Pulled By The Root - Amplifying Adoption Issues

Dr. Deborah Sweet is a licensed Psychologist who specializes in adults recovering from childhood trauma. To treat trauma she uses Somatic Experiencing, EMDR, Brainspotting, the Havening Technique, IFS and the pit model.She is also certified coach for personal growth. Before her career in mental health, she worked in the music and film businesses. She was the founder of the Trauma Counseling Center of Los Angeles and is currently working on a book.Click here to send us a text. Also, our book “Pulled By The Root” is available at https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/bookhttps://www.pulledbytheroot.com/

Trigger warning:In honor of Joshua's life, Nicholas Fontana agreed to film with PBTR a few years ago to share his experience of losing his adopted friend Joshua to suicide. I ran into Nicholas at a mutual friends party a few weeks ago. Everything fell away as we began to speak about the effort to heal and all of the ways he has made progress. I asked Nicholas if he would be willing to be on the podcast to talk about the ideas he shared during our conversation. This led me to think about how to deal with our diverse levels of pain in a way that I have never considered before. His inspiration for self exploration came from; Gangaji, Alan Watts. Adyashanti, Eckhart Tolle and Terrence McKenna.It is important to understand that the people who love adopted people hurt when we hurt. Adoption is not a singular event that happens to one person. Adoption loss extends out from us; it affects our relationships, our parenting and our ability to feel worthy. In reintroducing you to Nicholas and Joshua we hope you feel inspired by the courage, friendship and the bond they shared. We honor Joshua and his brave battle, we honor all of the warriors we have lost. Remember you are worthy in fact you are spectacular! -Joshua Samuel Kukla -Father, friend, musician, brother, son, adopteeClick here to send us a text. Also, our book “Pulled By The Root” is available at https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/bookhttps://www.pulledbytheroot.com/

Ashley is a 40-year-old wife and mother of three. Originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Ashley moved to New York City after college and has remained in the area ever since. She now resides in South Orange, NJ, a town she loves. She enjoys a balance of yoga and tennis and cherishes her friends and close-knit community. Professionally, Ashley holds a hybrid role that blends project management and executive support, allowing her to work primarily from home, a flexibility that's especially valuable as her children grow and need her in new ways. Ashley was adopted at birth, and after processing much of her pain, she is passionate about sparking conversations that could eventually lead to adoption reform. She believes it's essential for both those considering adoption and those who have adopted to understand its complexities, so they can provide the support and guidance necessary for a healthy, fulfilling life.Click here to send us a text. Also, our book “Pulled By The Root” is available at https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/bookhttps://www.pulledbytheroot.com/

Scott, a high school math teacher from New Jersey, placed his daughter for adoption in the 1980s after a teenage pregnancy. In 2002, he reunited with her through an online search. Scott has three other children who were also part of the reunion. Lena, a domestic closed adoptee from New Jersey/New York, was adopted in the 1980s and raised as an only child by a family unable to have children. She reunited with her paternal biological family in 2002 and has attempted to contact her birth mother twice over the past 20 years, though both attempts were rejected. Now a licensed clinical social worker in Florida, Lena specializes in grief, loss, and terminal illness. She has been married for 15 years and has two children.Click here to send us a text. Also, our book “Pulled By The Root” is available at https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/bookhttps://www.pulledbytheroot.com/

Heidi Marble and Alysa Zalma MD discuss a retreat coming this summer aimed at the "Pulled By The Root" audience. The retreat is called "Finding Your Roots"."Finding Your Roots" is a transformative retreat designed to support the healing of traumas related to the adoption experience. Hosted at the Surya Chandra Center, this retreat offers a unique space where members of the adoption community can revitalize, restore their sense of self, and reconnect with their truest, most fulfilling life.Set on a serene 55-acre property in Oregon's beautiful Chehalem Valley, within Yamhill County's renowned wine country, the Surya Chandra Center provides an idyllic sanctuary for healing. The retreat includes expansive healing gardens that offer breathtaking views of the valley and the Oregon Coastal Range, creating a private and tranquil environment for introspection and rejuvenation.Participants will have the opportunity to rebuild their sense of identity through a powerful combination of ancient ceremonial practices and modern therapeutic modalities. These integrative treatments are designed to transform the challenges faced by members of the adoption community into powerful tools for personal growth and healing.The Finding Your Roots retreat will take place from Thursday evening, July 17 to Sunday, July 20, 2025. Registration is limited to 30 participants to ensure an intimate and supportive experience.For more information or to register, please contact us:Click here to send us a text. Also, our book “Pulled By The Root” is available at https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/bookhttps://www.pulledbytheroot.com/

Bessel van der Kolk is a Dutch psychiatrist, author, researcher and educator. Since the 1970s his research has been in the area of post-traumatic stress. He is the author of The New York Times best seller book “The Body Keeps the Score.” He has spent his career studying how children and adults adapt to traumatic experiences, and has translated emerging findings from neuroscience and attachment research to develop and study a range of treatments for traumatic stress in children and adults. Much of his research has focused on how trauma has a different impact at different stages of development, and that disruptions in care-giving systems have additional deleterious effects that need to be addressed for effective intervention. In order to promote a deeper understanding of the impact of childhood trauma and to foster the development and execution of effective treatment interventions, he initiated the process that led to the establishment of the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN), a Congressionally mandated initiative that now funds approximately 150 centers specializing in developing effective treatment interventions, and implementing them in a wide array of settings, from juvenile detention centers to tribal agencies, nationwide. He has focused on studying treatments that stabilize physiology, increase executive functioning and help traumatized individuals to feel fully alert to the present. https://www.besselvanderkolk.com/https://www.besselvanderkolk.com/resources/scientific-publicationshttps://time.com/6998595/bessel-van-der-kolk-trauma-profile/Click here to send us a text. Also, our book “Pulled By The Root” is available at https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/bookhttps://www.pulledbytheroot.com/

Anna Maria DiDio, MSW - is an adoptive mother and children's author whose adoption-themed books encourage open and honest conversation between parents and children. Anna Maria was inspired to write her memoir, Love at the Border, An Adoption Adventure after her own family journey to Mexico.  Now her L.I.F.E.* Adventures children's books feature stories about adoption from the point of view of the child. Anna Maria holds a BA in Psychology from Villanova University and an MSW in Family Specialization from the University of Pennsylvania. She is the mother of two young wonderful women and can be found in Philadelphia reading, speaking, walking, swimming, baking and quilting - then writing about it! *Love Inspires Families Everywherewww.amdidio.com/Send us a texthttps://www.pulledbytheroot.com/

We know the holidays can be a whiplash of emotions for our community. Elle Klassen has spent months recording long form conversations. Our amazing returning guests are: Moses Farrow, Megan Galbraith, Anne Heffron, Robert and Ken. This series is our gift to you! Pulled By The Root is so grateful to our loyal and brave audience. May you be comforted in knowing you are not alone! Send us a texthttps://www.pulledbytheroot.com/

We know the holidays can be a whiplash of emotions for our community. Elle Klassen has spent months recording long form conversations. Our amazing returning guests are: Moses Farrow, Megan Galbraith, Anne Heffron, Robert and Ken. This series is our gift to you! Pulled By The Root is so grateful to our loyal and brave audience. May you be comforted in knowing you are not alone! Send us a texthttps://www.pulledbytheroot.com/

We know the holidays can be a whiplash of emotions for our community. Elle Klassen has spent months recording long form conversations. Our amazing returning guests are: Moses Farrow, Megan Galbraith, Anne Heffron, Robert and Ken. This series is our gift to you! Pulled By The Root is so grateful to our loyal and brave audience. May you be comforted in knowing you are not alone! Send us a texthttps://www.pulledbytheroot.com/

We know the holidays can be a whiplash of emotions for our community. Elle Klassen has spent months recording long form conversations. Our amazing returning guests are: Moses Farrow, Megan Galbraith, Anne Heffron, Robert and Ken. This series is our gift to you! Pulled By The Root is so grateful to our loyal and brave audience. May you be comforted in knowing you are not alone! Send us a texthttps://www.pulledbytheroot.com/

Send us a textJulie Brumley is a domestic infant adoptee who was adopted seven weeks after birth in 1973, following four relinquishments during that time. Her birth mother had attempted to abort her twice, between 12 and 16 weeks of pregnancy. Julie only became fully aware of the influence of the primal trauma she experienced about three and a half years ago, though her journey began in 2010. At that time, a professor in her master's counseling program pointed out that unresolved issues related to her adoption could negatively affect others if left unaddressed. Since then, she has completed two rounds of EMDR therapy and started somatic work soon after. Over the past year and a half, she has been building a coaching program for adoptees, which she plans to launch at the end of the month.https://cominghometoself.co/revolutionhttps://www.pulledbytheroot.com/

Send us a textIn her first career, Zelly was a social worker in the adoption and foster care field. From there, she owned an online retail store specializing in hand-painted children's gifts and party favors. Along the way, Zelly volunteered and raised funds for several non-profit organizations. In an alternate universe, she is probably an event planner. But once she moved to New York City, Zelly gave in to the compulsion to write women's fiction spiced with suspense about motherhood, relationships, loss and love. Her debut novel, “Not Yours to Keep”, comes out October 2024 with She Writes Press.When she's not devising twisty plots, Zelly loves traveling, hiking, and is passionate about and volunteers for Brain Aneurysm Awareness. Her involvement in the cause is driven by personal experiences, including surviving an unruptured brain aneurysm, the tragic loss of a family member to a rupture, and supporting a friend in their recovery. Read more about why she's a dedicated advocate for brain aneurysm awareness and research in her Brain Aneurysm Essay.https://zellyruskin.com/https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/

Send us a textCathy Terkanian is the subject of the new Netflix documentary “Into the Fire: The Lost Daughter.” When Cathy received word that the daughter she gave up for adoption many years ago had disappeared, Cathy embarked on an extraordinary and tenacious journey to find her, steered by the unbeatable bond of a mother and child to discover the truth. The horror of what happened to her daughter is unimaginable. In a recent post Cathy wrote on her daughter's photo, “My name is Alexis, my adopted name was Andrea Bowman. My adopted parents starved me, ignored me, belittled me, abused me, murdered me, chopped up my body and burned me with the garbage. My adoptive Mother divided my ashes. Never forget my name.” This story is hard to hear, it is hard to watch but it its important we look this issue straight in the eye. Adoption does have a dark side, not everyone has a voice or a mother who walks through the fire to find justice. There is no doubt there are many injustices that will never be revealed. Cathy like many biological mothers was coerced into relinquishing her child, and told her daughter would have a better life. The horror of what happened to Alexis proves that pure evil exists. Alexis reached out for help and no one listened. Cathy is making sure everyone is listening now.Justice for Aundria M Bowman facebook page:https://www.facebook.com/share/19ZDTKTHMK/?mibextid=LQQJ4dNow streaming on Netflix https://www.imdb.com/title/tt33163756/https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/

Send us a textMark Wills is a true definition of what it means to turn trauma into triumph. He is one of the highest producing notary loan signing agents in the country. Owner of a national loan signing service, best selling author and the course instructor of Loan Signing System, the premier notary signing agent training to thousands of people coast to coast. Mark was born in Korea and given up for adoption at the age of two years old, only to be returned and put into the foster care system. Mark was then was adopted again at 8 years old. Mark has taken his many traumas and used them as motivation to become successful. It is now his passion to share his message with as many people as possible. https://www.instagram.com/loansigningsystemhttps://www.pulledbytheroot.com/

Send us a textPaul Fiscus, a devoted natural father, brings a unique perspective to the discussion on adoption and custody rights. His personal experiences have propelled him to become a passionate advocate for the rights of natural fathers. Paul's unwavering determination and in-depth understanding of the legal intricacies surrounding adoption highlight the hurdles that natural fathers can sometimes encounter.His insights and commitment to creating change in the treatment of natural fathers make him an invaluable voice in the ongoing dialogue about fathers' rights in the adoption process.Paul's Song to his daughter: https://youtu.be/WuEuw_cOgoQ For more about Paul's fight for his daughter, and additional resources: https://freeeliza.com/https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/

Send us a textSarah Reinhardt and Louise Browne, two adult adoptees and former business partners who had a successful ice cream truck in Los Angeles, team up again — this time in frank and honest conversations about adoption, centered on the adoptee experience.Each season Sarah and Louise recap a chapter from a book focused on adoption and then interview a fellow adoptee.  Sarah and Louise came out of the 'fog' in real-time through Seasons One and Two and are advocating for change in the adoption industry. For more about Sarah & Louise, https://www.adoptionthemakingofme.com/https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/

Simon Benn was adopted at 5 weeks old, and is the founder of “Thriving Adoptees” podcast that honorably focuses on the issues adopted people face. Simon came out of the fog at 40 years old, and all was going well until he discovered that his teddy bear was a gift from his birth mother. This unleashed an eruption of anger, and feelings of rejection and of being unloved for Simon. This put him on his journey to heal and help others. 15 years later, Simon continues to support adoptees through his podcast, consulting, webinars. ​​​​​​​​​​​That led to a quest to heal, healing and a desire to help others. ​15 years later I work with others who want to support adoptees through my podcast, consulting,  webinars and any other way I can.https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/

In this episode, our guest who wishes to remain anonymous shares her story with remarkable detail and honesty. The death of her adopted sister Susie motivated her to become an advocate for adoptees. Her journey began in 1953 when her 19-year-old mother, under pressure from relatives, gave her up for adoption. Anne was adopted at birth through a private arrangement. At 18 months old, her adoptive parents introduced Susie, another adopted child, into their family.Anne's upbringing in the Philadelphia suburbs fostered her love for art, leading her to earn multiple degrees in Fine Arts from the University of Pennsylvania. She later moved to New York City, where she pursued painting and worked in advertising. During this period, she faced severe anxiety and panic attacks, unknowingly linked to her adoption.In the mid-1990s, Anne found her birth parents and discovered a familial connection to art through her paternal grandfather, a portrait painter. Returning to Philadelphia in 1998, she continued painting and teaching art. By 2000, she became active in the adoptee rights movement and joined the Adoption Forum in 2005.The tragic loss of Susie in 2021, due to the emotional trauma of adoption, has driven Anne to renew her advocacy efforts for adoptees.https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/

“Mae Mae” is an adopted person who leads a double life as a teacher and songwriter anchored in the Northwoods with a heart rooted in the West. During the school day she's building resiliency with her middle schoolers, knee deep in equal parts shenanigans and hope. On her lunch breaks and down time, she gets muddy in song and tales with her various ensembles and creative companions. She savors shore time, quiet time with her hubby, listening to music, and writing it, all of it, down. In this episode, Mae Mae opens her heart to explore the complexities of relinquishment. Her tender soul is evident in every word she says,our conversation was enriching, heartbreaking and inspiring.https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/

Stephen Rowley, Ph.D., is a psychotherapist practicing in Bainbridge Island, Washington. His professional past includes serving as an elementary school teacher and principal, and a school district superintendent in Washington and California. He has been a college professor at three universities, teaching courses in educational administration and organizational theory. He holds a Ph.D. in Administration and Policy Analysis from Stanford University. His new book is: The Lost Coin: A Memoir of Adoption and Destiny (Chiron Publications, Sept. 2023). In our episode Stephen focused on the feelings an adopted person struggles with. In his words: “Imagine there's an orphan who lives within them. The orphan is homeless, restless, disconnected, and searching for something or someone it can't find, including its very soul. For some, the orphan's persistent presence may arise intermittently through feelings and behavior at any stage of life or circumstance. No orphan, however, is beyond redemption. The lost orphan can be found in the shadows and brought to the safety and security of light. Disconnection can be healed by loving reconnection. In our conversation Stephen fleshed out the issues of abandonment with tenderness, insight and compassion.”https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/

Gretchen Sisson, Ph.D. is a qualitative sociologist who studies abortion and adoption in the United States. She is a researcher at Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences at the University of California, San Francisco.   Gretchen's studies on adoption include hundreds of in-depth interviews with women who have relinquished infants for domestic adoption over the past sixty years, with a particular focus on women who have relinquished since Roe v. Wade. Her research on adoption decision-making after abortion denial (as part of The Turnaway Study) was cited in the Supreme Court's dissent in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Healthfrom Justices Breyer, Kagan, and Sotomayor.  In response to the oral arguments and decision in Dobbs, Gretchen authored pieces in the Washington Post and The Nation. In these op-eds, Gretchen condemns the court's decision that adoption over abortion is the best moral alternative and outlines the harsh realities women face when relinquishing a child for adoption. Gretchen has a strong media presence and has been published and quoted in AP News, Atlantic, BBC,Bitch Media, Bloomberg, Christian Science Monitor, Intelligencer, Good Morning America, Ms Magazine, NBC News, Next Question with Katie Couric, Publisher's Weekly, Refinerhttps://www.pulledbytheroot.com/

   Carl Niedzielski, named John DellaPenna at birth, was born in Western Massachusetts during the Baby Scoop Era of the late 1960s, and was relinquished and then adopted at some point at or soon after birth. Due to the low birthweight documented on his original birth certificate, it is assumed he spent time in NICU and also probably in foster care or in an orphanage such as the one operated by the agency that managed his adoption, Brightside for Children. As he has learned more about the impact of early childhood trauma, and connected more dots between his life experiences and the research in that area, a focus of his searching has been on finding out about his first few months of life; but the task has been challenging and may not ever be successful. While Carl always knew he was adopted, he did not learn about his biomom until 5 years ago, when he obtained his original birth certificate, which gave his biomom's name, Gladys, and also the surprising information that she had been 41 years old at the time of his birth— in the 1960s, that would have been considered a very high risk pregnancy. He has recently been surprised again, when a random re-check of old Ancestry data yielded first contact with a bona fide biological relative. But that is when the story got weirder and led to the resolution many adoptees face: A more shocking story than expected, more information than ever hoped for, but still persistent gaps that with passing time are unlikely to be filled. Professionally, Carl works as a Senior Director, Grants and Research Development for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. He is a passionate mental health advocate, reader, armchair detective, binger of all things, urban hiker, word-gamer, and beacher. He is a beginner in the adult adoptee community, but you can find him on social media occasionally participating in many of the wonderful online communities for adult adoptees. In this episode we weave Carls personal journey with his professional insights. He sheds light on the reality of suicide research along with a bounty of ideas on how we can take action. Resources mentioned: AFSP (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention)NAMI( National Alliance on Mental Illness)https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/

 Kevin's Berthia's journey as a suicide survivor, adoptee, advocate, and speaker encapsulates the human spirit's capacity for redemption and renewal. From enduring silent suffering through his youth to a very public suicide attempt at the Golden Gate Bridge, Kevin's narrative is one of profound transformation. Since 2013, he has shared his experiences with unwavering candor, captivating audiences worldwide with his authenticity and vulnerability. As a sought-after public speaker and fervent advocate for suicide prevention, Kevin embodies the belief that recovery from depression is attainable for all. His story has resonated across diverse communities and been featured on esteemed platforms like the Steve Harvey Show, Red Table Talk, and the Dr. Phil Show. Through the Kevin Berthia Foundation, he aspires to provide a beacon of hope for individuals silently grappling with mental health challenges, whether diagnosed or undiagnosed. Their mission is clear: to empower, support, and advocate for those in need, fostering a community of understanding, compassion, and resilience. This episode is a masterclass on the capacity of the human spirit. Kevin passionately shares his desire to help others and reminds us we are not alone.https://kevinberthiafoundation.org/https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/

Patti Eddington is a newspaper and magazine journalist whose favorite job ever was interviewing the famous authors who came through town on book tours. She never dreamed of writing about her life because she was too busy helping build her husband's veterinary practice, caring for her animal obsessed daughter—whose favorite childhood toy was an inflatable tick—and learning to tap dance. Then fate, and a  DNA test, led her to a story she felt compelled to tell. Today, the mid-century modern design enthusiast and dance teacher enjoys being dragged on walks by her ridiculous three-legged dog, David, and watching the egrets and bald eagles from her deck on a beautiful bayou in Spring Lake, Michigan. In this episode, we discuss our connection to three legged dogs and why she has three Birthdays. The twists and turns of Patti's story left us laughing and crying. https://pattieddington.com/https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/

Sabrina is an adopted person with many questions, her story begins in Texas where she was born and adopted illegally. She was abused the entire time she was with her adopters. After years of therapy and healing Sabrina tried to reach out to the state of Texas to get her original birth certificate without success. Her story takes so many twists and turns, including an overnight runaway mission to keep her out of the hands of authorities and her step father. On April 22nd, 2003  Sabrina ran to find her own voice, and she did at just 18 years old. In this conversation, Sabrina peels back the layers of her story with unflinching honesty revealing just how complicated adoption is even with biological relatives. We are releasing this episode today, on April 22nd in honor of her “Freedom Day”. Sabrina is living proof that our spirits are mighty. In her words, “Sometimes we just need to know that we are heard”. Content Warning: In this episode, we discuss difficult topics that may be triggering for some audiences including sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and kidnappinghttps://www.pulledbytheroot.com/

Jeff Forney is an adoptee and an LA based photographer focusing on advertising, music and celebrity. He is in reunion-currently working on a project in the adoptee world called the ‘Innocent People Project' where he aims to share the adoptee experience. In this powerful episode, Jeff speaks to the issues surrounding adoption with deep compassion. He believes in the power of human stories and the healing it can create. Jeff feels a non-adoptee's view on adoption is not an adoptee's view on adoption, in between is a gap he hopes to fill. As he so eloquently states; 'Adoptees carry burdens, some being the burden of explanation, the burden to be affirming and the burden of loyalty. An adoptees ‘book of life' starts on chapter two. How often does one purchase a book and start on chapter two?? Confusion would set in. What is going on? Who are these people and what is their purpose? What would normally be an introductory chapter to characters and plot, is now a whodunnit that would impress Hitchcock. This project does not look to make a single story into a stereotype. Each story is unique and valid adding to the many stories that make up the adoption mosaic. Often people come into the adoption world with innocent intent falling into the hands of an adoption industry that needs some serious reworking and legislation. We are a global community of disconnect that is finding its voice, in real time. A minority hidden in plain site, covered in guilt, shame and self worth issues as well as potentially a whole host of others. Some adoptees fall out of the ‘Adoption Issues Tree' and hit only one branch, and some hit every single one of them. It's different for everyone, yet we all have a common thread. Stay curious…and be grateful. Gratitude loosens the grip of inadequacy. Gratitude is liberating.For more about Jeff and the ‘Innocent People Project';  https://jeffforney.com/https://jeffforney.com/innocentpeople/https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/

Monica Hall is an adoptee and birth mother. She is also the author of her memoir, "Practically Still a Virgin”, which will be released on Saturday March 23rd. Born in Canada, she was adopted by American parents and raised in Anchorage, Alaska, where she spent the first sixteen years of her life and had many of the foundational experiences that drive her writing.She is a business consultant and entrepreneur who has founded several companies and has worked in advertising and marketing for more than two decades. Monica is telling her life story to provide understanding, courage, and empowerment, showing that no matter the difficulties, it's possible to heal and succeed. Monica is a speaker, coach, and mentor. She has three grown children and lives in Sacramento, California. In this episode Monica shares her unique point of view on the trials and tribulations of being adopted. Her humor, positive energy and talent are abundant. This heartfelt conversation will leave you thinking.For more about Monica: https://www.monicahall.com/https://www.monicahall.com/authorContent Notice:This episode contains sensitive material, that may be difficult for some listeners.https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/

George is a filmmaker, writer/director living in Los Angeles.   One of the first questions he is frequently asked is "where is your accent from?"  Here it goes, George was born in 1974, in Russia (Soviet Union). He was adopted from an orphanage in 1976 and raised in Georgia (the country). In 2000, he migrated to Australia and was granted a gay refuge status. Since 2010 he splits his time between Los Angeles and Sydney, Australia. George is on a life long search of his birth history, and as of today he has no information about his birth parents or the first two years of his life. https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/

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Greg Gentry is a domestic baby scoop era adoptee, born in California in 1969. He spent the first 6 weeks of his life in foster care before going to live with his adoptive family. Greg has gone through the ups-and-downs of reunion with his maternal side since 2006. In 2021, a fellow adoptee helped him locate his paternal family. He has been in reunion with members of his late father's side since early 2022, and continues to cultivate those relationships. Since July 2021, Greg has been an active member of the online and in-person adoptee communities. Greg is a facilitator and interviewer for Fireside Adoptees, a private Facebook group which also runs a private group open to the larger adoption constellation. Additionally, Greg hosts in-person meetings for Adoptees Connect out of Derry, New Hampshire. In this deeply meaningful episode Greg shares his heart in ways that open the eyes of understanding. His compassionate demeanor invite the listener to sit by the fireside with him. https://www.youtube.com/@firesideadoptees673https://www.instagram.com/firesideadopteesMentions: https://adopteesconnect.com/https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/

In this episode, you will get the chance to get to know our team at PBTR.  Stephanie Joy Pipes/ Creative Director /Producer, Amy Hansen Co-Host/ Operations Manager/ Publicity , Elle Klassen Co-Host/Art Curator and Sean Farley Sound Engineer/Co-producer will be joining us today. The  definition of a team is a group of people working collaboratively towards a common goal pooling their skills and knowledge. Although this definition resonates, our team also leads with their hearts, generosity and time. Our collective goal is to open the arms of understanding about adoption loss. It is our hope that through our content, conversations and creativity people can embrace the reality of what it means to be adopted. This platform would not exist without the devotion of our team. Amongst our highest goals is to take care of our guests and provide the listener with edifying information. Enjoy this conversation between people who care deeply about you and each other.https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/

Michelle Madrid is a life coach and guidance mentor who is passionate about igniting the light within every adoptee. She seeks soulful modalities of healing to support clients in feeling a deeper connectedness with themselves and with others.Michelle is a former foster child from the United Kingdom and an international adoptee. She understands the nuances of the adoptee experience and considers it a great honor to guide adoptees back home to themselves as they embrace a deeper sense of identity and calling. Michelle is a Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI) Angels in Adoption Honoree as well as an inductee to the New Mexico Women's Hall of Fame. She is a former Emmy-nominated television news journalist and an in-demand high-impact speaker whose perspectives are renowned both domestically and internationally. She is also the host of the Electricity of You podcast, sharing transformational teachings that nudge listeners to respark their potential. Her illuminating content and coaching offerings can be found at TheMichelleMadrid.com.Michelle is a mother, animal lover, passionate equestrian, and a world traveler who feels at home no matter where she is because she's found her home within.https://themichellemadrid.com/https://linktr.ee/TheMichelleMadridhttps://www.pulledbytheroot.com/

With the tremendous support of my family, PBTR team and our adoption community I am able to return to the work I love. This solo episode is a chance to share my gratitude and thoughts about the future of Pulled By The Root. -H.M. https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/

Christelle Pellecuer is a certified coach who helps adoptees to navigate their stories so they can find their authentic voices and identity. She has have been on a journey of self-discovery and self-acceptance as her adoption journey, like for many adoptees, has not been straightforward. She  was adopted in South of France from Madagascar at the age of 10.  For a long time, she lived in denial and didn't acknowledge that her adoption was the cause of much of the life confusion she was feeling and her lack of identity.Through several years of self-discovery, healing and sharing her story, she was able to slowly find her own voice and build her own identity. She is also a multidisciplinary artist and the arts has helped her immensely to reconnect to herself.https://www.christellepellecuer.com/https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/

“Lora K. Joy is the progression of me. Lora was the name my biological mother gave me, but did not feel she had the right to put on my birth certificate. K. stands for her last name and for Kimberly. A name that is on my adoption record, but I am not sure who gave it to me. Joy was my adoptive name and how everyone knew me until January 2022 when I legally reclaimed the name Lora. I am an adult adoptee, born in 1979 and adopted through a religious organization in a closed adoption. The first time I remember knowing I was adopted was at 8 years old and my whole world shifted under my feet. The first 29 years of my life I was swirling in pain, not realizing it was caused by relinquishment. The reality of adoption trauma crashed over me and I began to heal through various therapy approaches. The journey has been long and difficult, but now I can stand on the other side, while continuing to grow and heal. Reunion happened with my biological mother and maternal half-brother in 2008 and my paternal, biological cousins and half siblings in 2020. Upon healing my adoption trauma, I gained strength to live my truth. This led to an estrangement 30 years in the making from my adoptive parents. Estrangement is about both the unhealthy relationship with my adoptive parents from which I needed to remove myself and about rebuilding the life I should have always had. I have taken the lessons from my life as an adoptee and tried to parent my children accordingly. I have 2 children - a son and a daughter who are teenagers as of this writing. I have been married to my husband since 2003. He has been on this journey and supported me every step of the way.”https://www.myadopteetruth.com/lora-k-joyhttps://www.pulledbytheroot.com/

Jessica Pearson is a Certified Life and Health Coach, Co-Founder of Path Nutrition and Co-Host of Weight a Minute Podcast. Her work dives deep into the world of anti-diet culture and self acceptance. She's on a mission to help people to break free from diet culture and develop a profound and compassionate relationship with both their bodies and food. Her holistic approach to well-being extends beyond mere nutrition advice; it's about fostering lasting transformations and nurturing an empowered mindset.Jessica is a transracial adoptee and passionate about elevating adoptee voices and holding space for everyone's unique experiences. https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/

Betsy McCoach is a full professor in the Educational Psychology department at the University of Connecticut where she teaches quantitative research methods and conducts research in education and psychology. Born in 1970, Betsy was placed with her adoptive family at 7 weeks old. Betsy grew up in a stable family and has always known that she was adopted. Betsy has one older adoptive brother: he is over 9 years older than she is, and he is not adopted.  Betsy has been married to her husband for almost 25 years; they have 2 children- ages 13 and 15. When Betsy and her husband decided to have children, she wanted to know more about her “genetic history”, which prompted her to begin searching for her birth parents.  Her “reunion” story spans 17 years and contains several plot twists. After a great deal of internal debate, Betsy has decided to use her real name on the podcast and “own” her story. https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/

Julie Ryan McGue is an author, a domestic adoptee, and an identical twin. She writes extensively about finding out who you are, where you belong, and making sense of it.Julie's debut award winning memoir Twice a Daughter: A Search for Identity, Family, and Belonging  (https://juliemcgueauthor.com/books/)(She Writes Press) came out in May 2021. It is the story of her five-year search for birth relatives. Her weekly blogs That Girl, This Life  (https://juliemcgueauthor.com/blog/)and monthly column at The Beacher focus on identity, family, and life's quirky moments. Born in Chicago, Illinois, Julie received a BA from Indiana University in Psychology. She earned a MM in Marketing from the Kellogg Graduate School of Business, Northwestern University. She has served multiple terms on the Board of the Midwest Adoption Center and is an active member of the American Adoption Congress.Julie splits her time between Northwest Indiana and Sarasota, Florida. She is the mother of four adult children and has three grandsons. If she's not at her computer, she's on the tennis court, or out exploring with her Nikon. Julie is currently working on a collection of personal essays. https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/

Joining us this week is returning guest from March, 2022  (episode 68) Linda Pevac where we learned about her adoption journey and discussed her first book, “The Gathering Place.” Linda has since released her second book, “A Fire is Coming,” available both on Amazon.com and audible. Linda,  “Emma Stevens,”  is a US domestic adoptee who was adopted at birth and has survived many layers of trauma. Her childhood upbringing in an authoritative, cult-like family, predisposed Linda to several more struggles. One of them was falling prey to an exploitative therapist where she unknowingly entered a cultic, one-on-one relationship with her psychologist. Someone who was to help, support and provide healing -  instead, held her captive in a psychological nightmare.  For more about Linda; https://linktr.ee/EmmaStevensWriterhttps://www.pulledbytheroot.com/

Thank you for being part of this journey, as we celebrate this milestone of 100  episodes with you!  Pulled By The Root wishes to continue to shed light on the intricate journey of adoption, highlighting the resilience and strength of our community. In this episode, we are joined by Heidi Marble with a special message of hope and gratitude. https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/

Dana Ozak is a full time preschool teacher, passionate adoptee advocate, and author of her soon to be released memoir, “A Girl and Her Four Families.”Dana was born at St. John's Hospital in Cleveland in 1973. She was adopted through Catholic Charities in November of 1973. Her adoption was never kept a secret from her, but she still wondered where she came from. She was able to find her biological mother's name after the state of Ohio released her OBC (Original Birth Certificate). Sadly, she also found out her biological mother had passed away. A Girl and Her Four Families is the story of Dana's quest and emotional roller coaster ride to find her biological families and if she was the product of genetics or the loving environment in which she was raised.For more about Dana;https://girland4families.com/ (https://girland4families.com/)https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/

This week we are joined by author, late discovery adoptee, and adoptee advocate Fred Nicora. Fred discovered he was adopted at the age of 41 years old, through a slip of the tongue by an elderly aunt at a large family gathering, when Fred's parents had already passed away. The subsequent revelation was the discovery that he had no legal right to learn his true identity. "Forbidden Roots" describes Fred's journey over six years, from this discovery, through reunions, and finally arriving at some initial resolution and reconciliation while constructing a new identity. Today, he is on a mission to advocate for records, and access change in Wisconsin (his home state) and assist those coming to terms with their birth status and discoveries.For more about Fred's book, “Forbidden Roots: A Memoir of Late-Discovery Adoption”http://www.frednicora.comhttps://www.pulledbytheroot.com/

Jenny has a deep connection to the human spirit, and a lifelong passion for health and wellness. Over the span of her life and career she has worked with thousands of individuals in fitness, with special needs, education, and business communities. Jenny has 21 certifications in alternative health and fitness, and an extensive background in business leadership. Her experience and education extend far beyond the classroom. Jenny was adopted as a baby and into an extraordinary family with a multitude of rare and uncommon diseases, where medical miracles are commonplace. Her family has been the catalyst for Jenny's passion and understanding of the body's remarkable power to heal itself. Her own emotional challenges with adoption trauma and involvement with her family have created a unique canvas of understanding of how we hold trauma in the body and in what way illness is created.Jenny is currently working on her first book on the amazing ability we each have to communicate with our bodies and generate our own internal healing processes. https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/

Ken is an adoptee who was always wondering. Wondering about what if? Wondering about why? Always wondering and feeling rudderless. Ken suspects many adoptees have experienced the same insecurities. He decided that he needed to explore this further, examining his own journey and that of his birth mother on a deeper level. This examination inspired Ken to write his debut novel, "I Will See You Again....Hearts Will Sing".  A journey of self-discovery told through equal parts of elation, despair, and revelation, the story traces the paths of two souls seeking wholeness.   eBook and paperback can be found at http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C5DRHHMWhttps://www.pulledbytheroot.com/

Liz Brownell is a mother, wife, teacher, artist, and adoptee living in upstate NY. She and her husband Kurt live outside of Rochester with their teenagers. What started as a curiosity in an effort to thank her First mother let to the sad discovery that she would never have a chance to meet her. As she navigated the fog she found two half sisters and some other extended family along the way. She is beginning to collect and refine stories for her upcoming sabbatical. Liz will explore more deeply this maternal mystery and create a body of work intended to foster conversations that exist for adoptees and their families. As mentioned in this episode: https://adopteesconnect.com/ https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/

Robert Ferraro is a pop culture journalist whose interviews include Jane Seymour, Melissa Etheridge, Paula Abdul and others. Robert is also founder of The Giving Arts, a website through which he helps public figures publicize their charitable causes. His essay sharing the challenges of his life as an adoptee - entitled 'My Love Is Stronger Than Your Disregard' - received considerable acclaim for its honesty and vulnerability. A companion piece, chronicling his emotional attempt to engage his birth family in person, is being written now.https://thegivingarts.com/ https://ofpersonalinterest.com/https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/

CARLYN MONTES DE OCA is a multi-award-winning author, an international speaker, and passionate animal advocate.A former film editor on such movies as Honey, I Shrunk the Kids and Three Men and a Little Lady, Carlyn holds a bachelor's degree from Loyola Marymount University in communication arts and a master's degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine. As a sought after speaker, Carlyn frequently talks on the powerful ways human health, happiness, and longevity are improved through our connection with our animal companions. She has been featured on ABC, CBS, NBC, and Woman's Day Magazine. A longtime resident of Northern California, Carlyn now lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico with her husband, Ken Fischer, an award-winning sound editor, and her beloved rescue dog, Grace. Her latest book, a #1 Amazon bestseller and award-winning book, Junkyard Girl: a Memoir of Ancestry, Family Secrets, and Second Chances, is available now.https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/

Julia was adopted in September 1963, under the New Zealand closed adoption policy of sealed records. She grew up knowing she was adopted, but was unable to search for her real family until the late 1980s after the law was changed to allow adult adoptees to have access to their original birth certificates. She was able to trace her mother in the United Kingdom; however, to this day, her mother has not wanted a relationship with her. It took a great deal more to locate her father, who was an American citizen of First Nations descent living in North Carolina. She has a large extended family in the USA and has made many trips with her children there. Married to her sweetheart Mike, she is a mother of four, stepmother of two, and a recent grandmother to an 8-month-old baby girl with a grandson due in October.Of particular interest to Julia is the lifelong effects of being adopted on intimate relationships, a topic she explored for her Master's degree. A trained counselor working with young people, she is currently completing a doctorate on how being an adopted person might affect the experience of being a parent to one's own biological children.https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/

In this week's episode, we are delighted to have two special guests for an enriching roundtable discussion. We welcome back Lance Lukin, our guest from episode 33. Born in New Zealand in 1967, Lance was placed for adoption when he was just 21 days old, with his adoption becoming official in 1969.In addition, we are privileged to be joined by Brigitta Baker, adopted during the era of closed adoptions. Brigitta, fondly known as Brigs, brings a wealth of professional experience to the conversation, having held diverse roles ranging from advisory positions to leadership development, human resource management, and coaching.We look forward to sharing their unique insights and experiences with you. Adopted: Love, loss, family and reunion is the new memoir by Jo Willis & Brigitta Baker about their respective adoption journeys.  For more about Brigitta,https://www.masseypress.ac.nz/books/all/adoptedFor more about Lance's journey:Content warning, the following episode contains content that may be triggering https://open.spotify.com/episode/10zzfNvAuG488Ovgidxpfc?si=Ds4PWiCxQPyeZQG05Kv0uA As mentioned in this episode: Ruth Monnig Ted Talk https://youtu.be/jL4lnvQ1wVUSpecial thanks to our cohosts, Amy Hansen & Elle Klaussen who have graciously stepped forward to host while Heidi Marble recovers from health challenges. https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/

Beth Syverson, a mother, wife, and musician, has been a podcaster, activist, and public speaker since 2021. After adopting Joey from Japan at seven and a half months old, she came to understand that the core of his substance use stemmed from the trauma of relinquishment. As a guiding figure for adoptive parents grappling with the realization that their child's adoption brought about trauma, Beth offers support and understanding. Through their podcast, Untangling Adoption, she and Joey openly share their experiences in order to help other families mitigate their pain. In this episode, my co-host Amy Hansen and I join Beth for a candid and in-depth conversation, holding nothing back.For more with Beth, you can tune in on Spotify to Unraveling Adoption podcast linked below: https://open.spotify.com/show/0237aAJvaSYpjdwC44iu3A?si=6zJuzBrdTbymtgmUxDnI3QTrigger Warning: The following content contains mentions of suicidal ideation and substance abuse. Please proceed with caution and prioritize your well-being. If you need support, consider reaching out to a mental health professional or helplinehttps://www.pulledbytheroot.com/