My guest on the Born To Talk Radio Show Podcast today is Deborah Olivia Farmer.
Deborah is a nationally recognized speaker, author, and adoption advocate. She is dedicated to changing the narrative around foster care and adoption.
Meet Deborah.
To being with, after decades of professional success, Deborah realized her deeper purpose extended beyond her career. This includes, starting from her own path. Deborah navigated the fertility challenges to embracing the foster-to-adopt journey with her son, Joshua. She realized just how many people want to adopt but are held back by fear, misinformation, and lack of representation.
While building a successful career in media and entrepreneurship, Deborah felt a deeper calling to this purpose. She was introduced to foster care long before it became a personal path. In learning about the needs, Deborah chose to purse fostering and adopotion intentionally. This purposeful journey led her to motherhood and ignited a national advocacy movement.
Deborah’s powerful story is chronicled in her debut memoir My Journey to Joshua. This is a faith-filled account that breaks stigmas and inspires others to embrace nontraditional paths to parenthood. Her follow-up book and brand, From Fears To Families, offers practical guidance, affirmations, and encouragement for those curious about fostering or adopting but uncertain where to begin.
Deborah’s Takeaways.
The holidays are emotionally heavy for many families. Children in foster care and adoptive families often experience intensified grief, instability, and seasonal depression. Caregivers should watch for emotional overwhelming and seek support early. Community support makes a real difference. Practical help, such as respite care, resources, and inviting families in matters. Consistent presence is more important than creating a “perfect” holiday. Adoption doesn’t require perfection, just stability. Many myths about who can adopt need to be dispelled. However, the process is manageable with the right guidance and support. Anyone can become a safe, loving family. Whether you are single adults, older parents, and nontraditional families, all are capable. Adoption is transformative for both the child and the caregiver.
In closing.
Through her books, speaking engagements, and national platform, Deborah empowers audiences, especially women of color and professionals, to become advocates for children in need of love, safety, and belonging. Her mission is clear: to use her voice and experience to transform fear into action and inspire others to build families rooted in purpose, love and legacy.
Thank you Deborah for sharing your story with us.
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