Podcast appearances and mentions of april fallon

Emily Chapman Richards, daughter of Christian music artist Steven Curtis Chapman and current Advisor and Ambassador of Show Hope joins this episode.  Emily shares her journey as a biological sibling in this adoption story that began when she was inspired at just 11 years old. After a trip to Haiti, Emily became the catalyst for her family's decision to begin to pray about adoption which led to bringing home three sisters from China. April Fallon, the host of ADOPTION NOW asks how Emily's parents prepared their biological siblings for such a life changing event? What responsibilities would she and her siblings have? They family worked together as they expanded. She opens up about the joy they experienced and also how her family went through a devasting loss after their third adoption. The Chapman family held on to each other as they went through grief and continued to press forward to help other families. Today, Emily carries forward her family's legacy through Show Hope, the organization her parents founded that has helped over 9,000 children find forever families from around the world. Emily's passion shines through as she shares her heart for viewing adoption not as an obligation but as an invitation to experience love in a profound way.  Whether you're just beginning to explore adoption or maybe you are experiencing grief in the process, this conversation offers heartfelt encouragement and direction for your own adoption journey.

Real Moms - Real Adoption In this episode of ADOPTION NOW, host April Fallon shares her family's journey through the ups and downs of open adoption, pulling back the curtain on what happens when these relationships don't follow a perfect script. Through personal stories and vulnerable moments, April opens up about helping her children process their feelings while navigating her own complex emotions as an adoptive mom. From surprise FaceTime calls to years of silence, this episode tackles the real challenges of open adoption relationships. Whether you're just starting your open adoption journey or working to maintain long-standing connections, this conversation will help you feel less alone and more prepared to navigate the complexities. You'll find practical wisdom, emotional support, and permission to not have all the answers as we figure out this journey together.

Real Moms-Real Adoption Your child deserves every chance to succeed at school – but sometimes you have to fight for it. In this episode of ADOPTION NOW, host April Fallon welcomes back Darcy Olsen, Founder & CEO of the Center for the Rights of Abused Children, for an honest conversation about navigating IEPs, understanding diagnoses like ADHD, and becoming your child's strongest advocate. With honesty and vulnerability, they share what it really takes to ensure your child gets the support they deserve. Real Moms-Real Adoption - these stories will make you laugh as they talk about the realities of parenting children with diverse needs. From emotional and behavioral challenges to raising teens, they offer concrete strategies for building a supportive community that truly "gets it." Whether you're just starting your journey with IEPs or are a seasoned advocate, this conversation will leave you feeling more equipped, supported, and ready to fight for what your child needs.

Ever wonder what it's really like to adopt from foster care? In this episode of ADOPTION NOW, host April Fallon sits down with Rita Soronen, President and CEO of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, who brings hard-earned wisdom about the foster care journey. They tackle the tough questions head-on: Can older kids really attach? What support do you actually need? How do you stay hopeful while being realistic? Whether you're just starting to explore or already in the process, Rita shares essential guidance on evaluating your readiness, building your support network, and finding adoption-competent professionals who get it. She emphasizes that success takes more than just love – it requires understanding trauma, being ready for the long haul, and having the right resources in place. The episode features the moving story of Marisol, whose journey to finding her forever family at 19 reminds us why this work matters. April and Rita share both the joys and challenges of foster care, while offering practical ways everyone can help – from mentoring to community support. If you're considering foster care, this conversation gives you both the inspiration and real-world guidance you need to begin your journey.

Adoption Fears?? Yep, we have all had them. We recognize adoption is a big, life changing process to start. There are so many questions and unknowns. It can feel overwhelming. In this episode, host April Fallon and co-host Jordan Moreno explore the common fears of starting the adoption journey and how it is normal to feel this way.  The two adoptive moms share their personal experiences with financial concerns, initial hesitations about open adoption, and the fear of birth mothers changing their minds. Don't think this episode is just for moms!! They also talk about the important role the husbands played in the process and how being on a team has a pivotal role in placement.  Whether you're just beginning to explore adoption or are already on your path, you'll find the support and encouragement you need to move forward with confidence. ADOPTION NOW wants to help you move beyond your fears and into trusting God's calling as you take the next step!

Darcy Olsen is the founder & CEO of the Center for the Rights of Abused Children, an organization dedicated to uniting people in the fight to protect America's abused children. They have helped over 775,000 children nationwide. Darcy has fostered ten babies and adopted four as a single mother! Darcy shared her full story last week. Jordan had her first baby and then experienced secondary infertility. She and her husband, Jose, adopted their second child in less than 5 months! Jordan shares how her perspective on the process changed and about her experience with open adoption. Listen here for her full story on the ADOPTION NOW Podcast. April Fallon has adopted 4 children with her husband Noah. As they were trying to expand their family, they said yes to 7 placements but only finalized 4. The joy and challenges of adoption left them compelled to start ADOPTION NOW, to give adoption a voice and create a community to understand adoption through story telling.  This episode is filled with important lessons and how adoption can cause such deep personal growth as you recognized that you have no control over many things in the process!! Children are a gift from God and adoption is not transactional. It is about staying committed to the journey no matter how hard it is, remembering that you do have it in you! If these 3 moms can do it, you can too!

We have a new season of hope and connection! April Fallon sits down with Jordan Moreno to reflect on ADOPTION NOW's remarkable journey and the episodes that have left a lasting impact on her and her family.  As we celebrate reaching over 1 million downloads worldwide, we invite you to join our community of adoptees, adoptive parents, and birth families.  Visit our Patreon page and ADOPTIONNOWPodcast.com to explore coaching resources and be inspired by the collective power of our stories.

April Fallon is host of the Adoption Now podcast. She and her husband Noah, adopted four kids from birth, AJ, Lilly, Vivvy and Malia. In this episode she talks about parenting her kids as a type 7 and how she has had to adjust her parenting based on her kids unique needs. She wondered what behaviors were trauma related and what was personality. She talks about how knowing their type has helped her finally relax and know her kids love her. She talks about spending three years serving in Africa and how her inspiration to adopt started very early in her life. We talk about gender roles, attachment, emotional intelligence and the adoption process. Adoption Now podcast   https://adoptionnowpodcast.com/   PodcastContactInfo Website: Wendy Gossett.com Get FREE resources on my website: https://wendygossett.com/category/resources/ or email me at WendyGossett.com Get a FREE Child Temperament Test when you join my Not So Normal Parenting Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/notsonormalparenting Book: Your Child's Inner Drive:Parenting by Personality from Toddlers to Teens on Amazon or  https://wendygossett.com/product/your-childs-inner-drive-parenting-by-personality-for-toddlers-to-teens/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaaOCjoDyOk4_gS1KCncLvQ Instagram is Wendy.Gossett

Since this entire podcast is based on the Myers-Briggs system as well as the Enneagram, I highly recommend you listen to episode 2 and 3 at some point. For a quick review the Ox is a stable rule follower… think Ox living in a stable, the Lion is brave and craves freedom, the Eagle is independent, curious and proud, and the Human is emotional and relational. Lions and Eagles are challengers and difficult to parent! You will also hear me referring to “Types 1-9” and this comes from Episode 3 which is an introduction to an amazing system for growing human potential called the Enneagram. Today's episode applies to every human being on the planet! The perceiving and judging functions J and P in the Myers-Briggs system, determine how we live our lives. The P types are driving a convertible through life with the wind in their hair an no particular destination in mind. The J types are driving a sedan on a highway with a GPS. They are more serious, intentional, and structured. But what happens when you mix the two up and put them all under one roof? Opposites attract so there is a chance you could be a J married to a P. I will give a quick test in this episode so you can get an idea which one you are. We live in a J society but the Ps in our life make things fun. I was doing a seminar and one of the Lion dads was cracking a joke, and I made the mistake of saying your Pness is showing. I will never live that one down and will never do that again! Stay tuned to the end for five amazing tips for working with your P child. Perceiving and Judging, P or J, Free Spirit or Rule Follower Judgers live their lives by following the rules, checking things off the box, making lists, and sticking to time frames. Perceivers live their lives much more spontaneously, forging their own path and leaving their options open. The P or Perceiving and J or Judging preferences are most likely impacting your household in the biggest way since these preferences determine how we live our life on a day-to-day, minute-to-minute basis. Perceivers crave freedom and a top-down, wind-in-your-hair, convertible way of living life. Judgers crave structure and a more top-up, neatly coiffed, sedan existence. A true Perceiver is driving a convertible, without a GPS, on an off-the-beaten path, curvy road. A true Judger is in a sedan with a GPS on a straight, well-traveled highway. Many people bristle at the term Judger because people automatically associate it with being judgmental. However, Judging functions help us make decisions and limit our possibilities. Everyone has two Judging functions and two Perceiving functions that make up their personality. If there were no Judging functions, we would all be sitting around like useless blobs, unable to decide when to eat, sleep, or do anything else. Since all children tend to be somewhat free-spirited, these preferences can be harder to detect when they are younger. Perceivers hate being inhibited with too many boundaries, so it is possible that you will notice an extreme reaction when you stand in the way of their freedom. They prefer the unconventional way of doing things and tend to have difficulty finishing what they started. They also frequently struggle to be on time, follow directions, or stick to a plan. Judging children like to learn the “right way” to do something and are willing to follow conventional parenting styles. They like finishing what they start and knowing what to expect. It might sound like a Judging child is every parent's dream. For the most part, they are a bit easier to understand, but I get plenty of calls about Judging types that are too controlling. I worked with an amazing adoptive mom of four kids. I want to give a shout out to all my adoptive parents because you are some of the most amazing parents on the planet! Please share this podcast if you are friends with an adoptive parent. Sometimes these parents don't get to know these children as babies. It is the same way with the step parents I work with. This mom told me she had a voice inside her head that was always wondering if her kids were happy in their new home. One of her daughters, in particular, seemed quiet and reserved. No matter what this mom did to connect with this daughter, it didn't seem to register. She thought this daughter may have had some kind of attachment issue. Once we worked together, she realized that they were brain opposites. This mother's natural way of parenting was to be energetic, positive, full of surprises and spontaneity. She is an ENFP, extroverted feeling Human, a type seven, on the Enneagram.  Her daughter was a  reserved, structured and serious ISTJ introverted sensing thinking Ox type. We laughed as I suggested the mom do something completely counterintuitive. She should offer to do a puzzle with her daughter. This mom had never done a puzzle in her life! The daughter absolutely loved it! She loved just hanging out side-by-side with no pressure to talk, while doing a quiet activity. This mom, April Fallon, who is now host of the ADOPTION NOW podcast shared this quote with me. “Roadmap is what I say to people when I tell them about you. You gave us the map for our family and how we all function together. From the moment we met with you our whole lives changed. Learning who is an introvert and extrovert and helping my husband understand my son has transformed their relationship. His understanding of me changed too and now he is nicer to me too! The realization that one of my daughters is exactly the same as him was an eye-opener. I learned how to love them better and help them feel understood. I call them the koala bears. They love to achieve but only because they want the people they love close to them. They are the snuggly people. Three of us are team creative, however one of us is introverted and needs time away in her room. We designed her room to have a happy place that she has learned to adore. And finally, my Type 9 peacemaker, reserved daughter (the one I do puzzles with) notices everything and takes it in. Recently we found out she has auditory processing disorder and that was because we could pull apart what was personality versus what was a real issue. Once we found out, we could support her in the way she needs. She loves one on one time, verbal praise, and outdoor activities like hiking. I never ever ever wonder how or if she loves us or is happy anymore. I know her love runs deep and giving her a space to show it in her own way has been so healing.” If you would like to get the road map for understanding your family and having more peace in your home, go to WendyGossett.com and sign up for my Understanding Your Family 101 Session. You can also purchase my book on Amazon. Your Childs Inner Drive Parenting by Personality from Toddlers to Teens.   I worked with a mom, who is the only J or structured one in a family of P freedom seekers. She has often felt like she was paddling upstream, forcing her will upon everyone. She would schedule practice hours for her boys to do sports and keep close tabs on them. All her expectations weren't adding up. Everyone in her family needed freedom, which was the opposite of her parenting style. I had to ask her what was more important; the correction or the connection. I've had to ask this question to many parents when they are fighting battles over a clean room or how to load the dishwasher. Ask yourself what is more important; correction or connection? Over and over again, I have seen a huge change occur when the parents shift their focus to connection rather than correction. Her boys are both lion P types that had to learn from life and find their own way. It was difficult for her, an extroverted, thinking Ox, type one on the Enneagram, but she realized she had to let them fail. And failure is not as scary as you may think. Some people learn from failing. Whenever a baby is learning to walk, they have to fall over and over again. Pushing themselves up off the floor helps them get stronger. The most successful business people actually try to fail. They make a goal to fail five times in a month because failing means they are trying new things which leads to confidence and success. And it just so happens that P types who explore and try possibilities without thinking of the consequences are some of the most successful entrepreneurs in the world. I'm getting these statistics from Myers Briggs. Sometimes Lion P types don't enjoy school. What comes naturally to them is being free to use their body in physical, practical pursuits. They like to learn from the school of hard knocks. Some J types use perfectionism as an excuse to not try. Often I have seen perfectionism as a mask for fear. so if you are a structured J parent pulling your hair out because your P child is not falling into line, chances are if you make connection your priority, they may not fall in line but they will land on their feet.  The T Thinking or Prickly and F Feeling or pleasing preferences I talk about in episode 6, play a significant role in how our child Judges or Perceives. If your child is a Thinker and a Judger or TJ, they will be very determined, rigid, and unyielding, which can make them very difficult to parent! If your child is a Feeler and a Perceiver or FP, pleasing you will be ALMOST as important to them as having the freedom to do things their way. They may still have meltdowns that seem to materialize out of nowhere, but for the most part, they are relaxed, go-with-the-flow children. If your child is a Thinker and a Perceiver or TP, get ready for a topsy-turvy time! One minute, they might be playful and relaxed, and the next minute, determined and unyielding. If your child is a Feeler and a Judger or FJ, sit back, make yourself a cup of tea, and relax. This child wants to please, desires structure, and thrives with conventional parenting. Parents with Feeling/Judging children as their firstborn often end up with a false sense of pride in their parenting ability. They can unintentionally make other parents feel inferior, causing them to question their parenting capabilities. Sadly, I was one of those parents. I painted my entire kitchen while my twelve-month-old son was perfectly content simply being in the same room with me, playing in his bouncy chair. My husband, Greg, and I were completely humbled when our Thinking/Perceiving daughter was born. We soon realized why bookstores are filled with so many parenting books! She was, and still is, an uncontained free spirit who plays by her own rules. If you are a Judging parent with a Perceiving child, take heart. Since we live in a Judging society that runs by rules, time frames, and deadlines, Perceivers tend to look more like Judgers as they mature and are “nurtured” by parents, teachers, and societal norms. In fact, this is one of the most common testing mistypes. Mature Perceivers who have learned to play efficiently by societal rules think they are Judgers. I was collaborating with a talented young programmer who had taken my test. Prior to our first meeting, I received his test result, which identified him as one of the most cautious and conservative J types. The minute I met him, I noticed he had an entire sleeve of brightly colored tattoos. Later, he informed me that the tattoos were the entire story of Dante's Inferno, and he was going to have the other arm done in black and white. I was pretty sure he had mis-tested himself. I don't want to fall into stereotyping, but I have seen thousands of patterns that usually fall into predictable outcomes. I am sure there are rare exceptions of extreme conservative J types with two complete tattoo sleeves, but there aren't many! Not only that, but a person's occupation also gives a great indication of their type. This programmer was very out of the box and creative, which are all traits of another type that has all the same letters, except for that oh-so-critical, free-spirited P. An ISTP and an ISTJ are very different, indeed! Email me at wendy@wendygossett.com to receive a an illustrated chart that shows these patterns. You will also find the quick test to determine who is J or P in your family. You will either be a P for Perceiving or a J for Judging. Keep in mind that 50ish% of the world are Perceivers and 50ish% are Judgers, although as adults, many Perceivers mis-test as Judgers since they have learned how to fit in with a Judging society. [1]   Perceiver Judger freedom structure spontaneous planned flexible procedures solid procedures change routine out of the box within the lines experience it control it relaxed hurried start it finish it P J               If you found it hard to pick one and felt tied on both you are most likely an introvert. I use the analogy of Js being sedans and Ps being convertibles, but  introverts are hybrids, meaning they are a little bit of both. If they are a J type, it means they are driving a sedan or in other words they like structure in the way they live their life, but their brain is Open and less decisive, just perceiving the world and taking it in. It's like they are driving a sedan on a road with no map. If you are an introverted P type. It's like you are driving a convertible but your brain is on a highway with a GPS. This type is concerned about their identity and can be stubborn when they set their mind to something. I worked with two introverted sensing Ox parents. They were about as structured and by the book as you could get. They had an introverted feeling Lion son, since he was a feeler Lion, he was very relational, compliant and easy-going throughout elementary school and junior high. When he got to high school, however he went off the rails. He had been following his parents rules his entire life, and because he was so relaxed it worked for him, but when he got to high school and could see his adult life looming before him, he realized he had to discover who he was. He had to discover what he stood for. His relaxed, convertible way of living, switched over to his decisive identity seeking brain. He went on a vision quest up in the mountains to become a ski instructor rather than going straight to college like his parents had always planned. Again, these parents had to decide what was more important. Their connection with their son or their expectations.  Here is an opposite story. An extroverted sensing thinking Lion child hated school. He just wanted to have fun and do sports. By the way, sports are the guard rails that will keep your Lions on track with their grades. They love sports and they love being competitive so this can be the motivation to help them get through school. By the time he was a senior, he still had no direction and had no idea what he wanted to do. His parents had a friend who worked as a sports medicine doctor. They let their son shadow him. Lions learn from watching and doing much more than learning from a textbook or hearing a lecture. His tactile extroverted sensory intelligence combined with his analytical introverted, thinking brain realized he could do exactly what this sports medicine doctor was doing. All of a sudden, he was the most determined Lion you ever saw. He went to school and studied from six in the morning to eight at night and became a surgeon making up for all his playing throughout school. If you have a story to share from your family, I would love to feature it on the podcast! Just email me at WendyGossett.com. Here are some tips for parenting, the P types in your household. 1.Your child is not wired for structured schedules. If they are doing well in school, be grateful because what comes naturally to them is to do their own thing in their own time. Luckily, they are competitive, which might motivate them to work hard in school. When they are home, they want to settle into their comfort zone and have more freedom to play and explore. Whenever you can make things fun or a game. Try making a morning routine playlist with a song for each task on the list. Rehearse the routine to make sure each song is the right length. If they can finish each task by the time the song ends and get down to breakfast, they can get a special treat they picked out. Music also works to make chores more fun. Research has shown that music makes anyone more cooperative. Have a tidy up the house dance party. Quick, in the moment rewards work best for P children. Speaking of fun, board games are more of a J thing. You can make game time more fun by adding an action element or a silly element. Games like Throw Throw Burrito where you get to run around our favorites of P children.   2.As a J Parent who likes plans, plan a time each day to be unplanned. A J parent with a P child needs to plan to be unplanned. All kids need structure, but P children need freedom just as much.  3.Don't lecture! Have clear rules and consequences for serious crimes.  The consequence speak for themselves. Ps need freedom so let them negotiate when it is a misdemeanor and not a crime. There's more to this, but that is the quick version. 4.Ps believe there is more than just one way to do things. if you are a perfectionist, you may need to have Elsa‘s anthem playing on repeat in your head. “Let it go”. Tell them the end goal you would like and let them pick the order or timeframe it's completed in. 5.. P Children often have ADHD. My daughter and son were both diagnosed. My daughter is a P and my son is a hybrid introverted J with that P brain…haha he just completed the MCAT but he has a P brain which is on a country road with no map. You can listen to episodes 11 and 12 where I interview both of them to hear more about this. All P types want the quick fix to life's problems because they want to get on with the fun. She wanted us to put her on ADHD medication. We hesitated with this decision for many months, but finally we came up with the idea to put her on a placebo and see if her performance would improve if she thought she was on the medication. We didn't let the teacher know but positive progress reports started coming home. Because my daughter is a sensor and very aware of her body as well as details and her environment she soon figured out the pill was a fake. She begged us to put her on the real medication. Once she was on it, she absolutely hated it because she felt like she was in a box. She couldn't be her normal, silly self and have the freedom in her spirit that she craved as a Lion. Life taught her that hard work was better than a pill. If you have P children in your home, I would also suggest you listen to episode seven and eight which are interviews with extroverted P types. All extroverted P types are driving a convertible through life and they are on a country road with no map! They are 100% perceiver!    Lion perceivers are different from Eagle and human perceivers. One is sensory and the other is intuitive and it makes a big difference in the behavior. Check out episode 13 on sensing and intuition.   My closing thought for today is from Abraham Lincoln. “In the end it's not the years in your life that count it's the life in your years. P types are playful and help us to enjoy life.” But for my J types out there which I am one and by the way, I am a sedan on a highway with the GPS so I am 100%  a J! But because I am intuitive I am a little more P like.  I also have a quote keeping the J types in mind. Here is a quote from Pele one of the worlds, most famous soccer players. Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying sacrifice, and most of all love of what you do. Email me at Wendy@WendyGossett.com for the other chart I mentioned in the episode. Website: Get FREE resources at Wendygossett.com Get a FREE Child Temperament Test when you join my Not So Normal Parenting Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/notsonormalparenting or on my podcast page. Book: Your Child's Inner Drive:Parenting by Personality from Toddlers to Teens on Amazon or  https://wendygossett.com/product/your-childs-inner-drive-parenting-by-personality-for-toddlers-to-teens/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaaOCjoDyOk4_gS1KCncLvQ Instagram is Wendy.Gossett  

Motherhood doesn't always start in the womb. April Fallon knew from the time she was born, her calling was to adopt, to work with the vulnerable and be a voice for children.  Today, April is the adoptive mom of four and shares her journey through her four successful adoptions along with three disrupted adoptions. Join Katie and Mandy as they walk with April through her journey of adoption, the beautiful messy journey of love that not only changed the lives of the April, her husband, and her children but the birth parents they took in along the way. April Fallon is currently the host of the Adoption Now podcast and is spreading adoption awareness by sharing people's stories of adoption around the world.

April Fallon interviews Kim Kriesel, a licensed Professional Counselor who helps couples who are struggling to grow their family. For many women, not being able to fulfill their expectation of motherhood is the most devastating experience.  Kim and her husband went through infertility and experienced many losses along the way. In overcoming her own grief, her passion now lies in helping others who are experiencing this kind of distress.  In this episode, Kim talks about recognizing the pain surrounding infant loss and infertility. The road to healing is not easy, but having someone who understands can make the journey less lonely. Kim also gives her clients the hope and support they need to explore other options in building a family.  If you or someone you know has gone through infertility, this episode is for you!

This week I had the wonderful pleasure of interviewing a fellow podcaster, April Fallon. April is the mother of 4 beautiful children that she and her husband brought home through the process of domestic infant adoption. April has a background in broadcasting and has worked for CBS, and radio broadcasting before starting Adoption Now. She currently records at the I Heart Radio Studio in Colorado. I know, its' crazy awesome!   April is the host of the Adoption Now Podcast where she features a different adoption story each week. April has a HUGE heart for adoption and through the process of adopting her children, has realized that there is a great need for current adoption information. Each episode is a huge encouragement to adoptive families, birth mothers, adoptees and anyone who's lives have been touched with adoption. If you'd like to share your story on her podcast, go to her website and submit an application to www.adoptionnowpodcast.com April and I laughed at the end of the show because April said, "I've shared all my secrets today!" We talked about what's like being a trans-racial family, hair care, some great information for adoption awareness, some personal stories, and how to grow more compassion for birth mothers.   ADOPTION NOW “Telling Your Adoption Story” is a podcast that shares real stories about adoption. April Fallon, the Host, has 4 adopted children and a backround in TV and radio broadcasting. This program shares every aspect of adoption told by the adoptive parent, birth parent or the adoptee. ADOPTION NOW offers encouragement and understanding into the adoption world and gives hope to those in the adoption process.   You can hear about all four of April's personal adoption stories if you listen to Episodes 1 and 2 of her Adoption Now Podcast.   The ADOPTION NOW podcast can be found by searching “ADOPTION NOW” on iTunes, Soundcloud and Google Play, and YouTube, making it accessible to listeners worldwide.   Adoption Resources: The agency we work with is America World Adoption Agency (AWAA) https://awaa.org/   Make sure you subscribe so you don't miss an episode!  

Our guests today on ADOPTION NOW are Aaron and Kelli Couch. They have been married for 25 years, serve as pastors in the Denver area, and have planted 2 churches. They have 3 biological children and one child they adopted from China. On today's episode, April Fallon and her husband Noah talk with Aaron and Kelli about adoption in the church and their experience with international adoption.  This episode addresses the relationship between the church and adoptive/foster families as well as some common mistakes churches make when supporting a family going through adoption or foster care. It also touches on what God says about adoption and how to love a child that has endured trauma. These topics are discussed as Aaron and Kelli share about their adoption experience. They talk about what it was like to travel to China and adopt a baby the same day that 73 other babies were being adopted!! They share what it was like to say yes to a special needs baby and how she responded to them during the first few days they were together. Aaron and Kelli give a unique perspective on how to love a child that is not born to you biologically. They unpack the questions they had before bringing Ellie home, including their concerns about adopting a child with special needs. Ellie was born with Microtia and Aural Atresia. She did not have ears, and her paperwork stated that she was "stubborn and liked loud places." It was their oldest daughter, Cartier, that knew this baby was meant to be her sister, and they had to go get her. Ellie was 19 months when they brought her home. It wasn't a comfortable journey at first, but over time, Ellie did attach. Aaron said at first Ellie would not even look at him, but he decided… "I am going to love this child because this child is worthy of being loved; that doesn't mean they are going to love me back well." Adoption is a never-ending journey that takes commitment and dedication, and it can take time for a child to trust their new parents. When choosing to adopt, it is best not to "missionary adopt." April says, "Don't adopt out of the kindness of your heart, adopt because you want to parent a child and you're in it for the long run. Adoption is a journey forever." Noah shares about his experience as a dad and the fears he had not only becoming a father but becoming a father through adoption. Aaron and Noah agree that that the child you bring home is meant to be with you and you love them more than you ever thought possible. They become your child, and you love them as your own because they are yours. Kelli opens up about what Ellie was like as a little girl and how the siblings got along together. She is now 14 years old, and through many surgeries, they have reconstructed her ears, and she can hear. Ellie completed the Couch family, and they needed her just as much as she needed them.   Follow us on Twitter @Adoption_now Like the show on Facebook Keep up with our journey on Instagram @adoptionnow Don't forget you can watch the episode on YOUTUBE!

Technically, we are all adopted (if you ascribe to the idea of God and heavenly parentage). This episode is an incredible discussion on WAITING. Have you ever had a dream that just doesn’t seem to be happening but you can’t let it go—it just “lives” in you?  Even though you may not be personally touched by adoption, you will find this discussion meaningful – it’s about never giving up.      In this episode: Follow the “peace” – YES – but sometimes you have to Follow the “chaos” How to discern whether or not you have a child waiting to come to you Why is WAITING such a powerful practice? April Fallon is the adoptive mother of four children. She has a background in family counseling, which she applied while working and living in Africa for three years. She met with success working in TV and radio for more than a decade when she and her husband, Noah, started their first adoption journey. Three adoptions later and while working at CBS that she decided to take a leap of faith and start talking about her adoption experience on air. It all started with her own radio program that eventually turned into the international podcast you hear today.   Check out April’s website Check out Cherie’s 22 Day Depression Cleanse  (22 Days, 22 Minutes a Day, $22.00) “Healing wasn’t meant to be complicated.” Check out full episode page here.  Follow Cherie and Women Seeking Wholeness on Facebook.   ABOUT: Cherie Burton is a mom of 6, author, international speaker, emotional healing expert, business owner, leadership development trainer and Women Seeking Wholeness Podcast Host. She specializes in the science and spirituality of emotions and sensory integration; a "whole soul" approach.  Cherie has degrees in psychology and sociology and has worked as a counselor in the fields of mental health and addiction.  She is a former Mrs. Utah and coaches females of all ages in private mentoring programs, retreats and online courses.  Cherie travels internationally, empowering audiences with knowledge and tools to heal their emotions, find their callings, and receive wholeness. Cherie has recently launched two online courses: The Emotional Wholeness Master Class and The 22 Day Depression Cleanse which can be found HERE.   She is the author of two e-books, “Where Depression Ends and You Begin: 4 Passages to  Discovery”; and “True and Lasting Change--4 Ways to Break Through Fear.” Her Stand Speak Shine programs provide women with retreats and mentoring programs to empower them to heal, express and create. Her book, If She Could Speak, will be released in 2020. Meet her at www.cherieburton.com

April Fallon is the host of the Adoption Now Podcast, and one of the most real mamas I know.  Whether or not adoption stories make you bawl like a baby like me, I think you’ll really enjoy hearing April. She even talks about how she doesn’t even try to wear her ‘super mom shirt’ anymore, and just goes with the flow and chaos of having 4 kids.      FACEBOOK COMMUNITY: www.facebook.com/groups/wannabenation   INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/thesupermomwannabe   PODCAST WEBSITE: www.supermompodcast.com 

As always, ADOPTION NOW focuses on the many powerful stories centered around adoption and foster care. This episode also includes a topic April Fallon is new to, the topic of surrogacy. Dr. Claire Dumke tells us the story of her two daughters, Ruby and Hazel, and how she pursued both adoption and surrogacy at the same time. As a result of this, her two daughters were born 8 months apart! Key Links Insights Colorado Assessments and Therapy: (303) 935-5307 The episode focuses on the many joys that were felt throughout her experience, but also on the challenging aspects. And in addition, surrogacy is explained: the price, what to expect, regulations, details on medication, and so forth. Below are four of the most crucial aspects of this episode ranging from surrogacy in a nutshell, transracial adoption, the importance of agencies and the selection process for adoption, as well as the relational interplay between biological and adoptive mothers. [#1 What to Expect When your Surrogate is Expecting] As was the case with Dr. Claire, surrogacy may be an option for a family if they have embryos either through IVF but cannot personally carry them to full term. It is very expensive! Dr. Claire mentions that the price was in the six-figure range at least. But as always, no amount of money is too much for the wonderful gift of life. Dr. Claire also discusses and warns of the emotional distress that can occur for surrogates after they give birth. Counseling is a very powerful tool for this common circumstance and Dr. Claire highly recommends that the biological family is prepared to provide this resource. [#2 Transracial Open Adoption ] Ruby--Dr. Claire’s first daughter and who was adopted through an open agreement with her  African American birth mother--didn’t make Claire nervous in the slightest at the dynamic. Although she does talk about how nervous she was to meet the extended family of the biological mother, she stresses just how beautiful and wonderful Ruby is. The concept of providing racial mirrors for Ruby is brought up as well, meaning that considerable attention to positive reinforcement of Ruby’s racial identity is a large focal point in their family. And through Claire’s relationship with Ruby’s biological mother and her extended family, Ruby has that much more reinforcement. [#3 Agencies and The Adoption Selection Process ] When talking about how expectant  mothers choose adoptive parents for their child, the best advice is, “Be yourself!” As April states; you never know just what detail will stand out and speak to a birth mother in the midst of her choice. And like it is discussed within the episode, the difference between you being chosen or not could have to do with if you have a golden retriever or not; be yourself! Agencies are very important for introducing you to a bigger pool of possibilities for being matched with a child. And the multi-state agencies also give you a higher probability to be selected faster due to more choices. The Adoption Choices of Colorado was the agency Dr. Claire used. She and  her husband were pleasantly surprised to find themselves in Texas for Ruby after just two short months of waiting. [#4 Relationship Dynamics Between Surrogates, Biological Mothers, and Adoptive Parents ] There is a fair amount of discussion on the interactions between adoptive parents, the birth mother and a surrogate mother. There can be a lot of grief after placement, so counseling and sensitivity towards that issue are imperative. As Dr. Claire states during the episode, what words are there to express to a birth mother or surrogate mother besides gratitude, gratitude, and more gratitude! In addition, the whole process has strengthened the bond between Dr. Claire and her husband. More details at: https://adoptionnow.com/podcast/destined-for-motherhood-a-story-of-adoption-and-surrogacy ---- Follow us on Twitter @Adoption_now Like the show on Facebook Keep up with our journey on Instagram @adoptionnow ADOPTION NOW is produced and distributed by Simpler Media

Adrienne Elliott has worked in all aspects of the child welfare system including intake, child protection, permanency and adoption. She is now the Executive Director of Adoption Options. On this episode April Fallon sits down with Adrienne to ask YOUR questions about adoption. What do you need to start the adoption process? Should a family adopt an older child and bump birth order? How do you talk to your child about their adoption story? April shares funny stories of parenting moments she wished she had done better and how Adrienne has helped her! Don’t miss this episode!!

Meg was adopted from Seoul, Korea at the age of 6 months to a family in Northern Minnesota. She grew up shy, introverted and misunderstood by many of her teachers and peers. Although she attached to her adoptive parents, whom she loved very much, she struggled with depression. On this episode Meg talks with April Fallon about the repressed grief she did not know she carried and her journey to find peace with her adoption story.

Kim de Blecourt is an award-winning author, international speaker and Executive Director of Nourished Hearts, a non-profit serving orphaned and vulnerable children. Kim and her husband Jahn adopted their son from the Ukraine and told their story on ADOPTION NOW in 2016. She has just written a 6 week study called “I Call You Mine - Embracing God’s Gift of Adoption." On this episode April Fallon talks with Kim about this book and how it can help adoptive families and people looking to start the adoption/foster care process.

April Fallon shares a story that happened a few weeks ago. You would be surprised at what people stop and say to her family. Education on adoption and foster care is so important. This podcast helps us understand how to address strange questions we get as adoptive families, and also the right way to approach an adoptive family in a public setting.

On this podcast, April Fallon, the host of ADOPTION NOW, shares an update from the summer and talks about what is to come with this podcast.

Chris Prange-Morgan wrote an article that was published in the Huffington Post on "Trauma" after she adopted two kids from China. She suffered PTSD after bringing home her son who had severe medical needs and attachment issues. On this episode Chris talks to April Fallon about her journey and the accident that changed her life. She fell 28 feet, had multiple fractures, and ended up losing her leg. She is now a voice for adoptive parents getting the help they need through the adoption journey and after.

April Fallon invites her mom, Mary, and her husband, Noah, to share what they have learned during their 7 adoption experiences. On this episode you will hear how to support your adult children as they fight to grow their family.

On this episode, April Fallon talks to Heather Clark, who fostered 22 children in 7 years. She gives us tips on how to prepare for the foster care journey and what to expect during the process. She is now a Community Leader for a group called "Friends of Adoptive & Foster Families" at Cherry Hills Community Church in Colorado.

April Fallon talks to Republican candidate for Governor, Victor Mitchell, and his wife, Amy, about adoption and how to bring change to adoption law.

This episode has it all. Wendy talks to April Fallon about how she and her husband grew their family. They now have 6 beautiful children and a biological daughter being raised by another family through embryo donation. Don't miss this Adoption Story, you will be amazed at how it all comes together!

John DeYoung returns to ADOPTION NOW. He was adopted from Korea and has now started Shift Freedom Conference. On this episode, April Fallon talks to John about Adoption and Human Trafficking. If you are in the adoption world, this is something you must be aware of.

New ADOPTION NOW Podcast! April Fallon, the Host of ADOPTION NOW, opens up with her husband about the journey of adoption they have been on. Adoption has changed their lives. They talk about the joy and challenges that has brought them closer in their marriage and increased their faith. This season they are on a new station in Denver, 94.7FM!! This podcast is for anyone who is thinking of starting the adoption process, in the middle of the process or someone who just needs encouragement! Noah and April have been through the process 7 times and it has not always been easy, yet out of their experience, they started ADOPTION NOW.

When the host of ADOPTION NOW, April Fallon, started this show she had no idea that she would be in the middle of an adoption while interviewing other families on this topic. When she and her husband got a call about a biological sibling to their youngest daughter, the journey began. It was not easy and seemed very hopeless at times. Today Christine Thurman, their Adoption Lawyer, joins the show to help them tell the story of how they brought baby Maliyah Kate home. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed during the adoption process, we hope this episode can give you some hope to keep fighting.

Scandalous Grace with Karla Swanigan show originally aired December 2, 2017. Special guest April Fallon sits down with Karla to share her story and her heart for adoption. Find April at AdoptionNow.com and tune in to Scandalous Grace with Karla Swanigan every Saturday at 6am & 4pm on 94.7FM The Word and 947fmtheword.com

Do you have questions about PTSD related to adoption? Do you struggle as a parent to understand a child that has experienced early childhood trauma? On this episode of ADOPTION NOW, April Fallon talks with Carrie O'Toole about how to deal with a challenging placement and how to see signs of trauma in the brain. Carrie is an author and life coach with a Masters Degree in Counseling. She now works with adoptive families who are on the brink and trying to put their family back together.

This week on ADOPTION NOW, April Fallon interviews Victor Mitchell, candidate for Governor of Colorado. It's important when you start the adoption process to know your state law on adoption and foster care. Victor and April talk about what every family needs to know before they say yes to adoption.

Carrie O'Toole experienced the pain and suffering of infertility, miscarriage, and an international adoption that went painfully awry. Nothing could have prepared her for the decade-long journey of trying to love her little boy, who struggled to trust and connect after leaving the only home he’d ever known, a Vietnamese orphanage. This week on ADOPTION NOW Carrie sits down with April Fallon to share her adoption story.

Heath and Laura's Story by April Fallon

Full post found at: http://gototell.com/vulnerable-storytelling-april-fallon/ Ok, so I’ma give you a heads up: this episode is a bit different from our usual episodes. Brace yourselves, it doesn’t have anything to do with video production. GASP! I know, I know, but, But, BUT! It does have a whole heck of a lot to do with storytelling, and isn’t that the whole reason why most of us got into video production in the first place? We talk a lot about storytelling as it relates to video production on this show typically, but this show is going to be all about how storytelling relates to people. Which is something we should always be keeping in the back of our minds as filmmakers, videographers, and storytellers. April Fallon is the founder of Adoption Now, a Denver based non-profit as well as weekly radio and podcast series that has been broadcast to over 10 millions listeners worldwide. On the show, April tells the stories of individuals who have been through the adoption process in one way or another. From children, adoptive parents, birth mothers and more, these stories hit close to home for many of us, and as you might imagine, are incredibly powerful.

April Fallon talks with Brittany about her and her husband's journey adopting their son Connor. After a very difficult road and months of waiting for finalization, the couple wanted another baby, but could not afford (financially and emotionally) another traditional adoption. Chris and Brittany discovered Embryo Adoption! She is now 6 months pregnant with a baby girl that the couple adopted. Tune in to this episode to hear this remarkable story!

Joy opens up to April Fallon about her struggle through infertility and having three miscarriages. It was 4 years until one day, she got a call about a baby girl. You will love this story!

Nathan and Shannon's Story by April Fallon

Jenny and Jeremiah talk openly about their REAL struggles in unifying the family with April Fallon on Adoption Now. Do you have an adopted child that you struggle to connect with? Their story will help you understand that you are not alone.

April Fallon and Dr Jason Richardson begin a discussion around having an interracial family and trying to make sense of everything going on in our world today.

April Fallon talks with John DeYoung about his adoption story!

April Fallon shares the story of finalizing Lily, going through a second disrupted adoption, and adopting Vivy.

April Fallon hosts Lana and Steve Wagner as they share their stories of foster care and adoption

April Fallon and her husband Noah share of their first disrupted adoption and begin the story of adopting Lily.

April Fallon and her husband Noah share their first story of adoption