Best Melissa Corkum Podcasts (2024)

1
Funding Love Book Club - Episode 2: PART 2 - "You Should Be Grateful": Stories of Race, Identity, and Transracial Adoption with Angela Tucker 48:22

4d ago48:22

48:22

The Book Club Crew is back together for PART 2 of "You Should Be Grateful": Stories of Race, Identity, and Transracial Adoption by Angela Tucker. “Your parents are so amazing for adopting you! You should be grateful that you were adopted.” Angela Tucker is a Black woman, adopted from foster care by white parents. She has heard this microaggression …

1
Funding Love Book Club - Episode 2: PART 1 - "You Should Be Grateful": Stories of Race, Identity, and Transracial Adoption by Angela Tucker 34:06

11d ago34:06

34:06

The Book Club Crew is back together, and this time they are discussing the book You Should Be Grateful: Stories of Race, Identity, and Transracial Adoption by Angela Tucker. “Your parents are so amazing for adopting you! You should be grateful that you were adopted.” Angela Tucker is a Black woman, adopted from foster care by white parents. She has…

1
What Does Walt Disney World Have To Do With It?! Funding Love's Mission + Disney 35:47

18d ago35:47

35:47

At Funding Love, we create post-adoption experiences that strengthen bonds, build community, and restore people. This week, Mal + Kate talk all about the Funding Love mission and why they feel Walt Disney World is the perfect place to put that mission into motion. Connect with your hosts! @malyourpal @katedawnduck Connect with Funding Love! Website…

1
Leading Your Children to Jesus with Wire Talk Hosts, Karen Stubbs + Emily Korosec 34:41

25d ago34:41

34:41

Do you struggle to talk to your kids about faith? Do you want your children to grow up knowing and loving God, but don't know how to help them to do that? This week, Mal + Kate talk all about leading children to Jesus with Birds On a Wire Founder and Wire Talk podcast host, Karen Stubbs. Along with her daughter, and Wire Talk co-host, Emily Korosec…

1
#245: The Science of Caring with Dr. Jon Baylin and Jessica Sinarski 41:51

1M ago41:51

41:51

We often get questions about whether teachers or other folks who interact with our kids can have blocked care. Or what about siblings? Also, can you have blocked care towards a spouse? Since we weren’t the first ones to name blocked care, we went to the source. We are thrilled to bring you this conversation with Dr. Jonathan Baylin, author of Brain…

1
Autism + The Social Mind Center with Ana Anselma 42:13

1M ago42:13

42:13

This week, Mal + Kate welcome Ana Anselma, the co-owner of of the Social Mind Center. The Social Mind Center’s Mission is to educate, equip, and empower children and teens with the communication, thinking, and self-management skills to navigate the world independently. Their curriculums focus on social competency, resulting in the development of so…

1
Understanding the Adoption Process with Adoption Attorney + Christian Adoption Coach, Lucrece Bundy 35:17

1M ago35:17

35:17

Does the adoption process seem confusing? Are you feeling the call, but also are afraid of losing time and money, trying to figure out the next steps? This week, Mal + Kate talk all about the adoption process with guest Lucrece Bundy. Lucrece Bundy is a West African native and has resided in Omaha, Nebraska for over two decades. She has helped hund…

1
#244 When Blocked Care Affects Your Marriage 35:23

2M ago35:23

35:23

Marriage is already hard, but add in parenting children with significant needs and blocked care, and staying married may seem impossible. In this episode, Lisa and Melissa answer two listener questions about marriage and blocked care with personal stories and practical tips. If you’re not married, you’ll still find insights you can apply to your cl…

1
[E192] Myths Pt. 1: Connected Parenting Doesn't Work for Teens 30:23

2M ago30:23

30:23

You may believe that this approach is for little kids, or you may know someone else who thinks that way! Today we are joined by the Davaults, who share their extensive experiencing of walking alongside teens for years in different contexts! They are here to debunk the myth that this approach is only for the littles! Listen for wisdom and practical …

1
Blocked Care with Adoption Wise Founders Lisa Qualls + Melissa Corkum 39:28

2M ago39:28

39:28

Is your parenting journey turning out differently than you imagined? You had so much love to give, but now you feel ashamed and bewildered by your lack of compassion. You may be experiencing blocked care—a self-protective mechanism in your nervous system that makes it difficult to connect with your child and maintain compassion. The good news is yo…

1
[E191] Myths Pt. 1: Connected Parenting Means No Rules, Limits, or Structure 39:10

2M ago39:10

39:10

There are a TON of myths about what Connected Parenting is and isn’t. Today Cultivate Connection Facilitators Julie and Jess talk about the idea that you have to give up ALL STRUCTURE to parent from a Connection based approach. Spoiler alert: that’s a myth! Listen in to hear tips and mindsets about how to increase both your structure and your nurtu…

1
Funding Love Garden Gala Recap with Susan Wilson 41:17

2M ago41:17

41:17

We raised over $150,000 at our second annual Funding Love Gala! This year's theme was the Garden Gala: A Fundraiser for the Adoption Community. Tune in this week as Mal + Kate welcome longtime Funding Love supporter, Susan Wilson, to share + recap all the events of the Garden Gala. Connect with your hosts! @malyourpal @katedawnduck Connect with Fun…

1
#243: The Power of Community when Reclaiming Compassion with Kayla North 42:36

2M ago42:36

42:36

We believe that overcoming blocked care is best in community. In this episode, we explore the power of community and compassion in the journey of foster care and adoption. Kayla North generously shares her experiences of blocked care and how support, self-care, and practical strategies can lead to resilience and healing. They also talk about how mo…

1
[E190] Taking Care of the Whole Family 44:33

2M ago44:33

44:33

In our Memphis-based clinic we serve families and their first point of contact is our Family Care Team. Today members of that team talk to us about HOW and WHY taking care of the WHOLE family is so very important! If you’re a parent who has wondered why you can’t just drop your child off at counseling to make them “all better” - listen in! If you’r…

1
Turning Special Needs into Special Abilities with Brady Murray, Founder of RODS Heroes 35:23

2M ago35:23

35:23

Grab a tissue! This week, Mal + Kate chat with RODS Heroes Founder, Brady Murray, in an inspiring and emotional episode about adopting children with Down Syndrome and other unique circumstances. On July 7th, 2007, Brady Murray’s life changed forever. Shortly after he and his wife, Andrea, welcomed their newborn son into this world, the doctor infor…

1
[E189] Stress Capacity with Rico and Becca McKay 47:27

2M ago47:27

47:27

We've talked about stress capacity before, but this week we had SO much fun hearing from BOTH of the McKays about how understanding their own stress capacity was a game-changer! Listen for Rico’s raw and authentic take on how reflecting on his own stress capacity has made him a better elementary school teacher, friend, and husband. How do you know …

1
Foster Care, Adoption, + The Strength Within with CBS Survivor, Bruce Perreault 48:39

2M ago48:39

48:39

Mal + Kate are back with another CBS Survivor! You may know him as "Crazy Uncle Bruce", but this week, Bruce Perreault joins the show and shares about his experience being a castaway on TWO back-to-back seasons of Survivor. He also shares his story of entering foster care as a young child, his eventual adoption into his foster family at the age of …

1
#242: How a Child’s Mental Health Impacts the Family with Amber Reynolds 46:20

2M ago46:20

46:20

Lisa and Amber Reynolds (our Director of Communications) chat about the challenges of parenting a young child struggling with mental illness. Amber shares candidly about what she wishes she had done differently, how her son’s mental illness affected her health, and how she’s overcoming blocked care. As an Enneagram 8, Amber loves advocating well fo…

1
[E188] TBRI® in Staff Culture 36:46

2M ago36:46

36:46

TBRI® is an attachment-based, trauma-informed intervention that is designed to meet the complex needs of vulnerable children. TBRI® uses Empowering Principles to address physical needs, Connecting Principles for attachment needs, and Correcting Principles to disarm fear-based behaviors. While the intervention is based on years of attachment, sensor…

1
Celebrities + Adoption, with Previous E! News Producer, Rebekah Ingraham 29:43

2M ago29:43

29:43

Are you into Pop Culture? Do you enjoy following celebrities and their everyday lifestyles? Did you know that many celebrities are a part of the adoption triad? Well, this week, Mal + Kate welcome Kate's longtime bestie, Rebekah Ingraham, to the show! Rebekah [Bekah] has worked in Hollywood her entire career, with nearly 20 years spent with E! News…

1
[E187] Labels, Language, and Dignity 40:44

3M ago40:44

40:44

Today we sit down as a team to talk about…. how we talk about things! What is the impact of our labels? What can we keep in mind about our language? How can we speak to and about people in a way that honors their dignity? Listen for reflections on times we’ve said things and regretted them and how we’re moving forward! To learn more about Empowered…

1
Welcome to Season 3! 18:25

3M ago18:25

18:25

Welcome to Season THREE of the Funding Love Podcast with Mal + Kate! We are two adoptive moms that seek to love, support, and elevate all corners of the adoption triad while running our nonprofit, Funding Love! In year three, we will be talking all about parenting, Disney, adoption, and MORE with an all-star line up of incredible guests both inside…

1
[E186] A TBRI® Journey with Sarah Mercado 40:59

3M ago40:59

40:59

Today we host the host of the TBRI® podcast to talk about her journey with Trust-Based Relational Intervention! Sarah is one of the most thoughtful and down-to-earth people that we know, and we loved getting a behind-the-scenes look at her story! Listen for insights and inspiration on how to keep going in your parenting journey and supporting those…

1
#241: [workshop] What Shapes You: Unlocking Your Family System for Hope 1:00:29

3M ago1:00:29

1:00:29

Generally, what we carry into our childhoods and throughout our adulthood is part of a wider series, even patterns, of behavior, traumas, and worldviews. In this workshop, Dr. Stoker will give a very brief overview of Family Systems theory. You will learn: highlights for Family Systems theory a narrative that will assist you in seeing systems more …

1
Funding Love Book Club - Season 1: Ep 1 - American Baby, by Gabrielle Glaser 58:40

3M ago58:40

58:40

Are you a part of the Funding Love Book Club?? Season 2 of the Funding Love Podcast wraps up with our first ever episode of the Funding Love Book Club! On Episode 1 of the Funding Love Book Club, adoptive moms, Mal + Kate, birth mom, Jessie Mattos, and adoptee and adoptive mom, Allison Olsen, discuss the New York Times Notable Book, American Baby: …

1
[E185] Hope for the Journey with Mary Beth Chapman and Emily Chapman Richards 44:09

3M ago44:09

44:09

When Mary Beth Chapman and her husband Steven, the highest selling Christian Music artist of all time, were starting Show Hope, they knew they were in for a life long mission. Today, Mary Beth and her daughter Emily join us to talk about the origins of Show Hope, the early connection to Empowered to Connect and why they believe, even in the darkest…

1
CBS Season 45 Survivor, Kendra McQuarrie - An Adoptee Story of Discovery, Reunification, + Love 46:33

3M ago46:33

46:33

Do you watch CBS' Emmy Award-winning series, Survivor?! Well, this week, Survivor Super Fans, Mal + Kate, get a chance to chat with Kendra McQuarrie, Survivor Season 45's spunkiest castaway, and proud owner of Happy To Be Here. The past decade has taken her from coast to coast, island to island, and many countries along the way, and this week, we a…

1
Carpool Q&A FINALE! Why it's All About the Journey, not the Destination 20:04

3M ago20:04

20:04

In today's FINAL episode of Carpool Q&A we wrap up by discussing why in parenting (and in life) it's about the journey - not the destination. You can find EVERY episode of Carpool Q&A and the Empowered to Connect Podcast on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts!…

1
[E184] Becoming Adoption Wise and Overcoming Blocked Care with Lisa C. Qualls and Melissa Corkum 36:17

3M ago36:17

36:17

Today on the show, friends of the program and prolific authors, Melissa Corkum and Lisa C. Qualls join us to talk about some exciting news! They cover their decision to re-brand their organization (formerly The Adoption Connection) to "Adoption Wise" and their newest resource "Foundations for Overcoming and Preventing Blocked Care" - a course you c…

1
#240: Tangible Ideas for Processing Grief 28:29

3M ago28:29

28:29

Foster care and adoption are full of ambiguous losses and disenfranchised grief. In this episode, Lisa and Melissa discuss the gap between expectations and reality which can lead to feelings of grief. They offer tangible practices, including writing, verbal processing, and bodywork. The importance of acknowledging and processing darker emotions suc…

1
Our Crazy Adoption Story with Twin Adoptees Victoria Jacobs + Eileen Diaz 47:09

3M ago47:09

47:09

But what if the Lifetime Movie was true?? For identical twin adoptees, Victoria and Eileen, their adoption story actually does come with some Lifetime Movie drama and trauma. Tune in to this unbelievable story of adoption, kidnap, and reunion that ultimately ends with hope, love, and contentment in their experience of adoption. Connect with Victori…

1
Carpool Q&A [E17] Does Connected Parenting Work with Multiple Kids? 19:51

4M ago19:51

19:51

Today on Carpool Q&A we tackle a question that at least two of our hosts know all too well - "How do I do connected parenting when there's multiple kids?" It's a great question - we advocate for lots of time spent with your kids when you're attempting to parent in this way and sometimes it may feel like practically there are just too few parents an…

1
[E183] Nurturing Through the Ages and Stages: Young Adults with Michael and Amy Monroe 51:10

4M ago51:10

51:10

Today on the show we have VERY special guests - the founders of Empowered to Connect, Michael and Amy Monroe join us to tell the story of Empowered to Connect AND to talk with us about nurturing young adults. If you've never heard Michael and Amy share the ETC story or talk about parenting, you are in for a treat! We talk about the origins of ETC, …

1
Adoptive Family Vacation Recap with Jen Wilhorn + Kristen Volz 43:25

4M ago43:25

43:25

Our 8th annual Funding Love Adoptive Family Vacation traveled March 3rd - 9th, and two of our Magic Makers, Jen Wilhorn + Kristen Volz, join Mal + Kate as they recap the week. Tune in as they chat all about the events of the trip, sharing their favorite moments and talking about importance of post-placement care for adoptive families and adoptees. …

1
Carpool Q&A [E16] Can I Tell My Child No?? 16:54

4M ago16:54

16:54

Within the framework of Connected Parenting lie some fundamental beliefs - not the least of which is that we want to attempt, whenever possible, to give our children 'yeses' as often as possible. To "say yes when we can and no when we have to" - but if you've been around this world long enough, you've inevitably seen or heard the criticism that peo…

1
[E182] Nurturing Through the Ages and Stages: Parenting Teens with Jacque Rowe Fields 33:56

4M ago33:56

33:56

Today one of our favorite recurring guests joins us to talk about nurturing teens! If you're parenting in this stage, you know this is an absolute must listen because whew boy - teenagers can be a CHALLENGE to nurture. Thankfully, Jacque gives us perspective, practical wisdom about how to navigate this season and some stories to help us remember HO…

1
#239: Fostering Children of Incarcerated Moms with Rebekah Cook 40:53

4M ago40:53

40:53

Rebekah Cook shares her experiences of fostering children of incarcerated moms through a ministry called Jonah’s Journey. She emphasizes the importance of establishing a relationship with the biological parents and discusses the unique challenges and rewards of this type of foster care. Rebekah also touches on her struggle with blocked care and how…

1
Adoption + The Enneagram with Melissa Corkum 41:37

4M ago41:37

41:37

This week, Mal + Kate talk all things adoption + enneagram with Adoption Wise's Melissa Corkum. As an adoptee and adoptive mom, Melissa Corkum provides insight and resources to adoptees, parents and professionals through her speaking, coaching, and writing. She is a TED Speaker, Safe and Sound Protocol Practitioner, Cultivate Connection Facilitator…

1
Carpool Q&A [E15] What is the Goal of Connected Parenting? 16:08

4M ago16:08

16:08

Critics of connected parenting, attachment-based parenting, gentle parenting, trauma-informed parenting - whatever you want to label it - often attack this style of parenting as permissive and soft. The goal isn't to be your kid's friend, they remind you. That got one of our listeners thinking - well I know THAT, but...what IS the goal of connected…

1
[E181] Nurturing Through the Ages & Stages: School age Kids, Grief and the Incredible Journey of the Gregory Family 48:11

4M ago48:11

48:11

Today we welcome onto the show very dear friends of ours, whom you've met in separate iterations - Larissa Gregory has joined the pod several times to talk about her professional work and her husband Dee was a key contributor in our "Investing in Hope" video talking about his work as a mental health professional and school nurse. Today, they join u…

1
Celebrating 100 Episodes! 23:36

4M ago23:36

23:36

The Funding Love Podcast has hit 100 episodes!! Tune in this week as Mal + Kate share the biggest impact the last 99 episodes has had on them and what they have learned over the past year and a half. They also give al little Funding Love update of all the amazing things coming soon. Connect with your hosts! @malyourpal @katedawnduck Connect with Fu…

1
Carpool Q&A [E14] How Do I Create My "Village?" 19:39

4M ago19:39

19:39

We've all heard the saying that it takes a village to raise a child - and no doubt if you've listened to this podcast for one episode or all 200+, you know, we advocate heavily for having community support on your parenting journey. Today's Carpool Q&A Question was "I hear you talking about finding your village - but what if I don't HAVE a village?…

1
#238: Finding Life-Giving Connection 25:43

4M ago25:43

25:43

One of the signs of blocked care is isolation. In this episode, Lisa and Melissa chat about the importance of building supportive communities in virtual and real-life spaces. They recommend parents seek out and engage in safe, validating communities where they can discuss their challenges openly. All parents need to fill up their “relationship buck…

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