Stay Planted: Life, Faith, & Adoption

In this episode of Stay Planted, Lo and Em catch up after a two-month hiatus. They share what they have been up to over the last two months with funny stories in tow. Then Lauren shares her update on their adoption. Not a big update, but an update nonetheless. She continues to share about what she is learning about God and her relationship with Jesus through this season that she calls a wilderness...

In this episode of Stay Planted, we’re sharing hilarious animal stories that had us laughing the whole time (it's chaotic), plus a huge update in Lo’s adoption journey with some exciting movement happening behind the scenes. We also dive into the emotions that Em had surrounding Mother’s Day and what she did to combat lies with truth. This episode is full of laughter, honest conversation, fait...

In part two of double date night, we dive into our identities. We talk about how God gave each of us an identity beyond our root identity in Christ. We talk about how we are living out our identities, what we are learning, and what we are unlearning. We talk about how listening to God and asking two questions changed our lives. This is a quick but deep podcast that offers a little more insight int...

We’re kicking off part one of a double date night with Jordan and Cody. It’s full of laughter, lighthearted moments, and fun conversation. This episode feels like you’re sitting at the table with us. But don’t worry… we didn’t stop there. Part two is coming soon, where the conversation takes a deeper turn into identity, growth, and what we’ve been learning along the way. As always, Stay Planted Lo...

In this episode, we’re catching up on all the things. Random life updates, funny moments, and the real stuff in between. From a totally unplanned conversation about hair to our excitement for the Hannah Montana 20th anniversary, this episode is full of laughs, including a chaotic moment that had us absolutely cackling. We also share an honest adoption update (or not-so update) and open up about wh...

In this episode of Stay Planted , Lo and Em catch up on real life, sharing cozy snow memories, laughing through motherhood moments, and opening up about Lo’s most recent adoption update. From the funny, everyday realities of parenting to what we’re currently learning in life and faith, this conversation is honest, relatable, and rooted in growth. If you enjoy heartfelt chats about motherhood, adop...

This week’s Stay Planted episode is a special one. We’re sitting down with Jonae Steinman — someone who has been part of our lives for years — to talk about motherhood, adoption, and the unexpected paths that shape our stories. Jonae is a domestic adoption mom to two girls, and both adoption stories are nothing short of incredible. We talk about how Em knows Jonae from her time as a Young Life lea...

In this bonus episode of Stay Planted , hosts Lo & Em share hopeful news: adoptions are now explicitly exempt from the U.S. presidential proclamation on immigration . We released our previous podcast on the day Lo found out that adoptions were exempt! We thought we needed to do a bonus episode to update our listeners and avoid any confusion. Lo walks listeners through how she first learned abo...

In this episode of Stay Planted: Life, Faith, and Adoption , hosts Lo & Em share important international adoption updates based on information Lo received directly from her adoption agency regarding recent U.S. immigration changes and how they are being applied in practice. Rather than simply reading policy language, Lo explains what agencies are currently communicating to waiting families, sp...

In this episode of Stay Planted, we share real-life updates from the world of adoption, parenting, and backyard farming—equal parts practical, reflective, and a little unhinged (in the best way). We discuss adoption logistics, including the process of obtaining a Social Security number for an adopted child and how missing paperwork can impact health insurance coverage. Lauren shares an update on i...

What does it really look like to say yes to domestic adoption? In this episode of Stay Planted: Life, Faith, and Adoption , we sit down with Hank and Miranda to hear their powerful story of domestic adoption. They share the calling that led them to adoption, the challenges and joys they encountered along the way, and how their faith anchored them through uncertainty. This conversation is honest, h...

In this special episode of Stay Planted , Em and I sit down with two very important guests, our husbands! We’ve spent numerous episodes exploring the emotional, practical, and spiritual aspects of adoption from our own perspectives, so today we wanted to flip the script and hear from the men who walk this journey alongside us. We discuss  what “staying planted” means from their perspective , how t...

In this episode of Stay Planted , we share a heartfelt update on Lo’s adoption journey and open up about the emotional weight of negative adoption narratives. We talk about how easily fear can creep in, how those stories—though real—can sometimes distort your own path, and how to stay grounded in wisdom, discernment, and truth. If you’re navigating adoption or supporting someone who is, this conve...

In this heartwarming catch-up episode of Stay Planted , Lo and Em reconnect and share life updates, starting with a hilariously unexpected pedicure story from Lo that’ll have you laughing out loud. Lo and Em share adoption updates, where Lo shares what she's learning about savoring time, and Em shares that they received her son's birth certificate. Then, we take a meaningful turn, explorin...

Lo and Em are back on the mic this week, catching up on everything from the cozy start of fall to setting the record straight that Em's Conrad is not named after THE Conrad on The Summer I Turned Pretty . There’s LOTS of laughter, a few tangents, and the kind of heart-level girl talk you’ve come to expect from us. We wrap up with a more serious (but beautiful) conversation about two unexpected God...

In our first guest episode, we sit with the incredible Jen Mathisen to discuss her journey through domestic adoption . Jen opens up about the realities of the process — from navigating relationships with birth parents, to how and when she told her child he was adopted, and the emotional and practical challenges along the way. We explore how adoption has shaped Jen as a person, how it’s transformed...

In this powerful episode of  Stay Planted , we explore the beauty of adoption not just as a human act of love, but as a reflection of God’s redemptive plan. Through personal stories and biblical insight, we unpack how earthly adoption mirrors our spiritual adoption into God's family — a narrative of grace, restoration, and belonging. Whether you're walking through adoption, considering it, or simp...

In this heartfelt episode of Stay Planted, Lo and Em open up about a side of adoption that often goes unspoken—grief. Whether it's the grief of waiting, the loss of expectations, or the deep ache felt by birth families, adoptive families, and adoptees, grief weaves its way through the adoption journey in powerful and complex ways. With honesty and tenderness, Lo and Em share personal experiences,...

In this episode of Stay Planted , Lo & Em sit down to talk about the side of adoption that often gets buried—the unethical, uncomfortable, and deeply personal parts. Lo gets into their family's story of the unethical side of adoption and how greed can ruin a hopeful adoptive parent's journey. We dig into the role of money in the adoption industry—how it influences decisions, creates po...

We are changing it up a bit this week so you can get to know us! In this breezy, laughter-filled session, cousins Lo and Em open up like old friends: Faith & Family Connection: They explore how faith has shaped their spiritual lives and strengthened their cousin bond. Sharing how special faith has played a role in their relationship. Pop-Culture Confessions: We will give you a hint... It's...

This week, we dive deep into a powerful and often overlooked aspect of the adoption journey—how to stay unoffended . Whether you're in the thick of paperwork, waiting for placement, or navigating the complexities of post-adoption life, offense can sneak in from all directions—well-meaning comments, cultural misunderstandings, family dynamics, or even your own expectations. Join us as we explor...

Join Lo and Em for another amazing Stay Planted episode where we chat about waiting well in the adoption journey. Waiting can be one of the hardest parts of the adoption journey, but it can also be one of the most transformative. In today’s episode, we explore the emotional landscape of waiting well. Whether you're just beginning your adoption process or in the thick of uncertainty, this conve...

Enjoy the laughter that comes in our weekly update, a heartfelt realization from Em about the reward of adoption, and hear all about how we told our family and friends. Sharing the news you’re adopting can be one of the most exciting—and nerve-wracking—moments in your journey to parenthood. In this episode, we dive into how to have meaningful, confident conversations with your family and friends a...

We are still working out the kinks with sound. So we are sorry that the sound is off especially with Lauren’s mic. What we found is when Lauren is laughing, the sound cuts out. We are sorry for the inconvenience! This week’s episode is packed with laughs, love, and a significant life update from Em! Lo and Em kick things off with hilarious stories that will have you laughing, plus a tiny adoption...

Welcome to Stay Planted , a podcast where Lo and Em talk about life, faith, and adoption. In their first episode, they’ll share why they decided to pursue adoption, sharing the motivations that sparked their desire to grow their families in this unique and beautiful way. Whether you're considering adoption, curious about the process, or simply looking for a dose of real, heartfelt conversation...