Thriving Adoptees - Let's Thrive

Can you open your heart more fully? Shamele has opened her heart to 4 kids through adoption, another through a special guardianship and over 300 more through fostering them. Listen in as we dive into helping our kids have fun, feel listened to and loved.Find out more about Shamele:https://www.linkedin.com/in/shamele-jenkins-bb9ab712/https://www.facebook.com/shamele.jenkins/https://www.mdcfapa.org/ Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

Change is hard. Until an insight happens. Whether that's about how we feel, what causes those feelings, our behaviour or anything else. So changing is a seeing thing. Listen in as Steve shares some of the insights that have done the heavy lifting. We hope this interview catalyses some changes for you.Steve joins the team at Hand in Hand with a background in non-profit organizations, the healthcare industry and higher education.  He holds a B.A. in Public Relations, a Master of Divinity, and an M.A. in Psychology, all of which have allowed him to do what he is most passionate about: making a positive difference in the lives of others.  Steve heads up operations for Hand In Hand and his outgoing personality makes him a fantastic spokesperson for introducing Hand In Hand to new families and organizations that we partner with. Steve and his spouse have five adopted children. Steve is always excited to share his family’s experience with others to show them the incredible ways that adoption can transform lives.  He is an avid sports fan, enjoys going to games and can normally be found adventuring with his kiddos throughout California. Steve is not afraid to go outside of his comfort zone and has even run a marathon in Italy to raise funds for charity! He loves being a father, first and foremost, and enjoys being able to give that experience to other families through his work with Hand in Hand.Find out more at:https://www.hihiadopt.org/https://www.instagram.com/hand_in_hand_intl_adoptions/?hl=enhttps://www.facebook.com/HandInHandInternationalAdoptions/ Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

From rainbows and unicorns to adoption is trauma. Pendulums swing too far before they settle into balance. Listen in as we find a more balanced approach that's closer to the truth.Ryan Hanlon became President and CEO of NCFA in May 2022 after serving as the Vice President of Education, Research, and Constituent Services since August 2017. Prior to joining NCFA, he served as the Executive Director of an accredited adoption agency that provided domestic and international adoption services.Ryan is a frequent conference speaker, podcast guest, and go-to source for national and regional media on a range of adoption issues. He has expertise in accreditation and regulatory issues, state licensing matters, and adoption-related policy topics. Passionate about research and education, Ryan seeks to ensure that all those impacted by adoption have the resources and support they need to thrive in their families and communities.See Ryan’s April 2023 appearance on C-SPAN’s Washington Journal.Ryan holds four advanced degrees including an M.A. in Liberal Arts, an M.S. in Nonprofit Management, and an M.S. and a Ph.D. in Social Work. He has served as a social work field instructor and an adjunct professor of social work to both undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students.In 2022, Ryan received the Angel in Adoption award from the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute. Ryan lives in Northern Virginia with his wife and their four children including a son adopted internationally.Here's the article we mention.https://ifstudies.org/blog/beyond-hashtags-what-the-anti-adoption-movement-gets-wrongFind out more about Ryan here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-hanlon-/https://adoptioncouncil.org/https://www.facebook.com/AdoptionCouncil/https://www.instagram.com/adoptioncouncil/ Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

It takes courage to tackle the tough stuff in adoption. It takes courage to love our kids when that love isn't reciprocated. Listen in as Melody talks about courage, support from others and much more. Melody has five kids including one from adoption.Melody Marshall is the Co-Executive Director of My Village Ministries, a local initiative focused on family preservation, and the Co-Executive Director of Upstream Collaborative, a nationwide network of family preservation ministries. After receiving a B.S. in Human Development and Family Science, Melody has pursued work that aligns with God’s calling to serve vulnerable families.Melody’s professional journey has spanned various roles, from house parent for at-risk teens to paraprofessional for children with special needs. Her experiences have shaped her unwavering dedication to the marginalized, the orphan, and the widow. Guided by a deep faith, Melody has seen God’s hand at work in her life, leading her to a clear calling to mobilize the Church to preserve socially isolated families in crisis, helping them build sustainable support systems and pathways to healing.https://www.linkedin.com/in/melody-marshall-1b19712ab/https://myvillageministries.com/https://www.facebook.com/myvillageministrieshttps://www.instagram.com/my.village.ministries/ Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

If I can't heal, I can't help them heal. That's the truth that hit Heather like a tonne of bricks. The more whole we feel, the better placed we are to help our kids heal. Listen in as we dive deep into healing, feeling loved and busting beliefs. A deep and empowering episode full of hard won insights. Heather's mother was in foster care and Heather was adopted by her grandmother. Heather has adopted too. Find out more at:https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-branam-5971351b6/mystic-moon-healing.com Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

Sexual abuse and neglect leave deep scars. How can anyone become grateful for these? In one of our most profound turnaround stories ever, Trent shares how adoptive family, faith and therapy have fuelled his healing, recovery from PTSD and more. 100% inspirational. Trent leaves me speechless and stumbling. Epic.Trent entered foster care at the age of four due to domestic violence, extreme neglect, and sexual abuse. After traveling a painful journey through the foster care system, Trent was adopted at the age of nine and came to dramatic levels of healing from his traumatic past. Trent, who is now 24 years old, has devoted his life to helping others find healing. Trent is a mentor and public speaker and has authored and published two books. Trent graduated from Arizona State University with a 4.0 GPA with a B.S. in Family and Human Development. Trent is CEO and Co-Founder of Watch Me Rise in Wake Forest, North Carolina. Trent is a trauma consultant and serves as a TBRI Practitioner, Life Coach, Educational Therapist, mentor, and parent trainer. Trent gives all the glory to God for his healing and strives to be a light in the darkness.https://www.watchmerise919.org/https://www.facebook.com/WatchMeRiseLLChttps://www.instagram.com/watchmerise919/https://x.com/WatchMeRise6 Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

How do you handle pain, like when your son says he hates you? There's something that us humans don't like about complexity. And yet adoption IS complex. Painful and wonderful. When it's painful it can be very painful. Listen as we dive into complexity, emotional intelligence and more.Cindy and her husband, Michael have three children through birth and adoption. She's also Director for the Beyond post adoption program at Circle Of Care in Oklahoma.Find out more athttps://circleofcare.org/programs/beyond/https://www.facebook.com/circleofcareokhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/cindyboecking/ Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

So many of us so much time ruminating on the past or worrying about the future. What Do You Need Right Now? The question can shock us into the present and unleash our wisdom. Listen in as Rebecca shares how that question changed everything and could do the same for you.Rebecca Harvin is the founder and Executive Director of Haven. Rebecca, and her husband Brad, began fostering in 2017 and in July of 2022, they adopted a sibling set of four. They also have 2 biological children. Haven Retreats was born from a season of caregiver burnout and the assumption that if she needs a space for rest, therapy and Jesus... other people probably do too.As an Enneagram 7, Rebecca loves adventure, traveling, spontaneity and engaging the world around her with humor and a positive outlook. www.havenretreatsinc.orghttps://www.facebook.com/havenretreatsinc/https://www.instagram.com/haven.retreats/?hl=enhttps://www.instagram.com/rebeccaharvin/?hl=enhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-harvin/ Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

We all want to be our best selves, not just for ourself but for our family. So what does that mean? How do we do that? Listen in as adoptive dad, adoption attorney, social worker and adoption agency executive director Rob shares his learnings on self worth, expectations and much more.Rob has been in the adoption field since 1996. He has worked in both the public and private sectors in child welfare and has experience in both intercountry and domestic adoption. Rob earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Wheaton College, MA (1994). He has a Master’s Degree in Social work from Salem State College (1999) and was admitted to the Florida Bar in 2012 after graduating from Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad Law School in 2011.Rob is the Executive Director/Attorney for ACF Adoptions, a private non–profit adoption agency that has been providing services since 1992. Rob is a former foster parent and the proud adoptive parent of two sons and a daughter. He resides in South Florida with his husband, children, 3 dogs and 9 chickens. Rob is an active volunteer in his community and an advocate for ethical adoption reform. He is a member of the Florida Adoption Council, the National Council for Adoption and a Fellow in the American Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproductive Attorneys where he serves on the Agency and Ethics Committees.He is responsible for all phases of legal work on behalf of agency including pleadings, hearings and taking consents. He oversees the agency's financial management, budget, audit, supervises the agency's administrative staff, annual state licensure as well as cooperation with Board of Directors. He ensures that the agency services reflect mission.https://www.adoptionflorida.org/https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-lamarche-lcsw-jd-00a6346/https://www.facebook.com/robert.c.lamarche/https://www.instagram.com/adoptionflorida/ Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

Do you suspect you may be playing life small? Do you want more? Perhaps something is holding you back? Listen in as adoptee Karyn explores growing beyond what she thought was possible, doing that afraid and more...Find out more at https://www.facebook.com/karyn.kunst.9https://www.instagram.com/karynellenk/Check out her book on Amazonhttps://a.co/d/1LN1a4l Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

Grief touches us all. Sometimes we resist it, but what we resist persists. So what do we do? Marcia has experienced a lifetime of grief including the unbelievable loss of  2 sons. Listen in as she shares her take on embracing grief, thriving with joy and how her faith empowers her. Poignant and powerful. You're going to love this.Here's a bit about Marcia:Marcia has been married to her best friend, Scott, for 35 years, and together they raised five incredible children—four sons and one daughter. Their family is a beautiful reflection of love and diversity, having adopted three biracial children: a baby and a sibling group, while also welcoming two biological “bookends.” Marcia considers her daughter and youngest son among her closest friends, cherishing the unique bond they share. She treasures the privilege of investing her time and love into her family, friends, and the lives of othersA lifelong admirer of God’s artistry, Marcia finds joy in capturing His beauty through photography, from breathtaking sunsets to the intricate details of His creation. The beach holds a sacred place in her heart—a magical space where healing flows and her connection to the Trinity deepens. In those moments by the ocean, she experiences an intimacy with the Father that uplifts her spirit and renews her strength. The rhythmic waves, the vastness of the sea, and the gentle whispers of the wind create a sacred sanctuary where she is filled with the Lord’s peace, love, and purpose.Professionally, Marcia is a trained educator and is a certified Life, Grief, Trauma, Brain, and Mental Health counselor/coach. She is also a Mediator and a HeartSync Minister. With these tools, she walks alongside individuals facing life’s most painful and complex moments. Whether speaking or writing, she creates compassionate spaces where those who are grieving can find hope and healing. Her own life has been shaped by profound loss, yet she continues to testify to God’s faithfulness and redeeming love.Marcia is the founder of The Sterling Rose Sanctuary, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to helping others find freedom from grief and trauma. Through her ministry, she equips people to breathe again, move again, and live again—empowering them to embrace the life God has designed for them with purpose, healing, and hope.Check her out here:https://www.facebook.com/TSRS21/https://www.instagram.com/thesterlingrosesanctuary/?hl=enhttps://www.thesterlingrosesanctuary.us/ Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

How does being adopted into God's family shift our ideas on family and identity? What role does faith play? Listen in as Alice and I dive into riding the emotional rollercoaster with more grace.Here's Alice's previous interview https://thriving-adoptees.simplecast.com/episodes/leaning-on-30-years-learning-with-alice-murray-adoption-attorney-writer-tezpvkdAnd her new book https://www.amazon.com/God-Adopted-First-Attorneys-Adventures/dp/1563097818To find out more at her work check out:https://www.linkedin.com/in/alice-h-murray-174521157/https://aliceinwonderingland.wordpress.com/https://www.facebook.com/alicemurraywriterhttps://www.instagram.com/alice.h.murray/https://www.facebook.com/alice.h.murray Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

Fear & Faith. Two words we don't usually hear together. How does fear hold us back, how does faith spur us on? Listen in as Matthew and I dive deep into how we grow and help our kids do the same.In September 2006, Matthew co-founded the Heart Gallery of Broward in response to the need he observed in his community for this service. During its short tenure, Heart Gallery of Broward has achieved an above-average success rate of 40 percent, having already helped place 70 children in loving, permanent homes. Recognizing the benefits a national network of Heart Galleries could have, he co-founded and organized the Heart Gallery of America in August 2008. As co-founder of the national organization, Matt leads this group to share resources and broaden the pool of families seeking to adopt. The Heart Gallery of America, comprised of 100 individual heart galleries, also launched ww.heartgalleryofamerica.org, a comprehensive reference tool and informational index for prospective families. Recently, he founded the Florida Association of Heart Galleries to organize the 15 Florida Heart Galleries and advocate for adoption in the Florida State Capiton Region. In 2009, he received the Florida Governor’s Points of Light Award.Matthew is married and has two daughters.https://heartgalleryofamerica.org/about-heart-gallery/directors/https://www.facebook.com/p/Heart-Gallery-of-America-100054215212909/https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-straeb-8a12934/ Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

 What help us feel that we are thriving? Feeling it. Not thinking it. Not judging it. Feeling it. Listen as Jodi and I dive deep into the feeling of thriving. Insights aplenty on peace, purpose, people and more. You are going to love this...Jodi loves being a wife to Jerry and mom to her large family of world-changers, including eight children, five adopted.  In 2009, as she faced the orphan crisis worldwide, God gave her the dream to unite the women everywhere who love and serve the orphan.  She served twelve years as Global Director of Orphan Sunday for the Christian Alliance for Orphans (CAFO), is a seminary graduate and Certified Chaplain.  She is the author of three books, including Healing for Every Heart in Adoption, Second Mother: A Bible Study Experience for Foster and Adoptive Moms and Fasten Your Sweet Belt: 10 Things You Need to Know About Older Child Adoption.https://jodijacksontucker.com/https://www.facebook.com/jodijacksontucker/https://secondmothers.org/ Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

How do we celebrate ourselves when we don't know how we came about, feel unwanted or an accident? Listen in as adoptee, adoptive parent and adoption professional Anita shares profound insights on finding meaning, a reason for being and more. She also shares how following Christ has helped her along the way.Find out more about Anita here:https://www.brookhills.org/staff-elders/anita-bucher/https://www.linkedin.com/in/anita-bucher-a8233725/ Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

So many of have so much going on we can't see the wood for the trees. Today's interview is a chance to stand back and see the big picture - what helps us thrive, what helps our kids thrive and much more. Listen in - adoption professional Cindy really knows her stuff!https://www.allforkids.org/https://www.facebook.com/AllForKids.CA/https://www.facebook.com/AllForKids.CA/https://x.com/AllForKidsCahttps://www.linkedin.com/in/cindy-stogel-2a1093171/ Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

How do we free ourselves from the past? By seeing that it doesn't define us. Listen in as Krystal, adopted in her 30's talks about getting stronger through adversity, processing tough emotions and more.Connect with Krystal here https://www.linkedin.com/in/krystal-trocki-1372321a3/Find out about her employer here https://26health.org/ Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

What if there's part of us that's not traumatised? Because it can't traumatised? Wouldn't that be a great place to find and live from? Listen in as we dive deep into thriving, touch on religion and explore the part of us that's beyond trauma.Adoptive mother Dana Hargus, M.Ed., LPC, is a seasoned health professional with over 25 years of experience in trauma-informed care. Before becoming a counselor, she spent nine years as an educator, building a foundation of compassion and connection that continues to guide her work today. Dana is the owner of a thriving private counseling practice and the visionary behind Restore of Ada, a new healing center devoted to wholeperson wellness and rapid nervous system resetting.https://restoreofada.com/https://www.facebook.com/restoreofadahttps://www.instagram.com/restoreofada/https://www.linkedin.com/in/dana-hargus-681519340/ Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

What happens when your search for belonging leads to both love and heartbreak? Listen in as adoptee Lisa shares what she's learned from her rollercoaster ride of reunion including lovebombing, jet black darkness and, eventually, light. Very powerful. Deeply profound. Listen with big ears.Find out more about Lisa here:https://www.instagram.com/drmommypoppins/?hl=en-gbhttps://www.theadoptednurse.com/https://www.facebook.com/lisa.astalos.chism/  Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

Do you feel disconnected from your cultural heritage or identity? Tami did - even though she wasn't adopted. She was determined her daughter who was born in Ethiopia would feel connected with her heritage. Listen in as we dive into cultural heritage, identity and more.Here's a bit about Tami from her website:I grew up disconnected from my Dominican and Jamaican roots, always feeling like I wasn't “enough” of anything—not Latina enough, Caribbean enough, not even Black enough. I carried shame, confusion, and uncertainty about whether I even had the right to claim a heritage I barely knew. When I began exploring my roots, there were no guides, no roadmaps, or no one to show me where to start. I had to find my own way—slowly, and in a way that felt authentic to me.When I adopted my Ethiopian-born daughter, I promised she wouldn’t grow up with that same disconnection. That promise became my purpose.I’m living this work every day—raising an Ethiopian daughter, caring for my aging mother, and navigating my own Dominican/Jamaican identity, all under one roof in Mexico. I know what this journey really looks like—and I’m here to walk it with you.Now, as a Cultural Heritage Reconnection Coach, I offer the support I once needed. I guide people to rediscover their roots, reclaim pride in who they are, and create a legacy so future generations never have to wonder where they belong.You don’t need permission to reconnect.You just need a place to begin—and you don’t have to do it alone.https://www.instagram.com/tamideegarcia/https://www.tiktok.com/@tamideegarciahttps://www.tamigarcia.com/https://www.facebook.com/TamiDeeGarcia Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.