March is National Social Work Month and Shaun was able to sit down and talk to STAR social worker David Rossetti. Together they talk about what is is to be a social worker, why he chose this vocation and how social workers play a pivotal role in the adoption journey.    Check out our website at https://www.adoptionstar.com/ and call us toll-free at 1-866-691-3300  ..read more

It's Black History Month! In honor of this month, Shaun had a chance to talk to Racial Equity & Adoption Activist April Dinwoodie about some of the tough questions he gets from families open to all races but are worried they may make mistakes along the way.  Follow April on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/bornjuneraisedapril Be sure to check out April's website https://aprildinwoodie.com ..read more

Ryan DiMartino (they/them) is part of the LGBTQIA+ community and has two children that they made adoption plans for. They are sharing their experience as a trans birthing parent and now a doula who works with a diverse array of families, particularly those within the adoption triad. We talk about:  Ryan's work as a doula centered around supporting pregnant people who are considering placing their babies with adoptive parents Ryan's personal story as a first/birth parent and as a surrogate, navigating trans medicine, the adoption process and open adoption The power of language in reproduc ..read more

Tune into this episode to hear from Zack Fried, transracial adoptee, discuss black history month, race and transracial adoption.  Topics covered include: The importance of Black History Month, and black history year round The power of kids in our society Personal reflections on growing up as person that is multiple minorities (black, gay, transracial adoptee) Growing up as a minority within the family  Dating as a minority Parent responsibilities as it relates to preparing a child for dealing with racial issues The white savior complex and adoption - what is it? how to avoid it? Bla ..read more

Tune into this episode to learn how STAR has dealt with changes due to COVID-19. We are chatting about working from home with kids, juggling life and mental health challenges, agency changes, what technology we're using, how we're continuing to support clients in various stages of the adoption process, and more ..read more

Adoptees voices are not only so important but required for anyone who is considering adoption. Tune into episode 8 to listen to Adoption STAR Founder & CEO, Michele Fried, interview her son Zachary Fried about his experience as an adoptee.  Visit the website at adoptionstar.com And for podcast ideas, suggestions and feedback, email us at podcast@adoptionstar.com  ..read more

Join Zachary Fried and Michele Fried as they discuss some of the agency's most commonly asked questions surrounding adoption.  They cover:  What makes the agency different What is a home study and what does it entail Agency placement numbers Open adoption Adoption Education LGBTQIA+ adoption and more Tune into this episode and be sure to let us know your thoughts ..read more

And then there were two! Join Shaun as he tells all about his son, Francis Grayson's, birth and placement story from labor, to birth, to the days following, and taking him HOME! This episode touches on important elements of navigating the hospital as adoptive parents, being sensitive to and respectful of the laboring birth mother, and post adoption contact in the days and weeks after placement ..read more

The adoption journey doesn't end when you adopt a child, rather THAT'S when it begins! You WILL need support after adopting a child, so let's spend today's episode chatting about how you can get the support that you and your family will need post placement! Learn more at https://www.adoptionstar.com ..read more

Last time we talked to Shaun, he and his husband were asking if it was "enough" as a family of three and if growing their family was a possibility. But here's an update! Shaun is adopting another baby! Jackson's birth mom is expecting and has decided to make an adoption plan with Shaun again! Tune in to hear the full story!   Visit the Adoption STAR website at AdoptionSTAR.com ..read more