Let's Talk Adoption

Let's Talk Adoption
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Adoption is complex. It can be filled with joy, but it also comes with challenges, questions, and moments of uncertainty. This podcast is a place to explore all sides of adoption with honesty and compassion. Whether you’re an adoptee, an adoptive parent, a birth parent, or simply someone interested in learning more, we share real stories and expert insights to help you better understand the impact adoption has on individuals and families. Together, we’ll navigate the complexities of adoption with openness and understanding.

  1. 10 Home Study Questions You’re Too Afraid to Ask — Part One

    5D AGO

    10 Home Study Questions You’re Too Afraid to Ask — Part One

    In part one of this two-part series, adoption social worker Linda answers five home study questions that prospective adoptive parents often wonder about but may be hesitant to ask during the home study process.   Drawing on her experience, Linda provides candid and compassionate insights to demystify the home study and ease common anxieties.  Topics covered include: How social workers evaluate familiesWhat truly causes a home study to failHow honest families should beMarriage, faith, and parenting concernsWhether your home is “good enough” By tackling these sensitive questions, Linda hopes to empower hopeful parents with the knowledge and confidence they need to approach the home study process with openness and trust.

    40 min
  2. Mardie Caldwell: 40 Years of Faith-Led Adoption

    JAN 27

    Mardie Caldwell: 40 Years of Faith-Led Adoption

    For more than 40 years, Mardie Caldwell has walked alongside families and women navigating infertility, unplanned pregnancy, and adoption—always guided by faith, compassion, and a deep trust in God’s leading. In this episode of Let’s Talk Adoption, Mardie shares the story behind Lifetime Adoption, the calling that shaped its mission, and her personal journey that began with infertility and unfolded into a lifetime of service. What started as a quiet step of obedience became a national ministry rooted in open adoption, education, and unwavering respect for everyone involved.

    53 min
  3. Lifetime Foundation: Supporting Women Who Choose Adoption

    JAN 20

    Lifetime Foundation: Supporting Women Who Choose Adoption

    In this episode of Let’s Talk Adoption, Heather and Kim share the heart and mission of the Lifetime Adoption Foundation, the nonprofit that sponsors the show. The Foundation exists to provide education, financial assistance, and practical support to people impacted by adoption — including birth mothers and adoptive families — at different points along the journey. From birth mother scholarships and stability-focused support, to adoption education and adoptive family grants, this conversation offers a closer look at how the Foundation’s work creates opportunity, understanding, and long-term impact. In this episode, we talk about: Why the Lifetime Adoption Foundation was createdBirth mother scholarships and how education supports long-term independenceStability support for birth mothers navigating life after placementThe role of adoption education in reducing misinformationAdoptive Family (AF) Grants and how they help families move forwardWays supporters can get involved, including monetary donations, Amazon Wish List donations, Foundation bracelets, and Treasures in a Bag fundraising efforts This episode is an inside look at how thoughtful, practical support helps strengthen individuals, families, and the adoption community as a whole.

    26 min
  4. Choosing an Ethical Adoption Agency: Values Every Family Should Consider

    JAN 13

    Choosing an Ethical Adoption Agency: Values Every Family Should Consider

    Choosing an adoption agency is one of the most important decisions hopeful adoptive parents will make—yet many families aren’t sure what questions to ask or what values truly matter. In this episode of Let’s Talk Adoption with Kim and Heather, we explore what ethical adoption really looks like and how families can discern whether an agency’s philosophy aligns with their own. From transparency and education to birth parent care and child-centered decision making, this conversation offers practical insight and gentle guidance for families navigating the adoption journey. This episode isn’t about finding a “perfect” agency—it’s about clarity, alignment, and protecting everyone involved in the adoption triad. In This Episode, We Discuss: What “ethical adoption” actually meansWhy values alignment matters more than speed or guaranteesHow ethical agencies support birth parents—regardless of outcomeTransparency, financial clarity, and informed consentPreparing adoptive parents for lifelong adoption, not just placementWhy ethical adoption doesn’t end at finalization Who This Episode Is For: Hopeful adoptive parents exploring agenciesFamilies early in the adoption processAnyone wanting a deeper, more thoughtful understanding of ethical adoption Key Takeaway: Ethical adoption begins with intentional choices—long before placement day—and continues long after. Listen now and share with a family who’s considering adoption.

    45 min
  5. Adoption 101: We’re Interested in Adopting—Now What?

    JAN 6

    Adoption 101: We’re Interested in Adopting—Now What?

    Thinking about adoption but not sure where to start? You’re not alone. In this entry-level episode of Let’s Talk Adoption, Kim and Heather walk through the very first steps of the adoption journey in a clear, approachable way. From identifying your adoption preferences to researching agencies, applying, and understanding what typically comes next, this episode is designed to bring clarity and confidence to families who are just beginning to explore adoption. No pressure. No overwhelm. Just a starting place. In this episode, we cover: How to identify what kind of adoption you’re seekingWhy preferences are helpful, not harmfulHow to research and compare adoption agenciesWhat to look for when meeting with agenciesTypical next steps after applying, including home study and education Who this episode is for: Families newly considering adoptionCouples feeling overwhelmed by where to beginAnyone seeking a simple Adoption 101 overview Listen now and share with someone who’s just starting their adoption journey.

    33 min
  6. When the Dream Changes: Navigating Grief, Waiting, and Possibility

    12/30/2025

    When the Dream Changes: Navigating Grief, Waiting, and Possibility

    There are seasons when life quietly shifts, and suddenly the future you imagined no longer feels certain. For some, that uncertainty comes after pregnancy loss or infertility. For others, it follows unexpected changes, like being single longer than planned, walking through divorce, or losing a spouse and facing life in a way you never anticipated.   In this episode of Let’s Talk Adoption, Heather and Kim speak honestly to those living in that in-between space. They acknowledge the grief that can come with unmet expectations, the exhaustion of waiting, and the fear of not knowing what comes next, especially when it comes to building a family.   This conversation offers reassurance, perspective, and hope without pressure. Whether you’re deciding not to pursue parenthood, feeling unsure, or quietly wondering if there may still be a path forward, this episode reminds listeners that curiosity does not require commitment, and learning about options—like adoption—is simply a way to gain clarity.   If life hasn’t turned out the way you thought, you’re not alone. And if parenthood is still something you desire, it may be more possible than you realize.

    24 min
  7. The Hope a Woman Holds When Considering Adoption — and the Fears That Stand Beside It

    12/23/2025

    The Hope a Woman Holds When Considering Adoption — and the Fears That Stand Beside It

    In this episode of Let’s Talk Adoption, Heather and Kim explore the deeply human mix of hope and fear that women experience when they begin considering adoption for their child. This honest, compassionate conversation offers insight for both hopeful adoptive parents and women who may be navigating this decision themselves.   Together, Heather and Kim walk through the most common fears—   “Am I a bad mother?” “What if my child doesn’t understand?” “What if the adoptive parents forget about me?”   —and contrast them with the hopes that often rise right beside those fears, including the desire for stability, love, openness, and a meaningful future for the child.   Listeners will learn why these emotions are normal, why they coexist, and why understanding them matters. Adoptive parents will gain perspective that strengthens empathy and openness. Women considering adoption will hear reassurance that nothing they’re feeling is unusual or wrong.   It’s a thoughtful, grounding episode that brings clarity to one of the most misunderstood parts of the adoption process: the heart of a woman who is choosing with love, courage, and complexity.

    47 min
  8. Hope While You're Waiting: Courage, Clarity & Staying Steady

    12/16/2025

    Hope While You're Waiting: Courage, Clarity & Staying Steady

    Today we focus on waiting adoptive families during the holidays. This episode explores what hope realistically looks like during the waiting season—especially during the holidays. Heather and Kim offer grounding guidance, emotional support, and professional tools to help families stay steady, protect their emotional space, and remain connected to the adoption process. The conversation covers reframing hope, honoring personal growth during the wait, practical ways to stay engaged, professional holiday navigation tips, and real stories of hope rising at unexpected moments. The episode wraps with encouraging words for waiting families and reassurance that their journey is still unfolding beautifully.

    50 min
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About

Adoption is complex. It can be filled with joy, but it also comes with challenges, questions, and moments of uncertainty. This podcast is a place to explore all sides of adoption with honesty and compassion. Whether you’re an adoptee, an adoptive parent, a birth parent, or simply someone interested in learning more, we share real stories and expert insights to help you better understand the impact adoption has on individuals and families. Together, we’ll navigate the complexities of adoption with openness and understanding.

Information

  • Creator
    Let's Talk Adoption
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    34
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Let's Talk Adoption
  • Show Website
    Let's Talk Adoption