Thriving Adoptees - Let's Thrive

How does lifelong learning help us show up better with our families, friends and the rest of the world. Dr Rick's passion is palpable. Listen in as we dive into his learnings from raising 3 kids adopted internationally and a huge Italian Mastif. Humility, self awareness and God play their part in a great episode. We both hope you love it. As Vice President of Engagement, Rick Morton shepherds the...

Finding out she was adopted at 38 caused a seismic eruption for Diana. The world disappeared from under her feet. Everything she'd believed about herself was lies. And the lies continued as she searched for her truth. Settle back for a masterclass in stubborn, persistence, acceptance and finally, peace. DIANA KAYLA HOCHBERG is an accomplished photographer with over twenty-five years of experience...

How much are you enjoying life? The more deeply we can see that joy  is an inside job the more we can enjoy life. Listen in as we dive into accepting missing pieces of our story, finding joy and more. Leigh Lincoln is an author whose narratives resonate deeply with the human experience. With a passion for storytelling that touches hearts and provokes thoughtful reflection, she has carved a path th...

Want to be in  our new book for adoptive parents? Listen in as fellow adoptee and friend Jude interviews me about the book.  I'm gathering wisdom from across the adoption constellation for a book on how adoptive parents can help their kids thrive. The ebook will be available widely and free. Any profits from the printed book will go towards supporting a post-adoption charity.  Contribute here http...

Unlimited potential. A tantalising idea isn't it? One that seems a long way from our experience. So what brings it closer? What takes it further away. Listen in as we explore realising that unlimited potential, getting out of our own way and more. Meghan Anderson has been the director of Connecting Hearts (now Adoption Life), since 2018 and has worked in adoptions in various roles for over 12 year...

What does thriving mean to you? Everyone has a different definition. One that feels authentic to them. Giving ourselves grace, feeling safe and being vulnerable help us see our true self and being true to who we truly are. Listen to a lovely, deep dive into authenticity. Jenn Hook, MA  is Founder and Executive Director of Replanted Ministry Jenn received her Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology...

Do you feel you belong? Do the ones you love feel they belong? Listen in as we explore belonging, grace and the power of unconditional love. Profound and poignant. A conversation we both hope you love. Amiee earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Social Work from the University of Tennessee. She also has a Master’s in Conflict Management from Lipscomb and is a Certified Nonprofit Profe...

"We act how we feel" what a truthbomb! But how do you feel? How do you feel about yourself? Listen in as we dive deep into acceptance, gratitude so we relish ourselves. Kelly has extensive experience as a Family Support Coach with Children’s Home Society and has also served as the co-leader of Bellis' innovative Tuesday morning peer-support group for women addressing the grief of no longer parenti...

We all have trauma. Infertility traumatises and miscarriage takes that to a different level of pain. For Anna Maria miscarriage prompted depression. Listen in as she shares her learnings from bouncing back from that, raising her daughters and finding peace. Anna Maria DiDio, MSW is a writer, speaker and educator who has devoted her time and talents to organizations focusing on women, girls and fam...

Who do you prioritise? Whose needs come first? Putting ourself first is seen as selfish and therefore, bad. Listen in as Abby and I discover constructive selfishness. Abby also shares her reflect, release and re-invent process that's empowered her as a transracial adoptee. Dr. Abigail Hasberry splits residence in Texas and Maryland. Her work focuses on examining and developing a person's identity,...

Thriving starts with us. If we want our kids to thrive, we need to be thriving. And that all starts with self awareness. Listen in as Annette shares insights into self awareness and how it helps us tackle the tough stuff and thrive. Annette Williams, PhD, M.Ed., LPC, RPT, CAS is a Professional Member of the Association of Play Therapy and is a National Certified Counselor through the NBCC. Find ou...

How fast are you living your life? Today's frantic pace of life means opportunities to learn, grow and connect with the people we love the most pass us by. Listen in as David shares his learnings on slowing down, becoming a better parent and much more. Rev. David Melber is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for Baptist Children’s Homes of North Carolina (BCH) effective January 1, 2025. David is res...

Trauma can be so painful that we back off it. We numb it. We suppress it. And so it lingers. What if we did the opposite? We embrace it. When do so, miracles and magic can happen. Listen in as Stacey and I dive deep into pain and cures. Darren and Stacey Gagnon are passionate advocates for children in the areas of special needs, adoption, and foster care. They both have degrees in education and ha...

If we are ok with not feeling ok, we are always ok. One of my favourite sayings. Listen in as Adrian shares his learnings on navigating life with more ease. We go deep because that's where all the treasure is. You're going to love this. Check out Adrian's film https://seedandspark.com/fund/finding-home-a-journey-to-biological-roots https://www.adrianburksartist.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/adr...

Decisions. Decisions. Decisions. They become a lot easier with a North Star to follow. Podcaster Niall has interviewed an incredible array of talent in the worlds of healing, consciousness and psychology including my favourite author Rupert Spira. Listen in as we riff on intention, course correction and more. Here's the link to the interview with Jill Bolte Taylor: https://thriving-adoptees.simple...

Do you want change for the better? There's a part of us that always thinks it is right. And it feels good to be right. But it gets in the way of the change we want. Of being better. Of connecting better. Listen in as Kristin shares profound lessons on humility, insight and change. Listen to Kristin's previous interview here: https://thriving-adoptees.simplecast.com/episodes/a-guide-to-family-wellb...

Who doesn't want more ease? More peace? How? That's the question. Listen in as Jean shares her insights on how insights help us to more ease. With ourselves. With others. As she says so wisely "Compassion is free". That compassion oils our relationships. Jean Kelly Widner is the author of The Adoption Paradox: Putting Adoption into Perspective , a powerful exploration of the complex realities of a...

Do you want to take your advocacy to the next level? When we know more, we achieve more. When we focus more, we achieve more. Listen as adoptive mother and advocate Marcy shares learnings about learnings, focus, experimentation and much more. Here's the link to Marcy's previous interview: https://thriving-adoptees.simplecast.com/episodes/reasons-for-hope-with-marcy-bursac Marcy and her husband ado...

Do you feel comfortable in your own skin? Being adopted can feel distinctly uncomfortable. Whether that's due to others or ourselves. Listen in as Rabail shares what she learned coming through tricky teenage years and out of the other side. Find out more about Rabail here: https://www.adoptionmatters.org/podcasts/exploring-transracial-adoption/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/rabail-ahmed-0b3038336/?o...

How do we bounce back? Keep going when all seems lost? Listen in as adoptive mother Besty and I explore answers to these big questions and more... Betsy Armstrong grew up on a farm in Minnesota, but Chicago captured her country-mouse heart thirty-plus years ago, so she stayed. Betsy is a writer, mom, athlete, and philanthropist who wants to change the world. She has had careers in sales, counselin...

"Other people's opinions of us are none of our business." Winston Churchill. I love that quote. For me it's about doing what feels authentic to me. Being me. Doing me. I could never have imagined that the starting point for our conversation - stigma - was going to empower my advocacy. Make me bolder. Listen in and see where this episode takes you.  About Becky's last interview... Following failed...

Do feel different? Less than? Do you deserve to thrive? Doug always felt different. But he didn't know he was adopted until he was 12. Listen as we dive into insights, sobriety and more in this profound and empowering episode. Check out Doug's book - There Are More Like Me: Search, Reunion, and Synchronicity in Adoption here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/There-Are-More-Like-Synchronicity/dp/B0DYQJN7FK...

Another episode with a difference courtesy of two ladies with huge hearts. Empathy for others in the adoption constellation is foundational to thriving and communication. Listen in as birth mother Laura and adoptee Hannah explore the path to empathy.  Hannah Andrews  was born in Chicago and was adopted as an infant during the Baby Scoop Era. She was raised on a Midwestern farm with two older adopt...

The Promise is that Scotland's children and young people will grow up loved, safe and respected. This episode dives into how Fraser, his team and partners are delivering on that. We explore resilience, expectations and more. Fraser has been Chief Executive of The Promise Scotland since September 2022. Prior to that, he spent 16 years working for Audit Scotland, including ten years as Controller of...

At times our trauma threatens to overwhelm us. To overcome us. But how would it be to see that we are bigger than our trauma? Not just to see that. To feel it. To let go of blame. To be free. Listen in as Cher and I dive deep into understanding, forgiveness and more. Cher became a passionate advocate for children and decided to help children break the cycle of abuse after experiencing a traumatic...