The Adoption Roadmap Podcast

In this episode of the Adoption Roadmap Podcast, Guests Leah Outten and Raquel McCloud share their deeply personal stories as birth mothers navigating the complexities of adoption. They discuss their unique experiences, the challenges they faced, and the support systems that helped them through their journeys. The conversation highlights the importance of resilience, the impact of isolation, and t...

In this unforgettable conversation, former NFL superstar Ricky Watters —Super Bowl champion, five-time Pro Bowler, and one of the most versatile running backs in football history—opens up about the story most people don’t know: his journey as an adoptee and now as an adoptive father. Ricky shares how he accidentally learned he was adopted at age 10, the confusion and hurt that followed, and the se...

In this powerful continuation of their conversation, Connie Going goes even deeper into what it really means to pursue ethical, child-centered adoption. She talks about why hopeful adoptive parents must process their own trauma before stepping into adoption, the danger of trying to be the “perfect” Facebook family, and how truly loving a child means also honoring and supporting their birth parents...

In this enlightening conversation, Connie Going shares her extensive experience in child welfare and adoption, emphasizing the importance of connection for children in foster care. She discusses the challenges faced by adoptive parents, the role of birth parents, and the impact of media on adoption awareness. Connie also highlights the significance of support systems, creative parenting strategies...

In this episode, Rebecca Gruenspan Summary explores the evolving landscape of adoption, highlighting significant trends such as the decline in infant adoptions, rising costs, changing family dynamics, and the increasing selectivity of expectant parents. It emphasizes the importance of openness in adoption, the role of technology, and the need for support systems for adoptive families. The discussi...

In this episode of The Adoption Roadmap Podcast, Part 2, Dr. Tony Hynes (author of The Son with Two Moms and training specialist at the Center for Adoption Support and Education) goes deeper on what adoptive parents must understand about race, language, and true openness. We unpack the Multiethnic Placement Act (MEPA) and its real-world ripple effects, why “love is enough” and colorblind approache...

In this episode of The Adoption Roadmap Podcast , Rebecca Gruenspan —adoptive parent, consultant, and founder of RG Adoption Consulting—sits down with Dr. Tony Hynes , an adoptee, author, and educator whose story challenges nearly every stereotype about adoption. Adopted by two white moms as a young Black boy in the 1990s, Tony’s early years were marked by both love and loss. When a court overturn...

In this episode of The Adoption Roadmap Podcast , Rebecca Gruenspan—adoptive parent, consultant, and founder of RG Adoption Consulting—continues her powerful conversation with Jennifer Skiles , an adoptee, author, and survivor whose journey is one of deep faith, forgiveness, and full-circle healing. In Part II, Jennifer shares how she navigated profound grief after losing her birth mother, found p...

In this episode of The Adoption Roadmap Podcast , Rebecca Gruenspan—adoptive parent, consultant, and founder of RG Adoption Consulting—sits down with Jennifer Skiles , an adoptee, author, and survivor whose story is one of extraordinary courage and grace. Adopted at three years old, Jennifer’s early life was marked by both love and deep pain. After enduring years of abuse in her adoptive home, she...

In this episode of The Adoption Roadmap Podcast , Rebecca Gruenspan—adoptive parent, consultant, and founder of RG Adoption Consulting—takes you inside her signature presentation: a masterclass on the basics of domestic adoption . From her own story of 26 failed IUIs to becoming a single mom through adoption, Rebecca walks you step by step through what it really takes to build your family this way...

In this episode of The Adoption Roadmap Podcast , Rebecca continues her conversation with Dr. Ellen Weber Libby—psychotherapist, adoptive parent, and author of The Calling to Adopt: Should I or Shouldn’t I? Part two dives deeper into the hard truths and family dynamics that shape the adoption journey. Dr. Libby unpacks the warning signs that signal someone may not be ready to adopt, why openness i...

In this episode of The Adoption Roadmap Podcast , Rebecca sits down with Dr. Ellen Weber Libby —psychotherapist, adoptive parent, and author of The Calling to Adopt: Should I or Shouldn’t I? Adoption is one of the few life decisions where there’s truly no turning back. But how do you know if adoption is your calling or simply a hopeful wish? Dr. Libby shares decades of wisdom from her clinical pra...

In this episode of the Adoption Roadmap podcast, Brianna and Shay share their emotional journey through adoption, discussing the challenges of fall-throughs, the importance of support systems, and the need for cautious optimism. They reflect on their experiences with adoption consulting and the significance of community support, emphasizing the need for flexibility in preferences and the emotional...

Season 3 of The Adoption Roadmap Podcast kicks off with a bold, heartfelt story. In this two-part conversation, host Rebecca Gruenspan sits down with Brianna and Shay Cherry , a vibrant Black same-sex couple from Charlotte, North Carolina—and proud RG Adoption Consulting clients —to share the beginnings of their adoption journey. Married for two years and partners for six, Brianna and Shay open up...

In this episode of the Adoption Roadmap Podcast, Rebecca Gruenspan reflects on the journey of the podcast through 100 episodes, highlighting key themes and insights from various guests. The conversation covers the complexities of adoption, including the importance of community support, financial planning, cultural identity, and the roles of birth parents. Rebecca emphasizes the emotional aspects o...

In this episode of The Adoption Roadmap Podcast , Rebecca Gruenspan sits down with Dr. Joyce Maguire Pavao —a pioneer in the world of adoption, an adoptee herself, and the author of The Family of Adoption . With over five decades of clinical experience, Dr. Pavao challenges the idea that adoption is something to be “fixed,” and instead invites us to see it as a lifelong experience that demands tru...

If it feels like your adoption journey has hit a wall—you're not alone. In this honest and encouraging solo episode, Rebecca gets real about the emotional rollercoaster of waiting to adopt. From navigating guilt and doubt to understanding why things come in waves, you'll walk away feeling seen, grounded, and empowered with actionable steps you can take right now . Whether you're wondering if you'r...

In this episode of the Adoption Roadmap Podcast, Rebecca Gruenspan breaks down one of the most critical steps in your adoption journey: the home study. From must-ask questions to picking the right provider, paperwork hacks, safety requirements, and the controversial advice that could save you stress later—Rebecca shares it all. You’ll walk away with clarity, confidence, and a clear plan to get thr...

In this episode of the Adoption Roadmap Podcast, Rebecca Gruenspan discusses the current need for families in the adoption process, the importance of pre-birth visits, financial planning for adoption, the stages of the adoption journey, and the often-overlooked role of birth fathers. She emphasizes the need for openness and understanding in navigating these complex topics, providing insights and p...

In this episode of the Adoption Roadmap Podcast, host Rebecca Gruenspan introduces powerful insights from various guests, focusing on the complexities of adoption. The conversation features Cam Lee Small, a transracial adoptee, who shares his personal journey, including the emotional aspects of reunification with his birth family. The episode also addresses critical medical concerns by Dr. Sara Si...

In this episode of the Adoption Roadmap Podcast, Rebecca Gruenspan discusses the complexities of adoption, focusing on prenatal substance exposure, important acronyms related to adoption, and the significance of early intervention for children. She emphasizes the need for support and resources for adoptive parents navigating these challenges, including the importance of understanding various disor...

In this episode of the Adoption Roadmap podcast, Rebecca Gruenspan sits down with Aida Phillips to discuss her personal adoption journey and the cultural dynamics at play within the Hispanic community. Aida shares how language barriers and cultural taboos shaped her experience, and underscores the need for Spanish-language adoption resources. The conversation explores transracial adoption, the imp...

In this episode of the Adoption Roadmap podcast, Rebecca Gruenspan discusses the complexities of adoption, emphasizing the dual emotions that adoptive parents and children may experience. She encourages parents to acknowledge and model emotional openness, creating a safe space for their children to express their feelings. Additionally, she introduces the Adoption Continuum, a community for adoptiv...

In this episode of the Adoption Roadmap podcast, Rebecca Gruenspan and Kerry Hackett discuss the complexities of adoption, emphasizing that the journey continues well beyond placement. They explore the challenges of parenting, particularly in transracial families, and the importance of community support among adoptive parents. The conversation also highlights the necessity of addressing tough topi...

In this episode of the Adoption Roadmap podcast, Rebecca Gruenspan discusses her journey as an adoption consultant and the importance of creating a supportive community for adoptive parents. She shares her motivations for developing the Adoption Continuum membership community, emphasizing the need for accountability, kindness, and vulnerability among members. The community aims to provide resource...