Jessica's Story [S1E36]

Ashley is an birthmother whose adoption story started in an abortion clinic. She shares about her life changing moment and how she placed her baby 11 years ago. Ashley Mitchell has shared her story all over the country through nationally acclaimed writing series, award-winning service, television + radio interviews and hundreds of blogs + business sites. She is known for her vulnerability and realness through her speaking, writing, mentoring and advocacy work for the adoption community. She is the owner of Big Tough Girl™, serving women world wide in their desire to live life as a Big Tough Girl™. She believes strongly in the power of sharing your story, educating yourself on the issues, and providing the resources so that women can feel empowered and successful in their journey. Ashley and her husband now have 2 children. She is learning daily how to navigate open adoption and how to create a life after placement. www.bigtoughgirl.com

26 Apr 201743min

Lauren Stokes, M.A., L.P.C., is a licensed professional counselor at Create Connectivity Counseling PLLC. She is also a writer for Adoption.com. She is an adult adoptee who was raised in an open adoption. This means that after she was adopted at 2 1/2 weeks old, her adoptive parents allowed her biological parents into Lauren's life. In this interview Lauren shares the great benefits of open adoption, while also emphasizing the need to embrace the complexities of the emotional journey through adoption.

19 Apr 201742min

April Fallon talks with Brittany about her and her husband's journey adopting their son Connor. After a very difficult road and months of waiting for finalization, the couple wanted another baby, but could not afford (financially and emotionally) another traditional adoption. Chris and Brittany discovered Embryo Adoption! She is now 6 months pregnant with a baby girl that the couple adopted. Tune in to this episode to hear this remarkable story!

22 Mars 201742min

Noah and April share their current adoption journey. They invite their lawyer, Christine Thurman from Thurman Law Firm, to share her insight on adoption. She has placed 22 babies in the last year and she is fighting to keep the costs low.

15 Mars 201743min

Jessica shares Scott and her journey through several failed adoptions, bringing home their first baby Ty, their plan to try embryo adoption, and the phone call that brought baby number two!

22 Feb 201745min

Kim shares their journey through infertility and becoming pregnant. She opens up about giving birth to their daughter, a full term baby, that only stayed with them for 6 days. She talks about her struggle with deep grief and their journey into adoption. In the year they lost their daughter, Kyla, they also had 2 failed adoptions. Ryan and Kim had no money left and they were still not parents. Hear hear how this couple persevered and how they started Kids for Kyla.

8 Feb 201741min

Jen Donahue was adopted as a baby. She talks about life as a child and talks openly about her experience in a family as the only adopted child. When Jen turned 37, she finds her birthmother in Denver. Her journey to fill in the holes of her birth story are amazing!

25 Jan 201742min