Podcasts about american motherhood

It's been nearly three years since the Dobbs decision, which the Supreme Court used to strip women of the right to control our own bodies. In that decision—and frequently presented across the ideological spectrum as an alternative to abortion—adoption has been at the forefront of the discussion. But is adoption as benevolent and empowering as it is presented to be?Our guest today argues that it is not—and she's got compelling evidence to back that up. Dr. Gretchen Sisson is a researcher at Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences at the University of California, San Francisco. Her book Relinquished: The Politics of Adoption and the Privilege of American Motherhood received a starred review from Publisher's Weekly and much more acclaim.

In this bonus episode of the Feminist Mom Podcast, we're diving into a critical and urgent conversation at the intersection of reproductive rights and mental health—a topic that has only become more pressing in the aftermath of the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. Joining me is Dr. Carissa Gustafson, PMH-C, a clinical psychologist and expert in maternal mental health, to explore: The mental health toll of losing reproductive autonomy How therapy can empower women to advocate for their rights The role of cultural narratives and systemic oppression in shaping our experiences of motherhood and reproductive healthcare Why reclaiming anger is a valid and necessary response to oppressionDr. Gustafson also shares her own insights and experiences, offering a powerful perspective on why reproductive choice is essential for women's well-being.Dr. Carissa Gustafson, PMH-C, is a clinical psychologist and author of Reclaim Your Life: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in 7 Weeks. Based in Los Angeles, she specializes in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), helping people develop mindfulness and self-compassion skills to navigate difficult emotions. Dr. Gustafson has a special interest in supporting high-achieving women through stress, anxiety, depression, and perinatal mental health challenges. She sees clients through Heartship Psychological Services at Village Birth.Read Dr. Carissa Gustafson's blog post on the Inclusive Provider Directory. Mentioned in the episode Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself by Dr. Kristin Neff Real Self-Care: A Transformative Program for Redefining Wellness by Dr. Pooja Lakshmin Screaming on the Inside: The Unsustainability of American Motherhood by Jessica GroseRegister for the webinar cosponsored with Exhale Pro-Voice: “Understanding Abortion Stigma & Providing Compassionate Support” Friday, March 14th, 2025 | 12-1pm ETWork with Dr. Carissa Gustafson Follow Dr. Gustafson on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.carissagustafson/Follow Erin on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/feminist.mom.therapist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more about Erin: www.erinspahrtherapy.comPodcast Website: www.feministmompodcast.comSubscribe & Review:Love what you're hearing? Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast to help us reach more listeners like you! Support the podcast with a monthly donation:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/feministmompodcast/support⁠⁠⁠⁠Introducing the Inclusive Provider Directory! It is free for families to search. Providers can become a member and create a profile, as well as accessing a number of additional benefits. Please note: The information provided on this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The content shared here is not intended to be professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This page may contain affiliate links. 

We're launching a series called "All the Lonely People," diving deep into how loneliness shows up in our lives and how our culture shapes it. This week, why are moms so acutely lonely? Brittany hears from her listeners, and from the experts: Jessica Grose, New York Times opinion writer and author of the book Screaming on the Inside: the Unsustainability of American Motherhood, and parental burnout researcher at the Ohio State University, Kate Gawlik. They discuss what mom loneliness has to do with airplanes, lobotomies, and Tik Tok - and what we can do to help alleviate mom loneliness.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Juno is arguably the most well-known depiction of adoption in pop culture... but what messages does it really send about relinquishment, teen pregnancy, and reproductive justice? Is adoption truly the “perfect alternative” to abortion as Juno would have us believe, or does this charmingly complicated 2007 film gloss over the realities of birth mothers and family separation? This week, we're joined by Dr. Gretchen Sisson, sociologist and author of Relinquished: The Politics of Adoption and the Privilege of American Motherhood, to break down Juno's thorny politics on choice, motherhood, and adoption. GUEST DETAILS Gretchen Sisson, Ph.D., is a qualitative sociologist studying abortion and adoption at Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health (ANSIRH) in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences at University of California, San Francisco. Her research was cited in the Supreme Court's dissent in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization. She is the author of Relinquished: The Politics of Adoption and the Privilege of American Motherhood. CONNECT WITH US Instagram: @sexedwithdbpodcastTikTok: @sexedwithdbTwitter: @sexedwithdb Threads: @sexedwithdbpodcast YouTube: Sex Ed with DB ROM-COM VOM SEASON 11 SPONSORS: Lion's Den, Uberlube, Magic Wand, + Arya. Get discounts on all of DB's favorite things here! GET IN TOUCH Email: sexedwithdb@gmail.comSubscribe to our newsletter for behind-the-scenes content and answers to your sexual health questions! FOR SEXUAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS Check out DB's workshop: "Building A Profitable Online Sexual Health Brand" ABOUT THE SHOW Sex Ed with DB is your go-to podcast for smart, science-backed sex education—delivering trusted insights from top experts on sex, sexuality, and pleasure. Empowering, inclusive, and grounded in real science, it's the sex ed you've always wanted. SEASON 11 TEAM Creator, Host & Executive Producer: Danielle Bezalel (DB) Producer: Sadie Lidji Communications Lead: Cathren Cohen Marketing Coordinator: Alex Bateman Logo Design: Evie Plumb (@cliterallythebest)

On this episode, past guests of Books with Betsy and I share our favorite books of 2024! Listen to hear about lots of great 2024 books and the excellent backlist we got to this year.    Books mentioned in this episode:    Betsy's Best Categorically (books that…):  Shocked me:  How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix  None of This is True by Lisa Jewell  The Night House by Jo Nesbø Nightwatching by Tracy Sierra  Made me Cry: North Woods by Daniel Mason  The Bee Sting by Paul Murray  Underrated: God Bless You, Otis Spunkmeyer by Joseph Earl Thomas  Witness by Jamel Brinkley  Victim by Andrew Boryga  Fire Exit by Morgan Talty  Recommend Widely: Erasure by Percival Everett  Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar  Hard to Recommend:  Yr Dead by Sam Sax  Sisters of the Lost Nation by Nick Medina  Made me Think About my Life Differently: When Crack Was King: A People's History of a Misunderstood Era by Donovan X. Ramsey Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman    Books Highlighted by Guests: Mawuli Grant Agbefe:  Opposable Thumbs: How Siskel and Ebert Changed Movies Forever by Matt Singer  Having and Being Had by Eula Bliss  Your Face Belongs to Us: A Tale of AI, a Secretive Startup, and the End of Privacy by Kashmir Hill Mean Girl Feminism: How White Feminists Gaslight, Gatekeep, and Girlboss by Kim Hong Nguyen We Refuse: A Forceful History of Black Resistance by Kellie Carter Jackson Mapping the Stars: Celebrity, Metonymy and the Networked Politics of Identity by Claire Sisco King Sam Wilmes:  Such Kindness by Andre Dubus III  We Spread by Iain Read We Used to Live Here by Marcus Kliewer  My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell   The Haunting of Alejandra by V. Castro Amie Medley:  Crossroads by Jonathan Franzen  Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan  Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel  North Woods by Daniel Mason  The Savage Detectives by Roberto Bolaño Tanima Kazi:  The Lantern of Lost Memories by Sanaka Hiiragi  One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig  Two Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gillig  Home is Where the Bodies Are by Jeneva Rose  The Perfect Marriage by Jeneva Rose  Stacy Jezerowski:  We Solve Murders by Richard Osman  Beautiful Villain by Rebecca Kenney Sarah Sabet:  Klara & The Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro  Atonement by Ian McEwan  Men Have Called Her Crazy by Anna Marie Tendler The Housemaid by Frieda McFadden  The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen Anna Deem:  The Nix by Nathan Hill  Rebel Girl: My Life as a Feminist Punk by Kathleen Hanna Cat Shieh:  Give Me Space But Don't Go Far: My Unlikely Friendship with Anxiety by Haley Weaver Bullshit Jobs: A Theory by David Graeber  Just Us: An American Conversation by Claudia Rankine The Message by Ta-Nehisi Coates  I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki by Baek Sehee  Mo Smith:  The Truth About Melody Browne by Lisa Jewell The Lightning Bottles by Marissa Stapley  The Third Gilmore Girl by Kelly Bishop All The Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker  Is She Really Going Out With Him? by Sophie Cousens Leah @Dishingonbooks:  Nuclear War: A Scenario by Annie Jacobsen  Grief is For People by Sloane Crosley Clean by Alia Trabucco Zerán  James by Percival Everett  A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole  Emily McClanathan:  Babel by R.F. Kuang  Relinquished: The Politics of Adoption and the Privilege of American Motherhood by Gretchen Sisson  Mean Spirit by Linda Hogan  A Well-Trained Wife: My Escape from Christian Patriarchy by Tia Levings

Parental stress has been declared a public health crisis by the U.S. Surgeon General—and it's a conversation we all need to have. In this episode, Emily sits down with Debbie and our dear friend and guest Yael Schonbrun, a clinical psychologist and author of Work, Parent, Thrive, to explore what's behind the overwhelming stress so many parents are feeling and, more importantly, what we can do about it.We're talking about all the things that pile up: money worries, the constant rush, and that pressure to “do it all.” Plus, we dive into what parental burnout actually is (and why it's not your fault) and share simple, science-backed tips to make life a little easier.This isn't just about managing parental stress—it's about showing up for yourself and your kids in a healthier, more sustainable way. If you've ever felt like you're drowning in the demands of parenting, this episode is for you. It's a conversation that matters—and one that can truly make a difference.Listen and Learn:  What is parental stress, why it matters, and how we can lighten the load together? How can we turn overwhelming parental stress into something manageable? Parenting burnout is skyrocketing—what's fueling it, and how can we reclaim balance in modern life? The pressures of modern parenting, how to find balance and break free from the stress. How working parents can shift from feeling torn between roles to using tension for enrichment What are the causes and consequences of parental burnout, and how driving awareness can help Why your well-being as a parent is crucial for your child's mental health, yet it's often overlooked—and learn how to break this unhelpful cycle How self-compassion and mindful check-ins can help ease your burnout and stress in daily life Supporting your child's autonomy to reduce parental burnout and strengthen your connections Resources:  Yael's website: https://www.yaelschonbrun.com/ Connect with Yael on socials:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/yael-schonbrun-a26a5229/ http://x.com/DrYaelSchonbrun http://instagram.com/yaelschonbrun/ Our Substack Q&A, Is Parent Stress Breaking News? Three Clinical Psychologists Discuss the Surgeon General's New Advisory: https://emilyedlynn.substack.com/p/is-parent-stress-breaking-news  About Yael SchonbrunYael Schonbrun is a clinical psychologist, assistant professor at Brown University, author of Work, Parent, Thrive: 12 Science-Backed Strategies to Ditch Guilt, Manage Overwhelm, and Grow Connection (When Everything Feels Like too Much), past Psychologists Off the Clock co-host, and parent of three. In her research, private practice, and writing, Yael draws on science, philosophy, and clinical practices to share practices proven to foster healthier relationships between partners, parents and children, and between our most important life roles. Yael is a frequent contributor to The Washington Post and her writing on work, parenting, and relationships has appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Greater Good Science Center, Behavioral Scientist, Tricycle, among others.Related Episodes:  306. Screaming on the Inside: The Challenges of American Motherhood with Jessica Grose 319. Autonomy-Supportive Parenting with the AMAZING Emily Edlynn 275. Work, Parent, Thrive with Yael Schonbrun 338. ACT for Burnout with Debbie!  146. Parental Burnout with Lisa Coyne 382. The Anxious Generation? The Conversation We Should Be Having About Kids, Technology, and Mental Health  379. Toxic Striving with Paula Freedman-Diamond  https://offtheclockpsych.com/be-mighty/ 121. Be Mighty: An Episode for Stressed Out, Worried Women with Jill Stoddard 267. You are Not a Horrible Parent with Carla Naumburg 211. Subtract with Leidy Klotz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Parental stress has been declared a public health crisis by the U.S. Surgeon General—and it's a conversation we all need to have. In this episode, Emily sits down with Debbie and our dear friend and guest Yael Schonbrun, a clinical psychologist and author of Work, Parent, Thrive, to explore what's behind the overwhelming stress so many parents are feeling and, more importantly, what we can do about it. We're talking about all the things that pile up: money worries, the constant rush, and that pressure to “do it all.” Plus, we dive into what parental burnout actually is (and why it's not your fault) and share simple, science-backed tips to make life a little easier. This isn't just about managing parental stress—it's about showing up for yourself and your kids in a healthier, more sustainable way. If you've ever felt like you're drowning in the demands of parenting, this episode is for you. It's a conversation that matters—and one that can truly make a difference. Listen and Learn:  What is parental stress, why it matters, and how we can lighten the load together? How can we turn overwhelming parental stress into something manageable? Parenting burnout is skyrocketing—what's fueling it, and how can we reclaim balance in modern life? The pressures of modern parenting, how to find balance and break free from the stress. How working parents can shift from feeling torn between roles to using tension for enrichment What are the causes and consequences of parental burnout, and how driving awareness can help Why your well-being as a parent is crucial for your child's mental health, yet it's often overlooked—and learn how to break this unhelpful cycle How self-compassion and mindful check-ins can help ease your burnout and stress in daily life Supporting your child's autonomy to reduce parental burnout and strengthen your connections Resources:  Yael's website: https://www.yaelschonbrun.com/ Connect with Yael on socials:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/yael-schonbrun-a26a5229/ http://x.com/DrYaelSchonbrun http://instagram.com/yaelschonbrun/ Our Substack Q&A, Is Parent Stress Breaking News? Three Clinical Psychologists Discuss the Surgeon General's New Advisory: https://emilyedlynn.substack.com/p/is-parent-stress-breaking-news  About Yael Schonbrun Yael Schonbrun is a clinical psychologist, assistant professor at Brown University, author of Work, Parent, Thrive: 12 Science-Backed Strategies to Ditch Guilt, Manage Overwhelm, and Grow Connection (When Everything Feels Like too Much), past Psychologists Off the Clock co-host, and parent of three. In her research, private practice, and writing, Yael draws on science, philosophy, and clinical practices to share practices proven to foster healthier relationships between partners, parents and children, and between our most important life roles. Yael is a frequent contributor to The Washington Post and her writing on work, parenting, and relationships has appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Greater Good Science Center, Behavioral Scientist, Tricycle, among others. Related Episodes:  306. Screaming on the Inside: The Challenges of American Motherhood with Jessica Grose 319. Autonomy-Supportive Parenting with the AMAZING Emily Edlynn 275. Work, Parent, Thrive with Yael Schonbrun 338. ACT for Burnout with Debbie!  146. Parental Burnout with Lisa Coyne 382. The Anxious Generation? The Conversation We Should Be Having About Kids, Technology, and Mental Health  379. Toxic Striving with Paula Freedman-Diamond  https://offtheclockpsych.com/be-mighty/ 121. Be Mighty: An Episode for Stressed Out, Worried Women with Jill Stoddard 267. You are Not a Horrible Parent with Carla Naumburg 211. Subtract with Leidy Klotz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"I use the language of supply and demand because this is a market-based system and it's uncomfortable for a lot of people, right? Because you're talking about a supply and demand of human beings." -- Gretchen Sisson Read the transcript here: https://app.swellai.com/t/tp_01JESZ6VPKJMRTMRHX6ZMBHDB7   EPISODE SUMMARY: In this episode of Unraveling Adoption, I had the pleasure of speaking with Gretchen Sisson, the author of the acclaimed book Relinquished: The Politics of Adoption and the Privilege of American Motherhood. Gretchen's work stems from a decade-long qualitative sociological study that delves into the experiences of relinquishing mothers and critiques the American adoption system. We discussed her journey into this research, which began while she was working with pregnant and parenting young people in Boston. Gretchen highlighted the stigmatization of young motherhood and the disconnect between societal narratives and the lived experiences of these women. Her research emphasizes the complexities of adoption, particularly how it intersects with issues of reproductive health and justice. Gretchen shared insights from her book, revealing that the majority of women who are denied access to abortion end up parenting their children, with only a small percentage choosing adoption. This led to a discussion about the implications of the recent Dobbs decision and its potential impact on adoption rates, as well as the troubling commodification of children within the adoption system. Throughout our conversation, we explored the reactions to her book from both the adoption community and the broader public. While many adoptees have resonated with her work, some adoptive parents have expressed defensiveness. We emphasized the importance of listening to adoptees and understanding the systemic issues surrounding adoption. Gretchen also touched on the need for better support systems for both adoptive parents and adoptees, advocating for a more nuanced understanding of family structures and the complexities of parenting. We concluded with a call to action for listeners to engage with the voices of adoptees and to consider the broader implications of adoption in our society. I encourage everyone to check out Gretchen's book, available in various formats, and to connect with her on social media. Thank you for joining us in this important conversation about adoption and its many layers. ===============

Our culture loves to celebrate adoption stories - and a lot of state governments put millions into promoting it. But adoptees and birth parents are opening up online about "coming out of the fog" - a term for becoming more openly critical of adoption, or facing the grief within their adoption stories. November is National Adoption Month, and Brittany Luse takes a closer look at how adoption functions in our culture by examining the supply side of adoption - the birth parents. She's joined by Gretchen Sisson, the author of Relinquished: the Politics of Adoption and the Privilege of American Motherhood. They dive deep into the stories told about birth parents, and how our culture decides who deserves to be a parent.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Do you want to truly understand the impact of international adoption and the complex web of privilege and bias it entails? If you're seeking the solution to this, then join me as we delve into this eye-opening conversation that will increase your understanding of privilege and bias in adoption practices. Let's uncover the truth together. In this episode, you will be able to: Understand how international adoption policies impact children's lives. Gain insight into the support available for birth mothers considering adoption. Uncover the mental health effects of adoption on adoptees. Explore the intersection of adoption and reproductive rights. Recognize the privilege and bias in domestic adoption practices. My special guest is Dr. Gretchen Sisson Gretchen Sisson, a research sociologist and author of "The Politics of Adoption and the Privilege of American Motherhood," is a respected figure at the University of California, San Francisco's Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health ANSIRH) in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive sciences. Her work on adoption relinquishment after abortion denial has been cited in the dissent for the Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs vs Jackson, Women's Health Organization, and has garnered attention from renowned publications such as the Washington Post, Time Magazine, the Nation, NPR, New York Magazine, Vox, and Mother Jones. With a focus on the mental, physical, and financial aspects of women's experiences following pregnancy, Gretchen's expertise sheds light on the complex intersection of adoption and reproductive rights, providing valuable insights for prospective adoptive parents considering transracial adoption. The key moments in this episode are: 00:00:02 - Introduction to the Podcast 00:03:49 - The Impact of Adoption Relinquishment 00:11:19 - Cultural Narratives and Adoption 00:13:38 - International Adoption and Child Trafficking 00:14:43 - Changing Landscape of International Adoption 00:15:11 - The Decline of International Adoption 00:17:01 - The Complexities of Transracial Adoption 00:23:08 - Intersection of Adoption and Reproductive Health 00:26:25 - Nuances of Abortion and Adoption 00:29:16 - Reflection on Adoption Choices 00:30:55 - Impact of Social Safety Nets 00:34:29 - Unique American Domestic Adoption System 00:38:31 - Narratives and Privilege in Adoption 00:41:35 - Unpaid Labor and Normative Ideals 00:43:56 - Challenges of Safe Housing for Pregnant Women 00:44:18 - Coercive Tactics of Adoption Agencies 00:46:35 - Advice for Adoptive Parents 00:49:00 - Overcoming Shame and Guilt 00:55:35 - Embracing Differences and Deepening Understanding 00:58:09 - Importance of Good Relationships 00:58:18 - Spreading Joy and Making a Difference 00:58:30 - You Matter 00:58:32 - Empowering Others "We don't value any of those things that families in poverty, that parents living in poverty can give their children, because we believe this middle class ideal is so, you know, undeniably desirable." - Gretchen Sisson Episode with Cameron Lee Small on Adoptees Connect with us: https://www.aworldofdifferencepodcast.com Linkedin YouTube FaceBook Instagram Threads Patreon Bluesky Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gretchen Sisson is the author of Relinquished: The Politics of Adoption and the Privilege of American Motherhood and a sociologist at Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health in the department of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive sciences at the University of California, San Francisco. She studies adoption and abortion in the United States.Books Gretchen recommends:All You Can Ever Know by Nicole ChungYou Should Be Grateful: Stories of Race, Identity and Transracial Adoption by Angela TuckerBitterroot: A Salish Memoir of Transracial Adoption by Susan Devan HarnessWhat White Parents Should Know About Transracial Adoption by Melissa Guida-RichardsWe Were Once a Family: A Story of Love, Death, and Child Removal in America by Roxana AsgarianSurviving the White Gaze by Rebecca CarrollLINKS:www.civicsoul.org/events https://www.gretchensisson.com/https://caringacross.org/www.Howcanihelppod.com www.Citizenofsound.com 

It is National Adoption Awareness Month, and Comfort Cases is honoring the occasion with special promotions. Our “Coats for Comfort” Coat Drive, co-sponsored by CNN's Laura Coates, is in full swing. There are donation boxes throughout the DC Metro area (including Maryland & Virginia), and for those of you outside the district, you can purchase coats and have them delivered directly to Comfort Cases by visiting https://comfortcases.org/lauracoates/We are thrilled to announce our renewed partnership with Barely Canadian, running through November 30th! Known for their insanely soft sweaters and premium apparel, they have redefined cozy. With every purchase from their beautiful garment collection, Barely Canadian will generously donate a Comfort XL (valued at $148) to a child entering foster care. Explore their collection here: https://barelycanadian.com/In today's powerful episode of Fostering Change, we welcome Gretchen Sisson, author of RELINQUISHED: The Politics of Adoption and the Privilege of American Motherhood. As a researcher at UC San Francisco's Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health, Gretchen has conducted hundreds of interviews with women who have relinquished infants for adoption, especially since Roe v. Wade. Her eye-opening research has been featured on NPR, New York Magazine, VOX, and more.In this riveting conversation with host Rob Scheer, they dive into the complex and often heartbreaking reasons behind adoption decisions, shedding light on the financial and societal pressures that force mothers to make impossible choices. This timely discussion touches on the profound challenges families face and why it should matter to us all. This is an important discussion for our community, and we were honored to have Gretchen on Fostering Change to continue it.For more information about RELINQUISHED or to follow Gretchen on social media, please visit:Website: https://www.gretchensisson.com/Twitter/X: @gesisson Threads: gretchen.sissonInstagram: @gretchen.sisson LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gretchensisson/Substack: https://gretchen.substack.com/#nationaladoptionawarenessmonth #adoptionawareness #fostercare Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Because of the fall of Roe v. Wade, we're hearing a lot more about adoption as an alternative for women who find themselves with an unwanted pregnancy. Even before the momentous Supreme Court decision, media portrayals of adoption have always painted it as an easy ethical conclusion to a difficult circumstance. But the real, lived experiences of birth parents who give up their children for adoption have never been part of the conversation. Do birth parents really see adoption as an alternative to abortion? Are they happy with their decision to relinquish their children? It turns out that for the most part, they're not. We talk to Samantha Gonzalez, a birth mother, and Gretchen Sisson, author of the book Relinquished: The Politics of Adoption and the Privilege of American Motherhood. GUESTS: Samantha Gonzalez, a birth mother, and co-founder of Reproductive Justice in Adoption. Gretchen Sisson, author of “Relinquished: The Politics of Adoption and the Privilege of American Motherhood.”   The post Birth Parents on Adoption appeared first on KPFA.

Because of the fall of Roe v. Wade, we're hearing a lot more about adoption as an alternative for women who find themselves with an unwanted pregnancy. And even before, media portrayals of adoption have always painted it as an easy ethical conclusion to a difficult circumstance. But the real, lived experiences of birth parents who give up their children for adoption have never been part of the conversation. Do birth parents really see adoption as an alternative to abortion? Are they happy with their decision to relinquish their children? It turns out that for the most part, they're not.  We talk to Samantha Gonzalez, a birth mother, and Gretchen Sisson, author of the book "Relinquished: The Politics of Adoption and the Privilege of American Motherhood."    Making Contact Team: Episode Host: Salima Hamirani Producers: Anita Johnson, Salima Hamirani, Amy Gastelum, and Lucy Kang Executive Director: Jina Chung Editor: Adwoa Gyimah-Brempong Engineer: Jeff Emtman  Digital Marketing Manager: Lissa Deonarain   Music credits: Axletree - The Silent Grove Axletree - Goldfinch- Flight to the North Blear Moon - Learning from Kids Doctor Turtle - Leap Second Hinterheim - Prior Restraint   Learn More:  Reproductive Justice in Adoption Considering Adoption Planned Parenthood Relinquished Book Page Gretchen Sisson Making Contact is an award-winning, nationally syndicated radio show and podcast featuring narrative storytelling and thought-provoking interviews. We cover the most urgent issues of our time and the people on the ground building a more just world.

Today I have the pleasure of chatting with Dr. Gretchen Sisson about her critically acclaimed book "Relinquished: The Politics of Adoption and the Privilege of American Motherhood." Gretchen is a sociologist with Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health at the University of California, San Francisco, where she studies adoption and abortion. We discuss:-How national crisis create opportunities for adoption -The views of white mothers on relinquishing their biracial children to white adopters-The laws behind kinship care and valuing children staying in their original culture -The definition of transracial adoption -Why there is a national interest to increase adoption-The impact of overturning of Roe v Wade on the adoption industry-Laws that have been implemented to help adoptees retrieve their biological histories- Project 2025And finally I ask the question “Is adoption child centered” and what Gretchen will enlighten you.  Support the showCONNECT WITH HOST:@youngadoptee@lantoineswww.laniseantoineshelley.comSPONSORSHIPS: BetterHelp Show Link HERE!DISCOUNT on WeUNIK Cosmetic Hair products15% off Code: WTWY Link: https://weunikworld.com/discount/WTWY ADOPTEE CONVERSATIONS WITH PARENTS:14 through18, and episode 28, and 29. WATCH PANELS: Here!JAMES BALDWIN'S ESSAY ON "WHITENESS": HISTORY of the word “Colored”:NYC ARTICLE ON THE USE OF "BIPOC":RESOURCES ON HOW TO TALK ABOUT RACE:

Adoption has always been viewed as a beloved institution for building families, as well as a mutually agreeable common ground in the otherwise partisan abortion debate. Little attention, however, has been paid to the lives of mothers who relinquish their infants for private adoption. Through the lens of reproductive justice, Relinquished: The Politics of Adoption and the Privilege of American Motherhood reveals adoption to be a path of constrained choice for women who face immense barriers to access abortion, or to parent their children safely. With the overturning of Roe v. Wade, adoption increasingly functions as an institution that perpetuates reproductive injustice by separating families and policing parenthood under the guise of feel-good family building for middle-upper-class white people. Based on hundreds of in-depth interviews, Relinquished centers and amplifies the voices of relinquishing mothers, and fills an important gap in the national conversation about reproductive politics and justice.  Shui-yin Sharon Yam is Associate Professor of Writing, Rhetoric, and Digital Studies, and Affiliate Faculty of Gender and Women's Studies at the University of Kentucky. She is the co-author of Doing Gender Justice: Queering Reproduction, Kin, and Care.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Adoption has always been viewed as a beloved institution for building families, as well as a mutually agreeable common ground in the otherwise partisan abortion debate. Little attention, however, has been paid to the lives of mothers who relinquish their infants for private adoption. Through the lens of reproductive justice, Relinquished: The Politics of Adoption and the Privilege of American Motherhood reveals adoption to be a path of constrained choice for women who face immense barriers to access abortion, or to parent their children safely. With the overturning of Roe v. Wade, adoption increasingly functions as an institution that perpetuates reproductive injustice by separating families and policing parenthood under the guise of feel-good family building for middle-upper-class white people. Based on hundreds of in-depth interviews, Relinquished centers and amplifies the voices of relinquishing mothers, and fills an important gap in the national conversation about reproductive politics and justice.  Shui-yin Sharon Yam is Associate Professor of Writing, Rhetoric, and Digital Studies, and Affiliate Faculty of Gender and Women's Studies at the University of Kentucky. She is the co-author of Doing Gender Justice: Queering Reproduction, Kin, and Care.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/gender-studies

Adoption has always been viewed as a beloved institution for building families, as well as a mutually agreeable common ground in the otherwise partisan abortion debate. Little attention, however, has been paid to the lives of mothers who relinquish their infants for private adoption. Through the lens of reproductive justice, Relinquished: The Politics of Adoption and the Privilege of American Motherhood reveals adoption to be a path of constrained choice for women who face immense barriers to access abortion, or to parent their children safely. With the overturning of Roe v. Wade, adoption increasingly functions as an institution that perpetuates reproductive injustice by separating families and policing parenthood under the guise of feel-good family building for middle-upper-class white people. Based on hundreds of in-depth interviews, Relinquished centers and amplifies the voices of relinquishing mothers, and fills an important gap in the national conversation about reproductive politics and justice.  Shui-yin Sharon Yam is Associate Professor of Writing, Rhetoric, and Digital Studies, and Affiliate Faculty of Gender and Women's Studies at the University of Kentucky. She is the co-author of Doing Gender Justice: Queering Reproduction, Kin, and Care.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/sociology

Adoption has always been viewed as a beloved institution for building families, as well as a mutually agreeable common ground in the otherwise partisan abortion debate. Little attention, however, has been paid to the lives of mothers who relinquish their infants for private adoption. Through the lens of reproductive justice, Relinquished: The Politics of Adoption and the Privilege of American Motherhood reveals adoption to be a path of constrained choice for women who face immense barriers to access abortion, or to parent their children safely. With the overturning of Roe v. Wade, adoption increasingly functions as an institution that perpetuates reproductive injustice by separating families and policing parenthood under the guise of feel-good family building for middle-upper-class white people. Based on hundreds of in-depth interviews, Relinquished centers and amplifies the voices of relinquishing mothers, and fills an important gap in the national conversation about reproductive politics and justice.  Shui-yin Sharon Yam is Associate Professor of Writing, Rhetoric, and Digital Studies, and Affiliate Faculty of Gender and Women's Studies at the University of Kentucky. She is the co-author of Doing Gender Justice: Queering Reproduction, Kin, and Care.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/american-studies

Adoption has always been viewed as a beloved institution for building families, as well as a mutually agreeable common ground in the otherwise partisan abortion debate. Little attention, however, has been paid to the lives of mothers who relinquish their infants for private adoption. Through the lens of reproductive justice, Relinquished: The Politics of Adoption and the Privilege of American Motherhood reveals adoption to be a path of constrained choice for women who face immense barriers to access abortion, or to parent their children safely. With the overturning of Roe v. Wade, adoption increasingly functions as an institution that perpetuates reproductive injustice by separating families and policing parenthood under the guise of feel-good family building for middle-upper-class white people. Based on hundreds of in-depth interviews, Relinquished centers and amplifies the voices of relinquishing mothers, and fills an important gap in the national conversation about reproductive politics and justice.  Shui-yin Sharon Yam is Associate Professor of Writing, Rhetoric, and Digital Studies, and Affiliate Faculty of Gender and Women's Studies at the University of Kentucky. She is the co-author of Doing Gender Justice: Queering Reproduction, Kin, and Care.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adoption has always been viewed as a beloved institution for building families, as well as a mutually agreeable common ground in the otherwise partisan abortion debate. Little attention, however, has been paid to the lives of mothers who relinquish their infants for private adoption. Through the lens of reproductive justice, Relinquished: The Politics of Adoption and the Privilege of American Motherhood reveals adoption to be a path of constrained choice for women who face immense barriers to access abortion, or to parent their children safely. With the overturning of Roe v. Wade, adoption increasingly functions as an institution that perpetuates reproductive injustice by separating families and policing parenthood under the guise of feel-good family building for middle-upper-class white people. Based on hundreds of in-depth interviews, Relinquished centers and amplifies the voices of relinquishing mothers, and fills an important gap in the national conversation about reproductive politics and justice.  Shui-yin Sharon Yam is Associate Professor of Writing, Rhetoric, and Digital Studies, and Affiliate Faculty of Gender and Women's Studies at the University of Kentucky. She is the co-author of Doing Gender Justice: Queering Reproduction, Kin, and Care.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/public-policy

Adoption has always been viewed as a beloved institution for building families, as well as a mutually agreeable common ground in the otherwise partisan abortion debate. Little attention, however, has been paid to the lives of mothers who relinquish their infants for private adoption. Through the lens of reproductive justice, Relinquished: The Politics of Adoption and the Privilege of American Motherhood reveals adoption to be a path of constrained choice for women who face immense barriers to access abortion, or to parent their children safely. With the overturning of Roe v. Wade, adoption increasingly functions as an institution that perpetuates reproductive injustice by separating families and policing parenthood under the guise of feel-good family building for middle-upper-class white people. Based on hundreds of in-depth interviews, Relinquished centers and amplifies the voices of relinquishing mothers, and fills an important gap in the national conversation about reproductive politics and justice.  Shui-yin Sharon Yam is Associate Professor of Writing, Rhetoric, and Digital Studies, and Affiliate Faculty of Gender and Women's Studies at the University of Kentucky. She is the co-author of Doing Gender Justice: Queering Reproduction, Kin, and Care.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/law

Adoption has always been viewed as a beloved institution for building families, as well as a mutually agreeable common ground in the otherwise partisan abortion debate. Little attention, however, has been paid to the lives of mothers who relinquish their infants for private adoption. Through the lens of reproductive justice, Relinquished: The Politics of Adoption and the Privilege of American Motherhood reveals adoption to be a path of constrained choice for women who face immense barriers to access abortion, or to parent their children safely. With the overturning of Roe v. Wade, adoption increasingly functions as an institution that perpetuates reproductive injustice by separating families and policing parenthood under the guise of feel-good family building for middle-upper-class white people. Based on hundreds of in-depth interviews, Relinquished centers and amplifies the voices of relinquishing mothers, and fills an important gap in the national conversation about reproductive politics and justice.  Shui-yin Sharon Yam is Associate Professor of Writing, Rhetoric, and Digital Studies, and Affiliate Faculty of Gender and Women's Studies at the University of Kentucky. She is the co-author of Doing Gender Justice: Queering Reproduction, Kin, and Care.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today is Mom's Equal Pay Day so we're talking about the reality of motherhood in America today, no not the reality we see on social media where momfluencers make pregnancy to childbirth, to raising multiple kids seem like a breeze…we're talking about what it's really like to have kids in a country that doesn't make it easy for us.  Jessica Grose, author of, “Screaming on the Inside: The Unsustainability of American Motherhood,” said she did everything right before she had kids, she was married, had a successful, thriving career, and was debt-free, but she still wasn't ready for the reality of motherhood, and doesn't think any of us are. We go over what every woman should do before welcoming a new addition to set themselves up for success. Takeaways: Having children in America can have negative financial and career implications. Cultural norms around motherhood in the United States are contradictory and place unrealistic expectations on mothers. Governmental solutions such as paid family leave and affordable childcare are needed to support working parents. Parents should support each other and ask for help when needed, and society should be more understanding and less judgmental of parents in public spaces. Chapters: 0:00 Challenges of Motherhood in America 11:16 Changing Expectations of Motherhood 15:33 Paid Family Leave and Solutions 22:32 Childcare Costs and Inflation 24:22 Advice for Parents Considering New Jobs 27:33 Transition to Mailbag Segment  33:30 Mailbag Question 1: Managing a $2 Million Inheritance 38:26 Mailbag Question 2: Splitting Finances with A Live-In Partner Have a question for us? Write to us at mailbag@hermoney.com. While you're at it, join the HerMoney community! For the latest episode drops and financial news-you-can-use, subscribe to our newsletter at Hermoney.com/subscribe! Thank you to Gainbridge® for supporting the HerMoney podcast. Gainbridge® created ParityFlex™, a multi-year guaranteed annuity, to offer women security and flexibility at a time when they need it the most—retirement. Learn more about ParityFlex™ here. The HerMoney with Jean Chatzky podcast is sponsored by Edelman Financial Engines. The podcast team and its host are neither employees nor clients of EFE, however, the show does receive fixed compensation and is a paid endorser and therefore has an incentive to endorse EFE and its planners. To learn more about the sponsorship, please visit PlanEFE.com/HerMoney. Please contact advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast, and to learn more about Airwave, head to www.airwavemedia.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.Join us for this discussion with Dr. Gretchen Sisson, the author of Relinquished, the Politics of Adoption and the Privilege of American Motherhood.In this episode, we cover:Book focuses on private adoptions between 2000-2020. Not on parents where parental rights were terminated by the state and not on international adoptions.Full of first-person stories from birth moms. How many women are currently placing a child for adoption compared to the number of births? How does this compare to the number of women who decide on abortion? Only 25 % considered adoption, and only 9% relinquished. Turnaway Study90% of relinquishing moms considered parenting, but only 40% considered abortion.What is the demographic of the mom who relinquishes her child for adoption between 2000-2020?  Why do women relinquish or choose adoption? What does the research show on how many women who decide against abortion or can't have an abortion because their pregnancy is too advanced opt for adoption?Why do so few women who are considering an abortion not consider adoption?Very often, the moms in your book and in your research describe adoption as their only option. Why were the other options not seen as viable? “When women have more options available to them, they are less likely to relinquish.”Options counseling.How has openness in adoption changed things?Some research shows birth moms are mostly happy with their decision to place a child for adoption. NCFA Adoption Profile: Birth Parents Experience (1400 birth parents)The issues of substance abuse disorder, acute mental illness, or extreme poverty are real. Why is it not in the child's best interest for the mom to choose adoption?Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997- “fast-tracked termination of parental rights”—failed to talk about the reality of kids growing up in foster care. Support the Show.Please leave us a rating or review. This podcast is produced by www.CreatingaFamily.org. We are a national non-profit with the mission to strengthen and inspire adoptive, foster & kinship parents and the professionals who support them.Creating a Family brings you the following trauma-informed, expert-based content: Weekly podcasts Weekly articles/blog posts Resource pages on all aspects of family building

We were thrilled to have the opportunity to interview Gretchen Sisson for today's episode. Gretchen Sisson is a sociologist who studies abortion and adoption in the United States. She is the author of Relinquished: The Politics of Adoption and the Privilege of American Motherhood, based on hundreds of in-depth interviews with women who have relinquished infants for domestic adoption over the past 60 years. Gretchen is a researcher, a mom, an ally to birth mothers in the adoption community, and so much more. Posing challenging thoughts that society, and even our community, has long hesitated to ponder, we valued this conversation with Gretchen and of course, this incredible book. FIVE stars for Relinquished from the Twisted Sisterhood Podcast. We hope to keep this conversation rolling in our community! More about Relinquished: A powerful decade-long study of adoption in the age of Roe, Relinquished reveals the grief of the American mothers for whom the choice to parent was never real. Adoption has always been viewed as a beloved institution for building families, as well as a mutually agreeable common ground in the abortion debate, but little attention has been paid to the lives of mothers who relinquish infants for private adoption. Relinquished reveals adoption to be a path of constrained choice for those for whom abortion is inaccessible, or for whom parenthood is untenable. The stories of relinquishing mothers are stories about our country's refusal to care for families at the most basic level, and to instead embrace an individual, private solution to a large-scale, social problem. We are in a political moment in which adoption is, increasingly, being revealed as an institution devoted to separating families and policing parenthood under the guise of feel-good family-building. Rooted in a long-term, qualitative sociological study, Relinquished is an analysis of hundreds of in-depth interviews with American mothers who placed their children for domestic adoption collected over a decade. The voices of these women are powerful and heartrending; they deserve to be heard as a response to this moment. You can purchase the book on Amazon, Bookshop, or your local bookseller! :) --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/twistedsisterhood/message

We know how demanding fatherhood can be and how often your mental well-being takes a backseat. For this episode, we bring you the practical advice and encouraging perspectives of Dr. Danny Singley, an award-winning psychologist, to discuss the often-overlooked topic of men's mental health and fatherhood. Danny, who is the director of the Center for Men's Excellence, helps us understand the unique mental health challenges men face, especially during the transition to fatherhood. Expect valuable insights into men's help-seeking behaviors, the importance of addressing emotional needs, and strategies for fostering deeper male friendships. Whether you are a man, a father, or simply want to learn how to support the men in your life better, tune in to learn how we can all take steps toward promoting mental well-being in men. Listen and Learn:  Why discussing men's mental health, challenging stereotypes, breaking through societal expectations, and promoting a more inclusive understanding are crucial in today's cultural climate How men's mental health presents differently The balance between independence and interdependence for adult males and the challenge of seeking emotional connection beyond their partners How societal expectations influence men's reluctance to seek help until prompted by others How today's fathers are pioneering new ways to be engaged parents despite lacking role models and battling societal standards and cultural norms to be more present and engaged parents The surprising hormonal changes in new fathers, the realities of postpartum depression and anxiety, and why paternal mental health deserves much more attention Resources:  The Center for Men's Excellence APA Division 51 Chat with an Expert | Postpartum Support International (PSI) The Postpartum Game Plan Man Park SNL About Daniel B. Singley, Ph.D., ABPP Bio: Danny Singley is a San Diego-based board certified psychologist and Director of The Center for Men's Excellence. His research and practice focus on men's mental health with a particular emphasis on reproductive psychology and the transition to fatherhood. Dr. Singley won the American Psychological Association's 2017 Practitioner of the Year Award from the Division on Men & Masculinities. He is Past President of the APA's Section on Positive Psychology and is currently the President of the APA's Society for the Psychological Study of Men and Masculinities and the President's Advisory Council for Postpartum Support International. He conducts trainings and presentations around the country to assist individuals and organizations to enhance their level of father inclusiveness and founded the grant-funded Basic Training for New Dads, Inc nonprofit and Padre Cadre social networking application just for dads in order to give new fathers the tools they need to be highly engaged with their infants as well as their partners. In his free time, Dr. Singley likes to cook, surf, read, and trick his two teenage sons into activities so they can't escape his annoying shrinky questions.  Related Episodes: 306. Screaming on the Inside: The Challenges of American Motherhood with Jessica Grose 275. Work, Parent, Thrive with Yael Schonbrun 267. You are Not a Horrible Parent with Carla Naumburg 206. Fair Play Part 2 with Eve Rodsky 183. Permission to Feel: Emotional Intelligence with Marc Brackett 176. Fair Play with Eve Rodsky 166. How to Manage Multiple Life Roles Skillfully with Sarah Argenal 143. Happier Parenting KJ Dell'Antonia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We know how demanding fatherhood can be and how often your mental well-being takes a backseat. For this episode, we bring you the practical advice and encouraging perspectives of Dr. Danny Singley, an award-winning psychologist, to discuss the often-overlooked topic of men's mental health and fatherhood. Danny, who is the director of the Center for Men's Excellence, helps us understand the unique mental health challenges men face, especially during the transition to fatherhood. Expect valuable insights into men's help-seeking behaviors, the importance of addressing emotional needs, and strategies for fostering deeper male friendships. Whether you are a man, a father, or simply want to learn how to support the men in your life better, tune in to learn how we can all take steps toward promoting mental well-being in men.Listen and Learn:  Why discussing men's mental health, challenging stereotypes, breaking through societal expectations, and promoting a more inclusive understanding are crucial in today's cultural climate How men's mental health presents differently The balance between independence and interdependence for adult males and the challenge of seeking emotional connection beyond their partners How societal expectations influence men's reluctance to seek help until prompted by others How today's fathers are pioneering new ways to be engaged parents despite lacking role models and battling societal standards and cultural norms to be more present and engaged parents The surprising hormonal changes in new fathers, the realities of postpartum depression and anxiety, and why paternal mental health deserves much more attention Resources:  The Center for Men's Excellence APA Division 51 Chat with an Expert | Postpartum Support International (PSI) https://twitter.com/menexcel https://www.facebook.com/menexcel https://www.instagram.com/men.excel/ The Postpartum Game Plan Man Park SNL About Daniel B. Singley, Ph.D., ABPP Bio:Danny Singley is a San Diego-based board certified psychologist and Director of The Center for Men's Excellence. His research and practice focus on men's mental health with a particular emphasis on reproductive psychology and the transition to fatherhood. Dr. Singley won the American Psychological Association's 2017 Practitioner of the Year Award from the Division on Men & Masculinities. He is Past President of the APA's Section on Positive Psychology and is currently the President of the APA's Society for the Psychological Study of Men and Masculinities and the President's Advisory Council for Postpartum Support International. He conducts trainings and presentations around the country to assist individuals and organizations to enhance their level of father inclusiveness and founded the grant-funded Basic Training for New Dads, Inc nonprofit and Padre Cadre social networking application just for dads in order to give new fathers the tools they need to be highly engaged with their infants as well as their partners. In his free time, Dr. Singley likes to cook, surf, read, and trick his two teenage sons into activities so they can't escape his annoying shrinky questions. Related Episodes: 306. Screaming on the Inside: The Challenges of American Motherhood with Jessica Grose 275. Work, Parent, Thrive with Yael Schonbrun 267. You are Not a Horrible Parent with Carla Naumburg 206. Fair Play Part 2 with Eve Rodsky 183. Permission to Feel: Emotional Intelligence with Marc Brackett 176. Fair Play with Eve Rodsky 166. How to Manage Multiple Life Roles Skillfully with Sarah Argenal 143. Happier Parenting KJ Dell'Antonia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Season 7 FinaleGretchen Sisson, PhD is a qualitative sociologist who studies abortion and adoption in the United States, based at Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health (ANSIRH) in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences at the University of California, San Francisco. She is the author of Relinquished: The Politics of Adoption and the Privilege of American Motherhood, a ten-year examination of adoption relinquishment during the years of Roe.To skip ahead to the interview go to timestamp: 11:36Relinquished: The Politics of Adoption and the Privilege of American Motherhood, by Gretchen SissonLIVE RECORDED PODCAST  with Adoption: The Making of Me (ATMOM) & PHOTO EVENT with JEFF FORNEY of THE INNOCENT PEOPLE PROJECT - September 7th in Kansas City, Missouri.RESOURCES for AdopteesS12F Helping AdopteesGregory Luce and Adoptees Rights LawJoe Soll & other adoptee resourcesFireside Adoptees Facebook GroupReckoning with the Primal Wound DocumentaryHiraeth Hope & HealingMoses FarrowNational Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1-800-273-8255 OR Dial or Text 988.NAMI Hotline at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or email them at info@nami.orgAdoptee Therapist DirectoryIf you want to support our show, visit our Patreon Page.Thank you to our Patreons! Join at the $10 level and be part of our monthly Zoom adoptee community. Our next Zoom is on 7/13 at 1 pm ET.Our Patrons:  Laura, Barbara, Ramona, Linda, Daphne, Denise, Michelle, Emily, Linda, John, Eric, Beth, Ron, Tony, Kristi,  Kristen, Jane, Kelley, Sandra, The Harpy, Kristan, Lisa,  Michelle, Jesper, Julie, Rivi, Robert,  Colleen, Janet, Robin, Lynn, Mikki, Sharon, Carol, Elizabeth, Diane, Ann, Darra, A.M., Kelly, Lyn, Lynn Wood, Jeff, Karla, Ellen,  Gayle Whitlock,  Dave, Kim, Simone, Liesl, Kelly, Sherry, Barbara, Sandra, Darla, Lisa, Karen and Sally.Support the Show.To support the show - Patreon.

Steve Inskeep is an adoptee and adoptive parent born in 1968, the peak year for adoptions in America during the Baby Scoop Era.  He is a host of NPR's Morning Edition, as well as NPR's morning news podcast Up First.Known for interviews with presidents and Congressional leaders, Steve has a passion for stories of the less famous: Pennsylvania truck drivers, Kentucky coal miners, U.S.-Mexico border detainees, Yemeni refugees, California firefighters, and American soldiers.And now adoptees can be added to that list. Recently, he published an in-depth article in The Atlantic about America's long history of secret adoption:NO ONE'S CHILDREN - America's long history of secret adoptionA native of Carmel, Indiana, Inskeep is a graduate of Morehead State University in Kentucky and resides in Washington, DC.To skip ahead to the interview go to timestamp: 15:51Relinquished: The Politics of Adoption and the Privilege of American Motherhood, by Gretchen SissonLIVE RECORDED PODCAST  with Adoption: The Making of Me (ATMOM) & PHOTO EVENT with JEFF FORNEY of THE INNOCENT PEOPLE PROJECT - September 7th in Kansas City, Missouri.RESOURCES for AdopteesS12F Helping AdopteesGregory Luce and Adoptees Rights LawJoe Soll & other adoptee resourcesFireside Adoptees Facebook GroupReckoning with the Primal Wound DocumentaryHiraeth Hope & HealingMoses FarrowNational Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1-800-273-8255 OR Dial or Text 988.NAMI Hotline at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or email them at info@nami.orgAdoptee Therapist DirectoryIf you want to support our show, visit our Patreon Page.Thank you to our Patreons! Join at the $10 level and be part of our monthly Zoom adoptee community. Our next Zoom is 7/13 at 1pm ET.Our Patrons:  Laura, Barbara, Ramona, Linda, Daphne, Denise, Michelle, Emily, Linda, John, Eric, Beth, Ron, Tony, Kristi,  Kristen, Jane, Kelley, Sandra, The Harpy, Kristan, Lisa,  Michelle, Jesper, Julie, Rivi, Robert,  Colleen, Janet, Robin, Lynn, Mikki, Sharon, Carol, Elizabeth, Diane, Ann, Darra, A.M., Kelly, Lyn, Lynn Wood, Jeff, Karla, Ellen,  Gayle Whitlock,  Dave, Kim, Simone, Liesl, Kelly, Sherry, Barbara, Sandra, Darla, Lisa and Karen.Support the Show.To support the show - Patreon.

It's a supersized episode of Boom! Lawyered with special guest Gretchen Sisson, author of the recently released book Relinquished: The Politics of Adoption and the Privilege of American Motherhood. Sisson is also a qualitative sociologist and friend of the pod who studies abortion and adoption at Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health based at the University of California, San Francisco.Jess and Imani talk to Sisson about the complicated politics of adoption and abortion. She explains why adoption isn't the answer to winnowing abortion access and why the conversations around abortion and adoption are overly simplistic. The decision faced by relinquishing mothers is not whether to adopt or have an abortion but whether to parent or not.And poverty, unsurprisingly, plays a large role in any decision a pregnant person makes regarding parenting. The anti-abortion movement wants adoption to be an alternative to abortion, but it's not.“The idea that women are choosing between abortion and adoption is not borne out by the data at all,” Sisson said.Rewire News Group is a nonprofit media organization, which means that episodes like this one is only made possible with the support of listeners like you! If you can, please join our team by donating here.And sign up for The Fallout, a weekly newsletter written by Jess that's exclusively dedicated to covering every aspect of this unprecedented moment.

It's a supersized episode of Boom! Lawyered with special guest Gretchen Sisson, author of the recently released book Relinquished: The Politics of Adoption and the Privilege of American Motherhood. Sisson is also a qualitative sociologist and friend of the pod who studies abortion and adoption at Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health based at the University of California, San Francisco.Jess and Imani talk to Sisson about the complicated politics of adoption and abortion. She explains why adoption isn't the answer to winnowing abortion access and why the conversations around abortion and adoption are overly simplistic. The decision faced by relinquishing mothers is not whether to adopt or have an abortion but whether to parent or not.And poverty, unsurprisingly, plays a large role in any decision a pregnant person makes regarding parenting. The anti-abortion movement wants adoption to be an alternative to abortion, but it's not.“The idea that women are choosing between abortion and adoption is not borne out by the data at all,” Sisson said.Rewire News Group is a nonprofit media organization, which means that episodes like this one is only made possible with the support of listeners like you! If you can, please join our team by donating here.And sign up for The Fallout, a weekly newsletter written by Jess that's exclusively dedicated to covering every aspect of this unprecedented moment.

Burnout from endless household chores? Meet KC Davis, the brilliant author behind How to Keep House While Drowning: A Gentle Approach to Cleaning and Organizing who we had to get on the podcast to share her wisdom with you!Most of us constantly juggle house cleaning, personal grooming, and what can feel like a million other responsibilities. It can feel like a relentless backdrop to our lives. But KC, who you may have seen making waves on social media, gives us a whole new way of looking at domestic labor. Her insights are transformative and so much more than just chores—they're about life-changing perspectives and even touch on social justice issues.If you're overwhelmed by endless household to-do lists, this episode and KC's book are invaluable. Tune in and revolutionize your approach to household tasks. Trust us, your future self will thank you!Listen and Learn:  Balancing a normal daily life with the unexpected recognition and success of her new book, How to Keep House While Drowning Why did KC make her book so accessible and simple to read? Why basic self-care like doing the dishes or taking a shower is often overlooked  KC recalls her daily struggles as a new mom facing postpartum depression during the pandemic, with escalating exhaustion and an unmanageable household The common feeling of failure when overwhelmed by basic care tasks and why these challenges don't reflect one's character How mainstream self-help often leads to initial motivation but ultimately causes shame when people can't sustain the impractical systems Navigating domestic work and fairness in shared living spaces and making sure that everyone gets time to rest and recharge Resources:  https://www.strugglecare.com/ How to Keep House While Drowning: A Gentle Approach to Cleaning and Organizing Listen to KC's Podcast: https://www.strugglecare.com/podcast-rss  Follow KC on social media:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strugglecare Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StruggleCare/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@domesticblisters  Article on scruffy hospitality referenced by Debbie: https://www.treehugger.com/in-priase-scruffy-hospitality-4868485 About KC Davis:KC Davis is a licensed professional counselor, author, speaker, and the person behind the mental health platform Struggle Care. KC's compassionate and practical approach to self and home care for those dealing with mental health, physical illness, and hard seasons of life has drawn over a million followers on social media in less than a year. Her book, How to Keep House While Drowning, has sold over 300,000 copies and is currently an Amazon bestseller.https://www.treehugger.com/in-priase-scruffy-hospitality-4868485KC Davis began her therapy journey at 16 when she entered treatment for drug addiction and mental health issues. After getting sober she became a speaker and advocate for mental health and recovery. Professionally, KC has worked most of her career in the field of addiction in roles such a therapist, consultant, and executive director. She lives in Houston with her husband and two daughters. Learn more about the radical philosophy of Struggle Care that's changing lives here.Related episodes:  176. Fair Play with Eve Rodsky176. Fair Play with Eve Rodsky 206. Fair Play Part 2 with Eve Rodsky 306. Screaming on the Inside: The Challenges of American Motherhood with Jessica Grose 215. How to Change with Katy Milkman 318. Your Path to Personal Change with Michelle Drapkin 348. Sustainable Exercise with Michelle Segar 346. Self-compassion Daily Journal with Diana Hill 33. Couples with Young Children: Relationship Challenges and Strategies with Yael Schonbrun Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Burnout from endless household chores? Meet KC Davis, the brilliant author behind How to Keep House While Drowning: A Gentle Approach to Cleaning and Organizing who we had to get on the podcast to share her wisdom with you! Most of us constantly juggle house cleaning, personal grooming, and what can feel like a million other responsibilities. It can feel like a relentless backdrop to our lives. But KC, who you may have seen making waves on social media, gives us a whole new way of looking at domestic labor. Her insights are transformative and so much more than just chores—they're about life-changing perspectives and even touch on social justice issues. If you're overwhelmed by endless household to-do lists, this episode and KC's book are invaluable. Tune in and revolutionize your approach to household tasks. Trust us, your future self will thank you! Listen and Learn:  Balancing a normal daily life with the unexpected recognition and success of her new book, How to Keep House While Drowning Why did KC make her book so accessible and simple to read? Why basic self-care like doing the dishes or taking a shower is often overlooked  KC recalls her daily struggles as a new mom facing postpartum depression during the pandemic, with escalating exhaustion and an unmanageable household The common feeling of failure when overwhelmed by basic care tasks and why these challenges don't reflect one's character How mainstream self-help often leads to initial motivation but ultimately causes shame when people can't sustain the impractical systems Navigating domestic work and fairness in shared living spaces and making sure that everyone gets time to rest and recharge Resources:  https://www.strugglecare.com/ How to Keep House While Drowning: A Gentle Approach to Cleaning and Organizing Listen to KC's Podcast: https://www.strugglecare.com/podcast-rss  Follow KC on social media:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strugglecare Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StruggleCare/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@domesticblisters  Article on scruffy hospitality referenced by Debbie: https://www.treehugger.com/in-priase-scruffy-hospitality-4868485 About KC Davis: KC Davis is a licensed professional counselor, author, speaker, and the person behind the mental health platform Struggle Care. KC's compassionate and practical approach to self and home care for those dealing with mental health, physical illness, and hard seasons of life has drawn over a million followers on social media in less than a year. Her book, How to Keep House While Drowning, has sold over 300,000 copies and is currently an Amazon bestseller.https://www.treehugger.com/in-priase-scruffy-hospitality-4868485 KC Davis began her therapy journey at 16 when she entered treatment for drug addiction and mental health issues. After getting sober she became a speaker and advocate for mental health and recovery. Professionally, KC has worked most of her career in the field of addiction in roles such a therapist, consultant, and executive director. She lives in Houston with her husband and two daughters.  Learn more about the radical philosophy of Struggle Care that's changing lives here. Related episodes:  176. Fair Play with Eve Rodsky176. Fair Play with Eve Rodsky 206. Fair Play Part 2 with Eve Rodsky 306. Screaming on the Inside: The Challenges of American Motherhood with Jessica Grose 215. How to Change with Katy Milkman 318. Your Path to Personal Change with Michelle Drapkin 348. Sustainable Exercise with Michelle Segar 346. Self-compassion Daily Journal with Diana Hill 33. Couples with Young Children: Relationship Challenges and Strategies with Yael Schonbrun Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Christina Thanstrom is a baby Scoop-era adoptee born in Los Angeles in 1966. A loving couple adopted her in 1967 through LA County and she had a mostly idyllic childhood with a younger brother (also adopted) in the San Fernando Valley.Christina was reunited with her birth mother, Arleen, an R.N., at age 19 while in college (the same age Arleen had given birth to Christina). Christina learned that whenArleen's parents discovered her pregnancy, they threw her high school graduation photo against the wall and called her a “whore.” She then went to a “home forunwed mothers” where she gave birth to Christina.Reunion was fraught with unspoken emotions and unaddressed traumas on both sides. Sadly, Arleen died at 52. 23&Me introduced Christina to her bio-father's family, who have opened their arms and hearts to her.Christina and her hubby David are proud parents of adult children, Sophia and Harrison. Christina is a devoted rescue pup mom and fierce animal rescue advocate. She hopes that we overcome and eliminate the shame and the secrecy surrounding adoption on all sides of the triangle.To skip ahead to the interview go to timestamp: 18:37Relinquished: The Politics of Adoption and the Privilege of American Motherhood, by Gretchen SissonRESOURCES for AdopteesS12F Helping AdopteesGregory Luce and Adoptees Rights LawJoe Soll & other adoptee resourcesFireside Adoptees Facebook GroupReckoning with the Primal Wound DocumentaryHiraeth Hope & HealingMoses FarrowNational Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1-800-273-8255 OR Dial or Text 988.NAMI Hotline at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or email them at info@nami.orgAdoptee Therapist DirectoryIf you want to support our show, visit our Patreon Page.Thank you to our Patreons! Join at the $10 level and be part of our monthly Zoom adoptee community. Our next Zoom is 7/13 at 1pm ET.Our Patrons:  Laura, Barbara, Ramona, Linda, Daphne, Denise, Michelle, Emily, Linda, John, Eric, Beth, Ron, Tony, Kristi,  Kristen, Jane, Kelley, Sandra, The Harpy, Kristan, Lisa,  Michelle, Jesper, Julie, Rivi, Robert,  Colleen, Janet, Robin, Lynn, Mikki, Sharon, Carol, Elizabeth, Diane, Ann, Darra, A.M., Kelly, Lyn, Lynn Wood, Jeff, Karla, Ellen,  Gayle Whitlock,  Dave, Kim, Simone, Liesl, Kelly, Sherry, Barbara, Sandra, Darla, Lisa and Karen.Support the Show.To support the show - Patreon.

A Becca Tobin fav and The author of #saddesksalad + #screamingontheinside (The unsustainability of American Motherhood) joins us today to create a mandatory podcast for all parents out there. If you've ever felt like you are failing at Motherhood and are doing it all wrong this one is for you. Check out our great sponsors!!! Signos: Manage your glucose levels better! GO TO Signos.com AND GET UP TO 20% OFF SELECT PLANS BY USING CODE "LADYGANG" Aura: Get a 14 day trial PLUS a check of your data ALL FOR FREE at Aura.com/trust Huggies: Get your baby's butt into Huggies' best fitting diaper! Huggies Little Movers. We got you, baby.

Mark Diebel has been married for almost 46 years and has two sons and two grandchildren. He has been serving as an Episcopal priest in parish ministry for thirty-six years. He was reunited with his birth mother, a second-generation Japanese immigrant, in 2004 when he was 49. A year later he learned that his natural father, a Cuban doctor, was killed in a bizarre accident in Matanzas Cuba in 1970. Over the years, he has learned about both of his first parents and visited their homes in Hawaii and Cuba. As an Episcopal priest, he advocated for adoptees and donor-conceived persons to have access to their personal information and their right to know their origins and their parentage. In May 2012, he wrote an essay, Human Nature and Truthfulness in Adoption and Donor Conception Practice, for the Journal for Christian Legal Thought. He explores the relationship between Christian theology and contemporary adoption practices. He talks about his adoption experience, adoption practices in general, race, and identity in sermons. Mark is currently working with The Episcopal Church as it begins to examine its complicity in the practice of forced adoptions during the Baby Scoop Era. He is retired and living close to his grandchildren in Owensboro, Kentucky.To skip ahead to the interview go to timestamp: 9:03Relinquished: The Politics of Adoption and the Privilege of American Motherhood, by Gretchen SissonRESOURCES for AdopteesS12F Helping AdopteesGregory Luce and Adoptees Rights LawJoe Soll & other adoptee resourcesFireside Adoptees Facebook GroupReckoning with the Primal Wound DocumentaryHiraeth Hope & HealingMoses FarrowNational Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1-800-273-8255 OR Dial or Text 988.NAMI Hotline at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or email them at info@nami.orgAdoptee Therapist DirectoryIf you want to support our show, visit our Patreon Page.Thank you to our Patreons! Join at the $10 level and be part of our monthly Zoom adoptee community. Our next Zoom is 7/13 at 1pm ET.Our Patrons:  Laura, Barbara, Ramona, Linda, Daphne, Denise, Michelle, Emily, Linda, John, Eric, Beth, Ron, Tony, Kristi,  Kristen, Jane, Kelley, Sandra, The Harpy, Kristan, Lisa,  Michelle, Jesper, Julie, Rivi, Robert,  Colleen, Janet, Robin, Lynn, Mikki, Sharon, Carol, Elizabeth, Diane, Ann, Darra, A.M., Kelly, Lyn, Lynn Wood, Jeff, Karla, Ellen,  Gayle Whitlock,  Dave, Kim, Simone, Liesl, Kelly, Sherry, Barbara, Sandra and Lisa.Support the Show.To support the show - Patreon.

Cary is a baby scoop-era adoptee who was born in a Florence Crittenton Home in Atlantic City NJ in 1964. Her first mother was 19 years old and was forced to relinquish her baby like many young mothers of those times. Cary had a great upbringing in a family that loved her and never made her feel othered. In her early 30s she reunited with her birth mother and then her birth father. The reunions went well for the most part, but some family members that started out enthusiastic soon became clearly uninterested in staying connected.Even in the best situations, adoption is incredibly complex. In recent years after the death of her older, adopted, sister, Cary has been better understanding just how complex it can be. Her relationship with her sister was great—as long as she was a child. It became more complicated and difficult as adult years went by. Losing her sister, and therefore her best connection to the parents who raised her and whom she loved dearly, has brought up a lot of adoption-related issues that she hadn't really tuned into before.What she would like people to understand most is that an adoptee can be both happy with who they grew up with, how they were raised, and the life they've had, while also feeling sad and having complicated feelings about the loss they started life with, and the impact adoption has had on them.To skip ahead to the interview go to timestamp: 13:01Relinquished: The Politics of Adoption and the Privilege of American Motherhood, by Gretchen SissonRESOURCES for AdopteesS12F Helping AdopteesGregory Luce and Adoptees Rights LawJoe Soll & other adoptee resourcesFireside Adoptees Facebook GroupReckoning with the Primal Wound DocumentaryHiraeth Hope & HealingMoses FarrowNational Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1-800-273-8255 OR Dial or Text 988.NAMI Hotline at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or email them at info@nami.orgAdoptee Therapist DirectoryIf you want to support our show, visit our Patreon Page.Thank you to our Patreons! Join at the $10 level and be part of our monthly Zoom adoptee community. Our next Zoom is 6/1 @ 1pm ET.Our Patrons:  Laura, Barbara, Ramona, Linda, Daphne, Denise, Michelle, Emily, Linda, John, Eric, Beth, Ron, Tony, Kristi,  Kristen, Jane, Kelley, Sandra, The Harpy, Kristan, Lisa,  Michelle, Jesper, Julie, Rivi, Robert,  Colleen, Janet, Robin, Lynn, Mikki, Sharon, Carol, Elizabeth, Diane, Ann, Darra, A.M., Kelly, Lyn, Lynn Wood, Jeff, Karla, Ellen,  Gayle Whitlock,  Dave, Kim, Simone, Liesl, Kelly, Sherry, Barbara and Sandra.Support the Show.To support the show - Patreon.

Ellen is a baby scoop-era New York State adoptee. She was adopted by a loving Greek American couple through a closed private adoption and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area with a younger adopted brother.Ellen always wanted to find her original family and searched off and on starting in the early 90s but kept hitting roadblocks. Her adoptive parents were not supportive of her search so she had very little information to go on. Then a friend had her rescue dog's DNA tested which changed everything for the better.To skip ahead to the interview go to timestamp: 16:13Relinquished: The Politics of Adoption and the Privilege of American Motherhood, by Gretchen SissonRESOURCES for AdopteesS12F Helping AdopteesGregory Luce and Adoptees Rights LawJoe Soll & other adoptee resourcesFireside Adoptees Facebook GroupReckoning with the Primal Wound DocumentaryHiraeth Hope & HealingMoses FarrowNational Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1-800-273-8255 OR Dial or Text 988.NAMI Hotline at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or email them at info@nami.orgAdoptee Therapist DirectoryIf you want to support our show, visit our Patreon Page.Thank you to our Patreons! Join at the $10 level and be part of our monthly Zoom adoptee community. Our next Zoom is 6/1 @ 1pm ET.Our Patrons:  Laura, Barbara, Ramona, Linda, Daphne, Denise, Michelle, Emily, Linda, John, Eric, Beth, Ron, Tony, Kristi,  Kristen, Jane, Kelley, Sandra, The Harpy, Kristan, Lisa,  Michelle, Jesper, Julie, Rivi, Robert,  Colleen, Janet, Robin, Lynn, Mikki, Sharon, Carol, Elizabeth, Diane, Ann, Darra, A.M., Kelly, Lyn, Lynn Wood, Jeff, Karla, Ellen,  Gayle Whitlock,  Dave, Kim, Simone, Liesl, Kelly, Sherry, Barbara and Sandra.Support the Show.To support the show - Patreon.

Simone Pajo was born in Auckland New Zealand in 1968, the baby scoop era.  She was the middle child between two bio children and was adopted after the death of the middle bio daughter.  She grew up knowing her adoption was the result of a baby's death and this greatly affected the way she saw the world and her place in it.  It has taken decades for Simone to form a coherent worldview where her right to her identity does not depend on the needs of others.She has lived in the UK for over 30 years and is a law graduate and former journalist.To skip ahead to the interview go to timestamp: 13:53Relinquished: The Politics of Adoption and the Privilege of American Motherhood, by Gretchen SissonRESOURCES for AdopteesS12F Helping AdopteesGregory Luce and Adoptees Rights LawJoe Soll & other adoptee resourcesFireside Adoptees Facebook GroupReckoning with the Primal Wound DocumentaryHiraeth Hope & HealingMoses FarrowNational Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1-800-273-8255 OR Dial or Text 988.NAMI Hotline at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or email them at info@nami.orgIf you want to support our show, visit our Patreon Page.Thank you to our Patreons! Join at the $10 level and be part of our monthly Zoom adoptee community.Our Patrons:  Laura, Barbara, Ramona, Linda, Daphne, Denise, Michelle, Emily, Linda, John, Eric, Beth, Ron, Tony, Kristi,  Kristen, Jane, Kelley, Sandra, The Harpy, Kristan, Lisa,  Michelle, Jesper, Julie, Rivi, Robert,  Colleen, Janet, Robin, Lynn, Mikki, Sharon, Carol, Elizabeth, Diane, Ann, Darra, A.M., Kelly, Lyn, Lynn Wood, Jeff, Karla, Ellen,  Gayle Whitlock,  Dave, Kim, Simone, Liesl, Kelly, Sherry, and Barbara.Support the Show.To support the show - Patreon.

Join Mads for a special interview with Gretchen Sisson Ph.D., who recently released “Relinquished: The Politics of Adoption and Privilege of American Motherhood,” to uncover the often-overlooked stories of mothers who relinquish their children for adoption.Throughout the process of writing Relinquished, Gretchen learned how factors like poverty, lack of support, inadequate counseling, and limited access to resources and information force women to make choices they never imagined. She also reveals startling facts about the lack of federal regulation and the role of market forces.As an adoptive mom, Mads believes these conversations are critical for change, so don't miss out on this important discussion. In this episode you'll discover:How to understand adoption from a birth parent's perspective.The broad definition of motherhood, and how birth mothers continue to mother their children in unseen ways, even after relinquishment.Emotional and financial struggles mothers face and how adoption can often come from a place of limited choice.1:52 - Defining Motherhood6:17 - The Emotional Impact of Adoption10:27 - Statistics, Data and Private Adoption System13:53 - Barriers to Parenting and Examples of Relinquishment23:17 - Ethics in the Adoption Industry28:02 - Unlicensed Adoption Facilitators, Legal Ambiguity and Revocation Rights40:51 - Vision for a Healthier Adoption System and PracticesConnect with Gretchen:Website: https://www.gretchensisson.com/Book Website: https://www.relinquishedbook.com/Substack: https://gretchen.substack.com/Please make sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode, and kindly review the podcast on Apple Podcasts so we can reach more working moms. We always want to hear your thoughts, concerns, questions or guest suggestions – email workingmomhour@212comm.com. Follow us! LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/workingmomhour Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/workingmomhour/ TikTok: https:/www.tiktok.com/@workingmomhour Working Mom Hour Website: https://workingmomhour.com/ Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@workingmomhour

Ryan Anderson is a foundling and a transnational, transracial, and late discovery adoptee (LDA). Found on the street in El Jadida, Morocco he was adopted at age 3 months and then brought to Scotland at age 6 months, in between this time he was fostered by a Moroccan family. He first found out he was adopted at age 18. Since 2020 he has been focused on personal development, to then became open to sharing his story at age 31.To skip ahead to the interview go to timestamp: 14:21Relinquished: The Politics of Adoption and the Privilege of American Motherhood, by Gretchen SissonRESOURCES for AdopteesS12F Helping AdopteesGregory Luce and Adoptees Rights LawJoe Soll & other adoptee resourcesFireside Adoptees Facebook GroupReckoning with the Primal Wound DocumentaryHiraeth Hope & HealingMoses FarrowNational Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1-800-273-8255 OR Dial or Text 988.NAMI Hotline at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or email them at info@nami.orgIf you want to support our show, visit our Patreon Page.Thank you to our Patreons! Join at the $10 level and be part of our monthly Zoom adoptee community. Our Patrons:  Laura, Barbara, Ramona, Linda, Daphne, Denise, Michelle, Emily, Linda, John, Eric, Beth, Ron, Tony, Kristi,  Kristen, Jane, Kelley, Sandra, The Harpy, Kristan, Lisa,  Michelle, Jesper, Julie, Rivi, Robert,  Colleen, Janet, Robin, Lynn, Mikki, Sharon, Carol, Elizabeth, Diane, Ann, Darra, A.M., Kelly, Lyn, Lynn Wood, Jeff, Karla, Ellen,  Gayle Whitlock,  Dave, Kim, Simone, Liesl, Kelly, Sherry, and Barbara.Support the Show.To support the show - Patreon.

It's an EmMajority Report Thursday! She speaks with Gretchen Sisson, sociologist at the University of California, San Francisco, to discuss her recent book Relinquished: The Politics of Adoption and the Privilege of American Motherhood. Then, she speaks with Ryan Doerfler, law professor at Harvard University, to discuss his recent piece in Dissent Magazine entitled "We Are Already Defying the Supreme Court", co-authored with Samuel Moyn. First, Emma runs through updates on Trump's immunity and hush money cases, the US' new foreign aid package, Israel's impending invasion of Rafah, continuing crackdowns on anti-war student protests in the US, Arizona politics, Harvey Weinstein, the TikTok ban, the resignation of Ariel Henry, and repression of dissent in Iran, before expanding on the conversation about activism on campuses, and the GOP's insistence on maintaining the parallels with the 1960s anti-war movement. Gretchen Sisson then joins, first walking through extensive research she conducted with women who have relinquished children to the private adoption system, exploring how and why they make the decision, and how they reflect on the process some years later. Next, Sisson walks Emma through the myth of the relationship between abortion and adoption, and the reality of a distinct divide between those who seek the two options, alongside the myth of a “high supply” in the adoption market, with (once again) the inverse seeing many adoption clinics closing due to a lack of available children for adoption. Expanding on this, Gretchen explores how the “market” influence of the adoption industry shapes a largely coercive and exploitative relationship between adoption agencies and women who would often prefer to keep their children, a relationship that is largely reflective of the industry's roots in the family separation projects practiced against Indigenous and Black communities in the US. After touching on the major role that major Christian religious institutions have played throughout the history of the private adoption industry, and the relationship between private adoption and the foster care system, Emma and Gretchen wrap up the interview with an exploration of how many mothers come to feel very critical of the adoption system and how it failed both them and their child. Professor Ryan Doerfler and Emma then look to the long history of non-compliance – and even outright defiance – in the face of Supreme Court rulings considered unjust, with Professor Doerfler walking us through the more extreme precedents set by the presidencies of Abraham Lincoln and FDR to issue direct challenges to the court, alongside the much more recent tradition of administrative non-compliance or policy loopholes as seen in the fights for affirmative action, student loan forgiveness, and more. After stepping back to look at the myth of Marbury v. Madison's role in legitimizing judicial activism – a tactic that the Supreme Court would not truly take on until the Civil War era, Professor Doerfler explores how the conversation around the ever-changing scope of the Supreme Court became isolated from the public to solely and intra-governmental affair over the second half of the 20th Century, in a weird conflation of the rule of law and the rule of the courts. Ryan and Emma look at the current era of backlash to the Supreme Court, from the Hobbs decision to attacks on the administrative state, and what we can do to get Democrats to start fighting back, before wrapping up with a brief conversation on the stunning bravery of anti-war student activists at Harvard and across the US. And in the Fun Half: Emma is joined by Matt Binder as they watch Channel 4's interview with an anonymous IDF member on the prevailing perspectives within Israel's military, also diving into the continuing wave of student protests against Israel's genocide in Gaza, and the violent police repression seen at UT Austin, USC, and Emory that has continued the parallels with the 1960s anti-war movement on campuses like Kent State. They also dive into the continuing smears against students from both Netanyahu and the ADL alike, and watch Edward Said attempt to grapple with the same double standards some four decades ago. Chris from the Bay Area debates which generation killed American class politics, and Wisconsin Senate candidate Eric Hovde botches his public pledging of the ‘legiance, plus, your calls and IMs! Check out Gretchen's book here: https://www.relinquishedbook.com/ Check out Ryan's piece in Dissent here: https://www.dissentmagazine.org/article/we-are-already-defying-the-supreme-court/ Become a member at JoinTheMajorityReport.com: https://fans.fm/majority/join Check out Seder's Seeds here!: https://www.sedersseeds.com/ ALSO, if you have pictures of your Seder's Seeds, send them here!: hello@sedersseeds.com Check out this GoFundMe in support of Mohammad Aldaghma's niece in Gaza, who has Down Syndrome: http://tinyurl.com/7zb4hujt Check out the "Repair Gaza" campaign courtesy of the Glia Project here: https://www.launchgood.com/campaign/rebuild_gaza_help_repair_and_rebuild_the_lives_and_work_of_our_glia_team#!/ Get emails on the IRS pilot program for tax filing here!: https://service.govdelivery.com/accounts/USIRS/subscriber/new Check out StrikeAid here!; https://strikeaid.com/ Gift a Majority Report subscription here: https://fans.fm/majority/gift Subscribe to the ESVN YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/esvnshow Subscribe to the AMQuickie newsletter here: https://am-quickie.ghost.io/ Join the Majority Report Discord! http://majoritydiscord.com/ Get all your MR merch at our store: https://shop.majorityreportradio.com/ Get the free Majority Report App!: http://majority.fm/app Check out today's sponsors: Nutrafol:  Take the first step to visibly thicker, healthier hair. 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Jessica is a 1970 baby scoop-era adoptee, who started discovering her roots at age 50. After more than 80 years of closed records in NYS, she was able to obtain her original birth certificate in 2020. Two DNA tests and one secret after another uncovered a history of relinquishment, trauma, and family ties nearby of where she resides in upstate New York. At 54, Jessica is learning to live her truth on her terms and allowing herself to heal from the lifelong effects of being adopted. A retired art teacher, she is running a thriving business and enjoying her life with her amazing sons and husband, all while continuing to uncover more pieces of her genetic puzzle. To skip ahead to the interview go to timestamp: 12:06Relinquished: The Politics of Adoption and the Privilege of American Motherhood, by Gretchen SissonRESOURCES for AdopteesS12F Helping AdopteesGregory Luce and Adoptees Rights LawJoe Soll & other adoptee resourcesFireside Adoptees Facebook GroupReckoning with the Primal Wound DocumentaryHiraeth Hope & HealingMoses FarrowNational Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1-800-273-8255 OR Dial or Text 988.NAMI Hotline at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or email them at info@nami.orgIf you want to support our show, visit our Patreon Page.Thank you to our Patreons! Join at the $10 level and be part of our monthly Zoom adoptee community. Our Patrons:  Laura, Barbara, Ramona, Linda, Daphne, Denise, Michelle, Emily, Linda, John, Eric, Beth, Ron, Tony, Kristi,  Kristen, Jane, Kelley, Sandra, The Harpy, Kristan, Lisa,  Michelle, Jesper, Julie, Rivi, Robert,  Colleen, Janet, Robin, Lynn, Mikki, Sharon, Carol, Elizabeth, Diane, Ann, Darra, A.M., Kelly, Lyn, Lynn Wood, Jeff, Karla, Ellen,  Gayle Whitlock,  Dave, Kim, Simone, Liesl, Kelly, Sherry, and Barbara.Support the showTo support the show - Patreon.

Valerie Naiman is an adoptee, singer, story-songwriter, eco-village founder, ontologist, and author. Her #1 bestseller book, Mystic Masquerade, an Adoptee's Search for Truth, was based on five decades of a search that took her around the world as she unraveled the mystery of her stolen identity. Valerie holds a master's degree in Art and worked as a costume designer and actress in film and theatre in NY, Miami & LA. She's the President of the Spirit Foundation, a non-profit that supports disenfranchised children..She also leads seekers to sacred sites in the USA and abroad. In 1990 she had an intense vision that ended up founding the first Eco-village in North America.Through all of her adventures, she journaled her findings as she excavated her biological and spiritual identity. Presently, Valerie is completing an audiobook version of Mystic Masquerade and producing an album of story songs about her search. She now lives on a small organic farm in Asheville, NC with her dwarf goats and honeybees.Valerie's Book Trailer and WebsiteInstagram @valnaimanauthor and Facebook @valnaimanauthorTo skip ahead to the interview go to timestamp: 15:29Relinquished: The Politics of Adoption and the Privilege of American Motherhood, by Gretchen SissonS12F Helping AdopteesGregory Luce and Adoptees Rights LawJoe Soll & other adoptee resourcesFireside Adoptees Facebook GroupReckoning with the Primal Wound DocumentaryIf you want to support our show, visit our Patreon Page.Thank you to our Patreons! Join at the $10 level and be part of our monthly Zoom adoptee community. Our Patrons:  Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed,  Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson,  Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket , Robert Perrino,  Colleen McCall, Janet MacDonald, Robin Wells, Lynn Grubb, Mikki Jackson-Brown, Sharon Katzmann, Carol Levitt, Elizabeth McDonald, Diane Moore, Ann Mikeska, Darra Robins, A.M. Homes, Kelly Layton, Lynn Marie, Lynn Wood, Jeff Wadstrom, Karla, Ellen Ashcraft,  Gayle Whitlock,  Dave, Kim Mullis, Simone Jung, Liesl de Wet, Kelly Jennings, Sherry Espinoza and Barbara Whitacre.Support the showTo support the show - Patreon.

Chris Valdheims is a domestic adoptee born in the late 1970s and adopted in the early 1980s after spending years of his early childhood in foster care. Growing up, he knew very little about his birth family other than his mother and father had met while she worked as a librarian at MIT. He also knew his father was Black, and his mother had immigrated to the United States from Latvia. He spent years searching for answers about his family of origin, and in 2009, he stumbled upon a complex story that involved his grandfather, a then-unknown geometric artist named Zanis Waldheims. Following the trail from there, he began to unravel the mystery of his family history and, in the process, learn more about himself and where he had come from. His journey took him to Canada, Germany, Latvia, and Lithuania for answers, and he shares the story in a recently completed memoir for which he is currently seeking the right publishing partner. Along the way, he discovered that his father may have been one of the astronauts killed in the 1986 Challenger Space Shuttle disaster.He resides in Los Angeles with his wife and two sons and is the founder of a well-known law firm, Counsel for Creators.Chris Valdheims on Instagram.To skip ahead to the interview go to timestamp: 18:29Relinquished: The Politics of Adoption and the Privilege of American Motherhood, by Gretchen SissonS12F Helping AdopteesGregory Luce and Adoptees Rights LawJoe Soll & other adoptee resourcesFireside Adoptees Facebook GroupReckoning with the Primal Wound DocumentaryIf you want to support our show, visit our Patreon Page.Thank you to our Patreons! Join at the $10 level and be part of our monthly Zoom adoptee community.Our Patrons:  Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed,  Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson,  Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket , Robert Perrino,  Colleen McCall, Janet MacDonald, Robin Wells, Lynn Grubb, Mikki Jackson-Brown, Sharon Katzmann, Carol Levitt, Elizabeth McDonald, Diane Moore, Ann Mikeska, Darra Robins, A.M. Homes, Kelly Layton, Lynn Marie, Lynn Wood, Jeff Wadstrom, Karla, Ellen Ashcraft,  Gayle Whitlock,  Dave, Kim Mullis, Simone Jung, Liesl de Wet and Kelly Jennings. Support the showTo support the show - Patreon.

After being an only child all her life, Margaret Jane's adoptive parents adopted four more children through the foster care system. This experience of witnessing adoption through foster care, and being the oldest sister of a group of adoptees, has given her a unique perspective and experience with adoption. Margaret Jane is married to her high school sweetheart, who she shares 3 kiddos with. She is an avid gardener, houseplant collector, and sourdough enthusiast. She also enjoys playing various musical instruments with her family and singing and playing for her church worship team.  Margaret Jane works as an adoption “storyteller” for Adoption.com, where her job is to write and tell her own adoption story, as well as the adoption stories of other adoptees, birth parents, and adoptive parents. She is passionate about educating adoptive parents on how to do adoption better. She is also passionate about amplifying adoptee voices and sharing their stories. To skip ahead to the interview go to timestamp: 11:31Relinquished: The Politics of Adoption and the Privilege of American Motherhood, by Gretchen SissonS12F Helping AdopteesGregory Luce and Adoptees Rights LawJoe Soll & other adoptee resourcesFireside Adoptees Facebook GroupReckoning with the Primal Wound DocumentaryIf you want to support our show, visit our Patreon Page.Thank you to our Patreons! Join at the $10 level and be part of our monthly Zoom adoptee community.Our Patrons:  Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed,  Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson,  Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket , Robert Perrino,  Colleen McCall, Janet MacDonald, Robin Wells, Lynn Grubb, Mikki Jackson-Brown, Sharon Katzmann, Carol Levitt, Elizabeth McDonald, Diane Moore, Ann Mikeska, Darra Robins, A.M. Homes, Kelly Layton, Lynn Marie, Lynn Wood, Jeff Wadstrom, Karla, Ellen Ashcraft,  Gayle Whitlock, Dave & Kim Mullis.Support the showTo support the show - Patreon.

Eric Newman speaks with writer Tommy Orange about his novel Wandering Stars, a multigenerational epic that is both prequel and sequel to his award-winning 2018 debut There There. Beginning in the immediate aftermath of the Sand Creek Massacre of 1864, the novel follows a Native family's journey across more than 150 years as they struggle to maintain their connection to one another and to their Cheyenne history and identity in the face of addiction and the brutal legacy of forced assimilation. Also, Gretchen Sisson, author of Relinquished: The Politics of Adoption and the Privilege of American Motherhood, returns to recommend The Turnaway Study bhy Diana Greene Foster.

Kate Wolf speaks with sociologist Gretchen Sisson about her first book, Relinquished: The Politics of Adoption and the Privilege of American Motherhood. The book is based on interviews Sisson conducted over the last decade with birth mothers who relinquished their children for private adoption in the US. Most often Sisson found that these women deeply regretted their decision, and that poverty was the driving force behind it. Alongside the harrowing stories of the women who Sisson spoke with, her book also looks at the history of adoption in the United States and its ties to conservative Christianity, as well as family policing systems of the state. In an age of narrowing reproductive freedom, when adoption is touted by the Supreme Court as an answer to the need for abortion, Relinquished asks hard questions about the compatibility of the practice with the possibility for true reproductive justice. Also, Brad Gooch, author of Radiant: The Life and Line of Keith Haring, returns to recommend Candy Darling by Cynthia Carr.

We like to think of adoption as an unmitigated social good – a practice that UCSF sociologist Gretchen Sisson says “makes possible the maintenance of both the heteronormative family ideal beloved by the right and the nontraditional, chosen family ideals embraced by the left.” But Sisson says that framing ignores the experiences of birth mothers, who tend to have far less socioeconomic power than adoptive parents and who bear the complicated and even traumatic consequences of relinquishing an infant. Sisson conducted more than 100 interviews with birth mothers who relinquished their children to learn how they came to decide on adoption and the impact that decision has had on them and their families. Her new book is “Relinquished: The Politics of Adoption and the Privilege of American Motherhood.” Guests: Gretchen Sisson, qualitative sociologist studying abortion and adoption at Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health (ANSIRH) in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, UCSF; author, "Relinquished: The Politics of Adoption and the Privilege of American Motherhood” - her research was cited in the Supreme Court's dissent in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization. Serina Chacon, birth mother based in Northern California