Bridging the Gap with Love

Former MLB pitcher and World Series Champion Kyle McClellan started Brace for IMPACT 46 in 2014 after he and his wife, Bridget, took a life-changing mission trip to Haiti, along with Adam and Jenny Wainwright. Why the name? They went on the trip planning to help those in need, but were not braced for the IMPACT it would have on their lives. And 46 was Kyle's number when he played for the St. Louis Cardinals. At Brace for IMPACT 46, we demonstrate how giving back can enrich your life every bit as much as those you serve. Our goal is to IMPACT the lives of others. Through partnerships and trips to Haiti, we support the IDADEE Children's Home and sustain community development in the area. In our hometown of St. Louis, we partner with local corporations to develop community through youth in the inner city. In this episode, you will hear about how Sweat 4 Impact is raising money at the end of January! There is time to join and donate to help this incredible cause! It was an honor to interview these guys and to help spread the word!  Website: https://www.braceforimpact46.com/ Sweat 4 Impact IG: @sweat4impact Join our Meraki team here: www.bfi46.com/teammeraki 

You nurtured and carried your baby for 9 months, then placed him or her in the arms of another woman to raise....now what?  It can be confusing to figure out what your role as a Birthmother is, but come with us as we navigate this role, how it changes, and how you can remember to honor yourself.  

We are SO excited for this new year and all the fun and important things we have planned!  Check out this episode to find out more!  Also, if you are a member of the adoption triad (Adoptive parent, birthparent or adoptee) you can join our NEW facebook group!!  Join us here:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/3053169281651189/    

Whether we like it or not, trauma is present in adoption. In today's episode, you will hear us navigate and discuss trauma with care and compassion.  Although we aren't experts in this area, we share a few ways we can honor and accept those with deep trauma wounds and scars.  A couple articles that we found helpful: https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/parenting/understanding-adoption-trauma/ https://www.verywellmind.com/i-am-grateful-to-be-adopted-and-adoption-is-still-traumatic-5224328

Phil shares a very important part of his story.  The fact that they are white parents raising a black son and a mixed race son.  He shares how this experience has helped him learn and grow himself, and how he wants to help others learn and grow so that we can ensure a better future for all of our children. This is such an important topic that you won't want to miss!

Thirteen years ago, Scott and Grace Naegle became the foster parents to 3 children, ages 2, 5 and 7. They thought it would be just a short term placement but it ended up being the beginning of  their forever family.  Listen as Scott, Grace, and their son, Tony, share their heartwarming story.  

So often in adoption stories, we hear the female perspectives, but hearing from the males in these stories is also important! Today, we will hear from Phil, a father of 3 boys.  He shares his story on how his sons joined their family.  

Did you know that there are 115,000 children who are in the foster care system that are just waiting to go to their forever families?  Marcy Bursac shares her passion to help others navigate the process of adopting through foster care. Her books and ways you can find her are posted below.   Founder - The Forgotten Adoption Option USOA Mrs. Ohio 2022 * People's Choice * Top 16 2x Author. Adoptive Mom of 2. Podcast Host.   Read: "Are You a Forever Family?" & "The Forgotten Adoption Option" Listen: The Forgotten Adoption Option Podcast   Facebook Community / Instagram / LinkedIn   Meet waiting children and get tools to pursue foster care adoption.

November is National Adoption Month!  This month we are excited to spread the good news of adoption! 

In this episode, we reunite with Alex, but this time in person! We dive deeper into her story as a teenager and how it has lead her to this point in her relationship with Heidi. 

In this episode, we talk about the importance of healthy boundaries.  They aren't meant to restrict us, but to create a safe space for everyone to be able to grow. 

This is a continuation of our interview with Heidi's parents.  What has happened over the last twenty years?  And how have they felt meeting Alex and her family?  Listen to this episode as they continue to share their heart and gratitude. 

In this episode, we talk with Kevin and Tally Wyatt, Heidi's parents.  They take us back 20 years and share their thoughts and feelings about finding out that their young, unwed daughter was pregnant.  You will also hear them share their hopes and heartache of when they first met their Birth-Granddaughter, Alex.    They open up about their reactions, and give great advice to those who may find themselves in this similar situation.  

On today's episode, hear from Kevin and Tally Wyatt, Heidi's parents to find out what it was like for them to hear that their young, unwed daughter was pregnant.  They talk about their thoughts, feelings and pain, but also the love and hope they had for not only their daughter, but also their Birth-granddaughter who they would have to say goodbye to.    This is a different look into how adoption not only affects those in the triad, but also those who are directly related. 

The Lifemark movie is a beautiful story about adoption.  In this episode, we highlight and discuss a few parts of the movie that we thought represented adoption very well.    It's exciting to see stories like this on the big screen, and we hope you watch it! 

Danielle continues to share her story on today's episode. Because she has been through so much, so is able to help so many others.  Her giving heart makes her so special.  Danielle continues to share her thoughts on open adoption and her hope for the future with the girls.    Jessica also shares how she feels about Danielle and the incredible gift that they were given. 

Danielle shares part one of her story in today's episode.  She shares about finding out she was pregnant, with not one baby, but two! She shares her process of making the excruciating decision to place her perfect twin girls into the arms of another couple to raise.    She talks candidly about what open adoption means to her and how the ability to see the girls and talk to them helps her through the hard parts.     You don't want to miss this eposide!

After our interview we kept on chatting, and we decided to just hit record.  Listen as we continue to talk about grief, sadness, pain, but also happiness and gratitude.  

Jessica Thomson, Bradley's Birthmom, and Jessica Johns share their beautiful story.  It's hard, it's real, and it's raw.  But it's a beautiful story of love.  You don't want to miss this highly anticipated episode. 

Get a fun, quick insight into Heidi and Jessica's relationship.  Find out what has happened over the Summer with our own adoption stories.  We share our insecurities, intense gratitude, and our deep desire to share the good news and potential amazingness of open adoptions.  

In this episode, Alex bravely shares her thoughts and feelings around being adopted, meeting new family members and gives advice for those in the adoption triad.    Listen as tender moments between Birthmother and Birthdaughter are shared in this episode.  You won't want to miss it. 

"Andrea was the Mom who was meant for Alex and I just think that you did the most amazing job.  I mean, look at her...she's amazing." - Heidi    Part 2 of Andrea's Story is real, and raw as feelings are shared between these two Moms. You don't want to miss this episode.

Just over 20 years ago, Andrea longed to be a mother. Every ounce of her wanted so badly to have her own baby.  20 years ago, Heidi gave birth to a tiny, perfect baby. "I have chosen you to be the parent's of my baby." were the words written on a card given to Andrea and her spouse on the day that Alex was born.  Listen to part 1 of Andrea's story on today's episode. And then tune in next week for part 2!

The grief of an adoptive mom and the grief of a birth mom are intertwining, but opposite sides, of the adoption love story.  Love, loss, grief and pain combine to create beautiful, new identities for each mother.  

"Grief, painfully, gradually carves space for you to feel more love, compassion and joy, and in turn, creates a well for you to draw from to pour into others.  That's grief. It's painful, but it's also beautiful." - Jessica Johns   Join us in this first episode about Grief, and what it means to us in the adoption world. 

Guest Jared Johns talks about his journey with male infertility.   "The measure of a man is not really by the number of his offspring....I feel like there is a better metric to determining masculinity than by whether or not they are able to produce offspring."    In this episode, hear from Jared about how he felt when he found out that he was infertile, and how he and Jessica decided on what that meant for their future family. 

How can we better support the Birthmothers in our lives?  In today's episode, we talk about how we can be a good support system to those Birthmothers in our lives. 

Have you ever wondered how communication works in an open adoption?  In today's episode, we tackle how to have healthy communication, what platform to communicate on, and the importance of being willing to work through the awkwardness.     Our IG is @bridging.the.gap.with.love Email us at bridgingthegapwithlove22@gmail.com

This is Part 2 of our Frequently Asked Questions episodes. In today's episode we tackle these questions: "Are you ever afraid that your children will want to go live with their Birthmoms?" "How did you deal with the judgments of others regarding your pregnancy and placement?" "What do you think Birthmoms are looking for in Adoptive Couple profiles?" "Any helpful tips for getting through the ups and downs and emotional roller coaster while waiting for a baby?" 

In today's episode, we answer some frequently asked questions regarding our own experiences with adoption.   Is it hard to see Alex?  Were you afraid that you wouldn't love your children as much as you would if you had them biologically?  Did you name Alex?  Get the answers to these and more on today's episode.

Why does positive adoption language matter?  Listen as we have a conversation about the language we use to honor everyone in our adoption stories.  

Is open adoption confusing for the child? Is open adoption similar to co-parenting?  Listen in as we dispel some more common misconceptions about adoption. Referenced: https://www.americanadoptions.com/blog/does-open-adoption-confuse-kids/ https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s43545-022-00339-2

Media has portrayed Birthmothers and adoption in a way that has lead to several myths.  Today, we are going to dispel some of the most common misconceptions. Is placing your baby for adoption the "easy way" out for an unwanted pregnancy?  Does a Birthmother ever "get over" or move on from placing their baby?  Are all Birthmothers teens with substance abuse issues? Join us to find out more. 

Finding out we would be unable to have children two years into our marriage completely blindsided and devastated us.  While dealing with loss, we gained the ability to become parents through adoption. Here's our story of building our family.  -Jessica

Finding out I was pregnant at 18 was difficult.  Deciding to place my baby for adoption was excruciating, but I still knew that it was the right decision.  It was because I loved her.  This is our story.  -Heidi  

This first episode shares why this project is so important to us.  We are a Birthmom and an Adoptive Mom, excited about sharing our stories, while hoping to help support other Birthmoms, potential Birthmoms, and anyone navigating the delicate relationships surrounding adoption.  Email us at bridgingthegapwithlove22@gmail.com Find us on IG at @bridging.the.gap.with.love