Once Upon A Time...In Adopteeland: Recent Episodes
Jennifer Dyan Ghoston
Through an audio drama, episodes of thought-provoking conversations and bonus recordings, the listening audience can learn some of the issues that the adoption community face from the perspective of the adoptee.
Charity Barriere Muhammad is an educator, author, speaker, and advocate whose life journey bridges adoption, genealogy, trauma recovery, and Black history. After spending 41 years separated from her biological father, she discovered she is the daughter of Joseph McGill Jr., founder of the Slave Dwelling Project. Her reunion has transformed her understanding of identity, family, and legacy while inspiring her to help others heal through genealogy, truth-telling, and education. Drawing on her years as an educator and her lived experience as a kinship adoptee, Charity speaks about the lifelong impact of adoption, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), resilience, and the power of reclaiming one's story.
Music by Corey Quinn
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
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
Original air date: July 25, 2024
Dr. Joyce Maguire Pavao, Ed.D., LCSW, LMFT, was the Founder and CEO of Center for Family Connections, Inc. (CFFC, 1995-2012) in Cambridge and New York, Founder and Director of Riverside After Adoption Consulting and Training (AACT, 2012 to 2015), PACT (Pre/Post Adoption Consulting and Training, 1982-present), and Pavao Consulting and Coaching.
Dr. Pavao has done extensive training, both nationally and internationally. She is a lecturer in Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, and she has consulted to various public and private child welfare agencies, adoption agencies, schools, and community groups, as well as probate and family court judges, lawyers, and clergy. Additionally, she has worked closely with individuals and families touched by adoption, foster care, and other complex blended family constructions.
Recommended Resources: "Twice Born" by Betty Jean Lifton "The Adoption Triangle" byArthur D. Sorosky, M.D. Annette Baron, M.S.W. Reuben Pannor, M.S.W. "Lethal Secrets" by Annette Baran and Reuben Pannor
"The Family of Adoption" by Dr. Joyce Maguire Pavao
Brittney Lee aka Bonya (she/they) is a child and family wellness consultant with lived expertise, and an intersectional storyteller passionate about the abolition of family policing systems. She has a strong track record of advancing complex projects that serve diverse and underserved populations. Her work has included supporting legislatively mandated committees, developing workshops, social media campaigns, and critical research on disparities as they affect community and families, youth and children.
Having experienced over seventeen foster placements in the span of just over seventeen years of their childhood, their current aspiration is to utilize their growth and knowledge gained from resilience, community involvement and employment opportunities with youth who have experienced foster care and child welfare practitioners. They want to be the person they needed when they were younger and overall remind us all again just how deeply sacred children and young people are.
Music by Corey Quinn
Yvette Monique is a kinship adoptee. She has held various role in the healthcare for over 35 years. She holds an Associate Degree in Nursing, Bachelor's Degree in Business and a Master's Degree in Human Resources Management.
Yvette is a Certified Birth Justice Doula and currently working on becoming a Certified Professional Midwife in the fall of the year.
She is the mother of 2 adult children, 3 grandchildren, and a grand pup. She sits on various boards of several non-profit organizations and loves the fact of giving back.
Music by Corey Quinn
Original air date: March 21, 2023
Hannah Andrews was born in Chicago and was adopted as an infant during the Baby Scoop Era. She was raised on a Midwestern farm with two older adoptee brothers. In 2018, a chance meeting with an author birthmother sent Hannah in search of her own history. She found more questions than answers, but found guidance and community from fellow triad members. She joined the AKA board to provide that same support to others. Hannah is a writer, pianist & pet enthusiast . She lives in San Diego, CA with her dog Josie and three Pussycats .
Music by Corey Quinn
Loren Stephens is the author of “All Sorrows Can Be Borne” her debut novel based on her husband's (Dana Miyoshi) personal story and that of his birth family set in Japan and Montana during and after World War Two. Loren is a short story writer and a ghostwriter with some forty books credited to her Los Angeles based company, Write Wisdom. In addition to her author/client projects she is at work on her second novel, “Elise Goldberg Goes to Paris.”
Loren Stephenshttps://lorenmstephens.com › about-me
Music by Corey Quinn
Dana Miyoshi was born in Osaka, Japan and was adopted by his aunt and uncle who resided in Montana. He flew by himself on a plane from Tokyo to San Francisco when he was 2.5 years old to meet his new parents and grew up in Glendive, Montana. After graduating from high school, he spent one year at the University of Montana and then dropped out to join the U.S. Navy. He served for 11 years in the Navy and spent two whole tours and one partial tour in Japan, where he was able to reunite with his birth mother, grandmother, and various cousins. After the Navy, he worked in several roles around Los Angeles and finally finished his degree at UCLA. He continues to reside in Los Angeles where he works as the office manager for a civil engineering firm.
Music by Corey Quinn
Jonathan Todd Newbern ( 2nd legal name ) is a domestic, same race, late discovery adoptee. Having intuitions and instincts that he was always adopted from a very young age. Only to find out at the age of eighteen, that his instincts were true, and he was adopted. Jonathan stepped into true adoption consciousness in his late thirties and works in a 12 Step co- dependency group. You might have seen him on an adoption zoom meeting, because he is very pro constellation, when it comes to support and getting legal rights and of course getting reparations.
Email: Jonknee51475@gmail.com, IG: Jonknbe1 and Fb: Jonathan T Newbern
Music by Corey Quinn
Maya Holmes is a returning guest.
Maya (she/her) is a same race domestic adoptee from St. Louis, MO. She has been active in the adoptee community since 2020/21 after finding her first family. Maya has been featured on several adoption focused podcasts and has begun writing her memoir. Outside of the adoption space, Maya recently completed her MSW/MBA and plans to continue working as a therapist. She loves pottery, hiking, and traveling in her free time.
Music by Corey Quinn
Cynthia Boone is a returning guest.
She is a Late Discovery Adoptee who learned she was adopted just two days after her 46th birthday. Her journey to truth unfolded over several years—first reuniting with her birthmother, and later, through AncestryDNA, connecting with her birthfather’s family. These discoveries reshaped her understanding of identity, family, and belonging.
An educator for 39 years, Cynthia spent much of her career as a reading specialist in K–8 public schools, bringing deep listening skills, patience, and compassion to her work. Today, she brings those same strengths to adoptee spaces as a facilitator and community leader. She is a founding member of the Adoptee Sisterhood Group and an active participant in adoptee writing and discussion communities.
At Untangling Our Roots 2026, Cynthia was a panelist for The Last to Know: How to Heal from Late Discovery, sharing lived experience, insight, and hope for those navigating identity after late discovery.
Music by Corey Quinn
Keith Sciarillo is a returning guest. He is a Late Discovery Adoptee who is also of a different race than the family that he was adopted into. He is 1 of 8 children that his biological mother had relinquished for Adoption. He grew up in a family of 6 children in which he is the only one that is adopted. A loving father and Accounting professional currently residing in the DC metropolitan area. Connecting with others in the Adoption community is what he enjoys most about his work and being involved with various organizations such as C.A.S.E. and Together on the Journey camp.
Ingrid Alli is an actor, spoken word poet and content creator who believes that art has the ability to awaken humanity to our highest potential. She’s always been enamored by the joy of creating and fell in love with performing when she danced on the stage for the first time at the age of 4. After earning a BA in musical theatre at Point Park University, she worked professionally in theaters in Virginia. Then she lived in Atlanta, GA for nearly ten years to pursue opportunities in film and television. After returning to her hometown of Richmond, VA she booked the lead role of Abbie in Myth of the Ghost Kingdom which was filmed locally. TikTok @ingrid.alli
Jason Mullis is an award-winning director and producer with over twenty years of experience across photography, film production, and advertising. His work focuses on character-driven independent cinema and intimate psychological storytelling.
His debut feature film Her Tango premiered on Amazon Prime and built a dedicated following among tango enthusiasts and independent film audiences. His second feature film, Myth of the Ghost Kingdom, is available for purchase and rental on Amazon and Apple TV.
Jason shares his inspiration for writing and directing "Myth of the Ghost Kingdom," How the story was driven by the fact that many people are uncovering major family secrets through genealogy research, and he wanted to create a respectful portrayal of the adoptee experience. Jason acknowledged that while the film industry often exploits adoption stories rather than accurately representing them, he aimed to tell an authentic story centered on the adoptee experience.
mythoftheghostkingdom.com
Music by Corey Quinn
Alex has over 40 years of creative process and production experience in marketing, advertising, and commercial and feature film production (Behind Enemy Lines, Fox 2001; Flight of the Phoenix, Fox 2004). He has been the recipient of multiple advertising industry awards for creativity and innovation as a manager of creative talent and production company owner, For the last 15+ years, he has been consulting with major brands on enterprise-level initiatives, solving creative and organizational problems for Fortune 500 companies. https://www.talexblum.com/
Music by Corey Quinn
Tracy Clark-Flory is a journalist, essayist, and author of the new memoir My Mother’s Daughter: Finding Myself in My Family’s Fractured Past, which Kirkus calls “powerful,” “deeply researched,” “lyrically written,” and “moving.” New York Times bestselling author Peggy Orenstein says Clark-Flory “connects the dots between her own life, the reader’s, and the larger culture, turning the family story of a pregnant girl caught by the social forces of her time—around gender, race, class—into the story of all women: who we are as daughters, how we carry the relationships to our mothers long after they are gone, and how we are shaped, generationally, by the limits on our personal, sexual, and reproductive freedom.”
She’s also the author of the previous book Want Me: A Sex Writer’s Journey into the Heart of Desire, an NPR Best Book of the Year. She has written for Cosmopolitan, The Cut, Elle, Esquire, Marie Claire, Glamour, The Guardian, The Washington Post, WIRED, Women’s Health, and many others. Previously, she was a senior staff writer at Jezebel and a staff writer at Salon. She writes a weekly newsletter and co-hosts Dire Straights, a feminist podcast critiquing hetero love, sex, politics and culture. You can find more at tracyclarkflory.com.
Music by Corey Quinn
Anne Peshka is an author, speaker, and certified Core Energy Coach who helps people break free from the patterns that keep them stuck and create lives rooted in truth, connection, and purpose. As both an adoptee and a birth mother, Anne brings a rare and deeply personal perspective to conversations around identity, trauma, and healing.
She is the author of Trauma Recycled, a raw and honest memoir about adoption, abuse, and rebuilding a life from the inside out. Through her work, including workshops and speaking, Anne creates spaces where people feel seen, heard, and empowered to rewrite their story, no matter where they started.
Website: annepeshka.comMusic by Corey Quinn
Amik is a foster care alum and adoptee. She is the author of “Healing Hurts Like Hell; A Survival Through Severe Childhood Trauma” . Her book is available on Amazon.com.
Music by Corey Quinn
Alex Sloan (he/they), is a Transracial, Transgender and Nonbinary human, adopted from La Chorrera, Panama. He was adopted as an infant by a single white woman, who adopted another child from Panama 7 years prior, (who he later found out was his biological cousin through DNA testing). After his adoption was finalized at six months old, Alex was then moved overseas with his adoptive family to Okinawa, Japan, until 2006, when his family PCS'd (Permanent Change of Station) moved to an American Air Force base in Aviano, Italy. Alex was in Italy until he graduated High School and was accepted to Northern Arizona University, in 2012. Alex graduated and obtained a Bachelors degree in Social Work and a minor in Psychology and Sociology. Alex moved to Portland, OR, in 2023, for new opportunities a safer environment for his queerness, and outside the heat of Arizona!. Alex currently works at a non-profit, as a Case Manager Supervisor, providing case management services to adults who experience Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Alex is excited to continue to be involved in the adoptee community and share his story.
https://www.bipocadoptees.org
Music by Corey Quinn
Lilly Anspach is an artist, writer, and adoptee advocate whose work explores healing, identity, and truth-telling. She is the founder of Center to Shape, a creative healing initiative, and The Yuri Group, a leadership and organizational consulting practice. Through art, writing, and community engagement, Lilly examines the complexities of adoption, belonging, and personal transformation. She is also involved with Adoptees for Family Preservation, where she works to elevate first mother voices and advocate for family preservation and ethical adoption practices.
https://www.adopteesffp.org
Music by Corey Quinn
After losing her son, to a devastating unnecessary adoption Renee Gelin discovered her purpose to help other mothers avoid unnecessarily separating from their newborns. Renee started speaking to other expectant mothers and realized that many of the reasons that they were considering adoption were similar to hers – temporary. She started explaining the lifelong trauma that maternal separation causes both mothers and their newborns and the mothers listened. The adoption community began to see moms with their babies and began to support Renee’s efforts of family preservation. Others online began to direct mothers considering adoption to speak with Renee and the concept of Saving Our Sisters became a reality. Renee married her son’s father and together they parent their daughters in Florida.
https://savingoursistersadoption.org
Recommended Resources: https://thefamilypreservationproject.com https://untanglingourroots.org https://concernedunitedbirthparents.org
Music by Corey Quinn
Sullivan Summer is an independent scholar, critic, essayist, poet, podcaster, and adoptee rights advocate. Her work across genres has been published in popular, literary, and academic outlets, and her pop culture hot takes and author interviews can be heard on the Adoption Pop!, Adoptees Off Script, and New Books Network podcasts. Her chapbook, Performance Anxiety, was published in 2025 by Black Sunflowers Poetry Press, and she is a 2025 "Best of the Net" anthology nominee. When not reading, writing, and podcasting about reading and writing, you can find her leading history-based reading groups at Brooklyn’s Center for Fiction, and engaging with visitors to The New York
Historical, the City’s oldest museum, where she is a Docent. You can find Sullivan at her website, on Instagram, and on Substack.
Adoptees for Family Preservation
https://onadoption.net
Music by Corey Quinn
Lora K. Joy/Lora Alegria is a returning guest.
Lora is a domestic, same race adoptee who is fully estranged from her adoptive family and reunited with both maternal and paternal biological family. In 2022, she legally changed her name back to her birth name and Lora’s biological mom reclaimed her through an adult adoption. Lora has self-published 3 illustrated books and a blog at www.myadopteetruth.com. She also co-led the publishing of the adoptee anthology The Flourish Experience.
Lora is the Secretary of Adoptees for Family Preservation (AFFP), a nonprofit organization committed to raising awareness of adoption industry practices. Lora co-leads a peer support group on estrangement through Adoption Knowledge Affiliates. And she is a Producer for the Adoptees On podcast.
Resources: https://www.adopteesffp.org
https://www.adoptionknowledge.org/peer-support-groups.html
Music by Corey Quinn
Dr. Zoe Shaw is a licensed psychotherapist, author, speaker, podcast host, relationships coach and fitness lover. She is passionate about helping women who struggle in difficult relationships, especially that sometimes difficult relationship with themselves, overcome complex shame and co-dependency.
After 15 years in traditional psychotherapy practice, Dr. Zoe jumped off the couch and now helps women using a different modality with a mix of virtual therapy, coaching services and programs, through a lens of psychology, faith and a dash of feminism.
Dr. Zoe is the author of the Ask Dr. Zoe Column in the Grit and Grace Project women’s magazine and the books, A Year Of Self Care and Stronger In The Difficult Places released by Penguin Randomhouse Waterbrook. She has been featured in the OWN documentary series UNLOCKED, abd published in Oprahmag.com, Recovery Today magazine, Forbes and Today.com. She writes about helping women overcome shame and co-dependency. You can find her in the media on Instagram: @Drzoeshaw and in most social places at the handle DrZoeShaw.
https://drzoeshaw.com
Music by Corey Quinn
Dani Janae is a poet and journalist from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Her work has been published by Longleaf Review, SWWIM, Palette Poetry, and others. Her debut collection of poetry, Hound Triptych, will be published by Sundress Publications in the Spring of 2026. She lives in South Carolina.
When she is not writing she enjoys having intimate conversations with the things that puzzle and delight her, admiring spiders, watching horror movies, and hunting for figs.
https://danijanae.com
Music by Corey Quinn
Abbi Johnson is a natural mother who didn't get to raise her first child. She was sent to the Liberty GodParent Maternity Home in Lynchburg, VA in 2008 and at the age of 17 was coerced into relinquishing her son.
In March of 2023 she created her IG and TikTok accounts @voicelessbirthmother to begin sharing her story.
In 2025, Abbi collaborated with journalist T.J. Raphael on the investigative podcast Liberty Lost, which aired in the summer of 2025 and examined the realities of maternity homes and adoption practices.
Resources: https://wondery.com › shows › liberty-lost
Music by Corey Quinn
Haley Radke is a Canadian domestic adoptee, the founder of Haley Radke Media, Inc., and host of Adoptees On, one of the most successful and longest-running adoption-related podcasts in the world, with over 1.5 million downloads globally. Haley's commitment to centering adoptee stories has made her a sought-after expert within the field of adoption, and within the realm of podcast storytelling more broadly. Her project-in-progress, On Adoption, is investigating adoption’s impact on adoptees and birth/first parents. You can find her at adopteeson.com, adoptionpop.com and on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
Music by Corey Quinn
Steffe Harwood is a same race domestic adoptee, quilter, designer, artist, (unlicensed) architect, disc golfer, and backpacker (like camping).
She likes to think that she is a renaissance woman, a woman of many talents. Steffe loves to make stuff. In her free time she does a lot of volunteer work with kids teaching them design and architecture, volunteering in the forest preserve, and with Disc Golf Chicago to bring the sport to more folks in the city.
Music by Corey Quinn
Sara Kajder is a same race, domestic adoptee from a closed system who reached midlife before starting on the journey which has gifted her the opportunity to reunite with some members of her biological family. She is a writer and English professor who resides in Athens, GA.
Music by Corey Quinn
Tammy Murphy is a returning guest.
Tammy is a same race domestic Black adoptee. She has immersed herself in the adoption community and has become a content creator as a writer with a focus on adoption and healing. Tammy is a 3x volunteer for in person adoption community conferences and plans to start a coaching business next year. She recently became an adoption attuned certified coach through GIFT (Growing Intentional Families Together).
Instagram: @Comingoutthatfogisamutha
Music by Corey Quinn
Marisol Kassis is a transracial, transnational adoptee from Bogota, Colombia. She was adopted as an infant by her two parents and did not have any adoptive siblings. She grew up in a rural/suburban part of South New Jersey that was predominantly white.
https://adoptee-voices.com
Music by Corey Quinn
Erica Livingston is a postpartum-centric full-spectrum doula, maternal health strategist, and founder of Birdsong Doulas. As an adoptee and a parent, she works at the intersections of birth justice, storytelling, and liberation, supporting families and care workers across the thresholds of pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and beyond.
Website: https://www.birdsongdoulas.com
Music by Corey Quinn
Roxan Chen, is a Late Discovery Adoptee, born in Baltimore, Maryland, raised in New York, living out her creative life in New Jersey when not discovering/tour leading in various destinations throughout the world.
Music by Corey Quinn
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/adopteeland
Music by Corey Quinn
Julian Mack is a transracial adoptee in reunion/contact with his family of origin. He is a Black American music artist living in Atlanta. Julian continues to move through questions of identity and societal issues with a thoughtful, grey-lens perspective.
Music by Corey Quinn
Sonia Morgan is a late discovery adoptee born in Pennsylvania. She searched for her biological family and is currently appreciating reunion/contact with them.
Music by Corey Quinn
Anna Bryant is a transracial adoptee from Iowa. She grew up in a multiracial household with White parents and international adoptee sisters from South Korea. She has been in reunion with her family of origin for 8 years which has brought both joys and heartbreaks. She is currently working on her memoir Cultural Fraud which explores her reunion journey and her search for Black identity. She currently resides in the Black Mecca of Atlanta with her husband and loves to travel, spend time with friends, and occasionally review new snacks.
Music by Corey Quinn
Koko is a same-race Black adoptee with 15 years of experience in community behavioral health. She holds a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and is a Professional Clinical Counselor. A mother and a healer, Koko brings a trauma-informed, liberation-focused lens to her work with individuals and communities impacted by adoption. Her insights have made her a frequent guest on podcasts, and she has spoken at major gatherings, including the BIPOC Adoptee Conference.
She is the founder and CEO of BADAN, the Black African Diaspora Adoptee Network—a global community committed to connection, care, and collective truth-telling for Black adoptees across the diaspora. Through community organizing, mental health advocacy, and storytelling. She creates space for Black adoptees to name grief, reclaim identity, and move toward embodied belonging. Her work centers the lived experiences of same-race adoptees while pushing for accountability and change within adoption and mental health systems. As stated, she can be found spilling adoption truths on Instagram @theblackadoptea. https://www.instagram.com/badancommunity/
References: https://untanglingourroots.org/schedule/
Music by Corey Quinn
Garrett Lee is a same race domestic adoptee residing in Orlando, FL. He is in reunion with DNA family members and the journey continues putting the pieces together about his relinquishment/adoption story.
Website: https://www.oldskoolcakes.com/
Music by Corey Quinn
Janeen Jackson is an adoptee, children's book author, and powerful advocate for adult adoptees—especially those who discover the truth about their adoption later in life. Through her blog Mixed Up Diary and her book Hello, Sweet Baby!, Janeen creates space for honest conversations about identity, race, and healing. Her mission is to provide comfort and understanding to others facing similar revelations and to help families navigate the emotional complexities of adoption with empathy and truth.
In 2017, Janeen took a DNA test out of curiosity. What followed was a life-altering discovery: she was adopted, had been in foster care, and was biracial. She uncovered this truth in her 40s, a revelation that completely redefined her sense of self and understanding of her past. This experience launched her into a journey of emotional excavation, family redefinition, and self-empowerment.
Janeen’s late discovery of her adoption brought with it many emotional and psychological challenges, including grief, anger, confusion, and a profound identity crisis. She wrestled with issues of trust, colorism, belonging, and depression. Learning how to set healthy boundaries, confront painful family secrets, and process her biracial identity has been central to her personal transformation.
Websites: https://mixedupdiary.com/ https://janeenjackson.com/
Music by Corey Quinn
Eric Shaw in Southern California is an educator (Elementary School PE and High School basketball coach), adopted at birth by same race and adopted siblings with Koko, @TheBlackAdoptea on IG.
Resource: https://adoptionmosaic.com/adoptee-beacon
Music by Corey Quinn
Kevin Hodge-Niblack Barnett Sr. is a retired Army veteran and a product of the foster care/adoption system. He is the author of two books: Living My Shadows: Dreams Do Come True and Shadows of Emotion: Life After the Dream, which outline his experiences as an adoptee and person who lived in foster care.
Website: https://www.livingmyshadows.org/
Resources: https://www.adoptionknowledge.org/registration-2025.html
Music by Corey Quinn
Jasmin, a New York adoptee, host of the Once an Orphan podcast kept the story of her adoption to herself until she was in her 30’s. Today, she’ll talk about why the silence for so long and what finally brought about the change.
https://www.youtube.com/@OnceanOrphan
https://www.blackadopteesmeetup.org/
Recommended Resource: https://events.adoptionmosaic.com/launch-land
Music by Corey Quinn
Katie is an adoptee who has always known she was adopted. Abuse and neglect by adoptive parents growing up led her to feeling unloved or unwanted by them. As a younger person, Katie felt so broken and joined Al-Anon and (ACA) Adult Children of Alcoholics for healing. She still felt like something was missing in her recovery. A friend gave Katie the book, The Primal Wound by Nancy Verrier, and she then sought out podcasts about adoptees which all proved to be great resources.
Katie never had the desire to look for her birth parents, but an acquaintance insisted, and found maternal and paternal birth parents within days in 1996. She has met both birth families and have different relationships with them today.
Music by Corey Quinn
Jennifer Hiltebeitel (HILL-ta-bite-el) is a returning guest.
Jennifer is an adopted person on a lifelong healing journey. As an Enneagram Coach, she loves talking with other adoptees about how this tool for growth builds understanding and compassion for our whole selves. She believes healing happens in community and through the telling of our stories. You can connect with Jennifer on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/throughyourlensenneagram/, through email: jhiltebeitel@outlook.com or set up a free 30-minute Enneagram Coaching consultation with her at https://calendly.com/jhiltebeitel
Music by Corey Quinn
Original air date: October 25, 2022
During times in this episode, there is sensitive content that may be traumatizing to some audiences. Listener discretion advised.
Katie is an adoptee who has always known she was adopted. Abuse and neglect by adoptive parents growing up led her to feeling unloved or unwanted by them. As a younger person, Katie felt so broken and joined Al-Anon and (ACA) Adult Children of Alcoholics for healing. She still felt like something was missing in her recovery. A friend gave Katie the book, The Primal Wound by Nancy Verrier, and she then sought out podcasts about adoptees which all proved to be great resources.
Katie never had the desire to look for her birth parents, but an acquaintance insisted, and found maternal and paternal birth parents within days in 1996. She has met both birth families and have different relationships with them today.
Music by Corey Quinn
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=g8njTJVfsVA
Music by Corey Quinn
Linda Pevac (aka Emma Stevens) is a returning guest.
Linda 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 Linda’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, Linda is dedicated to help redefine the narrative of adoption to include the entire complex truth.
This memoir is Linda Pavac (aka Emma Stevens’) third 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.
https://emmastevenswriter.com/
https://www.adopteetherapy.com/
Music by Corey Quinn
This solo episode embodies the anticipation of Autumn.
https://adoptee-voices.com/
Music by Corey Quinn
Original air date: April 5, 2022
Emma 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
Astrid Castro, founder and CEO of Adoption Mosaic—an adoptee-led, BIPOC woman-founded nonprofit—has dedicated over three decades to serving the adoption constellation through innovative, adoptee-centered programs, events, courses, and consultations. Adopted from Colombia at the age of four (along with her older sister), Astrid’s life's work and interest in adoption shifted dramatically after reuniting with her birth/first mother in 2011, when she discovered she had been kidnapped and sold through the black market of adoption. Everything changed from that moment, reshaping not only her personal journey but also her professional commitment. Prior to creating Adoption Mosaic, Astrid worked in both the private and public sectors of adoption, including at the Oregon Post Adoption Resource Center (ORPARC), Holt International, and the Rocky Mountain Adoption Exchange. Her work continues to highlight the adoptee experience and expand access to essential post-adoption services for individuals and families.
https://adoptionmosaic.com/
Nomi Kaie is a Black same race domestic adoptee who enjoys connecting with others, daydreaming, delicious meals, the arts, and running fast, to name a few interests. https://www.onceuponatimeinadopteeland.com/episode/31-nomi-an-adoptee-and-writer-who-is-new-to-the-adoption-community
Music by Corey Quinn
Greta Handgis (Fadness) is a domestic same-race adoptee adopted through Lutheran Welfare Services in a closed adoption in 1968. She was relinquished immediately at birth and spent no time with her teenage biological mother. After a month in foster care, she was adopted. She was raised in a family with a younger sister, who was also adopted, and an older brother, who is the only biological child of her adoptive parents. She is in reunion with both her paternal and maternal families but is estranged from her birth mother after a 30-year relationship. She has two full-blood siblings, two half-blood siblings and is extremely close to her maternal aunt. Greta earned a degree in theatre and played NCAA women’s basketball on a full-ride scholarship. After college, Greta spent 10 years as an actor in Los Angeles before moving to Phoenix in 2001. She is a playwright, actor, acting coach and a former paralegal in the public defender system in Phoenix. She recently wrote and performed her award-winning one-woman show "Searching for Me in All the Wrong Places” in Los Angeles and is currently developing a new one-woman show that focuses on her adoption story as well as integrating other voices that make up the adoption constellation. In recovery from anorexia, Greta hopes that through her art she might help someone feel a little less alone as well as bring awareness to those who don’t know or understand the complexities of adoption and the challenges it can cause. Creativity, connection and community have been so healing in her navigating her own path, and also having an amazing husband, rescue dog and therapist doesn’t hurt either.
Website: https://gretafadness.com/
https://events.adoptionmosaic.com/wte-reg-disordered-eating
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/live-podcast-event-with-atmom-special-guests-tickets-1413096101479
Music by Corey Quinn
Original air date: August 16, 2022
Danielle Orr is a writer, painter and animal lover. She is currently working on her memoir.
Music by Corey Quinn
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 clients
https://www.frequencyastrology.com/
Music by Corey Quinn
Bridgett McGowen-Hawkins is an award-winning international speaker, author, and publisher who energizes audiences and empowers voices. A late discovery adoptee, Bridgett found out at the age of 31 that she was adopted, an experience that reshaped her understanding of identity, family, trust, and truth. Today, she shares her story to support others with healing, speaking boldly, and reclaiming their narratives.
Bridgett is on a mission to inspire a global audience to reframe public speaking and communication not merely as a professional skill but as a fundamental human right and a lever of influence, equity, and justice. She is the founder of Press 49, a hybrid publishing company that amplifies untold stories and transformational voices.
Website: https://www.bridgettmcgowen.com/
Book recommendations: The Body Keeps The Score by Bessel van der Kolk M.D., Lions Roaring Far From Home by Aselefech Evans , Kassaye Berhanu-MacDonald, et al., Journey of the Adopted Self by Betty Jean Lifton.
Music by Corey Quinn
Jackson TerKeurst’s new book, The Only Way Forward is Back: A Story of War, Adoption, and Finding Your Purpose in God’s Plan, is an inspirational memoir taking the reader on a journey through war-torn Liberia to the United States, watching God do a mighty work during difficult and heart-breaking circumstances.
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 TerKeurst, Jackson is passionate about drawing together people from diverse backgrounds to experience authentic community. He lives with his wife and their two children outside Nashville, Tennessee.
Website: https://www.jacksonterkeurst.com/
Music by Corey Quinn
Original air date: January 10, 2023
Dan Smith is an adoptee in reunion who co-facilitates a support group with Adoption Network Cleveland for all members of the constellation. It meets the last Thursday of each month online. He resides in Ohio and enjoys his retirement after a career as a firefighter.
Music by Corey Quinn
Original air date: June 14, 2022
Zhen E (pronounced like Jenny) is a transnational transracial Korean Adoptee who was abducted through Holt in the 1970s to an all white family and community. She and her husband Robert (also white) are foodies and travelers and cat-parents to 4 cats and proud parents to Jordan and his wife Skyler and grandparents to granddaughter Jasmine Nari (3 years) and grandson Soren Eujin (3 weeks).
Zhen E is an adoptee advocate and has gone to Washington DC, LA, and the Iowa Legislatures to pass the Adoptee Citizenship Act.
Zhen E has performed her pieces "Black Box: An Adoption Story Choreopoem" and other spoken word poetry about adoption at several play festivals, at KAAN and IKAA in the US and Seoul, South Korea.
Music by Corey Quinn
Original air date: May 2, 2023
Laura L. Engel likes to say she is late to the game as a budding new author. Originally from Biloxi, Mississippi, Laura has lived in Southern California for over 50 years. She and her husband, Gene are the proud parents of six grown children along with their significant others. They are delighted to be Grammy and PaPa to ten grandchildren. Recently retired after 30 plus years as a regional sales representative for an international title insurance company, Laura left the corporate world and plunged headlong into her second career as a writer in 2017.
Laura has had two scenes from her memoir chosen for the San Diego Memoir Showcase. Her scene, 'Secret Son' is published in the award winning anthology 'Shaking the Tree'. Her scene 'Do They Know?' was selected as one of the ten winners for the San Diego Memoir Showcase in 2018. It was published in 2019 in Amazon Best Seller and Award winning Shaking The Tree 2 and Shaking The Tree 3. She is a current member of the International Women Writers Guild and President of the San Diego Memoir Writers Association. Laura's memoir is 'You’ll Forget This Ever Happened'. Check out her website for more information regarding her memoir.
https://lauralengel.com/
Music by Corey Quinn
Rosalyn “Roz" Carter is the co-host of the I Found Her podcast and Taya's birthmother. At the age of 16, Roz became pregnant and placed Deana, now Taya for adoption.
She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from University of Phoenix and is a Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM). She was a member of Toastmistress in the early 1970’s before women could join Toastmasters.
In 2005, she joined Toastmasters while employed at the City of Moreno Valley, and has served in many leadership positions, including District Governor in 2012-2013 and Region Advisor in 2017-2019. Roz has presented workshops and keynote speeches on corporate relations, leadership, marketing, mentorship, coaching, program quality, club growth and retention, public relations, staff development and team building for Toastmasters, Chambers of Commerce and other community organizations.
She received Humanitarian of the Year from Moreno Valley Black Chamber of Commerce in 2011 and awards for marketing, education and training. Please contact Roz Carter to share her expertise, the benefits and value of Toastmasters, and lessons learned with your organization's employees and members.
https://ifoundherpodcast.com/
Music by Corey Quinn
Taya Reed is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Supervisor with over 15 years of therapeutic experience. She established her private practice, Sound House Therapy, 5 years ago. Adopted in 1970 during the Baby Scoop Era through the LA County Adoption Agency, Taya's personal experience within a closed same-race domestic adoption has profoundly shaped her professional journey. Taya is a US Armed Forces veteran and served in the Gulf War.
Taya presented at the Adoption Knowledge Affiliates conference and participated in an Adoption Mosaic panel discussion. She has participated in multiple writing groups such as Migrating Towards Wholeness: Rewriting Adoption Narratives in the Constellation with Dr. Liz DeBetta and Adoptee Voices Cohort 14 with Sara Easterly. Reuniting with both of her birth parents has provided first-hand experience of adoption's complexities.
ifoundherpodcast.com
https://www.soundhousetherapy.com/
Taya shares her journey openly having co-hosted the podcast "I Found Her" with her birth mother and is writing an adoptee-guided journal, also titled ‘’I Found Her,’’ planned for 2025 publication. Her mission is to provide compassionate and effective support to fellow adoptees as they navigate their adoption identity.
Music by Corey Quinn
Angie was born in Washington, DC in 1971. She spent the first couple of months at St. Ann's Maternity Home before being adopted by a somewhat older couple. She learned about her adoption as a young child after asking her mother if she had been adopted, as suggested by some classmates. Angie searched for and found her biological family in her early twenties and has been in reunion for about 30 years.
https://www.patreon.com/c/adopteeland
Music by Corey Quinn
Danna Schmidt is an end-of-life navigator, ceremonialist, and adoptee who often writes about ritual and threshold moments at the bedside or graveside. Her writings have appeared in Adoptee Voices, Severance Magazine, Grown and Flown and in Maggie Oman Shannon’s Crafting Love: Sharing Our Hearts Through the Work of Our Hands. She has two works in progress: a hybrid guidebook, Funerals, Families & Other Exciting F Words, and her adoption memoir, What the Stork Brought, which chronicles family secrets and the prices we pay to keep them.
https://waypointceremonies.com/
Rituals of Healing from Birth to Worth - Waypoint Ceremonies
https://AltaredMoments.substack.com
Music by Corey Quinn
Ed Di Gangi is a returning guest.
He was adopted at the time of his birth. It wasn't until late in his adulthood that he chose to explore the identity of the woman who had placed him for adoption so many years before. His meticulous research led to his learning the circumstances of his birth and subsequent adoption. A dna sample helped him identify his birth father. While neither his father nor his first mother were still alive when Ed made his discoveries, he is in reunion with both maternal and paternal half brothers and a number of first cousins. His search and these reunions are chronicled in Ed's first book, The Gift Best Given: A Memoir. His second book, Gliding Through Goodbye traces his birth mother's travels and her emotional journey in the years after relinquishing him for adoption. Ed lives with his wife, Linda, in Hillsborough, North Carolina. They recently became grandparents for the first time. Emery Kramer Di Gangi made an early appearance on Easter Sunday and is flourishing.
https://www.digangiauthor.com/
Music by Corey Quinn
Jean Widner is the author of a new book, The Adoption Paradox: Putting Adoption in Perspective. Today we’re talking about her road to understanding adoption and why she wrote this important book. Jean was born in 1965 and raised in Washington State as an adoptee. After having a mostly positive adoption experience growing up, she shares her story, as it continues to evolve navigating adoption’s complexities. Her book includes a fascinating history of adoption, as well as individual stories from birth parents, adoptive parents, and adoptees that bring an authenticity to the adoption narrative. Jean currently lives in Boulder City with her husband and two dogs and loves traveling the American west in their camping van while they work and play.
https://adoptionparadox.com/
Music by Corey Quinn
Chris Benton from the UK (Birmingham) was fostered until 2 years of age prior to adoption. He listens to OUATIA podcast while doing landscaping work for his business. He recently transitioned from tree surgery to grounds maintenance (landscaping).
He has an adoptive older brother (troubled) and in contact with bio brother who is 4 years younger (also adopted out) who lives in the US (Michigan). Chris has spoken with foster father (foster mother has dementia) and in contact with bio mom (psych issues). He is in contact with a bio paternal uncle and unaware if his bio dad is alive. Chris subsequently submitted DNA through Ancestry. Within his home there was no talking about adoption; “if parents don’t, then I won’t”.
Music by Corey Quinn
Stacey Gatlin, a passionate servant leader, is on a mission to transform the lives of children, women, and families through her commitment to personal, professional, and community development. She transitioned her corporate experience in talent management, leadership, and project management into entrepreneurship and advocacy.
Stacey was compelled to rewrite the narrative around Black adoption and fostering when she became a mom through adoption. Fueled to counteract negative stereotypes, she created Yes We Adopt in 2016. Through this platform, Stacey seeks to enlighten the Black community on the need for Black adoptive and foster parents. As she further engaged with the adoption constellation, she refined her mission for Yes We Adopt to educate, uplift, and empower Black families with the tools they need to parent with courage while centering adoptees and birth families with care and respect. In 2020, she created the Yes We Adopt: Black Voices Amplified Summit to elevate our voices through community, advocacy, and education. In addition to her work in Yes We Adopt, Stacey also serves on the Board of Adoption Knowledge Affiliates (AKA) and is a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) in New Jersey, advocating for children in foster care.
She has conducted workshops at the Concerned Persons for Adoption “Let’s Talk Adoption” Conference and Christ Church’s “Foster Care & Adoption Seminar.” She has also appeared on Fox Soul TV’s “The Book of Sean”; Yes, We Do Adopt! Podcast; The Adoption Journey Podcast, and was also featured in Rolling Out Magazine.
Stacey holds a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from the Rutgers School of Engineering. She is motivated by the scripture, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done.” Phillippians 4:6-7
Music by Corey Quinn
Leslie Lee at the age of 58, is just beginning to explore what it truly means to be adopted. As a same-race adoptee, she was placed with her family at eight weeks old, according to the transcript she received from the agency (Louise Wise) that facilitated the adoption.
For most of her life, she carried this part of her identity in silence—only sharing it with a select few friends and family members. Secrecy, and at times shame, shaped much of her experience.
Today, she's married, a proud mother of two adult sons, and grandmother to four beautiful grandchildren. Professionally, she built a meaningful career as a human resource specialist, with over 23 years of experience in higher education. She also holds several professional certifications in her field.
Outside of work, she's rediscovering her love for reading as a way to disconnect from the noise of current events. Leslie recently took up knitting—still a novice, but enjoying the learning process through both in-person and online lessons. This season of life is about learning what brings her peace, what pleases her, and what helps manage stress in healthy, fulfilling ways.
She's honored to share space within the adoption constellation and to finally connect with a community that understands this journey—people who simply get her, just because.
Music by Corey Quinn
Veronica is a returning guest.
She is the co-author of "Rooted in Adoption-A Collection of Adoptee Reflections" and the "Rooted in Adoption Journal" now on Amazon. Veronica's Instagram is @rootedinadoption0520
Recommendations: https://www.sdpb.org/2012-07-16/piecing-together-stories-of-families-lost-in-slavery
https://growbeyondwords.com/2015/08/screening-questions-when-seeking-an-adoption-competent-therapist/
Music by Corey Quinn
Kimberly L. Carter is a women's leadership strategist, speaker, and author of the journal, “Rise, Thrive, and Flourish”. With a background in spirituality, empowerment, and Gen Z leadership development, she helps women and organizations cultivate confidence, clarity, and purpose. Through her consulting work, coaching, and vibrant online presence, Kimberly empowers the next generation of leaders to show up boldly, speak with authority, and lead with heart. She is a military veteran, holds an MBA and M.Div., and is pursuing a PhD in Women's Spirituality.
Connect with her at www.kimberlycarter.live or on Instagram @kimberlycarterlive
Laura Batt (she/her) was adopted domestically as an infant and raised in a closed adoption. She has been in reunion with her biological family for 26+ years. Laura is also a birth/first parent to her oldest adult son. She is parenting another teenage son and young child with her significant other in Oregon.
Laura worked in pregnancy and parenting support for 20+ years. She has a Master’s degree in social work, and she has certifications in adoption therapy and perinatal mental health. Laura has experience supporting families with open adoption relationships and providing post adoption support. She is currently a perinatal social worker in a medical setting.
Website: https://adoptionmosaic.com/
Music by Corey Quinn
Mirella Stoyanova is a therapist, writer and international adoptee from Bulgaria of both Bulgarian and Iraqi origin. Her writing work has appeared in Write or Die Magazine, Business Insider, and HuffPost Personal, among other places. She is a proud member of Adoptee Voices and lives in Seattle, Washington with her husband Jason, her son Milo and her beloved dog, Finn.
Find her @mirellastoyanova on Instagram or on her writing website, mirellastoyanova.com.
Reference: https://adopteelitfest.com/
Music by Corey Quinn
Maureen McCauley is the adoptive mom of four now-adult children, two sons born in the U.S. and twin daughters born in Ethiopia; she has lived experience with infant adoption, international adoption, older child adoption, U.S. adoption, and transracial adoption. She also has three granddaughters. Her professional background is in social and educational welfare advocacy, including as former executive director of three nonprofits focused on adoption and foster care.
With Adoption Mosaic, Maureen co-facilitates Conscious Adoption: Seasoned Parents and Navigating Estrangement, adoptive parent courses for which she also co-developed the curriculum.
She is a writer and editor, including co-editor with two Ethiopian adoptees of “Lions Roaring, Far From Home: An Anthology by Ethiopian Adoptees.” Her writing has been published in Slate, Catapult, Focus on Adoption, Adoption Today, Adoptive Families of British Columbia, and others. She blogs at Light of Day Stories.
She has a B.S. degree from Georgetown University and an M.A. from the University of Maryland. She is a Certified Sage-ing Leader via Sage-ing International, an organization focused on aging consciously and intentionally with joy and discernment. She also has a certificate as an End-of-Life Doula for Companion Pets, partnering with their humans.
Websites: https://adopteesunited.org/ https://www.adopteesforjustice.org/
Music by Corey Quinn
Brooke Haynes is a business coach, website and marketing system designer, and the founder of Consurgo, a personal development community for visionary entrepreneurs. With a unique ability to see the big picture, Brooke helps small businesses streamline their systems, build engaged communities, and create sustainable growth. Everyone who works with Brooke walks away with renewed passion and clear visions for their entrepreneurial journeys. Connect with Brooke here itssimplyreal.com
Websites: https://consurgo.world/ https://adoptionmosaic.com/ https://frequency500.com/
Music by Corey Quinn
My guest is Stephanie C. Watterson.
Originally a shy and awkward biracial adoptee, Stephanie is now one of those people who, as soon as you meet her, you’ll feel joy around. She graduated from Langara College (Digital & Print Publications, Dean’s Honour Roll) and recently from Simon Fraser University (Editing Certificate). Last summer, she published her first children’s book – Septopus.
Stephanie’s love for literature has lingered and will always be a labour of love. Try saying that ten times fast! Today, she writes, edits, and creates in Victoria, B.C. Never boring, often unconventional, but always engaging, Stephanie enjoys empowering other creatives in various capacities.
Websites: https://contentauthoring.com/ https://editors.ca/editor-profile/?id=40fae0c2-35f3-429e-80fe-ab410015866f https://www.bipocadoptees.org/
Music by Corey Quinn
This episode is dedicated and in tribute to Ricky Lamont Boone. August 7, 1962-January 2, 2025.
Music by Corey Quinn
Dr. David McCarty-Caplan (PhD) is a researcher, educator, writer, and consultant whose professional experience focuses on issues of identity development, support of underserved populations, racial equity, and pursuit of social justice. David was born in Bogota, Colombia but adopted and raised in a white Jewish family in the United States. This lived experience has profoundly shaped his personal and professional interests and he is increasingly involved in work dedicated to adoption consciousness and education, through research on and consulting with organizations, families and individuals working to explore adoption-related issues. He is particularly passionate about helping adoptees and their families navigate race/racism, religious identity, and sense of belonging.
Websites: https://www.davidmccartycaplan.com/_files/ugd/0bdc61_f4e764d3d33e4ebb9f5f215bf0418cb5.pdf
https://www.nuroots.org/david
Music by Corey Quinn
D. Yvonne Rivers is a returning guest. She is the host of the Birth Moms Real Talk Podcast.
Since 1988, D. Yvonne Rivers Aka Phoebe has been a champion of a cause, from business success, domestic violence, re-entry, and adoption community. One facet of this global business expert is an esteemed speaker, facilitator, and trainer across the globe on four continents.
Another facet of this woman started in 1973 with the birth of her son who she championed for family assistance for support to raise as an unwed mother at age 19. Life changes as she ‘did her best’ to place her son in a loving home. Yvonne had such ambition and brilliance, finishing a pre-med program in 3 years and accepted to medical school.
Yvonne’s journey to become a ‘change-maker in her life and others began in 1973. Over 30 years, she continued the search with letters, journaling, speaking on panels and processing her grief and loss alone. Yvonne was unrelenting and never gave up. 2015 gave her a breakthrough with finding a picture of her son on social media. With boldness, she reached out, not knowing whether she would get rejection or acceptance.
The Courage of a Birth Mother Overcomes All. Yvonne met her son in 2018. Through sitting in rooms of support groups and conferences, Yvonne found she had created a pathway of peace as a Birth Mother for herself and the “Now” is the time to help others in the adoption constellation. Yvonne launched “Birth Moms Real Talk podcast in June 2021. After Season One, BMRT podcast has reached over 185,000 persons and over five thousand downloads. BMRT hosts Saturday Chats with all members of the triad and has an audience who write letters and comments of the magnificence impact in their lives.
Website: https://phoebemarketing.com/
Black Voices Amplified Link: https://birthmomsrealtalk.com/episode/episode-71-yvonnes-journey-live-podcast-at-black-voices-amplified-summit-2024
Music by Corey Quinn
Reflecting on words from eleven prior adoptee guests for Black History Month"
In order of appearance:
Dr. Syb Brown, Isaac Etter, Maya Holmes, Sandria Washington, Dr. Jack Rocco, Kenneth Bonomo, Joi R. Fisher-Griffin, David Bynum, Dr. Patrice Martin, Iris Bryant and Dr. KE Katherin Garland.
Thank you for your generous gift of sharing a part of your story on the show.
Each adoptee has been a guest on this podcast. Go to https://www.onceuponatimeinadopteeland.com/ to listen to their full episode.
Music by Corey Quinn
Dewi Sungai Marquis-Houston is a mixed-race Native Bornean (Ngaju Dayak, Banjarese, Sundanese, English) mother, wife, and filmmaker who was born in Indonesia, adopted as an infant by white American parents, renamed “Amy" (a name she has since rescinded to reclaim her birth name), and raised in the U.S. in white suburbia. Dewi's experiences as a transracial adoptee led her to a filmmaking career that centers marginalized voices and challenges narratives spun from white supremacy culture and colonialist worldviews. As an Indigenous transnational adoptee, being in community and collaborating with Native people across the U.S. has helped her heal from the impact of colonization on her own life and lineage. Dewi is a proud member of A-Doc, Brown Girls Doc Mafia, BIPOC Editors, Creative Nations, Kin Theory, and Mountain Media Arts Collective, and was an inaugural fellow at Denver-based Cine Fe.
Websites: https://www.eight16creative.com/. https://www.mynameisnotamy.com/
https://adopteesunited.org/. https://www.adopteesforjustice.org/
Music by Corey Quinn
Diego Vitelli is a dedicated adoptee-focused therapist, relationship expert, and advocate for racial diversity and LGBTQ+ inclusion. An international adoptee from Colombia, Diego was adopted at approximately five years old by an Irish-Italian family outside of Boston. His lived experience as an adoptee fuels his deep passion for amplifying adoptee voices and fostering spaces where identity, belonging, and healing can thrive.
Now holding a master’s degree in Couples and Family Therapy, Diego specializes in working with adoptees and their families, as well as others navigating complex relationship structures and dynamics. His therapeutic approach is rooted in empathy, cultural awareness, and a commitment to social justice. Whether working with individuals processing adoption-related trauma or those striving for deeper connection within their relationship(s), Diego brings insight, warmth, and a keen understanding of identity’s role in shaping relationships.
Beyond his clinical work, Diego has been a steadfast mentor to adoptees of all ages. He previously served as a youth mentor at Amara, a Seattle-based adoption agency, facilitating post-adoption support programs. He continues to be a supporter of the Colombian adoptee community, having served as an administrator for a global private Facebook group of over 2,400 Colombian adoptees. Additionally, as a Chair member of Aireroots, a local BIPOC adoptee organization, Diego is dedicated to creating inclusive spaces for BIPOC adoptees of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences. Through community-building, advocacy, and collaboration with like-minded organizations, he works to ensure that adoptees—especially those from marginalized backgrounds—have access to support, visibility, and empowerment.
A fierce advocate for racial equity and LGBTQ+ inclusion, Diego’s mission extends beyond adoption. He is committed to helping individuals and people(s) navigate identity, intimacy, and connection in a way that honors their unique experiences.
Websites: https://www.adopteefocusedtherapy.com/ https://aireroots.com/ https://adoptionmosaic.com/
Mentioned: "Adoption Unfiltered: Revelations from Adoptees, Birth Parents Adoptive Parents and Allies" by Sara Easterly (Author), Kelsey Vander Vliet Ranyard (Author), Lori Holden(Author)
Sara Docan-Morgan’s book; “In Reunion: Transnational Korean Adoptees and the Communication of Family" available on https://www.uwlax.edu/profile/sdocan-morgan/ and Amazon.com
Music by Corey Quinn
Paul Kimball is an active musician in Stockton California. He conducts Musicals, The Zion Chamber Orchestra and Pops Choir and recently retired after 36 years as a music teacher with the Lincoln Unified School District.
He is French Horn player. As a baby, Paul lived in Foster Care after being relinquished by his first mother, a concert cellist, at 5 days old. He was adopted on his first birthday by a liberal Berkeley family in the 1960’s. He is married to Doctor Dominee Muller-Kimball. They have two daughters and one and one beautiful grandson!
Paul loves hiking. His Memoir, We are all Human Beings/An Adoptee Ponders is available on Amazon and Outskirts Press. He is currently working with California Alliance for Adoptee Rights on legislation that would allow unrestricted access to Original Birth Certificates to Adult California born adoptees.
Paul's memoir, "We are all Human Beings; An Adoptee Ponders is available on Amazon.com.
YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erHylYLHqXg&t=68s
Music by Corey Quinn
Jennifer Hiltebeitel (HILL-ta-bite-el) is a returning guest.
Jennifer is an adopted person on a lifelong healing journey. She was adopted through the county foster care system in Pennsylvania in the early 70s and just obtained her original birth certificate in 2023. She met her biological mother at 17 and father at 21 before the internet existed and has ongoing relationships with extended members of her biological family. Jennifer loves helping others - especially adoptees - process their stories through the lens of the Enneagram: a personality tool for self growth and navigating relationships.
Jennifer has a MEd in Multicultural Education and an Enneagram Certification).
If you are interested in discovering the Enneagram as a tool to help you process your adoption story email Jennifer at jhiltebeitel@outlook.com to set up your first coaching session or schedule a free 30-minute consultation with her at https://calendly.com/jhiltebeitel to see if you would benefit from Enneagram coaching.
Music by Corey Quinn
Astrid Castro is a returning guest.
Astrid is the founder and CEO of Adoption Mosaic, an adoptee-led, BIPOC woman-owned business that creates for and connects our adoption constellation community through adoptee-centered events, education courses, and consultations. For over three decades, Astrid has served the adoption constellation through a variety of innovative programing designed to highlight the adoptee experience. 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, to name just a few. Astrid is aware of the benefits 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 since December 2012 with her birth family in Colombia.
Website: https://adoptionmosaic.com/
Music by Corey Quinn
Sharon Butler-Obazee, an adoptee, attended Cal State Hayward. She worked in human services and tenured with the insurance industry as a medical sales rep. After retirement, she became certified under the International Coaching Federation after attending Professional Christian Coaching before starting her coaching practice.
Her handle on social media was @adoptionclarity, where she encouraged an adoptee-centric philosophy. She became a Board Member of the Post Adoption Center for Education and Resources. She acquired Strengths-Based Coaching certification, where she encouraged families to support their strengths and encourage their children to use their strengths as well.
As an adoptee, she had a hard time investigating her heritage because she felt she did not deserve to know her background out of loyalty to adoptive parents. After several years of therapy and adoptee support groups, she was able to break through her thinking to use Ancestry to complete her search. She received a response in 48 hours and had a chance to meet her bio-dad before he passed. She has added Butler to her name in honor of her heritage.
Website: https://giftfamilyservices.com/ https://giftfamilyservices.com/.../growing-intentional.../. Growing Intentional Families Together, LLC. "We would love to meet you and want to keep you in the loop".
Music by Corey Quinn
We encourage you to go to https://www.onceuponatimeinadopteeland.com/ and search the individuals mentioned in this episode to find their contributions/links.
OBC to California Born Adoptees: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erHylYLHqXg
Music by Corey Quinn
Original air date: November 1, 2022
Jennifer Hiltebeitel (HILL - ta - bite - el) was adopted from foster care as a preschooler and grew up to be a fourth-grade teacher with a Master's degree in Multicultural Education.
She met members of her biological family between the ages of 17-21 and is honored to understand pieces of her story that were once missing.
She has been married to her husband Eric for 24 years - the person who taught her she was worthy of unconditional love. They have one daughter through birth who is in college and another daughter through international adoption who is in high school.
Her daughters have taught her how to love the way another needs to be loved and the value of caring for her own story first so she can parent with intentionality.
Jennifer currently volunteers at her church supporting other moms and mentoring teen girls. She works with The Adoption Connection and is an Enneagram coach - a job that combines her love of learning, teaching and relationships.
If you are interested in discovering the Enneagram as a tool to help you process your adoption story email Jennifer at jhiltebeitel@outlook.com to set up your first coaching session or schedule a free 30-minute consultation with her at https://calendly.com/jhiltebeitel/free-consult?month=2022-11 to see if you would benefit from Enneagram coaching.
Books referenced: "The Road Back To You" by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile "The Journey Toward Wholeness" by Suzanne Stabile "The Path Between Us" by Suzanne Stabile "The Story of You; An Enneagram Journey to Becoming Your True Self" by Ian Morgan Cron
Music by Corey Quinn
Natasha Tripplett, a Jewish-Jamaican American author, lives in Northern California where she writes from a tree house perched in a sycamore tree. As a baby, Natasha was adopted into a Dutch, Christian family. Growing up on Vancouver Island in Canada, she was acutely aware that she was different from her family; this did not keep her from integrating all the pieces of her identity. Natasha’s multicultural background has allowed her to flow seamlessly through different cultures while bridging gaps that typically divide people. Natasha has her masters degree in social work and practiced in the field of adoptions. She has counseled families, adoptees, and children in foster care. She desires to help adoptees and those in foster care integrate their identity into one cohesive narrative. She has been published in various online magazines. Natasha is a children’s book author. Her titles include THE BLUE PICKUP and JUNETEENTH IS. Her forthcoming picture book, PLANTED WITH LOVE - a foster care story, will be released on March 11, 2025. She is represented by Caryn Wiseman of Andrea Brown Literary Agency and her picture books are published by HarperCollins, Chronicle Books and WaterBrook. Natasha bubbles with excitement over antiques, chocolate, coffee on the front porch, and cozy movie nights in front of the fireplace with her husband and four children.
Website: NatashaBooks.com
Music by Corey Quinn
Lisa MM Butler is a Black (biracial), US domestic, transracial adoptee and former foster youth. She is an artist, writer, advocate, community organizer, and library lover. Lisa is known, online, as the Adoptee Clown and shares her experiences as an adoptee both on her Instagram @theadopteeclown and on Substack as The Adoptee Clown Diaries. She serves on the Board of VOICES, a BIPOC Adoptee Community 501(c)3 organization and is a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer at CASA for Children in Multnomah, Washington, Columbia & Tillamook (OR) Counties. Lisa lives in the PNW with her hubs, three-legged dog and rotund cat.
Links: https://butlerl.substack.com/ https://www.instagram.com/theadopteeclown/
Music by Corey Quinn
Original Air Date: 11/22/22
Anita is a passionate, creative, transracial adoptee. Adopted with her identical twin sister, she grew up on a chicken farm with five siblings and considers her faith and family to be most important to her. She has a bachelor's degree in Social Work and is presently pursuing her Master's degree in Social work and a Certificate in Expressive Arts. When she isn't engaged in coursework or academic activities, you can almost always find her grabbing a bite with friends or working on her first book, to be released in 2023.
Music by Corey Quinn
Jill Mann is a transracial, transnational Korean adoptee. She is an artist, musician, and writer, and a member of the BIPOC Adoptees team. She also works on the BIPOC Adoptees documentary project as editor, animator, and producer. She is also on the board of Asian Heritage Association, a local organization based in McMinnville, Oregon.
Website: https://www.bipocadoptees.org/
IG: @pandamonium25
Music by Corey Quinn
Sandi Caesar is a returning guest.
Sandi is an international adoptee from Panama, adopted by a Black US Air Force family stationed in Panama at the time. Most of her life has been in the midwest but she moved to Virginia in 2020. She is a social worker whose 30-year career has included time in mental health & child welfare. She has been in reunion with her first mother and maternal family since 2004. She's experienced some life-changing events since she was guest in 2022.
Music by Corey Quinn
Simon Benn is the host of https://www.thrivingadoptees.com/podcast
Music by Corey Quinn
Original Air Date: 07/12/2022
Sandi C. is an international adoptee from Panama. Most of her life has been in the midwest but she returned to the DMV area about a year & a half ago. She is a social worker whose 30-year career has included time in mental health, adoption, and foster care. She has been in reunion with her birthmother and maternal family for 18 years.
Music by Corey Quinn
Julie Brumley is a trauma-informed adoptee coach who has been coaching men and women for more than 15 years to overcome addictive behaviors and heal the primal trauma of abandonment. She is also the CEO of Coming Home to Self, a company dedicated to helping adoptees heal. After her own birth mother tried to abort her twice, she found herself frozen in an unconscious trauma response for decades until she found the power of somatic trauma healing. Now she uses somatics, nervous system regulation, personal experience and her masters in counseling to help other adult adoptees find their way out of their own trauma and into a life of radical self-belonging.
Website: https://cominghometoself.co/.
Links: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theresilienceprojectforadoptees
https://tinyurl.com/Rheti-Assessment
https://www.instagram.com/juliebrumley_/
https://www.positiveintelligence.com/saboteurs/
https://www.lightoasis.co/freehd
Julie Brumley is a trauma-informed adoptee coach who has been coaching men and women for more than 15 years to overcome addictive behaviors and heal the primal trauma of abandonment. She is also the CEO of Coming Home to Self, a company dedicated to helping adoptees heal. After her own birth mother tried to abort her twice, she found herself frozen in an unconscious trauma response for decades until she found the power of somatic trauma healing. Now she uses somatics, nervous system regulation, personal experience and her masters in counseling to help other adult adoptees find their way out of their own trauma and into a life of radical self-belonging.
Website: https://cominghometoself.co/.
Links: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theresilienceprojectforadoptees
https://tinyurl.com/Rheti-Assessment
https://www.instagram.com/juliebrumley_/
Music by Corey Quinn
Molly/Mavka is an early 80's Catholic Charities, closed, same-race adoptee. She has been in on-again-off-again reunion with her birth mother for 20 years, and is leisurely navigating reunion inklings with her birth father. Her adopters' choice to estrange themselves from her has offered an often-troubling-but-still-freeing expanse in which to explore her post-placement options, she guesses. In the interest of efficiency, her hobbies are her coping mechanisms and include pitch-black humor, elaborate culinary undertakings, surrendering to the wilderness with little more than a knife and a snack, and giving driving advice to her Instagram followers during her morning commute. Really, she doesn't know who she is, she only knows who she has failed to be for her adopters.
Music by Corey Quinn
Kim Stevens was adopted in Korea along with her bio brother into the same family. They were stationed in South Korea and immigrated to the US after their adoption. Kim was raised in Central Texas in a predominantly white community with few racial mirrors and even less cultural socializations. Being in that environment, she was taught to ignore the racism and micro-aggressions which caused her to deny a lot of her identity and curiosity until much later in life. Kim has two biracial children, a husband and a dog.
Music by Corey Quinn
Dana Ozak is a full-time preschool teacher, passionate adoptee advocate whenever she has time, part-time college student, part time water color artist, part time author, and whatever other free time she has is spent going on long walks with her sweet husband and hanging out with him and their college aged offspring.
Website: https://girland4families.com/
Music by Corey Quinn
Liana Soifer (she/her) is a transracial, transnational adoptee from South Korea, raised in Oregon, and the Co-Founder and Executive Director of BIPOC Adoptees VOICES, a Portland-based nonprofit leading initiatives for BIPOC adoptee communities. With a BA in Human Services, Liana has experience as a Project Manager in software and web applications. She previously ran a web design and digital branding business and is dedicated to building community and making a positive impact through her professional and personal work.
Website: bipocadoptees.org
Music by Corey Quinn
Amanda Robinson is a Korean adoptee. She was adopted with her twin sister and raised in Washington. Though she's wanted to be many things, currently she is a retired dental hygienist who homeschools her two kids, and is an aspiring children's lit writer in her free time. She aims to encourage kids through her future children's books.
Music by Corey Quinn
Grace Yung Foster is the Founder and CEO of The Inclusion Initiative. They are elevating the future of work for Adoptees of Color and Foster Care Alumni.
Grace is both an Adoptee and a Foster Alum. She’s committed to creating more equity, inclusion, and opportunity for our communities, especially within our workplaces and careers. She is a former nonprofit executive with 15 years of experience in both the corporate and nonprofit sectors and holds an MBA from NYU Stern School of Business.
Website: https://www.theinclusioninitiative.com/
Music by Corey Quinn
Kathleen Shea Kirstein is a Late Discovery Adoptee and NPE (Non-Expected Parent Event), as well a mother of two sons, retired Registered Nurse, and illustrator of three children's books with author D Ann Hollon. She has published two essays in Severance magazine: "Dear Mother" and "Blown off Course.”
https://severancemag.com/dear-mother/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_r4LJkJJ6aI
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1480979724?ref=cm_sw_r_mwn_dp_VEQD3XYGHN0MX43XVFC8&ref_=cm_sw_r_mwn_dp_VEQD3XYGHN0MX43XVFC8&social_share=cm_sw_r_mwn_dp_VEQD3XYGHN0MX43XVFC8&language=en_US&skipTwisterOG=1
A contributing published author to the Adoptee Voices Writing Group created by Sara Easterly; the e-Zine https://adoptee-voices.com/ezine-root-morning-coffee-at-wits-end/
Music by Corey Quinn
Shannon Gibney is a writer, educator, and activist. The author of several books, including The Girl I Am, Was, and Never Will Be: A Speculative Memoir of Transracial Adoption, which received a Michael L. Printz Honor and a Minnesota Book Award; See No Color and Dream Country, both winners of Minnesota Book Awards; and Sam and the Incredible African and American Food Fight, a children’s picture book about a cross-cultural family also published by the University of Minnesota Press. A Bush Artist and McKnight Writing Fellow, Gibney teaches at Minneapolis College, where she was named Educator of the Year in 2023. She lives with her two children in Minneapolis.
Website: https://www.shannongibney.com/
Music by Corey Quinn
Ryan Jafar Artes (he/she/they) is an activist, memoirist, and poet. Ryan’s work calls for a re-imagination of culture via cultural renaissance from their lived experience and perspective as a transracial transnational South Asian Indian American adoptee. Ryan is the host of The Adoptee Open Mic, and hosts virtual letter writing classes to support their activism and creative work.
Links: https://linktr.ee/ryanartes
https://upendmovement.org/dream/
Music by Corey Quinn
Original air date: 02/01/2022
Pekitta Tynes is a published author of the book "Thank God I was Adopted 'Cause DNA is No Joke!" Based on her memoirs and journey to how she found her biological family through DNA testing. Her reunion can be seen on a YouTube video, "Pekitta's Journey". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFhUFNkqpPU
Music by Corey Quinn
Original air date: July 27, 2021
"Raise your hand and self validate yourself." -Marc Borne
Music by Corey Quinn
Elizabeth(EM) Blake has a recently released graphic memoir called Connecting Threads: Five Siblings Lost and Found.
She is one of five children who were removed from their first family over time and placed in foster care, and most were adopted when young. She didn't know until decades later that she had lived with her first mother for weeks or months.
Because of closed adoptions, it took decades to connect scarce information to find her siblings.
She and her siblings have Ojibwe or A-nish-i-naabe and Northern European roots. Some are enrolled tribal members, and all have Indigenous heritage.
After many years, they began to find each other, one by one. Because her siblings did not grow up together, it took time to know each other, feel solid in their identity, and develop a deep sense of belonging. This happy ending came after a complicated childhood with many challenges.
Website: https://www.elizabethblake.us/
Music by Corey Quinn
Nancy McCaughey is a returning guest.
Nancy identifies herself by her most treasured life roles; wife, mother, daughter, sister, newly-retired midlife transition coach and late discovery adoptee (LDA).
She is in the process of completing her memoir, Reunion. It is about her own midlife ‘identity quake’ that took place at her 20th high school reunion when her best friend from childhood revealed a 37 year old family secret: Nancy was adopted.
Nancy returned home from the reunion without telling her mom what she had learned in order to process the crushing grief of her loss alone. Her husband begged her to not tell her mother what she learned. Nancy had no idea how many people knew but her. She researched why her birth certificate’s information was false and learned about Illinois’ sealed records laws and the amended birth certificate that replaced her original one. The injustice that adoptees born in Illinois were not allowed to know their identity only made Nancy more determined to find out the truth and the woman responsible for giving her life.
The real breakthrough occurred several weeks later, when she stopped asking “Why now, God? Why me,?” and instead, opened her heart and mind to the possibility that this may be happening for a reason. It was then that Nancy could see the mysterious synchronicities that were happening and unexpected mentors that were appearing, much like Joseph Campbell’s description of the Hero’s Journey. One by one, she found more clues that led her to find and reunite with her birth mother, Donna and four half siblings. Twenty-eight years later, as Nancy prepared to start writing her memoir, she took an Ancestry.com test, hoping it would give her the missing pieces of her story. It did, including who her father was, that he was the son of Croatian immigrants and she is the oldest of eight siblings.
What Nancy could not see in 1991 was that her fateful decision to attend her reunion with her friend was the beginning of a 28-year soulful and transformative journey to find her true identity, purpose and belonging. After searching and reuniting with her birth mother, Nancy transitioned from a successful 30-year sales and marketing career in the travel and pharmaceutical industries and completed a year-long certification program with Hudson Institute of Coaching. It was at Hudson, when she discovered that her true purpose and passion was to coach people who were at a midlife crossroads, asking themselves life’s deepest questions: “Who am I?” and “Why am I here?” Over the past two decades, she has had the privilege of guiding and encouraging hundreds of global professionals seeking the clarity and confidence to craft their new life narrative and successfully transition into their next chapter.
Nancy lives with her husband of 22 years in Bainbridge Island, Washington and is lucky enough to have her son and daughter in law who live close by in Bremerton. Even though she will always be a “Chicago girl” at heart, Nancy feels she has found the place where her she was destined to be. She enjoys opportunities to hike, kayak and trailer camp with her husband, David while being nurtured and inspired by the beauty of the Pacific Northwest.
Website: http://www.nancymccaughey.com/
Music by Corey Quinn
ADOPTION LOSS: WHEN GRIEF IS SUFFOCATEDBy Kate Murphy, LCSW
Kate Murphy is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a psychotherapy practice in Atlanta, GA. She specializes in working with members of the adoption constellation with a focus on adoptees. She knows that processing the loss and grief caused by relinquishment is challenging to do alone. Kate believes it's possible to understand yourself better, take charge, and live with more purpose and joy.
Website: https://katemurphytherapy.com/
Simon Benn is a returning guest.
Simon was adopted at 5 weeks old and told so young he doesn’t ever remember not knowing. He didn't experience any conscious adoption trauma until 40 when he found out his childhood teddy bear was a gift from his birth mother. This caused an eruption of anger, feeling rejected and unloved. That kickstarted a healing journey exploring trauma, my roots and who he is. Simon spent 17 years doing this and continues to be fascinated by healing, growing and thriving. He’s interviewed over 400 people about this from the adoption constellation for the Thriving Adoption podcast https://www.thrivingadoptees.com/podcast
Simon also runs his own webinars on advocacy, thriving and other topics for adoptees and adoptive parents and adoption social workers.
Music by Corey Quinn
Marcie J. Keithley, is an author, speaker, master storyteller and CoFounder of the National Association of Adoptees and Parents (NAAP) She retired as Vice President of Retail Bank Management and Merrill Lynch after serving the financial industry for over 32 years.
A first/birth mom in reunion since 2008, she co founded Indiana Adoptee Network and testified moultiiple times throughout the years in support of OBC access for the sister organization, H.E.A.R. Hoosier For Equal Access to Records, where she served as Vice President. She also hosts the twice monthly Friday night virtual event Adoption Happy Hour with a global audience from across the adoption constellation.
Keithley is the author of The Shoebox Effect, Transforming Pain Into Fortitude and Purpose and co author of the childrens book, Frankie and Friends Talk Adoption
She is a native Hooiser and resides on the sunnyside of Louisville along the banks of the Ohio River in Indiana Owned by one sassy goldendoodle, Murfee, she enjoys spending time with her grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren and is an avid cloud watcher, lover of Cali Reggae and always in search of the perfect Margarita.
Music by Corey Quinn
Dr. Katherin Elizabeth (K E) Garland is an award-winning creative nonfiction writer, blogger, and author based in Florida. She uses personal essays and memoir to de-marginalize women’s experiences with an intent to highlight and humanize contemporary issues, such as reproductive rights, intergenerational trauma, adoption, and mental health issues. Her work has appeared in several online magazines and anthologies, including Midnight & Indigo and Chicken Soup for the Soul. Garland’s debut memoir, In Search of a Salve: Memoir of a Sex Addict was released September 2023 with NEW Reads Publications. She is married, with two adult daughters and is an associate professor at a community college.
Website: https://www.kegarland.com/
Music by Corey Quinn
Lisa K Bouler is a returning guest.
She was born and adopted in Chicago. From an early age her adoptive parents shared her adoption story and encouraged her to search for her biological family. With their support, she eventually found out she was not only a big sister to her parent’s biological child, but a big sister to her own four biological siblings. Lisa is the mother of two phenomenal young adults aged 22 and 25. She has been in education for 34 years. In her spare time, she runs marathons, crochets, and tends to her vegetable gardens.
Music by Corey Quinn
Dr. Stephen Rowley became a psychotherapist after a rich and varied career in K-12 and higher education. He earned his B.A. at the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a major in English and Psychology. He also earned a Ph.D. in Administration and Policy Analysis from the Graduate School of Education of Stanford University and an M.A. in Counseling Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute in Santa Barbara, California. Dr. Rowley holds a license as a Mental Health Counselor (LMHC, #LH61080171) in Washington State and is formally trained in Mindfulness Meditation. Additionally, he has completed Advanced Training in Somatic Transformation™, Certification Level l of Dream Tending, and a yearlong course from the Centre for Psychological Astrology in London, U.K. My recent training includes “Ethics in the Context of Cultural Diversity,” taught by Samuel Kimbles, Ph.D.
Dr. Rowley is available for a brief, no-cost phone consultation to answer your questions about his practice and him.
Website: https://stephenrowley108.com/
Music by Corey Quinn
Rebecca Autumn is a returning guest to the podcast.
Rebecca Autumn Sansom is a documentary filmmaker, event planner, and non-profit director. Her films, including Reckoning with the Primal Wound (2023) and Trainsforming America (2012), have screened at film festivals and public and private events throughout the United States. She is the founder and director of the non-profit, the WAVYS, that hosts a music awards show annually in New York City with generous support from the NYC Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment. As a native Nashvillian, Rebecca’s life has been steeped in the sounds of Music City, and in 2015 she won a Midsouth Regional Emmy for her work on Tout Your Town, a travel series produced by Genuine Human Productions in Nashville, TN.
Music by Corey Quinn
Mee Ok Icaro (pronounced “Mee Oak Ee-car-oh”), is a unique and powerful voice in the world of visionary medicine and personal growth. As a Writer, Book Doula, Sacred Medicine Advisor and Integration Specialist, Life Purpose Coach and Guide, Mee Ok is dedicated to helping individuals heal and find their path in life. Skilled in Gabor Maté’s Compassionate Inquiry approach, a method she has personally integrated for over a decade to transform her own life, she integrates many teachings from a variety of traditions, from ancient to modern.
With a passion for writing and a talent for prose, Mee Ok is an award-winning stylist and poet. Her work has appeared in notable publications like the LA Times, Boston Globe Magazine, and Michael Pollan’s Trips Worth Telling anthology. She was even featured in Gabor Maté’s New York Times bestseller The Myth of Normal and the Netflix docuseries [Un]Well. With over a decade of experience working with ayahuasca and dieting seven master plants, Mee Ok is curing a near-fatal autoimmune disease, scleroderma, and is dedicated to helping others heal and recover their birthright of authenticity and truth.
Mee Ok holds a BA in Philosophy from Boston University and an MFA in Creative Nonfiction, and has studied the history of sexuality and medicine at Harvard. She is currently in the process of being initiated in her own indigenous tradition of Korean shamanism (mudang) and as an ayahuasquera in the Shipibo lineage. With a diverse set of passions, including racial and disability equity, adoptee advocacy, social justice, film, literature, doggies, and drag, Mee Ok is a curious soul with a wealth of knowledge and experience she loves to share. To learn more about her writing and work, visit Mee-ok.com
Website: https://holdingcompassionate.space/about/
Music by Corey Quinn
Shelise Keum Mee Gieseke (s/hers) is the head of operations at Adoption Mosaic. She has worked in the adoption community as an editor, educator, and administrator for over 10 years, including editing and curating the blog Land of Gazillion Adoptees and the online magazine Gazillion Voices. Shelise is also an intercountry Korean, interracial adoptee who was adopted as an infant by a white family and raised on a farm in Minnesota. She has three siblings who are biological children of her adoptive parents. She has searched for but is not in reunion with her Korean family. Shelise lives in Portland, OR and is parenting two biological biracial children with her husband.
Website Resources: https://adoptionmosaic.com/https://gazillionvoices.com/
Music by Corey Quinn
Becca Flatt is a Mixed Race, Black and white, closed, domestic infant, interracial adoptee. Becca’s biological family and adoptive family mirror each other; however, Becca, being mixed race, does not share the racial identity of either set of her parents. Becca Graduated from The University of Southern California with her Master’s in social work and a concentration in mental health in 2014. Becca provides mental health treatment to transracial, interracial, and same-race adoptees of color in Oregon.
Websites: https://www.mendedheart.org/ https://adoptionmosaic.com/
Instagram: @mending_the_adopted_heart
Adoptee Consciousness Model: https://intercountryadopteevoices.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/adoptee-consciousness-model.pdf
https://redthreadbroken.com/2022/06/23/out-of-the-fog-and-into-consciousness-a-model-of-adoptee-awareness/
Music by Corey Quinn
Rebecca Wellington currently teaches in the School of Education at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington. She holds a doctorate in education history from the University of Washington. Rebecca’s career in education started 26 years ago on the ocean, sailing around the world on a traditionally rigged tall ship. Through this two-year global circumnavigation Rebecca trained for a US Coast guard captain’s license and went on to work in outdoor education, which sparked her love of teaching. Rebecca was driven to write a history of adoption from the perspective of an adoptee and to honor the memory of her holder sister and the truth of brave women everywhere. Her proudest accomplishment is mothering her two daughters, Maria and Victoria. She and her husband and daughters live in Seattle, Washington.
Website: https://www.rebeccawellington.com/
Music by Corey Quinn
Louise Browne is a baby scoop-era adoptee from the United States living in California. She Co-Hosts a podcast, Adoption: The Making of Me, that helps to get adoptees' stories out in the world to help change the narrative around adoption.
Hosting Adoption: the Making of Me has brought questions and past feelings to the surface about why she had always felt the way she did. Sharing this journey of discovery with the adopted community has proven to be a life-changing experience.
Louise enjoys spending time with her grown son, her husband, family, and friends, hikes, enjoys nature, and is working on writing her first novel and getting a children’s book published.
Website: https://www.adoptionthemakingofme.com/
Music by Corey Quinn
Jennifer Poole was adopted as an infant in a closed adoption. She holds a Masters Degree in Interfaith Pastoral Counseling, where she wrote her thesis on “Openness in Adoption as an Opportunity for Spiritual Growth”. It was during this time, in 2001, that she initiated her reunion with her birth mother and later with her birth father.
Passionate about supporting families, she is certified in Hand in Hand Parenting, Redirecting Children’s Behavior, the Enneagram, and Whole Person Design Life Coaching. Drawing from a large tool box which includes continuing education in Mindfulness, High Conflict Diversion, ADHD, ACES, Attachment Theory and Trauma Informed Care, Jennifer provides counseling and coaching to help families move from conflict to the connection they seek.
She also works with Adoption Mosaic as a co-teacher and parenting consultant. As their adoptee outreach coordinator, she interviews adoptees to help find panelists for their “We the Experts” series.
She currently lives in Portland, Oregon with her husband. Together they have 4 grown children.
Websites: https://www.feelmorelove.net/
https://adoptionmosaic.com/
Music by Corey Quinn
Edward Di Gangi is a returning guest.
Adopted at birth, Edward Di Gangi was born and raised in New York City. Although he knew for most of his life that he was adopted, it wasn’t until he approached his 70th birthday that he began to search for the identity of his birth mother. His journey and the many surprising discoveries he made as he searched are recounted in his memoir, The Gift Best Given. Edward and his wife now live in Hillsborough, North Carolina. He is a popular book club presenter and podcast guest. The Gift Best Given is his first full-length book.
In this episode, Edward shares the research he continues to do in preparation for his next book, how he has come to better understand the birth mother’s experience, the month of May and how some things have not changed since 1948, the year he was born.
Website: https://www.digangiauthor.com/
Music by Corey Quinn
Heather G. Marshall is an adoptee, author, speaker, teacher, and traveler. Her short fiction has been published in a variety of journals, including Black Middens: New Writing Scotland, and Quarried, an anthology of the best of three decades of Pine Mountain Sand and Gravel. Her first novel, The Thorn Tree, released in 2014 (MP Publishing). When the Ocean Flies, Heather’s second novel (Vine Leaves Press), released in February 2024. Her TED talk, “Letting Go of Expectations,” centers around her adoption and reunion. In addition to writing, Heather is a mindfulness and yoga teacher and offers mindful writing classes and workshops for adoptees. Originally from Scotland, Heather emigrated to Ireland and then the US. She’s currently based in Massachusetts.
Website: heathergmarshall.com When the Ocean Flies
TEDx: "Letting go of Expectations" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meka3_pUVqc
Music by Corey Quinn
Michael Knox is a returning guest, and after four years of listening to podcasts and interacting with his biological family, he has a different view on adoption. Coming out of the fog, he thinks is a real thing. Nobody can really define it, but there are things that he discovered that might help explain it for some people. The fact that after 25 years of sobriety, his way of handling it was going back to drinking was the wrong way to deal with it.
Michael was adopted in 1961 in Illinois. He grew up with two younger sisters; 1 adopted 1 bio. His family moved to Southern California when he was five. He has been married for 38 years and has three wonderful children and two granddaughters. He worked in the television industry for many years and moved his family to Atlanta work on Olympics and never left Atlanta.
Around 2002, Michael started running, biking and swimming one thing led to another and he started doing Iron Man triathlons. If you asked him to describe himself in 2019 he would say “A husband, father, grandfather & athlete”. He did both Ancestry and 23andMe out of curiosity and was never searching for family. there was a match on 23andMe and life changed forever! Now, he describes himself as ADOPTED, husband, father, grandfather & athlete.
At years 58 years old on July 3 2019, Michael found his birth mom and maternal half brother and sister. With a little more research he found his birth father who passed away in 2011. He had 4 sons and 1 daughter. Michael now has a total of 9 siblings!
Michael's first appearance was during Season 3, episode 44.
Recommended Books: "The Girls Who Went Away"- Ann Fessler, "The Primal Wound"-Nancy Verrier, "The Body Keeps the Score"-Bessell van der Kolk
Recommended Podcasts: Adoptees on, Who am I really?, Adoption; The Making of Me, Pulled by the Root, The Adoption Files, Thriving Adoptees, Voice of Adoptees, Adoption Unfiltered, Unraveling Adoption, Birth Mom’s Real Talk, DNA Surprises, Everything is Relative, and NPE Stories
Music by Corey Quinn
Valerie Naiman is the author of the newly released book Mystic Masquerade, An Adoptee's Search for Truth, which was compiled from decades of diaries and journals she wrote during her biological & spiritual search. Valerie is also a singer, story-song writer and is working on an album of her adoptee story songs. Besides that, she's a founder of the first permaculture designed eco-village in North America called Earthaven Eco-Village. As an onotologist studying the art of beingness, she's become a spiritual guide to many seeking to find truth in their lives. Valerie holds a Master of Arts from the Univ. of Miami, and is the president of the Spirit Foundation, an NPO that supports disenfranchised children.
Valerie now lives in Asheville, NC with her honeybees, chickens & dwarf goats.
Valerie’s new book is available in print, ebook and soon to be release audiobook. You can find parts of it on her website http://valerienaiman.com or order on Bookshop, Amazon, or Barnes & Noble.
Music by Corey Quinn
Eva Asprakis was raised in South London by her American mother and Cypriot stepfather, who subsequently adopted her. She now lives in Nicosia with her partner, and is the author of two contemporary fiction novels.
https://www.eva-asprakis.com
https://www.instagram.com/eva.asprakis
Music by Corey Quinn
Leslie Pate Mackinnon, L.C.S.W. resides in North Carolina and presents nationally and internationally on issues that impact families conceived through adoption and third party reproduction. She trains therapists, agencies, and universities across the U.S. on the complex issues that accompany adoption and ART. She offers individual consultation and supervision groups for therapists and provides more intensive training seminars and workshops for professionals looking to become adoption and MPE competent. Leslie also offers consultations and brief therapy to clients all around the world via Zoom. You can contact her by email at lesliepatemackinnon@gmail.com
www.UntanglingOurRoots.org
Leslie maintains a psychotherapy practice in the Atlanta area. Her specialties include individual, group, and couples therapy, as well as expertise in third-party reproduction and adoption issues.
Website: https://lesliepatemackinnon.com/about/
Music by Corey Quinn
Monica Hall was born in Canada, adopted by American parents, and raised in Anchorage, Alaska. Growing up in a house filled with dysfunction, Monica rebelled against her strict Catholic parents in a downward spiral of delinquency. After being raped and finding out she was pregnant, her parents pushed her to up give her daughter–her only known blood relative– for adoption. Her experiences as an adoptee and a mother who relinquished a child for adoption kicked off a decades-long search for family and belonging. Over the course of 44 years, Monica got sober, embarked on a journey of self-discovery and self-love, and found ways to come out the other side stronger than ever.
After being reunited with her biological family, Monica learned that she was indigenous and began traveling to Canada to connect more with her biological family, roots, and culture. She also makes frequent visits to Anchorage, the land of her youth.
Family is one of the most important things in Monica’s life. Today, she has strong relationships with her daughter and son, as well as the daughter she was reunited with eighteen years after relinquishing her for adoption. She is also very close to her grandchildren and (adoptive) brother.
Website: https://www.monicahall.com/
Music by Corey Quinn
Marilyn Mendenhall Waugh is the Director of Adoption Concerns Triangle of Topeka, a search and support group serving those in Northeastern Kansas, and past president of the American Adoption Congress. She is a frequent conference presenter on ethical search and reunion techniques. For the past 28 years, Marilyn has volunteered in the Post Adoption Services of the Kansas Division for Children and Families and was presented their 2014 Kansas Service Award.
"Four Birthmothers-For Mothers", a film by Jean Strauss https://vimeo.com/119964199?fbclid=IwAR1trqaG6l_KmBuo5zTPJgEGz0G97OAGefedo7jgXHs8HZtLI_NgBRm0LWo
https://adopteesunited.org/
Melissa Brunetti is a domestic adoptee from the baby scoop era and even though she had what she calls a 'good adoption with great adoptive parents' that doesn't mean she doesn't still have scars from her relinquishment. She says that she sees her healing journey as a gift that has shown her hidden treasures among the trauma. Melissa is the podcast host of Mind Your Own Karma The Adoption Chronicles and is a Somatic Mindful Guided Imagery Practitioner which is a newly emerging and highly effective somatic modality that can heal trauma of all kinds. She hopes her story gives you hope, encouragement and a feeling of community.
Podcast: www.mindyourownkarma.com
Website: https://www.somatichealingjourneys.com/
Music by Corey Quinn
Kelsey Vander Vliet Ranyard is a birth mother who has spent several years working in the adoption field—both as a paralegal on the West Coast and in adoption agencies in the Midwest and East Coast. Kelsey is the fourth generation in her family to relinquish a child for adoption and her whole life has been uniquely impacted by adoption as a result. She earned her undergraduate degree from South Dakota State University and is currently pursuing a Master of Public Administration from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. Kelsey is the Director of Advocacy and Policy at Ethical Family Building where she works on important public policy issues impacting the adoption triad and adoption professionals. She is co-producer of an upcoming documentary, Love, Your Birth Mom, and co-author of Adoption Unfiltered: Revelations from Adoptees, Birth Parents, and Adoptive Parents, publishing in December 2023. Kelsey resides in Northern California with her husband and daughter..
Kelsey is now the Director of Advocacy and Policy at AdoptMatch in California.
Adoption Unfiltered: Revelations from Adoptees, Birth Parents and Allies on Amazon.com
Podcast: https://www.twistedsisterhoodpodcast.com/
Music by Corey Quinn
Tara Griffith is an adoptee, adopted at the age of 13, through an open kinship adoption. She is a birth mother of almost 18 years in an open adoption. Tara is a licensed clinical social worker in the state of Florida who has spent the last 14 years working in the field of adoptions. She opened a DCF licensed adoption home study agency in 2021 in hopes that she could better be able to educate adoptive families pre and post adoption regarding the importance of always remaining adoptee centered and regarding the nuances that develop as a child lives outside of their family of origin. Tara provides adoption competent therapy to all members of the adoption constellation. As well, she provides adoption education consultations for families, agencies and attorneys.
https://savinggraceadoptionservices.com/
https://www.rootedinadoption.com/
Music by Corey Quinn
Sara Easterly is an award-winning author and essayist. Her latest book, Adoption Unfiltered (Rowman & Littlefield, Dec 2023), is a collaboration with birth parent Kelsey Vander Vliet Ranyard and adoptive parent Lori Holden. Her spiritual memoir, Searching for Mom, won a 2020 Illumination Book Award gold medal, among many others. Sara’s adoption-focused articles and essays have been published by Psychology Today, Dear Adoption, Feminine Collective, Her View from Home, Red Letter Christians, and Severance Magazine, to name a few. Sara is Founder of Adoptee Voices and previously led one of the largest chapters of the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI), where she was recognized as SCBWI Member of the Year. She is a trained facilitator and staff member with the Neufeld Institute.
Sara resides outside of Seattle with her husband, two daughters, and a menagerie of rescued fur-babies. As an adoptee, she has a passion for helping others understand the often-misunderstood hearts of adopted children.
Find her online at https://saraeasterly.com/ https://adoptee-voices.com/
Adoption Unfiltered: Revelations from Adoptees, Birth parents, Adoptive Parents, and Allies available on Amazon.com: https://www.amazon.com/Adoption-Unfiltered-Revelations-Adoptees-Adoptive/dp/1538174693/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3CEMXIV5XIDQL&keywords=adoption+unfiltered&qid=1706624058&sprefix=%2Caps%2C105&sr=8-1
Searching For Mom: A Memoir available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Searching-Mom-Memoir-Sara-Easterly/dp/0578601958/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3T8RJV7GXFQAK&keywords=searching+for+mom+sara+easterly&qid=1706624112&sprefix=sara+easter%2Caps%2C113&sr=8-1
Music by Corey Quinn
Returning guest David Bynum was born and adopted at birth in Columbus, Oh. He began his search in 2018 and is currently in reunion with both sides of his biological family. He is a married father of three and grandfather of six. He is a U.S. Army Veteran and Retired Correctional Officer. David Recently retired from coaching High School Football at Reynoldsburg High School due to the Coved – 19 pandemic. David and his wife Marie own ByDam Multimedia, which is the parent company to Star107fm https://www.star107fm.com/personalities an online radio station that has a global presence. His company recently produced his latest award winning documentary release, “From A Place of Love – My Adoption Journey” https://tubitv.com/movies/596100/from-a-place-of-love-my-adoption-journey which is gaining national attention in the adoption/foster community. David enjoys traveling, boating, fishing, and spending time with family.
Music by Corey Quinn
Original Air Date: May 11, 2021
Barbara Robertson is affiliated with NAAP (National Association of Adoptees and Parents) and co-facilitates a virtual support group Adoption Network Cleveland once a month.
She is a contributor to "Black Anthology: Adult Adoptees Claim Their Space" (The An-Ya Project) https://www.amazon.com/s?k=adult+adoptees+claim+their+space&crid=3MHVR2DDF70GC&sprefix=adult+adoptees+claim+their+space%2Caps%2C248&ref=nb_sb_noss
Co-editing by Charles Yingling at The Blueroom Studios, Nashville, TN
Music by Corey Quinn
Angie Giles is an international adoptee, orphan, sister, daughter, wife, mother, friend and craft entrepreneur. In the beginning, the only thing she knew was her biological mother's name, Isabel Gamez. Angie was given up at 6 days old to the Rosa Virginia Peletier orphanage on June 22, 1978. She was given the name Rutilia De Los Angeles Gamez at birth.
Angie was born in El Salvador, Central America and at the age of three adopted by Tom and Charlene Smith. She is the youngest of eight, but grew up as an only child. During her youth in West Des Moines, IA and living in a White household was complex and disorienting. She is a survivor of physical and sexual abuse. She is currently finding her roots through DNA testing.
Angie has been a part of Adoptees Connect Nashville founded by Pamela Karanova for several years and enjoys the connection with other adoptees.
Music by Corey Quinn
Iris P. Bryant is a recent widow and mom of two young adults. She is passionate about helping women find purpose on the other side (or smack dab in the middle) of pain. She has served an online community at irispbryant.com for several years. She is also an adult adoptee and she created The Adoptees in Arms community to help adult adoptees find hope and peace in God’s word. In addition to these ministries, Iris faithfully serves as a worship leader in her local church. When she is not writing or serving in ministry, she enjoys traveling, reading, visiting the beach, and spending quality time with her family and friends.
Books published by Iris Peterson Bryant: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=iris+peterson+bryant&crid=29OS0MGA1PSUR&sprefix=iris+peterson+bryant%2Caps%2C117&ref=nb_sb_noss
Music by Corey Quinn
Dr. Sara Docan-Morgan is Professor of Communication Studies at the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse. She earned her PhD from the University of Washington.
Her research has been published in Adoption Quarterly, the Journal of Family Communication, the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, Communication Quarterly, Family Relations, and the Journal of Korean Adoption Studies, as well as in edited volumes. Her research focuses on how personal identity and family identity are formed, maintained, and negotiated through communication in both adoptive and birth families. She teaches courses about how communication shapes, and is shaped by, interpersonal relationships and identity.
Sara is a transnational Korean adoptee who was adopted at the age of 4 months. She has been in reunion with her Korean family since 2009.
https://tupress.temple.edu/books/in-reunion
Music by Corey Quinn
Original Air Date: October 12, 2021
Ridghaus relinquished a son at 19 and then later, at the age of 35, learned that he had been relinquished and adopted.
Ridghaus is the co-creator of the 6WAM (Six Word Adoption Memoir). He has spent the last 20 years teaching as a professor in English, Communication, Media, and Law from his graduate degrees in English (MA), Communication (MA), and Jurisprudence (JD).
He recommends for LDAs the Private Facebook Late Discovery Adoptee Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/latediscoveries
Music by Corey Quinn
Original Air Date: November 23, 2021
Jean A. S. Strauss is an adoptee who located her birth family in 1988, a life-changing experience which she continues to learn from today, thirty-three years later. She is the author of five books (three about adoption search and reunion) and over 80 films, 55 of which are focused on the need for adoptee access to records. These works are all streamed online, for free, including two features which aired on PBS (one in which YOU are a star!) Worn a lot of hats, but work in the adoption arena has been among the most meaningful of pursuits of her life.
Born in California, now living in Massachusetts, with a lot of moves in between. Hats: wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, friend, writer, filmmaker, legislative advocate, rower, candidate, adventurer - and citizen.
Music by Corey Quinn
This episode is lovingly dedicated to Stephen McGue (Julie Ryan McGue's husband) who made his earthly transition on 02/12/22.
Julie Ryan McGue is an American writer, a domestic adoptee, and an identical twin. She explores the topics of finding out who you are, where you belong and making sense of it. She is the author of two books: Twice a Daughter: A Search for Identity, Family, and Belonging, and Belonging Matters: Conversations on Adoption, Family, and Kinship. Her third book, a prequel to Twice a Daughter, will be released in February 2025.
Website: https://juliemcgueauthor.com/
Julie Ryan McGue books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Julie-Ryan-McGue/author/B08K2DBZ31?ref=ap_rdr&store_ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true
FB @juliemcguewrites
IG @julieryanmcgue
twitter @juliermcgue
Music by Corey Quinn
Sariah Baker is a Chinese American adopted by a White American Mormon family. She recently left the Mormon faith to find herself and her birth family. She believes in having your "backpack of truths".
Music by Corey Quinn
Kate Murphy, LCSW is a returning guest. We discuss when making a difficult decision can ultimately serve to self-care and honor oneself.
Kate is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a psychotherapy practice in Atlanta, GA. She specializes in working with members of the adoption constellation with a focus on adoptees. She knows that processing the loss and grief caused by relinquishment is challenging to do alone. Kate believes it's possible to understand yourself better, take charge, and live with more purpose and joy.
Music by Corey Quinn
Michelle Madrid is the author of Let Us Be Greater: A Gentle, Guided Path to Healing for Adopteesand host of the Electricity of You Podcast. She is an international adoptee, former foster child in the UK, and an adoptee empowerment life coach who has been recognized as an Angels in Adoption® Honoree by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI) and inducted into the New Mexico Women’s Hall of Fame for her work in adoption. She lives in Los Angeles and you can visit her online at http://TheMichelleMadrid.com.
Here’s the link to the book’s product page on Amazon: https://a.co/d/hscfiwt
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LetHerBeGreater
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themichellemadrid
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-madrid-62b1661a/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheMichelleMadrid
Music by Corey Quinn
Sandria Washington asks the question: How did I go from writing my first short story in crayon to living inside the biggest plot twist of my life (and trust me, God has written me into some BIG ones these first 40 years of life)?
She knew from an early age that books, words and stories would always be her saving grace. She remembered when her parents separated and the lights got turned off and her father moving out.
Sandria and my mother would walk to the library and she’d let her check out a stack of books. There wasn’t any time for her to be sad; She was too busy reading and making up her own stories.
Like many little book lovers of the early 80’s, She was a school spelling bee winning-Chicago Young Authors writing-Scholastic Book Fair anticipating-Book It! Pizza Hut personal pan pizza eating scholar.
By the time Sandria arrived on the campus of U of I, she didn’t know what she wanted to do with her life. She minored in English and received her B.S. in Advertising. Her post-college professional career has been....interesting.
She's been an editor, advertising account executive, freelance writer, blogger, corporate communications AVP, and an entrepreneur.
In between all of this, Sandria has been a theater and film actress, award-winning natural hair model, radio personality, event curator, and certified yoga teacher - just to name a few! As her friends often like to remind her, “Sandria is a whole mood!” she can’t argue.
Sandria as a creative liked to taking the scenic route in life and loved a good backstory. She believed everything lived through and the tools she picked up along the way - particularly the sudden death of her mother in 2011, a 20 year practice of journaling and being a student of yoga - helped prepare her for April 2, 2018 and the call that would change her life.
On the Monday following Easter Sunday and April Fool’s Day, standing in her kitchen, she finally made the call to her aunt that she'd been putting off for months. “Is it true that I’m adopted?” Her confirmation set in motion a search not only for her backstory, but the untold stories of other Black adoptees.
https://www.blacktothebeginning.com/
A Year of Black Joy: A Year of Black Voices Share Their Life's Passion https://www.amazon.com/s?k=a+year+of+black+joy&crid=23WEFDYEVB8GO&sprefix=a+year+of+black%2Caps%2C161&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_15
Music by Corey Quinn
This episode is lovingly dedicated to Jane.
Lorraine Dusky is an award-winning journalist, editor and author who prefers to write stories that will make a difference. Her controversial memoir, BIRTHMARK, published in 1979, was the first from a mother to write about the grief of giving up a child to adoption.
Lorraine soon became a lightning rod for controversies surrounding adoption. An advocate for adoptees’ rights, she fought for legislation that would unseal original birth certificates.
But she is not simply a woman who wrote about having given up a child. On other topics, she was a finalist for a National Magazine Award and won two Exceptional Merit Media Awards (EMMAs) from the National Women’s Political Caucus for writing on the political issues of the day.
Website: https://www.firstmotherforum.com/
"Hole in my Heart: Love and Loss in the Fault Lines of Adoption" https://www.amazon.com/s?k=lorraine+dusky+hole+in+my+heart&crid=T77F36EVFZAL&sprefix=%2Caps%2C101&ref=nb_sb_ss_recent_1_0_recent
Music by Corey Quinn
Constance Nicole Frierson grew up on the Southside of Chicago after spending the first 5 years of her life in Mobile, Alabama with her grandmother. She was born into a legacy of secrets and has fought to heal her heart and be an agent of truth, change, and art for her children, grandchildren, and community.
Throughout her employment history, human services have been at the core. Some of the industries she’s worked in include higher education, financial services, corporate healthcare, and media management.
Constance is now a working writer and content creator focused on her autobiographical novel, The House on Union Street.
The Mission of the film “Color of Autumn”
Our mission is to tell a universal story through the eyes of Black woman writer and storyteller, Constance Nicole Frierson, so that more creatives can be inspired to galvanize a movement for racial education, equanimity, an end to hate speech, hateful acts and the underlying social currents that create environments in which hate flourishes. This film is a collaboration between a change maker and her allies.
Narrative of the short film “Color of Autumn” depicts a precocious eight-year-old Black girl who lives with her grandmother in a quaint house on the Southside of Chicago. Nestled in her neighborhood and focused on the comforts and stresses of her family’s hard-won middle class life. Dottie Grimsby has little awareness of racial tension or the isolation of segregation. But she is about to find out.
Website: https://www.colorofautumn.com/
Instagram: Color of Autumn Film
Gmail: Ariesista@gmail.com
Contact: 773-849-3306
Recommended Resource: Rebecca Bloom https://www.whenwomengetsick.com/
Music by Corey Quinn
Sara J. Streeter (Hea Sook Han) is a transracially adopted Korean-American, writer, and biological mother. Discover more of her work at her website sarajstreeter.com. Adopted daughter. Biological daughter. Youngest of six Korean sisters. Only half sister to three American sisters.
She writes both creative nonfiction and fiction about grief, adoption, motherhood, and race, and hopes to raise awareness about the inherent complexities of adoption by sharing her writing with readers, both inside and outside of the adoption constellation. Her work has been published in literary journals such as Hippocampus Magazine, Peatsmoke Journal, and others. Sara has published twice in the https://adoptee-voices.com/ezine/
Music by Corey Quinn
Susan Ito began reading at the age of three, and writing stories at the age six. She co-edited the literary anthology A Ghost At Heart’s Edge: Stories & Poems of Adoption. Her work has appeared in The Writer, Growing Up Asian American, Choice, Hip Mama, Literary Mama, Catapult, Hyphen,The Bellevue Literary Review, and elsewhere. She is a MacDowell colony Fellow, and has also been awarded residencies at The Mesa Refuge, Hedgebrook and the Blue Mountain Center. She has performed her solo show, The Ice Cream Gene, around the US. Her theatrical adaption of Untold, stories of reproductive stigma, was produced at Brava Theater She is a member of the Writers’ Grotto, and teaches at Mills College/Northeastern University and Bay Path University. She was one of the co-organizers of Rooted and Written, a no-fee writing workshop for writers of color. She lives in Northern California.
Website: https://www.thesusanito.com/bio
Music by Corey Quinn
Lori Holden, a veteran in the adoption space,writes at LavenderLuz.com and hosts the podcast Adoption: The Long View. She’s the author of The Open-Hearted Way to Open Adoption (recommended by People magazine, of all things!), which is featured on adoption agency required-reading lists across the country. She has keynoted and presented at adoption conferences around the US and Canada, and she coaches adoptive parents on embodying the BothAnd approach in their parenting of adoptees. Her new book, Adoption Unfiltered, co-written with adoptee Sara Easterly and birth mom Kelsey Vander Vliet Ranyard, will be available in late 2023. Lori lives in Denver with her husband and dog, and her two young adult children occasionally stop by for home cooked meals and laundry facilities.
Music by Corey Quinn
This episode is dedicated in loving memory to Thais America Guirigay Aparicio de Sanguinetti. Thais made her earthly transition after this recording on Friday October 6, 2023.
Sophie P. Jupillat Posey was born in Venezuela, adopted by French parents, residing in the United States from three to 28 years of age and now currently residing in France. Sophie’s life has been as complex and rich as her heritage. Her childhood and teenage years were full of amazing adventures such as raising raccoons, learning dual curriculums at the same time and traveling extensively throughout the US and France. However, those years were full of pain due to psychological and physical abuse. She was exposed to the arts early on; which resulted in her falling in love with writing and music.
Sophie went to Rollins College in 2011, and graduated with a Bachelors in English with Honors, as well as minors in both Music and Creative Writing. She started publishing short stories, and her orchestral and piano pieces in literary magazines while she was still in college. She is now an indie author, publishing novels and novellas, in the fantasy and science fiction genres mainly (also some poetry and kid lit). She is also an indie composer and singer-songwriter with three albums in the neoclassical and jazz genres under her belt. She has also scored the soundtracks for a few short films.
Sophie is also a teacher with experience teaching Special Ed and ESE students in English and French. Like most things in her life it was a happy accident that led her from doing private tutoring during and after college, to teaching full-time and getting her certifications and Masters in Elementary Education with a focus on Dual Language writer.
https://linktr.ee/spjposey
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WU9l2wYoh_A
Music by Corey Quinn
Kristin Jones is a mental health therapist with a private practice in Utah. Her personal experience as a domestic adoptee has given her valuable insight into the complexities of identity, self-discovery, and carrying the wounds of deep trauma. Her passion lies in facilitating change and growth, empowering individuals to overcome their obstacles and live fulfilling lives. Kristin is an avid reader who enjoys yoga, travel, paddle boarding, and biking. She finds a greater sense of belonging with the people she calls family and friends. With over twenty years of experience as a therapist, she has dedicated her career to helping individuals of all ages overcome trauma and achieve personal growth.
Kristin received a Masters of Science in Educational Psychology with an emphasis in Mental Health Counseling from the University of Utah. She has over twenty years experience helping children, adolescents and adults with a variety of challenges with special focus in areas related to trauma. Her therapeutic approach is integrative, utilizing a variety of methods that are tailored specifically to your needs. She is an LGBTQ affirmative therapist.
Website: https://www.tradewindscounseling.com/
Music by Corey Quinn
Sheala Durant is a writer, journalist and a working mom who was born in western Michigan in the late 1960s. She adopted into her family at a young age.
Sheala launched a search for her biological parents at the age of 15 with a visit to Grand Rapids. Afterwards, at age 18 she asked Bethany (Christian) Services, her adoption agency, for non-identifying information. She learned she was abandoned in a hospital for six days and later placed in a foster home a few miles away from her biological family. Sheala, at age 22, learned her biological mother told her siblings she was stillborn.. This is how she started her reunion – returning from the dead.
Sheala has been a staunch advocate for open records, adoptee causes, and rights. She co-facilitated the Adoption News Service (ANS) newsletter and is co-moderator of Black Adoptee Support and Education (BASE). She was featured in “Six Word Adoption Memoirs.”
Music by Corey Quinn
Michelle M. Hinton was born to a 17-year-old, at 8 weeks premature, and relinquished to social services. Her adoption court documents state that she was born out of wedlock, illegitimate, and her only name was “baby girl”. She's never seen her original birth certificate.
After birth, Michelle remained in an incubator, in the NICU for 2 months. No kangaroo care, no biological recall, smell, feel; alone. She still can’t acknowledge that the baby was her. Michelle was released to her adoptive parents care from the hospital. Less than a year later her adoptive parents welcomed their biological daughter, her little sister. Michelle has always known she was adopted and told that it didn’t matter, but they sure didn’t talk about it.
At age 19. Michelle was surprised into reunion with her biological father and most of her paternal family. Michelle's biological parents married after she was born, and had two more daughters, 8 and 10 years younger than her. Her biological mother passed away when she was 11 and never met. Nine years later her older sister found their biological father. Two adoptees in one family. She is in contact with some biological family, some have since rejected her. "This is what makes being an adoptee so fucking hard"; having to protect everyone's feelings while ignoring her own. Michelle has been juggling everyone's feelings for so long that when she started to express her truth, she angered a lot of people.
https://www.amazon.com/Flourish-Experience-Adoptee-Healing-Community-ebook/dp/B0B6FVPHQM/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2O93G2ROGFLSW&keywords=the+flourish+experience&qid=1693577777&sprefix=the+florish+expe%2Caps%2C145&sr=8-1
Music by Corey Quinn
Susan Devan Harness is a member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and author of Mixing Cultural Identities Through Transracial Adoption, and multiple award-winning Bitterroot: A Salish Memoir of Transracial Adoption, as well as an American Indian transracial adoptee. She has been interviewed for numerous podcasts, on public radio, and appeared on the TEDxMileHigh Stage talking about the issues of transracial adoption. Ms. Harness holds MAs in Cultural Anthropology and Creative Nonfiction, both from Colorado State University, where she is an affiliate of the Department of Anthropology and Geography.
Website: https://susanharness.com/
https://www.amazon.com/Bitterroot-Salish-Transracial-Adoption-American/dp/1496219570/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1F2R850AXUEQB&keywords=bitterroot%3A+a+salish+memoir&qid=1693314579&sprefix=bitterroot+a+salish+memoir%2Caps%2C140&sr=8-1
YouTube TedxMileHigh Stage https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uORk3TGSCl4
"On The Page" with https://adoptee-voices.com/writing-groups/
Music by Corey Quinn
Dr. Patrice Martin is a same race adoptee who lives in Nashville, TN with her family. In her profession she works in grants management in the nonprofit and forprofit sectors. She has always known she was adopted. She grew up in Pittsburgh, PA with a loving family. As life would have it she has had some twists and turns to her story. At about age 27 it was revealed to her that not only was she adopted which she knew, but there would be the possibility of never being able to find her biological family because she was abandoned in a trash bin at birth.
Always in the back of her mind was her biological roots. After a chance finding of the show Long Lost Family on TLC she decided to go for it and her world changed after she was reunited with her biological family on reality TV. She now lives her full story with both sides of her family and is looking to move forward with life living it to the fullest while also helping others. She is does not shy away from the issues that adoption raises in the life of adoptees and works to help children coming after her and adults to see their fullest potential while being a part of a non-ideal situation.
"Long Lost Family", Season 6, episode 8 https://tubitv.com/tv-shows/720311/s06-e08-switched-in-the-hospital
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
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.pdf
Music by Corey Quinn
Corissa Saint Laurent is an inspirational speaker, podcast host, and soul guide on a quest to create greater meaning, higher purpose, and true joy for herself and others. She shares her experiences and expertise as a healer and teacher of deep soul knowledge through inspiring events and classes, and broadcasting and publishing. Currently, Corissa is the VP of Marketing and Business Development for a rainwater harvesting company and at the helm of her brand offering consulting, speaking, and soul guidance.
https://linktr.ee/corissasaintlaurent
https://corissasaintlaurent.com/
https://theeverydaymystic.com/
Music by Corey Quinn
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 9
Daryn Watson from Season 3, episode 43
Cynthia from Season 1, episode 7
Nancy McCaughey from Season 2, episode 22.
Danielle Orr from Season 5, episode 79
Carmen Hinkley from Season 1, episode 15
Lorah Gerald from Season 2, episode 29
Nomi Kaie from Season 2, episode 31
Music by Corey Quinn
Patrick Hawes was born in Asheville NC in August 1970. He was officially adopted at 6 weeks old, but from birth was separated from his birth mother. Patrick’s adoptive mother was Japanese and his adoptive father was American, so was raised in a bi-racial family, but in reverse since he is Caucasian. Sadly, his adoptive father passed away when he was 4 years old.
It was no secret that Patrick was adopted once people took one look at his adoptive mother in any kind of social setting. He was bullied in school for having an Asian mother and often kids would slant their eyes to him.
The loss of his adoptive dad as a young boy only enhanced his abandonment issues and living with an adoptive mom who spoke broken English while he didn’t speak Japanese made their relationship challenging to say the least. After finding his birth family at the age of 45, Patrick began going to therapy to deal with the myriad issues that he had growing up. He remembers his counselor telling him that he was “perfectly suited for brokenness “ because of all the things that happened to him; being adopted, losing his father at 4 years old, having an adoptive mother who didn’t truly understand how to help him. Patrick doesn’t regret searching for and finding his birth mom. It was all a part of Gods master plan.
Music by Corey Quinn
Rob Reese was born in Busan, South Korea, but was adopted to a family in Denver, Colorado. His parents were so supportive of him being in extracurricular activities, like getting his black belt in Tae Kwon Do and earning Eagle Scout. Rob attended Metropolitan State University of Denver and earned a B.A. in International Business. He has the ambition of becoming a business analyst and is currently a retail manager at a clothing company called, The Normal Brand, in Denver. He still resides in Denver and is excited for the next chapter of his life and seeing where things go from here.
Music by Corey Quinn
Ken R. DeStefano is a domestic adoptee that was born in the late 1960’s and raised in a caring and loving Italian home. As an adoptee, he had a largely happy life, but always wondered about the unknown. That curiosity led to a search for his own birth mother and a recent reunification with her.
It also led him to seek a deeper understanding of his own journey and that of his birth mother, ultimately inspiring him to write his debut novel, "I Will See You Again...Hearts Will Sing," available at: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C5DRHHMW. The story is fictional but seeks to probe the very real feelings of displacement, abandonment, insecurity, and doubt that haunt some adoptees, while also exploring the loneliness and emotions of a young birth mother in that era.
He has been a practicing lawyer for over twenty-five years, is married for 27 years, and is a proud father of two adult children. Late in life, he found swimming to be a source of peace and balance, and, against his better judgment, has done several open water distance swims.
Music by Corey Quinn
Brad Ewell an LDA late discovery adoptee, a husband, father, writer, and a police officer of 26 years. He made his adoption discovery in 2019 at 48 years old. Since that time he had his writing published in severancemag.com, told his story at a Moth main stage, been interviewed in several podcasts, and has a monthly column at www.lavendarluz.com
Brad is in reunion with several members of his biological family and was able to help successfully advocate for his fathers release from prison. His writing and podcasts can be found at https://linktr.ee/LDA_BRAD. and you may follow him on Instagram at a_late_discovery.
Recommended resource: https://righttoknow.us/ https://adoptee-voices.com/
Music by Corey Quinn
Dr. Joyce Maguire Pavao, Ed.D., LCSW, LMFT, was the Founder and CEO of Center for Family Connections, Inc. (CFFC, 1995-2012) in Cambridge and New York, Founder and Director of Riverside After Adoption Consulting and Training (AACT, 2012 to 2015), PACT (Pre/Post Adoption Consulting and Training, 1982-present), and Pavao Consulting and Coaching.
Dr. Pavao has done extensive training, both nationally and internationally. She is a lecturer in Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, and she has consulted to various public and private child welfare agencies, adoption agencies, schools, and community groups, as well as probate and family court judges, lawyers, and clergy. Additionally, she has worked closely with individuals and families touched by adoption, foster care, and other complex blended family constructions.
Recommended Resources: "Twice Born" by Betty Jean Lifton https://www.amazon.com/Twice-Born-Memoirs-Adopted-Daughter/dp/007037824X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3KMZOXWTVRQ1N&keywords=betty+jean+lifton+twice+born&qid=1687104498&sprefix=betty+jean+lifton+twice+born%2Caps%2C126&sr=8-1 and "Journey of the Adopted Self" by Betty Jean Lifton https://www.amazon.com/Journey-Adopted-Self-Quest-Wholeness/dp/0465036759/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3CXAUOLDKCZVY&keywords=betty+jean+lifton+books&qid=1687104562&sprefix=betty+jean+lifton+books%2Caps%2C117&sr=8-1
"The Adoption Triangle" byArthur D. Sorosky, M.D. Annette Baron, M.S.W. Reuben Pannor, M.S.W. https://www.amazon.com/Adoption-Triangle-Arthur-D-Sorosky/dp/0941770109/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1GEBV6DJF45TJ&keywords=the+adoption+triangle&qid=1687104691&sprefix=the+adoption+triangle%2Caps%2C141&sr=8-1
"Lethal Secrets" by Annette Baran and Reuben Pannor https://www.amazon.com/Lethal-Secrets-Annette-Baran/dp/0941770117/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1ZT2EAARPED16&keywords=annette+baran&qid=1687104839&sprefix=annette+barn%2Caps%2C128&sr=8-1
"The Family of Adoption" by Dr. Joyce Maguire Pavao https://www.amazon.com/Family-Adoption-Completely-Revised-Updated/dp/0807028274/ref=sr_1_1?crid=33K2CZJ5D72ZD&keywords=the+family+of+adoption&qid=1687104791&sprefix=the+family+of+adoption%2Caps%2C141&sr=8-1
Music by Corey Quinn
Dr. Liz DeBetta is an adoptee and interdisciplinary scholar-artist-activist whose work is grounded in creativity and social justice. Using storytelling and narrative techniques Liz invites others to create space for empathy and begin healing individual and collective trauma connected to race, gender, sexuality, disability, ethnicity, and other intersections of identity that are misunderstood or misrepresented in dominant culture. She is interested in performance based poetry and narrative writing for healing and social change from a feminist perspective within the areas of adoption culture and reproductive justice as a way of disrupting dominant narratives and shifting paradigms for adoptees and first mothers. Her writing has been published on DearAdoption.com, SeveranceMag.com, in the journals Adoption & Culture and Frontiers and in #MeToo: Essays About why this Happened, What it Means and How to Make Sure it Never Happens Again. She is a former facilitator of Adoptees Connect in Salt Lake City, a Rudd Adoption Research Institute Scholar, and spent six years teaching writing at Utah Valley University. She is currently the Advocacy Program Manager at the Center for the Education of Women + at the University of Michigan. Her book Adult Adoptees and Writing Heal: Migrating Toward Wholeness is available from Brill Publishers.
https://www.lizdebetta.com/
Operation Fog Lift: https://www.facebook.com/events/283578407577430/?ref=newsfeed
Music by Corey Quinn
Danielle Gaudette is a Body & Brain coach and author of Healing Tree: An Adoptee’s Story About Hurting, Healing and Letting the Light Shine Through. After her reunion with her birth mother twenty-four years ago, she began an energy practice to process the unraveling of her primal wound. She is now a 20-year senior trainer and seeks to share those healing principles and practices to help others find the courage to go inward and heal their hearts.
https://www.daniellegaudette.com/
https://info.bodynbrain.com/smp
Music by Corey Quinn
Today’s guest is Jonathan, a 58 year old adoptee living the suburban dream in a coastal town south of Boston, MA. He was born in November of 1964 in Albany, NY and grew up about an hour south of Albany. He moved to Boston for college in 1982, where he met his wife during his senior year. They married in October 1988 and have lived with a varying constellation of cats and dogs ever since. They have just one dog now, a miniature Schnauzer named Lucy. He has had a successful career in Human Services and he’s proud of the work he’s done.
He was welcomed into his paternal family in 2018, and has had contact with his maternal side since 2019
Music by Corey Quinn
Beth Syverson is an adoptive mom of a vibrant and intuitive 19-year-old son Joey, who has been struggling to find his healing path. They created the Unraveling Adoption podcast together in 2021 in order to help other families learn from the challenges they've experienced. Beth is also the facilitator of APtitude: A Support Group for Adoptive Parents Facing Adoption’s Challenges, providing resources on the topics of addiction, adoption, mental health, and parenting. She is almost done with her training to be a certified coach, so she will soon be able to guide adoptive parents so they can be better advocates for their adopted children.
https://www.unravelingadoption.com/
https://www.unravelingadoption.com/APtitude
Music by Corey Quinn
Jack Rocco M.D. has more than thirty years as a practicing orthopedic surgeon. His work has taken him to many countries and cultures, including to Japan, where he served in the U.S. Air Force, and to Madagascar, where, through a nonprofit organization he established, he treated children suffering primarily from clubfoot. He has served on the board at Shriners Hospital for Children in Philadelphia.
Recycled, his first book, chronicles the behind-the-scenes, reluctant, and subconscious journey exploring the impact of being relinquished and adopted during the baby-scoop era of the mid-sixties, raised with strong family nurturing, the shocking discovery of his nature, and finally a reconciliation of the two.
He was raised in Erie, Pennsylvania, has lived and worked incities like Philadelphia and Charlotte, N.C., and at the time of publication was moving to Hartford, Connecticut. He’s the proud father of two soon-to-be-adult children, who live in Rhode Island.
https://www.amazon.com/Recycled-Reluctant-Search-Through-Nurture/dp/1990688136/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2YTX74PZHB4CS&keywords=recycled+jack+rocco&qid=1684782427&sprefix=reclycled+jack%2Caps%2C129&sr=8-1
Website: https://ingeniumbooks.com/recycled/
Recommended resource: "Journey of the Adopted Self" by Betty Jean Lifton
Music by Corey Quinn
Chris Thomason just graduated from the University of California Los Angeles a few years ago and is currently a case worker in social work working with migrants going through citizenship as a translator.
Chris was relinquished at birth, adopted at 4 years old, relinquished again 10 months later when the adopted father died suddenly. By the time he reached 11 years old I had been moved 5 times. Never having had a father, he count 7 mothers that it took to get me to high school graduation.
Chris married the daughter of the last family who raised him after high school. They were married for 25 years and have 2 great sons from that relationship.
After reuniting with his birth family 20 years ago, he found out the state of California has no record of his birth. Therapy has helped him come to a realization he was no longer obligated to hold so many secrets and lies and “came out” as a gay man living my truth in 2009.
Chris currently attends support meetings with CUB (Concerned United Birthparents) helping other adopted people and birthparents navigate the reunion process.
Recommended resource: CUB (Concerned United Birth Parents)
Music by Corey Quinn
Rebecca Autumn Sansom is guided by the promise of a consciously evolving humanity. As a filmmaker, she was invited by Oregon's Congressman Blumenauer to screen her feature documentary about high-speed rail, Trainsforming America, at the Capitol in DC. She won a 2015 Midsouth regional Emmy for her work on Tout Your Town, a travel series produced by Genuine Human Productions, Nashville TN. As a native Nashvillian, Rebecca’s life has been steeped in the sounds of Music City. She is currently disrupting the entertainment industry by creating a space to reflect the cultural evolution of inclusivity that people clearly want with The Wavy Awards which won the Commitment to Action Award 2023 from Clinton Global Initiative University. The Wavys is presented by The (NYC) Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment and is now in its 3rd year running.
Her film Reckoning with The Primal Wound marks the first adoptee & first mother team to produce a film about primal wound theory. Gena Vazquez is the Executive Producer. Watch: Reckoning with The Primal Wound
Variety Feature on The Wavys www.thewavys.org
Music by Corey Quinn
Fred Nicora has followed a path of unexplained restlessness ignited by undisclosed triggers in his efforts to find the right fit for his own identity and seek truth in his life. Careers explored on his journey include health care administration, architecture, business consulting, teaching, and his own entrepreneurial endeavors including a startup fitness-based company and now authoring his story of being thrust into the adoption triangle.
Following his discovery, Fred struggled with drug and alcohol addiction, eventually finding sobriety and his need for spiritual, mental, and physical health. A father of three grown children, Fred currently lives and maintains a small hobby farm in Southeastern Wisconsin.
Links: Facebook: www.facebook.com/fred.nicora/
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/frednicora/
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/fred-nicora-4050857a/
Website: Forbidden Roots | Fred Nicora
Music by Corey Quinn
Erin Cosentino discovered she is an NPE in 2017, while trying to find out the truth about her grandfather's biological parents. In the last five years she has become an advocate for Adoptees, Donor Conceived folks, Late Discovery Adoptees and NPEs. Erin is a high school special educator, currently pursuing a Master's in Social Work. She lives at the beautiful Jersey Shore with her husband, adult children and her pup Cooper.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/456700751111085
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1385763408504812
Recommended Resource: NPE: A Story Guide for Unexpected DNA Discoveries https://www.amazon.com/s?k=npe+a+story+guide+for+unexpected+dna+discoveries&crid=1HXI4ZTUH2VNM&sprefix=NPE+a+%2Caps%2C101&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_6
Music by Corey Quinn
Annie Persico was born and raised in the Bronx, New York and along with serving on the board of Hiraeth Hope and Healing, she has been a legal assistant for more than 35 years, currently working for a large New York City law firm for nearly 20 years. She has been married to her wife since 2004 and they currently have a dog, a blind cat and 7 tropical birds. Annie enjoys playing video games, reading, and most of all playing amateur genealogist both for herself and others.
https://www.hiraethhopeandhealing.com/?fbclid=IwAR1mKu4WhmEl8U7Vcy5r_Pd_Qqa7drS1AtU_Usl6QaN6Tvdg0Z_Vjef75CQ
Music by Corey Quinn
Cindy McQuay co-founded Hiraeth, Hope and Healing https://www.hiraethhopeandhealing.com/?fbclid=IwAR1mKu4WhmEl8U7Vcy5r_Pd_Qqa7drS1AtU_Usl6QaN6Tvdg0Z_Vjef75CQ
Cindy was adopted at 3 months and has always known. She always had the desire to know her story and identity Her adoptive parents fully supported her. Cindy trying to get her records and original birth certificate, at the legally allowed age of 18, led to the discovery of the difficulty adoptees face in doing so.
The hurdles that challenge adoptees drove Cindy to become an advocate for all her fellow “cribmates”; an endearing term that we’ve coined ourselves. Her advocacy includes educating the public on separation trauma, family preservation, and abolishing adoption. When DNA testing became available, she became obsessed with helping others find their biological roots as a search angel, specifically now helping Amerasian “kids” identify their American GI birth fathers.
Cindy has been married to her amazing husband, Mark, for 30 years. Together, they've raised 3 awesome adult children. She enjoys genealogy, reading, beaches, pools, shopping, and of course, spending time with my 3 beautiful grandchildren.
Music by Corey Quinn
Laura L. Engel likes to say she is late to the game as a budding new author. Originally from Biloxi, Mississippi, Laura has lived in Southern California for over 50 years. She and her husband, Gene are the proud parents of six grown children along with their significant others. They are delighted to be Grammy and PaPa to ten grandchildren.
Recently retired after 30 plus years as a regional sales representative for an international title
insurance company, Laura left the corporate world and plunged headlong into her second
career as a writer in 2017.
She has had two scenes from her memoir chosen for the San Diego Memoir Showcase. Her scene, 'Secret Son' is published in the award winning anthology 'Shaking the Tree'. Her scene 'Do They Know?' was selected as one of the ten winners for the San Diego Memoir Showcase in 2018.
It was published in 2019 in Amazon Best Seller and Award winning Shaking The Tree 2 and Shaking The Tree 3.
She is a current member of the International Women Writers Guild and President of the San Diego Memoir Writers Association.
Laura's memoir is 'You’ll Forget This Ever Happened'. Check out her website for more information regarding her memoir.
https://www.lauralengel.com
Music by Corey Quinn
Adele Rodriguez was born in China, first adopted to America and later moved to France. She states, "Being an adoptee not only makes me standout, but it makes me, me. Living in an orphanage wasn’t all that bad, because it was my first home. I didn’t have anything that belonged to just me growing up, but I do have my story. That is mine. Even though I don’t know my past or where I come from, God has given me a new identity as a wife and a mom. I'm forever grateful to God for the family I have now."
Music by Corey Quinn
Heather Schultz Gittens (she/her) is a transracial adoptee who grew up on Long Island, NY. She was born in Seoul, South Korea and adopted at four months old in 1984. At age 30, she visited her birth country, reconnected with her Korean roots, and searched for her birth mother in 2014. When she returned from this first motherland trip, she became involved with the adoptee community in New York City.
Given her passion for adoption reform, Heather served as the Communications and Development Manager at The Donaldson Adoption Institute from 2016 to 2017. She also was on the Board of Directors of Also-Known-As, Inc. (AKA) from 2015 to 2016 and ran a monthly session for preteen adoptees for All Together Now in 2015 to 2016.
In 2017, Heather transitioned from nonprofit communication to academia. She started her teaching journey as an Adjunct Lecturer in the Department of Communication Studies at CUNY Baruch College. In 2022, Heather was appointed to a full-time Lecturer position. She teaches Professional Speech Communication, Introduction to Business Communication and Business Communication. Her classes blend theoretical concepts in communication, career development skills including interviewing and networking, and self-care and self-love tools including positive affirmations and mindfulness. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Master of Public Administration from Baruch College.
Heather is also the Founder and Owner of Huh Healing Hub LLC. She earned her Usui Reiki Master Certification from Lily Rubinstein at The Center of Inner Wisdom in 2018. After moving through feelings of abandonment, grief and shame as a Korean adoptee and motherless daughter, she is deeply devoted to helping others heal themselves through Reiki, meditation and writing.
In 2019, Heather created her Reiki company (Huh Healing Hub) in New York City. She included her birth surname (Huh) into the business name to honor her motherland of Korea. She offers private Reiki sessions and leads Reiki circles and workshops focused on mindfulness, unconditional self-love and transformation.
Aside from her teaching and healing work, Heather serves on the Advisory Committee of Also-Known-As. She also continues to facilitate virtual writing and meditation workshops for AKA.
Heather lives in Queens, NY with her husband. She loves to explore different countries, hike, and connect to her inner child through coloring books.
Here is a list of Heather’s personal essays, podcast episode, blog post and video interview about her adoptee journey and Reiki company:
October and December 2014
- NBCNews.com: A Korean Adoptee Starts the Search for Her Birth Family (personal essay)
- https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/korean-adoptee-starts-search-her-birth-family-n209891
- NBCNews.com: The Search for a Birth Family Leads to Seoul and Back Again (personal essay)
- https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/search-birth-family-leads-seoul-back-again-n258911
December 2020
- Adapted Podcast (Season 4, Episode 8: Heather Schultz): Interview with Kaomi Lee (Host of Adapted) about Heather's adoption journey and mission to help others survive and move past pain and trauma (podcast episode)
- https://adaptedpodcast.com/2020/12/01/season-4-episode-8-heather-schultz/
June 2021
- The Korea Daily: Looking For Mom Series -- Video Interview with Brian Choi (Business Desk Staff Editor) (video interview)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KO5Hh-Y525s&t=1420s
April 2022
IAMAdoptee: Reiki Master Heather Schultz Gittens and Her Journey to Healing (blog post)
- https://iamadoptee.org/reiki-master-heather-schultz-and-her-journey-to-healing/
Music by Corey Quinn and Invitational by MDT.
Emma 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’ second 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.
Available on Amazon "A Fire Is Coming" https://www.amazon.com/Fire-Coming-Emma-Stevens/dp/B0BT76LPGF/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2M3ZRU1DXHBRL&keywords=a+fire+is+coming+by+emma+stevens&qid=1679740168&sprefix=a+fire+is+%2Caps%2C138&sr=8-1
"The Gathering Place: An Adoptee's Story" https://www.amazon.com/Gathering-Place-Adoptees-Story/dp/B09HH8PDGL/ref=sr_1_1?crid=22XULK3D0XVXU&keywords=the+gathering+place+by+emma+stevens&qid=1679740223&sprefix=the+gathering+Place%2Caps%2C105&sr=8-1
Music by Corey Quinn
Catie Samantha Peck is a domestic, same - race adoptee raised in a closed adoption by an adoptive mother who was also adopted. Her name at birth was Samantha Claire and was changed at the time of her adoption to Catherine Anne. She prefers to go by Catie Samantha. At the age of 37, she searched and entered a very positive reunion with her maternal and paternal biological family. She learned that herself and her birth mother were both victims of the forced adoption practices of the LDS church (that still continue to this day). Never having wanted to relinquish her baby, her birth mother relocated her life 2300 mi. to her daughter after being found.
Professionally, Catie is a mental health therapist specialized in working with adopted adults and all members of the adoption constellation through her private practice, True Story Counseling Services (www.truestorycounselingservices.com). She is currently writing a memoir about her experience of relinquishment trauma and reunion. Catie is often active in online adoptee community spaces finding great healing in these settings. She is located in the Finger Lakes region of Upstate NY with her husband and English bulldog, Matilda.
Recommended Resources: The Flourish Experience:The Power of Healing in Community https://www.amazon.com/s?k=the+flourish+experience+adoptee+book&crid=1AHVBDYM1OVU8&sprefix=the+flourish+exp%2Caps%2C134&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_16
Music by Corey Quinn
Amy Hansen is a domestic adoptee, born in 1969. She was placed for adoption at birth. She grew up in a loving family and was well cared for. Amy was the "happy" adoptee, so grateful to her birth parents, her adopted parents and always trying to make everyone happy. She has been in reunion with some of her birth family for the past 5 years and has recently come out of the FOG. Amy is beginning to realize that she was living behind the disguise of a happy, positive person who didn’t realize the loss and grief she was carrying. Today, she feels sad, confused and angry about her adoption and feels that sharing her story is being honest for the first time in her life.
Amy has been married to a wonderfully supportive husband for over 30 years. They have 3 amazing adult children and 2 golden retrievers. She enjoys the outdoors and spending time with family and friends.
Amy Hansen is a guest of the following podcasts: Pulled By The Root, Wandering Tree, This Adoptee Life and Adoption:The Making of Me
Music by Corey Quinn
Hannah Andrews is a U.S. domestic adoptee, born in Chicago during the Baby Scoop Era, raised on a farm in central Illinois. After semi-retiring she moved to San Diego and started writing again ( a lifelong love) but, definitely not about adoption. Hannah mostly ignored all things adoption until 2018 when she met a birthmother and author at a Writers Conference in San Diego. Everything changed in that moment. She began searching, found that not only had she moved at one time within 2 blocks of her birth mom in Venice Beach, CA, but that she had died a decade earlier (months before Illinois changed its OBC law though she didn't know the law had even changed until years later). Hannah also began reading and consuming all things related to adoption, especially adoptee and first mother authored memoirs. Now, that is all she writes, and attend CUB (Concerned Birthparents) and AKA (Adoption Knowledge Affiliates) adoptee support groups and serve on the board of AKA as well.
Hannah is an advocate for open records, and supports a push for a national apology to the Baby Scoop generation as well as more transparency in the industry across the board.
Mentions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PX2Vm18TYwg&t=186s
Music by Corey Quinn and invitational by MDT
Talitha A. Abell is a same race domestic adoptee born in California in 1976. She always knew she was adopted and had what she considers a positive childhood, Still she says she wondered about her beginning story and so she was always looking off and on to find her birth mom. In 2020, she was introduced to the adoptee community through a podcast which has helped to add language and growth to her understanding of her adoptee identity. Being denied access to her original birth certificate she enlisted the help of her childhood friend In January of 2021. In December of 2021 she found her birth family and has enjoyed getting to know them.
Music by Corey Quinn and Invitational by MDT
Jessica M. Luciere is a transracial adoptee born in Bogota, Colombia who grew up on Long Island, New York. She is an Adoptee Advocate, working to create supportive spaces for adoptees and their families around the world. Currently the Manager of Community Engagements at Spence-Chapin, Jessica is also the facilitator of the Mentorship Programs, which have been in existence since 2005. Jessica is the former President of All Together Now, Inc based in Brooklyn NY, and has also worked with Adoptive and Foster Family Coalition of New York (AFFCNY). Jessica’s passion for working with adoptees has always been the driving force behind her work, and is the reason she continues to create spaces for adoptee stories and voices to be heard by all.
Music by Corey Quinn
Ed Knight graduated George Washington University with a B.A. in Journalism. (his late adoptive father studied law there.) He worked at The Washington Post for many years in the Circulation and I.T. Departments, starting as a clerk, and ending up as a database administrator.
Ed took an early retirement after finding his biological family and needing time to, “find myself”. In Reunion with biological family, and still close to adoptive family Ed just consider them one big family now, from his point of view. He married Steven Frank in 2009, and in relationship since 1982. Steven was born Deaf and went blind later in life. Consequently, Ed knows ASL, and tactile ASL. He is active in his church, St. Barnabas Church of the Deaf (Episcopal), as volunteer.
A member of Sons of the American Revolution after proving descent from patriot ancestor Joshua Smith, with the help of his natural mother, who is a former member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Ed is active in his local chapter. His late natural father was also active in the SAR, having served a term as President of the DC Society of the SAR.
Ed is in Year Three of the Master Artist Program at The Compass Atelier, in Rockville, MD. His website is epscottart.com
Ed referenced Adoptees United and Gregory Luce https://adopteesunited.org/
Music by Corey Quinn and Invitational by MDT
Valerie Naiman (pronounced naymen) is an adoptee, author, story-song writer, passionate singer, re-purposer, goat mama, apiarist, gardener, environmental activist, and eco-village founder living in Asheville, NC. As you’ll discover in her soon to be release book, she’s a secret to her natural family. Her personal journey throughout six decades delves into life’s biggest mysteries as she searched for her identity.
Join Valerie on social media; http://www.instagram.com/valnaimanauthor https://www.facebook.com/valnaimanauthor
Valerie's Website: http://valerienaiman.com
Music by Corey Quinn
Greg Gentry is a domestic baby scoop era adoptee, born in California in 1969. He has been in reunion with maternal family members since 2006, and in 2021 also connected with his paternal side. Greg is a facilitator and interviewer for Fireside Adoptees, a private Facebook group founded in 2021, which is committed to additional outreach through its public Facebook page and through the Fireside Adoptees Constellation private Facebook group. Greg is also an administrator and facilitator within the Adoption Trauma Network and the host of Adoptees Connect out of Derry, New Hampshire. He enjoys connecting with others in the online adoptee community, and has found these interactions to be richly rewarding and supportive.
Fireside Adoptees https://www.facebook.com/groups/1411791922534076
Fireside Adoptees Public Page https://www.facebook.com/fireside.adoptees.and.allies
Greg Gentry's conversation with Lori Holden https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9W3oon6TivY
NAAP presentation on Geneological Non-Facility https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2El1j3kfYHw&t=6s
Music by Corey Quinn
Brian Stanton is a Los Angeles-based stage actor. He's currently starred in a new play titled Final Interview in Los Angeles and will immediately move on to star in Plaza Suite by Neil Simon in February in Mammoth Lakes, CA. In the world of adoption, Stanton is most known for his original solo play BLANK, the true story of his adoption and search for identity. BLANK's Hollywood premiere catapulted Stanton to perform all over the US and Canada, earning Best Solo Acting awards in New York and Los Angeles. Stanton's most recent work @ghostkingdom, originally written as a play, was filmed during the pandemic due to theatre closures. Stanton has held screenings of his original film at film festivals as well as for adoption support and educational conferences. The Love International Film Festival honored Stanton with Best Screenwriter and Best Actor awards. Stanton will be presenting @ghostkingdom in person at the NAAP/Right To Know conference in Louisville, KY late March https://untanglingourroots.org/?fbclid=IwAR2rG6DBOsuHFzPr_NqZufPHVDTCBDSyGEAgSF17AkKMXDZt3i4X7dEHmsY and a few months later in June for the Forget Me Not Family Society in Vancouver.
@ghostkigdomis available for the public to rent. The direct link is: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/ghostkingdom
Music by Corey Quinn and Invitational by MDT
Lora K. Joy is an adult adoptee. She is a closed, same race, domestic adoptee. She has self-published 3 illustrated books about her healing journey. This past year, she legally changed her first name back to her birth name and was legally reclaimed by her biological mother. Lora has been in reunion with her maternal side since 2008. After facing secondary rejection from her biological father, she has been in reunion with her paternal siblings and cousins since 2020 and is fully estranged from her adoptive parents. Lora's website and blog are at www.myadopteetruth.com.
Books published by Lora K. Joy: Nobody Looks Like Me: An Adoptee Experience https://www.amazon.com/NoBODY-Looks-Like-Me-Experience/dp/1736990039/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Lora+K.+Joy&qid=1674087157&sr=8-1 Self Attunement: An Adoptee Superpower https://www.amazon.com/Self-Attunement-Superpower-Lora-Joy/dp/1736990047/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=Lora+K.+Joy&qid=1674087157&sr=8-2 Goodbye Hypervilgilance: Healing Adoptee Worry https://www.amazon.com/Goodbye-Hypervigilance-Healing-Adoptee-Worry/dp/1736990012/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=Lora+K.+Joy&qid=1674087157&sr=8-3
The Flourish Experience: The Power of Adoptee Healing in Community https://www.amazon.com/Flourish-Experience-Adoptee-Healing-Community/dp/B0B4TY22JC/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3TZ6F33JZCOCN&keywords=the+flourish+experience&qid=1674087538&sprefix=the+flourish+experience%2Caps%2C119&sr=8-1
https://adoptee-voices.com/
Music by Corey Quinn and Invitational by MDT
Isaac Etter is an activist and social entrepreneur. He was transracially adopted at the age of two. He is the founder of Identity, a startup focused on using technology to help foster and adoptive families thrive. Isaac has worked in adoption through his consulting firm Etter Consulting for the past 5 years. At Etter Consulting, Isaac led trainings for families and adoption agencies on transracial adoption. He is passionate about making sure adoptees have parents that can support them. Isaac is excited to chat about his work in transracial adoption.
Isaac mentions interracial/transracial adoptees on Instagram Jessica Luciere @jmluciere and Hannah Matthews @Hannahjacksonmatthews
Isaac Etter can be reached at isaac@identitylearning.co Website: https://www.identitylearning.co/ https://isaacetter.com/etterconsulting
Music by Corey Quinn
Simon Benn was adopted at 5 weeks old and told about it so young he doesn't ever remember not knowing. He didn't experience any adoption trauma until he hit 40 when he found out his childhood teddy bear was a gift from his birth mother. This caused an eruption of anger, feeling rejected and unloved. That kickstarted a learning journey that led him to heal and then want to help others. He created the Thriving Adoptees podcast so guests can inspire listeners with their stories and empower them with their learnings. He also speaks at events for adoptees and adoptive parents.
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/376314725?pwd=NnZwcjhlT2hOMU81NHdNaUVxSFhyZz09
Listen to Thriving Adoptees on iTunes at https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/thriving-adoptees-inspiration-for-adoptees-adoptive/id1563041217
Listen to Thriving Adoptees on other platforms https://thelink.bio/simonjbenn
Follow Thriving Adoptees on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/thrivingadoptees
Visit Simon's website https://www.thrivingadoptees.com/
Rupert Spira https://rupertspira.com/
Music by Corey Quinn and Invitational by MDT
Dan Smith is an adoptee in reunion who co-facilitates a support group with Adoption Network Cleveland for all members of the constellation. It meets the last Thursday of each month online. He resides in Ohio and enjoys his retirement after a career as a firefighter.
Music by Corey Quinn
Tina is a published poet who returns again to share her wisdom.
Recommended resources: Damon Davis podcast host, https://www.whoamireallypodcast.com/
"Born in June Raised in April" hosted by April Dinwoodie https://aprildinwoodie.com/the-podcast
National Adoptees And Parents (NAAP) https://www.facebook.com/NAAPUnited Untangling Our Roots Summit http://www.untanglingourroots.org/
Adoption Knowledge Affiliates (AKA) https://www.adoptionknowledge.org/
Haley Radke, podcast host https://www.adopteeson.com/ Remembrance Day Episode/October 30, 2022
Anne Heffron, published author https://www.amazon.com/You-Dont-Look-Adopted/dp/B07WFX9744/ref=sr_1_1?crid=4EE130YF8SE3&keywords=you+don%27t+look+adopted&qid=1672235297&sprefix=you+don%27t+look+adopted%2Caps%2C1827&sr=8-1 https://www.anneheffron.com/
10 Foundations For a Meaningful Life (No Matter What's Happened) by Pam Cordon, MFT https://www.amazon.com/Foundations-Meaningful-Matter-Whats-Happened/dp/1982241349/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2IIS8LGRH2QMN&keywords=10+foundations+for+a+meaningful+life+book&qid=1672759939&sprefix=10+foundat%2Caps%2C141&sr=8-1
Julian Washio Collette https://peregrineadoptee.wordpress.com/
Dr. Gabor Mate' https://drgabormate.com/
Paul Sunderland https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PX2Vm18TYwg&t=177s Susan Ito https://www.thesusanito.com/classes
Amanda Medina, the host of "This Adoptee Life" https://thisadopteelife.com/ Gayle H. Swift https://gaylehswift.com/about-gayle-swift/
https://www.jenniferdyanghoston.com/about Podcast host
This episode is dedicated to all the aunts and uncles.
Music by Corey Quinn and Invitational by MDT
Poet: Dr. Maya Angelou; "Still I Rise" (read by Nomi), "Phenomenal Woman" and "Call Letters: Mrs V.B." (read by Jennifer Dyan Ghoston)
Poets: Langston Hughes; "Dreams" and Nayirah Waheed; "The Becoming" (read by Nomi)
Unknown author (read by JR Calhoun)
Poets: Ralph Waldo Emerson; "Write it on your heart" and Rudyard Kipling; "If" (read by Jennifer Dyan Ghoston)
Music by Corey Quinn and Invitationals by MDT
During times in this episode, there is sensitive content that may be traumatizing to some audiences. Listener discretion advised.
Akara is a domestic, baby scoop era, closed adoption, late discovery adopted person. She is estranged from her adoptive family and unacknowledged by her birth family. She is a writer to help her navigate the multi layered trauma of relinquishment. Akara is a board member of AKA, Adoption Knowledge Affiliates, to support the endeavors of connection, education, and support to the adoption triad. She is part of the Adoptee Voices Cohort through which several of her writing pieces have been featured and published in the e-Zine.. She also contributed to a short recorded presentation for the Rudd Adoption Research Program Conference.
Living on the sacred land of Sedona has offered Akara solace and healing; as well as time to reflect and write about her life under a different, more truthful, lens.
You may find Akara herehttps://linktr.ee/akaraskye.
Zara Phillips and Dr. Gabor Mate' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CW_GdFG1KY&t=11s
Music by Corey Quinn and Invitationals by MDT
Sandi Smith is a domestic, same-race adoptee moved across the country illegally at the age of 5 weeks. She’s been in reunion with her maternal siblings for 27 years. She’s been an only child, an oldest child, a youngest child, and recently found out she is once again an only child! She has 5 older biological siblings and one younger adopted sister, along with a wonderful spouse, 3 children and 5 grandchildren. She has found answers to most of her adoption questions by luck, reunion, and DNA.
Sandi has always known about her adoption but only found out it was not handled legally when she received her records at the age of 42. Born in Washington State but raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin she has been in reunion with her first family for more than 25 years.
Sandi is a professional sign language interpreter. She has a BA in journalism and an MA in Theology (but actually studied in Spirituality). She’s married to a great guy she lovingly calls her “Emotional Support Spouse” at adoptee events. She has 3 adult children and 5 grandchildren. Writing, hiking and traveling are her favorite pastimes.
In March 2023, Sandi will be a panelist on https://www.adoptionmosaic.com/
Music by Corey Quinn and Invitationals by MDT
Erika Hayasaki is an award winning journalist. In 2016, Hayasaki learned about Isabella and Hà, identical twins who were born in Việt Nam, raised on opposite sides of the world, and reunited as teenagers. Over a period of five years, Hayasaki, a professor in the Literary Journalism Department at the University of California, Irvine, spent hundreds of hours interviewing the sisters and their first and adoptive families, tracing the girls’ diverging childhoods in the suburbs of America and the villages of Việt Nam and following them from their much anticipated yet fraught reunion through the complicated years that followed.
Now, in this richly textured story of sisterhood and coming-of-age, Hayasaki’s SOMEWHERE SISTERS: A Story of Adoption, Identity, and the Meaning of Family (Algonquin Books; October 11, 2022) tells the girls’ incredible story from their perspectives, challenging conceptions about transnational and transracial adoption, Asian and Asian American identity, the nature versus nurture debate, poverty and privilege, and what it means to give a child a good life. https://www.amazon.com/Somewhere-Sisters-Adoption-Identity-Meaning/dp/1616209127/ref=sr_1_1?crid=F9DLYAL3ZHCQ&keywords=somewhere+sisters+a+story+of+adoption%2C+identity&qid=1669462823&sprefix=somewhere+sisters%2Caps%2C194&sr=8-1
Hayasaki, the author of The Death Class, is a former 2021-22 Knight-Wallace Reporting Fellow and a 2018 Alicia Patterson Fellow. She has received awards from the Association of Sunday Feature Editors, the Society for Features Journalism, and the American Society of Newspaper Editors.
Music by Corey Quinn and Invitational by MDT
Mary Ellen Gambutti is the published author of "I Must Have Wandered: An Adopted Air Force Daughter Recalls". It is a hybrid of lyrical prose, letters, and photos of a woman relinquished at birth in post-World War11 South Carolina. She reflects on the separations of her transient adoptive military family in the idyllic 1950s into the troubled and turbulent '60s. Mary Ellen defines and defies the barriers set by a culture of privacy and secrecy in her father's career as an Air Force intelligence officer and his religious devotion. She becomes aware as an adult that her birth records are inaccessible to her; her genetic heritage scattered. It will be up to her to gather the fragments in this heartfelt story of loss, a quest for identity, discovery, and reunion. https://books2read.com/b/bzVgan
Author https://linktr.ee/SCMel
Mary Ellen Gambutti's lyrical vignettes are rich and diverse, reflecting her post WW11 SC birth, relinquishment, and adoption by native New Yorkers stationed at Shaw Air Force Base, SC, her 1950s and '60s childhood, adopted identity, the special consequences of her military family's transience, and her quest for family of origin. She also writes about her professional gardening career, and her survival of a hemorrhagic stroke. Her personal essays have been published in many literary journals. She and her husband, Phil, live in Lewes, DE with their rescued Chihuahua. I Must Have Wandered is available in e-book and softcover at these digital storefronts. Or, ask at your library or independent bookshop.
Music by Corey Quinn
Anita Garber- Author and Poet
Anita is a passionate, creative, transracial adoptee. Adopted with her identical twin sister, she grew up on a chicken farm with five siblings and considers her faith and family to be most important to her. She has a bachelor's degree in Social Work and is presently pursuing her Master's degree in Social work and a Certificate in Expressive Arts. When she isn't engaged in coursework or academic activities, you can almost always find her grabbing a bite with friends or working on her first book, to be released early next year (2023).
Music by Corey Quinn
Ryan Anderson was born in Morocco, a country in Africa and brought up in Edinburgh, Scotland where he currently resides. He is a Transracial, Transnational Foundling and an LDA (Late Discovery Adoptee). Ryan traveled the world for a decade in an attempt to escape the challenges of being an adopted person. He is passionate about raising the awareness about mental health by sharing his lived experience.
Ryan's YouTube video; "Me Opening Up-My Life Story” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4C-LNcmxdFk
Music by Corey Quinn
Maya Holmes was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. She grew up with an older brother who was also adopted. Maya studied psychology in college and I currently works as procurement specialist. On the weekends, she takes a ceramics class. Maya has always enjoyed art, just never pursued it full time. She's single with no kids or pets. It’s just her! Maya is working on writing my story and hope to publish one day.
Music by Corey Quinn
Jennifer Hiltebeitel (HILL - ta - bite - el) was adopted from foster care as a preschooler and grew up to be a fourth-grade teacher with a Master's degree in Multicultural Education. She met members of her biological family between the ages of 17-21 and is honored to understand pieces of her story that were once missing. She has been married to her husband Eric for 24 years - the person who taught her she was worthy of unconditional love. They have one daughter through birth who is in college and another daughter through international adoption who is in high school. Her daughters have taught her how to love the way another needs to be loved and the value of caring for her own story first so she can parent with intentionality. Jennifer currently volunteers at her church supporting other moms and mentoring teen girls. She works with The Adoption Connection and is an Enneagram coach - a job that combines her love of learning, teaching and relationships. Jennifer's email address: jhiltebeitel@outlook.com Music by Corey Quinn
Katie is an adoptee who has always known she was adopted. Abuse and neglect by adoptive parents growing up led her to feeling unloved or unwanted by them. As a younger person, Katie felt so broken and joined Al-Anon and (ACA) Adult Children of Alcoholics for healing. She still felt like something was missing in her recovery. A friend gave Katie the book, The Primal Wound by Nancy Verrier, and she then sought out podcasts about adoptees which all proved to be great resources. Katie never had the desire to look for her birth parents, but an acquaintance insisted, and found maternal and paternal birth parents within days in 1996. She has met both birth families and have different relationships with them today. References: The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz and Searching For Anna Fisher by Florence Fisher Adoptee Remembrance Day is October 30th Music by Corey Quinn
Shelby Redfield Kilgore is a Korean International Adoptee. In 2002, when Shelby was a senior in high school, she first shared her story as an adoptee in a short student documentary. It was a very healing experience for her, and also a way to spread awareness and education about her lived experiences as an adoptee. Ever since then, she knew one day she wanted to create a safe space for others to tell their stories through the video lens, to not only be a healing experience for them, but also to let others know they aren't alone. In 2012, Shelby finally brought this dream of hers alive, and released her first video about adoption on her YouTube Channel - Shelby Redfield Kilgore. Almost a decade later, Shelby continues to share about her own story, as well as others. Being able to help others tell their truths, has been her heart work. You can find more about her work and mission at http://www.wearemirrorlight.com/ (www.wearemirrorlight.com), along with a book she helped put together with another adoptee, called Rooted in Adoption - A Collection of Adoptee Reflections. YouTube Channel - Shelby Redfield Kilgore https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCC29mX9k1rO1TXv7ubmZDlg (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCC29mX9k1rO1TXv7ubmZDlg) Website - https://www.wearemirrorlight.com/ (https://www.wearemirrorlight.com) Email - shelby.kilgore@wearemirrorlight.com Music by Corey Quinn
Dr. Syb Brown, affectionately called Dr. Syb is a Vanderbilt-educated, Harvard trained, two-time Emmy award-winning multimedia journalist, author, international speaker and lecturer. Currently Dr. Syb is a tenured professor of journalism at Belmont University in Nashville, TN. Music by Corey Quinn
Melissa Corkum and Lisa host the podcast, "The Adoption Connection". She is a Certified Enneagram Personality Test Coach and helps members of the constellation. Her bio states: "Many adoptees struggle with issues of identity and belonging. Some have never met another adoptee or may have been the only person of color in their town. As an adoptee and adoptive mom, she is passionate about giving the adoption community the words that help them make sense of their experiences. Melissa and her husband, Patrick having six kids by birth and adoption have taught them a lot about what creates thriving parent-child relationships…and what doesn't. Suzanne Stabile is the author of "The Journey Toward Wholeness". Music by Corey Quinn
Adopted at birth, Edward Di Gangi was born and raised in New York City. Although he knew for most of his life that he was adopted, it wasn’t until he approached his 70th birthday that he began to search for the identity of his birth mother. His journey and the many surprising discoveries he made as he searched are recounted in his memoir, The Gift Best Given. Edward and his wife now live in Hillsborough, North Carolina. He is a popular book club presenter and podcast guest. The Gift Best Given is his first full-length book. website: https://www.digangiauthor.com Music by Corey Quinn
In conclusion, Tina graciously hosts this episode and asks thoughtful questions of Jennifer. As friends, they often have great exchanges and decided others might benefit from what they learn in conversation about each other as adoptees. Music by Corey Quinn
Gail L. Taylor-Tubbs, 71 years of age and Birth Mom to Andrew Joseph Berry Gail married Johnny Tubbs in 1993, with a blended family of six Children (first-born son, my second-born/deceased son, four step children, 17-Grand Children, 1-Great Grandson and Twins on the way in October 2022. In 1977, when Gail's deceased son Christopher was an infant, she discovered that Massage was good for infants and toddlers. This is also when she began the search for her first-born. Massage as a profession stayed on her mind from that time until she became a Certified Massage Therapist in 1997. Today, after having worked at Spas, Chiropractic offices and as an Instructor of Massage Therapy core curriculum, she is still working in the field of Massage Therapy with a steady clientele at her home studio. Gail as a 15-year old birth mother in 1967, she chose to relinquish him to adoption rather than have him grow up, in what she considered, a dysfunctional family. She prayed to God that someone would adopt him and give him everything he wanted and needed. When Gail found Drew Berry in 2003, she discovered that God had indeed answered her prayers. Drew had been adopted by a Public School Teacher and his wife, a Nurse who could not have children. He became their first child. Drew has a blended family of a wife, 6 children, 1 grandson and twin grandchildren on the way. He and his wife just finished building a house in an affluent area of Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas. Gail and Drew cherish each other as family and she loves him so much. They are in regular contact with each other. This episode is lovingly dedicated to Gail's second son, Christopher Elliott Bruce, 08/23/77-10/26/93 Music by Corey Quinn
Lynn Grub returns to the podcast to give us an update on her adoption journey as a published author of her memoir, "Hidden Identity" on the Adoption Experience podcast. Lynn is a Peruvian American adoptee as well as a parent by birth and adoption. She has published multiple essays at her blog, No Apologies For Being Me and in various adoption anthologies. In 2015, she created and self-published The Adoptee Survival Guide: Adoptees Share Their Wisdom and Tools, Using genetic genealogy, she was able to identify her paternal ancestry and now helps other adoptees do the same. Music by Corey Quinn
Bio-Melinda is a baby scoop era adoptee - meaning her adoption was done in secret, by The Cradle Adoption Agency in Evanston, Ill. in 1947. Her true identity was sealed by law for 99 years. Her secret journey to find her biomother began in 1970 and in 1980 was finally found. In the course of forty years she became an activist and advocate for adoptee rights; wrote articles for adopters Sandra Hanks and Lisa Shahar for the blog Adoption Under One Roof, wrote her memoir in 2012 and started her own FB page. Reunion didn't happen until 2009 when she flew out to Waterloo, Iowa, to meet her paternal second cousins once removed. Her paternal half- brother and sister drove from Houston to meet and share information. She also united with her maternal half-brother and made a true family tree on Ancestry.com. It is now 2022 and is very active helping other adoptees. Today adoptees are taking back their voices and sharing their thoughts and feelings in ie groups on Facebook, Blogs, Podcasts, YouTube, Instagram and on and on. Adoptees are finally talking out loud. Melinda A. Warshaw's memoir, "A Legitimate Life; A Forbidden Journey of Self-Discovery" is available on Amazon. Music by Corey Quinn
Patrick McMahon is an artist, writer and musician. Born in Chicago, he has lived most of his life in the Midwest and California, where he currently resides in San Diego. His book, Becoming Patrick, a memoir of adoption, was a San Diego Book Awards Finalist and is currently available worldwide. He’s been active in adoption education and reform since 1999 and has conducted expressive arts seminars nationally for people involved in adoption. His photography has been exhibited nationally for over 25 years, and he plays clarinet in the Hillcrest Wind Ensemble. His memoir "Because Patrick" is available on Amazon.com Music by Corey Quinn
Janet Nordine, MS, LMFT, RPT-S is an Adoption Compassionate and Competent Therapist working with all members of the Adoption Constellation (adoptee, adoptive parent, birth parent and family members), and their supporters. Janet has advanced training to meet the needs of the Adopted Child and Family. She is a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor, a Trust Based Relational Intervention® (TBRI) Practitioner and she is trained in Level I Theraplay. Janet is attachment-focused and has a clinical foundation in Gestalt Theory. Her personal connection to adoption is that she is a “baby-scoop” era Adoptee and an advocate for adoptee rights. She is an expert on being adopted. She has been adopted her whole life. As an adoptee, she has a unique perspective and understands the clinical aspects of adoption trauma. Music by Corey Quinn
Danielle Orr is a writer, painter and animal lover. She resides in California and is currently working on publishing her memoir. Music by Corey Quinn
Recommended resources by podcasters, Lisa Ann and Jennifer Ann Fessler (author) “The Girls Who Went Away” "The Gathering Place" - Emma Stevens "The Lies that Bind" - Laureen Pitman "Tree of Strangers" - Barbara Sumner "Searching for Mom: A Memoir" - Sara Easterly "The Truth So Far...: a detective's journey to reunite with her birth family" -Jennifer Dyan Ghoston @Because Adoption (Mary Herbert) on Instagram Adoptee Voices Writing Group founded by Sara Easterly (Co-facilitators; Ridghaus, Alice Stephens, Kate Murphy and Jennifer Dyan Ghoston) www.adoptee-voices.com Betty Jean Lifton (author) “Twice Born” Jean Strauss (author) “Beneath a tall tree” and “Birthright” Nancy Verrier (author) “Coming Home To Self” Julian Washio Collette (Blog) Peregrine Adoptee: Wandering Reflections of a Life in Fragments Podcasts: Black to the Beginning hosted by Dr. Samantha Coleman and Sandria Washington Adoption: The Making of Me hosted by Sarah Reinhardt and Louise Browne The Adoption Files - Ande Stanley Who Am I Really - Damon Davis Adoptees On and Adoptees Off Script - Haley Radkey Pulled By By the Root - Heidi Marble Wandering Tree - Lisa Ann Once Upon A Time...In Adopteeland - Jennifer Dyan Ghoston Adopted Feels - Hana and Ryan Adoption: The Making of Me - Louise Browne and Sarah Reinhardt This Adoptee Life - Amanda Medina "Adoption Mosaic" founded by Astrid Castro Fireside Adoptees on Facebook (Private and Public Groups) Adoptees Connect - state chapters / groups Adopteereading.com Bookshop.org/shop/reunionlandpress. Music by Corey Quinn
Julian Washio-Collette is a baby scoop era domestic double-adoptee, relinquished and adopted as an infant, and relinquished and adopted a second time at the age of nine. His life spans a diverse range of experiences, including extensive touring of the United States by bicycle, living in Buddhist and Catholic monasteries and other intentional communities, and a lifelong commitment to healing and growth. He holds a master’s degree in theology with a focus on monastic studies. Julian currently lives in a small cabin with his wife, Lisa, behind a monastery in the coastal wilderness of Big Sur, California, and is working on a memoir exploring the intersection of adoption, healing, and spirituality. His Blog, "Peregrine Adoptee: Wandering Reflections on a Life in Fragments" contains many of his published pieces. The Nothing Place: https://peregrineadoptee.wordpress.com/2021/05/28/the-nothing-place/ (https://peregrineadoptee.wordpress.com/2021/05/28/the-nothing-place/) The Nothing Place: Searching for Mother: https://peregrineadoptee.wordpress.com/2021/08/05/the-nothing-place-searching-for-mother/ (https://peregrineadoptee.wordpress.com/2021/08/05/the-nothing-place-searching-for-mother/) Paul Sunderland, “Addiction and Adoption”: https://youtu.be/3e0-SsmOUJI (https://youtu.be/3e0-SsmOUJI) Heart Song: https://peregrineadoptee.wordpress.com/2022/04/06/heart-song/ (https://peregrineadoptee.wordpress.com/2022/04/06/heart-song/) Email address: thelittleworker@gmail.com Music by Corey Quinn
Julian Washio-Collette is a baby scoop era domestic double-adoptee, relinquished and adopted as an infant, and relinquished and adopted a second time at the age of nine. His life spans a diverse range of experiences, including extensive touring of the United States by bicycle, living in Buddhist and Catholic monasteries and other intentional communities, and a lifelong commitment to healing and growth. He holds a master’s degree in theology with a focus on monastic studies. Julian currently lives in a small cabin with his wife, Lisa, behind a monastery in the coastal wilderness of Big Sur, California, and is working on a memoir exploring the intersection of adoption, healing, and spirituality. His Blog, "Peregrine Adoptee: Wandering Reflections on a Life in Fragments" contains many of his published pieces. The Nothing Place: https://peregrineadoptee.wordpress.com/2021/05/28/the-nothing-place/ (https://peregrineadoptee.wordpress.com/2021/05/28/the-nothing-place/) The Nothing Place: Searching for Mother: https://peregrineadoptee.wordpress.com/2021/08/05/the-nothing-place-searching-for-mother/ (https://peregrineadoptee.wordpress.com/2021/08/05/the-nothing-place-searching-for-mother/) Paul Sunderland, “Addiction and Adoption”: https://youtu.be/3e0-SsmOUJI (https://youtu.be/3e0-SsmOUJI) Email address: thelittleworker@gmail.com Music by Corey Quinn
Adam Anthony is a current resident of Murfreesboro, TN. He is the son of two parents and a brother of one sister in his immediate adoptive family. He has Adam has a Master of Organizational Leadership degree, Bachelor of Science in communications, and is a newly accepted Doctoral of Education in Leadership candidate. He is a communications administrator for Vanderbilt University. Adam volunteers currently in the Nashville and Murfreesboro area in music therapy services for at-risk children, community engagement, and aspires to help serve those in need around him. He is developing a blog for personal development and enjoys the following hobbies: writing, public speaking, acting, singing, hiking, binge-watching tv show series, and spending quality time with friends and family. Being a part of this adoption community has enabled Adam to seek answers, wisdom, and healing, and become a positive representation for adoptees who are seeking, healing, and asking out in the world. Music by Corey Quinn
Sandi C. is an international adoptee from Panama. Most of her life has been in the midwest but she returned to the DMV area about a year & a half ago. She is a social worker whose 30-year career has included time in mental health, adoption, and foster care. She has been in reunion with her birthmother and maternal family for 18 years. Music by Corey Quinn
Mary Herbert as a mom of four biological children, has walked through parenthood as an adoptee trying to understand more about her own childhood through raising children of my own. Each chapter of Mary's life has brought new questions and curiosities that many will never understand. Walking through parenthood, or young adulthood or even your later in life chapters learning about where you came from can be alarming and frankly disconcerting. Pairing with someone who has been through the wringer as far as a story of adoptee search and reunification is a benefit only another adoptee can provide. Mary Herbert is on Instagram @becauseadoption and her website is Becauseadoption.com Music by Corey Quinn
D. Yvonne Rivers, Host, Birth Moms Real Talk Podcast Since 1988, D. Yvonne Rivers Aka Phoebe has been a champion of a cause, from business success, domestic violence, re-entry, and adoption community. One facet of this global business expert is an esteemed speaker, facilitator, and trainer across the globe on four continents. Another facet of this woman started in 1973 with the birth of her son who she championed for family assistance for support to raise as an unwed mother at age 19. Life changes as she ‘did her best’ to place her son in a loving home. Yvonne had such ambition and brilliance, finishing a pre-med program in 3 years and accepted to medical school. Yvonne’s journey to become a ‘change-maker in her life and others began in 1973. Over 30 years, she continued the search with letters, journaling, speaking on panels and processing her grief and loss alone. Yvonne was unrelenting and never gave up. 2015 gave her a breakthrough with finding a picture of her son on social media. With boldness, she reached out, not knowing whether she would get rejection or acceptance. The Courage of a Birth Mother Overcomes All. Yvonne met her son in 2018. Through sitting in rooms of support groups and conferences, Yvonne found she had created a pathway of peace as a Birth Mother for herself and the “Now” is the time to help others in the adoption constellation. Yvonne launched “Birth Moms Real Talk podcast in June 2021. After Season One, BMRT podcast has reached over 185,000 persons and over five thousand downloads. BMRT hosts Saturday Chats with all members of the triad and has an audience who write letters and comments of the magnificence impact in their lives. Music by Corey Quinn
Jessica was born and raised in California. She is the mother of two kids 10 & 4. Jessica worked in high level dementia and Alzheimer’s care since 18 years of age due to her love for seniors. She's new to being a part of the adoption support community and can’t wait to experience more. Music by Corey Quinn
Zhen E (Jenny) grew up in a small Iowa town where she was the only non-white person. Before the Pandemic, she was a massage therapist, a published playwright, wedding official and event planner and Cat-Mom of 2 cats who loved traveling and being a foodie with her husband Robert. She, her husband Robert, their son Jordan and his wife Skylar traveled to her place of birth in South Korea. Zhen E wrote an multi-award winning play loosely based upon her adoption story called “Black Box: An Adoption Story Choreopoem.” She is a co-host of her own podcast Sick&Tired 2.0 as well as co-owner of the production company Sassy Bitches Productions. She is still a published playwright, Hello Kitty obsessive and loves to hike with her husband. Music by Corey Quinn
Laureen Pittman is a paralegal by profession and worked for lawyers and law firms large and small for over 20 years after graduating from college with a degree in political science. She also happens to be adopted. Laureen started blogging about her journey to discover her identity in 2013. As her own story began to evolve, she realized that there was a much larger truth that needed to be explored and shared. She wanted to bring her story to life—not just for herself and her family, but for other adoptees who yearn to learn their own truths and for families touched by adoption who want to understand and value the heart and soul of an adoptee. You can find her on-line at http://www.adoptionmytruth.com/ (www.adoptionmytruth.com). Her memoir, The Lies That Bind, An Adoptee’s Journey Through Rejection, Redirection, DNA, and Discovery, was published in 2019. Music by Corey Quinn
Tina graciously hosts this episode and asks thoughtful questions of Jennifer. As friends, they often have great exchanges and decided others might benefit from what they learn in conversation about each other as adoptees. Music by Corey Quinn
Pam was born in the early 1940s in New York City. She grew to age 5 in Manhattan and Connecticut, and by the time she reached junior high school, her family settled in Barrington, Illinois. Her mother died when she was 12 of a massive heart attack. Fast forward to 1959, Pam's first year at college. When she signed up for creative writing, she had no idea she would be opening a door to thinking about her origins when the professor assigned students an essay imagining where they would be, and what they would be doing, four years after graduation. Pam would go on for three decades to change the adoption laws in New Jersey which led to adoptees in that state being granted the right to request their original birth certificates. She credits her relationship with Florence Fisher in NYC being the beginning of her outstanding efforts in the adoption community with all members of the constellation. She continues to make contributions to support her fellow adoptees in their adoption journey. Music by Corey Quinn
Like many children adopted in the postwar era in which she grew up, Julie Wetherby has carried the burden of relinquishment and family secrets right through her life. When a powerful call to arms commands her to finally take action, she is faced with a life-changing challenge. Can Julie put off what she always intended to do: investigate her roots? Wheels set in motion, she embarks on a journey that radically alters not only her present life but the way she has viewed the past.Julie’s memoir recounts events chronologically for the most part, assisted at times by cameo scenes of childhood, as well as imagined events based on factual evidence and documented World War Two horrors. Haunted by unsettling disclosures and destructive barriers, Julie soldiers on even when all seems irretrievable. In her quest to pacify a raging inner child, she explores a collision of identities, until, at last, she finds both peace and strength through healing self empowerment. Julie's website; https://juliewetherby.com/wp/ Julie's memoir is titled "Identity Reclaimed Echoes of an Adoptee" https://www.amazon.com/Identity-Reclaimed-Adoptee-Julie-Wetherby/dp/1527207870/ref=sr_1_4?crid=KM7X6ARBHML1&keywords=reclaimed+identity&qid=1644269534&sprefix=identity+reclaimed%2Caps%2C338&sr=8-4 Music by Corey Quinn
Craig S. Hyman honors a lifelong calling to service in the areas of adoption education, healing & growth. Craig has been in reunion with all members of his biological families since 1987. As an adopted person, he has experienced the depth of separation trauma from blood relatives, as well as the transformative, healing process of the mind, body, and spirit. Craig is the creator and facilitator of Inside Out: The Expressive Arts Adoption Healing Seminar, which helps to identify deep wounds, challenges, and uses creative expression to foster healing. He is also founder and facilitator of numerous post-reunion support and “growth” groups in NYC & Los Angeles as well as an all-male adoptee global virtual support group for twelve years. Craig is an Adoption Life Coach for: adoptees, biological parents, foster parents, adoptive parents, their families and significant others; and he specializes in the areas of general adoptions issues, search, reunion and post-reunion complexities. Craig lists B.J. Lifton as a close friend and life-long mentor especially in his immediate post-reunion years, up until her passing. Craig resides in Los Angeles, California and currently facilitates a monthly support group in Los Angeles for all members of the adoption constellation. Craig also coaches and educates globally. Craig can be contacted at craigshyman@gmail.com and you can find more information regarding Inside Out: The Expressive Arts Adoption Healing Seminar on Facebook here - https://www.facebook.com/insideoutadoption (https://www.facebook.com/insideoutadoption) Music by Corey Quinn
Veronica graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in sociology and later went on to earn a master's degree in mental health counseling from Webster University. Veronica is currently a registered intern counselor with the state of Florida. She hopes that she can help educate adoptive parents and others in the counseling profession on adoption-related trauma and be an advocate for adoptees. Veronica believes no one should be denied the right to know who he or she is. Veronica's recommendations include: "Help Me To Find My People" by Heather Andrea Williams https://www.psychologytoday.com/us http://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/ (www.therapyforblackgirls.com) is a great resource http://www.blackfemaletherapists.com/ (www.blackfemaletherapists.com) http://www.blacktherapistsrock.com/ (www.blacktherapistsrock.com) Buy "Rooted in Adoption" and "Rooted in Adoption Journal" now on Amazon. Music by Corey Quinn
Paige Adams Strickland is a Baby Scoop Era adoptee from Cincinnati, Ohio. She researched and found biological family in 1987-88 before modern technologies. Her state records were open although her adoption was considered “closed” at the time. She is a wife, mom of 2 daughters, grandmother of 2, a teacher and fitness instructor. She loves reading, gardening, writing and spending time with family and friends. She writes book, play and film reviews for the NAAP newsletter and for her blog at: https://stricklandp.wordpress.com/ (https://stricklandp.wordpress.com/) as a way to elevate adoptee voices. She is the author of 2 memoir books: Akin To The Truth, about growing up adopted and After the Truth, about life as an adopted adult, parent, worker, friend and individual navigating the reunion experience. Her books are available on http://amazon.com/ (Amazon.com).
Music by Corey Quinn
David Bynum was born and adopted at birth in Columbus, Oh. He began his search in 2018 and is currently in reunion with both sides of his biological family. He is a married father of three and grandfather of six. He is a U.S. Army Veteran and Retired Correctional Officer. David Recently retired from coaching High School Football at Reynoldsburg High School due to the Coved – 19 pandemic. David and his wife Marie own ByDam Multimedia, which is the parent company to Star107fm.com an online radio station that has a global presence. His company recently produced his latest award winning documentary release, “From A Place of Love – My Adoption Journey” which is gaining national attention in the adoption/foster community. David enjoys traveling, boating, fishing, and spending time with family. Music by Corey Quinn
Michele Kriegman born Suzanne Gilbert is a storyteller by nature but she was missing her own backstory well into adulthood. Finding her birth-father helped complete it. She worked for many years in U.S. and Japanese journalism, including ABC News, iVillage.com, Lilith, Maine Public Radio, NYT Nippon TV's morning show, . More recent journalism has been for cybersecurity publications such as Info Security Professional. Michele is an adoptee who searched successfully for her birth-father in New York before the state opened its records. She reclaimed her birth-name, Suzanne Gilbert, to write the novel, Tapioca Fire, that is the prequel to The Birth-Fathers’ Club. She teaches writing workshops for adoptees and donor-conceived people finding their #ownvoices. She speaks on panels for social workers, adoptive families, and intentional parents about birthright issues. Her approach, though well-researched, isn’t academic or clinical; she’s been an in-the-trenches adoptive stepmom too. Most recently, a DNA test kit that came as a Chrismukkah present, revealed a sister! Their shared birth-father, and his complex effort at redemption later in life, inspired the story in one of the novellas. Music by Corey Quinn
Author and entrepreneur Joi R. Fisher-Griffin is an experienced educator, a passionate adoption advocate and a patron of the arts. After going through her own struggles as an adoptee, Joi wrote her memoir, Finding Joi: A True Story of Faith, Family, and Love. She shared her story so that she could help others who sit in silence about their struggles, and she continues to find ways to be open about adoption, not only with adults but with young people, too. She is the author of two best selling children’s adoption books Choosing Joi: An Adoptee’s Journey and Finding Belonging and Singing with Joi: There Are Lots of Different Ways to be a Family. Joi’s books are designed to bring awareness to adoption sensitive topics and language. She believes adoptees, prospective adoptive parents, an adoptive and foster families can find resources and their community of support if WE all Stop Whispering and Let’s Talk Adoption. Serving as a volunteer Adoptee and Survivor Team Coordinator with Miriam’s Heart Joi believes Finding Joy is Possible! Joi's recommendations: https://adoptioncouncil.org/article/finding-joi-lessons-from-search-and-reunion/ https://www.miriamsheart.org https://www.amazon.com/Twenty-Things-Adopted-Adoptive-Parents/dp/044050838X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2DR73OG34VL4C&keywords=20+things+adopted+kids+wish+their+adoptive+parents+knew&qid=1641908972&sprefix=20+things+adop%2Caps%2C909&sr=8-1 Music by Corey Quinn
Emma 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://www.amazon.com/Gathering-Place-Adoptees-Story/dp/B09HH8PDGL/ref=sr_1_1?crid=23WCF09MH6LA&keywords=the+gathering+place+by+emma+stevens&qid=1648848622&sprefix=the+gathering+place%2Caps%2C351&sr=8-1 Save the date, Sunday, May 15, 2022, 5pm at the Circle Cinema in Tulsa, Oklahoma for the first movie screen showing of the documentary “Reckoning with The Primal Wound” By Rebecca Autumn Sansom Music by Corey Quinn
Keith Sciarillo is a loving father and a Late Discovery Adoptee who enjoys connecting with his community. Keith currently works in the Accounting field for a Law firm and does volunteer work on the Emerging Leader Advisory Board for C.A.S.E. (Center for Adoption Support and Education). Music by Corey Quinn
Rich Uhrlaub, M.Ed. has been dedicated to support and effective advocacy for the interests of adults impacted by relinquishment and adoption for over 20 years and currently serves as ASRC President. Relinquished and adopted at three weeks old, Rich located and connected with his family of origin in 1995. Rich has testified before legislative committees and presented and facilitated at various conferences nationwide. He has been interviewed for local and national radio, television and newspaper stories. Rich is a contributing author to Finding Our Place: 100 Memorable Adoptees, Fostered Persons and Orphanage Alumni (2010), and Adoption and Mothering (2012). His professional background includes leading the Learning Solutions Team and Management Competencies Program for an international technology firm; telecommunications and digital marketing sales; and medical-legal claims and risk management in the private and public sectors. Music by Corey Quinn
Oliver considers himself a simple man with a complexicated identity. He is a husband, father, man of faith, engineer, veteran, and adult adoptee. He lives in Troy, OH (just north of Dayton). Throughout the past three years he has been digging deeper into his genetic history with the help of the adoption community. Like many others, he is seeking wholeness. Oliver currently facilitates a DNA discovery virtual support group with Adoption Network Cleveland. This episode was recorded on October 8, 2021. Music by Corey Quinn
Kate Murphy was adopted during the Baby Scoop Era. Her long search for family yielded results through the wonder of DNA in 2015. Now in reunion, she finds peace and acceptance through connection with other people who were adopted. Kate is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a psychotherapy practice in Atlanta, GA. She specializes in working with members of the adoption constellation with a focus on adoptees. She knows that processing the loss and grief caused by relinquishment is challenging to do alone. Kate believes it's possible to understand yourself better, take charge, and live with more purpose and joy.Recommendation: https://adoptionsupport.org/adoption-competency-initiatives/training-for-adoption-competency-tac/Kate has been co-facilitating the Adoptee Voices Writing Group founded by Sara Easterly. Music by Corey Quinn
Betsie Norris is the Founder and Executive Director of Adoption Network Cleveland: The Ohio Family Connection. Betsie is an adoptee who searched for and was reunited with her birthparents and siblings in 1986, when she was in her mid-twenties. She emerged from that experience with strong convictions about the lifelong journey of adoption for all involved, and the need for systemic change. She found Adoption Network Cleveland in 1988, was a volunteer for the first 7 years, and has been the Executive Director since 1995. With a wide array of programs and services, Adoption Network Cleveland has been recognized nationally as a successful model for effective service and advocacy for members of the adoption community including adoptees, adoptive, foster and kinship families, birthparents and siblings, youth in foster care and related professionals. Betsie has become a frequent spokesperson in the media and has led the organization to long-term success building innovative programs and having a strong advocacy voice. Major advocacy achievements include leading successful efforts to decrease barriers to permanency for youth lingering in foster care, and changing laws about access to records resulting in Ohio adoptees gaining access to their original birth certificates. Adoption Network Cleveland served as the lead agency of the Adopt Cuyahoga's Kids Initiative, a public-private-philanthropic partnership which was responsible for reducing the number of youth waiting for adoption in Cuyahoga County foster care from 1,700 in 2004 to approximately 500 in 2018. The organization has supported and assisted in thousands of successful adoptee/birthparent, adoptee/sibling and DNA searches and reunions, and has been a leader in supporting families to enhance permanency for children and youth. Over a 25+ year period, Betsie took the lead on legislation to reform Ohio's adoption laws, and as a result all Ohio-born adult adoptees adopted have access to to their original birth certificates, including 400,000 adoptees adopted in Ohio's formerly "closed" period (1964-1996) starting in March 2015. The story of her involvement is highlighted in the short documentary https://vimeo.com/101580095 (An Adoptee ROARed in Ohio: The Betsie Norris Story) by Jean Strauss, which debuted at the Cleveland International Film Festival in 2014. Betsie is co-author of Journeys After Adoption: Understanding the Lifelong Process (Bergin & Garvey, 2002) and her story is featured in several books. Prior to her work in adoption and child welfare, Betsie worked as an RN in child and adolescent psychiatry. Music by Corey Quinn
Ken Bonomo was born in Chicago, Illinois at Dunning Asylum in the mid sixties. He is of mixed race origin with his father being African-American and his mother being of Polish and Swedish ethnicity. He was adopted by two loving adoptive parents and had a very happy childhood. He went on to become an elementary school teacher, marry his best friend and sweet heart. He enjoys genealogy and discovering the history of all of his ancestors both adoptive and biological. Music by Corey Quinn
Jacqueline is from Chicago and the mother of a beautiful son and daughter. Music by Corey Quinn
Snippets from eight guests during Season One share perspectives as adoptees Music by Corey Quinn
Renecia Jennifer is a provocative, creative storyteller at heart. Once sharing her story became her assignment, Renecia gave breath to a vision to bring those revelations to life through the arts. Renecia is a late-discovery adoptee who was raised by same-race parents. At the age of 22, her parents had the courage to share what she already knew in her core. It’s often said, adoption doesn’t guarantee a better life but a different life. Adoption is never perfect; brokenness is at its core, but she believes beauty can be exchanged for ashes. Renecia’s warm southern tones and insightful expression can be found on Instagram (at) The Chosen RISING, a redemptive space to share heroic stories and find healing in faith and community. The Chosen RISING gives permission to feel and an invitation to heal. The movement is about identity, breakthrough and restoration. It’s the sight and sound of the adult adoptee. Music by Corey Quinn
Pekitta is a published author of the book "Thank God I was Adopted 'Cause DNA is No Joke!" Based on her memoirs and journey to how she found her biological family through DNA testing. Her reunion can be seen on a YouTube video, "Pekitta's Journey". Music by Corey Quinn
David Bohl is a catalyst, immersionist, chronic malcontent, empath, conscientious persister, solitudinarian, itinerant introvert, and often complexly hypervigilant, David B. Bohl is also a relinquishee and adoptee, a http://beaconconfidential.com/ (professional independent addiction and recovery consultant), and a former consumer of substance use disorder and mental health services. He’s also the author of https://davidbbohl.com/parallel-universes-the-story-of-rebirth/ (Parallel Universes: The Story of Rebirth), a memoir that chronicles the intersection of adoption and addiction in his life. David Bohl facilitates Adoptee Paths to Recovery hosted by the National Association of Adoptees and Parents (NAAP). David lives in southeastern Wisconsin and works around and outside of the U.S. He enjoys spending time with his wife of 37 years, and relentlessly pursues Blue Mind (that mildly meditative state characterized by calm, peace, unity, and a sense of general happiness and satisfaction with life in the moment) that comes from being in and around the water). Music by Corey Quinn
Julie Ryan McGue writes a weekly blog, and a monthly column for her local paper, called That Girl This Life. Her work has been featured on Brevity Nonfiction Blog, Lifetime Adoption Adoptive Families Blog, Severance Magazine, Adoption & Beyond, Adoption.com, and The Imprint e-magazine. She has a degree in Psychology from Indiana University and a Masters in Marketing from The Kellogg Graduate School of Business, Northwestern University. She has served multiple terms on the Board of the Midwest Adoption Center and Benet Academy College Prep High School. She and her husband, Steve, split their time between NW Indiana and Sarasota. If she is not on her laptop, Julie is on the tennis court, or out exploring with her Nikon. Julie is currently working on a collection of personal essays and a second memoir. Note: Julie’s debut memoir Twice a Daughter: A Search for Identity, Family, and Belonging released. It immediately became the #1 New Release in Family & Personal Growth on Amazon.Twice a Daughter has received a Gold Medal in Memoir from Living Now Books Awards and a Silver Medal in Biography & Memoir from the Nonfiction Author’s Association. Music by Corey Quinn
Peter Capomolla Moore is the president of Adoption Rights Australia. He is a Genealogist, Late Discovery Adoptee at age 59, a father of five, grandfather of eleven, foster carer of many, discovery also revealed he had an Italian father and a mother of Australian Aboriginal & Scottish ethnicity. In 2017, Peter reunited with his mother & five maternal siblings. In 2018 Peter reunited with three paternal siblings, two surviving paternal aunts & many cousins, Peter also visited his father’s village in Calabria, Italy to visit his grave and meet family who have lived in that village for as long as living memory. Peter's recommended reading/link: https://www.smh.com.au/national/last-wish-give-me-back-my-true-identity-says-adopted-man-20190330-p5195i.html?fbclid=IwAR2A07G11XCKCIT06-bV93CVq70rUILC0K43zD6OIwp1fOiXdMzHbvJi2t0 Music by Corey Quinn
Tina read two of her poems, "Reflection" and "Help". This episode is lovingly dedicated in memory of Kyle Glantz. Music by Corey Quinn
Michael Knox completed five Ironman Triathlons to date and says finding fitness is how he found his (biological) family. He is a part of Adoptees Connect Atlanta. Music by Corey Quinn
Daryn Watson has been connected to the adoption community for years and works with Adoption Knowledge Affiliates. He coaches adoptees during search/reunion and can be reached through his website and email: http://www.adoptionreunioncoaching.com/ (http://www.adoptionreunioncoaching.com) daryn@adoptionreunioncoaching.com Music by Corey Quinn
Niranjani is a young professional in the healthcare space – focused on training, organizational development, and business development. She was raised in Maryland, in a suburb outside of Washington D.C., and used to spend her childhood summers in her motherland, India. Placing importance in interpersonal relationships, Niranjani believes that adaptive communication and a strong emphasis on soft skills are crucial to growth, success, and fulfillment in life. She brings a fusion of cultures, experiences, and perspective to her professional and personal life. She is a Myers-Briggs INFJ (one of the rarer personality types) and enjoys tapping into her creative side in her free time – she trained in classical vocal Indian Carnatic music and classical western piano for over 10 years each, and has recently been exploring theater, acting, and voiceover work. "The Primal Wound" by Nancy Newton Verrier is the book referred to in this episode. Music by Corey Quinn
Mark Hagland was born in South Korea in 1960, and adopted to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he was raised by white parents of Norwegian and German descent. He obtained his bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and his master's degree from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. He has worked as a professional journalist for 39 years. Mark has been actively involved as a participant, writer, and speaker, in ongoing dialogues in the transracial adoption world, for over 21 years. He has written numerous articles on transracial adoption, and has been a contributing author to several anthologies written by teams of adult transracial adoptees, including "Outsiders Within," "Parenting As Adoptees," and "The Unknown Culture Club." This spring, he self-published his ebook, "Extraordinary Journey: The Lifelong Path of the Transracial Adoptee." It is available at http://markhaglandbook.com/ (markhaglandbook.com). Mark is dedicated to supporting his fellow transracial adoptees on their lifelong journeys, and to educating transracially adoptive parents in their parenting journeys. He speaks and writes widely on transracial adoption. In his professional life, he is a magazine editor and health care journalist, and lives in Chicago. Music by Corey Quinn
David facilitates support groups for adoptees in New Jersey. This episode is the last one during National Adoption Awareness Month (NAAM2021) and I want to thank all of the adoptees who shared a part of their adoption story along with words of wisdom on this podcast. Music by Corey Quinn
Marci Purcell is the Executive Director at Adoption Knowledge Affiliates (AKA), a grassroots nonprofit in Austin, TX, founded in 1992. Marci's first connection to the larger adoptee community was through AKA in 2012, first as an attendee, and then serving on their Board, including as AKA President. She is also a founding member and past President of Support Texas Adoptee Rights (STAR). She currently serves on the STAR Advisory Board. Marci is committed to advocacy and reform relating to the rights of adult adoptees, foster care alumni, as well as truth and transparency in adoption. She is also passionate about disability rights, both in the broader community, and as they relate to foster care, adoption, and records access. Marci has a degree in Psychology, is certified in Psychological First Aid, and a certified Mental Health Peer Specialist. She is a trained mediator through The UT School of Law, Center for Public Policy Dispute Resolution. When not working for AKA or advocating at the Texas Capitol, she is busy running her vintage small business in Austin and enjoying her family. Music by Corey Quinn
Alice Stephens is a writer and the author of "Famous Adopted People". Her website is famousadoptedpeople.com Alice was born in Korea and one of the first generation of transnational, interracial adoptees. Her work has appeared in Urban Mozaik, Flung, Banana Writers, the Los Angeles review of Books, and the Washington Independent Review of Books, which publishes her column, Alice In Wordland. She lives with her family in the Washington, DC area. Music by Corey Quinn
Part 2/2 of a conversation with Sara Feigenholtz. Sara as an Illinois State Representative fought 14 years (1996-2010) to have the adoption law changed in her state granting adoptees the right to request their original birth certificate. Sara is featured in the Jean Strauss film, A Simple Piece of Paper http://www.vimeo.com/channels/adopteefilmchannel (www.vimeo.com/channels/adopteefilmchannel) As an adoptee herself, she advocates on behalf of all members of the constellation for adoption reform. Now as an Illinois State Senator, she continues to serve the citizens of her district from her Northside office in Chicago and from the state capital in Springfield, IL. Music by Corey Quinn
Part 1/2 of a conversation with Sara Feigenholtz. Part 2 is scheduled to air one week from this episode. Sara as an Illinois State Representative fought 14 years (1996-2010) to have the adoption law changed in her state granting adoptees the right to request their original birth certificate. Sara is featured in the Jean Strauss film, A Simple Piece of Paper http://www.vimeo.com/channels/adopteefilmchannel (www.vimeo.com/channels/adopteefilmchannel) As an adoptee herself, she advocates on behalf of all members of the constellation for adoption reform. Now as an Illinois State Senator, she continues to serve the citizens of her district from her Northside office in Chicago and from the state capital in Springfield, IL. Music by Corey Quinn
Patricia Martinez Dorner, MA, LPC, a pioneer in open adoption and post adoption services, has been a relentless proponent of adoption reform. Her adoption focused practice includes counseling, mediation, education, support and training to individuals and professionals. She is a frequent conference speaker and author of many adoption related books. The adoptive mother of 2 adult daughters, she lives adoption personally and professionally. Books authored/co-authored by Patricia: Children of Open Adoption (co-author) Author of How To Open An Adoption: a guide for parents and birthparents of minors Talking To your Child About Adoption ADOPCION: hablando con tu hijo (Spanish translation) ADOPTION SEARCH: An Ethical Guide For Professionals Above books can be obtained directly from Patricia. She can be reached via email; pdorner1@gmail.com
Ridghaus relinquished a son at 19 and then later, at the age of 35, learned that he had been relinquished and adopted. Ridghaus is the co-creator of the 6WAM (Six Word Adoption Memoir). He has spent the last 20 years teaching as a professor in English, Communication, Media, and Law from his graduate degrees in English (MA), Communication (MA), and Jurisprudence (JD). He recommends for LDAs the Private Facebook Late Discovery Adoptee Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/latediscoveryadoptees Music by Corey Quinn
Nomi is a domestic adoptee and grew up in a same race family. She enjoys connecting with others, daydreaming, delicious meals, the arts, and running fast, to name a few interests. She is grateful to have found the adoptee community. Music by Corey Quinn
Sydney Parkhurst is a college student with a passion for filmmaking and writing. She's decided to use her personal experience as a biracial transracial adoptee and help spread awareness to stories like hers. She hopes that you will find her resources useful and know that in a world where it feels like you have to fit in, you were actually born to stand out. Her website is SydneyParkhurst.com Music by Corey Quinn
Lorah Gerald is an adoptee, writer, Intuitive, Kundalini Yoga Instructor, Reiki Master and Ordained Minister. She writes inspirational, educational, opinion pieces and a blog on her website www.LorahGerald.com and as the @theadoptedchameleon on Facebook and Instagram. Lorah hopes to help others heal their trauma, adopted or not, by sharing her lived experiences as an adoptee as well as her education in breath work, energy healing and natural intuitive abilities. Music by Corey Quinn
Maura Duffy is featured in the documentary "A Simple Piece of Paper" by Jean Strauss http://www.vimeo.com/channels/adopteefilmchannel (www.vimeo.com/channels/adopteefilmchannel) She is a Chicago born adoptee, has been in reunion with her birth mother and her maternal family for 9 years. Maura had never met another adoptee until she got involved with the film A Simple Piece of Paper by fellow adoptee Jean Strauss in 2011. It was during the filming that she acquired her original birth certificate and discovered her origins. Maura is a marketing professional within the non-profit arena and resides in Chicago, IL. She remains connected to the adoption community but is always seeking opportunities to be more involved. She can be reached via email at mbaduffy@gmail.com Music by Corey Quinn
Astrid Castro is the founder of Adoption Mosaic and has been connected to the adoption community for nearly 30 years. You can connect with her on social media; Facebook and Instagram, website; www.adoptionmosaic.com and email; Astrid@AdoptionMosaic.com Astrid has a degree in Sociology with an emphasis in adoption. "Adoption Mosaic's 'We the Experts' series brings adult adoptees and their loved ones together to share personal experiences with the intention to discuss best practices and tangible tools, to connect among peers and to engage in learning with other adoptees." Music by Corey Quinn
Wendy Libowitz is a Baby Scoop Era adoptee, born in New York City in July 1968 and adopted through Louise Wise Services. She is a nurse practitioner with two adult daughters and resides in Massachusetts. Music by Corey Quinn
Tammy is a writer who creates poetry related to adoption. She plans to write a memoir about forgiving both her birth and adoptive mother. Music by Corey Quinn
During times in this episode, there is sensitive content that may be traumatizing to some audiences. Listener discretion advised. Alicia is a wife, mother of 5 and a grandmother. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication and Business. Music by Corey Quinn
Lynn Grubb is creator and editor of The Adoptee Survival Guide: Adoptees Share Their Wisdom and Tools (published in 2015) and is currently working on a memoir which she hopes to publish in 2021. She is currently a student at the National Institute for Genealogical Studies. She hopes to work as a professional investigative genetic genealogist. Lynn will be a workshop speaker and a part of the panel entitled "Adoptee Voices Matter-Options for Writing Your Truth" at the NAAP (National Association of Adoptees and Parents) in person conference in Indianapolis, IN September 10-11, 2021. Lynn has been married to her husband Mark for 30 years and is mom to an adult son and a teen daughter.
"Trust is based in truth." -Nancy McCaughey Nancy is a certified professional coach. She can be reached via email nancy@nancymccaughey.com and her website is http://www.nancymccaughey.com/ (nancymccaughey.com) Music by Corey Quinn
This episode is dedicated to "Sean Lewis Edmonds", Eileen's son born December 30, 1959. Music by Corey Quinn
Marcie is the author of "The Shoebox Effect" and can be reached via email marcie@naapunited.org National Association of Adoptees and Parents (NAAP) is a 501c3 educational organization that is dedicated to enhancing the lives of adoptees by unifying and elevating the voice of all adoptees regardless of where they are in their adoption journey. Music By Corey Quinn
A former advertising copywriter and magazine editor, Melisha Mitchell stumbled into the world of adoption reform in 1996 after reconnecting with the daughter she had lost to adoption during the infamous Baby Scoop era. Over the next two decades, Melisha launched the White Oak Foundation, a non-profit focused on helping adoption triad members circumnavigate Illinois´ closed record laws, and spearheaded the movement to overturn her home state's outdated adoption statutes. Her efforts led to Illinois becoming the 9th U.S. state to release original birth certificates to all adult adoptees upon request and, through her Foundation, the reunification of thousands of Illinois adoptees with their families of origin. Melisha Mitchell can be reached via email ILtreesurgeon@aol.com Music by Corey Quinn
Lydia "Born To Write" Cook is a poet and welcomes you to join her on Facebook at BeaUtiful Chaos. http://bookthatpoet.com/poets/cooklydia.html?fbclid=IwAR3ra9gQ2YZ5Kdp1pQxsSMDKLO0SAKjcbHdpz9d_8W-sWMUob_JegolCjjI (http://bookthatpoet.com/poets/cooklydia.html) Michelle Gilmore is an artist and can be reached at https://www.instagram.com/michelle.gilmore.DrawForYou?fbclid=IwAR2yL1TlJhI9Zzbr2rNqO4WKsx1wCBkSz15oOfEgFNoMUydehkERmplvQpU (michelle.gilmore.DrawForYou) Music by Corey Quinn
During times in this episode, there is sensitive content that may be traumatizing to some audiences. Listener discretion advised. Lisa K Bouler was born and adopted in Chicago. From an early age her adoptive parents shared her adoption story and encouraged her to search for her biological family. With their support, she eventually found out she was not only a big sister to her parent’s biological child, but a big sister to her own four biological siblings. Lisa is the mother of two phenomenal young adults aged 19 and 22. She has been in education for 31 years. In her spare time, she runs marathons, crochets, and tends to her vegetable gardens. Music by Corey Quinn
Carmen Hinckley has a passion for writing, especially about adoption, meeting other adoptees, and learning about our unique experiences. Her work has previously been published on the websites Lost Daughters, the Donaldson Institute blog and Adoptee Voices (Quarterly e-Zine). She resides in Portland, Oregon. Music by Corey Quinn
Michael has a book of poems available for purchase and all proceeds go to Adoption Network Cleveland. He can be reached by email; mikeaselage@bellsouth.net Music by Corey Quinn
Debra is a personal trainer, "Don't Cheat Your Body" and encourages and inspires everyone to be proactive with their physical fitness especially adoptees who may not know a medical history. Co-editing by Charles Yingling at The Blueroom Studios, Nashville, TN Music by Corey Quinn
The best way to connect with David is via email demarcodm@msn.com His three recommended resources are https://www.adoptionknowledge.org/peer-support-groups.html (https://www.adoptionknowledge.org/peer-support-groups.html) https://naapunited.org/adoptee-paths-to-recovery (https://naapunited.org/adoptee-paths-to-recovery) and http://www.recoveryelevator.com/ (www.recoveryelevator.com)
Co-editing by Charles Yingling at The Blueroom Studios, Nashville, TN Music by Corey Quinn
Barbara is affiliated with NAAP (National Association of Adoptees and Parents) and Adoption Network Cleveland. Co-editing by Charles Yingling at The Blueroom Studios, Nashville, TN Music by Corey Quinn
Marnie Jamison has been a foster parent to 80 children over the last twenty-four years. She was the first to sign up for the state of Oregon's "therapeutic foster homes" which is slated to be the model in foster care. At 50 years of age, Marnie's step dad and mom adopted her. https://www.chicagotribune.com/investigations/ct-foster-children-sent-out-of-state-illinois-dcfs-20200311-lqmwptbnrrc3nkygenhelm6nri-htmlstory.html Co-editing by Charles Yingling at The Blueroom Studios, Nashville, TN Music by Corey Quinn
Cynthia is a wife, mother, doting grandmother, retired teacher and a writer in the Adoptee Voices Writing Group. She is a passionate contributor to the adoption community and founder of the Adoptee Sisterhood, a group that meets once a month via Zoom. Co-editing by Charles Yingling at The Blueroom Studios, Nashville, TN Music by Corey Quinn
Sara Easterly is a writer and the published author of "Searching for Mom". She is creator of the Adoptee Voices, an 8-week online writing group. You can reach Sara through her website SaraEasterly.com. IG:@saraeasterlyauthor Co-editing by Charles Yingling at The Blueroom Studios, Nashville, TN Music by Corey Quinn
The soundtrack of Meant To Be written and composed by Corey Quinn; Pushing Through The Trauma, Breath of a Fresh Start (Breath of Fresh Air), Detective Sista Gurl and Sad, But Noble Beginnings. Co-editing by Charles Yingling at The Blueroom Studios, Nashville, TN
Audience driven questions are answered here about the audio drama Meant To Be. Music written and arranged by Corey Quinn Editing by Charles Yingling at the Blueroom Studios, Nashville, TN
An adoptee shares her perspective about the subject of adoption. Recorded at The Blueroom Studios, Nashville TN by Charles Yingling Music written and composed by Corey Quinn Actors: Quincy Blackmon, Darlene Shelton, Kip Diggs, Angela Scales, Karla Diggs and Judah Mitchell.
An adoptee shares her perspective about the subject of adoption. Recorded at The Blueroom Studios, Nashville TN by Charles Yingling Music written and composed by Corey Quinn Actors: Quincy Blackmon, Darlene Shelton, Kip Diggs, Lydia "Born To Write" Cook, Angela Scales, Karla Diggs and Judah Mitchell.
An adoptee shares her perspective about the subject of adoption. Music written and composed by Corey Quinn Recorded at The Blueroom Studios, Nashville TN by Charles Yingling