Podcasts about adoptee

Alieshaia is a 29 year old transracial adoptee from Upstate NY and currently lives in Memphis, Tennessee. She has recently begun her career as a school based occupational therapist. During her free time, she enjoys reading, visiting bookstores, playing video games, watching movies, sharing food and laughter with her friends and traveling with her boyfriend. Alieshaia was in foster care as an infant when a horrific accident led to her being hospitalized for months at just 2 years old. She was then fostered by a family who adopted her at 5 years old. Alieshaia has been in reunion with her biological parents and siblings for a number of years now. It was not until she began attending an adoptee lounge and regular therapy sessions when she realized she was not alone with her internalized feelings and experiences as a person of color in a predominantly white environment.Music by Corey Quinn

** Warning: This episode mentions non-consensual intercourse at the 3-minute mark. If you may be sensitive to that please forward past 3:00 on the audio. Please seek professional help if you find yourself struggling with some of the realizations that you may experience during this episode.** This week's interview is with Rodger Tellefson. Rodger was born in Sacramento, California at the Sutter Memorial Hospital and was adopted at 3 days old. Rodger recalls that at 9 years old, his adopted parents stood across the living room with their backs turned to Rodger and his younger adopted brother, and then they told the boys they were adopted without facing them. It wasn't until 1982 when an older maternal sister, who was also an adoptee, found him and his life changed forever. At the time Rodger was found he was working, had just moved to a new residence and had a young family making it a challenge to reunite and make a connection with his biologicals. He later found that having different lifestyles and economic backgrounds was a factor as well in his union with some of his siblings. He has a 2-year degree from a junior college and worked for the Army Corps of Engineers in Sacramento which he retired from in '04. He was married for 39.5 years to his late wife who passed in September 2011. He has a daughter, 46, and a son, 44. You can find Rodger on Instagram at @r.tollef Rodger, thank you for volunteering to share your adoption story! ______________________ ***If you or someone you know would like to tell their adoption story on the podcast (anyone in the adoptee constellation), please send an email To ⁠MindYourOwnKarma@gmail.com⁠ and your story will be considered for the podcast. ***This podcast's mission is on adoption education. If you have an expertise that you think would be beneficial to anyone touched by adoption and would like to be on the podcast, get in touch with me. I love to help fellow adoptees by helping to promote your latest project or expertise. It's time WE educate the world!! Check out the additional content on my WEBSITE and subscribe to my newsletter:⁠ https://www.mindyourownkarma.com⁠ MYOK on Instagram:⁠ https://www.instagram.com/mind_your_own_karma/⁠ MYOK on Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/mindyourownkarma⁠ Mind Your Own Karma YouTube Channel: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEnNaW22x33MVMuKGqYIDyw⁠ The Karma Files YouTube Channel: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNFid63lwQOTlUHw65LX8BA --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/melissa-ann-brunetti/support

There's a LOT of secrecy and shame around adoption. So it's no wonder we are confused about our identity and wrong about our self worth.  Listen in as I dive into our deepest questions: Who am I? What's wrong with me?

Elle Klassen is a Canadian who was born to a young woman of nineteen years of age in 1970. She was relinquished and then placed with her adoptive family when she was five days old. She grew up in a very conservative Canadian evangelical family where adoption was spoken of as God's plan. Much of her religious background didn't sit well with her, including the narrative around adoption. As an adopted person whose big goal in life was to fly under the radar as much as she could, she never challenged the common narrative surrounding adoption that she grew up with. Several years ago she did a DNA test on a whim & with a hint of morbid curiosity. She wanted to know if her adoption information had been falsified as so many others in the baby scoop had been. As a result, she was reunited with her first family on both her maternal, and paternal sides. Digging for truth led to seeing relinquishment, and adoption as complicated, traumatic events in a child's life. The repercussions of this reach into adulthood, and can never be fully dealt with until it is seen for what it is whether someone has had a "good" adoption or not. Truthful conversations about adoption have become her passion. She now co-hosts the podcast "Pulled by the Root" to help facilitate the conversation about relinquishment & adoption, showcasing the voices of those adopted people, and first parents, who have been previously silenced in favor of perpetuating the idea that adoption is not a trauma or a system of belief that should not be challenged.To go directly to Elle's interview, you can just go to timestamp: 11:15.Also in this episode, Sarah and Louise discuss the final chapter of American Baby by Gabrielle Glaser.To learn more about CAAR visit the Facebook PageThank you to our sponsor S12F.Joe Soll & other adoptee resourcesFireside Adoptees Facebook GroupReckoning with the Primal Wound DocumentaryIf you want to support our show, visit our Patreon Page.Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support.Our Patrons:  Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed,  Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson,  Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket , Robert Perrino,  Colleen McCall, Janet MacDonald, Robin Wells, Lynn Grubb, Mikki Jackson-Brown, Sharon Katzmann, Carol Levitt, Elizabeth McDonald, Diane Moore, Darra Robinson, Jen Arave, Thomas Stevenson, Michael Berman, Cindy Turgeon,  Monica Hall, Allison Olson , Lenora Carey,  Sandra de Quesada, Noreen Hartigan and Heidi Binnewies. Support the showTo support the show - Patreon.

Join us for a beautiful conversation with adoptee mother, Astrid Castro and daughter, Maya Papaya Castro Dabbeni. They generously share about their tremendous love and bond, and shed light on how intergenerational trauma and painful legacies of adoption have affected their relationship, perspectives, and behaviors. We also discuss the importance of mirroring and how unique it is for adoptees and children of adoptees; their unique birth family reunion story; birth language acquisition within adoptee families; creating adoption fluency; and moving from isolation as adoptees into community together with our children.    https://www.adoptionmosaic.com/Astrid Castro BioAstrid  Castro (she/her/hers) is the founder and CEO of  Adoption  Mosaic. Adoption Mosaic is a BIPOC adoptee, woman-led business that seeks to build an inviting adoption conscious community by providing innovative adoptee-centered programs and support.Including a monthly virtual panel series called We the Experts: Adoptee Speaker Series. Astrid has a degree in sociology with an emphasis in adoption. For twenty plus years, she has traveled the country to lead youth groups, present workshops on  transracial parenting, talking with children about adoption, and various other workshops focusing on adoption. Prior to creating Adoption Mosaic, Astrid worked in both the private and public sectors of various adoption organizations such as the Oregon Post Adoption Resource Center (ORPARC), Holt International and Rocky Mountain Adoption Exchange.Astrid co-authored Adoption in the Movies, which takes the reader on a guided tour of 27 movies and documentaries that are ‘dripping with adoption' which are asking  questions that encourage viewers to engage in ongoing dialogue and discussion. She also developed an innovative, evidence-based, 27-minute training DVD titled, Adoptive Parent Training:Developing Communication Skills. The training demonstrates how adoptive parents can communicate openly and honestly with family, friends and especially children. Astrid is a former member of the board of directors of the North American Council on Adoptable Children, the author of many articles on the subject of adoption and contributed a chapter to the book Parenting as Adoptees. Astrid's personal experiences as an adoptee, a woman of color, and growing up in  a white family and community, fuel her professional path to helping others. Astrid  is aware of the benefit  of post-adoption services for individuals and their families  and seeks to bring these services to the adoption community. Her life-long interest  in adoption is rooted in her own adoption at the age of four from Colombia (along  with her older sister). Astrid has been in reunion with her birth family in Colombia since December 2011. Read about Astrid's journey of searching and finding her birth mother in The Oregonian. When Astrid is not working she loves to spend time with family, friends and  enjoying the adventures of life as the mama of an amazing daughter.Maya Papaya Castro Dabbeni BioMaya has grown up hearing and talking about adoption as a child of an adoptee. She is biracial, Colombian and Italian, as well as trilingual, Italian, Spanish and English. At a young age, Maya was a driving force in finding her maternal birth family. To this day, she is still uncovering connections to her Colombian roots, in addition to exploring how generational trauma and epigenetics affect children of adoptees. Maya is excited to share her experience of being a "child of an adoptee" and to bring this topic to light. Maya is currently a third year student at San Jose State University majoring in International Business with a double minor in Spanish and Italian.Co-Hosts: Nari Baker & Robyn ParkMusic: Mike Marlatt & Paul GulledgeEditing: Federico aka mixinghacksArtwork: Dalhe KimListen on: iTunes & SpotifyInstagram: @laboroflovepodcastVenmo: @laboroflovepodcast

How old is too young for a phone? Is gaming harmful to our kids? How much technology is too much. We talk with Dr. Jay Berk, a licensed psychologist and an expert in working with children and families. He is the author of two books: “A Parent's Quick Guide to Electronic Addiction” and “Codeswitching: Social Skills in the Screen-Age”.In this episode, we cover:Parents from time immemorial have worried about the impact of the “new technology” and this goes back to our great great great grandparents worrying about the influence of novels to parents of the 50's worry about too much time on the phone, to parents of the 80s worrying about too much TV, and on to the present where we worry about screen time, texting, and gaming. We parents are digital “immigrants” while our kids are digital natives. How does this dynamic present challenges?How to keep up with what our kids are doing?What are the general best practices for elementary aged kids using digital technology?What age should kids be given a phone?What are reasonable rules for phone use?      How do things change as our kids each around age 11 or 12 and on into their teen yearsHow important is the use of digital media to socialize for this generation?When should parents worry?Is the child getting enough sleep?Are they eating well?Are they getting enough exercise?Are they doing well in school?Do they have real life friends?If so, they are probably just fine.What are the signs that our kids may be too involved with digital technology or gamingHow much screen time is too much for tweens? For teens?Do different types of technology have different risks and benefits? Internet? Gaming? Porn?What are some reasonable rules for families to set in regards to technology, screen time, and gaming?  How to get buy-in from our tweens and teens?App-tell kidA challenge particular to families adopting or fostering older children or teens is that often our kids come to us with having had little supervision or rules about internet use? How can we establish healthy habits when the rules are new to them?Resources: A Parent's Quick Guide to Electronic Addiction by Dr. Jay BerkCenter for Parent and Teen Communication: A Fact-Not-Fear Approach to Parenting In the Digital Age https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-aNtRhYfA3kCreating a Family's Navigating the Internet with Adopted or Foster Tweens and Teens https://creatingafamily.org/adoption-category/adoption-blog/navigating-the-internet-with-adopted-or-foster-tweens-and-teens/This podcast is produced by www.CreatingaFamily.org. We are a national non-profit with the mission to strengthen and inspire adoptive, foster & kinship parents and the professionals who support them. Support the showPlease leave us a rating or review RateThisPodcast.com/creatingafamily

Have you ever felt empty inside? Many of us seek to fill our aching emptiness through alcohol, drugs and other addictions. Anything to numb the pain. Adoptee Leon is in recovery and has been sober for 2 years. Listen in as he shares what he's learned on a long journey to being ok with being himself.Find out more about leon at:https://www.instagram.com/leonclowes/https://vimeo.com/user11974720https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC84DG4627RX9a95wZD1d_eAhttps://www.leonclowes.com/https://twitter.com/ClowesLeonhttps://www.facebook.com/leon.clowes 

Lena Skahill received her Master's degree in Sociology in 2012 from the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. She is an adjunct professor of Sociology and Women's and Ethic Studies at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs. She created her departments first courses in Adoption and Family Studies now available to all students regardless of their discipline. Lena has also given volunteered with adoption non-profits over the last decade and dedicated her academic career toward the pursuit of teaching and sharing the unique lived experiences of all members of the adoption constellation. Lena also teaches courses on the intersection of climate change and environmental justice. She holds a Master's Certification in Environmental Education through the North American Association of Environmental Education. She has been a lifelong advocate for the natural world and its sentient beings. Lena is dedicated to the power of ‘each one, reach one, teach one' and she strives to create communities of students, colleagues and friends who share the same mission.Lena is also an adoptee of a closed adoption in 1966 and engaged in reunion with both of her first families. She is also a photographer with an emphasis social documentary story telling, wildlife, landscape and portrait photography. Some of her greatest joys are spending time in nature, rare and sweet moments with her two grown daughters and to be behind the camera telling stories and shining a light on people, places and sentient beings. For her, these stories matter now more than ever.”Her recent social documentary work The Womxn's Power Project can be found on Instagram at @womxnspowerproject. Other bodies of work can be found on her website at www.wildsoulphotographycolorado.com. GA-Genetic Attraction https://www.cumbria.gov.uk/eLibrary/Content/Internet/327/857/6802/42109163456.pdfMusic by Corey Quinn

What if you could harness your trauma to grow? You can. Listen in as Steve shares the silver lining of what we've been through - the past that sometimes feel so painful.  A truly transformational episode with conversation and poetry to help us tap into who we truly are underneath our trauma.Steve reads two poems from his book The Clear Light. And the transformation through turmoil material and his examples are from his book Extraordinary Awakenings. Steve Taylor is a senior lecturer in psychology at Leeds Beckett University, and the author of several best-selling books on psychology and spirituality. He is a past chair of the Transpersonal Psychology Section of the British Psychological Society. His new book is Extraordinary Awakenings: When Trauma Leads to Transformation, and his other books include The Clear Light,  Out of the Darkness, Back to Sanity, The Calm Center, The Leap and Spiritual Science. His books have been published in 20 languages, while his articles and essays have been published in over 100 academic journals, magazines and newspapers. He regularly appears in the media in the UK, and has been recently featured on Radio 4's The Moral Maze, BBC Breakfast,  Radio FiveLive and TalkRadio. He writes blog articles for Scientific American and for Psychology Today. Eckhart Tolle has described his work as ‘an important contribution to the shift in consciousness which is happening on our planet at present.' Steve lives in Manchester, England, with his wife and three young children.https://www.stevenmtaylor.com/https://www.facebook.com/stevetaylorauthorhttps://www.facebook.com/stevetaylorauthorhttps://www.youtube.com/user/stevetaylorauthor/https://www.pinterest.com/stevetaylor1420/steve-taylor/

Self worth seems like a nice idea. Something we are working on. Something that we might have some day. What if that day is today? Listen in as transracial adoptee and therapist Sally gets right to heart of feeling our value for ourselves.Sally is a licensed clinical social worker, who enjoys working with adults who need support during a variety of life stressors. She understands how challenging it can be to trust someone new, so she does her best to earn your trust by being honest, consistent, following through, and prioritizing what you want to get out of therapy. Once that trust is earned, she enjoys the privilege of joining you in exploring your values, identity, habits that work and ones that don't, skills to manage stressful situations, and responses that help you live a more manageable and enjoyable life. Clients say she is calming, honest, respectful, supportive, and encouraging. She helps people with adjustment to changes in life, anxiety, depression, stress, perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, relinquishment and adoption issues, relationship difficulties, and grief. She values discovering the “Why” and shifting the focus to the questions of “How”, “When”, and “What” to help people move toward what is important to them.Working with individuals who are adopted is especially close to Sally's heart because she was adopted at age 5 from Seoul, Korea. She presented on panels and individually at Bethany Christian Services, Korean American Adoptee Adoptive Family Network (KAAN), China Culture Club, Families for International Children (FFIC), Calvin Theological Seminary, Pine Rest's CPE classes for pastors, Adoption Family Support Network (AFSN), and church groups to help educate and walk alongside adoptees, adoption workers, adoptive parents, pastors, foster parents, friends, and family as they learn to understand and work through the 7 Core Issues of Adoption (Deborah N. Silverstein and Sharon Kaplan, 1982). Since she is transracailly adopted, she also understands the challenges of being racially Asian and culturally white, so enjoys helping other transracial adoptees sort through the layers of their identities and belonging.She graduated with her Master's in Social Work from Western Michigan University. Her clinical background includes working with adults at Pine Rest in various areas, such as Spruce Lodge, Mother Baby and Adult Partial Programs, and at the Pine Rest Northeast Clinic as an outpatient therapist for individuals and groups. She was also Executive Director of Ramoth House, an emergency shelter for abused women and children.Email her at ginko1320@gmail.comFind out more at:https://www.instagram.com/sallyvjo/?hl=enhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/sally-verstraete-lmsw-2b7394b4/

Welcome to another episode of "Women Petpreneurs"! In today's captivating episode, we delve into the remarkable story of Patsy Tallant, an extraordinary woman with a passion for genealogy and aiding adoptees in their search for their biological roots. Patsy, who is adopted herself, shares her personal journey of discovery, which involves a reunion, DNA testing, and the surprising unveiling of hidden family ties. From unraveling long-held secrets to empowering others in similar situations, Patsy's experiences shed light on the profound emotional impact of adoption and the transformative power of finding one's true identity. Join us as we explore Patsy's incredible journey of self-discovery and the invaluable support she provides to those seeking their own truth. This episode is filled with heartfelt moments, shocking revelations, and the enduring spirit of resilience. So grab your headphones and get ready to be inspired on this episode of "Women Petpreneurs"! #WomenPetpreneurs #DNAJourney #AdoptionSupport

Janet M was born in Virginia in the late 1970's to a 16-year-old mother. At 6 weeks old she was placed via a closed adoption into a loving home with her parents and older adopted brother. She always knew she was adopted but it wasn't a topic that was discussed openly or often in her family. Not knowing her origin story fueled her curiosity around the subject of pregnancy and birth. She became fascinated with childbirth and the beautiful relationship between new moms and their babies. She became a labor and delivery nurse in the year 2000 and has been helping new moms and babies ever since.Janet always had a genuine curiosity about her biological family, especially her biological mother. But she never had the courage to pursue finding and connecting with any of them. It wasn't until she was in her mid-forties that she started to “come out of the fog” by listening to podcasts about adoption, exploring adoptees on social media, and reading The Primal Wound. This past year for Christmas her husband bought her an ancestry DNA kit. The results revealed 4 close family member matches that led her to her biological mother and half-siblings. They reunited very recently and together are learning to navigate this tender new relationship. Janet lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband of 21 years, 3 teenagers and 2 dogs.  She loves to travel, hike, and spend time with her family. To go directly to Janet's interview, skip ahead to 13:26Also in this episode, Sarah and Louise discuss American Baby by Gabrielle Glaser.Thank you to our sponsor S12F.Joe Soll & other adoptee resourcesFireside Adoptees Facebook GroupReckoning with the Primal Wound DocumentaryIf you want to support our show, you can go to our Patreon Page.Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support.Our Patrons:  Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed,  Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson,  Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket , Robert Perrino,  Colleen McCall, Janet MacDonald, Robin Wells, Lynn Grubb, Mikki Jackson-Brown, Sharon Katzmann, Carol Levitt, Elizabeth McDonald, Diane Moore, Darra Robinson, Jen Arave, Thomas Stevenson, Michael Berman, Cindy Turgeon,  Monica Hall, Allison Olson , Lenora Carey and Heidi Binnewies.Support the showTo support the show - Patreon.

Ryan Anderson was born in Morocco and raised from 6 months old in Edinburgh, Scotland. He is a transracial, transnational foundling and an LDA (Late Discovery Adoptee). He traveled the world for a decade in an attempt to escape the challenges of being an adopted person. Now he is more passionate than ever about raising awareness about mental health by sharing his lived experience.   RYAN'S LINKS: 15-minute life story YouTube video: "Me Opening Up - My Life Story” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4C-LNcmxdFk# Blog: https://www.adopted.com/blog/everyone-deserves-to-know-where-they-came-from.html In detail 20-page written story: https://peshy37.wordpress.com/2021/02/18/my-story/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/peshy37/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/peshy ________ ***If you or someone you know would like to tell their adoption story on the podcast (anyone in the adoptee constellation), please send an email to mindyourownkarma@gmail.com, and your story will be considered for the podcast. ***This podcast's mission is on adoption education. If you have an expertise that you think would be beneficial to anyone touched by adoption and would like to be on the podcast, get in touch with me. I love to help fellow adoptees by helping to promote your latest project or expertise. It's time WE educate the world!! ***Please seek professional help if you find yourself struggling with some of the realizations that you may experience during this episode. Check out the additional content on my website & subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.mindyourownkarma.com MYOK on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mind_your_own_karma MYOK on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mindyourownkarma Mind Your Own Karma YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEnNaW22x33MVMuKGqYIDyw The Karma Files YouTube Channel: ⁠ https://www.youtube.com/@thekarmafiles --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/melissa-ann-brunetti/support

Author Sarah D. Shearer joins ADOPTION NOW to talk about her adoption story.  In her words, her story started off with little hope, “I was born with various medical needs and was left in a Russian hospital where nuns helped to keep me alive until I was transferred to an orphanage.” The Russian orphanage was convinced that no one would want her, but a family in Thomasville, GA saw her picture and fell in love. This is an uplifting story filled with gratitude and grace towards adoption. Sarah has written a memoir called “Extra Ordinary” to share her positive perspective. She says, “no one can speak to adoption more than an adoptee.” Listen to this episode and check out her book on

Do you want to get clear on who you really are? Identity confuses the heck out of us adoptees. Until it doesn't. Listen in as we peel back the many layers of identity. We go beyond trauma to the very essence of who we are. One of the most profound interviews in over 350 conversations on this  podcast.Here's a bit about David and his bookDavid Enker (Amsterdam, 1970) is a Dutch writer and artist. He was unofficially adopted as a baby, using the experience to explore the world from that unique perspective.An unusual adoption, a gruesome family discovery, a lonesome journey, a brush with death in the London Underground and a life-altering diagnosis are just some of the ingredients in this collection of short stories.This book will lead you on a sometimes heart-breaking, sometimes humorous journey of self-discovery that inspires hope and renewed appreciation for the blessings in life.https://www.davidenker.com/https://twitter.com/david_enkerhttps://www.facebook.com/davidenkerart/https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidenker/https://www.instagram.com/davidje/

Do you believe you are unloveable? If so you're going to love this interview with Amy.  She shares how she's deconstructed her beliefs. An incredibly vulnerable and empowering episode looking back at lessons from the ups and downs of a 25 year reunion that's now going strong. Find out more at https://www.instagram.com/amynicrn/

Eight adoptee writers who are guests from previous episodes share their wonderful pieces/essays to inspire and uplift the adoption constellation.Barbara Robertson from Season 1, episode 9Daryn Watson from Season 3, episode 43Cynthia from Season 1, episode 7Nancy McCaughey from Season 2, episode 22.Danielle Orr from Season 5, episode 79Carmen Hinkley from Season 1, episode 15Lorah Gerald from Season 2, episode 29Nomi Kaie from Season 2, episode 31Music by Corey Quinn

Are you looking for more balance? Is a negativity bias getting in the way of you enjoying your life? Listen as adoptee and psychotherapist explores balance (and balancing).Find out more about Kate:https://katemurphytherapy.com/https://www.instagram.com/katemurphylcsw/https://www.facebook.com/katemurphy.therapyhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/katemurphy1/

Today's guest is our friend Paul Elliott.Paul is the Director for the AI/ML department at pharmaceutical and biotechnology company, GSK. His team is responsible for the AI/ML services and infrastructure that enable researchers to leverage advanced AI. To develop novel therapies to existing diseases and quickly respond to new diseases with personalized drugs, driving better outcomes at reduced cost with fewer side effects.Prior to GSK, Paul was a software engineer at Google. And prior to that, Paul worked in startups in Korea with Evan Lai, a friend of the podcast.I met Paul in Mexico City for Evan's birthday. Paul is a Korean Adoptee. And we had a great conversation about what that was like. And what his experience was like - going back to Korea as an adult. It was a fascinating perspective. And I felt like it was worth exploring on this podcast.

Would you like smoother relationships with others? And yourself? Grace makes relationships easier. Listen in as Melissa shares how she is finding grace for her adoptive mother and herself. The conversation was packed with insights for me and I'm sure it will bring you some lightbulb moments for you.Find out about Melissa's work supporting adoptees who want to be writers here:https://www.ulvencoaching.com/writingforadopteesFind out more about Melissa here:https://www.instagram.com/ulvencoaching/https://www.ulvencoaching.com/https://www.facebook.com/melissa.nelson.545

Do you struggle to see your own value? Has what you've been through impacted your self worth? Emberly was raised by foster parents and her grandfather because of her mother's addiction. She was verbally, physically and sexually abused. Listen in as she shares how she overcome the odds to see her true value and thrive.Find out more at:https://www.linkedin.com/in/emberly-zellars/https://www.amazon.com/My-Friend-Maddy-Emberly-Zellars/dp/1667886789https://www.joiaboutart.com/

Do you believe you're broken? Or not good enough? These are things that we all struggle with. So how do we change our beliefs? How does trauma shape those beliefs? Listen in as Sara goes deep on the spiritual epiphanies that have improved her life.Here's a bit about Sara from her website:I'm an adoptee. I'm a mother (to two teen daughters). And I'm a writer (of books and essays).I am also a reading aficionado, and hold a special place in my heart for children's literature. I've studied child development from an attachment perspective and am a trained facilitator with the Neufeld Institute. I've worked as an author publicist and event planner, and in corporate advertising and marketing.I love animals. I mean, I really love animals. I care for a menagerie of rescued fur-babies that currently include five indoor bunnies, three guinea pigs, and two darling dogs. In my free time I practice horse showmanship (a.k.a. informal equine therapy).Supporting my fellow adoptees and their families is deeply important to me. I'm Founder of Adoptee Voices, Co-Host of the Adoption Unfiltered podcast, and I regularly write and speak about adoption.My adoption-focused books include a spiritual memoir, Searching for Mom (Heart Voices, 2019), and Adoption Unfiltered (Rowman & Littlefield, December 1, 2023), co-authored with Kelsey Vander Vliet Ranyard (birth parent) and Lori Holden (adoptive parent).Find out more at:https://saraeasterly.com/https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwOXVmp-TiNZIDQLj_8rPcAhttps://www.instagram.com/saraeasterlyauthor/https://twitter.com/saraeasterlyhttps://www.facebook.com/saraeasterlyauthorhttps://www.goodreads.com/author/show/168430.Sara_Easterly

Who would we be without that voice in our head that tells us there's something wrong with us? That we're substandard? That our birth mother rejected us? That we'll never heal because we're forever stuck with our trauma? Listen in as I suggest answers to some of our most fundamental questions.Connect with me on Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/simonjbenn

Have you felt uncomfortable in your own skin? Uncertain about who you are? Sensed something missing? Eric's anxiety about people sometimes compelled him away and he didn't know why. He felt incomplete. Listen in as he shares the most important things he's learned on the journey to feeling whole and healed.Eric's life experiences inspired him to give back and to serve others. In 2005 while climbing Mt Denali in Alaska, Eric made the decision to seek out his birth family. After reaching out to Catholic Charities, he was connected with his birth family. The experience of meeting, establishing, and growing a relationship with them deepened Eric's understanding of himself and was an integral part of his finding his identity both personally and professionally.https://www.linkedin.com/in/curtiseric/https://twitter.com/CurtisStrategy

Terrie Novak was adopted as an infant in 1967. She and her adopted brother, Gene, grew up in the security of a loving family and in awareness of their adoption. When Terrie was 18, thanks to the heroic efforts of her first mother, she received her bio family's contact information. Today Terrie is privileged to a rare abundance of love shared with her first mother, biological siblings, as well as her adoptive parents, and her own bio kids. During the long solitude of the pandemic, Terrie was compelled to write about what it means to make a family under the traumatic circumstances of coerced adoption. After two years of interviews, research, soul searching, and writing, she published her debut novel:  Jules Fae, A Story of Adoption and Reunion.How to find Terrie/WebsiteTerrie lives in Portland, Oregon with her cat Kimchi.To go directly to Terrie's interview, skip ahead to 12:15.Also in this episode, Sarah and Louise discuss American Baby by Gabrielle Glaser.Thank you to our sponsor S12F.Joe Soll & other adoptee resourcesFireside Adoptees Facebook GroupReckoning with the Primal Wound DocumentaryIf you want to support our show, you can go to our Patreon Page.Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support.Our Patrons:  Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed,  Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson,  Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket , Robert Perrino,  Colleen McCall, Janet MacDonald, Robin Wells, Lynn Grubb, Mikki Jackson-Brown, Sharon Katzmann, Carol Levitt, Elizabeth McDonald, Diane Moore, Darra Robinson, Jen Arave, Thomas Stevenson, Michael Berman, Cindy Turgeon,  Monica Hall and Allison Olson.Support the showTo support the show - Patreon.

How do we heal from a poor adoption? Listen in as Gaynor shares some of her most important lessons in releasing trauma by being raised by a narcissistic adoptive mother.Here's a bit about Gaynor and her book.Gaynor Cherieann lives in Northamptonshire. She is married has four grown up children and four grandchildren.She was born in a church mother and baby home and adopted at six weeks old.She tells of her life growing up with a narcissist her reunion with her birth family and the life she has created for her own children.Her book is written in the form of letters to people throughout her life some who are no longer here others still in her life.It is the 1960s; a sixteen-year-old girl is in a mother and baby home; her heart is breaking as she prepares to give up her baby for adoption.Shunned by society, she has no choice.That baby was me.Join me on my life's journey through the letters I have written to everyone who has shared my unique story. Follow me as I find the courage to share this story, from my birth to my unhappy adoption to getting married and becoming a mum and granny.Learn how I took control of my life after disassociating myself from my past, unearthing my birth family, and realising what true happiness means.Amazon USA https://www.amazon.com/Adoptees-Journey-Letters-My-Life-ebook/dp/B0BNQHB2CFAmazon UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0BNQHB2CF

Are you considering a search for your biological family? Or in the middle of a search and struggling. Listen in as Colin shares what he learned through a 28 year search including how to ride the emotional rollercoaster of search and more.Here's a bit about Colin's book:“I doubt that another human being will tread this same unconventional path.” This is an intimate and emotive account of an adult adoptee's journey as he spent nearly three decades searching for his biological parents. Capturing his thoughts, emotions and physical encounters along the way, this rollercoaster ride demonstrates the determination and resilience of an adopted person to achieve his personal quest. There's no doubt that this account will provide support, comfort, and inspiration to those thinking of searching for their biological parents, and those who have already started out on this journey, as well as those interested in wider adoption matters. Discover the relentless challenges and amazing encounters faced in pursuit of the truth when no stone is left unturned.Amazon UKhttps://www.amazon.co.uk/Stone-Left-Unturned-relentless-biological-ebook/dp/B0B5DNRMPGAmazon USAhttps://www.amazon.com/Stone-Left-Unturned-relentless-biological-ebook/dp/B0B69R78FD

Do you sometimes find identity confusing? Transracial and transnational adoption adds another layer to identity. Listen as Mariela shares her insights on identity, trauma, gratitude and more. We strip back the layers of identity to the universal heart. We both loved this conversation and hope you do too.Here's more about Mariela and her book.Adopted as an infant from Colombia and raised in the United States, Mariela Andersen has always been curious about her biological roots. She wants to know about her birth family and wonders if they ever think about her. When a search agent helps her locate her birth family and the mystery of her past is revealed, she discovers more than she could have ever imagined.Mariela shares the story of her birth family and her journey to Colombia to meet them. She takes the reader on a roller coaster ride of emotions as she sorts through the multifaceted layers of her own identity. This story is nothing short of miraculous; it changed her, and it is sure to touch the hearts of its readers.https://www.instagram.com/marielaandersennhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/mariela-andersen-a3a03649/https://www.marielaandersen.com/

What gets in the way of you thriving? For many of us, it's been anger and resentment. What about you? Listen in as transracial adoptee and therapist Jaime shares the antidote to anger.Here's a  bit about Jaime from her website.My name is Jaime Weatherholt (she/her/hers) and I am excited to work with you. I enjoy working with adults who experience anxiety, depression, and mood disorders. I will support you by providing a compassionate, safe space. You will gain useful tools to cope and heal from sources of pain that may be holding you back from your true, happy self.My style of treatment is collaborative, meaning I will work on your goals, leading to the life that you want. My approach is warm, friendly, and interactive. I am certified in hypnotherapy and trained in Brainspotting; these methods are further described in my Counseling tab.I am certified in Past Life Regression and use this as a tool to heal relationships, subconscious thoughts or behaviors, or to simply explore your curiosity of previous lives.My education is in Social Work, so I will naturally focus on you and your resources, your relationship with your environment, and community.I am the co-host of The Shrink Show Podcast, a therapeutic happy hour format for those interested in how therapists balance work, family, parenthood, and everyday stressors.https://www.facebook.com/EnlightenedOmaha/https://www.instagram.com/enlightenedomaha/https://www.enlightenedomaha.com/

Are you a transracial/transnational adoptee with a complex relationship to your birth country/culture? Listen in as Zhen shares what she's learned navigating that complexity. Highly empowering.Zhen E Rammelsberg is a Korean American adoptee and new playwright and has had her Heuer Play Canst Thou Hearest Thee Now produced and performed in multiple states. She has traveled to a few of these states to see the productions. Her newest play loosely based upon her adoption story called Black Box: An Adoption Choreopoem is yet unpublished but has been performed in Chicago at an all Asian American Playwiting festival and was most recently performed in Cedar Rapids Iowa at the Underground Playwriting Festival where it won 3 awards Best Youth Performer, Best Ensemble and Runner Up for Best New Play. Zhen E resides in Marion Iowa with the Spock to her Kirk of a husband Robert and her 2 cats Toulouse and Pip. The Rammelsbergs split their time traveling from Iowa to Milwaukee to visit their son and also to Korea. As well as being a part time playwright, Zhen E is a part time massage therapist, part time Wedding Official, part time wig and make up technician for several local theatre and opera companies, and Full Time lover of Hello Kitty and a Student of Life and Philanthropist.https://www.instagram.com/zhenerammelsberghttps://www.linkedin.com/in/zhen-e-rammelsberg-03448021/

Mike Berman was conceived in Bay City, Michigan in November 1944 and was born onAugust 8, 1945 in Nashville, Tennessee to an 18 year old woman who surrenderedhim for adoption to the Tennessee Childrenʼs Home Society the day after his birth.Mike was adopted by a Jewish couple living in New York City and he was raisedthere. In February 1950 his Mom gave birth to her only natural child, Mikeʼsyounger brother. Mike never considered searching for his birth parents until hebegan to see the online ads for DNA testing and finally began his search in lateJune 2017. In addition to DNA testing Mike discovered that because of theappalling crimes committed by the TCHS under the direction of Georgia Tann hewould be able to acquire his complete adoption record from TN. Mike receivedthose records in late September 2017 and they proved to be a treasure trove ofinformation. In addition to his genealogical research Mike also began to readabout adoption and the psychological havoc it leaves in its wake. He has also readmany of the books written by other adoptees and has benefitted from the insightand understanding they have achieved, each from their unique experiences. Thatself-education continues and Mike expects it will go on for as long as he can keepat it. Mike is currently in happy reunion with an older half-brother and a youngerhalf-sister, all three being the only remaining children of their common birthmother, and all of them born on a Wednesday (refer to the childrenʼs rhymeMONDAYʼS CHILD). Mike and his sister have met three times in person, mostrecently earlier this month. His brother lives in Rhode Island and they havenʼt metbut they all keep in touch by phone and social media. Mike has been retired since2014 and lives in Central Texas. He has been married twice, divorced once and iscurrently separated from his second wife. Mike has two sons, one daughter, onegrandson, and one son-in-law who has the same first and middle name as hisadoptive brother. All of them live in the same town and get together regularly forholidays and birthdays and for the occasional random reason. Mike has a 5 yearold female cat, Clara, who graciously permits him to share her house in exchangefor full-time litter-box maintenance. Mike says, “Life is good.”To go directly to Mike's interview, skip ahead to  8:26.Also in this episode, Sarah and Louise discuss American Baby by Gabrielle Glaser.Thank you to our sponsor S12F.Joe Soll & other adoptee resourcesFireside Adoptees Facebook GroupReckoning with the Primal Wound DocumentaryIf you want to support our show, you can go to our Patreon Page.Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support.Our Patrons:  Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed,  Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan HigSupport the showTo support the show - Patreon.

Do you fear rejection? Many of us are on high alert scanning what other people do and say for signs of potential rejection. We're desperate to avoid big feelings like rejection. And yet we have to feel to heal. Listen in as adoptee and mental health therapist Lisa shares her learnings about finding herself by feeling the big feelings.Here's more about Lisa from her website.Education  · B.S. in Alcohol and Drug Abuse Studies, University of South Dakota 1989  · M.S. in Counseling and Human Resource Development, South Dakota State University 1997.  Licenses and Certifications  · Qualified Mental Health Professional · Licensed Professional Counselor – Mental Health  · Licensed Addictions Counselor · Trust Based Relational Intervention Certified  Practice Areas and Specialties· Adults/Individual Counseling  · Depression/Anxiety .Trauma  · Couple/Family therapy  · Post-Adoption CoachingAfter completing her Bachelor of Science degree at the University of South Dakota, Lisa moved her budding career as a prevention specialist to the golden state of California. At a school in Pasadena, she first witnessed amazing resiliency working with gang kids abused from struggling neighborhoods. After a couple of years in the Los Angeles area, she felt drawn back home to Sioux Falls, SD where she decided to explore the possibility of a degree in interior design. Through investigation of this area of study, she realized that she was more interested in the interiors of people than the interiors of buildings. Reconstructing and enriching continue to be her passions whether in her career improving intangible human advancements or in her hobbies refurbishing physical structures. During her second round of college at South Dakota State University in Brookings, SD, she transitioned to a master's program in Counseling and Human Resource Development. All the while, she was employed part-time at a residential home for individuals with developmental delays and mental health issues. Following graduation, she accepted a position at Keystone Treatment Center in Sioux Falls as a Student Assistant Professional teaching mental health and drug prevention in large group assemblies for high school and college students. This led her to an opportunity at Southeastern Behavioral Health, a non-profit community mental health center, where she completed an eight-month internship before graduating with her master's degree (1997).  Armed with a background in the addictions field, Lisa saw her clientele transitioning from chemical dependency to broader or co-morbid issues such as depression, anxiety, broken attachment, identity issues and trauma. As the number of foster and adopted children in her practice rose, she discovered her natural ability to relate to and interact with kids and their families as they were adjusting to significant life changes using art, pyschodrama, somatic processsing and music. With limited resources for post-adoption services in the local area, her practice was full, there were trainings at schools and churches, various speaking engagements and classes held. Hence, the dream of The Barn was born. Created as an office complex housing several independent counseling practitioners, The Barn succeeded in multiplying the number of hands to help with needs in the community. Coming full-cirlce, Lisa's efforts to help foster and adoptive families, is limited to teaching and supporting parents through consultation. Presently, she is happy to see adults and teens with various issues as her days of playing on the floor and orchestrating movement of the whole family systm are over. As a testament to her over 25 years working with the foster &/adopted children, Lisa published a book (see link below) in April of 2022 for parents, giving them knowledge and tools to help their children heal and recover from the trauma of orphanhood.  In the meantime, she loves seeing individuals and couples with her longstanding practice, and she feels blessed to go to work everyday!https://www.amazon.com/s?k=orphan+dreams+and+nightmares&i=stripbooks&crid=2275J7NFVC4KZ&sprefix=orphan+dreams+and+nightmares%2Cstripbooks%2C94&ref=nb_sb_noss https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-stellinga-86724b11/https://www.facebook.com/LANWSD/

Lost in the hubbub over legalizing marijuana and a massive budget surplus at the Minnesota Capitol this year were nine lines of state statute remaking adoption policy. They were tucked into the state's massive 909-page health policy bill. Those few sentences are now poised to unlock decades of potential family secrets held by the state -- secrets that even many who held them have been battling for decades to reveal.Tim Nelson has been talking to some of the people affected by this change.The law has been a long time coming for advocates like Penny Needham. She is an adoptee who has pushed to unlock birth records since the 1990s. Needham talked with MPR News host Cathy Wurzer.

Enjoy this conversation with Adoptee/Author Valerie Naiman. Join the Facebook Group ( https://www.facebook.com/groups/1882608928721974 ) or follow me on TikTok updates as I walk in the footsteps of my ancestors.  For extended coverage join https://www.patreon.com/cutoffgenespodcast.... www.cutoffgenes.com  

Do you ever feel uncomfortable? AJ grew up in a very toxic environment that left her grieving the loss of what her life might have looked like if she hadn't been adopted. She was very uncomfortable at home and outside was rarely better. She captured her experience in a poem "Alone in the crowd" which she reads to us. Listen in as she shares how she eventually got to feel comfortable in her own skin for insights to help you.Here's a bit about AJ from her website:I have read many peoples biographies over the years and the one thing that people usually start with is the line “I was born…(fill in date and place).  I suppose that I could start out the same way.  After all, I do have a birth certificate that has a date and time on it.But, I also have other documentation from the hospital where I was born that contradicts the official date.  So since I am not sure exactly when I was born I will start with the statement:  I celebrate my birthday every year on May 8th.  Born and raised in Syracuse, New York, I still call the Salt City home. There is nothing that has impacted my life more than being adopted.  Like a black cloud, it has followed me around every day of my life since childhood.  It has caused abandonment and self worth issues that have affected every relationship I have ever had.  It has plagued every holiday with wondering and yearning to know who my birth family is and to know if they were thinking of me as I often thought of them.  Being adopted has caused me to question my whole identity.  Always wondering, who am I really?  A fellow adoptee once told me that being adopted was like being a red marble in a family of blue marbles.  You don't look like them, you don't sound like them, you don't act or think like them.  And no matter how hard you try to be more like them you will always be the outsider.You will always be the red marble in the family of blue marbles.  But the sense of disconnection does not end there.  For even if you are lucky enough to find the family of red marbles that you came from, as I have, you still don't find a place where you fit in because you don't know what it means to be a red marble. There is a spiel that I give at the beginning of every poetry and short story reading that I appear at.  A J Bialo is not my legal name, but it is my legal alias as recognized by New York State and the Federal Copyright Office.  It is the name that I have chosen to define who I am, as a writer and a person.  It is a tribute to  my two maternal grandfathers – without each of them I would not be the person I am today. I have always been an introvert and never really connected with kids my own age.My best friends growing up were the characters in the many books I would read every week.  I remember my father would take me to the library every Saturday where I would scour the drama, horror, fiction and science fiction shelves and I would peruse for hours the synopsis on the inside of dust jackets and the back covers of paper backs.  When I didn't find much new to read at the library I found myself with a notebook and pen writing my own stories.  These stories weren't great writings but just naïve childhood stories that were more interested in the characters than the stories. But my childhood writing career would be short lived.  My mother was very concerned that I spent too much time with my made up friends and not enough time socializing with real friends.  What she didn't understand was that I didn't have any real friends.  She discouraged my writing by reading what I wrote and belittling it as stupid and childish.  Of course it was childish, I think now in retrospect, I was a child exploring my world in a way that was comfortable to me.  Despite her criticism I continued to write and make up characters that I found intriguing.  But she would also continue to read my work and continued to criticize what I wrote.I continued writing, hiding my notebooks where I thought she wouldn't find them.  But it seemed no matter where I hid them she would find them, read them, and have some nasty comment about what I was writing.  When I ran out of hiding spots, I took my notebooks and a book of matches to the park where I hung out and burned them. I wouldn't start writing again until I was in my thirties. The first poem I ever wrote was on a train returning from a long weekend in New York City for a professional conference.  When I found my family of red marbles the one thing that I wanted to know was who my birth father was.  But this information was evidently a red marble secret which was not to be given up, at any cost.  To this day, I still don't know who my birth father is.  The only hint I do have is that he was from Brooklyn.  So, when I was in New York City I was hit by the fact that I was not far away (geographically) from my roots although I was light years away from knowing who and where he was.  The poem, Melancholy Home, was written quickly on the train and was finished before I reached Albany.  I don't know where the poem came from.  I didn't ever remember writing poetry when I was younger.  This was my first, and it seemed so natural. I remember wondering then if it was a fluke, a one time thing. From there came many poems, many of them relating to the raw emotions of being adopted.  It was like a flood gate opening:  Odd Marble Out, my thoughts on being a red marble in a family of blue marbles; Nobody's Child, my personal favorite describing how family is a group of people you decide to be and share with; Control Freak, my rebellion against a mother who tried to force me into a mold of her making and not my choosing; and Uncommon Bond, a poem which I wrote for my birth mother soon after I found her.It was never meant to be published, although it has been several times now.  It was meant for my birth mother to tell her who I was and what made me into the person I had become until our meeting day.  Sort of a mini autobiography written just for her. From there the poetry continued to flow, both in realms of adoption and other topics that are either important to me or just make me sit and say hmmmm.  In addition to poetry, I started to write stories again, both short stories, a sampling of which you might see at some point on this site, and a few lengthy novels.I continue to be an avid reader, although my reading has taken a focus away from fiction and tends more towards non-fiction and history.  I also continue to write poetry, short stories, essays and have been working on a few new novels. https://www.ajbialo.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/aj-bialo-0b45b348/https://www.facebook.com/aj.bialo

Are you stuck with beliefs that stop you from loving you? That make you feel less than? Beliefs that keep you small? Listen in as Terri shares her insights on becoming unstuck from these beliefs and setting her free to realise her potential.Here's more about Terri from her Amazon profileTerri always knew she was adopted, but it was never a topic of conversation, ever. She was in her forties when she and her biological brother met for dinner and had their very first conversation about loss and adoption.For most of her life she lived in a constant state of guardedness and didn't feel safe-but was unaware of it. This was "normal" for her. It's just how life was. She had few opinions, at least few that were voiced. It wasn't safe to have feelings, especially if they clashed with the feelings of others or might cause any kind of disapproval or confrontation.In her candid memoir Terri addresses the complicated issues of adoption. She draws from her experience as one of five adopted children as well as her experiences as a biological and adoptive mother. Terri is a certified yoga instructor with training in the expressive arts. She experiments with a variety of artistic mediums, including writing, photography, silk dying, and acrylic pour painting. She loves being in nature, gardening, and hiking. Terri and her husband live in the north Georgia mountains, where they frequently welcome their six beloved grandchildren.You can contact the author at: tdeckeradoptionconstellation@yahoo.comhttps://www.amazon.com/Adoption-Constellation-Memoir-Adopted-Adopting-ebook/dp/B0BGQLW4VPhttps://www.instagram.com/adoption_constellation/https://www.linkedin.com/in/terri-decker-12464020/

**WARNING!! This episode has multiple references to childhood trauma. You may choose not to listen. Please seek professional assistance if you find yourself struggling.** It was fall of 1964, and Sharon, Christy's biological mother, was 16 years old and pregnant. Sharon made her way to a home for unwed mothers while her husband was in prison. On July 29, 1965, Christy entered the world. At Christy's foster home, she was growing into a toddler and at 2, she was a “Momma's Girl” to her foster parent. All was well with the world, but she didn't know that her ‘world' as she knew it would soon be shattered. Her foster parents called her “Big Girl,” and when asked, Christy didn't even know her given name, which was Lois on her original birth certificate. Eventually, she was adopted at the age of 3 to a well-off farmer and his wife... and in that moment, everything changed. Years later, Christy decided to take a DNA test. 6 weeks later when she received her results, something wasn't right. Instead of answers, she had many more questions. Why didn't she match her known niece and nephews that were the grandkids of her father Larry? Could Larry not be her father? Who is this Kimberly that she matched 25% of her DNA with? She had to know.   Christy's website: https://myadoptedlife.us/ ________ ***If you or someone you know would like to tell their adoption story on the podcast (anyone in the adoptee constellation), please send an email to mindyourownkarma@gmail.com, and your story will be considered for the podcast. ***This podcast's mission is on adoption education. If you have an expertise that you think would be beneficial to anyone touched by adoption and would like to be on the podcast, get in touch with me. I love to help fellow adoptees by helping to promote your latest project or expertise. It's time WE educate the world!! ***Please seek professional help if you find yourself struggling with some of the realizations that you may experience during this episode. Check out the additional content on my website & subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.mindyourownkarma.com MYOK on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mind_your_own_karma MYOK on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mindyourownkarma Mind Your Own Karma YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEnNaW22x33MVMuKGqYIDyw The Karma Files YouTube Channel: ⁠ https://www.youtube.com/@thekarmafiles --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/melissa-ann-brunetti/support

Do you suspect your beliefs may be holding you back? Are you sure that you're getting in your own way? Listen in as Jean shares how our beliefs form, how we get wise to them and, most importantly, how we bust them.  An incredibly thought provoking episode.Here's a bit about Jean from her website:Jean Provance graduated with her Bachelor's degree in visual arts and psychology and then moved forward completing her Master's degree in social work in 2008. For Jean learning is a lifelong process and continuing her education to deeply specialize in work with trauma survivors especially those affected by adoption and foster care. Jean's background in visual arts and play therapy allow her to integrate creative interventions that reach children, adolescents and adults alike. She is an EMDR certified therapist. Jean also holds a certificate in adoption counseling. She completed the training to supervise social workers towards their clinical licensure in 2013 and completed SIFI to provide field instruction to MSW interns in 2010. Jean anticipates her play therapy credentialing to be completed in June of 2023.Jean loves utilizing known strengths and discovering new ones during therapeutic work with clients. She wants sessions to be collaborative, with mutual consent while providing a safe holding environment that allows clients the room they need to grow and flourish.When Jean isn't holding space for client's she enjoys spending time with her family, running, gardening and caring for family pets. Jean continues to work on many artistic projects and is always looking to have some fun. https://www.featherlightcounseling.com/https://www.instagram.com/featherlightcounseling/https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086935247788

Are looking for love from others because you don't love yourself? Shame can drive us to do that. And in some cases we take that to extremes. Yi's love addiction spiralled until she became acutely aware of it and joined a 12 Step programme to overcome it. Listen in to see how loveable you are.Woo Ae Yi, formerly Ame Ai, is a screenwriter, playwright, author, poet, lyricist, and unofficial anthropologist. Both “Woo Ae” (우 애) and “Ame Ai” (雨愛) translate to “rain love,” and Yi believes that, just as rain falls on everyone, that everyone deserves to be loved. With a prolific library of thirteen titles, Yi has written on the topic of adoption, race, culture, romance and sex, spirituality, and prison since 2008 through various mediums. Yi has been publishing creative and nonfiction works only somewhat longer than she has enjoyed membership in Toastmasters International. In the future, Yi plans to write more about Korean (and/or Asian) adoptees, prison, her personal experiences as a part of the LGBTQ+ community, paranormal topics, and Islamic hell. Yi has been happily married for four years and enjoys watching animé and musicals, and listening to K-pop and The Beatles.https://www.facebook.com/authorameaihttps://www.instagram.com/krazeanpoet/https://twitter.com/YiWooAe_Krazeanhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/authorameai/

Our relationships are fundamental to our happiness. And attachments are fundamental to our relationships. So how can we have healthier attachments? And avoid toxic attachments? Adoptee and mental health counselor Emelia shares what she's learned personally and professionally.Emelia Thygesen is a licensed Mental Health Counselor. She received her Masters degree in community mental health at Canisius College in Buffalo New York in 2011. A proud adoptee and mental health advocate, she has over 10 years of experience working with clients in their teens to adulthood, in a variety of mental health settings. She is an adoption competent counselor who is a part of the adoptee community. https://www.courageforchange.org/https://www.linkedin.com/in/emeliathygesen/https://twitter.com/ethygesenlmhchttps://www.facebook.com/Courageforchange1

Many of us feel there's something missing from us. Perhaps a hole only our birth mother can fill. Or something else that will make us whole. We've felt this so long we ache for completeness. So what do we do? Where do we look? How will we go from having a hole to feeling whole? Listen in as adoptee and coach Candi answers some of our most existential questions.Here's a link to the image Candi mentions:https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XvuxuHZgi8PDyA6cx0yvj2q61B6N-K2k/view?usp=sharingHere's a bit about Candi and her book:A raw, often wry, memoir of mothers, mysteries, and miracles. Surrendered at birth in a closed adoption, Candi Byrne's biology and ethnicity is a secret. The impending arrival of her first grandchild ignites an urgency to identify potential genetic time bombs and confirm her ancestry. Due to arcane privacy laws, Candi is repeatedly denied access to the one person who could provide that information—her biological mother.After years of failed attempts, she resigns herself to never learning the truth about her roots; that is, until her ninety-year-old Aunt Delores has a vision and insists Candi resume efforts to find her birth family. Candi is gobsmacked when an internet search she's performed thousands of times before suddenly reveals her birth mother's identity. Within hours, she ends up on the doorstep of her birth mother—a place she's sworn never to visit.After a series of guilt-driven interactions with “Those People,” as she refers to her maternal birth family, Candi terminates contact. Although the reunion proves disastrous, it opens her eyes to truths about her relationship with her adoptive mother, Delphine. Though their relationship was difficult and contentious during Delphine's life, a series of miraculous experiences after her death guides Candi home to herself—where, she learns, she has belonged all along.https://www.sweetfirecoaching.com/https://www.amazon.com/dp/1647422795/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_0J00P6AHHVS73TT69EYB

Paige Adams Strickland is a teacher and writer from Cincinnati, Ohio. She is an adoptee in reunion from the Baby-Scoop-Era who searched and found her biological family in the 1980s. Paige has written books and also film and play reviews, found on her WordPress blog, as a way to elevate the voices and talents of members of the adoption constellation. Her two memoirs about being adopted are AKIN TO THE TRUTH and AFTER THE TRUTH. She has a work in progress with a working title of BORN ADOPTED & FINDING MY TRUTH. Born Adopted is geared toward teen and young adult readers. She is married with two daughters, three grandchildren and four spoiled-rotten cats. Paige's Links: https://wordpress.com/view/stricklandp.wordpress.com naapunited.org  Amazon links to books: Akin to the Truth: https://a.co/d/4Tu1JCC After the Truth: https://a.co/d/5uIJSGi ______ ***If you or someone you know would like to tell their adoption story on the podcast (anyone in the adoptee constellation), please send an email to  mindyourownkarma@gmail.com, and your story will be considered for the podcast. ***This podcast's mission is on adoption education. If you have an expertise that you think would be beneficial to anyone touched by adoption and would like to be on the podcast, get in touch with me. I love to help fellow adoptees by helping to promote your latest project or expertise. It's time WE educate the world!! ***Please seek professional help if you find yourself struggling with some of the realizations that you may experience during this episode. Check out the additional content on my website & subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.mindyourownkarma.com MYOK on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mind_your_own_karma MYOK on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mindyourownkarma Mind Your Own Karma YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEnNaW22x33MVMuKGqYIDyw The Karma Files YouTube Channel: ⁠ https://www.youtube.com/@thekarmafiles --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/melissa-ann-brunetti/support

Faith Brady was born on 22 June 1969 and adopted one month later when the US landed on the moon. She has always known she was adopted and had a great relationship with her adoptive parents. Her parents then adopted another child, a brother, 3 1/2 years later.  In 2015 she had to have open heart surgery and it was then that she became very interested in her medical history.  Ancestry found a 1st cousin that let her know that ALL of the women in her family died before they were 60, including her bio mom. This set Faith on a path of discovery to find out her history, which is still unfolding as of this airing.To go directly to Faith's interview, skip ahead to 10:25Also in this episode, Sarah and Louise discuss American Baby by Gabrielle Glaser.Thank you to our sponsor S12F.Joe Soll & other adoptee resourcesFireside Adoptees Facebook GroupReckoning with the Primal Wound DocumentaryIf you want to support our show, you can go to our Patreon Page.Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support.Our Patrons:  Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed,  Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson,  Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket , Robert Perrino,  Colleen McCall, Janet MacDonald, Robin Wells, Lynn Grubb, Mikki Jackson-Brown, Sharon Katzman, Carol Levitt, Elizabeth McDonald, Darra Robinson, Diane Moore, Jennifer Arave, Thomas Stevenson, Michael Berman and Cindy Turgeon.Support the showTo support the show - Patreon.

Bekah Oum unpacks her story of growing up in west Michigan after being adopted as an infant from China.

How legal is first cousin marriages in the United States? The Curious Case of Natalia Grace- Deep Dive Julie shares her upcoming plans to fulfill a life long ambition.  Subscribe, Rate and Review! For help with your DNA mystery contact Julie Dixon Jackson at www.cutoffgenes.com        

Join family therapists and authors Ken Dolan-Del Vecchio and Nancy Saxton-Lopez as we share Rob's story of adopting and ultimately saying goodbye to his 26-year-old cat, Little Girl. To support our work on this podcast with a one-time gift: Venmo @Ken-Dolan-DelVecchio or ⁠PayPal⁠ (https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/kenddv?country.x=US&locale.x=en_US) To support this podcast with a monthly subscription: https://anchor.fm/kenneth-dolan-del-vecchio/support ⁠The Pet Loss Companion (book) on Amazon⁠: https://www.amazon.com/Pet-Loss-Companion-Healing-Therapists/dp/1484918266/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=pet+loss+companion&qid=1612535894&sr=8-3mpa... ⁠To subscribe on YouTube⁠: https://www.youtube.com/@thepetlosscompanion6602 (and hit the "subscribe" button) ⁠To RSVP for the next cost-free zoom pet loss support group facilitated by Ken (August 8th at 6 pm ET)⁠: https://www.dakinhumane.org/petloss.html This program is a friend of Dakin Humane Society in Springfield, Mass. Dakin is a 501 (c) (3) community-supported animal welfare organization that provides shelter, medical care, spay/neuter services, and behavioral rehabilitation for more than 20,000 animals and people each year. Since its inception in 1969, Dakin has become one of the most recognized nonprofit organizations in central Massachusetts and a national leader in animal welfare. You can learn more about Dakin and make a donation at ⁠dakinhumane.org⁠. For a list of financial resources to help with payment for veterinary care visit the ⁠community tab on our YouTube channel⁠: https://www.youtube.com/@thepetlosscompanion6602/community  and note the addition of  https://get.scratchpay.com/veterinary --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kenneth-dolan-del-vecchio/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kenneth-dolan-del-vecchio/support

This is the perfect episode for adoptees who have faced dead ends in their search! Valerie Naiman is such a great storyteller, and she brought a story to the studio that you need to hear. She also wants you to believe in yourself, and don't give up. Valerie is an author, singer, songwriter, ontologist, environmentalist, ecovillage founder, travel and spiritual guide, beekeeper, and a mama to her dwarf goats. She's probably a Gemini, although her birth date is unknown. Valerie holds a Master of Arts from the University of Miami, and is the president of the Spirit Foundation, an NPO that supports disenfranchised children. Valerie's new book, Mystic Masquerade, An Adoptee's Search for Truth, was compiled from decades of diaries and journals she wrote during her biological and spiritual search. Valerie now lives in Asheville, NC with her honeybees and dwarf goats. Valerie's Links: http://www.valerienaiman.com Instagram @valnaimanauthor Facebook @valnaimanauthor ______ ***If you or someone you know would like to tell their adoption story on the podcast (anyone in the adoptee constellation), please send an email to ⁠MindYourOwnKarma@gmail.com⁠ and your story will be considered for the podcast. ***This podcast's mission is on adoption education. If you have an expertise that you think would be beneficial to anyone touched by adoption and would like to be on the podcast, get in touch with me. I love to help fellow adoptees by helping to promote your latest project or expertise. It's time WE educate the world!! ***Please seek professional help if you find yourself struggling with some of the realizations that you may experience during this episode. Check out the additional content on my website & subscribe to my newsletter:⁠ https://www.mindyourownkarma.com⁠ MYOK on Instagram:⁠ https://www.instagram.com/mind_your_own_karma/⁠ MYOK on Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/mindyourownkarma⁠ Mind Your Own Karma YouTube Channel: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEnNaW22x33MVMuKGqYIDyw⁠ The Karma Files YouTube Channel: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNFid63lwQOTlUHw65LX8BA --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/melissa-ann-brunetti/support

Chris Stearns is Navajo and was adopted in the mid-1960s before the Indian Child Welfare Act existed. His mom was part of the federal Indian Relocation program which moved Native Americans away from reservations to large cities as part of a national assimilation policy. Chris began his life in the Los Angeles County foster care system and was adopted when he was 2 years old by a loving white family in New Jersey where he was raised.  Chris chose a career as an attorney fighting for Native American rights and spent many years in Washington, D.C. representing Indian tribes as well as working in the House of Representatives and the Clinton Administration. Chris eventually moved to Washington state where he now serves as a Representative in the state legislature. He also was able to access his sealed original birth records but has never been able to find his birth parents.  He now lives in Auburn, where he and his wife Pamela have two adult daughters and a grandson.The New York Times: The Brutal Past and Uncertain Future of Native Adoptions by Gabrielle Glaser: May 16th, 2023To go directly to Chris's interview, skip ahead to 13:35Also in this episode, Sarah and Louise discuss American Baby by Gabrielle Glaser.Thank you to our sponsor S12F.Joe Soll & other adoptee resourcesIf you want to support our show, you can go to our Patreon Page.Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support.Our Patrons:  Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed,  Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson,  Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket , Robert Perrino,  Colleen McCall, Janet MacDonald, Robin Wells, Lynn Grubb, Mikki Jackson-Brown, Sharon Katzman, Carol Levitt, Elizabeth McDonald, Darra Robinson, Diane Moore, Jennifer Arave and Thomas Stevenson.Support the showTo support the show - Patreon.

Adrian Carlos Vaillancourt is a community builder interested in connecting South and Central American adoptees with their first cultures. Born in Peru and adopted at a young age by an American mother and Canadian father, Adrian first connected with his Peruvian culture after high school. Adrian believes that connecting with your first culture can help to create community and provide a better understanding of your identity. He is excited to create spaces for this by offering language classes, cooking classes, and cultural classes Ways to support Peruvians of USA:  Sign up for our newsletter - https://www.peruviansofusa.com/newsletter Visit our website for episode notes - https://www.peruviansofusa.com/episodes Give us a review on Apple Podcast or Spotify  Become a Listener Supporter - https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/peruviansofusa/ Visit our Online Store and help us change the narrative with our t-shirt: “El Mejor Amigo de un Peruano es otro peruano.” Also available in feminine (“peruana”) and gender-neutral (“peruanx”) versions - https://www.peruviansofusa.com/shop Follow Peruvians of USA Podcast on IG: @peruviansofusa    Like our page on Facebook! - https://www.facebook.com/peruviansofusa --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/peruviansofusa/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/peruviansofusa/support

Nancy Davis was born in Florida in 1949 and adopted by a family from New York. The adoption was private and no documents were available to investigate her origins. An Ancestry test 6 years ago revealed that Nancy had 5 siblings in North Carolina from her birth parents, 3 brothers, and 2 sisters. It has been an amazing journey for her and has helped fill many of the “unknowns” of her heritage. She works as an EMT in her current home in Connecticut and thoroughly enjoys sharing her story.To go directly to Nancy's interview, skip ahead to 19:30.Also in this episode, Sarah and Louise discuss American Baby by Gabrielle Glaser.Thank you to our sponsor S12F.Joe Soll & other adoptee resourcesIf you want to support our show, you can go to our Patreon Page.Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support.Our Patrons:  Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed,  Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson,  Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket , Robert Perrino,  Colleen McCall, Janet MacDonald, Robin Wells, Lynn Grubb, Mikki Jackson-Brown, Sharon Katzman, Carol Levitt, Elizabeth McDonald, Darra Robinson, Diane Moore and Jennifer Arave.Support the showTo support the show - Patreon.