Episode 27_ Love is Only a Beginning: Adoptive Parenting Differs from Biological Parenting!

Join co-hosts, adoption coaches, and triad members Kim Noeth, a birth mom, Sally Ankerfelt, an adoptive parent, and Sharon Butler-Obazee, an adoptee as they continue to revisit some special guests over the last year. In each episode, your hosts are committed to looking at the adoption system from the perspective of the triad: from the adoptee, who is the center of the triad, from the birth parent, and from the adoptive parent.

Learn more about your ADOPTION MATTERS' hosts and their ICF-approved course Adoption Attuned Coaching Certification Program at www.giftfamilyservices.com.

Let's meet our featured special guests for this episode: Jean Kelly Widner: Jean's newest book, The Adoption Paradox: Putting Adoption Into Perspective, has won widespread acclaim. It gives voice to those often left out of the adoption conversation—birth parents, adoptees, and families shaped by the system. The Adoption Paradox is the result of years of personal interviews, research, and emotional courage. Jean is also the 2026 recipient of the Growing Intentional Families Together Shaping the Future Award. Learn more about Jean and her work here: https://adoptionparadox.com/

Isaac Etter: Isaac uses his story and deep passion for adoption and foster care education to bring relevant, quality, and diverse resources to the adoption community. He draws on his story of being adopted and growing up in a white world to curate deep conversations about race, identity, and adoption in America. With his unique insight, Isaac curates impactful discussions about race in America where everyone learns to value each other and their experiences. Isaac believes these conversations are crucial for child welfare professionals and adoptive and foster parents to nurture mutual understanding and grow happier, healthier families. Isaac is also the first recipient of the Growing Intentional Families Together Shaping the Future Award. Learn more about Isaac and his work here: https://isaacetter.com/

Marcie Keithley: Marcie is an author, advocate for genetic rights, speaker, master storyteller and co-founder of the National Association of Adoptees and Parents (NAAP). She retired as Vice President of Retail Bank Management and Merrill Lynch after serving the financial industry for over 32 years. She and her birth daughter, Jessica, were reunited on Father's Day in 2008. Marcie has written, The Shoebox Effect and Transforming Pain Into Fortitude and Purpose and currently is working on her next memoir, Beautifully Broken, Diary of an NPE, A DNA Surprise. Marcie is also the 2025 recipient of the Growing Intentional Families Together Shaping the Future Award. Learn more about Marcie and her work here: https://naapunited.org/about

Anne Heffron: As an author, Anne is fearless, candid, and wildly authentic. In her nationally acclaimed memoir, You Don’t Look Adopted, she reflects on her lived experiences as an adoptee. She connects with others through her own imperfections, and, through doing so, instills an empowering sense of community, possibility, and freedom in her readers. As an advocate – for members of the adoptee community and anyone seeking a sense of safety and self-esteem – Anne believes in caring, collaboration, and real conversations. She leads by example and seeks to inspire others to live a life that feels healthy, productive, generous, and true. Learn more about Anne and her work here: https://letsbreakthru.com/leaders/anne-heffron/

Dr. Patrice Martin: Dr. Martin is a same race adoptee. In her profession she works in grants management in the nonprofit and for-profit sectors. She has always known she was adopted and grew up with a loving family. Yet as life would have it, some twists and turns were embedded in her story as she learned that quite possibly she would never be able to find her biological family having been abandoned in a trash bin at birth. She now lives her full story with both sides of her family and is inspired to help others. She is does not shy away from the issues that adoption raises in adoptees' lives and works to help children and adults see their fullest potential despite challenges a non-ideal situation presents. Learn more about Patrice and her work here: https://adoptionunfiltered.com/podcast/dr-patrice-martin/