The Adoption Roadmap Podcast

Summary Join Rebecca Gruenspan in a conversation with Whitney Michael, as she shares her journey from private adoption to foster care adoption. Whitney discusses the financial and emotional challenges of private adoption and the importance of understanding adoption realities and needing support for non-traditional families. Rebecca and Whitney talk about the foster care adoption experience, includ...

Summary: This Week in Adoption, join Rebecca as she offers tips on securing loans and grants to cover adoption expenses and emphasizes the importance of financial planning. Rebecca also discusses the necessity of life insurance and having a will in place for adoptive parents. She highlights the crucial role of attorneys and the value of partnerships with adoption professionals. As always, Rebecca...

Summary Join host Rebecca Gruenspan and her guest Kate Shanahan, a survivor, advocate, and entrepreneur, who recounts her journey through failed IVF attempts, miscarriages, and breast cancer, which led her to embrace adoption. Kate highlights the significance of being open to different races and the need for education to handle adoption challenges. This episode focuses on the beauty of transracial...

Join Rebecca Gruenspan as she answers questions about choosing the right adoption agencies to work with, explores birth-father rights, offering clarity on their legal roles and emotional impacts, and addresses common fears and myths surrounding open adoption. Discover the unique considerations involved in adopting older children through an intervention, and learn how to approach meetings with expe...

Summary Join host Rebecca Gruenspan as she unravels the intricate dynamics of adoption with seasoned social worker Kathryn Russell. With 13 years of experience and a personal connection to adoption, Kathryn sheds light on the complex power dynamics at play between birth and adoptive families. Discover how trust, continual learning, and open communication can foster healthy relationships within the...

Summary Rebecca Gruenspan discusses her approach to adoption and the importance of being open to different strategies. She believes in a multi-agency approach to increase the chances of finding a match quickly. She also emphasizes the need for education, support, and community throughout the adoption journey. Rebecca shares her experience of receiving and vetting adoption situations and addresses...

Summary Rebecca Gruenspan, an adoption consultant and adoptive mother, interviews Allison Olson, an adoptee, adoptive mom, and author of children's books on adoption. They discuss the importance of changing the adoption narrative and filling the gaps in children's books on adoption. Alison shares her motivation for writing her books, "Surrounded by Love" and "Learning About My Friend's Adoption,"...

Summary In this episode of The Adoption Roadmap Podcast, Rebecca Gruenspan discusses the importance of the local Ronald McDonald House for families with babies in the NICU. She also addresses what to do when an expectant mother stops responding after placement, the issue of privacy and using full names on adoption profiles, how to handle difficult information about the birth mother after the baby...

Summary In this episode of the Adoption Roadmap Podcast, host Rebecca Gruenspan interviews Linda Sexton, an engineer turned adoptive mom, author, and advocate, who shares her experiences with open adoption. Linda discusses the emotional complexities and joys of maintaining connections with birth families, the evolution of open adoption practices, and the crucial role of authenticity in these relat...

Summary In this episode of the Adoption Roadmap podcast, Rebecca Gruenspan shares stories from her client community about how families spent their time waiting for ICPC to clear in different states. She also discusses ideas for gifts to honor birth mothers on Birth Mother's Day and offers advice for adoptive parents who are asked to be in the delivery room with the birth mother. Important Links me...

Summary In this conversation, Rebecca Gruenspan interviews Kerry Hackett, a single mother through domestic adoption. Kerry shares her motivation for pursuing adoption as a single parent and the challenges she faced. She discusses the importance of having a consultant to guide her through the process and help with the financial aspects. Kerry also talks about the loneliness she experienced and the...

Summary In this episode of the Adoption Roadmap podcast, Rebecca Gruenspan offers a deep dive into the adoption industry. She discusses the recent decline in placements, the emotional challenges for expectant mothers, and the importance of authenticity for prospective adoptive families. Rebecca shares a cautionary tale of a single mom scammed during the adoption process, underlining the unpredicta...

Summary In this episode, Amy Imber, Executive Director of Connecting Hearts Adoption Services, dispels common fears about the adoption home study process. Amy shares her personal journey into adoption, sparked in high school and solidified by reuniting with her brother who was adopted. She clarifies the home study requirements, emphasizing that most families are approved, and discusses common conc...

Summary In this week's episode, Rebecca Gruenspan explores the profound effects of adoption on birth moms and the intricacies of open adoption, drawing key insights from Gretchen Sisson's book, "Relinquished." Rebecca discusses the challenges and emotional toll experienced by birth moms, as highlighted in Sasson’s research, and delves into the complexities of maintaining open relationships between...

Summary In this episode of the Adoption Roadmap podcast, Rebecca Gruenspan provides an in-depth look at the adoption home study process, explaining what it entails, how long it takes, and essential tips to prepare for it. She emphasizes the importance of understanding each step to make the journey smoother and less stressful. Rebecca covers the basic components of a home study, including criminal...

Tune in to The Adoption Roadmap Podcast every Wednesday and Friday mornings. If you like what you hear, I'd appreciate a follow and review (of 5 stars, of course)! THANK YOU! For questions about adoption, episode suggestions or to appear as a guest on The Adoption Roadmap Podcast, email ⁠⁠⁠support@rgadoptionconsulting.com⁠⁠⁠