Using her experiences a birth mom and a teen mom, Leah now works in the adoption and faith community through her writing, education, and mentoring. She has been writing since 2004, and professionally since 2014. Her work has been featured on nationally known platforms including Focus On The Family, Her View From Home, and Motherly. In her speaking and writing, she aims to educate on complex issues surrounding motherhood and adoption with grace.

Hey there! I’m Leah and I’m on a mission to improve adoption relationships and support for birth moms.

My goal is to guide adoption and faith communities to honor birth families through gentle storytelling, compassionate understanding, and meaningful connections that nurture the children we love.

Signature Talk

“100% in a heartbeat I would recommend Leah! Leah’s openness in sharing her story and experiences helped open the door for some great conversation where we could learn and grow. -adoptive mom

“It was amazingly helpful to see a successful story of open adoption and God using the adopting family to bless not just a child but also a mother. I wish there were more opportunities like this one.” -adoptive mom

“We truly believe that insight will help us be better prepared as we continue moving forward in the adoption process. At the heart of it all, it was a powerful reminder that keeping the child’s best interests at the center is what unites both birth parents and adoptive parents.”
-prospective adoptive parents

"I think that her story provides a new lens for hopeful adoptive families from another viewpoint." -prospective adoptive mom

Key Topics

  • Birth parent perspective (grief, feelings, how to love her well)

  • Boundaries with compassion

  • Unintended pregnancy support

  • Navigating open adoption levels

  • Ministry of open adoption

  • The hospital experience

  • Healing & encouragement

  • Adoption profile content tips

  • Post-placement support

  • Do you need a writer for your blog or organization? I have experience with articles, devotionals, books, workbooks, social media content, newsletters, and even several curriculums. Writing is my favorite!

  • Do you need a speaker with a lived experience to teach your staff or clients from a birth mom perspective? Leah has experience teaching in-person and virtually workshops on various topics. Ideal for agency trainings, a required part of home study education, or post placement support.

  • Does your organization need a speaker? I have been on several panels, taught virtual adoption trainings for staff and adoptive parents, birth parent retreats, and conference break out sessions over the last 20 years. A few include:

    • Dwell Retreat 2026 Keynote

    • Replanted 2026 Keynote

    • Meet the Need breakout session 2025 on boundaries with compassion

    • Several Birth Mom Buds retreat breakouts

    • Panel for hospital staff on better care for birth moms 2004

    • Pro-Life Women’s Conference birth mom panel 2016

    • Embrace adoption conference triad panel 2024

    • Embrace adoption conference break out on loving birth parents well 2024

    • Caring Adoptions open adoption and birth mom relationship annual trainings since 2021

    • Young mom panel for crisis pregnancy center & churches

  • Have a podcast and you need a guest to chat with? I'd love to talk! We can talk about open adoption, faith, motherhood, large family living, my books, writing...so many options!

  • Have a project you're working on? I've been involved with several film productions sharing our story and adoption education. I also have experience with scriptwriting.

    • Focus On the Family

    • Brave Love

    • Abiding Love Charities “Seen” birth mom curriculum

    • Abiding Love Charities pregnancy center training (Bright Course)

    • Woven Together adoption curriculum

    • Woven Together pregnancy center education

  • Leah has worked with many agencies, home study providers, and consultants to provide their clients with one-on-one support through 30 minute to one hour phone calls. It’s a chance to talk with a birth mom and ask questions!

Let’s work together

Interested in working together? Fill out some info and I will be in touch shortly. I can't wait to hear from you!

Writing Samples

  • Focus On The Family Articles

    Contributing writer since 2020 with content surrounding faith, unplanned pregnancy, open adoption, and the birth mother experience. As well as two-time guest on “SeeLife” series 2021 and 2022.

    Read It

  • 10 Things I've Learned in 10 Years of Open Adoption

    Guest writer for America Adopts. As her parents and I have been on this journey with our daughter at the center, here is what I have learned in 10 years of being in an open adoption:

    Read it

  • 6 Ways to Adopt Well

    Adoption truly is bittersweet, from all sides of the adoption triad. There is loss, hope, grief, and joy all rolled into one. But, when adoption is done correctly, it can be all those things in a beautiful balance that benefits all involved.

    Read it

  • Big City Moms

    Contributing writer from 2016 to 2018 covering topics about motherhood, pregnancy, and birth.

    Read IT

  • YourCareEverywhere

    Contributing writer from 2015 to 2017 covering topics about motherhood, pregnancy, mental health, and birth.

    read it

  • Truly Mama

    Guest writer for Truly Mama. I Chose Adoption for My Birth Daughter, But I’ll Never Stop Mothering Her.

    Read it

I am seen

I am seen

A faith-based video and workbook group curriculum for birth mothers after placement. Seen year 1 was written, scripted, and under the creative direction of Leah.

Start a group

Melissa Ohden, author of “You Carried Me”

“I’ve been honored to work with Leah on a number of projects—she’s a gifted writer, a knowledgeable advocate and her experiences will both inform you and inspire you.”

Michelle Thorne, author of

“Delivered: My Harrowing Journey as a Birthmother”

Do not be fooled by her soft voice, Leah Outten is a force for positive action and change in the world. She is a seasoned writer, compassionate listener, and influential speaker. She is humble and approachable. I trust Leah. I refer people to her and her work because Leah has such a heart for women and life.