Stay Planted: Life, Faith, & Adoption

We’re kicking off part one of a double date night with Jordan and Cody. It’s full of laughter, lighthearted moments, and fun conversation. This episode feels like you’re sitting at the table with us. But don’t worry… we didn’t stop there. Part two is coming soon, where the conversation takes a deeper turn into identity, growth, and what we’ve been learning along the way.As always, Stay PlantedLo & Em

In this episode, we’re catching up on all the things. Random life updates, funny moments, and the real stuff in between. From a totally unplanned conversation about hair to our excitement for the Hannah Montana 20th anniversary, this episode is full of laughs, including a chaotic moment that had us absolutely cackling.We also share an honest adoption update (or not-so update) and open up about what it looks like to stay planted in faith even when things feel discouraging. If you’re in a season of waiting, motherhood, or just trying to trust God in the unknown, this conversation is for you.Expect real talk, relatable motherhood moments, and encouragement to keep going, even when it’s hard.

In this episode of Stay Planted, Lo and Em catch up on real life, sharing cozy snow memories, laughing through motherhood moments, and opening up about Lo’s most recent adoption update. From the funny, everyday realities of parenting to what we’re currently learning in life and faith, this conversation is honest, relatable, and rooted in growth. If you enjoy heartfelt chats about motherhood, adoption journeys, faith, and finding joy in the everyday, this episode is for you.

This week’s Stay Planted episode is a special one. We’re sitting down with Jonae Steinman — someone who has been part of our lives for years — to talk about motherhood, adoption, and the unexpected paths that shape our stories.Jonae is a domestic adoption mom to two girls, and both adoption stories are nothing short of incredible. We talk about how Em knows Jonae from her time as a Young Life leader in high school, what life looks like for Jonae and her husband now, and the twists, turns, and faith-filled moments that led them to their daughters.It’s a conversation about surrender, timing, and staying planted when life doesn’t unfold the way you expect.

In this bonus episode of Stay Planted, hosts Lo & Em share hopeful news: adoptions are now explicitly exempt from the U.S. presidential proclamation on immigration. We released our previous podcast on the day Lo found out that adoptions were exempt! We thought we needed to do a bonus episode to update our listeners and avoid any confusion.Lo walks listeners through how she first learned about the exemption, the rapid timeline of events, and why the quick turnaround matters deeply to waiting and hopeful adoptive families. The episode also includes Lo reading the official communication from the U.S. State Department, which clarifies that adoptions are explicitly exempt and offers much-needed reassurance during an uncertain season.This episode is both informational and celebratory, capturing the relief, gratitude, and hope that many adoptive families are feeling right now. If you’ve been following immigration-related adoption updates, waiting for clarity, or advocating alongside the adoption community, this bonus episode provides timely information straight from official sources and real-life experience.Whether you’re currently pursuing international adoption, supporting an adopting family, or trying to stay informed on immigration policy and adoption, this episode marks an important and encouraging update.Lo updated her blog as well. Visit the link to see what details she shared. The Carter LoDown

In this episode of Stay Planted: Life, Faith, and Adoption, hosts Lo & Em share important international adoption updates based on information Lo received directly from her adoption agency regarding recent U.S. immigration changes and how they are being applied in practice.Rather than simply reading policy language, Lo explains what agencies are currently communicating to waiting families, specifically around fully restricted and partially restricted countries, how cases may be affected, and what families are being told to expect right now. This episode offers real-time insight for hopeful, waiting adoptive families seeking clarity during an evolving, uncertain season.Before diving into the heavier conversation, Lo & Em kick off the episode with a lighthearted (and unforgettable) high school dance story, bringing humor into an otherwise weighty topic. Emilee also shares a hopeful update on receiving her son’s Social Security number after adoption, offering encouragement for families navigating post-adoption paperwork.We also discuss how listeners can let their voices be heard. For families and advocates looking for constructive ways to engage, we share ways to reach out to organizations like the National Council for Adoption (NCFA) and the White House to help raise awareness around how current immigration changes are impacting adoptive families.Click here to advocate for adoptions to be explicitly exempt under the new proclamation.

In this episode of Stay Planted, we share real-life updates from the world of adoption, parenting, and backyard farming—equal parts practical, reflective, and a little unhinged (in the best way).We discuss adoption logistics, including the process of obtaining a Social Security number for an adopted child and how missing paperwork can impact health insurance coverage. Lauren shares an update on international adoption from Malawi and discusses how the president’s recent immigration proclamation may impact adoption timelines, visas, and waiting families.From there, the conversation shifts to everyday life lately—raising kids, juggling projects, and managing animals. We catch up on our backyard farms: chickens that stopped laying, roosters that crow very incorrectly, ducks in deep snow, automated coop doors that don’t always cooperate, and an honest confession about dealing with a rat infestation in the chicken coop. We discuss what worked, what didn’t, and how overwhelming farm chores can be in the midst of parenting young kids.This episode is a relaxed, unscripted conversation about adoption paperwork, international policy, insurance headaches, chickens, rats, snow chores, and learning to pivot when life doesn’t go according to plan.Visit Lo's blog, The Carter LoDown, for all your Backyard Farming needs, encouragement, and a little peek inside Lo's life.

What does it really look like to say yes to domestic adoption? In this episode of Stay Planted: Life, Faith, and Adoption, we sit down with Hank and Miranda to hear their powerful story of domestic adoption. They share the calling that led them to adoption, the challenges and joys they encountered along the way, and how their faith anchored them through uncertainty.This conversation is honest, hope-filled, and deeply encouraging for anyone considering adoption, walking through infertility, or trusting God with an unexpected path to parenthood. Hank and Miranda remind us what it means to stay planted in faith while building a family through adoption.Whether you’re exploring domestic adoption, already in the process, or want to hear a real-life adoption testimony grounded in faith, this episode will encourage and inspire you.

In this special episode of Stay Planted, Em and I sit down with two very important guests, our husbands! We’ve spent numerous episodes exploring the emotional, practical, and spiritual aspects of adoption from our own perspectives, so today we wanted to flip the script and hear from the men who walk this journey alongside us.We discuss what “staying planted” means from their perspective, how they’ve navigated the ups and downs of the adoption process, and the moments that have both stretched and surprised them along the way. They open up about finances, navigating the unknowns, and how they practically and emotionally support us — their wives — throughout the process.It’s honest, heartfelt, and sometimes pretty funny. Whether you’re in the adoption world or love honest conversations about partnership and family, this episode is such a good one.Shine Bright, Little Light by Lauren Carter

In this episode of Stay Planted, we share a heartfelt update on Lo’s adoption journey and open up about the emotional weight of negative adoption narratives. We talk about how easily fear can creep in, how those stories—though real—can sometimes distort your own path, and how to stay grounded in wisdom, discernment, and truth. If you’re navigating adoption or supporting someone who is, this conversation will help you stay planted and protect your peace.As always, enjoy our banter, laughter, stories, and our not-so-life-changing, life-changing things we share.

In this heartwarming catch-up episode of Stay Planted, Lo and Em reconnect and share life updates, starting with a hilariously unexpected pedicure story from Lo that’ll have you laughing out loud.Lo and Em share adoption updates, where Lo shares what she's learning about savoring time, and Em shares that they received her son's birth certificate.Then, we take a meaningful turn, exploring the importance of honoring birth parents and celebrating the cultural roots of adoptive kids. From personal reflections to thoughtful practices, we explore staying grounded in love, respect, and authenticity.Whether you're here for the laughs, the learning, or a little of both — this one’s for you.

Lo and Em are back on the mic this week, catching up on everything from the cozy start of fall to setting the record straight that Em's Conrad is not named after THE Conrad on The Summer I Turned Pretty. There’s LOTS of laughter, a few tangents, and the kind of heart-level girl talk you’ve come to expect from us.We wrap up with a more serious (but beautiful) conversation about two unexpected God moments that showed up in our week because He’s always showing up, even in the little, unexpected things of life.Grab a warm drink, cozy up, and stay planted with us. 🌿

In our first guest episode, we sit with the incredible Jen Mathisen to discuss her journey through domestic adoption. Jen opens up about the realities of the process — from navigating relationships with birth parents, to how and when she told her child he was adopted, and the emotional and practical challenges along the way.We explore how adoption has shaped Jen as a person, how it’s transformed her family, and how she continues to stay planted through it all. Her honesty, warmth, and wisdom make this episode one you won’t want to miss — whether you're connected to adoption or love hearing powerful, real-life stories.Remember to rate, review, and subscribe to our podcast. This helps others see us!Jens Shishito Peppers Recipe:-Leave Stems on-Toss Peppers generously with olive oil-Throw on a very hot griddle/skillet/grill-Cook hot and fast to blister and blacken, turning to blister all sides (2 min tops!)-Remove quickly one at a time as they are ready to avoid overcooking into the bowl or serving platter (keep bright green color-if they turn "army" green, they will be soggy!)-Sprinkle generously (to taste) with Maldon salt and eat immediately! Don't wait!-Hold onto the stem and pop the rest in your mouth. Have a little dish ready for the stems. Have people ready to gather and eat immediately as you prep the rest of dinner.Kelli Jensen (Lo's Aunt) Spiritual Direction

In this powerful episode of Stay Planted, we explore the beauty of adoption not just as a human act of love, but as a reflection of God’s redemptive plan. Through personal stories and biblical insight, we unpack how earthly adoption mirrors our spiritual adoption into God's family — a narrative of grace, restoration, and belonging. Whether you're walking through adoption, considering it, or simply seeking to understand God’s heart for the orphaned and the broken, this episode reminds us that every adoption story is ultimately part of a far greater one — the Gospel. Join us as we celebrate the truth that in Christ, we are not just rescued, but rooted and redeemed.Don't miss out on our catch up at the front of this episode where we laugh about movie theaters, popcorn and big glasses of ice water. And remember, we want to connect with our listeners! Post a comment, subscribe, and stay planted!

In this heartfelt episode of Stay Planted, Lo and Em open up about a side of adoption that often goes unspoken—grief. Whether it's the grief of waiting, the loss of expectations, or the deep ache felt by birth families, adoptive families, and adoptees, grief weaves its way through the adoption journey in powerful and complex ways.With honesty and tenderness, Lo and Em share personal experiences, biblical truth, and encouragement for those walking through the heavy moments of adoption. This conversation is a gentle reminder that grief and hope can coexist—and that even in the sorrow, we are called to stay planted.If you're in a season of waiting, loss, or wrestling with unmet expectations, this one’s for you. You’re not alone—and your grief matters here.Also, if you want to check out Emilee’s one and only time on a roller coaster check it out here - https://youtu.be/nDj9Q_mdx7MEnjoy our baby faces, Lauren TRYING to host for her summer job, Emilee passed out, and lots of screams. Subscribe & Share if this episode resonates with your journey.#StayPlantedPodcast #AdoptionJourney #GriefInAdoption #FaithAndAdoption #WaitingWell

In this episode of Stay Planted, Lo & Em sit down to talk about the side of adoption that often gets buried—the unethical, uncomfortable, and deeply personal parts.Lo gets into their family's story of the unethical side of adoption and how greed can ruin a hopeful adoptive parent's journey. We dig into the role of money in the adoption industry—how it influences decisions, creates power imbalances, and turns a life-altering experience into what feels like a transaction.This conversation is raw, honest, and necessary. Adoption is an excellent example of how we are adopted into God's Kingdom. But here in this broken world, we are dealing with humans, and since the beginning, humans have been messing things up. BUT.God is bigger. When he calls you to adoption, he will make a way when there seems to be no way.Stay Planted with us! Remember to follow us to hear our new podcasts first, and share with a friend who might need a BFF through their adoption journey.

We are changing it up a bit this week so you can get to know us! In this breezy, laughter-filled session, cousins Lo and Em open up like old friends:Faith & Family Connection: They explore how faith has shaped their spiritual lives and strengthened their cousin bond. Sharing how special faith has played a role in their relationship.Pop-Culture Confessions: We will give you a hint... It's our favorite TV show.Roots & Upbringing: They chat about their hometowns and how those experiences molded their values and sense of belonging. They also open up about how Lo & Em ended up going to school together in a twist of events.Throughout the episode, you'll hear genuine back-and-forth banter—and plenty of laughter at embarrassing memories, shared quirks, and inside jokes. It's the perfect way to feel like you're hanging out with them in your living room.

This week, we dive deep into a powerful and often overlooked aspect of the adoption journey—how to stay unoffended. Whether you're in the thick of paperwork, waiting for placement, or navigating the complexities of post-adoption life, offense can sneak in from all directions—well-meaning comments, cultural misunderstandings, family dynamics, or even your own expectations.Join us as we explore practical strategies for guarding your heart, cultivating emotional resilience, and staying planted in grace when the journey gets messy. Staying unoffended isn’t about ignoring the hard stuff—it’s about learning to respond with compassion and kindness, a simple "I don't know," or even your testimony.Whether you’re an adoptive parent, waiting to adopt, or supporting someone in the process, this episode will encourage you to stay planted no matter what offense comes your way.🎧 Subscribe, share, and join us every other week as we talk about life, faith, and adoption.

Join Lo and Em for another amazing Stay Planted episode where we chat about waiting well in the adoption journey. Waiting can be one of the hardest parts of the adoption journey, but it can also be one of the most transformative. In today’s episode, we explore the emotional landscape of waiting well. Whether you're just beginning your adoption process or in the thick of uncertainty, this conversation is here to encourage and ground you.We’ll talk about cultivating thankfulness and contentment in the in-between moments, and how practicing gratitude can shift our perspective during seasons of delay. You’ll hear practical ways to stay emotionally and spiritually rooted—without slipping into isolation. We explore the importance of staying connected, leaning into your community, and reaching out to friends and family who want to walk this road with you.This episode is a reminder that you don’t have to wait alone, and there is beauty to be found even here. Join us as we discuss how to wait well—with open hearts, steady hope, and strong support.If you love listening to this podcast, please subscribe so we can reach even more people going through the adoption journey.

Enjoy the laughter that comes in our weekly update, a heartfelt realization from Em about the reward of adoption, and hear all about how we told our family and friends. Sharing the news you’re adopting can be one of the most exciting—and nerve-wracking—moments in your journey to parenthood. In this episode, we dive into how to have meaningful, confident conversations with your family and friends about your decision to adopt. Whether you're anticipating joy, questions, or even resistance, we’ll guide you through setting the tone, answering tough questions, and creating space for ongoing support. Join us as we talk through our stories, our families' responses, tips, and heartfelt advice on navigating this important milestone with compassion and clarity.Community is vital in the adoption journey. We encourage you to find a community to share the highs and lows. If you don't have a community, we would love to be that for you. We are here to be your BFFs in your adoption journey, encouraging each other. Reach out anytime with questions, comments, encouragement, and topics you want to hear on the podcast.Stay Planted,Lo & Em

We are still working out the kinks with sound. So we are sorry that the sound is off especially with Lauren’s mic. What we found is when Lauren is laughing, the sound cuts out. We are sorry for the inconvenience!This week’s episode is packed with laughs, love, and a significant life update from Em! Lo and Em kick things off with hilarious stories that will have you laughing, plus a tiny adoption update from Lo. Then, Em drops the big news—she and Cody have officially picked up their son! Em will fill us in on all the details of their adoption, from flying out to Florida, their hospital stay, waiting for the paperwork, and finally heading home. This episode is packed full!Remember to subscribe to be the first to know about new episodes. Also, if you know someone who needs some BFF's in their adoption journey, please share our podcast with them.And remember: Don't dig up in doubt what you planted in faith.

Welcome to Stay Planted, a podcast where Lo and Em talk about life, faith, and adoption. In their first episode, they’ll share why they decided to pursue adoption, sharing the motivations that sparked their desire to grow their families in this unique and beautiful way.Whether you're considering adoption, curious about the process, or simply looking for a dose of real, heartfelt conversation, join Lo and Em for a warm, authentic look at what it truly means to adopt and become a parent. Grab a cup of tea, settle in, and prepare for a conversation that feels like chatting with friends.Tune in every other week for stories, laughter, and encouragement from two cousins on a mission to be your best friends through your adoption.If you left feeling encouraged, had a pep in your step, or shared a laugh, subscribe to be the first to know about new episodes!

Two cousins, Lo and Em, are about to be your new BFF's! They want to encourage you in life, faith, and adoption.