Rachel Nielson is the host of the popular parenting podcast, 3 in 30 Takeaways for Moms. Each 30-minute episode gives 3 actionable takeaways to help women find more meaning in their unique motherhood experiences. Rachel lives in the mountains of Idaho with her husband and her two miracle children who arrived to their family through adoption and IVF. As a former high school English teacher, she loves to read, write, and talk about deep ideas...which has made podcasting a perfect career for her to do from home. Rachel and I first connected as podcasters who shared side-by-side rankings in Apple Podcasts Kids & Family top charts. Some may have suggested we were competitors, but we immediately saw one another's work as complementary. When we had the opportunity to meet in person in 2020, we were able to see that as colleagues, friends, and confidants in this industry we could lean on each other and build a really special relationship that could support us as women, moms, and podcasters. I so treasure my sweet friendship with Rachel.   We have spoken about guesting on each other’s shows for years. To be honest, the challenge has been narrowing down what to talk about because we could talk to each other for days about so many things related to motherhood. But, I asked Rachel if she would be willing to talk about something deeply personal and special today - the adoption of her precious son, Noah. Listen in to hear Rachel share: Her family's journey into open adoption How she honored and did her best to center her son’s birth mother, Katie, throughout the process of adoption The unfathomable grief she held for Katie the day Noah was born The trauma of adoption for adopted children, no matter how healthy relationships they have with bio parents and adoptive parents How she and her husband navigated building and maintaining positive and healthy relationships with Noah’s bio parents, Katie and Drew How Katie’s death by suicide shifted Rachel’s perspective on the ethics of adoption What her family’s relationship with Drew looks like - how he is so significant and special in Noah’s life What she wants prospective adoptive parents to consider before going through the adoption process Links mentioned: Register for my 2023 Plan & Prep Pajama Party: shamelessmom.com/pajamaparty Connect with Rachel: 3in30podcast.com Rachel’s Podcast: 3 in 30 Takeaways for Moms Get Rache’s Course, 5 Days to More Meaning in Your Motherhood: 3in30podcast.com/sma Rachel on Instagram Thank you to our sponsors this month: Full Time VA: Check out this free training on how to be a virtual assistant that makes full-time income with part-time hours: thefulltimeva.com/Shameless.  Owner Amanda Rush Holmes is also including a bonus free guide for SMA listeners -  The VA Kickstarter Workbook! Ritual: Ritual’s Essential for Women 18+ is a multivitamin you can actually trust. Ritual is offering my listeners 10% off during your first 3 months.  Visit ritual.com/shameless to start Ritual or add Essential for Women 18+ to your subscription today. Rothys: For stylish, comfortable, sustainably made shoes, shop Rothy’s. Get $20 off your first purchase at rothys.com/SHAMELESSMOM.  StrollerCoaster: A Parenting Podcast!: Need another podcast in your parenting podcast library, check out StrollerCoaster: A Parenting Podcast! wherever you listen to the SMA.  Thrive Market: Get groceries and household essentials delivered right to your door.  Join Thrive Market today and get 30% off your first order, plus a FREE $60 gift! Go to thrivemarket.com/shameless.  Teachable: Join tens of thousands of creators turning their knowledge into scalable online businesses. Join a free plan at teachable.com/shameless to get started.  Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices