Marcie expresses her miraculous find in the closet in a shoebox. Hear about her premise and story in her book, “ The Shoebox Effect “. We learn about how Marcie “buried” memories from years before as many birth mothers. Her beloved pet leads her to explore and uncover all the secrets and pain in her life.

Lori spoke about her experience of becoming a mother as lonely and afraid. Lori talked about her uniqueness of being Jewish and the perspective of the guilt and shame placed on her. Lori experienced many traumas in her life that brought many challenges of “coping in life “.

She spoke about the “voices” in her ear that determined her own voice of asking herself “ if she was worthy. Lori traveled the road of many birth/first mothers of building the courage to “ Speak “ and share her story. She has found her “ Voice “.

Angie talked about her “less than perfect” childhood which caused her to experience shame, unworthiness in her life. Angie is now working in her “purpose” in helping other birthmothers like herself. She talked about how “Important it is to be “Heard” as a Birthmother and be shown compassion and care. We sometimes see familiar family dysfunctions repeat themselves. Let’s NOT Repeat History but Change History. Angie manages to see the “positive” in various “negative” circumstances. The decision is all up to you.

Maddy grew up with both parents and at an early age lived with both parents in separate homes. She received support as a young teenager from both parents. When Maddy discovered she was pregnant with her boyfriend, she was at a difficult place and decision. She faced the voices of others regarding "what she should do", She faced the same stigma that most birth mothers faced as an 18-year-old unmarried mother.

Maddy is a strong and determined young lady who makes up her mind and gets it accomplished. Maddy wants all birth mothers to know that " they have a voice" and they are free to use it. Open adoption is Hard and may 'Shift" from the original agreement. Maddy talks about her devastation and pain when the rules changed about her seeing her daughter. Maddy shares about how she is progressing and experiencing some 'good news' about her life.

Ashley is not the stereotype like society may describe as a Birth Mom. She had her path laid before her to follow in the footsteps of her father. Ashley followed that path as a ‘ people pleaser ’ as she described herself. Ashley received the accolades she always wanted as she felt ‘ starved for love’ in her life. The sudden death of her father took her on a complete turn in her life as she went on “ The Road Less Traveled”.

Barbara’s experience of becoming a birth mom started with a childhood of “conformist’ parents. If something traumatic happened, they simply did not talk about it. At the age of 17, Barbara did not get “ The Talk “ from her mother, like many young girls. Barbara was exposed to the “ Secrets of the Family” that upended her naivete as a young girl. She viewed dysfunction in the face and moved forward.

Amy shared her story of being a birth mom thorough the eyes of also being an adoptee. The twists and turns of her life set the path to life she leads today as a therapist. Amy talks about her” Path to Healing’ and how “Secrets Keep You Sick “.