Let's Talk Adoption

Christian parenting podcasts have become a go-to source of encouragement for many families. They offer practical advice, faith-centered perspectives, and reassurance for the everyday challenges of raising children. But what happens when your family is built through adoption? In this episode of Let’s Talk Adoption, Heather and Kim talk about why so many parents turn to Christian parenting podcasts...

In this powerful episode of Let’s Talk Adoption, we sit down with adoptee and entrepreneur, John Knox, to talk about the Super Bowl commercial that sparked a nationwide conversation. “The Girl in the Middle,” a moving and conversation-provoking ad that has been viewed over 100 million times, was created with a simple but meaningful goal: to bring awareness to adoption as a third option. Beyond the...

What does Christian parenting look like in an adoptive family? In this episode of Let’s Talk Adoption, Heather and Kim talk about Christian parenting tips through the lens of adoption. Many of the values Christians hope to model as parents—grace, compassion, patience, and humility—often take on deeper meaning when parenting a child whose story began before they joined the family. They discuss what...

Have you ever heard someone refer to an “adoption certificate”? It’s actually a phrase that shows up in online searches quite often. But interestingly, there isn’t an official document called an adoption certificate. So what are people really looking for when they search that phrase? In this episode of Let’s Talk Adoption, Heather and Kim unpack the three different things people are usually referr...

What does it really take to adopt an older child? In this candid continuation of their series, host Kim King and licensed social worker Linda Rotz pull back the curtain on what families can genuinely expect.  They tackle some of the most persistent myths — that older children don't want to be adopted, that love alone is enough, or that bonding happens instantly — and replace them with honest, comp...

When people hear there are thousands of children waiting to be adopted, it can sound like adopting an older child is straightforward. The truth? Older child adoption is often far more complex and challenging than people realize. In this three-part series, Kim sits down with Linda to unpack what older child adoption really looks like, how it differs from infant adoption, myths and truths, trauma, a...

Adoption timelines can feel confusing and overwhelming — so we broke down EVERY stage. From home study to finalization, this episode walks you through what to expect, what can speed things up, and what can slow things down. If you’re waiting, this one is for you.

In Part Two, Linda answers the final five home study questions adoptive parents are often too nervous to ask—covering red flags, second chances, comparisons, and what happens after the report is written. Topics Covered: • Red flags vs. fixable concerns • What happens if issues come up • Comparing adoptive families • Who reads your home study • How to truly prepare

You asked if we saw the Super Bowl adoption ad… Yes. Yes, we did. And we recorded a reaction episode right away. When adoption shows up during the biggest advertising event of the year, the entire country starts talking. The commercial — centered on the idea of adoption as a “third choice” — was released ahead of the 2026 Super Bowl and quickly sparked widespread conversation online. In this episo...

In part one of this two-part series, adoption social worker Linda answers five home study questions that prospective adoptive parents often wonder about but may be hesitant to ask during the home study process.   Drawing on her experience, Linda provides candid and compassionate insights to demystify the home study and ease common anxieties.  Topics covered include: How social workers evaluate fam...

For more than 40 years, Mardie Caldwell has walked alongside families and women navigating infertility, unplanned pregnancy, and adoption—always guided by faith, compassion, and a deep trust in God’s leading. In this episode of Let’s Talk Adoption, Mardie shares the story behind Lifetime Adoption, the calling that shaped its mission, and her personal journey that began with infertility and unfolde...

In this episode of Let’s Talk Adoption, Heather and Kim share the heart and mission of the  Lifetime Adoption Foundation , the nonprofit that sponsors the show. The Foundation exists to provide education, financial assistance, and practical support to people impacted by adoption — including birth mothers and adoptive families — at different points along the journey. From birth mother scholarships...

Choosing an adoption agency is one of the most important decisions hopeful adoptive parents will make—yet many families aren’t sure what questions to ask or what values truly matter. In this episode of Let’s Talk Adoption with Kim and Heather, we explore what ethical adoption really looks like and how families can discern whether an agency’s philosophy aligns with their own. From transparency and...

Thinking about adoption but not sure where to start? You’re not alone. In this entry-level episode of Let’s Talk Adoption, Kim and Heather walk through the very first steps of the adoption journey in a clear, approachable way. From identifying your adoption preferences to researching agencies, applying, and understanding what typically comes next, this episode is designed to bring clarity and conf...

There are seasons when life quietly shifts, and suddenly the future you imagined no longer feels certain. For some, that uncertainty comes after pregnancy loss or infertility. For others, it follows unexpected changes, like being single longer than planned, walking through divorce, or losing a spouse and facing life in a way you never anticipated.   In this episode of Let’s Talk Adoption, Heather...

In this episode of Let’s Talk Adoption, Heather and Kim explore the deeply human mix of hope and fear that women experience when they begin considering adoption for their child. This honest, compassionate conversation offers insight for both hopeful adoptive parents and women who may be navigating this decision themselves.   Together, Heather and Kim walk through the most common fears—   “Am I a b...

Today we focus on waiting adoptive families during the holidays. This episode explores what hope realistically looks like during the waiting season—especially during the holidays. Heather and Kim offer grounding guidance, emotional support, and professional tools to help families stay steady, protect their emotional space, and remain connected to the adoption process. The conversation covers refra...

In this heartfelt Christmas episode, Kim sits down with adoptive mom and popular creator MaryAnne Budden of OpenlyParenting.com to talk honestly about the holiday season at every stage of the adoption journey. From the ache of Christmas during infertility… to the emotional tension of waiting to be chosen… to the joy—and new complexities—of celebrating Christmas after adoption, MaryAnne shares wisd...

In this first episode of our December “Hope in Adoption” series, Heather and Kim explore how hope shows up in adoption from every perspective—often quietly, sometimes unexpectedly, but always powerfully. They look beyond the usual ideas of hope and talk honestly about how it appears for: Women considering adoption: the hope for stability, safety, and being understood Waiting adoptive families: the...

In this powerful episode, Kim and Heather unpack the surprising truths about birth fathers in adoption. From learning they can sometimes sign consent before birth, to discovering they can be involved in every part of the adoption plan — even have their own open adoption connection — this conversation challenges old assumptions. You’ll also hear about the “Wait what?! Adoption isn’t giving up” mome...

Are you thinking about searching for your birth mom but don’t know where to begin? In this episode, Kim and Heather walk you through how to start the search, who to contact depending on the type of adoption (private, state, or international), and how to approach the conversation with your adoptive parents.

Let’s Talk Adoption, host Kim King sits down with Alice H. Murray — award-winning writer, longtime adoption attorney, and author of God Adopted Us First: Faith Lessons From an Adoption Attorney’s Adventures. With over three decades of experience guiding adoptive families, Alice shares the joys and challenges of her work, how faith shaped her practice, and the surprising ways humor and miracles sho...

In this episode of the “Wait, What? Unexpected Things in Adoption” series, Heather and Kim share heartfelt insights from the voices often least heard in adoption — birth mothers. Discover the surprising “wait, what?!” moments they experience: the mix of deep love and grief, the comfort that open adoption can bring, the empowerment of planning an adoption their way, and the realization that the per...

In this episode of Let’s Talk Adoption with Heather & Kim, we explore those “wait—what?!” moments every adoptee experiences. From realizing many birth moms chose adoption out of love, to understanding that identity grows over time, and that reunion isn’t always the ending imagined — we unpack the layers of adoption and what adoptees wish people knew.  Join us for encouragement, reflection, an...

Adoption can be one of the most meaningful journeys a family ever takes — but it’s also one of the most confusing. In this episode of Let’s Talk Adoption, Kim and Heather unpack the biggest “Wait, what?” moments that hopeful adoptive parents experience as they begin their journey.