Adoption stories usually get flattened into a single viewpoint, and that is where so much pain and misunderstanding starts. I sit down with Donna Pope, executive director of Heart to Heart Adoptions and host of the Voices of Adoption podcast, to talk about adoption from all three perspectives: birth parents, adoptive parents, and adoptees. We get honest about the emotions people do not say out loud, and we name the myths that keep families stuck, especially the cruel idea that a birth mother does not love her child.
Donna explains what birth mothers often carry privately, why voluntary relinquishment can be about protection and stability, and how adoptive parents can avoid creating a loyalty tug of war that puts the child in the middle. We talk about open adoption, age-appropriate honesty, and the practical reality that adoptive parents are human too, with real insecurities and real challenges, including mental health and prenatal drug exposure concerns and the added layers in transracial adoption.
We also spend time on adoptee trauma and healing, including the way separation can live in the nervous system and show up later as anxiety, anger, addiction, or deep identity questions. Donna breaks down trauma blind, trauma aware, and trauma stuck, and we discuss therapy options that can help at any age. If you are a midlifer feeling called to foster or adopt, or you want to help kids in the foster care system without bringing a child into your home, we talk about CASA, the court appointed special advocate role, and why one consistent adult can change everything. We also share a new community resource Donna is building: adoptions.com.
Donna Pope is a compassionate leader and dedicated advocate in the adoption community, serving as the Executive Director of Heart to Heart Adoptions. With a deep commitment to supporting women experiencing unexpected pregnancies, Donna has made it her life’s mission to walk alongside birth mothers with empathy, respect, and unwavering care.Whether providing emotional support, helping navigate financial concerns, or ensuring access to appropriate medical care, Donna is known for going above and beyond to support the women and families she serves.Donna plays a vital role in creating a safe, non-judgmental environment where birth mothers and adoptive families feel heard, supported, and empowered to make informed decisions. Her expertise in thoughtfully matching birth mothers with adoptive families has made her an invaluable part of the adoption community.In addition to her work in adoption, Donna is the host of the Voices of Adoption Podcast, along with three other podcasts, where she shares real and authentic stories from across the adoption triad. Through these meaningful conversations, she brings awareness, connection, and understanding to the complexities of adoption, helping others feel less alone in their journeys.
Subscribe or follow, share this with someone who needs a more compassionate adoption conversation, and leave a review to help more people find the show. What part of the adoption triad do you want to understand better?
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email: Jen@HalfwayToDeadPodcast.com
