About this episode

Kirsten Johanson shares her journey of open adoption and the unseen labor involved in the process.

Episode Description: Following our raw and powerful conversation last week with birth mother advocate Ashley Mitchell, we are broadening the circle of our conversation. Today, we sit down with adoptive mother Kirsten Johanson for a deeply honest, warm, and eye-opening conversation about what it truly looks like to walk the path of adoption. Kirsten shares her beautiful journey of adopting her son at 9 months old through an open adoption. She gently pulls back the curtain on the "unseen labor" of adoption—the profound emotional, mental, and physical preparation that prospective parents navigate before they ever hold their baby in their arms. Together, we explore the beautiful concept of the "adoption constellation"—the understanding that adoption isn’t just a transaction, but a lifelong, interconnected journey that deeply touches the birth family, the adoptive family, and, most importantly, the adoptees themselves. If you have ever wanted to understand the realities of open adoption, or if you simply want to grow in empathy for the different ways we build our families, this episode is full of heart and wisdom. Key Takeaways from This Episode: The Unseen Labor: Shifting our…

More episodes of American Mothers: Mom to Mom Podcast

• Beyond the Fairy Tale: Navigating the Realities of Birth Mothers & Adoptive Families with Ashley Mitchell · July 7, 2026 · 28 min
• Patriotism Beyond Politics: Raising Grateful Kids with Elizabeth Peace (America's 250th Special) · June 30, 2026 · 35 min

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