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The Forgotten Adoption Option Podcast

The Forgotten Adoption Option Podcast

By Marcy Bursac, Adoptive Mom of Siblings

Now in its fourth season, The Forgotten Adoption Option Podcast is hosted by adoptive mom, three-time author, app designer, lesson creator and researcher Marcy Bursac.

Through monthly heartfelt conversations, her hope is that you see that 30% of the children currently in foster care are adoptable and you don’t need to be a traditional foster parent to adopt them.

To learn more about the foster care adoption process visit: forgottenadoptionoption.com.
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Currently playing episode

HOW to write a children's book about foster care adoption

The Forgotten Adoption Option PodcastNov 08, 2022

00:00
27:56
tips for thriving as a second mother

tips for thriving as a second mother

Jodi founded Second Mothers, a community for women who are foster mothers, adoptive mothers, and/or step mothers.

Mar 12, 202430:26
what it is like to work inside the child welfare system

what it is like to work inside the child welfare system

Darrell Missey is the Director of Children's Division for the State of Missouri.
Feb 06, 202430:11
connections to prioritize if you age out of the foster care system

connections to prioritize if you age out of the foster care system

Dr. Wynter is a Foster Youth Voice Whisperer, Child Welfare Strategist & Systems Thinker. She and I met after I published my first book "The Forgotten Adoption Option". A few local readers had told me barriers they were facing as they tried to get licensed to adopt through foster care. Dr. Wynter took me under her wing and pointed me to some existing legislature that I was able to share with my state - Missouri.

Gaelin Elmore is a professional speaker, a board member at the Association for Training on Trauma and Attachment in Children, and the director of coaching at The Forgotten Initiative. Dr. Wynter and Gaelin have recently debuted their book called "Follow the Love". It is about the importance of permanent connections for young people transitioning out of foster care.


Jan 09, 202440:39
mental health and emotional literacy for children

mental health and emotional literacy for children

Justine Froelker is an educator who uses storytelling, humor, and passion to help individuals to rise from difficulty, cope with emotions, and move forward in a healthy, authentic way.
Dec 05, 202330:26
HOW to know it's time to close your license

HOW to know it's time to close your license

Christopher and Ashley adopted a young boy through foster care and then later decided they no longer felt called to accept more children into their home.
Nov 07, 202347:07
how to help adoptees thrive

how to help adoptees thrive

Simon Benn resides in the United Kingdom and is the founder of Thriving Adoptees. He is an adoptee who helps other adoptees thrive. He also shows parents how to help their adopted children to thrive, too. He also shows parents how to help their adopted children to thrive, too.
Oct 03, 202326:42
tailoring to the needs of first-generation college students

tailoring to the needs of first-generation college students

Anthony Donovan is the Associate Dean of Students & Director of Residence Life at my alma mater, Belmont University.
Sep 12, 202350:19
a look at the global orphan crisis
Aug 08, 202326:10
being an emergency foster home
Jul 11, 202327:58
HOW to invite your employer to become an adoption-friendly workplace
Jun 13, 202323:30
a practical strategy for parenting adopted children - Trust-Based Relational Intervention® (TBRI®)

a practical strategy for parenting adopted children - Trust-Based Relational Intervention® (TBRI®)

Meet adoptive mom Kathy Searle. Kathy is also the vice president of Utah programs for Raise the Future.
May 09, 202335:24
how Mississippi is increasing their pace of adoptions from foster care

how Mississippi is increasing their pace of adoptions from foster care

Andrea Sanders has been the Commissioner of the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services since November 2020. She says, "Every day I throw on my CAPE ([which is an acronym for her] core values of Compassion, Accountability, Professionalism, and Excellence) and I challenge my staff to do the same. Our work is too important to not give it our all each and every day. It is truly a new day at MDCPS, and I implore my fellow professionals and all Mississippians to lock arms with us to protect our children by investing in Mississippi families.
Apr 04, 202328:40
modernizing child welfare technology

modernizing child welfare technology

Meet Matthew Wollack, Vice President of Strategic Development at Wolverine Human Services and President & CEO of eNoble.


Mar 07, 202343:52
how to stay committed to children in the foster care system regardless of the outcome

how to stay committed to children in the foster care system regardless of the outcome

Meet adoptive mom of a sibling pair - Kara.
You'll learn about how she handled the adventure and uncertainties of the foster care system.
Feb 07, 202330:32
current adoption trends according to data and research

current adoption trends according to data and research

Meet Ryan Hanlon the President & CEO for the National Council For Adoption. Dive deeper into the research report Ryan discusses: adoptioncouncil.org/profiles Need continuing education as an adoption professional, consider the NCFA Conference - adoptioncouncil.org/ncfa-conference.
Jan 10, 202333:28
leveraging technology to connect forever families to waiting children

leveraging technology to connect forever families to waiting children

Meet Thea Ramirez, the founder and Amy Simpson, the director of programs for Adoption-Share.
Dec 06, 202229:16
HOW to write a children's book about foster care adoption

HOW to write a children's book about foster care adoption

Meet Adam Gunn the co-founder of Seventh Avenue Creative and the incredibly talented illustrator of my new children's book Mallory Cheatham.
Nov 08, 202227:56
HOW to make a make a child in foster care comfortable in your home

HOW to make a make a child in foster care comfortable in your home

Rob experienced the foster care system as a child and then, as an adult, started a nonprofit called Comfort Cases which assembles care packs for children in foster care. To date, his organization has impacted over 185,000 children in the foster care system. Rob has adopted 5 children through the foster care system and is the author of his memoir called A Forever Family: Fostering One Child at a Time.
Oct 06, 202228:22
HOW to use the kitchen to connect with children who have been in foster care

HOW to use the kitchen to connect with children who have been in foster care

Meet Chef Kibby - biological, foster, and adoptive dad. During the pandemic he pivoted from a catering business to helping foster and adoptive parents connect with their children through the shared act of cooking and eating together.
Sep 13, 202235:47
HOW to understand the unmet needs of children in foster care

HOW to understand the unmet needs of children in foster care

Meet Shari Shink, child welfare advocate. She spent 33 years as a lawyer, founded the Rocky Mountain Children's Law Center (the first non-profit law firm for abused and neglected children), and most recently, founded Cobbled Streets, a nonprofit that goes 'upstream' to serve younger foster children, promoting their health, growth, and development and preventing them from emancipating from the foster care system to the streets and homelessness.
Aug 09, 202243:06
HOW to share your family's foster care adoption story

HOW to share your family's foster care adoption story

Meet Ancil Lea, adoptive dad & business owner, who peaked the hearts of almost 8 million adults through a simple LinkedIn post.

Jul 12, 202243:07
HOW to verbalize and process fears associated with adopting children in foster care

HOW to verbalize and process fears associated with adopting children in foster care

Meet Joy Gilraine, adoptive mom and parenting coach. In this episode, Joy shares practical ways for current and prospective adoptive families to own their foster care adoption fears and explore them without judgement.
Jun 07, 202237:37
HOW to find and become an adoption-friendly workplace

HOW to find and become an adoption-friendly workplace

Rita Soronen, President & CEO of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, returns to share about the rewards and impact of being an Adoption-Friendly Workplace.
May 02, 202229:11
HOW to see professional photographs and bios of children waiting to be adopted through foster care

HOW to see professional photographs and bios of children waiting to be adopted through foster care

Matthew Straeb co-founded the Heart Gallery of America. In this episode you'll learn HOW to see professional photographs and bios of children waiting to be adopted through foster care so that you can consider adopting these children and also share this resource with those you know who are interested in adoption.
Apr 05, 202232:58
HOW you can obtain required training hours without having to go in-person to a class
Mar 08, 202232:12
HOW to know you're ready to adopt

HOW to know you're ready to adopt

Lynn Stacy shares how she knew she was ready to adopt and what social service agencies are looking for in adoptive families.
Feb 08, 202237:11
HOW to spot a future adoptive parent

HOW to spot a future adoptive parent

Denise Goodman has cracked the code on recruiting foster and adoptive parents. Are you a future adoptive parent? Find out how to know.
Jan 04, 202240:25
HOW to help waiting children find YOU

HOW to help waiting children find YOU

Jennifer Jacobs & Jessica Stern developed a software platform that uses "family mapping" technology to find forever families for waiting children. Is your data up-to-date and in the right places? Get the scoop on how online data is used to map a child's family and friend tree and could lead to them finding a permanent family.  Learn more about the tools Jennifer and Jessica are building to help children in foster care at: www.connectourkids.org
Dec 17, 202142:48
Meet Travis & Anna - Adoptive Parents

Meet Travis & Anna - Adoptive Parents

Travis and Anna adopted a daughter through foster care and then had biological children.
Nov 05, 202142:31
Meet Sandra Flach - Adoptive Mom & Author
Oct 22, 202141:39
Meet Ben & Emily: Soon-To-Be Adoptive Parents

Meet Ben & Emily: Soon-To-Be Adoptive Parents

Ben and Emily are in the process of getting licensed to adopt through foster care! Get a peek into what the process is like.
Oct 08, 202141:04
Q&A with Nathan & Marcy

Q&A with Nathan & Marcy

My husband and I answer your questions about the foster care adoption process from readers of my book The Forgotten Adoption Option and The Forgotten Adoption Option Community on Facebook.
Sep 24, 202130:41
Meet Tanya - Adoptive Mom of a Sibling Pair

Meet Tanya - Adoptive Mom of a Sibling Pair

My husband and I provided respite care for Tanya's boys who she ended up adopting.
Sep 09, 202137:22
Meet Melody - Foster Youth

Meet Melody - Foster Youth

Melody speaks of her personal journey navigating life from the inside of foster care. She was in foster care for 8 years but never adopted.
Aug 27, 202136:03
Meet Mary - Adopted Child

Meet Mary - Adopted Child

Mary was adopted through foster care as an infant.
Aug 13, 202134:05
Meet Dalton - Adopted at Age 6

Meet Dalton - Adopted at Age 6

Dalton shares his personal story about being in foster care and then adopted.
Jul 30, 202133:24
Meet Pam - Adoptive Mom (of a sibling group of 7!)

Meet Pam - Adoptive Mom (of a sibling group of 7!)

Pam and her husband raised 5 biological children and then adopted a sibling group of 7 additional children.
Jul 16, 202140:36
Meet CJ - Foster Child & Author

Meet CJ - Foster Child & Author

CJ is the author of "Obliterating the Odds". She was in foster care and was never adopted although she lived in 35 homes before age 17. Listen to hear her journey of going from tragedy to triumph.
Jun 30, 202141:14
Meet Amber - Adoptive Mom (of a sibling pair!)

Meet Amber - Adoptive Mom (of a sibling pair!)

Amber is in Texas and is the adoptive mom of a sibling pair. She also gifts my book The Forgotten Adoption Option to potential adoptive families in her area. Get ideas and insights about foster care adoption in this episode.
Jun 10, 202126:19
Meet Sherry Hursey - Creator, Co-Writer and Star of “Lilly’s Light: The Movie

Meet Sherry Hursey - Creator, Co-Writer and Star of “Lilly’s Light: The Movie

May 28, 202138:39
Meet Nathan - Foster Dad (for 16 years!) to Teens and Young Adults

Meet Nathan - Foster Dad (for 16 years!) to Teens and Young Adults

Nathan shares about his experience being family to teens and young adults.
He has been a foster parent for 16 years.
May 18, 202134:20
Meet Big Brother & Little Sister - My Adopted Sibling Pair

Meet Big Brother & Little Sister - My Adopted Sibling Pair

A special Mother's Day episode with my children - Big Brother & Little Sister.
May 07, 202133:21
Meet Natalie - Adoptive Mom (who adopted her first 2 placements!)

Meet Natalie - Adoptive Mom (who adopted her first 2 placements!)

For Natalie and her husband, adoption was their Plan A. She shares lessons learned and emotions experienced.
Apr 27, 202123:01
Meet Robin & Dave - Adoptive Parents (of older boys!)

Meet Robin & Dave - Adoptive Parents (of older boys!)

Meet Robin & Dave. A couple who has opened their homes, changed family trees, and started a nonprofit to teach other families how to do that same.
Apr 13, 202134:08
Meet Alice - Adoptive Mom (and one of my mentors!)

Meet Alice - Adoptive Mom (and one of my mentors!)

Alice is a decade-long foster and adoptive mom. Listen as she shares insights on parenting children as a single mom.
Mar 30, 202128:40
Meet Grandpa Bob - Adoptive Grandparent (and my dad!)

Meet Grandpa Bob - Adoptive Grandparent (and my dad!)

Adoption impacts immediate and extended family. I'm excited to introduce you to my dad who shares his experience with my family's foster care adoption journey.
Mar 09, 202122:13
Meet Rita Soronen - Foster Care Adoption Advocate

Meet Rita Soronen - Foster Care Adoption Advocate

Learn about the opportunity to adopt and advocate for children through the foster care system from Rita Soronen, President & CEO of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. 

Feb 16, 202136:42
Meet Hunter - An Adopted Child (who is now an adult!)

Meet Hunter - An Adopted Child (who is now an adult!)

Hunter shares his personal story of being in foster care for 6 years and then being adopted by a family that spent many of those years with him.
Feb 02, 202127:19
Meet Jane - Adoptive Mom (when her son was 6-years-old!)

Meet Jane - Adoptive Mom (when her son was 6-years-old!)

Jane is a caring coworker who adopted a son when he was 6-years-old. She didn’t feel finished parenting after raising three biological children.
Hear how “love can be a noun, a verb, and a decision” when it comes to foster care adoption.
Jan 18, 202118:60
Meet Robin - Adoptive Mom (of a teenager!)

Meet Robin - Adoptive Mom (of a teenager!)

"It is the best thing and the hardest thing she's ever done."
Robin of Exodus Fitness Retreats shares how she went from "mentor" to "mother" overnight.
Jan 06, 202130:58