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Artwork for Open Adoption Project

Open Adoption Project

Lanette & Shaun Nelson
Adoption
Open Adoption
Georgia Tann
DNA
Open Adoption Project
Allison Olson
Surrounded By Love
Barbara Raymond
Genetic Genealogy
Adoption Ethics
Two Adoptive Moms
Two Adoptive Dads
Transracial Adoption
The Baby Thief
Open Adoption Records
Adoption Tourism
New York City

This podcast is about connecting. It's about growing. It's about stretching. In society nowadays, it's easy to fall into echo chambers. This is not an echo chamber. Open Adoption Project is a community dedicated to listening and learning, and building relationships based on healthy respect and communication.

The Open Adoption Project focuses on improving adoptee experiences by encouraging open co... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes134Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
RelationshipsKids & FamilySociety & CultureParenting

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Artwork for Open Adoption Project

Latest Episodes

In this episode, we hear from Bob Sutherland as he shares his powerful personal story of adoption, identity, and self-discovery. Bob reflects on his challenging upbringing, being raised by a religious Jewish crime family in Brooklyn, and later uncove... more

In this episode, Diane Rosenblum shares her powerful journey of self-discovery, identity, and reconnection. Adopted in 1964 through a closed adoption, Diane shares how she uncovered her biological roots decades later through DNA testing and genealogi... more

In this episode, Edward Di Gangi recounts discovering his adoption status through personal documents and later reconnecting with his biological family. He shares a private adoption story, shaped by specific requirements, and a surprising discovery ab... more

Emma opens up about her adoption story, growing up with loving parents who were transparent about the process. Her journey took a surprising turn when an Ancestry DNA test revealed her Jewish heritage, eventually leading to a heartfelt connection wit... more

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Recent Guests

Bob Sutherland
Interviewee sharing his life story and experiences with open adoption, DNA discovery, and self-discovery
Author of A Potato in the Bagel Bin
Episode: From Secrets to Self-Discovery with Bob Sutherland
Diane Rosenblum
Artist from California inspired by her adoption story
Independent artist
Episode: Finding Family Through DNA: Adoptee Diane Rosenblum’s Journey
Edward Di Gangi
Adoptee sharing his adoption story and search journey
Independent
Episode: Discovery, Reconnection, and the Adoption Experience with Edward Di Gangi
Heather Rodriguez
Biological and adoptive mom of three; adoptee with perspective as an adoptive parent
Self-described; adoptee and adoptive mother
Episode: Book Club: The Baby Thief with Heather Rodriguez
Anna Lehnardt
Transracial adoptee featured in the episode, discussed as a guest expert and personal storyteller
Episode: Book Club: All You Can Ever Know with Anna Lehnardt
Allison Olson
Adoptee, adoptive parent, award-winning children's author
Author of Surrounded by Love and Open Adoption Story
Episode: Representation Matters with Allison Olson
Dawn J. Post
Children's rights attorney based in New York City
Themis Youth Law and Advocacy
Episode: Broken Adoptions, Bold Advocacy with Dawn J. Post
Janelle Basham
Executive director of Brave Love, birth mother
Brave Love
Episode: The Power of Support with Janelle Basham, Executive Director of Brave Love

Hosts

Lynette Nelson
Host and frequent co-host focusing on adoptee perspectives, open adoption, and family dynamics.
Sean Nelson
Host focusing on adoptee-centered conversations and policy discussions.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 61 ratings
  • Lots of variety

    Always a lot of variety in this show, the hosts talk about wanting to hear and share any and all perspectives and it seems like they try to do that. I appreciate the focus on adoptees, birth parents, ethicalness, open adoption, and open and honest dialogue.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Elizabeth-J-86
    United States9 months ago
  • Amazing podcast!

    As an adoptee, I think this podcast is amazing. The hosts talk to lots of people and share lots of different perspectives.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    RisingStarSinger
    United States2 years ago
  • Hopeful

    I am not an adoptee, but adoption has impacted our family in the past. I was not aware of this till about 15 years ago when a cousin and his wife told everyone that she had gone to a mother baby home. They were too young, her parents sent her away, and then, within a year they were married, and now have children and grandchildren.

    The reunion they prayed for, did not work out. Now, another part of my family is struggling with a grown child with addiction. The grandparents have the children, ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Rmoonn
    United States3 years ago
  • There’s room for everyone here!

    As an adoptee that was wading through the complex process of reunion and a foster turned adoptive mom walking through the challenges and of navigating open adoption, finding this podcast has been such a help and support on multiple levels. The Nelsons are compassionate and open interviewers who manage to hold space for all members of the adoption constellation and give a voice and a platform to varied views and experiences with love and compassion. You’ll be so glad you tuned in!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Heather R Rodriguez
    United States3 years ago
  • I'm learning so much as I listen to this podcast that helps me better understand my friends who have adopted, my past situations in foster care, and even my current parenting and coparenting situations outside of the adoption world. The hosts are fun to listen to and the variety of interviews is interesting.

    Audible
    5
    Jordan Barlow
    United States4 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners find personal and professional relevance across adoptee, birth family, and adoptive-parent topics
People appreciate on-the-ground adoption ethics and actionable insights
Audience values balanced, non-judgmental discussion and real-world resources
Listeners praise the show for diverse perspectives and open dialogue

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Power of Support with Janelle Basham, Executive Director of Brave Love
Q: How has Brave Love been shaping the support landscape for birth mothers?
Brave Love builds community, provides tangible resources like hospital totes, hosts birth mother dinners, and educates professionals to create a more compassionate, informed adoption environment.
Broken Adoptions, Bold Advocacy with Dawn J. Post
Q: What can listeners do to help change this?
Listeners can support advocacy organizations, push for policy changes, learn about the realities of abused/adopted youth, and consider contributing to Themis Youth Law and Advocacy and related efforts to improve oversight and services.
Broken Adoptions, Bold Advocacy with Dawn J. Post
Q: What are the biggest systemic failures you see in adoptive processes?
She highlights incentives that prioritize quick adoptions over permanency quality, lack of ongoing training for adoptive parents, and insufficient post-adoption support and accountability across state and national lines.
Broken Adoptions, Bold Advocacy with Dawn J. Post
Q: How did you get involved in this work and what led you to focus on broken adoptions?
Dawn shares a long career in child welfare and foster care, a pivotal moment when she saw the need to address not just placing kids into homes but ensuring sustained, supportive connections through open adoption and robust services.
Book Club: The Baby Thief with Heather Rodriguez
Q: What stood out to you most while reading The Baby Thief?
Heather emphasized how the book foregrounded the human cost of secrecy and the way powerful actors enabled unethical practices, highlighting the long shadow Georgia Tann cast on modern adoption policies and the importance of making adoption more child-centered.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Open Adoption Project

What is Open Adoption Project about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A thoughtful show focused on adoptee experiences, open adoption dynamics, and ethical reform in adoption systems. Across episodes, discussions span reunion journeys, search stories, archival discoveries, and the ethics of private and open adoption, often centering the perspectives of adoptees, birth families, and adoptive parents. Noteworthy elements include a strong emphasis on open communication within the adoption constellation, representation in media, and practical advocacy for policy improvements, trauma-informed care, and community support.

Listeners likely include adoptees, prospective adoptive parents, birth families, advocates, and professionals in child welfare or nonprofit education. The format tends to blend personal storytell... more

Where can I find podcast stats for Open Adoption Project?

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How many listeners does Open Adoption Project get?

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How many subscribers and views does Open Adoption Project have?

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Which podcasts are similar to Open Adoption Project?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Open Adoption Project:

1. Adoption: The Making of Me. An Oral History of Adoptee Stories
2. The Adoptee Next Door
3. Up First from NPR
4. The Rachel Maddow Show
5. The Ezra Klein Show

How many episodes of Open Adoption Project are there?

Open Adoption Project launched 5 years ago and published 134 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Open Adoption Project?

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What guests have appeared on Open Adoption Project?

Recent guests on Open Adoption Project include:

1. Bob Sutherland
2. Diane Rosenblum
3. Edward Di Gangi
4. Heather Rodriguez
5. Anna Lehnardt
6. Allison Olson
7. Dawn J. Post
8. Janelle Basham

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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