How do you view parents who've had to place their kids in foster care? Do you judge them or does your heart break for them? Do you write them off or do you root for them to get their kids back? Whatever your thoughts, our conversation with Vanessa Ramirez will change them. 

Vanessa candidly shares the struggles she has been through that lead to her 4 children entering foster care and how, with the help of some amazing people, she courageously fought to overcome addiction to get them back.

If you’re a foster parent and have ever wondered what your foster child’s parents might be going through, we’d encourage you to listen to this podcast with an open mind and a willingness to learn how you can better help foster children and their families. 

Becoming a parent is hard enough, but becoming parents to multiple big kids and teenagers who aren’t much younger than yourself… well, that was a curveball foster parents Emily and her husband Brian didn’t know they would face.

Emily opens up and shares what it has been like fostering teenagers, why they love it, and how it has impacted their biological children. We are confident this podcast will open your eyes to fostering older children!

With all there is to do, remember, and learn around adoption, sometimes hair care is the last thing on your mind. But when adopting transracially, it's pivotal that we know and understand the importance and history of hair care. Fortunately there are incredible people in the world like LaShanna Bruce. She is the founder of Mommies and Curls, which helps adoptive and foster parents with black kids meet their hair care and culture needs.

We would love to encourage everyone, but especially foster and adoptive parents to black children, to listen to this podcast to learn from LaShanna as she shares invaluable wisdom on how to care for your child's hair, help answer questions about verbiage to use when speaking of your child, and how to help them confront questions of identity. 

Surviving the holidays on their own can be hard enough, and helping your children with complex trauma can sometimes feel insurmountable. From lack of routine, to sugar everywhere, presents, new environments, and family that doesn't understand; the list just goes on. And, let’s be honest: keeping yourself regulated is hard enough. Fortunately, we had the pleasure of talking with adoption and trauma therapist, Robyn Gobbel, to learn healthy practices in keeping our children regulated (and happy) during the holiday season.

Not only does Robyn give actionable tips to address triggers, she encourages us to take care of ourselves as well.

We know this podcast will help your holidays be more enjoyable and memorable. Please take the time to listen and share it with your friends and family who may also be spending time with your children this holiday season.

“Why do you look different than your parents?”

“Are you black or are you white?”

The questions an adopted child may encounter from peers and even adults might shock you. And these questions, whether mean spirited or just from curiosity, can evoke deep feelings. Thankfully our guest, Kelly Curry, has personal and professional experience to share with us today.

Not only was Kelly adopted as a baby from South Korea and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, but she now works as a child and family therapist at an adoption agency. She shares about the personal success of her own family and areas where there was room for improvement, while also drawing from her experience as a professional. Whether you are adopting, adopted, or in process, Kelly has wisdom for you and your family.

Being a kid and trying to fit in is difficult. Now add being an adopted child from a foreign country and growing up in a town where you are the racial minority… fitting in would seem almost impossible right?

These are just a few of the challenges that Kiana Bosman faced after being adopted from Haiti as a baby. But with the help of her family, Kiana shares ways that her mom, grandpa and two adopted sisters from Haiti have helped her grow up to be confident in her identity and a successful young woman majoring in criminal justice. She has developed wisdom beyond her years and is kind enough to share it with us.

Have you ever been overwhelmed by the cost of adoption? Or questioned how your kids will respond to adding a new child to the mix? Or wondered how to celebrate World Adoption Day when adoption, at its core, is tragic and heartbreaking? Fortunately for us, Hank Fortener has experience in all of these things. Hank grew up with 36 foster siblings, 8 adopted siblings, 2 bio siblings, and is the founder of Adopt Together and world adoption day. His broad experience and unique perspectives will encourage you no matter where you are on your journey.

Welcome back to Around the World with The Archibald Project! My name is Whitney and together with my husband Nick, we started The Archibald Project! At The Archibald Project, we support people caring for orphaned and vulnerable children. Thank you for stopping by to listen to our podcast!

In today’s episode, we interview adoptive parents, Lauren and Adrian Mills. To say what these two have walked through over the past couple years has been challenging would not do their story justice. They began the adoption process from the Democratic Republic of The Congo, only to realize once their adoption was finalized and they were waiting to bring their daughter home that she had been trafficked by a corrupt orphanage director. Following the heart breaking but beautiful journey of working to reunify “their daughter” with her mother, they began a domestic adoption that later failed for unimaginably hard reasons…. This lead them through a wilderness season of absolute surrender, only to land them back in the international adoption process. This time with an ethical organization and a child that truly needed to be adopted.

Through the heart ache, Lauren and Adrian give such profound advice and tips for what flags to look out for when pursuing international adoption. They give hope to those waiting, and provide steps to take to see if the agency you’re working with is a good one or if they are actually trafficking children for money. We hope you come away having a greater awareness of the global orphan crisis and a deeper understanding of how to fight for ethical adoptions.

Welcome back to Around the World with The Archibald Project! My name is Whitney and together with my husband Nick, we started The Archibald Project! Caring for orphaned and vulnerable children is one of the most important jobs in the world, but often people are too overwhelmed to get involved or lack the support they need to keep going. Our podcast is a place where you can easily find answers, encouragement, and support. Because when you thrive, children thrive.

In this weeks episode we sat down with Ebie Hepworth! Ebie is an adoptive mama to two kiddos, Asa and Birdie. Ebie, her husband Zack, and Asa and Birdie have been home together for 2 years, and through all of the joys that come with adoption, their family walks through a very real suffering every day. After being matched with Asa and Birdie, they found out Asa was very sick. Ebie and Zack sold a lot of their things, including their couch, to fundraise for their adoption and move to Liberia to be with their kids until they could travel home. After 4 months of living in Liberia, nothing would prepare them for the news they received when they got back to their home in Boise, Idaho.

We are thankful for Ebie’s vulnerability as she shares with us what it was like finding out her son has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a terminal illness. Even in the pain though, Ebie carries with her a hope that is not of this world and is believing in full faith for her son to be healed. Our desire is that you would be filled with hope in the things that seem impossible in your own lives. Enjoy our podcast with Ebie!

Welcome back to Around the World with The Archibald Project! My name is Whitney and together with my husband Nick, we started our orphan care advocacy organization, The Archibald Project! We've been working hard to tell inspiring stories about vulnerable children ever since and our goal is to ultimately end the global orphan crisis through storytelling! We believe that the more people who see and hear our stories then the more people who will be inspired to get involved and help end the orphan crisis! 

In today’s episode, Nick and I share an update about our life in the Republic of The Congo, what adopting three kids has been like while living in a developing country, and where The Archibald Project is headed! We answer questions about our own adoption including why we decided to temporarily move to the Congo and why we changed our kids names. We are so thankful for the incredible support we have received from you guys as we have walked through our adoption.

We hope you are encouraged by this podcast and enjoy our conversation! 

Welcome back to Around the World with The Archibald Project! My name is Whitney and together with my husband Nick, we started our orphan care advocacy organization, The Archibald Project! We've been working hard to tell inspiring stories about vulnerable children ever since and our goal is to ultimately end the global orphan crisis through storytelling! We believe that the more people who see and hear our stories then the more people who will be inspired to get involved and help end the orphan crisis! 

In today’s episode, we sit down with Oleg Lougheed, an inspiring young man who not only has started the non-profit Overcoming Odds, but he himself has indeed overcome many odds. Oleg entered an orphanage in Russia at age 9 to try and get his own life on track. Without a father present and an alcoholic mother, he did what he thought was the best option. Oleg's life is a testament to not giving up when times are tough. At the age of 12, Oleg was adopted from Russia and came to live with his new family in America. Since being in America, Oleg is helping other adoptees, foster youth, and adults find their voice and heal from their traumatic pasts.

We are beyond inspired by not only Oleg's adoption story, but for the way he is helping people heal. Oleg shares with us his emotions and feelings towards his own adoption, and how his adoptive parents helped him heal and really grow into the man he has become. If you know anyone who is adopted, is adopting or is thinking about adoption, we encourage you to listen to our podcast with Oleg as we think it will give incredible insight to an adopted child's thoughts and feelings. Thank you and enjoy our conversation with Oleg!

Welcome back to Around the World with The Archibald Project! My name is Whitney and together with my husband Nick, we started our orphan care advocacy organization, The Archibald Project. We've been working hard to tell inspiring stories about vulnerable children ever since and our goal is to ultimately end the global orphan crisis through storytelling! We believe that the more people who see and hear our stories then the more people who will be inspired to get involved and help end the orphan crisis! 

In today’s episode, we catch up with our dear friend, and former media mission team member, Courtney Bolander. After our media mission in 2015, Courtney and her husband Ricky packed up their lives in New York and moved to Romania to start an organization called Radiant Hope that seeks to restore identity and dignity to youth that are vulnerable to human trafficking. Courtney shares with us how meeting one special girl in Romania changed the course of their lives and was a huge catalyst for starting Radiant Hope. Courtney talks about what a day in the life looks like for them in Romania and their desire to pour into youth and show them their worth and value.

I will mention, this podcast was recorded last August, so Courtney and Ricky have now been living in Romania for a little over a year. Alright guys thanks so much for tuning in, enjoy our inspiring conversation with our friend Courtney!

Welcome back to Around the World with The Archibald Project! My name is Whitney and together with my husband Nick, we started our orphan care advocacy organization, The Archibald Project. We've been working hard to tell inspiring stories about vulnerable children ever since and our goal is to ultimately end the global orphan crisis through storytelling! We believe that the more people who see and hear our stories then the more people who will be inspired to get involved and help end the orphan crisis! 

In today's episode, we have an inspiring conversation with former foster youth, Maryssa Vasquez, as she shares with us about her past, growing up in foster care, and how an organization she joined in college has changed the direction of her life! Now, as the president of PUSH, Persevere UNTil Success Happens, Maryssa supports former foster youth by encouraging them and creating a space for them to heal by surrounding them with community. Maryssa is helping these youth overcome the odds and make it through college! Make sure you stick around until the end to hear her advice about how you can help support former foster youth make it through college and empower them to have a voice!

Enjoy our encouraging conversation with Maryssa!

Welcome back to Around the World with The Archibald Project! My name is Whitney and together with my husband Nick, we started our orphan care advocacy organization, The Archibald Project. We've been working hard to tell inspiring stories about vulnerable children ever since and our goal is to ultimately end the global orphan crisis through storytelling! We believe that the more people who see and hear our stories then the more people who will be inspired to get involved and help end the orphan crisis! 

In today's episode, we have an inspiring conversation with Daniel and Shellee Hyde! Daniel and Shellee went from 0 to 6 kids in just 3 years! They share with us how they made the jump from 0 to 6, and what becoming foster parents was like for them and how it lead to the adoption of 4 of their children! During our conversation, Daniel and Shellee open up and give us a front row seat to what it was like to just show up and be consistent with the kids that came in and out of their care, even when there wasn't certainty or permanency in their journey.

Enjoy our encouraging conversation with foster and adoptive parents, Daniel and Shellee!

Welcome back to Around the World with The Archibald Project! My name is Whitney and together with my husband Nick, we started our orphan care advocacy organization, The Archibald Project. We've been working hard to tell inspiring stories about vulnerable children ever since and our goal is to ultimately end the global orphan crisis through storytelling! We believe that the more people who see and hear our stories then the more people who will be inspired to get involved and help end the orphan crisis! 

In today's episode, we have the most inspiring conversation with foster mom Sherry, and her foster son's biological mom, Kami! We are thankful for Sherry's vulnerability as she shares how learning to love Kami and her family did not happen over night, as well as Kami's struggle to love and trust someone was hard at first, but so worth it. Although having had a rough start to their relationship, we see how loving a biological mom and cheering her on can change a family's outcome. After years of her son being in Sherry's home, Kami's son was reunified with Kami and her husband! Talk about inspiring and sacrificial love...

During our conversation Sherry and Kami talk about the awkward first car ride that Sherry offered after a visit, and the unexpected surprise visit Kami got on Christmas Eve from Sherry and her entire family. They share that listening and learning to press into love, even when it's hard, is always worth it.

I can pretty much guarantee that your hearts will be challenged to love harder after listening to our conversation with Sherry and Kami! We hope you enjoy our conversation with these two incredible women!

Welcome back to Around the World with The Archibald Project! My name is Whitney and together with my husband Nick, we started our orphan care advocacy organization, The Archibald Project. We've been working hard to tell inspiring stories about vulnerable children ever since and our goal is to ultimately end the global orphan crisis through storytelling! We believe that the more people who see and hear our stories then the more people who will be inspired to get involved and help end the orphan crisis! 

In today's episode, we interview not 1, not 2, but 3 sisters living together... and fostering together!!! We are inspired by their commitment to the betterment of vulnerable children and their willingness to sacrifice comfort to care for these kids. Life can be crazy with "3 bosses" as they like to call themselves in their home, but they are quick to express that although challenging at times, foster care is the most rewarding and beautiful thing they have ever done.

During our conversation, Grace, Joy and Hope, share with us what a day in the life looks like, how they balance working full time, crazy schedules, and the countless visitations, doctors appointments and meetings for their gaggle of foster kiddos.

We hope you enjoy our conversation with the inspiring 3 Sisters!

Welcome back to Around the World with The Archibald Project! My name is Whitney and together with my husband Nick, we started our orphan care advocacy organization, The Archibald Project. We've been working hard to tell inspiring stories about vulnerable children ever since and our goal is to ultimately end the global orphan crisis through storytelling! We believe that the more people who see and hear our stories then the more people who will be inspired to get involved and help end the orphan crisis! 

In today's episode, I catch up with 4 of my amazing friends and fellow adoptive mamas, aka the 'Mwana Mamas' as we like to call ourselves. When Nick and I traveled to Congo to meet our kids for the first time, we were with these women and their husbands! The leading up to traveling to Congo, while we were in country and in the waiing since returning from Congo, these women have encouraged me, laughed with me and cried with me through many different seasons.

During our conversation we share some memorable moments from our time in Congo, some difficult memories, and we cry and laugh a lot. Our hope is that you would feel encouraged to find people that you can walk through the adoption journey with.

I hope you enjoy my conversation catching up with the amazing Mwana Mamas!

Welcome back to Around the World with The Archibald Project! The Archibald Project is using storytelling to spark and expand a movement of people to care for orphaned and vulnerable children in creative and educated ways, in order to combat and end the global orphan crisis.

In today's interview we have an inspiring conversation with one of our dear friends, Hallie Graves! We’ve known Hallie for a few years and have gotten a front row seat to her journey to becoming a foster mom. Hallie is wonder woman in our eyes. Not only is Hallie an intentional friend, but she is a full time lawyer and a single foster mom, just to name a few. Hallie shares really practical advice for how to set your life up to receive a foster child and walks us through what a day in the life looks like for her and her 3 month old foster son. Towards the end of our conversation, Hallie shares with us some easy ways that you can get involved in foster care without becoming a foster parent.

I can assure you that Hallie’s life and passion to help vulnerable children will most definitely inspire you. Enjoy our conversation with the amazing Hallie Graves! 

Welcome back to Around the World with The Archibald Project. My name is Whitney and together with my husband Nick, we started our orphan care advocacy organization, The Archibald Project. We've been working hard to tell inspiring stories about vulnerable children ever since and our goal is to ultimately end the global orphan crisis through storytelling! We believe that the more people who see and hear our stories then the more people who will be inspired to get involved and help end the orphan crisis! 

In today's episode we have a fun time catching up with our old friends Smooth and Kelly Via. If you don't know who the Vias are then you're missing out. We'll cover our back story during our interview with them but in a nutshell the Vias were denied a VISA for their Ugandan daughter so they moved their then family of 5 to Uganda to be with their daughter. The Via's have been living in Uganda, doing regular life for the past 4 years and today we hear all about what life is like, how they feel about being in Uganda for so long, where they are in their adoption, how their kids have adjusted and what their future looks like as a now family of 8.

I do want to share that this was recorded last fall so if you know the Vias or follow the Vias on social media don't be confused when we talk about Kelly being pregnant or the fact that they've in the states. Since this podcast was recorded I'm happy to announce that Kelly has had a healthy baby boy named Corban (who was actually born on my birthday), and that all 8 Vias are back in Uganda and are doing well!

Enjoy our conversation with our dear friends Smooth and Kelly! 

In our first episode of season 2 we connect with co-founders of The Archibald Project and learn what they've been up to over the past few months. We also introduce you to TAP's newest member, Amanda, and learn all about TAP's mission for ethical orphan care! 

Through out the show we hear about TAP's newest webpage 'The 411 On The Global Orphan Crisis' and why anyone who is interested in caring for vulnerable children needs to go read this page now! 

In today's interview we talk about how the Eicher family decided to enter into down syndrome adoption, how their family of 6 was affected by Hurricane Harvey and how feelings of love and attachment don't always come so automatically in adoption.

Lisa opens up about the hardships of bonding with her older daughter and how the loving emotions did just happen automatically and you guys she gives great advice if you're experiencing that in your own adoption and she talks about how important community is to their journey in life.

Welcome to our 6 year anniversary of the very first adoption we documented! 6 years ago today we photographed an adoption in a Bulgarian orphanage where the photos inspired another family to adopt. It was then that we saw the power of storytelling and realized that we could use our gifts to advocate for vulnerable children all over the world! 

In today's episode of Around the World with The Archibald Project we get up close and personal while Whitney and Nick interview each other. We love interviewing outside guests but thought it would be special to interview one another about the past 6 years. We look back, laugh and share memories that you've never heard! We also share an exciting new project that we've been working hard on toward the end of the interview! 

You'll hear Nick embarrass Whitney as he confesses what our organization was originally named, you'll find out what the Runyon's future hopes for The Archibald Project are, you'll laugh as the couple bickers about accuracy of memories and you'll be impassioned by their passion to see the orphan crisis eliminated! 

Thank you guys so much for tuning in! YOU are apart of our movement and together we can all work towards ending this crisis!!!

In today's interview we hear about the Lee's lives before marriage and before taking Justice Rising full time, we hear about their passion to not just put a bandaid on conflict but how they are working towards bringing lasting peace in war torn areas, we hear how education directly impacts the orphan crisis and how education can literally keep children in their families and off the streets and we share bits of wisdom and advice about how YOU can get involved in changing the world without even leaving your home.