The Adoption Roadmap Podcast

Ep. #132: “Where Are You REALLY From?” | Jade Amez

This episode will probably make some adoptive parents uncomfortable, and that’s exactly why you should listen. Jade Amez grew up in a white family in the Midwest constantly being asked questions like: “Where are you really from?” “Do you know your real parents?” “Aren’t you grateful you were adopted?” And while most people thought they were “just being curious,” Jade explains what those questions actually feel like from the adoptee side. In this conversation, Jade opens up about the moments that made her feel different, the subtle ways adoptive families can unintentionally erase culture, and why representation matters more than many parents realize. She also shares what happened when she reunited with her birth mother in Taiwan — and the complicated emotions that came with it. This isn’t a conversation about being a “perfect” adoptive parent. It’s a conversation about listening harder, asking better questions, and realizing that love alone doesn’t erase identity struggles. If you’ve ever said: “We don’t see color in our family,” “She’s just like any other kid,” or “I don’t want adoption to define them…” …this episode may challenge you in ways you weren’t expecting. In this episode: * The adoption questions adoptees are exhausted from answering * Why “Where are you really from?” hits differently than people think * The subtle ways adoptive parents can unintentionally “whitewash” their children * What Jade wishes her parents had done differently growing up * The emotional reality of reconnecting with biological family * Why adoptees don’t all feel the same way about adoption * How books, culture, food, and representation shape identity Connect with Jade: Website: whereamifrombook.com Follow Jade on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whereamifrombook/ RG Adoption Consulting Website → ⁠https://rgadoptionconsulting.com⁠  Book a Complimentary Adoption Strategy Session→ ⁠https://rgadoptionconsulting.com/contact Are You Ready to Adopt? Take the Quiz to Find Out: https://www.rgadoptionconsulting.com/quiz   Tune in to The Adoption Roadmap Podcast every Wednesday. If you like what you hear, I'd appreciate a follow, a 5-star rating & review! THANK YOU! For questions about adoption, episode suggestions, or to appear as a guest on The Adoption Roadmap Podcast, email⁠⁠⁠⁠ support@rgadoptionconsulting.com⁠⁠⁠

Ep. #130: What Adoptive Parents Get Wrong About Trauma | Jeanette Yoffe

Why does your child’s behavior feel so hard… even when you’re trying to do everything right? In adoption, behavior isn’t just behavior. It’s layered with loss, attachment, and experiences that often go unseen. And in the moments that feel the most overwhelming—when your child is melting down, shutting down, or pushing you away—it’s easy to wonder: Am I handling this wrong? In this episode, we’re breaking down what’s really happening beneath those moments—and how to respond in a way that actually builds trust and connection over time. I’m joined by Jeanette Yoffe, adoptee, therapist, and founder of the Celia Center, who brings both lived experience and over 20 years of clinical work supporting adoptive families. This conversation goes beyond surface-level parenting advice. We talk about why behavior can feel so intense in adoptive families, how early experiences shape the way children relate to their parents, and what it really looks like to stay grounded when emotions run high. If you’ve ever felt triggered, unsure, or like you’re not getting it “right,” this episode will meet you there—and give you a different way to move forward. In this episode, we talk about: * Why behavior in adopted children can feel more intense and personal * What’s actually happening beneath meltdowns, shutdowns, and pushing away * The difference between reacting vs. responding in high-stress moments * What “co-regulation” really looks like in real life * How trauma and early separation impact attachment and trust * Why children often internalize blame—and how that shows up in behavior * Recognizing when your child is emotionally younger than their age * The 5 A’s framework and how to use it in everyday moments * How to manage your own triggers so you can show up more consistently * What helps build safety, connection, and long-term trust About Jeanette: Jeanette Yoffe is a licensed psychotherapist, adoptee, and founder of the Celia Center, a nonprofit supporting individuals and families impacted by adoption and foster care. With over two decades of experience, she specializes in attachment, trauma integration, and family healing. She is also the author of The Traumatized and At-Risk Youth Toolbox and creator of the YouTube channel Genetically Speaking, where she breaks down complex topics into practical, accessible tools for families. Connect with Jeanette: https://www.jeanetteyoffe.com [ https://www.jeanetteyoffe.com] Learn more about Celia Center: https://celiacenter.org [https://celiacenter.org] RG Adoption Consulting Website → ⁠https://rgadoptionconsulting.com⁠  [https://rgadoptionconsulting.com⁠ ] Book a 30-Minute Consult → ⁠https://rgadoptionconsulting.com/contact [https://rgadoptionconsulting.com/contact] Are You Ready to Adopt Your Baby Quiz: https://www.rgadoptionconsulting.com/quiz [https://www.rgadoptionconsulting.com/quiz] Tune in to The Adoption Roadmap Podcast every Wednesday. If you like what you hear, I'd appreciate a follow, a 5-star rating & review! THANK YOU! For questions about adoption, episode suggestions, or to appear as a guest on The Adoption Roadmap Podcast, email⁠⁠⁠⁠ support@rgadoptionconsulting.com⁠⁠⁠

Ep. #131 Where Palestinians, Jews and Christians Intersect in Adoption with Niemah Scherlacher

Adoption is often told as a beautiful, full-circle story. But what happens when the story keeps unfolding decades later? In this episode, Rebecca sits down with Niemah Scherlacher, whose adoption story spans cultures, religions, and nearly 60 years of unanswered questions. Born in Jerusalem to a Palestinian mother, placed in a Jewish orphanage, and adopted by a Christian American family—her story has always been described as a miracle. Until the full truth came out. This conversation goes beyond the surface of adoption and into what it actually means to live it—through childhood, adulthood, and the moments that reshape everything you thought you knew about your identity. Because being chosen doesn’t erase being given up. And love doesn’t cancel loss. This is a deeper look at the lifelong emotional reality of adoption—and what adoptive parents need to understand if they want to truly support their child. What We Cover: * Why “you were chosen” isn’t the full story * The emotional impact of uncovering your adoption story later in life * How identity evolves at 5, 15, 35, and beyond * The role of faith—and when it helps vs. shuts things down * What adoptive parents often miss (and why it matters long-term) * Why avoiding hard conversations creates more harm than good * The complexity of growing up across cultures, religions, and histories * How to support adoptees through grief, even when everything “looks good” Resources: Poem Mentioned: The Adoption Creed poem by Fleur Conkling Heyliger Connect with Niemah: https://www.instagram.com/niemahanne_ [https://www.instagram.com/niemahanne_] RG Adoption Consulting Website → ⁠https://rgadoptionconsulting.com⁠  [https://rgadoptionconsulting.com⁠ ] Book a 30-Minute Consult → ⁠https://rgadoptionconsulting.com/contact [https://rgadoptionconsulting.com/contact] Are You Ready to Adopt Your Baby Quiz: https://www.rgadoptionconsulting.com/quiz [https://www.rgadoptionconsulting.com/quiz]   Tune in to The Adoption Roadmap Podcast every Wednesday. If you like what you hear, I'd appreciate a follow and 5-star rating & review! THANK YOU! For questions about adoption, episode suggestions or to appear as a guest on The Adoption Roadmap Podcast, email⁠⁠⁠⁠ support@rgadoptionconsulting.com⁠⁠⁠

Ep. #130 Season 4 Begins: Finding Joy in the Middle of the Adoption Journey

You don’t expect the waiting to feel like this… until you’re in it. Season four of The Adoption Roadmap opens with something that might feel a little surprising: joy. Not the kind that ignores what’s hard. The kind that shows up right in the middle of it. In this episode, Rebecca resets the roadmap—so if you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, unsure where you are, or questioning if you’re doing this “right,” this is where you come back to center. She also shares what this season is really about—what’s coming, the voices you’ll hear, and why some of these conversations might challenge the way you’ve been thinking about adoption. Because adoption isn’t one story. It never has been. And before you keep going on this path, there’s one idea you’re going to want to carry with you. What You’ll Hear: * A grounding look at where you are in the journey * Why this season is centered around joy (and what that actually means) * A perspective shift many adoptive parents don’t hear early enough * A preview of what’s ahead this season If you’re in the waiting, or anywhere on this path, this one is for you. New episodes every Wednesday.

Ep. #129: Adoption is Love - Season 3 Finale

In this episode of the Adoption Roadmap Podcast, Rebecca recaps her rapid fire questions she asks every guest. They share personal stories and shout outs to individuals who have impacted their journeys, emphasizing the need for education and understanding in navigating adoption. The conversation also touches on the challenges faced by adoptive parents and the significance of maintaining curiosity about the experiences of adoptees. Important Links Brianna & Shay [https://open.spotify.com/episode/6D82X5tHvnrl4OK1KBZyX4?si=4f7eb353854e4877] Dr. Ellen Weber Libby [https://open.spotify.com/episode/1sNRmRMjKRZGsDO5Ck6PJ4?si=61a0eaaa5604410e] Jennifer Skiles [https://open.spotify.com/episode/09fx2KeicjuhQmGfG6Yu3u?si=76d15ed3a44840e1] Tony Hynes [https://open.spotify.com/episode/5ZkcP85rO0u1WxxarvIPZr?si=7d45c79bdbd74747] Connie Going [https://open.spotify.com/episode/0zk8DkQGnjXP7Qr64MND7J?si=46f6665897ea4739] Ricky Watters [https://open.spotify.com/episode/7nYHUcdRI4behUvjRRBtdf?si=9c637476f43346df] Raquel McCloud & Leah Outten [https://open.spotify.com/episode/0WGrJF2etlz4O0iYNXj3Wm?si=0b30feebf8924885] Genie Gillespie [https://open.spotify.com/episode/3UkSngZh2pm5hUBPk6VAlB?si=bd2651f73e95478f] Sydney Curtin [https://open.spotify.com/episode/5Mitsyv5PRcGX27y3sgI6t?si=4290634abe8e417a] Max Weinberg [https://open.spotify.com/episode/0kbuvxc0NgBwBKMnBaTZqf?si=1f36ca44a2054560] Michelle Madrid [https://open.spotify.com/episode/6x2Qa7Lh0hCQwEOEGcFN3j?si=2ea702929cac4d9c] RG Adoption Consulting [https://www.rgadoptionconsulting.com/] Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Adoption Roadmap Podcast 01:10 Shout Outs: Influences in Adoption Journeys 02:54 Rapid Fire Round: Influential Figures in Adoption 05:38 Organizations Supporting Adoption and Birth Families 08:35 Personal Stories and Community Impact 12:37 Advice for Adoptive Parents 14:24 Navigating Challenges in Adoption 16:17 Curiosity and Understanding in Adoption 17:49 The Power of Love in Adoption 19:24 Building Relationships with Birth Parents 21:49 Patience and Understanding in the Adoption Journey 23:50 The Importance of Openness and Honesty 24:42 Embracing the Child's Past 26:53 Navigating Trauma in Adoption 29:29 The Transformative Nature of Adoption 31:54 Intentionality in Relationships 33:00 Understanding Temperament and Biology 35:00 Describing Adoption: Perspectives and Insights Tune in to The Adoption Roadmap Podcast every Wednesday. If you like what you hear, I'd appreciate a follow and 5-star rating & review! THANK YOU! For questions about adoption, episode suggestions or to appear as a guest on The Adoption Roadmap Podcast, email⁠⁠⁠⁠ support@rgadoptionconsulting.com⁠⁠⁠