Thriving Adoptees - Let's Thrive
Episodes
Helping Our Kids Open Up With Imani Z. Seunarine
18 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Imani Z. Seunarine is Vice President of Behavioral Health and Outpatient Services at The Home for Little Wanderers https://www.linkedin.com/in/imani...
Resolving Our Identity With Joy Alessi
15 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Joy Alessi is Policy Director of the Adoptee Rights Campaign, a diverse group of intercountry Adoptees and allies striving to educate, organize and ad...
The One Thing Your Adopted Child Needs To Know
13 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Check me out and get in touch at www.simonbenn.co.uk Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their ow...
Openness & Understanding With Alex Montgomery
12 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Alex is a single mother through adoption and a nonprofit professional with over 20 years of experience. In 2011, Alex started her journey to become a ...
Removing The Shrapnel Of Shame Trisha Priebe and Rich Metcalfe
08 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Trisha and Rich work at Lifesong which seeks to mobilize the Church to care for the orphan, where each member can provide a unique and special servi...
Ending Trauma
07 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Check out www.simonbenn.co.uk for more on my work and to book me as a speaker. Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapis...
What Makes An Adoption Successful?
05 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
You can email Jane at [email protected] - please use Simon's Podcast in the subject line Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed p...
Connecting With Our Kids With Marnie Greggs
01 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Grace Retreat Foster Care and Adoption Services is a licensing agency contracted by the State of Arizona. Grace Retreat is committed to support fami...
Leaving Trauma Behind
29 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Check out www.simonbenn.co.uk for more on my work and to book me as a speaker. Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapis...
Taking Away Our Kids' Pain With Debbie Riley
27 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Debbie B. Riley, LCMFT is the CEO and co-founder of the Center for Adoption Support and Education (C.A.S.E.), a nonprofit meeting the mental health ne...
Nothing Is Impossible In God With Jim Daly
02 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Jim Daly is president of Focus on the Family and host of its daily radio broadcast, heard by more than 6 million listeners a week on nearly 2,000 radi...
Answering Tough Questions With Laurie Sherman Graff
30 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Laurie is Executive Director of Heart Gallery NYC.Heart Gallery NYC , a non profit organization founded in 2006, utilizes photography to raise awarene...
Truth & Redemption With Billy Williams & Shelbi Walker
27 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Too Black to be White, and too White to be Black. Billy Williams was raised in Los Angeles, California in a loving home. His Teamster father and stay-...
Helping Kids Feel Loveable & Loved Terri Marcroft
23 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
As an adoptive mom, Terri knows how fortunate she is to have her daughter, and also how very rare her story is. Not quite ten years into raising her d...
Change Starts With Us - Katie Rinaudo
16 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Katie is the founder of OrphanWise, an alumna of Lee University and has a Master’s Degree in Holistic Child Development. She worked as a preschool t...
Healing The Primal Wound With Peter Sleigh
10 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Here's a bit about Peter from his website.Qualified as a Chartered Certified Accountant in 1999.I qualified as an NLP Practitioner in 2012.In 2017, I ...
When Kids Push Buttons With Katie Fetzer
03 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Katie serves 10.18 Strategy from a wealth of experience gained from her career as an entrepreneur, business consultant, executive officer, and strateg...
Believing In The Primal Wound With Stef Cybichowski
29 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Here's bit about Stef from his websiteIn 2013, my life had crashed around my ears.After struggling with a lifetime of anxiety and depression, my marri...
Primal Wounded? With Clare Dimond
26 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Here's a bit about Clare from her website"Hello my name is Clare.For a long time, I wasn’t at ease with who I thought I was.I felt anxious and worri...
Helping Kids Be Cool With Being Adopted With Michele Katz
21 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Founder of the Plus One Adoption Foundation, Inc., Michele Katz builds connections with charitable services in the space of adoption and fundraising, ...
Searching & Learning With Adoptee Michele Kriegman
12 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Michele Kriegman is a storyteller by nature but she was missing her own backstory well into adulthood. Finding her birth-father helped complete it. D...
Elastic Parenting With Kristine Altwies
08 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Here's a little about Kristine's organisation from her website:Hawaii International Child (HIC) (founding name, Hawaii International Child Placement a...
Adoptees' Mental Health With Astrid Castro
05 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Astrid founded Adoption Mosaic. Here's a bit about her from their website:Astrid has a degree in sociology with an emphasis in adoption. For twenty pl...
Ending Overwhelm With Nicole Moore
01 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Nicole Ward Moore is a Board Certified Adoption Attorney and Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Mediator who manages and operates the Orlando offi...
Getting To The Truth With Paula Davis & Stephanie Sterling
28 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Stephanie K. Sterling, MSW, LCSW is the Director of Family Services at Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Baton Rouge. Stephanie received her MSW ...
Real Parents With Mark Hoult-Allen & Jay Nicol
25 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Here is a link to the podcast episode I mention about the Primal Wound at the end of the episode.https://thriving-adoptees.simplecast.com/episodes/pri...
Empowering Your Kids With Sharen Ford
22 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Sharen Ford is a nationally-recognized child welfare consultant and the retired Manager for Permanency Services for the Colorado Department of Human S...
Better Understanding & Easier Navigation With Nina Friedman
18 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Nina is Director of Post Adoption Support at The Cradle, connect with her at:https://www.facebook.com/nina.friedman.cradlehttps://www.linkedin.com/in/...
Tackling Adoptees' Trickiest Issues With Brian Lynch
14 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Connect with Brian here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-lynch-a7352320a/Brian is CEO of The Children’s Community Programs of Connecticut This is ...
Seven Core Issues In Adoption & Permanency With Allison Davis Maxon
11 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Allison Davis Maxon, M.S., LMFT is a nationally recognized expert in the fields of child welfare and children’s mental health specializing in Attach...
How To Be Calmer With Anna Valdez
07 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Anna Valdez is the Program Director at Chosen and came on board in January of 2022. She is bilingual, and holds a BA in English with a Teacher Certifi...
Doing Our Own Work With Lori Holden Adoptive Mom
04 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Here's a link to the episode I mention in the podcast https://thriving-adoptees.simplecast.com/episodes/with-joy-carter-Ni_rUkb3 Lori Holden writes...
From Surviving To Thriving: With Adoptee Abby Jacobson
28 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Abby Jacobson is a professional Adoption Consultant bringing over 20 years of experience from her previous career as a psychotherapist & substance abu...
Understanding One Another With Marnie Tetz Adoptee & Gail Davies Birth Mother
22 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Marnie and Gail work with The Forget Me Not Family Society. Here's more about them from their website. It was formed for education, consultation, peer...
Turning My Life Around With Christian Mayer
18 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Connect with Christian at https://www.linkedin.com/in/christian-mayer-001/Email him at [email protected] Guests and the host are not (unless menti...
Handling Tough Stuff With Adoptive Mom Becky Fawcett
10 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
HelpUsAdopt.org, founded in 2007, is a national 501(c)(3) adoption grant program. HelpUsAdopt.org was founded by Becky and Kipp Fawcett as a response...
Goodbye Shame With Paige Strickland
07 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Paige Adams Strickland (1961- ) was born in Cincinnati, Ohio and adopted at 13 months. In 1987 she began a search for her biological family members. S...
Compassion With Steph Hunter
18 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Steph is an independent Social Worker, Therapist , Trainer, Manager, Academic, Practice Educator and Consultant.The main focus of her career has been ...
Identity With Damon Davis - Adoptee
17 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
A Little About Damon Davis"I had the good fortune to be reunited with my biological mother in 2009 in a heart warming story of coincidental history, a...
Adoptee Wellness With Jaclyn Skalnik
14 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Here's a bit about Jaclyn from her website "I believe healthy, post-adoption outcomes begin with pre-adoption education and intentional parenting.My ...
The 7 Core Issues In Adoption With Jeanette Yoffe
13 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Jeanette Yoffe, M.A., M.F.T., earned her Master's in Clinical Psychology, specializing in children, from Antioch University in June of 2002. She treat...
Feeling Loved With Andrea Damone Brown Founder and Director Texas Christian Adoptions
12 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Andrea Damone-Brown received her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and her Masters in Education focusing on Professional Counseling and Psychot...
Thriving With Steve Sunday
11 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Steve Sunday has worked in the field of adoption for more than four decades as a caseworker, supervisor, and administrator. Currently, he is the Found...
Peace With Pat O'Brien Adoptive Father
10 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Pat joined the Coalition team in December 2016 as the Director of AGAPE in the Southern Tier/Finger Lakes region. After three months he transferred ...
Radical Acceptance With Matthew McCall Vice President The Home for Little Wanderers
06 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Matthew McCall started at The Home in 1998 as a Child Care Worker. Matthew has held virtually every client serving role at The Home, from counselor, t...
Epiphany With Fiona Myles Adoptee, Adopter, Author
21 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This Is Me - No Darkness Too DeepHere's a bit about Fiona's Autobiography"This is my story, a harrowing account of me as a young mixed up teenager goi...
Communication With Karen Park State Director Children's Choice
20 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Karen is the State Director for Pennsylvania at Children's ChoiceHere's a link to podcast mentioned in this episodehttps://thriving-adoptees.simplecas...
Coming From Love With Shaun Doyle
16 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Shaun Doyle comes to Adoption STAR with 20 years of experience working for not-for-profits in the area of developmental disability. After studying at ...
Insights With Debbie Price
15 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
“Adoption is my life and passion! I was adopted at birth, domestically. I have searched and found my birth family. I am also a mother of four childr...
Loving Ourselves With Emily Hikaiti
14 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Emily is a Care Leaver Mentor for Empower Change. Since graduating high school in 2016, Emily has completed her certificate four in community services...
Love & Understanding With Michele Fried Mom
13 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Michele Fried is the founder of Adoption STAR. Though the “title” most special to her is “mom” ~ it was a long time ago, but the experiences ...
Hope With Skip Stallings
09 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Skip joined the Lifeline team in August of 2018 and serves in the Birmingham office as the Assistant to the Executive Director. Skip comes from a fa...
Stronger Together With Kristine Moser - Adoptee
08 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Connect with Kristine athttps://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinemoser/here's a bit about Bellis from their website:Our mission is to serve as an empower...
Realising Their Potential With Maris Blechner Adoptive Parent
07 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Maris H. Blechner, M.Ed., LCSW is a well-known and well-respected educator, consultant, and motivational speaker. An adoptive parent, she spent many y...
Doing Our Work With Lori Ross
06 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Lori is the founder, CEO and President of FosterAdopt Connect. Lori and her husband Randy have been foster/adoptive parents since 1985. Together they ...
Hope With Crystal Young Executive Director Hope Center Adoptions
03 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Crystal Young is the founding director of Hope Center and has served in this capacity since 2018. Crystal is a 2006 graduate of Tennessee Technologica...
Building Trust With Celestina Garcia
02 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Connect with Celestina at:https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachcelestina/PullTogether is about enlisting parents, families, community members, and young p...
Unconditional Love With Eric Dingler
01 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
After successfully adopting 2 children in 2020, Eric and Marissa decided to work at helping other families achieve the same. In addition to a fullti...
Search & Uncertainty With Jenn Johnston - Adoptee, Co-Founder & Executive Director
30 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Jenn is Co-Founder & Executive Director of UARE Utah Coalition for Adoption Reform & Education.She's been recognized nationally with Spokeo Search Ang...
The Magic In Your Mess Marcie Keithley First Mom, Adoptive Mom, Co-Founder & President
29 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Marcie J. Keithley, Co founder and President, is a retired Vice President of Retail Bank Management and was also a licensed securities and insurance r...
Vin Adoptee's Emotional Rollercoaster
26 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Born in India, adopted at 10 months, raised in Australia, Vin is a true one off. He runs a Facebook group where adoptees and adopters can learn from o...
Freedom With Annalisa Toccara Adoptee & CEO
25 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Annalisa is mixed-race Welsh and Jamaican and was adopted at four years old by Jamaican parents. Annalisa is an award-winning cultural producer, commu...
Resilience With Taylor Dakake Transnational Adoptee & Author
24 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Here's a bit about Taylor from his websiteMy name is Taylor and I was born in Cheboksarui, Russia in October 1986. I lived there for five years with m...
The Right Support With Catherine Horvath Psychologist, Therapist & Executive Director
23 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Catherine Horvath is a registered psychologist with competencies in clinical work with children, adolescents, and families, as well as forensic wo...
Love & Adoptees With David Schunk & Claire Ives Adoptees
18 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
David Schunk was born in Smolensk, Russia in 1994. He was adopted at a young age by an American family from New Hampshire. He was a resident of Be...
Healing With Melanie Scheetz Adoptive Mom & Executive Director
17 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Melanie Scheetz and her husband are proud adoptive parents of two children. Melanie has 29 years of non-profit management experience in the areas of a...
Belonging With Tony Hynes Interracial Adoptee & Training Specialist
16 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Tony, a former foster youth and adoptee, was adopted by a same sex couple in the mid 1990’s. He writes about his experiences growing up as both an i...
Trauma Informed Hope Obsessed With Jenni Lord Chief Executive Officer
15 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Jenni first encountered the child welfare system in 1995 when her foster brother entered their family as a toddler. His story and five-year adoptive j...
Connection & Communication With Sandy Pricer Foster Adoptive Mom & Co-Founder
11 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Connect with Sandy at:https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandy-pricer-566741107/RiseUP is a nonprofit that supports teens and at-risk youth (13-23 years ol...
The Impact of Infertility With Erika Schmitt Director of Adoption and Permanency Services
10 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
As Director of Adoption and Permanency Services, Erika is responsible for overseeing all functions of the full service Infant Adoption Program, State ...
Relentless With Alejandro Quezada Adoptee & Founder
09 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Connect with Alejandro at:https://twitter.com/alejandro_caw?lang=enhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/alejandro-quezada-caw/“CAW” is an organization real...
Talking To Children About Adoption With Julie Wells Executive Director
08 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Here's a bit about Julie and her agency from their website:Julie VanHoose-Wells has worked at Greater Love Adoption Decision, Inc (GLAD) since 1997. S...
From Fear To Love With Bryan Post Adoptee & Clinical Director
04 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Bryan Post is one of America’s foremost child behavior experts and founder of the Post Institute for Family-Centered Therapy. The Post Institute wor...
Overcoming Challenges With Kate Patel Post Adoption Support Manager
03 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Connect with Kate at:https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-patel-3569a3170Diagrama Adoption is an independent, voluntary adoption agency rated GOOD by Ofst...
Connecting Better With Our Kids With Jill Crewes Adoptive Mom &
02 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Jill Crewes, MSW has over 23 years experience working within child welfare and the foster/adoption community. She is the Vice President of Colorado Pr...
Leaning On 30 Years Learning With Alice Murray Adoption Attorney & Writer
01 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
To find out more at her work check out:https://www.linkedin.com/in/alice-h-murray-174521157/https://aliceinwonderingland.wordpress.com/https://www.fac...
Whatever It Takes With Tor Docherty Adoptive Parent & Chief Executive
29 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Here's a bit about New Family Social from their website. "We're a UK charity, led by LGBT+ adopters and foster carers. New Family Social exists to he...
How To Help Our Kids Feel Good About Themselves With Amy Reamer Adoptive Mother & Owner
28 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Amy is passionate about helping others heal their hearts from past hurts - through the use of research and evidence based practices infused with the l...
Love, Love, Love With Cindy Jensen President/Social Worker
27 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Cynthia K. Jensen is a Certified Social Worker in the State of Wisconsin. Cindy graduated Cum Laude from Milton College in 1978 with a Bachelor of A...
Trauma & Regulation With Kerry Bocook Adoptive Mom/Sister & Adoption Counselor
26 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Connect with Kerryhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/kerry-bocook-34261b83/Heart to Home Adoption Agency, LLC (HTH) is a licensed Kentucky adoption agency th...
Stronger With Sam Barnes Adoptee & Founder/Executive Director
25 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Open Arms Adoption Agency has been Sam’s vision for many years. Since reuniting with his birth mother 15 years ago, he has been developing a service...
Navigating Adoption With Terry Fitzpatrick Director
21 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Terry has worked in the field of children’s social care for over 38 years. He began his career in the Voluntary Sector, working for the then Catholi...
More Empathy With Your Child Paul Hewitt & Emma Gardner Adoption Social Workers
20 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Here's some information about Nugent from their website:Nugent Adoption is a registered and approved Independent Adoption Agency located in the North ...
How International Transracial Adoptees Thrive With Dominic Paul Adoptee & Ambassador
19 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Dominic is an ambassador for IAC - The Centre for Adoption - the UK's only dedicated intercountry adoption charity.Connect with Dominic athttps://www....
Beyond Trauma & Hurt With Schylar Baber Adoptee & Executive Director
18 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Here's the link we discuss in the podcast:https://voice-for-adoption.org/family-portrait-projectSchylar, a Montanan, joined Voice for Adoption in May ...
A Guide To Family Wellbeing With Kristin Orphan Foster/Adoptive Parent & Founder/Executive Director
14 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Get the picture of the Family Wellness House Kristin talks about herehttps://drive.google.com/file/d/1Hc5YKcrj0XJuIr1IvVW-z6W7QqaYO9OB/view?usp=sharin...
Connection & Empowerment With Kaycee Stanley Adoptive Mom & Founder
13 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Here's a bit about Kaycee and her family from their website"With a love for Jesus, kids, and stories, Kaycee and her husband Pete had always planned t...
Helping Your Kids Be Great With Eric Porter Dad, Founder & CEO
11 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Here's a bit about Eric from his team's website:"Trisha and I have been married since June 26, 1999. We have six kids Madison, Isaac, Robert, Kale, Ke...
Insights On Raising Kids Of A Different Race With Pam Sweetser Adoptive Mom & Executive Director
07 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Pam and her husband Dan are the adoptive parents of two children, a daughter who was born in Korea in 1986 and a son who was born in India in 1989. He...
Helping Kids Be Happy With Suzy Stanton Adoptive Mum & Writer
06 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Here's a bit about Suzy from her websiteHello, I’m Suzy creator of We Made a Wish. I’m an adoptive mum to two beautiful girls who crept into our h...
Shifting Our Perspective To Help Adopted Children Thrive With Joanna Ivey Adoptee & Adoptive Parent
05 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Joanna Ivey is an adoptee and adoptive parent and has been working in the field of adoption for 16 years. In her work with adoptive families, she meet...
Navigating Grief & Loss With Hillary Merryfield Clinical Social Worker & Founder
30 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Hillary Merryfield, M.S.W., L.S.C.S.W., L.C.S.W., Founder, and Director, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Kansas and Missouri. She is a Certifi...
Finding Hope In Who You Really Are With Candy McVicar Mom & Executive Director
29 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Candy McVicar is an author, inspirational speaker, and devoted advocate for families who are grieving a baby or child. Candy and her husband Stephen...
Helping Kids Understand Adoption With Holly Marlow Mum & Author
28 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Holly Marlow is a British author and parent to biological and adopted children. Holly strives for a gentle/therapeutic parenting style and this has le...
Riding The Adoption Rollercoaster With Zara Phillips Adoptee & Author
27 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In 2008 Zara finished directing and producing an adoption documentary entitled “ROOTS: UNKNOWN” This educational and informative film focuses on t...
Navigating The Complexities Of Adoption With Evan Hubbard Assistant Director of Clinical Strategy
24 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Evan has been in the field of social work for nearly a decade. Early in his career he gained experience working in child welfare and mentoring where h...
How To Get Clear On Identity With Steve Kalb Transracial Adoptee & Director Of Post Adoption Services
23 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Steve Kalb, director of post adoption services, is an adult adoptee from the Midwest. He received his masters of social work in 2009 and is current...
Helping Adopted Kids Feel Safe With Norm Thibault Founder & Owner
22 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Norman E. Thibault, PhD, LMFT graduated with his BS in Family and Human Development (FHD) in 1994. He went directly into his Master's program in FHD a...
Understanding Ourselves With Brian Stanton Adoptee & Filmmaker
21 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Find out more about Brian and his incredible work:https://thebrianstanton.com/https://www.facebook.com/brian.stanton3https://www.atghostkingdom.com/ht...
Coming Alongside Our Kids To Help Them Heal With Darren Fink Adoptive Dad & President
20 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Darren received his bachelors degree in visual fine arts. Since university, he has worked varying graphic design and social media management positions...