Around The World With The Archibald Project

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49. Advice From Adoption Therapist and Adoptee - Kelly Curry Nov 27, 2019

Show notes

"Why do you look different than your parents?"

"Are you black or are you white?"

The questions an adopted child may encounter from peers and even adults might shock you. And these questions, whether mean spirited or just from curiosity, can evoke deep feelings. Thankfully our guest, Kelly Curry, has personal and professional experience to share with us today.

Not only was Kelly adopted as a baby from South Korea and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, but she now works as a child and family therapist at an adoption agency. She shares about the personal success of her own family and areas where there was room for improvement, while also drawing from her experience as a professional. Whether you are adopting, adopted, or in process, Kelly has wisdom for you and your family.

48. Race and Adoption Advice from Adult Adoptee Kiana Bosman Nov 13, 2019

Show notes

Being a kid and trying to fit in is difficult. Now add being an adopted child from a foreign country and growing up in a town where you are the racial minority… fitting in would seem almost impossible right?

These are just a few of the challenges that Kiana Bosman faced after being adopted from Haiti as a baby. But with the help of her family, Kiana shares ways that her mom, grandpa and two adopted sisters from Haiti have helped her grow up to be confident in her identity and a successful young woman majoring in criminal justice. She has developed wisdom beyond her years and is kind enough to share it with us.

47. The Benefits of An Unconventional Childhood - Hank Fortener Nov 09, 2019

Show notes

Have you ever been overwhelmed by the cost of adoption? Or questioned how your kids will respond to adding a new child to the mix? Or wondered how to celebrate World Adoption Day when adoption, at its core, is tragic and heartbreaking? Fortunately for us, Hank Fortener has experience in all of these things. Hank grew up with 36 foster siblings, 8 adopted siblings, 2 bio siblings, and is the founder of Adopt Together and world adoption day. His broad experience and unique perspectives will encourage you no matter where you are on your journey.

46. Helpful Advice With Adoption and Trafficking - Lauren and Adrian Mills Oct 30, 2019

Show notes

Welcome back to Around the World with The Archibald Project! My name is Whitney and together with my husband Nick, we started The Archibald Project! At The Archibald Project, we support people caring for orphaned and vulnerable children. Thank you for stopping by to listen to our podcast!

In today's episode, we interview adoptive parents, Lauren and Adrian Mills. To say what these two have walked through over the past couple years has been challenging would not do their story justice. They began the adoption process from the Democratic Republic of The Congo, only to realize once their adoption was finalized and they were waiting to bring their daughter home that she had been trafficked by a corrupt orphanage director. Following the heart breaking but beautiful journey of working to reunify "their daughter" with her mother, they began a domestic adoption that later failed for unimaginably hard reasons…. This lead them through a wilderness season of absolute surrender, only to land them back in the international adoption process. This time with an ethical organization and a child that truly needed to be adopted.

Through the heart ache, Lauren and Adrian give such profound advice and tips for what flags to look out for when pursuing international adoption. They give hope to those waiting, and provide steps to take to see if the agency you're working with is a good one or if they are actually trafficking children for money. We hope you come away having a greater awareness of the global orphan crisis and a deeper understanding of how to fight for ethical adoptions.

45. Advice and Encouragement With Adoption and Illness - Ebie Hepworth Oct 16, 2019

Show notes

Welcome back to Around the World with The Archibald Project! My name is Whitney and together with my husband Nick, we started The Archibald Project! Caring for orphaned and vulnerable children is one of the most important jobs in the world, but often people are too overwhelmed to get involved or lack the support they need to keep going. Our podcast is a place where you can easily find answers, encouragement, and support. Because when you thrive, children thrive.

In this weeks episode we sat down with Ebie Hepworth! Ebie is an adoptive mama to two kiddos, Asa and Birdie. Ebie, her husband Zack, and Asa and Birdie have been home together for 2 years, and through all of the joys that come with adoption, their family walks through a very real suffering every day. After being matched with Asa and Birdie, they found out Asa was very sick. Ebie and Zack sold a lot of their things, including their couch, to fundraise for their adoption and move to Liberia to be with their kids until they could travel home. After 4 months of living in Liberia, nothing would prepare them for the news they received when they got back to their home in Boise, Idaho.

We are thankful for Ebie's vulnerability as she shares with us what it was like finding out her son has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a terminal illness. Even in the pain though, Ebie carries with her a hope that is not of this world and is believing in full faith for her son to be healed. Our desire is that you would be filled with hope in the things that seem impossible in your own lives. Enjoy our podcast with Ebie!

44. Life in The Congo and Where The Archibald Project is Headed! Aug 29, 2018

Show notes

Welcome back to Around the World with The Archibald Project! My name is Whitney and together with my husband Nick, we started our orphan care advocacy organization, The Archibald Project! We've been working hard to tell inspiring stories about vulnerable children ever since and our goal is to ultimately end the global orphan crisis through storytelling! We believe that the more people who see and hear our stories then the more people who will be inspired to get involved and help end the orphan crisis!

In today's episode, Nick and I share an update about our life in the Republic of The Congo, what adopting three kids has been like while living in a developing country, and where The Archibald Project is headed! We answer questions about our own adoption including why we decided to temporarily move to the Congo and why we changed our kids names. We are so thankful for the incredible support we have received from you guys as we have walked through our adoption.

We hope you are encouraged by this podcast and enjoy our conversation!

43. How Oleg Overcame His Own Odds Aug 15, 2018

Show notes

In today's episode, we sit down with Oleg Lougheed, an inspiring young man who not only has started the non-profit Overcoming Odds, but he himself has indeed overcome many odds. Oleg entered an orphanage in Russia at age 9 to try and get his own life on track. Without a father present and an alcoholic mother, he did what he thought was the best option. Oleg's life is a testament to not giving up when times are tough. At the age of 12, Oleg was adopted from Russia and came to live with his new family in America. Since being in America, Oleg is helping other adoptees, foster youth, and adults find their voice and heal from their traumatic pasts.

We are beyond inspired by not only Oleg's adoption story, but for the way he is helping people heal. Oleg shares with us his emotions and feelings towards his own adoption, and how his adoptive parents helped him heal and really grow into the man he has become. If you know anyone who is adopted, is adopting or is thinking about adoption, we encourage you to listen to our podcast with Oleg as we think it will give incredible insight to an adopted child's thoughts and feelings. Thank you and enjoy our conversation with Oleg!

42. Catching Up With Courtney Bolander in Romania Jul 25, 2018

Show notes

Welcome back to Around the World with The Archibald Project! My name is Whitney and together with my husband Nick, we started our orphan care advocacy organization, The Archibald Project. We've been working hard to tell inspiring stories about vulnerable children ever since and our goal is to ultimately end the global orphan crisis through storytelling! We believe that the more people who see and hear our stories then the more people who will be inspired to get involved and help end the orphan crisis!

In today's episode, we catch up with our dear friend, and former media mission team member, Courtney Bolander. After our media mission in 2015, Courtney and her husband Ricky packed up their lives in New York and moved to Romania to start an organization called Radiant Hope that seeks to restore identity and dignity to youth that are vulnerable to human trafficking. Courtney shares with us how meeting one special girl in Romania changed the course of their lives and was a huge catalyst for starting Radiant Hope. Courtney talks about what a day in the life looks like for them in Romania and their desire to pour into youth and show them their worth and value.

I will mention, this podcast was recorded last August, so Courtney and Ricky have now been living in Romania for a little over a year. Alright guys thanks so much for tuning in, enjoy our inspiring conversation with our friend Courtney!

41. Maryssa Vasquez, President of PUSH and Former Foster Youth Jul 11, 2018

Show notes

Welcome back to Around the World with The Archibald Project! My name is Whitney and together with my husband Nick, we started our orphan care advocacy organization, The Archibald Project. We've been working hard to tell inspiring stories about vulnerable children ever since and our goal is to ultimately end the global orphan crisis through storytelling! We believe that the more people who see and hear our stories then the more people who will be inspired to get involved and help end the orphan crisis!

In today's episode, we have an inspiring conversation with former foster youth, Maryssa Vasquez, as she shares with us about her past, growing up in foster care, and how an organization she joined in college has changed the direction of her life! Now, as the president of PUSH, Persevere UNTil Success Happens, Maryssa supports former foster youth by encouraging them and creating a space for them to heal by surrounding them with community. Maryssa is helping these youth overcome the odds and make it through college! Make sure you stick around until the end to hear her advice about how you can help support former foster youth make it through college and empower them to have a voice!

Enjoy our encouraging conversation with Maryssa!

40. Foster and Adoptive Parents Going From 0-6 kids in 3 Years! Jun 27, 2018

Show notes

Welcome back to Around the World with The Archibald Project! My name is Whitney and together with my husband Nick, we started our orphan care advocacy organization, The Archibald Project. We've been working hard to tell inspiring stories about vulnerable children ever since and our goal is to ultimately end the global orphan crisis through storytelling! We believe that the more people who see and hear our stories then the more people who will be inspired to get involved and help end the orphan crisis!

In today's episode, we have an inspiring conversation with Daniel and Shellee Hyde! Daniel and Shellee went from 0 to 6 kids in just 3 years! They share with us how they made the jump from 0 to 6, and what becoming foster parents was like for them and how it lead to the adoption of 4 of their children! During our conversation, Daniel and Shellee open up and give us a front row seat to what it was like to just show up and be consistent with the kids that came in and out of their care, even when there wasn't certainty or permanency in their journey.

Enjoy our encouraging conversation with foster and adoptive parents, Daniel and Shellee!

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