Podcasts about adoptee

Elle is a baby-scoop-era domestic adoptee born in NYC in May of 1969. She was adopted 2 months later into what was supposed to be a stable, religious family. For as long as she could remember, she was aware that both she and her older brother were adopted, but the details ended there. It was understood that questions were not welcome regarding the story of their adoptions.  Growing up, Elle always knew she was radically different from her adoptive family, both physically and in personality and character. With violence and dysfunction in the home, ceasing somewhat when her adoptive father left the family when she was in grade school, she could never understand why people would say, “You should be grateful”.  This tumultuous upbringing and lack of familial connection fueled her years-long search for identity and her birth family. Encountering many twists and turns along the way as well as some heartache and joy, Elle was able to meet with some biological family members while being repeatedly rejected by others, a situation that continues to this day.  In a story that spans over 30 years, Elle was able to get most of the answers she was looking for and a small bit of closure. “Coming out of the fog” has allowed her to find healing and to assist others by sharing her story and lived experience. She is currently living in New York and working on a memoir, tentatively titled “Adopted AF – Confessions of a Mad Ungrateful Adoptee.”Elle on YouTube Season 12 Book: The Adoption Paradox by Jean Kelly Widner Eventbrite Link: Live Podcast Event in Minneapolis, MN, Sept. 11th-13th Sign up to be part of our mailing list! Thank you to our Patreons! Join at the $10 level and be part of our monthly ADOPTEE CAFE community. The next meeting will be Saturday, September 26th at 1 pm ET. RESOURCES for Adoptees: Adoptees Connect Adoptee Mentoring Society Gregory Luce and Adoptee Rights LawFireside Adoptees Facebook GroupDr. Liz Debetta: Migrating Toward Wholeness MovementMoses Farrow - Trauma therapist and advocate National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1-800-273-8255 OR Dial or Text 988. Kristal Parke Because She Is Adopted Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ronnie Jacobs Jr. is an educator, consultant and podcaster of Firepit Conversations with his brother Aaron. A life long learner, uncle, and dedicated partner. Firepit Conversations - PodcastMusic by Corey Quinn

What does it mean to search for your identity after growing up away from your birth culture? Australian filmmaker Joel de Carteret, who was adopted from the Philippines as a child and raised in Australia shares his journey of discovering his Filipino heritage. - Ano ang ibig sabihin ng pagiging Pilipino kung lumaki ka sa ibang pamilya at kultura? Ibinahagi ni Filipino adoptee at filmmaker Joel de Carteret ang kanyang paglalakbay sa paghahanap ng sariling pagkakakilanlan matapos lumaki sa Australia sa piling ng isang Australian family.

Diane, an accomplished artist who has created work for most of her life in the San Francisco Bay Area, was adopted in 1964 by a couple who thought they were unable to have children. 8 months later, her brother, a biological child, was born. Diane's parents told her when she was 4 years old that she was adopted. She was curious about her birth parents, yet it was the one subject in the family that could never be discussed. As a result, Diane developed an avid practice of searching the drawers and cupboards in her family's house, looking for information. Later, in the 1990s, she worked in secret with the Adoptees Liberty Movement Association, discovering, after years of research, the name of her birth mother, only to learn that she had died a decade before. Diane did find an aunt, a younger half-sister, and many of her mother's friends, who together drew a picture of her mother. When genetic genealogy became a viable tool, Diane, through extensive research, was able to find her father, whom she met in New York City five years later. He did not know he had a child, and in the years that followed, until his death at age 89, they became close – talking on the phone every few weeks, visiting a few times a year, and traveling to his homeland, Estonia, together. There, Diane saw where he was born and met members of her extended family.  Through her investigation and the relationships that grew from it, Diane learned that she is the biological child of two artists who grew up in a family of doctors and businesspeople. Knowing nothing of her origins, she became an artist herself, and now makes paintings and sculpture rooted in her adoption experience. Her most recent paintings are shimmering data-driven visualizations of how her DNA connects with that of her parents and her sister. The sculptural and wall works she has been making over the past couple of years are based on her long-ago searches through the drawers of her family house for information relating to her origins. As a means of articulating and expressing her experience as an adoptee, Diane has been drawn to atypical materials, such as unconventionally marbled paper and ostrich skin, to speak about the adoptee experience, which she employs in the sculptures and wall works that explore what happens when the secrets are gone, and the drawers stand open. Diane on YouTube Season 12 Book: The Adoption Paradox by Jean Kelly Widner Eventbrite Link: Live Podcast Event in Minneapolis, MN, Sept. 11th-13th Sign up to be part of our mailing list! Thank you to our Patreons! Join at the $10 level and be part of our monthly ADOPTEE CAFE community. The next meeting will be Saturday, August 8th at 1 pm ET. RESOURCES for Adoptees: Adoptees Connect Adoptee Mentoring Society Gregory Luce and Adoptee Rights Law Fireside Adoptees Facebook Group Dr. Liz Debetta: Migrating Toward Wholeness Movement Moses Farrow - Trauma therapist and advocate National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1-800-273-8255 OR Dial or Text 988. Kristal Parke Because She Is Adopted Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

— What does it truly mean to find peace with your adoption story? For many adoptees, questions about identity, belonging, loss, love, and family can linger for a lifetime. In this episode, Lauren Williams, a respected and dedicated psychotherapist and founder of Park Avenue Mental Health Counseling in New York City, explores the complex emotional landscape of adoption and the path toward healing, acceptance, and forgiveness. Lauren Williams discusses the realities and myths surrounding biological and adoptive bonds, the importance of releasing resentment and idealized narratives, and how embracing compassion for both birth and adoptive parents can create space for peace. Ultimately, Lauren reminds us that family is not defined solely by biology, but by the people who love, support, and cherish us throughout our lives. Join us for a heart-centered conversation about finding wholeness, belonging, and the freedom to create your own definition of family. Valeria interviews Lauren Williams — She is a psychotherapist and founder of Park Avenue Mental Health Counseling in New York City, and a graduate of Columbia University.  An adoptee herself, Ms. Williams' keen insights on how adoptees can navigate the complex relationships with birth and adoptive families, gain confidence in their identities and self-worth, and find peace and empowerment through their life stories has been recognized by the Marquis Who's Who, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, International Business Times, and others.  To learn more about Lauren Williams and her work, please visit: https://parkavetherapy.com/

In this episode I speak to Michael Gaither, he was adopted in the US in the 1970s  and moved to rural Nebraska. As a black boy raised by white adoptive parents in a majority white community Michael shares the impact of the profound differences he experienced and the lack of understanding he faced.  You can follow Michael here and there are free resources for those that are interested.  Michael's instagram is also here.  As always if you've experience of adoption, fostering or special guardianship from any perspective personal or professional and would like share that on the podcast please get in touch through the Facebook page, BlueSky or email us at AandFpodcast@gmail.com Listen/subscribe on iTunes here Spotify here

So many of us are challenging other people's narratives, but what if we challenge our own? This invariably leads to the insights that power our growth, fuel our relationships and succeed. Listen in as Kareemah shares her biggest insights to catalyse insight in yours. Kareemah Harris-Baker's story is one of resilience. As an adoptee who lost both her adoptive parents by the age of nine, Kareemah's early life was shaped by profound transitions—and an unwavering sense of purpose instilled by her late parents. Kareemah works at New Jersey's Department of Children and Families as Assistant Director of the Office of Adoption Operations. https://www.linkedin.com/in/kareemah-h-baker-lsw-mpa-830079a2/ https://www.facebook.com/Ladyk583/ Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

Healing, Wholeness & Growth. What do they mean? How do they fit together? How can we enjoy more of all three? Listen in as adoptee and social worker Lynda shares powerful insights and strategies. Lynda is an Adoptee, Registered Social Worker (MSW, RSW) Director of the International Association for Journal Writing, IAJW.org and Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC) Find out more at: https://www.amazon.com/Adoptees-Guide-Healing-Wholeness-Growth/dp/1963667328/ LyndaMonk.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lyndamonk/ Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

On the phone-in: Author and social worker, Lynda Monk, talks about her new book, "The Adoptees Guide to Healing, Wholeness and Growth". Listeners call and share their adoption stories. And off the top, we speak with a woman who camps in Queen's County, NS, and has questions about the fire restrictions. Those questions are answered by Scott Tingley, the Manager of Forest Protection with the Department of Natural Resources.

Episode Summary: In this week's episode of your favorite Korean Adoptee podcast, the Janchi Boys sit down and talk about whether we (adoptees) have backed ourselves into a niche too hard by leaning into the ‘adoptee' tag, or whether it's just a byproduct of being fully conscious of our identity.Later, we try a Baskin Robbins Choco Ball….does Baskin Robbins even make non-ice cream products?!---// Support the Show!Online at janchishow.com / @janchishowSupport the show at janchishow.com/supportWatch our Youtube VideosWrite us a note: janchishow@gmail.comThe Janchi Show Quick BioThe Janchi Show focuses on exploring intersectional identities and current events through the lens of adoption, race, lived experience and more. Sometimes we have guests, and sometimes it's just the three of us. Either way, it's always a janchi!// Meet the Janchi Boys!Nathan NowackNathan (he/him) is a transracial Korean American adoptee who was born in Seoul in the 1970s. He was adopted at the age of 5 months old and raised in a small town in Oklahoma along with a non-biological Korean adopted sister.  After going to college in Colorado he later moved to Los Angeles to pursue a digital media career and eventually started 2 photography companies.  He loves spending time with his wife and 3 kids, playing golf, and collecting Lego. He is in reunion with his biological family as the youngest of 7 and has been in contact since 2015.  He currently serves on the Advisory Council for KAAN and helps with the planning of their annual adoptee conference.  In 2021, Nathan and his family moved back to Colorado to be closer to family and start a new chapter in their lives.  Connect with Nathan!Website: http://www.coverve.comInstagram: http://instagram.com/nnowackPatrick ArmstrongPatrick Armstrong (he/him) is a transracial Korean American adoptee, podcaster, speaker, and community facilitator. He is one of the hosts of the Janchi Show, a podcast that explores and celebrates the experiences and stories of Korean adoptees everywhere. He also is host of Conversation Piece with Patrick Armstrong, a podcast where he discusses the missing pieces of the conversations we're already having. He is a cofounder of the Asian Adoptees of Indiana, a group dedicated to creating a safe, engaging community for all Asian adoptees who need it. He is currently based in Indianapolis with his wife and cat. Connect with Patrick!Website: http://patrickintheworld.meLinkedIn: http://linkedin/in/patrickintheworldInstagram: http://instagram.com/patrickintheworldK.J. Roelke (@kjroelke)KJ (he/him) was adopted from Daegu and raised in Dallas, Texas with his two biological, older siblings and his younger sister, adopted from Russia. After spending a decade in the Midwest for college and career, he and his wife are back in Dallas and living large! He has been on his journey of discovery since 2015 and spends his days as a web developer for the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma.Connect with K.J.!Website: https://kjroelke.online/LinkedIn: https://linkedin/in/kjroelkeInstagram: https://instagram.com/kjroelke// Listen to/Watch The Janchi Show on all major platforms:Apple: http://janchishow.com/appleSpotify: http://janchishow.com/spotifyYoutube: http://janchishow.com/youtubeGratitude & CreditsMichelle Nam for our logo and brandingJerry Won for bring us togetherThis show is created and produced by Patrick, Nathan and KJ and is the sole property of the Janchi Show, LLC.

What if we are whole despite all that's happened to us? How does connection help us heal? Listen in as Anna, Donna and I dive deep into two profound questions.... Here is Anna's first interview: https://thriving-adoptees.simplecast.com/episodes/anna-jinja Anna used to spread hate about herself being adopted and did everything she could to avoid talking about it. Now she runs a podcast and discusses adoption all the time. So what changed? Listen in as we talk identity, transracial adoption and most of all, being authentic. Anna Jinja Mather was adopted from Seoul, Korea, and grew up in Iowa. Her heart is filled with love for people and their stories. By sharing her adoption story and all that she is learning to help her navigate through personal and professional challenges, she hopes that this will lead us to believe, accept, and value the inherent worthiness of all people. Anna invites you to join her learning adventure by listening to the people and creative content that makes her feel at home in this world. https://www.annajinja.com/ Check out her book https://www.amazon.com/Adopting-Grace-Anna-Jinja-ebook/dp/B0DJZPQ44K https://www.facebook.com/annajinjashow https://www.instagram.com/annajinjashow/ https://x.com/annajinjashow Here is Donna's first interview: https://thriving-adoptees.simplecast.com/episodes/purpose-in-the-pain-donna-pope Are you suffering right now? It probably - or definitely - doesn't feel like it, but finding the purpose in that pain somehow makes it more bearable. The earlier we can see that purpose the sooner the pain can ease. Join Donna and I as we dive in life changing insights and shifts in perspective. Donna is an adoptive mother, executive director of an adoption agency and podcaster. Here's a bit about Donna from her agency's website: Donna is an irreplaceable member of our adoption agency, dedicated to aiding women who are contemplating placing their child for adoption. Helping women through an unexpected pregnancy has become her life's journey. She is seldom “off duty.” On weekends she communicates with birth mothers to aid them with their financial concerns or traveling to a hospital to ensure they are receiving the best medical possible. Her resolute dedication and heartfelt compassion make her an essential figure in supporting these women throughout their entire journey. Donna ensures that every person who works at Heart to Heart Adoptions treats birth mothers and adoptive families with respect and compassion. She insists on a non-judgmental approach to every situation. She creates a safe and nurturing space for them to share their concerns, dreams, and worries. By approaching each individual with empathy and without judgment, Donna ensures that these exceptional women have the necessary guidance and resources to make well-informed decisions. Donna's expertise within the Utah Adoption Agency lies in her ability to find the perfect match between birth mothers and adoptive families, making her an invaluable asset to our agency. Connect with her here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donna-pope-41652ba/ Explore her podcast here: https://www.instagram.com/voicesof_adoption/reel/DLH-sYjJPf4/?__d=1 https://voicesofadoption.podup.com/ https://www.instagram.com/voicesof_adoption/ Find out more about her podcast here: https://hearttoheartadopt.com/ https://www.facebook.com/HeartToHeartAdoption https://www.instagram.com/hearttoheartadoptions/ Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

Since the end of World War II, over 500,000 children have been adopted from abroad by U.S. citizen parents with the promise of a secure life.  Yet, for many, that promise was broken by a legal oversight that denied them automatic citizenship.  Amanda Cho and Rachel Koelzer will share how this loophole started, the impacts and why it persists today.  We will take an inside look at the Protect Adoptees and American Families (PAAF) Act and learn how you can take action at Adoptees For Justice. Amanda Cho is the Policy Manager for Adoptees for Justice (A4J) & the Alliance for Adoptees and Families (AAF). Rachel Koelzer is the Communications Director for the National Korean American Service and Education Consortium (NAKASEC) and its project, Adoptees For Justice (A4J). (40 mins) April 22, 2026 This podcast is eligible for a Certificate of Completion if you complete a Post Podcast Test Test The post The Call to Action for Intercountry Adoptee Justice appeared first on Foster Adopt Minnesota.

Please join me for a conversation with Toronto Canada stepparent adopted person Craig Wallace.https://www.ontario.ca/page/search-adoption-recordsPeople who are adopted, even by stepparents, are legally barred from accessing a certified copy of their original birth certificate. Some places allow an adopted person to access a noncertified copy at a specified age. The opinions of the host and their guest are just that, their opinions.The host is not a lawyer, a therapist or an adoption professionalThank you for listening

Please join me as I talk with New York adoptee, Elizabeth BarbourElizabeth Barbour (she/her) is an adoptee and adoptive mom with 27 years of reunion experience. In 1999, she found her birthmom, birthdad and eleven (!) brothers and sisters. An adoption reunion coach, speaker and author of two books, she's currently writing her third about building healthy relationships in adoption reunions. Elizabeth helps people find grace and grounding amidst the grief and complexity of the reunion process through self-care, storytelling, and ritual. She lives in Asheville, North Carolina and you can learn more about her at www.elizabethbarbour.comElizabeth Barbour Links Websites: www.elizabethbarbour.com and www.sacredcelebrations.comOrder Sacred Celebrations book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CLTXRL56New Coaching Program: www.elizabethbarbour.com/solid-groundFB: https://www.facebook.com/elizabethbarbourIG: https://www.instagram.com/elizabthbarbour/  Elizabeth Barbour, M.Ed.Intuitive Life & Business Coach, Healer, Author & SpeakerAsheville, NCwww.elizabethbarbour.comwww.sacredcelebrations.com828-279-5218 Check out my award-winning new book Sacred Celebrations: Designing Rituals to Navigate Life's Milestone TransitionsMentioned in the episode:https://www.wearekaan.org/https://concernedunitedbirthparents.org/https://savingoursistersadoption.org/https://thefamilypreservationproject.com/https://www.alsoknownas.org/https://adoptionmosaic.com/https://naapunited.org/The opinions of the host and their guest are just that, our opinionsThe host is not a therapist, a lawyer, or an adoption professionalThank you for listeninghttps://www.healthcentral.com/mental-health/get-help-mental-health

Dr Alice Diver hosts a follow‑up LawPod conversation with Sharon, Maeve, and Brigid from Adopt NI, continuing the discussion on adoptee rights, truth recovery, and Northern Ireland's forthcoming redress legislation. Building on Episode 1, the guests analyse how the draft bill fails to reflect the human rights framework promised in earlier reports and how lived experience has been overlooked in policymaking. They describe the gap between the Truth Recovery Report's human‑rights‑based recommendations and the bill now emerging: the exclusion of workhouse survivors; the omission of practices such as coercion, systemic separation of mothers and babies, and cross‑border adoption pathways; and the absence of a statutory right to personal records. Participants recount their frustration at being positioned as consultees only in appearance, with little genuine influence, and their exhaustion at repeatedly providing testimony that appears unread or unacted upon. The conversation highlights the lifelong impacts of forced separation, trauma, loss of identity, intergenerational effects, and the emotional labour required to obtain fragmented or redacted records. They stress the need for a victims' commissioner, mandatory access to archives, accountability for institutions (including state, church, and medical actors), and investment in research, education, and non‑repetition measures. Despite the barriers, the group emphasises the strength of peer support through Adopt NI and the ongoing commitment to advocacy and truth-telling. There is one more episode forthcoming in this series. Further Information https://www.assemblyresearchmatters.org/2025/11/24/inquiry-mother-and-baby-institutions-magdalene-laundries-and-workhouses-and-redress-scheme-bill-a-brief-overview/ https://truthrecoverystrategy.com/reports/ Alliance for the Study of Adoption & Culture 2026 Conference — Alliance for the Study of Adoption & Culture AdoptNI Adoption UK Charity Genetic Stigma in Law and Literature: Orphanhood, Adoption, and the Right to Reunion  (Palgrave, 2024) https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-031-46246-7

Ladies and gentlemen and whoever else is listening, welcome back to the show. CONTENT WARNING - The opinions of the host and our guests have not been sanitized or scientifically tested so please consume at your own risk. In this episode, we sit down with Jill Burgon, a clinical social worker who specializes in helping adoptive families navigate the unique emotional and behavioral challenges that can come with adoption. Jill's path to becoming an adoption-focused therapist began with her own personal experience as an adoptive mother. After realizing there were basically zero tools or therapeutic resources available to help families like hers, Jill made a life-changing decision in her 50s, she went back to school, got two masters degrees and became the professional she wished she had when raising her adopted son. Today, she helps adoptive parents better understand trauma, attachment, and the specialized support adopted children often need to thrive. In this conversation, we explore the realities of adoptive parenting, the hidden challenges families face, and why Jill believes the right tools and understanding can change the trajectory of an adopted child's life. CONTACT JILL Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/jill-burgon/ BOOKS, WEBSITES AND RESOURCES Utah therapy offices and programs Children's Service Society of Utah https://cssutah.org/our-programs/adoption/mental-health-services Adoption-competent, trauma-informed therapy for children and caregivers related to adoption or kinship care.  Raise the Future Utah / Utah's Adoption Connection https://www.raisethefuture.org/family-support/utah Utah family support hub for adoptive, foster, and kinship families, with regional resources and post-adoption support.  Anson Family Counseling - https://ansonfamilycounseling.com/ Utah counseling practice offering child, family, and individual counseling.  Touchstone Therapy Center - https://touchstoneutah.com/services Utah therapy office with services related to trauma, attachment, child and family therapy, and adoption-related concerns.  Wellspring Child & Family Counseling Center - https://wellspringutah.com/fosteradoptive-parents/ Support for foster and adoptive parents, with attention to transitions, loss, and caregiver guidance.  Focal Point - https://www.focalpointut.com/transracial-adoption-landing Utah resource especially relevant for transracial adoption, identity, belonging, and culturally responsive support.  The Children's Center Utah - https://childrenscenterutah.org/ Trauma-informed, evidence-based mental health care for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and their families.  Wasatch Behavioral Health Attachment IOP - https://www.wasatch.org/attachment-iop/ Intensive outpatient program for youth ages 10 to 17 who have been adopted or are not being raised by their biological parents and are working on attachment issues.  How to find an adoption-competent therapist Look for these terms in a therapist profile or ask about them directly: TAC or NTI therapist training. Do they use therapies such as TBRI, ARC, PCIT, Theraplay, or DDP? C.A.S.E. National Directory of Adoption Competent Professionals https://adoptionsupport.org/national-directory/ Utah's Adoption Connection https://www.utahadopt.org/resources/category-filter/category/counselors-who-specialize-in-adoption Online resources, trainings, webinars, and support NTDC, National Training and Development Curriculum https://ntdctraining.org/training-for-families/ Free, research-based training for foster, kinship, and adoptive families. It was developed with input from experts, caregivers, and people with lived experience, including former foster and adoptive youth, and is designed to help parents care for children impacted by trauma, separation, and loss.  NCFA Adoption Learning Hub - https://adoptioncouncil.org/courses/ On-demand courses and webinars for adoptive parents, prospective adoptive parents, and professionals.  Grow Beyond Words On-Demand Adoption Courses https://growbeyondwords.com/on-demand-adoption-courses/ Adoption-focused courses for adoptive and foster parents, caregivers, and professionals.  C.A.S.E. Webinars - https://adoptionsupport.org/webinars/ Free monthly and on-demand webinars for adoptive, foster, and kinship parents/caregivers and professionals.  Celia Center - https://celiacenter.org/ Online support groups and community for adoptees, foster and adoptive parents, kinship families, and other members of the adoption constellation.  National Center for Enhanced Post-Adoption Support - https://postadoptioncenter.org/ National hub with training, tools, and a resource library focused on post-adoption and post-permanency support.  ASCC, Adoption-Sensitive Clinical Care - https://hbasct.org/ Training and education focused on adoption-sensitive care in healthcare and clinical settings.  Cam Lee Small / Therapy Redeemed - https://therapyredeemed.com/ Adoptee-centered therapy, education, podcasts, and courses that can help parents and caregivers learn from adoptee perspectives.  Helpful books for parents or caregivers Parenting in the Eye of the Storm: The Adoptive Parent's Guide to Navigating the Teen Years https://us.jkp.com/products/parenting-in-the-eye-of-the-storm A parent resource focused on staying grounded and navigating the teen years in adoption-sensitive ways.  The Connected Parent https://www.harvesthousepublishers.com/books/connected-parent-9780736978927/ Practical attachment-focused parenting strategies for children from hard places.  #AdoptionSupport #AdoptionJourney #AdoptiveParenting #AdoptionTherapy #TraumaInformedCare #AttachmentTrauma #AdoptionAwareness #AdoptionPodcast #ParentingAdoptedChildren #AdoptionResources

Please join me and Adriana Rockefeller as we talk about what has happened in her fight to be recognized as a person since we spoke early last year in a two part interview here on the podcast. Adriana is still fighting to be recognized by Romania and Canada as a legal person. You can be a part of making that happen, as her court case continues. Adriana was raised as Roxana Pamela. Two years ago, she discovered that she had been adopted to Canada from Romania using another infants birth certificate. She subsequently discovered that this invalidates her own legal identity, leaving her in limbo, and without a state. You can help Adriana achieve personhood by purchasing her book and by donating to her fundraiser for legal funds. In a time where we often feel powerless, this is an opportunity to do something concrete for a victim of human trafficking. Her book Ne M'appelez pas Roxana:https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/ne-mappelez-pasroxana/9782897612764.html Instagram: @adriana.citizenofnowheregofundme.com/f/Help-Adriana-Reclaim-Her-Identitytiktok: @adriana.citizenofnowherehttps://www.journaldemontreal.com/2024/12/07/adoption-et-trafic-denfants-en-roumanie-une-quebecoise-part-a-la-recherche-de-sa-veritable-identiteTVA JE Episode: Adoption ou Trafique Humain? Available in Canada or if you have a VPN

Dr Alice Diver hosts LawPod with fellow adult adoptees Anita, Richard/Michael, and Michelle to discuss adoptee rights amid Northern Ireland law reform and truth recovery processes. They describe meeting through an Adopt NI peer support group and how reports on institutional abuse prompted them to seek their own histories. The conversation focuses on barriers to accessing adoption, institutional, court, trust, and medical records despite Northern Ireland being an open records jurisdiction, including redactions, missing or destroyed files, inconsistent disclosure, and records held by churches and other gatekeepers. They emphasise the emotional harm, distrust, and "gaps" adoptees face; the need for accountable systems and legislation that ensure complete, reliable access; and the reality that receiving records is only the start, with reunions and identity integration continuing afterwards. They highlight peer support and mentoring through Adopt NI and invite adoptees to seek help. Further Information Alliance for the Study of Adoption & Culture 2026 Conference — Alliance for the Study of Adoption & Culture AdoptNI Adoption UK Charity Genetic Stigma in Law and Literature: Orphanhood, Adoption, and the Right to Reunion  (Palgrave, 2024) https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-031-46246-7

North Port, Florida is built for fresh starts, quiet streets, new homes, friendly neighbors.On Mallicoat Road, Robbie and Jennifer Tower were the kind of people who made a neighborhood feel like family. Always present. Always helping. Always opening the door.Then one summer night, a Ring doorbell rang just before midnight. A voice screaming for help. Blood on a front porch. A car slipping into the dark.By morning, the town wasn't asking what happened. It was asking who could have done it.How to support:For extra perks including exclusive content, early release, and ad-free episodes -Go to - PatreonHow to connect:WebsiteInstagramFacebookTwitterTheme and Closing Track:Original compositions created for The Minds of MadnessPlease check out our sponsors and help support the podcast:Shopify - Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at shopify.com/madnessQuince - Upgrade your wardrobe with pieces made to last with Quince. Go to Quince.com/madness for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.Marley Spoon - This new year, fast-track your way to eating well with Marley Spoon. Head to MarleySpoon.com/offer/MADNESS for up to 25 FREE meals!HERS - Feel like your best self again, Visit forhers.com/MADNESS to get a personalized, affordable plan that gets you.NOCD - If you're struggling with OCD or unrelenting intrusive thoughts, NOCD can help. Book a free 15 minute call to get started: https://learn.nocd.com/MADNESSNutrafol - Start your hair growth journey with Nutrafol. For a limited time, Nutrafol is offering our listeners ten dollars off your first month's subscription and free shipping when you go to Nutrafol.com and enter the promo code MADNESSResearch & Writing:Ryan DeiningerSources:Slaughtered Parents Murder Trial – FL v. Dima Tower – Day 1Slaughtered Parents Murder Trial – FL v. Dima Tower – Day 2Slaughtered Parents Murder Trial – FL v. Dima Tower – Day 3Court TV RecapDima Tower admits to brutal murder of adoptive parents in chilling testimonyNORTH PORT | Records show man accused of killing family has violent historyNorth Port man accused of stabbing 2 family members to deathAdoptive Son on Trial After Mom and Dad MassacredRobbie Tower ObituaryJennifer Tower ObituaryUkrainian adoptee accused of stabbing his missionary parents to death in family's Florida homeDima Tower murder trial: Defense offers manslaughter plea as jury selection beginsDima Tower murder trial begins with opening statements in Sarasota CountyDima Tower found guilty of first-degree murder in parents' deathsDNA expert testifies in Dima Tower murder trial“An evil spirit:” Judge hands down maximum penalty to convicted killerFlorida man accused of killing adoptive parents could face life in prison as trial comes to an endDima Tower Faces 2 Counts of Murder for His Adoptive Parents - New Leaf NewsAdopted Ukrainian son, 22, charged with murdering Florida parentsUkrainian adoptee charged with murder after 'caring' parents found 'slaughtered' in homeDima Tower parents: What we know about Robbie and Jennifer TowerUkrainian adoptee, 21, charged with murder for slaughtering ‘caring' American parents'They forgave him for everything': Adoptee from Ukraine allegedly murdered loving parentsTower Memorial Service

Dani Joy, first mom, birthmothers rights advocate, adoptee ally. amazing friend joins me in reviewing the book Holy Hurt Understanding Spiritual Trauma and the Process of Healing by Hillary L Mc Bride PhD. https://hillarylmcbride.com/holy-hurt-book/We are reviewing the book from the perspectives of a mother of loss to adoption and a person lost to adoption. Religion contributed a great deal to the trauma we have both experienced and informs the family severance narrative to this day. We hope you will join us in this journey. Please be aware that the episodes will discuss things that may be triggering to many of our listeners. Please take care of yourself. The host and their guest are not adoption professionals, lawyers or mental health professionals. Our opinions are just that, our opinions. They are informed by our respective educations and lived experiences.

In this episode of the Adoption Roadmap podcast, Michelle Madrid discusses the complexities of adoption, focusing on identity, the significance of names, and the emotional challenges faced by adoptees. She emphasizes the importance of openness in conversations about adoption, the pain points that adoptees experience, and the need for adoptive parents to create a safe space for their children to explore their identities. The discussion also touches on the concept of ambiguous loss and the importance of recognizing and addressing the grief that comes with adoption. In this conversation, the speakers explore the complexities of adoption, including the emotional challenges faced by adoptees, the importance of openness in adoptive families, and the healing journey that comes with understanding one's identity. They discuss the intersections of adoption-related grief and other family traumas, the significance of using metaphors like quilts to describe family dynamics, and the resources available for both adoptees and adoptive parents. The dialogue emphasizes the need for compassion, understanding, and the transformative power of forgiveness in the adoption experience.Important LinksRG Adoption Consulting• Website → https://rgadoptionconsulting.com• Book a 30-Minute Consult → https://rgadoptionconsulting.com/contactOur Chosen Child• Use code ROADMAP for $100 off the Social Media Plan + Post Program.→ https://ourchosenchild.comMichelle Madrid• Website → https://themichellemadrid.com/• ⁠Instagram⁠• Unboxed, Unburdened, Unstoppable Podcast→ https://themichellemadrid.com/podcast• Book: "Let Us Be Greater" → https://themichellemadrid.com/bookChapters00:00 Navigating Adoption and Identity02:53 The Importance of Names in Adoption06:12 Understanding the Adoptee's Perspective09:04 Pain Points of Adoptees12:11 The Journey of Trust and Self-Acceptance15:05 The Role of Openness in Adoption17:54 Ambiguous Loss and Grief in Adoption26:44 Listening to the Wind: Embracing Adoption Stories27:58 Intersections of Grief: Adoption and Family Trauma35:42 The Journey of Adoption: From Pain to Healing38:05 The Quilt Metaphor: Redefining Family for Adoptees41:16 Finding Your Voice: Resources and Support for Adoptees44:54 Advice for Adoptive Parents: Openness and UnderstandingTune in to The Adoption Roadmap Podcast every Wednesday. If you like what you hear, I'd appreciate a follow and 5-star rating & review! THANK YOU!For questions about adoption, episode suggestions or to appear as a guest on The Adoption Roadmap Podcast, email⁠⁠⁠⁠ support@rgadoptionconsulting.com⁠⁠⁠

Born amidst cultural complexities in Korea to an American soldier and a Korean mother, Mark Wills faced an extraordinary start to life. Discover how Mark's journey from an orphanage to a diverse family of 25 siblings in America shaped him into the notary coach and family man he is today. This episode of the Wandering Tree Podcast highlights Mark's experiences, the enduring impact of early love from his biological mother, and how gratitude has played a pivotal role in his personal growth and success.With Mark's personal reflections, we challenge conventional narratives and highlight the importance of empathy and understanding for both adoptees and adoptive parents. By sharing anecdotes and insights, we aim to foster healing and grace within the adoptee community, encouraging listeners to view life as a continual journey rather than a final destination. Mark's story is a testament to the power of self-discovery and healing. We discuss overcoming childhood traumas, the impact of control and overthinking on relationships, and the journey towards harmony with one's past. This episode emphasizes the importance of unpacking emotional baggage, employing empathy, and accepting the complexities of human ties. Join us as we explore how embracing our narratives and turning trauma into triumph can lead to a more realistic harmony with our personal stories.

Jaciara is a transracial/international adoptee. She was adopted from Brazil in 1985 when she was 11 months old and raised in Northern California by a Jewish single parent mother, in a small and very minimally diverse town. Jaciara has obtained her Master's degree in Social Work and her bachelor's degree in Psychology. She currently works as a medical social worker in a hospital and has been in this field for many years. Jaciara has also worked in the field of adoption/foster care at various capacities for 10 years, and recently has begun a new part-time role as a Court Appointed Family Engagement Specialist. She has been a panelist on numerous adult adoptee panels, has co-developed and presented training curriculum utilizing both her lived and professional experience on the multi-layered experiences and nuances in transracial placement/adoption. She has also created educational curriculum for adoptee youth teaching mindfulness practices, as well as sharing learned life lessons and hardships from her lived experience in effort to provide the support and knowledge she so greatly wished to have had when she was younger. Jaciara has also independently provided 1:1 mentorship primarily to teenage adoptees including extending support/guidance to their adoptive parent(s). Jaciara is a member of the Board of Directors for S.P.A.C.E. (School of Performing Arts and Cultural Education) a well-known organization in her hometown that she actively participated in as a youth; she holds the position as the Chair of the board's Cultural Education Committee. Outside of her professional work, her most cherished and beloved hobby is Samba dance; and she is a principal dancer on a award winning Samba team. For Jaciara, Samba has been her most steady connection to her Afro-Brazilian roots.Resources/References: https://youtu.be/dmfxulaeMZI?si=exMTT3VX9SZkqXuB http://www.radiocurious.org/2015/03/31/bayer-jaciara-jaciara-bayer-transracial-adoptions-and-white-privilege/ https://www.patreon.com/c/adopteelandMusic by Corey Quinn

This episode with Dr. David McCarty-Caplan touches on so many profound and heartfelt areas, carried by the radical vulnerability, honesty, and compassion he brings to the conversation. David generously shares about his reunion with his Colombian birth family-- first on his own, and later with his children and partner. We explore how his kids embraced reunion and modeled openness, curiosity and love with his family, and how their presence and perspective helped guide and teach him throughout the process. David also reflects on his identity as a Jewish Colombian adoptee and his powerful work community building with and for Jewish adoptees of color.  Dr. David McCarty-Caplan BioDr. David McCarty-Caplan (PhD) is a researcher, educator, writer, and consultant whose work sits at the intersection of identity, belonging, and social justice. Born in Bogotá, Colombia and adopted into a white Jewish family in the United States, David's life has been shaped by questions of race, family, and home. These experiences continue to inform his passion for helping adoptees and their families navigate the complex layers of identity, racism, and connection that often accompany adoption. Drawing on his background as a social work researcher and educator, David brings both personal insight and professional rigor to his work with organizations, communities, and families. He is especially interested in how people and institutions can create spaces where all feel seen and valued. David lives in Los Angeles with his wife and their two children, ages 12 and 10. As a husband, father, and adoptee, he is continually exploring what it means to nurture belonging — in his family, in his work, and in the broader world.https://www.shadesofbelonging.com/Co-Hosts: Nari Baker & Robyn ParkMusic: Mike Marlatt & Paul GulledgeAudio Production: Frederico Soler FernándezArtwork: Dalhe KimListen on: iTunes & SpotifyInstagram: @laboroflovepodcastSupport via Venmo: @laboroflovepodcast

Earlier this year, South Korea's government admitted that widespread corruption had tainted hundreds of thousands of adoptions from its country. Babies who were thought to be orphaned had living parents. Some children were trafficked. Paperwork was falsified. Records were destroyed.Korean adoptees worldwide were left reeling, including here in Minnesota, home to the largest population of Korean adoptees in the U.S. Many had already wrestled with questions of identity and racial and cultural belonging. Now even the small bits of information they had about their past could no longer be trusted.How are Korean adoptees who call Minnesota home responding to this foundational earthquake? Earlier this month, MPR News' North Star Journey Live project hosted a gathering of adoptees who are deeply invested in the search for truth about their origin stories at Arbeiter Brewing in Minneapolis. Moderated by Twin Cities PBS reporter Kaomi Lee, who is herself an adoptee, the panel shared their personal histories and how the work they do today is moving the narrative forward. Guests: Kaomi Lee is a reporter at Twin Cities PBS. She is also the host of Adapted, one of the longest running Korean adoptee podcasts.Ami Nafzger has been working on behalf of Korean adoptees for decades as the founder of the Korean-based GOAL (Global Overseas Adoptees' Link) and the newer Minnesota-based Adoptee Hub. Matt McNiff is the board president and director at Camp Choson, one of many Korean culture camps started in the Upper Midwest in response to the wave of adoptions from Korea. Cam Lee Small is a licensed clinical therapist who specializes in adoption literacy, working both here in the Twin Cities and online. He's also the author of “The Adoptee's Journey.”Mary Niedermeyer is the CEO of Communities Advocating Prosperity for Immigrants, also known as CAPI, a Minnesota-based nonprofit.Find a resource guide to learn more about this topic at MPRnews.org.

Earlier this year, South Korea's government admitted that widespread corruption had tainted hundreds of thousands of adoptions from its country. Babies who were thought to be orphaned had living parents. Some children were trafficked. Paperwork was falsified. Records were destroyed.Korean adoptees worldwide were left reeling, including here in Minnesota, home to the largest population of Korean adoptees in the U.S. Many had already wrestled with questions of identity and racial and cultural belonging. Now even the small bits of information they had about their past could no longer be trusted.How are Korean adoptees who call Minnesota home responding to this foundational earthquake? Earlier this month, MPR News' North Star Journey Live project hosted a gathering of adoptees who are deeply invested in the search for truth about their origin stories at Arbeiter Brewing in Minneapolis.Moderated by Twin Cities PBS reporter Kaomi Lee, who is herself an adoptee, the panel shared their personal histories and how the work they do today is moving the narrative forward. Guests: Kaomi Lee is a reporter at Twin Cities PBS. She is also the host of Adapted, one of the longest running Korean adoptee podcasts.Ami Nafzger has been working on behalf of Korean adoptees for decades as the founder of the Korean-based GOAL (Global Overseas Adoptees' Link) and the newer Minnesota-based Adoptee Hub. Matt McNiff is the board president and director at Camp Choson, one of many Korean culture camps started in the Upper Midwest in response to the wave of adoptions from Korea. Cam Lee Small is a licensed clinical therapist who specializes in adoption literacy, working both here in the Twin Cities and online. He's also the author of “The Adoptee's Journey.”Mary Niedermeyer is the CEO of Communities Advancing Prosperity for Immigrants, also known as CAPI, a Minnesota-based nonprofit.Correction (Dec. 2, 2025): An earlier version of this story had an incomplete title for CAPI. The story has been updated.Find a resource guide to learn more about this topic at MPRnews.org.

This week on Militantly Mixed, I am joined by Traci Hobson, a biracial Black and Korean transracial adoptee whom I had the pleasure of meeting at Mixed Asian Day earlier this year. Traci was adopted from Korea and raised in the United States by American parents, navigating not just what it means to be Mixed, but also what it means to be disconnected from her birthplace, language, and culture, in this episode. We talk about identity, belonging, and survival, and how being both Mixed and a transracial adoptee shaped her sense of self, and how motherhood influenced the ways she approaches combating generational trauma. One of the most powerful aspects of our conversation is her recent return to Korea, where she began reclaiming pieces of her life and identity that were lost at the time of her adoption. Traci is such a lovely person and an incredibly thoughtful guest; I am so happy to share her story with you all.A quick programming note: Militantly Mixed is currently on an every-other-week schedule, but I may not be back until December 9th. The week before is both finals and the anniversary of Tristan's death, and I don't expect to be in the best headspace. I appreciate your patience and care while I take the time I need. Thank you for sticking with me, and I'll do my best to return on December 9th.Support My Knit November ChallengeThis month, I'm participating in Knit November to support the American Cancer Society. I'm knitting every day, making chemo caps for people experiencing hair loss during cancer treatment, and raising funds in honor of our community folk we've lost to cancer and the loved ones still fighting.If you're able, please consider donating or sharing the fundraiser link:https://www.facebook.com/donate/1485480965898623/Every stitch, every share, every dollar counts. Thank you for supporting this meaningful work.Support Militantly Mixed: - Visit the Website - https://militantlymixed.com- Listen to episodes, leave a review, or record a voicemail for the show. - Support on Patreon - https://patreon.com/sharmanefury– Shop Militantly Mixed Merch – Logo T-shirts, “Mixed & Hella Queer” tees, and more. Instagram: @militantlymixed Bluesky: @militantlymixed Facebook: Militantly Mixed Podcast

Amy's discovery about her origins reshaped everything she thought she knew about her life and family. This conversation stayed with me long after recording—it's one of those stories that quietly breaks your heart while reminding you what healing can look like.Amy can be reached via email amyr200015@yahoo.comResources Mentioned:Some NPE groups on facebook MPE Life: DNA Surprise, NPE, Adoptee, & Donor Conceived (DCP) RTK Supporthttps://www.facebook.com/groups/mpelifeTogetherness Heals ~ NPE Only on facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/611030509748927Hiraeth Hope and Healing (retreats for NPEs)https://www.facebook.com/groups/456700751111085NPE Stories PatreonNPE Stories facebook pagehttps://www.facebook.com/NPEstories

In this moving conversation, we speak with Alisha, a therapist and Korean adoptee, about her lifelong search for identity and home. She shares the story of being adopted from Korea as an infant, growing up in a small Midwestern town, reuniting with her birth mother in her thirties, and navigating motherhood herself. We explore the myths of adoption, the grief that lives in the body, and what it means to come into community and consciousness as an adult adoptee.You can learn more about Alisha Bennett here. We also recommend this Frontline documentary, “South Korea's Adoption Reckoning.” LOVELINK is hosted by Brooklyn-based therapists Dr. Signe Simon and Dr. Simone Humphrey. If you'd like to contact us directly, send us an email to info@modernmind.co. 

When your story begins in loss, can it still lead to hope?

Healing isn't a quick fix! Patience is the real work of adoption.

Join us and Dr. Oh Myo Kim for an illuminating conversation on her time parenting her two children while in Korea as a Fulbright researcher and professor at Yonsei University. Dr. Kim graces us with her perspective on Korean and US politics, how she is including her children in learning about current events, and what it has been like teaching Korean and international students about Korean adoption. Additionally, Dr. Kim sheds light on her newest research on adoptees who search but do not find, and DOKADs (descendants of Korean adoptees) and the politics of identity within the next generation, and the legacies of adoption for us all. Oh Myo Kim BioOh Myo is a counseling psychologist who researches adoption and identity. She is primarily a mixed-methods and qualitative researcher.  She holds a BA in English, a Master of Divinity, and a PhD in Counseling Psychology. Oh Myo teaches classes for undergraduates and graduate students in the Mental Health Counseling program at Boston College. She is currently a visiting professor at Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea on a Fulbright Fellowship.https://www.ohmyo.kimhttps://www.childrenofadoptees.comCo-Hosts: Nari Baker & Robyn ParkMusic: Mike Marlatt & Paul GulledgeAudio Production: Frederico Soler FernándezArtwork: Dalhe KimListen on: iTunes & SpotifyInstagram: @laboroflovepodcastSupport via Venmo: @laboroflovepodcast

What if the story of adoption held both rescue and rupture at the very same time? We sit down with Ayrton Beatty, who was placed for adoption after three months in foster care, to talk candidly about identity, attachment, and why language like “placed” instead of “given up” can change how a life is understood. Ayrton walks us through learning the painful truth of their origins, navigating sealed records, and reaching out to a birth mother who carried her own trauma—and how compassion sometimes means choosing not to force contact that others may not be ready for.Across our conversation, we unpack the science of early attachment and the higher risk of mental health challenges among adoptees, including borderline personality disorder and PTSD. Ayrton shares what therapy has looked like in practice, from “all inclusive” counseling to surreal nightmares, and how trust becomes a skill rebuilt over time after abuse. We also explore the reality of medical unknowns: what happens when a clinician asks for family history you don't have, how a medication triggered Long Q-T Syndrome, and the vigilance required when genetic information is missing. Along the way, DNA testing complicates and enriches identity—German and Jewish ancestry within an Irish-rooted adoptive family—proving that belonging can be layered without being false.This is a nuanced, humane portrait of adoption that holds joy and grief together. You'll hear why Ayrton still believes adoption saves lives, even as it leaves scars—and how humor, clear words, and steady support can help an adoptee feel seen. If this conversation resonates, share it with someone who needs nuance, subscribe for more thoughtful stories, and leave a review to help others find the show.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/bereaved-but-still-me--2108929/support.

Debbie Nahid is a transracial intercountry adoptee born in 1968 in the UK. She was raised in foster care in a white English community and was adopted as a teenager by her foster mother. It was at this time that she also discovered the truth about her parents and heritage. Debbie has spent her life searching for birth relatives and cultural connections and is the founder of Transracial Adult Adoptee Network (TAAN), a community of peers. She has created and facilitates two in-person support groups for adult adoptees in London and is also the co-founder of the Adult Adoptee Movement UK.Debbie uses her lived experience to help others heal and inform of the dislocation, alienation and isolation that occurs from being raised in a white foster or adoptive home without a biological identity or same race role model. Paul Sunderland Talks to Adoptees About HealingFrom Relinquishment Trauma and Complex PPTSD https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8njTJVfsVAMusic by Corey Quinn

"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." -Ephesians 2:10   Welcome to The Adoption & Foster Care Journey—a podcast to encourage, educate and equip you as you care for children in crisis through adoption, foster care and kinship care.   It's September—International FASD Awareness Month! All month long we will focus on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.   On this episode, host Sandra Flach continues the FASD conversation with adult adoptee, Emily Twomey. Emily was adopted at age two and diagnosed with an FASD. She is currently married and the mom of two boys and three bonus kids. Emily also created and runs a small business—Natures Glow Candle Company based in Maryland.   Listen in to Sandra's conversation with Emily Twomey on Episode 498 HERE.   Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media. Links mentioned in this episode: The Adoption & Foster Care Journey justicefororphansny.org justicefororphansny.org/hope-community     Email:  sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org sandraflach.com Orphans No More—A Journey Back to the Father book on Amazon fasdunited.org naturesglowcandlecompany.com

Send us a textIn this episode we are joined by two special guests, Steve Ford (the youngest son of President and Mrs. Ford) and adoptee Thuy Williams to mark the 50th anniversary of Operation Babylift, the frantic evacuation ordered by U.S. President Gerald R. Ford of Vietnamese war orphans in the final days of Saigon in 1975. The Pan Am Museum, in partnership with the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation and the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library & Museum, commissioned filmmaker Dirk Braun to create the documentary short film, Operation Babylift: 50 Years Later: 1975-2025, A Celebration of the Human Spirit.Steve Ford has enjoyed a remarkable acting career spanning over 40 years, with appearances in more than 800 hours of film and television productions. He has worked on over 25 films and numerous guest-lead roles in television. Early in his career, Steve spent six years playing Andy Richards on the CBS daytime soap opera The Young and the Restless. His film and TV credits include Transformers, Black Hawk Down, Contact, Armageddon, Starship Troopers, Eraser, Heat, When Harry Met Sally, J.A.G., Columbo, Murder She Wrote, Happy Days, along with many others.Steve is the third and youngest son of President and Mrs. Gerald R. Ford. He currently serves on the Board of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation. Adoptee Thuy Williams was born in Ho Chi Minh City in 1970. When she became an adult, she wanted to serve the country that gave her a second chance by joining the U.S. Army as a tank mechanic. After serving for eight years, Thuy returned to her adoptive hometown of Portland, Oregon and started her own business, a construction and roofing company called Acme High Performance. She is also a missionary with One Challenge and a coach of soccer, track, and lacrosse…spending her time traveling the world, using sports to bridge the gap with traumatized people in refugee camps in third-world countries and helps these kids process trauma by using sports as a way to create friendships and smiles. Thuy is on the board the nonprofit Breaking Boundaries, which takes kids from the US to do community service projects in third-world countries. Like Steve Ford, Thuy is also motivational speaker encouraging people to make a difference in their communities that leaves a lasting legacy for generations to come. Support the show Visit Us for more Pan Am History! Support the Podcast! Donate to the Museum! Visit The Hangar online store for Pan Am gear! Become a Member! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!A very special thanks to Mr. Adam Aron, Chairman and CEO of AMC and president of the Pan Am Historical Foundation and Pan Am Brands for their continued and unwavering support!

Original air date: April 5, 2022Emma Stevens is a U.S. domestic adoptee from birth and has survived layers of trauma that have put her on multiple journeys. She developed the inner strength and courage to surmount the many struggles she faced. Her traumas were born from being an adoptee who struggled with being forced to wear an impossible mask of playing the part of the “good adopted child.” Because being relinquished and adopted has colored her life, it's Emma's desire to be part of the movement that is dedicated to helping bring forth change to the way our world views the needs and support of adopted individuals. She believes strongly in adoptees finding their voice and discovering their truth to have a solid sense of self and to reclaim their identities. Through telling her story, Emma is dedicated to help redefine the narrative of adoption to include the entire complex truth.This memoir is Emma Stevens' first book. She has an undergraduate degree in journalism and has completed Master's level course work in psychology, specializing in Marriage, Family, and Child counseling. She has two adult children and two cat children who she adores. "The Gathering Place, An Adoptee's Story" by Emma Stevens is available on Amazon.https://emmastevenswriter.com/Music by Corey Quinn

Welcome to Season 5, Episode 34! Before reading Table for 51, we had no idea what a “Friendship Expert” was. After meeting Shari Leid for this episode's conversation, we think everyone could use a Friendship Expert! Her newest book, Table for 51, shares her journey on the 50 States Project, where she committed to having a meal and conversation with one woman in every state. The book is a combination of memoir, self-help manual, and journey of inspiration. She learned about belonging and identity. Shari was born in Seoul, South Korea and adopted by a Japanese American couple after she was found abandoned in a box. She's a former litigator who is now a Friendship Expert, public speaker, and writer. After she left her career in litigation, she founded a professional mindset coaching business called An Imperfectly Perfect Life, LLC. Her business serves clients in those tricky middle age years, helping them create the life of their dreams. In addition to Table for 51, she has written The Friendship Series which includes The 50/50 Friendship Flow, Make Your Mess Your Message, and Ask Yourself This, which included a 60-day journaling challenge.  In our conversation, we talk about her career, what motivated her to go on the 50 States Project, how she organized Table for 51, her advice for people struggling with feelings of belonging, and so much more. To learn more about what Shari does, you can get Table for 51 or any of her other books, visit her site, follow her on instagram, join her Facebook group Flip the Box, listen to her podcast, or watch her YouTube channel.  If you like what we do, please share, follow, and like us in your podcast directory of choice or on Instagram @AAHistory101. For previous episodes and resources, please visit our site at https://asianamericanhistory101.libsyn.com or our links at http://castpie.com/AAHistory101. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, email us at info@aahistory101.com.

"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.  We love because He first loved us.” -John 4:18-19   Welcome to The Adoption & Foster Care Journey—a podcast to encourage, educate and equip you as you care for children in crisis through adoption, foster care and kinship care.   On this episode, host Sandra Flach speaks with adult adoptee Bryan Post. Brian is a best-selling author and one of America's leading voices in child behavior, adoption trauma, and love-based parenting. A former foster child turned internationally recognized therapist, Bryan has spent over two decades helping families understand and heal the emotional root of challenging behaviors—especially in children affected by trauma, loss, and disrupted attachment.    Bryan's groundbreaking work has been featured on NBC, ABC, and USA Today. He is the creator of the Fear-to-Love Method and founder of Bondify.ai, the worlds first AI-powered, trauma-informed parenting support App.    Listen in to Sandra and Bryan's conversation on Episode 494 wherever you get your podcasts.   Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media. Links mentioned in this episode: justicefororphansny.org justicefororphansny.org/hope-community     Email:  sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org sandraflach.com Orphans No More—A Journey Back to the Father book on Amazon FearToLove.com

Jenna Lowe is a domestic same race adoptee, adopted through Catholic Charities in a closed adoption. Her biological half-brother was also placed into the same family when Jenna was 17 months old. She is in reunion with both her paternal and maternal birth families and finds it her personal mission to spread awareness around relinquishment trauma to other adoptees, members of the adoption constellation, and humanity at large. Jenna is a trauma-informed holistic spiritual consultant; her approach to healing blends Ayurvedic science, astrology, and general energy work to meet the unique needs of her clientshttps://www.frequencyastrology.com/Music by Corey Quinn

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” -Jeremiah 29:11   Welcome to The Adoption & Foster Care Journey—a podcast to encourage, educate and equip you as you care for children in crisis through adoption, foster care and kinship care.   On this episode, host Sandra Flach talks with adult adoptee Jackson TerKeurst. Jackson is an entrepreneur and leader who continues to defy the odds as a first-generation immigrant from West Africa who owns and runs a small business. The adopted son of bestselling author and speaker Lysa aTerKeurst, Jackson is passionate about drawing together people from diverse backgrounds to experience authentic community. His book, The Only Way Forward is Back: A Story of War, Adoption & Finding Your Purpose in God's Plan has just release. Jackson lives with his wife and their 2 children outside Nashville, TN.   Listen in as Jackson shares his story of war, adoption, and finding your purpose in God's plan. Available on all platforms.   Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media. Links mentioned in this episode: justicefororphansny.org justicefororphansny.org/hope-community     Email:  sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org sandraflach.com Orphans No More—A Journey Back to the Father book on amazon.com https://www.jacksonterkeurst.com/ The Only Way Forward is Back - book Jackson TerKeurst on FaceBook Jackson TerKeurst on Instagram

Send us a textJoin us as we sit down with Best-Selling Author and Open Adoption Advocate, Ayo Haynes, to talk about the process of pursuing an open adoption as a single adult who is ready to be a parent. As a leading divorce firm in Portland, our attorneys provide guidance on custody, alimony, separation, estate planning, and more. Learn what to expect in Oregon and Washington divorce cases and how we can help.If you would like to speak with one of our attorneys, please call our office at (503) 227-0200, or visit our website at https://www.pacificcascadelegal.com.To learn more about Ayo and how she can help you through your open adoption journey, you can visit her website: https://openadoptionsuccess.com/Disclaimer: Nothing in this communication is intended to provide legal advice nor does it constitute a client-attorney relationship, therefore you should not interpret the contents as such.

On this episode, Nicki sit's down with Jackson TerKeurst. Liberian-born entrepreneur, speaker, and the adoptee to explore a life marked by war, adoption, entrepreneurship, and deep faith. From escaping the Liberian Civil War as a child to building a successful life in Tennessee, Jackson candidly shares the spiritual and emotional journey that shaped him and how going back to the roots of his past became the catalyst for moving forward. Grab Jackson's Book HERE Connect with Jackson on IG:  @jacksonterkeurst_

Like many people who went through the foster care system, Don Anderson was really curious about his roots. He started doing some research and realized his biological aunt on his mother's side was living less than three miles away. His wife convinced him to introduce himself. She immediately recognized him and told him he looked like his mother.From there, Anderson met his biological mother, then started the research for his biological father. He ended up tracing his roots for generations, and now helps others trace their ancestry and find relatives. He's written a book about his quest to find his parents.Paper and Spit: How DNA & Genealogy revealed my First Parents' identity by Don AndersonSeason 11: Adoptee Memoirs - books in order:Practically Still a Virgin by Monica HallYou Can't Get Rid of Me by Jesse Scott and Keri AultUnspoken by Liz HarvieSign up for our mailing list to get updates and the Eventbrite for our September 12th & 13th Washington, D.C. Event!Thank you to our Patreons! Join at the $10 level and be part of our monthly ADOPTEE CAFE community. The next meeting will be on Saturday, July 12th, @ 1 PM ET.RESOURCES for Adoptees:S12F Helping AdopteesGregory Luce and Adoptees Rights LawFireside Adoptees Facebook GroupDr. Liz Debetta: Migrating Toward Wholeness MovementMoses Farrow - Trauma therapist and advocateNational Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1-800-273-8255 OR Dial or Text 988.Unraveling Adoption with Beth SyversonAdoptees Connect with Pamela KaranovaBecause She Was Adopted by Kristal ParkeDear Amy, letters to Amy Coney Barrett. A project by Meika RoudaSupport the showTo support the show - Patreon.

Alejandra was adopted at five years old into a Mexican-American family. She had never sought her family of origin, but when they arrived unexpectedly, her inner strength was tested, and her spiritual growth began. I Just Can't Make This Sh!t Up: Overcoming Fear and Accepting My Spiritual Gifts by Alejandra G. BradySeason 11: Adoptee Memoirs - books in order:Practically Still a Virgin by Monica HallYou Can't Get Rid of Me by Jesse Scott and Keri AultUnspoken by Liz HarvieSign up for our mailing list to get updates and the Eventbrite for our September 12th & 13th Washington, D.C. Event!Thank you to our Patreons! Join at the $10 level and be part of our monthly ADOPTEE CAFE community. The next meeting will be on Saturday, July 12th, @ 1 PM ET.RESOURCES for Adoptees:S12F Helping AdopteesGregory Luce and Adoptees Rights LawFireside Adoptees Facebook GroupDr. Liz Debetta: Migrating Toward Wholeness MovementMoses Farrow - Trauma therapist and advocateNational Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1-800-273-8255 OR Dial or Text 988.Unraveling Adoption with Beth SyversonAdoptees Connect with Pamela KaranovaBecause She Was Adopted by Kristal ParkeDear Amy, letters to Amy Coney Barrett. A project by Meika RoudaSupport the showTo support the show - Patreon.

Jacqueline, now 63 and living in Cape Town, South Africa, was born in Nairobi, Kenya, in 1962, following a relationship between her English-born biological mother, a professional actress on contract to a theatre company in Nairobi, and her Welsh and Irish biological father, a radio announcer in Nairobi. Following Jacqueline's birth, and the abandonment of her and her biological mother by her biological father, her biological mother followed him to Zimbabwe, but he refused involvement or responsibility. At Jacqueline's biological mother's father's "pleading" with her to "keep the baby", she returned to her acting career, subjecting Jacqueline to 16 months of severe abuse and neglect, which resulted in her being adopted at 16 months in Zimbabwe. While her physical needs were very well met within her adoptive family, her emotional needs were neglected, her manifest trauma being strictly discouraged, and the emotional abuse was perpetuated. Following a lifetime of fear/anxiety, specifically relationship-related, and recurring severe despair/depression, Jacqueline's belief, and message to fellow adoptees and healthcare professionals working with adoption-related and general childhood trauma, is this: sometimes the trauma is too early, too severe and too prolonged for healing to be possible, but the cycle of abuse can be broken. Jacqueline lives the proof that acceptance, compassion, and forgiveness are possible. She has broken the cycles of neglect and abuse, evident in her relationship with her daughter and son, with whom she has a relationship of deep love, mutual respect, and much joy and care.Season 11: Adoptee Memoirs - books in order:Practically Still a Virgin by Monica HallYou Can't Get Rid of Me by Jesse Scott and Keri AultUnspoken by Liz HarvieSign up for our mailing list to get updates and the Eventbrite for our September 12th & 13th Washington, D.C. Event!Thank you to our Patreons! Join at the $10 level and be part of our monthly ADOPTEE CAFE community. The next meeting will be on Saturday, July 12th, @ 1 PM ET.RESOURCES for Adoptees:S12F Helping AdopteesGregory Luce and Adoptees Rights LawFireside Adoptees Facebook GroupDr. Liz Debetta: Migrating Toward Wholeness MovementMoses Farrow - Trauma therapist and advocateNational Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1-800-273-8255 OR Dial or Text 988.Unraveling Adoption with Beth SyversonAdoptees Connect with Pamela KaranovaBecause She Was Adopted by Kristal ParkeDear Amy, letters to Amy Coney Barrett. A project by Meika RoudaSupport the showTo support the show - Patreon.

Sariah is a Chinese Adoptee adopted by a White American Mormon family and recently left the Mormon faith to find herself and to find her birth family. Trigger warning: This episode includes discussion of suicidal ideation, which may be distressing for some listeners.Season 11: Adoptee Memoirs - books in order:Practically Still a Virgin by Monica HallYou Can't Get Rid of Me by Jesse Scott and Keri AultUnspoken by Liz HarvieSign up for our mailing list to get updates and the Eventbrite for our September 12th & 13th Washington, D.C. Event!Thank you to our Patreons! Join at the $10 level and be part of our monthly ADOPTEE CAFE community. The next meeting will be on Saturday, July 12th, @ 1 PM ET.RESOURCES for Adoptees:S12F Helping AdopteesGregory Luce and Adoptees Rights LawFireside Adoptees Facebook GroupDr. Liz Debetta: Migrating Toward Wholeness MovementMoses Farrow - Trauma therapist and advocateNational Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1-800-273-8255 OR Dial or Text 988.Unraveling Adoption with Beth SyversonAdoptees Connect with Pamela KaranovaBecause She Was Adopted by Kristal ParkeDear Amy, letters to Amy Coney Barrett. A project by Meika RoudaSupport the showTo support the show - Patreon.

The co creators of the Adoptee Consciousness Model walk the listener through the process of adoptee awareness of systematic issues in adoption that impact their identity and mental health outcomes. They share what mental health counselors and practitioners need to know to support adoptee clients. For more on our guests, links from the conversation, and APA citation for this episode visit https://concept.paloaltou.edu/resources/the-thoughtful-counselor-podcast  The Thoughtful Counselor is created in partnership with Palo Alto University's Division of Continuing & Professional Studies. Learn more at concept.paloaltou.edu

Carol was born in Washington, DC, relinquished at birth in 1960, subsequently adopted in 1961 by a family who had adopted another daughter the year before.She began her reunion in 2017 by finding out she was the baby sister of 3 half sisters, 2 full sisters, and her father by DNA. Season 11: Adoptee Memoirs - books in order:Practically Still a Virgin by Monica HallYou Can't Get Rid of Me by Jesse Scott and Keri AultUnspoken by Liz HarvieSign up for our mailing list to get updates and the Eventbrite - (soon to be published) - for our September 12th & 13th Washington, D.C. Event!Thank you to our Patreons! Join at the $10 level and be part of our monthly ADOPTEE CAFE community. The next meeting will be on Saturday, July 12th, @ 1 PM ET.RESOURCES for Adoptees:S12F Helping AdopteesGregory Luce and Adoptees Rights LawFireside Adoptees Facebook GroupDr. Liz Debetta: Migrating Toward Wholeness MovementMoses Farrow - Trauma therapist and advocateNational Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1-800-273-8255 OR Dial or Text 988.Unraveling Adoption with Beth SyversonAdoptees Connect with Pamela KaranovaBecause She Was Adopted by Kristal ParkeDear Amy, letters to Amy Coney Barrett. A project by Meika RoudaSupport the showTo support the show - Patreon.

How can we help a child who may not have the words to express their own grief? How can communities be support systems to those who have adopted?Cameron Lee Small's story began with loss. At the age of three years old, he was adopted from his birth country of South Korea and placed in a home thousands of miles away in America. As he grew up and began to understand the complexity of emotions that can arise as an adoptee, he realized the need for support and care for others who shared his journey. Through his practice as counselor and his interactions with other adoptees and their families, Cameron has seen the impact loss and trauma can play in the lives of those who have walked this path. And because of his own personal experience, he has been able to help adoptees and their families navigate a way forward towards healing. In his book, **The Adoptee's Journey: From Loss and Trauma to Healing and Empowerment**, Cameron shares glimpses of his story and search for his birth mother as well as practical ways adoptees can regain their sense of agency and identity in the complexities of their story. In this insightful conversation, Davey talks with Cameron about the kinds of questions that can come in an adoptee, how parents and caregivers can help children regulate who have experienced trauma, and why it is so important for churches to be adoption informed so that they can best serve families who adopt. If you are an adoptee or an adoptive parent or you know someone who is, this episode will help you understand the nuances of the emotional experience many adoptees feel and how you can love and serve those who have welcomed children into their home through adoption. Website: therapyredeemed.wordpress.com Instagram: instagram.com/therapyredeemed Book: The Adoptee's Journey: From Loss and Trauma to Healing and Empowermenthttps://amzn.to/4kay5tK Additional Adoption Resources:Cam's Minneapolis TEDx Talk: tedxminneapolis.com Virtual TEEN ADOPTEE Support Groups: https://mailchi.mp/25796625a7ab/virtual-group-for-teen-adoptees Adoptive Parenting Consultation Group [3-Month Coaching with Cameron]: https://community-adoption-support.mailchimpsites.com/ 10 Facts about Adoptees: https://therapyredeemed.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/10-facts-about-adoptees.pdf