Infant Adoption Guide Podcast

Anyone who has gone through the process to adopt a baby will tell you that it is a struggle and is often painful to wait. They likely say things like: "The hardest thing for me is the waiting for that phone call.""Every day that passes feels like I have been rejected.""I think I’m not pretty enough to be chosen, our pictures aren’t good enough.""It was extremely hard to go through gathering all the paperwork and cleaning our home again preparing for another home study.""Feels like, what’s the point? We are losing hope that we’ll ever be matched." Maybe this is you. Even if this isn’t, there may come a time in your adoption journey where this will happen.  You are certainly not alone. It can feel like you are stuck, like the wait will never end - especially if you have already waited while going through infertility.Your browser does not support HTML5 audio, but you can still download the music.Here's a fact about infant adoption that you may not know if you're just starting out: NO ONE can tell you how long it's going to take to adopt. Some people find a match with an expectant mom in a few weeks. Some get the call in a few months. Sometimes it can take a few years. WHY? Because it takes time and the right connection for your profile to be seen by the right EM and for her to choose you. You never know when that EM will come along who will want to connect with you. Does that mean you can do nothing but wait, wonder, and go crazy watching your phone? NO.This is how I think about it. There are two waiting phases : 1. Started waiting. Excited, nervous, waiting for a call phase. 2. HELP! Is this ever gonna happen for us! phase. There's no specific time when you cross from phase 1 to phase 2 - but you'll know when you do.In this episode, I share my experience with waiting to adopt. I will explain these two waiting phases AND what you can do when you are stuck in either phase.Links we talk about in this episode:The Infant Adoption Guide Membership Community! This is a brand new safe, private place to learn and talk about infant adoption in SMALL groups that we set up for you. Come check it out!25 Tips For Surviving The Adoption Wait10 Things We've Learned Through 3 Infant Adoptions - Tim and his wife Tisha share their experiences after having adopted 3 newborns. Our FREE private Facebook Support Group – only for those who are trying to adopt a baby.FindMyAdoptionAgency.com – learn how you can find and choose the RIGHT adoption agency to serve you on the infant adoption journey. This is a my online step-by-step course that you can go at your own pace AND includes over 60 agencies in a spreadsheet for you to use. ALSO - get my adoption expense/funding/grant tracker spreadsheet that I talk about in this episode! Your browser does not support HTML5 audio, but you can still download the music.

Leah is a birth mother of 18+ years in open adoption and a mother of five. She loves to write and share her story. She says, "my adoption story is my testimony of Jesus' healing and redemption. Sharing vulnerably about the beauty and ashes within adoption, I want to inspire hope and show you how open adoption can be done well." On this episode of the podcast, Leah joins me to share her open adoption story as a birthmom. Hear how and why she decided to place her daughter over 18 years ago. Learn what it was like for Leah as she was the first expectant mom to have an open adoption in the agency she worked with. Find out why she initially didn't want to choose adoption for her daughter and why she eventually decided that it was the most loving choice she could make.Your browser does not support HTML5 audio, but you can still download the music.In her story you'll hear:* Why and how Leah chose adoption for her daughter over 18 years ago.* The story of how Leah first learned about open adoption and why that changed her thoughts about placing her daughter. * How Leah's faith played a major factor in her adoption story and still does today with her open adoption relationships.* How she handled the emotional ups and downs by holding on to her faith. * What her experience was like in the hospital when her daughter was born.* How Leah now helps other families adopt through her writing and services.* How Leah has written a new book called "The Sixteenth Year - an Open Adoption Memoir" that tells her story in detail about how she chose to place her daughter when she was only 16 years old.Your browser does not support HTML5 audio, but you can still download the music.Links we talk about in this episode:LeahOutten.com. This is Leah's site where you can find her new book "The Sixteenth Year" PLUS you'll find tons of articles and the services she provides to hopeful adoptive families to help you through the adoption process.The Sixteenth Year : an open adoption memoir - This is Leah's new book from her perspective as a birthmom from trauma to redemption 19 years later!  Follow Leah on Instagram!Our FREE private Facebook Support Group – only for those who are trying to adopt a baby. FindMyAdoptionAgency.com – learn how you can find and choose the RIGHT adoption agency to serve you on the infant adoption journey. This is a my online step-by-step course that you can go at your own pace AND includes over 60 agencies in a spreadsheet for you to use along with a TON of other resources designed to help you find and choose the right agency for you.The Infant Adoption Guide Membership Community! This is a brand new safe, private place to learn and talk about infant adoption. Come check it out!

Are you a naturally organized person? Do you regularly have to-do lists, checklists and spreadsheets to help you get things done?If you are a fabulous organizer or not, when navigating the rough waters of your adoption journey, it can get a bit crazy and even overwhelming if you don’t have some way to get (and stay) organized.There were many hard lessons learned as my wife and I went through our three adoptions. We are fairly organized people and yet there were times when it was difficult to find what we needed. There was even a time or two when we lost some important documents. I share how that happened <face palm> in this episode. Through it all, we learned and got better at organizing. After talking with many others who have adopted, I've gathered some more organization tips that I am excited to share with you.Your browser does not support HTML5 audio, but you can still download the music.So here are my 4 TIPS to organize your adoption journey:1. Use cloud based software or apps 2. Make Lists - good lists 3. Track your adoption budget4. Get a good binder/folder system for your paper copiesLinks we talk about in this episode:The Infant Adoption Guide Membership Community! This is a brand new safe, private place to learn and talk about infant adoption. Come check it out!9 Things You Need When Adopting From Another State18 Money Saving Tips For Domestic Adoption Travel25 Tips For Surviving The Adoption WaitOur FREE private Facebook Support Group – only for those who are trying to adopt a baby.FindMyAdoptionAgency.com – learn how you can find and choose the RIGHT adoption agency to serve you on the infant adoption journey. This is a my online step-by-step course that you can go at your own pace AND includes over 60 agencies in a spreadsheet for you to use. ALSO - get my adoption expense/funding/grant tracker spreadsheet that I talk about in this episode! Your browser does not support HTML5 audio, but you can still download the music.Click here to download the transcript of this episode

Every infant adoption story is unique. They are also inspirational and fun to listen to as it makes the adoption process more real. When you hear about someone who has actually adopted - went through the whole process and brought home their baby - it can (and should) provide hope. Micah and Emily are guests on the podcast as they share their infant adoption story. They adopted their son as a newborn in 2022. They had known for a long time that they wanted to adopt, especially since Emily grew up with 5 of her siblings being adopted. Your browser does not support HTML5 audio, but you can still download the music.Their story is full of emotion - some highs and some lows. They talk about what it was like going through the journey - how they felt and what they experienced. In their story, you'll hear:* Why Micah and Emily chose to adopt a newborn in the U.S. rather than internationally or through foster care* The story of how and why Micah and Emily spent 2 weeks staying in the same hospital room with their son's birthmom before he was born* The many different ways Micah and Emily raised the money they needed to adopt - including a fundraiser that involved a puzzle (which was their biggest fundraiser)* How they handled the emotional ups and downs by holding on to their faith * What is was like to adopt when working with an adoption consultantYour browser does not support HTML5 audio, but you can still download the music.Links we talk about in this episode:The Infant Adoption Guide Membership Community! This is a brand new safe, private place to learn and talk about infant adoption. Come check it out!Our FREE private Facebook Support Group – only for those who are trying to adopt a baby.FindMyAdoptionAgency.com – learn how you can find and choose the RIGHT adoption agency to serve you on the infant adoption journey. This is a my online step-by-step course that you can go at your own pace AND includes over 60 agencies in a spreadsheet for you to use along with a TON of other resources designed to help you find and choose the right agency for you.

We welcome back to the show, Terri Marcroft. She was our guest on Episode 76. Terri is a mom through adoption and founder of Unplannedgood.org which is a wonderful non-profit organization that encourages people to consider making an adoption plan when facing an unplanned pregnancy. Terri now adds the title of author as she recently released her book, Pro-Choice Pro-Adoption : It's Time for a Loving, Positive Response to Unplanned Pregnancy.This book is definitely a refreshing new look at the options for women who are facing unplanned pregnancy. It uncovers why adoption can (and should) be embraced as a loving, positive response.Terri does an amazing job of laying out the facts about unplanned pregnancies in the U.S. and choices that are being made every day by expectant women. She explores each of the options while providing some clear and concise insight as to why adoption is seldom the choice. Here are my favorite parts: * I love how a birthmother shares the first part of her story at the beginning of the book and then finishes telling her story at the end of the book.* So many eye-opening statistics about adoption, single parenting, unplanned pregnancies, etc.* LOTS of stories shared throughout the book from birthparents, adoptive parents and adoptees!* Terri provides a wonderful explanation of positive adoption language as well as open vs closed adoption.* The FABULOUS resource section at the end of the book! Your browser does not support HTML5 audio, but you can still download the music.Terri's book is divided into 4 parts: * Pregnancy & Adoption in the U.S.* Conversation reset about adoption* The Adoption Triad (adoptees, birthparents, adoptive parents)* Calling for Action (men, churches, corporate America, parents/grandparents, 'sisterhood' of women friends, etc).In this episode, you'll hear:* Why Terri chose the title of her book AND what led her to write it* The #1 thing that Terri wants you to get out of reading her book* The statistic about adoption that Terri wants you to know and why it is important to know it* Some of Terri's favorite stories from the book* How to get/read Terri's book and connect with herYour browser does not support HTML5 audio, but you can still download the music.Links we talk about in this episode:The Infant Adoption Guide Membership Community! This is a brand new safe, private place to learn and talk about infant adoption. Come check it out!UnPlannedGood.org - Terri's non-profit organization that is spreading the word about open adoption Our FREE private Facebook Support Group – only for those who are trying to adopt a baby.FindMyAdoptionAgency.com – learn how you can find and choose the RIGHT adoption agency to serve you on the infant adoption journey. This is a my online step-by-step course that you can go at your own pace AND includes over 60 agencies in a spreadsheet for you to use along with a TON of other resources designed to help you find and choose the right agency for you.

This is a very special episode of the IAG podcast - #100! I've invited my beautiful wife Tisha to join me to talk about our experiences after adopting 3 newborns over a 10 year period.We've had so many wonderful conversations about adoption that have never been recorded, so we decided to sit down and share our thoughts and experiences about open adoption after having adopted 3 times. By the way, after listening to this episode you should listen to episode 62 when Tisha was my guest on the show and we shared the TOP 10 THINGS WE'VE LEARNED THROUGH 3 INFANT ADOPTIONS.Your browser does not support HTML5 audio, but you can still download the music.First - let's define open adoption in case you don't know what we mean. At a very basic level, open adoption means having some contact, some interaction, some relationship with your child's birthmother or birth family. There are varying levels of openness. It won't be the same for every adoption. Before Tisha and I adopted for the first time, we definitely did not understand what open adoption was and why our adoption agency was telling us that it was something we should accept. It took us some time and some gentle persuasion from our agency. Now, after 3 infant adoption, we completely embrace open adoption. We've learned that open adoption can be complicated in a family with more than one child, especially when there are varying degrees of contact with birth parents possible for each child.The relationships we have with our kids birth families are all different - yet we try to treat all of them the same. They all know we are open to contact through texts, phone/video calls, visits, whatever. We want them to know they are our family - and they do. Some prefer to limit contact to just social media or texts, some want more. We are OK with that as we continue to work at building our relationship with them. In this episode, we share some of our personal stories explaining what our open adoptions look like and how we got to where we are now. We hope you'll be inspired and learn a lot from us. Your browser does not support HTML5 audio, but you can still download the music.Links we talk about in this episode:The Infant Adoption Guide Membership Community! This is a brand new safe, private place to learn and talk about infant adoption. Come check it out!Our FREE private Facebook Support Group – only for those who are trying to adopt a baby.FindMyAdoptionAgency.com – learn how you can find and choose the RIGHT adoption agency to serve you on the infant adoption journey. This is a my online step-by-step course that you can go at your own pace AND includes over 60 agencies in a spreadsheet for you to use along with a TON of other resources designed to help you find and choose the right agency for you.

“Being an adoptive parent is hard enough. But when your family is multiracial, things get even trickier. Parenting transracially doesn’t come naturally, nor does it just happen with time. Love is essential—yet by itself, love isn’t enough. Cross-cultural parenting also takes intentionality, listening, learning, growing, repenting, changing . . . Then starting all over and doing it again. It’s hard work! And yet, when an adoptive family honors the ethnic heritages of their children, the whole family—as well as the watching world—gets to see the beauty of a gloriously creative God.”Brittany Salmon – Mom through adoption and author of “It Takes More Than Love” “Love Makes a Family” is a popular phrase in the adoption community. Our guest on the Infant Adoption Guide Podcast says this phrase is true, however it takes more than love. She says that adoption is loving a child so much that you’re willing to go meet them where they are. In this episode, we talk with Brittany Salmon, mom and author of the new book, “It Takes More Than Love – a Christian Guide to Navigating the Complexities of Cross-Cultural Adoption.” Brittany shares her family’s story of transracial adoption and offers a biblically-based guide for others following the same path. She recognizes that we live in divided times and there are extra challenges whenever race is part of the conversation. But with wise insight and hard-won experience, she provides guidance about topics such as:–Maintaining a gospel perspective throughout the journey–Celebrating your child’s history and heritage–Confronting racism–Responding to comments about your family–Avoiding pitfalls in adoption–Helping your kids feel represented in your home and community Love the podcast? Here’s an easy way to support the show: Here’s what you’ll hear: * Brittany’s story of how she and her husband adopted their two kids. * Find out why Brittany wrote the book, chose the title and used the term ‘cross-cultural adoption’. * Find out why Brittany talks a lot about holding space for both joy and sorrow in your home. Listen as she shares a practical example of what that looks like in her family. * Find out what sets Brittany’s new book apart from other trans-racial adoption books and why I think it is a MUST READ for anyone hoping to adopt OR has already adopted. * Find out how Brittany answers the question, “If you could go back in time and give yourself any piece of advice before adopting – what would it be?”* Learn how to connect with Brittany and get her brand new book! Spoiler alert: here’s the link: BrittanyNSalmon.com Links we talk about: * BrittanyNSalmon.com – here’s where you can connect with Brittany and get her book, “It Takes More Than Love”. * Follow Brittany on Instagram* Join Our NEW Infant Adoption Guide Community! – Community is what we need to help us through the adoption adventure. As a Dad of 3 through infant adoption, I know firsthand how much my wife and I need others around us who are going through the same thing we are. If you’ve been looking for a private community of like-minded people to join as we pursue our dream of a...

“Regardless of whether you are pursuing an agency or private adoption, you must be able to distinguish between potential birth parents who are trustworthy and those who are simply trying to take advantage of your “I’ll do whatever it takes” desire to adopt.”Hal Kaufman – Dad through adoption and founder of MyAdoptionAdvisor.com Unfortunately, adoption scams do sometimes happen.Adoptions scams occur when a person with no intention of placing her child for adoption deceives the hopeful adoptive parents into some kind of financial or emotional support. In this episode, we talk about how you can protect yourself from adoption scam situations. We’ll explore the two different types of scammers you may encounter (emotional and financial), red flags you can look out for, and the best ways you can protect your family from getting duped. Our guest is adoption expert and Dad through adoption, Hal Kaufman. Have a listen as we take a closer look at one of the scariest issues facing adoptive parents today. Love the podcast? Here’s an easy way to support the show: Here’s what you’ll hear: * Hal shares the story of how he and his wife adopted their two boys. * What are adoption scams? Why do they happen? * Find out why Hal says, “hopeful adoptive parents should be aware, but not paranoid when it comes to adoption scams.” * Find out what adoption agencies and/or attorneys do to help protect people from getting scammed. * Find some internet safety tips that will help you avoid a scam.* Find out what most adoptive parents say is the most important thing to remember when it comes to adoption scams.* Learn how Hal can help you adopt faster, safer, and smarter with his services at MyAdoptionAdvisor.com. Links we talk about: * MyAdoptionAdvisor.com – Hal’s website where he offers online courses, adoption marketing services and much more. He even has a course all about Adoption Scams.* Join Our NEW Infant Adoption Guide Community! – Community is what we need to help us through the adoption adventure. As a Dad of 3 through infant adoption, I know firsthand how much my wife and I need others around us who are going through the same thing we are. If you’ve been looking for a private community of like-minded people to join as we pursue our dream of adopting, then we’d love to welcome you into the Infant Adoption Guide Membership Community! This is a brand new safe, private place to learn and talk about infant adoption. Come check it out!* FindMyAdoptionAgency.com – learn how you can find and choose the RIGHT adoption agency to serve you on the infant adoption journey. This is a my online step-by-step course that you can go at your own pace AND includes over 60 agencies in a spreadsheet for you to use along with a TON of other resources designed to help you find and choose the right agency for you.* GET MY 4 FREE EBOOKS – help on your infant adoption journey while getting info and inspiration only provided to subscribers of the Infant Adoption Guide blog and podcast! Love the podcast? Here’s an easy way to support the show:

In 2020, Erin Quick, a Mom through adoption, decided it was time to address and wanted to help solve some longtime issues in private-adoption. Using her experience through adopting her 2 kids along with her 20+ years of work in marketing, she recognized an opportunity to streamline, accelerate and modernize the private-adoption world. PairTree was created, which is a first of its kind digital adoption platform. “Adoption is lopsided. Birth moms give the most and get the least. Providing lifetime support for birth moms should be standard, not an option that expires. That’s why PairTree donates 5% of net profit from every subscription, every month to organizations that provide support for birth moms.”Erin Quick – Mom through adoption and CEO of PairTree PairTree provides a solution to one of the primary pain points of the infant adoption process – the ability to find and connect expectant mothers with families who are wanting to adopt. On this episode of the Infant Adoption Guide Podcast, Erin shares her personal adoption story and her mission to modernize the infant adoption process. PairTree increases and accelerates ethical connections between Adopting Families and Expectant Moms through a proprietary, personality-based matching system that evaluates 100+ unique attributes to inform an adoptive parent’s personality type. They give expectant moms meaningful information about the adopting family – to help her choose a future. With 20+ expectant moms registering every month, it is a growing platform that truly is modernizing the adoption process. Love the podcast? Here’s an easy way to support the show: Here’s what you’ll hear: * Erin shares the story of how she and her husband adopted their two kids. * What made Erin decide that it was time to tackle & solve the longtime pain point in the adoption world of connecting hopeful adoptive parents with expectant moms who want to make an adoption plan for her baby. * Find out how PairTree works and how it will benefit YOU on the adoption journey. * What makes PairTree different from any other online adoption service. * Find out why PairTree donates 5% of net profit from every subscription, every month to organizations that provide support for birth moms.* Why you should sign up with PairTree to make your dream of becoming parents through adoption happen much faster. Links we talk about: * PairTreeFamily.com – find out what PairTree is all about, check out their FAQ (frequently asked questions) page, their blog, pricing, how they help you with the homestudy, and how they give 5% of net profit from every subscription, every month to organizations that provide support for birth moms. * Carrot Fertility Erin talks about how Carrot is the most comprehensive global fertility benefits provider. They work with your company to help offer adoption benefits to YOU. If your employer uses Carrot, you can get your Pair Tree fees paid for! Check it out!* Follow PairTree on Facebook and Instagram* Join Our NEW Infant Adoption Guid...

At the age of 21, Hope O. Baker made one of the hardest decisions a person can make: she placed her newborn son for adoption. “There was a day about 4 years ago where I looked in the mirror and said, ‘You have to tell your story. You have to speak up and share with others how you overcame your trauma.’ I’ve written several blogs, published my first book, Finding Hope: A Birthmothers Journey into the Light, and shared my story and life with the world.”Hope O. Baker On this episode of the Infant Adoption Guide Podcast, Hope shares her story of struggle, heartache, and the journey into the light. She lived with her son’s adoptive mother while she was pregnant and pursued an open adoption. After her son was born, Hope tried to resume her life. But the difficulty of letting her child go gnawed at her. It may have looked to others that she had it together on the outside as she graduated from college and her career was moving in the right direction, but on the inside she was battling a destructive cycle of depression and addiction. When everything seemed to be dark, Hope found her way back to the light. It’s a journey she is still on. In her book, Hope shows how messy and chaotically beautiful adoption can be. She shares the details of her incredible story. You will see how community can help you. You will see how important it is to find your voice and speak up for what you need when you find yourself in unexpected difficulties. Grab your own copy of her book right here Here’s what you’ll hear in this story: * How Hope learned about adoption and why she wanted to place her son. * Hear how and why Hope chose who would parent her son – and why she chose them with 100% certainty. * Find out how Hope learned about open adoption and how she came to learn more and more about what it is and why it is important for everyone involved. * Hear Hope explain what it was like to overcome her struggles through addiction she went through after her son was born. * Find out how she found and finally got into a much needed birthmother support community that has helped her tremendously.* Learn why Hope wrote her book about her adoption story called “Finding Hope: A Birthmother’s Journey Into The Light.”* Why you should get her book (HINT: to learn more about birthmothers) and why it is so important to read it TODAY. Links we talk about in this episode: * HopeOBaker.com – connect with Hope, check out her book Finding Hope: A Birthmother’s Journey Into The Light (read the first chapter FREE), read her blog, listen to her podcast and more. * Hope’s Amazon Store check out Hope’s fun store on Amazon. She shares her favorites things including books, home stuff, kids stuff and much more.* Follow Hope on Facebook and Instagram* FindMyAdoptionAgency.com – learn how you can find and choose the RIGHT adoption agency to serve you on the infant adoption journey. This is a my online step-by-step course that you can go at your own pace AND includes over 60 agencies in a spreadsheet for you to use along with a TON of other...

Every open adoption story is unique and yet they all have one important thing in common – so much love for the child. On this episode of the Infant Adoption Guide Podcast, Hali (Birthmom) and Lindsay (Adoptive Mom) share their emotional and inspiring story of how they found each other and how their relationship has grown bigger and better as they pour out the love for their son. You’ll hear how and why Hali choose Lindsay and her husband Dan to be the parents of her son. You’ll find out how their relationship grew after first finding each other on Facebook. Find out how and why Lindsay wrote a children’s book called, “The Story of You: A Child’s First Story of Their Open Adoption” and why she dedicated it to Hali. I was so inspired by Hali and Lindsay’s relationship and love for each other. Their story brings tears to your eyes. I’m sure this episode will bring you hope in your own adoption journey. Have a listen and please share it! Here’s what you’ll hear in this story: * How and why Lindsay and her husband Dan chose adoption to build their family. * Hear how and why Hali chose Lindsay and Dan to be the parents of her son – and why she chose them with 100% certainty. * Find out Hali’s favorite part of their adoption story. * Hear Lindsay explain what it was like to match with Hali several months before the baby was to be born. * Find out how they decided on how much communication they would have after their son was born.* What their emotions where like in the hospital before and after their son was born.* Learn why Lindsay wrote a children’s book about open adoption called “The Story of You: A Child’s First Story of Their Open Adoption.” Links we talk about in this episode: * FollowYourDetour – connect with Lindsay and her husband Dan on their awesome travel website. * I Loved You First – A Safe Place For Birthmothers check out this Facebook group created by Hali. Her passion has become helping other expectant and birth mothers navigate the emotions that come with preparing for and living with life after adoption. Her hope through this platform is to help others understand open adoption and eliminate the stigma associated with pursuing an adoption plan.* The Story of You: A Child’s First Story of Their Open Adoption – this heart warming picture book was written by Lindsay in honor of Hali, the woman who made her greatest wish come true. It’s never too soon to talk with a child about their adoption story and The Story of You is the perfect way to start!* FindMyAdoptionAgency.com – learn how you can find and choose the RIGHT adoption agency to serve you on the infant adoption journey. This is a my online step-by-step course that you can go at your own pace AND includes over 60 agencies in a spreadsheet for you to use along with a TON of other resources designed to help you find and choose the right agency for you.* GET MY 4 FREE EBOOKS – help on your infa...

Many people come to adoption after dealing with infertility. It is easy to feel broken and hopeless as you read another negative pregnancy test. We may be even wondering if God is ignoring our desires to be a mom or dad. Our guest on the show today is Leann Hale, a mom of 2 through adoption and author of the book Sowing In Tears: A Mother’s Sorrow in Infertility and Joy in Adoption. You will hear Leann’s story of being a mom who struggled through infertility, which opened her eyes to see the beauty of adoption. Her book is a memoir that will take you on an emotional journey as you read of the deep-rooted pain that accompanies infertility, and the unspeakable joy that is found in adoption. Listen as Leann explains how God changed her heart as she let go of her dream to one day be pregnant and discovered that God’s ways are truly so much higher than her own. My wife and I adopted our three kids as newborns after going through a painful miscarriage and then dealing with infertility for many years in our effort to start a family. If you are considering adoption, if you’ve dealt with the sorrow of infertility, if you just KNOW that more than anything you want to be a mom and dad – then this episode is a MUST listen. What you’ll hear on this episode: * How Leann and her husband dealt with the pain of infertility and why it led them to adoption.* What open adoption means to Leann and her husband now that they’ve adopted twice – and find out what their relationships are like with their kids’ birth families. * Learn about why Leann decided to write her book “Sowing in Tears: A Mother’s Sorrow in Infertility and Joy in Adoption” * Why she now donates 100% of the proceeds of the book to waiting families pursuing adoption.* Leann’s tips (after adopting 2 times) for getting through the adoption process.* How you can get help directly from me for finding and choosing the RIGHT agency for you through my online course called, FIND MY ADOPTION AGENCY. Links we talk about in this episode: * Follow Leann on Facebook – connect with her and purchase the book!* Sowing In Tears book – purchase the book from Amazon. 100% of the proceeds of the book are donated to helping waiting families go through the adoption process. * FindMyAdoptionAgency.com – learn more about this unique online course that will help you find and choose the right adoption agency for your infant adoptio...

If you are feeling a bit overwhelmed at trying to figure out just how and where to start your journey to adopt a baby, you are certainly not alone. I’ve been in your shoes and many others have too. My wife and I adopted our three kids as newborns. We are extremely blessed, but it hasn’t been easy. We went through a painful miscarriage and then dealt with infertility for many years in our effort to start a family. I’ll never forget what it’s like to have an empty home when you don’t want one. After we decided to build our family through adoption, it was clear to us that we wanted to adopt a newborn so we chose domestic infant adoption. Like many hopeful adoptive families, we started out totally overwhelmed with all of the information that is out there. More than anything, we knew we just wanted to be a mom and dad. The good news is there is help. On this episode of the IAG podcast, we talk about the 7 steps to adopt a baby in the U.S. Now that we’ve been through the domestic infant adoption journey three times, I have created a guide to help you. It is called 7 Steps To Domestic Infant Adoption. It’s the guide I wish that my wife and I had before we adopted. Each step is full of stories and info so you know what it takes to adopt a baby in the U.S. Here are the steps: STEP #1: Do Your Research STEP #2: Choose (the right) adoption professional (agency or attorney) STEP #3: Complete your home study and adoption profile STEP #4: Hurry up and wait (but don’t do nothing) STEP #5: Match with an expectant mother STEP #6: Placement (bringing your baby home!) STEP #7: Finalization (the adoption is legal and forever) If you’d like my FREE guide 7 STEPS TO DOMESTIC INFANT ADOPTION, just go to InfantAdoptionGuide.com/7steps enter your email address and you’ll get it immediately. What you’ll hear on this episode: * A deep dive into The 7 STEPS as we go through the infant adoption process.* Find out what a homestudy is, why it is required to adopt, and how to get it completed. * Learn about adoption profiles and why it is important to know how to create and share them.* My tips (after adopting 3 times) for getting through the adoption process.* How you can get help directly from me for finding and choosing the RIGHT agency for you through my online course called, FIND MY ADOPTION AGENCY. Links we talk about in this episode: * FindMyAdoptionAgency.com – learn more about this unique online course that will help you find and choose the right adoption agency for your infant adoption journey (this is the course I wish someone had created for me before we started our adoption journey). * 1-800-HomeStudy.com – learn more about home studies and find a qualified professional to help you get it completed.* IAG Ad...

As an adoptee who met his birthmom at the age of 30, and now as a Dad of 5 kids (1 adopted, 4 biological), Clay Steves has a very unique and personal story. After emerging from his rebellious college season, Clay lived the typical life expected by him and his family’s standards. At the age of 29, Clay was going through the motions and living the life everyone supposedly desired. By all worldly standards, Clay had it all with his successful marriage, two kids, and a favorable job that produced financial success. That is until life rattled him to his core and sent him on a transformational journey to uncover who he really is and what he is uniquely created to do. Nearly 10 years later, Clay has been married for over 15 years to his wife and they have five kiddos total – four biological and one adopted. Clay is a foster, adoption, and reunification advocate, the owner of an orthopedic device sales company, an author, and host of the Convos with Clay podcast. The Steves prioritize family dinner around the table, financial giving, hosting others in their home, and serving the local Church. It was a lot of fun chatting with Clay on this episode. He is easy to listen to and has a truly captivating story as a guy who is an adoptee, who has adopted a son, who has biological children AND has reunified with his birthmom. You will love listening to Clay. You’ll hear why he is so passionate about adoption and family and faith. I know that you will find hope and inspiration in this interview. What you’ll hear on this episode: * What led Clay and his wife to adopt their son.* Find out what life was like for Clay as an adoptee, growing up in a family that adopted him at birth. * Why Clay’s birthmom wrote a letter to his parents, asking to connect with Clay and why he didn’t initially respond to the letter. * What was it like for Clay being reunified with his birthmom when he was 30 years old and in the middle of adopting his son.* Learn how Clay’s faith played a huge part in his journey to adopt.* Find out what happened when Clay reached out to connect with his birthfather.* Why Clay decided to start his podcast “Convos With Clay” and what his show is all about. * How and why Clay and his birthmom have decided to write a book together (which is really cool). Links we talk about in this episode: * ClaySteves.com – connect with Clay and listen to his fantastic podcast “Convos With Clay”.* Connect with Clay on Instagram – find out what Clay is up to on Instagram!* IAG Adoption Support Group – our Facebook group is only for hopeful adoptive families or those who have already adopted. Come join the 3,000+ people in this amazing (and private) group to get support, get answers to your questions and learn from others who are on the same journey as you.* Get my FREE GUIDE: How To Find The RIGHT Adoption Agency in 4 Steps. If you’re new to adoption, have no idea how to find an adoption agency, OR have struggled in your research to find the BEST agency – this FREE guide will help. It walks you through where to find infant adoption agencies, how to evaluate them and then how to choose the ...

As friends for over 20 years, Valerie Harrison and Katie D’Angelo have had lots of conversations about race and racism. Katie is white. Val is black. When Katie and her husband adopted their biracial son Gabriel, the conversations grew. Through excellent research and some friendly back and forth sharing of stories, Katie and Val wrote the book Do Right By Me: Learning to Raise Black Children in White Spaces. Doing right by a Black child means learning what challenges they will face because of race, where the disadvantages come from, what effect they have, and how people have been managing them. Katie has a doctorate in education. Val has both a law degree and a doctorate in African-American studies. It is an understatement to say that these ladies are smart. In the interview and in the book, they weave together so beautifully their experiences, their extensive research, and their hearts about transracial adoption. One book review from DoRightByMe.org describes the book beautifully:“The way the book is structured, D’Angelo and Harrison make you feel as though you are with two friends having a down to earth discussion – part history lesson, reality check and real life guide. It is straight to the point(s) with heartfelt stories to clarify. The book details the importance of learning about and embracing diversity and the impact (and responsibility) we all have as a community in raising children – really powerful.’   You will love listening to Katie and Val. You’ll hear why their friendship is so special and you’ll feel the warm way they share stories. I know that you will find hope and inspiration in this interview. Listen and share with others who may be thinking about transracial adoption. What you’ll hear on this episode: * What led Katie and her husband to adopt their son Gabriel.* Why Katie and Val dedicated an entire chapter of their book to describe “the talk” (and find out what it means if you don’t know). * Why Katie and Val decided to write this book and why they believe it will help you on the adoption journey. * Learn why the first 36 months of Gabe’s life was so important to Katie and Val and what they did during this time to help him.* Find out Katie and Val’s best tips for when you are considering transracial adoption. * How you can get their book and why you should read it ASAP. Links we talk about in this episode: * DoRightByMe.org – connect with Katie and Val, read reviews and get their new book Do Right By Me: Learning to Raise Black Children in White Spaces. * Connect with Katie and Val on Instagram – find out what they are up to on Instagram!* IAG Adoption Support Group – our Facebook group is only for hopeful adoptive families or those who have already adopted. Come join the 2,000+ people in this amazing (and private) group to get support, get answers to your questions and learn from others who are on the same journey as you.*