What They're Worth

On this episode, we welcome our friend, boutique owner, and adoptee, Maria Alosi. Maria was adopted from Russia at age four and struggled with processing her adoption for much of her life. Maria shares her story of adoption identity and managing relationships, including how becoming a parent launched her into her own healing process. We also discuss the role of boundaries, connection, and full-disclosure relationships. If you are an adoptee, an adoptive/foster parent, or if you want to know how to understand and love adoptees better, listen in!

Come along and meet Bryan and Elizabeth, parents to three adopted boys. Learn how they came to adopt a young sibling group and years later, through many trials, adopted their oldest son when he was technically "aged out" of the foster care system. They encourage us to set realistic expectations, celebrate the little wins, and to continue the good fight, even when it might seem hopeless! You can follow Elizabeth on Instagram @mama_and_her_groms

From deciding not to foster at all to fostering and adopting 10 children, Amber and Alex get real about the beautiful mess of foster care and adoption. They encourage us that there is no shame in knowing your limits and boundaries, share how hard but worthwhile unconditional love is, and encourage us that though this is tough stuff, we can absolutely do it! Follow Amber and Alex on Instagram @fostering_family12 -- you won't regret it!

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, more commonly known as FASD is an under spoken phrase in the foster care and adoption community (and in the community overall). This episode is eye-opening and educational. Natalie learned about FASD firsthand after multiple diagnoses and advocating for the best treatment and support for her son. Finally, an FASD diagnosis brought clarity to their family and enabled them to begin making necessary adaptations to help her so thrive. Natalie and her husband now host their own podcast all about FASD education and started a website to create awareness and community. If you are considering foster care or adoption or already in the trenches, learn the signs and gain awareness of how you can best support children or adults struggling with the affects of FASD. Natalie's Instagram: @fasdhope Natalie's Website: http://www.fasdhope.com/ Natalie's Email: natalie@fasdhope.com Listen to Natalie's Podcast, FASD Hope anywhere you listen to your podcasts. Natalie's Book Recommendation: “Trying Differently Rather Than Harder: Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders” by Diane Malbin (1999/2017) Proof Alliance- (FASD nonprofit) https://www.proofalliance.org/ NOFAS (FASD nonprofit) https://nofas.org/

Does the foster care system always honor children and their parents? Or does it sometimes miss complexity and fail to offer support to the family of origin, which could have preserved the unity of that family? Our guest today, Embo, is a resilient, passionate, driven, young woman; the daughter of immigrants trying to make it in America. She also so happens to be a former foster youth. Embo's story shines light on the flaws from her time in the system, the values that carried her through the hard times, and the convictions that continue to inspire her today. Follow along with Embo on Instagram @embopriscilla