Healing After Failed Adoptions & Finding Hope

He built the platform and became the voice people trusted, then walked away. What happened?

In this raw conversation, Anna and Isaac unpack the moment everything shifted for him. Not because the mission failed, but because something deeper inside no longer fit. This episode dives into the identity crisis that comes when your success no longer feels like truth, the grief adoptees carry but rarely name, and the quiet pressure to perform, achieve, and prove your worth… even when it’s costing you everything. If you’ve ever felt like you had to earn your place in the world, this one will hit deeper than you expect. We learn that sometimes walking away isn’t failure, but rather the first honest step toward becoming who you actually are.

From Lived Experience to Advocacy

In this insightful interview, Dr. Adam Anthony shares his personal journey as a Black adoptee, the complexities of identity and belonging, and his impactful work in mentorship and advocacy within the adoption community. Discover how lived experience fuels empowerment and how to support adopted children and youth effectively. Dr. Adam Anthony is an educator, speaker, and leadership development strategist whose work centers on identity, belonging, and healing-centered growth. An adoptee and former foster care youth, Dr. Anthony brings lived experience and research-informed insight to support individuals and communities in resilience, purpose, and self-discovery. He holds a Doctor of Education in Leadership and a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership from Trevecca Nazarene University, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Communications from the University of Evansville. Dr. Anthony’s professional experience spans educational, faith-based, and nonprofit settings, where he passionately partners with leaders and organizations to see, heal, and lead young men with foster care and adoption experiences on a deeper level. Dr. Anthony is the founder of EmpowerMENt, a platform dedicated to equipping young men of color, especially those with foster care or adoption backgrounds, with tools for emotional wellness, personal development, and leadership.

The Hidden Struggles of Raising Kids with RAD

This conversation delves into the challenges of parenting children with Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) and the systemic issues surrounding the lack of understanding and resources for this condition. It highlights the emotional toll on families, the impact on relationships, and the need for greater awareness and support for adoptive parents dealing with RAD. The conversation delves into the profound impact of Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) on families, highlighting the challenges of parenting, the need for mental health services, the long-term effects of RAD, the necessity for system reform, and coping strategies and support. The speakers emphasize the importance of early identification of RAD and the need for seeking help and support. You can follow Andy on all platforms at @andyfilmsandhikes

Healing After Failed Adoptions & Finding Hope

What happens when an adoption doesn’t go through? No one really talks about what comes next. In this deeply moving conversation, Valerie Marble shares the story behind the launch of Beyond the Match Foundation, a groundbreaking initiative created to support families navigating the heartbreak of failed adoptions. From the financial devastation of lost funds to the emotional toll that often goes unseen, this episode sheds light on a reality many families quietly endure. But this isn’t just a story about loss, it’s about rebuilding. Valerie introduces a new model of care that combines financial grants, mental health resources, and meaningful gestures like Mother’s Day gift baskets designed specifically for adoptive moms at every stage of the journey. This episode offers hope, validation, and a reminder that even in the most painful disruptions, healing and support are possible. https://astepaheadadoption.com/foundation/ [https://astepaheadadoption.com/foundation/]

Adoption Ethics: Red Flags Every Parent Must Know

Adoption is often painted as a beautiful, selfless act, but what happens when we look beneath the surface? In this deeply honest and eye-opening conversation, Anna Bernacki sits down with birth mother advocate Jessie Mattos to unpack the ethical complexities that many families never see coming. From hidden coercion to overlooked birth mother support, this episode challenges the narratives that have shaped adoption for decades. Jessie brings nearly a decade of experience and her own lived story to shed light on what truly ethical adoption should look like. She shares powerful insights into red flags adoptive parents must watch for, the emotional realities birth mothers face, and why centering the adoptee is essential for long-term healing. This isn’t just about doing adoption “right” it’s about confronting uncomfortable truths so that children, birth parents, and adoptive families can all thrive. If you’re considering adoption, already parenting through it, or simply want a more honest understanding of its impact, this episode will change the way you think and feel about adoption forever. What You’ll Learn: * The biggest red flags and green flags when choosing an adoption agency * How subtle coercion shows up in adoption (and why it matters) * Why open adoption should be the standard—not the exception * The lifelong impact of adoption language on adoptee identity * How adoptive parents can build trust and security through relationships * The truth about birth mothers and breaking harmful stereotypes * Why “love isn’t the reason” behind placement decisions Join the Parenting Different newsletter here: https://www.parentingdifferent.com/free [https://www.parentingdifferent.com/free] Subscribe for more episodes on adoption, trauma, identity, and parenting with truth and care.