Adoption in Focus

Adoption

Adoption in Focus is an adoption podcast series from Adoption Focus discussing adoption from a range of perspectives.

Guests on the podcast have included adult adoptees, professionals, grandparents, and adopters from all backgrounds, each with their own unique experiences and areas of interest.

These include adopting brothers and sisters, LGBTQ+ adoption, transracial adoption, adopting as a single person, birth family contact, the matching process and the early permanence pathway. We have many more episodes lined up and ready for release.

Your family. Their future. Adoption Focus is an independent charity and one of the largest adoption agencies in the UK. Whatever your background or situation, we’re here to help you to adopt, and we’re actively recruiting. If you live in or around Central England and you’re considering adoption, our friendly, expert team would love to meet you and help you to become an adoptive family. Adopt with us.

Adoption Focus - a friendly, dedicated & experienced adoption agency

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22 episodes
monthly
Avg 40 min
English

Episodes 22

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S1 · E27
October 14 · 53 min
Adoption in Focus - Beyond the Trauma: Helping Adopted Children Thrive - A conversation with Simon Benn
What does it really take for adopted children to thrive? In this episode, Simon Benn joins us to explore why helping children flourish starts with the emotional work of adoptive parents themselves. Through powerful metaphors, Simon challenges the idea that adopted children are broken by trauma, exploring how identity, self-worth, belonging and emotional understanding can shape a child's experience. From preparing for adolescence to embracing vulnerability and recognising our own wholeness, this conversation offers a refreshing perspective on moving beyond being trauma-informed towards being truly thriving-focused.
S1 · E26
September 7 · 1 hr 8 min
Adoption in Focus - FASD: Finding Strength, Support and Success Featuring Maggie May
In this episode, Leigh and Sarah are joined by Maggie May, a 29-year-old FASD advocate, mentor and adoptee, to explore what it is really like to live with FASD. Maggie May shares her personal journey from childhood diagnosis and struggling with school, memory, sensory processing and self-esteem, to discovering her strengths, finding her community and learning to ask for support. Maggie May also challenges some of the common misconceptions and stigma surrounding FASD, highlighting the importance of listening to people with lived experience and recognising individual strengths and potential. Her message is one of hope: success looks different for everyone, and people with FASD should be given the opportunity to discover what they can achieve. If you enjoyed this episode we'd love to hear from or, if you have any topics you'd like us to discuss please email: podcast@adoption-focus.org.uk
S1 · E25
June 25 · 58 min
Adoption in Focus - Mike and Caroline, Building a Family through Early Permanence
In this episode of Adoption in Focus, Mike and Caroline share their family's journey through early permanence adoption, offering an honest look at what it means to welcome a child into your home while living with uncertainty. They reflect on attachment, navigating the unknown, and the emotional realities of caring for a baby who may or may not become a permanent part of your family. The conversation also explores the practical challenges of the early permanence process, the support that made a difference, and the profound impact that stability and early connection can have on a child's life. Filled with compassion, insight and hope, this episode shines a light on the courage it takes to build a family in a unique and deeply meaningful way. If you enjoyed this episode we'd love to hear from or, if you have any topics you'd like us to discuss please email: podcast@adoption-focus.org.uk
S1 · E24
April 14 · 29 min
Adoption in Focus - Faith, Adoption and Belonging: A Conversation with Reverend Doctor Sarah
In this episode, we’re joined by Reverend Doctor Sarah to explore how faith can shape the journey of adoption and family life. Together we talk about navigating joy and sadness in adoption, welcoming children into communities of faith, and how churches and faith groups can create spaces of belonging that are supportive, inclusive and trauma-aware. If you enjoyed this episode we'd love to hear from or, if you have any topics you'd like us to discuss please email: podcast@adoption-focus.org.uk
S1 · E23
March 12 · 36 min
Adoption in Focus - Alex's journey adopting an older child as a single parent
In this episode we’re joined by Alex, a single adopter who shares her honest and deeply personal experience of welcoming an older child into her life. Alex reflects on what first drew her to adopting a child over the age of five, and how the reality of introductions, transitions, and early placement differed from what she expected. Four years on, Alex shares the lessons she’s learned along the way, offering thoughtful advice for anyone considering adoption of older children.
S1 · E22
February 12 · 38 min
Adoption in Focus - Jo & Joe: Navigating Birth Family Contact
In this episode Lisa talks with Jo and Joe about one of the most important and often daunting parts of adoption: contact with birth family. They’ll share their journey from the early stages of adoption through meeting their daughter’s birth parents, navigating those first emotions, and thinking about what contact might look like in the future. Their experience is a powerful reminder that every family’s journey is unique, and that staying open, curious, and child-focused can make contact a positive part of adoption. Thank you for listening, and a huge thank you to Jo and Joe for sharing their story so openly.
S1 · E21
January 14 · 34 min
Adoption in Focus - Adoption, Trauma, and Identity: Adoptee Chris’ Perspective
Chris shares his personal journey as an adoptee, reflecting on the lifelong impact of early trauma after being removed from his biological parents as a baby and adopted at the age of two. Although he has no conscious memory of this time, becoming a father himself brought a powerful realisation of the significance of those early separations, prompting him to explore adoption, attachment, and identity more deeply Chris highlights the importance of open conversations, mental health support, and community for adoptees, as well as greater understanding from society and adoptive parents. Through learning, therapy, and connection with other adoptees, Chris has gained clarity, self-compassion, and a stronger sense of who he is. If you have something you'd like to talk to us about on the podcast please get in touch: podcast@adoption-focus.org.uk.
S1 · E20
Dec 11, 2025 · 47 min
Adoption in Focus - John's story: The highs and lows of the matching process and bringing your child home
In this moving and insightful episode, John takes us through the journey he and his partner undertook to grow their family through adoption. He reflects on the emotional highs and lows of the matching process, the importance of patience and preparedness, and the moment their son finally came home a turning point that made every challenge along the way worthwhile. John’s candid account offers a powerful reminder that while every adoption story is unique, the love and resilience at the heart of the journey are universal. If you have a topic you'd like to speak to us about please get in touch: podcast@adoption-focus.org.uk
S1 · E19
Nov 12, 2025 · 53 min
Adoption in Focus - Gail’s Story: Parenting Through Trauma and Finding Connection
This episode offers a heartfelt look at parenting through trauma, neurodiversity and adoption. Our guest, Gail shares her family's journey from the challenges that surfaced with the arrival of a new sibling to the healing and connection that followed. If you have a topic you'd like to speak to us about please get in touch: podcast@adoption-focus.org.uk
S1 · E18
Oct 15, 2025 · 26 min
Adoption in Focus - Leroy - Adoption and Identity in the Black Community
In this special Black History Month episode, we’re joined by Leroy to talk about adoption within the Black community why representation matters, the challenges that still exist, and how community and culture play a vital role in a child’s sense of identity and belonging. It’s an honest, heartfelt conversation Leroy address the barriers the black community may have to adoption and what it really means to create a safe, loving, stable family. If this conversation inspires you to learn more about adoption, reach out to us here at Adoption Focus for more information and support. www.adoption-focus.org.uk
S1 · E17
Sep 1, 2025 · 19 min
Adoption in Focus - Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund
In this episode, the team at Adoption Focus discusses the recent cuts to the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund (ASGSF) and what they mean for adoptive families. Despite funding being reduced and introduced with little notice, the team reassures listeners that support from Adoption Focus remains unaffected. They explain the impact on therapy access, how families can continue to get help, and the importance of reaching out no matter how big or small the issue. You're not alone, and support is still here for you.
S1 · E16
Aug 11, 2025 · 29 min
Adoption in Focus - Sunny’s Story: Blending Cultures, Honouring Faith
In this episode, we sit down with Sunny, a Sikh mother whose path to adoption led her to embrace a love that transcends cultural boundaries. With remarkable honesty and warmth, Sunny shares her journey from the initial doubts and fears about how her decision might be received within her community, to the powerful support she found along the way. She opens up about what it means to honour her Sikh faith while welcoming a child from a different heritage, and how this experience has deepened both her spiritual and personal identity.
S1 · E15
Jul 24, 2025 · 35 min
Adoption in Focus - Jonathan's Journey - Navigating life together into adulthood.
In this heartfelt episode, we sit down with Jonathan, a father who shares his family's powerful adoption journey from the early conversations and assessment process to welcoming his son James home and navigating life together into adulthood. With honesty and warmth, Jonathan reflects on the challenges, triumphs, and lasting impact of adoption. Whether you're exploring adoption or well along the path, his story offers comfort, insight, and inspiration. We hope you enjoy this episode. If you have any topics you'd like us to cover or you have a story to share please get in touch: podcast@adoption-focus.org.uk
S1 · E14
Jul 8, 2025 · 40 min
Adoption in Focus - Amy and Adam - What it means to parent a child they have transracially adopted.
In this episode of Adoption in Focus, Lisa sits down with Amy and Adam, a couple with four birth children who chose to grow their family through adoption. They share their unique journey of adopting their youngest son at 18 months old, offering heartfelt insights into the adoption process, how they supported their birth children throughout, and what it means to parent a child they have transracially adopted. We hope this episode encourages reflection on how we can all celebrate and champion a child’s ethnicity, culture, and heritage.
S1 · E13
Jun 16, 2025 · 32 min
Adoption In Focus - Ben and Aaron's Journey and adopting as LGBTQ+
In this episode, we're joined by a brilliant same-sex couple who speak candidly about their journey to becoming dads, from the first steps in the adoption process, the highs and lows, what family life looks like for them now, and their love for their son. They tell their story with equal parts of honesty and humour in a conversation that's funny, moving and refreshingly real.
S1 · E12
May 13, 2025 · 35 min
Adoption in Focus - Sarah's journey as a single adopter
In our latest episode Leigh is joined by Sarah, an adoptive mom of two who talks to us about her adoption experiences, right from the moment she decided to adopt to now being used as a bouncy castle by her two children. Sarah paints an honest picture of the adoption process and parenting, full of ups and downs but the rewards endless.
S1 · E11
Mar 18, 2025 · 55 min
Adoption in Focus - Miles on adopting two girls with his husband
In this episode, Leigh is joined by Miles, who you might know from season two of The Traitors. Miles and his husband adopted two children with Adoption Focus, and here he reflects thoughtfully and insightfully on his family’s journey to adoption. Among the areas covered are, his experience of the adoption process and family finding, support from family and elsewhere, the role of ethnicity, culture and identity in adoption, and parenting two daughters as a gay couple. If you have any questions about this episode or would be interested in joining us on a future podcast yourself, please email us at podcast@adoption-focus.org.uk.
S1 · E10
Jan 14, 2025 · 20 min
Adoption in Focus - Becoming Grandparents to an Adopted Child
During this episode Leigh is joined by a set of Grandparents who tell us all about their experience of the adoption process, how they supported their daughter throughout and what it was like becoming grandparents to an adopted child. If you've adopted with Adoption Focus and would like to speak about your experiences, please email us at podcast@adoption-focus.org.uk. If you have any requests for podcast topics you’d like us to cover, we'd love to get those too.
S1 · E9
Nov 7, 2024 · 33 min
Adoption in Focus – Our Positive Experience with Contact
In this episode, Lisa is joined by one of our adopters to talk about their positive, personal experience around birth family contact. Their discussion covers the benefits and challenges of contact, preconceptions, worries and what their children's experiences were like. Adoption Focus adopters with queries or concerns about contact can speak to our adoption support team anytime. If you have any questions about this episode or would be interested in joining us on a future podcast yourself, please email us at podcast@adoption-focus.org.uk.
S1 · E8
Oct 21, 2024 · 52 min
Adoption in Focus - Transracial adoption, heritage and finding birth family with adopted adult Michelle ‘Mother’ Hubbard
In this episode, Leigh is joined by adoptee, poet, writer, African drummer, and public speaker Michelle “Mother” Hubbard. Michelle shares her experience of transracial adoption, exploring her heritage, finding her birth family and forming her own identity.

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