The Adoption Law Firm Podcast

Samuel

Adoption is one of the most complex, emotional, and highly scrutinized areas of law. The right of parents to control the destiny of their children is cherished and protected – it is neither easily broken nor easily attached.Whether you are an expectant parent or an adoptive parent, The Adoption Law Firm can help you navigate the complex and emotional landscape of adoption.

  1. 08/01/2021

    S2: E7: | From Foster Child to Foster Mother: Surviving Abuse and the Foster Care System with Kylee Chavers

    Publish Date: August 2, 2021 Note: This podcast contains descriptions of child abuse.  If you have ever wanted to get inside the mind of a foster child or abuse victim whom you love, we have the podcast for you.  On the final episode of Season 3, we have the privilege of interviewing Kylee Chavers, our friend and client who was severely abused by her parents and who subsequently grew up in a string of foster homes.  As a mother, foster mother, wife, and church planter, Kylee is coming, so kindly, with her wounds, her wisdom, and her experience to tell about her life.  It is Kylee’s desire that in sharing her story she will be a resource to anyone who has suffered abuse, or who loves children who have suffered abuse, even as she works through her own healing process.  We welcome you into this conversation and we are honored to share Kylee’s story.  Show Highlights: 2:10 – Kylee was in foster care for as long as she can remember.  5:10 – Kylee’s foster home that was going good, until the foster parent’s divorced.  10:00 – Kylee’s brother and the day they were separated.   15:00 – What Kylee was like as a child, and what it was like in the many foster homes.  21:00 – Kylee’s adoption story.  37:20 – Kylee’s current support system.  How she reconnected with her biological mom.   48:31  - How God is using Kylee’s story today – to be an agent of rescue to other people.  Helpful links:  ICYMI: Listen to the previous podcast episode:  S2: E6: Connecting to Hurting Children and Broken Families with Chris and Katie Sherrod https://www.buzzsprout.com/1501771/8748698  Meet Sam and Mary Beth - “We Have a Podcast” https://youtu.be/MJz_JmO1JBQ  BLOG: 5 Things You May Not Know About Adoption https://www.theadoptionfirm.com/2020/01/24/5-things-you-might-not-know-about-adoption/  BLOG: Domestic Adoption – Foster Care Adoption https://www.theadoptionfirm.com/domesticadoption/foster-care-adoption/  The End of Orphan Care by Samuel J. McLure Amazon Kindle or Paperback https://www.amazon.com/dp/0692552790/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_JK5NGK1NYJ267HTDB2YE

  2. 06/23/2021

    S2: E6: Connecting to Hurting Children and Broken Families with Chris and Katie Sherrod

    As a young mother of a sweet pile of biological kids, Katie Sherrod was asked a question by a reporter at a March for Life, about what she would say to a young woman with an unplanned pregnancy.  Her answer unsettled her, her conscience was rattled, and soon she and husband both shared a conviction to move in together towards the suffering of crisis pregnancy, fostering, and adoption.  More recently they’ve been mentors with Families Count, a ministry seeking to come alongside birth parents who want to do the work to regain custody of their children, and to heal their broken families. With several decades of experience as parents, foster parents, adoptive parents, and mentors, Katie and Chris are a goldmine of wisdom for others seeking to love people in pain.  Resources: We are happy to answer any questions you may have about adoption/foster/care and mentoring opportunities. Give us a call!  https://www.theadoptionfirm.com/ For information about Families Count you can also contact Lifeline: https://lifelinechild.org/families-count/ To connect with Foster Families in the Tyler, TX area: https://thefosteringcollective.org/ For information about the upcoming Families Count training in Tyler, TX: https://southspring.org/

  3. 06/14/2021

    S2: E5: | Caring Well For Adoption Families | Guest Libby Shepherd

    The Adoption Law Firm Podcast Title: S2: E5: | Caring Well For Adoption Families | Guest Libby Shepherd Publish Date: June 14, 2021   Adoption is often a long, hard process, and caring well for adoption families every step of the way is important to us at The Adoption Law Firm.  Knowing you are working with someone who understands not only the adoption process, but has seen their own adopted kids become parents, can make all the difference in the world.   TAF recently invited Libby Shepherd to be on staff to bring her wealth of expertise and passion for adoption to the table.  Libby and her husband are now entering the grandparent stage of life and are still going strong.  In addition to her experience in adoption, parenting and teaching, she has also helped some of her adopted children navigate some severe health challenges. We hope today’s discussion is a great encouragement to you.   Show Highlights: 1:39 – Libby shares her background and how she got started in adoption. 2:08 – Libby shares how she is there and helps families adjust and acclimate to a new member of the family through adoption.  2:08 – Libby talks about how she transitioned from homeschool and adoptive mom to her current role.  3:20 – What are some of the challenges Libby faced in the adoption process? 5:37 – What country did Libby and her husband adopt from?  What were the challenges? 8:20 – What was it like to adopt from the Philippines?  12:06 – What was it like to adopt from Korea?  15:15 – Libby’s experience with caring for an adopted child with some severe health needs. 20:27 – What are some of the other challenges Libby faced and how did she handle careless things that people say about adoption families? 22:25 – How did Libby coach her children to process many of life’s challenges? 25:41 – What about some of the more light-hearted moments in adoption as your kids were growing up? Helpful links: ICYMI: Listen to the previous podcast episode:  S2: E4: What Adoption is Like for the Birth Mom | Guest Diane Scott"  https://www.buzzsprout.com/1501771/8607783 BLOG: 5 Things You May Not Know About Adoption https://www.theadoptionfirm.com/2020/01/24/5-things-you-might-not-know-about-adoption/ BLOG: How to Start the Adoption Process https://www.theadoptionfirm.com/2018/02/20/how-to-start-the-adoption-process/

  4. 06/02/2021

    S2: E4: What Adoption is Like for the Birth Mom | Guest Diane Scott

    The Adoption Law Firm Podcast Title: S2: E4: | What Adoption is like for the birth mom | Guest Diane Scott Publish Date: June 1, 2021   One of the highest values of The Adoption Law Firm is to honor birth moms.  Today we hear first-hand what it was like for Diane Scott, a birth mom, who gave her son up for adoption when she was 17, and had just finished high school.  That was approximately 40 years ago.  Diane went on to start her own family and have other children she raised.  But she always had a special place in her heart for her little boy that she gave to be raised by an adoption family.   Through some very special circumstances, Diane and her adopted son were re-united.  Today Diane also is an advocate for birth moms on how to navigate the realities of giving a child up for adoption, but she has much grace and wisdom from her experience.     Show Highlights: 1:16 – 20:15 – Diane shares her story of what it was like when she was 17, her pregnancy, how her boyfriend and family responded, what it was like to walk the journey alone and choose life instead of abortion for her child.   20:17 – 29:00 – Sam McClure interviews Diane Scott about her advocacy work with birth moms today.    Helpful links: WATCH: Choosing Life with Diane Scott https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=465898081342753 BLOG: Birth Parent Rights in Adoption https://www.theadoptionfirm.com/2021/01/21/birth-parent-rights-in-adoption/

  5. 05/19/2021

    S2: E3: Our Embryo Adoption Story | Dr. Chris and Lee Ann Duggar

    Publish Date: May 18, 2021 Show Notes: Today Sam and Mary Beth McLure chat with Dr. Chris and Lee Ann Duggar about their experience and success with embryo adoption.  Dr. Chris and Lee Ann are a loving couple who wanted to grow their family, but were having a difficult time getting pregnant.  In the process of growing their family naturally, they were also open to adoption.  The adoption option that interested them the most was embryo adoption.   There’s an astonishing number of frozen embryos left over from in vetro fertilization that other couples have made available for adoption.  This meant Lee Ann could carry and give birth to the baby they adopted!     Show Highlights: 1:17 – Mary Beth asks Chris and Lee Ann about a hilarious moment in the Duggar family when one of their children called the police because someone was cheating on Monopoly. 4:21 – Sam explains why he loves embryo adoption. 4:44 – Dr. Chris shares highlights from when their were first having kids and becoming interested in adoption. 7:14 – Lee Ann talks about what it was like for her as a new mom to also consider frozen embryo adoption. 11:04 – Sam, Mary Beth, Chris and Lee Ann talk about some of the unique variables of embry adoption because embryos are “Frozen in time”. 12:34 – Sam talks about the motivation behind embryo adoption. 14:44 – Dr. Chris talks about three advantages of embryo adoption. 16:07 – Lee Ann shares more of her story of what it was like to get started with embryo adoption, and how quickly the process can actually go. 20:52 – Lee Ann shares what it’s like having her children grow up and knowing that one of their family members was adopted as an embryo. 24:00 – Sam and Chris talk about how they believe life begins at conception.   Helpful links: What is Embryo Adoption? https://nightlight.org/snowflakes-embryo-adoption-donation/what-is-embryo-adoption/ Blog Article: Did you know that you can place your embryos for adoption? https://www.theadoptionfirm.com/2020/08/19/did-you-know-that-you-can-place-your-embryos-for-adoption/ Embryo Adoption https://www.theadoptionfirm.com/domesticadoption/embryo-adoption/

  6. 05/04/2021

    S2: E2: Speece Foster Care Story | Documentary

    Publish Date: April 29, 2021 Show Notes: Today Sam and Mary Beth McLure are featuring a documentary and article about Lincoln and Melinda Speece.  The Speeces are a faithful, humble, small-town pastor’s family, with three of their own biological kids.  They opened their hearts and homes to Foster care when their kids were teenagers, and one day they were introduced to precious baby Haiden.  Haiden won their hearts and through prayer and a long waiting period, the Speeces finally adopted Haiden.  It’s an encouraging and inspiring story about ordinary faithfulness and changing the course of history in a child.    Show Highlights: 1:05 – Highlight clip from Season 1, Episode 4 about the Speeces video documentary. (Listen to the Entire Episode on Foster Care Adoption here)  https://theadoptionfirm.buzzsprout.com/1501771/7299316-foster-care-adoption 2:17 – How did the Speeces meet Haiden? 3:46 – What did the Speeces biological kids – who were in their teen years think of adoption through foster care?   5:34 – What it was like to wait more than 3 years for Haiden’s adoption. 7:08 – How did the Speeces handle the fears? 8:38 – What was the court process like? 10:45 – What is it like adding a baby to your family when your getting close to being empty-nesters? 12:51 – Is foster care adoption worth it to you? 16:00 – Article from Ross Hodges / Aquilla Report about the Speece Family. Link to Speece Family Adoption Video: https://youtu.be/siiFImazhu0  More Audio: TALF S1, Episode 1 featuring special guests, Ross and Joanna Hodges https://theadoptionfirm.buzzsprout.com/1501771/8380996-s2-e1-special-guests-ross-and-joanna-hodges   Article: Ordinary Faithfulness is the Next Right Thing Written by W. Ross Hodges | Thursday, April 29, 2021 (Read/Narrated by Sam McLure on this podcast) A profile of PCA Pastor, Lincoln Speece, and his family’s foster-care-to-adoption journey in Hayneville, Alabama. https://www.theaquilareport.com/ordinary-faithfulness-is-the-next-right-thing/

  7. 04/22/2021

    S2: E1 Special Guests: Ross and Joanna Hodges

    Publish Date: April 21, 2021 Show Notes: Today Sam and Mary Beth McLure are pleased to welcome special guests, Ross and Joanna Hodges, to the podcast for season two.  Today we hear their amazing adoption stories.  The Hodges faced infertility as a couple, but kept saying yes to adoption.  They looked at all their adoption options and kept open hands and hearts.  Despite some very challenging circumstances, their family grew quickly through adoption and they now have four beautiful children.     Highlights and Links: 1:20 – Ross shares his background, going to seminary and story about meeting Joanna. 3:35 – Joanna shares her background and passion for serving in the church and serving her family.   5:00 – Ross and Joanna share the beginnings of their adoption stories. 10:07 – Hard waiting.  And then suddenly, the baby is coming. 19:15 – Things are not what they seem to be.  Hard news. 26:10 – Sam comments on where is our heart in adoption. 28:52 – Ross comments about keeping the right perspective about children and adoption 34:50 – Four stockings on the mantle – the Hodges’ family grows, and then faces more difficulties. 40:22 – Are the Hodges interested in adoption a biological sibling of one their adopted kids? 46:34 –The risk of loving an adopted child. 48:17 - Sound advice on making decisions in adoption 49:55 – Will adoption make you happy?  Sam gives some comments.   The End of Orphan Care by Samuel J. McLure Amazon Kindle or Paperback https://www.amazon.com/dp/0692552790/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_JK5NGK1NYJ267HTDB2YE Did You Know You Can Place Your Embryos For Adoption? By Sam McLure https://www.theadoptionfirm.com/2020/08/19/did-you-know-that-you-can-place-your-embryos-for-adoption/

  8. 03/12/2021

    Navigating the Foster Care System and Adoption

    The Adoption Law Firm Podcast See the Video Version of this Podcast on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/adoptionlawfirm Episode Title: Navigating the Foster Care System and Adoption Publish Date: March 11, 2021 Show Notes: Today Sam and Michele talk about the background of foster care and what it’s like for parents who adopt through foster care.  Sam also dispels several myths surrounding the foster care system.   Highlights and Links: 0:45 – Sam’s story of adoption through foster care 1:55 – What is the history of foster care – how did we get here? 6:00 – The challenges of interfacing with the foster care system. 7:00 – Getting started in foster care and training 11:27 – How does the system decide when and where a child goes in foster care? 13:28 – What are the myths that surround foster care and what is the truth? 18:30 – Foster Care bill of rights and navigating the system 19:00 – Stories and benefits of foster care adoption   Read More on our blog: https://www.theadoptionfirm.com/2020/04/15/alabamas-new-foster-care-legislation-hb-157/ The Speece Family Adoption Story (Video) https://www.theadoptionfirm.com/2020/12/11/the-speece-family-adoption-story/  The End of Orphan Care by Samuel J. McLure Amazon Kindle or Paperback https://www.amazon.com/dp/0692552790/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_JK5NGK1NYJ267HTDB2YE Tags: Foster care, fostering, affordable adoption, step-parent adoption, streamlined process, inheritance, grandparent

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About

Adoption is one of the most complex, emotional, and highly scrutinized areas of law. The right of parents to control the destiny of their children is cherished and protected – it is neither easily broken nor easily attached.Whether you are an expectant parent or an adoptive parent, The Adoption Law Firm can help you navigate the complex and emotional landscape of adoption.

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