Best Adoption Constellation Podcasts (2025)

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The Power of Support with Janelle Basham, Executive Director of Brave Love 48:03

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1h ago48:03

48:03

In this episode, we sit down with Janell Basham, Executive Director of BraveLove. Janell shares her personal journey as a birth mother, beginning at age 17 and leading to her current role with BraveLove. She reflects on the evolving identity of birth mothers, the importance of community and therapy, and the need for greater empathy and support in a…

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248. Emma Stevens: "Linda Pevac aka Emma Stevens" 35:29

2h ago35:29

35:29

Original air date: April 5, 2022 Emma Stevens is a U.S. domestic adoptee from birth and has survived layers of trauma that have put her on multiple journeys. She developed the inner strength and courage to surmount the many struggles she faced. Her traumas were born from being an adoptee who struggled with being forced to wear an impossible mask of…

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247. Astrid Castro and Nomi Kaie: "Building and Collaborating In Our Community" 1:07:38

8d ago1:07:38

1:07:38

Astrid Castro, founder and CEO of Adoption Mosaic—an adoptee-led, BIPOC woman-founded nonprofit—has dedicated over three decades to serving the adoption constellation through innovative, adoptee-centered programs, events, courses, and consultations. Adopted from Colombia at the age of four (along with her older sister), Astrid’s life's work and int…

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246. Greta Handgis (Fadness): "Looking For Me In All The Right Places" 1:09:39

15d ago1:09:39

1:09:39

Greta Handgis (Fadness) is a domestic same-race adoptee adopted through Lutheran Welfare Services in a closed adoption in 1968. She was relinquished immediately at birth and spent no time with her teenage biological mother. After a month in foster care, she was adopted. She was raised in a family with a younger sister, who was also adopted, and an …

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Episode 19 ADOPTION MATTERS: Real People, Real Life, Real Talk with Guest Sharon McNamara, Ed. D., 24:18

20d ago24:18

24:18

Join co-hosts, adoption coaches, and triad members Kim Noeth, Sally Ankerfelt and Sharon Butler Obazee, for a poignant and informative discussion with this month's special guest, adoptee and developmental psychologist, Sharon McNamara. Sharon shares her own personal story as well as her work with members of the adoption constellation. Adopted peopl…

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245. Danielle Orr: "I Wanted To Heal My Heart" 53:14

22d ago53:14

53:14

Original air date: August 16, 2022 Danielle Orr is a writer, painter and animal lover. She is currently working on her memoir. Music by Corey Quinn

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244. Jenna Lowe: "Frequency Astrology As An Adoptee's Tool" 1:10:51

29d ago1:10:51

1:10:51

Jenna Lowe is a domestic same race adoptee, adopted through Catholic Charities in a closed adoption. Her biological half-brother was also placed into the same family when Jenna was 17 months old. She is in reunion with both her paternal and maternal birth families and finds it her personal mission to spread awareness around relinquishment trauma to…

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243. Bridgett McGowen-Hawkins: "Voice Isn’t Just Expression—It’s Equity" 1:02:12

1M ago1:02:12

1:02:12

Bridgett McGowen-Hawkins is an award-winning international speaker, author, and publisher who energizes audiences and empowers voices. A late discovery adoptee, Bridgett found out at the age of 31 that she was adopted, an experience that reshaped her understanding of identity, family, trust, and truth. Today, she shares her story to support others …

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242. Jackson TerKeurst: "The Only Way Forward Is Back" 53:49

1M ago53:49

53:49

Jackson TerKeurst’s new book, The Only Way Forward is Back: A Story of War, Adoption, and Finding Your Purpose in God’s Plan, is an inspirational memoir taking the reader on a journey through war-torn Liberia to the United States, watching God do a mighty work during difficult and heart-breaking circumstances. Jackson is an entrepreneur and leader …

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241. Dan Smith: "Sharing is a Part of My Healing" 41:19

2M ago41:19

41:19

Original air date: January 10, 2023 Dan Smith is an adoptee in reunion who co-facilitates a support group with Adoption Network Cleveland for all members of the constellation. It meets the last Thursday of each month online. He resides in Ohio and enjoys his retirement after a career as a firefighter. Music by Corey Quinn…

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Episode 18 ADOPTION MATTERS: Real People, Real Life, Real Talk with Special Guest Elizabeth Barbour 38:51

2M ago38:51

38:51

Join co-hosts and adoption coaches, Sally Ankerfelt and Gayle Swift, both adoptive parents, for another enlightening discussion with this month's special guest, Elizabeth Barbour. Elizabeth brings a lot of experience to the table both as an adoptee reunited with her birth family and as an adoptive mom. Tune in to hear Elizabeth's wisdom and lived e…

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240. Zhen E (pronounced like Jenny): "Abducted Through Holt" 54:18

2M ago54:18

54:18

Original air date: June 14, 2022 Zhen E (pronounced like Jenny) is a transnational transracial Korean Adoptee who was abducted through Holt in the 1970s to an all white family and community. She and her husband Robert (also white) are foodies and travelers and cat-parents to 4 cats and proud parents to Jordan and his wife Skyler and grandparents to…

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239. Laura L. Engel: "You'll Forget This Ever Happened: Secrets, Shame and Adoption in the 1960's" 1:17:13

2M ago1:17:13

1:17:13

Original air date: May 2, 2023 Laura L. Engel likes to say she is late to the game as a budding new author. Originally from Biloxi, Mississippi, Laura has lived in Southern California for over 50 years. She and her husband, Gene are the proud parents of six grown children along with their significant others. They are delighted to be Grammy and PaPa…

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238. Rosalyn "Roz" Carter: "I Found Her" 56:38

2M ago56:38

56:38

Rosalyn “Roz" Carter is the co-host of the I Found Her podcast and Taya's birthmother. At the age of 16, Roz became pregnant and placed Deana, now Taya for adoption. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from University of Phoenix and is a Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM). She was a member of Toastmistress in the early 1970’s before women could …

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237. Taya Reed: "I Found Her" 59:07

3M ago59:07

59:07

Taya Reed is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Supervisor with over 15 years of therapeutic experience. She established her private practice, Sound House Therapy, 5 years ago. Adopted in 1970 during the Baby Scoop Era through the LA County Adoption Agency, Taya's personal experience within a closed same-race domestic adoption has profoundly sha…

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236. Angie: "Interconnectivity Among Adoptees" 49:23

3M ago49:23

49:23

Angie was born in Washington, DC in 1971. She spent the first couple of months at St. Ann's Maternity Home before being adopted by a somewhat older couple. She learned about her adoption as a young child after asking her mother if she had been adopted, as suggested by some classmates. Angie searched for and found her biological family in her early …

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235. Danna Schmidt: "Rituals of Healing From Birth to Worth" 1:03:44

3M ago1:03:44

1:03:44

Danna Schmidt is an end-of-life navigator, ceremonialist, and adoptee who often writes about ritual and threshold moments at the bedside or graveside. Her writings have appeared in Adoptee Voices, Severance Magazine, Grown and Flown and in Maggie Oman Shannon’s Crafting Love: Sharing Our Hearts Through the Work of Our Hands. She has two works in pr…

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Episode 17: Three Fathers Share Their Reflections About Fathering on Father's Day 49:44

3M ago49:44

49:44

Join co-hosts and adoption coaches, Sharon Butler-Obazee (an adopted person) and Sally Ankerfelt (an adoptive parent) for another lively discussion about Father's Day. First aired in June of 2024, we thought we should bring these three amzing men back in honor of Father's Day 2025. Being a dad in adoption can be complicated! Tune in to hear an adop…

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234. Ed Di Gangi: "Gliding Through Goodbye" 44:14

3M ago44:14

44:14

Ed Di Gangi is a returning guest. He was adopted at the time of his birth. It wasn't until late in his adulthood that he chose to explore the identity of the woman who had placed him for adoption so many years before. His meticulous research led to his learning the circumstances of his birth and subsequent adoption. A dna sample helped him identify…

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233. Jean Widner: "The Adoption Paradox: Putting Adoption in Perspective" 51:01

4M ago51:01

51:01

Jean Widner is the author of a new book, The Adoption Paradox: Putting Adoption in Perspective. Today we’re talking about her road to understanding adoption and why she wrote this important book. Jean was born in 1965 and raised in Washington State as an adoptee. After having a mostly positive adoption experience growing up, she shares her story, a…

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232. Chris Benton: "Why Can't We Talk About My Relinquishment and Adoption?" 55:54

4M ago55:54

55:54

Chris Benton from the UK (Birmingham) was fostered until 2 years of age prior to adoption. He listens to OUATIA podcast while doing landscaping work for his business. He recently transitioned from tree surgery to grounds maintenance (landscaping). He has an adoptive older brother (troubled) and in contact with bio brother who is 4 years younger (al…

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The Life and Work of Bert Hellinger 40:49

4M ago40:49

40:49

Honouring Bert Hellinger: A Conversation with Maia In this special episode, Maia joins Julie to reflect on Bert Hellinger's life and legacy, who would have turned 100 this year. You'll learn about his extraordinary biography and how he developed the Family Constellation method to identify and heal intergenerational trauma, transforming lives by res…

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231. Stacey Gatlin: "Yes We Adopt" 53:23

4M ago53:23

53:23

Stacey Gatlin, a passionate servant leader, is on a mission to transform the lives of children, women, and families through her commitment to personal, professional, and community development. She transitioned her corporate experience in talent management, leadership, and project management into entrepreneurship and advocacy. Stacey was compelled t…

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Episode 16: Mother's Day Reflections 25:41

4M ago25:41

25:41

This is a rebroadcast of last year's Mother's Day episode honoring and celebrating this special day for mothers. Listen to birth mothers, adoptees, and an adoptive dad share heartfelt feelings and maybe even some complicated thoughts about mothers. Join hosts, adoptive parent, Sally Ankerfelt and Adopted Person, Sharon Butler-Obazee, as they acknow…

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230. Part 2/2 with Leslie Lee: "Connection with a Community That Gets Me" 55:10

4M ago55:10

55:10

Music by Corey QuinnBy Jennifer Dyan Ghoston

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229. Part 1/2 with Leslie Lee: "Connection with a Community That Gets Me." 1:10:16

4M ago1:10:16

1:10:16

Leslie Lee at the age of 58, is just beginning to explore what it truly means to be adopted. As a same-race adoptee, she was placed with her family at eight weeks old, according to the transcript she received from the agency (Louise Wise) that facilitated the adoption. For most of her life, she carried this part of her identity in silence—only shar…

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228. Veronica: "Adoption Cost Adoptees So Much" 47:50

5M ago47:50

47:50

Veronica is a returning guest. She is the co-author of "Rooted in Adoption-A Collection of Adoptee Reflections" and the "Rooted in Adoption Journal" now on Amazon. Veronica's Instagram is @rootedinadoption0520 Recommendations: https://www.sdpb.org/2012-07-16/piecing-together-stories-of-families-lost-in-slavery https://growbeyondwords.com/2015/08/sc…

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Episode 15 Resilience, Leadership & Service as Pathways to Healing with Special Guest Marcie Keithley 38:58

5M ago38:58

38:58

Welcome to ADOPTION MATTERS, a podcast with real people sharing real stories and getting real about adoption from all three perspectives of the adoption triad. Join coaches, Kim Noeth, one of your co-hosts, and a birth mother, along with Sharon Butler-Obazee, an adopted person, and Sally Ankerfelt, an adoptive parent as they explore difficult topic…

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227. Kimberly L. Carter: "Rise, Thrive, and Flourish" 46:43

5M ago46:43

46:43

Kimberly L. Carter is a women's leadership strategist, speaker, and author of the journal, “Rise, Thrive, and Flourish”. With a background in spirituality, empowerment, and Gen Z leadership development, she helps women and organizations cultivate confidence, clarity, and purpose. Through her consulting work, coaching, and vibrant online presence, K…

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226. Laura Batt: "Bridging the Gap Between the Adoption Trauma Chasm" 49:39

5M ago49:39

49:39

Laura Batt (she/her) was adopted domestically as an infant and raised in a closed adoption. She has been in reunion with her biological family for 26+ years. Laura is also a birth/first parent to her oldest adult son. She is parenting another teenage son and young child with her significant other in Oregon. Laura worked in pregnancy and parenting s…

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225. Mirella Stoyanova: "Healing Toward Authenticity" 52:14

5M ago52:14

52:14

Mirella Stoyanova is a therapist, writer and international adoptee from Bulgaria of both Bulgarian and Iraqi origin. Her writing work has appeared in Write or Die Magazine, Business Insider, and HuffPost Personal, among other places. She is a proud member of Adoptee Voices and lives in Seattle, Washington with her husband Jason, her son Milo and he…

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224. Maureen McCauley: "Lions Roaring Far From Home" 56:11

6M ago56:11

56:11

Maureen McCauley is the adoptive mom of four now-adult children, two sons born in the U.S. and twin daughters born in Ethiopia; she has lived experience with infant adoption, international adoption, older child adoption, U.S. adoption, and transracial adoption. She also has three granddaughters. Her professional background is in social and educatio…

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Episode 14 "Blind Spots" in Adoptive Parenting 49:07

6M ago49:07

49:07

Welcome to ADOPTION MATTERS, a podcast with real people sharing real stories and getting real about adoption from all three perspectives of the adoption triad. Join coaches, Kim Noeth, one of your co-hosts, and a birth mother, along with Sharon Butler-Obazee, an adopted person, and Sally Ankerfelt, an adoptive parent as they explore difficult topic…

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223. Brooke Haynes: "Consurgo" 50:18

6M ago50:18

50:18

Brooke Haynes is a business coach, website and marketing system designer, and the founder of Consurgo, a personal development community for visionary entrepreneurs. With a unique ability to see the big picture, Brooke helps small businesses streamline their systems, build engaged communities, and create sustainable growth. Everyone who works with B…

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222. Stephanie C. Watterson: "Septopus" 51:08

6M ago51:08

51:08

My guest is Stephanie C. Watterson. Originally a shy and awkward biracial adoptee, Stephanie is now one of those people who, as soon as you meet her, you’ll feel joy around. She graduated from Langara College (Digital & Print Publications, Dean’s Honour Roll) and recently from Simon Fraser University (Editing Certificate). Last summer, she publishe…

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221. Bonus: "A Tribute to Ricky; an Adoptee Ally" 11:15

6M ago11:15

11:15

This episode is dedicated and in tribute to Ricky Lamont Boone. August 7, 1962-January 2, 2025. Music by Corey QuinnBy Jennifer Dyan Ghoston

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220. Dr. David McCarty-Caplan: "Adoption Consciousness and Education Through Research" 56:37

6M ago56:37

56:37

Dr. David McCarty-Caplan (PhD) is a researcher, educator, writer, and consultant whose professional experience focuses on issues of identity development, support of underserved populations, racial equity, and pursuit of social justice. David was born in Bogota, Colombia but adopted and raised in a white Jewish family in the United States. This live…

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An International Adoptee's Journey with Anna Lehnardt 32:41

6M ago32:41

32:41

In this episode, we sit down with Anna Lehnardt, an international adoptee, to learn about the personal and emotional challenges from her experience of growing up in a family across borders. From navigating identity to facing the complexities of belonging, this conversation sheds light on the realities of international adoption.…

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219. D. Yvonne Rivers: "F.O.G. and I.C.E." 48:31

7M ago48:31

48:31

D. Yvonne Rivers is a returning guest. She is the host of the Birth Moms Real Talk Podcast. Since 1988, D. Yvonne Rivers Aka Phoebe has been a champion of a cause, from business success, domestic violence, re-entry, and adoption community. One facet of this global business expert is an esteemed speaker, facilitator, and trainer across the globe on …

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218. Black History Month: "Powerful Words From Adoptees" 2:13:32

7M ago2:13:32

2:13:32

Reflecting on words from eleven prior adoptee guests for Black History Month" In order of appearance: Dr. Syb Brown, Isaac Etter, Maya Holmes, Sandria Washington, Dr. Jack Rocco, Kenneth Bonomo, Joi R. Fisher-Griffin, David Bynum, Dr. Patrice Martin, Iris Bryant and Dr. KE Katherin Garland. Thank you for your generous gift of sharing a part of your…

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Episode 13: What's Love Got to Do with It? 19:02

7M ago19:02

19:02

Valentine's Day is upon us once again. Love is supposed to be "in the air." But what if it isn't. Today, our hosts, birth mom Kim Noeth, adoptee Sharon Obazee, and adoptive parent, Sally Ankerfelt are joined by adoptive parents, Susan David and Gayle Swift, discuss the idea that love is sometimes an obligation. As always, their discussion is infuse…

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217. Dewi Sungai Marquis-Houston: "My Name Is Not Amy" 47:53

7M ago47:53

47:53

Dewi Sungai Marquis-Houston is a mixed-race Native Bornean (Ngaju Dayak, Banjarese, Sundanese, English) mother, wife, and filmmaker who was born in Indonesia, adopted as an infant by white American parents, renamed “Amy" (a name she has since rescinded to reclaim her birth name), and raised in the U.S. in white suburbia. Dewi's experiences as a tra…

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216. Diego Vitelli: "Adoptee Identity, the Search for Answers and Sitting in True Authenticity." 1:01:43

7M ago1:01:43

1:01:43

Diego Vitelli is a dedicated adoptee-focused therapist, relationship expert, and advocate for racial diversity and LGBTQ+ inclusion. An international adoptee from Colombia, Diego was adopted at approximately five years old by an Irish-Italian family outside of Boston. His lived experience as an adoptee fuels his deep passion for amplifying adoptee …

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Adoption and Suicidal Ideation: A Conversation with Beth Syverson 44:16

7M ago44:16

44:16

In 2019, when Beth Syverson's adopted son Joey was 15, he was hospitalized with a mental health crisis. While there, Beth discovered he had been using cannabis, psychedelics, and more. It has been a sometimes-excruciating marathon since then, with runaways, overdoses, psych hospitals and treatment centers, relapses, suicidal ideation, and anxiety &…

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215. Paul Kimball: "We are all Human Beings; An Adoptee Ponders" 1:17:42

7M ago1:17:42

1:17:42

Paul Kimball is an active musician in Stockton California. He conducts Musicals, The Zion Chamber Orchestra and Pops Choir and recently retired after 36 years as a music teacher with the Lincoln Unified School District. He is French Horn player. As a baby, Paul lived in Foster Care after being relinquished by his first mother, a concert cellist, at…

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214. Jennifer Hiltebeitel: "Trust Falling" 54:10

8M ago54:10

54:10

Jennifer Hiltebeitel (HILL-ta-bite-el) is a returning guest. Jennifer is an adopted person on a lifelong healing journey. She was adopted through the county foster care system in Pennsylvania in the early 70s and just obtained her original birth certificate in 2023. She met her biological mother at 17 and father at 21 before the internet existed an…

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Episode 12: Thoughts on the Loss of One's Mother 22:58

8M ago22:58

22:58

Real life brings challenges that include grief and loss. Of course, this is true for those in the adoption constellation. As adoption coaches, we talk a lot about grief and loss in the context of a child adoptee losing their birth mother even as the adoption brings them an adoptive mom. But what about the adult adoptee? And how might the adoptive p…

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Episode 7: More Than a Flower Transplanted: An Adoptee's Perspective on Roots and Growth 28:33

8M ago28:33

28:33

Join us for Part 2 of our powerful conversation with Liliana, an international and transracial adoptee, as she continues to share her journey of self-discovery, cultural reconnection, and healing. In this episode of Constellation Conversations, Liliana dives deeper into the complexities of navigating identity and belonging as an adoptee. She opens …

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213. Astrid Castro: "Three Decades of Serving the Adoption Constellation" 1:06:15

8M ago1:06:15

1:06:15

Astrid Castro is a returning guest. Astrid is the founder and CEO of Adoption Mosaic, an adoptee-led, BIPOC woman-owned business that creates for and connects our adoption constellation community through adoptee-centered events, education courses, and consultations. For over three decades, Astrid has served the adoption constellation through a vari…

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Pioneering Openness with Linda R. Sexton 35:13

8M ago35:13

35:13

Linda R. Sexton shares her experiences and insights regarding open adoption, including the challenges and benefits involved. She also discusses the importance of prioritizing the child's needs, maintaining open communication with birth parents, and the potential for intergenerational trauma to impact adoptees. Additionally, Linda shares about her b…