Cate & Ty sit down with David Shane (@davidbshane), an adoptee who shares stories of love, mindfulness, and human connections on social media, but one day decided to share his journey of being contacted by his biological mother. David opens up about his upbringing, filled with open communication from his adoptive parents, which instilled in him a strong sense of self from a young age. He shares how the reunion with his biological younger sister, and eventually biological parents, came with emotional challenges and expectations, and the aftermath. Cate and Ty discuss with David about the fragility of life, the importance of overcoming fear in pursuing connections before it's too late, and the idea that not all reunions are positive but deserve to be explored with a strong support system. Drawing from his experiences, David offers advice for both adoptive and biological parents, emphasizing the critical role of unconditional support, open communication, and respecting the adoptee's pace during the reunion process.

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Cate & Ty are back for another solo ep! This week, they're sharing life updates, including the kids being out of school for the summer and thoughts on Raya starting full-time preschool next school year. They delve into the challenges and joys of parenting, from dealing with early risers and emotional goodbyes to school to looking forward to being involved grandparents. Plus, we dip into the jar of "Secrets Anonymous," where we get the craziest of listener confessions that include accidental nude pics, an affair, a closeted parent, and sexual kinks.

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On today's episode, Cate & Ty answer some questions and open up about their 19-year relationship, sharing the unfiltered truth about how they've made it work throughout the years. They discuss the importance of communication, the role of therapy early in their relationship, and how they navigate disagreements and build a lasting connection. They address some of the haters, and conspiracy theories about themselves, and talk about how they have come to deal with it. Plus, they answer listener questions about balancing household duties and navigating a possible separation, offering their perspectives on building healthy and fulfilling relationships

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In today's episode Cate & Ty sit down with Sydney Curtin, a birth mom who shares her complex journey of open adoption. Sydney opens up about the coercion and pressure she faced from the adoption agency, the promises made by the adoptive family, and the heartbreaking reality when those promises began to unravel. She also describes her initial hopes for an ongoing relationship with her daughter even after deciding for adoption. Cate and Ty share their thoughts on the stark differences between the idealized version of "open adoption" and its often-painful reality. Sydney also discusses the often-unseen effects of adoption on her other children and her ongoing fight to maintain a connection with her daughter even as the adoptive parents have tried to cut ties.

For more information on Sydney's work check her out at www.coachcurtin.com and @coach_sydneycurtin . Also visit https://www.unplannedgood.org/

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Cate & Ty sit down with DezaRay, The Outspoken Adoptee, to breakdown the long standing narrative that all adoptees should be grateful, lucky and blessed. In this powerful conversation, Dez shares her deeply personal story of adoption, revealing the harsh realities that often lie beneath the surface of 'lucky' and 'blessed' narratives. From navigating racial identity in a predominantly white community in Utah, to confronting family secrets of sexual and physical abuse. She explains the complexities of reunion, the varied experiences that each adoptee will and can have, and emphasizes the many ways the adoption system needs reform.

Check out Dez @theoutspokenadoptee for more information.

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Ask and you shall receive! Cate & Ty are back for a solo episode and they tackle everything from dealing with the haters, Ty's toxic TikTok algorithm, the truth about Cate's driving skills and their upcoming first family trip to Disney World. They also give updates on what's been going on with the kids like Vaeda's kindergarten journey, Nova's cheerleading chapter ending, and Ty's niece who's been living with them for the past year. Also, hater have a problem with Ty being an involved dad? Cate shares some unfiltered thoughts on partnership and parenting, while Ty has some beef with those who keep making inappropriate comments on his workout videos.

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​​Cate ​& Ty sit down with Melissa Guida-Richards, an Adoption Educator and transracial late discovery international adoptee. Melissa shares her ​adoption ​journey, revealing the complexities and challenges of discovering her adoption at 19 after a lifetime of being raised ​as an Italian-Portuguese.​ ​Melissa opens up about ​the profound impact it had on her sense of self​,​ how she dove into educating herself about the trauma of maternal separation, ​and the multi-billion dollar adoption industry​. Melissa also delves into the nuances of transracial adoption, the importance of acknowledging a child's heritage, and the often-unseen struggles faced by adoptees. ​She shares her eventual reconnection with her birth mother in Colombia and other siblings who were also placed for adoption.

Learn more about Melissa's work and her book "What White Parents Should Know About Transracial Adoption" at adopteethoughts.com. Follow her on social media ​@adoptee_thoughts

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On today's episode, Cate & Ty sit down with Kelsey Ranyard, a co-author of "Adoption Unfiltered," as well as a birth mom, to get another perspective on adoption. Kelsey shares her story of relinquishing her child in 2016, opening up about the lack of support from those around her, societal pressures, and the emotional aftermath that followed. Kelsey emphasizes the critical importance of open and honest communication in adoption, navigating the challenges of the ongoing relationships in her life, and the wide range of emotions birth parents face. They continue to highlight the flaws within the current adoption system, advocating for crucial policy changes and separate legal representation for birth parents. Plus, Ty brings up the unique journey of parenting after relinquishment, the impact on subsequent children, and Cate speaks on the often-unspoken experience of postpartum depression. This episode is a call for understanding, reform, and a reminder that every adoption story is profoundly different.

Find Kelsey on Instagram @fromanothamotha and her book Adoption Unfiltered: Revelations from Adoptees, Birth Parents, Adoptive Parents, and Allies wherever books are sold

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