Why do only 1% of women in the U.S. who are in an unplanned or crisis pregnancy consider adoption rather than parenting or abortion? How can we as Christians understand the struggles these women face with acceptance or judgement – especially from those in the Church? What if the Church as the FIRST place a […] The post Pro-Family, Pro-Adoption Book with Terri Marcroft : Episode 107 first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

Is it possible to adopt using social media? Yes, it is possible. With all of us being connected through social media, it is more possible today than ever before. My guest on the show today is proof that it can work. Lindsay and her husband started a Facebook and Instagram page in January of 2021 and then […] The post How To Adopt Using Social Media with Lindsay : Episode 106 first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

Anyone who has gone through the process to adopt a baby will tell you that it is a struggle and is often painful to wait. They likely say things like: “The hardest thing for me is the waiting for that phone call.””Every day that passes feels like I have been rejected.””I think I’m not pretty […] The post How To Deal With The Wait To Adopt And Not Go CrAzY : Episode 105 first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

Leah is a birth mother of 18+ years in open adoption and a mother of five. She loves to write and share her story. She says, “my adoption story is my testimony of Jesus’ healing and redemption. Sharing vulnerably about the beauty and ashes within adoption, I want to inspire hope and show you how […] The post Open Adoption Story with Author and Birthmom Leah Outten : Episode 104 first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

Are you a naturally organized person? Do you regularly have to-do lists, checklists and spreadsheets to help you get things done?If you are a fabulous organizer or not, when navigating the rough waters of your adoption journey, it can get a bit crazy and even overwhelming if you don’t have some way to get (and […] The post Tim’s 4 Tips For Organizing The Adoption Journey : Episode 103 first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

Every infant adoption story is unique. They are also inspirational and fun to listen to as it makes the adoption process more real. When you hear about someone who has actually adopted – went through the whole process and brought home their baby – it can (and should) provide hope. Micah and Emily are guests […] The post An Infant Adoption Story with Micah and Emily : Episode 102 first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

We welcome back to the show, Terri Marcroft. She was our guest on Episode 76. Terri is a mom through adoption and founder of Unplannedgood.org which is a wonderful non-profit organization that encourages people to consider making an adoption plan when facing an unplanned pregnancy. Terri now adds the title of author as she recently […] The post Pro-Choice Pro-Adoption With Author and Mom Through Adoption Terri Marcroft : Episode 101 first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

This is a very special episode of the IAG podcast – #100! I’ve invited my beautiful wife Tisha to join me to talk about our experiences after adopting 3 newborns over a 10 year period. We’ve had so many wonderful conversations about adoption that have never been recorded, so we decided to sit down and […] The post What Open Adoption Looks Like To Us After Adopting 3 Times with Tisha Elder : Episode 100 first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

“Being an adoptive parent is hard enough. But when your family is multiracial, things get even trickier. Parenting transracially doesn’t come naturally, nor does it just happen with time. Love is essential—yet by itself, love isn’t enough. Cross-cultural parenting also takes intentionality, listening, learning, growing, repenting, changing . . . Then starting all over and […] The post Navigating Cross-Cultural Adoption with Author and Mom Brittany Salmon : Episode 99 first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

“Regardless of whether you are pursuing an agency or private adoption, you must be able to distinguish between potential birth parents who are trustworthy and those who are simply trying to take advantage of your “I’ll do whatever it takes” desire to adopt.” Hal Kaufman – Dad through adoption and founder of MyAdoptionAdvisor.com Unfortunately, adoption […] The post Adoption Scams – What You Need To Know with Adoption Expert Hal Kaufman : Episode 98 first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

In 2020, Erin Quick, a Mom through adoption, decided it was time to address and wanted to help solve some longtime issues in private-adoption. Using her experience through adopting her 2 kids along with her 20+ years of work in marketing, she recognized an opportunity to streamline, accelerate and modernize the private-adoption world. PairTree was […] The post A Mom’s Mission To Modernize The Infant Adoption Process with Erin Quick : Episode 97 first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

At the age of 21, Hope O. Baker made one of the hardest decisions a person can make: she placed her newborn son for adoption. “There was a day about 4 years ago where I looked in the mirror and said, ‘You have to tell your story. You have to speak up and share with […] The post Finding Hope: A Birthmother’s Journey into the Light with Hope Baker : Podcast Episode 96 first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

Hope. On the journey to adopt, we cling desperately at times to hope. We hope it doesn’t take too long to adopt. We hope we will be chosen by an expectant mom who is making an adoption plan for her baby. We hope there aren’t too many ups and downs on the journey. As we […] The post How To Unlock HOPE With an Adoption Support Community: Podcast Episode 95 first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

Every open adoption story is unique and yet they all have one important thing in common – so much love for the child. On this episode of the Infant Adoption Guide Podcast, Hali (Birthmom) and Lindsay (Adoptive Mom) share their emotional and inspiring story of how they found each other and how their relationship has […] The post Inspiring Open Adoption Story with Hali & Lindsay: Podcast episode 94 first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

Many people come to adoption after dealing with infertility. It is easy to feel broken and hopeless as you read another negative pregnancy test. We may be even wondering if God is ignoring our desires to be a mom or dad. Our guest on the show today is Leann Hale, a mom of 2 through […] The post Sowing in Tears: A Mother’s Sorrow in Infertility and Joy in Adoption with Leeann Hale: Podcast Episode 93 first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

If you are feeling a bit overwhelmed at trying to figure out just how and where to start your journey to adopt a baby, you are certainly not alone. I’ve been in your shoes and many others have too. My wife and I adopted our three kids as newborns. We are extremely blessed, but it […] The post The 7 Step Guide To Adopt a Baby: Podcast Episode 92 first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

As an adoptee who met his birthmom at the age of 30, and now as a Dad of 5 kids (1 adopted, 4 biological), Clay Steves has a very unique and personal story. After emerging from his rebellious college season, Clay lived the typical life expected by him and his family’s standards. At the age […] The post A Guy’s Perspective as an adoptee and a Dad through adoption with Clay Steves: Podcast Episode 91 first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

As friends for over 20 years, Valerie Harrison and Katie D’Angelo have had lots of conversations about race and racism. Katie is white. Val is black. When Katie and her husband adopted their biracial son Gabriel, the conversations grew. Through excellent research and some friendly back and forth sharing of stories, Katie and Val wrote […] The post Do Right By Me: Learning to Raise Black Children in White Spaces with Valerie Harrison and Katie D’Angelo: Podcast Episode 90 first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

Adoption is full of waiting. Laci Richter knows from experience what it is like to wait. She is a Mom to two daughters by infant adoption, a speaker and author of the new book, Refuel Your Wait: Find Hope and Overcome Fear While Adopting. Laci speaks to the hearts of waiting adoptive parents as she […] The post Refuel Your Wait: Find Hope and Overcome Fear While Adopting with Laci Richter: Podcast Episode 89 first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

If you are feeling a bit overwhelmed at trying to figure out just how and where to start your journey to adopt a baby, you are certainly not alone. It is hard to know how to start, what to do first or where to find answers. There is help and I have some for you […] The post Top 10 Questions To Ask An Adoption Agency: Podcast Episode 88 first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

Starting the infant adoption journey on the ‘same page’ as your spouse can be challenging. Then, as you go through the process to adopt, you may see how the ups and downs can affect your marriage. Kimberly Holmes is a marriage expert and she’s here to talk about how to strengthen your marriage before, during, […] The post Strengthen Your Marriage Before, During, and After You Adopt with Marriage Expert Kimberly Holmes: Podcast Episode 87 first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

The high cost of infant adoption can keep people from starting the process of building a family. It doesn’t have to be this way. Thousands of people (just like you) adopt EVERY YEAR, despite the high cost. There are many ways to fund your adoption. Today, we will give you 6 Creative Ways To Fund […] The post 6 Creative Ways To Fund Your Adoption: Podcast Episode 86 first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

Stories are a great way to get inspiration & hope. They can help you gain insight into how adoption works and you can learn how other people navigate the journey. I love adoption stories because each one is unique and offers a different perspective. The infant adoption story in this episode is told by Brittney […] The post Infant Adoption Story with Brittney Landstrom: Podcast Episode 85 first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

One of the first things to consider when starting your journey is choosing an adoption agency. It is one of the biggest decisions a hopeful adoptive parent will make and it is also one of the most difficult ones. The choices can be overwhelming with thousands of agencies to choose from and each agency operating […] The post How To Find The RIGHT Adoption Agency In 4 Steps: Podcast Episode 84 first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

Matching with your future child’s birth parents is a Big. Deal. It doesn’t matter which agency, attorney, or other adoption professional you work with, putting a great adoption profile online can help make the match happen faster. A lot of hopeful adoptive parents only do what is required by their agency or attorney when it […] The post 5 Tips For Getting The Most From Posting Your Adoption Profile Online with Deidra Bekele: Podcast Episode 83 first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

Infant adoption doesn’t end when a child is placed with you – it begins. It can be difficult to see and understand what your child (and you) may face as they grow. As parents, we should do our best to prepare and it can start with hearing from an adoptee who has lived through the […] The post Adult Adoptee and Coach Empowering Parents and Kids to THRIVE with Simon Benn: Podcast Episode 82 first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

As with any major life change, it is important to do your best to prepare for what is to come. With adoption, it can be hard to know what to prepare for and how to best prepare for the unknown. My North Star is always my children. Whenever you are making a decision on your […] The post 4 Things You Should Prepare For Before You Adopt with Paige Knipfer: Podcast Episode 81 first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

Adoption can feel like an overwhelming roller coaster ride, making it difficult to find the joy and happiness as you travel on the adventure to adopt a little one. Simone Knego is no stranger to adoption and all the challenges that come along with it. In her brand new book “The Extraordinary UnOrdinary You”, she […] The post Adoption and The Extraordinary UnOrdinary You with Simone Knego: Podcast Episode 80 first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

Even though it feels like a lot in the world has been put on hold in the last few months due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the truth is babies are still being born. Adoptions are still happening by the thousands. Yes, the pandemic can at times increase the emotional roller coaster that is the infant […] The post Adopting During The Covid Pandemic with Nicole Moore: Podcast Episode 79 first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

For most of us hopeful adoptive parents, at least in the beginning stages of our journey we can get hung up on the term ‘open adoption’. It can freak us out. It can hold us back. Open adoption is relatively new to infant adoption in the U.S. as it has only been around for the […] The post Open Adoption and the Long View with Lori Holden: Podcast Episode 78 first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

Where are you in the journey to adopt? Have you felt nervous, scared or overwhelmed? You are certainly not alone. I’ve been in your shoes. It can feel so overwhelming when you are just starting the infant adoption journey. It is hard to know how to start, what to do first or where to find […] The post Getting Your Adoption Started with The Adoption Roadmap Academy with Rebecca Gruenspan: Podcast Episode 77 first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

Every year, around 1.6 million babies are born to teens in the U.S. and almost all of these teens do not even know that adoption is an option for them. Of these 1.6 million babies, only 18,000 are placed for adoption every year. UnplannedGood.org was founded by Terri Marcroft to promote adoption as a viable, […] The post Adoption As An Option For Women Facing Unplanned Pregnancy with UnplannedGood.org: Podcast Episode 76 first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

As you heard in Part 2 of this extraordinary adoption story, we can learn from others and get inspired as we find hope for our own adoption adventure. April and Noah Fallon are back as they continue to share their story of adopting 4 times after going through the process 7 times. It really is […] The post Part 2: The Extraordinary Story Of Adopting 4 Kids With April and Noah Fallon: Podcast Episode 75 first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

Adoption stories are a very powerful way for us to learn from others. We can get inspired, find hope and connection for our own adoption adventure. Every adoption is a bit different and so there are thousands of unique adoption stories. This one is extraordinary and unforgettable. April and Noah Fallon were on the same […] The post The Extraordinary Story Of Adopting 4 Kids With April and Noah Fallon [Part 1]: Podcast Episode 74 first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

Have you ever thought how your child (or your future child) will process their adoption story? It is something that all adoptive parents (or hopeful adoptive parents) should think about. As an adoptee and a mom of 6 through birth and adoption, Melissa Corkum shares her adoption story along with advice and resources to help […] The post How To Help Your Child Process Their Adoption Story With Melissa Corkum: Podcast Episode 73 first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

Have you ever thought – I am too old to adopt? If you have, you are not alone. As a blogger and mom of 3 kids through birth and adoption, Jill Robbins talks about her adoption story, why adoption baby showers are important and what it’s like to be the oldest mom with the youngest […] The post Adoption Showers and Being The Oldest Mom With The Youngest Kids With Jill Robbins: Podcast Episode 72 first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

Oh wow – this is a special episode – something we’ve never done before on the Infant Adoption Guide Podcast. My amazing and beautiful guest on the show is my oldest daughter Arianna. I’ve thought about doing this episode for some time now as I get a lot of you asking to hear from adoptees […] The post Thoughts From a Teenage Adoptee With My Daughter Arianna: Podcast Episode 71 first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

Post adoption support. Can you define it? Do you know why it is so important for you and your family? Do you know where to get support for your adopted child as they grow? Adoption doesn’t end when a baby is placed with you. Adoptees need to know they are adopted and they need positive […] The post Post Adoption Support & The Pineapple Mindset with Chloe Edwards: Podcast Episode 70 first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

Can you imagine a world where finances are no longer an obstacle for anyone wanting to adopt in the U.S.? This is the mission of BothHands.org, a non-profit organization that helps fund your adoption AND helps serve a widow. This could be the most irresistible non-profit organization in the world, right? “Almost ten years ago, […] The post IAG 069: Fund Your Adoption & Serve a Widow with JT Olson of BothHands.org first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

For many who are considering adopting an infant, the question about transracial adoption will frequently come up: Will you adopt a child of a different race than yours? Lots of folks say that race doesn’t matter, meaning they could love a child unconditionally, even if they don’t look exactly like them. The reality is that […] The post IAG 068: Transracial Adoption with Dr. Kay Ramsey first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

“We got the call on New Year’s Day, 2014: a birth mom had chosen us and we’d been matched. But after my son was home in my arms, my birth mom search wasn’t over. I decided it was time to find the woman who had given birth to me.” Denise Massar – Author of MATCHED: […] The post IAG 067: The Story of an adoptee and mom through adoption – Denise Massar, author of MATCHED: A Memoir first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

One often scary, overwhelming and misunderstood part of infant adoption is called open adoption. This is where birthmoms and adoptive families have some type of ongoing communication and relationship. Listening to an open adoption story can help us all learn how others have successfully started and grown their relationship. On this episode of the Infant […] The post IAG 066: An Amazing Open Adoption Story with Birthmom (Tara) & Adoptive Mom (Nicole) first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

What we talk about in this episode: Adoptimist.com – we talk about what they do for Hopeful Adoptive Parents and Expectant Moms – PLUS you will find out how to best use their services with a guest interview with Rachel from Adoptimist.com. Exclusive Q&A session from members of our Infant Adoption Guide Facebook support group […] The post IAG 065: How To Adopt Faster With The Profile Listing Service Adoptimist.com first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

After 3 infant adoptions and working with so many others, here are 5 ways I've found that husbands can better support their wife on the adoption journey. The post IAG 064: 5 Ways A Husband Can Support His Wife On The Adoption Journey first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

Open adoption can be a hard concept to understand, especially if you are just starting out and learning about infant adoption. Hearing stories from others who are living in open adoption relationships can be a HUGE help. On this episode, we welcome our special guest Angela Huggins. She is an adoptee and an adoption professional. […] The post IAG 063: Open Adoption Through an Adoptee’s Perspective first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

Trying to adopt a baby can be extremely overwhelming and frustrating – especially when you first start the process. My wife and I have adopted three newborns over the past 10+ years. This is a very special episode of the IAG podcast. In fact, in over 60 episodes, there hasn’t been one as special as […] The post IAG 062: 10 Things We’ve Learned Through 3 Infant Adoptions with Tisha Elder first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

A great way to increase your ability to adopt faster is to be open to adopting from outside of your home state – also known as “interstate adoption”. On this episode, we cover everything you need to know about interstate adoption with our special guest Carrie Eckhardt. Start listening right here: When adopting a newborn […] The post IAG 061: What you need to know about interstate adoption first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

“I thought the hardest day of my life would be finding out that I was pregnant. It wasn’t. The hardest day of my life was driving away from that hospital without a baby.” Kelly Clemente chose adoption for her son. She chose life over abortion. She made the incredibly difficult decision to place her newborn […] The post IAG 060: Birthmom story of love and open adoption with Kelly Clemente first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

When starting the infant adoption journey, you may read and hear stories from a lot of couples who are adopting their first child. Some may even be adopting their second or even third child. What you don’t hear as much is from families who are adopting after having biological kids.  In this episode, we talk […] The post IAG 059: Adopting After Having Biological Kids first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

UPDATE (Aug 2021): MyBabysFamily is no longer in business. Here is their announcement: It is with sad hearts we announce that MyBabysFamily.com will cease operations as of August 31, 2021. Despite the hopes and dreams we had for our “FREEmium” business model, it has not produced sustainable results for our adoptive families or the business. […] The post IAG 058: Behind the NEW Adoption Profile Listing Service: MyBabysFamily.com first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

Communication is huge in any relationship. It is especially important when meeting someone for the first time. In a lot of infant adoption situations, the hopeful adoptive parents can meet an expectant mom in person or have a conversation over the phone. It’s no surprise that communicating with a birthmom (after a child is placed […] The post IAG 057: Communicating With a Birthmom first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

When we were dating I said I wanted kids, but I really didn’t because I was way too focused on my career. Wow, what a messed up perspective! Looking back on it now, our son has been a blessing in more ways than I could ever have known. Thank you God for bringing Jaylen and […] The post IAG 056: An Adoption Story From a Guy’s Point Of View With Jamy Bechler first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

We relied on faith knowing that God would bring us our children. We didn’t know if they would be healthy, we didn’t know if they would look like us, we didn’t know if they would be born in our state or across the country. We let God take care of the details. His work surpassed […] The post IAG 055: Infant Adoption Story with Amy Brooks first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

It can be a scary and exciting starting the infant adoption process. A lot of us – even before we start the process, we can hit a major roadblock if you are ready to adopt and your spouse isn’t onboard yet. Couples may not be at the same point at the same time when major […] The post IAG 054: How to get your spouse onboard with building your family through adoption first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

Infant adoption has changed over the years and we as hopeful adoptive parents want to (and need to) keep up with the changes as we look to build our families. Here are some examples of the changes we’ve seen: Fewer placements Higher fall through rates New/different adoption scams More of a need for an online […] The post IAG 053: How Infant Adoption Has Changed with Nicole Witt first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

Hopeful adoptive parents are often faced with the difficult decision of whether to adopt a baby that has been exposed during pregnancy to alcohol or drugs – such as opiates, marijuana, prescription drugs or other drugs. Adopting with prenatal alcohol & drug exposure is a hard topic but an extremely important one because drug and […] The post IAG 052: Adopting with prenatal alcohol & drug exposure first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

Choosing an adoption agency is usually a big decision in your journey to adopt because they are your guide from day one through the day a baby is placed in your arms (and beyond). Finding the right agency to work with can get confusing and overwhelming. There are hundreds of agencies across the U.S. so […] The post IAG 051: How to work with multiple adoption agencies first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

What is adoption outreach? It is actively building a network of connections that can further your search for a match with expectant parents. This is a great description given by Joanna Ivey in her new book “The Essential Guide To Adoption Outreach.” The book is a must have for anyone hoping to adopt. Joanna and her […] The post IAG 050: The Essential Guide To Adoption Outreach first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

YES – this is a podcast about infant adoption – so today’s topic may sound a bit off from the norm – but I really don’t think so. For one – I think any parent or parent-to-be needs to understand how to deal with adoption conversation – especially when it comes to school, or pre-school […] The post IAG 049: What You Need To Know about Post Adoption Support & Getting Ready For School first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

Can you guess what is the #1 struggle most families face when they are trying to build their family through infant adoption? How to fund your adoption. The large stack of adoption expenses can quickly get us overwhelmed with how in the world to pay for it all. Lots of folks get discouraged about how to […] The post IAG 048: How to fund your adoption the SMART way first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

Have you thought about adopting and didn’t know where to start or what’s involved? Many hopeful adoptive parents can get overwhelmed with where to start. If this is where you are, remember you are not alone. With so much information on the internet, it is hard to figure it all out.  There are lots of […] The post IAG 047: What all hopeful adoptive parents need to know before you adopt first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

Adoption affects birthparents, adoptees, and adoptive parents in many different ways. Adoption is a lifelong journey and there are times when we have to deal with very difficult issues, which is why post adoption support can be a huge help. Different types of adoption (special needs, transracial, open adoption, closed adoption, etc.) can bring a variety […] The post IAG 046: Post Adoption Support – what it is & why it’s needed first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

Open adoption can be a scary concept – and it is difficult to understand what it really means in domestic infant adoption. Since most domestic adoptions today have some level of openness, it is essential that we understand open adoption. We need to know why it is beneficial to the child, to the birth family, […] The post IAG 045: What you need to know about Open Adoption first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

The cost of adoption is a sensitive subject. We hear about how expensive it is and it can be difficult to understand why. Here is the truth. In domestic infant adoption, lots of people are needed to help make sure the safe placement of a child happens with the right family. See the emphasis on […] The post IAG 044: The Cost of Adoption first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

A birth mother’s story is often a powerful one – with lots of emotion. Tammy Thompson Davis has such a story, as she placed her twin girls after not one, but two hopeful adoptive parents backed out of a match with her.  This episode is part 2 of her story, where she shares the happy […] The post IAG 043: Part 2 of A Birth Mother’s Story with Tammy Thompson Davis first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

Every now and then, you hear an adoption story that truly tugs at your heart. We don’t often hear a birth mother’s story, and we especially don’t hear stories about how hopeful adoptive parents back out of a match with expectant mothers who want to place their child for adoption.  Tammy Thompson Davis is a […] The post IAG 042: A Birth Mother’s Story with Tammy Thompson Davis [Part 1] first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

For a lot of us who are hoping to adopt, family and friends are a big part of our journey. We need their love and support as we build our family through adoption – and especially AFTER we’ve adopted. Once we start the infant adoption process, it can go on for months or even a […] The post IAG 041: How to talk to family and friends about your adoption plans first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

“Expectant women want to learn about the parents who are waiting to adopt right away. They don’t want to wait until they’ve decided “yes, I want to choose adoption” – and then look for families.” –Libby Denniston One of the biggest obstacles for hopeful adoptive parents is to figure our what birthmoms are looking for […] The post IAG 040: What birthmoms are looking for in hopeful adoptive families (PART 2) first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

“Hopeful adoptive parents need to remember – you could be why an expectant mother chooses adoption for her child. You could be the #1 reason that makes a woman go from saying: I’m not sure about adoption – to say – I can make an adoption happen with people like this. You are going to […] The post IAG 039: What birthmoms are looking for in hopeful adoptive families (PART 1) first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

“You can be the strongest person on your team by staying positive, leading with an open mind and an open heart, and putting trust in your team and in the process. Without it, you will get in your own way. With it, magic will happen.” –Rebecca Gruenspan Teamwork is the ability to work together toward […] The post IAG 038: How to build your adoption team (and why you need to) first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

Transracial adoption is such a huge topic to cover, so I wanted to bring Rachel Garlinghouse back on the show. She was our amazing guest back in episode 31. Rachel is a gifted writer, a blogger, and most importantly – a mom of 3 from transracial, open adoptions. She is (in her own words) crazy passionate about […] The post IAG 037: Answering transracial adoption questions first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

This is is part 2 of the amazing adoptive dad panel where Jake Stewart, Dan Welz and I have a rare talk about infant adoption from a guy’s point of view. If you haven’t listened to part 1 yet, I highly recommend you check it out first. Jake told his adoption story in Episode 23. He […] The post IAG 036: Adoptive Dad panel Part 2 first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

This episode is one that I’ve wanted to do for a long time. It is very special to me because we have not one but two dads as guests on the show – Jake Stewart and Dan Welz. These guys are here to have a very rare and unique roundtable discussion – a guy’s view […] The post IAG 035: Adoptive dad panel – Part 1 first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

We have a very special guest on the show – Nicole “Coley” Strickland is here to share about her experience as a birthmom, and how she went on to co-found BirthmomBuds.com. Coley is the President and Executive Director of BirthMom Buds which provides support to birthmothers through its many programs including the buddy system, pregnant […] The post IAG 034: Coley Strickland of Birthmom Buds first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

Hope, inspiration, encouragement, endurance, patience, reassurance. These are some of what we need as hopeful adoptive parents trying to build our family through adoption. The journey can be overwhelming. It can (and usually does) test our faith and hope as we try to become parents. The journey does not end once you’ve adopted – it has […] The post IAG033: Encouragement for the Adoption & Parenting Journey first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

“If you have a dream, don’t just sit there. Gather courage to believe that you can succeed and leave no stone unturned to make it a reality.”  In domestic adoption, there are so many paths to parenthood which can have you overwhelmed and unsure how to start. Having an adoption coach who’s survived what you […] The post IAG 032: Adoption Coaching first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

Have thought about or considered adopting a baby from a different race? Are you prepared? Transracial adoption can be an amazing journey that can still sometimes having you feel alone and unsure of what to do. This episode’s special guest is Rachel Garlinghouse, who is an adoptive mom of three. She and her husband have […] The post IAG 031: Transracial adoption first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

The adoption tax credit. It’s a huge financial tool for hopeful adoptive parents to use. Something that can help offset the large cost of domestic infant adoption. The credit has changed over the years – and may change again in the future. There are a lot of rules that go with it, which makes it […] The post IAG 030: Adoption tax credit update first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

Do you think it is possible to adopt without DEBT? I know you can – and so does Julie Gumm. She is an adoptive mom, a speaker and author. She has been on the Dave Ramsey Show – which is a nationally syndicated talk radio show (really cool). She and her husband have adopted twice […] The post IAG 029: You CAN Adopt Without Debt first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

“Adopted children have become some of the most notable personalities to ever walk the planet. John Lennon, Marilyn Monroe, Bill Clinton, Nelson Mandela, and of course Superman himself, were all adopted.” Anthony Zurica Every hopeful adoptive family needs an adoption attorney. Every state has their own set of adoption laws. It gets confusing to know […] The post IAG 028 – New York adoption law first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

On this episode of the show I chat with Dr Ray Guarendi, a father to 10 adopted children who is also a clinical psychologist, author, speaker and radio/TV host. Dr. Ray has been a regular guest on TV and radio programs such as Oprah, The 700 Club and CBS This Morning. Through all of his […] The post IAG 027 – Dr Ray Guarendi – author, speaker and adoptive dad of 10 first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

Most of us who are working to save money for our domestic infant adoption could use help with covering the cost. What if you could get FREE money for your adoption journey? Our guest on the show today is Becky Fawcett, an adoptive mom, blogger, and the Founder/Executive Director of HelpUsAdopt.org, which is a national non-profit […] The post IAG 026 – Adoption Grants first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

How would it feel to ask a social worker about your adoption home study BEFORE you started the process? What if that social worker had already completed over 1500 home studies? Licensed clinical social worker Lori Fraas is our guest on the show today. She shares her experience from completing over 1500 home studies. She […] The post IAG 025: Adoption Home Study Questions & Answers first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

Want to save time, money and stress on your adoption journey? Absolutely! We all would like that, right? Amanda Grant is our guest on the show today and she will tell us how to simplify and shorten the path to adoption. She is an adoptive mom and Founder/CEO of USAdopt.com. Most people (for very valid […] The post IAG 024: How to simplify and shorten your path to adoption first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

Can you imagine your first adoption taking 10 days? In this episode you’ll hear how that happened for Jake Stewart. He and his wife have adopted twice – both newborns. Adoption stories are inspiring and can provide hope on our own journey. Jake will tell the stories about how his children became part of their […] The post IAG 023: An infant adoption story with Jake Stewart first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

  In this episode of the Infant Adoption Guide Podcast, we talk with Thea Ramirez – the Founder and President of Adoption-Share.com. What would it mean to you if there was a way to connect directly with over 80 adoption agencies and attorneys nationwide that are constantly posting adoption situations just for you? Where do […] The post IAG 022: How to adopt faster and easier first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

In this episode, we talk with adoptive dad Keith Miller – the creator of My Adoption Storybook. Over the past few years, my wife and I have bought several children’s books about adoption that we have read to our little ones. We like the books because they help us tell our kids about adoption. The […] The post IAG 021: My Adoption Storybook first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

  In this episode, we talk about using on online adoption profile service with Lawrence Morton – the founder of America Adopts! One of the toughest parts of domestic infant adoption is trying to find a match with an expectant mother. The most important tool you need to make a connection is your adoption profile […] The post IAG 020: Using an online adoption profile service with Lawrence Morton from AmericaAdopts.com first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

“When it comes to your adoption profile, everything you include should paint a picture of the life you wish to share.”  Madeleine In domestic infant adoption, the most important tool you have to help you get a quick match with an expectant mother is your adoption profile. Recently I wrote an article showing you 9 […] The post IAG 019: How to create a successful adoption profile first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

In this episode, you’ll learn about how anyone can afford to adopt as we chat with Cherri Walrod of Resources4Adoption.com. Today’s show is all about how anyone can afford to adopt. You’ll learn about how to break down the financial barriers that may be keeping you from adopting. Domestic infant adoption can be expensive and […] The post IAG 018: How anyone can afford to adopt – interview with Cherri Walrod of Resources4Adoption.com first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

In this episode, we talk about adoption consultants – and how they can help you on the domestic infant adoption journey. Are you feeling stuck or overwhelmed on your domestic infant adoption journey? Have you considered working with an adoption consultant? I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that 100% of […] The post IAG 017: How adoption consultants can help you first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

In this episode, you’ll learn what you need to know about adoption attorneys. When hopeful adoptive families start the process of domestic infant adoption, we can easily get overwhelmed as there are so many ways to adopt in the U.S. Working with an attorney may not be the first thing we think about when starting our […] The post IAG 016: What you need to know about adoption attorneys with Mark McDermott first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

In this episode you’ll learn what NOT to do when selecting an adoption agency. When you have a BIG life decision coming up – would you LOVE to know what common mistakes people have made when making that same decision? I say YES – absolutely!  Think about this: when you decide to move – sell your […] The post IAG 015: 7 Common mistakes to avoid when selecting an adoption agency first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

In this episode of the Infant Adoption Guide Podcast, we chat with adoptive mom Lisa Hamilton. She shares her domestic infant adoption story. Lisa is an adoptive mother, master’s runner, and happiness junkie. She adopted her son as a newborn in 2010. This episode is all about how she started her family through domestic infant adoption. Lisa […] The post IAG 014: A domestic infant adoption story with adoptive mom Lisa Hamilton first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

Have you ever thought about working with multiple adoption agencies to help speed up the time it takes to connect with a potential birthmother? Maybe you are frustrated with waiting and you want to work with other agencies. This is where ParentMatch.com can help. In this episode of the Infant Adoption Guide Podcast, we chat with […] The post IAG013: Interview with ParentMatch Founder Dr. Lori Ingber first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

There is no better way to learn about the adoption process and the emotions connected with adoption than to hear a story from families who have lived it. This special episode is where I share my adoption story – how my wife and I have adopted two newborns.  We brought home our beautiful little girl […] The post IAG012: My Personal Adoption Story first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

In this episode, we talk with adoptive mom Deanna Kahler, author of the book From Pain to Parenthood: A Journey Through Miscarriage to Adoption. Deanna and her husband went through a lot of tough times in order to adopt their daughter. From Pain to Parenthood is all about their journey to building their family through domestic infant adoption. As you […] The post IAG011: Adoption Book Review: Interview With Adoptive Mom Deanna Kahler – Author of From Pain To Parenthood first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

“The cost of adoption should never stand in the way of giving a child a family.”  Julie Gumm How can you fund your adoption – especially without debt? Domestic adoption can be expensive – costing anywhere between $15,000 to $40,000. Julie Gumm is here to help. She is the author of the book Adopt Without Debt: […] The post IAG010: How to fund your adoption without debt – an interview with Adopt Without Debt author Julie Gumm first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

In this episode, we review the adoption book The Eye of Adoption: the true story of my turbulent wait for a baby by Jody Dyer. Jody is not only an author, but she’s a school teacher and more importantly a mother of two children – one biological and one adopted. She and her husband Jeff went through […] The post IAG009: Adoption book review – an interview with Jody Dyer – Author of The Eye of Adoption first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

On this episode, we welcome the very first birthmother to the show! We visit with Monika – as she shares her heart through her story and insights about being a birthmother in an open adoption. She has been quoted in the new book “The Open-Hearted Way to Open Adoption” by Lori Holden and has begun […] The post IAG008: An adoption story with Monika first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

In this episode, we talk with Hal Kaufman about domestic adoption advertising, networking and use of the internet in your adoption journey. Hal is an adoptive dad (two domestic infant adoptions) and the founder of MyAdoptionAdvisor.com. Since 2008, he has worked with hundreds of adopting parents who are pursuing domestic infant adoption, helping them connect […] The post IAG 007: Adoption advertising and networking first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

In this episode I have a great conversation with Shawn Kane – who is an adoptive dad and the Executive Director of American Adoptions, which is a full service adoption agency that works with adoptive couples and birthparents nationwide. They are one of the largest domestic adoption agencies in the U.S. – and they complete more […] The post IAG 006: Interview with Shawn Kane of American Adoptions – a national adoption agency first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

In this episode, we talk with Mardie Caldwell, COAP (Certified Open Adoption Practitioner), CEO and Founder of Lifetime Adoption Center. Mardie is a nationally recognized adoption expert. She is the author of 7 books (soon to be 8) which include: AdoptingOnline.com, Adoption: Your Step-By-Step Guide, and Called to Adoption.                  She […] The post IAG 005: Adoption Agency Review: An interview with Mardie Caldwell from Lifetime Adoption Center first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

CLICK HERE or on the PLAY button above to listen right now. In this episode of the Infant Adoption Guide Podcast you’ll hear the adoption story from new adoptive parents Josh and Laci – and how they adopted their little boy in early 2013! They share the ups and the downs of their adoption journey – […] The post IAG 004: An Adoption Story – an interview with adoptive parents Josh & Laci first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

UPDATE: CoupAide.com no longer exists. I have removed this podcast. CLICK HERE to subscribe to the podcast in iTunes. Do you have a topic for the Infant Adoption Guide podcast?  Let me know if you have an idea or something you would like me to talk about on an upcoming episode, send me an email. For […] The post IAG 003: Adoption fundraising first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

In this episode of the Infant Adoption Guide Podcast, we talk about how to select the right adoption agency. — 6 reasons why you need to choose a good adoption professional. — 6 websites that will help you find a good adoption professional. — 12 questions you should ask an adoption professional. Once you make […] The post IAG 002: How to select the right adoption agency for you first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.

Welcome to episode #1 of the Infant Adoption Guide Podcast! Studies show that thousands of couples have considered adoption, but have not followed through. Why? Misconceptions? Fears? Costs? Too complicated? I’ve been in your shoes. You are not alone.  You CAN adopt! 10 reasons why you should adopt now:   1. You can afford to […] The post IAG 001: 10 reasons why you should adopt now [Podcast] first appeared on Infant Adoption Guide.