
A Heart-to-Heart with Adoptions From The Heart
By Adoptions From The Heart

A Heart-to-Heart with Adoptions From The HeartNov 10, 2022

Ep. 40 Navigating the Open Adoption Process of an Older Child
In This episode, we sit down with Vaughn and Marvin, two adoptive dads, as they share their journey as a same-sex couple navigating the open adoption process. We discuss their experiences, similarities, and differences in adopting a newborn vs. an older child placement(a two-year-old). We also dive into the many hurdles faced with finalization, navigating transitions from one household to another, identity, addressing the importance of inclusion and diversity, how to deal with the opinions of others, and how they overcame personal challenges. To learn more about Adoptions From The Heart and the services we provide you can go to www.afth.org or call 800-355-5500. Please make sure you subscribe and rate our podcast!

Ep. 39 ChristianaCare: Centering Care Around Expecting Parents' Individual Needs
On this episode of A Heart-to-Heart with Adoptions From The Heart, we are excited to welcome Leya, a Senior Social Worker at ChristianaCare in Delaware who provides supportive services to expecting parents. We are also joined by Amanda Aliberti who is an Adoption Counselor and Supervisor as well as the Expecting and Birth Parent Services Manager at Adoptions From The Heart.
Adoptions From The Heart has the honor of working alongside incredible medical professionals to provide information and support to expecting parents wanting to explore their options. Leya shares more about her role at ChristianaCare and how she advocates for patients' needs and provides support and resources as they navigate their pregnancies. Amanda discusses the importance of developing relationships and trust between AFTH and hospital staff to be able to provide seamless care to expecting parents and advocating for clients' needs is the priority whether or not they choose to move forward with an adoption plan.

Ep 38. Placing a child for Adoption While on Active Duty.
On this episode of A Heart-to-Heart with Adoptions From The Heart podcast we wanted to take a time a highlight the voices of people in the military community with ties to adoption. May is Military Appreciation month, so on this episode we talked the challenges of placing a child for adoption, adopting a child or being an adoption social worker while being a service member or a military spouse. During our conversation we spoke about the raw experiences of the our service men and women who have chosen adoption.
During the episode we touch on important subjects like post-partum depression, metal health, the process of adopting while in the military, maintaining openness in the adoption plan, and much more. We want to thank all Katie, Brittny and Tiffany for being open and honest about their experiences.
To learn more about Adoptions From The Heart pleas visit www.afth.org or call 800-355-5500.

Ep. 37 - Choosing Adoption after Experiencing Infertility
In this episode of a Heart-to-Heart with Adoptions From The Heart podcast, we are joined by two couples: Jim & Racheal and Rob & Sam. They joined this episode to share about their infertility journey and ultimately choosing adoption to build their family. In this episode, we touched on infertility diagnosis, impacts on infertility on a persons mental health, supporting your partner through the process, choosing adoption to grow their family, disruptions, open adoption and relationships with birth parents and much more. We thank Jim, Racheal, Rob and Sam for being vulnerable and open about their stories.
To purchase Jim's book "Why Is Light So Damned Capricious? " you can go here: https://www.amazon.com/Why-Light-So-Damned-Capricious/dp/0692050736
To learn more about Adoptions From The Heart and the services we provide you can go to www.afth.org. Please make sure you subscribe and rate our podcast!

Ep 36. Behind The Scenes of Adoption Social Work
On this episode of a Heart-to-Heart with Adoptions From The Heart podcast we have five adoption social workers from different AFTH offices come together to talk about their experience in the adoption field. With March being Social Work Month we wanted to take a moment to recognize and highlight the lives of the people that make organization run smoothly everyday. Stephanie, Alyse, Ryle, Jackie and Katie join our guest host for this episode, Mayra, to talk about the highs and lows of the adoption social work field.
To learn more about Adoptions From The Heart and the services we provide you can go to www.afth.org.

Ep 35. FAQ: How to Finance an Adoption Ft. Your Adoption Finance Coach
In this episode of A Heart-to-Heart with Adoptions From The Heart podcast with sat down with Kelly Ellison, Founder and CEO of Your Adoption Finance Coach to answer all you adoption financial questions. In this question and answer episode, we went over adoption tax credits, fundraising for an adoption, grants and loans offered to prospective adoptive parents and much more.
Listen to this episode to get some insight into all the different ways prospective adoptive parents can finance their adoptions. Kelly answer all the frequently asked questions we get at AFTH regarding this topic.
If you would like to learn more about Kelly Ellison and Your Adoption Finance Coach, you can visit their website at https://www.youradoptionfinancecoach.com/
Follow Adoption Finance Coach on Social Media:

Ep 34. A Heart-to-Heart with Adoption Influencers
In this episode of a Heart-to-Heart with Adoptions From The Heart podcast we wanted to bring you the recording of the LIVE episode we had in November. This time we brought six adoption influencers to talk about their experiences sharing their adoption stories with the world. We were so honored to have had Ashley Mitchel, Taylor Shennett, Grace Otley, Isaac Etter, Courtney Tierra and Melissa Guida-Richards share the ups and downs of using social media to advocate about adoption.
To learn more about each specific guest, follow their links below:
To learn more about Adoptions From The Heart you can go you www.afth.org

Ep 33. NAM Special ft. Councilmember At-Large, Katherine Gilmore Richardson | Coming Around Full Circle
In this Special episode of our National Adoption Month: Marketing Takeover, we are joined by Councilmember At-Large, Mrs. Katherine Gilmore Richardson, for a very warm episode! During this discussion we touch on her life growing up as an adoptee, finding out she was adopted, searching for her birth family, and how her religious beliefs have kept her grounded and played such a huge role in her successes very early on!
To learn more and stay up-to-date with Councilmember Kathrine Gilmore-Richardson, visit her website as well as follow her on social media at:
Instagram: @CouncilwomanKGR
Twitter: @CouncilwomanKGR
Facebook: @CouncilmemberKatherineGilmoreRichardson

Ep 32. NAM Special | Life after Placing a Child for Adoption
In this episode of Heart-to-Heart with Adoptions From The Heart Podcast, we sat down with Kyle, Chantel and Katy to talk about their experience as Birth Parents. Often times people think that there is no life after placement for Birth Parents, but in this episode, we dive into the before, during and after placing their children from adoption. We discussed the reasons why they placed, infertility after placing, importance of support, openness in their adoption triad, and much more. Tune in to learn more about these three amazing Birth Parents.
For more information about Adoptions From The Heart you can find us in any social media platform as @adoptionsfromtheheart or you can go to our website at www.afth.org.

Ep 31. NAM Special | As Adoptive Parents, Adoption is Out Of Our Control
Welcome to the third episode of the Marketing TakeOver of a Heart-to-Heart with Adoptions From The Heart podcast. In this episode we were joined by two amazing, adoptive parents, Sheila Kowit and Joan Smith, who also happen to be Adoptions From The Heart social workers, as well!
In this episode, we dive into a deep discussion about openness, tough conversations to have with your adoptee as an adoptive parent, as well as core issues that often arise in adoption, and so much more.
To learn more about Adoptions From The Heart and the services we provide you can go to www.afth.org

Ep 30. NAM Special | I'm Adopted and this is how it affected my life.
Welcome to the second episode of the Marketing TakeOver of a Heart-to-Heart with Adoptions From The Heart podcast. In this episode we were joined by three amazing adoptees: Roslyn, Jackie and Colleen. In this episode we dived into what it was like growing up as an adoptee and the different challenges they faced. We talked about identity, relationships with birth families, struggles, biggest accomplishments, what we can do better as a community to support adoptees and much more.
For more information about Roslyn Davis and were to buy her book " I am Precious, I am Loved" you can go to: www.authordavis.com
To learn more about Adoptions From The Heart and the services we provide you can go to www.afth.org

Ep 29. NAM Special | The Social Work Experience
Happy National Adoption Month! This month, we will be bringing you a new episode every week. The marketing team has given our host Jenna Stocks a break to bring you stories from every member of the adoption triad. This first episode, we focused on the Social Work Experience. Often times, we do not think about the behind the scenes of the adoption world. Many people forget that there are people who work day in and out to ensure that our clients are served. We wanted to start this series, highlighting our social workers. We invited the Adoptions From The Heart Delaware social workers to share their experiences in the field. They talked about everything from work environment, difficulties in the field, self care as social workers, the most impactful moments in their career and much more. Tune into this episode to learn more from Danielle, Amanda and Mykhia as they share what is like being an adoption social worker.
We hope you enjoy and we will see you next week!
To learn more about Adoptions From The Heart, you can go to www.afth.org or call 800-355-5500.

Ep. 28 Domestic Violence Awareness
In this episode of A Heart-to-Heart with Adoptions From The Heart Podcast we are joined by two special guests joining us. Katie Young-Wildes and Amanda Aliberti. Katie is the Senior Communications Specialist at Women Against Abuse. Amanda is the Birthparent Post-Placement Support Manager and Adoption Counselor at Adoptions From The Heart. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and we wanted to take this episode to bring awareness about domestic violence. We talked about what is domestic violence, some of the signs, what can we do to help someone experience this and resources for people in a domestic abuse situation.
If you or someone you know needs help, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text START to 88788. If you are in the Philadelphia area, you can reach out to Women Against Abuse at 1.866.723.3014.
Learn more about Women Against Abuse:
Website: www.womenagainstabuse.org
Instagram: @womenagainstabuse
Facebook: @womenagainstabuse

Ep. 27 Kinship Care, Foster Care and Private Agency Adoption
In this episode of a Heart-to-Heart with Adoptions From The Heart Podcast with invited Chris Peszka, Chris is the District Supervisor of New Jersey and the Regional Supervisor of Wynnewood, PA office at Adoptions From The Heart. He has over 30 years of experience in the adoption field and will be joined us to talk about foster care, kindship care and private agency adoption.
If you need resources to learn more about Kindship Care please visit the Child Welfare Information Gateway: https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/outofhome/kinship/
To learn more about Adoptions From The Heart and the services we provide, please visit www.afth.org

Ep. 26 - The Value of Choices in the Adoption Community
In this episode of a Heart-To-Heart with Adoptions From The Heart, we are joined by Amanda Aliberti, AFTH Adoption Counselor and Birthparent Post-Placement Support Manager to discuss the importance of choice for pregnant people and options counseling. We are also joined by Adoptee Colleen, Birth Mother Whitney and Prospective Adoptive Parent, Kristy to discuss why choice is important for them and their reactions after hearing about the Roe v. Wade decision.
Follow us on Social Media
Instagram – @AdoptionsFromTheHeart
Facebook – @AdoptionsFromTheHeart
Twitter – @AFTH_Org
Our Website – www.afth.org

Ep. 25 - Using Social Media To Spread Transracial Adoption Awareness
In this episode of a Heart-To-Heart with Adoptions From The Heart, we are joined by TikTok Influencer Taylor Shennett and foster mother, Nicole Fowler. Tune in as we dive into an open discussion about Social Media Impact, Transracial adoption, and Letting go of the "ColorBlind" method.
Follow Taylor on Social Media
Instagram – @taylorshennett
TikTok – @taylorruipingshen
Follow AFTH on Social Media
Instagram – @AdoptionsFromTheHeart
Facebook – @AdoptionsFromTheHeart
Twitter – @AFTH_Org
Our Website – www.afth.org

Ep. 24 - Unique Family Care, Language, and the Importance of Training in the Hospital Setting
In this episode of a Heart-To-Heart with Adoptions From The Heart, we are joined by Rebecca Vahle and our very own, Stephanie Capriotti to discuss Unique Family Care, Language, and the Importance of training in the hospital setting. Rebecca is the founder of Family-to-Family Support Network® (FFSN), the first hospital-based adoption support program in the nation. Stephanie Capriotti, Program Coordinator, and Adoption Counselor join us to share her experiences with hospital placements and working alongside birth and adoptive families.
Follow us on Social Media
Instagram – @AdoptionsFromTheHeart
Facebook – @AdoptionsFromTheHeart
Twitter – @AFTH_Org
Our Website – www.afth.org
Follow FFSN on Social Media
Facebook - @Familytofamilysupportnetwork
Website – www.familytofamilysupport.org/

Ep. 23 - Infertility Awareness, Education and Resources
In this episode of A Heart to Heart with Adoptions From The Heart, we are joined by Kristen young, Event Planning and Fundraising Coordinator of the Cade Foundation. Tune in as we discuss the importance of infertility awareness and education, as well as, financial resources and services that are available.
Cade Foundation Website: https://cadefoundation.org/
CADE Foundation Events Calendar: https://cadefoundation.org/events
Cade Foundation Instagram: @cadefoundation

Ep. 22 - The Importance of Representation in Adoption with BIPOC Social Workers
In this episode of Heart- To- Heart with Adoptions From The Heart Podcast, we are joined by BIPOC social workers of PACT Katie Wynen and Jaciara Bayer; along with AFTH’s very own Mykhia Odom. PACT is an organization that serves children and families of color by providing more than just adoption placement, but also education and community support. Like AFTH, PACT’s goal is to ensure families are equipped with lifelong tools by providing lifelong space to be vulnerable and transparent. In this episode, we discuss the importance of representation in the adoption community, the ongoing effects of colorism in the workplace, and notorious privileges.
Thank you to all three of our special guests and Happy National Social Work Month!
Click here: https://www.pactadopt.org/events/index.asp to head over to PACT’s event calendar. Stay up to date with future BIPOC’s Professionals Support Group!
Twitter: @pactadopt
Facebook: @pactadopt

Ep. 21. - Parenting Special Needs Children
In this episode of A Heart to Heart with Adoptions From The Heart, we are joined by Rebekah McGee, a licensed social worker from NYC and mom of 3, as well as Brittany, stay-at-home mom of 6. We discuss character and self-identity while battling disability, support and coping with disappointment, and expectation management. Tune into this episode to learn more about parenting special needs children in all its beauties and struggles.

Ep. 20 - Let's Talk Post-Adoption Contact Agreements (PACA)
In this episode of Heart-To-Heart with Adoptions From The Heart, we are joined by Deborah Spivak, a private attorney whose practice is limited to adoptions, and Ashley Kodet, a county administrator for infants court, to discuss post-adoption contact agreements (PACA) in private infant adoption and foster care.

Ep. 19 - The Importance Of Maintaining Openness And Honesty In Open Adoption
In this episode of A Heart-To-Heart with Adoptions From The Heart, we are joined by the author, speaker, open adoption advocate, and host of the podcast ‘Adoption: The Long View’, Lori Holden. Although Lori is an Adoptive mother, she and Jenna take a step back in this episode, to view adoption through a lens people often are blind to. They discuss the effects and impacts of maintaining openness in the household and with birth parents. As well as, the importance of honoring Post-adoption contact agreements and doing so authentically. Lastly, but certainly, not all, they dive into the importance of extended birth families and educating everyone involved.
For more on Lori Holden, check out her social media to stay up to date with what she's doing:
Lori's Website: https://lavenderluz.com/
Lori's Instagram: @Lavluz
Lori's Twitter: @LavLuz

Ep. 18 - NAM SPECIAL | Parenthood, Community and Foundational Trust
In this episode of Heart-To-Heart with Adoptions From The Heart, we are joined by Liz and Sarah, also known as, 2AdoptiveMamas for some insight on Adoptive moms who are taking steps to be the change they want to see in the adoption community! These 2 mamas have very different adoption stories but are connected by similar experiences of which they have no problem sharing with you! Click play to learn more about Adoptive parenthood, the importance of community, and the impact of foundational communication and trust!
Website: https://twoadoptivemamas.com/
Podcast: 2 Adoptive Mamas | Available on Apple Podcast, Amazon, and Spotify
Instagram: @2adoptivemamas

Ep. 17 - NAM SPECIAL | Highlighting Birth Mother Stories
This episode of A Heart- to- Heart podcast with Adoptions From The Heart features four birth mothers. SeAyra and Samantha; two AFTH Birth Mothers. Birth Mom and Educator, Courtney Tierra and Blogger and Birth mother, Hope O. Baker. This episode highlights already published interviews from these birth moms. These women touch on placing their child for adoption, the pressure the felt from those around them and the support Birth Mothers need throughout the process. To listen to the full interviews you can check out Heart -to- Heart with Adoptions From The Heart podcast episode one and two.
To learn more about Courtney, you can check out her website. You can also learn more about Hope by visiting her site.

Ep. 16 - NAM SPECIAL | Discovering Your Identity As An Adoptee
This episode of A Heart- to- Heart podcast with Adoptions From The Heart, features activist and social entrepreneur, Isaac Etter and creator of the “I’m adopted, now what?” podcast and adoptee advocate Liza Stone. Join the conversation as Isaac and Liza tackle discovering your identity as a transracial adoptee, changing the stigma of agency and adoptee partnerships, and creating longevity in future successes within the adoption community.
Connect with today's guests on their Social Media(s):
Liza’s Contact Info:
Podcast: I'm Adopted, Now What?
IG: @Imadopted.podcast
Email: Imadopted.podcast@gmail
Isaac’s Contact Info:
Website: www.Identitylearning.co
IG: @Identity.Learning

Ep. 15 - DNA Testing and Birth Family Searches
In this episode, we welcome Brianne Kirkpatrick, a genetic counselor and DNA consultant and Co-author of The DNA Guide for Adoptees: How to use genealogy and genetics to uncover your roots, connect with your biological family and better understand your medical history” and author of the e-book Could the DNA Test Be Wrong?
Sparked by curiosity surrounding the gaps in her own family history from her grandmother being a kinship adoptee, Brianne’s interest in genealogy grew. And when consumer DNA testing became more popular, Brianne recognized her unique skillset combined as a genetic counselor and experience in genealogy and formed Watershed DNA to help others in their journey.
Episode Highlights
• Why do people use DNA kits?
• Situations with unknown birth fathers who didn’t know they parented a child
• No Parent Expected Discover (NPE)
• How Watershed DNA can help
• Adoptees using DNA kits are encouraged to enlist a therapist or counselor to help prepared for a variety of outcomes
• Organizing DNA results
• 4 DNA Kit Companies – “fish in all the ponds” to find a close match
• Steps for reaching out to connections once matches made
• Nervous about having DNA out there in a system
• Can DNA tell men and women different things?
• Success stories of locating birth family
• DNA Testing Minors
• Country-specific support groups for international adoptees

Ep. 14 - Asian Adoptee Stories from Different Generations
In this episode, we welcome Keri Friedman and Jennifer Conn. Keri is a Chinese adoptee who will soon be graduating college with a degree in Psychology and is currently interning at Adoptions From The Heart. Jennifer is a Korean adoptee who works with adoptees and families as a licensed social worker and child and family therapist. She also serves on the AFTH Board of Directors. Our discussion ranged from highlighting some of the generational differences among Asian adoptees to the many aspects of their experiences that are similar including challenges relating to transracial adoption, confronting the globalization of Western beauty standards and shaping their identity over time.
Episode Highlights
- Learning about adoption from a young age
- Transracial adoption - children understand and notice race at a very young age
- Different generations have different levels of documentation available about adoption
- DNA testing to learn more about self and make possible biological connections
- Korea now has a DNA bank than can help match adoptees with biological family in Korea
- Growing up – community, culture & school
- Globalization of Western beauty standards and the effects on many Asian adoptees
- Disconnect between how adoptees see themselves and how the outside world sees them
- How does being international adoptee affect your views on adoption?

Ep. 13 - Adoptee and Birth Parent Adoption Searches
Search and reunions are important topics to cover when discussing adoption. On today’s podcast, we welcome two women who have made a significant impact helping adoptees and birth parents in their search process. Helen Blair Schuler is a former Orphan’s Court Administrator in Montgomery County and continues to provide adoption search services. Marilyn Rich is Adoptions From The Heart’s Search Coordinator and District Supervisor for our Central PA Region with over 28 years as an adoption social worker. Marilyn is also an adoptee.
In this episode, we will discuss the ins and outs of Pennsylvania Adoption Searches: What is a search, what the statues say, how confidentiality and right to know play in adoption searching. Most importantly, know it’s a very personal journey and each individual can decide if and when they begin their own personal search.
Episode Highlights
- What is an Adoption Search
- 1984 Adoption Statue & Revisions with 2010’s ACT 101
- How do Searches Begin
- Adoption Searches and Confidentiality
- What Happens When an Agency Wasn’t Involved in Adoption Placement
- Agency Maintaining Adoption Records for 99 Years
- How to Reach Out During a Search
- Reasons for Searching
- Increase in Birth Parents Requesting Searches for Adoptees
- Encountering Surprises During the Search Process
- Balancing Privacy of Birth Parents and Adoptee Right to Knowledge
- Creating a Relationship After Connecting
- Searching is Not for Everyone and That’s OK Too

Ep. 12 - Taking a Look at the Court-Related Aspects of the Adoption Process
On today’s podcast we welcome Ashley Kodet. Ashley began her social work career in foster care and then moved into private domestic adoption for many years. She is now using her background knowledge in her role as an Orphan’s Court Administrator in the Philadelphia area. Our discussion will focus on the adoption related court process and what it looks like after an adoption placement occurs.
Episode Highlights
- Changes in court system due to COVID
- Benefits and challenges/drawbacks with virtual model
- Highlighting some special court moments for families during COVID
- Process after adoption placement
- Different types of adoption finalizations
- Birth Parent involvement in court hearings
- Post Placement reports
- Finalization Hearing

Ep. 11 - Moving Through the Steps of an Infertility Diagnosis to Considering Adoption
This week is Infertility Awareness week, so we wanted to begin our discussion about the grief and loss surrounding infertility and moving through a diagnosis and treatment options and then possibly making a transition into considering adoption.
Our guests today include Tracy Whitney who is a Content Manager at Creating a Family, the national non-profit whose mission is to strengthen and inspire adoptive, foster & kinship parents and the professionals who support them. We are also happy to have Michaelina Bendig who has been a social worker at Adoptions From The Heart for the past 21 years. Each of our guests today have both personal & professional experience in the realm of infertility and adoption.
Episode Highlights:
- When It’s Recommended to See Professional if Struggling to Conceive
- How to Process the Emotional Impact
- Guests’ Personal Struggles with Pregnancy & Infertility
- Creating a Family Resources
- Men and Women Tend to Grieve Differently
- Open Communication about Next Step
- Transitioning into Adoption Process
- When Partners Are on Different Pages
- Education is Key to the Next Step

Ep. 10 - Reflecting on the Field of Social Work During COVID
In honor of March being National Social Work Month, we wanted to dive further into what it’s like being an essential worker and how the field of social work has been affected by the pandemic.
Our guests today include Dr. Chelsea Toth, Director of Field Education & Assistant Professor of Social Work at Cedar Crest College as well as three Adoptions From The Heart’s interns Nikki, Chevonne and Jackie.
Episode Highlights
- Going out into the field for the first time during COVID
- Juggling working with clients virtually as well as in-person
- Balancing the desire to be in the field to help during the pandemic with the need to stay safe
- Adjusting to the changes in the field of social work due to COVID
- Gaps in social work roles created by not being able to see clients face-to-face
- Harder to maintain self-care and prevent burnout when working virtually
- Highlights of the past year despite COVID
- Advice for those just beginning their careers in social work

Ep. 9 - Addiction, Pregnancy and Adoption
Battling addiction can feel like a lonely road, it’s especially hard when facing that challenge while pregnant. “When you are pregnant and in addiction, it’s like no one looks at you below your shoulders. There is so much shame and judgment when all I really needed was help.”
Our guests today openly speak about their journey with addition, pregnancy and adoption. The discussion also sheds light on some of the gaps in services provided to those battling addiction and in recovery. Joining in our talk today we have Jenna Smith, Domestic Program Coordinator for Adoptions From The Heart, Amanda Aliberti, Adoption Counselor and Birth Parent Post Placement Services Coordinator, Alicia who is an outreach worker with a recovery house and placed her child for adoption in 2016, and Kristen and Alison who both have placed children through AFTH while also battling addiction and are currently in recovery.

Ep. 8 - In-Depth Support & Wrap Around Services for Expecting and Birth Parents
Welcome to our first podcast in 2021. Today we are joined by Jenna Smith (Domestic Program Manager), Kristin Kachmar (Expecting Parent Services Manager) and Amanda Aliberti (Post Placement Services Manager). In seeing the growing and ever-changing needs of expecting parents reaching out for help, Adoptions From The Heart responded by creating two new roles in the agency to further specialize and expand upon the services they were already providing to expecting and birth parents. On this episode, we will have an in-depth discussion about these new roles, the services provided to expecting and birth parents and why this added support is so important to the process both during and after pregnancy. Listeners will discover there is much more to the role AFTH plays in clients lives well beyond adoption services.
For more information about Adoptions From The Heart Services, you can visit our website at www.afth.org

Ep. 7 - Holiday Special: Surviving The Holidays as a Birth Parent with Ashley Mitchell
Ashley Mitchell, owner of Big Tough Girl and Founder + Executive Director of Lifetime Healing Foundation sits down for a virtual chat with AFTH's own Adoption Counselor & AFTHtv host Amanda Aliberti. These ladies dive into the nitty-gritty of the common holiday triggered anxiety and depression that expecting, and birth parents face each year.

Ep. 6 - Birth Moms Share More Than Their Story...They Share Their Strength
Birth mothers Asia (AFTHtv) and Muthoni Gaciku Kittredge (Birth Mothers Amplified) join us in the sixth episode to talk about learning about their unplanned pregnancies, the reasoning behind their decision to place, and finding the courage to share their story while empowering other men and women to do the same.

Ep. 5 - Growing Up in a Transracial Household and Becoming a Transracial Adoptive Parent
Transracial adoptive parent/transracial adoptee Brandi Ebersole and AFTH transracial adoptee Carli Glen connect with episode host AFTH PR & Marketing Coordinator Meagan Twardy. The two adoptees share stories with Meagan about finding ways to connect with their culture, dealing with racism, and empowering other adoptees to speak their truth about their experiences. Brandi also talks about her experience as a transracial adoptive parent and maintaining openness with her children's birth families.

Ep. 4 - Seasons of Love, Trauma, Loss, and Friendship Feat. Birth Mothers Dominique White & Mary Kiker
Frequent BraveLove contributor Dominique White, a birth mom connects with AFTHtv frequent guest and birth mom Mary Kiker. The women dive into the realities of when their child's family adopts again.

Ep. 3 - Transracial Adoptee-to-Transracial Adoptee Feat. Angela Tucker ("Closure"/The Adoptee Next Door) & Carli Glen (AFTHtv)
AFTH transracial adoptee Carli Glen sits down for a virtual conversation with fellow transracial adoption thought-leader Angela Tucker (the subject of 2013 documentary "Closure"). Despite the fact that these African American women grew up during different time periods and on opposite coasts of one another, many aspects of their upbringing were similar. Tune in to hear the women talk about what it was like growing up in a closed adoption, communities with little diversity, and connecting with their culture as adults.

Ep. 2 - Featuring Birth Mom/Blogger Hope Baker & AFTH Birth Mom/Frequent AFTHtv guest Samantha Thurlow.
In this episode, two women who faced unplanned pregnancies reflect on their journey of fighting through a storm of trauma, finding ways to heal, and the power of support from the birth parent community. Today Hope O. Baker is doing her part to share her story through her blog, a published book, and social media. Samantha Thurlow is doing her part by volunteering with AFTH to share her story and mentor others who walk through the agency's doors.

Ep. 1 - A Heart-to-Heart With Birth Moms SeAyra Greene & Courtney Tierra
A Heart-to-Heart with Educator, Servant Leader, and Proud Birth Mother Courtney Tierra & AFTH Birth/Frequent AFTHtv Guest Mom SeAyra Greene.