Adoption, Identity, and Belonging: Brittany Penner’s Powerful Story in Children Like Us

What happens when the places that are supposed to feel safest become the places that wound us most deeply?In this episode, I sit down with Stephanie Maley to talk about her memoir, No Longer That Girl, and the extraordinary path she’s taken from childhood trauma to a life rooted in faith, resilience, love, and purpose. Stephanie shares her journey through grooming, sexual abuse, illness, shame, abandonment, and family instability—and how she rebuilt her life with intention, honesty, and strength. We talk about how the COVID-19 pandemic resurfaced buried trauma, how the Me Too movement sparked long-suppressed grief, and how writing became a critical tool in her healing.This is a deeply honest conversation about what it really takes to heal—and how to create a meaningful life on the other side of trauma.Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussion of trauma, grooming, and sexual assault.🎙️ Listen to This Episode If You’re Wondering:How do you heal from childhood trauma?Why does trauma resurface years later?Can writing help process emotional pain?How do you move from victim to survivor—and beyond?What does healthy love look like after trauma?Connect with Stephanie:Website: stephmaley.comBook: stephmaley.com/memoir

How do you discover your sense of belonging when your culture and background have been erased?In this episode of About Your Mother, I’m joined by Brittany Penner, author of Children Like Us: A Métis Woman's Memoir of Family, Identity and Walking Herself Home. She shares her story of being adopted as an infant, the history of indigenous children being taken from their families in the Sixties Scoop, and her struggle with finding where she belongs.Brittany also shares about her writing process, how writing her memoir changed her, and how she writes about traumatic experiences. You’ll love this honest conversation about rediscovering your roots and integrating each part of your identity into a whole person. Resources MentionedThe Sixties ScoopPercentage of Indigenous Children in Foster Care in Manitoba2021 Canadian Census ReportTruth and Reconciliation DayConnect with the GuestBrittany’s Book: Children Like Us

We've pulled a special episode from the vault for you to take a listen to! One of my favorite stories I've had the honor of sharing on About Your Mother, is that of Peter Mutabazi — a remarkable human being who survived a traumatic childhood, only to use that experience to transform lives. This episode originally aired in May of 2021.He ran away from an abusive father at the age of ten and was homeless on the streets for four years until a stranger asked him his name. That gesture changed his life forever. However, that isn't Peter's story. His story is so much more than that.He has used his experience to lift the lives of those who need our help most. It started with global relief efforts, and now he has been a foster dad to sixteen kids. His mission is to make sure every child is known.Prepare to be in awe of Peter Mutabazi: his courage, empathy, and will to change the lives of the four hundred thousand foster children in our system.Joining me during this episode is my partner in Adoption/Foster Stories, Jeff Forney. If you want to learn more about Jeff's story and work, please listen to episode 010.Connect with PeterWebsite: NowIAmKnown.comYouTube: @nowiamknownInstagram: @fosterdadflipperFacebook: fb/fosterdadflipperLearn more about the podcast at byjennifergriffith.com/category/podcast 

In honor of Valentine’s Day, my husband Mark joins this episode of About Your Mother for an honest conversation about messy and imperfect love. We’re sharing one of the most profound lessons about love we learned on a trip to France this summer, when a lovely Brazilian couple shared the secret to lasting love with us. I’ll be honest: our marriage hasn’t always been easy - what union is? If you’ve been part of a blended family, your parents divorced, your mother was a tad crazy, or you’ve experienced sudden loss, this episode is for you.Resources MentionedLean In by Sheryl SandbergGrit by Angela DuckworthBoth Sides of Then by Jennifer Griffith

Is determination and skill innate? There are athletes… and then there are the stories that shape them. A young boy who didn’t like the rules of youth team sports. A mom who brings home a flyer for a local BMX track. And a path that changes everything.For Connor Fields, that path is as remarkable as it is far-reaching. A three-time Olympian (2012, 2016, and 2020), each Games brought a new chapter—new pressure, new triumphs, and new heartbreaks. He entered all three as a favorite, ultimately leaving with gold. But along the way came disappointment, setbacks, and a near-death experience that reshaped his entire outlook on life.Yet Connor has always believed he was destined to be a champion. When you hear the moment he knew, you’ll understand exactly why he’s been able to persevere and achieve the extraordinary.In this episode of About Your Mother, Connor shares the highs and lows of being an Olympic athlete in an emerging sport. He talks about how his parents’ support made his dream possible, what his accident taught him about resilience, and what life looks like after the Olympics. Trust me—you’re going to love Connor’s story, his unique perspective, and his heart.Resources MentionedDonate to Team USATeam USA ShopConnect With the GuestSpeaker Demo Reel: Hire ConnorLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/connorfields11/Website: connorfields.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ConnorFields11/Instagram: instagram.com/connorfields11 

A mother’s love knows no limits, and Lesley Hu’s story on this episode of About Your Mother perfectly illustrates that.Content warning: this is an incredibly emotional and painful story that contains an episode of violence that is hard to reconcile with our conscience. However, it’s also a story of hope and a mother’s love that is tested beyond comprehension. Five years ago, to the date this episode was released, on January 13, 2021, Lesley Hu’s son, Pierce, was killed by his father in San Francisco. It’s a multi-layered story of divorce, custody, madness, and violence. Lesley bravely shares her story with us today.Connect With the GuestPierce’s PledgeLesley HuPierce's Pledge IG

Oftentimes, our fears are our best guide. The things we don't understand can be our greatest teachers. In this episode of About Your Mother, we examine the mother we all share: Mother Nature. Today, we reflect on Mother Earth through one of her most misunderstood teachers, the wolf. For a long time, I've been following the story of Takaya, the lone wolf. He found himself alone on an island in Canada.We've been taught to fear predators, and yet when we pause long enough to look honestly, we begin to see that humans have become the true apex predators on this planet. Wolves don't take more than they need. They live in balance. What we fear in them often reflects what we struggle to face in ourselves.I'm joined today by Cheryl Alexander, photographer, filmmaker, and the storyteller behind Takaya: The Lone Wolf. Through years of quiet witnessing, Cheryl invites us to see a wolf, not as a threat, but as a teacher, and to consider what it might mean to protect what we've long been afraid of. Resources MentionedJane GoodallWomen For WolvesJoe Rogan’s take on wolvesCody Robert’s wolf storyTake Action for WolvesConnect With the GuestInstagram: instagram.com/takayalonewolfWebsite: takayaslegacy.com Cheryl’s books: takayaslegacy.com/books Takaya the Movie: A Story of Survival Against the Odds

 Have you ever watched the Olympics and wondered what it takes to get on the podium? Sure, there are the physical demands, but what about the mental strength? You are competing in front of the world against the best in the world. No pressure. Right? We all know it is most likely the athlete who puts the most pressure on themselves. So, when does someone decide they will be an Olympian?For my next guest, Mari Holden, who started as a triathlete, the 1984 Olympics in LA marked a turning point, and she knew then that the Olympics were her destiny. So she leaned into the bike and eventually won a silver medal in the 2000 Olympic Games, A UCI World Championship and six national championships.In 2016, she was inducted into the US Bicycling Hall of Fame as a modern road and track competitor. So what does it take to get there? Guts, grit, belief, and an incredible amount of tenacity.We also explore her relationship with her mom, including how they inspired each other throughout their lives and how Mari gained a new perspective on her mom as she grew older. Listen in for an honest and vulnerable conversation about a lifelong dedication to athletics and what it teaches you along the way. Resources MentionedBrené BrownUSA CyclingIronman, Hawaii THEMOVE: Lance, Mari, and AlisonConnect With the GuestMari on IGMari Holden- Wikipedia

 Since I was in my twenties, I've read the New York Times Sunday edition in a particular order: the style section is first, plus I read the modern love piece every time. I remember reading what Shamu taught me about marriage, and I remember reading, “Those aren't fighting words, dear.” It didn't take Laura Munson weeks or even months to write them either. It was less than an hour. Why? Because she had hit the vein of truth and it just poured out of her. Her dreams of publishing a novel first were dashed because when that piece came out, it was a memoir that she sold. She had created a firestorm with her essay. Laura is someone I have watched for years. Now that I am in the publishing world, Laura and I are one degree from each other in several directions. What I have found in this new world is there are women like Laura who guide, lift, and build other writers up. That is what she does innately. Her new book, the Wild Why is about honoring your creativity. Creativity is Laura's core. She has written dozens of books, some that sit on the shelves collecting dust, but she is always creating. This conversation on About Your Mother touches on writing, but it is about so much more. It is about setting yourself free, finding awe, and living your truth. Here is a listen on what it means to honor what lives inside of you.Resources MentionedGertrude Stein: “There is No There, There”The Craighead BrothersKelly CorriganNaomi Shihab NyeJim HarrisonBrooke WarnerBrené BrownMiami Book FairDani ShapiroMaria ShriverConnect With the GuestWebsite: https://lauramunson.com/Book: The Wild WhyWriting Programs and RetreatsModern Love Essay

 Chance meetings can lead to the most incredible connections. While I was doing a ski clinic this winter, the instructor overheard a conversation I was having about publishing my book. Later that day, she approached me, “I heard you're an author! So is my mom, Jane Green, do you know her?”Of course, I know her. Jane Green is a national bestseller. Today, Jane joins me to share about her journey from journalist to novelist and offers her best tips to aspiring writers.She also gets transparent about self-acceptance, her midlife reinvention, owning the mistakes she’s made as a mother, and more. Finally, after trailblazing the chick lit genre, she shares with us her most recent project: writing a memoir. You’re going to love this conversation with Jane.Connect With the GuestWebsite: janegreen.com Instagram: instagram.com/janegreenauthor Daily Mail Column