In this episode of The Adoption Roadmap, Rebecca Gruenspan is joined by Lucrece Bundy, an experienced adoption attorney. Together they dive into the critical importance of investing in the right resources before beginning the adoption process. Rebecca and Lucrece also discuss the emotional and financial challenges, legal considerations, and the power of word-of-mouth referrals in finding matches with pregnant mothers. The conversation underscores the significance of understanding state-specific legal requirements, particularly regarding birth father's rights, and emphasizes the role of education and community support in ensuring a successful adoption journey. In addition this episode sheds a light on how technology can aid in organization and networking for adoptive families to be successful in achieving their adoption goals.

Important Links mentioned in Today's Episode

• Lucrece Bundy Adoption Attorney

• Solace Box

• RG Adoption Consulting

• The Adoption Roadmap

• American Academy of Adoption Attorneys

Chapters

2:04 Investing in the Right Resources for Adoption

8:06 Undertanding the Emotional and Financial Aspects of Adoption

30:10 Fathers’ Rights and Legal Considerations

33:23 State Specific Legal Advice and Adoption Process

36:41 Community Support and Networking in Adoption

47:15 The Role of Technology in Adoption Journey

Tune in to The Adoption Roadmap Podcast every Wednesday and Friday mornings. 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

Summary

This Week in Adoption, Rebecca Gruenspan, shares her insights on the adoption process, emphasizing trust and education as crucial elements. Rebecca discusses the benefits of working with adoption consultants for support and guidance and learning to place faith in these resources. She also highlights the challenges single parents face in raising adopted children. Finally, Rebecca provides tips for adoptive parents, like bringing small gifts when meeting expectant mothers to facilitate positive interactions.

Important Links mentioned in Today's Episode

• Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproduction Technology

• RG Adoption Consulting

• The Adoption Roadmap

• Are You Ready to Adopt? Quiz

Chapters

6:36 The Benefits of Working with Adoption Consultants

11:53 Challenges Faced by Single Parents in Adoption

15:13 Thoughtful Gestures: Bringing Gifts to Expectant Mothers

Tune in to The Adoption Roadmap Podcast every Wednesday and Friday mornings. 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

Summary

Join Rebecca Gruenspan in a conversation with Whitney Michael, as she shares her journey from private adoption to foster care adoption. Whitney discusses the financial and emotional challenges of private adoption and the importance of understanding adoption realities and needing support for non-traditional families. Rebecca and Whitney talk about the foster care adoption experience, including the licensing process and parenting children with trauma. Whitney highlights the role of community support and the impact of her extended family's adoption experiences. The conversation concludes with Whitney’s dreams for her children where she goes on to describe adoption as rewarding, challenging, and beautiful.

Important Links mentioned in Today's Episode

• RG Adoption Consulting

  ⁠The Adoption Roadmap

  The Foster Closet

  Foster Care to Success - Resources for foster youth and families navigating the foster care system.

Chapters

0:28 Private Adoption vs Foster Care

5:46 Switching from Private Adoption to Foster Care Adoption

9:51 Financial Losses in Private Adoption

13:44 The realities of Adoption and Foster Care

24:04 Challenges of Foster Care and Adoption

30:51 Receiving a Placement in Foster Care

40:06 Lessons in Flexibility, Patience, and Compassion

49:52 Conclusion and Lightning Round Questions

Tune in to The Adoption Roadmap Podcast every Wednesday and Friday mornings. 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

Summary:

This Week in Adoption, join Rebecca as she offers tips on securing loans and grants to cover adoption expenses and emphasizes the importance of financial planning. Rebecca also discusses the necessity of life insurance and having a will in place for adoptive parents. She highlights the crucial role of attorneys and the value of partnerships with adoption professionals. As always, Rebecca encourages listeners to seek support and reach out with any questions they may have concerning adoption.

Important Links mentioned in Today's Episode

• RG Adoption Consulting

• ⁠The Adoption Roadmap Academy⁠

• Adoption Finance Coaching
• Gift of Adoption Fund
• Help Us Adopt

• ⁠Are You Ready to Adopt Quiz⁠

Chapters

1:58 Refinancing Adoption Loans

3:33 Resources of Financing Adoption

5:56 The Importance of Financial Planning

7:46 Utilizing the Adoption Tax Credit

9:04 The Role of Financial Support for Expectant Mothers

10:19 Highlights from the Quad A Conference

12:54 Conclusion

Tune in to The Adoption Roadmap Podcast every Wednesday and Friday mornings. 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

Summary

Join host Rebecca Gruenspan and her guest Kate Shanahan, a survivor, advocate, and entrepreneur, who recounts her journey through failed IVF attempts, miscarriages, and breast cancer, which led her to embrace adoption. Kate highlights the significance of being open to different races and the need for education to handle adoption challenges. This episode focuses on the beauty of transracial adoption as Kate emphasizes the importance of embracing her daughter's culture and specific hair and skin care needs. She also shares her experience of starting Sweet Peachtree Marketplace, which provides natural hair and skin care products for children of color. Throughout this episode, Kate underscores the need for dialogue, support, and patience in the adoption journey.

Important Links mentioned in Today's Episode

• Sweet Peachtree Marketplace

• ⁠RG Adoption Consulting⁠

• ⁠Are You Ready to Adopt Quiz⁠

• ⁠The Adoption Roadmap Academy⁠

Chapters

2:09 Introduction

4:20 Katie’s Pregnancy and Breast Cancer Diagnosis

6:21 Confronting Mortality and Finding Peace

9:00 Navigating Cancer Treatment with a Newborn

10:53 Openness and Honesty with Children

13:13 Finding Belonging and Purpose

14:30 Reevaluating Career and Embracing Adoption

23:34 Criteria and Decision-Making in Adoption

30:35 Embracing the Challenges of Transracial Adoption

39:34 Stork Drop and the Birth of Sweet Peachtree Marketplace

53:42 The Power of Dialogue and Education in Transracial Adoption

58:45 What you Water Will Grow

Tune in to The Adoption Roadmap Podcast every Wednesday and Friday mornings.

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

Join Rebecca Gruenspan as she answers questions about choosing the right adoption agencies to work with, explores birth-father rights, offering clarity on their legal roles and emotional impacts, and addresses common fears and myths surrounding open adoption. Discover the unique considerations involved in adopting older children through an intervention, and learn how to approach meetings with expectant moms before delivery with sensitivity and respect. Tune in for insightful discussions and expert advice to support you on your adoption journey.

Important Links mentioned in Today's Episode RG Adoption Consulting

• ⁠RG Adoption Consulting⁠

• ⁠⁠"The Adoption Roadmap: The Four-Step Process to Adopting Your Baby in Less Than a Year" By, Rebecca Gruenspan⁠⁠

Chapters:

2:25 - Birth Father Rights

8:36 - Choosing Adoption Agencies

14:14 - Fears around open adoption

15:27 - Adopting older children

17:32 - Meeting with the expectant mom pre-delivery

Tune in to The Adoption Roadmap Podcast every Wednesday and Friday mornings. 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, email⁠⁠⁠⁠support@rgadoptionconsulting.com⁠⁠⁠

Summary

Join host Rebecca Gruenspan as she unravels the intricate dynamics of adoption with seasoned social worker Kathryn Russell. With 13 years of experience and a personal connection to adoption, Kathryn sheds light on the complex power dynamics at play between birth and adoptive families.

Discover how trust, continual learning, and open communication can foster healthy relationships within the adoptive triad. Kathryn shares insights into the profound emotional journeys of both birth and adoptive parents, emphasizing the importance of ethical practices and support for birth parents.

From naming children collaboratively to understanding post-adoption contact agreements, this episode is packed with valuable advice for adoptive families. Kathryn also highlights the significance of acknowledging birth parents' roles and maintaining a balance that honors both families.

Important Links mentioned in Today's Episode

• Kathryn Russell’s Course - A Tale of Two Mothers Course; use the code RG20 for $20 off
• Solace Gift Boxes
• RG Adoption Consulting
• Ann Fessler’s Book - The Girls Who Went Away on Amazon
• Are You Ready to Adopt Quiz
• The Adoption Roadmap Academy
• 
  

Chapters

06:55 Grief and Loss in Adoption

10:35 Power Dynamics in Adoption

25:46 The Importance of Language

32:16 Acknowledging Birth Parents

34:30 Thoughtful Gifting: Personalizing Gifts for Birth Parents

42:32 The Power of a Name: Collaborative Naming in Adoption

53:37 Post-Adoption Contact Agreements: Reassurance and Structure

01:00:36 Maintaining Healthy Relationships: Open and Honest Communication

Tune in to The Adoption Roadmap Podcast every Wednesday and Friday mornings. 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

Summary

Rebecca Gruenspan discusses her approach to adoption and the importance of being open to different strategies. She believes in a multi-agency approach to increase the chances of finding a match quickly. She also emphasizes the need for education, support, and community throughout the adoption journey. Rebecca shares her experience of receiving and vetting adoption situations and addresses common questions about age restrictions and specific preferences in adoption. She encourages prospective adoptive parents to be realistic and open-minded in their expectations. The episode concludes with a request for listeners to subscribe, leave reviews, and provide feedback for future episodes.

Important Links Mentioned in Today's Episode:

1. RG Adoption Consulting

• Website: rgadoptionconsulting.com

• Email: support@rgadoptionconsulting.com

2. Adoption Roadmap Academy

• Information and sign-up: RG Adoption Consulting

3. 828 Clothing Line by Danielle Forte

• Instagram: @828.co

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

02:08 The Multi-Agency Approach in Adoption

06:11 Vetting Adoption Situations

08:53 Age Cutoff in Adoption

Tune in to The Adoption Roadmap Podcast every Wednesday and Friday mornings. 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