The Defender Podcast

Today, we are joined by Katie and Taylor Summers who adopted their son, Jonas, from Hungary. They talk about the gift of adoption and the blessings and challenges of being parents. They share their experiences raising and caring for a child with autism. Join us next week for part two of this series!  GUEST Taylor and Katie Summers adopted their son Jonas from Hungary in 2022 at the age of 2. They...

Today, we will be talking with Lisa Qualls and Melissa Corkum, authors of their new book called Reclaimed Compassion: The Adoptive Parent's Guide to Overcoming Blocked Care with Neuroscience and Faith. They discuss that and their work in the adoption and foster care community.  GUEST Lisa Qualls is the author of The Connected Parent (with Dr. Karyn Purvis), a TBRI Practitioner and a Christian spir...

Today, Dr. Rick Morton and Herbie Newell will be leading us through a discussion talking about our risen Savior and celebrating Easter.  GUEST Dr. Rick Morton is the VP of Engagement at Lifeline and Herbie Newell is the President and Executive Director at Lifeline.  HOST Herbie Newell is the President & Executive Director of Lifeline Children’s Services and its ministry arms. CO-HOST Rick Mort...

Today, in part two of the grief series, we will be talking about navigating grief in context of the gospel and from the perspective of birth families and foster families.  GUEST Traci Newell is the Director of Church Programs (LBSW, Master Trainer, TIPS-MAPP, TBRI® Practitioner) at Lifeline Children's Services. She has been at Lifeline since 2003. She has a plethora of experience working with birt...

Today we will be talking about navigating grief in context of the gospel and from the perspective of an adoptive parent.  GUEST Lane Jackson is an adoptive mom at Lifeline. Melinda Nell, MSW, is a domestic specialist at Lifeline. The Jackson family has experienced several matches and placements not working out before the placement of their daughter. Before that, they experienced grief in the infer...

In honor of National Social Work Month, one of Lifeline's amazing social workers, Susannah Ayers, joins the podcast alongside of Jeremy Simpson, Lifeline's Senior Director of Operations/Alabama State Director to share the adoption story of Jeremy's daughter through Lifeline's India program. Susannah was the social worker throughout the whole adoption process for Jeremy and his wife, Courtney. In t...

In honor of International Women's Day, two of our global partners join the podcast to talk about the difference God is making through the work they have done and the work they continue to do in orphan care in India. Tara and Sitara Manogarom join the podcast to talk about their home in India for orphaned girls and how God has worked through this ministry since 2007.  GUEST Lifeline's (un)adopted m...

Edward and Kristy Graham join the podcast today to share about the work of Samaritan's Purse in orphan care and caring for vulnerable children. They share about their mission to share the gospel around the world through their medical and disaster relief efforts. "If it's a person struggling in a 'ditch,' we want to reach their immediate needs." GUEST Edward and Kristy Graham are the guests on toda...

Karla Thrasher, Senior Director of International Adoption and Jana Lombardo, Director of International Programs, join the Defender podcast with Dr. Rick Morton to talk about the new North Macedonia adoption program at Lifeline and the current landscape of international adoption. They talk about the impact of international adoption on their lives and how international adoption played out in 2022. 1...

Today on the podcast, Micah and Jamie Steele, a Lifeline adoptive family, talks about their journey in marriage and parenting, specifically children who were brought home through adoption. We are honored to have this couple who is committed to each other and parenting in accordance to the gospel.  GUEST Micah and Jamie Steele have adopted through Lifeline and have six kids. Their oldest two came t...

Today on the podcast, Allison Centofante joins Herbie Newell and Rick Morton to talk about pro-life advocacy and how you can do that in every day life. The fight for life starts in our communities.  GUEST Alison Centofante, Founder of Centofante Strategies, LLC, a Huntsville, AL-based consulting firm, is a child advocacy innovator, in-demand public speaker, activist, and writer with over ten years...

In this episode, Ann Maura Hinton, Program Director of Bridge Educational Services at Lifeline, joins the podcast. Dr. Rick Morton, the vice president of engagement at Lifeline, and Herbie Newell, President and Executive Director of Lifeline, talk with Ann Maura about the power of play in kids' lives and how it affects their ability to learn and grow. GUEST Ann Maura is the Program Director of Bri...

Chelsea Patterson Sobolik is Lifeline's Senior Director of Policy & Advocacy. She joins the podcast today to talk about how adoption has deeply impacted her life. She shares about her personal adoption story, her and husband's pursuit of adopting a child internationally, and her book "Longing for Motherhood: Holding Onto Hope in the Midst of Childlessness." GUEST Chelsea Patterson Sobolik serv...

In this episode, Kevin Sorbo, an actor, producer, and director who has directed and starred in many well-known faith-based movies and shows, joins the Defender podcast. He directed LEFT BEHIND: RISE OF THE ANTICHRIST. Dr. Rick Morton, the vice president of engagement at Lifeline, and Sorbo talk about the upcoming release of LEFT BEHIND: RISE OF THE ANTICHRIST, his life in Hollywood, and challenges...

In this episode, Kara Clark, one of Lifeline’s casework supervisors and family therapists, and Dr. Rick Morton, the vice president of engagement, join the podcast to talk about solutions and coping skills for emotional exhaustion in a parent child relationship and in general.  GUEST Kara Clark, one of Lifeline’s casework supervisors and family therapists, and Dr. Rick Morton, the vice president of...

GUESTS Mary Beth Steven Curtis Chapman, founders of Show Hope . Mary Beth is a New York Times bestselling author and Steven is a Grammy and Dove award-winning recording artist. HOST Herbie Newell is the President & Executive Director of Lifeline Children’s Services and its ministry arms. CO-HOST Rick Morton is the Vice President of Engagement at Lifeline Children's Services. RESOURCES For thos...

GUESTS Mary Beth Steven Curtis Chapman, founders of Show Hope . Mary Beth is a New York Times bestselling author and Steven is a Grammy and Dove award-winning recording artist. HOST Herbie Newell is the President & Executive Director of Lifeline Children’s Services and its ministry arms. CO-HOST Rick Morton is the Vice President of Engagement at Lifeline Children's Services. RESOURCES As belie...

In this episode, the Hicks family joins the podcast and they discuss their journey in adoption and their daughter's current health crisis. GUEST Chrissy and Lee Hicks have 11 children and have adopted from Ukraine. HOST Herbie Newell is the President & Executive Director of Lifeline Children’s Services and its ministry arms. CO-HOST Rick Morton is the Vice President of Engagement at Lifeline C...

In this episode, Anna Pawley joins the podcast and she and Herbie discuss navigating grief during the holidays. GUEST Anna Pawley is a Post Adoption Manager at Lifeline Children's Services. HOST Herbie Newell is the President & Executive Director of Lifeline Children’s Services and its ministry arms. CO-HOST Rick Morton is the Vice President of Engagement at Lifeline Children's Services. RESOU...

In this episode, Simon Benn joins the podcast and he and Herbie discuss the healing power of God. GUEST Simon Benn is an adult adoptee and adoption advocate in the UK. He runs the Thriving Adoptees website and podcast. https://www.thrivingadoptees.com/ HOST Herbie Newell is the President & Executive Director of Lifeline Children’s Services and its ministry arms. CO-HOST Rick Morton is the Vice...

In this episode, Lynn Beckett joins the podcast to talk about navigating the holidays with a child who has been adopted or fostered. GUEST Lynn Beckett is the Program Manager of Parent Coaching at Lifeline Children's Services. HOST Herbie Newell is the President & Executive Director of Lifeline Children’s Services and its ministry arms. CO-HOST Rick Morton is the Vice President of Engagement a...

In this episode, Herbie Newell and Rick Morton take time to reflect on God's goodness and lead us into a posture of being thankful before the Lord as we approach Thanksgiving. GUEST Herbie Newell is the Executive Director and Rick Morton is the Vice President of Engagement of Lifeline Children's Services. HOST Herbie Newell is the President & Executive Director of Lifeline Children’s Services...

In this episode, Annie and Hudson Moore and Amanda Shaw share their domestic adoption story at the Birmingham Share the Story Banquet last month.   GUEST Annie and Hudson Moore are domestic adoptive parents and Amanda Shaw is a birth mother. They all used adoption and pregnancy counseling services at Lifeline.  HOST Herbie Newell is the President & Executive Director of Lifeline Children’s Ser...

In this episode, the Baird family joins the podcast to talk about their adoption process to adopt their little girl internationally. GUEST Markie and Daniel Baird are international adoptive parents who adopted through Lifeline.  HOST Herbie Newell is the President & Executive Director of Lifeline Children’s Services and its ministry arms. CO-HOST Rick Morton is the Vice President of Engagement...

In this episode, Karla Thrasher joins the podcast to talk about international adoption at the start of National Adoption Month.  GUEST Karla Thrasher is Lifeline's Senior Director of International Adoption. HOST Herbie Newell is the President & Executive Director of Lifeline Children’s Services and its ministry arms. CO-HOST Rick Morton is the Vice President of Engagement at Lifeline Children'...