Every infant adoption story is unique. They are also inspirational and fun to listen to as it makes the adoption process more real. When you hear about someone who has actually adopted - went through the whole process and brought home their baby - it can (and should) provide hope. Micah and Emily are guests on the podcast as they share their infant adoption story. They adopted their son as a newborn in 2022. They had known for a long time that they wanted to adopt, especially since Emily grew up with 5 of her siblings being adopted. Your browser does not support HTML5 audio, but you can still download the music.Their story is full of emotion - some highs and some lows. They talk about what it was like going through the journey - how they felt and what they experienced. In their story, you'll hear:* Why Micah and Emily chose to adopt a newborn in the U.S. rather than internationally or through foster care* The story of how and why Micah and Emily spent 2 weeks staying in the same hospital room with their son's birthmom before he was born* The many different ways Micah and Emily raised the money they needed to adopt - including a fundraiser that involved a puzzle (which was their biggest fundraiser)* How they handled the emotional ups and downs by holding on to their faith * What is was like to adopt when working with an adoption consultantYour browser does not support HTML5 audio, but you can still download the music.Links we talk about in this episode:The Infant Adoption Guide Membership Community! This is a brand new safe, private place to learn and talk about infant adoption. Come check it out!Our FREE private Facebook Support Group – only for those who are trying to adopt a baby.FindMyAdoptionAgency.com – learn how you can find and choose the RIGHT adoption agency to serve you on the infant adoption journey. This is a my online step-by-step course that you can go at your own pace AND includes over 60 agencies in a spreadsheet for you to use along with a TON of other resources designed to help you find and choose the right agency for you.

We welcome back to the show, Terri Marcroft. She was our guest on Episode 76. Terri is a mom through adoption and founder of Unplannedgood.org which is a wonderful non-profit organization that encourages people to consider making an adoption plan when facing an unplanned pregnancy. Terri now adds the title of author as she recently released her book, Pro-Choice Pro-Adoption : It's Time for a Loving, Positive Response to Unplanned Pregnancy.This book is definitely a refreshing new look at the options for women who are facing unplanned pregnancy. It uncovers why adoption can (and should) be embraced as a loving, positive response.Terri does an amazing job of laying out the facts about unplanned pregnancies in the U.S. and choices that are being made every day by expectant women. She explores each of the options while providing some clear and concise insight as to why adoption is seldom the choice. Here are my favorite parts: * I love how a birthmother shares the first part of her story at the beginning of the book and then finishes telling her story at the end of the book.* So many eye-opening statistics about adoption, single parenting, unplanned pregnancies, etc.* LOTS of stories shared throughout the book from birthparents, adoptive parents and adoptees!* Terri provides a wonderful explanation of positive adoption language as well as open vs closed adoption.* The FABULOUS resource section at the end of the book! Your browser does not support HTML5 audio, but you can still download the music.Terri's book is divided into 4 parts: * Pregnancy & Adoption in the U.S.* Conversation reset about adoption* The Adoption Triad (adoptees, birthparents, adoptive parents)* Calling for Action (men, churches, corporate America, parents/grandparents, 'sisterhood' of women friends, etc).In this episode, you'll hear:* Why Terri chose the title of her book AND what led her to write it* The #1 thing that Terri wants you to get out of reading her book* The statistic about adoption that Terri wants you to know and why it is important to know it* Some of Terri's favorite stories from the book* How to get/read Terri's book and connect with herYour browser does not support HTML5 audio, but you can still download the music.Links we talk about in this episode:The Infant Adoption Guide Membership Community! This is a brand new safe, private place to learn and talk about infant adoption. Come check it out!UnPlannedGood.org - Terri's non-profit organization that is spreading the word about open adoption Our FREE private Facebook Support Group – only for those who are trying to adopt a baby.FindMyAdoptionAgency.com – learn how you can find and choose the RIGHT adoption agency to serve you on the infant adoption journey. This is a my online step-by-step course that you can go at your own pace AND includes over 60 agencies in a spreadsheet for you to use along with a TON of other resources designed to help you find and choose the right agency for you.

This is a very special episode of the IAG podcast - #100! I've invited my beautiful wife Tisha to join me to talk about our experiences after adopting 3 newborns over a 10 year period.We've had so many wonderful conversations about adoption that have never been recorded, so we decided to sit down and share our thoughts and experiences about open adoption after having adopted 3 times. By the way, after listening to this episode you should listen to episode 62 when Tisha was my guest on the show and we shared the TOP 10 THINGS WE'VE LEARNED THROUGH 3 INFANT ADOPTIONS.Your browser does not support HTML5 audio, but you can still download the music.First - let's define open adoption in case you don't know what we mean. At a very basic level, open adoption means having some contact, some interaction, some relationship with your child's birthmother or birth family. There are varying levels of openness. It won't be the same for every adoption. Before Tisha and I adopted for the first time, we definitely did not understand what open adoption was and why our adoption agency was telling us that it was something we should accept. It took us some time and some gentle persuasion from our agency. Now, after 3 infant adoption, we completely embrace open adoption. We've learned that open adoption can be complicated in a family with more than one child, especially when there are varying degrees of contact with birth parents possible for each child.The relationships we have with our kids birth families are all different - yet we try to treat all of them the same. They all know we are open to contact through texts, phone/video calls, visits, whatever. We want them to know they are our family - and they do. Some prefer to limit contact to just social media or texts, some want more. We are OK with that as we continue to work at building our relationship with them. In this episode, we share some of our personal stories explaining what our open adoptions look like and how we got to where we are now. We hope you'll be inspired and learn a lot from us. Your browser does not support HTML5 audio, but you can still download the music.Links we talk about in this episode:The Infant Adoption Guide Membership Community! This is a brand new safe, private place to learn and talk about infant adoption. Come check it out!Our FREE private Facebook Support Group – only for those who are trying to adopt a baby.FindMyAdoptionAgency.com – learn how you can find and choose the RIGHT adoption agency to serve you on the infant adoption journey. This is a my online step-by-step course that you can go at your own pace AND includes over 60 agencies in a spreadsheet for you to use along with a TON of other resources designed to help you find and choose the right agency for you.

“Being an adoptive parent is hard enough. But when your family is multiracial, things get even trickier. Parenting transracially doesn’t come naturally, nor does it just happen with time. Love is essential—yet by itself, love isn’t enough. Cross-cultural parenting also takes intentionality, listening, learning, growing, repenting, changing . . . Then starting all over and doing it again. It’s hard work! And yet, when an adoptive family honors the ethnic heritages of their children, the whole family—as well as the watching world—gets to see the beauty of a gloriously creative God.”Brittany Salmon – Mom through adoption and author of “It Takes More Than Love” “Love Makes a Family” is a popular phrase in the adoption community. Our guest on the Infant Adoption Guide Podcast says this phrase is true, however it takes more than love. She says that adoption is loving a child so much that you’re willing to go meet them where they are. In this episode, we talk with Brittany Salmon, mom and author of the new book, “It Takes More Than Love – a Christian Guide to Navigating the Complexities of Cross-Cultural Adoption.” Brittany shares her family’s story of transracial adoption and offers a biblically-based guide for others following the same path. She recognizes that we live in divided times and there are extra challenges whenever race is part of the conversation. But with wise insight and hard-won experience, she provides guidance about topics such as:–Maintaining a gospel perspective throughout the journey–Celebrating your child’s history and heritage–Confronting racism–Responding to comments about your family–Avoiding pitfalls in adoption–Helping your kids feel represented in your home and community Love the podcast? Here’s an easy way to support the show: Here’s what you’ll hear: * Brittany’s story of how she and her husband adopted their two kids. * Find out why Brittany wrote the book, chose the title and used the term ‘cross-cultural adoption’. * Find out why Brittany talks a lot about holding space for both joy and sorrow in your home. Listen as she shares a practical example of what that looks like in her family. * Find out what sets Brittany’s new book apart from other trans-racial adoption books and why I think it is a MUST READ for anyone hoping to adopt OR has already adopted. * Find out how Brittany answers the question, “If you could go back in time and give yourself any piece of advice before adopting – what would it be?”* Learn how to connect with Brittany and get her brand new book! Spoiler alert: here’s the link: BrittanyNSalmon.com Links we talk about: * BrittanyNSalmon.com – here’s where you can connect with Brittany and get her book, “It Takes More Than Love”. * Follow Brittany on Instagram* Join Our NEW Infant Adoption Guide Community! – Community is what we need to help us through the adoption adventure. As a Dad of 3 through infant adoption, I know firsthand how much my wife and I need others around us who are going through the same thing we are. If you’ve been looking for a private community of like-minded people to join as we p...

“Regardless of whether you are pursuing an agency or private adoption, you must be able to distinguish between potential birth parents who are trustworthy and those who are simply trying to take advantage of your “I’ll do whatever it takes” desire to adopt.”Hal Kaufman – Dad through adoption and founder of MyAdoptionAdvisor.com Unfortunately, adoption scams do sometimes happen.Adoptions scams occur when a person with no intention of placing her child for adoption deceives the hopeful adoptive parents into some kind of financial or emotional support. In this episode, we talk about how you can protect yourself from adoption scam situations. We’ll explore the two different types of scammers you may encounter (emotional and financial), red flags you can look out for, and the best ways you can protect your family from getting duped. Our guest is adoption expert and Dad through adoption, Hal Kaufman. Have a listen as we take a closer look at one of the scariest issues facing adoptive parents today. Love the podcast? Here’s an easy way to support the show: Here’s what you’ll hear: * Hal shares the story of how he and his wife adopted their two boys. * What are adoption scams? Why do they happen? * Find out why Hal says, “hopeful adoptive parents should be aware, but not paranoid when it comes to adoption scams.” * Find out what adoption agencies and/or attorneys do to help protect people from getting scammed. * Find some internet safety tips that will help you avoid a scam.* Find out what most adoptive parents say is the most important thing to remember when it comes to adoption scams.* Learn how Hal can help you adopt faster, safer, and smarter with his services at MyAdoptionAdvisor.com. Links we talk about: * MyAdoptionAdvisor.com – Hal’s website where he offers online courses, adoption marketing services and much more. He even has a course all about Adoption Scams.* Join Our NEW Infant Adoption Guide Community! – Community is what we need to help us through the adoption adventure. As a Dad of 3 through infant adoption, I know firsthand how much my wife and I need others around us who are going through the same thing we are. If you’ve been looking for a private community of like-minded people to join as we pursue our dream of adopting, then we’d love to welcome you into the Infant Adoption Guide Membership Community! This is a brand new safe, private place to learn and talk about infant adoption. Come check it out!* FindMyAdoptionAgency.com – learn how you can find and choose the RIGHT adoption agency to serve you on the infant adoption journey. This is a my online step-by-step course that you can go at your own pace AND includes over 60 agencies in a spreadsheet for you to use along with a TON of other resources designed to help you find and choose the right agency for you.* GET MY 4 FREE EBOOKS – help on your infant adoption journey while getting info and inspiration only provided to subscribers of the Infant Adoption Guide blog and podcast! Love the podcast? Here’s an easy way to support the show:

In 2020, Erin Quick, a Mom through adoption, decided it was time to address and wanted to help solve some longtime issues in private-adoption. Using her experience through adopting her 2 kids along with her 20+ years of work in marketing, she recognized an opportunity to streamline, accelerate and modernize the private-adoption world. PairTree was created, which is a first of its kind digital adoption platform. “Adoption is lopsided. Birth moms give the most and get the least. Providing lifetime support for birth moms should be standard, not an option that expires. That’s why PairTree donates 5% of net profit from every subscription, every month to organizations that provide support for birth moms.”Erin Quick – Mom through adoption and CEO of PairTree PairTree provides a solution to one of the primary pain points of the infant adoption process – the ability to find and connect expectant mothers with families who are wanting to adopt. On this episode of the Infant Adoption Guide Podcast, Erin shares her personal adoption story and her mission to modernize the infant adoption process. PairTree increases and accelerates ethical connections between Adopting Families and Expectant Moms through a proprietary, personality-based matching system that evaluates 100+ unique attributes to inform an adoptive parent’s personality type. They give expectant moms meaningful information about the adopting family – to help her choose a future. With 20+ expectant moms registering every month, it is a growing platform that truly is modernizing the adoption process. Love the podcast? Here’s an easy way to support the show: Here’s what you’ll hear: * Erin shares the story of how she and her husband adopted their two kids. * What made Erin decide that it was time to tackle & solve the longtime pain point in the adoption world of connecting hopeful adoptive parents with expectant moms who want to make an adoption plan for her baby. * Find out how PairTree works and how it will benefit YOU on the adoption journey. * What makes PairTree different from any other online adoption service. * Find out why PairTree donates 5% of net profit from every subscription, every month to organizations that provide support for birth moms.* Why you should sign up with PairTree to make your dream of becoming parents through adoption happen much faster. Links we talk about: * PairTreeFamily.com – find out what PairTree is all about, check out their FAQ (frequently asked questions) page, their blog, pricing, how they help you with the homestudy, and how they give 5% of net profit from every subscription, every month to organizations that provide support for birth moms. * carrot.com/">Carrot Fertility Erin talks about how Carrot is the most comprehensive global fertility benefits provider. They work with your company to help offer adoption benefits to YOU. If your employer uses Carrot, you can get your Pair Tree fees paid for! Check it out!* Follow PairTree on Facebook and Instagram*

At the age of 21, Hope O. Baker made one of the hardest decisions a person can make: she placed her newborn son for adoption. “There was a day about 4 years ago where I looked in the mirror and said, ‘You have to tell your story. You have to speak up and share with others how you overcame your trauma.’ I’ve written several blogs, published my first book, Finding Hope: A Birthmothers Journey into the Light, and shared my story and life with the world.”Hope O. Baker On this episode of the Infant Adoption Guide Podcast, Hope shares her story of struggle, heartache, and the journey into the light. She lived with her son’s adoptive mother while she was pregnant and pursued an open adoption. After her son was born, Hope tried to resume her life. But the difficulty of letting her child go gnawed at her. It may have looked to others that she had it together on the outside as she graduated from college and her career was moving in the right direction, but on the inside she was battling a destructive cycle of depression and addiction. When everything seemed to be dark, Hope found her way back to the light. It’s a journey she is still on. In her book, Hope shows how messy and chaotically beautiful adoption can be. She shares the details of her incredible story. You will see how community can help you. You will see how important it is to find your voice and speak up for what you need when you find yourself in unexpected difficulties. Grab your own copy of her book right here Here’s what you’ll hear in this story: * How Hope learned about adoption and why she wanted to place her son. * Hear how and why Hope chose who would parent her son – and why she chose them with 100% certainty. * Find out how Hope learned about open adoption and how she came to learn more and more about what it is and why it is important for everyone involved. * Hear Hope explain what it was like to overcome her struggles through addiction she went through after her son was born. * Find out how she found and finally got into a much needed birthmother support community that has helped her tremendously.* Learn why Hope wrote her book about her adoption story called “Finding Hope: A Birthmother’s Journey Into The Light.”* Why you should get her book (HINT: to learn more about birthmothers) and why it is so important to read it TODAY. Links we talk about in this episode: * HopeOBaker.com – connect with Hope, check out her book Finding Hope: A Birthmother’s Journey Into The Light (read the first chapter FREE), read her blog, listen to her podcast and more. * Hope’s Amazon Store check out Hope’s fun store on Amazon. She shares her favorites things including books, home stuff, kids stuff and much more.* Follow Hope on Facebook and Instagram* FindMyAdoptionAgency.com – learn how you can find and choose the RIGHT adoption agency to serve you on the infant adoption journey. This is a my online step-by-step course that you can go at your own pace AND includes over 60 agencies in a spreadsheet for you to use along...

Hope. On the journey to adopt, we cling desperately at times to hope. We hope it doesn’t take too long to adopt. We hope we will be chosen by an expectant mom who is making an adoption plan for her baby. We hope there aren’t too many ups and downs on the journey. As we start this adoption adventure, it can feel (as it did with my wife and I) that we are all alone. You may not know anyone else who has adopted. You may not have anyone to turn to who actually understands what you are going through. Here’s an important yet simply truth that my wife and I discovered after going through 3 infant adoptions, then working with others who have successfully adopted, talking with birthmoms, and authors and adoption agencies, social workers and other adoption experts… Community unlocks hope. How does community unlock the hope? Because in an adoption community you quickly realize that so many others have successfully adopted. You realize there are real people just like you who are on this adoption adventure. In your community, you can listen to & learn from others. You can ask questions. You can discuss infant adoption with them – which is really cool because you find out they can talk the language of adoption like nobody else can. This breaks down the overwhelm. This stifles the fear you may have. Community unlocks hope. This is what my wife and I found out and still cling to today. Early on when we were feeling alone, our agency and our homestudy provider emphasized the need for community support. We found a small FaceBook group. It was our connection, our lifeline, our people who were the only ones who could “get” where we were and what we wanted to do. We were all in the same boat of wanting to adopt a baby. We were there helping each other and supporting each other and encouraging each other along the way. It was exactly what we needed. This is why having a community really does unlock hope. There are lots of reasons why communities play a BIG part in the adoption journey. Here my top 5 reasons why community is not only important – but will actually unlock hope for you on the adoption journey. What you’ll hear on this episode: * A deep dive into The 5 reasons why a great adoption support community will help you go through the infant adoption process – and unlock hope.* Find out what are the most important parts of a great adoption community. * Find out how and where to find great adoption support communities.* Learn how to become a part of my adoption support group on Facebook <–link is right here 🙂* How you get in as a Founding Member of my brand new INFANT ADOPTION GUIDE COMMUNITY! Inside this one-of-a-kind community, people like you come together to meet and support one another, get answers to questions, get focused learning, AND be a part of our exclusive small “Buddy” groups, where you get your own private adoption support group! Links we talk about in this episode: * Infant Adoption Guide Community – learn more about this unique adoption support community that will help you on every step of the infant adopt...

Every open adoption story is unique and yet they all have one important thing in common – so much love for the child. On this episode of the Infant Adoption Guide Podcast, Hali (Birthmom) and Lindsay (Adoptive Mom) share their emotional and inspiring story of how they found each other and how their relationship has grown bigger and better as they pour out the love for their son. You’ll hear how and why Hali choose Lindsay and her husband Dan to be the parents of her son. You’ll find out how their relationship grew after first finding each other on Facebook. Find out how and why Lindsay wrote a children’s book called, “The Story of You: A Child’s First Story of Their Open Adoption” and why she dedicated it to Hali. I was so inspired by Hali and Lindsay’s relationship and love for each other. Their story brings tears to your eyes. I’m sure this episode will bring you hope in your own adoption journey. Have a listen and please share it! Here’s what you’ll hear in this story: * How and why Lindsay and her husband Dan chose adoption to build their family. * Hear how and why Hali chose Lindsay and Dan to be the parents of her son – and why she chose them with 100% certainty. * Find out Hali’s favorite part of their adoption story. * Hear Lindsay explain what it was like to match with Hali several months before the baby was to be born. * Find out how they decided on how much communication they would have after their son was born.* What their emotions where like in the hospital before and after their son was born.* Learn why Lindsay wrote a children’s book about open adoption called “The Story of You: A Child’s First Story of Their Open Adoption.” Links we talk about in this episode: * FollowYourDetour – connect with Lindsay and her husband Dan on their awesome travel website. * I Loved You First – A Safe Place For Birthmothers check out this Facebook group created by Hali. Her passion has become helping other expectant and birth mothers navigate the emotions that come with preparing for and living with life after adoption. Her hope through this platform is to help others understand open adoption and eliminate the stigma associated with pursuing an adoption plan.* The Story of You: A Child’s First Story of Their Open Adoption – this heart warming picture book was written by Lindsay in honor of Hali, the woman who made her greatest wish come true. It’s never too soon to talk with a child about their adoption story and The Story of You is the perfect way to start!* FindMyAdoptionAgency.com – learn how you can find and choose the RIGHT adoption agency to serve you on the infant adoption journey. This is a my online step-by-step course that you can go at your own pace AND includes over 60 agencies in a spreadsheet for you to use along with a TON of other resources designed to help you find and choose the right agency for you.* GET MY 4 FREE EBOOKS – help on your infa...

Many people come to adoption after dealing with infertility. It is easy to feel broken and hopeless as you read another negative pregnancy test. We may be even wondering if God is ignoring our desires to be a mom or dad. Our guest on the show today is Leann Hale, a mom of 2 through adoption and author of the book Sowing In Tears: A Mother’s Sorrow in Infertility and Joy in Adoption. You will hear Leann’s story of being a mom who struggled through infertility, which opened her eyes to see the beauty of adoption. Her book is a memoir that will take you on an emotional journey as you read of the deep-rooted pain that accompanies infertility, and the unspeakable joy that is found in adoption. Listen as Leann explains how God changed her heart as she let go of her dream to one day be pregnant and discovered that God’s ways are truly so much higher than her own. My wife and I adopted our three kids as newborns after going through a painful miscarriage and then dealing with infertility for many years in our effort to start a family. If you are considering adoption, if you’ve dealt with the sorrow of infertility, if you just KNOW that more than anything you want to be a mom and dad – then this episode is a MUST listen. What you’ll hear on this episode: * How Leann and her husband dealt with the pain of infertility and why it led them to adoption.* What open adoption means to Leann and her husband now that they’ve adopted twice – and find out what their relationships are like with their kids’ birth families. * Learn about why Leann decided to write her book “Sowing in Tears: A Mother’s Sorrow in Infertility and Joy in Adoption” * Why she now donates 100% of the proceeds of the book to waiting families pursuing adoption.* Leann’s tips (after adopting 2 times) for getting through the adoption process.* How you can get help directly from me for finding and choosing the RIGHT agency for you through my online course called, FIND MY ADOPTION AGENCY. Links we talk about in this episode: * Follow Leann on Facebook – connect with her and purchase the book!* Sowing In Tears book – purchase the book from Amazon. 100% of the proceeds of the book are donated to helping waiting families go through the adoption process. * FindMyAdoptionAgency.com – learn more about this unique online course that will help you find and choose the right adoption agency for your infant adoptio...