Explore every episode of Adoption: The Making of Me. An Oral History of Adoptee Stories
Dive into the complete episode list for Adoption: The Making of Me. An Oral History of Adoptee Stories. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.
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Pub. Date
Title
Duration
08 Feb 2022
Using Trauma to Treat Trauma
01:01:06
Melissa Porter, born "Ryan Keeler" is an adult adoptee and psychologist from New York, who specializes in attachment and trauma theory. After the birth of her daughter, she used DNA and modern-day sleuthing to build her family tree and connected with her first family in 2018. She found a large maternal family ready to welcome her, and a decades-old mystery in her paternal family that she used DNA tracing to solve! Since "coming out of the fog", Melissa uses her education and expertise as a platform from which to advocate for adoptees' rights.
Also in this episode, Sarah and Louise discuss B.J. Lifton's Journey of the Adopted Self.
Here's our affiliate link for Buzzsprout: When you sign up, you get a $20 Amazon Gift card.
And if you want to support our show, you can go to our Patreon Page.
Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support. They are: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Denise Cruz-Castino, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider and The Harpy.
David was born in 1972 in Newcastle, in the North East of England and adopted shortly after he was six weeks old. He is now a therapist working predominantly with trauma and adoption. He also sits on a fostering panel and teaches therapeutic parenting. David is married with two children, and he is currently writing his first novel based on his life story.
Also in this episode, Sarah and Louise discuss B.J. Lifton's Journey of the Adopted Self.
Here's our affiliate link for Buzzsprout: When you sign up, you get a $20 Amazon Gift card.
And if you want to support our show, you can go to our Patreon Page.
Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support. They are: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Denise Cruz-Castino, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino and The Harpy.
Digging through the Layers of International Adoption
00:55:53
Trishina was born in 1991 in Sevastopol, Ukraine and was adopted at just 18 months old. She was always curious about her biological family, searching on and off, but it wasn’t until she joined a Russian social media app called Vkontakte, that she was able to find some answers. Trishina is a nurse and military wife currently living in Cleveland, Ohio.
Also in this episode, Sarah and Louise discuss B.J. Lifton's Journey of the Adopted Self.
Here's our affiliate link for Buzzsprout: When you sign up, you get a $20 Amazon Gift card.
And if you want to support our show, you can go to our Patreon Page.
Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support. They are: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Denise Cruz-Castino, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino and The Harpy.
Tony Corsentino is a cataloger at a public library near Boston, Massachusetts, after a prior career as a philosophy professor. A child of a closed adoption, Tony grew up in the southern United States without siblings. After fighting cancer and becoming a father, he obtained his birth records, reunited with his mother, and connected with other adoptees on social media. He plans to continue to raise awareness of adoption issues and help amplify adoptee voices through print and online writing projects.
Also in this episode, Sarah and Louise discuss B.J. Lifton's Journey of the Adopted Self.
Here's our affiliate link for Buzzsprout: When you sign up, you get a $20 Amazon Gift card.
And if you want to support our show, you can go to our Patreon Page.
Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support. They are: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Denise Cruz-Castino, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed and The Harpy.
Mikayla Mains is a dancer teacher, small business owner and SAHM. She was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri where she now resides with her husband and two children. After spending years in and out of the foster care system, she was adopted at age 12 to a large family in which she became the 10th child. She battled with questions about her past for years until she finally found her biological mother on Facebook and began to piece things together. She now wants to dedicate herself to educating others on the dark sides of foster care, advocating for those still in it and shed light on the emotional scars it can leave even after adoption.
Also in this episode, Sarah and Louise discuss B.J. Lifton's Journey of the Adopted Self.
Here's our affiliate link for Buzzsprout: When you sign up, you get a $20 Amazon Gift card.
And if you want to support our show, you can go to our Patreon Page.
Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support. They are: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Denise Cruz-Castino, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber and The Harpy.
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.
THE GATHERING PLACE by Emma Stevens on Amazon 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.
Also in this episode, Sarah and Louise discuss B.J. Lifton's Journey of the Adopted Self.
Here's our affiliate link for Buzzsprout: When you sign up, you get a $20 Amazon Gift card.
And if you want to support our show, you can go to our Patreon Page.
Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support. They are: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Denise Cruz-Castino, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield and The Harpy.
Matthew Charles is the host of "little did u know", an abolitionist podcast that seeks to reveal the precarity inherent in transracial/national adoption and dream of a new future by centering the voices of Adoptees and Professionals. His is also an essayist, poet, and sometimes actor whose work explores (dis)placement, belonging, and colony and appears in VISIBLE and Severance Magazine.
To learn more about Matthew Charles and his poetry you can visit his website: MatthewCharlesPoet.com
Also in this episode, Sarah and Louise discuss B.J. Lifton's Journey of the Adopted Self.
Here's our affiliate link for Buzzsprout: When you sign up, you get a $20 Amazon Gift card.
And if you want to support our show, you can go to our Patreon Page.
Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support. They are: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Denise Cruz-Castino, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield and The Harpy.
Beth Figuls is a technical writer and aspiring novelist/memoirist from Los Angeles. A Baby Scoop-era adoptee, she was raised by a father who was also an adoptee, and who had lived in an orphanage for a time when he was very young. She searched for and found her birth mother, as well as siblings from both sides of her birth families. She strongly believes that adoptees have a right to know who they are. She is very interested in exploring intergenerational trauma, loss, and adoptee personhood in her memoir-in-progress.
Also in this episode, Sarah and Louise discuss B.J. Lifton's Journey of the Adopted Self.
Here's our affiliate link for Buzzsprout: When you sign up, you get a $20 Amazon Gift card.
And if you want to support our show, you can go to our Patreon Page.
Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support. They are: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Denise Cruz-Castino, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada and The Harpy.
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.
Also in this episode, Sarah and Louise discuss B.J. Lifton's Journey of the Adopted Self.
Here's our affiliate link for Buzzsprout: When you sign up, you get a $20 Amazon Gift card.
And if you want to support our show, you can go to our Patreon Page.
Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support. They are: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Denise Cruz-Castino, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada and The Harpy.
Carolina Khan is a transnational adoptee from Palmira, Colombia. As early as she can recall, she has always been informed of her adoption that took place at 18 months old. What she was not informed of were her circumstances surrounding her adoption and most importantly where her natural mother was and where she could be found. Why was adoption her story? Carolina had made it her priority to receive support and work through her own adoption trauma. Ultimately, she finds herself wanting to share her process of gaining her identity as a Colombian woman, sense of self, individuation and healing.
List of Resources - a major part of Carolina’s journey: Joe Soll, LCSW Adoption Healing Author: Adoption Healing a Path to Recovery Daily Chat Room, Healing Weekends & opportunities to meet 1st moms/ adoptees http://www.adoptionhealing.com
Also in this episode, Sarah and Louise discuss B.J. Lifton's Journey of the Adopted Self.
Here's our affiliate link for Buzzsprout: When you sign up, you get a $20 Amazon Gift card.
And if you want to support our show, you can go to our Patreon Page.
Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support. They are: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Denise Cruz-Castino, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada and The Harpy.
Michael Knox was adopted in 1961 in Illinois. He was raised with two younger sisters, one adopted and one bio. He moved to Southern California when he was five. He has been married for thirty six years and has three wonderful children and one granddaughter. Michael worked in the television industry for many years and moved his family to Atlanta work on the Olympics and he never left Atlanta.
Around twenty-two years ago Michael started running, biking and swimming. One thing led to another and he started doing Iron Man triathlons and is currently training for one this year. If you asked him to describe himself 2 1/2 years ago he would say “A husband, father, grandfather & athlete”. He did both 'Ancestry' and '23 and Me' out of curiosity, never was searching for family then there was a match on 23andMe and life changed forever! Now he describes himself as ADOPTED, husband, father, grandfather & athlete.
Also in this episode, Sarah and Louise discuss B.J. Lifton's Journey of the Adopted Self.
Here's our affiliate link for Buzzsprout: When you sign up, you get a $20 Amazon Gift card.
And if you want to support our show, you can go to our Patreon Page.
Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support. They are: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Denise Cruz-Castino, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada and The Harpy.
After being taken away from her birth parents as a baby by the state, and adopted out of foster care at age 4, singer-songwriter Jenni Alpert (aka birth name: Cami) decided to go searching for her birth father. After weeks undercover on the street of LA, she finally found him homeless, addicted, and running from the law, yet a musician, just like her. Ultimately she guides him out of the legal system and off of the streets becoming his advocate and shadow adopting him into her life, cultivating an inspiring transformation as Don transitions from self identified vagrant to self esteemed volunteer with the music they share in their extraordinary partnership founded on unconditional love.
To find Jenni / Cami and her amazing story & music you can find her on Instagram, Facebook & Twitter as: : @jennialpert @camianddon
Also in this episode, Sarah and Louise discuss B.J. Lifton's Journey of the Adopted Self.
Here's our affiliate link for Buzzsprout: When you sign up, you get a $20 Amazon Gift card.
And if you want to support our show, you can go to our Patreon Page.
Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support. They are: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Denise Cruz-Castino, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada and The Harpy.
The Complexity of Poverty and International Adoption
01:01:18
Lenore Paletta Hiller is an international adoptee born in Southern Italy in the mid-1960's. She lived with her birth mother for the first five months of her life, but was separated from her due to poverty and other circumstances. She was adopted to the United States when she was 20 months old. She has been in various stages of reunion with her birth family since 1995.
Lenore is hopeful that the future of adoption research will include the effects of intergenerational trauma on the children of adoptees.
She is a member of the Facebook group Italiadoption, a space where Italian adoptees and their families can find resources and connect.
Also in this episode, Sarah and Louise discuss B.J. Lifton's Journey of the Adopted Self.
Here's our affiliate link for Buzzsprout: When you sign up, you get a $20 Amazon Gift card.
And if you want to support our show, you can go to our Patreon Page.
Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support. They are: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Denise Cruz-Castino, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy and Kristan Higgins.
Jeff Forney was born in San Francisco and raised in the East Bay town of Moraga, CA. A photographer based in Los Angeles, he has been working on a documentary filming interviews of adoptees in reunion.
As Jeff says, ‘Finding your birth parents is the base camp of Mt. Everest, now you have to climb the bitch’.
His goal is to take the stigma out of adoption, help adoptees identify with others' stories, and through that, restore power that had been buried and forgotten.
My life is not better because someone adopted me, my life is different. Adoption can multitask. She is many things at once. So are we. We are the bastards, the unwanted, the surrendered, the saved, the chosen, the rescued, the loved, and the forsaken. Allow us our entirety. -Mindy Stern-
Also in this episode, Sarah and Louise discuss B.J. Lifton's Journey of the Adopted Self.
Here's our affiliate link for Buzzsprout: When you sign up, you get a $20 Amazon Gift card.
And if you want to support our show, you can go to our Patreon Page.
Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support.
They are: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Denise Cruz-Castino, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy and Kristan Higgins.
Lynn Grubb is a closed-era Illinois adoptee and parent by marriage, birth and adoption. She is the editor of "The Adoptee Survival Guide: Adoptees Share Their Wisdom and Tools" and the author of “Hidden Identity,” an audible memoir that chronicles her decades long search for her birth parents. She lives in Dayton, Ohio with husband Mark, their daughter, and two spoiled mini-Australian shepherds.
You can reach out to Lynn on social media @theadoptedgenealogist or email her at: theadoptedgenealogist@gmail.com.
You can listen to Lynn's memoir here: https://theadoptedgenealogist.podbean.com/
Also in this episode, Sarah and Louise discuss B.J. Lifton's Journey of the Adopted Self.
Here's our affiliate link for Buzzsprout: When you sign up, you get a $20 Amazon Gift card.
And if you want to support our show, you can go to our Patreon Page.
Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support.
They are: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Denise Cruz-Castino, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy and Kristan Higgins.
A.M. Homes was born in Washington D.C. in 1961 and adopted at birth in a private adoption.She began to explore themes related to adoption in her 1993 novel, In A Country of Mothers. Just before the book was published her birth mother—inspired by an Oprah show on ‘reunions’ made contact. A.M. explored what happened next in her 2007 best-selling memoir, The Mistress’s Daughter.
Also in this episode, Sarah and Louise discuss B.J. Lifton's Journey of the Adopted Self.
If you want to support our show, you can go to our Patreon Page. Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support.
They are: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Denise Cruz-Castino, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy and Kristan Higgins.
Lisa King is a retired disability specialist, artist and mother. She was born in 1957 into a closed adoption system and was adopted six months later. She has been on a lifelong quest to understand and make sense of how the adoptive experience has shaped and impacted her life. Having suffered the initial abandonment at birth, as all adoptees do, she has struggled throughout her life to embrace and not abandon her true self.
Additionally, Lisa suffered a life changing traumatic accident that serves as a metaphor for her adoptive experience. Much of her spiritual search, consisting of dog rescue, mentorship and artwork have helped her transcend the trauma of relinquishment, and reclaim and integrate the orphans of her lost self.
Also in this episode, Sarah and Louise wrap up their discussion of Betty Jean Lifton's Journey of the Adopted Self.
If you want to support our show, you can go to our Patreon Page. Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support.
They are: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Denise Cruz-Castino, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy and Kristan Higgins.
Facing the Primal Wound: Coming Out on the Other Side
00:56:08
Bob Guyer was born in 1953 and stayed for four days with his biological mother, and was adopted after a few months in foster care. He learned he was adopted at eight years old but didn’t think much of it until he went through a breakup and re-experienced his separation from his biological mother. Shortly before his 52nd birthday, he began a process of imaginative dialog with his feelings and that led to the healing of his Primal Wound. He has since found his biological relatives and remains in reunion.
Also in this episode, Sarah and Louis discuss A.M. Homes' The Mistress's Daughter
If you want to support our show, you can go to our Patreon Page. Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support.
They are: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Denise Cruz-Castino, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgins and Lisa Thompson.
Nikole Shaw also known as " Koko" in the online community was born in Hawaiian Gardens, California, growing up in the suburbs of Orange County. Adopted as an infant, she is a black domestic adoptee who spent a large part of her life in a small town called Brea. Koko received her Bachelors of Science from San Jose State University and is currently working for the Department of Public Health San Francisco as a mental health professional. Koko is mostly known in the adoptee community as " @theblackadoptea" and spends her time advocating for and creating content for the adoptee community. She has a passion for spoken word and is also a writer who is in the process of completing her first children's book about adoption. Koko continues to share her adoption journey with the world and is reunion with her biological family from Belize.
Also in this episode, Sarah and Louise discuss A.M. Homes' The Mistress's Daughter.
If you want to support our show, you can go to our Patreon Page. Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support.
They are: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Denise Cruz-Castino, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgins and Lisa Thompson.
Danielle’s vision is a healthier, happier, and more peaceful world starting from within. Bringing over two decades as a senior instructor, healer, and trainer, she's currently Regional Director of WA state's Body & Brain Yoga Center. Born in Manhattan, NY, she was adopted at 10 days old, growing up with her adopted parents, later reconnecting at 21 years old with her biological mother actress Kate Mulgrew from the hit series TV sitcom Orange is the New Black and Star Trek Voyager. As a highly sensitive person from a young age along with a deep concern for the state of our planet--these two qualities propelled her on a long journey in search for inner peace. Danielle's passion is helping people awaken their bodies and minds to meet their true nature, specializing in emotional management, brain management, aligning the mind, body, heart, and soul.
Also in this episode, Sarah and Louise discuss A.M. Homes' The Mistress's Daughter.
If you want to support our show, you can go to our Patreon Page. Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support.
They are: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Denise Cruz-Castino, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgins and Lisa Thompson.
Laurie James is an adoptee, mother, caregiver, turned author, and transformative coach. Laurie’s book, Sandwiched: A Memoir of Holding On and Letting Go is about her eight-year journey when she was sent down an unwanted path after her mother had a heart attack and her husband’s lawyer delivered some shocking news. Sandwiched between caring for her parents, managing caregivers, raising four daughters, and a crumbling marriage, she starts therapy and turns to alternative healing programs to address her adoption, childhood trauma, and loneliness she felt for much of her life. Laurie now enjoys coaching others who are searching for their own happiness and belonging. For more information on Laurie and her book, please visit www.laurieejames.com or order and review her book on Amazon.
Also in this episode, Sarah and Louise discuss Am Homes' The Mistress's Daughter.
If you want to support our show, you can go to our Patreon Page. Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support.
They are: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Denise Cruz-Castino, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson and Michelle Goodwine.
Daryn Watson is a Canadian-born Domestic Adult Adoptee who began his adoption reunion journey in 1995 after locating his maternal family in Canada. Daryn uses his 25+ years of experience in reunion to guide other adoptees through their adoption reunion journeys. Daryn is a contributing author to two books on adoption:
“The Adoptee Survival Guide” edited by Lynn Grubb
“Flip the Script: Adult Adoptee Anthology with Diane Rene Christianson.
Daryn also has a blog on Facebook and IG “@TheAdopteeMind” Daryn is a Certified Life Coach for Adoptees, Birth/First Parents and others who have been affected by adoption.
If you want to support our show, you can go to our Patreon Page.
Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support.
They are: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Denise Cruz-Castino, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson, and Michelle Goodwine.
Amy Hansen is a domestic adoptee, and was born in 1969. She was placed for adoption at birth. Amy grew up in a loving family and was well cared for. She was the "happy" adoptee, grateful to her birth parents, her adopted parents and always trying to make everyone happy. Amy has been in reunion with some of her birth family for the past four years and has recently come out of the FOG. She is beginning to realize she was living behind the disguise of a happy, positive person who didn’t realize the loss and grief she was carrying. Today Amy feels sad, confused and angry about her adoption and she feels that sharing her story is a way to be honest for the first time in her life.
Amy has been married to a wonderful and supportive husband for thirty years. They have three amazing adult children and two golden retrievers. Amy enjoys the outdoors and spending time with family and friends.
Also in this episode, Sarah and Louise discuss Am Homes' The Mistress's Daughter.
If you want to support our show, you can go to our Patreon Page.
Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support.
Our Patrons are: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Denise Cruz-Castino, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson, Michelle Goodwine and Jesper Laursen.
Jon Stautzenberger is a pastor in the Texas hill country. He grew up an only child from a small family in a closed, private adoption always knowing that he was locally adopted and grew up in the community of his birth family. He finally took a DNA test in 2021 and connected with his paternal aunt. Suddenly the only child from a small family found himself with three aunts, three uncles, cousins galore, and a sister and a brother! Being from the same community, the times that their paths had crossed were astonishing.
Moving forward Jon desires to help young adoptees know that there are adults that understand their experience and to help other adults rethink how to care for children in need.
Also in this episode, Sarah and Louise discuss Am Homes' The Mistress's Daughter.
If you want to support our show, you can go to our Patreon Page.
Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support.
Our Patrons are: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Denise Cruz-Castino, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson, Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen and Robert Perrino.
Daphne Keys is a BSE adoptee born and raised in Maryland as the middle child between two brothers who are the biological children of her adoptive parents. Daphne always knew she was adopted, had access to the minimal non-identifying information provided at her adoption hearing, and always searched the faces of her community for a connection to her biological family.
Married for forty years, Daphne is the mother of four adult children and grandmother of eleven. Daphne did not realize the impact her adoption had on her ability to bond with and parent her own children until coming out of the fog after beginning a reunion with her biological family at age fifty-six.
Daphne’s reunion with her birth mother’s family has been a wild ride from the pinnacle of happiness to the depths of despair. An avid reader, Daphne turned to the experts such as Betty Jean Lifton and Nancy Verrier to help her along her reunion journey. At the suggestion of her biological Aunt, Daphne turned to writing to help her process her feelings and is still working on a memoir. Along the way, Daphne also began quilting and has found this very therapeutic. After all, she has been putting her pieces back together in various patterns, her entire life.
Also in this episode, Sarah and Louise discuss A.M. Homes' The Mistress's Daughter.
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Our Patrons are: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Denise Cruz-Castino, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson, Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket and Robert Perrino.
Garth: A Midlife Discovery Exposes the Truth of Self
01:05:06
Given up at birth, placed in foster care, then adopted by a military family, Garth Garrett grew up always knowing he was adopted. He thought being adopted was no big deal - like being left-handed in a right-handed family and that his lingering sense of longing stemmed from the nomadic life of an Army brat. Only upon starting therapy in mid-life did he discover that adoption was actually the central issue of his life, including his own alienation from his own feelings. His multiple searches for each biological parent yielded information, more heartbreak, two more rejections by his biological mother, and ultimately a deep, happy connection with his biological sisters and a renewed sense of family with his adoptive sisters. Garth recently retired after 31 years with L.A. Metro.
Also in this episode, Sarah and Louise discuss A.M. Homes' The Mistress's Daughter.
If you want to support our show, you can go to our Patreon Page.
Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support. Our Patrons are: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Denise Cruz-Castino, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson, Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket and Robert Perrino.
Ruth Bendig is a “Baby Scoop Era” domestic adoptee. The oldest of her adoptive parents' three children, she and her brothers were all relinquished as infants and raised in the Midwest.
Becoming a mother jump-started a desire to learn more about her biological history. WIth the support and encouragement of her adoptive parents she began to search, first through the state, then, when that proved to be a dead end, through DNA testing. She is now in reunion with siblings and cousins on both sides of her biological family.
Also in this episode, Sarah and Louise discuss A.M Homes' The Mistress's Daughter.
If you want to support our show, you can go to our Patreon Page.
Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support. Our Patrons are: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Denise Cruz-Castino, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson, Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket , Robert Perrino and Colleen McCall.
Adam Anthony is a same-race, black adoptee and blogger on the platform "Onward & Upward," which explores his motivation for persona development, mental health awareness, and his adoption discovery experience. Adam is a doctoral student, writer, and podcast host of two shows, "Curiously Becoming" and "Mentorship Mondays." Some of his featured writing on his perspectives on being an adoptee has been shown in online mediums like "Love What Matters" and "Severance Magazine."
If you want to support our show, you can go to our Patreon Page.
Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support. Our Patrons are: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Denise Cruz-Castino, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson, Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket , Robert Perrino and Colleen McCall.
Emily Sinagra was born and relinquished, in 1958, at a Salvation Army Hospital for Unwed Mothers. After four months of foster care, she was placed in a closed adoption. Thirty years later, she found her birth parents and has been trying to put herself back together ever since. Writing, theatre, improv, clowning, painting, these are the tools she wields to patch and paste. Her memoir, How I got Born, is nearing completion, and she hopes her voice will collaborate with others to change assumptions about adoption and provide impetus for change. Most importantly, she is the mother of three adult children and one granddaughter. Miracles, all. Emily presently lives in Portugal.
Also in this episode, Sarah and Louise wrap up their first memoir of Season Three with a discussion of A.M. Homes' "The Mistress's Daughter".
If you want to support our show, you can go to our Patreon Page.
Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support. Our Patrons are: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Denise Cruz-Castino, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson, Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket , Robert Perrino and Colleen McCall.
Jim Serrano's origins as a domestic adoptee started on January 22nd, 1962 in San Jose, California. Being adopted at 6 months of age, his journey has had many ups and downs. From childhood to his search for his biological family 23 years ago, Jim continues to heal from the trauma that is still so present in his life.
Also in this episode, Sarah and Louise discuss what's upcoming for Season Three.
If you want to support our show, you can go to our Patreon Page.
Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support. Our Patrons are: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Denise Cruz-Castino, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson, Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket , Robert Perrino, Colleen McCall and Janet MacDonald.
Charity Elliott was born in 1969 and after spending 3.5 months in foster care was placed for adoption with the State of California. Growing up in Missouri, Charity was a happy adoptee and found great comfort in her faith and in the sport of basketball. After a collegiate career that ended with her team making it to the Final Four, Charity entered the college coaching ranks where she has spent the last 25 years. Despite being located and contacted by her birth mother in college, Charity never realized the impact her adoption had on her until she lost her adopted father and shortly after met her birth father for the first time. Over the last two years, the realization of the impact of her adoption has been brought to the forefront and she's been processing all the changes that have occurred in her life. Charity has been married to her best friend and most patient husband ever, Chris Elliott, for 24 years and is the proud "mama" to a Jack Russell named Daxton Prince and all of her current and former players. She is now in her 2nd year as the head women's basketball coach at Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, California.
Also in this episode, Sarah and Louise discuss Damon Davis's Who Am I Really
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Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support. Our Patrons are: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Denise Cruz-Castino, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson, Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket , Robert Perrino, Colleen McCall and Janet MacDonald.
Greg was born California in 1969 and placed in a closed adoption as an infant after spending 6 weeks in foster care, which was a common practice with Baby Scoop Era adoptions. Growing up, he sensed a certain ill-fit with his family, and found out about his adoption when he was 10. In 2006, at age 37, he finally discovered and made contact with his biological maternal side, and has experienced all the attendant ups-and-downs that so often accompany reunion. He was able to connect with his paternal family in late 2021, and is currently navigating the landscape and complexities of those newly-emerging relationships. Since coming out of the fog in 2021, Greg has been an active member of the online and in-person adoptee communities.
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Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support. Our Patrons are: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Denise Cruz-Castino, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson, Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket , Robert Perrino, Colleen McCall and Janet MacDonald.
Shari was adopted at the age of four. She spent the first year in a hospital. Then went to several foster homes after that. When she met her adopted family, there was always an open conversation about her beginnings. She always knew her story from her past, so she never had many questions. Later on in life, she began a spiritual quest to heal from journey, as a young girl. This brought her to meet a spiritual teacher, and become a healer. This powerful work helped others as well and grounded Shari into a bigger version of herself. A true, successful, story of the wounded healer.
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Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support. Our Patrons are: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Denise Cruz-Castino, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson, Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket , Robert Perrino, Colleen McCall, Janet MacDonald and Robin Wells.
Cormac: An Adoption, An Irish Mother-Baby Home, and the Search for Answers
00:45:09
Cormac was born into a mother-and-baby home in Ireland, which was known to be exceptionally cruel to both mother and child. He was adopted at five months old. He's always known he was adopted but it was never spoken about. Ever. He did not look for his biological family until his adoptive parents died. He re-connected with his birth mother just before his fiftieth birthday. Sadly that didn't work out. He's just recently found out about his birth father, who is deceased. He found this podcast by chance and is devouring it daily. He would like to send his gratitude to Louise and Sarah for their brilliant and insightful podcast. Each episode just shouts out something he never knew but knew all along.
Also in this episode, Sarah and Louise discuss Damon Davis's Who Am I Really.
If you want to support our show, you can go to our Patreon Page.
Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support. Our Patrons are: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Denise Cruz-Castino, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson, Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket , Robert Perrino, Colleen McCall, Janet MacDonald and Robin Wells.
Kay: A Self-taught Genetic Genealogist Discovers the Story of her Life
01:06:26
Kay was born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1973 and immediately placed for adoption. After a stay in foster care, she was adopted into a small close-knit family. Adoption was not discussed a great deal, but it was not hidden either. Despite being loved and spoiled, Kay was never quite comfortable in her own skin. She received her original birth certificate in 2015 and was able to locate her maternal biological family quickly. Unfortunately, her birth mother died 5 months later, and the identity of her birth father was left a mystery. Kay became a self-taught genetic genealogist. Using a 4th cousin match on Ancestry DNA, Kay was able to identify who her birth father was within a few months of research. Unfortunately, she found that he passed away 25 years prior. She was able to connect with her paternal aunts, uncle, cousins, and siblings. The greatest gift was her 95-year-old grandfather and the relationship she enjoyed with him until he passed. Her story is one of self-discovery, the “passing” practice of babies of color, and the inaccuracies of non-identifying records kept in adoption files. Kay continues to volunteer to help other adoptees in search and loves solving mysteries using DNA. Kay and her husband, Napoleon, have been together for 21 years. She is a mom to Isaiah and stepmom to Myeiah. She is also Mimi to her grandson Raheem and nieces MiKiya and McKenna. She is the Principal of a K-8 school and is dedicated to serving the children in her community.
For help researching your family roots you can contact Kay at: Kayboyd611@gmail.com
Also in this episode, Sarah and Louise discuss Megan Culhane Galbraith's "The Guild of the Infant Saviour".
If you want to support our show, you can go to our Patreon Page.
Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support. Our Patrons are: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Denise Cruz-Castino, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson, Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket , Robert Perrino, Colleen McCall, Janet MacDonald and Robin Wells.
Paul: A Kidnapping, An Adoption, A Lost Twin: One man's Quest for the Truth
00:54:08
When he was ten years old, Paul Fronczak was snooping around for Christmas presents in a crawl space in his family’s Chicago home. There, he found hundreds of old newspaper clippings about the kidnapping of a one-day-old infant in a hospital in 1964. He also learned that, two years later, the boy was found and returned to his family—and that the boy was him.
Nearly fifty years later, Paul, acting on long-held suspicions, took a DNA test that proved he was not the kidnapped boy. In an instant, his world changed.
He found out that not only was he adopted, but he was adopted with a history that wasn’t his. It was the history of their real son, Paul. The Fronczaks had to adopt him merely for paperwork, believing he was their biological son. Now he realizes that he was truly adopted. He wasn’t their son. He wasn’t Paul. He was an adoptee.
Also in this episode, Sarah and Louise discuss Megan Culhane Galbraith's "The Guild of the Infant Saviour".
The Foundling: The True Story of a Kidnapping, a Family Secret, and My Search for the Real Me
True Identity: Cracking the Oldest Kidnapping Cold Case and Finding My Missing Twin
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Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support. Our Patrons are: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Denise Cruz-Castino, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson, Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket , Robert Perrino, Colleen McCall, Janet MacDonald, Robin Wells and Lynn Grubb.
Julie was born in Wichita, Kansas in 1968 at a Salvation Army home and was adopted 5 days later by a lovely family. She always knew she was adopted but it was not really talked about much other than to say she was "chosen" and very much wanted. Julie was born a very sensitive little girl. The parents had a child of their own 8 years prior with special needs. They tried to get pregnant again but were unable to do so. They adopted Julie not realizing the extent of their son's problems. He had severe epilepsy as well as some cerebral palsy and had many seizures most days. A lot of these seizures were traumatic and caused him to crack his head open and have to go to the hospital on a regular basis. Most of their attention was placed on him of course. Although her parents loved her very much they were not emotionally equipped to help a scared little girl with everything that happened with their son. No one was really ever there for Julie and she buried all the fear, shame and trauma inside. This continued throughout her whole life until she went away to college and finally moved away in her 20's. She has struggled throughout her life with many things including identity issues, healthy attachment, anxiety, depression, poor self image and little self confidence. In her 50's she finally came out of the fog and realized where most of her issues stemmed from. "Finding this podcast was so validating and I listen all the time. I'm so glad I found others I could relate to finally."
Julie found her birth mother in 1990 and shortly thereafter found out she had 2 full blooded sisters as well and has been in reunion ever since. It's been a long journey for Julie but she hopes that things will continue to get better with therapy and self-compassion. Julie never married and didn't have any children but has 2 dogs that are her world. Animals have always held a special place in her heart.
Also in this episode, Sarah and Louise discuss Megan Culhane Galbraith's "The Guild of the Infant Saviour".
If you want to support our show, you can go to our Patreon Page.
Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support. Our Patrons are: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Denise Cruz-Castino, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson, Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket , Robert Perrino, Colleen McCall, Janet MacDonald, Robin Wells and Lynn Grubb.
Jay: Using Journalism Training to Track Down Family Roots
01:06:36
Jay Blotcher was adopted in June of 1961 at the age of one year by a couple in Randolph, MA, a Boston suburb. His dark complexion prompted countless questions about his lineage during childhood.
In March of 1988, Jay was contacted by his birth mother, Valerie Paul, and learned he was the product of a one-night-stand between this young girl and a pitcher from the Baltimore Orioles of Puerto Rican lineage. In the ensuing 35 years, Blotcher employed his training as a journalist to track down his biological father's family, as well as the foster family who cared for him before his adoption. At age 62, he can finally tell the complete story.
Also in this episode, Sarah and Louise discuss Megan Culhane Galbraith's "The Guild of the Infant Saviour" by Megan Culhane Galbraith.
If you want to support our show, you can go to our Patreon Page.
Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support. Our Patrons are: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Denise Cruz-Castino, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson, Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket , Robert Perrino, Colleen McCall, Janet MacDonald, Robin Wells and Lynn Grubb.
Katie is an ESL teacher from Pennsylvania and was adopted in 1966 at the age of six weeks. She grew up always knowing she was adopted, but became the people pleaser in a huge Irish Catholic family always feeling like she was "on the outside looking in". After having her first child in 1995, she contacted the adoption agency to obtain her medical history and was warned, "These reunions don't always go well". Katie waited until after the birth of her second child to inquire again only to discover her birth mother had inquired about her the exact same week. Things went well with the reunion, but led to some interesting discoveries about her birth father.
Also in this episode, Sarah and Louise discuss Megan Culhane Galbraith's "The Guild of the Infant Saviour".
If you want to support our show, you can go to our Patreon Page.
Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support. Our Patrons are: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Denise Cruz-Castino, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson, Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket , Robert Perrino, Colleen McCall, Janet MacDonald, Robin Wells and Lynn Grubb.
Fred: Finding Out at 41 that the Life You Knew was a Lie
01:08:06
Everyone learns to accept life’s twists and turns as they live out the daily rituals of their lives. But what happens when an event completely alters one’s understanding of everything about the world in which they live, including who they are? Fred Nicora brings the audience into his innermost thoughts as he sees his foundation swept away with a simple slip of the tongue at the age of forty-one, while attending a large family gathering with his children and wife. Fred details his journey to understand his new identity and re-frame his past in his memoir, Forbidden Roots.
Fred 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.
If you want to support our show, you can go to our Patreon Page.
Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support. Our Patrons are: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Denise Cruz-Castino, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson, Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket , Robert Perrino, Colleen McCall, Janet MacDonald, Robin Wells, Lynn Grubb and Mikki Jackson-Brown.
Anne Heffron, author of You Don’t Look Adopted, Truth and Agency Writing Ideas for Adopted People, Writing and Pooping, and the movie Phantom Halo, can be found on Instagram at anne-heffron, Facebook, and her website https://www.anneheffron.com.
Also in this episode, Sarah and Louise discuss Megan Culhane Galbraith’s “The Guild of The Infant Saviour”.
If you want to support our show, you can go to our Patreon Page.
Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support. Our Patrons are: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Denise Cruz-Castino, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson, Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket , Robert Perrino, Colleen McCall, Janet MacDonald, Robin Wells, Lynn Grubb and Mikki Jackson-Brown.
Jeffrey: Untangling the Layers of a Corrupt Adoption
01:02:50
Jeffrey Leventhal was born In 1970 in Miami, FL, and didn’t learn until age 12 that he was adopted. He was told that he had a twin, which was just one of several lies that persisted throughout his childhood. Having never felt like he fit in and being rebuffed by his adoptive family whenever he requested more information, when Jeff was in his 20s, he decided to dive deep into his adoption only to find out there were no records of his adoption… or his birth.
Finally, over 20 years later with the help of DNA, he found the information he needed to reconnect with his natural mother, a life-changing event that allowed him to start filling the hole inside that plagues many adoptees.
But the adoption mystery still wasn’t solved - he found out that his adoption papers came from Juarez, Mexico involving a corrupt adoption agent, a disbarred lawyer, and a delivery doctor who went to jail.
Jeff has found that meeting and talking to other adoptees has helped validate his feelings and meeting his natural family has helped him understand himself better.
He has been fortunate in many ways and hopes to use his resources to reach more adoptees in search of answers and help to leave this world with fewer adoptions happening, keeping more babies within their natural families and telling the true story of adoption and its effects on people and society.
Also in this episode, Sarah and Louise discuss Megan Culhane Galbraith’s “The Guild of The Infant Saviour”.
If you want to support our show, you can go to ourPatreonPage.
Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support. Our Patrons are: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Denise Cruz-Castino, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson, Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket , Robert Perrino, Colleen McCall, Janet MacDonald, Robin Wells, Lynn Grubb and Mikki Jackson-Brown.
Kate Betancourt was born in 1978 in Bogotá Colombia. She spent three months in the hospital after her Mother left, after her birth. Kate was transferred to an orphanage where she stayed until her adoption by an American couple at six months old.
Kate grew up in Michigan with one younger sibling biological to her adoptive parents. Growing up a Transracial adoptee in a mostly white area had its issues. Kate knew she was adopted and struggled with bonding with her adoptive parents, feeling lonely and flawed. Kate dealt with childhood sexual abuse. As a teen Kate was dealing with depression and self-destructive behavior , identity issues and low self worth and is thankful she made it out of that period alive.
With a need to see and know her mother and origins since she was five, Kate has been tirelessly searching for thirty-one years for her family in Colombia - over that time she has learned the process and now helps others search. Kate has always loved working with children and currently works in Mental Health. Kate has a passion for being there to support other children or adolescences who are where she was and to show them they are not flawed and to have worth, and that what they feel is valid. She also works as a Certified Adoptee life coach, consultant and mentor.
UPDATE TO EPISODE: Katie has made some close connections recently from a DNA test, but the family as of now is hesitant to help. Her search continues.
To contact Kate if you need help with your search: katebetancourtclc@gmail.com
To learn more about searching in Colombia, click here.
Also in this episode, Sarah and Louise discuss Megan Culhane Galbraith’s “The Guild of The Infant Saviour”.
If you want to support our show, you can go to ourPatreonPage.
Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support. Our Patrons are: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Denise Cruz-Castino, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson, Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket , Robert Perrino, Colleen McCall, Janet MacDonald, Robin Wells, Lynn Grubb and Mikki Jackson-Brown.
Rudy Owens is a Detroit native, born in the mid-1960s at Crittenton General Hospital of Detroit, one of the country’s largest maternity hospitals dedicated to supporting and promoting adoption. He was relinquished to his adoptive family shortly after his birth from his single mother and placed with another family after spending nearly five weeks in foster family care. His adoption story typifies many of the adoptions that were promoted by the Florence Crittenton Association of America, which ran the hospital and dozens of maternity homes and hospitals in the United States through the 1970s.
Owens successfully found his birth families in 1989 after several years of searching, working from minimal non-identifying information he found in records that he was able to obtain from the state of Michigan and the successor adoption agency that controlled his adoption and vital records. Michigan’s adoption laws then, and to this day, deny most Michigan-born adoptees their original vital records. Twenty-seven years after finding his biological kin, Owens obtained his original birth records, by court order, in 2016.
Owens has advocated for decades that all adoptees and birth parents are entitled to equal treatment under the law. His search for his records and biological kin revealed how adoptees in seeking their true records still face opposition from friends, family, state agencies, religious institutions, and a mostly pro-adoption public. His experiences with the state of Michigan and its vital records staff, the Wayne County Probate Court, and his former adoption agency demonstrate how adoptees are denied basic legal rights granted to all other citizens.
Owens’ lifelong journey to answer life’s basic question, “Who am I,” inspired him to write his public health memoir, You Don’t Know How Lucky You Are, published in 2018. In it, Owens shows how millions of adoptees and birth parents still face prejudice rooted in historic stereotypes and biological mechanisms that show “blood is thicker than water.” Owens strongly believes there is no such thing as an illegitimate person.
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Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support. Our Patrons are: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Denise Cruz-Castino, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson, Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket , Robert Perrino, Colleen McCall, Janet MacDonald, Robin Wells, Lynn Grubb and Mikki Jackson-Brown.
Relinquished: An Adoptee Roundtable Discussion About the Complexities of Navigating Those Early Wounds
00:53:11
Sarah and Louise join their season three authors, A.M. Homes, Damon Davis, and Megan Culhane Galbraith in an intimate roundtable discussion about living as adult adoptees and learning to navigate early childhood wounds.
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Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support. Our Patrons: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Denise Cruz-Castino, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson, Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket , Robert Perrino, Colleen McCall, Janet MacDonald, Robin Wells, Lynn Grubb, Mikki Jackson-Brown and Sharon Katzmann.
Paige: The Family She Never Knew Lived Only Blocks Away
00:55:13
Paige Strickland is an Ohio “Baby-Scoop Era” adoptee, teacher, mom of two and grandmother of three. She is the author of two memoir books, Akin To The Truth and After The Truth. She is currently working on a YA (young adult) book-in-verse version of her books. Paige also teaches Zumba (tm) Fitness, enjoys working in her garden, loves the beach, reading and spending time with her family.
Also in this episode, Sarah and Louise discuss American Baby by Gabrielle Glaser.
If you want to support our show, you can go to ourPatreonPage.
Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support. Our Patrons: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Denise Cruz-Castino, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson, Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket , Robert Perrino, Colleen McCall, Janet MacDonald, Robin Wells, Lynn Grubb, Mikki Jackson-Brown, Sharon Katzmann and Carol Levitt.
Mariela: Home Sweet Casa: A Colombian Adoptee Shares Her Story
00:54:54
Mariela Andersen is the author of "Home Sweet Casa: A Journey to The Universal Heart". Her book is the story of her reunion with her biological family in Colombia after being separated from them at birth. Mariela’s book takes the reader along with her as she discovers more about her past than she could have ever imagined and dives deep into the multifaceted layers of what makes her who she is. Adopted or otherwise, everyone is sure to benefit from reading her story.
UPDATE: Since this episode was recorded: Mariela visited her biological family in Colombia recently for the first time in 7 years. She was able to attend her sister’s quinceañera (a girl’s 15th birthday) and reconnect with her family there. She said it was a an emotional roller coaster but she’s glad that she went and she won’t let as much time go by before her next visit.
Also in this episode, Sarah and Louise discuss American Baby by Gabrielle Glaser.
If you want to support our show, you can go to ourPatreonPage.
Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support. Our Patrons: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Denise Cruz-Castino, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson, Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket , Robert Perrino, Colleen McCall, Janet MacDonald, Robin Wells, Lynn Grubb, Mikki Jackson-Brown, Sharon Katzmann and Carol Levitt.
I’m Annie O. O stands for my last name. O is round. It’s a hole I still live in, that I’m not allowed to escape. Why the fuck is that how it has to be?
Adoption has a long history, with a narrative built around it being a celebrated act of love, of charity and saviorism. I rejoice for those who experienced the best of that narrative. However, there is a growing number of investigations and reports that show, for many, adoption is not and has never been, what people are led to believe.
Why must I go to court to gain access to my identity? Why was it considered necessary to erase my past? Why are the adopted treated as second-class citizens? Why are we all repeating this flawed ideology? Why are only some people considered tabula rasa?
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Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support. Our Patrons: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson, Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket , Robert Perrino, Colleen McCall, Janet MacDonald, Robin Wells, Lynn Grubb, Mikki Jackson-Brown, Sharon Katzman, Carol Levitt, Elizabeth McDonald and Darra Robinson.
David E: Phantom Parents: An Adoptee Connects the Dots
00:47:58
An unofficial adoption. David Enker was born in Amsterdam in 1970, following the Summer of Love of 1969. Relinquished a few months after birth to another family in The Hague, his birth mother, a university student at the time, had hoped to retrieve him after her studies. Although never officially adopted, things turned topsy-turvy when his new family refused to let him go. A bumpy reunion unravels in reverse.
This unusual beginning, together with a life-long quest for an identity, belonging and meaning form the backbone of his recently published memoir "Phantom Parents". A heartbreaking and heartwarming work, addressing universal questions through illustrations, photographs and short stories.
Recently diagnosed with young onset Parkinson's Disease he endeavours to embrace life to the fullest. David is a creative currently living in the Dutch coastal city of Haarlem with his English-Irish wife and young son.
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Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support. Our Patrons: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson, Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket , Robert Perrino, Colleen McCall, Janet MacDonald, Robin Wells, Lynn Grubb, Mikki Jackson-Brown, Sharon Katzman, Carol Levitt, Elizabeth McDonald and Darra Robinson.
Nancy Davis was born in Florida in 1949 and adopted by a family from New York. The adoption was private and no documents were available to investigate her origins. An Ancestry test 6 years ago revealed that Nancy had 5 siblings in North Carolina from her birth parents, 3 brothers, and 2 sisters. It has been an amazing journey for her and has helped fill many of the “unknowns” of her heritage. She works as an EMT in her current home in Connecticut and thoroughly enjoys sharing her story.
To go directly to Nancy's interview, skip ahead to 19:30.
Also in this episode, Sarah and Louise discuss American Baby by Gabrielle Glaser.
If you want to support our show, you can go to ourPatreonPage.
Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support. Our Patrons: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson, Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket , Robert Perrino, Colleen McCall, Janet MacDonald, Robin Wells, Lynn Grubb, Mikki Jackson-Brown, Sharon Katzman, Carol Levitt, Elizabeth McDonald, Darra Robinson, Diane Moore and Jennifer Arave.
Chris: Home at Last: A Navajo Adoptee Finds His Place
00:58:33
Chris Stearns is Navajo and was adopted in the mid-1960s before the Indian Child Welfare Act existed. His mom was part of the federal Indian Relocation program which moved Native Americans away from reservations to large cities as part of a national assimilation policy. Chris began his life in the Los Angeles County foster care system and was adopted when he was 2 years old by a loving white family in New Jersey where he was raised. Chris chose a career as an attorney fighting for Native American rights and spent many years in Washington, D.C. representing Indian tribes as well as working in the House of Representatives and the Clinton Administration. Chris eventually moved to Washington state where he now serves as a Representative in the state legislature. He also was able to access his sealed original birth records but has never been able to find his birth parents. He now lives in Auburn, where he and his wife Pamela have two adult daughters and a grandson.
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Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support. Our Patrons: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson, Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket , Robert Perrino, Colleen McCall, Janet MacDonald, Robin Wells, Lynn Grubb, Mikki Jackson-Brown, Sharon Katzman, Carol Levitt, Elizabeth McDonald, Darra Robinson, Diane Moore, Jennifer Arave and Thomas Stevenson.
Faith: For One Adoptee, a Health Scare Brought New Revelations
00:52:31
Faith Brady was born on 22 June 1969 and adopted one month later when the US landed on the moon. She has always known she was adopted and had a great relationship with her adoptive parents. Her parents then adopted another child, a brother, 3 1/2 years later. In 2015 she had to have open heart surgery and it was then that she became very interested in her medical history. Ancestry found a 1st cousin that let her know that ALL of the women in her family died before they were 60, including her bio mom. This set Faith on a path of discovery to find out her history, which is still unfolding as of this airing.
To go directly to Faith's interview, skip ahead to 10:25
Also in this episode, Sarah and Louise discuss American Baby by Gabrielle Glaser.
If you want to support our show, you can go to our Patreon Page.
Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support. Our Patrons: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson, Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket , Robert Perrino, Colleen McCall, Janet MacDonald, Robin Wells, Lynn Grubb, Mikki Jackson-Brown, Sharon Katzman, Carol Levitt, Elizabeth McDonald, Darra Robinson, Diane Moore, Jennifer Arave, Thomas Stevenson, Michael Berman and Cindy Turgeon.
Mireille Landry is an interracial adoptee who, alongside her identical twin sister, was adopted at 3 months old and raised in a predominantly white area by white adoptive parents. Originally intended to be a closed adoption, at the age of 12, the twins coincidentally met their birth mother at the mall while traveling to a nearby city for a soccer game. This unexpected encounter marked the beginning of their reunification journey, which led to meeting most of their maternal and paternal biological family and a trip to Zambia, Africa in 2011 to meet their paternal grandparents and extended Zambian family.
Throughout this journey, Mireille's adoptive parents have been very supportive, fostering a positive relationship with their biological and adoptive families. Today, Mireille and her twin sister have met and established meaningful connections with most of their biological and adoptive relatives. Mireille often expresses her belief that one can never have too many people who love them
To go directly to Mireille's interview, skip ahead to 11:49
Also in this episode, Sarah and Louise discuss American Baby by Gabrielle Glaser.
If you want to support our show, you can go to our Patreon Page.
Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support. Our Patrons: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson, Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket , Robert Perrino, Colleen McCall, Janet MacDonald, Robin Wells, Lynn Grubb, Mikki Jackson-Brown, Sharon Katzman, Carol Levitt, Elizabeth McDonald, Darra Robinson, Diane Moore, Jennifer Arave, Thomas Stevenson, Michael Berman and Cindy Turgeon.
Mike: Better Late than Never: An Adoptee Finally Finds Answers
01:00:43
Mike Berman was conceived in Bay City, Michigan in November 1944 and was born on August 8, 1945 in Nashville, Tennessee to an 18 year old woman who surrendered him for adoption to the Tennessee Childrenʼs Home Society the day after his birth. Mike was adopted by a Jewish couple living in New York City and he was raised there. In February 1950 his Mom gave birth to her only natural child, Mikeʼs younger brother. Mike never considered searching for his birth parents until he began to see the online ads for DNA testing and finally began his search in late June 2017. In addition to DNA testing Mike discovered that because of the appalling crimes committed by the TCHS under the direction of Georgia Tann he would be able to acquire his complete adoption record from TN. Mike received those records in late September 2017 and they proved to be a treasure trove of information. In addition to his genealogical research Mike also began to read about adoption and the psychological havoc it leaves in its wake. He has also read many of the books written by other adoptees and has benefitted from the insight and understanding they have achieved, each from their unique experiences. That self-education continues and Mike expects it will go on for as long as he can keep at it. Mike is currently in happy reunion with an older half-brother and a younger half-sister, all three being the only remaining children of their common birth mother, and all of them born on a Wednesday (refer to the childrenʼs rhyme MONDAYʼS CHILD). Mike and his sister have met three times in person, most recently earlier this month. His brother lives in Rhode Island and they havenʼt met but they all keep in touch by phone and social media. Mike has been retired since 2014 and lives in Central Texas. He has been married twice, divorced once and is currently separated from his second wife. Mike has two sons, one daughter, one grandson, and one son-in-law who has the same first and middle name as his adoptive brother. All of them live in the same town and get together regularly for holidays and birthdays and for the occasional random reason. Mike has a 5 year old female cat, Clara, who graciously permits him to share her house in exchange for full-time litter-box maintenance. Mike says, “Life is good.”
To go directly to Mike's interview, skip ahead to 8:26.
Also in this episode, Sarah and Louise discuss American Baby by Gabrielle Glaser.
If you want to support our show, you can go to our Patreon Page.
Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support. Our Patrons: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kris
Terrie Novak was adopted as an infant in 1967. She and her adopted brother, Gene, grew up in the security of a loving family and in awareness of their adoption. When Terrie was 18, thanks to the heroic efforts of her first mother, she received her bio family's contact information. Today Terrie is privileged to a rare abundance of love shared with her first mother, biological siblings, as well as her adoptive parents, and her own bio kids. During the long solitude of the pandemic, Terrie was compelled to write about what it means to make a family under the traumatic circumstances of coerced adoption. After two years of interviews, research, soul searching, and writing, she published her debut novel: Jules Fae, A Story of Adoption and Reunion.
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Rivi Shocket was born in Baltimore Maryland in 1987. She was adopted two days after she was born and had an open adoption. From the time she was a toddler, her adoptive parents would take her to spend time with her birth family (mom, dad, siblings, cousins, and grandparents) every couple of years. Throughout Rivi's teenage years and into adulthood, she developed strong bonds with her immediate birth family--especially her mother. Her birth mother struggled with addictions, so it was difficult to have a consistent relationship with her, but she cherished the times and talks they had up until her passing in 2016. In the past few years, Rivi has learned a lot as far as who she is, where she comes from, and even where she gets certain personality traits from. Along with learning some fun facts about her birth family, including their musical talents, she has also learned the traumas she was handed, being an adoptee. Although having an open adoption has answered many of her questions, the abandonment fears persist, as well as dealing with some of her own addiction traits. She is still learning how to deal with her relinquishment in general, but she has come to believe that writing songs about her experiences will be her saving grace.
To go directly to Rivi's interview, skip ahead to 8:49
Also in this episode, Sarah and Louise discuss American Baby by Gabrielle Glaser.
If you want to support our show, you can go to our Patreon Page.
Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support. Our Patrons: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson, Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket , Robert Perrino, Colleen McCall, Janet MacDonald, Robin Wells, Lynn Grubb, Mikki Jackson-Brown, Sharon Katzmann, Carol Levitt, Elizabeth McDonald, Diane Moore, Darra Robinson, Jen Arave, Thomas Stevenson, Michael Berman, Cindy Turgeon, Monica Hall, Allison Olson and Lenora Carey.
Janet: A Spouse and a Podcast Led This Adoptee to Reunion
01:05:54
Janet M was born in Virginia in the late 1970’s to a 16-year-old mother. At 6 weeks old she was placed via a closed adoption into a loving home with her parents and older adopted brother. She always knew she was adopted but it wasn’t a topic that was discussed openly or often in her family. Not knowing her origin story fueled her curiosity around the subject of pregnancy and birth. She became fascinated with childbirth and the beautiful relationship between new moms and their babies. She became a labor and delivery nurse in the year 2000 and has been helping new moms and babies ever since.
Janet always had a genuine curiosity about her biological family, especially her biological mother. But she never had the courage to pursue finding and connecting with any of them. It wasn’t until she was in her mid-forties that she started to “come out of the fog” by listening to podcasts about adoption, exploring adoptees on social media, and reading The Primal Wound. This past year for Christmas her husband bought her an ancestry DNA kit. The results revealed 4 close family member matches that led her to her biological mother and half-siblings. They reunited very recently and together are learning to navigate this tender new relationship. Janet lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband of 21 years, 3 teenagers and 2 dogs. She loves to travel, hike, and spend time with her family.
To go directly to Janet's interview, skip ahead to 13:26
Also in this episode, Sarah and Louise discuss American Baby by Gabrielle Glaser.
If you want to support our show, you can go to our Patreon Page.
Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support. Our Patrons: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson, Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket , Robert Perrino, Colleen McCall, Janet MacDonald, Robin Wells, Lynn Grubb, Mikki Jackson-Brown, Sharon Katzmann, Carol Levitt, Elizabeth McDonald, Diane Moore, Darra Robinson, Jen Arave, Thomas Stevenson, Michael Berman, Cindy Turgeon, Monica Hall, Allison Olson , Lenora Carey and Heidi Binnewies.
Patrick: A Lonely Childhood Led to a Search for Identity
00:59:28
Patrick Hawes was born in North Carolina on August 10, 1970, and officially adopted in September 1970. From an early age, Patrick knew he was adopted because his adopted mom was Japanese and his adopted father was American but he didn’t look at all Japanese. Patrick never really desired to search for his birth family during his childhood. He was raised in a good home and was well taken care of but there was a distance between him and his adopted mom which led to many of his adoption issues including loneliness, fear, and pain. He often thought of searching for his birth mom but being in the military and moving combined with the adoption laws in North Carolina made it extremely difficult and he often wanted to give up! Patrick finally began searching for his birth family at the age of 45 and through the magic of Facebook was able to find his birth mom, sister, and maternal Aunt- he has been in reunion with them since 2015 and while there have been many ups and downs, he wouldn’t change a thing.
To go directly to Patrick's interview, skip ahead to timestamp 9:00.
Also in this episode, Sarah and Louise discuss American Baby by Gabrielle Glaser.
If you want to support our show, you can go to our Patreon Page.
Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support. Our Patrons: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson, Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket , Robert Perrino, Colleen McCall, Janet MacDonald, Robin Wells, Lynn Grubb, Mikki Jackson-Brown, Sharon Katzmann, Carol Levitt, Elizabeth McDonald, Diane Moore, Darra Robinson, Jen Arave, Thomas Stevenson, Michael Berman, Cindy Turgeon, Monica Hall, Allison Olson , Lenora Carey, Heidi Binnewies, Sandra de Quesada and Noreen Hartigan.
Elle: For This Adoptee, the Truth Led to an Awakening
01:00:08
Elle Klassen is a Canadian who was born to a young woman of nineteen years of age in 1970. She was relinquished and then placed with her adoptive family when she was five days old. She grew up in a very conservative Canadian evangelical family where adoption was spoken of as God's plan. Much of her religious background didn't sit well with her, including the narrative around adoption. As an adopted person whose big goal in life was to fly under the radar as much as she could, she never challenged the common narrative surrounding adoption that she grew up with. Several years ago she did a DNA test on a whim & with a hint of morbid curiosity. She wanted to know if her adoption information had been falsified as so many others in the baby scoop had been. As a result, she was reunited with her first family on both her maternal, and paternal sides. Digging for truth led to seeing relinquishment, and adoption as complicated, traumatic events in a child's life. The repercussions of this reach into adulthood, and can never be fully dealt with until it is seen for what it is whether someone has had a "good" adoption or not. Truthful conversations about adoption have become her passion. She now co-hosts the podcast "Pulled by the Root" to help facilitate the conversation about relinquishment & adoption, showcasing the voices of those adopted people, and first parents, who have been previously silenced in favor of perpetuating the idea that adoption is not a trauma or a system of belief that should not be challenged.
To go directly to Elle's interview, you can just go to timestamp: 11:15.
Also in this episode, Sarah and Louise discuss the final chapter of American Baby by Gabrielle Glaser.
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Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support. Our Patrons: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson, Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket , Robert Perrino, Colleen McCall, Janet MacDonald, Robin Wells, Lynn Grubb, Mikki Jackson-Brown, Sharon Katzmann, Carol Levitt, Elizabeth McDonald, Diane Moore, Darra Robinson, Jen Arave, Thomas Stevenson, Michael Berman, Cindy Turgeon, Monica Hall, Allison Olson , Lenora Carey, Sandra de Quesada, Noreen Hartigan and Heidi Binnewies.
Season Four Finale - American Baby with Gabrielle Glaser and Margaret Erle Katz
00:54:38
Sarah and Louisehave a powerful and meaningful discussion with Gabrielle Glaser, author of American Baby, and Margaret Erle Katz, whose story is the focus of the book.
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Rita W. Miller was relinquished into the social service foster care system at 6 months of age. In her mind, Rita believes that her biological mother made this decision, not because she did not want her, but because she wanted a better life for her baby. She believes that perhaps the mother thought that she was in no way able, capable, or possibly would not gain the capacity to raise this child. This is only speculation, as with the lives of adoptees, much of what they think about their early lives are self-imposed scenarios.
Rita remembers being in two foster homes prior to her adoption. In each, she recalls feeling like ‘a little girl, who lived with these people’. Never feeling part of a unit, much less a family. Not receiving the care and love that is normally cast upon a very young child, she lived a lonely and neglectful life. Early on, she learned to become independent, self-sufficient…. a Survivor.
Throughout this early journey, Rita had a social worker, who she believed was concerned, caring, and always working on her behalf to find her a good forever home. This social worker did just that, rescued her to a forever home, with loving, caring, and committed parents. They not only opened their home but also their hearts to this soon-to-be six-year-old child. This chapter of Rita’s life was filled with many things that were unfamiliar to her, which made the transition to a permanent home quite the adjustment. Although this new family provided most of what she needed, there was always the missing link of knowing who she really was. She worked hard to be who these parents wanted and needed her to be, all the while, feeling awkward trying to meet their expectations. However, their persistence to mold her in their way, committed her to be motivated and determined to look deep within and find who she was meant to be.
Rita is eternally grateful for her adoption; however, struggles remain. She is well aware and proud of who she grew up and prepared herself to become. However, she yearns to know who deep down inside, she really is. In all of this, she realizes that blood relatives will leave us, and we are often saved by strangers who will take us in and love us unconditionally.
Rita is the author of her memoir Determined Destination, Life’s Imperfect Journey of Learning and Love. She is married and lives in Virginia. She enjoys the outdoors, creative experiences, and special moments with family and friends.
To go directly to Rita's interview, you can just go to the timestamp: 9:39
Jessica: Now What Do I Do? An Adoptee Finally Finds Answers.
00:45:19
Adopted in California in 1975, Jessica's family moved to Pennsylvania around the age of two. As a child, she slowly moved in with the neighbors when she realized her adoptive parents were not able to raise her. Recently, she has reunited with her birth mother and several members of that side of the family. She did not tell her Pennsylvania family about her search until after returning from meeting her birth family in Kansas City. It’s been an adventure ever since.
To go directly to Jessica's interview, you can go to the timestamp: 10:21
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Our Patrons: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson, Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket , Robert Perrino, Colleen McCall, Janet MacDonald, Robin Wells, Lynn Grubb, Mikki Jackson-Brown, Sharon Katzmann, Carol Levitt, Elizabeth McDonald, Diane Moore, Darra Robinson, Jen Arave, Thomas Stevenson, Michael Berman, Cindy Turgeon, Monica Hall, Allison Olson , Lenora Carey, Sandra de Quesada, Noreen Hartigan, Heidi Binnewies, Kathryn Haddad, April Dury and David Behar.
Andy was born Anthony in April 1970 in Paisley just outside Glasgow, Scotland in 1970. Although in a material sense, his childhood was relatively affluent emotionally, he struggled with adoption and having nobody to talk to about it. His persistent loneliness was brought on by his adoption and the distance from his adoptive parents.
Attending a strict Catholic private school made the problems worse as there were no "safe" adults to talk to and it helped to contribute to the emptiness he felt.
Thankfully attending University and moving out really helped as he had a great set of friendships and began to enjoy life far more, however, there was always something missing and he found it really hard to get started on a career as he knew so little about himself.
He met his natural family at the age of 27 after discovering he had three brothers and a sister as his parents had gotten married 3 years after he was born. However, it wasn't quite the solution to the issues he had hoped for.
To go directly to Andy's interview, you can go to the timestamp: 11:54
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Our Patrons: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson, Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket , Robert Perrino, Colleen McCall, Janet MacDonald, Robin Wells, Lynn Grubb, Mikki Jackson-Brown, Sharon Katzmann, Carol Levitt, Elizabeth McDonald, Diane Moore, Darra Robinson, Jen Arave, Thomas Stevenson, Michael Berman, Cindy Turgeon, Monica Hall, Allison Olson , Lenora Carey, Sandra de Quesada, Noreen Hartigan, Heidi Binnewies, Kathryn Haddad, April Dury and David Behar.
Allison: An Adoptee Who Adopts Discusses the Complexities
01:11:30
Allison Olson is an adoptee from a closed adoption in 1979. She is also an adoptive parent, raising awareness of current harmful narratives in children’s adoption books.
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Our Patrons: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson, Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket , Robert Perrino, Colleen McCall, Janet MacDonald, Robin Wells, Lynn Grubb, Mikki Jackson-Brown, Sharon Katzmann, Carol Levitt, Elizabeth McDonald, Diane Moore, Darra Robinson, Jen Arave, Thomas Stevenson, Michael Berman, Cindy Turgeon, Monica Hall, Allison Olson , Lenora Carey, Sandra de Quesada, Noreen Hartigan, Heidi Binnewies, Kathryn Haddad, April Dury, David Behar and Chris Manby.
Gregory D. Luce is a Minnesota-based attorney born and adopted in the District of Columbia. He is the founder of Adoptee Rights Law Center, where he represents US-born and inter-country adoptees on issues involving identity, records, and US citizenship. He is also a co-founder and the executive director of Adoptees United Inc., a national nonprofit adoptee rights organization. A graduate of Boston University and the University of Minnesota Law School, he lives in Minneapolis with his spouse and two children.
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Our Patrons: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson, Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket , Robert Perrino, Colleen McCall, Janet MacDonald, Robin Wells, Lynn Grubb, Mikki Jackson-Brown, Sharon Katzmann, Carol Levitt, Elizabeth McDonald, Diane Moore, Darra Robinson, Jen Arave, Thomas Stevenson, Michael Berman, Cindy Turgeon, Monica Hall, Allison Olson , Lenora Carey, Sandra de Quesada, Noreen Hartigan, Heidi Binnewies, Kathryn Haddad, April Dury, David Behar, Chris Manby and Jamie Johnson.
Haley Radke is an adoptee advocate and the creator and host of the popular podcast, Adoptees On, where adopted people share their adoption experiences. Adoptees On has more than 250 episodes featuring adoptees and adoptee therapists and has been downloaded over 1.2 million times in 140+ countries worldwide. www.adopteeson.com
To go directly to Haley's interview, you can go to the timestamp: 9:42
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Our Patrons: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson, Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket , Robert Perrino, Colleen McCall, Janet MacDonald, Robin Wells, Lynn Grubb, Mikki Jackson-Brown, Sharon Katzmann, Carol Levitt, Elizabeth McDonald, Diane Moore, Darra Robinson, Jen Arave, Thomas Stevenson, Michael Berman, Cindy Turgeon, Monica Hall, Allison Olson , Lenora Carey, Sandra de Quesada, Noreen Hartigan, Heidi Binnewies, Kathryn Haddad, April Dury, David Behar, Chris Manby and Jamie Johnson.
Moses Farrow, LMFT is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, who has 20+ years of working in the mental health field. Farrow has spent the last decade within the population of adopted people and their families. As an activist and speaker, he is mission-driven. In 2018, he wrote a blog article speaking out about his personal life as a survivor of abuse and suicide loss. Since then, he has started several initiatives in the fight against anti-Asian hate, suicide, human rights violations, child abuse, mental health stigma, and child trafficking. Throughout the past decade, Farrow has volunteered with a number of nonprofit organizations focused on addressing adoption issues. He has continued to share his personal experiences and those of his siblings who are no longer able to on his social media and on news and pop culture platforms such as The Guardian, Love What Matters, and numerous podcasts. Today, he adds voice to the efforts of other activists regarding the criminal elements of the adoption industry that result in the deaths of adopted people.
To enter our New York City ATMOM Happy Hour & Operation Foglist + Un-M-Othered Screening taking place on February 2nd & 3rd - go directly to the home page of our website and Subscribe to the Pod. Note: You must live in the Continental United States to enter the contest.
If you want to support our show, visit ourPatreonPage.
Our Patrons: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson, Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket , Robert Perrino, Colleen McCall, Janet MacDonald, Robin Wells, Lynn Grubb, Mikki Jackson-Brown, Sharon Katzmann, Carol Levitt, Elizabeth McDonald, Diane Moore, Darra Robinson, Jen Arave, Thomas Stevenson, Michael Berman, Cindy Turgeon, Monica Hall, Allison Olson , Lenora Carey, Sandra de Quesada, Noreen Hartigan, Heidi Binnewies, Kathryn Haddad, April Dury, David Behar, Chris Manby, Jamie Johnson, Sandra Umney, Patrick Hawes, Anna Brook, Niamh Graham, Lisa Baylasri and Beverly Halsey.
A few kismet moments in her early twenties led her on a journey of discovering who she looks like. Vicky Heydon was adopted through a private county adoption right after birth in 1987 and then raised in the same county. Although she believes she crossed paths with her biological family a few years prior, it wasn't until she was in her late 20s when she was helping to pack up her parents to move out of state that led her to her biological family.
When the idea of building her own family came into focus, Vicky began facing her truths about adoption and began to focus on the question, "Is it nature or nurture?"
To enter our New York City ATMOM Happy Hour & Operation Foglist + Un-M-Othered Screening taking place on February 2nd & 3rd - go directly to the home page of our website and Subscribe to the Pod. Note: There will be a cash stipend for airfare and hotels - if you live outside the continental US, you may have to pay additional funds to attend depending upon cost. Tickets to Operation Fog Lift & Un-M-Othering
If you want to support our show, visit ourPatreonPage.
Our Patrons: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson, Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket , Robert Perrino, Colleen McCall, Janet MacDonald, Robin Wells, Lynn Grubb, Mikki Jackson-Brown, Sharon Katzmann, Carol Levitt, Elizabeth McDonald, Diane Moore, Darra Robinson, Jen Arave, Thomas Stevenson, Michael Berman, Cindy Turgeon, Monica Hall, Allison Olson , Lenora Carey, Sandra de Quesada, Noreen Hartigan, Heidi Binnewies, Kathryn Haddad, April Dury, David Behar, Chris Manby, Jamie Johnson, Sandra Umney, Patrick Hawes, Anna Brook, Niamh Grah
Monica Hall is an author, adoptee, and birthmother.
She was born in Canada, adopted by American parents, and raised in Anchorage, Alaska where she spent the first sixteen years of her life and had many of the foundational experiences that drive her writing.
In addition to working as a business consultant, she has founded several successful companies and has worked in advertising and marketing for more than twenty years.
Monica published essays on her website and wrote her memoir to provide others with understanding, courage, and empowerment. She wants readers to realize that no matter the difficulties they face, it’s possible to heal and succeed.
Monica is a speaker, life coach, and mentor. She has three grown children and lives in Sacramento, California.
Practically Still a Virgin will be available in Spring, 2024. Please subscribe to Monicahall.com for launch dates and essays.
To enter our New York City ATMOM Happy Hour & Operation Foglist + Un-M-Othered Screening taking place on February 2nd & 3rd - go directly to the home page of our website and Subscribe to the Pod. Note: There will be a cash stipend for airfare and hotels - if you live outside the continental US, you may have to pay additional funds to attend depending upon cost. Tickets to Operation Fog Lift & Un-M-Othering
Kevin Barhydt is a YouTube creator and the author of Dear Stephen Michael’s Mother. His YouTube channel creates a safe space for survivors of addiction, abandonment, adoption, and child sexual abuse, to explore the healing process.
Abandoned by his mother at birth, Kevin was enveloped in a labyrinth of adoption, addiction, and child sexual abuse. By age 20, a shell of the boy he once was, Kevin succumbed completely to a suicidal lifestyle of drug dealing and prostitution. At 45, after many years of recovery, Kevin began a painful journey to uncover his origins and the hopeful search for his mother.
His book, “Dear Stephen Michael’s Mother”, chronicles the unfolding of these stories. The interwoven perspectives offer an unflinching look at the myriad ways life can cloak us in darkness and helplessness yet still resonate with joy and recovery.
To enter our New York City ATMOM Happy Hour & Operation Foglist + Un-M-Othered Screening taking place on February 2nd & 3rd - go directly to the home page of our website and Subscribe to the Pod. Note: There will be a cash stipend for airfare and hotels - if you live outside the continental US, you may have to pay additional funds to attend depending upon cost. Tickets to Operation Fog Lift & Un-M-Othering
Shelley Jean is a baby scoop-era domestic adoptee born in 1970. She was in foster care for about 2 months before being adopted. She always knew she was adopted but didn’t think about it very often until her adoptive mother passed away. At the age of 48, Shelley started on her journey of self-discovery. She now has a hard time imagining her life before searching. The journey has had many ups and downs, but Shelley is content to finally know her own story.
To enter our New York City ATMOM Happy Hour & Operation Foglist + Un-M-Othered Screening taking place on February 2nd & 3rd - go directly to the home page of our website and Subscribe to the Pod. Note: There will be a cash stipend for airfare and hotels - if you live outside the continental US, you may have to pay additional funds to attend depending upon cost. Tickets to Operation Fog Lift & Un-M-Othering
Nikole Shaw also known as "Koko" in the online community was born in Hawaiian Gardens, California, growing up in the suburbs of Orange County. Adopted as an infant, she is a black domestic adoptee who spent much of her life in a small town called Brea. Koko received her Bachelors of Science from San Jose State University and is currently working for the Department of Public Health San Francisco as a mental health professional. Koko is mostly known in the adoptee community as @theblackadoptea and spends her time advocating for and creating content for the adoptee community. She has a passion for spoken word and is also a writer who is in the process of completing her first children's book about adoption. Koko continues to share her adoption journey with the world and is reunion with her biological family from Belize.
We are re-running Koko's episode to highlight past episodes that the listener may have missed. Remember our Season Five Finale and Contest Winner Announcement will be on December 19th. Stay tuned!
To enter our New York City ATMOM Happy Hour & Operation Foglist + Un-M-Othered Screening taking place on February 2nd & 3rd - go directly to the home page of our website and Subscribe to the Pod. Note: There will be a cash stipend for airfare and hotels - if you live outside the continental US, you may have to pay additional funds to attend depending upon cost. Tickets to Operation Fog Lift & Un-M-Othering- are limited so hurry to purchase!
If you want to support our show, visit ourPatreonPage. Our Patrons: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson, Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket , Robert Perrino, Colleen McCall, Janet MacDonald, Robin Wells, Lynn Grubb, Mikki Jackson-Brown, Sharon Katzmann, Carol Levitt, Elizabeth McDonald, Diane Moore, Darra Robinson, Jen Arave, Thomas Stevenson, Michael Berman, Cindy Turgeon, Monica Hall, Allison Olson , Lenora Carey, Sandra de Quesada, Noreen Hartigan, Heidi Binnewies, Kathryn Haddad, April Dury, David Behar, Chris Manby, Jamie Johnson, Sandra Umney, Patrick Hawes, Anna Brook, Niamh Graham, Lisa Baylasri, Beverly Halsey, Gina Funaro, Karen Lane, Janet Kane, JR, Stacie Witbeck, Melia Misak Cox, Karen Bruckner and Kate Hackett.
Katherine: A Lifelong Question is Finally Answered
00:50:45
Katherine Sanford is yet another adoptee caught up in the Baby Scoop Era of U.S. closed adoptions and the restrictive laws that prevent access to birth records. It wasn’t until 2017, with the help of two spit-in-a-tube ancestry kits, that she could finally answer the one crucial question she longed to answer: “Who am I?” Katherine writes about her experience in the award-winning book, Storked! You can follow her at www.kcsanford.com
If you want to support our show, visit ourPatreonPage. Our Patrons: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson, Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket , Robert Perrino, Colleen McCall, Janet MacDonald, Robin Wells, Lynn Grubb, Mikki Jackson-Brown, Sharon Katzmann, Carol Levitt, Elizabeth McDonald, Diane Moore, Darra Robinson, Jen Arave, Thomas Stevenson, Michael Berman, Cindy Turgeon, Monica Hall, Allison Olson , Lenora Carey, Sandra de Quesada, Noreen Hartigan, Heidi Binnewies, Kathryn Haddad, April Dury, David Behar, Chris Manby, Jamie Johnson, Sandra Umney, Patrick Hawes, Anna Brook, Niamh Graham, Lisa Baylasri, Beverly Halsey, Gina Funaro, Karen Lane, Janet Kane, JR, Stacie Witbeck, Karen Bruckner, Kate Hackett and Virginia McQueen.
Sean: An Adoptee Faces the Rollercoaster of Reunion
00:55:10
Born in 1970, Sean Broderick was adopted at birth and always knew he was adopted as long as he can remember. The fact that he was adopted never seemed to bother him or cause any type of turmoil in his life. Sean seemingly had a happy and healthy childhood although alcoholism existed within one of his adoptive parents, his parents ultimately divorced and he had a lack of discipline and guidance due to being alone often.
Growing up, Sean’s adopted mother would remind him from time to time that there will come a day that he will want to meet his biological mother. This didn’t make sense to Sean on the surface and he never really gave the notion of meeting his bio mom any serious thought. It was when Sean, at the age of thirty-three, and his wife started trying to conceive their first child that he realized that he should try to find out some health history for himself.
Sean started his search for his biological mother shortly before his thirty-fourth birthday and was reunited with her about six months later. Since that time, it’s been a roller coaster of emotions that continue to this day and the beginning of meeting many more biological family members over the next eighteen years including siblings, aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces and even cousins.
If you want to support our show, visit ourPatreonPage. Our Patrons: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson, Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket , Robert Perrino, Colleen McCall, Janet MacDonald, Robin Wells, Lynn Grubb, Mikki Jackson-Brown, Sharon Katzmann, Carol Levitt, Elizabeth McDonald, Diane Moore, Darra Robinson, Jen Arave, Thomas Stevenson, Michael Berman, Cindy Turgeon, Monica Hall, Allison Olson , Lenora Carey, Sandra de Quesada, Noreen Hartigan, Heidi Binnewies, Kathryn Haddad, April Dury, David Behar, Chris Manby, Jamie Johnson, Sandra Umney, Patrick Hawes, Anna Brook, Niamh Graham, Lisa Baylasri, Beverly Halsey, Gina Funaro, Karen Lane, Janet Kane, JR, Stacie Witbeck, Karen Bruckner, Kate Hackett and Virginia McQueen.
Jane is a baby scoop-era adoptee born in 1963 in Delaware to a 14 yr. old mother. After being in foster care for the first 10 months she was adopted and raised by two wonderful parents in Pennsylvania.
Shortly after her 2nd birthday, her parents gave birth to a biological son.
Jane always knew she was adopted and wondered where she came from but never wanted or needed to search. But, at the age of 58, after both adoptive parents passed, she did a DNA test as well as some other searching. She found that sadly, her birth mother had been deceased for 20 years. Unable to get to know her, it gave her the urge to search and find out whatever else she could. She discovered that she has six half-siblings. In finding one of the siblings, she found her birth father, with whom she never thought possible.
Jane has been reunited with five of the six siblings, as well as her birth father, numerous aunts, and a cousin.
Jane owns and operates a cleaning business and still resides in Pennsylvania with her partner and 3 cats.
If you want to support our show, visit ourPatreonPage. Our Patrons: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson, Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket , Robert Perrino, Colleen McCall, Janet MacDonald, Robin Wells, Lynn Grubb, Mikki Jackson-Brown, Sharon Katzmann, Carol Levitt, Elizabeth McDonald, Diane Moore, Darra Robinson, Jen Arave, Thomas Stevenson, Michael Berman, Cindy Turgeon, Monica Hall, Allison Olson , Lenora Carey, Sandra de Quesada, Noreen Hartigan, Heidi Binnewies, Kathryn Haddad, April Dury, David Behar, Chris Manby, Jamie Johnson, Sandra Umney, Patrick Hawes, Anna Brook, Niamh Graham, Lisa Baylasri, Beverly Halsey, Gina Funaro, Karen Lane, Janet Kane, JR, Stacie Witbeck, Karen Bruckner, Kate Hackett and Virginia McQueen.
Sally: For This Adoptee, Hard Life Lessons Are Paying Off
01:00:36
Sally King is an adult adoptee from the foster system. Growing up she knew she did not seem to fit anywhere and just accepted that that was who she was. After marrying and having two biological children a little girl came to her and her husband through the foster care system. This had her embark on a journey of self-discovery and acknowledgment and through the later adoption of her daughter and dealing with social services once again she realized the impact her foster and adoption had on her.
Sally has never looked back on her decision and knows full well the impact adoption can have on a person. Good and bad - there is still an impact. She details this journey through many speaking engagements and the writing of her book, "In Search of Serenity".
If you want to support our show, visit ourPatreonPage. Our Patrons: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson, Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket , Robert Perrino, Colleen McCall, Janet MacDonald, Robin Wells, Lynn Grubb, Mikki Jackson-Brown, Sharon Katzmann, Carol Levitt, Elizabeth McDonald, Diane Moore, Darra Robinson, Jen Arave, Thomas Stevenson, Michael Berman, Cindy Turgeon, Monica Hall, Allison Olson , Lenora Carey, Sandra de Quesada, Noreen Hartigan, Heidi Binnewies, Kathryn Haddad, April Dury, David Behar, Chris Manby, Jamie Johnson, Sandra Umney, Patrick Hawes, Anna Brook, Niamh Graham, Lisa Baylasri, Beverly Halsey, Gina Funaro, Karen Lane, Janet Kane, JR, Stacie Witbeck, Karen Bruckner, Kate Hackett and Virginia McQueen.
Pam: A Rare Diagnosis Led This Adoptee on a Search
01:02:46
Pam Uzzell is a documentary filmmaker and podcaster currently living in Oakland, CA. She is the director and producer of four independent documentaries and the host and producer of the podcast, Art Heals All Wounds.
Her adoptive parents were loving but saw her as the “oddball” of her family, resulting in a profound sense of loneliness. She turned to reading as a way to find a sense of belonging, which led her to gravitate towards storytelling as a career. She’d often been curious about both of her biological parents, but when she was diagnosed with a rare disease at age 30, it felt more crucial to find answers.
After making a connection with her birth mother and her extended family years later, no one on that side of the family appears to have this disease. She discovered that her biological father had passed away two years before she found out his name. In all probability, he was the parent who passed this disease down and he had no other children besides her. However, there are unexplained DNA connections on Ancestry that suggest a mystery behind her father’s origins. Despite attempts to connect with these connections and get more information, she still has more questions than answers about her father’s ancestry and whether there are more biological family members who share this disease.
If you want to support our show, visit ourPatreonPage. Our Patrons: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson, Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket , Robert Perrino, Colleen McCall, Janet MacDonald, Robin Wells, Lynn Grubb, Mikki Jackson-Brown, Sharon Katzmann, Carol Levitt, Elizabeth McDonald, Diane Moore, Darra Robinson, Jen Arave, Thomas Stevenson, Michael Berman, Cindy Turgeon, Monica Hall, Allison Olson , Lenora Carey, Sandra de Quesada, Noreen Hartigan, Heidi Binnewies, Kathryn Haddad, April Dury,
Roy: For this Neurodiverse Adoptee, Art and Music Helped Him Heal
00:56:45
Born in Edinburgh in 1963, Roy grew up an only child and always knew he was adopted, or as his adoptive mother, Mollie, would tell him, “chosen”. Whilst loved unconditionally by Mollie and her husband Peter, the stigma of being an adopted teenager in 1970s Scotland resulted in Roy being bullied and spat on in school.
At sixteen, he left Mollie a note asking if she had any information about his blood parents. She supplied a form his birth mother had filled in at the adoption agency that gave some details but omitted others, including his father’s name.
Roy became a father himself in his mid-forties, his newborn son being the first blood relation he had consciously laid eyes on. In his early fifties, having had his full adoption papers opened, Roy discovered his mother had made a Transatlantic trip to give birth to him before swiftly returning to her home in Toronto, keeping her pregnancy a lifelong secret. Within a few months, he had found the identity of his father and traveled to Canada, meeting close family on both sides he’d never known he had.
Roy has since published a series of poems, Be My Baby, and released a CD, Songs from Be My Baby, relating to his adoption and experiences of neurodiversity which further marked him out as "different" at school and continue to impact his life. Writing and performing help him feel closer to both sets of parents and to understanding himself.
If you want to support our show, visit ourPatreonPage. Our Patrons: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson, Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket , Robert Perrino, Colleen McCall, Janet MacDonald, Robin Wells, Lynn Grubb, Mikki Jackson-Brown, Sharon Katzmann, Carol Levitt, Elizabeth McDonald, Diane Moore, Darra
Sarah: An International Adoptee Gives Back by Writing
00:45:54
Sarah D. Shearer is a writer, wife, and mother. She was adopted from Russia as a baby but has spent her life in Thomasville, Georgia. She is passionate about encouraging people to overcome and maintain a positive perspective.
Sarah is married with two beautiful children. She and her family live on a sprawling rural farm, which gives her, as L.M. Montgomery says in Sarah’s favorite childhood novel Anne of Green Gables, great “scope for the imagination.”
Sarah also enjoys writing for local magazines, reading, and celebrating her friends and family.
If you want to support our show, visit ourPatreonPage. Our Patrons: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson, Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket , Robert Perrino, Colleen McCall, Janet MacDonald, Robin Wells, Lynn Grubb, Mikki Jackson-Brown, Sharon Katzmann, Carol Levitt, Elizabeth McDonald, Diane Moore, Ann Mikeska and Darra Robins.
Lorah Gerald is a same race, domestic, Baby Scoop Era, preRoe adoptee. She posts as The Adopted Chameleon on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, Patreon, and Pinterest. She co-facilitates Adoptees Connect Tulsa and has a private Facebook group for adoptees and all MPEs called The Adopted Chameleons. She started her social media pages after her reunion with her biological family.
She was raised as an only child in her adoptive family. This was the first time in her life she had ever seen or been in contact with anyone in her biological family. Her birth mother ignored her and rejected her attempts at reunion. She was a secret to her whole family. Reunion was a rollercoaster of emotions. It opened up feelings she had suppressed. She found writing, being creative, and telling her story was therapeutic. Her pages connected her with others who are experiencing adoption trauma. Since that time she has been educating people on the trauma of adoption and how we can help heal ourselves. To better deal with her trauma, she became a certified kundalini yoga instructor, TIYT-Trauma Informed Yoga Therapy instructor, and Reiki Master. With her training in trauma, yoga therapy, and energy healing, she shares these tools online and in person in her weekly yoga classes and workshops. Working with these techniques, she now better understands her trauma and how to help others on their path to being their best and authentic selves.
All of her social media accounts, articles, podcast interviews, classes, workshops, and more can be found on her website.
If you want to support our show, visit ourPatreonPage. Our Patrons: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson, Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket , Robert Perrino, Colleen McCall, Janet MacDonald, Robin Wells, Lynn Grubb, Mikki Jackson-Brown, Sharon Katzmann, Carol Levitt, Elizabeth McDonald, Diane Moore, Ann Mikeska, Darra Robins, A.M. Homes, Kelly Layton & Karla.
Kristal Parke is a talented Cree filmmaker, producer, podcast host, and adoptee, whose personal journey has driven her to explore themes of identity, belonging, and family in her work. Born and raised on the West Coast of Canada, Kristal was adopted into a non-indigenous family as an infant. This experience profoundly shaped her perspective on life, and she has used her creative prowess to shed light on the complexities of adoption and its impact on individuals and communities. In her highly anticipated debut feature documentary, titled "Because She's Adopted," Kristal delves deep into her own life story while also weaving together the narratives of other adoptees from diverse backgrounds. Through heartfelt interviews, poignant storytelling, and powerful visuals, the film offers a touching and introspective exploration of what it truly means to belong, and the universal longing for a sense of connection and acceptance. The “Because She’s Adopted Podcast” will also be making its way onto the podcast stage Fall of 2024. Kristal Parke cements herself as a compassionate and insightful filmmaker and host, encouraging audiences to reflect on their own stories of identity and belonging.
If you want to support our show, visit our Patreon Page. Our Patrons: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson, Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket , Robert Perrino, Colleen McCall, Janet MacDonald, Robin Wells, Lynn Grubb, Mikki Jackson-Brown, Sharon Katzmann, Carol Levitt, Elizabeth McDonald, Diane Moore, Ann Mikeska, Darra Robins, A.M. Homes, Kelly Layton, Lynn Marie & Karla.
John: Operation Baby Lift and the Erasure of Culture
00:53:32
John Frey was born in Vietnam and brought to the United States as part of Operation Babylift when he was a year-and-a-half old. John often struggled with his identity, having been adopted and raised by a White American family while not having any connection to his birth country or culture. I Would Meet You Anywhere by Susan Kiyo Ito. Use Discount MAKINGOF for 30% off.
If you want to support our show, visit our Patreon Page. Our Patrons: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson, Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket , Robert Perrino, Colleen McCall, Janet MacDonald, Robin Wells, Lynn Grubb, Mikki Jackson-Brown, Sharon Katzmann, Carol Levitt, Elizabeth McDonald, Diane Moore, Ann Mikeska, Darra Robins, A.M. Homes, Kelly Layton, Lynn Marie & Karla.
Victoria: A Change in the Law Led to Search and Reunion
01:06:24
Victoria Rich never expected to search for her biological family. Always curious about her origins, she did a photography project at the infant home where she was born but did not pursue any personal searching. Then she read The Girls Who Went Away and was struck that so many of the women interviewed said they thought about and worried about their babies all the time. She had grown up hearing the message that you should never look because it would be too painful to open up the old wounds for the birth mother. After about a decade of debating whether or not to search, New York State opened its adoption records in 2020. She first spoke to her birth mother the week before the pandemic shutdown. Their reunion was the subject of a PBS Self-Evident Episode.
Update: We are not able to attend Chicago Foglift - to attend: Foglift Early Bird Link: Chicago: May 17th & 18th
LIVE PODCAST GUEST: If you would like to be the guest on the LIVE podcast by Sarah & Louise, please send an email to: themakingofmepodcast@gmail.com (make sure you are free to be in Chicago and you would be comfortable in front of a live audience and being filmed/recorded). We will choose one adoptee.
If you want to support our show, visit our Patreon Page. Our Patrons: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson, Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket , Robert Perrino, Colleen McCall, Janet MacDonald, Robin Wells, Lynn Grubb, Mikki Jackson-Brown, Sharon Katzmann, Carol Levitt, Elizabeth McDonald, Diane Moore, Ann Mikeska, Darra Robins, A.M. Homes, Kelly Layton, Lynn Marie & Karla.
Ken DeStefano is a domestic adoptee born in the late 1960's and raised in a caring and loving home. As an adoptee, he has had a largely happy life, but always wondered about the unknown. That curiosity led to a search for his birth mother and a reunification with her. His debut novel, "I Will See You Again...Hearts Will Sing," tells the story of two people whose past, present, and future lives are inexplicably linked.
Update: We are not able to attend Chicago Foglift - to attend: Foglift Early Bird Link: Chicago: May 17th & 18th
LIVE PODCAST GUEST: If you would like to be the guest on the LIVE podcast by Sarah & Louise, please send an email to: themakingofmepodcast@gmail.com (make sure you are free to be in Chicago and you would be comfortable in front of a live audience and being filmed/recorded). We will choose one adoptee.
If you want to support our show, visit our Patreon Page. Our Patrons: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson, Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket , Robert Perrino, Colleen McCall, Janet MacDonald, Robin Wells, Lynn Grubb, Mikki Jackson-Brown, Sharon Katzmann, Carol Levitt, Elizabeth McDonald, Diane Moore, Ann Mikeska, Darra Robins, A.M. Homes, Kelly Layton, Lynn Marie & Karla.
Stacie: For This Adoptee, the Longing Tugged at her Heart
00:59:49
Stacie is a Canadian born and an adoptee to same race and religion parents in 1991-1992. She is part of a mixed family of adopted and “home-made” siblings, all boys, and is the second oldest. She grew up mostly outdoors in the Wasatch Mountains of Utah. Traveling to Canada every summer fostered loving bonds with both of her grandmas and many cousins. Living further away from them, though, meant she had to create her group of “family” as she grew up. She’s maintained supportive friendships spanning over 25 years that have involved a lot of skiing, hiking, traveling, education, football games, collecting dogs, significant others, and now nieces and nephews.
Reading and music have always been crucial in her life allowing her to think beyond the mountains enclosing the valley she grew up in. Her parents couldn’t contain her independence early on as she studied abroad in Costa Rica and then Spain. After the initial culture shock, she thrives in solitude; searching for something untouched by her conscious mind, a longing that always tugged at her heart. Learning about and experiencing other cultures has been a way to fill the void of her unknown lineage. She isn’t afraid to show her gratitude in any setting: thankfulness, every moment, every experience, and every person who has contributed to that sense of fullness.
Regardless of the reason for “searching” for a first family, Stacie believes in adoptees. should always feel free and empowered to do so. She doesn’t believe there is a “right” way to do it as adoptees never signed a legal form to be in this position so they shouldn’t be held to the standards are adoptive parents agreed to. The World Wide Web is our friend!
Stacie hopes to finish her memoir at some point in the future and maintain healthy relationships with all the family involved in her birth and upbringing. You can find her only on Instagram @stacegrier or in the mountains. Sending so much love to all the adoptees finding their way or already there
Update: We are not able to attend Chicago Foglift - to attend: Foglift Early Bird Link: Chicago: May 17th & 18th
LIVE PODCAST GUEST: If you would like to be the guest on the LIVE podcast by Sarah & Louise, please send an email to: themakingofmepodcast@gmail.com (make sure you are free to be in Chicago and you would be comfortable in front of a live audience and being filmed/recorded). We will choose one adoptee.
If you want to support our show, visit our Patreon Page. Thank you to our Patreons! Join at the $10 level and be part of our monthly Zoom adoptee community.
Susan Ito is the author of the memoir, I Would Meet You Anywhere, published by the Ohio State University Press in November 2023. 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. 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 the Mills College campus of Northeastern University. She was a co-organizer of Rooted and Written, a writing workshop for writers of color.
Update: Although we are unable to attend Chicago's Foglift in May, here is the link for Early Bird tickets: Foglift Early Bird Link: Chicago: May 17th & 18th
If you want to support our show, visit our Patreon Page. Thank you to our Patreons! Join at the $10 level and be part of our monthly Zoom adoptee community.
Our Patrons: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson, Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket , Robert Perrino, Colleen McCall, Janet MacDonald, Robin Wells, Lynn Grubb, Mikki Jackson-Brown, Sharon Katzmann, Carol Levitt, Elizabeth McDonald, Diane Moore, Ann Mikeska, Darra Robins, A.M. Homes, Kelly Layton, Lynn Marie, Lynn Wood, Jeff Wadstrom & Karla.
Margaret Jane: For this Adoptee, the Questions Came Early
00:59:19
After being an only child all her life, Margaret Jane’s adoptive parents adopted four more children through the foster care system. This experience of witnessing adoption through foster care, and being the oldest sister of a group of adoptees, has given her a unique perspective and experience with adoption.
Margaret Jane is married to her high school sweetheart, who she shares 3 kiddos with. She is an avid gardener, houseplant collector, and sourdough enthusiast. She also enjoys playing various musical instruments with her family and singing and playing for her church worship team.
Margaret Jane works as an adoption “storyteller” for Adoption.com, where her job is to write and tell her own adoption story, as well as the adoption stories of other adoptees, birth parents, and adoptive parents. She is passionate about educating adoptive parents on how to do adoption better. She is also passionate about amplifying adoptee voices and sharing their stories.
To skip ahead to the interview go to timestamp: 11:31
If you want to support our show, visit our Patreon Page.
Thank you to our Patreons! Join at the $10 level and be part of our monthly Zoom adoptee community.
Our Patrons: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson, Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket , Robert Perrino, Colleen McCall, Janet MacDonald, Robin Wells, Lynn Grubb, Mikki Jackson-Brown, Sharon Katzmann, Carol Levitt, Elizabeth McDonald, Diane Moore, Ann Mikeska, Darra Robins, A.M. Homes, Kelly Layton, Lynn Marie, Lynn Wood, Jeff Wadstrom, Karla, Ellen Ashcraft, Gayle Whitlock, Dave & Kim Mullis.
Chris Valdheims is a domestic adoptee born in the late 1970s and adopted in the early 1980s after spending years of his early childhood in foster care. Growing up, he knew very little about his birth family other than his mother and father had met while she worked as a librarian at MIT. He also knew his father was Black, and his mother had immigrated to the United States from Latvia. He spent years searching for answers about his family of origin, and in 2009, he stumbled upon a complex story that involved his grandfather, a then-unknown geometric artist named Zanis Waldheims.
Following the trail from there, he began to unravel the mystery of his family history and, in the process, learn more about himself and where he had come from. His journey took him to Canada, Germany, Latvia, and Lithuania for answers, and he shares the story in a recently completed memoir for which he is currently seeking the right publishing partner. Along the way, he discovered that his father may have been one of the astronauts killed in the 1986 Challenger Space Shuttle disaster.
He resides in Los Angeles with his wife and two sons and is the founder of a well-known law firm, Counsel for Creators.
If you want to support our show, visit our Patreon Page.
Thank you to our Patreons! Join at the $10 level and be part of our monthly Zoom adoptee community.
Our Patrons: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson, Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket , Robert Perrino, Colleen McCall, Janet MacDonald, Robin Wells, Lynn Grubb, Mikki Jackson-Brown, Sharon Katzmann, Carol Levitt, Elizabeth McDonald, Diane Moore, Ann Mikeska, Darra Robins, A.M. Homes, Kelly Layton, Lynn Marie, Lynn Wood, Jeff Wadstrom, Karla, Ellen Ashcraft, Gayle Whitlock, Dave, Kim Mullis, Simone Jung, Liesl de Wet and Kelly Jennings.
Valerie: Mystic Masquerade, An Adoptee's Search for Truth
01:13:12
Valerie Naiman is an adoptee, singer, story-songwriter, eco-village founder, ontologist, and author. Her #1 bestseller book, Mystic Masquerade, an Adoptee's Search for Truth, was based on five decades of a search that took her around the world as she unraveled the mystery of her stolen identity.
Valerie holds a master's degree in Art and worked as a costume designer and actress in film and theatre in NY, Miami & LA. She’s the President of the Spirit Foundation, a non-profit that supports disenfranchised children..She also leads seekers to sacred sites in the USA and abroad. In 1990 she had an intense vision that ended up founding the first Eco-village in North America.
Through all of her adventures, she journaled her findings as she excavated her biological and spiritual identity.
Presently, Valerie is completing an audiobook version of Mystic Masquerade and producing an album of story songs about her search. She now lives on a small organic farm in Asheville, NC with her dwarf goats and honeybees.
If you want to support our show, visit our Patreon Page.
Thank you to our Patreons! Join at the $10 level and be part of our monthly Zoom adoptee community. Our Patrons: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson, Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket , Robert Perrino, Colleen McCall, Janet MacDonald, Robin Wells, Lynn Grubb, Mikki Jackson-Brown, Sharon Katzmann, Carol Levitt, Elizabeth McDonald, Diane Moore, Ann Mikeska, Darra Robins, A.M. Homes, Kelly Layton, Lynn Marie, Lynn Wood, Jeff Wadstrom, Karla, Ellen Ashcraft, Gayle Whitlock, Dave, Kim Mullis, Simone Jung, Liesl de Wet, Kelly Jennings, Sherry Espinoza and Barbara Whitacre.
Jessica: For this Adoptee, Unsealed Records Reveal Answers Close to Home
01:06:41
Jessica is a 1970 baby scoop-era adoptee, who started discovering her roots at age 50. After more than 80 years of closed records in NYS, she was able to obtain her original birth certificate in 2020. Two DNA tests and one secret after another uncovered a history of relinquishment, trauma, and family ties nearby of where she resides in upstate New York.
At 54, Jessica is learning to live her truth on her terms and allowing herself to heal from the lifelong effects of being adopted. A retired art teacher, she is running a thriving business and enjoying her life with her amazing sons and husband, all while continuing to uncover more pieces of her genetic puzzle.
To skip ahead to the interview go to timestamp: 12:06
Ryan Anderson is a foundling and a transnational, transracial, and late discovery adoptee (LDA). Found on the street in El Jadida, Morocco he was adopted at age 3 months and then brought to Scotland at age 6 months, in between this time he was fostered by a Moroccan family. He first found out he was adopted at age 18. Since 2020 he has been focused on personal development, to then became open to sharing his story at age 31.
To skip ahead to the interview go to timestamp: 14:21
Simone Pajo was born in Auckland New Zealand in 1968, the baby scoop era. She was the middle child between two bio children and was adopted after the death of the middle bio daughter. She grew up knowing her adoption was the result of a baby's death and this greatly affected the way she saw the world and her place in it. It has taken decades for Simone to form a coherent worldview where her right to her identity does not depend on the needs of others.
She has lived in the UK for over 30 years and is a law graduate and former journalist.
To skip ahead to the interview go to timestamp: 13:53
Ellen is a baby scoop-era New York State adoptee. She was adopted by a loving Greek American couple through a closed private adoption and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area with a younger adopted brother.
Ellen always wanted to find her original family and searched off and on starting in the early 90s but kept hitting roadblocks. Her adoptive parents were not supportive of her search so she had very little information to go on. Then a friend had her rescue dog’s DNA tested which changed everything for the better.
To skip ahead to the interview go to timestamp: 16:13
Cary: Coming to Terms with the Complexities of Adoption
01:03:46
Cary is a baby scoop-era adoptee who was born in a Florence Crittenton Home in Atlantic City NJ in 1964. Her first mother was 19 years old and was forced to relinquish her baby like many young mothers of those times. Cary had a great upbringing in a family that loved her and never made her feel othered. In her early 30s she reunited with her birth mother and then her birth father. The reunions went well for the most part, but some family members that started out enthusiastic soon became clearly uninterested in staying connected.
Even in the best situations, adoption is incredibly complex. In recent years after the death of her older, adopted, sister, Cary has been better understanding just how complex it can be. Her relationship with her sister was great—as long as she was a child. It became more complicated and difficult as adult years went by. Losing her sister, and therefore her best connection to the parents who raised her and whom she loved dearly, has brought up a lot of adoption-related issues that she hadn't really tuned into before.
What she would like people to understand most is that an adoptee can be both happy with who they grew up with, how they were raised, and the life they’ve had, while also feeling sad and having complicated feelings about the loss they started life with, and the impact adoption has had on them.
To skip ahead to the interview go to timestamp: 13:01
Mark Diebel has been married for almost 46 years and has two sons and two grandchildren. He has been serving as an Episcopal priest in parish ministry for thirty-six years. He was reunited with his birth mother, a second-generation Japanese immigrant, in 2004 when he was 49. A year later he learned that his natural father, a Cuban doctor, was killed in a bizarre accident in Matanzas Cuba in 1970. Over the years, he has learned about both of his first parents and visited their homes in Hawaii and Cuba. As an Episcopal priest, he advocated for adoptees and donor-conceived persons to have access to their personal information and their right to know their origins and their parentage. In May 2012, he wrote an essay, Human Nature and Truthfulness in Adoption and Donor Conception Practice, for the Journal for Christian Legal Thought. He explores the relationship between Christian theology and contemporary adoption practices. He talks about his adoption experience, adoption practices in general, race, and identity in sermons. Mark is currently working with The Episcopal Church as it begins to examine its complicity in the practice of forced adoptions during the Baby Scoop Era. He is retired and living close to his grandchildren in Owensboro, Kentucky.
To skip ahead to the interview go to timestamp: 9:03
Christina Thanstrom is a baby Scoop-era adoptee born in Los Angeles in 1966. A loving couple adopted her in 1967 through LA County and she had a mostly idyllic childhood with a younger brother (also adopted) in the San Fernando Valley.
Christina was reunited with her birth mother, Arleen, an R.N., at age 19 while in college (the same age Arleen had given birth to Christina). Christina learned that when Arleen’s parents discovered her pregnancy, they threw her high school graduation photo against the wall and called her a “whore.” She then went to a “home for unwed mothers” where she gave birth to Christina.
Reunion was fraught with unspoken emotions and unaddressed traumas on both sides. Sadly, Arleen died at 52. 23&Me introduced Christina to her bio-father’s family, who have opened their arms and hearts to her.
Christina and her hubby David are proud parents of adult children, Sophia and Harrison. Christina is a devoted rescue pup mom and fierce animal rescue advocate. She hopes that we overcome and eliminate the shame and the secrecy surrounding adoption on all sides of the triangle.
To skip ahead to the interview go to timestamp: 18:37
Steve Inskeep is an adoptee and adoptive parent born in 1968, the peak year for adoptions in America during the Baby Scoop Era.
He is a host of NPR's Morning Edition, as well as NPR's morning news podcast Up First.
Known for interviews with presidents and Congressional leaders, Steve has a passion for stories of the less famous: Pennsylvania truck drivers, Kentucky coal miners, U.S.-Mexico border detainees, Yemeni refugees, California firefighters, and American soldiers.
And now adoptees can be added to that list. Recently, he published an in-depth article in The Atlantic about America’s long history of secret adoption: NO ONE’S CHILDREN - America's long history of secret adoption A native of Carmel, Indiana, Inskeep is a graduate of Morehead State University in Kentucky and resides in Washington, DC.
To skip ahead to the interview go to timestamp: 15:51
Gretchen: Relinquished: The Politics of Adoption and the Privilege of American Motherhood
01:04:16
Season 7 Finale
Gretchen Sisson, PhD is a qualitative sociologist who studies abortion and adoption in the United States, based at Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health (ANSIRH) in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences at the University of California, San Francisco. She is the author of Relinquished: The Politics of Adoption and the Privilege of American Motherhood, a ten-year examination of adoption relinquishment during the years of Roe.
To skip ahead to the interview go to timestamp: 11:36
Trishina: Digging through the Layers of International Adoption
00:49:28
Trishina was born in 1991 in Sevastopol, Ukraine, and was adopted at 18 months old. She was always curious about her biological family, searching on and off. Still, it wasn’t until she joined a Russian social media app called Vkontakte, that she could find some answers. Trishina is a nurse and military wife currently living in Cleveland, Ohio.
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