questions about how and when to talk with their kids about their stories.
What if your child’s story is really hard? Should you tell them the truth? How old should they be?
Don’t miss this interview with Lisa’s mentor and friend Jayne Schooler. She is an adoptive mom, co-creator (with her husband, David) of Trauma Competent Caregiver training, and author of multiple books related to adoption and foster care.
Click here to download a transcript for this episode.
Jayne's Books
Wounded Children, Healing Homes: How Traumatized Children Impact Adoptive and Foster Famili...
2018-08-2847 minAdoption Wise#03: Tips for a Drama-free MorningMornings can be tough- school mornings can be even tougher. Moms often ask us for strategies to smooth out the morning so we don’t all feel frazzled and defeated by 8 am.
Lisa and Melissa walk through their favorite tips and strategies to help you create a drama-free morning for your family.
2018-08-2139 minAdoption Wise#02: A Dad’s Journey to Connected ParentingThe transition from traditional parenting to connected parenting presents challenges for many of us. It looks and feels different from the way we were parented and (if we already have children) the way we're already parenting.
We all experience this transition differently. Today, we hear from a dad who took the plunge into this new way of parenting for the sake of his kids and found himself changed by it.
If you're new to connected parenting, or you and your husband can't quite get on the same page, this interview is for you. If you're a foster or adoptive dad, y...
2018-08-1448 minAdoption Wise#01: Sensory Tips for Helping Kids LearnDo you have a child who never stops moving or who refuses to do certain activities? He may actually have trouble processing the information coming from his different senses.
Lisa and Melissa both have sons with unique sensory needs. This can make learning more challenging, and frankly, school is hard enough for some of our kids with early trauma.
We're thrilled to bring you an expert on meeting children's sensory needs in a learning environment.
Don't miss this interview with Noelle Maher. She gives practical tips for helping your child focus and learn by meeting his sensory needs.
How to C...
2018-08-0735 min