The Adoption Roadmap Podcast

What does it really mean to belong? For Isaac Melber, the answer wasn't found the day he was adopted. It was built through countless small moments of love, consistency, and the freedom to embrace every part of his story. In this episode, Rebecca sits down with author, adoptee, and aspiring pastor Isaac Melber to explore life through the eyes of someone who remembers being adopted. From growing...

This week's episode flips the mic. Instead of Rebecca Gruenspan interviewing a guest, you're hearing Rebecca be the guest — pulled from her appearance on Podcast Cafe hosted by podcast producer Hayleigh Hayhurst, where she opened up about how The Adoption Roadmap Podcast came to life, why she started podcasting after years of putting it off, and what 100+ episodes have taught her about ado...

The moment every hopeful adoptive parent dreams about is hearing the words, "They picked you." But what happens next? In step 1B of the Adoption Roadmap, Rebecca walks through the realities of adoption after a match occurs. From evaluating adoption situations and understanding potential risks to navigating the hospital experience, ICPC, openness, legal finalization, and the financial rea...

This episode tackles one of the most anxiety-inducing parts of the adoption process: the home study. For many hopeful adoptive parents, the home study can feel like an investigation. They're worried about old mistakes, mental health diagnoses, fertility struggles, finances, medical conditions, past trauma, or whether one wrong answer could jeopardize their dream of becoming parents. In this ep...

No two adoption journeys look the same — and that’s exactly what makes this conversation so powerful. In this special panel episode, Rebecca sits down with three adoptive parents whose paths to parenthood couldn’t be more different: Lisa, a single mom by choice; Kirk, an adoptee turned adoptive father raising a son with his husband; and Jennifer, who navigated infertility, open adoption, and the u...

Most people begin the adoption process thinking the hardest parts will be the paperwork, the waiting, or the uncertainty. In reality, the biggest challenge is often unlearning what you've been told about adoption in the first place. In this episode, Rebecca shares the first step of her Adoption Roadmap and explains why education, emotional preparation, and a deeper understanding of adoption matter...

This episode is unlike any adoption conversation we’ve had before. Angela’s story begins with impossible odds: born two months premature, weighing barely three pounds, surviving life-threatening medical complications, and spending the first months of her life fighting to stay alive. But what unfolds after that is a story about far more than survival. It’s about identity, belonging, race, reunion,...

This episode will probably make some adoptive parents uncomfortable, and that’s exactly why you should listen. Jade Amez grew up in a white family in the Midwest constantly being asked questions like: “Where are you really from?” “Do you know your real parents?” “Aren’t you grateful you were adopted?” And while most people thought they were “just being curious,” Jade explains what those questions...

Why does your child’s behavior feel so hard… even when you’re trying to do everything right? In adoption, behavior isn’t just behavior. It’s layered with loss, attachment, and experiences that often go unseen. And in the moments that feel the most overwhelming—when your child is melting down, shutting down, or pushing you away—it’s easy to wonder: Am I handling this wrong? In this episode, we’re b...

Adoption is often told as a beautiful, full-circle story. But what happens when the story keeps unfolding decades later? In this episode, Rebecca sits down with Niemah Scherlacher, whose adoption story spans cultures, religions, and nearly 60 years of unanswered questions. Born in Jerusalem to a Palestinian mother, placed in a Jewish orphanage, and adopted by a Christian American family—her story...

You don’t expect the waiting to feel like this… until you’re in it. Season four of The Adoption Roadmap opens with something that might feel a little surprising: joy. Not the kind that ignores what’s hard. The kind that shows up right in the middle of it. In this episode, Rebecca resets the roadmap—so if you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, unsure where you are, or questioning if you’re doing this “ri...

In this episode of the Adoption Roadmap Podcast, Rebecca recaps her rapid fire questions she asks every guest. They share personal stories and shout outs to individuals who have impacted their journeys, emphasizing the need for education and understanding in navigating adoption. The conversation also touches on the challenges faced by adoptive parents and the significance of maintaining curiosity...

In Part 2 of this powerful conversation on The Adoption Roadmap Podcast , Rebecca Gruenspan continues her discussion with author, advocate, and adoptive mom Deborah Olivia Farmer . Deborah opens up about raising her 14-year-old son as a single Black mother, navigating father-longing, bullying, identity, and the realities of preparing a Black boy for the world. She shares honestly about fear — not...

In this episode of the Adoption Roadmap Podcast, Guest, Deborah Olivia Farmer shares her journey of adoption, motherhood, and the unique challenges faced by single black mothers. She discusses the importance of breaking stigmas surrounding adoption in the black community, the power of surrendering to life's plans, and the fears that come with raising a black son in today's world. The conversation...

In this episode of the Adoption Roadmap Podcast, Rebecca Gruenspan and Jennifer Morovic discuss the intricacies of creating an impactful adoption profile. The conversation covers overcoming insecurities about personal photos, the importance of emotional connections in profiles, and the rising trend of using video to enhance storytelling. Additionally, the episode delves into strategies for indepen...

In this episode of the Adoption Roadmap Podcast, host, Rebecca Gruenspan and guest, Jennifer Morovic discuss the complexities and evolution of adoption profiles, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and emotional connection in the profile creation process. They explore the frustrations many hopeful adoptive parents face when creating their profiles, the significance of quality photography, a...

In this episode of the Adoption Roadmap podcast, Michelle Madrid discusses the complexities of adoption, focusing on identity, the significance of names, and the emotional challenges faced by adoptees. She emphasizes the importance of openness in conversations about adoption, the pain points that adoptees experience, and the need for adoptive parents to create a safe space for their children to ex...

In this episode of the Adoption Roadmap Podcast, guest Michelle Madrid delves into the complexities of identity, healing, and acceptance in the adoption journey. Michelle shares her personal experiences as an international adoptee and the importance of reconnecting with one's 'first me.' The conversation explores various healing modalities, the significance of supporting adoptees in their journeys...

In this episode, Dr. Max Weinberg discusses the seven core issues of adoption and their impact on children in school settings. He emphasizes the importance of creating adoption-affirming classrooms and the role of teachers in fostering a sense of belonging for adopted children. The conversation also touches on the challenges of disclosure and advocacy for parents navigating the school system, high...

In this episode of the Adoption Roadmap Podcast, Dr. Max Weinberg discusses the importance of belonging in educational settings, particularly for adopted children. He shares insights from his personal experiences as a white father raising Black children and emphasizes the need for inclusive, trauma-informed classrooms. The conversation explores the challenges faced by students who feel marginalize...

In this episode of the Adoption Roadmap Podcast, the Rebecca Gruenspan and Birth Mother, Sydney Curtin delve into the complexities of adoption, addressing common myths and emotional realities faced by both adoptive and birth parents. They discuss the importance of open communication, the emotional impact of adoption on children, and the need for clear agreements in open adoption scenarios. The con...

In this episode of The Adoption Roadmap Podcast , Rebecca Gruenspan —adoptive parent, consultant, and founder of RG Adoption Consulting—sits down with Sydney Curtin , a birth mother, life coach, speaker, and author of Courageous Considerations: A Guide to Open Adoption , for a raw and deeply honest conversation. In Part 1, Sydney shares her personal adoption story—one marked by coercion, broken pr...

In this episode of the Adoption Roadmap Podcast, adoption attorney Genie Gillespie discusses critical aspects of the adoption process, including the importance of putative father registries, the necessity of legal representation, navigating birth mother expenses, and identifying red flags in independent matches. The conversation emphasizes the need for adoptive parents to be informed and proactive...

In this episode of The Adoption Roadmap Podcast , Rebecca Gruenspan sits down with Genie Miller Gillespie , one of the most respected adoption attorneys in the country, for a clear, grounded conversation about the legal realities of adoption—without the fear-mongering. With more than 30 years of experience in adoption, guardianship, and reproductive law, Genie breaks down what hopeful adoptive par...

In this episode of the Adoption Roadmap Podcast, Leah Outten and Raquel McCloud share their profound experiences as birth mothers, discussing the emotional complexities of adoption, resilience, and the impact of their viral reunion video. They explore themes of personal growth, the challenges of navigating open adoption, and the importance of being a safe space for their children. The conversation...