ADOPTION NOW

Shattered Part Two: Author Jenell M. Jones Shares Her Story on Foster Care and Human Trafficking [S7E18]

Jenell M. Jones is the author of “Shattered,” a book that shares her experience as an adoptive mother. Last week we heard her story on adopting Mercy from the foster care system. Mercy joined the family of 6 children and had many mental and physical traumas that affected her day-to-day life. On part two, Jenell talks about how the system is set up to help children but often fails to provide resources to help foster children heal and be able to thrive in a family. On this episode she shares a...

Shattered Part One: Author Jenell M. Jones Shares Her Foster to Adopt Story [S7E17]

Jenell M. Jones is the author of “Shattered,” a book that shares her experience as an adoptive mother. Jenell is currently operating multiple early learning centers, which specialize in providing high quality learning experiences to children who experience trauma in low-income areas, while also raising 7 children! When she brought home Mercy she found out that her expectations about adoption were shattered.  Her passion is helping foster parents and adoptive parents ask the right questions...

Dave Thomas Foundation For Adoption: Rita Soronen, President and CEO, Speaks on Foster Care and Adoption [S7E16]

President & CEO of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption has joined ADOPTION NOW for an incredible interview. Rita Soronen has worked on behalf of abused, neglected and vulnerable children for more than 30 years.  As the leader of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, a national nonprofit public charity, her mission is to dramatically increase the number of adoptions from foster care. They are working hard to find permanent families for the more than 140,000 waiting children in the U...

Grateful Adoptee: Author Sarah D. Shearer Shares Her Adoption Story From Russia [S7E15]

Author Sarah D. Shearer joins ADOPTION NOW to talk about her adoption story.  In her words, her story started off with little hope, “I was born with various medical needs and was left in a Russian hospital where nuns helped to keep me alive until I was transferred to an orphanage.” The Russian orphanage was convinced that no one would want her, but a family in Thomasville, GA saw her picture and fell in love. This is an uplifting story filled with gratitude and grace towards adoption. Sarah...

Ready, Set, Adoption Part 2: The J Family Continues Their Adoption Journey [S7E14]

PART 2!! As we heard on the last episode, Jacob and Jessica already had 2 biological children when they adopted a baby boy while being filmed on the Oxygen show “I am Having Their Baby.” The family of 5 soon became a family of 6, as they went on to adopt a little boy with clubfoot. On this week’s episode Jessica shares how their journey was not over after 2 adoptions! As they waited on the agency’s adoption list, a situation came up that involved drug exposure to the unborn baby. The coupl...

Ready, Set, Adoption: As Cameras Rolled, Jessica and Jacob Started Their Adoption Journey [S7E13]

As cameras rolled, Jessica and Jacob started their adoption journey on the Oxygen show “I’m Having Their Baby.” On this episode, Jessica talks to us about the experience of adopting while being filmed on a TV show (as if the hospital time isn’t stressful enough)! They had 2 biological children when they started the process, and as you will hear, they just kept saying yes to situations. This is part 1 of 2 episodes on how they became a family of 8!

Joyfully Hard: Megan Shares Her Story on Adopting from Haiti [S7E12]

Kurt and Megan were married and had 2 sons when they went on a mission trip to Haiti. God began to stir in their hearts a call to adopt. This is a story about surrendering to God’s plan and being obedient to taking the next steps. They knew that if they did not pursue adoption, they would miss out on what God had planned for them. The process was not easy but eventually they brought home a 4-year-old little girl named Esther. They were all so excited but as time went on, they learned about t...

ADOPTION NOW Update: Noah and April Share About Their Family, New Website and What is Next! [S7E11]

Noah joins April on this episode to talk about so many things…like the new WEBSITE! They update us on how the kids are doing and share what is next for ADOPTION NOW. You do not want to miss this candid conversation the two of them have about life as a multicultural adoptive family.

Debt Free Adoption: Jessica Ross from Ramsey Solutions Shares Her Story [S7E10]

 Our guest on this episode comes to us from Tennessee and works for Ramsey Solutions. Jessica Ross tells us what Dave would say about adoption and debt! She and her husband said yes to adopting a baby and had no idea how expensive the attorney would be. As she shares her story on bringing home Gabby, it turns out money was not going to be the hardest part of the journey. Her story was featured on The Ramsey Show, you can watch the clip here. We loved having Jessica on the show talking about ...

Hushabye Nursery: Tara Sundem Shares Her Journey to Help Babies During Withdrawal [S7E9]

Do you know someone who is adopting a baby that has been exposed to drug use in utero? Are you an adoptive or foster parent that has jumped into a world that you have no idea about? What does a detoxing baby need? This interview is so important to the adoption community and will answer those questions. Tara Sundem is a neonatal nurse that has opened a recovery center for newborns going through the withdrawal process. Hushabye Nursery works with families to give short-term car...

Dominican Republic Adoption: Abby Shares Her Adoption Story [S7E8]

What does it take to adopt from the Dominican Republic? Abby, a Midwest mother and teacher, shares her adoption story to bring home her 2nd daughter from the Dominican. After they signed with an agency to do a new DR adoption program, they were matched to a little girl. The family traveled with their biological daughter and stayed in country for 135 days! Although it was not easy, they were grateful for the time they had together, getting used to being a family for 4. On this episode, we ta...

Don't Give Up: Sharon Broxton Shares Her Adoption Story From Georgia [S7E7]

Have you ever gone through loss on your journey to become a parent? Have you lost a baby or had an adoption fall through? Does it seem like the waiting to bring home your child is lasting FOREVER? This episode is for you. Sharon Broxton is the host of the Unwanted Sisterhood Podcast a place for women to share their experiences with infertility and struggles to become a mother. On this episode Sharon opens up about her own journey with infertility, a stillborn birth, and one disrupted match...

Choosing Adoption: A Birth Mother's Story on Open Adoption [S7E6]

“Making an adoption plan does not mean that you’re not a present or loving member of your child’s family. Family is built from love, not always just blood. Regardless of how you were raised or what your childhood experiences of a family are, you can learn how to be a part of a healthy family.” Shannon is a birthmother who loves being a part of her child’s life after placement. On this episode she shares her story with the adoptive mother she chose to raise her baby. We hear why she picked ...

Buckle Up Buttercup: Makayla Shares Her Adoption Adventures [S7E5]

Buckle up Buttercup! Makayla has a story to tell! She has waited years to be on ADOPTION NOW and this is her moment!! Makayla and her husband have adopted two beautiful babies but not without trials and grit! You can listen on podcast or watch on YouTube!

Does My Son Take Sugar? Eithne Ring, a Birth Mother from Ireland, Shares Her Story [S7E4]

Eithne Ring is an author and birth mother from Ireland. She has just written a new book, "Does My Son Take Sugar?" an Irish Mother's Memoir. A true story of love, scandal, regret, and reunion. In this episode, we talk about adoption in Ireland and how birth mothers were treated. Eithne shares how she was forced to hide the pregnancy and went on in silent grief over the loss of her child. This story has a surprising twist and is a beautiful reminder of how wonderful things can still come...

The Brain Mapping Interview: Family Coach and Author, Wendy Gossett, Shares How She Helps Families [S7E3]

Noah and April interview Wendy Gossett and share about their experience with brain mapping and discovering their family’s personalities. Wendy helps parents understand their children by using temperament psychology and neuroscience. She has over twenty years of experience in education, working in the classroom and corporate sector. “We often believe we are seeing reality when we are actually looking through a skewed lens, because of our own personality and biases. As parents, we nee...

The Hidden Story: Adoptee, Michele Fisher, Searches for Answers About Her Adoption [S7E2]

Michele Fisher was adopted at 4 months old into a family with 2 other adopted brothers in Pennsylvania. She always knew she was adopted, and in her family, adoption felt very normal. She loved her parents but as she started getting older, she had some medical questions and wanted to know about her biological parents. She waited years as to not upset her adoptive parents in her search. Finally, she went forward and got the “Summary Completed” paperwork from the agency. As she read it over, sh...

Adopted From China: Ayden Lincoln Shares her Story and Gives Advice to Adoptive Parents [S7E1]

Welcome to season 7!!! We are so honored to have Ayden Lincoln as our guest. She was born in China and abandoned at birth with her umbilical cord still attached. She spent the first year of her life in an orphanage before her family flew half-way across the world to bring her home right before her first birthday. She quickly attached to her parents and siblings but coming to America did not solve all of her problems. She experienced the trauma of adoption, mental health issues including a ba...

Goodbye Season 6...Hello Season 7: Noah and April say Goodbye to Season 6 with the Family [S6E26]

For the first time ever, Noah and April bring the whole family on to say goodbye to season 6 and talk about what ADOPTION NOW means to each one of them. AJ introduces “Grandpa Joe” while Maliyah tries to steal the spotlight! Lily and AJ’s heartfelt answers will make you want to hear more about their thoughts on adoption, and Vivy is proud to tell you what she is good at! This family was built on adoption, loves adoption, and has embraced adopting the whole story. Together they have brought y...

Infant Adoption Guide: Podcast Host, Tim Elder, Shares his Infant Adoption Stories [S6E25]

Tim Elder is the founder of the Infant Adoption Guide Podcast, Blog and Online Community. He's been married to his wife Tisha for over 28 years. On their journey they have experienced infertility, a miscarriage, and two rounds of cancer. They have been blessed to adopt 3 children as newborns. Tim's mission is to deliver hope and inspiration through his guides, courses, and community so others just like him can finally reach their dream of building a family through infant adoption.

Native American Adoption: Adoptee, Christian Markeey, Shares His Adoption Story From the Lakota Sioux Tribe [S6E24]

On this episode, Christian Markeey shares his adoption story from the Lakota Sioux Tribe in South Dakota. He was one of eight children being raised by parents that were both alcoholics. Christian shares what it was like to start life in the midst of chaos, but then meeting his adoptive mother at age 4. It was a couple of years later when his life would change forever. She was able to fully adopt him and bring him to Arizona. Though he did love and attach to her, he deeply missed his biolog...

LIFEMARK: David Scotton is an Adoptee and Real Life Inspiration Behind the New Movie "LIFEMARK" [S6E23]

The Kendrick Brothers, Kirk Cameron Entertainment and Fathom Events announce the release of their latest film LIFEMARK. David was adopted as a baby and grew up always knowing he was adopted. His comfortable world was turned upside down when his birth mother unexpectedly reaches out to him, longing to meet the 18-year-old son she’s only held once. They connected on Facebook and because of the encouragement of his adoptive parents, David goes on a journey of discovery that leads to a staggerin...

Now I am Known: From the Streets of Uganda to Becoming a Foster/Adoptive Father, Peter Mutabazi's Story [S6E22]

Peter Mutabazi was born in Uganda, Africa. At the age of ten years old he ran away from his abusive father to live on the streets of Uganda. He had nothing. No future and no hope - until one day he met a man who would change his life forever. Peter was given the opportunity to go to school and get an education. Now he lives in the United States and has dedicated his life to helping children. He worked for Compassion International and World Vision. He was then inspired to become a foster pa...

Sell The House, We're Adopting: Michael and Ashley's Adoption Story [S6E21]

Michael and Ashley set out to adopt teenagers until they got a call for a little girl who needed a home. They fell in love with her, only to get the news that she was unexpectedly going back to her biological family. The couple shares what it was like to say goodbye to a baby they thought would be staying with them. When they decided to sell their house and go with private infant adoption, they got a call and the calls kept coming. This episode is about pressing through heart break and not g...

Thinking About Adoption? Alexia McLeod Has Been a Therapist for Over 20 Years and an Expert in the Adoption Process [S6E20]

Alexia McLeod is a licensed Psychotherapist and CEO of Therapeutic Center for Hope. She has been working in adoption for over 20 years. She guides families and birth parents through the adoption process. She facilitates home studies, hospital plans, post placement therapy, family counseling and so much more! She helps those involved through their emotions during the journey and discusses the ins and outs of what they need for a smooth adoption. On this episode we talk about realistic expec...

Safe Haven: Tera Naset Shares Her Adoption Stories and Her Passion for the Safe Haven Law [S6E19]

Tera Naset is the mom of two adopted children. She lives in Phoenix, Arizona, along with her husband John and their dog Ralph. They adopted while living in Chicago, where they learned about an organization called “The Save Abandoned Babies Foundation.” This organization works to advertise the Safe Haven Law in Illinois, which was created to prevent illegal and often deadly infant abandonments. On this episode, we learn about this law state to state, and how it can save infants and place th...

Little Farmers: SaVanna Schmidt Shares from North Dakota on Adoption and Farm Life [S6E18]

SaVanna and her husband, Nate, live in rural North Dakota. Both of them were born and raised there. They are grain farmers, raising mostly wheat and soybeans. When they struggled to become parents, they decided to go on the adoption journey through foster care. SaVanna shares what it was like bringing home a medically fragile baby and finding out that the baby might go to another foster family. In this episode we learn how important it is to stay loving and consistent in the adoption process...

Dedicated to Adoption Law: Attorney, Kathryn P. Pidgeon Shares her Forever Family Stories [S6E17]

Do you have questions about the adoption process and what to expect on the journey? This episode is for you! Kathryn P. Pidgeon is an attorney that has practiced exclusively in the field of adoption for the past 33 years. She has participated in over 3,000 adoptions in her career and she shares some of her experiences!  She shares her passion on how to encourage and lift up families who are building a family through adoption. Kathryn tells us how she got into adoption law and how importa...

Dedicated to Adoption Law; Attorney, Kathryn P. Pidgeon Shares her Forever Family Stories [S6E17]

Do you have questions about the adoption process and what to expect on the journey? This episode is for you! Kathryn P. Pidgeon is an attorney that has practiced exclusively in the field of adoption for the past 33 years. She has participated in over 3,000 adoptions in her career and she shares some of her experiences!  She shares her passion on how to encourage and lift up families who are building a family through adoption. Kathryn tells us how she got into adoption law and how importa...

The Tabor Adoption Journey: Jason and Brittany’s Story on Building a Family Through Adoption [S6E16]

This episode comes to us from Tennessee. Brittany and Jason went on the adoption journey after they experienced undiagnosed infertility. This is the story everyone hopes for when they start the process!!! They were matched quickly and became parents to a baby girl in 2016!  It was when they started the process for the second adoption that they learned of the many challenges that can come up. They decided to match online and though they went through some obstacles the couple brought home th...

Open Adoption: Jillana Goble and Jennifer Bracken's Open Adoption Story [S6E15]

Last week, Author Jillana Goble joined the show to talk about her foster care and adoption journey. She shared her experience with open adoption that she has written about in her new book called “A Love-Stretched Life.” On this episode, Jillana joins the show again with the birth mother of her son, Micah. Jennifer Bracken was raised in the foster care system nearly her entire life. After running away several times, she aged out of the system and found herself pregnant at 18. By 19 ...

A Love-Stretched Life: Author, Speaker, and Adoptive Mother, Jillian Goble, Talks About Her New Book and Her Journey Through Foster [S66E14]

Luke and Jillian Goble are parents to five children ranging in age from preteen to young adult. They fostered children and eventually ended up adopting. In 2019, Jillian published No Sugar-Coating, a book with practical suggestions on fostering children. Now she has released a new book entitled A Love-Stretched Life: Wrangling Hope, Embracing the Unexpected & Discovering the Meaning of Family.  In this episode we talk about how they reconnected with a child that was in their home for som...

A Love-Stretched Life: Author, Speaker, and Adoptive Mother, Jillana Goble, Talks About Her New Book and Her Journey Through Foster [S66E14]

Luke and Jillana Goble are parents to five children ranging in age from preteen to young adult. They fostered children and eventually ended up adopting. In 2019, Jillana published No Sugar-Coating, a book with practical suggestions on fostering children. Now she has released a new book entitled A Love-Stretched Life: Wrangling Hope, Embracing the Unexpected & Discovering the Meaning of Family.  In this episode we talk about how they reconnected with a child that was in their home for som...

We Found You: Aubrey Mueller Shares her Adoption Story to Find her Daughter [S6E13]

Aubrey and Eric Mueller are from the Midwest and always knew they would adopt. After having two biological sons, they decided to pursue domestic infant adoption. The adventure begins as they are matched several times, and even connected to a notorious scammer that was on the TV show, Dr. Phil! Finally, after four years, they welcomed their third child and only baby girl into their family — along with her incredible birth family! All the trials were worth it, as they found their darling daugh...

Adoption in Australia: Kaisey and Ashley Hayes Share Their Adoption Journey [S6E12]

This story comes to us from Australia!!! After a ten-year journey of failed IVF treatments, 9 miscarriages, 2 ectopic pregnancies, and unsuccessful attempts at surrogacy, Kaisey and Ashley share how their two incredible children came into their home through adoption. Noah and I have waited a long time to interview this couple and though we have never met them, this episode sounds like we have been friends forever! It’s very exciting to know that ADOPTION NOW is reaching other countries and br...

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Holy Moments to New Callings: Tiffany Nardoni Shares How a Devastating Loss Led Their Family into Adoption [S6E11]

Tiffany and Jeff live in a small Midwest town. They always knew they would adopt but had no idea the journey God would take them on. We often ask ourselves, where is the beauty from these ASHES?? The way that Tiffany speaks on the deep loss and sorrow that propels their family into action is profound. God is in the midst, and those that can see through the confusion and walk into His plan are blessed in ways that are beyond this world. It is not often that a story leaves me absolutely speech...

Fixing the Fates: Author and Adoptee, Diane Dewey, Shares Her Encouraging Story of Being Adopted from a German Orphanage [S6E10]

Diane is an adult adoptee and the author of the award-winning memoir, Fixing the Fates. She is also the host of “Dropping In,” a show on VoiceAmerica.com. In this episode, Diane speaks on the magic of being an adoptee and how she feels “lucky” to have grown up in the home she did. She was adopted from a German orphanage and traveled with her new grandmother to the United States. When Diane searches to find the truth about her story, she learns about her biological mother’s love for her!!! ...

Extraordinary Adoption: Marlin and Lisa’s Story on Adopting Children with Special Needs [S6E9]

“Lord, give us children who really need us.” That was Marlin and Lisa’s prayer as they started their adoption journey. In this episode they share their story of adopting four children, all of whom have special needs. Their oldest is on the Autism spectrum and the younger three all have Down syndrome. Ten years ago, they began publishing Plain Values, a monthly print magazine, to highlight Biblical ministries, share the beauty of adoption, promote the dignity of kids with special needs...

Infertility and Infant Loss: Kim Kriesel Shares her Experience as a Licensed Professional Counselor [S6E8]

April Fallon interviews Kim Kriesel, a licensed Professional Counselor who helps couples who are struggling to grow their family. For many women, not being able to fulfill their expectation of motherhood is the most devastating experience.  Kim and her husband went through infertility and experienced many losses along the way. In overcoming her own grief, her passion now lies in helping others who are experiencing this kind of distress.  In this episode, Kim talks about recognizing...

"What is Your Story?” Lynn Deiulis Shares her Story as an Adopted Person [S6E7]

Lynn Deiulis is an adult adopted person and retired adoption worker from Canada who has written a book called “What Is Your Story”: Let’s Talk About Adoption and Kinship.  Children are inquisitive people, especially about their history and their story. Lynn spent her whole life searching for information about her adoption story and her biological parents. In 1991 she connected to her half-sister who was also adopted into another family. Together they go on a journey to find the truth about...

The Hands and Feet: Delivering Help and Hope Josh and Bailey’s Adoption Story [S6E6]

When Bailey and her husband said yes to growing their family through the foster care system, they had no idea what to expect!! 23 children later and 4 adopted into their family, Bailey shares what she learned on the journey. She never would have guessed how much her heart would change and how God would open the doors to have authentic relationships with birth families. She now runs a non-profit in South Florida called, “The Hands and Feet.” They support children and families in the child w...

Ukraine, Foster Care, Infant and Embryo Adoption: Liz and Michael's Story [S6E5]

The timing of this interview is amazing when so many orphans are in a country at war. 13 Children and wanting more!! In this interview, Liz talks about how her husband always wanted a big family. “I am all in,” she says! After having biological children and adopting one child from foster care, they felt God calling them to adopt special needs children in Ukraine. In this episode, you will hear how much it took to bring home their two daughters and how the couple went on to adopt through all o...

Creating PairTree: Jaime and Erin Quick's Adoption Story [S6E4]

After struggling with infertility, Jaime and Erin decided to travel state to state to adopt their two children. Erin talks about being honest in the matching process and how to be yourself when meeting the birthparents. After adopting their two children, Erin started an online adoption platform called PairTree. PairTree provides adoptive and birth families with a one-stop adoption platform.  Beginning with the home study process by coordinating online home study options tailored to indiv...

Never Give Up: Zach and Richelle’s Adoption Story [S6E3]

From the time Richelle was a child, she knew she was called to adopt. When she married Zach, they were blessed with two biological children. They started their adoption journey and had no idea what it would take to bring home a third child. Through all the heartbreak  and disappointment, they never gave up. When you listen to this story, you will see the tenacity they had to find their baby and how they learned to love children passing through their arms.

Never Give Up- Zach and Richelle’s Adoption Story [S6E3]

From Loss to Love - Chris and Ruthie Lydon's Story [S6E2]

When Chris and Ruthie experienced loss through many painful miscarriages they were not sure how they would get through the grief. They both wanted to become parents and decided to look into adoption. It was then that they realized families are built in many different ways and truly, love is what makes a family. This is their story of how one person’s act of love brought them two beautiful children. Ruthie is now an infertility, baby loss and adoption advocate, as well as the author of “How...

From Loss to Love: Chris and Ruthie Lydon's Story [S6E2]

When Chris and Ruthie experienced loss through many painful miscarriages they were not sure how they would get through the grief. They both wanted to become parents and decided to look into adoption. It was then that they realized families are built in many different ways and truly, love is what makes a family. This is their story of how one person’s act of love brought them two beautiful children. Ruthie is now an infertility, baby loss and adoption advocate, as well as the author of “How...

Welcome Back ADOPTION NOW [S6E1]

ADOPTION NOW PODCAST is back in studio! Noah and April share some updates and have 2 very special guests on to express their excitement about the show! The whole family has missed recording and sharing your adoption stories. Season 6 is back in action! Get ready to hear the incredible stories you have missed so much!! 

Noah and April Say Goodbye to Season 5: With Special Guest AJ [S5E18]

Noah and April speak from the heart about the journey they have had with ADOPTION NOW and the much needed break they need at this time. Don’t miss this episode as they bring on a special guest, AJ, their 9 year old son, who shares his thoughts on adoption.