Episodes

“How much did your baby cost?” “Did her birth mother use drugs?” “Do you love her as much as you would your own child?” Yes, adoptive families really do get asked questions like these! People are naturally curious about adoption, and most aren’t trying to be rude or insensitive. But sometimes curiosity crosses a line, especially when the question involves personal details that belong to the adopted child. In this episode of Let’s Talk Adoption, Kim King and Heather Featherston tackle some o...

Who gets to name the baby when there’s an adoption plan? Does the expectant mother choose the name? Do the adoptive parents? And what happens to the baby’s name after the adoption is finalized?In this quick bonus episode of Let’s Talk Adoption, Kim and Heather answer a surprisingly common adoption question and explain how first names, last names, birth certificates, and name changes can work in adoption. You’ll hear about: Who has the right to name the baby at birth Whether an expectant mothe...

We’ve covered a lot of ground in our recent episodes, from what happens at the hospital and preparing to travel to health insurance, ICPC, home studies, and employer adoption benefits. And sometimes, answering one question just leads to another! So today, we’re doing another listener Q&A and tackling five of those practical “Okay, but what happens if…?” questions that we haven’t really covered yet: “What happens if we get the call about a baby and our home study has expired or is about to exp...

In this episode of Let's Talk Adoption, we're walking through an adoption journey from pregnancy through bringing baby home and explaining how medical bills and health insurance typically work along the way.

Adoptive dad Tim Elder returns to share lessons, practical advice, and encouragement for families pursuing domestic infant adoption.

In this episode of Let’s Talk Adoption, Kim welcomes back Tim Elder, a three-time adoptive dad and founder of the Infant Adoption Guide Podcast and Community. After experiencing the infant adoption process three times, Tim has gained a unique perspective on what it takes to navigate adoption as an adoptive parent.

In this episode, Kim King and Heather Featherston discuss what it's like adopting when you already have kids. They answer common questions about whether having children affects your chances of being chosen by an expectant mother, what to expect during your home study, whether your children should travel with you for an out-of-state adoption, and how to prepare your entire family for the exciting transition ahead.

Growing your family through adoption is exciting, but if you’re already parenting a child, you may be wondering how to prepare them for this life-changing journey.Whether you’ve experienced secondary infertility, always hoped to adopt, or recently felt called to grow your family through adoption, one question often comes up: “How do I explain adoption to my child and help them welcome a new sibling?”  In this episode of Let’s Talk Adoption, Kim King and Heather Featherston discuss practical,...

When you receive the call that an adoption opportunity is available, things can move quickly. Some families have hours to prepare, while others have a day or two. Being ready ahead of time can make an already emotional experience much less stressful. In this episode, we’re sharing practical ways to prepare before your phone rings, including: Creating an adoption “go bag” Packing the essentials for both you and your baby Planning ahead for children and pets at home Preparing your finances an...

In this episode, Kim welcomes back three-time adoptive mom and life coach Tammy Young to talk about the emotional side of adoption and helping adopted children navigate life’s challenges. Tammy shares lessons from her international adoption journey, the importance of communication, and how storytelling can help children process difficult experiences. She also shares practical tips for adoptive parents, including using sign language with young children. Tammy’s son, adopted from Kazakhstan, is no...

One of the biggest concerns expectant mothers have when considering adoption is simple: “How do I know my baby will be safe?” The good news is that adoptive families don’t simply sign up and start adopting. Before a family can ever be presented to an expectant mother, they complete a thorough screening process designed to ensure they are prepared to provide a safe, stable, and loving home. In this episode, Heather and Kim walk through what really happens behind the scenes during the approval pro...

Adoption is surrounded by myths, half-truths, and misconceptions. In this fun, game-style episode of Let’s Talk Adoption, Heather and Kim put some of the most common adoption statements to the test. Is it fact…or is it fiction? From open adoption and home studies to foster care, international adoption, birth father rights, and financial assistance during pregnancy, you’ll learn what’s true, what’s false, and where the answer depends on the situation. Whether you’re an expectant parent conside...

Could your employer help pay for your adoption? Many hopeful adoptive parents spend months researching adoption grants, fundraising ideas, savings plans, and loans but overlook one of the most accessible potential sources of financial assistance: their own employer. In this episode of Let’s Talk Adoption, Heather and Kim explain how employer adoption reimbursement works, how much assistance some companies provide, and the questions every hopeful adoptive parent should ask Human Resources.

How can we help adoptees develop confidence, resilience, and a healthy mindset throughout every stage of life? In this episode of Let’s Talk Adoption, Kim King is joined by educator, Certified WISDOM Coach®, and adoptive mom Tammy Young. Drawing from more than 20 years of teaching and her personal experience raising three adopted children, Tammy shares practical ways parents can help children recognize unhealthy thought patterns, build self-esteem, and develop resilience rooted in truth and God...

One of the biggest questions people have about adoption is also one of the least talked about: What actually happens at the hospital? In this episode, Heather Featherston and Kim King walk through what families can typically expect during the hospital experience, from labor and delivery to paperwork, discharge, and everything in between. Whether you’re an expectant parent considering adoption or a hopeful adoptive family, understanding the process can replace fear with confidence.

In this episode of Let's Talk Adoption, Heather and Kim explain the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) in simple, easy-to-understand language. They discuss why ICPC exists, what happens after your baby is born, how long the process usually takes, and what adoptive families can expect while waiting for approval.

We’re rereleasing this powerful episode of Let’s Talk Adoption featuring John Knox, adoptee, entrepreneur, and the man behind the national Adoption Is An Option movement. John’s message continues to be just as important today: women facing an unexpected pregnancy deserve to know every option available to them, including modern adoption. Through the Adoption Is An Option movement and the widely shared video, “The Girl in the Middle,” John has helped bring adoption back into the national conversat...

After our recent episode about common questions women ask when considering adoption, we received even more thoughtful questions from listeners.In this follow-up episode, Heather and Kim answer five of the most searched and emotionally complex adoption questions women often ask while exploring their options. They discuss: Can you choose the adoptive family for your baby? Can you change your mind about adoption? What does open adoption really look like? How are adoptive families screened and ...

If you’re pregnant and wondering whether adoption might be the right path for your baby, you probably have a lot of questions. In this episode of Let’s Talk Adoption, Heather and Kim walk through some of the most common questions women ask when they first reach out to learn about adoption.

In Part 2 of Tiffany's incredible adoption journey, we continue the story after her family's first Safe Haven adoption and discover how God surprised them yet again with a second unexpected call. After adopting their son through Florida's Safe Haven program, Tiffany and her husband thought they would spend months waiting to be matched for a second adoption. Instead, less than two months after becoming active again, they received another life-changing phone call: there was a baby girl who needed...

What happens when a normal Monday turns into the day you become a parent? In this powerful episode of Let’s Talk Adoption, Kim sits down with Tiffany to share the incredible story of how she and her husband Joshua became parents through Safe Haven adoption. Before adopting, Tiffany and Joshua spent years serving overseas as missionaries in Thailand, trusting God through unexpected turns, closed doors, and major life changes. After returning to the United States to pursue adoption, they had no ...

Three of the most common questions women ask when exploring adoption are deeply emotional ones. Questions about love, openness, trust, and safety. In this episode, Heather and Kim talk honestly about: Whether choosing adoption means you don’t love your baby What modern open adoption really looks like today How adoptive families are screened and why emotional safety matters too They also discuss the guilt, fear, and misconceptions many women carry while considering adoption, and why learning...

In this episode of Let’s Talk Adoption, we’re answering real questions from listeners—questions that reflect the emotions, decisions, and uncertainties so many people face in the adoption journey. From concerns about financial risk to navigating family opinions, from the heartbreak of a situation going quiet to wondering what openness really looks like, these are the kinds of questions that don’t always have easy answers—but they deserve thoughtful ones. We also hear from a birth mother wonderin...

Not being chosen in adoption can feel deeply personal—but is it? In this episode of Let’s Talk Adoption, Kim and Heather talk honestly about the emotional side of waiting, especially when a family isn’t selected after being presented to an expectant mother. They explore: How adoption decisions are made Why connection matters more than “qualifications” How to move forward without losing confidence If you’ve ever wondered, “Why wouldn’t she choose us?”—this conversation offers clarity, perspe...