About the Author
Meet Mardie Caldwell, C.O.A.P.
Since 1986, Mardie Caldwell, C.O.A.P., has been dedicated to bringing adoptive couples and birth parents together, helping thousands of families fulfill their dream of adoption. As a Certified Open Adoption Practitioner and founder of Lifetime Adoption, Mardie is recognized nationwide as a pioneer in modern, faith-based adoption.
Her passion for adoption was born from her own journey. After experiencing the heartbreak of infertility and the loss of seven pregnancies, Mardie and her husband walked a difficult path to adoption. Their story included setbacks, multiple attorneys, and heartache, but also the joy of welcoming a child through adoption. That personal journey inspired her to help others find success with less struggle.
“Many years ago, I was also searching for a child to adopt. We didn’t know where or how to get started. Through research, determination, and prayer, our dream of a family became a reality. Looking back, I can see God was training and aligning me for the work I now do today. It is my hope that your desire for a child will also be fulfilled.” – Mardie Caldwell
A Voice for Adoption
Mardie was one of the earliest advocates for open adoption, helping shape its acceptance across the United States. Her expertise has been sought by lawmakers, adoption professionals, and families nationwide:
- Invited by a California State Senator to testify before the California State Assembly, contributing to two adoption laws that made adoption safer and more ethical.
- Frequently interviewed about adoption in the news.
- Pioneer of adoption online, launching one of the very first adoption websites in 1997.
As an adoption educator and advocate, Mardie has also hosted her own national radio show, “Let’s Talk Adoption,” and now reaches families through podcasts and digital media.
In the Media
Mardie’s expertise has been featured on national and international platforms, including:
Television: The Today Show, ABC News, NBC News, CBS News, CNN, Larry King Live, The Ricki Lake Show, The Marie Show, The 700 Club and many more.
Print & Publications: USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, Parenting Magazine, Adoptive Families Magazine, Parade Magazine, U.S. News & World Report.
Radio & Podcasts: Hosted “Let’s Talk Adoption” on SiriusXM, KFIA AM, and multiple streaming platforms.
Author & Educator
Mardie has authored multiple books on adoption, including:
Her work has won awards such as the Publishers Weekly Rising Star Award, the Benjamin Franklin Award, and the iParenting Media Award.
Mardie also authored the best-selling children’s book Ellie the Brave Bald Fairy, inspired by a child’s journey through cancer.
A Heart for Service
Beyond adoption, Mardie’s compassion extends to philanthropy and humanitarian work in the U.S., the Far Bahamas, Uganda, and Mexico. She is also an active member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood, an organization dedicated to helping women pursue their educational goals.
Through it all, her mission remains the same: to serve children, adoptive families, and birth parents with wisdom, compassion, and faith.
Why Called to Adoption
Called to Adoption brings together Mardie’s decades of experience and deep faith. Co-authored with Heather Featherston, the book equips Christian families with practical tools, encouragement, and biblical wisdom as they consider adoption.