2013 Radio Shows

Creating a Family: Talk about Infertility and Adoption

Jan. 9: Helping Kids Who Struggle in School

For years parents have followed the Beyond Consequences: A Love Based Approach to Helping Children with Severe Behaviors to help their children at home. But how can this approach be used in the school setting. Our guest is Heather Forbes, co-founder of the Beyond Consequences Institute, author of Beyond Consequences, Logic, and Control: A Love-based Approach for Helping Children With Severe Behaviors, and mom to two children adopted as toddlers from Russia. Highlights from this show.

Jan. 16: Sexual Development in Adopted Children

While sexual development follows much the same pattern for all children, there are some special issues that adopted children might face. These include precocious puberty, the effects of childhood abuse or neglect on later sexual development, and questions about how the birds and bees applies to them. Our guests are Dr. Bradley Miller, a Pediatric Endocrinologist at the University of Minnesota and Dr. Joyce Maguire Pavao, a therapist specializing in adoption and an adjunct faculty member in Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. Highlights from this show.

Jan. 23: How to Talk with Kids about Donor Egg, Sperm, and Embryo

How in the world do you explain something so complex as conception from donor egg, sperm or embryo to a child? When should you tell? How much detail is necessary? What words can you use? Our guest to talk about the nitty gritty of telling is Patricia Mendell, therapist in NYC specializing in infertility and founding member of The American Fertility Association and Currently Co-Chair of its Board of Directors. She is a member of the Mental Health Professionals Group of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Highlights from this show.

Jan. 30: Should I Try Again? What to do When IVF Fails

One of the hardest decisions to make when IVF fails is whether to try again. Your emotions and finances weigh heavily. If you knew the outcome it would be so much easier to decide. We have two guests to talk about how to decide and what factors to consider: Dr. Mylene Yao, a Reproductive Endocrinologist, formerly on the faculty at Stanford University where she was a NIH-funded principal investigator looking into IVF prediction models that could personalize success rates for IVF patients. She co-founded Univfy Inc. to translate that research into user-friendly online prediction tests to bring personalized prediction to patients and doctors. We also have Dr. Philip Chenette, medical director at Pacific Fertility Center in San Francisco. Dr. Chenette is among US News and World Reports' “Top Doctors” and was voted "Top Doctor" in San Francisco. Dr. Chenette is also the president of the Bay Area Reproductive Endocrine Society. Highlights from this show.

Feb. 6: Adoption Tax Credit 2012-2013

It is tax time again, and adoptive parents have lots of questions about the Adoption Tax Credit for 2013. Our guest experts to talk about this credit are Mark McDermott, adoption attorney and adoption tax credit expert; and Josh Kroll, the adoption tax credit expert at the North American Council on Adoptable Children. Highlights from this show.

Feb. 13: Latest Research on the Mental Health of Adopted Children

What does the latest research show on the emotional and mental health of adopted children? How do adoptees fare later in life? Our guest is Dr. Kathleen Whitten, a developmental psychologist and adoptive mother who researches the mental health of adopted children. She has been a lecturer in psychology at Georgia State University and at the University of Virginia, where she was also a research faculty member at the Child-Parent Attachment Clinic, Department of Psychiatric Medicine. She was named a Distinguished Fellow in Developmental Psychology by the National Council for Adoption in Washington, D.C. She is also the author of Labor of the Heart: A Parent’s Guide to the Decisions and Emotions in Adoption. Highlights from this show.

Feb. 20: Umbilical Cord Blood or Tissue Banking

How can cord blood be used to help your child? What else should parents think about at birth to try to save or collect to potentially be used to treat disease or cancer? And what exactly is “Wharton’s Jelly”? Our guests to talk about the potenitial uses for blood and tissue from the umbilical cord is Dr. Roni Bollag. Dr Bollag has a PhD in Genetics from Yale University and an MD from the Medical College of Georgia. He is board-certified in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology and specialty certified in Transfusion Medicine/Blood Banking. He is currently Assistant Professor in the Department of Pathology at the Medical College of Georgia, and also serves as laboratory director for the Cord Blood Service at Xytex Cryo in Augusta, GA. We also have Dr. James Carroll, Chief of Child Neurology at Georgia Health Sciences University and Georgia Children’s Hospital. He has been involved with clinical and laboratory research in stem cells, cerebral palsy and brain injury for many years. Highlights from this show.

Feb. 26: Documentary on International Adoption-"Stuck"

An interview with Craig Juntunen, Founder of Both Ends Burning and Producer of a new documentary on International Adoption, Stuck, to talk about the ethics of international adoption and the delays. Highlights from this show.

Mar. 6: Food Issues with Adopted Children

Join our guest Dr. Katja Rowell, The Feeding Doctor, and author of the new book "Love Me, Feed Me" to talk about some of the common food issues adoptive parents face: hoarding, gorging, pickiness, not eating, etc. Highlights from this show.

Mar. 13: Parenting Easily Frustrated Inflexible Kids with Challenging Behavior

Interview with Dr. Ross Greene, Associate Professor in Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and author of The Explosive Child: A New Approach for Understanding and Parenting Easily Frustrated, Chronically Inflexible Children. How to help children, all kids, including adopted children, learn to control their frustration and anger. Highlights from this show.

Mar. 20: Uterine Abnormalities-Effect on Conception and Pregnancy

How do uterine abnormalities affect the ability to get pregnant or carry a baby to term? Do they increase your chances for miscarriage or still birth? Is infertility treatment effective for women with müllerian anomalies. Our guests will be Dr. Robin Fogle, a Reproductive Endocrinolgist with the Atlanta Center for Reproductive Medicine and Dr.Thomas Trevett, Jr, a maternal and fetal medicine specialist with Atlanta Perinatal Consultants. Highlights from this show.

Mar. 27: How Does Fertility Treatment Affect the Babies

Research is beginning to come in on how infertility treatment affects the health of the children conceived. Does in vitro fertilization (IVF) or ICSI or articicial insemination cause birth defects, autism, nuero-developmental issues? Is freezing harmful to the children born from frozen embryos? Does Clomid cause harm to the babies? Our guest to help us sort out the often confusing results of theis research is Dr.Thomas Molinaro, a reproductive endorinolgist with Reproductive Medicine Associates of New Jersey and a researcher into the health effects of fertility treatment. Highlights from this show.

Apr. 10: Interview with actress Nia Vardalos

Host Dawn Davenport interviewed Nia Vardalos, actress (of My Big Fat Greek Wedding fame), author of a new book Instant Mom, and foster care adoptive mom. We talked about her years of struggling with infertility and how she ended up adopting from foster care. Highlights from this show.

Apr. 17: Open Adoption: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know

Host Dawn Davenport interviewed Lori Holden, author of the new book The Open-Hearted Way to Open Adoption: Helping Your Child Grow Up Whole. Highlights from this show.

Apr. 24: Finding Work-Life Balance

Work-Life Balance is the bane of most every mother I know. It’s not that we want it all, but we don’t want or need some. What are the tips and tricks for working from home, setting up flex-time, finding affordable practical child care. Our guest is Anne Bogel, author of Work Shift, and blogger at Modern Mrs. Darcy about ideas for modern moms to create balance and blending between their work selves and family selves. Highlights from this show.

May 1: Getting Pregnant with Male Infertility

What are your options for getting pregnant if your diagnosis is male infertility? What can you do to increase your odds before going to fertility treatment? What type of infertility treatments are most successful? Is there a fertility diet that will increase male fertility? Our guests are Dr. Grace Centola, internationally recognized specialist in andrology and male infertility, and current President of the Society for Male Reproduction and Urology; and Dr. Jessica Mann, Reproductive Endocrinologist with Reproductive Science Center of New Jersey. Highlights from this show.

May 8: Breastfeeding Without Birthing

Can you breast feed a child you did not give birth to? Should you? How do you breastfeed as an adoptive mother, or mother through surrogacy? Listen to Dawn’s interview with Alyssa Schnell, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, and author of Breastfeeding Without Birthing: A Breastfeeding Guide for Mothers through Adoption, Surrogacy, and Other Special Circumstances. Highlights from this show.

May 15: Talking About Adoption at Different Ages and Developmental Stages

Adopted children process adoption differently at different ages and developmental stages. How can parents help their children understand the concept of being adopted. Our guest is Debbie Riley, Chief Executive Officer at the Center for Adoption Support and Education and marriage and family therapist with more than 30 years’ experience working with adopted kids and adoptive families. Highlights from this show.

May 22: How Mental and Physical Health Issues in Prospective Adoptive Parents are Treated in Adoption

How are mental health issues and physical disabilities or diseases in prospective adoption parents treated by adoption agencies, adoption lawyers, expectant parents, and foreign countries? Can you adopt if you are on anti-depressants? Can you adopt if you have a history of past addictions? In a wheelchair? Our guests are Ann Wrixon, Executive Director of Independent Adoption Center; Rhonda Jarema , advocate and educator. She has been the Director of Family Support Services at Nightlight Christian Adoptions since 1998. Rhonda Jarema has worked as a social worker and advocate in the fields of international adoption and mental health for over 30 years and she's an adoptive mom. Jaclyn Smith, Program Coordinator at Children’s Connections, Inc., a domestic adoption agency. And Rebecca Hackworth, Director of Social Services, Dillon International, Inc. with over 30 years experience in international adoption. Highlights from this show.

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What do listeners say?

I just wanted to say thank you so much for this resource, I just recently found it and I just happened to stumble upon it doing a google search. It has been hugely helpful!!!! We've been looking into foster care and adoption and listening to the various radio shows relating to those topics have really helped us know what to do and what to expect..more ~J. Joy

I just wanted to stop in and say a quick thank you for all the support and information you provide the adoption/infertility community... I also am a "research junkie", and your blogs & podcasts have been an invaluable source for us on our journey to grow our family. more ~ E. Meyer

I wanted to thank you for all of the wonderful things you do. We brought our beautiful baby boy home from the hospital on April 2nd. While we waited for an adoption match and then waited for his birth, your podcast and website were a continuous reminder that we were part of an amazing adoption community. It really helped us not feel alone. ~Sarah S.

I listen to your radio shows daily on my iPod while cleaning, exercising, driving etc. I've learned so much from it, that today in the foster- adopt support group I felt like an all knowing expert, despite the fact, that I have zero experience in the field. Thank you for a wonderful resource! I am spreading the word. ~G. Longley

Thank you so much for your radio show! I was just listening to it, and it's very informative. My husband and I are in the process of adoption, so we read a lot to be able to make informed decisions. Your website is a great resource for us! ~N.M.W.

“I learned more from this show than from two Reproductive Endocrinologist and all my own research. I appreciate the professionals you have on your show.” ~ L. Upton

I LOVE your show, it's the most helpful, unbiased information I’ve found about infertility and adoption and I'm so thankful for you and your organization. Keep up the fantastic work, you are changing lives. ~ Amanda

So I would like to introduce to you....Z. V.. She is now 11 weeks old. She came from a lovely perfect little frozen embryo, from our 4th round of IVF (2 fresh cycles and 2 FET)...more ~A. Houston

I'm just writing to say that I've downloaded another bunch of your podcasts onto my iPhone and while I listen to them on my daily commute I silently
thank you for doing such a good job and conducting such brilliant interviews!!!...more ~G. Marino

Although you don't know us from Adam, I wanted to drop a line and thank you for the amazing info, sound advice, and encouragement you offer to adoptive and prospective adoptive parents. We just received our pre-approval for our daughter, W, from China! You (in book, website, blog, and podcast form) have been there every step of the way in this journey. ~ J. & C. Morningstar

I just wanted to drop you a note and tell you how much I love your show. I recently got an iPhone and have been listening to them on iTunes. Your "What Adopted Teens Want Their Parents to Know" session was amazing!!! ~A. Watson

My husband and I are parents through adoption to THE three most incredible children in the world. All via newborn domestic transracial. I wanted to tell you how much I’ve enjoyed and benefitted from your web site. I often refer potential adoptive parents who ask me for advice to your site. I especially enjoy your radio shows and today’s show on "Knowing When to Move from Infertility to Adoption" particularly resonated with me. ~N. Ferrari

I have loved, loved this radio show. It has been hands down the most helpful resource on this often painful and confusing journey. ~ R. Butler

I have been listening to lots of your radio shows of late. Great guests and very enlightening always. Thanks so much for keeping us up with the latest. ~ W. & M. Welch

I just wanted you to know what a tremendous resource and blessing your podcasts have been to my wife and I as we prepare to travel early next month to pick up our new 17 month old son from Colombia...more
~ M. & L. Oakes

I just wanted to share my story since Creating a Family pod casts were so helpful to me when I was infertile. It really helped knowing I wasn't alone and could get the most updated information on my condition. I am almost 32 years old and I have been trying to get pregnant for 6 long years...more ~ J. Mendenhall

You are the REAL DEAL—Thank you for your guidance, radio show, information, knowledge, resources, care & wisdom to know what is needed when. ~ S. Miller

We are awaiting the arrival of our child from Ethiopia. I recently took a road trip and downloaded 9 hours of the Creating a Family podcasts and listened to them all. I learned so much. Thanks. ~J. Madine

Just home from adopting our son in Colombia. He and we are doing great. Your site and especially podcasts were a tremendous resource to us personally, as well as for a reason we didn't ever expect...more

~ M. and L. Oakes