Episodes

The short answer is yes… but it’s more complicated than that. In this episode of Let’s Talk Adoption, Kim and Heather unpack the many ways “no” shows up in adoption.

In this heartfelt episode of Let’s Talk Adoption, Kim King sits down with Maureen, a two-time single adoptive mom who followed her calling to grow her family through international adoption—twice. Maureen shares the joys, challenges, and life-changing moments of adopting as a single parent. We spend special time talking about her daughter’s adoption from China, including navigating special needs adoption and the unexpected blessings that came afterward.

In Part 2 of this powerful series, Kim and Heather continue breaking down 10 more common myths about adoption, including misconceptions about birth parents, the matching process, and what life looks like after placement.

There’s a lot of misinformation about adoption—and it can create fear, confusion, or hesitation for families considering this path. In this episode of Let’s Talk Adoption, Kim and Heather break down the top 10 myths about adoption for prospective adoptive parents and replace them with truth, clarity, and encouragement.

Christian parenting podcasts have become a go-to source of encouragement for many families. They offer practical advice, faith-centered perspectives, and reassurance for the everyday challenges of raising children. But what happens when your family is built through adoption? In this episode of Let’s Talk Adoption, Heather and Kim talk about why so many parents turn to Christian parenting podcasts — and where adoptive families may need something more. From understanding a child’s story to navig...

In this powerful episode of Let’s Talk Adoption, we sit down with adoptee and entrepreneur, John Knox, to talk about the Super Bowl commercial that sparked a nationwide conversation. “The Girl in the Middle,” a moving and conversation-provoking ad that has been viewed over 100 million times, was created with a simple but meaningful goal: to bring awareness to adoption as a third option. Beyond the campaign, John opens up about his personal adoption story, including what it was like to reconnect ...

What does Christian parenting look like in an adoptive family? In this episode of Let’s Talk Adoption, Heather and Kim talk about Christian parenting tips through the lens of adoption. Many of the values Christians hope to model as parents—grace, compassion, patience, and humility—often take on deeper meaning when parenting a child whose story began before they joined the family. They discuss what it looks like to parent with faith, how adoptive parents can speak positively about their child’s...

Have you ever heard someone refer to an “adoption certificate”? It’s actually a phrase that shows up in online searches quite often. But interestingly, there isn’t an official document called an adoption certificate. So what are people really looking for when they search that phrase? In this episode of Let’s Talk Adoption, Heather and Kim unpack the three different things people are usually referring to when they ask about the “adoption certificate process.”

What does it really take to adopt an older child? In this candid continuation of their series, host Kim King and licensed social worker Linda Rotz pull back the curtain on what families can genuinely expect. They tackle some of the most persistent myths — that older children don't want to be adopted, that love alone is enough, or that bonding happens instantly — and replace them with honest, compassionate insight. Linda shares real stories from her years in both private adoption and foster care...

When people hear there are thousands of children waiting to be adopted, it can sound like adopting an older child is straightforward. The truth? Older child adoption is often far more complex and challenging than people realize. In this three-part series, Kim sits down with Linda to unpack what older child adoption really looks like, how it differs from infant adoption, myths and truths, trauma, and what families should thoughtfully consider before saying yes to this path. Honest, practical, and...

Adoption timelines can feel confusing and overwhelming — so we broke down EVERY stage. From home study to finalization, this episode walks you through what to expect, what can speed things up, and what can slow things down. If you’re waiting, this one is for you.

In Part Two, Linda answers the final five home study questions adoptive parents are often too nervous to ask—covering red flags, second chances, comparisons, and what happens after the report is written. Topics Covered: • Red flags vs. fixable concerns • What happens if issues come up • Comparing adoptive families • Who reads your home study • How to truly prepare

You asked if we saw the Super Bowl adoption ad… Yes. Yes, we did. And we recorded a reaction episode right away. When adoption shows up during the biggest advertising event of the year, the entire country starts talking. The commercial — centered on the idea of adoption as a “third choice” — was released ahead of the 2026 Super Bowl and quickly sparked widespread conversation online. In this episode, Kim and Heather react to the viral “third choice” adoption commercial and unpack the many reacti...

In part one of this two-part series, adoption social worker Linda answers five home study questions that prospective adoptive parents often wonder about but may be hesitant to ask during the home study process. Drawing on her experience, Linda provides candid and compassionate insights to demystify the home study and ease common anxieties. Topics covered include: How social workers evaluate families What truly causes a home study to fail How honest families should be Marriage, faith, and pa...

For more than 40 years, Mardie Caldwell has walked alongside families and women navigating infertility, unplanned pregnancy, and adoption—always guided by faith, compassion, and a deep trust in God’s leading. In this episode of Let’s Talk Adoption, Mardie shares the story behind Lifetime Adoption, the calling that shaped its mission, and her personal journey that began with infertility and unfolded into a lifetime of service. What started as a quiet step of obedience became a national ministry r...

In this episode of Let’s Talk Adoption, Heather and Kim share the heart and mission of the Lifetime Adoption Foundation, the nonprofit that sponsors the show. The Foundation exists to provide education, financial assistance, and practical support to people impacted by adoption — including birth mothers and adoptive families — at different points along the journey. From birth mother scholarships and stability-focused support, to adoption education and adoptive family grants, this conversation o...

Choosing an adoption agency is one of the most important decisions hopeful adoptive parents will make—yet many families aren’t sure what questions to ask or what values truly matter. In this episode of Let’s Talk Adoption with Kim and Heather, we explore what ethical adoption really looks like and how families can discern whether an agency’s philosophy aligns with their own. From transparency and education to birth parent care and child-centered decision making, this conversation offers practic...

Thinking about adoption but not sure where to start? You’re not alone. In this entry-level episode of Let’s Talk Adoption, Kim and Heather walk through the very first steps of the adoption journey in a clear, approachable way. From identifying your adoption preferences to researching agencies, applying, and understanding what typically comes next, this episode is designed to bring clarity and confidence to families who are just beginning to explore adoption. No pressure. No overwhelm. Just a s...

There are seasons when life quietly shifts, and suddenly the future you imagined no longer feels certain. For some, that uncertainty comes after pregnancy loss or infertility. For others, it follows unexpected changes, like being single longer than planned, walking through divorce, or losing a spouse and facing life in a way you never anticipated. In this episode of Let’s Talk Adoption, Heather and Kim speak honestly to those living in that in-between space. They acknowledge the grief that can ...

In this episode of Let’s Talk Adoption, Heather and Kim explore the deeply human mix of hope and fear that women experience when they begin considering adoption for their child. This honest, compassionate conversation offers insight for both hopeful adoptive parents and women who may be navigating this decision themselves. Together, Heather and Kim walk through the most common fears— “Am I a bad mother?” “What if my child doesn’t understand?” “What if the adoptive parents forget about me?” ...

Today we focus on waiting adoptive families during the holidays. This episode explores what hope realistically looks like during the waiting season—especially during the holidays. Heather and Kim offer grounding guidance, emotional support, and professional tools to help families stay steady, protect their emotional space, and remain connected to the adoption process. The conversation covers reframing hope, honoring personal growth during the wait, practical ways to stay engaged, professional ho...

In this heartfelt Christmas episode, Kim sits down with adoptive mom and popular creator MaryAnne Budden of OpenlyParenting.com to talk honestly about the holiday season at every stage of the adoption journey. From the ache of Christmas during infertility… to the emotional tension of waiting to be chosen… to the joy—and new complexities—of celebrating Christmas after adoption, MaryAnne shares wisdom, warmth, and real-life stories. She also opens up about setting healthy boundaries around gif...

In this first episode of our December “Hope in Adoption” series, Heather and Kim explore how hope shows up in adoption from every perspective—often quietly, sometimes unexpectedly, but always powerfully. They look beyond the usual ideas of hope and talk honestly about how it appears for: Women considering adoption: the hope for stability, safety, and being understood Waiting adoptive families: the hope that grows through persistence, preparation, and small moments of encouragement Birth fathers:...

In this powerful episode, Kim and Heather unpack the surprising truths about birth fathers in adoption. From learning they can sometimes sign consent before birth, to discovering they can be involved in every part of the adoption plan — even have their own open adoption connection — this conversation challenges old assumptions. You’ll also hear about the “Wait what?! Adoption isn’t giving up” moment, and how birth fathers can process emotions like guilt, anger, and shame in healthy, healing ways...