Around the World with The Archibald Project

Are orphanages the best way to care for orphaned children? Is there actually a better way? The answers to these questions could define the next generation of vulnerable children. Join us as we dig deeper into these complicated issues and the origins and motivations behind our recently released video series called Reimagine Orphan Care.

We spoke with Oleg and Andrey, two Ukrainian men working to help bring children to safety. They share about the realities of what is actually happening on the ground and how children living in orphanages are being impacted the most. Visit Orphan Outreach to learn how you can support Together for Children in Ukraine.

If you're like most people, the war in Ukraine weighs heavy on your mind but you don't know what to do about it. Fortunately, Ronne Rock and Mike Douris have been working with vulnerable children in both Russia and Ukraine for years. Their wisdom, insight, and humility will help guide us toward ways that can make a difference during this unprecedented time.

Keri spent the first 20 years of her life surviving. She went into foster care at 3 days old and was adopted by age 5. This was supposed to be her happy ending but instead she endured abuse and more broken relationships. This pain and trauma could have defined Keri's life, but instead she chose to find healing.

Late one night in a Los Angeles hotel room, Brenna had her kids unexpectedly removed from her care and taken back to Michigan. Now, with COVID lockdown just starting, she found herself stuck, homeless, and hopeless. This could have crushed most people, but Brenna loved her children more than anything and would do whatever it took to get them back.

After an unplanned pregnancy her senior year of high school, Emma placed her baby for adoption. Today, 5 years later, Emma and adoptive mama Rachel are here today to tell us about the ways they have been able to heal and grow together through open adoption for the sake of their daughter.

Prince Hayward had every reason to become another statistic of the foster care system, but instead he is using his experience to advocate for the next generation.

People can help vulnerable children and families at any stage of their life and our guest today, Bob Rogers is here to prove just that. Bob is near and dear to the Archibald family as he is Whitney's dad and is here to talk with us about how he is using his retirement time to care for vulnerable children and families in his local community.

Cindy was born in South Korea but she was raised by a black family in Jackson, Mississippi. Like many transracial adoptees, this collision of race, ethnicity, and culture sent Cindy on a complicated journey to find her identity and sense of belonging.

As a child, very few adults took the chance to help Gaelin in his situation. This resulted in over 20 foster homes, homelessness, and abuse. But despite all that was against him Gaelin did not become another statistic of the system, and his story is further proof that kids in foster care are more than what their case file says. They are strong, resilient, and healing is possible.

Cathleen Bearse is a licensed therapist who decided to become a foster parent, yet before she even received her first placement she started therapy herself. Cathleen shares with us the power of having a safe place for your feelings and emotions during foster care.

Ashlee and her husband had what so many people work toward; a mostly controlled and comfortable life. But when they were confronted with the reality of children and families in need, they knew they were being called out of their comfort and into something greater.

Jason Johnson and his wife had talked about foster care for a while, but she was ready and he wasn't. What he didn't know was that his decision would change the direction and trajectory of his entire life in ways he never expected.

Travel with us from the busy streets of Bangkok to a border town dump to hear the work of a man and his team who are empowering families and protecting vulnerable children from trafficking. At the time this episode was recorded, the organization was called Compasio. They are now called Global Child Advocates.

Sri Lanka is strikingly beautiful, but it has a complicated history. This has had the greatest effect on the vulnerable children who call this place home. We travel from the oceans to the mountains to hear the compelling stories of children and the people working to help them thrive.

Get immersed in the busyness of Beijing as we document something extremely rare; the adoption of a 13 year old boy who is visually impaired.

Travel with us to a country that marks the southern edge of the Sahara Desert to witness the adoption of a 13 year old boy with hearing loss.

Travel with us inside the borders of Western Romania to hear the story of a woman who has been rescuing vulnerable children since the fall of communism.

Become immersed in the sounds of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia as we hear the stories of vulnerable children and the people working to provide them with family. 

One of the problems with foster care is that the cycle tends to repeat itself. A child who doesn't have a consistent family has a child of their own and then isn't equipped or supported to care for that child. But you know what can help break that cycle? A loving family. This is why Jaymi and her husband continue to say yes to fostering teens.

Finding a foster home for a teenager is almost twice as unlikely as finding a home for children 12 and under. Yet, despite this trend, Maranda Karenbauer and her husband have welcomed four children (ages 17, 16, 13, and 11) into their home. Despite the stereotypes and fears around fostering teens, Maranda and her husband have instead found deep love and even their first son.

Brittaney Allen's experience in foster care made her believe that no one could love her. But a foster family said yes and eventually became her family through adoption. Now Brittaney is a foster and adoptive parent herself.

When a child in foster care must transition out of your home, (hopefully to be reunited with family) it can still be difficult for everyone involved. But we can help the children we love and set them up to thrive in their new home by creating something called a transition plan. Hallie Graves is here to share how a successful transition has helped her foster children continue to heal.

From the age of eight Kylee had children from foster care in her life and her home. Her parent's decision to make this a part of the DNA of their family had major effects on Kylee's childhood, teen years, and who she is today. Her story and experience may not be what you expect.

Even though Ligia Cushman was an adoption social worker when she adopted, she still wasn’t fully prepared for all the feelings of grief and loss that her son would experience. But over the years she has never stopped leaning in, listening, and learning. She now knows that adoption requires deep love, compassion and action.  She is here to show us what love in action looks like.

If you aren't able to foster or adopt, one of the most important and impactful roles you can play is supporting someone who is. But it’s not always clear what you should do or how to best help. To help with this we sat down with our own friend and employee Allie Chandler who has been supporting us in our adoption for 3 years now. Our candid discussion will better equip you to truly help the foster and adoptive families you love.

Angela Braniff is a mother to 8 through domestic adoption, international adoption, special needs adoption, embryo adoption and birth. Angela’s passion for justice, ethics and ensuring that all children are in a safe and loving family is contagious.

Julie and Brian Mavis had been foster parents, raised bio children, and even started an amazing organization called America's Kids Belong. And as recent empty nesters, they were poised for some well deserved R&R. But the Mavis' had seen too much. So when they were confronted with the opportunity to care for an older child who had aged out of foster care, they said yes. Their "yes" changed everything.

Embo Tshimanga edured 25 plus moves, 20 schools, 6 homeless shelters, 2 women’s shelters, and 2 group homes during her time in foster care. When she aged out, she had every reason to become another statistic, yet Embo began a journey of healing that included becoming a college graduate. She is here to share her story and how we can all do better at supporting our youth in and out of foster care. Organizations Mentioned: America’s Kids Belong Dream Makers Project

After suffering a tragic spinal cord injury that left him in a wheelchair, Chris Norton and his wife Emily had every reason to just focus on themselves; navigating life and marriage. Instead they chose to do foster care and adoption. The Norton's have fostered 18 kids and adopted 5. Chris's story of perseverance and selflessness will inspire you to do the same.

In many countries orphaned girls are some of the most vulnerable members of society. Then, once they age out of care they are opened up to a whole new world of dangers with no family or knowledge of how to navigate life and stay safe. Our friend John Marshall saw this problem and decided to tackle it by providing a quality, free college education for these girls. You have to listen to this podcast and learn more about how Teach Her is changing lives.

Sally's journey began when she was 6 months old as she entered the foster care system. Although adopted by loving parents, her journey of abuse continued when she was sexually abused and treated terribly by family and her peers. Her own healing came when Sally adopted her daughter out of foster care and has since had to learn how to help her daughter overcome her own trauma. This beautifully tragic story of healing is a must listen.

Something you may not realize is that a large number of adoptive parents enter into adoption with trauma of their own. Jordan Tate was no exception as she experienced incredible loss before quickly entering into a domestic adoption. She is here to help us understand how we can better navigate our own pain and trauma which will allow us to more healthily help our children heal from their trauma.

Our guest today, Julie Kouri, is an adoptive mom and founder of an adoption and foster care organization called Fostering Hope. In this podcast Julie shares wisdom that only comes after years of being in this field and we learn how Fostering Hope is restoring broken families.

When looking for a preschool when a child has experienced trauma you will want to consider the environment, type of care, whether state subsidies will be accepted, and many other factors, which can all be overwhelming. Enter Petra Preschool! Our guest today, Mindy Jones shares how she and her team at Petra have created a community for families in the foster system so that everyone can find the support they need to thrive.

Sometimes it can feel like the only way to help vulnerable children is by fostering or adopting, but nothing could be further from the truth. One of the most practical ways you can start getting involved is by becoming a Court Appointed Special Advocate or CASA volunteer. Our guest Maddy Wellum is here to tell us about her experience with CASA and the impact it’s had on the lives of children and even more so her own.  Visit CASA here. Check out The Archibald Project's website here.

Jacari Harris endured an unstable home, two years in foster care, an adoption, and the death of his father. His anger, depression, and pain caused him to call the police on his adoptive parents and get kicked out of class. But through the consistency of his adoptive mother and a new found determination, Jacari has become an inspiration to foster parents and foster youth. 

What happens at the U.S. and Mexico border is complex and highly debated. But no matter your opinion it doesn't change the fact that there are vulnerable women and children living there that need help. Our guest today, Alma Ruth has fully embraced that call and is using her time and resources to support the people living in these desperate circumstances. Alma’s story and experiences will open your eyes and challenge your heart.

Susan Harness faced many complexities and challenges growing up as an American Indian transracial adoptee in the 1960’s and 70’s. From years of experiencing racism, poor U.S. policies, an abusive father, and a journey to meet her mother, Susan has become gracious and an important voice for the adoptee community.

If there is anyone out there who has advice to give it is author, TBRI Practitioner, and certified Enneagram coach Lisa Qualls. She carries with her the wisdom that comes with being a mother to 12 through birth, adoption, and foster care. But she is also well acquainted with the deep pain that accompanies being a birth mom and losing another child to unexpected tragedy. Lisa is a calm and encouraging presence for anyone who is looking for hope.

When acclaimed author Nefertiti Austin started her journey of parenting, she bravely chose a challenging path. Being a single, black, adoptive mom was not easy but the lessons she learned were invaluable. Nefertiti shares the importance of community and finding support as well as her desire for parents everywhere to connect with one another despite their different cultures and experiences.

When Ian and Brittany Bently adopted from Ethiopia, they had no idea that they would soon return to start a leather products company called Parker Clay. Through it they are empowering locals, keeping families together, and showing all of us that what we buy affects children around the world.

We all have predisposed ideas about adoption, especially around birth moms and placement. But what if the narrative you have isn't the whole truth? Our guest Ashley Mitchell, who is a birth mom herself, will quite possibly change everything you thought you knew, and we promise you will be better for it. She has wisdom for not just birth moms, but for adoptive parents, adult adoptees, and for anyone willing to listen. If you know anyone thinking about adoption this podcast is a must listen.

Monica was adopted out of foster care at the age of 5 and now she plays a vital role in her family. Monica has been a foster sister to over 300 hundred kids. She has been able to show each child coming through their home that she understands what they are going through and that she is always going to be there for them.

It's been almost four years since we had the privilege of telling the powerful story of a birth mom and adoptive family. This film has been viewed almost 2 million times and has impacted thousands of lives, but there is more to this story. Four years later so much has changed and there is still so much to learn.

Patty, her sister Angelica, and their two other siblings didn't want to be adopted out of foster care. But faced with a difficult choice that could separate the group, they decided that permanently joining another family was the best option. Patty and Angelica share their struggles, their joys, and how healing is possible even in the face of really difficult circumstances.

After becoming an adoptive mom to black children, Gina Fimbel began to recognize that some things needed to change if she wanted her children to have the best chance at thriving in her family. Through friendships, education, and working with Be The Bridge, Gina has become a part of a movement of racial reconciliation that includes amplifying transracial adoptee voices. In a conversation that can often feel overwhelming, Gina's story and wisdom offers space to take this journey one step at time.

What is one of the best ways to learn how to be a better adoptive parent? By listening to the people who have already lived it. Tiffany and Jenn were both transracially adopted as children, but now they are adults who have insight on what helped and what hurt. They are here to share their stories, experience, and highlight the need for the adoptee voice.  We're so honored to be featured in the Top 25 Adoption Podcasts on FeedSpot.

What started off as a lonely journey full of unknowns has culminated to Brittney and Kevin Borders fostering over 20 children and adopting their two sons. Their invaluable experience that includes infertility, fighting to reunite a child with her father, and adopting both a white and black son has left them with incredible wisdom to share. We're so honored to be featured in the Top 20 Adoption Podcasts on FeedSpot.

Christine Beliard founded FAB Moms, Fabulous Adoptive Black Moms, when she noticed a need in her own adoption journey for more resources and community for Black families going through the adoption process. Christine's passion and wisdom dismantles stereotypes about Black families involvement in the adoption/foster care world, and also sheds light on the need for more people to get involved in caring for vulnerable children.

Despite an abusive home, living in foster care, and being adopted only to have his adoptive parents pass away far too soon, Steven has never given up. Today he is a professional athlete and an advocate for foster kids. Whether you are a foster or adoptive parent or spent time in foster care yourself, Steven's story will give you hope.