To close out Season 1, we took the Choices mic on the road. This bonus episode was recorded live at Connect Night, an evening for foster and adoptive parents, where families brought their most pressing questions straight to Maggie Dunn.

She answers what she'd tell a child grieving a bio parent they never met, how to know when a therapist is actually a good fit, the one key to connecting with a child who fights connection at every turn, and why the cheap imitations for intimacy, from pornography to enabling acquaintances, quietly hijack the attachment you're working so hard to build. Woven through all of it is the thread that ran through the whole season: real relationship is hard work, and children who have been through trauma deserve the real thing, not a substitute for it.

Thank you for being part of Season 1 of Choices. We'll see you next season, when the conversation turns to perspectives.

Disclaimer: The content shared in this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. While Maggie Dunn is a licensed clinical professional, the conversations on this podcast are not intended to provide therapy, clinical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Listening to this podcast does not create a therapist-client relationship. If you or someone you know needs mental health support, please seek guidance from a qualified professional in your area. If you are experiencing a crisis or emergency, call 911 or contact a local crisis support service immediately.