After an unexpected break, I am back with a new episode. Hear from Jesse, a father living in Finland, who found himself in the world of adoptive parenting when his family blended with his wife's and he met his step-son, a lovely boy adopted internationally.

Welcome to the latest episode of Adoption Conversations. This week's episode is longer than usual, yet I'm sure you will not regret it. I met Bridget on social media, where she is active promoting adoptees' rights in United States. Bridget gave birth to her first daughter about forty years ago and she was pressured by family, social services, and life circumstances to relinquish her for adoption few days after birth. She buried the whole experience in her own shame for over thirty years, when she was given the chance to meet her again. This story really touched me and left me with more questions than answers. When social pressure is so strong, do birth moms really have a choice?

This week I am hosting one of the inspiring figures in the world of adoption, adult adoptee and Adoptees On podcast host Haley Ridke. Adoptees On (www.adopteeson.com) is in my personal top 3 resources about adoption and if you don't know it, you absolutely have to check it out. Haley is an inspiration as podcaster for me. If I will learn to have half her grace and respect as a host, I will be proud with myself. Haley shares her own story about being adopted as an infant, her failed attempt of bringing her natural mother back into her life, and her healthy reunion with her natural father. *** Resources www.adopteeson.com Adoptees On - Haley's adoption www.adopteeson.com/resources/ Haley's adoption resource goldmine www.dearadoption.com Dear Adoption - a platform giving voice to adoptees