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There’s a New Adoption Podcast In Town

I have been working on a new project — a twice-monthly podcast dedicated to exploring the long view of adoption. While 2020 has been a remarkable one for everyone, it has also meant my first child graduating from high school. And my last child entering his senior year.

“Child” is no longer the right word to use for Tessa or Reed.

The graduation milestone got me thinking about parenting and all that I wish I’d known along the way. About what I consider to be the long view of adoptive parenting.

adoption long view podcast

I am collaborating with the people at Adopting.com, who have been very supportive about a podcast oriented on the long view of adoption. My vision? To bring a variety of perspectives around topics I wish I’d known more about back in my pre-adoptive days and early-parenting years.

Over the years, so many of you in the adoption arena have helped me become a better parent to my children, a better ally with adoptees and first parents, even a better human being. I aim to bring you many of these revealers, these people who have given me a-ha moments. You’ll hear from adoptees, first parents, adoptive parents, adoption-competent therapists, adoption researchers, and others with insights about adoption’s long view.

Prefer to read? Here’s a transcript.

Episode 101: Leah Campbell

Up first is Leah Campbell, a writer and single mom to 7 year-old “Cheeks.” Leah is author of the new children’s book, The Story of My Open Adoption — which I highly recommend. She says this is the children’s book she and Cheeks wanted, one that reflects the experience of growing up in an open adoption, one that doesn’t gloss over its complexities.

Leah shares the joys and challenges of maintaining an open adoption with her daughter’s family and why she is committed to doing so. I know you’re going to love hearing Leah talk about centering her daughter in the many aspects of adoptive parenting.

Ways to Tune In to More Episodes

Podcast for Adoption: The Long View

You can find us on Adopting.com, and on these and other platforms.

A new episode comes out the first Friday of the month. Thank you for sharing, subscribing, and rating this episode!

I hope you enjoy this first episode. And I can’t wait for you to see who else is coming up and what we’re talking about!

Other Podcast Episodes

  • Sara Easterly on adoptees coming out of the adoption fog and “you’re not my real mom!”
  • Interview with Leah Campbell around adoptive parenting and living in open adoption, even when it’s hard.
  • Shifting from shame and secrecy to truth and transparency, an interview with Rich Uhrlaub
  • Interview with Carolyn Savage, telling her inconceivable story about pregnancy, adoption, and surrogacy
  • How Clemencia Deleon developed emotional intelligence when her kinship adoption went all wrong.
  • On being wedged between the pain of one set of parents and the joy of another, an interview with Angela Tucker.
  • Interview with Ashley Mitchell regarding a birth mom’s perspective and the necessity for better adoption education.
  • Improving adoption now, an interview with Family to Family Support Network’s Rebecca Vahle.
  • The latest research of following 15 adoptive families, explained by Abbie Goldberg, PhD.
  • How two pioneers in figuring out open adoption did so. Kim Court (birth mom) and Linda Marie Mueller (adoptive mom) adopted strong back, soft front, wild heart decades ago.

Lori Holden, mom of a young adult daughter and a young adult son, writes from Denver. She was honored as an Angel in Adoption® by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute.

Find Lori’s books on her Amazon Author page, and catch episodes of Adoption: The Long View wherever you get your podcasts.

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10 Responses

  1. Yeah, I’m sure Cheeks “wanted” to publish this book. I totally believe that she had a choice about broadcasting the private details of her life for all to see. I’m convinced that at the age of 7 she has the self-awareness and vocabulary to unpack and describe the complexities of surviving adoption.

    I thought you were better than this, Lori. I thought maybe you had actually listened and learned over the years. What a disappointment to know that you still don’t get it.

  2. I believe that if you were to read the book, Jackie, you would see that it’s not about Cheeks’ personal situation at all. The story book, featuring animal characters, does show the dichotomy of feelings that can exist, though: the happy and the sad, the full and the empty, the having and the missing.

    The foreword in the book helps adoptive parents understand that within adoptees (and anyone else living in adoption), these dichotomies exist, and that it’s healthier to allow them space rather than insist on rainbows and unicorns.

    I stand by my endorsement of Leah’s book and my decision to interview her.

  3. Good luck Lori!

    I don’t do podcasts – I immediately stop paying attention the minute someone starts talking if I don’t have the ability to occasionally glance up to see that someone – but I’m sure yours will be fantastic!

  4. How exciting! Consider me subscribed. I am a terrible podcast listener but I vow to listen to yours! My best listening happens when I do a puzzle. 🙂 Congrats, Lori, what a great way to expand your voice.

  5. Congratulations, Lori! This was an informative and insightful podcast. Like all that you touch, it reflects a heart-centered stance with the child’s interest firmly at its nucleus. I look forward to hearing future episodes.

  6. Congratulations, Lori! Another great way to reach audiences with your very important messages. Like Jess, I am not always great about listening to podcasts (insert red-faced icon here), but I will definitely subscribe and make a point of listening to at least a few episodes! 😉 (And P.S. Tessa is now a high school graduate??!!)

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