Ever wonder what it's really like to adopt from foster care? In this episode of ADOPTION NOW, host April Fallon sits down with Rita Soronen, President and CEO of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, who brings hard-earned wisdom about the foster care journey. They tackle the tough questions head-on: Can older kids really attach? What support do you actually need? How do you stay hopeful while being realistic?

Whether you're just starting to explore or already in the process, Rita shares essential guidance on evaluating your readiness, building your support network, and finding adoption-competent professionals who get it. She emphasizes that success takes more than just love – it requires understanding trauma, being ready for the long haul, and having the right resources in place.

The episode features the moving story of Marisol, whose journey to finding her forever family at 19 reminds us why this work matters. April and Rita share both the joys and challenges of foster care, while offering practical ways everyone can help – from mentoring to community support. If you're considering foster care, this conversation gives you both the inspiration and real-world guidance you need to begin your journey.

Ever wonder what adopted kids really think about adoption? In this special episode of ADOPTION NOW, hosts April and Noah step back and let their four amazing kids do the talking! AJ (14), Lily (11), Vivy (9), and Maliyah (7) open up about what it's like being part of an adoptive family – from the awesome moments to the tough stuff. They share everything from school stories to what it's like when people ask those awkward questions about their family.

The kids don't hold back! They talk about supporting each other through hard times and how they've learned to embrace their differences. AJ even shares his dream of growing the community to help other adopted children feel less alone. 

 If you're part of an adoptive family or thinking about adoption, you don’t want to miss these powerful insights straight from the children themselves. They get real about the challenges, but they also share why being adopted makes them feel special, loved, and safe. Join us for a family conversation about the real meaning of family, love, and adoption.

Adoption Fears?? Yep, we have all had them. We recognize adoption is a big, life changing process to start. There are so many questions and unknowns. It can feel overwhelming.

In this episode, host April Fallon and co-host Jordan Moreno explore the common fears of starting the adoption journey and how it is normal to feel this way. 

The two adoptive moms share their personal experiences with financial concerns, initial hesitations about open adoption, and the fear of birth mothers changing their minds.

Don’t think this episode is just for moms!! They also talk about the important role the husbands played in the process and how being on a team has a pivotal role in placement. 

Whether you're just beginning to explore adoption or are already on your path, you'll find the support and encouragement you need to move forward with confidence. ADOPTION NOW wants to help you move beyond your fears and into trusting God’s calling as you take the next step!

In this episode, hosts April and Noah share how their kids turned a school diversity week into something unexpected — a celebration of adoption as their family culture. When their son AJ rocked a bear mascot costume and their daughter found courage with her sister by her side, they watched adoption transform from a sensitive topic into something kids could proudly share.

Through stories of their school experience and eight years of podcasting, the couple talks about their dream of making adoption an everyday conversation — one where children can speak freely about their stories, where families find connection, and where being adopted isn't whispered about but celebrated. As Noah puts it, it's not about being perfect; it's about being real and building a community where everyone belongs, and where healing takes place.

Two Babies, Ten Weeks Apart

Noah and April sit down with birth mother Jessica and adoptive mother Connie for a story that they have not heard before. Even after telling hundreds of adoption stories, nothing could have prepared them for this combination of embryo adoption and traditional adoption happening at once. 

An Unexpected Match, with Unexpected Timing

After getting married late in life, Connie and Matt struggled with expanding their family. The couple went through a miscarriage and decided to look at other options. They decided to pursue traditional adoption through an agency. They were set and ready to go when Connie heard about embryo adoption. The process moved so quickly and at the age of 43 Connie was pregnant!

When Jessica found out she was unexpectedly pregnant with her third child at 21, she did not feel she could add another baby to the family.  She had just started school for a career she felt would change her and her son's lives. Through much thought, she decided adoption was her best option. She found a national agency and moved forward. 

The agency, having no idea that Connie was pregnant, matched them. 

Would the agency let Connie adopt 10 weeks after she delivered a baby? Would Jessica still choose to be matched to a mom who was already pregnant?

Noah and April had so many question in this interview, and you can see how the connection between Connie and Jessica was a true match!

Listen now to hear how this adoption story came together.

A Life-Changing Choice at 21

At 21, Jessica was a single mother of two young boys, pursuing her education and trying to get off welfare when she discovered she was pregnant. With the baby's father in prison and her own path toward stability just beginning, she made the brave decision to explore adoption.

An Unlikely Match Made in Perfect Timing

After months of struggling to match with a family due to concerns about her medical history, Jessica finally connected with Connie and Matt. The twist? They were already expecting a baby through embryo adoption, due just ten weeks before Jessica's delivery. Rather than deterring her, this unique situation drew Jessica to them even more, especially when they discussed raising the girls as sisters.

From Darkness to Light: 16 Years Later

Today, 16 years after placement, Jessica's story has come full circle. She went on to complete her education, marry, and have another daughter. The open adoption has allowed her to maintain a connection with her daughter and the adoptive family, with annual visits that have helped heal generational wounds - including her own father's adoption experience. Her journey from a struggling young mother demonstrates the power of choosing hope in the midst of difficult circumstances.

Darcy Olsen is the founder & CEO of the Center for the Rights of Abused Children, an organization dedicated to uniting people in the fight to protect America's abused children. They have helped over 775,000 children nationwide. Darcy has fostered ten babies and adopted four as a single mother! Darcy shared her full story last week.

Jordan had her first baby and then experienced secondary infertility. She and her husband, Jose, adopted their second child in less than 5 months! Jordan shares how her perspective on the process changed and about her experience with open adoption. Listen here for her full story on the ADOPTION NOW Podcast.

April Fallon has adopted 4 children with her husband Noah. As they were trying to expand their family, they said yes to 7 placements but only finalized 4. The joy and challenges of adoption left them compelled to start ADOPTION NOW, to give adoption a voice and create a community to understand adoption through story telling. 

This episode is filled with important lessons and how adoption can cause such deep personal growth as you recognized that you have no control over many things in the process!! Children are a gift from God and adoption is not transactional. It is about staying committed to the journey no matter how hard it is, remembering that you do have it in you! If these 3 moms can do it, you can too!

Darcy Olsen is the founder & CEO of the Center for the Rights of Abused Children, an organization dedicated to uniting people in the fight to protect America's abused children. They have helped over 775,000 children nationwide. Darcy has fostered ten babies and adopted four as a single mother!

Darcy’s dedication to supporting abused children and navigating the foster care system is truly inspiring. If you're looking to support children in foster care or considering adoption from the system, here are some key ways to make a difference:

1. Educate Yourself on the Process: Understand the ins and outs of the foster care and adoption process. Each state may have different laws and procedures, so it's crucial to familiarize yourself with those specific to your area.
2. Advocate for Legal Change: Stay informed about legislation affecting foster care and adoption. Advocacy can include reaching out to local representatives or participating in community initiatives that push for improved protections and rights for children.
3. Consider Fostering or Adopting: Taking the step to foster or adopt can have a profound impact on a child’s life. If you're not ready to foster or adopt, consider supporting foster families in your community.
4. Provide Support to Organizations: Engage with and support organizations dedicated to helping abused and foster children, whether through donations, volunteering, or raising awareness.
5. Seek Legal Advice: If you're contemplating foster care, seeking legal advice can help you navigate the complexities of the process if questions or concerns arise on behalf of the child’s rights.

As we listen to this episode, we hear how to take these steps, so we work together and contribute to create lasting and positive change for children in the foster care system.

McKenzie's journey is a testament to the resilience and strength that many couples show in the face of loss and grief. It's inspiring to hear how she and her husband Kim found support through the ADOPTION NOW Podcast, which provided guidance and comfort as they explored adoption as a path to parenthood. Sharing their story on the podcast is a powerful way to connect with others who may be experiencing similar challenges, and it's wonderful that McKenzie is able to give back to the community that helped her. This kind of shared experience can be incredibly impactful for other individuals and couples considering or going through adoption.

We have a new season of hope and connection! April Fallon sits down with Jordan Moreno to reflect on ADOPTION NOW's remarkable journey and the episodes that have left a lasting impact on her and her family. 

As we celebrate reaching over 1 million downloads worldwide, we invite you to join our community of adoptees, adoptive parents, and birth families. 

Visit our Patreon page and ADOPTIONNOWPodcast.com to explore coaching resources and be inspired by the collective power of our stories.

Rodney and Mary Leah are both attorneys in Alabama. For ten years, they walked the journey of infertility before welcoming twins, Dalton and Mary Elizabeth, through Snowflakes Embryo Adoption Program. 

They also serve on the board of Carrywell, a non-profit that helps couples walking through infertility, miscarriage and infant loss through groups and grants. They are passionate about helping families through grief and healing as couples explore other options into parenthood. This episode is so inspiring for those interested and wanting to learn more about how the embryo adoption process works.