This one’s gonna stick with you.
Jessica’s not just a mom—she’s a mom of six, a brand-new nana, a business owner, and someone who’s walked through grief, healing, and hope in some of the rawest ways imaginable. In this episode, we talk about what it really looks like to build a family—through birth, loss, and international adoption.
We cover:
Lose a child at 37 weeks and still growing your family
The wild (and painfully slow) ride of international adoption
Facing the backlash of being a white mom raising a Black son
How she knew her adopted son was meant to be hers—even when the “movie moment” never came
The hard, beautiful lessons in patience, identity, and trauma
Why “bonding issues” and “it’s too expensive” are myths worth breaking
And yes, what happens when your adoption post goes viral and the internet comes for you
Spoiler: Giraffes and God both make appearances.
Whether you’re a parent, someone considering adoption, or just curious about the real-life stuff people don’t put on Instagram, this one’s for you.
FOLLOW JESSICA: 👉 Instagram: @jessicamandile
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
Timehop (for the memory lane scroll)
Adoption Airfare (for more affordable travel)
Foster care vs. international adoption pros and cons
Real talk on the “white savior” narrative
YOUR HOST: Jess, your go-to mom friend who’ll cry with you, laugh with you, and probably forget where she put her coffee. Again.
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