Adoption Unfiltered™

Adoption Unfiltered™
  • 4.6 (9)
  • EDUCATION

Adoption Unfiltered™ is presented by adoptee Sara Easterly, birth parent Kelsey Vander Vliet Ranyard, and adoptive parent Lori Holden. Collectively, we bring more than 75 years of lived experience relating to adoption, and we span the Baby Boomer, Gen X, and Millennial generations. We understand the history, challenges, and trends experienced by people living in adoption and the broader adoption constellation, and discuss sensitive and timely issues through the lens of our lived experiences of adoption, and dialogue with others from within the adoption constellation.

  1. Ethics in Adoption Tour: Salt Lake City

    12/03/2025

    Ethics in Adoption Tour: Salt Lake City

    This episode finds Adoption Unfiltered™ on the road for its "Ethics in Adoption" tour. Our first stop on this three-city tour could be none other than Salt Lake City, Utah. As attorney and panelist Wes Hutchins said, "Utah has legalized fraud in the context of adoption." Calling out exploitative practices and calling for better policies is of utmost importance. Joining the authors of Adoption Unfiltered™ in this episode are four panelists: adoptee Dani Zimmerman, adoptee and birth mom Jori Victory, birth mom and activist Ashley Mitchell, and adoptive father and attorney for birth father rights, Wes Hutchins. Kelsey and Ashley begin the conversation by telling us about Utah Adoption Rights and why they founded it. Next, we talk with our panelists. Questions we ask Dani Zimmerman, Adoptee: You seem high functioning and successful. As an adoptee, what are some of the challenges you've faced that people wouldn't know about? You have stayed in contact with the agency that handled your placement. What draws you to continue that relationship? Questions we ask Jori Victory, Adoptee and Birth/First Parent: In what ways did your pregnancy trigger unacknowledged grief as an adoptee? What feelings did this bring up for you as you walked through the adoption process? Questions we ask Ashley Mitchell, Birth/First Parent: In Chapter 8, I wrote about informed consent. When asked if there was anything you wish you had been told before relinquishment, you replied, “I was not told how hard open adoption would be. I was not told that my child would want and need to be part of my life. I was never supported in how to process things as they come up in open adoption. I had to figure it out on my own.” We are standing here in your home state of Utah. Knowing what you know now, what should Utah adoption professionals be doing to convey that information to moms before relinquishment? Can you speak more about what is missing? How can we convey that information to moms who are going to make this decision? Question we ask Wes Hutchins, Adoptive Parent: Ethics can be costly, but fraud costs more. You resigned as president from the Utah Adoption Council in 2012 amidst your concerns about what you called “egregious cases of fraud” from a few of the other members of the council. There have been a lot of conversations about the concerns of fraud in many Utah adoption tourism cases in the legislature and the media. Can you speak more about the long-term impact of fraud and what the aftermath may look like? This episode concludes with Kelsey, Sara, and Lori reading their own published thoughts about ethics in adoption."Through trust, we can have an experience of healing. The systems that exist in many ways to exploit us can also be used to heal us." -- panelist and adoptee Dani Zimmerman Resources: Utah Adoption RightsCompilation of Utah Adoption Rights in the news Sara's op-ed in Deseret NewsReceipts about what's happening in UtahAn FBI warning about adoption fraud schemes Adoption Unfiltered™ book, events, book club discussion guide, resources, and more: https://adoptionunfiltered.com Want more Sara? Visit https://saraeasterly.comWant more Kelsey? Visit https://kelseyranyard.com Want more Lori? Visit https://LavenderLuz.com

    1 hr
  2. Bucking Societal Pressure and Deciding NOT to Adopt with Guest, Jess Tennant

    04/12/2024

    Bucking Societal Pressure and Deciding NOT to Adopt with Guest, Jess Tennant

    “There’s so much out there about the people who are ‘successful’ at adopting, but there’s nothing about people who have walked away from the process.” — Jess Tennant, a woman who decided NOT to adopt, due, in part, to predatory adoption agency practices, in ep 31. Jess, is an ally in unfiltering adoption. In 2017 after waiting to adopt for many years, Jess and her husband decided to halt their efforts. Some of the reasons are chilling, as you’ll hear in her story. Jess is a beloved public school teacher in upstate NY, specializing in middle school special ed. She shares sentiments prospective adopters hear from adoption agencies that will make you squirm. She also shares observations about the culture of pronatalism and the ways it shows up pervasively for those wanting to adopt, and even more loudly for those who decide not to. Engage Further Resources: Jess is featured in Chapter 19 of Adoption UnfilteredJess’s current blog: Finding a Different PathJess’s infertility and adoption blog: My Path to MommyhoodJess’s journey to opennessInterview with Jess in Ep. 306 of Adoption: The Long ViewSara’s Newsweek article (mentioned)Jess’s panel for World Childless Week: “Oops! I completely forgot I could just adopt! Thanks for reminding me.”Gateway Women’s Collective via Childless CollectiveResources through World Childless WeekThe NotMom by Choice or by Chance Sara Easterly: Sara’s WebsiteSearching for Mom: A MemoirAdoptee-Voices.com@saraeasterlyauthor Kelsey Vander Vliet Ranyard: Twisted Sisterhood PodcastLove, Your Birth Mom@fromanothamotha Lori Holden: Lori’s WebsiteThe Open-Hearted Way to Open AdoptionAdoption: The Long View Podcast@lavluz

    54 min
  3. Dr. Patrice Martin

    04/05/2024

    Dr. Patrice Martin

    “Let’s start talking about mothers in crisis.” — Patrice Martin, DBA, on the many failures of baby boxes, in ep 30. Patrice Martin is uniquely qualified to speak on the topic of baby boxes, which is a phenomenon that takes existing Safe Haven laws an unnecessary step too far. Patrice herself was abandoned as a newborn. Hear why, in spite of — because of! — her own history as a “foundling,” Patrice is arguing in front of state legislatures around the country against baby boxes and how to get better results with proposed funding than putting babies in boxes. Sara talks about what this extra disconnection from humans and from one’s origins means to adoptees. Kelsey explains the differences between existing Safe Haven laws and the Baby Box movement, and the false dichotomy about Baby Boxes. Lori suggests that when a supporter of this legislation holds up the use of a baby box as a success, that instead, it is a failure. Engage Further Dr. Patrice Martin: Patrice’s story on TLC’s Long Long FamilyAngela Tucker’s interview with PatricePatrice’s testimony on TN HB2067 (begins at 55:40)Continuity of Care studyPatrice on InstagramAdoptee Prayer Collective on InstagramSara Easterly: Sara’s WebsiteSearching for Mom: A Memoir Adoptee-Voices.com @saraeasterlyauthor Kelsey Vander Vliet Ranyard: Twisted Sisterhood Podcast Love, Your Birth Mom @fromanothamotha Lori Holden: Lori’s Website The Open-Hearted Way to Open Adoption Adoption: The Long View Podcast @lavluz Adoption Unfiltered’s episode on the Abortion/Adoption debate Colorado’s Baby Box Bill: Lori’s Testimony At The State Capitol

    53 min
  4. Jessica Davis and Maureen McCauley

    04/03/2024

    Jessica Davis and Maureen McCauley

    “Our decision and application to adopt literally caused what happened to the very child we wanted to help.” —Jessica Davis, Founder and Executive Director of Kugatta, in ep 29. What if you discovered that the child you adopted was not actually an orphan, but someone who had been trafficked away from her family and placed in an orphanage on your behalf? This is the situation faced by activist Jessica Davis, founder and executive director of the nonprofit Kugatta.com. You don’t want to miss her story of courage and conviction, and if you’re an adoptive parent, you will for sure be asking yourself, “what would I do?” Maureen McCauley is mom to four interracial adoptees (all adults now), through U.S. infant adoption (her sons) and through Ethiopian adoption (her daughters). She also has three granddaughters. Through her long-running blog Light of Day Stories, Maureen investigates and brings us stories that need more light on them. She is a co-facilitator with Adoption Mosaic for “Seasoned Parents,” a class for adoptive parents who want to better understand adoption and whose children are adults, and “Navigating Estrangement,” for adoptive parents who are estranged from their adult children. Her wisdom, on display here, has helped so many. Sara shares how accountability to the adoptee by the adoptive parent eventually becomes necessary. Kelsey offers a formal invitation to adoptive parents. Lori points to the importance of alignment of adoptive parent’s needs and adoptee’s needs. When they’re in conflict, which one takes precedence? Engage Further Related Conversations: Adoption Unfiltered interview with Kathryn Joyce, author of The Child Catchers Lori’s interview with Maureen McCauley on the Dance of Adoptive Parenting Jessica Davis: Kugatta Maureen McCauley: Light of Day Stories Lions Roaring Far From Home Adoption Mosaic’s Seasoned Parents course (and others) Sara Easterly: Sara’s Website Searching for Mom: A Memoir Adoptee-Voices.com @saraeasterlyauthor Kelsey Vander Vliet Ranyard: Twisted Sisterhood Podcast Love, Your Birth Mom @fromanothamotha Lori Holden: Lori’s Website The Open-Hearted Way to Open Adoption Adoption: The Long View Podcast @lavluz

    1h 16m
  5. April Dinwoodie

    03/28/2024

    April Dinwoodie

    “So many parents are showing up and listening. I’m going to keep showing up with them.” —April Dinwoodie, episode 28. After decades in this space as a transracial adoptee, activist, executive director, podcaster, mentor, and many other roles, what still surprises April? How might people do this work in a healthy way? What can be the personal costs of advocacy? We talk about this and so much more in a fascinating conversation that covers family preservation, the state of adoption, and spaces in between. Engage Further April Dinwoodie: April’s Website Adoption Knowledge Affiliates Transracial Journeys Quality Improvement Center Born in June Raised in April Podcast Calendar Conversations Podcast @aprildinwoodie @juneinapril   Sara Easterly: Sara’s Website Searching for Mom: A Memoir Adoptee-Voices.com @saraeasterlyauthor   Kelsey Vander Vliet Ranyard: Twisted Sisterhood Podcast Love, Your Birth Mom @fromanothamotha   Lori Holden: Lori’s Website The Open-Hearted Way to Open Adoption Adoption: The Long View Podcast @lavluz

    45 min
  6. Betsie Norris of Adoption Network Cleveland

    02/25/2024

    Betsie Norris of Adoption Network Cleveland

    “You’re dealing with a lot of external politics, but there are a lot of internal politics, too.” —Betsie Norris, Founder and Executive Director of Adoption Network, in ep 27. How did original birth certificates become available to adult adoptees in Ohio? What were the arguments of the those opposed? What can be the effect of activism on our loved ones, like Betsie’s adoptive father? Betsie also reveals the pressing issues today and lessons learned after 35 years as an accidental activist for the next wave of activists.

    44 min
  7. Greg Luce of Adoptees United and Adoptee Rights Law Center

    02/01/2024

    Greg Luce of Adoptees United and Adoptee Rights Law Center

    “When I found out the name of my birth mother, it was the first time I felt tethered to the earth … in many respects, I was then able to walk on the earth.” —Greg Luce, Executive Director of Adoptees United and Attorney and Founder, Adoptee Rights Law Center Why does Greg work so passionately to open original birth records to adult adoptees in remaining closed states? Which are the states to watch this legislative session? What/who was the practice of sealing records designed to protect? (May not be what you think.) Are there downsides of transparency when the situation involves victims of sexual abuse, domestic violence, or human trafficking? What prevents adoptees from being able to get drivers’ licenses, passports, and other forms of identity documentation? How is it that there are ongoing deportations of adoptees who had been adopted by US citizens, and what is adoptive parents’ role in rectifying this? Kelsey, Sara, and Lori explore all this and more with Greg. Listen in for issues that have great import for not only adoptees, but also birth parents and adoptive parents.

    55 min
  8. Haley Radke of Adoptees On

    01/25/2024

    Haley Radke of Adoptees On

    “One of the most surprising things is the feedback I’ve gotten from people who find Adoptees On: ‘OMG, I literally thought I was the only who had these internal, tumultuous feelings.’ ” —Haley Radke, host and creator of the podcast Adoptees On. Is there such a thing as an ethical adoption? What are the implications of upstream vs downstream efforts to prevent mother-child separation? What would true informed consent look like for placing parents and for adopting parents? Is adoption a permanent solution to a temporary situation? And underneath it all, what is the role of deeply listening while tackling such big questions? We do it—we go into hard places that include religion and politics. Tune in to hear our multiple perspectives.

    58 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.6
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

Adoption Unfiltered™ is presented by adoptee Sara Easterly, birth parent Kelsey Vander Vliet Ranyard, and adoptive parent Lori Holden. Collectively, we bring more than 75 years of lived experience relating to adoption, and we span the Baby Boomer, Gen X, and Millennial generations. We understand the history, challenges, and trends experienced by people living in adoption and the broader adoption constellation, and discuss sensitive and timely issues through the lens of our lived experiences of adoption, and dialogue with others from within the adoption constellation.

Information

  • Creator
    Adoption Unfiltered™
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    32
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Adoption Unfiltered™
  • Show Website
    Adoption Unfiltered™

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