Let's thrive. Thriving Adoptees helps adoptees thrive. What does thriving mean to you? Healing? Post Traumatic Growth? Evolving? Listen in as we explore what's helped adoptees do all that.
Latest Episodes
6/4/2026
Rising To Challenges With Ella Smith
Adoption can present us with many challenges. But how do we rise to those challenges? Listen in as Ella shares insights on dealing with the unexpected, coming from love and much more...
Ella Smith is Executive Director for Adoption Choices. Originally from Colombia, Ella moved to the USA 23 years ago to the DFW area where she has strong connections and friendships. Married to a loving husband for 25 years, they have two grown children: Christian who is a soccer coach, and David who is a pilot like his father.
Ella has an extensive background working with children and families since 2008, for the last 8 years her experience has been in the adoption field, Ella is a dedicated professional with a proven track record in facilitating international adoptions and nurturing positive family relationships. Experienced in navigating complex legal and cultural landscapes to ensure successful adoptions and compliance with country accreditations. Skilled in building rapport with diverse stakeholders, including service providers, adoptive parents, single parents of either gender, LGBTQ+ parents, birth parents and government agencies. Strong understanding of the adoption regulations and protocols. Committed to upholding the highest standards of ethics and professionalism in all endeavors. Ella is dedicated to ensuring that all children find loving and caring homes.
Ella holds a degree in social communication and journalism from Colombia and a master’s degree in marketing management. Now residing in the DFW area, she is passionate about advocating for children’s rights to be loved, valued, and respected.
Ella is excited to be part of Adoption Choices of Texas and to meet all the bravest and selfless parents who wants to create a better future for their child.
In her free time Ella enjoys traveling to her beloved Colombia, spend time with her diverse group of friends, and watching tv at home. Ella also has a service dog named Stella.
https://www.adoptionchoicesoftexas.org/
https://www.facebook.com/AdoptionChoicesOfTexas/
Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.
6/3/2026
Wisdom In The Moment With Susan Silverman
Being told to just raise your kids doesn't sound like a great piece of advice. But it landed profoundly for Susan. She heard it as a pointer to stop trying to think too far ahead. To listen to wisdom in the moment. To stop overthinking. Who doesn't need less overthinking right? Listen in for your own aha moments.
Founder and Executive Director, Susan Silverman grew up in a family that fostered older children, and getting to know kids without a permanent, loving family of their own had a big impact on her. Now, she and her spouse have five children, three were born to them and two were adopted. She is the author of a memoir, Casting Lots: Creating a Family in a Beautiful, Broken World and has been featured in the New York Times, NPR, BBC, ABC, and more. Susan has a BA from Boston University, an Ed.M. from Harvard University, and an MA and Rabbinical Ordination from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion.
Connect with Susan here
https://www.instagram.com/susansilverman7
https://www.2nurture.org/
https://www.facebook.com/2ndnurture/
https://www.instagram.com/2ndNurture
Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.
6/2/2026
Nurturing Our Kids With Jenny Fridge
We want our kids to grow. We know we have to nurture them to make that happen. So how do we do that? Listen in as Jenny who has 4 kids including her youngest who's adopted shares what she's learning about nurturing and more...
Connect with Jenny here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenny-fridge-413047134/
https://www.facebook.com/jenny.fridge
https://www.instagram.com/jennyfridge/
Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.
5/28/2026
God Loves Me With Isaac Melber
Our most profound learnings often come from the toughest moments. Born in Ethiopia, adopted by an American family at 5, Isaac shares his most transformative learnings. Inspirational!
Born in Ethiopia, Isaac spent time in an orphanage following the tragic loss of both parents. He was adopted at age 5 by an American family and made a profession of faith at age 7.
Here's a bit about Isaac from his website
One of the most profound lessons I’ve learned through my adoption journey is that my view of God shapes everything about my identity. I came to realize that who I am flows out of who I believe God to be—not the other way around. This struggle isn’t unique to adoptees or foster kids; it’s something every person wrestles with at some level. People often ask how I navigate my so-called identity issue—what it’s like to be a Black man raised by white parents, and how that dynamic shapes my sense of belonging.
I tell them that at its core, this isn’t really an identity issue—it’s a theological one..
https://www.instagram.com/isaacmelber/reels/
https://www.amazon.com/Twice-Delivered-Families-Worlds-Redeeming/dp/B0H2HH6785
https://www.isaacmelber.com/
Here's the interview with Isaac's dad David https://thriving-adoptees.simplecast.com/episodes/slowing-down-with-david-melber
Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.
5/21/2026
Fundamentally Whole Despite Trauma
What if it's true. That we're fundamentally whole despite trauma. No, really. Listen in as previous guest and friend Marcy puts me on the spot. Make up your own mind...
Here's Marcy's interview https://thriving-adoptees.simplecast.com/episodes/the-other-side-of-shame-with-marcy-pusey
Here's more about that...and Marcy...
We've all felt shame - it's part of the human experience. But beyond it lies the peace we seek for ourselves and those we love. So how do we get to the other side of shame? Marcy and I go DEEP into this in one of my favourite conversations so far. We hope you love it too.
Here's how Marcy describes herself on her website:
Jesus-follower, mom to 4 humans, two adopted through the foster system and two biological, multi-passionate mompreneur, best-selling author, international and 2xs TEDx speaker, networker, and mentor.
My mission is to help people uncover and present their stories to help them finetune their uniqueness, empower their lives, and to maximize their potential. Here, we work together to create safe spaces and connections so that others feel worthy of value and love.
Watch her Tedx Talks:
How Story Empower Kids to Shape Our World
You Are More Than Your Traumatic Experiences
Find out more at:
https://www.facebook.com/MarcyPusey/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcypusey/
https://www.instagram.com/marcymarie/
https://marcypusey.com/
Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.
Showing the latest 5 episodes. Additional episodes and full library is available on the podcast's official website and listening platforms.
