Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Adoption Shared
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 6: Understanding Birth Families and Identity | 16 Feb 2026 | 00:43:27 | |
This episode is part of our Season 6 series, Helping Your Child Understand Their Journey, focusing on practical conversations about adoption, identity and belonging. Join host Eddie Elliott as he speaks with Skye Curtis-Guilhen, a dual-heritage adopter to two children and project lead at Yorkshire Adoption Agency, where she focuses on community engagement and supporting adopters from global majority backgrounds. Skye also delivers training, including life story work, and works as a social researcher and inclusive practice consultant specialising in equity-based trauma-informed practice. Eddie and Skye explore how birth families sit within a child’s sense of self, whether there is contact or not. They discuss how children’s questions can shift over time, what to say when curiosity grows, and how to respond when information is limited or difficult to explain. Skye shares ways parents can support children through loyalty conflicts, grief or confusion, and how to acknowledge heritage and history through meaningful conversations. They also talk about managing your own emotions so you can stay open when these discussions arise. This episode offers practical guidance for parents who want to support their child’s questions about where they come from while strengthening belonging at home. Contact We Are Family & the Adoption Shared Team: We prioritise the privacy of guests and their children. All identifying information has been changed or removed. We provide guidance to all guests about how and whether details of their adoption journey and their children’s stories are shared. | |||
| Season 5: Navigating School as Both Adoptee and Adoptive Parent | 06 Mar 2025 | 00:32:00 | |
Join host Eddie Elliott as he speaks with Fiona, an adoptee, adoptive parent, and mentor, about navigating education from both perspectives. With over 20 years of experience supporting women through challenging life circumstances, Fiona is dedicated to helping adoptees overcome emotional barriers and reach their full potential. As the founder of This is Me – I’m Adopted, she provides guidance to adoptees worldwide and has shared her personal journey in two books. In this episode, Fiona discusses how her own adoption experience shaped the way she prepared her child for school, the challenges she has faced as an adoptive parent, and the strategies she has found most effective in supporting emotional well-being in education. She shares insights from her mentorship work, offering practical advice for parents and schools on creating inclusive environments and advocating for the needs of adopted children. Contact We Are Family & the Adoption Shared Team: We prioritise the privacy of guests and their children. All identifying information has been changed or removed. We provide guidance to all guests about how and whether details of their adoption journey and their children’s stories are shared. | |||
| Season 4: A Conversation with Lucy on Adoption, Inequity, and Healthcare Access | 03 May 2024 | 00:43:16 | |
Join host Eddie Elliott as he sits down with Lucy, a children's nurse and researcher, to explore her journey of adopting twice with her wife. Lucy shares her valuable insights into the challenges and the existing inequities of healthcare access. Throughout the conversation, Lucy underscores the importance of post-adoption support, advocating for her children's needs, and the significance of being heard within a broader support network. Additionally, Lucy sheds light on her doctoral study, which examines the experiences of lesbian parents accessing healthcare for their adopted children in England. You can also explore Lucy's research further through her book, 'Courtney Goes to the Hospital: A Story of Two Mums and Their Children,' available online. Contact We Are Family & the Adoption Shared Team: We prioritise the privacy of guests and their children. All identifying information has been changed or removed. We provide guidance to all guests about how and whether details of their adoption journey and their children’s stories are shared. | |||
| Season 4: Jessie's Adoption Journey - Navigating Sibling Adoption With Additional Needs | 18 Apr 2024 | 00:54:15 | |
Join host Eddie Elliott as he sits down with Jessie, who shares her journey of adopting siblings with additional needs. Throughout the conversation, Jessie offers invaluable insights into the adoption process, preparation, and emotional aspects. With candid discussion of challenges faced, Jessie emphasises the crucial role of supportive professionals in navigating the adoption journey effectively. Contact We Are Family & the Adoption Shared Team: We prioritise the privacy of guests and their children. All identifying information has been changed or removed. We provide guidance to all guests about how and whether details of their adoption journey and their children’s stories are shared. | |||
| Season 4: Navigating the Education System | 04 Apr 2024 | 00:45:41 | |
Join host Eddie Elliott as he sits down with Stephen, a dedicated father and experienced educator, to discuss the challenges and triumphs of advocating for children with special educational needs (SEN). From the intricacies of securing an Education Health Care Plan (EHCP) to the conversations between mainstream versus special schooling, Stephen shares his wealth of knowledge and personal experiences. Contact We Are Family & the Adoption Shared Team: We prioritise the privacy of guests and their children. All identifying information has been changed or removed. We provide guidance to all guests about how and whether details of their adoption journey and their children’s stories are shared. | |||
| Season 4: Building Resilient Families | 21 Mar 2024 | 00:40:20 | |
In this episode, Eddie meets Esther who speaks about building resilient families and her journey with adoption. Esther also shares her work with the SEND Survival Guide and Emotional Freedom Tapping technique. Contact We Are Family & the Adoption Shared Team: We prioritise the privacy of guests and their children. All identifying information has been changed or removed. We provide guidance to all guests about how and whether details of their adoption journey and their children’s stories are shared. | |||
| Season 4: Preparing for adopting a child with additional needs | 26 Feb 2024 | 00:43:48 | |
In this episode, Eddie meets Andrew who candidly shares his family's experience adopting a child with additional needs. Gain insights into the realities and hurdles faced by families navigating this unique journey. Contact We Are Family & the Adoption Shared Team: We prioritise the privacy of guests and their children. All identifying information has been changed or removed. We provide guidance to all guests about how and whether details of their adoption journey and their children’s stories are shared. | |||
| We Are Family Anniversary Special with Co-Founders Miranda and Marie Louise | 26 Nov 2023 | 01:07:54 | |
This talk is part of our Big Give Christmas Challenge fundraising campaign . In exchange for listening, we ask that you make a donation at any level that you can, to our Big Give Christmas Challenge Fundraising Campaign - between midday 28th November to midday 5th November - raising vital funds to continue the work of We Are Family into our next decade. The Big Give donation platform will be live to accept donations between Tuesday 28th November at midday to Tuesday 6th December midday. During this time, any donation made will be doubled at no extra cost to you. One donation, double the impact. Visit our website for more details: https://wearefamilyadoption.org.uk/ To Jay and Eddie who work continuously to bring together a wide range of webinars and podcasts, which enable WAF to further support members, adopters and others beyond WAF. And lastly to the dedicated members of staff who continue WAF’s mission. Thank you all!" Contact We Are Family & the Adoption Shared Team: We prioritise the privacy of guests and their children. All identifying information has been changed or removed. We provide guidance to all guests about how and whether details of their adoption journey and their children’s stories are shared. | |||
| Black Voices: Experiences of a Black adoption professional - Audrey's story | 23 Feb 2023 | 00:53:36 | |
Eddie meets Audrey Bouazizi, Head of Service for Adopt London South, part of the Adopt London RAA (Regional Adoption Agency) as she shares her experiences as a professional working in adoption and her views on the experiences of Black people within the adoption journey. Contact We Are Family & the Adoption Shared Team: We prioritise the privacy of guests and their children. All identifying information has been changed or removed. We provide guidance to all guests about how and whether details of their adoption journey and their children’s stories are shared. | |||
| Black Voices: Identity and contact - Tony's Story | 19 Jan 2023 | 00:42:48 | |
Eddie meets Tony who together with his white partner adopted sibling boys who are mixed heritage and white. Tony shares his family's story and how they celebrate and understand their unique identities alongside navigating and embracing contact with the boys' birth mum. Contact We Are Family & the Adoption Shared Team: We prioritise the privacy of guests and their children. All identifying information has been changed or removed. We provide guidance to all guests about how and whether details of their adoption journey and their children’s stories are shared. | |||
| Black Voices: Adopting Siblings - Esther's Story | 08 Dec 2022 | 00:44:52 | |
Eddies meets Esther and hears about her journey to adopt siblings as a single parent. Contact We Are Family & the Adoption Shared Team: We prioritise the privacy of guests and their children. All identifying information has been changed or removed. We provide guidance to all guests about how and whether details of their adoption journey and their children’s stories are shared. | |||
| Black Voices: An Adoptee's Perspective - Mike's Story | 24 Nov 2022 | 00:30:28 | |
Eddie sits down with Mike, who was adopted as a baby and has since made contact with his birth family. Together they explore Mike's experience of growing up adopted, making contact and developing relationships with his birth family. Contact We Are Family & the Adoption Shared Team: We prioritise the privacy of guests and their children. All identifying information has been changed or removed. We provide guidance to all guests about how and whether details of their adoption journey and their children’s stories are shared. | |||
| Season 5: Navigating school systems and supporting your adopted child | 27 Feb 2025 | 00:35:18 | |
Join host Eddie Elliott as he speaks with Kate Elliott, a mindfulness practitioner, parent mentor, and trainee counsellor, about supporting adopted children through the education system. As a parent to a child with developmental trauma, Kate understands the challenges families face and shares practical ways to help children feel secure and supported at school. They discuss strategies for managing emotional and behavioural difficulties, advocating for the right support, and working with teachers to create a more inclusive environment. Kate also reflects on how mindfulness and therapeutic parenting can help both children and parents navigate the complexities of education with greater confidence. Contact We Are Family & the Adoption Shared Team: We prioritise the privacy of guests and their children. All identifying information has been changed or removed. We provide guidance to all guests about how and whether details of their adoption journey and their children’s stories are shared. | |||
| Black Voices: Adoption Shared host Eddie shares his journey | 10 Nov 2022 | 00:44:46 | |
In the first episode of this exciting season of Adoption Shared Black Voices, our host Eddie Elliott shares his story of becoming an adoptive dad with his good friend, and well known actress, Victoria Ekanoye. Contact We Are Family & the Adoption Shared Team: We prioritise the privacy of guests and their children. All identifying information has been changed or removed. We provide guidance to all guests about how and whether details of their adoption journey and their children’s stories are shared. | |||
| Family dynamics- adopting with a birth child | 16 Jun 2022 | 00:46:36 | |
Eddie is joined by Jane, who is a step mum, birth mum, and adoptive mum of three boys. Jane shares her family's adoption journey and how their family dynamics have changed and developed over time. Contact We Are Family & the Adoption Shared Team: We prioritise the privacy of guests and their children. All identifying information has been changed or removed. We provide guidance to all guests about how and whether details of their adoption journey and their children’s stories are shared. | |||
| Child to parent abuse | 02 Jun 2022 | 00:41:47 | |
Eddie sits down with Jane Griffiths of CAPA First Response to talk about child to parent abuse. Together they explore what it is, the root causes and how trauma can impact, and the support available for the whole family when there is child to parent abuse in the home. Contact We Are Family & the Adoption Shared Team: We prioritise the privacy of guests and their children. All identifying information has been changed or removed. We provide guidance to all guests about how and whether details of their adoption journey and their children’s stories are shared. | |||
| Understanding executive functioning and how to support our children | 19 May 2022 | 00:41:36 | |
Eddie talks to Victoria Bagnall, co-founder of Connections in Mind to explore Executive Functioning : what it is; the impact that challenges with executive functioning can have; how trauma impacts executive functioning; and how we can support our children to develop their executive functioning skills to better regulate their emotions, manage their time and belongings, and to engage with learning - to name just a few! Contact We Are Family & the Adoption Shared Team: We prioritise the privacy of guests and their children. All identifying information has been changed or removed. We provide guidance to all guests about how and whether details of their adoption journey and their children’s stories are shared. | |||
| Embracing trauma - reflections on an adoptive parent's journey | 05 May 2022 | 00:51:10 | |
Eddie talks to Amanda about her experience of adoption, working and living with trauma, embracing fear and finding support. Contact We Are Family & the Adoption Shared Team: We prioritise the privacy of guests and their children. All identifying information has been changed or removed. We provide guidance to all guests about how and whether details of their adoption journey and their children’s stories are shared. | |||
| Life as a single adopter: another perspective | 21 Apr 2022 | 00:41:08 | |
Eddie talks to Angela about her experience of adopting an older child, and going through the process and parenting as a single adopter. Contact We Are Family & the Adoption Shared Team: We prioritise the privacy of guests and their children. All identifying information has been changed or removed. We provide guidance to all guests about how and whether details of their adoption journey and their children’s stories are shared. | |||
| Supporting emotional resilience for our children | 07 Apr 2022 | 01:00:28 | |
Eddie talks to Charlie, who is an adoptee and an adoptive parent, in an engaging and open discussion about supporting her daughter with the experience of being adopted and working to build a connection that endures even in times of separation. Contact We Are Family & the Adoption Shared Team: We prioritise the privacy of guests and their children. All identifying information has been changed or removed. We provide guidance to all guests about how and whether details of their adoption journey and their children’s stories are shared. | |||
| Five Questions | 23 Dec 2021 | 00:26:20 | |
We asked adopters the same five questions, and their answers reveal the complexity and variety of adoption journeys. Join us to hear the answer to 'What would you do differently..?' and more. Contact We Are Family & the Adoption Shared Team: We prioritise the privacy of guests and their children. All identifying information has been changed or removed. We provide guidance to all guests about how and whether details of their adoption journey and their children’s stories are shared. | |||
| Strategies for Managing Big Feelings at Christmas and Beyond | 09 Dec 2021 | 00:58:51 | |
Eddie talks to Megan Tanner of Think NVR, Non-violent Resistance (NVR) practitioner and consultant about strategies for managing the ‘Big Feelings’ that can come up for adopted children around Christmas time- and at any time. Contact We Are Family & the Adoption Shared Team: We prioritise the privacy of guests and their children. All identifying information has been changed or removed. We provide guidance to all guests about how and whether details of their adoption journey and their children’s stories are shared. | |||
| Contact with your adopted child's birth family | 25 Nov 2021 | 00:49:08 | |
Eddie talks to Stephen and Mark about making and supporting contact with their children's birth families, exploring the challenges and very real positives of making contact work. Contact We Are Family & the Adoption Shared Team: We prioritise the privacy of guests and their children. All identifying information has been changed or removed. We provide guidance to all guests about how and whether details of their adoption journey and their children’s stories are shared. | |||
| Season 5: Learning at Home: Tips for Adoptive Parents | 20 Feb 2025 | 00:34:27 | |
Join host Eddie Elliott as he speaks with Jody about how adoptive parents can support their child’s education at home. Jody shares practical approaches for helping with homework, creating a positive learning environment, and keeping children motivated. They discuss the unique challenges adoptive parents may face, how to balance educational needs with family dynamics, and the importance of strong communication with teachers. Plus, they explore useful tools and resources to make learning at home more effective and less stressful for everyone. Contact We Are Family & the Adoption Shared Team: We prioritise the privacy of guests and their children. All identifying information has been changed or removed. We provide guidance to all guests about how and whether details of their adoption journey and their children’s stories are shared. | |||
| Choosing a primary school for your adopted child | 10 Nov 2021 | 00:31:47 | |
Eddie talks to Jody, adoptive dad and deputy headteacher of a primary school about what important questions to ask and information to look out for when choosing a primary school for your adopted child. Contact We Are Family & the Adoption Shared Team: We prioritise the privacy of guests and their children. All identifying information has been changed or removed. We provide guidance to all guests about how and whether details of their adoption journey and their children’s stories are shared. | |||
| Life as a single adopter of two children | 27 Oct 2021 | 00:34:58 | |
Eddie talks to Jay about her experience of adopting and parenting two children on her own. In this honest and engaging account which explores the highs and lows of single adoptive parenting. Contact We Are Family & the Adoption Shared Team: We prioritise the privacy of guests and their children. All identifying information has been changed or removed. We provide guidance to all guests about how and whether details of their adoption journey and their children’s stories are shared. | |||
| Choosing a secondary school for your adopted child | 11 Oct 2021 | 00:40:55 | |
Eddie talks to Jane Pickerden, Consultant Practitioner & Senior Social Worker working in the Post Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Team at Adopt London and Dr Gabrielle Pelter, Educational Psychologist who share tips, ideas and resources for helping to choose the right secondary school for your adopted child. Contact We Are Family & the Adoption Shared Team: We prioritise the privacy of guests and their children. All identifying information has been changed or removed. We provide guidance to all guests about how and whether details of their adoption journey and their children’s stories are shared. | |||
| Season 5: Supporting Children with Emotional and Behavioural Challenges in Education | 17 Feb 2025 | 00:57:27 | |
Join host Eddie Elliott as he speaks with Adele Bates, a behaviour and education specialist and author of "Miss, I Don’t Give a Sht: Engaging with Challenging Behaviour in Schools."* Adele shares her expertise on recognising behaviour as a form of communication, the importance of trauma-informed approaches, and strategies for building strong relationships with students who may be disengaged or resistant. They discuss practical ways to create supportive learning environments, equip teachers with the right tools, and bridge the gap between policy and effective classroom practice. Contact We Are Family & the Adoption Shared Team: We prioritise the privacy of guests and their children. All identifying information has been changed or removed. We provide guidance to all guests about how and whether details of their adoption journey and their children’s stories are shared. | |||
| Season 5: Addressing Behavioural Challenges in Adopted Kids | 16 Jan 2025 | 00:37:37 | |
Join host Eddie Elliott as he speaks with Lesley-Ann from NeuroHarmony about addressing behavioural challenges in adopted children. Helen shares insights into understanding the root causes of these behaviours and how they can be linked to a child’s early experiences. They discuss collaborative approaches between parents and educators, practical strategies for managing challenges, and the importance of providing emotional support to help children thrive. Contact We Are Family & the Adoption Shared Team: We prioritise the privacy of guests and their children. All identifying information has been changed or removed. We provide guidance to all guests about how and whether details of their adoption journey and their children’s stories are shared. | |||
| Season 5: Preparing for School | 09 Jan 2025 | 00:35:15 | |
Join host Eddie Elliott as he sits down with Yoni Ejo, CEO of Diversity Adopt, to explore the educational challenges adopted children face, especially when it comes to cultural identity. Yoni shares her story of preparing for her child’s schooling, reflecting on the importance of understanding their cultural and personal background. Yoni discusses how parents and teachers can work together to support adopted children and ensure their educational and cultural needs are met. Contact We Are Family & the Adoption Shared Team: We prioritise the privacy of guests and their children. All identifying information has been changed or removed. We provide guidance to all guests about how and whether details of their adoption journey and their children’s stories are shared. | |||
| Season 5: Building Trauma-Informed Classrooms | 19 Dec 2024 | 00:36:04 | |
Join host Eddie Elliott as he sits down with Julie Harmieson, Director of Education and National Strategy for Trauma Informed Schools UK, to talk about trauma-informed practices in schools, especially for adopted children. Julie shares her experience in creating classrooms that support students' emotional and psychological needs and covers practical strategies for teachers, the challenges schools face, and the real benefits of trauma-informed approaches for all adopted students. Contact We Are Family & the Adoption Shared Team: We prioritise the privacy of guests and their children. All identifying information has been changed or removed. We provide guidance to all guests about how and whether details of their adoption journey and their children’s stories are shared. | |||
| Season 5: Anthony's Education Journey | 12 Dec 2024 | 00:35:15 | |
Join host Eddie Elliott as he talks with Anthony about navigating the educational system as an adoptee. Anthony shares their personal experiences, reflecting on the challenges faced, the support that made a difference, and how their background shaped their time in school. Anthony also discuss practical advice for adoptive parents, educators, and adoptees, offering valuable insights into creating a more supportive educational experience for adopted children. Contact We Are Family & the Adoption Shared Team: We prioritise the privacy of guests and their children. All identifying information has been changed or removed. We provide guidance to all guests about how and whether details of their adoption journey and their children’s stories are shared. | |||
| Season 4: Lisa’s Adoption Journey - Creating a Supportive Environment | 23 May 2024 | 00:38:31 | |
Join host Eddie Elliott as he sits down with Lisa to discuss her journey of adopting a child with a cleft lip and palate. Lisa talks about navigating the adoption process, advocating for support for her child, and the importance of building a safe and encouraging network.
Contact We Are Family & the Adoption Shared Team: We prioritise the privacy of guests and their children. All identifying information has been changed or removed. We provide guidance to all guests about how and whether details of their adoption journey and their children’s stories are shared. | |||
| Season 6: When and How to Talk About Adoption | 02 Mar 2026 | 00:43:49 | |
This episode is part of our Season 6 series, Helping Your Child Understand Their Journey, where we explore practical ways to support conversations about adoption, identity and belonging. Join host Eddie Elliott as he speaks with Toni about one of the questions adoptive parents often wrestle with: when do we start talking about adoption, and what do we actually say? Toni shares practical insight on how to make these conversations part of everyday family life rather than a single, high-pressure “big talk”. She discusses how children’s curiosity can ebb and flow, how to respond to tricky questions about birth families, and what to do if your child doesn’t seem interested in their story at all. They also explore the language that helps children feel secure, the common pitfalls parents can fall into, and how to prepare yourself emotionally so you can stay steady when difficult feelings arise. This episode offers thoughtful, practical guidance for parents who want to build honest, ongoing conversations that help their child understand their adoption story with confidence. Adoption Shared is a podcast brought to you by We Are Family. We believe every adoptive family deserves community. If you’d like to support our work, a donation helps us continue providing services and peer support across the UK. Find out more at wearefamilyadoption.org.uk/donate. Contact We Are Family & the Adoption Shared Team: We prioritise the privacy of guests and their children. All identifying information has been changed or removed. We provide guidance to all guests about how and whether details of their adoption journey and their children’s stories are shared. | |||
| Season 6: Supporting Children Through Different Life Stages | 24 Mar 2026 | 00:34:44 | |
This episode is part of our Season 6 series, Helping Your Child Understand Their Journey, where we explore practical ways to support conversations about adoption, identity and belonging. Join host Eddie Elliott as he speaks with Sarah Naish, CEO of the Centre of Excellence in Child Trauma (COECT), about how children’s understanding of adoption shifts as they grow. Drawing on her experience as a former social worker, adoptive parent and leader in therapeutic parenting, Sarah explores how children’s questions and emotional responses change across different life stages. From early childhood through the teenage years, she shares how parents can adapt conversations to reflect a child’s development, curiosity and sense of identity. They discuss everyday emotional struggles at different ages, how to respond when a child doesn’t want to talk about adoption, and what signs might suggest a child needs additional support. The conversation also looks at the role of peer relationships, building confidence and self-acceptance, and approaching school-related situations such as bullying or family-based activities. Sarah also offers guidance on supporting teenagers who begin to question their identity more deeply, and how parents can stay steady and responsive as these conversations become more complex. This episode provides practical, experience-based insight for parents who want to keep conversations open, responsive and grounded as their child grows. Contact We Are Family & the Adoption Shared Team: We prioritise the privacy of guests and their children. All identifying information has been changed or removed. We provide guidance to all guests about how and whether details of their adoption journey and their children’s stories are shared. | |||
| Season 6: Adoption on Screen | 20 Apr 2026 | 00:36:24 | |
Films and documentaries can be powerful tools in helping children and young people understand their adoption story and explore questions of identity, belonging and origin. This episode focuses on how visual storytelling can support meaningful conversations about adoption, particularly as children grow and begin to make sense of their experiences in more complex ways. Join host Eddie Elliott as he speaks with Louise Ndibwirende about how adoption is represented on screen, and what kinds of stories tend to resonate at different ages. Drawing on her work across film and storytelling, Louise reflects on how documentaries and films can open up space for reflection, recognition and discussion within families. They explore how to approach media that may romanticise or misrepresent adoption, and how parents can support children in making sense of what they see. The conversation also considers the impact of on-screen narratives on identity and belonging, and how families can use shared viewing as a starting point for open, ongoing dialogue. This episode offers thoughtful, practical insight for parents looking to use film and documentary as a way to support honest, age-appropriate conversations about adoption. Contact We Are Family & the Adoption Shared Team: We prioritise the privacy of guests and their children. All identifying information has been changed or removed. We provide guidance to all guests about how and whether details of their adoption journey and their children’s stories are shared. | |||
| Understanding Your Teen: Adoption Through Their Eyes | 06 May 2026 | 00:41:37 | |
This special episode is part of our Teens and Tweens Support Programme, funded by Adoption England, which supports adoptive parents as their children move into adolescence. It focuses on what adoption can feel like during the teenage years, drawing directly on the voices and experiences of adopted young people involved in Adopteens. Adopteens is a peer support space for adopted teenagers, where they can meet others with shared experiences, talk openly, and build connections outside of adult-led environments. Join Annalisa Toccara-Jones as she speaks with Sadie and Nat from Adopteens about how they understand adoption as they grow older, and how it shows up across friendships, school and identity. They reflect on what it means to connect with other adopted teens, and why peer spaces can offer a sense of recognition that is often harder to find elsewhere. Their conversation explores how adoption is talked about at home and in education settings, including what feels supportive and where adult assumptions can miss the mark. It also considers the role of social media in shaping how adoption is seen and understood, alongside questions of control, consent and representation for young people. This episode offers grounded, practical insight for parents looking to better understand their teenager’s experience of adoption, and how to support open, respectful conversations as their child grows. Contact We Are Family & the Adoption Shared Team: We prioritise the privacy of guests and their children. All identifying information has been changed or removed. We provide guidance to all guests about how and whether details of their adoption journey and their children’s stories are shared. | |||
| Season 6: Writing to Heal: Reclaiming Adoption Stories | 14 Jun 2026 | 00:50:42 | |
Stories play a powerful role in shaping how adoption is understood, both within families and in wider society. For adoptees, writing can offer a way to explore identity, make sense of complex experiences and reclaim narratives that have often been told by others. This episode focuses on the role of storytelling in adoption, and the opportunities and challenges that come with putting personal experiences into words. Join host Eddie Elliott as he speaks with Dr Liz DeBetta, adoptee, author, scholar and creator of the Migrating Toward Wholeness framework. Drawing on her work with adoptees and her own experience, Liz reflects on the process of writing about adoption, balancing honesty with privacy, and navigating the responsibilities that can come with sharing personal stories. They explore how writing can support reflection and emotional processing, the adoption narratives that are often missing from mainstream conversations, and some of the common tropes that can oversimplify adoptee experiences. The discussion also considers how adoptive parents can engage thoughtfully with adoptee memoirs and fiction, create space for their children to tell their own stories, and support self-expression without expectation or pressure. This episode offers thoughtful insight into the power of storytelling, the importance of adoptee voices and the ways writing can help foster understanding, connection and more honest conversations about adoption. Contact We Are Family & the Adoption Shared Team: We prioritise the privacy of guests and their children. All identifying information has been changed or removed. We provide guidance to all guests about how and whether details of their adoption journey and their children’s stories are shared. | |||
| Season 6: What I Wish My Parents Knew About Adoption | 10 Jun 2026 | 00:41:55 | |
Adopted people often reflect on their experiences differently as they grow older, gaining new perspectives on identity, belonging, family and what support felt most meaningful along the way. This episode centres adoptee experience, offering parents an opportunity to hear directly from someone who has lived it. Join host Eddie Elliott as he speaks with James, a screenwriting graduate, care-experienced advocate and adoptee, about his experiences of growing up adopted and the things he wishes his parents had known. Fostered from two months old and adopted at the age of two, James reflects on what helped him feel secure in his adoption story, how his feelings about adoption changed over time, and the value of having space to explore difficult emotions openly. They discuss common misconceptions about adoption, ways parents can encourage honest conversations, and how families can create a sense of belonging while recognising the complexities that adoption can bring. The conversation also explores the importance of listening to children's experiences, validating their feelings and supporting them as their understanding of adoption develops through childhood and into adulthood. This episode offers thoughtful insight for adoptive parents looking to better understand their child's perspective and build relationships rooted in openness, trust and connection. Contact We Are Family & the Adoption Shared Team: We prioritise the privacy of guests and their children. All identifying information has been changed or removed. We provide guidance to all guests about how and whether details of their adoption journey and their children’s stories are shared. | |||
| Season 6: Choosing Adoption Books for Young Children | 07 Jun 2026 | 00:30:48 | |
Children's books can play an important role in helping young children understand adoption, explore questions of identity and belonging, and find language for feelings that can be difficult to express. This episode focuses on how parents can choose books that support meaningful conversations about adoption and help children see themselves reflected in the stories they read. Join host Eddie Elliott as he speaks with Robin Stevens, author of Ezra and the Great Bin Jah Meen and an adoptive parent, about what makes an adoption-related children's book effective. Drawing on both his experience as a writer and as a parent, Robin reflects on the importance of representation, authenticity and including a range of adoption experiences in children's literature. They explore how books can help children process emotions, understand their life story and engage with conversations about adoption in an age-appropriate way. The discussion also considers how stories can support a child's sense of identity, encourage curiosity about their background and heritage, and provide a safe starting point for family conversations. Robin also shares his motivation for writing a story featuring an adopted child at its centre, and why seeing themselves reflected in books can be so important for young readers. This episode offers thoughtful, practical insight for parents looking to build an adoption-friendly bookshelf and use stories to support open conversations, emotional understanding and a sense of belonging. Contact We Are Family & the Adoption Shared Team: We prioritise the privacy of guests and their children. All identifying information has been changed or removed. We provide guidance to all guests about how and whether details of their adoption journey and their children’s stories are shared. | |||
| Season 6: Understanding Adoption Through Stories – How Narratives Shape Parenting | 05 Jun 2026 | 00:38:00 | |
Stories can help adoptive parents see adoption from a different perspective. Whether through memoirs, books, articles or personal accounts, they can open up new ways of understanding a child’s experiences and create opportunities for more thoughtful conversations at home. Join host Eddie Elliott as he speaks with Lisa Mainwaring, a journalist, writer, communications professional and adoptive mum of two boys. Together, they discuss the value of reading different lived experiences and how stories can help parents approach conversations about adoption with greater curiosity and empathy. This episode offers practical insight for parents who want to learn from the experiences of others and use stories as a starting point for more open conversations about adoption. Contact We Are Family & the Adoption Shared Team: We prioritise the privacy of guests and their children. All identifying information has been changed or removed. We provide guidance to all guests about how and whether details of their adoption journey and their children’s stories are shared. | |||