Around The World With The Archibald Project

Latest Episodes:

59. Should You Be Afraid of Open Adoption? - With Heather Oram Feb 26, 2020

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When Heather Oram and her husband started pursuing adoption, they never imagined they would have two kids and two different birth moms within 4 months of each other. It would have been easy to close themselves off, but instead they chose open adoption.

58. How To Suffer Well With Liz Griffin Feb 19, 2020

Show notes

Suffering...It's one of those things we all want to avoid but inevitably finds its way into our lives. So how do we suffer well? Can we endure more than we think? Few people have as much to share in this area than our guest Liz Griffin.

After suffering through a complicated six year adoption process, Liz and her husband finally brought their two children home. Two years later, at the age of 33, Liz suffered a stroke. This led to the discovery of brain aneurysms, a thyroid tumor, a heart defect, and a long road to recovery. But with incredible suffering comes incredible wisdom, and Liz is gracious enough to share it with us.

57. How You Can Help Orphans Around The World With Mick Pease Feb 12, 2020

Show notes

What is the best way to care for vulnerable children around the world? The answer to this simple question has huge implications on the lives and futures of millions of children. And if you plan to adopt internationally, this could be impacting your future child. Even as you read this, decisions are being made and global policy is being changed about how to best care for vulnerable children. Although the questions seem simple enough, the answers are much more complicated than you think. This is why it is important that we educate ourselves and attempt to do what is best for each child. This also why we talk to experts like Mick Pease. Mick is the co-author of the book 'Children Belong in Families, he has 40 years of experience as a social worker in the UK, and if that's not enough… he helped start the foster care system in Brazil. Mick has seen it all and that's what gives him such wisdom and authority around very complicated issues. You can feel his love for children and families and we are honored to have the opportunity to learn from him.

56. Who Am I? - Adult Adoptee Zawadi Morrow Feb 05, 2020

Show notes

Who am I? This is a question many of us ask for a variety of different reasons. But often this question gets amplified and infinitely more complicated with adoption. So how do we navigate these complexities as a parent guiding an adopted child, or as someone who was adopted? You talk to someone with experience.

Our guest, Zawadi, was born in rural DRC where his mother died in childbirth. He was adopted by white parents and lived in Eastern Africa for years before moving to America where he dealt with issues of identity, racism, and trying to fit in. Zawadi is now an adult with a wife and family that includes an adopted child of his own.

Now matter what side of adoption you come from, Zawadi's calm presence and personal story bring a wisdom, experience, and perspective that we can all learn from.

55. I Was Adopted At 26 - With Adoptee Annie Marek Barta Jan 29, 2020

Show notes

Have you ever thought about adopting an older child? How old is too old to be adopted? The answer might surprise you and our guest will challenge you.

Annie endured a difficult childhood and didn't enter foster care until age 17. This left her with little hope of having a stable family to visit on weekends in college, or holidays, or anytime she just needed it. But against all odds, Annie was adopted at the age of 26!

This podcast will open your eyes to the realities of life for teenagers in the foster care system, and it will show you that there is no age limit for needing the love of a family.

54. The Fight To Get Your Kids Back - With Vanessa Ramirez Jan 22, 2020

Show notes

How do you view parents who've had to place their kids in foster care? Do you judge them or does your heart break for them? Do you write them off or do you root for them to get their kids back? Whatever your thoughts, our conversation with Vanessa Ramirez will change them.

Vanessa candidly shares the struggles she has been through that lead to her 4 children entering foster care and how, with the help of some amazing people, she courageously fought to overcome addiction to get them back.

If you're a foster parent and have ever wondered what your foster child's parents might be going through, we'd encourage you to listen to this podcast with an open mind and a willingness to learn how you can better help foster children and their families.

53. What Is A Foster Grandparent? - With Scott Moore and His Daughter Bethany Moore Jan 15, 2020

Show notes

One of the most important parts of being a single foster mom is having support, but that is not always the easiest thing to find. For Bethany Moore, she looked to her dad Scott. Scott has stepped up to become "Dad dad" to his daughter's 3 foster children. This is not how he imagined becoming a grandpa, but there is no mistaking the love and joy he has found in his foster grandchildren.

Our conversation with Bethany and her father Scott is full of insight and wisdom. Whether you are thinking of fostering on your own or with a spouse, we'd love to encourage you to send this podcast to your parents, friends, and family members.

52. Why We Love Fostering Teens - Emily Recker Jan 08, 2020

Show notes

Becoming a parent is hard enough, but becoming parents to multiple big kids and teenagers who aren't much younger than yourself… well, that was a curveball foster parents Emily and her husband Brian didn't know they would face.

Emily opens up and shares what it has been like fostering teenagers, why they love it, and how it has impacted their biological children. We are confident this podcast will open your eyes to fostering older children!

51. The 411 on Black Hair Care With LaShanna Bruce Jan 01, 2020

Show notes

With all there is to do, remember, and learn around adoption, sometimes hair care is the last thing on your mind. But when adopting transracially, it's pivotal that we know and understand the importance and history of hair care. Fortunately there are incredible people in the world like LaShanna Bruce. She is the founder of Mommies and Curls, which helps adoptive and foster parents with black kids meet their hair care and culture needs.

We would love to encourage everyone, but especially foster and adoptive parents to black children, to listen to this podcast to learn from LaShanna as she shares invaluable wisdom on how to care for your child's hair, help answer questions about verbiage to use when speaking of your child, and how to help them confront questions of identity.

50. How To Help Your Child Thrive During the Holidays With Adoption Therapist Robyn Gobbel Dec 11, 2019

Show notes

Surviving the holidays on their own can be hard enough, and helping your children with complex trauma can sometimes feel insurmountable. From lack of routine, to sugar everywhere, presents, new environments, and family that doesn't understand; the list just goes on. And, let's be honest: keeping yourself regulated is hard enough. Fortunately, we had the pleasure of talking with adoption and trauma therapist, Robyn Gobbel, to learn healthy practices in keeping our children regulated (and happy) during the holiday season.

Not only does Robyn give actionable tips to address triggers, she encourages us to take care of ourselves as well.

We know this podcast will help your holidays be more enjoyable and memorable. Please take the time to listen and share it with your friends and family who may also be spending time with your children this holiday season.

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