Shows
Adoption RetoldMotherhood, with Mellisa Lathion and Molly McLaurinFor all members of the adoption constellation, Mother’s Day, as with motherhood itself, can bring up a host of complicated emotions, from grief, shame, and doubt, to gratitude and joy. For adoptees and birthmothers especially, raising biological children of our own presents its own unique challenges and gifts. Join us today for this special Mother’s Day episode as we talk with members of the Faith Collective for Truth and Healing in Adoption, adoptee Molly McLaurin and birthmother Mellisa Lathion, about how relinquishment and adoption has impacted them as mothers, how cultural factors shape our views of family and...2025-05-0856 min
Adoption RetoldAdoption and Economics, with Colin FaganWe most often talk about adoption from the perspectives of those most directly involved: birth families, adoptees, and adoptive families. We may even include the agencies, social workers, lawyers, and others close to the process. But what happens when we zoom out further and examine adoption as a complex system involving market forces and pervasive attitudes of cultural, religious, and racial superiority? Today, we speak with Anglican deacon, adoptee, and member of the Faith Collective for Truth and Healing, Colin Fagan, and take a deep dive into the structural underbelly and economic realities of the adoption system, especially as...2025-04-1057 min
Adoption RetoldBirth Mothers and the ChurchIn the United States, families seeking to adopt outnumber available babies by approximately 50 to 1. This imbalance often leads to aggressive, sometimes exploitative practices toward mothers in crisis by an adoption industry swamped with misinformation. Furthermore, churches are often at the forefront of promoting and facilitating adoptions, with an abundance of money and resources changing hands that could otherwise be used to help these mothers in need. Those in the church who promote adoption tend to portray birth mothers who relinquish as making the brave, loving, selfless choice. But what do birth mothers have to say to the church? Today...2025-03-1359 min
Adoption RetoldLove Covers Shame, with Iris BryantToday we celebrate Black History Month with our guest, Iris Bryant, an adoptee and member of the Faith Collective for Truth and Healing in Adoption. Iris is passionate about helping fellow adoptees find purpose and well-being. We explore the connections between shame, race, and adoption, how shame flourishes when we cannot speak the truth, and how churches need to foster courageous truth-telling and listening in order to be places of healing and welcome for all. We also discuss our contrasting experiences as two same-race adoptees and one cross-racial adoptee, and speak on how to reclaim our unique, God-given identities.2025-02-1355 min
Adoption RetoldRenew and Reset, with Julian Washio-ColletteIn this first episode of the new year, we explore the topic renewal and resetting, which can be particularly sensitive for adoptees. As a twice-adopted person, Julian Washio-Collette is certainly no stranger to starting over, whether in his childhood or in his life as an adult. With Julian, we explore how the impacts of choicelessly starting over twice through relinquishment and adoption linger into adulthood; how a mysterious intuition to visit a monastery while bicycle touring transformed the adoption script and fostered a life-changing renewal of faith; and how to navigate at the intersections of spirituality and healing, contemplation...2025-01-1657 min
Adoption RetoldEmmanuel, God With UsMeet the members of the Faith Collective for Truth and Healing in Adoption in this special Christmas episode, as we explore what "Emmanuel, God with us" means to each us as adoptees and first mothers, and how Emmanuel motivates us toward service and growth.
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Watch Patrice Martin on TLC's Long Lost Family
2024-12-121h 09
Adoption RetoldThe Table, with Sara EasterlyToday we talk to adoptee and founder of the Faith Collective for Truth and Healing in Adoption, Sara Easterly, about who among the adoption constellation is given a seat at the table in conversations about adoption, especially in communities of faith. Are the voices of adult adoptees and first mothers welcomed, or are our voices stifled by those who claim to speak for us? Is there room at the table for uncomfortable truths and the painful impacts of relinquishment and adoption to be heard? What can we do to foster greater inclusion?
Sara Easterly is an award-winning...2024-11-1556 min
Adoption RetoldIntroducing Adoption RetoldMeet your hosts, Patrice Martin and Natasha Tripplett, learn about the work of the Faith Collective for Truth and Healing in Adoption, and hear about the exciting content we have in store for you. We are committed to lifting up the voices and perspectives of Christian adoptees and birth mothers in order to foster healing, reclaim our stories, offer support and resources, and advocate for adoption reform in and beyond communities of faith.
Connect with us: Website | Instagram
2024-11-0115 min