A Miracle of Timing: Mike Marsden’s Story of Faith, Adoption, and Resilience [S5E2]

You may not have intended to adopt a child with special needs, or perhaps you did. Regardless of how you arrived at this point, you find yourself searching for answers online and scheduling doctor appointments in hopes of finding the right path for your child. If this resonates with you, this episode is so important. Adoption is a journey, and often, challenges arise after finalization.  April and Season, both experienced adoptive moms, understand this reality. The perfect story may face hurdles, but it can still be incredibly beautiful. Season Cowdrey is a returning guest on ADOPTION NOW. She shared her story in 2017, and she is back to share her post-adoption story. In this new ADOPTION NOW segment called “Real Moms - Real Adoption,” April and Jordan sit down with Season to discuss the realities of adoption. Season wants parents to know that there are resources available to help adoptive families with special needs. While Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) are helpful for school, there is also support available for home life. Finding the right diagnosis (and sometimes medications) can be challenging and may feel like a battle, but it is a fight worth having. Sometimes, the hardest step is coming to terms with the reality that entering the world of adoption often also means stepping into the world of special needs. To hear Season’s full adoption story, check out her episode here!

25 Apr 1h 8min

Shannon and Nick grew up in Texas and met while attending Texas A&M University. They have been happily married since 2018, but their journey has not been without challenges. After several years of trying to start a family and experiencing multiple losses, they decided to buy an RV and travel, all while seeking God’s guidance for their next steps. In early 2022, they decided to pursue adoption. After their travels in the RV, they chose to leave Texas and move to Colorado, excited for new adventures and eager to start their family. They began working with an adoption consultant and eventually matched with an agency. However, this led to an ADOPTION SCAM!! They were at the airport, ready with car seats and strollers to bring home twin boys, when they were informed that the birth mother had disappeared and there were no babies. Not only had they lost their dream of becoming parents, but they had also invested over $65,000, which was now gone. This story is one of resilience and finding one’s voice as a potential adoptive parent. Their experience transformed a heartbreaking situation into a story of hope, ultimately leading to a twin blessing.

28 Mar 1h 7min

This episode tells a beautiful story of love, family, and faith! Nick and Kelsey, high school sweethearts from Texas, always felt that God had placed the hope of adoption in their hearts. After getting married and having two biological daughters, Lyla and Lily, they discovered ADOPTION NOW. They began listening to stories of other families bringing children home through adoption and started exploring the concept of open adoption. They felt called by God to embark on this adoption journey. However, as many know, being called to a path does not mean it will be free of challenges, discouragements, or deep questions. Nick and Kelsey share how their hearts transformed throughout the process, especially when meeting a very special birth mother named Mikayla. This story unfolds into a beautiful union of families, with a precious baby boy at the center of it all.

14 Mar 51min

Emily Chapman Richards, daughter of Christian music artist Steven Curtis Chapman and current Advisor and Ambassador of Show Hope joins this episode.  Emily shares her journey as a biological sibling in this adoption story that began when she was inspired at just 11 years old. After a trip to Haiti, Emily became the catalyst for her family's decision to begin to pray about adoption which led to bringing home three sisters from China. April Fallon, the host of ADOPTION NOW, asks how Emily’s parents prepared their biological siblings for such a life changing event? What responsibilities would she and her siblings have? They family worked together as they expanded. She opens up about the joy they experienced and also how her family went through a devasting loss after their third adoption. The Chapman family held on to each other as they went through grief and continued to press forward to help other families. Today, Emily carries forward her family's legacy through Show Hope, the organization her parents founded that has helped over 9,000 children find forever families from around the world. Emily's passion shines through as she shares her heart for viewing adoption not as an obligation but as an invitation to experience love in a profound way.  Whether you're just beginning to explore adoption or maybe you are experiencing grief in the process, this conversation offers heartfelt encouragement and direction for your own adoption journey.

21 Feb 43min

Real Moms - Real Adoption In this episode of ADOPTION NOW, host April Fallon shares her family's journey through the ups and downs of open adoption, pulling back the curtain on what happens when these relationships don't follow a perfect script. Through personal stories and vulnerable moments, April opens up about helping her children process their feelings while navigating her own complex emotions as an adoptive mom. From surprise FaceTime calls to years of silence, this episode tackles the real challenges of open adoption relationships. Whether you're just starting your open adoption journey or working to maintain long-standing connections, this conversation will help you feel less alone and more prepared to navigate the complexities. You'll find practical wisdom, emotional support, and permission to not have all the answers as we figure out this journey together.

17 Jan 40min

Real Moms-Real Adoption Your child deserves every chance to succeed at school – but sometimes you have to fight for it. In this episode of ADOPTION NOW, host April Fallon welcomes back Darcy Olsen, Founder & CEO of the Center for the Rights of Abused Children, for an honest conversation about navigating IEPs, understanding diagnoses like ADHD, and becoming your child's strongest advocate. With honesty and vulnerability, they share what it really takes to ensure your child gets the support they deserve. Real Moms-Real Adoption - these stories will make you laugh as they talk about the realities of parenting children with diverse needs. From emotional and behavioral challenges to raising teens, they offer concrete strategies for building a supportive community that truly "gets it." Whether you're just starting your journey with IEPs or are a seasoned advocate, this conversation will leave you feeling more equipped, supported, and ready to fight for what your child needs.

10 Jan 55min

Ever wonder what it's really like to adopt from foster care? In this episode of ADOPTION NOW, host April Fallon sits down with Rita Soronen, President and CEO of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, who brings hard-earned wisdom about the foster care journey. They tackle the tough questions head-on: Can older kids really attach? What support do you actually need? How do you stay hopeful while being realistic? Whether you're just starting to explore or already in the process, Rita shares essential guidance on evaluating your readiness, building your support network, and finding adoption-competent professionals who get it. She emphasizes that success takes more than just love – it requires understanding trauma, being ready for the long haul, and having the right resources in place. The episode features the moving story of Marisol, whose journey to finding her forever family at 19 reminds us why this work matters. April and Rita share both the joys and challenges of foster care, while offering practical ways everyone can help – from mentoring to community support. If you're considering foster care, this conversation gives you both the inspiration and real-world guidance you need to begin your journey.

30 Des 202427min

Ever wonder what adopted kids really think about adoption? In this special episode of ADOPTION NOW, hosts April and Noah step back and let their four amazing kids do the talking! AJ (14), Lily (11), Vivy (9), and Maliyah (7) open up about what it's like being part of an adoptive family – from the awesome moments to the tough stuff. They share everything from school stories to what it's like when people ask those awkward questions about their family. The kids don't hold back! They talk about supporting each other through hard times and how they've learned to embrace their differences. AJ even shares his dream of growing the community to help other adopted children feel less alone.   If you're part of an adoptive family or thinking about adoption, you don’t want to miss these powerful insights straight from the children themselves. They get real about the challenges, but they also share why being adopted makes them feel special, loved, and safe. Join us for a family conversation about the real meaning of family, love, and adoption.

6 Des 202427min