It’s About The Kids
Our Keynote Speech is a message of hope and possibility, as we paint a vision of a future where every child is valued, every family is celebrated, and every voice is heard.
It's about the kids
It's about the kids
Monica Hall, an adoptee and a birth mother, and Annie Hallsten Narayan, an adoptive mother, are joining forces to shed light on the multifaceted issues that shape the adoption constellation. Monica and Annie proudly represent the adoption triad. The adoption triad is made up of adoptees, birth parents, and adoptive parents.
Our enlightening talk delves into crucial topics such as intergenerational trauma, the profound significance of genetic mirroring, challenges surrounding attachment disorders, and the difficult but invaluable role of maintaining relationships with birth families. While our narrative is deeply rooted in the adoption experience, the wisdom we impart transcends boundaries, making our message relevant and impactful for all.
Our Mission
To educate people about the intricate dynamics of adoption and to equip foster and adoptive parents with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate the complexities of parenting adopted children in a manner that best supports the kids and their unique needs and experiences.
“It seems nothing short of miraculous that Monica and Annie met each other and discovered how exponentially more powerful their combined experiences were together. The duo is inspirational, encouraging, and honest. Together, the two weave hard truths with genuine compassion. I am blown away by what Monica and Annie bring to the adoption community. They are absolute blessings to anyone who has the privilege to hear them.”
“Annie and Monica offer incredible perspectives on adoption. As an adoptive mom, I deeply appreciate Annie’s genuine and heartfelt insights & Monica’s experiences as both a birth mom and adoptee add a rich, multi-dimensional understanding. Together, their authentic and collaborative approach is making a meaningful difference for future generations of adoptees. Their work is truly inspiring and impactful.”
Whether you're directly impacted by adoption or simply curious about the complexities of human connection, our insights offer profound lessons in empathy, resilience, and the power of understanding. Join us as we embark on a journey of enlightenment, compassion, and advocacy for the adoption constellation.
“When it comes to adoption, these two dynamic speakers cover all the bases. Their compelling personal stories, full of wisdom and compassion, will have listeners on the edges of their seats. Monica and Annie bring decades of experience and an uncommon honesty to any forum on adoption. Their personal stories open the door for broader conversations on what’s truly in the best interests of the child.”
Why Us?
Our message is one of hope and possibility, as we paint a vision of a future where every child is valued, every family is celebrated, and every voice is heard.
With us, you have an adoptee, a birth mother, and an adoptive mom on the same stage. Our mutual love and respect for one another is proof that anything is possible.
Monica is a published author and a highly acclaimed podcast guest. Her book “Practically Still a Virgin” is one of the top adoption books of 2024.
Annie is an adoptive mom who is challenging other adoptive parents to hold up a mirror, to confront their biases, assumptions, and preconceived notions, all for the sake of their kids.
We are comfortable having hard conversations with ourselves, each other, and our listeners.
Our talk is not just a lecture. Monica’s charisma shines through with her inspiring story. Listeners walk away believing they can get through any challenge life throws at them.
Our relationship is unique and unusual, and we love sharing it with others!
We love to mentor those seeking guidance. Monica mentors adoptees and birth parents. Annie mentors foster and adoptive parents.
FAQ
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We speak to all groups and can customize our talk for any audience.
• Foster & adoption agencies
• County child welfare services offices
• Non-profits serving adoptees, birth parents, and adoptive parents
• Charities & foundations
• Hospitals
• School districts
• Conferences
• Professional and support services
• Churches
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Yes, we do! We know that several factors can motivate people to open their wallets at fundraisers and we are here to help. Here's what we offer!
Powerful Storytelling: We share our powerful narratives to open the hearts and minds of your guests. We use our skills as storytellers to help your guests feel the lived experiences of an adoptee, a birth parent, and an adoptive parent. Your guests will feel Monica’s journey, rooting for her the entire way. As she tugs at their heartstrings, they will be on the edge of their seats waiting to hear how her story ends. By the end of our talk, guests will be ready to support your cause.
Emotional Engagement: We offer compelling testimonials as an adoptee, a birth mother, and an adoptive mother. Our authentic delivery helps to build a strong emotional connection with your audience.
Clear Impact: We show people how their money can make a real difference. We help demonstrate how donations will be used and the tangible impact they will have.
Personalized Content: We work with our clients to tailor our message to support the work your organization does to support the adoption constellation.
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Openness and Transparency: Adoptive families should prioritize creating a culture of openness and transparency. By openly discussing and acknowledging the child's identity and first family, adoptive parents create a safe space for their child to ask questions, express emotions, and explore their adoption story without fear of judgment or stigma.
Access to Records: Adoptees deserve and have a right to access their original birth certificates and medical records.
Respect for the Child's Identity: it is important to acknowledge and respect the child's identity and heritage. By maintaining a connection to their heritage, adoptive parents validate their child's complex and multifaceted identity, helping them develop a strong sense of self-worth and belonging.
Honoring First Families: Honoring first families validates the adoption experience as a whole, acknowledging the profound impact it has on all members of the adoption triad—the adoptee, birth family, and adoptive family. By openly discuss first families, adoptive parents demonstrate empathy, compassion, and sensitivity toward their child's history and origins.
Healthy Attachment Formation: When adoptive parents are willing to understand and discuss their adopted child’s story, it supports the healthy formation of attachment between adoptive parents and their child. By openly embracing their life story, adoptive parents demonstrate security, stability, and acceptance, laying the foundation for a strong and secure attachment bond.
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Our talk typically ranges from 45 - 75 minutes; however, we can accommodate any timeframe.
Hire Monica to speak at your next event.
From keynotes to panel discussions to podcasts, I am always excited to share my story with the world. While my stories might be rooted in traumatic experiences, my message to audiences is not a sad one; I am passionate about helping people feel more hopeful about the future, understand the power of resilience, and gain the ability to overcome any obstacles put in our way.
Some of My Favorite Topics:
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Leveraging insights from my personal journey—spanning adoption as an infant, relinquishing a daughter for adoption at fifteen, and ultimately reuniting with both my biological family and the relinquished daughter—I offer a unique perspective for navigating the complexities of adoption. Whether addressing adoptees, birth/first parents, adoptive/foster families, or the intricate dynamics of reunions, my journey provides invaluable insights.
I am particularly passionate about connecting with adoptive and foster parents who stand at the forefront of this journey. For me, it all circles back to the children, and I am driven to support their well-being above all else.
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What we don’t heal will keep coming up as obstacles for us throughout our lives. Having the courage we need to face it isn’t always easy, but it’s an essential part of resilience over trauma. I somehow managed to survive the trauma of being given up for adoption, losing my baby to adoption, growing up in an abusive household, spiraling downward into addiction, and ending up in relationships that were both physically and emotionally abusive.
*Trigger warning: I talk about sexual assault and rape in this talk.
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It wasn’t until I was 60 and began writing my memoir that I was finally able to let go and truly understand that many of the traumatic things that happened to me as a child and adolescent weren't my fault. I had to reprogram my brain to move past my traumatic past and step into a more liberating vision of my future.
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We're only as sick as our secrets; it's easy to believe that something is wrong with you when you keep everything bottled up inside. Sharing your story of trauma will offer you the relief necessary to release it and embark on your healing journey.
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Everyone is a product of what came before them, and it can feel like we don’t have any control over our lives as a result. I’m here to tell you that you always have a choice, and the cycle of generational trauma can end with you.
Testimonials & Book Reviews
Recent Podcast Appearances
In reunion she discovered her heritage is tied to native people of North America and that her instinct to search was well-timed because her passionate drive was matched by someone else very important to Monica who was looking for her too.