April Showers, May Flowers, and the Adoption Rain Wall (with Bryan Post)

In this special April 2026 episode, host April Dinwoodie leans into the deep symbolism of her namesake month. While society often encourages adopted individuals and families to skip straight to the "flowers"—the sunshine, the gratitude, and the "happily ever after"—April and her dear friend, trauma expert Bryan Post, argue that you cannot have growth without the rain. They deconstruct the "April Showers" of the adoption experience: the grief, the loss, and the emotional releases that are often dismissed as "dramatic" but are actually vital for wholeness. Bryan shares insights on how suppressed grief is simply energy in motion that requires a safe place to land. Together, they explore: The Rain Wall: A profound analogy for consciously walking into the "showers" of truth to reach authentic healing. Parental Grief Suppression: How a parent's own unexamined history can create an unconscious block when supporting a child's emotions. Estrangement Prevention: Why doing the "heavy lifting" of emotional work now is the key to building a legacy of connection that lasts well into adulthood. Don't miss the conclusion, where April discusses the practical urgency of aligning our names and legal identities in today's civic and political climate. Resources & Links Learn more about Bryan Post's work: Visit the Post Institute for resources on the Stress Model and trauma-informed parenting. Listen to Bryan's first appearance on this show: June 2019 Episode. Together on the Journey Family Camp (TRJ) 2026: Join April and Bryan in person this summer for a transformative family experience! Dates: August 1st – 4th, 2026 Location: Ohio University, Athens, OH Register Here: togetheronthejourney.org (Spots are filling fast!) Connect with April Dinwoodie: Website: juneinapril.com YouTube: @AprilDinwoodie Instagram/Facebook: @JuneInApril