• Mardie Caldwell: 40 Years of Faith-Led Adoption
    Jan 27 2026
    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 rooted in open adoption, education, and unwavering respect for everyone involved.
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    53 mins
  • Lifetime Foundation: Supporting Women Who Choose Adoption
    Jan 20 2026

    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 offers a closer look at how the Foundation’s work creates opportunity, understanding, and long-term impact.

    In this episode, we talk about:

    • Why the Lifetime Adoption Foundation was created
    • Birth mother scholarships and how education supports long-term independence
    • Stability support for birth mothers navigating life after placement
    • The role of adoption education in reducing misinformation
    • Adoptive Family (AF) Grants and how they help families move forward
    • Ways supporters can get involved, including monetary donations, Amazon Wish List donations, Foundation bracelets, and Treasures in a Bag fundraising efforts

    

    This episode is an inside look at how thoughtful, practical support helps strengthen individuals, families, and the adoption community as a whole.

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    26 mins
  • Choosing an Ethical Adoption Agency: Values Every Family Should Consider
    Jan 13 2026

    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 practical insight and gentle guidance for families navigating the adoption journey.

    This episode isn’t about finding a “perfect” agency—it’s about clarity, alignment, and protecting everyone involved in the adoption triad.

    In This Episode, We Discuss:

    • What “ethical adoption” actually means
    • Why values alignment matters more than speed or guarantees
    • How ethical agencies support birth parents—regardless of outcome
    • Transparency, financial clarity, and informed consent
    • Preparing adoptive parents for lifelong adoption, not just placement
    • Why ethical adoption doesn’t end at finalization

    Who This Episode Is For:

    • Hopeful adoptive parents exploring agencies
    • Families early in the adoption process
    • Anyone wanting a deeper, more thoughtful understanding of ethical adoption

    Key Takeaway:

    Ethical adoption begins with intentional choices—long before placement day—and continues long after.

    Listen now and share with a family who’s considering adoption.

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    45 mins
  • Adoption 101: We’re Interested in Adopting—Now What?
    Jan 6 2026

    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 starting place.

    In this episode, we cover:

    • How to identify what kind of adoption you’re seeking
    • Why preferences are helpful, not harmful
    • How to research and compare adoption agencies
    • What to look for when meeting with agencies
    • Typical next steps after applying, including home study and education

    Who this episode is for:

    • Families newly considering adoption
    • Couples feeling overwhelmed by where to begin
    • Anyone seeking a simple Adoption 101 overview

    Listen now and share with someone who’s just starting their adoption journey.

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    33 mins
  • When the Dream Changes: Navigating Grief, Waiting, and Possibility
    Dec 30 2025

    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 come with unmet expectations, the exhaustion of waiting, and the fear of not knowing what comes next, especially when it comes to building a family.

    This conversation offers reassurance, perspective, and hope without pressure. Whether you’re deciding not to pursue parenthood, feeling unsure, or quietly wondering if there may still be a path forward, this episode reminds listeners that curiosity does not require commitment, and learning about options—like adoption—is simply a way to gain clarity.

    If life hasn’t turned out the way you thought, you’re not alone. And if parenthood is still something you desire, it may be more possible than you realize.

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    24 mins
  • The Hope a Woman Holds When Considering Adoption — and the Fears That Stand Beside It
    Dec 23 2025

    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?”

    —and contrast them with the hopes that often rise right beside those fears, including the desire for stability, love, openness, and a meaningful future for the child.

    Listeners will learn why these emotions are normal, why they coexist, and why understanding them matters. Adoptive parents will gain perspective that strengthens empathy and openness. Women considering adoption will hear reassurance that nothing they’re feeling is unusual or wrong.

    It’s a thoughtful, grounding episode that brings clarity to one of the most misunderstood parts of the adoption process: the heart of a woman who is choosing with love, courage, and complexity.

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    47 mins
  • Hope While You're Waiting: Courage, Clarity & Staying Steady
    Dec 16 2025
    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 holiday navigation tips, and real stories of hope rising at unexpected moments. The episode wraps with encouraging words for waiting families and reassurance that their journey is still unfolding beautifully.
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    50 mins
  • A Christmas Story of Hope: Holidays Before, During, and After Adoption
    Dec 9 2025

    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 gift-giving in open adoption and how her family approaches Christmas with love and intention.

    If you’re an adoptive parent, waiting family, or anyone touched by adoption, this episode will remind you that hope is alive, God is faithful, and you’re not walking this season alone.

    Tune in for encouragement, practical insights, and a fresh Christmas perspective, no matter where you are in the journey.

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    50 mins