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5 of 27

The First Step – Exploring Adoption
Welcome to episode 27 of the You Can Adopt Podcast. Host Isma Almas – comedian, writer, and adoptive mum – speaks with Michelle and Laura, a same-sex couple raising their two adopted daughters. Their journey began nearly seven years ago with a simple Google search, and they now share what they’ve learned along the way. They discuss the early stages of adoption: from initial research and enquiry, to building confidence and managing uncertainty. With warmth and honesty, Michelle and Laura reflect on emotional highs, challenges, and the support they received, helping to demystify those first steps. Many people delay adoption, believing they need all the answers. This episode shows that curiosity is enough to begin. An enquiry isn’t a commitment – it’s just a conversation. Whether you’re exploring or ready to move forward, you’ll find practical insight, encouragement, and advice. #YouCanAdopt #Adoption
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Exploring Transracial Adoption
In this special episode of the You Can Adopt podcast, we explore the topic of transracial adoption 🎙️ Yoni Ejo, a social worker, adopted person, adoptive mother, and founder of Diversity Adopt, engages in a heartfelt conversation with Rabail, a 20-year-old who was adopted at just eight months old by parents from a different ethnic background. Like any other young person, Rabail is trying to figure out who she is and is keen to help others navigate their own journey by sharing the unique challenges and rewards of transracial adoption. Together, Yoni and Rabail delve into a range of topics, from navigating cultural differences and DNA testing to overcoming feelings of shame and building a sense of belonging. They explore how important it is for adopted people to explore their own identity and heritage, how attitudes to transracial adoption have changed, and how this can be navigated with the support of those around you. #YouCanAdopt #TransracialAdoption #Adoption
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National Adoption Week: The Journey
Welcome to a special episode of the You Can Adopt podcast for National Adoption Week 2024. This episode features Al Coates MBE, social worker and adoptive father to six, in conversation with 27-year-old Carla who was adopted aged six, and her father, Andrew, discussing their lifelong adoption journey. From maintaining relationships with those important to them to identity – the honest conversation tackles common myths around modern adoption and spotlights the people that Carla and Andrew met along the way, who formed their ongoing ‘village’ of support. Just like all families, adoptive families go through ups, downs and detours during their journey and most importantly, no two adoption stories are the same. There really is no such thing as a normal family – adopted or otherwise - and this is the message of National Adoption Week this year. This episode illustrates how families can come in all shapes and sizes and the route to a family isn’t always a traditional one. #Adoption #YouCanAdopt #NationalAdoptionWeek
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The Adoption Journey
Welcome to episode 24 of the You Can Adopt Podcast. This episode features Miles Asteri, former contestant on BBC’s ‘The Traitors’, and single adopter Alex, in conversation about their journey to adopt their children. From deciding to start the process, navigating challenges, bringing your child home, to receiving support throughout – they discuss the bumps in the road, but how the rewards of providing a child with a loving, stable home are unparalleled. Many people hold back from starting their adoption journeys because they’re waiting for the ‘perfect’ time or circumstances. Like any new parents, many prospective adopters worry about their ability to cope – but with adoption, this is a journey that can be navigated together with support available along the way. Adopting a child is a life-changing journey full of adventure, challenges, chaos and conversation – and love. The episode aims to show that all you need to do is take that first step.
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Preparing for the Arrival of a Sibling with your Birth Children - with Debbie & Lydia Bright
Welcome to episode 23 of the You Can Adopt podcast. Debbie Bright, mum of four, has fostered over 200 children over the last 30 years. She has looked after children of all ages, with a variety of needs, and for variable periods of time. Her and her husband, Dave, did this while raising their birth children Lydia, Georgia, Romana and Freddie. Lydia Bright, TV personality, influencer, author and mother, was two years old when her parents began fostering. From then, she has had many siblings come into her life, but has never known any different. In this episode, mum and daughter Debbie and Lydia explore what it is like to bring an adopted and/or fostered child into a family with birth children. There are understandably a lot of questions prospective adopters will have when considering welcoming a new family member, many of which may revolve around what impact it may have on their birth children. By shining a light on their experiences, it aims to encourage parents with birth children to consider adoption, by showing a balanced picture of what it is like to grow your family through adoption, and the benefits it can bring to the whole family. If you are considering adopting a child, the adopted child must be at least two years younger than your youngest birth child at the time of adoption.
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