Beta

Explorez tous les épisodes de Unraveling Adoption

Plongez dans la liste complète des épisodes de Unraveling Adoption. Chaque épisode est catalogué accompagné de descriptions détaillées, ce qui facilite la recherche et l'exploration de sujets spécifiques. Suivez tous les épisodes de votre podcast préféré et ne manquez aucun contenu pertinent.

Rows per page:

1–50 of 177

DateTitreDurée
03 Oct 2022Fentanyl Harm Reduction for Families with Nicole Miller - Ep 6200:44:30

In this week’s Safe Home Podcast, Beth talks with Nicole Miller, a certified drug and alcohol counselor and coach from Oregon who teaches addiction pharmacology at Portland Community College. Even though she’s very knowledgeable about all kinds of drugs, I brought her onto Safe Home Podcast to help us focus on fentanyl. It’s such a dangerous drug, and deaths from fentanyl poisoning have skyrocketed in just the last 2 or 3 years. Our family really wants to raise awareness about fentanyl, so Nicole will help us all understand the risks and what we can all do to prevent deaths caused by fentanyl.

This episode is dedicated to the memory of Helanna Johnson, our life coach Heather Ross’s daughter who died in December 2021 from fentanyl poisoning.

===============

💌 Sign up for our Safe Home Families email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===============

RESOURCES:

Nicole’s information:

Other resources about fentanyl:

===============

Other Resources:

===============

www.SafeHomeFamilies.com

===============

TIME STAMPS:

2:08 Nicole’s personal journey with addiction and recovery

3:14 Safe Home lifts up harm reduction

4:40 What is fentanyl?

8:33 What forms does fentanyl come in? How does it get mixed in with other drugs?

9:55 Having Naloxone/Narcan available to save lives, but never use substances alone

10:45 Fentanyl test strips

13:20 How fentanyl makes people feel

14:30 The dangers of fentanyl with experimental use of substances

16:30 Beth’s challenges getting Narcan from the pharmacy

19:41 Encouraging our loved ones to carry Narcan with them

20:24 Meeting addicted people where they’re at; facing reality and encouraging harm reduction

23:51 How can Narcan - the Lazarus drug - works

27:12 Opiates, pain, and tolerance

28:50 How Medical Assisted Treatment (MAT) affects the rates of recovery

33:48 When to use Narcan, signs of an opiate overdose

36:35 Fentanyl could be in ANYTHING off the streets

38:02 How does Nicole stay grounded working in the addiction field

39:15 What Nicole’s recovery coaching looks like

40:50 All overdoses are accidental

--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/safe-home-podcast/message

29 Jan 2022Hypnotherapy with Pamela Topjian - Ep 2700:35:48

In this episode, Beth learns about hypnotherapy with Pamela Topjian from Breakthrough Hypnotherapy. She talks about her own healing path from childhood trauma, how she got into hypnotherapy, and how hypnotherapy can help create more peace and heal trauma for teens and parents. Joey checks in at the end of this episode, too.

===============

💌 Sign up for our Safe Home Families email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===============

RESOURCES:

Pamela Topjian’s information:

Other resources mentioned in this episode:

Other Resources:

===============

Safe Home is created by Joseph Nakao and his moms Beth Syverson and Jan Mabie

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

Cover art by Joseph Nakao, photo by Beth Syverson, with design help from Nina Smith

Email questions or comments to Safe Home at SafeHomePodcast@gmail.com

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube

Support Safe Home on Patreon

===============

TIME STAMPS:

1:51 Pamela’s memoir I Didn’t Come This Far to Only Come THIS Far

4:05 Adding to our healing modality toolbox

6:13 Pamela’s trauma story

9:08 Pamela’s career journey from nursing to hypnotherapy

12:34 Beth gushes over Joey

14:35 How Covid has exacerbated problems

17:05What hypnotherapy is like

23:32 Doing hypnotherapy remotely

24:47 How hypnotherapy can help parents with struggling teens

--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/safe-home-podcast/message

13 May 2024Nurturing Hope: A Recovery Update with Joey Nakao - Ep 14500:25:14

"I'm in a great place, not just physically, but emotionally and mentally." -- Joey Nakao

Podcast Episode Synopsis:

In this heartfelt episode of Unraveling Adoption, host Beth Syverson welcomes her son, Joey, back to the podcast after a five-month hiatus. Joey, a courageous 20-year-old in recovery from addiction, shares his journey of sobriety and self-discovery with listeners.

The episode delves into Joey's recent experiences at Hazelden Betty Ford in Palm Springs, where he is participating in a PHP (Partial Hospitalization Program). Joey reflects on the challenges he has faced during his recovery, including moments of discomfort and the temptation to leave the program. However, he credits the supportive community at the treatment center for helping him stay grounded and committed to his sobriety.

Joey opens up about his transformative experiences with meditation, where he received messages of healing and self-preservation. He also discusses his plans for the future, including moving into an apartment with a friend from rehab and continuing his recovery journey.

As the episode unfolds, Beth and Joey discuss their upcoming book, Adoptees and Suicidality, which aims to shed light on the connection between adoption and mental health struggles. Joey expresses his desire to be more involved in the podcast and potentially pursue a career in counseling or recovery support.

Throughout the episode, Joey emphasizes the importance of honesty, self-nurturing, and community support in the recovery process. He encourages listeners struggling with addiction to stay hopeful and seek help from those who can hold their truth with compassion.

===============

📆 Community Calendar: UnravelingAdoption.com/Calendar

✨Healing the Adoption Constellation database: UnravelingAdoption.com/Healing

💌Sign up for our Unraveling Adoption email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

 ===============

 RESOURCES:

Other Resources:

===============

 Unraveling Adoption is produced and hosted by Beth Syverson

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

Email questions or comments to Beth@UnravelingAdoption.com

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube

Support Unraveling Adoption on Patreon: http://Patreon.com/UnravelingAdoption

Check out our website: http://UnravelingAdoption.com

Create your own podcast through Libsyn: https://signup.libsyn.com/?promo_code=ADOPTION

===============

Timestamps:

  • 00:05:30 - Joey's Recovery Journey: Joey discusses his experience with recovery and the challenges he faced in previous attempts.

  • 00:10:17 - Importance of Community in Recovery: Joey emphasizes the role of community and support in his recovery journey.

  • 00:15:07 - Milestones in Recovery: Joey reflects on his progress in recovery and the importance of taking it day by day.

  • 00:17:14 - Comparison between SMART Recovery and AA: Joey explains the differences between SMART Recovery and Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) in terms of approach and structure.

  • 00:18:28 - Transformative Meditation Experiences: Joey shares his experiences with meditation and the insights he gained during the practice.

  • 00:21:35 - Unraveling Adoption Book Announcement: Beth discusses the upcoming release of the book Adoptees and Suicidality and its significance in raising awareness about suicide.

  • 00:23:20 - Overcoming Stigma in Recovery: Joey encourages understanding and compassion for individuals struggling with addiction, emphasizing the importance of support and empathy.

  • 00:24:17 - Message of Hope for Those Struggling: Joey offers words of encouragement and advice for individuals facing addiction, highlighting the importance of honesty and seeking support.

06 May 2024Finding Her Beat: Healing and Identity Through Taiko with Jennifer Weir - Ep 14400:29:13

"Taiko drumming is a wonderful way to release lots of negative energy and have it transformed into positive energy. " -- Jennifer Weir

Podcast Episode Synopsis:

In this episode of Unraveling Adoption, host Beth Syverson welcomes guest Jennifer Weir, a Korean adoptee who connected with her Asian identity through Taiko drumming. Jennifer shares her journey of being adopted from South Korea at a young age and growing up in North Dakota with very little Asian representation. Despite facing bullying and struggles with identity, Jennifer found solace in Taiko drumming, eventually becoming the executive director of Taiko Arts Midwest.

The episode delves into Jennifer's experience organizing a groundbreaking concert featuring elite women Taiko drummers from Japan, the US, and Canada. The concert, captured in the award-winning documentary Finding Her Beat, highlighted the challenges faced by women in the male-dominated Taiko industry. The film showcases the power of Taiko drumming as a form of expression and healing, resonating with audiences worldwide.

Beth and Jennifer discuss the complexities of Asian identity, the importance of processing grief, and the transformative power of Taiko drumming in navigating personal struggles. Jennifer's journey from a Korean adoptee to a Taiko drumming powerhouse serves as an inspiration to adoptees and individuals exploring their cultural heritage.

===============

📆 Community Calendar: UnravelingAdoption.com/Calendar

✨Healing the Adoption Constellation database: UnravelingAdoption.com/Healing

💌Sign up for our Unraveling Adoption email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===============

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Other Resources:

===============

Unraveling Adoption is produced and hosted by Beth Syverson

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

Email questions or comments to Beth@UnravelingAdoption.com

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube

Support Unraveling Adoption on Patreon: Patreon.com/UnravelingAdoption

Check out our website: www.UnravelingAdoption.com

Create your own podcast through Libsyn: https://signup.libsyn.com/?promo_code=ADOPTION

===============

Timestamps:

00:01:05 - Guest Introduction: Jennifer Weir, Korean Adoptee
00:02:20 - Jennifer's Adoption Story: Arrival in the U.S.
00:03:31 - Growing Up in North Dakota as an Asian Adoptee
00:06:00 - Lack of Asian Cultural Connection in Childhood
00:08:00 - Experience of Bullying and Microaggressions in School
00:09:37 - Jennifer's Response to Bullying and Racism
00:11:59 - Vulnerable Story of Dealing with Bullying
00:13:32 - Coping with Rage
00:15:11 - Taiko Drumming is Cathartic and Therapeutic
00:16:08 - Women in Taiko Drumming: Gender Dynamics
00:17:13 - Empowering Women in Taiko Drumming
00:19:53 - Production of "Finding Her Beat" Documentary
00:21:38 - Jennifer's Family Involvement in Taiko Drumming
00:22:05 - Choosing Japanese Taiko Drumming over Korean Drumming
00:25:20 - Impact of Finding Her Beat on the Adoptee Community
00:27:02 - Information on Finding Her Beat film and TaikoArts Midwest
00:28:02 - Support Unraveling Adoption Podcast and Patreon Membership

 

01 Sep 2021Nicotine - with Jan Mabie - Ep 400:53:38

in this episode, the whole family - Jan, Beth, and Joey - talk about nicotine. Jan used nicotine (among other things) and tells Joey it was the hardest drug to quit. Joey talks about the prevalence of nicotine and vaping in schools and suggests ways that parents can help their kids if they get into vaping. 

===============

💌 Sign up for our Safe Home Families email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===============

Safe Home is created by Joseph Nakao and his moms Beth Syverson and Jan Mabie 

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao 

Cover art by Joseph Nakao, photo by Beth Syverson, with design help from Nina Smith 

Email questions or comments to Safe Home at SafeHomePodcast@gmail.com 

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube 

Support Safe Home on Patreon 

 

RESOURCES: 

Here are some resources for teens and others who are struggling right now: 

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: call 800-273-8255 - 24/7 

Lifeline Chat: https://Suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat - 24/7 

Teen Line: call 310-855-HOPE   6-10pm PST  Or text TEEN to 839863  Talk to other trained teens 

Youthline:  call 877-968-8491   4-10pm PST   Or text Teen2Teen to 839863. 

Need2Text: text TALK to 38255    24/7 

 

And here are some resources for therapy, coaching, and counseling: 

Find a Tele-Therapist: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/online-counseling 

Miguel Rosell - Guided Core Integration: https://miguelrosell.com/ 

Heather Ross - Life Coaching for Parents of Addicted Teens: https://heatherrosscoaching.com/ 

 

NICOTINE INFO: 

Truth Initiative: Inspiring Lives Free from Smoking, Vaping, and Nicotine - https://truthinitiative.org/our-top-issues/vaping-issue 

The Vaping Fix podcast - https://wondery.com/shows/the-vaping-fix/ 

 

TIME STAMPS: 

2:07 Jan’s experience with nicotine 

6:04 Jan’s experience quitting meth v quitting nicotine 

6:53 Nicotine ads 9:30 Big Tobacco 

10:50 Names of vape products 

12:20 Difference between smoking and vaping 

14:05 Vaping system costs 

17:50 Why do people use nicotine 

19:30 Using nicotine without getting addicted 

20:10 Downsides of using nicotine 

21:00 How kids procure nicotine 

22:37 Nicotine then and now 

26:57 Peer pressure 

30:15 How Joey and Jan got off nicotine 

40:00 Preventing kids from starting using nicotine

--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/safe-home-podcast/message

02 Sep 2024Shedding Light on Children of Priests with Brendan Watkins - Ep 16100:28:39

"The Church, of course, is doing everything it can to silence victims." - Brendan Watkins

EPISODE SUMMARY:
In this episode of Unraveling Adoption, the host, Beth Syverson, interviews Brendan Watkins, an Australian adoptee who shares his emotional journey of discovering his origin story filled with religious intrigue. Brendan found out that his birth mother became pregnant in the 1950s and relinquished him for adoption, and later became a nun. He then discovered that his birth father was a Catholic priest. Brendan's memoir, Tell No One, sheds light on the challenges faced by children of priests and nuns. The episode delves into the complexities of adoption, the impact of secrecy and shame, and the need for awareness and support for individuals affected by such circumstances. Brendan emphasizes the importance of mental health support and seeking legal assistance for those in similar situations. The episode highlights the ongoing struggle for justice and recognition faced by children of priests and nuns, urging listeners to educate themselves and support those affected by these issues. 

===============

📘Get our new book Adoption and Suicidality: amazon.com/Adoption-Suicidality-Healthcare-Professionals-Unraveling/dp/B0DCBCTSLL

📆 Community Calendar: UnravelingAdoption.com/Calendar

✨Healing the Adoption Constellation database: UnravelingAdoption.com/Healing

💌Sign up for our Unraveling Adoption email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===============

RESOURCES:

Brendan Watkin’s information:

Other resources mentioned in this episode:

Other Resources:

===============

Unraveling Adoption is produced and hosted by Beth Syverson

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

Email questions or comments to Beth@UnravelingAdoption.com

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube

Support Unraveling Adoption on Patreon: http://Patreon.com/UnravelingAdoption

Check out our website: http://UnravelingAdoption.com

Create your own podcast through Libsyn: https://signup.libsyn.com/?promo_code=ADOPTION

===============

TIME STAMPS:

  • Introduction to Unraveling Adoption: 00:00:02-00:00:34

  • Brendan's Early Childhood and Adoption Revelation: 00:01:36-00:03:08

  • Discovering Birth Mother's Identity: 00:03:28-00:05:14

  • Revealing Birth Father's Identity: 00:06:34-00:08:53

  • Insights into Relationship Between Birth Parents: 00:09:19-00:09:51

  • Discussion on Celibacy and Wealth in the Church: 00:10:32-00:12:53

  • Impact of NDAs and Confidentiality Agreements: 00:16:15-00:19:01

  • Support and Justice for Children of Priests and Nuns: 00:20:11-00:22:56

  • Reflections on the Church's Actions and Victims: 00:23:20-00:26:04

  • Resources and Conclusion: 00:26:54-00:28:30

 

26 Feb 2022Neurodiversity and Gender Diversity with Lyric Holmans - Ep 3100:50:17

This week’s episode is about All The Diversities. Beth interviews Lyric Holmans, a non-binary, autistic self-advocate who runs the blog and Facebook page “The Neurodivergent Rebel” plus their company Neurodivergent Consulting.

===============

💌 Sign up for our Safe Home Families email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===============

RESOURCES:

How to find Lyric:

Other Resources:

===============

Safe Home is created by Joseph Nakao and Beth Syverson

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

Cover art by Joseph Nakao, photo by Beth Syverson

Email questions or comments to Safe Home at SafeHomePodcast@gmail.com

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube

Support Safe Home on Patreon

===============

TIME STAMPS:

2:13 What happens when autistic people tell the truth

5:45 Lyric’s late diagnosis

11:25 Diversity within the Neurodivergent population

14:02 Lyric’s acting on stage and in life

15:05 Lyric’s school experience

18:30 The eye contact issue

22:06 Definition of neurodivergent

28:56 ADHD and “Does not apply themselves”

34:48 How non-binary gender intersects with neurodiversity

37:55 Definition of non-binary gender

--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/safe-home-podcast/message

05 Sep 2022Framework to Improve Mental Health with Renee Knapp - Ep 5800:50:32

Movies & Conversations with Alex Kaplan from Of Substance

Saturday, September 10, 2022, 10am PST

OfSubstance.Eventbrite.com

===============

In this week’s Safe Home Podcast, Beth talks with Renee Knapp, a vice principal at a high school - or she would call it a deputy principal at a district high school where she lives in SW of Western Australia. But on top of that, she’s an independent consultant at Think Effective Consultancy, where she works with schools, communities, and passionate individuals to improve  mental health and wellbeing outcomes through a proven process and framework for change. She is the Chair and co-founder of a Community Based Mental Health Action Team and she’s an Ambassador for the Australian & New Zealand Mental Health Association. 

RESOURCES: 

Renee’s information: Think Effective Consultancy website: https://thinkeffective.com.au/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/www.thinkeffective.com.au 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thinkeffectiveconsultancy/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn8qrZZ0hmktyC7Ot0QIXuw 

 

Other resources mentioned in this episode: 

Mind Matters (Australia): https://www.positiveschools.com.au/2012%20Mind%20Matters.html 

GoZen videos for kids: https://gozen.com/ 

Reach Out for teens and young adults: https://au.reachout.com/ 

New 988 mental health crisis line: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/988 

 

www.SafeHomeFamilies.com 

=============== 

 

TIME STAMPS 

1:50 The Big Picture work that Renee is doing to help kids’ mental health 

2:20 Renee’s background and interest in mental health 

7:30 Behaviors are not the problem 

11:05 Common mental health problems in high school 

15:00 Advocating for a CULTURE of well-being at school and Beth’s horrible experience with Joey’s high school’s culture 

20:23 Examples of Renee’s framework in action 

27:10 Finding passionate individuals who can hop on board 

29:50 Framework instead of programs 

32:40 Suicide as leading cause of death 

37:35 Creating a plan for well-being in the school and community 

39:13 Belonging and connection is the cure

--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/safe-home-podcast/message

30 Sep 2024The Intersection of Politics and Adoption with Mark H. - Ep 16500:36:29

"The way that fascism triumphs is if everyone goes silent and becomes quiescent." - Mark H.

EPISODE SUMMARY:

In this episode of Unraveling Adoption, I, Beth Syverson, welcome Mark, a transracial adoptee from Korea and a passionate advocate for adoption-related issues. Together, we delve into the often-overlooked intersection of politics and adoption, particularly in the context of the upcoming U.S. presidential election.

As an adoptive mom of a 20-year-old son, Joey, who is navigating his own path, I feel a deep responsibility to address the complexities surrounding adoption and how they relate to broader societal issues. This election is particularly significant, as it touches on critical topics such as racial justice, women's reproductive rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and the preservation of our democratic systems. With Joey preparing to vote for the first time, I am acutely aware of the stakes involved and the long-term impact our choices will have on future generations.

Mark shares his unique perspective as a transracial adoptee and a gay man, highlighting the challenges he faced growing up in a predominantly white environment. He reflects on the societal norms of his youth, where discussing politics was often taboo, and emphasizes the importance of speaking out in today's climate. Mark articulates the existential nature of this election, particularly for marginalized communities, and the need for individuals to engage in political discourse.

Throughout our conversation, we explore the implications of having a woman of color, Kamala Harris, as a presidential candidate. While Mark expresses excitement about her candidacy, he also addresses the racism and misogyny she faces, which resonates deeply with his own experiences of being “other”ed. We discuss how the political landscape has shifted, particularly within the Republican Party, and the urgent need for individuals to recognize and confront systemic racism.

Mark and I emphasize the importance of activism, not just in the traditional sense of protests and demonstrations, but in everyday conversations with friends, family, and neighbors. We encourage listeners to engage with those around them, especially in swing states, to ensure that their voices are heard and that they participate in the electoral process.

As we wrap up the episode, I invite listeners to reflect on their own roles in advocating for change and to consider how their political choices impact the lives of those in the adoption community and beyond. We urge everyone to vote, to educate themselves, and to have open discussions about the critical issues at stake in this election.

This episode serves as a call to action for all of us to be brave, to stand up for what we believe in, and to work towards a more equitable society for everyone, especially those affected by adoption. Thank you for joining us in this important conversation.

===============

📘Get our new book Adoption and Suicidality: amazon.com/Adoption-Suicidality-Healthcare-Professionals-Unraveling/dp/B0DCBCTSLL

📆 Community Calendar: UnravelingAdoption.com/Calendar

✨Healing the Adoption Constellation database: UnravelingAdoption.com/Healing

💌Sign up for our Unraveling Adoption email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===============

RESOURCES:

If you’d like to connect with Mark H., send him an email through me at Beth@UnravelingAdoption.com. He’s staying anonymous in this episode in order to not jeopardize his job.

Respond to this episode on Unraveling Adoption’s page on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or LinkedIn.

Other resource mentioned in this episode:

Other Resources:

===============

Unraveling Adoption is produced and hosted by Beth Syverson

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

Email questions or comments to Beth@UnravelingAdoption.com

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube

Support Unraveling Adoption on Patreon: http://Patreon.com/UnravelingAdoption

Check out our website: http://UnravelingAdoption.com

Create your own podcast through Libsyn: https://signup.libsyn.com/?promo_code=ADOPTION

===============

Please rate (*****) and/or review Unraveling Adoption in Apple Podcasts and Spotify (even if you listen to it on another app). Your feedback will help more listeners find our episodes. Thank you!

===============

TIME STAMPS

00:01:00 - The Importance of Voting
Beth discusses the significance of the upcoming presidential election and its impact on adoption-related issues.

00:02:30 - Introducing Mark
Mark, a transracial adoptee, joins the conversation to discuss the intersection of politics and adoption.

00:03:00 - Mark's Background and Perspective
Mark shares his experiences as a transracial adoptee and the importance of speaking out in the current political climate.

00:06:00 - The Fog of Whiteness
Mark discusses the challenges of growing up in a predominantly white environment and the implications for transracial adoptees.

00:08:30 - Representation in Politics
Mark expresses his feelings about having a woman of color as a presidential candidate and the challenges she faces.

00:10:30 - Racism and Misogyny in Politics
Discussion on the racism and misogyny directed at Kamala Harris and its impact on marginalized communities.

00:12:30 - Understanding Systemic Racism
Mark explains the difference between individual acts of racism and systemic racism in society.

00:14:30 - The Role of White Allies
The importance of white individuals engaging with and understanding issues of race and privilege.

00:16:00 - The Stakes of the Election
Mark emphasizes the critical nature of the upcoming election and the need for active participation.

00:18:00 - Mobilizing for Change
Discussion on the responsibility of individuals to educate and mobilize others in their communities.

00:20:00 - The Importance of Conversations
Mark highlights the power of personal conversations in advocating for change and understanding.

00:22:00 - Adoption and Political Interests
Exploration of how adoption intersects with political issues, particularly for families of color.

00:24:00 - Activism in Everyday Life
Mark discusses how activism can take many forms, including simple conversations with friends and family.

00:26:00 - The Power of Individual Votes
The significance of each vote in local and national elections and the moral obligation to participate.

00:28:00 - Conclusion and Call to Action
Beth and Mark encourage listeners to engage in the political process and advocate for marginalized communities.

13 Jun 2022Recovery Coaching with Tracy Struckman - Ep 4600:39:51

In this week’s Safe Home Podcast, Beth talks with Tracy Struckman, an Indiana-based recovery coach who has 8 years of recovery from a destructive  heroin addiction. She now helps others who are struggling with addiction to find long-term recovery.  She is just completing her licensure to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and she does online consulting and workshops for people who struggle with addiction as well as their families.

===============

💌 Sign up for our Safe Home Families email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===============

RESOURCES:

Tracy’s information:

Other Resources:

===============

Safe Home is created by Joseph Nakao and Beth Syverson

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

Cover art by Joseph Nakao, photo by Beth Syverson

Email questions or comments to Safe Home at SafeHomePodcast@gmail.com

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube

Support Safe Home on Patreon

===============

TIME STAMPS:

1:35 Tracy’s childhood and adolescence and background of her heroin addiction

3:35 The addiction process - alcohol→marijuana→then heroin

5:41 Fentanyl’s dangers and access to Narcan to prevent overdose deaths

10:19 Addiction as a symptom of an underlying problem

13:32 Tracy’s rock bottom

14:57 A chance of rehabilitation in the criminal justice system?

16:23 What happened to cause Tracy to become sober

19:00 Tracy’s parenting and Tracy’s parents

25:10 What Tracy wishes would have happened differently when she was a teen

27:30 What is a Recovery Coach?

31:23 How parents can shift their focus off their kids and onto themselves

33:27 How is Recovery Coaching structured logistically?

36:22 Parents, don’t blame yourself!

--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/safe-home-podcast/message

29 Apr 2024Codependency in the Adoption Constellation with Jonathan Newbern - Ep 14300:28:48

"...when you're walking around with a sense of loss, or you feel like your first mother or first family don't want you, there's two ways you go about this. Either A, you're going to get really enmeshed and get real clingy because you don't want to lose. Or B, you get this detachment, and as adoptees and groups sometimes say, ‘I'm going to leave you before you leave me.’" -- Jonathan Newbern

Podcast Episode Synopsis:

In this episode of Unraveling Adoption, I had the privilege of hosting Jonathan Newbern, a same-race domestic adoptee deeply involved with Codependents Anonymous (CODA). Jonathan shared his poignant adoption journey, marked by a late discovery of his adoption status and a tumultuous childhood. He bravely delved into the connection between relinquishment trauma, adoption trauma, reunion trauma, and codependency, shedding light on the complexities adoptees often face.

Jonathan's personal experiences and insights into codependency from an adoptee's perspective provided valuable tools and practical advice for those struggling with similar issues. He emphasized the importance of seeking help, setting boundaries, and engaging in self-care practices to navigate the challenges of codependency.

Throughout the episode, Jonathan's vulnerability and resilience shone through as he shared his journey of healing and growth. His message of empowerment and self-worth resonated deeply, reminding listeners that they are not alone in their struggles.

===============

📆 Community Calendar: UnravelingAdoption.com/Calendar

✨Healing the Adoption Constellation database: UnravelingAdoption.com/Healing

💌Sign up for our Unraveling Adoption email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===============

RESOURCES:

Jonathan’s information:

 

Resources mentioned in this episode:

 

Other Resources:

===============

Unraveling Adoption is produced and hosted by Beth Syverson

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

Email questions or comments to Beth@UnravelingAdoption.com

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube

Support Unraveling Adoption on Patreon: Patreon.com/UnravelingAdoption

Check out our website: www.UnravelingAdoption.com

Create your own podcast through Libsyn: https://signup.libsyn.com/?promo_code=ADOPTION

 

Timestamps

00:00:00 - Introduction to Adoption and Codependency
00:05:30 - Jonathan's Adoption Story Unveiled
00:10:45 - Codependency and Attachment Styles
00:17:05 - Jonathan's Journey to Codependents Anonymous
00:20:39 - Recovery Tools and Self-Care Practices
00:22:06 - Embracing the Adoption Constellation
00:26:20 - Contact Information for Jonathan

27 Nov 2021Recovery with Jane Davis - Ep 1700:39:52

In this episode, Beth hears the story of Rev. Jane Davis, who is in recovery from alcohol addiction. She shares some alternative recovery treatment solutions she found besides the typical 12-step Alcoholics Anonymous model.

===============

💌 Sign up for our Safe Home Families email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===============

Resources that Jane mentions during the podcast:

Oxford House - https://www.oxfordhouse.org/

Alcoholics Anonymous - https://www.aa.org/

SMART Recovery - https://www.smartrecovery.org/

Women for Sobriety - https://womenforsobriety.org/community/

Men for Sobriety - https://2994002.site123.me/

Refuge Recovery - https://www.refugerecovery.org/

How to become a Peer Support Counselor - https://www.mhanational.org/how-become-peer-support-specialist

More Peer Support resources - https://www.samhsa.gov/brss-tacs/recovery-support-tools/peers

======================================

Safe Home is created by Joseph Nakao and his moms Beth Syverson and Jan Mabie

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

Cover art by Joseph Nakao, photo by Beth Syverson, with design help from Nina Smith

Email questions or comments to Safe Home at SafeHomePodcast@gmail.com

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube

Support Safe Home on Patreon

=======================================

MORE RESOURCES:

Heather Ross - Life Coaching for Parents of Addicted Teens: https://heatherrosscoaching.com/

Miguel Rosell - Guided Core Integration: https://miguelrosell.com/

Find a Tele-Therapist: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/online-counseling

=======================================

TIME STAMPS:

0:47 Jane’s intro & addiction story

7:35 Jane’s lowest point

10:16 Oxford House sober living house and the start of Jane’s sobriety

13:17 How Jane got through adolescence

17:30 More about Oxford House

24:07 Jane’s experience with 12 step programs (AA)

25:40 SMART Recovery

29:02 Refuge Recovery - Buddhist based recovery program

31:56 Jane’s work as a Certified Peer Support Worker

37:06 Jane’s best advice for people in recovery

--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/safe-home-podcast/message

04 Dec 2023"The Mulatto Child the Strubes Adopted" with Janell Strube - Ep 12200:50:42

I think for my mother, she didn't always really see me quite as a person of equal value. - Janell Strube

A biracial adoptee, Janell Strube, shares her powerful journey of navigating racial identity and the impact of racism behind closed doors. Did she ever find the acceptance and understanding she sought?

In this episode, you will be able to:

  • Realize the complexities of biracial identity.

  • Begin to understand the impact of racism on identity formation.

  • Navigate the unique challenges of biracial identity.

  • Learn how to create a supportive environment for biracial or transracial adopted people.

  • Break the cycle of intergenerational trauma through awareness and action.

💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜

My special guest is Janell Strube

Janell Strube is an accomplished domestic interracial adoptee, memoirist, novelist, and poet. With her unique perspective as an biracial adoptee and an adoptive parent, she navigates the complexities of race and adoption with depth and insight. Having been adopted at just four days old through a church adoption and growing up in a predominantly white community, she faced challenges and prejudices that shaped her understanding of her biracial identity. Her writings and poetry offer a powerful glimpse into her journey, providing valuable insights for parents of biracial children seeking guidance and understanding.

The resources mentioned in this episode are:

💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜

📆 Community Calendar: UnravelingAdoption.com/Calendar

✨Healing the Adoption Constellation database: UnravelingAdoption.com/Healing

💌Sign up for our Unraveling Adoption email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜

Exploring impact of racism on biracial identity
Racism can play a significant role in the development of a biracial identity, particularly when it manifests within the familial setting, as encountered by Janell. This can lead to confusion, insecurity, and emotional distress, potentially disrupting a child's self-esteem and sense of self-worth. The way in which a family navigates and counteracts racism can heavily influence a child's perception of their racial identity and their ability to fully embrace their dual heritage.

Learning strategies to navigate challenges
Navigating the challenges of biracial identity formation involves actively embracing and valuing the child's distinct cultural backgrounds. Acknowledging and addressing inherent prejudice, providing positive role models from both of the child's racial backgrounds, and listening to and validating the child's experiences are strategies that can cultivate a supportive environment. As in Janell's experience, writing can also be used as a tool for healing and making sense of one's racial identity.

💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜

Here's Janell's Tree poem:

💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜

Timestamped summary of this episode:

00:01:17 - Early Childhood and Adoption
Janell shares that she was adopted when she was four days old through a church adoption. Her birth mother, who was white, made the decision to relinquish her. Janell also reveals that she was introduced as a "mulatto child" during her childhood.

00:03:32 - Discovering Her Biracial Identity
Janell explains that she learned she was adopted and biracial when she was three years old. She recalls the emotions she felt upon finding out and how her parents handled the revelation. She also discusses her perception of herself as both black and white.

00:05:59 - Community and Racism
Janell discusses her experience growing up in a predominantly white community. She shares that she faced racism from some members of her community and struggled with the lack of support or protection from her parents. She also reflects on her parents' pride in adopting a mulatto child.

00:09:26 - Lack of Context and Value
Janell talks about the lack of context her parents provided regarding her adoption and how it affected her sense of identity. She also mentions that her mother didn't always see her as a person of equal value, which has been an ongoing source of pain.

00:13:41 - Experiencing Racism in Closed Doors
The guest shares her personal experience of racism within her own family, including her birth grandmother's refusal to be called grandmother and her birth mother's family's rejection of her because she is biracial.

00:14:31 - The Impact of Racist Comments
Racist comments have a deep and lasting impact on children who are adopted into families that ignore or perpetuate racism. The guest describes these comments as cuts on the soul, causing long-term emotional and psychological harm.

00:15:19 - Lack of Cultural and Racial Mirrors
The guest discusses the lack of cultural and racial mirrors in her early life, with white people dominating her surroundings and no role models to look up to. It was only later, in high school, that she found a black friend who became her cultural mirror.

00:16:41 - Uncomfortable Interracial Experience
The guest's mother felt embarrassed when they attended a Jesse Jackson event where they were the only white people. It was a moment that made her mother uncomfortable and gave her a glimpse of what it feels like to be the racial minority.

00:20:12 - Writing as a Coping Mechanism
The guest turned to writing as a coping mechanism, using it as a way to express her feelings and experiences that couldn't be openly discussed or shared. Writing became a tool for self-expression and a way to release the pain she felt.

00:27:33 - Being a Bridge
The guest discusses the importance of being a bridge between two worlds and finding inner strength to navigate challenges and find purpose.

00:28:10 - Fostering Children
The guest shares her experience growing up as an adopted child and how it inspired her to become a foster parent. She highlights the need for better treatment and support for children in foster care.

00:29:28 - Adopting her Son
The guest talks about adopting her son after his mother passed away and how she made a daily commitment to him. She acknowledges the struggles he faces but expresses pride in his resilience and ability to find joy in life.

00:31:32 - Mother-Son Bond
The guest shares a precious memory of visiting her son in Florida and wearing matching hats. She describes their close bond and her admiration for his big heart.

00:33:07 - Advice for Parents of Biracial Children
Janell provides advice for parents of biracial children, emphasizing the importance of examining prejudices, modeling non-racist behavior, and valuing all cultures. She also encourages parents to listen to and advocate for their children's experiences.

00:41:41 - Connecting with Family
Janell discusses how she connects with both sides of her family and sees herself as a part of them, whether for good or bad. She expresses that writing her memoir is helping her process her experiences and put them into perspective.

00:42:30 - Complex Lives
Janell reflects on the complexity of her own life and the lives of those involved in her adoption. She discusses the importance of understanding the struggles and pain of her adoptive mother and birth mother, and how it shapes her perspective.

00:43:45 - Generational Trauma
The conversation shifts to the concept of intergenerational trauma and how it is passed down through genes. Janell believes in the truth of epigenetics and how the trauma of her ancestors is present within her. She emphasizes the importance of mitigating pain for future generations.

00:45:01 - Unconditional Love and Acceptance
Janell highlights the importance of unconditional love and acceptance within her family, especially as an adoptive parent herself. She acknowledges the need to let children find their own path and not see them as mirrors of ourselves.

00:47:19 - Validating Adoptees' Stories
Janell expresses gratitude for being able to share her story and emphasizes the importance of adoptive parents listening to adoptees without trying to minimize or invalidate their experiences. She hopes that her story will help others understand the complexities of adoption.

20 Nov 2021Psych Hospitals & Suicidal Ideation - Ep 1600:40:03

Joey returns to the podcast for this episode about his experiences in psych hospitals due to suicidal ideation. Joey and Beth talk about the positive things about being hospitalized, and also some of the not-so-pleasant parts. They are continuing their work of de-stigmatizing mental illness and addiction through this important episode.

===============

💌 Sign up for our Safe Home Families email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===============

Safe Home is created by Joseph Nakao and his moms Beth Syverson and Jan Mabie

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

Cover art by Joseph Nakao, photo by Beth Syverson, with design help from Nina Smith

Email questions or comments to Safe Home at SafeHomePodcast@gmail.com

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube

Support Safe Home on Patreon

=======================================

RESOURCES:

Heather Ross - Life Coaching for Parents of Addicted Teens: https://heatherrosscoaching.com/

Miguel Rosell - Guided Core Integration: https://miguelrosell.com/

Find a Tele-Therapist: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/online-counseling

=======================================

Time Stamps:

0:58 Joey’s update

2:36 How creating  Safe Home Podcast is helping Joey

4:44 Background of Joey’s first psych hospital experience

12:11 Transporting to the psych hospital via ambulance

13:53 Joey’s first night at the first psych hospital

17:35 Things that make the hospital safe for suicidal patients

21:01 The kinds of kids end up at psych hospitals

23:33 Minimal therapy or help at hospital, but it keeps fragile patients safe

25:10 Visiting hours

27:40 Lockdown in Nevada

28:49 Covid at the hospital

33:51 Transitioning out of a hospital - IOP and PHP

35:31 Family therapy - oh joy!

--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/safe-home-podcast/message

10 Jul 2023Unraveling Adoption's Complexities as Both an Adoptee and an Adoptive Parent with Damon Davis - Ep 10100:46:29

Navigating Adoption's Complexities as an Adoptee and an Adoptive Parent with Damon Davis

In this episode of Unraveling Adoption, guest Damon Davis shares his personal journey both as an adoptee and as an adoptive parent, shedding light on the complexities and challenges faced by adoptees and their families. Don't miss this gripping episode that explores the highs and lows of adoption and the power of resilience.

In this episode, you will be able to:

  • Traverse the paths of Damon's adoption experiences, acknowledging the multifaceted complexities entwined.

  • Champion adoptive children's yearning for their biological lineage with supportive parents.

  • Encounter the unique difficulties that adoptive parents face while ensuring stability and managing attachment disorders in adopted children.

  • Recognize a tremendous call for specialized mental health resources targeted at the distinctive needs of adoptees.

===========

📆 Community Calendar: UnravelingAdoption.com/Calendar

💌Sign up for our Unraveling Adoption email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===========

My special guest is Damon Davis

Damon Davis walks the twin paths of adoption and biology, he affords listeners an enlightening perspective on adoption. His narration brings to life his personal triumphs and trials, from being an adoptee to being a dedicated father of two adopted and one biological child. Check out his memoir and his podcast, both titled 'Who Am I, Really?'

The resources mentioned in this episode are:

 

Strengthened Bond and Improved Well-being for Adoptive Families
Every adoptive family yearns to nurture a strong bond with their child and foster an environment conducive to well-being. It's a delicate balance that encompasses accepting and loving the child for who they are and providing specialized support uniquely suited to their circumstances. Adoptive parents play a critical role in helping children adapt and thrive in their new family unit. This involves understanding the unique dynamics of parenting, creating an environment where open communication can thrive, and being adaptable to individual needs. When we hear Damon Davis talk about his adoptive parenting story, we see how his personal journey and insights significantly contribute to this process. He emphatically shares his understanding of the importance of accepting children for who they are whether they are biological or adopted. Damon recognizes that both genetics and time spent together can forge special bonds, but every parenting situation comes with its own unique dynamics and challenges that need continuous learning and adaptive strategies.

Adoption and Trauma
Adoption, while being an avenue to create families, is also an experience that often starts with adversity and trauma. The underlying adversities could range from loss, abandonment, abuse, or neglect that both the birth parents and adoptive parents may experience. It’s crucial for adoptive parents to understand these underlying traumas and help the adopted child navigate these complex emotions with compassion and patience. We get a glimpse of this understanding when we hear Damon Davis recognizing the complexities of adoption. He mentions that adoption often emerges from a place of adversity, both for birth parents and adoptive parents. His acknowledgment of these challenges and the need for addressing any past traumas provides tangible advice for adoptive parents navigating the path.

===========

Other Resources:

 

 

===============

 

Unraveling Adoption is produced and hosted by Beth Syverson

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

Email questions or comments to Beth@UnravelingAdoption.com

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube

Support Unraveling Adoption on Patreon: Patreon.com/UnravelingAdoption

www.UnravelingAdoption.com

===========

Timestamped summary of this episode:
00:00:00 - Introduction,
Beth Syverson introduces the podcast and her guest, Damon Davis, a domestic same-race adoptee and a parent of both a biological child and two adoptive children. They discuss the purpose of the podcast and their commitment to helping anyone touched by adoption.

00:02:02 - Damon's Adoption Story,
Damon shares a brief overview of his adoption story, growing up in a same-race adoption in Maryland. He talks about his decision to search for his biological mother after the birth of his son and the joyous reunion he had with her.

00:04:12 - Surprise Reunion,
Damon shares the incredible story of how he surprised his birth mother at her workplace, only two blocks away from his own office. They had a beautiful initial connection and were able to develop a close relationship over the years.

00:09:27 - Different Adoption Reunion Experiences,
Damon discusses the varying experiences of adoptees when it comes to reunion. He explains that while his own reunion was positive, many adoptees face rejection or difficult reunions. He emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and understanding these different experiences.

00:11:07 - Finding His Biological Father,
Damon shares his experience of finally tracking down his biological father after his birth mother's passing. He describes the lack of rapport and connection he felt with the man he met, but acknowledges the importance of at least trying to find him.

00:13:03 - Shocking Discovery,
The guest, Damon Davis, shares his experience of discovering his biological father through a DNA test. He reveals that the person turned out to have more genetic similarity to him than his own son.

00:14:25 - Emotional Reunion,
Damon locates his birth father, Bill, and met him in Las Vegas. The reunion WAs heartwarming and emotional, with even Damon's son realizing the significance of the meeting.

00:15:48 - Family History,
Damon learns that both his birth father and birth mother have delved into genealogy, and they provide him with a detailed family history dating back to the days of slavery in the United States. He expresses gratitude for the rich ancestral information.

00:18:29 - Varied Adoption Experiences,
Damon discusses the varied experiences of adoptees and the importance of recognizing the challenges and desires they face. He emphasizes the need for adoptive parents to support their children's exploration of their biological roots.

00:23:00 - Supporting Adoptees,
Damon urges adoptive parents to be supportive of their children's desire to learn about their biological families. He encourages open communication, acknowledging any insecurities, and being willing to help facilitate the search process. He emphasizes the importance of not letting personal feelings hinder the adoptee's journey.

00:26:49 - Background and Upbringing,
The guest shares about his adoptive children's background, including their bouncing around from place to place and their journey from the Caribbean to the United States. He also discusses the challenges they faced due to attachment disorders and the need for structure in their lives.

00:27:46 - Sending the Son Away,
The guest sent his son away to military school, which unintentionally conveyed the message that he couldn't stay with the family. Although the structure provided by the school was beneficial for his son, it was a difficult decision that had a profound impact on their relationship.

00:29:21 - Emergency Situations and Therapy,
The guest reflects on the chaotic nature of dealing with his children's challenges and the necessity of sending them to wilderness camps and residential treatment centers at times. He acknowledges the need for specialized therapy or interventions for adoptees but notes the lack of resources and support available.

00:30:53 - Adoption and Trauma,
The guest discusses the high representation of adoptees in wilderness and residential treatment centers, highlighting the trauma, attachment issues, and acting out behaviors that often underlie their struggles. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the "what happened to you" question rather than focusing on what is wrong with them.

00:35:18 - Challenges and Tough Decisions,
The guest shares the current struggles his adopted children are facing, with one being homeless and the other making poor decisions that have hindered her progress.

00:41:00 - Understanding the Experience of Adopted Children,
Children who are adopted at a later age can communicate their needs directly, unlike those who are adopted as infants. The experience of bringing in an older adopted child to one's family is different due to the previous trauma and chaos involved in their first family, plus the maternal separation. The bond between a birth mother and child starts in the womb and adoptive parents should understand and respect this.

00:42:14 - Natural Parents vs. Adoptive Parents,
The term "natural parents" is sometimes preferred by birth parents, as it acknowledges the role they played beyond just giving birth. Adoptive parents cannot be considered "natural" as they did not give birth. This distinction does not create a hierarchy, but rather recognizes the different roles each parent plays.

00:43:32 - Acknowledging Adoptive Parents' Trauma,
Adoptive parents should acknowledge their own trauma, including their upbringing and any attachment issues they may have. Being open and honest with the child about their adoption is crucial, as secrets can be toxic and lead to further trauma. There is no perfect time to share this information, so it should be done from day one.

00:44:48 - Importance of Openness and Honesty,
Adoptive parents should prioritize open and honest communication with their children. Sharing their story, even if it's an ugly one, helps create a bond and allows the child to understand their own history. There is no specific moment that will feel right, so it's important to make the time to have these conversations.

 

20 Jun 2022Anxiety Toolbox with Jeanette Matthew - Ep 4700:55:46

In this week’s Safe Home Podcast, Beth talks with Jeanette Matthew. She lives in North Yorkshire in the UK, and she is a coaching psychologist who helps individuals and organizations transform their  uncertainty, overwhelm, and lack of clarity into goals, action plans, and confidence. Her specialty is helping people deal with anxiety. Jeanette has delivered workshops around the world offering psychological hacks to managing and preventing anxiety, and teaching people the mindset tools we can adopt preventatively to see every day triggers through a different lens.

In this episode, Jeanette gives plenty of practical tools to help our teens - and ourselves - manage anxiety.

===============

💌 Sign up for our Safe Home Families email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===============

RESOURCES:

Jeanette’s information:

Other Resources:

===============

Safe Home is created by Joseph Nakao and Beth Syverson

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

Cover art by Joseph Nakao, photo by Beth Syverson

Email questions or comments to Safe Home at Hello@SafeHomeFamilies.com

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube

Support Safe Home on Patreon

Website: SafeHomeFamililes.com

===============

TIME STAMPS:

1:37 Jeanette’s career background

8:00 Coaching v therapy

13:40 What is causing anxiety for our teens?

17:31 Learning to release outcomes

18:35 Sense of permanency of one’s life choices

25:30 Jeanette’s favorite tool for anxiety - a simple question to ground you in the present moment

34:45 Mindfulness tools

44:25 Choices over one’s own behavior gives us autonomy

49:02 Getting active and getting outside for anxiety relief

--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/safe-home-podcast/message

08 Sep 2021Psychedelics - Ep 500:57:49

In this episode, Joey talks with Beth about his extensive experience with psychedelics, especially LSD and DMT. He talks about why he likes to use them, how psychedelics can be unsafe - and how they can be used in a therapeutic manner under specific circumstances. 

===============

💌 Sign up for our Safe Home Families email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===============

Safe Home is created by Joseph Nakao and his moms Beth Syverson and Jan Mabie 

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao 

Cover art by Joseph Nakao, photo by Beth Syverson, with design help from Nina Smith 

Email questions or comments to Safe Home at SafeHomePodcast@gmail.com 

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube 

Support Safe Home on Patreon 

 

RESOURCES: 

Here are some resources for teens and others who are struggling right now: 

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: call 800-273-8255 - 24/7 

Lifeline Chat: https://Suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat - 24/7 

Teen Line: call 310-855-HOPE   6-10pm PST  Or text TEEN to 839863  Talk to other trained teens 

Youthline:  call 877-968-8491   4-10pm PST   Or text Teen2Teen to 839863. 

Need2Text: text TALK to 38255    24/7 

 

And here are some resources for therapy, coaching, and counseling: 

Find a Tele-Therapist: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/online-counseling 

Miguel Rosell - Guided Core Integration: https://miguelrosell.com/ 

Heather Ross - Life Coaching for Parents of Addicted Teens: https://heatherrosscoaching.com/ 

 

TIME STAMPS: 

1:54 Types of psychedelics kids are using 

3:54 Why do people use psychedelics? 

6:00 What is a trip? 

10:35 What is a bad trip? 

16:33 DMT 

19:00 Joey’s mental health issues from psychedelics 

20:16 Joey’s suicide attempts 

24:58 Psychedelic integration circles 

28:00 How Joey obtained psychedelics at school 

30:00 Therapeutic uses of psychedelics 

36:48 Holotropic breathwork 

46:00 Mushrooms 

47:52 Joey’s advice to kids interested in trying psychedelics 

49:00 Joey’s advice to parents 

54:44 Deep existential thoughts from Joey

--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/safe-home-podcast/message

06 Jun 2022Holding Space with Tamara Gabbard - Ep 4500:45:11

In this week’s Safe Home Podcast, Beth talks with Tamara Gabbard. She lives in the jungles of Costa Rica with her toddler Rubi-Jean. Tamara is a Copywriter and Content Marketing Strategist, and she also identifies as a Soul Consultant and Clairvoyant. She combines her skills in both the practical and spiritual realms to help people who are struggling to break through the overwhelm that life can bring when trying to make an impact on the world.

Like our son Joey, Tamara has done extensive personal research with psychedelics and other substances.  She’s 5 years sober now, but she uses some of the things she learned through her psychedelic trips to inform her work, especially finding the root causes of whatever obstacle people get stuck on.

Tamara’s story is pretty extraordinary. Even if you can’t relate to her exact experience, I know you will be inspired by her talk to dig a little deeper to help yourself and your struggling teen.

===============

💌 Sign up for our Safe Home Families email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===============

RESOURCES:

Tamara’s information:

Other things mentioned in the episode:

Other Resources:

===============

Safe Home is created by Joseph Nakao and Beth Syverson

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

Cover art by Joseph Nakao, photo by Beth Syverson

Email questions or comments to Safe Home at Hello@SafeHomeFamilies.com

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube

Support Safe Home on Patreon

Website: http://SafeHomeFamilies.com

===============

TIME STAMPS:

1:37 Tamara’s chaotic childhood

5:08 Teenage experimenting (and then deep dive) with substances

7:33 Tamara’s clairvoyance

13:50 Psychedelics and trauma

20:08 Holding space for people

21:55 How Beth has been holding space for Joey and Tamara’s advice for parents

28:41 Teens using psychedelics (including vaping DMT)

34:07 Safer use of psychedelics

36:40 The planetary shift

39:15 Tamara’s role as a Soul Consoultant to overcome trauma and blocks

--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/safe-home-podcast/message

10 Oct 2022Open-Hearted Adoption with Lori Holden, AKA Lavender Luz - Ep 6300:47:17

In this week’s Safe Home Podcast, Beth talks with Lori Holden, an adoptive mom of 2 teens, author of the book The Open-Hearted Way to Open Adoption: Helping Your Child Grow Up Whole, written with her daughter’s birth mom and featured on required reading lists with adoption agencies across the country. She’s also a blogger at LavenderLuz.com, and host of the podcast Adoption: The Long View. Lori is an influential voice in the adoption world, advocating for openness in all kinds of adoption relationships. She often keynotes at adoption conferences and speaks to new and prospective adoptive families, helping them realize the benefits to EVERYONE of maintaining transparency in the adoption process.

===============

💌 Sign up for our Safe Home Families email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===============

RESOURCES:

Lori’s information:

Other resources mentioned in this episode:

 

Safe Home is created by Joseph Nakao and Beth Syverson

Email questions or comments to Safe Home at Hello@SafeHomeFamilies.com

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube

Support Safe Home on Patreon: Patreon.com/SafeHome

www.SafeHomeFamilies.com

 

TIME STAMPS:

1:50 Parents doing their own work

3:39 How Lori learned adoption wasn’t all unicorns and butterflies

5:05 Getting curious about adoption

6:40 A new child can’t cure infertility grief

9:35 Lori’s family’s adoption story

13:45 The importance of the biological bond

16:52 “You are mom”

19:38 Both-And

20:58 Adoptive parents that are closed off completely

22:37 What should adoptive parents say when their child misses their birthparent?

27:10 Open adoption’s trajectory

30:35 What if…

34:18 Listening to birth parents more

35:55 Seven Core Issues in Adoption and Permanency

36:26 Constellation v Triad

38:35 Adoptive parents as the “bad guys”

41:38 Is Lori anti-adoption?

--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/safe-home-podcast/message

14 Jan 2022LGBTQ+ Issues with Elena Joy Thurston - Ep 2300:50:01

In this episode, Beth talks with the founder of Pride & Joy Foundation, Elena Joy Thurston, about her personal story as a lesbian mom, and about how our LGBTQ+ youth are doing. She gives practical advice for parents to help their LGBTQ+ kids. Her foundation offers quarterly parent workshops, a queer writing project, diversity consulting, and a book about LGBTQ+ people in business. Elena Joy is a powerhouse and is making positive change in the world. 

===============

💌 Sign up for our Safe Home Families email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===============

Safe Home is created by Joseph Nakao and his moms Beth Syverson and Jan Mabie

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

Cover art by Joseph Nakao, photo by Beth Syverson, with design help from Nina Smith

Email questions or comments to Safe Home at SafeHomePodcast@gmail.com

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube

Support Safe Home on Patreon

===============

RESOURCES:

Other Parents Like Me -  https://www.facebook.com/other.parents.like.me

Heather Ross - Life Coaching for Parents of Addicted Teens: https://heatherrosscoaching.com/

Find a Tele-Therapist: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/online-counseling

 

Mentioned during this episode:

Pride & Joy Foundation Parent Connection workshops: http://www.PrideandJoyParents.com

Elena Joy’s book Thriving in Business: Strategies for the LGBTQ+ Entrepreneur:

www.QueerBusinessBook.com

Elena Joy’s LGBTQ+ author project OUTWrite Authors: www.OUTWriteAuthors.com

An article about neurodivergence & LGBTQ+ people by Elena Joy: https://www.prideandjoyfoundation.com/blog/raisingLGBTQneurodiversekids

An article that has book recommendation for the 2 books Elena Joy recommends that parents read: https://www.prideandjoyfoundation.com/blog/gifts%20for%20LGBTQ%20loves%20ones

An article about Pride & Joy Foundation’s corporate inclusion trainings: https://www.prideandjoyfoundation.com/blog/corporateinclusion3e

Elena Joy’s TED Talk about her life: https://www.ted.com/talks/elena_joy_thurston_conversion_therapy_almost_took_my_life_mindfulness_saved_it

 

TIME STAMPS:

2:06 Elena Joy’s bio

5:26 Conversion therapy

9:00 Me Too

11:52 Divorce and child custody

14:04 Starting Pride & Joy Foundation

17:32 Suicide prevention and helping LGBTQ+ college students

22:20 The state of our LGBTQ+ youth

23:39 LGBTQ+ and neurodiversity correlation

25:22 What do LGBTQ+ kids need from their parents

29:00 Love the sinner but hate the sin

31:00 Gender issues

38:33 Pandemic creating cultural change

40:22 Corporate diversity training

42:27 The Gay Agenda

43:30 Pride & Joy Publishing

47:55 Elena Joy’s career trajectory

 

--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/safe-home-podcast/message

11 Apr 2022Non-Binary Musician Spencer LaJoye - Ep 3700:52:10

In this week’s Safe Home Podcast, Beth talks with Boston musician Spencer LaJoye, who identifies their gender as non-binary. They came out as bisexual in college and years later came out as non-binary, all within Christian communities. Beth became aware of Spencer when she heard their song “Plowshare Prayer,” a unique prayer for all those against whom prayer has been used as a sword. The song has gone viral around the world, and you will hear Spencer’s back story plus the entire song toward the end of the episode.

===============

💌 Sign up for our Safe Home Families email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===============

RESOURCES:

Spencer LaJoye’s information:

Other Resources:

===============

Safe Home is created by Joseph Nakao and Beth Syverson

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

Cover art by Joseph Nakao, photo by Beth Syverson

Email questions or comments to Safe Home at SafeHomePodcast@gmail.com

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube

Support Safe Home on Patreon

===============

TIME STAMPS

1:47 Spencer’s childhood and religious background

6:26 Spencer found community as an evangelical youth

8:48 Spencer’s college years and coming out as bi

14:16 Parents letting go of dreams for their child

19:46 Coming out as non-binary in 2018

21:49 Spencer’s gender journey

24:10 What our non-binary kids need

28:49 Being a friendly observer of your own body

30:25 Defining trans & non-binary

35:36 Background of “Plowshare Prayer” song

42:50 Performance of “Plowshare Prayer”

--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/safe-home-podcast/message

17 Oct 2022BEST OF: Cough Medicine and Other OTC Drugs - Ep 2 REPLAY00:36:18

Safe Home is on vacation this week, so we're replaying one of our favorite episodes.

When we started Safe Home Podcast in August 2021, this episode was the most important one we did. Our family wants everyone to know the dangers of having cough medicine and other OTC drugs unlocked and available to teens. Joey almost died twice from overdosing on Coricidin.

Take a listen to one of our early episodes that you might have missed, and enjoy a new episode next week!

--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/safe-home-podcast/message

27 Mar 2023Adoption from 3 Perspectives with Kevin Burgart - Ep 8600:45:18

In this week’s Unraveling Adoption podcast, Beth talks with Kevin Burgart from the Nashville area. He’s an adoptee, adoptive parent of two children with significant special needs, and recently he became the adoptive parent of his grandchild as well. Since Kevin has been on both sides of this equation, he has a unique perspective on adoption. His life has been more challenging than most in many ways. We will dig into the obstacles he’s faced, and talk about what resources he’s found to help him cope. 

===============

📆 Community Calendar: UnravelingAdoption.com/Calendar

💌Sign up for our Unraveling Adoption email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===============

RESOURCES:

Kevin’s information:

Helpful resources mentioned in this episode:

Other Resources:

===============

Unraveling Adoption is produced and hosted by Beth Syverson

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

Email questions or comments to Beth@UnravelingAdoption.com

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube

Support UnravelingAdoption on Patreon: Patreon.com/UnravelingAdoption

www.UnravelingAdoption.com

===============

TIME STAMPS:

  1:22 Kevin’s adoption story and childhood

  2:53 How adoption affected Kevin’s teen years with emotional and behavioral issues 

  3:38 The start of Kevin’s search for his biological family, then blocked for 41 years

  6:24 Adoptive parents were loving and helpful with search 

  8:04 New research about biological family in 1991, more falsehoods, adoptees beware!

  9:21 Registration with databases, a few teasers

10:20 Finally received birth certificate after 48 years, but all his parents were gone by then

12:45 Pursuing other family members through DNA, expectation v. reality

17:35 Does Kevin feel “lucky” to escape being raised by his birth family?

19:05 Connections with Kevin’s 15 bio siblings

21:52 Deciding to adopt older children with special needs

24:10 Disruptions and chaos with adopted siblings

27:20 Major struggles with adopted son because of so much trauma in his life

33:55 Adopting their son’s infant child

37:30 How Kevin reckons with parenting these troubled children

39:00 Resources that have helped Kevin, and advice for adoptees in search

30 Oct 2021Relapse from Joey's Perspective - Ep 1300:18:39

Joey rejoins the podcast for this special episode about his relapse. In his chat with Beth, he offers a boots-on-the-ground perspective about what caused his relapse, how things are going for him, and what he sees his future holding for him.

===============

💌 Sign up for our Safe Home Families email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===============

Safe Home is created by Joseph Nakao and his moms Beth Syverson and Jan Mabie

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

Cover art by Joseph Nakao, photo by Beth Syverson, with design help from Nina Smith

Email questions or comments to Safe Home at SafeHomePodcast@gmail.com

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube

Support Safe Home on Patreon

=======================================

RESOURCES:

Heather Ross - Life Coaching for Parents of Addicted Teens: https://heatherrosscoaching.com/

Miguel Rosell - Guided Core Integration: https://miguelrosell.com/

Find a Tele-Therapist: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/online-counseling

 

 

TIME STAMPS:

1:50 - Joey’s boots on the ground reporting of his relapse

3:18 - What led up to Joey’s relapse

4:34 - Joey talks about his enabler

6:47 - Benefits of getting kicked out

7:21 - Joey’s plan for dealing with his dad

8:39 - Sober living housing

10:08 - What Beth or Jan could’ve done to prevent Joey’s relapse

12:15 - Letting natural consequences occur

13:26 - Joey’s self-destruct cycle, but he’s still trying

15:16 - What Joey needs the most today

16:26 - Difference between connection/support and enabling

17:08 - Does yelling or shaming work? V

--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/safe-home-podcast/message

29 Aug 2022Marriage Under the Influence of Alcohol with Dayna Del Val and Mazz Marry - Ep 5700:44:40

Movies & Conversations with Alex Kaplan from Of Substance

Saturday, September 10, 2022, 10am PST

OfSubstance.Eventbrite.com

===============

In this week’s Safe Home Podcast, Beth talks with Dayna Del Val and Mazz Marry, a married couple from North Dakota who are bringing alcoholism out into the light with their podcast, Daily Dose of Dr Marry & DD. They are here on Safe Home Podcast to talk about how addiction affects everyone, not just the person struggling with addiction. They, like our family, believe that the opposite of addiction is connection, and they are aiming to destigmatize addiction so we can all heal. 

=============== 

MOVIES & CONVERSATIONS about addiction and shame event With Alex Kaplan from Of Substance Saturday, September 10, 10-11:30am PST $15 (Half off for Patreon members, Open House attendees come free) Get your ticket here: https://ofsubstance.eventbrite.com 

=============== 

💌 Sign up for our Safe Home Families email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX =============== 

RESOURCES: 

Dayna & Mazz’s information: Daily Dose of Dr. Marry and DD: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCF3myrebU1m8PhVe1HutQ2w 

Website: https://daynadelval.com/category/dr-marry-and-me/ 


Other resource mentioned in this episode:

 IGNTD Recovery: https://www.igntd.com/ 


Other Resources: 

Other Parents Like Me -  https://www.facebook.com/other.parents.like.me 

Heather Ross - Life Coaching for Parents of Addicted Teens: https://heatherrosscoaching.com/ 

Find a Tele-Therapist: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/online-counseling 

=============== 

Safe Home is created by Joseph Nakao and Beth Syverson Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao Cover art by Joseph Nakao, photo by Beth Syverson Email questions or comments to Safe Home at Hello@SafeHomeFamilies.com Find us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube Support Safe Home on Patreon: Patreon.com/SafeHome www.SafeHomeFamilies.com 

=============== 

TIME STAMPS: 

1:16 Why Dayna & Mazz decided to share their story on their podcast 

4:03 How Dayna & Mazz met and their early years together 

6:27 Early signs of alcohol derailing Mazz and their marriage, “married to a newborn” 

10:11 Dayna’s reaction to the negative aspects of alcohol on their marriage 

12:06 How Mazz’s body made him rethink his relationship to alcohol 

15:15 The overwhelming worry about cost of treatment 

20:46 What Mazz’s rehab was like 

23:45 The benefits of having a late-onset addiction 

25:20 Dayna’s quirky addiction 

26:54 The culture around alcohol 

31:46 What was underneath Mazz’s alcohol misuse? 

32:34 Redefining marriage after Mazz’s recovery and getting support for the spouse of the addicted person 

41:28 Getting rid of shame

--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/safe-home-podcast/message
19 Dec 2022Neurodiverse Family Adventures with Carolyn Balagot - Ep 7200:40:34

In this week’s Safe Home Podcast, Beth talks with   Carolyn Balagot, an advocate for neurodiverse people. In her family, she, her husband, and her 3 kids are all neurodiverse in one way or another - primarily with ADHD or Autism Spectrum Disorder. She has worked at her children’s school as a 504 case carrier, advocating for students’ needs. Her kids all went to school at Orange County School of the Arts, where I used to teach and which I highly respect and admire. Especially in an arts school, all kinds of diversity are celebrated, including neurodiversity. Carolyn will talk to us about her family’s challenges and triumphs, and help us know how to better advocate for our neurodivergent loved ones or community members.

===============

💌 Sign up for our Safe Home Families email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===============

RESOURCES:

Carolyn’s information:

Other resources mentioned in this episode:

===============

Support Safe Home on Patreon: Patreon.com/SafeHome

www.SafeHomeFamilies.com

===============

TIME STAMPS:

1:52 Carolyn’s family’s background and diagnoses

8:20 High-functioning and low-functioning are outdated. What vocabulary is correct nowadays?

9:50 Autistic people?  Or people with autism?

12:35 504 v IEP accommodations

13:55 Is anxiety a neurodivergence? Is a student with anxiety eligible for accommodations?

15:48 Cum. files and labeling in school

18:33 What is ableism? What are some examples of ableist policies in school and work?

21:20 Did Carolyn’s child’s diagnosis make things better or worse?

22:30 Carolyn and her husband are waiting to get their own diagnosis of autism confirmed

25:40 How job interviews are challenging for autistic people and how to make them better

27:30 The powerful concept of universal design

28:43 Carolyn’s advice for parents who think their child might be neurodiverse

30:10 Why to steer clear of ABA - listen to adult autistic people

35:15 Why Autism Speaks is problematic

37:40 Carolyn’s advocacy for the LGBTQ community too

--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/safe-home-podcast/message

08 Aug 2022Mindset Shifting with Tiffany Gay - Ep 5400:31:24

In this week’s Safe Home Podcast, Beth talks with Tiffany Gay, a Philadelphia entrepreneur, mindset coach, and public speaker. Several years ago she experienced severe depression and anxiety, but through prayer, a shift in her mindset, and identifying her "Why" she was able to survive through her mental health breakdown. She regained everything back that she lost, including her mind, and now she helps others shift their mindset and find the root cause of their struggles. Her mission is to serve, support, coach, and mentor individuals with shifting their self-defeating, unfulfilling, unproductive, and unhealthy patterns of thinking.

===============

💌 Sign up for our Safe Home Families email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===============

RESOURCES:

Tiffany’s information:

Other Resources:

===============

Safe Home is created by Joseph Nakao and Beth Syverson

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

Cover art by Joseph Nakao, photo by Beth Syverson

Email questions or comments to Safe Home at SafeHomePodcast@gmail.com

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube

Support Safe Home on Patreon

===============

TIME STAMPS:

1:13 Tiffany’s childhood, one of 8 kids

2:44 How Tiffany’s father’s PTSD affected her family

5:20 Unfamiliar simultaneous lack - in full survival mode

8:48 How Tiffany managed her economic struggles

12:05 Tiffany lost hope for 2 years

14:15 TIffany’s turning point

16:00 The 5 steps Tiffany took - Identify her WHY, shift her mindset, reactive her faith, incorporate prayer, identify a support system

17:18 Why Tiffany found her healing path outside the healthcare system

18:25 How Tiffany got back on track

20:00 Tiffany is the CEO of her own life

24:11 How has Tiffany’s experience affected her parenting of her 12yo daughter

27:27 Breaking generational patterns

--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/safe-home-podcast/message

25 Apr 2022The Belonging Blueprint with Ross Leppala - Ep 3900:48:58

In this week’s Safe Home Podcast, Beth talks with Ross Leppala, professional powerlifter, coach, host of the Project UnchainED podcast, and creator of The Belonging Blueprint course. He suffered from bullying and suicidal ideation when he was young, but sports, especially football, turned his life around. He became a powerlifter and powerlifting coach, and he has expanded his skills to help his athletes and others with their personal growth as well. He helps his clients create a sense of belonging within themselves.

===============

💌 Sign up for our Safe Home Families email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===============

RESOURCES:

Ross’s information:

Other Resources:

===============

Safe Home is created by Joseph Nakao and Beth Syverson

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

Cover art by Joseph Nakao, photo by Beth Syverson

Email questions or comments to Safe Home at SafeHomePodcast@gmail.com

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube

Support Safe Home on Patreon

===============

TIME STAMPS:

2:43 Ross’s childhood struggles with bullying

8:18 Ross found sports which helped with his self-worth issues

15:19 Personal growth and discipline gained through powerlifting

17:00 Ross’s life coaching process and tools

23:20 Ross’s advice for parents of struggling teens

37:21 The Belonging Blueprint course

44:16 The choice to create change

--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/safe-home-podcast/message

18 Apr 2022EMDR for Healing Trauma with Emma Stevens - Ep 3800:35:03

In this week’s Safe Home Podcast, Beth talks with Emma Stevens, whose new memoir The Gathering Place: An Adoptee’s Story was written during her treatment with EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). EMDR has helped her deal with her adoption trauma and other developmental trauma from her troubled childhood.

===============

💌 Sign up for our Safe Home Families email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===============

RESOURCES:

Emma’s information:

Other resources mentioned in this episode:

Other Resources:

===============

Safe Home is created by Joseph Nakao and Beth Syverson

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

Cover art by Joseph Nakao, photo by Beth Syverson

Email questions or comments to Safe Home at SafeHomePodcast@gmail.com

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube

Support Safe Home on Patreon

===============

TIME STAMPS

3:56 Emma’s adoption story

6:38 Alcohol was part of her family’s routine…and later her routine

11:23 Exploited by a therapist, then found EMDR

12:45 Starting EMDR and her memoir

15:10  Implicit memories stored in our bodies

16:16 Adoption’s primal wound

20:08 EMDR today

24:43  In utero and infant trauma

27:44 Personal growth for struggling teens + for parents of struggling teens

29:22 Dealing with infertility loss

33:23 Reckoning with the Primal Wound with Emma’s cameo

--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/safe-home-podcast/message

15 Aug 2022Families in Recovery with Pam Lanhart - Ep 5500:54:32

OfSubstance.EventBrite.com - 9/10

In this week’s Safe Home Podcast, Beth talks with Pam Lanhart. She’s the Director of the Minnesota based non-profit organization “Thrive Family Recovery Resources” that she started in 2016 to help families with addicted loved ones. She’s a certified recovery coach, peer specialist, speaker, author, and advocate for those dealing with substance use disorder - and their families.. She has a book and a FB page called “Praying Our Loved One Home” that our Christian audience members will especially love. She recently lost her young adult son Jake to the disease of addiction, but like our dear friend Heather Ross, she is forging ahead, more determined than ever to help families so they can help their struggling teens and young adults who are battling with addiction. Pam subscribes, as I do, to the CRAFT approach of treating our addicted loved ones with unconditional love and positive regard, no matter where they are in their sobriety.

RESOURCES:

Pam’s information:

Other resources mentioned in this episode:

--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/safe-home-podcast/message

28 Oct 2024From Ethiopia to America and Back Again: An Adoptee’s Fight for Justice with Mike Davis and Maureen McCauley - Ep 16900:33:53

"I thought I'll go to the embassy and I'll clear this up. Yeah, that I was adopted legally and I was US citizen." -- Mike Davis

 

READ THE TRANSCRIPT HERE: https://app.swellai.com/t/tp_01JB3BV6BMN0QQD1M7BWPZEVPK

 

EPISODE SUMMARY:
In this episode of Unraveling Adoption, I had the privilege of speaking with Mike Davis, an intercountry adoptee whose story sheds light on the often-overlooked complexities of adoption, particularly regarding citizenship issues. Mike was adopted from Ethiopia at the age of eight by an African-American single father and grew up in the U.S. However, in the mid-1990s, he discovered that he was not a U.S. citizen, despite his father's efforts to complete the necessary adoption paperwork.

In 2005, Mike was deported to Ethiopia, a country he barely remembered, where he faced immense challenges, including language barriers and a lack of support. He shared the harrowing details of his deportation, including being dropped off at the airport with only the clothes on his back and a small amount of money. Mike's story is a stark reminder of the potential pitfalls in the inter-country adoption process and the devastating impact it can have on families.

Throughout our conversation, Mike emphasized the ongoing struggles he faces, including the inability to access benefits he contributed to while working in the U.S. and the emotional toll on his family, including his wife and children, who have also suffered due to his deportation.

We were also joined by Maureen McCauley, an adoptive parent and advocate for Mike, who has been instrumental in raising awareness about his situation and has created a GoFundMe to assist with his legal and medical expenses. Together, we discussed the broader implications of Mike's story, including the urgent need for legislative change to protect the rights of all adoptees, particularly those who are at risk of deportation.

This episode serves as a call to action for listeners to educate themselves about the complexities of adoption and to advocate for the rights of adoptees. We encourage all Americans to support the Adoptee Citizenship Act and to reach out to their Congressional representatives to help ensure that no adoptee has to endure the hardships that Mike has faced. Thank you for joining us in this important conversation.

===============

📘Get our new book Adoption and Suicidality: amazon.com/Adoption-Suicidality-Healthcare-Professionals-Unraveling/dp/B0DCBCTSLL

📆 Community Calendar: UnravelingAdoption.com/Calendar

✨Healing the Adoption Constellation database: UnravelingAdoption.com/Healing

💌Sign up for our Unraveling Adoption email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===============

RESOURCES:

Other resources mentioned in this episode:

===============

Unraveling Adoption is produced and hosted by Beth Syverson

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

Email questions or comments to Beth@UnravelingAdoption.com

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube

Support Unraveling Adoption on Patreon: http://Patreon.com/UnravelingAdoption

Check out our website: http://UnravelingAdoption.com

Create your own podcast through Libsyn: https://signup.libsyn.com/?promo_code=ADOPTION

===============

Please rate (*****) and/or review Unraveling Adoption in Apple Podcasts and Spotify (even if you listen to it on another app). Your feedback will help more listeners find our episodes. Thank you!

===============

TIME STAMPS:

00:00:00 - Welcome to Unraveling Adoption
Introduction of host Beth Syverson and her mission.

00:01:00 - Complexities of Adoption
Overview of today's focus on inter-country adoption issues.

00:02:00 - Meet Mike Davis
Introduction of guest Mike Davis and his background.

00:03:40 - Deportation Experience
Mike recounts his deportation to Ethiopia.

00:05:30 - First Days in Ethiopia
Mike's initial struggles upon arrival in Ethiopia.

00:07:00 - Citizenship Realization
Discovery that Mike was not a U.S. citizen.

00:09:00 - Adoption Paperwork Issues
Discussion on the confusion surrounding Mike's adoption documents.

00:10:30 - Legal Challenges
Mike shares his legal battles to prove citizenship.

00:12:00 - Family Impact
The emotional toll on Mike's family due to his deportation.

00:14:00 - Criminal Charge Consequences
Mike discusses the events leading to his criminal charge.

00:16:30 - Legal Representation Struggles
Challenges in finding effective legal help.

00:18:00 - Support from Maureen
Introduction of Maureen and her advocacy for Mike.

00:20:00 - Adoptee Citizenship Act
Explanation of the legislative efforts for adoptee citizenship.

00:22:00 - Broader Adoptee Issues
Impact on other adoptees facing similar challenges.

00:24:00 - Call to Action
Encouragement for listeners to support the cause.

00:26:00 - Final Thoughts from Mike
Mike's reflections on the injustices faced by adoptees.

00:32:00 - Conclusion and Resources
Wrap-up and information on how to get involved.

13 Feb 2023Music That Connects and Heals with Paul Kimball00:29:26

In this week’s Unraveling Adoption Podcast, Beth talks with Paul Kimball, an adoptee from Northern California and author of the memoir We Are All Human Beings: An Adoptee Ponders. Music has always been a huge part of his life, and he currently works as a conductor, horn player, and school music teacher.  He didn’t realize it at first, but when he reunited with his birth mother, the passion for music made sense. In this episode, we talk about the power of music to transcend time and space and connect individuals deeply.

===============

💌 Sign up for Unraveling Adoption’s email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===============

RESOURCES:

Paul Kimball’s information:

 

Also mentioned in this episode:

Other Resources:

===============

Unraveling Adoption is produced and hosted by Beth Syverson

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

Email questions or comments to Beth@UnravelingAdoption.com

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube

Support Unraveling Adoption on Patreon: Patreon.com/UnravelingAdoption

www.UnravelingAdoption.com

===============

TIME STAMPS:

  1:35 Paul’s adoption story

  4:10 Paul’s magnetic attraction to all things Armenian

  5:40 Paul’s love for classical music, especially cello music 

  7:29 Finding Paul’s birth family

  9:52 Paul’s adoptive family’s support of his music aspirations

11:30 Paul’s dream to perform with his birth mother

12:25 Spending time with Paul’s mom and half-sister, then his secondary rejection

15:44 Honoring his mother with a memorial

17:45 How music has kept Paul connected to his mother, and keeps Beth connected to her adopted son

21:45 The importance of family preservationism and listening to adult adoptees

23:35 How Paul and Joey process their intense emotions

01 Jan 2022Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) with Hugh Daschbach - Ep 2200:28:39

Recently, Joey was diagnosed with CHS, and we thought the world needed to know about this disorder. Hugh Dascbach is a friend’s husband who also has CHS, and in this episode, he and I talk about the symptoms, the recovery, and the need to get the word out about it.

===============

💌 Sign up for our Safe Home Families email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===============

Safe Home is created by Joseph Nakao and his moms Beth Syverson and Jan Mabie

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

Cover art by Joseph Nakao, photo by Beth Syverson, with design help from Nina Smith

Email questions or comments to Safe Home at SafeHomePodcast@gmail.com

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube

Support Safe Home on Patreon

===============

RESOURCES:

Other Parents Like Me -  https://www.facebook.com/other.parents.like.me

Heather Ross - Life Coaching for Parents of Addicted Teens: https://heatherrosscoaching.com/

Find a Tele-Therapist: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/online-counseling

Here’s the CHS Facebook Support Group that Beth mentions in the podcast: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1726680267460882/?hoisted_section_header_type=recently_seen&multi_permalinks=4376818802447002

Cedars Sinai explains CHS: https://www.cedars-sinai.org/health-library/diseases-and-conditions/c/cannabinoid-hyperemesis-syndrome.html

===============

TIME STAMPS:

0:34 What is CHS?

2:06 Hugh’s background with cannabis

3:06 Medical marijuana to manage anxiety

6:30 Hugh’s CHS symptoms

10:29 Hugh’s CHS diagnosis and recovery

11:34 Joey’s advantage of youth v. Hugh’s healing process

12:36 Hello anxiety and insomnia

14:12 Utilizing other coping skills

16:13 Gradual rise of symptoms, cannabis building up in the system

17:54 Hot showers is the tip-off

19:50 Is cannabis addictive?

20:28 Better ways to deal with anxiety and pain

21:38 Tolerance breaks

22:14 Stigma around weed-users and CHS

22:59 Life contains pain

26:08 Update about Joey’s doctor

--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/safe-home-podcast/message

11 Dec 2023Open Adoption's Balancing Act with Ben Coolman - Ep 12300:30:07

I think that it's definitely a complicated thing, no matter how great the conditions are. But it definitely did something for me to have contact with my biological part of the adoptee experience. - Ben Coolman

If the adoptee in your life is feeling overwhelmed by conflicting loyalties and uncertainty about where they belong, we want them to know they are not alone! Despite their efforts to maintain relationships with both sets of parents, they may find themself feeling torn between two worlds and struggling to find their own identity. This is a common experience for many kids and young adult adoptees who grew up in open adoptions, but there are ways to navigate this journey and find one’s authentic self.

In this episode, you will be able to:

  • Gain insight into unique open adoption experiences.

  • Navigate the challenges for adoptees of maintaining relationships with multiple parents.

  • Discover the need for support tailored for young male adoptees.

=============== 

📆 Community Calendar: UnravelingAdoption.com/Calendar

✨Healing the Adoption Constellation database: UnravelingAdoption.com/Healing

💌Sign up for our Unraveling Adoption email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===============

My special guest is Ben Coolman

Ben Coolman, a 23-year-old philosophy grad student at Boston College, joins Beth on this episode. Ben's unique experience as a same-race domestic adoptee in an open adoption from birth brings a fresh perspective to understanding the dynamics of open adoption. Growing up with other siblings (not biologically related) in open adoptions, Ben offers valuable insights on navigating relationships with multiple sets of parents and the impact of openness on his life. His candid approach and personal journey provide a relatable and insightful take on the complexities of open adoption, making this episode a must-listen for adoptive parents, young adult adoptees navigating similar experiences, and community members who want to understand adoption's complexities better.

Here's how to find Ben:

Other Resources:

Navigating the Complexities
Navigating an open adoption's complex dynamic demands strength and an intuitive understanding of human emotions. Ben discussed how managing relationships with four parents can occasionally be challenging, especially the pressure to spend equal time with each parent. He also emphasized the importance of personal growth, self-security, and following intuition when managing the demanding task of evenly divided attention and care.

===============

Unraveling Adoption is produced and hosted by Beth Syverson

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

Email questions or comments to Beth@UnravelingAdoption.com

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube

Support Unraveling Adoption on Patreon: Patreon.com/UnravelingAdoption

Check out our website: www.UnravelingAdoption.com

Create your own podcast through Libsyn: https://signup.libsyn.com/?promo_code=ADOPTION

===============

Timestamped summary of this episode:
00:00:00 - Introduction and Background
Beth introduces the podcast and her guest, Ben Coolman, a 23-year-old adoptee in an open adoption. Ben shares his origin story, highlighting how his biological parents selected his adoptive parents before his birth.

00:03:55 - Childhood Perceptions
Ben reflects on his childhood perceptions of adoption, including his naive belief that everyone gets adopted. He also discusses his experiences with visits from his biological parents and their influence on his understanding of adoption.

00:08:18 - Contrasting Relationships
Ben explores the differences between his biological and adoptive parents, highlighting their unique sensibilities and the distinct ways he bonds with each of them. He also touches on his evolving understanding of the adoption experience as he matures into adulthood.

00:10:01 - Navigating Relationships
Ben discusses the challenges of managing multiple parental relationships as a young adult. He shares his experience of balancing holiday visits between his biological and adoptive families, highlighting the complexities of maintaining these connections.

00:13:47 - Personal Reflections
Ben reflects on his personality traits, noting his fluctuation between being assertive and considering others' needs. He also shares his attempts to integrate and balance his relationships by finding a sense of belonging between his adoptive family in Providence, Boston, and New York.

00:14:08 - Building in the Woods with Biological Father
Ben sets aside a month every summer to build in the woods with his biological father, sacrificing time with friends. He shares about their construction projects and the intense experience of working together for a month.

00:16:20 - Advantages of Open Adoption
Ben reflects on the positive aspects of growing up in an open adoption, including exposure to diverse experiences and the interest his biological parents have in him. He emphasizes the unique nature of his own open adoption experience.

00:18:13 - Disadvantages of Open Adoption
Ben discusses the complexities of open adoption, including the internal struggle of feeling pulled between his biological and adoptive parents. He shares how the contrasting backgrounds and careers of his parents have influenced his perspective.

00:23:16 - Impact of Open Adoption on Identity
Ben delves into how open adoption has helped him make sense of his story, providing insight into his background and the reasons behind his adoption. He explores the concept of the adoption constellation and its influence on his journey to self-coherence.

00:24:53 - Nature vs. Nurture
Ben reflects on the interplay between nature and nurture in shaping his identity, acknowledging the impact of both sets of parents on his development. He discusses how his career path aligns with his adoptive parents' backgrounds while being influenced by his biological parents' sensibilities.

00:27:46 - Connecting with Young Men
The host expresses the need for more young men to connect with her son Joey and highlights his son's deep thinking. Ben offers to interact with people on social media and shares his contact information.

16 Jan 2023A Complicated Adoption Reunion Story with Alex Baquero - Ep 7600:44:06

In this week’s Unraveling Adoption podcast (formerly Safe Home Podcast), Beth talks with Alex Baquero, a 31yo from Philadelphia who was adopted at 6 months old from Colombia. His adoptive parents are white, and he started reuniting with his birth family 12 years ago. He shares his adoption story and his complicated reunion story, plus he lets us know what tools have helped him along the way. 

===============

💌 Sign up for our Unraveling Adoption's email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===============

RESOURCES:

Alex’s information:

Other Resources:

===============

Unraveling Adoption is produced and hosted by Beth Syverson

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

Email questions or comments to Beth@UnravelingAdoption.com

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube

Support Unraveling Adoption on Patreon: Patreon.com/UnravelingAdoption

www.UnravelingAdoption.com    

===============

TIME STAMPS:

   1:33 Alex’s adoption story as a child

   5:15 Both extremes are invalidating to adoptees

  6:46 Growing up Colombian in a white family and white suburbia

  8:02 Alex’s initial search for his birth family

10:30 How adoptive parents often get in the way of adoptees’ healing and reunion

16:10 Reuniting with his Scandinavian sisters

19:24 How Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has helped Alex

21:30 How Alex got connected with his birth mother in Colombia

24:22 The complexities of traveling in Colombia

25:35 How Covid added to the complexity of reunion with his mother

28:25 Meeting Alex’s father’s side of the family, unexpectedly 

31:10 How Alex managed his emotions and thinking during his time in Colombia

33:35 Aftermath back at home

37:55 Telling his adoptive parents about his reunion

39:03 Going forward…what are Alex’s future plans?

30 Oct 2023The Roller Coaster Ride of Reunion with Brian Stanton and Rick Wertz - Ep 11700:45:24

"You can't make this up. It's a beautiful journey of discovery and connection." - Rick Wertz

Adoptees searching for their birth family are often met with dead-ends and heartache, which can be overwhelming. But Brian and Rick's story will give you hope. They demonstrate the grace and determination required to HANG ON when riding the complex roller coaster ride of reunion.

In this episode, you will be able to:

  • Discover the complexities and emotional challenges of adoption, providing insight and understanding into the adoptee's and the birth parent's journey.

  • Learn effective strategies for navigating reunion and building healthy relationships with birth family members, fostering connection and growth.

  • Understand the importance of support groups for adoptees and birth parents, finding a community of understanding and empathy to navigate the unique aspects of reunion.

  • Explore the concept of genetic mirroring and its impact on an adoptee's sense of identity.

===============

📆 Community Calendar: UnravelingAdoption.com/Calendar

💌Sign up for our Unraveling Adoption email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===============

My special guests are Brian Stanton and Rick Wertz

Brian Stanton is an adoptee who has a captivating story to share. As an actor, filmmaker, and playwright living in Los Angeles, he has used his creative talents to explore his own adoption journey. Brian's award-winning solo play, Blank, delves into the complexities of adoption, and he further documented his search for birth family members in his film, @Ghost Kingdom. Brian's reunion with his birth father, Rick Wertz, adds another layer to his story. Their reunion, filled with twists and turns, has provided them both with valuable insights into the complexities of adoption and the challenges of building relationships with birth families. Through their personal experiences and the support of various adoption communities, Brian and Rick have gained a deeper understanding of the emotional journey adoptees and NPEs face. Their story is sure to resonate with those seeking guidance and connection in their own reunion journeys.

The resources mentioned in this episode are:

  • Rent Brian Stanton's film @Ghost Kingdom on Vimeo: atghostkingdom.com/

  • Look up support groups for adoptees, adoptive parents, and birth parents in your area or online through Unraveling Adoption's Community Calendar: UnravelingAdoption.com/Calendar

  • Check out Adoptees Connect for in-person support groups around the world: AdopteesConnect.com

  • Explore The Adopt Salon and Celia Center for adoption education and support: celiacenter.org/

  • Discover resources for Christian fathers at Rick's ministry Faithful Fathering: faithfulfathering.org/

Building Relationships with Birth Families
Reconnecting with birth families involves nurturing meaningful relationships over time, underlined by mutual respect and understanding. This journey, as explored in the conversation between Beth Syverson, Brian Stanton, and Rick Wertz, involves unexpected twists and turns that can either lead to confusion or closer familial bonds. The essence of such relationships stems from recognizing the importance of genetic connections and their impact on defining one's identity.

===============

Other Resources:

===============

Unraveling Adoption is produced and hosted by Beth Syverson

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

Email questions or comments to Beth@UnravelingAdoption.com

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube

Support Unraveling Adoption on Patreon: Patreon.com/UnravelingAdoption

www.UnravelingAdoption.com

===============

Timestamped summary of this episode:

00:01:30 - Brian's Adoption Story
Brian shares his adoption story, mentioning that he was adopted shortly after birth and always knew he was adopted. He talks about his adoptive family and how his adoptive mother eventually gave him his original birth certificate when he was 23.

00:05:28 - The Reunion
Brian talks about his reunion with his birth mother, mentioning that it started off well but became overwhelming for him. He reflects on the push-pull dynamic and how he wishes he had more support and understanding at the time. He shares that their communication is now solely in his hands.

00:08:22 - The Importance of Support
Beth and Brian emphasize the importance of support groups for adoptees, adoptive parents, and birth parents. They mention the availability of online and in-person support groups and encourage listeners to seek them out. Brian discusses his experience with support groups and specific organizations that have helped him post-reunion.

00:09:52 - Difficult Conception Story
Brian shares that his conception story was difficult and talks about how he dealt with that information.

00:13:47 - Finding Family Connections
Brian shares his experience of discovering his biological father, and he expresses gratitude for finding Rick, who is not a criminal, unlike what Brian had thought for years. They connected through Ancestry and a supportive aunt.

00:16:15 - A Positive Response
Rick recalls receiving Brian's email and discovering the connection through names on his mother's side of the family, as well as the connection to Kansas City and their high school.

00:19:13 - Openness and Support
Rick and his entire family have been open, loving, and supportive of Brian throughout their reunion. Brian expresses his gratitude for their acceptance and mentions the importance of having a spouse who is understanding and supportive as well.

00:21:22 - Another Twist in the Story
Brian learns from his uncle that his biological father was likely the result of an affair his grandfather had with a married woman in Kansas City. Brian realized that Rick doesn't know this information and felt a duty to tell him, leading to a difficult conversation.

00:29:26 - Connecting with a Stranger
Meeting a genetically related stranger can be jarring for adoptees, but genetic mirroring and shared mannerisms provide a sense of confidence and grounding.

00:31:04 - Support for Artistic Pursuits
Brian's adoptive family eventually supported his artistic endeavors, but initially struggled to understand and guide him. Brian's adoptive mother eventually admitted her lack of knowledge in the arts and apologized for not being able to help him pursue his passion.

00:33:11 - The Impact on Family
Rick's daughter felt a strong connection to Rick's biological mother and like her, pursued a career in musical theater. Discovering the truth about his biological mother was a disappointment for her, but the parallels between her artistic career and Brian's are striking.

00:35:42 - Underestimating Genetics
The importance of genetics in shaping one's identity and health is often underestimated. Adoptees may lack crucial information about their genetic history, making medical appointments and discussions challenging. Genetic mirroring and understanding genetic traits are vital for adoptees.

00:41:20 - Getting to Know Each Other
Brian remembers expressing his desire to get to know Rick without being a burden or interrupting his life.

00:42:11 - Ministry and Faith
Rick shares that he is involved in ministry and believes that everyone is an adoptee in a spiritual sense. He talks about how his faith has helped him fill the gap in his own fathering and his ministry's goal to encourage and equip fathers to be faithful.

00:43:23 - Brian's Future Projects
Brian mentions that he has ideas for future films but nothing has come together yet. He emphasizes that the story doesn't end with the reunion but continues as a journey. They both express their excitement for the ongoing journey of their relationship.

15 Apr 2024Solving the Genetic Puzzle of Health Issues in Adoptees with January - Ep 14100:28:52

"I hate when people say that my life should be a movie. Can we just ban that phrase?" - January 

Read the transcript here: https://app.swellai.com/t/tp_01HV5M7AN2D7GP4H2P1NBVSNMQ

[Note the guest's name shifted from Jeremy to January after recording and publishing this audio episode] 

Episode Summary:

In this episode of Unraveling Adoption, host Beth Syverson delves into the complexities of adoption alongside her guest, January, a 24-year-old adopted person from Texas. January shares his journey of struggling with various health issues and neurodivergence, only to discover the genetic roots of his challenges after reuniting with his birth family in 2022.

January's adoption story unfolds as he recounts being adopted in Albuquerque, New Mexico, from a birth family in Denver. Raised in Texas by adoptive parents who were open about his adoption but painted a negative picture of his birth mother, January grew up questioning his identity and health issues without a clear genetic history.

As January navigates his health challenges, including asthma, joint pain, and dysautonomia, he sheds light on the importance of knowing one's genetic background for proper diagnosis and treatment. With a recent diagnosis of hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), January emphasizes the need for healthcare professionals to recognize and address invisible disabilities like EDS.

Through his journey of self-discovery and reunion with his birth family, January finds validation and understanding in shared experiences with relatives who also have EDS. He highlights the significance of acceptance and support from adoptive families, healthcare providers, and the community in addressing the unique needs of adoptees with complex medical histories.

Listeners are encouraged to reflect on the impact of closed adoptions, ableism, and stigma surrounding birth parents, as Beth and January advocate for a more inclusive and informed approach to adoption and healthcare. The episode concludes with a call to action for spreading awareness and support for adoptees facing health challenges and seeking reunion.

To connect with January and explore more adoption-related content, visit his Instagram account, Borderline Adoptee. Additionally, listeners are invited to engage with Unraveling Adoption through their website and Patreon community to support ongoing discussions and resources for adoptive families and individuals impacted by adoption. Stay tuned for more insightful conversations and stories on Unraveling Adoption.

===============

📆 Community Calendar: http://unravelingadoption.com/calendar

✨Healing the Adoption Constellation database: http://unravelingadoption.com/Healing

💌Sign up for our Unraveling Adoption email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===============

RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE:

Other Resources:

===============

Unraveling Adoption is produced and hosted by Beth Syverson

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

Email questions or comments to Beth@UnravelingAdoption.com

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube

Support Unraveling Adoption on Patreon: http://Patreon.com/UnravelingAdoption

Check out our website: http://UnravelingAdoption.com

Create your own podcast through Libsyn: https://signup.libsyn.com/?promo_code=ADOPTION

===============

TIMESTAMPS

  • 00:00:02 - Introduction to Unraveling Adoption: Beth Syverson introduces the podcast and shares her personal connection to adoption.

  • 00:01:05 - January's Adoption Story: January shares his adoption story, including details about his birth family and upbringing.

  • 00:03:01 - Searching for Birth Mother: January talks about his search for his birth mother and the impact of not knowing his genetic history.

  • 00:05:30 - Discovering Neurodivergence: January discusses his diagnosis of neurodivergence and the challenges he faced growing up.

  • 00:06:28 - Diagnosis of Asperger's: January shares his diagnosis of Asperger's and the challenges he faced due to misconceptions about his condition.

  • 00:08:09 - Uncovering Health Conditions: January talks about the health issues he faced as a child and the discovery of his genetic conditions later in life.

  • 00:10:49 - Reunion with Birth Father: January discusses meeting his birth father and the lack of medical information provided by him.

  • 00:13:41 - Understanding Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome: January explains Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, a genetic connective tissue disorder, and his journey to diagnosis.

  • 00:18:46 - Impact of Genetic Knowledge: January reflects on how knowing his genetic history from the beginning could have positively impacted his self-identity and health management.

  • 00:21:44 - Advocating for Adoptees' Health: January discusses the importance of healthcare professionals and adoptive families supporting adoptees in managing their medical diagnoses.

  • 00:23:35 - Addressing Ableism and Misconceptions: January highlights the need to combat ableism and misconceptions surrounding invisible disabilities like EDS.

  • 00:27:00 - Connecting with January: January shares his Instagram handle for further engagement and invites others in the adoption community to reach out.

 

19 Sep 2022A Transracial Adoption Story with Darcy Mittelstaedt - Ep 6000:48:47

In this week’s Safe Home Podcast, Beth talks with Darcy Mittelstaedt, an adult adoptee originally from Korea, and adopted into a dysfunctional family in Nebraska at age 2. Once she came out of the fog, as they say in adoption-land, and came to terms with her relinquishment trauma and chaotic adoptive family life, she turned toward her adoption agency. She now helps inform the adoption agency’s families about relinquishment trauma and the struggles that interculturally adopted people have. Hers is a story of resilience and hope that I’m sure everyone, whether or not you are affected by adoption personally, will appreciate hearing.

===============

💌 Sign up for our Safe Home Families email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===============

RESOURCES:

Darcy’s information:

Other resources mentioned in this episode:

Other Resources:

===============

Safe Home is created by Joseph Nakao and Beth Syverson

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

Cover art by Joseph Nakao, photo by Beth Syverson

Email questions or comments to Safe Home at Hello@SafeHomeFamilies.com

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube

Support Safe Home on Patreon: Patreon.com/SafeHome

www.SafeHomeFamilies.com

===============

TIME STAMPS:

1:50 Darcy’s difficult childhood story

5:00 Darcy’s parent’s controlling style

7:49 Food control

10:33 The impact of Darcy’s parents’ divorce

12:14 The end of the road for Darcy

15:45 The family that rescued Darcy

18:05 Darcy’s compliant temperament and the role of the church

24:58 Darcy’s job at Boys Town

27:01 How Darcy collaborates with her adoption agency

32:15 Growing up as an Asian in a Nebraska farmtown

39:58 The importance of mirroring for adoptees

44:58 Hope for anyone who grew up in a dysfunctional family

--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/safe-home-podcast/message

17 Jul 2023How to Be an Anti-Racist in Adoptive Families with Lanise Antoine Shelley - Ep 10200:50:18

How To Be an Anti-Racist in Adoptive Families with Lanise Antoine Shelley

"It's vital to feel a sense of connectivity to your name, to your environment, and to the people that you choose to love." - Lanise Antoine Shelley

If you're an adoptee who's feeling a constant sense of disconnection and confusion as you try to fit into a world that doesn't fully understand or appreciate your unique transracial adoptee experience, then you are not alone! Many adoptees may find themselves struggling to navigate their identity, grasping at societal norms and expectations that do not align with their true selves. Despite their efforts to assimilate, they may still face rejection, ignorance, and a persistent feeling of being othered. This painful reality often leads to a deep yearning for acceptance and a strong desire to reclaim their authentic identity, free from the confines of societal expectations.

And if you're an adoptive parent in an interracial or intercultural adoption, open your heart up to some possibly uncomfortable but extremely important truths about race in this episode.

===============

 

📆 Community Calendar: UnravelingAdoption.com/Calendar

💌Sign up for our Unraveling Adoption email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===============

In this episode, you will be able to:

  • Deconstruct the dominant narratives in adoption and evaluate their impact on the adoptee community.

  • Learn about the significance of adoptive parent education in cultivating a nurturing environment for adoptees, especially interracial or intercountry adoptees.

  • Embark on a journey of self-recognition and celebration of identity as a transracial adoptee.

  • Gain tools to become an anti-racist and make a big difference in your family and/or community.

  • Understand the importance of the feedback channel from adoptees, ensuring a conscious and accountable parenting approach.

My special guest is Lanise Antoine Shelley

From the vibrant landscapes of Haiti to California's suburban tapestry, Lanise Antoine Shelley's journey transcends geographical boundaries and cultural transitions. Engrossed in the world of arts as a skilled actor, director, and painter, she deftly weaves her personal narrative of adoption into her work. Born in Saint Michel, Haiti, and transracially adopted in the USA, Lanise's intimate narrative strikes a chord with every adoptee struggling to reconcile their adoptive and biological identities. As the host of the podcast 'When They Were Young," she's amplifying adoptee voices and highlighting the importance of reclaiming one's identity. Her unique insights and empathetic approach provide an indispensable resource for transracial adoptees searching for belonging, and for adoptive parents who are open to learning new tools.

The resources mentioned in this episode are:

Other resources:

 

 

Connecting with Haitian Culture
The journey of embracing and reclaiming one's cultural identity is a foundational aspect of personal development, especially for transracial adoptees. These individuals often face a complex maze of cultural identities, one related to their biological family's heritage and another to their adoptive family. Recognising, understanding, and enhancing this unique cultural blend is crucial for an adoptee's sense of personal identity and self-awareness. In that light, Lanise opens up about her journey to embrace her blackness and reconnect with her Haitian roots. Despite growing up in a predominantly white community, she only encountered fellow black individuals as friends once she reached middle school. It wasn't until college that she began to consciously immerse herself among proud and educated Black individuals, a step that spurred her self-love for her skin, heritage and identity. Her story can inspire listeners to seek connections with their ethnicities and passionately embrace their cultural diversity.

The Origins of Antiracism in Adoption
Over the years, the adoption community has embraced the concept of antiracism. This perspective involves actively identifying and opposing racism in all its forms, whether systemic or individual. This stance is not about passively avoiding discrimination but actively working to dismantle it wherever it is encountered. However, understanding the roots of racism in adoption and its historical context is a crucial part of sensitively navigating this subject. Lanise shares a startling revelation that the system of adoption was fundamentally designed to uphold white supremacy, with roots in ethnocentric imperialism and colonialism. By referring to films like Rabbit-Proof Fence, she elaborates on how children from suppressed communities were forcibly taken away in efforts to dilute their culture and blend them into the dominant white society. This realistic portrayal served as a stark reminder of the power imbalances and exploitations in history, which subtly continue to affect the adoption ecosystem today.

===============

 

Unraveling Adoption is produced and hosted by Beth Syverson

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

Email questions or comments to Beth@UnravelingAdoption.com

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube

Support Unraveling Adoption on Patreon: Patreon.com/UnravelingAdoption

www.UnravelingAdoption.com

 

===============

Timestamped summary of this episode:

00:01:30 - Lanise's Adoption Story,
Lanise shares her adoption story as an intercountry transracial adoptee from Haiti. She talks about being adopted by a missionary in Haiti and growing up in a predominantly white community in California. She also discusses the importance of reclaiming her name and embracing her blackness in college.

00:05:04 - Connecting with African Culture,
Lanise talks about her connection with African cultures and traditions, including her deep involvement in African dance. She shares her experiences visiting Senegal and feeling a sense of belonging with African people.

00:07:28 - Holding Adoptive Parents Accountable,
Lanise discusses the importance of adoptees holding their adoptive parents accountable for any missteps or lack of support during their adoption and upbringing. She emphasizes the need for adoptive parents to acknowledge the grief and trauma adoptees experience.

00:09:51 - The Better Life Narrative and Adoption Realities,
Lanise challenges the "better life" narrative in adoption and highlights the realities that many adoptees face, including abuse, neglect, and racism. She urges for more awareness and support for adoptees' experiences and struggles.

00:17:04 - The Limiting Belief of the Better Life Narrative
The guest discusses how the "better life" narrative in adoption does not support the adoptee or the birth family, but only encourages the adoptive parent. This mindset commodifies the adoptee and can be seen as a form of human trafficking.

00:18:30 - Healing Modalities and Therapy for Adoptees
The guest shares her healing modalities, such as meditation, yoga, and holistic living, as well as the importance of therapy. Finding a therapist who is a black interracial adoptee has been instrumental in her healing journey.

00:19:52 - Parenting and Continuing the Relationship with the Adoptee
The conversation emphasizes the importance of ongoing work and a deeper, intimate connection between adoptive parents and their adult adoptees. Parents should continue to be present and supportive, understanding that they are not entitled to intimacy with their child.

00:26:11 - Challenges of Transracial Adoption
The guest highlights the need for adoptive parents to offer overt support and engage in conversations about race and racism. The experience of transracial adoptees is vastly different, and parents should prioritize their child's sense of belonging rather than asking them to fit in.

00:32:16 - Taking Action and Being Proactive in Antiracism
The conversation emphasizes the importance of being proactive in antiracism, rather than just passively supporting from the sidelines. White parents of transracially adopted children have a responsibility to initiate conversations,

00:34:21 - The Origins of Antiracism in Adoption,
Lanise discusses the proactive and essential nature of antiracism in the adoption constellation, noting that adoption was historically built to support the supremacy of white people. She mentions the dark history of missionarianism and ethnic cleansing in indigenous communities, emphasizing the need to engage in antiracism to better understand the system.

00:36:07 - The Dark History of Adoption,
Lanise highlights the dark history of adoption, particularly in relation to the genocide of the Aborigines in Australia. She describes how the British systematically bred out the aboriginal gene by abducting children and placing them in concentration camps to be "civilized." This history sheds light on the problematic origins of adoption.

00:38:04 - Challenging Binary Narratives,
Lanise addresses the black and white narrative often associated with adoption, emphasizing that it is not a binary issue. She encourages listeners to embrace the paradoxes and hard truths of adoption, while also acknowledging the potential for growth and deeper understanding within adoptive families.

00:39:39 - Reflecting on Triggers and Reactions,
Lanise advises those who may feel triggered or angry by the conversation to take a deep breath and recognize that no one is attacking them. She emphasizes that her intention is to educate and amplify adoptees' stories, urging individuals to honestly examine their reactions and consider their own identities and perspectives.

00:43:22 - The Gift of Growth,
Lanise and Beth discuss the opportunity to receive gigantic gifts through these interpersonal challenges around race and adoption. When viewed from the perspective of wanting adoptees to have the best lives possible, non-adoptees will be more open to digging in to these difficult topics with them.

 

23 Sep 2024Unpacking Adoption Trauma: Insights from an Adoptive Parent with Stacey Uhrig - Ep 16400:36:35

“They [our kids] can't be more regulated than you are. They can only be as regulated as the least regulated person in the house.” - Stacey Uhrig

EPISODE SUMMARY:

In this episode of Unraveling Adoption, I had the pleasure of speaking with Stacey Uhrig, an adoptive parent and certified trauma recovery coach. Stacey shared her journey into adoption, which began after her own struggles with infertility. She emphasized the emotional complexities and challenges that come with adoption, particularly the trauma that both adoptees and adoptive parents may face. 

Stacey discussed her experiences raising two boys adopted from Korea and the significant insights she gained about trauma, attachment, and the impact of early disruptions in a child's life. We explored the importance of understanding the emotional wounds that children may carry from their past experiences, even before they come into our homes.

Throughout our conversation, we highlighted the need for adoptive parents to do their own emotional work in order to better support their children. Stacey shared valuable resources, including her own ebook, What is Trauma Really?, and her podcast, Flip Your Mindset, both of which aim to educate and empower those affected by adoption.

 We also touched on the misconceptions surrounding trauma and the importance of approaching parenting with empathy and an open mind. This episode serves as a reminder that understanding adoption trauma is crucial for creating a nurturing environment for our children. I hope this conversation resonates with adoptive parents and encourages them to seek knowledge and support in their parenting journey.

===============

📘Get our new book Adoption and Suicidality: amazon.com/Adoption-Suicidality-Healthcare-Professionals-Unraveling/dp/B0DCBCTSLL

📆 Community Calendar: UnravelingAdoption.com/Calendar

✨Healing the Adoption Constellation database: UnravelingAdoption.com/Healing

💌Sign up for our Unraveling Adoption email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===============

RESOURCES:

Stacey’s contact information:

Other resources mentioned in this episode:

Other Resources:

===============

Unraveling Adoption is produced and hosted by Beth Syverson

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

Email questions or comments to Beth@UnravelingAdoption.com

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube

Support Unraveling Adoption on Patreon: http://Patreon.com/UnravelingAdoption

Check out our website: http://UnravelingAdoption.com

Create your own podcast through Libsyn: https://signup.libsyn.com/?promo_code=ADOPTION

===============

Please rate (*****) and/or review Unraveling Adoption in Apple Podcasts and Spotify (even if you listen to it on another app). Your feedback will help more listeners find our episodes. Thank you!

===============

TIME STAMPS:

00:00:00 - Introduction
Welcome to Unraveling Adoption with host Beth Cyberson and guest Stacey Uhrig.

00:01:00 - Stacey's Adoption Journey
Stacey shares her path to adoption through infertility and decision-making.

00:03:30 - Challenges in Adoption
Discussion on the challenges faced, including school difficulties and a brain injury.

00:06:00 - Understanding Adoption Trauma
Stacey reflects on the concept of the primal wound and its implications.

00:08:30 - Lack of Resources
The struggle to find support and resources for adoptive parents.

00:10:30 - Importance of Education
The need for better preparation for adoptive parents regarding challenges.

00:12:30 - Personal Growth
How learning about trauma provided Stacey with grace in her parenting.

00:15:00 - Impact of Early Experiences
Effects of early attachment disruptions on adopted children.

00:18:00 - Parental Responsibility
The role of adoptive parents in understanding and healing trauma.

00:21:00 - Coaching Approach
Stacey explains her coaching methods for adoptive parents.

00:24:00 - Nature of Trauma
Exploration of trauma's meaning and effects on children.

00:27:00 - Self-Reflection for Parents
Encouragement for parents to do their own emotional work.

00:30:00 - Work with Adoptees
Stacey discusses her methods for working with adoptees.

00:33:00 - Conclusion and Resources
Wrap-up and sharing of Stacey's website and podcast for further resources.

 

12 Jun 2023Exposing the Dangers of Secrets & Lies with Greg Rostron - Ep 9700:49:01

Discover how late discovery adoptee (LDA) Greg Rostron exposes the danger of secrets and lies for adoptees’ mental health in this compelling and emotional episode.

===============

📆 Community Calendar: UnravelingAdoption.com/Calendar

💌Sign up for our Unraveling Adoption email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===============

In this episode, you will be able to:

  • Discover the crucial role honesty plays in the adoption process.

  • Understand the effects secrets, lies, trauma, and family dysfunction may have on the mental well-being of adoptees.

  • Learn about the deep-rooted feelings of abandonment and rejection often experienced by adopted individuals.

  • Gain insights into specialized therapy methods tailored for adoptees and adoptive parents.

  • Recognize the potential hazards of secrecy and the advantages of engaging in support groups.

My special guest is Greg Rostron

Greg Rostron is a late discovery adoptee from Sydney, Australia, who has bravely embarked on a journey of personal growth and healing after uncovering the truth about his adoption. Having spent much of his life unaware of this pivotal information, Greg experienced firsthand the impact that secrets and lies can have on an adoptee's mental health. Since reading The Primal Wound a few years ago, Greg has dedicated himself to advocacy and sharing his powerful story, emphasizing the importance of transparency and open communication within adoptive families. By addressing his own challenges and struggles, Greg has become an inspiration for others who are grappling with similar revelations about their past.

The resources mentioned in this episode are:

Other Resources:

===============

Unraveling Adoption is produced and hosted by Beth Syverson

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

Email questions or comments to Beth@UnravelingAdoption.com

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube

Support Unraveling Adoption on Patreon: Patreon.com/UnravelingAdoption

www.UnravelingAdoption.com

===============

The Importance of Sharing Information
Sharing information about adoption is vital for adoptees to understand their background and build a stronger sense of identity. Withholding information can lead to feelings of disconnection and a lifetime of unanswered questions, which only gets worse with time. It's crucial that adoptive families prioritize sharing information and remain open about it, even if it feels uncomfortable. During his conversation with Beth Syverson, Greg Rostron stressed the significance of sharing information about adoption with those affected by it. He----- encouraged people to record, document, and share as much information as possible while those who know the secrets are still around. It's important for adoptees to connect with their biological heritage and understand their story better.

Timestamped summary of this episode:
00:00:00 - Introduction,
The host, Beth Syverson, introduces the podcast episode and the guest, Greg Rostron, a late discovery adoptee from Sydney, Australia. She explains that Greg found out he was adopted when he was 28, and he remained in the "fog" for almost 4 decades until he read the book, The Primal Wound, in 2020.

00:01:28 - Childhood and Family,
Greg talks about growing up as an only child with his adoptive parents who were in their 40s and had suffered miscarriages and a stillbirth. His father was a lifelong alcoholic, and there was an attempted rape when Greg was a child. Everyone in his adoptive family knew he was adopted, but no one was willing to talk to him about it.

00:06:23 - Late Discovery,
Greg found out he was adopted at 28 when he needed a full birth certificate to get married in Switzerland. His adoptive father handed him a manila envelope with the word "adoption" on it, and Greg lost it. He got married anyway, acting as if nothing had happened, and then moved on with his life.

00:08:53 - Signs and Uncovering the Truth,
In hindsight, Greg realizes there were many signs that he was adopted that he just ignored as a child. He found out that his adoptive mother had some little girl's clothes in her wardrobe, and he never remembered her giving him a hug or telling him she loved him.

00:13:40 - The Gay Rumor and Emotional Abuse,
Greg shares how his father's rumored homosexuality affected his family and how his mother suffered emotional abuse during their marriage, as revealed in divorce papers.

00:15:08 - Keeping Secrets and Lies,
Greg talks about his adoptive parents' control issues and how his birth father lied to him about his adoption. He shares his conflicted feelings about attending his father's 100th birthday celebration with his half-siblings.

00:19:25 - Lack of Attunement,
Greg reflects on the lack of emotional attunement between himself and his adoptive mother, which manifested in numerous ways throughout his life.

00:22:08 - Mental Health and Primal Wound,
Greg discusses how adoption can affect mental health and how reading The Primal Wound helped him understand his own experiences. He also shares two instances where he experienced suicidal thoughts due to triggers related to abandonment and rejection.

00:25:49 - Adoption and Trauma,
Greg emphasizes the impact adoption has had on his life, relationships, and mental health. He acknowledges that even the best adoptive parents cannot fully mitigate the trauma of being relinquished, and that healing is a lifelong process.

00:27:41 - Engineers and Therapy,
Beth and Greg discuss the stereotype of engineers not seeking therapy and how Greg's mental health struggles led him to therapy. They also discuss the importance of finding a therapist who is trauma-informed and adoption-competent.

00:33:01 - Therapy Costs and Alternatives,
Greg shares that therapy can be expensive and unaffordable for some, but there are NGOs and support groups that offer free counseling. He also recommends seeking out adoption-competent therapy for adoptees, adoptive parents, and birth parents.

00:35:57 - Male Adoptee Support,
Beth and Greg discuss the lack of male adoptee support groups and the importance of men having a safe space to talk about their experiences. Greg shares his positive experiences in support groups with women and how it helped him understand his birth mother's trauma.

00:38:17 - Importance of Support System,
Greg shares how his wife has been a supportive partner throughout his adoption journey and mental health struggles.

00:40:18 - Secrets,
Beth and Greg discuss the potential dangers of keeping secrets and how it can affect mental health. They share personal anecdotes about secrets in their own families and how disclosing them can lead to a sense of relief and freedom.

00:41:45 - The Importance of Sharing Information,
Greg emphasizes the importance of gathering and documenting information about adoption stories, even if they are difficult to discuss. He encourages birth mothers to share their story and adoptive parents to be open with their children from a young age to avoid resentment and anger later in life.

00:43:01 - The Healing Power of Love,
Greg shares the importance of adoptees hearing the words "I love you" from their birth mothers, as it can be healing to the soul. He also advises adoptive parents to tell their children they are adopted from a young age, so it becomes part of their story and avoids secrets.

00:44:40 - The Dangers of Secrets and Lies,
Greg shares how keeping secrets and lies about his adoption has caused him to feel resentful and angry towards his adoptive parents. He believes that owning up to the truth and sharing information can prevent life-threatening situations.

00:45:47 - Reaching Out for Support,
Greg offers his email address for those who would like to connect with him and discuss adoption stories. He believes that adoptees talking to each other can be a healing and validating experience.

00:46:32 - Sharing is Caring,
Greg emphasizes the importance of sharing adoption stories and information with others. He believes that "sharing is caring" and can prevent damaging secrets and lies. Beth encourages listeners to share this episode with others who may need to hear Greg's story.

 

27 Feb 2023We Are Not Our Trauma with Simon Benn00:29:48

In this week’s Unraveling Adoption podcast, Beth talks with Simon Benn, an adoptee living near York, England and host of Thriving Adoptees podcast. I was recently on his show, so I wanted him to be on our show as well. Trading podcasts across the globe. Simon has been on a healing journey for the last 13 or so years, after a discovery about his adoption that rocked his world. He wants to help other adoptees move toward healing with his podcast and webinars.

===============

💌 Sign up for Unraveling Adoption’s email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===============

RESOURCES:

Simon’s information:

 

Other resource mentioned in this episode:

 

More Resources:

===============

Unraveling Adoption is produced and hosted by Beth Syverson

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

Email questions or comments to Beth@UnravelingAdoption.com

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube

Support Unraveling Adoption on Patreon: Patreon.com/UnravelingAdoption

www.UnravelingAdoption.com

===============

TIME STAMPS:

  1:18 Simon’s adoption story and childhood

  4:14 What Simon’s adoption file revealed about his birth mother

  7:35 Revelations and epiphanies

10:05 What is the primal wound? What is wounded? Simon’s new metaphor

18:55 There’s no such thing as a second-hand insight

21:23 Simon’s advice for adoptees coming “out of the fog”

25:05 Simon reading his poems “Beneath” and “After the Fog”

15 Jan 2024Podcasting to Elevate Adoptee Voices with Sarah Reinhardt and Louise Browne - Ep 12800:38:44

"Adoptive parents, go do your own work. It's kind of a natural birthright to know who you are." - Louise Browne

Adoptive parents and allies: Do you want to better understand and support your adoptive child's experiences? Our guests, adoptees Sarah Reinhardt and Louise Browne, will be sharing valuable insights and guidance on how to gain a deeper understanding and provide the support that adoptees need to thrive. By listening to their stories - and other adoptees' stories they share on their Adoption: The Making of Me podcast episodes - you can gain a deeper understanding and provide the necessary support for your adoptive child to flourish. Tune in to gain some new insights to support your adoptive child's journey.

In this episode, you will be able to:

  • Understand the unique challenges of adoption experiences.

  • Explore the impact of secrecy and shame in adoption.

  • Gain insight into adoptees' alternate realities and perspectives.

  • Get the inside scoop about Sarah and Louise's friendship and their podcast, Adoption: The Making of Me.

My special guests are Sarah Reinhardt and Louise Brownee

Sarah Reinhardt and Louise Browne are the dynamic duo behind the podcast Adoption: The Making of Me. As adoptees themselves, they bring their personal stories and insights in a candid and relatable manner on their own pod. Through their podcast, they aim to unravel the complexities of adoption, offering a blend of humor, empathy, and raw honesty. Sarah and Louise's journey of coming "out of the fog" in real-time adds authenticity and depth to their discussions, making their podcast an invaluable resource for adoptive parents and allies seeking to understand and support their children's experiences. Get ready to dive into their fascinating stories and gain a deeper understanding of adoption through their eyes. And find out more about their podcast's background and hopes for the future.

===============

📆 Community Calendar: UnravelingAdoption.com/Calendar

✨Healing the Adoption Constellation database: UnravelingAdoption.com/Healing

💌Sign up for our Unraveling Adoption email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===============

The resources mentioned in this episode are:

  • To listen to the Adoption: The Making of Me podcast, visit their website at adoptionthemakingofme.com, or search for them on your favorite podcast platform.

  • Support the Adoption: The Making of Me podcast on Patreon to help them continue their important work in elevating adoptive voices and providing valuable resources to the adoption community.  https://www.patreon.com/themakingofmepodcast

  • Come meet Sarah and Louise in New York for a meet-and-greet before Rebecca Autumn Sansom's and Liz DeBetta's Operation Fog Lift NYC Edition on February 2-4, 2024.

  • Here are some of the books that were mentioned in the episode:

    • The Primal Wound by Nancy Verrier

    • Journey of the Adopted Self by Betty Jean Lifton

    • The Baby Thief: The Untold Story of Georgia Tann, the Baby Seller Who Corrupted Adoption by Barbara Bisantz Raymond

Other Resources:

===============

Unraveling Adoption is produced and hosted by Beth Syverson

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

Email questions or comments to Beth@UnravelingAdoption.com

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube

Support Unraveling Adoption on Patreon: Patreon.com/UnravelingAdoption

www.UnravelingAdoption.com

Create your own podcast through Libsyn: https://signup.libsyn.com/?promo_code=ADOPTION

===============

Timestamped summary of this episode:
00:00:00 - Introducing the Guests
Beth introduces the guests, Sarah Reinhardt and Louise Browne, who co-host the podcast Adoption: The Making of Me. They aim to uncover adoption complexities and share their own adoption stories.

00:01:23 - Different Adoption Stories
Sarah and Louise discuss their different adoption experiences. Sarah had a traumatic beginning, while Louise was adopted into a loving family. They highlight the impact of adoption on their lives.

00:09:30 - Coming Out of the Fog
The guests share their journey of coming out of the fog, realizing the complexities of adoption, and experiencing emotional ups and downs. They discuss the awakening moments and the challenges they faced during this process.

00:11:42 - Starting the Podcast
Sarah and Louise reflect on starting their podcast without anticipating the emotional intensity of discussing their adoption experiences. They talk about bonding over being adoptees and finding camaraderie with other adoptees.

00:13:02 - Adoptee Camaraderie
The guests highlight the unique camaraderie among adoptees, where they can instantly connect with others who share similar experiences. They emphasize the shared understanding and connection that comes from living through adoption.

00:13:12 - The Beginning of the Podcast Journey
Sarah and Louise discuss how their podcast journey began as adoptees looking to explore the adoption world and provide a platform for adoptees to share their stories.

00:14:39 - Unexpected Growth and Community
Reflecting on the podcast's growth, Sarah and Louise acknowledge the impact of books, their supportive listeners, and the community they've built, highlighting the importance of diverse adoptee voices.

00:16:39 - Insights from Difficult Topics
The hosts share insights from discussing difficult topics, such as the book The Baby Thief, shedding light on the impact of historical figures like Georgia Tann and the far-reaching ripple effects of adoption-related trauma.

00:19:00 - Embracing Adoptee Stories
Sarah and Louise express their commitment to providing space for all adoptees to share their stories, emphasizing the importance of empathy and understanding regardless of individual experiences.

00:24:18 - Future Visions and Realities
The hosts discuss their future vision for the podcast, acknowledging the desire to reach wider audiences and expand their impact, while also recognizing the challenges of balancing real-life responsibilities with podcasting.

00:25:37 - Weekend Events and Workshops
Sarah and Louise discuss the upcoming New York event Operation Fog Lift, including a happy hour, a movie screening, and a writing workshop. They highlight the opportunities for adoptees and supporters to connect in person.

00:26:41 - First In-Person Event
Louise shares that this is their first in-person event, and they express excitement about meeting people face to face. They emphasize the transformative experience of interacting with others in real life.

00:27:59 - Advice for Adoptive Parents
The hosts offer advice for adoptive parents, emphasizing the importance of open communication, doing personal healing work, and not taking things personally. They stress the significance of acknowledging the adoptee's identity and experiences.

00:32:12 - Abundance of Adoptee Podcasts
Sarah and Louise discuss the value of the adoption community supporting numerous adoptee podcasts, emphasizing the diversity of voices and the ability to cater to different segments of the audience. They highlight the importance of collaboration and supporting each other within the adoption community.

00:34:27 - Dream Celebrity Interviews
The hosts express their desire to interview celebrities such as Keegan Michael Key, Colin Kaepernick, and Simone Biles, who all have adoption connections. They share their bold approach to reaching out to potential guests and the significance of elevating adoptee voices through their podcast.

00:38:12 - Coaching for Adoptive Parents
Beth offers coaching services for adoptive parents, specializing in helping them navigate through challenges such as addiction, mental health, and suicidality in their children. Her personal experience allows her to provide valuable support and resources.

 

11 Jul 2022Yoga for Healing Trauma with Lorah Gerald - Ep 5000:49:21

In this week’s Safe Home Podcast, Beth talks with Lorah Gerald, an adoptee, an intuitive, a Kundalini Yoga Instructor, and writer. Lorah hopes to help others heal their trauma, adopted or not, by sharing her lived experiences as an adoptee as well as her education in breath work, energy healing and natural intuitive abilities.

===============

💌 Sign up for our Safe Home Families email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===============

RESOURCES:

Lorah’s information:

Other resources mentioned in this episode:

Other Resources:

===============

Safe Home is created by Joseph Nakao and Beth Syverson

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

Cover art by Joseph Nakao, photo by Beth Syverson

Email questions or comments to Safe Home at SafeHomePodcast@gmail.com

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube

Support Safe Home on Patreon

===============

TIME STAMPS:

1:33 Holding feelings about adoption trauma inside v. healing in community

2:49 Lorah’s adoption story as a Baby Scoop Era domestic adoptee

4:40 A better life or just a different life?

6:40 What Beth was told about adoption trauma when she adopted Joey

8:32 What Lorah’s adoptive parents knew about adoption trauma

9:20 How Lorah acted out as a teen and how she avoided addiction

10:38 Lorah’s reunion story

15:34 Lorah’s mother’s forced hysterectomy

16:46 Lorah’s reaction to her adoption story as told by her parents

20:28 Lorah’s reunion story, continued

26:40 Lorah’s healing path - yoga, reiki, reading, etc.

28:35 Kundalini yoga & processing trauma through our bodies

34:55 Other physical trauma-healing tools that Lorah uses

39:03 Adoptee-only yoga sessions

41:43 How yoga has helped Lorah with trauma and well-being

--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/safe-home-podcast/message

02 Jan 2023Transitioning from Safe Home Podcast to Unraveling Adoption - Ep 7400:21:25

In this very special episode, Beth Syverson, host of Safe Home Podcast, explains her pivot to Unraveling Adoption. This is the last episode of Safe Home, and the first episode of Unraveling Adoption. She explains what the new title means, what the future plans are, and she provides ways for everyone to help get the new podcast launched.

===============

💌 Sign up for our email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===============

RESOURCES:

Beth’s information:

Other resources mentioned in this episode:

===============

Safe Home is created by Joseph Nakao and Beth Syverson

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

Cover art by Joseph Nakao, photo by Beth Syverson

Email questions or comments to Safe Home at Hello@SafeHomeFamilies.com

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube

Support Safe Home on Patreon: Patreon.com/SafeHome

www.SafeHomeFamilies.com

Unraveling Adoption is created by Beth Syverson

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

Cover art by Amanda Mullins

Email questions or comments to Beth@UnravelingAdoption.com

===============

TIME STAMPS:

1:22 Thanks to all those who’ve helped make Safe Home Podcast happen, and some stats

9:17 Why are we making the pivot to Unraveling Adoption?

10:50 What does Unraveling Adoption mean?

13:05 What are our plans for the future?

16:26 Ways you can help

--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/safe-home-podcast/message
21 Nov 2022Coping with OCD's Intrusive Thoughts with Katherine Osborne - Ep 6800:32:02

In this week’s Safe Home Podcast, Beth talks with a family friend of hers from church - Katherine Osborne. Katherine shared with the church that she was recently diagnosed with OCD - Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. I thought it might be good for our audience to learn from an eloquent teen how OCD feels. Nowadays people joke that they have OCD when they’re bothered when something doesn’t quite line up, or if one tile is a different color. You see memes about OCD all the time. But that’s a very simplistic view of OCD that doesn’t honor the lived experience of people who struggle with this disorder every day of their lives.

In this episode, Katherine explains her own lived experience of OCD, and she mentions things she’s learned so far. But of course neither of us are OCD experts or healthcare professionals. We recommend getting professional help if you or someone you know might be struggling with OCD or any mental health issues.

===============

💌 Sign up for our Safe Home Families email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===============

Resources about OCD that Katherine recommends:

Other Resources:

===============

Safe Home is created by Joseph Nakao and Beth Syverson

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

Cover art by Joseph Nakao, photo by Beth Syverson

Email questions or comments to Safe Home at Hello@SafeHomeFamilies.com

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube

Support Safe Home on Patreon: Patreon.com/SafeHome

www.SafeHomeFamilies.com

===============

TIME STAMPS

1:12 Katherine’s hobbies & college activities

2:25 When did Katherine’s OCD symptoms start? (Thank you, COVID.  ☹️)

3:46 How Katherine experiences OCD in cycles - obsessions and compulsions

6:30 What are intrusive thoughts?

8:54 How does Katherine manage her OCD?

10:22 How Katherine was diagnosed with OCD. Did her diagnosis make things better or worse?

14:00 How OCD has affected Katherine’s social life

15:45 How do Katherine’s family and friends support her when she’s having a bad OCD day?

18:11 Is OCD more common for adults and teens? Is it growing?

19:40 Katherine’s advice to parents of teens?

24:13 Can someone pull an OCD sufferer out of an OCD cycle?

27:20 First steps if you’re curious if you might have OCD

--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/safe-home-podcast/message

23 Oct 2021Relapse from the Parents' Perspective - Ep 1200:36:17

It’s been 6 weeks since Joey relapsed and moved back to his dad’s house. In this episode, Jan and Beth talk about how they’re dealing with his downward spiral.

===============

💌 Sign up for our Safe Home Families email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===============

Safe Home is created by Joseph Nakao and his moms Beth Syverson and Jan Mabie

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

Cover art by Joseph Nakao, photo by Beth Syverson, with design help from Nina Smith

Email questions or comments to Safe Home at SafeHomePodcast@gmail.com

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube

Support Safe Home on Patreon

=======================================

RESOURCES:

And here are some resources for therapy, coaching, and counseling:

Find a Tele-Therapist: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/online-counseling

Miguel Rosell - Guided Core Integration: https://miguelrosell.com/

Heather Ross - Life Coaching for Parents of Addicted Teens: https://heatherrosscoaching.com/

 

TIME STAMPS:

1:17 The relapse story continues, 6 weeks later

2:13 Keeping a positive connection

4:47 Parents’ reaction to Joey getting caught stealing

6:05 Beth’s dream for society’s support for troubled teens

8:16 “Come, Come, Whoever You Are”

9:44 Safe Home approach v Tough Love approach

10:55 Our parental anxiety during relapse

12:25 Joey’s 2nd traumatic event in one night

13:47 Joey ditched Jan and Beth for pumpkin patch date

16:20 Joey “losing credibility”

19:00 Our advice for parents with kids who relapse

26:25 How Joey’s adoption contributed to his pain

27:20 What Jan and Beth would do differently if they could do it all over

28:05 Joey’s birthday angst

30:00 Some of the signs of trouble that Jan and Beth missed

34:09 Take the spotlight off your kid sometimes

--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/safe-home-podcast/message

04 Dec 2021Joey's New Job - Ep 1800:15:27

In this episode, Joey joins Beth to talk about his NEW JOB!  It’s his first real job and he’s found something he really loves to do.

===============

💌 Sign up for our Safe Home Families email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===============

Safe Home is created by Joseph Nakao and his moms Beth Syverson and Jan Mabie

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

Cover art by Joseph Nakao, photo by Beth Syverson, with design help from Nina Smith

Email questions or comments to Safe Home at SafeHomePodcast@gmail.com

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube

Support Safe Home on Patreon

=======================================

MORE RESOURCES:

Heather Ross - Life Coaching for Parents of Addicted Teens: https://heatherrosscoaching.com/

Miguel Rosell - Guided Core Integration: https://miguelrosell.com/

Find a Tele-Therapist: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/online-counseling

=======================================

Websites that Joey mentions in this episode:

Indeed job search engine: https://www.indeed.com/

Mint financial app:

https://mint.intuit.com/

=======================================

TIME STAMPS:

0:49 Joey’s new job and how it’s going so far

4:06 Joey hit the wall with depression about a week in

4:56 Using substances and holding a job

6:41 Joey’s previous work experience

8:12 Career path with the dogs

10:05 Budget lesson

--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/safe-home-podcast/message

09 Dec 2024Navigating Identity: A Korean Adoptee's Journey with Nathan Nowack - Ep 17400:26:12

"I...sometimes I forget that I'm Asian unless I see myself in a mirror." -- Nathan Nowack

Read the Transcript: https://app.swellai.com/t/tp_01JEAFSD4KFY07AFGENGAPDN7A

EPISODE SUMMARY:

In this episode of Unraveling Adoption, I had the pleasure of speaking with Nathan Nowack, a Korean adoptee, professional photographer, and co-host of The Janchi Show. Nathan shared his adoption story, having been adopted from Korea at just five and a half months old and raised in a predominantly white community in Oklahoma. He reflected on his childhood, noting the lack of cultural representation and the challenges of navigating his Asian identity in a world that often sees him as different.

We discussed the complexities of transracial adoption, including the impact of his parents' approach to race and culture. Nathan emphasized the importance of understanding and acknowledging one's racial identity, especially in a society that often overlooks these nuances. He shared his experiences with microaggressions and the emotional toll they can take on adoptees, highlighting the need for greater awareness and sensitivity.

Nathan also spoke about his involvement with KAAN (Korean American Adoptee Adoptive Family Network) and how connecting with other adoptees has been instrumental in his healing journey. He described the sense of community he found there and the importance of sharing diverse adoption stories, acknowledging that each experience is unique.

As a father of three multiple-ethnicity children, Nathan is committed to helping them understand their cultural heritage. He shared how he incorporates Asian traditions and celebrations into their lives, ensuring they have a strong sense of identity.

This conversation was rich with insights into the complexities of adoption, identity, and community. I hope listeners find Nathan's story as inspiring and enlightening as I did. Be sure to check out The Janchi Show and connect with Nathan on Instagram for more of his journey and perspectives. Thank you for joining us, and I look forward to our next episode!

===============

📘Get our new book Adoption and Suicidality: amazon.com/Adoption-Suicidality-Healthcare-Professionals-Unraveling/dp/B0DCBCTSLL

📆 Community Calendar: UnravelingAdoption.com/Calendar

✨Healing the Adoption Constellation database: UnravelingAdoption.com/Healing

💌Sign up for our Unraveling Adoption email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===============

RESOURCES:

Nathan’s information:

===============

Announcing Adoption Healing Quest; An Interactive SoCal Event; Feb. 8, 2025; Navigating Hope and Healing Together; Pacific Coast Center for Spiritual LIving; Seal Beach, CA; www.UnravelingAdoption.com

===============

Unraveling Adoption is produced and hosted by Beth Syverson

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

Email questions or comments to Beth@UnravelingAdoption.com

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube

Support Unraveling Adoption on Patreon: http://Patreon.com/UnravelingAdoption

Check out our website: http://UnravelingAdoption.com

Create your own podcast through Libsyn: https://signup.libsyn.com/?promo_code=ADOPTION

===============

Please rate (*****) and/or review Unraveling Adoption in Apple Podcasts and Spotify (even if you listen to it on another app). Your feedback will help more listeners find our episodes. Thank you!

===============

TIME STAMPS:

00:00:00 - Introduction to Unraveling Adoption
Welcome to the podcast and introduction of host Beth Syverson and guest Nathan Nowack.

00:01:26 - Nathan's Adoption Story
Nathan shares his background as a Korean adoptee raised in a predominantly white environment.

00:02:50 - Cultural Representation in Upbringing
Discussion on the lack of Asian cultural representation in Nathan's childhood.

00:03:50 - Transracial Adoption and Parental Awareness
Nathan reflects on his adoptive parents' understanding of transracial adoption.

00:05:32 - The Melting Pot Mentality
Exploration of the "colorblind" approach to race and its implications for Nathan.

00:06:52 - Microaggressions and Identity
Nathan discusses experiences with microaggressions and their impact on his identity.

00:08:38 - Community and Connection
The importance of finding community among other adoptees for support and understanding.

00:09:18 - Involvement with KAAN
Nathan explains his role in the Korean American Adoptee Adoptive Family Network (KAAN).

00:10:56 - Upcoming KAAN Conference
Details about the next KAAN conference and its themes.

00:11:41 - Healing Through Shared Stories
How connecting with other adoptees aids in Nathan's healing journey.

00:12:30 - The Complexity of Adoption Stories
Discussion on the varied experiences of adoptees and the ongoing nature of loss.

00:13:44 - Reunion with Biological Family
Nathan shares his experience of reuniting with his biological siblings.

00:15:17 - Communication Challenges with Siblings
The difficulties of connecting with his siblings due to language barriers.

00:16:37 - Sibling Trauma and Adoption
Exploration of the trauma experienced by Nathan's siblings regarding his adoption.

00:17:45 - Parenting Mixed-Race Children
Nathan discusses raising his children with awareness of their diverse heritage.

00:19:15 - Cultural Education for Children
How Nathan incorporates Asian culture and representation into his children's lives.

00:20:37 - Food and Cultural Connection
Nathan's love for food and how it connects him to his heritage and family.

00:21:50 - Living Through His Children
Reflections on how Nathan experiences his own identity through his children's upbringing.

00:22:45 - Closing Thoughts and Resources
Nathan expresses gratitude for the opportunity to share his story and offers ways to connect.

20 Feb 2023Engagement Journalism to Elevate Voices of Adoption with Amanda Kari McHugh - Ep 8100:47:45

In this week’s Safe Home Podcast, Beth talks with Amanda Kari McHugh, an adoptee and an engagement journalist who is making her mark on the adoption community with her project Voices of Adoption which you can find on TikTok, Instagram, and Substack. In this project she elevates the voices of adoptees and birth mothers. 

Stay tuned for ways you might be able to participate in this project! 

Amanda is pursuing a double masters in journalism and engagement from grad school at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY.  She hopes to be a resource to help other adoptees and also to help other journalists find good adoption data.

===============

💌 Sign up for our Unraveling Adoption email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===============

RESOURCES:

Amanda’s information:

 

Other resources mentioned in this episode:

 

Other Resources:

===============

Unraveling Adoption is produced and hosted by Beth Syverson

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

Email questions or comments to Beth@UnravelingAdoption.com

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube

Support Unraveling Adoption on Patreon: Patreon.com/UnravelingAdoption

www.UnravelingAdoption.com

===============

TIME STAMPS:

  1:25 Amanda’s adoption story and childhood

  4:25 Kudos to Amanda’s school counselor for knowing about adoption-competent therapists

  5:50 Amanda’s attachment style is complicated

  7:09 How lack of family medical history impacts adoptees

10:00 Advocating for adoption reform and dealing with pushback

12:00 Blasting apart adoption myths, getting people angry at her

14:35 Pushback has improved Amanda’s reporting

15:20 Where does Amanda find adoption data? Who keeps track of “goods transferred?”

18:50 Privacy laws - are they a farce?

20:00 The Yelp of adoption agency databases idea

20:44 Voices of Adoption on TikTok and Instagram 

22:38 Objectivity is a myth but we can try to understand the other points of view

24:11 What exactly is engagement journalism? 

25:00 “Domestic supply of infants” necessitated discussion about adoption and abortion 

27:12 Amanda’s TikTok video (audio only)

29:25 The aftermath of the viral video

32:37 How the Voices of Adoption on Substack will create community-sourced resources

35:50 Amanda’s dream for collective members to get paid for their emotional labor 

39:09 How to participate in Amanda’s projects and join the Voices of Adoption community

41:04 The importance of moderators in social media

44:11 How we can share our stories safely and authentically to help people coming out of the fog

05 Jun 2023Acknowledging Grief and Loss in Adoption with Beth Tyson - Ep 9600:59:16

In this episode of Unraveling Adoption, trauma expert Beth Tyson discusses the often overlooked and misdiagnosed effects of ambiguous loss on children in foster care and adoptive families, calling for greater awareness and emphasis on connection to mitigate the impacts of trauma.

===============

📆 Community Calendar: UnravelingAdoption.com/Calendar

💌Sign up for our Unraveling Adoption email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===============

In this episode, you will be able to:

  • Grasp the profound consequences of adoption trauma on children and families alike.

  • Learn powerful ways to assist children during traumatic episodes.

  • Recognize the vital importance of addressing grief and loss within the adoption journey.

  • Identify the essential aspects of providing adoptees ongoing support.

  • Tackle the challenges of forming and maintaining intricate family bonds in adopted families.

My special guest is Beth Tyson

Beth Tyson is a childhood trauma consultant, trainer, bestselling author, and public speaker who has dedicated her career to helping children and families affected by trauma. With a Master's degree in Clinical Counseling, she has worked with children in foster care, adoption, and kinship families to help them understand and cope with their experiences. Beth Tyson's passion for supporting these families has led her to create Connections Matter Academy, an animated short video series, and an award-winning children's picture book, "A Grand Family for Sullivan." By sharing her expertise with us, she aims to raise awareness about the impact of grief and loss in adoption and foster care systems, and help adoptive parents and community allies better understand adopted and fostered children's experiences.

The resources mentioned in this episode are:

All Connected: A Place for Belonging - YouTube

A Grandfamily for Sullivan: Coping Skills for Kinship Care Families: Tyson, Beth Winkler, Walker-Parker, Adam: 9781706794660: Amazon.com: Books

Connect Our Kids | LinkedIn

  • Shift your perspective on ADHD and other behavioral labels as trauma responses rather than diseases. A good resource is Gabor Maté's new book The Myth of Normal: https://amzn.to/42jyqRm

===============

 

Other Resources:

 

===============

 

Unraveling Adoption is produced and hosted by Beth Syverson

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

Email questions or comments to Beth@UnravelingAdoption.com

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube

Support UnravelingAdoption on Patreon: Patreon.com/UnravelingAdoption

www.UnravelingAdoption.com

 

===============

Grief and Loss in Adoption
Adopting a child is a life-changing event, full of emotions including joy, excitement, love, and also grief and loss. It is vital to acknowledge and recognize that at various points in their lives, adoptive parents, birth parents, and adoptees will most likely experience a range of feelings associated with grief and loss. For adoptees, this could involve grappling with the concept of identity, the loss of a biological connection, or the struggle to fit in within their adoptive family. For adoptive parents, the potential experience of unmet expectations, challenges in bonding, or the weight of responsibility can bring about feelings of grief and loss. Open communication within the family, along with external resources and support, can help manage these emotions and create a healthier environment for all involved. Guest Beth Tyson shared her experience as a therapist and trauma educator and described how, despite having loving adoptive parents, she's worked with many adopted and fostered children and youth who experienced feelings of disconnection and grief. She emphasizes the importance of addressing the complexities that come with adoption and offering resources to help adoptees process their grief and loss. In doing so, families can create stronger bonds and promote a more positive adoption experience for everyone involved.

The Impact of Trauma on Children and Misdiagnosis of ADHD
Trauma experienced by children can sometimes result in misdiagnoses, most notably with ADHD. Children who have experienced trauma may exhibit behaviors consistent with those seen in ADHD, such as impulsivity or difficulty focusing, resulting in misinterpretation of their diagnosis. However, understanding the trauma symptoms correctly and addressing the underlying issues, rather than merely treating ADHD symptoms, can benefit the child's recovery process immensely. Beth Tyson highlights this potential trap of misdiagnosis, urging parents and caregivers to explore a child's complete history, life experiences, and feelings to better comprehend their behavior. In the episode, the two Beths - Tyson and Syverson - discuss the importance of co-regulation, emphasizing a caregiver's responsibility to create a safe, responsive, and nurturing environment for the child, thus promoting the child's ability to cope with their traumatic experiences.

Timestamped summary of this episode:
00:00:00 - Introduction,
Host Beth Syverson introduces the podcast and guest Beth Tyson, a childhood trauma consultant, trainer, and author. They want to help those touched by adoption and to educate the public on adoption's complexities.

00:02:41 - Beth Tyson's Background,
Beth Tyson shares how she got involved in the foster and adoption systems, her experience dealing with trauma in children, and the impact of grief and loss on adoptees and foster youth.

00:06:07 - Ambiguous Loss,
Beth Tyson explains the concept of ambiguous loss, a type of grief that children in foster care and adoptive families experience when someone important to them is either physically or emotionally absent.

00:10:11 - Effects of Grief on Behavior,
The trauma caused by grief and loss can lead to behaviors such as anxiety, fight or flight response, physical and mental distress, and running away or freezing. Understanding these behaviors is crucial to providing support and avoiding stigmatization.

00:14:30 - Trauma Responses,
Trauma responses can manifest in fight, flight, or freeze behaviors, with children either running from their problems physically, being aggressive or acting out, or dissociating and disconnecting from reality. Understanding these responses is essential to providing support and healing for adoptees and foster youth.

00:14:57 - The Impact of Trauma on Children and Misdiagnosis of ADHD,
The labels of ADHD and other disorders can often be misdiagnosed in children who are experiencing trauma. Trauma can lead to dysregulation and children finding a way to relieve their pain. Trauma isn't just the big events, but also smaller emotional and relational things like emotional neglect.

00:18:20 - The Subjectivity of Trauma,
Trauma is subjective, meaning that what might be traumatic for one person may not be for another. Trauma can lead to a loss of trust and safety in the world around you, and this can lead to dysregulation and trauma responses. It's important to recognize the different types of trauma that can occur, not just the "big T" traumas.

00:22:03 - Building Trust and Connection,
The foundation for helping children who have experienced trauma is to increase their sense of safety and trust. Trauma can lead to a loss of trust, and this can cause dysregulation and trauma responses. Connection is key, and increasing a child's sense of safety can help them feel more secure in the world around them.

00:23:56 - De-escalating Meltdowns,
When a child is experiencing a meltdown or tantrum, it's important to try and de-escalate the situation. This can be done by staying calm and asking for support or help from someone who isn't emotionally invested in the situation. Riding out the arc of the meltdown is also important, as typically they dissipate after 20-30 minutes.

00:28:59 - Coping Strategies for Anxiety and Trauma,
Beth Tyson discusses how to interrupt anxious or frustrated behavior with soothing techniques, such as petting a soft animal. Animals can be incredibly healing and helpful for anxiety for children and adults.

00:30:38 - Valid Rage and Attachment,
Beth Tyson explains how children with Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) may push away caregivers out of a need for safety and how animals can be a stepping stone to building attachment. Additionally, she delves into the concept of valid rage and why adoptive and foster parents should not take it personally.

00:34:23 - Grief and Loss in Adoption,
Beth Tyson discusses the losses experienced by all members of the adoption triad, including adoptive parents, birth parents, and adoptees. She highlights the lack of support for birth parents and challenges adoptive parents to have empathy for birth parents.

00:39:55 - Adolescence and Trauma,
Beth Tyson explains why adolescence can be a breaking point for adoptive and foster children due to hormonal changes, increased access to substances, and higher expectations. She also highlights the developmental delays that can occur in children who have experienced early life trauma.

00:42:54 - Drug Use and Developmental Delays,
Beth Tyson talks about the impact of drug use on the emotional and mental development of children who have experienced trauma and how it can inhibit different brain functions. She also highlights the prevalence of drugs in elementary schools and the challenges of catching up on life experiences for families affected by substance use.

00:43:22 - The Impact of Trauma on Young People,
Beth Tyson and Beth Syverson discuss how young people cope with trauma, and how it differs from adults. Younger people are less able to think about long-term consequences, but with age, people develop other coping mechanisms or gain support to deal with trauma.

00:44:34 - Supporting Kinship Families,
Tyson explains that kinship families are those that take in a child they have previously had a relationship with. Often, these families are unsupported and lack resources. Tyson's book, A Grandfamily for Sullivan, aims to help kinship families understand their situation and give them coping mechanisms.

00:48:28 - Trauma-Informed Care,
Tyson works to train child welfare professionals in different states on trauma-informed and trauma-responsive care. This includes teaching them about the importance of connections and how they can help children who are aging out of foster care find and connect with extended family members or other supportive people.

00:51:11 - Connections Matter Academy,
The Connections Matter Academy is an animated series aimed at helping adolescents and young adults who have been in foster care understand trauma, cope with loss and grief, and build healthy relationships. Created by Tyson and 30 others with a history of foster care, the videos aim to help people understand that their current situation is not their fault.

00:56:53 - Finding Hope in Trauma,
Tyson's work is focused on not just talking about the trauma people experience, but also finding hope.

 

02 Oct 2021Stimulants - with Jan Mabie - Ep 900:36:39

In this episode, Jan talks with Beth about her experience with speed in her 20s, plus other stimulants she's used (and continues to use). 

===============

💌 Sign up for our Safe Home Families email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===============

Safe Home is created by Joseph Nakao and his moms Beth Syverson and Jan Mabie 

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao 

Cover art by Joseph Nakao, photo by Beth Syverson, with design help from Nina Smith 

Email questions or comments to Safe Home at SafeHomePodcast@gmail.com 

 

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube 

Support Safe Home on Patreon 

 

RESOURCES: 

Narcotics Anonymous: https://na.org/ 

“ADHD Prescription Drug Abuse: Do You Know Why It’s Wrong?” https://parenting.kars4kids.org/adhd-prescription-drug-abuse-know-wrong/ 

 

Here are some resources for teens and others who are struggling right now: 

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: call 800-273-8255 - 24/7 

Lifeline Chat: https://Suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat - 24/7 

Teen Line: call 310-855-HOPE   6-10pm PST  Or text TEEN to 839863  Talk to other trained teens 

Youthline:  call 877-968-8491   4-10pm PST   Or text Teen2Teen to 839863. 

Need2Text: text TALK to 38255    24/7 

 

And here are some resources for therapy, coaching, and counseling: 

Find a Tele-Therapist: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/online-counseling 

Miguel Rosell - Guided Core Integration: https://miguelrosell.com/ 

Heather Ross - Life Coaching for Parents of Addicted Teens: https://heatherrosscoaching.com/ 

 

TIME STAMPS: 

1:00 Update on Joey’s status 

3:20 Jan’s history with using speed 

6:56 What it feels like to be on speed 

8:00 Why Jan got kicked out of the Air Force 

11:05 Jan’s low point led her to using speed 

12:06 How stimulants affect hunger and weight 

13:20 Cocaine v speed 

16:11 Why Jan quit using stimulants 

18:00 Jan’s first NA meeting 

21:55 Why Jan was drawn to stimulants v depressants 

22:47 Jan made do with low-paying jobs 

27:46 Caffeine, chocolate, and sugar as stimulants 

31:15 Ritalin and Adderall used and sold by kids

--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/safe-home-podcast/message

14 Mar 2022Tapping (EFT) with Andy Bryce - Ep 3300:54:23

In this week’s episode we will dive into a wonderfully effective and low-tech healing modality called EFT - Emotional Freedom Technique - or it’s sometimes just called Tapping. Beth’s guest is Andy Bryce, one of 26 remaining Founding EFT Masters in the world. EFT stands for Emotional Freedom Techniques, which combines psychology and acupuncture. Andy takes Beth through a mini EFT session as part of this episode.

THIS EPISODE IS ALSO AVAILABLE AS A VIDEO ON YOUTUBE because of the visual content of the tapping session.  Find the video of this episode here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYoW-LxFFes2EX71ENcFVCQ

===============

💌 Sign up for our Safe Home Families email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===============

RESOURCES:

How to find Andy Bryce:

Other Resources:

===============

Safe Home is created by Joseph Nakao and Beth Syverson

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

Cover art by Joseph Nakao, photo by Beth Syverson

Email questions or comments to Safe Home at SafeHomePodcast@gmail.com

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube

Support Safe Home on Patreon

===============

TIME STAMPS:

2:13 What is EFT?

4:50 Emotions come in waves

7:20 What spurred Andy’s interest in alternative healing modalities?

10:00 EFT can be done with a practitioner or alone

11:45 All ages can benefit from EFT

16:08 How EFT can help parents calm their anxiety about their struggling teens

21:50 EFT can help cure phobias

22:23 Beth’s mini EFT session with Andy

37:02 How to help our children find meaning

--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/safe-home-podcast/message

19 Feb 2024A Disappeared Adoptee Reunites with Revolutionary Roots - with Nelson de Witt - Ep 13300:27:35

My adoptive father talked about it as my birthright to go back to Central America. I really like that framing. So I think that was part of the reason why they let me go on so many trips and that was such a wonderful experience. - Nelson de Witt

Discover the shocking truth about Nelson de Witt's journey to uncover his past after being adopted from Central America. His story is a heart-wrenching tale of forced disappearances, political strife, and the courage to face the truth. Nelson's experiences will leave you in awe and disbelief as he navigates the complexities of adoption and the impact of historical and cultural tragedies. Stay tuned to learn more about Nelson's daring quest for truth and how it continues to shape his life today.

In this episode, you will be able to:

  • Understand the impact of forced disappearances on families in Central and South America.

  • Explore the complexities of political conflicts in Central America and how it impacted him as an adopted person.

  • Dive into the importance of understanding historical and cultural contexts of adoptees' early lives.

===============

📆 Community Calendar: UnravelingAdoption.com/Calendar

✨Healing the Adoption Constellation database: UnravelingAdoption.com/Healing

💌Sign up for our Unraveling Adoption email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===============

My special guest is Nelson de Witt

Nelson de Witt, also known as Nelson/Roberto, is an advocate and survivor of El Salvador's civil war. He experienced a forced disappearance as a one-year-old and was reunited with his birth family at the age of 16. Nelson's personal story sheds light on the impact of forced disappearances on families. Through his experiences, he brings a unique perspective that helps to unravel the complexities of adoption and the historical and cultural context of the forced disappearances in Central and South America. His insights and advocacy work contribute to a greater understanding of the profound effects of such events on those involved - adopted or not.

The resources mentioned in this episode are:

  • Visit Nelson/Roberto's website at Nelsonroberto.com to learn more about his documentary film Identifying Nelson/Buscando Roberto and his book Waking from Innocent Dreams.

  • Check out the book Missing Mila, Finding Family written by Nelson's adoptive mother, which provides her perspective on the adoption story: https://amzn.to/4bDAABo

  • Keep an eye out for Nelson's upcoming story workshops for adoptees, which he may be launching publicly later in the year.

  • Follow Nelson on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dewittn19/

Impact of Forced Disappearances
Influenced by social, political, and personal factors, forced disappearances have far-reaching impacts on families and societies. The individuals left behind wrestle with prolonged uncertainty, emotional distress, and other psychological ramifications. Being aware of the deep emotional trauma fostered by forced disappearances aids us in comprehending the resilience shown by survivors and provides better support and understanding to those affected.

Political Conflicts in Central America
Historical instances of political unrest in Central America have resulted in numerous human rights violations, including forced disappearances. These conflicts are multifaceted, characterized by fluid alliances, entrenched inequality, and differing ideological perspectives. By understanding these complexities, we gain a deeper insight into the atmosphere that gives rise to phenomena such as forced disappearances and how these events impact individuals and communities. 

===============

Other Resources:

===============

Unraveling Adoption is produced and hosted by Beth Syverson

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

Email questions or comments to Beth@UnravelingAdoption.com

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube

Support Unraveling Adoption on Patreon: Patreon.com/UnravelingAdoption

Check out our website: www.UnravelingAdoption.com

Create your own podcast through Libsyn: https://signup.libsyn.com/?promo_code=ADOPTION

===============

Timestamped summary of this episode:
00:00:00 - Introduction and Background
Beth introduces the podcast and herself as an adoptive mom, along with her guest Nelson de Witt. Nelson shares his experience of being separated from his birth family during El Salvador's civil war and being reunited with them at the age of 16.

00:01:09 - Growing Up and Discovery
Nelson talks about growing up in his adoptive family, being told he was adopted, and the mystery surrounding his adoption. He shares the shocking news of being reunited with his biological family and the intense emotions and overwhelming experience of meeting them for the first time.

00:04:18 - Adoption and Reunion
Nelson's adoptive parents share the harrowing discovery of Nelson's origins, including his parents being revolutionaries in the civil war, the kidnapping of a businessman, and the tragic events that led to Nelson being put up for adoption in the United States.

00:10:30 - Complexities of Central American History
Nelson delves into the complex history of conflict in Central America, highlighting the repressive government, violent suppression of activists, and the desperate measures people took to fight back, including taking up arms as a last resort.

00:13:26 - The Disappeared and Forced Disappearances
Nelson explains the term "disappeared" and its origin, detailing how individuals were forcibly abducted by the state as a tactic of fear or intimidation during the civil war in El Salvador. He also shares personal accounts of friends who were taken at gunpoint.

00:14:40 - Forced Disappearance in Central and South America
Nelson discusses the backdrop of the term "disappeared" (Desaparacido) and the cultural significance rooted in families missing loved ones. Over 100,000 people have been forcibly disappeared since 1950, with the majority presumed dead.

00:16:08 - The Unresolved Mystery
Nelson shares his experience of being reunited with his birth father at 16, who knew about his survival and adoption but had no idea about what happened to his wife and child. The unresolved fate of his birth mother is a lingering question.

00:18:27 - Reconnecting with Birth Family
Nelson reflects on his incredible journey of reuniting with his birth family and the challenges and excitement of embracing a new culture. He acknowledges the support and difficulty faced by his adoptive parents throughout the process.

00:21:26 - The Nature of Adoption
Nelson emphasizes the importance of acknowledging an adoptee's history and roots, beyond the nurture received from adoptive parents. He shares the positive impact of being allowed to explore his birthright in Central America.

00:25:19 - Continuing Issue of Forced Disappearances
The conversation ends on a poignant note as Nelson highlights the ongoing issue of forced disappearances in Central and South America to this day. He calls for awareness and support to make necessary changes.

16 Dec 2024Abortion and Adoption: Insights from Sociological Research with Gretchen Sisson - Ep 17500:33:37

"I use the language of supply and demand because this is a market-based system and it's uncomfortable for a lot of people, right? Because you're talking about a supply and demand of human beings." -- Gretchen Sisson

Read the transcript here: https://app.swellai.com/t/tp_01JESZ6VPKJMRTMRHX6ZMBHDB7

 

EPISODE SUMMARY:

In this episode of Unraveling Adoption, I had the pleasure of speaking with Gretchen Sisson, the author of the acclaimed book Relinquished: The Politics of Adoption and the Privilege of American Motherhood. Gretchen's work stems from a decade-long qualitative sociological study that delves into the experiences of relinquishing mothers and critiques the American adoption system.

We discussed her journey into this research, which began while she was working with pregnant and parenting young people in Boston. Gretchen highlighted the stigmatization of young motherhood and the disconnect between societal narratives and the lived experiences of these women. Her research emphasizes the complexities of adoption, particularly how it intersects with issues of reproductive health and justice.

Gretchen shared insights from her book, revealing that the majority of women who are denied access to abortion end up parenting their children, with only a small percentage choosing adoption. This led to a discussion about the implications of the recent Dobbs decision and its potential impact on adoption rates, as well as the troubling commodification of children within the adoption system.

Throughout our conversation, we explored the reactions to her book from both the adoption community and the broader public. While many adoptees have resonated with her work, some adoptive parents have expressed defensiveness. We emphasized the importance of listening to adoptees and understanding the systemic issues surrounding adoption.

Gretchen also touched on the need for better support systems for both adoptive parents and adoptees, advocating for a more nuanced understanding of family structures and the complexities of parenting. We concluded with a call to action for listeners to engage with the voices of adoptees and to consider the broader implications of adoption in our society.

I encourage everyone to check out Gretchen's book, available in various formats, and to connect with her on social media. Thank you for joining us in this important conversation about adoption and its many layers.

===============

📘Get our new book Adoption and Suicidality: amazon.com/Adoption-Suicidality-Healthcare-Professionals-Unraveling/dp/B0DCBCTSLL

📆 Community Calendar: UnravelingAdoption.com/Calendar

✨Healing the Adoption Constellation database: UnravelingAdoption.com/Healing

💌Sign up for our Unraveling Adoption email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===============

RESOURCES:

Gretchen’s information:

Other book mentioned in this episode:

===============

Adoption Healing Quest - February 8, 2025

Unraveling Adoption is produced and hosted by Beth Syverson

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

Email questions or comments to Beth@UnravelingAdoption.com

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube

Support Unraveling Adoption on Patreon: http://Patreon.com/UnravelingAdoption

Check out our website: http://UnravelingAdoption.com

Create your own podcast through Libsyn: https://signup.libsyn.com/?promo_code=ADOPTION

===============

Please rate (*****) and/or review Unraveling Adoption in Apple Podcasts and Spotify (even if you listen to it on another app). Your feedback will help more listeners find our episodes. Thank you!

===============

TIME STAMPS:

00:00:00 - Introduction to Unraveling Adoption
00:00:44 - Introducing Gretchen Sisson
00:01:41 - Gretchen's Research Journey
00:02:53 - Understanding Sociology
00:04:10 - Qualitative vs. Quantitative Research
00:05:36 - Impactful Stories in Adoption
00:06:40 - Response to Gretchen's Book
00:07:53 - Abortion and Adoption Dynamics
00:09:03 - Post-Dobbs Adoption Trends
00:10:55 - The Supply and Demand of Adoption
00:12:49 - Financial Aspects of Adoption
00:13:28 - Redirecting Adoption Funds
00:14:55 - Birth Mothers' Financial Needs
00:16:15 - Adoptee Perspectives on Adoption
00:17:37 - Adoptive Parents' Reactions
00:19:53 - Complexities of Adoption
00:22:06 - Supporting Adoptive Families
00:23:39 - Infertility and Adoption
00:25:23 - Broader Perspectives on Parenthood
00:27:39 - Listening to Adoptees
00:29:35 - Final Thoughts and Takeaways
00:31:09 - Where to Find Gretchen's Work
00:31:49 - Upcoming Events from Unraveling Adoption
00:33:05 - Closing Remarks

08 May 2023Tracing Roots: Genealogy and Adoption with Julie Dixon Jackson - Ep 9200:51:45

If you're feeling the crushing disappointment and heartache of repeatedly hitting dead ends in your search for biological family despite exhaustive DNA testing and genealogy research, then you are not alone!

In this episode, you will be able to:

  • Witness Julie's heartwarming tale of finding and reconnecting with her birth family.

  • Grasp the significance of genetic genealogy in uncovering one's heritage.

  • Examine the layered emotions and potential mental health challenges facing adoptees and their families.

  • Evaluate the ethical concerns tied to DNA testing and gaining consent during the search for biological kin.

  • Gather advice and best practices for adoptees venturing to locate their birth families.

My special guest is Julie Dixon Jackson, an empathetic and skilled genetic genealogist hailing from Southern California. As an adoptee born in Australia during the Baby Scoop era, Julie spent over two decades searching for her biological family. In this episode, she shares her expertise by helping fellow adoptees, NPEs, and donor-conceived individuals discover their origins through her company, CutOff Genes Investigations. Julie also hosts the CutOff Genes podcast, which delves into a variety of DNA-related topics, particularly in the context of adoption. Join Beth Syverson as she chats with Julie about the vital role genetic genealogy plays in uncovering family origins.

The resources mentioned in this episode are:

Searching for Biological Family
The search for one's biological family is a profound and often emotional experience. Adoptees may grapple with feelings of confusion, excitement, and anxiety as they embark on this journey. Patience, persistence, and resourcefulness are critical as adoptees navigate this path. The use of DNA testing and genealogical research has revolutionized this search and increased the likelihood of finding lost family connections. Julie Dixon Jackson's personal story, as shared in this Unraveling Adoption episode, demonstrates the determination and ingenuity needed to find her biological family. Despite facing numerous obstacles and uncertainties, Julie combined her skills in genetic genealogy with the use of DNA testing to progressively uncover her ancestry. Her experience serves as an inspiring testament to the power of persistence and the importance of seeking one's roots.

Learning About Her Family History
The revelation of one's family history is a life-altering experience, providing a newfound sense of identity, belonging, and context. Adoptees who delve into their biological roots often find answers to long-held questions and develop a deeper understanding of themselves. However, this journey may also unearth difficult truths or cast current family relationships in a new light. In this Unraveling Adoption episode, Julie Dixon Jackson recounts her experiences of learning about her biological family's history. She describes the emotional rollercoaster she went through while uncovering new information and making sense of her findings. Julie's story showcases the importance of resilience, perspective, and support as individuals learn about their family history and forge new connections. The insights and lessons gleaned from her journey can serve as guidance and inspiration for others embarking on a similar path.

 

===============

📆 Community Calendar: UnravelingAdoption.com/Calendar

💌Sign up for our Unraveling Adoption email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===============

 

Other Resources:

 

 

===============

 

Unraveling Adoption is produced and hosted by Beth Syverson

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

Email questions or comments to Beth@UnravelingAdoption.com

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube

Support UnravelingAdoption on Patreon: Patreon.com/UnravelingAdoption

www.UnravelingAdoption.com

 

===============

 

Timestamped summary of this episode:

00:01:07 - Julie's Adoption Story,
Julie Dixon Jackson shares her adoption story as a Baby Scoop era adoptee from Australia and discusses her journey to find her biological family, including the use of genetic genealogy.

00:04:00 - Effects of Adoption on Identity,
Julie talks about the effects of adoption on her identity and why she struggled with independence and self-soothing.

00:08:22 - Finding Biological Father,
Julie discusses her search for her biological father and meeting him in person.

00:12:10 - Realizing Truth About Biological Father,
Julie talks about realizing the truth about her biological father and how it explained certain physical traits and characteristics.

00:13:57 - Searching for Biological Family,
Julie discusses her background as an adoptee and her search for her biological family. She shares the challenges she faced, including limited information and uncooperative family members.

00:16:18 - Using Genetic Genealogy,
Julie discusses her use of genetic genealogy to identify her biological father. She talks about her process of tracking down potential relatives and using DNA testing to narrow down her search.

00:21:05 - Learning About Her Family History,
Julie talks about how her search for her biological family allowed her to learn about her family history going back to the 1700s. She discusses the importance of feeling connected to her past and having a sense of identity.

00:23:40 - Challenges of Being an Adoptee,
Julie discusses the challenges she faced growing up as an adoptee, including feeling disconnected and invalidated by her adoptive family. She emphasizes the importance of adoptive parents listening to their children and acknowledging their individuality.

00:26:39 - Pursuing Her Passion for Singing,
Julie talks about her passion for singing and how she was discouraged from pursuing it by her adoptive family. She shares her experience auditioning for a school musical and singing out loud for the first time, despite her family's disapproval.

00:28:20 - Early Life and Love for Music,
Julie Dixon Jackson talks about her childhood and her love for music. She shares her experience of performing in front of her friends and family and how it changed her life. She discusses how her parents didn't think she could make a career out of her singing.

00:33:21 - Genealogy Career,
Julie Dixon Jackson talks about her experience with genealogy work, which she started in her early 20s. She discusses how she got interested in it and how she started doing regular genealogy work. She talks about how DNA kits from companies like Ancestry and 23andMe have changed the face of being an adoptee.

00:38:54 - Challenges in Genealogy Work,
Julie Dixon Jackson discusses the challenges of genealogy work, including cultural taboos and legal restrictions in different countries. She talks about how it can be a long process and requires patience. She mentions how she continues to work on open cases and looks for new matches every day.

00:40:40 - Reuniting Adoptees with Biological Families,
Julie Dixon Jackson talks about her experience reuniting adoptees with their biological families. She discusses how many biological mothers have taken their secrets to their graves and how adoptees can feel emotional after a reunion. She shares her approach of trying to help with adoptees' emotional state after a reunion.

00:41:46 - Challenges with Private Investigators,
Julie Dixon Jackson talks about the challenges of working with private investigators

00:42:51 - Starting the Search and Writing a Letter,
Julie advises adoptees to start thinking about a letter they would like to write to their biological parents, assuming they may not hear back. She recommends being neutral and saying all the right things to make a good first impression, including being open to connecting but not insisting on it.

00:44:11 - Intermediary Services,
Julie helps adoptees write letters and finds where biological parents live. She can send letters using publicly-known addresses or as an intermediary for addresses she has access to as an investigator. This approach gives the biological parent an opportunity to calm down and engage with the letter at their own pace.

00:46:07 - Counseling Adoptees,
Julie advises adoptees to manage their expectations when searching for biological parents. There will be a honeymoon period if and when a reunion happens, but it will be a rollercoaster of emotions. Julie provides counseling and support for adoptees, taking calls and guiding them through the process. Most cases are solvable, but some are not due to endogamy, lack of matches or being from a different country.

00:49:01 - Understanding Cousin Relationships,
Julie clarifies that first cousin's children are not second cousins but first cousins once removed. 

 

05 Aug 2024Rituals and Relationships in Adoption Reunion with Elizabeth Barbour - Ep 15700:26:10

"I think my mom, my adoptive mom, was probably scared that she was going to lose me to my birth family." -- Elizabeth Barbour

EPISODE SUMMARY:

In this episode of Unraveling Adoption, host Beth Syverson interviews guest Elizabeth Barbour, an adoptee who has been in reunion with her birth parents and 11 siblings since 1999. Elizabeth shares her personal adoption story and highlights the importance of navigating search and reunion in a healthy way. She emphasizes the need for support, education, and personal growth for all members of the adoption triad. Elizabeth also discusses the significance of rituals and ceremonies in maintaining long-term relationships post-reunion. Additionally, she mentions her upcoming book on adoption reunion and the spiritual journey she has experienced through adoption. 

===============

📆 Community Calendar: UnravelingAdoption.com/Calendar

✨Healing the Adoption Constellation database: UnravelingAdoption.com/Healing

💌Sign up for our Unraveling Adoption email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===============

RESOURCES:

Other Resources:

===============

Unraveling Adoption is produced and hosted by Beth Syverson

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

Email questions or comments to Beth@UnravelingAdoption.com

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube

Support Unraveling Adoption on Patreon: http://Patreon.com/UnravelingAdoption

Check out our website: http://UnravelingAdoption.com

Create your own podcast through Libsyn: https://signup.libsyn.com/?promo_code=ADOPTION

===============

TIME STAMPS:

00:00:00 - Introduction to Adoption and Reunion
00:05:30 - Elizabeth's Reunion Story
00:10:43 - Rituals in Reunion Celebrations
00:13:38 - Impact of Personal Adoption Experience on Parenting
00:15:33 - Family Constellations Workshop Experience
00:17:50 - Advice for Adoptive Parents in Search and Reunion
00:20:24 - Advice for Birth Parents in Reunion
00:22:41 - Spiritual Journey in Adoption and Reunion
00:24:07 - Upcoming Reunion Book Announcement
00:25:15 - Conclusion and Resource Recommendations

 

06 Mar 2023Exploring Healing Arts to Process Trauma with Kelsay Elizabeth Myers - Ep 8300:37:25

In this week’s Unraveling Adoption podcast, Beth talks with Kelsay Elizabeth Myers, a professional writer, artist, and somatic movement educator living in Marin County, CA. She is passionate about personal and social transformation for trauma healing. She's a Korean transnational adoptee who has been on a healing journey the last several years, after spending the first 32 years of her life in self-destructive behavior patterns.

Kelsay founded Dialogical Persona Healing Arts where she offers individual and group coaching programs and online courses that use expressive arts and transformational processes to help others discover new ways of understanding themselves, reclaim their creative flow and feel more settled in their whole system, so they, too can experience more power, excitement, and joy in life. She is currently a Ph.D student of Transformative Inquiry at California Institute of Integral Studies where she uses a variety of psychological approaches and arts-based research practices for trauma integration and wholeness. 

===============

💌 Sign up for our Unraveling Adoption email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===============

RESOURCES:

Kelsay’s information:

Other things mentioned in this episode:

Other Resources :

===============

Unraveling Adoption is produced and hosted by Beth Syverson

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

Email questions or comments to Beth@UnravelingAdoption.com

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube

Support Unraveling Adoption on Patreon: Patreon.com/UnravelingAdoption

www.UnravelingAdoption.com

===============

TIME STAMPS:

  2:00 Kelsay’s adoption story and childhood, including racist microaggressions and bullying

  4:58 Kelsay’s racial identity

  7:20 Which was worse, racial trauma or adoption trauma?

10:40 How Kelsay’s trauma manifested in abusive relationships

13:20 Intuitively realizing her sexual abuse in foster care through her “felt sense”

15:26 Conscious dancing to begin her healing journey

18:05 Kelsay’s training in somatic movement healing modalities

22:45 How somatic movement has helped Kelsay deal with racism triggers

24:39 Somatic movement to help kids

27:37 Autoimmune conditions and somatic movement

30:57 Our culture’s mind/body split

32:05 Kelsay’s advice for transracial/intercountry adoptive parents

23 May 2022Cannabis Science and Side Effects with Jason Wilson - Ep 4300:57:49

In this week’s Safe Home Podcast, Joey joins Beth to talk with Jason Wilson about the science and side effects of cannabis. Jason is a botanist, educator, author, and podcaster whose primary interest right now is cannabis. He studies the chemistry and microbiology of cannabis, and has unique expertise in quality management systems and regulatory compliance in the burgeoning cannabis growing industry. He published a science textbook “Curious About Cannabis” and has a podcast with the same name.

===============

💌 Sign up for our Safe Home Families email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===============

RESOURCES:

Jason’s  information:

Anonymous testing of substances: https://www.drugsdata.org/

CHS Genetic Testing: https://shop.endodna.com/products/chs-dna-susceptibility-test

===============

Safe Home is created by Joseph Nakao and Beth Syverson; Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao; Cover art by Joseph Nakao, photo by Beth Syverson; Email questions or comments to Safe Home at Hello@SafeHomeFamilies.com; Find us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube; Support Safe Home on Patreon: Patreon.com/SafeHome

===============

TIME STAMPS:

0:57 Jason Wilson’s intro and expertise

2:51 How today’s cannabis compares to the cannabis parents used back in the day

6:09 Jason’s concerns about modern synthetic products like Delta 8 THC

9:50 Different types of testing - qualitative and quantitative

14:32 How can consumers know if their product is good quality

17:28 How clean are dispensary products?

18:50 The dangers of street drugs from the black market

24:00 Vape industry marketing to kids

24:36 Is it “just” cannabis?

24:50 Can you get addicted to cannabis?

28:25 Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) and stigma

31:12 Communicating with your kids about cannabis

32:42 The unique chemistry of edible cannabis, which packs a powerful punch

35:55 How much cannabis does Joey use?

37:28 Bi-phasic effect of cannabis - high dose v. low dose

39:50 Remedies for cannabis overdoses or overwhelm

43:00 High doses of cannabis can make psychiatric problems worse

43:35 Fentanyl in weed and how to test for it

36:35 Safest ways to use cannabis

49:48 Jason’s advice to parents about how to communicate with our kids about cannabis

--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/safe-home-podcast/message
11 Mar 2024Unveiling Biracial Identity with Bethany Fraser - Ep 13600:30:38

"I was always trying to fit in and chameleon wherever I was." -- Bethany Fraser

Transcript

Read this episode's transcript: https://app.swellai.com/t/tp_01HR5W5M78X0PE4FV5GJNREW2AIn this episode of Unraveling Adoption, host Beth Syverson welcomes guest Bethany Fraser, an adoptee and host of The Adoptee Diaries podcast. The conversation delves into the complexities of adoption, focusing on the impact of secrets and identity issues within the adoption experience.

Bethany shares her personal journey of discovering her biracial identity in her 40s, after a secret about her ethnicity was kept from her by her adoptive parents. The discussion explores the emotional and psychological effects of this deception on Bethany's identity, psyche, and relationships.

Throughout the episode, Bethany reflects on her experience as an adoptee, highlighting the importance of truth, trust, and transparency in adoption. She emphasizes the need for adoptive parents to be open and honest with their children about their origins and ethnicity, to foster a sense of belonging and self-awareness.

The conversation is candid and heartfelt, with both hosts sharing their vulnerabilities and insights into the complexities of adoption. Beth and Bethany aim to create a space for adoptees to share their stories and find support within the adoption community.

===============

 

📆 Community Calendar: UnravelingAdoption.com/Calendar

✨Healing the Adoption Constellation database: UnravelingAdoption.com/Healing

💌Sign up for our Unraveling Adoption email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===============

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Other Resources

Unraveling Adoption is produced and hosted by Beth Syverson
Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao
Email questions or comments to Beth@UnravelingAdoption.com

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTubeSupport Unraveling Adoption on Patreon: Patreon.com/UnravelingAdoptionCheck out our website: www.UnravelingAdoption.comCreate your own podcast through Libsyn: https://signup.libsyn.com/?promo_code=ADOPTION


TIME STAMPS:

00:00:02 - Introduction to Unraveling Adoption
00:01:33 - Early Awareness of Adoption and Ethnicity
00:03:33 - Early Interactions with Other Adoptees
00:05:12 - Questioning Ethnic Identity
00:07:05 - Reflecting on Parents' Motivations
00:09:47 - Prompt to Discover Ethnicity
00:11:22 - Ancestry DNA Results Revealed
00:12:44 - Unpacking Cultural Layers
00:14:07 - Curiosity and Self-Identity
00:15:03 - Impact Before Discovering Truth
00:16:08 - Masking True Self
00:17:44 - Feeling Displaced
00:18:27 - Seeking Community and Support
00:20:30 - Advice for Adoptive Parents
00:22:37 - Discovery of Parents' Knowledge
00:24:04 - Emotional Impact of Revelation
00:25:37 - Launch of The Adoptee Diaries
00:27:31 - Encouragement for Adoptive Parents
00:29:08 - Call to Share and Support Unraveling Adoption

 

19 Jun 2023Magnifying Adoptee Voices with Jennifer Dyan Ghoston - Ep 9800:47:27

Magnifying Adoptee Voices with Jennifer Dyan Ghoston

In this episode of Unraveling Adoption, fellow podcaster Jennifer Dyan Ghoston shares her experiences as an adoptee and advocate. She raises up the importance of amplifying adoptee voices, particularly for Black same-race adoptees. But as the conversation comes to an end, a thought-provoking question lingers: are adoptive parents and allies doing enough to truly understand and support their adoptee's experiences? Tune in to find out.

In this episode, you will be able to:

  • Navigate the complex emotions surrounding adoption, providing a deeper understanding of its challenges and rewards.

  • Appreciate the indispensable value of original birth certificates in an adoptee's life and identity formation.

  • Hear a discussion about the importance of keeping adoptees' names and validating adoptees' experiences.

  • Become more aware of the essential bonds of community and connection for everyone touched by adoption, such as conferences, podcasts, writing groups, and support groups.

  • Raise your awareness of the experiences of Black same-race adoptees.

📆 Community Calendar: UnravelingAdoption.com/Calendar

💌Sign up for our Unraveling Adoption email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

My special guest is Jennifer Dyan Ghoston

Jennifer Dyan Ghoston is a captivating storyteller, former detective for the Chicago PD, and passionate advocate for adoptees. Born into a closed, same-race adoption, she eventually reunited with her biological family and began a new quest to understand and support fellow adoptees. As the warm and empathetic host of the Once Upon a Time in Adoptee Land podcast, Jennifer shares her experiences and amplifies the voices of other adoptees while providing guidance to adoptive parents like our host Beth Syverson. Through her journey, she aims to promote openness and understanding within the adoption community, demonstrating her dedication to empowering others with her unique perspective and experience.

The resources mentioned in this episode are:

Other Resources:

===============

Unraveling Adoption is produced and hosted by Beth Syverson

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

Email questions or comments to Beth@UnravelingAdoption.com

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube

Support Unraveling Adoption on Patreon: Patreon.com/UnravelingAdoption

www.UnravelingAdoption.com

===============

Adoptee Voices
The perspectives and experiences of adoptees can be invaluable in helping everyone involved in the adoption process understand the complexities and emotional aspects of adoption. Adoptee voices provide insights into issues that adoptive parents and community members may not be aware of, and they can shed light on the unique challenges and experiences faced by those who have been adopted. By listening to their stories, adoptive parents can better support their children and empathize with their experiences. During her conversation with host Beth Syverson, Jennifer Dyan Ghoston highlights the power of storytelling for healing and connections in the adoption community. She discusses her work co-facilitating the Adoptee Voices writing group, where adoptees come together in a supportive environment to share their experiences and foster understanding among all members of the adoption community.

Timestamped summary of this episode:
00:00:00 - Introduction,
Beth Syverson introduces the podcast and guest, Jennifer Dyan Ghoston, who shares her adoption story. They discuss the importance of adoptees telling their stories to help others understand adoption's complexities.

00:02:03 - Growing Up as an Adoptee,
Jennifer shares her experience growing up in a closed adoption with loving adoptive parents who were considerably older. Her parents were not emotionally available for discussions about adoption, which made it difficult for her to express her curiosity and feelings.

00:04:35 - Search for Biological Family,
Jennifer shares her journey to reunite with her biological family after embarking on a search in 2009. The Illinois law change that allowed adult adoptees to access their original birth certificates coincided with her search. She shares her nervousness and excitement when she finally received her Original Birth Certificate (OBC).

00:06:27 - Importance of Original Birth Certificate,
Beth and Jennifer discuss the significance of an Original Birth Certificate for adoptees, which contains their birth mother's name, date, and time of birth, among other details. They also discuss the amended birth certificate that adoptees are given, which can be confusing and does not reflect their true identity.

00:09:34 - Adoptees as Detectives,
Jennifer, who worked as a detective in the Chicago Police Department for 24 years, reflects on the similarities between adoptees and detectives. She also shares her belief that identifying one's interests early in life can be beneficial for career choices.

00:14:32 - The Importance of Names in Adoption,
The host shares her regrets about changing her adopted son's name to avoid bullying. She emphasizes the importance of keeping an adoptee's name and asks adoptive parents to consider this before making a decision.

00:15:51 - Owning Mistakes and Educating Others,
The guest acknowledges her mistakes and shares her experiences with adoptive parents to help them avoid similar mistakes. She hopes that adoptive parents can learn from her experiences and do better.

00:19:11 - Untangling Our Roots Conference,
The guest and host discuss their experiences at the Untangling Our Roots Summit, a conference for adoptees, donor-conceived people, and NPEs (Not Parent Expected). They highlight the healing atmosphere and the importance of bringing these groups together.

00:23:22 - Healing Through Collaboration,
The guest discusses the strength in numbers and believes that fellowship and togetherness can help in the healing process. She emphasizes the importance of language and inclusion of all groups in adoption, such as DCPs and NPEs.

00:26:24 - Leslie Pete McKinnon,
The guest and host express their admiration for Leslie Pete McKinnon, the woman who came up with the idea for the Untangling Our Roots Summit. They discuss her kind and caring nature and the impact she has had on the adoption community.

00:28:31 - The Importance of Networking,
Jennifer explains her preference for one-on-one networking due to her Enneagram type and past conference experiences. She encourages adoptive parents to attend conferences and listen to adoptee voices to inform their choices and help them heal.

00:30:32 - Adoptee Voices,
Beth and Jennifer agree on the importance of adoptees being seen and heard. Jennifer discusses the need for more representation of same-race Black domestic adoptees in the adoption conversation.

00:33:01 - Adoptee Voices Writing Group,
Beth highlights the Adoptee Voices writing group which provides space for adoptees to share their stories and be heard. Jennifer emphasizes the healing power of storytelling for both the storyteller and listener.

00:35:06 - Missing Voices in Adoption,
Jennifer mentions the lack of representation of same-race Black domestic adoptees in the adoption conversation and how this can lead to assumptions about adoptees' racial identities. She believes that listening to adoptee voices can inform adoptive parents' future decisions.

00:39:17 - Transracial Adoption,
Beth and Jennifer discuss the unique challenges faced by transracially adopted individuals in terms of identity and culture. Jennifer shares her experience of feeling a strong connection to her Black culture as a same-race adoptee.

00:42:52 - Importance of Immersing in Your Child's Community,
Jennifer emphasizes the importance of transracial adoptive parents immersing themselves in their child's community, even if it means moving to a new area. This helps prevent the child from feeling isolated and disconnected from their culture. It's also important to remember that not all Black people are the same.

00:43:52 - Working on Anti-Racism,
White people have a lot of work to do to support our Black adopted children, friends, and peers. We must educate ourselves by reading books like White Fragility and taking classes. It's crucial to step up and do the work to create a better culture.

00:44:49 - Good Intentions Are Not Enough,
While good intentions are a great starting point, they are not enough. We need to actively work towards anti-racism and be willing to accept feedback and correction when we make mistakes. We must do the hard work to create a better future for our Black communities.

 

10 Apr 2023Navigating Transracial Adoption with Amanda Baum - Ep 8800:33:03

In this week’s Unraveling Adoption podcast, Beth talks with Amanda Baum, co-founder of Fireside Adoptees Facebook Group. They recently launched a sister site called Fireside Adoptees Constellation which is open to anyone touched by adoption.  Now living in North Carolina, she is an intercountry adoptee originally from Mexico but adopted into Utah. Amanda will be talking about how being a transracial adoptee has affected her life. And she will talk about ways she gets and gives support in the adoption community.

===============

📆 Community Calendar: UnravelingAdoption.com/Calendar

💌Sign up for our Unraveling Adoption email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===============

RESOURCES:

Amanda’s information:

 

Other Resources:

=============== 

Unraveling Adoption is produced and hosted by Beth Syverson

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

Email questions or comments to Beth@UnravelingAdoption.com

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube

Support UnravelingAdoption on Patreon: Patreon.com/UnravelingAdoption

www.UnravelingAdoption.com

===============

TIME STAMPS:

  1:33 Amanda’s childhood and adoption story as a Mexican intercountry transracial adoptee

  4:38 Culture shock of moving to a bigger, more diverse school

  6:48 The difficulties of growing up as a transracially adopted child

  9:57 Creating a blended transracial family

12:33 Amanda’s unfruitful search (so far) and the start of her activity in the adoption community

14:23 Microaggressions and bullying makes her feel “found out,” navigating race as a transracial adoptee

19:57 Connecting with other Mexican and Latin American adoptees

21:12 How and why Amanda started Fireside Adoptees

27:00 Why she named it Fireside Adoptees and what resources the groups offer

29:04 Let’s get curious!

 

 

  

   

 

11 Sep 2023Reimagining Culture's Adoption Narratives with Gayle Swift - Ep 11000:46:51

Reimagining Culture's Adoption Narratives with Gayle Swift

"What our children need is our common ground, our empathy, our support. They need us to step into their lens and understand their pain and feelings."- Gayle Swift

What if the prevailing mindset surrounding adoption isn't as positive as we think? In this eye-opening conversation between Beth and adoption expert Gayle Swift, the US culture's (and churches') impact on adoption is challenged. It may cause you to question everything you thought you knew about adoption. Which adoption myths do you believe? And are you willing to view it differently - from an adoptees' perspective?

In this episode, you will be able to:

  • Gain acknowledgment for an adoptee's biological heritage and interests, fostering a more comprehensive perspective about adoption.

  • Uncover the concept known as the ghost kingdom and how it impacts adoptees, deepening your awareness of their inner world.

  • Question the term 'Gotcha Day' and explore alternative ways to celebrate adoption, broadening your perspective on this pivotal event.

  • Understand the immense influence the church has on adoption, and the growing need for enlightenment and support.

===============

 

📆 Community Calendar: UnravelingAdoption.com/Calendar

💌Sign up for our Unraveling Adoption email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

 

===============

My special guest is Gayle Swift

Gayle Swift is a compassionate and understanding advocate for adoption, armed with both personal experience and professional knowledge. Diagnosed with cancer at a young age which took away her ability to get pregnant, Gayle and her husband took the path of adoption, solidifying a decision they'd made earlier in life. Now, she's an author of three influential and insightful books focused on adoption for varying age groups. Her mission isn’t confined to writing as she also co-founded 'Growing Intentional Families Together', a platform aimed at educating and supporting adoptive families. An adoptive parent herself, she shines a light on the intricate complexities of adoption, dispelling myths and encouraging a deep understanding.

The resources mentioned in this episode are:

Understanding the Impact of the Ghost Kingdom
The concept of the 'Ghost Kingdom' refers to the emotional and psychological impact of the adoptee's separation from their birth families. This 'phantom pain' often gets overlooked due to the celebration of adoption. Gayle Swift suggests this trauma needs more recognition, and adoptive parents should be sensitive to the layered emotions their children might experience due to their complex histories.

Acknowledging Adoptees' Heritage and Interests
To offer adoptees a healthy upbringing, it is vital to acknowledge their heritage and personal interests. Adoption should not mean erasure of their original identities or silencing their stories. Foster open discussions about their birth families and past, making them feel valued and heard, and consider their cultural and personal interests while making decisions about their upbringing.

===============

 

Other Resources:

 

 

===============

 

Unraveling Adoption is produced and hosted by Beth Syverson

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

Email questions or comments to Beth@UnravelingAdoption.com

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube

Support Unraveling Adoption on Patreon: Patreon.com/UnravelingAdoption

www.UnravelingAdoption.com

 

===============

Timestamped summary of this episode:

00:01:44 - Gayle's Adoption Story,
Gayle shares her family's adoption story, how she chose adoption after infertility, and her initial understanding of adoption based on cultural presuppositions. She talks about the struggles she and her spouse faced as adoptive parents and the importance of understanding the complexities of adoption.

00:05:17 - Supporting Adopted Children,
Beth and Gayle discuss the challenges of supporting adopted children and the importance of validating their experiences and acknowledging their birth families. They emphasize the need for adoptive parents to understand and appreciate their child's unique qualities and not denigrate their birth families.

00:08:52 - Understanding Adopted Children's Perspectives,
Gayle talks about the concept of the "ghost kingdom," where adopted children have fantasies and thoughts about their birth parents. She emphasizes the importance of recognizing and exploring these thoughts with children to validate their experiences.

00:11:38 - Rethinking Metaphors and Celebrations,
The conversation addresses the use of metaphors like puzzle pieces and the celebration of "Gotcha Day." They discuss the limitations and potential negative impacts of these metaphors and suggest alternative approaches to celebrating adoption.

00:13:47 - The Phantom Pain of Missing Families,
The metaphor of phantom pain in missing limbs can also apply to the phantom pain of missing families in adoption. Celebrating adoption in a limited view may not do justice to the complex emotions and experiences of adopted children. It's important for parents to create an open and supportive space for their children to express their feelings.

00:14:41 - Celebrating Homecoming Day,
Instead of focusing solely on adoption day, parents can celebrate Homecoming Day or Arrival Day as an opportunity to talk about the complex emotions surrounding adoption. This allows children to express their feelings and acknowledge the presence of both joy and sadness. It is important for parents to have welcoming body language during these conversations.

00:16:09 - The Gray Areas of Adoption,
Children's books that depict adoption as purely positive fail to address the complexity of adoption. It is important to introduce the concept of gray areas to children from a young age, as life is rarely black and white. By encouraging open conversations about complex emotions, parents can lay the groundwork for future discussions during adolescence.

00:19:21 - Providing Empathy and Support,
When adopted children express difficult emotions, it is crucial for parents to respond with empathy and support. Instead of dismissing their feelings or becoming emotionally overwhelmed, parents should create a safe space for their children to express their pain and offer understanding. This allows for a deeper connection and support between parent and child.

00:22:46 - The Need for Adoption Education,
Adoption competency is so important for adoptive parents, plus teachers, ministers, and community members.

00:26:51 - Give Families Grace,
Extended families should be given grace as they learn about adoption, but it is important that adoptive parents advocate for their adopted children.

00:27:34 - The Church's Impact on Adoption,
The church has been a strong advocate for adoption but has not updated its understanding of adoption. The false belief that adoption is benign persists in many churches, and some even see adoption as a way to save souls. Education is crucial for the church to better serve adopted individuals.

00:29:31 - Reimagining Adoption in the Church,
Gayle's book, Reimagining Adoption: What Adoptees Seek from Families and Faith, aims to educate the church about adoption complexity and the need to understand the seven core issues of adoption. The church should support both widows and orphans together, rather than separating them, and focus on preserving families instead of immediately suggesting adoption.

00:32:37 - The Trauma of Birth Mothers,
Birth mothers often face vilification and judgment, both for their decision to place their child for adoption and for seeking to reconnect with their birth family later on. The church should acknowledge and address the trauma experienced by birth mothers and provide support and resources to help them keep their families together.

00:38:00 - Educating the Church Community,
The church community, including pastors, elders, and citizens, needs to be reeducated about adoption and the negative fallout that can occur. Many adoptees and birth mothers may be hiding their experiences, and it is important to create a safe and understanding environment within the Church.

00:40:34 - The Beliefs and Presuppositions about Adoption,
The conversation highlights the prevalence of pro-adoption beliefs in the Christian world. It discusses how these beliefs can lead to a biased perspective on adoption, overlooking the consequences of early maternal-child separation and minimizing the importance of a child's first family.

00:42:02 - Changing Mindsets in the Church and Culture,
The guest emphasizes the need to challenge old mindsets in the church and society regarding adoption. Gayle and Beth discuss the importance of prioritizing the well-being of adoptees and recognizing that they had no choice in the matter. The goal is to create a safer and more loving environment for all involved.

00:43:30 - Aptitude Support Group for Adoptive Parents,
The conversation introduces AP titude, a support group for adoptive parents facing adoption challenges. It distinguishes this group from others that solely celebrate adoption, focusing instead on addressing the difficulties adoptive families may encounter. The group aims to provide resources and a community for parents navigating these challenges.

00:44:30 - Patreon Account and Supporting the Podcast,
Beth mentions the Unraveling Adoption Patreon account, explaining how it helps sustain the podcast by covering various expenses. They encourage listeners to contribute if they find value in the content and want to support the podcast's continuation.

00:45:38 - Gayle Swift's services,
Gayle Swift's services as a coach and speaker are highlighted. She offers individual and family coaching, as well as group sessions. Gayle is available for various speaking engagements as well.

 

19 Aug 2024The Stolen Legacy of Indigenous Adoption with Pete Patton - Ep 15900:28:19

"I really want to focus on the collective nature of being stolen, because it wasn't just me. It was the vast majority of Native adoptees." -- Pete Patton

Episode Summary:

In this episode of Unraveling Adoption, co-hosted by Beth Syverson and her son Joey, they interview Pete Patton,LCSW, an Indigenous Inuit adoptee who shares his experiences of being stolen and adopted. Pete discusses the historical context of racism in Oregon and the impact it had on Native American communities there and elsewhere. He also delves into his journey of reconnecting with his Indigenous heritage and the healing process he has undergone. Pete highlights the importance of understanding the collective experiences of adoptees and the need for reconnection with ancestors. The conversation sheds light on the complexities of adoption and the importance of listening to and learning from Indigenous voices. The episode emphasizes the significance of acknowledging and honoring the stories of adoptees and the importance of cultural reconnection for healing.

 

Photo Credit for cover photo of Pete: Alberto Moreno

================

📘Get our new book Adoption and Suicidality: amazon.com/Adoption-Suicidality-Healthcare-Professionals-Unraveling/dp/B0DCBCTSLL

📆 Community Calendar: UnravelingAdoption.com/Calendar

✨Healing the Adoption Constellation database: UnravelingAdoption.com/Healing

💌Sign up for our Unraveling Adoption email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===============

RESOURCES:

Pete’s information:

Other resources mentioned in this episode:

Other Resources:

===============

Unraveling Adoption is produced and hosted by Beth Syverson

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

Email questions or comments to Beth@UnravelingAdoption.com

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube

Support Unraveling Adoption on Patreon: http://Patreon.com/UnravelingAdoption

Check out our website: http://UnravelingAdoption.com

Create your own podcast through Libsyn: https://signup.libsyn.com/?promo_code=ADOPTION

===============

Please rate (*****) and/or review Unraveling Adoption in Apple Podcasts and Spotify (even if you listen to it on another app). Your feedback will help more listeners find our episodes. Thank you!

===============

TIME STAMPS

  • 00:00:00 - Introduction to Unraveling Adoption

  • 00:01:24 - Focus on Being Stolen and Adopted

  • 00:04:32 - Historical Context of Assimilation Policies

  • 00:10:58 - Impact of Cultural Othering

  • 00:14:07 - Connecting with Indigenous Community

  • 00:18:45 - Seven B's of Indigenous-inspired IFS

  • 00:20:20 - Shamanic Death Experience and Spiritual Journey

  • 00:23:20 - Impact of Buffalo Population Annihilation

  • 00:24:43 - Adoption as an Extension of Boarding Schools

  • 00:26:02 - Sharing Collective Experiences of Adoption

  • 00:26:56 - Upcoming Events and Conclusion

 

12 Dec 2022Destigmatizing Mental Illness with Amanda Lipp - Ep 7100:39:48

In this week’s Safe Home Podcast, Beth talks with Amanda Lipp, a documentary filmmaker and social entrepreneur working at the intersection of mental health, storytelling, and technology. Amanda has produced over 80 short documentaries about mental health and social impact - covering topics such as youth psychosis, schizophrenia, art therapy, cyberbullying prevention, and housing relief from wildfires.  A passionate mental health advocate, she has given over 150 speeches around the U.S. since age 18 sharing her journey navigating the mental health system. Amanda is passionate about mental health leadership, policy change, and tying films to mental health research studies. She serves on the Mental Health Advisory Panel at Google, and the Interdepartmental Serious Mental Illness Committee (ISMICC) created by Congress to advise on federal mental health policy. Amanda formerly served on the board of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), the largest grassroots mental health nonprofit in the U.S.

===============

💌 Sign up for our Safe Home Families email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

SafeHomeFamilies.com

===============

RESOURCES:

Amanda’s information:

Other resources mentioned in this episode:

===============

TIME STAMPS:

2:09 Amanda’s lived experience with mental illness

6:05 Sports injuries and Amanda’s depression

9:50 Using drugs like an emotional credit card

11:05 Amanda’s support system and challenges of parenting a “problem child”

12:55 Amanda’s major mental breakdown as a college freshman - The Truman Show Delusion

15:08 Psychiatrist ICU and outpatient services from induced psychosis

17:50 Amanda’s daily regimen to maintain her mental health

22:40 Behind the scenes in mental health organizations

24:00 Amanda’s reprise of The Truman Show Delusion and how her parents handled it

26:37 The danger of cops responding to mental health crises, and the hope of the new 988 lifeline

28:50 The importance of compassion and curiosity in responding to psychiatric emergencies

31:50 Advice for how to be supportive to your loved one struggling with mental illness

33:46 How Amanda’s sexual identity intersected with her mental health

35:50 Seek out access points for professional help before a crisis occurs

36:43 Befriending all parts of ourselves with grace, and lean on community

 

--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/safe-home-podcast/message

24 Apr 2023Ethical and Conscious Adoption with Astrid Castro - Ep 9000:56:04

In this week’s Unraveling Adoption podcast, Beth talks with Astrid Castro, Founder and CEO of Adoption Mosaic. She’s a transracial intercountry adoptee, coming from Colombia at the age of 4 along with her older sister. She has been in reunion with her birth family since 2012. Her organization, Adoption Mosaic, creates a strong community of people who can envision a new future of ethical and conscious adoption. Adoption Mosaic provides adoptee-centered courses, speakers, and consultation services to teach adoption competency to anyone in the adoption constellation and beyond.

===============

📆 Community Calendar: UnravelingAdoption.com/Calendar

💌Sign up for our Unraveling Adoption email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===============

RESOURCES:

Astrid’s information:

 

Other Resources:

===============

Unraveling Adoption is produced and hosted by Beth Syverson

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

Email questions or comments to Beth@UnravelingAdoption.com

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube

Support Unraveling Adoption on Patreon: Patreon.com/UnravelingAdoption

www.UnravelingAdoption.com

===============

TIME STAMPS

  2:55 Astrid’s adoption story

  7:07 How common is it to get pregnant after adopting?

  9:40 Growing up in the US as a transracial adoptee, lacking language to speak about adoption  

14:40 How supportive are Astrid’s adoptive parents?

15:07 The need for more education for hopeful and new adoptive parents

22:08 Astrid’s shocking story of how she became available for adoption through the black market, and the impact of losing her language

37:03 Astrid’s reunion with her first mother

40:26 Astrid’s adoptive parents’ reaction to unethical adoption details that were discovered in reunion

43:15 Adoption Mosaic’s training offerings for adoptive parents

52:49 Adoption is an ongoing process for the rest of your life, not a one-time event

 

31 Oct 2022A Recovery Journey with Veronica Silva00:33:59

In this week’s Safe Home Podcast, Beth talks with Rev. Veronica Silva, a New Thought minister and a nurse who has struggled with alcoholism since she was young, but who has been in recovery for 26 years.

Veronica has been on a spiritual journey since June 24th, 1996, when she got sober from alcohol and drugs. She has had a passion for spirituality as a result of attending AA meetings and finding a God of her understanding. She is SO passionate about God that she recently became a Minister in 2020 - right in the middle of the pandemic. She is a true believer in going right into the discomfort of life to free ourselves from our suffering. She is a registered nurse and works at a cardiac procedures unit and loves helping others during their times of fear and anxiety.

Here at Safe Home, one of our biggest priorities is to destigmatize addiction and mental health, so by hearing stories from people like Veronica, we are able to humanize addiction, find commonalities, and discover the way others have found their healing path.

===============

💌 Sign up for our Safe Home Families email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===============

RESOURCES:

Veronica’s information:

Other resources mentioned in this episode:

Other Resources:

===============

Safe Home is created by Joseph Nakao and Beth Syverson

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

Cover art by Joseph Nakao, photo by Beth Syverson

Email questions or comments to Safe Home at Hello@SafeHomeFamilies.com

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube

Support Safe Home on Patreon: Patreon.com/SafeHome

www.SafeHomeFamilies.com

===============

TIME STAMPS:

1:40 Veronica’s childhood and early introduction to alcohol

3:16 Spinning all the plates during high school, self-medicating for anxiety

4:38 Unconscious intergenerational rage and machismo

7:30 How spirituality helped Veronica

9:50 Being a young mom in recovery and later supporting her son in recovery

13:22 Tools that helped Veronica with the initial stages of recovery

16:30 Stay-at-home drunk

17:33 Going back to school to become a nurse

19:12 Another new career as a minister

20:20 Veronica’s advice for family or friends of addicted people, setting boundaries with love

22:19 High-functioning alcoholics

24:25 Alcohol’s prevalence in our culture

25:34 Meditation as a recovery tool

27:25 Learning how to set boundaries, resentment as a boundary indicator

29:05 Each personal growth journey looks different for everyone, just take a step any direction

--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/safe-home-podcast/message

01 Jul 2024Insights from Plant Medicine for the Adoption Constellation with Mee Ok Icaro and Leslie Pate Mackinnon - Ep 15201:00:30

“Psychedelics can offer a portal to other consciousnesses and open spaces beyond our regular reality.” -- Mee Ok Icaro (adoptee)

“Psychedelics can be a powerful tool for deep work and accessing feelings”. - Leslie Pate Mackinnon (birth mom)

“Psychedelics can lead to transformative experiences, dividing life into before and after the journey.” -- Beth Syverson (adoptive parent) 

 

***********

All adoption constellation members (adoptees, birth/first parents, adoptive parents, and other allies) are invited to a Medicine Circle on July 7, 2024, led by Mee Ok Icaro and hosted by Unraveling Adoption. Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/medicine-circle-for-the-adoption-constellationwith-mee-ok-icaro-tickets-925600595297

Medicine Circle flyer

 ***********

Episode Summary:

In this episode, we are joined by two previous guests, Leslie Pate Mackinnon and Mee Ok Icaro, to discuss the role of sacred plant medicine in their personal healing journeys and its potential to bring the adoption community together.

Leslie, a birth mother, shares her experience of coming out of the adoption fog and how plant medicine has helped her access deep-seated trauma, both psychological and physical. She emphasizes the importance of doing thorough research, having a support system in place, and being open to sharing one's authentic self within the adoption community.

Mee Ok, a Korean adoptee, highlights the transformative power of plant medicine in connecting with her ancestry and understanding the interconnectedness of her lineage. She emphasizes the need for adoptees to have a voice in the adoption narrative and the importance of collective healing within the community.

Beth, an adoptive mother, shares her journey of exploring plant medicine as a means of healing her own trauma and supporting her son through his struggles. She reflects on the role of adoptive parents in collaborating with adoptees and birth parents to create a more compassionate and understanding adoption community.

The conversation delves into the challenges and rewards of integrating plant medicine into the adoption healing process, emphasizing the need for compassion, understanding, and collaboration among all members of the adoption constellation. The guests discuss the importance of personal healing as a foundation for collective healing and the potential for plant medicine to facilitate deeper connections and empathy within the adoption community.

As the episode concludes, the guests offer insights and advice for individuals interested in exploring plant medicine within the context of adoption, encouraging a mindful and intentional approach to healing and fostering unity within the adoption community. The episode serves as a reminder of the power of compassion, understanding, and shared experiences in promoting healing and growth within the adoption community.

==============

RESOURCES:

Mee Ok’s contact information:

Leslie’s contact information:

 

Other resources mentioned in this episode:

 

Other Resources:

==============

📆 Community Calendar: UnravelingAdoption.com/Calendar

✨Healing the Adoption Constellation database: UnravelingAdoption.com/Healing

💌Sign up for our Unraveling Adoption email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===============

Unraveling Adoption is produced and hosted by Beth Syverson

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

Email questions or comments to Beth@UnravelingAdoption.com

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube

Support Unraveling Adoption on Patreon: http://Patreon.com/UnravelingAdoption

Check out our website: http://UnravelingAdoption.com

Create your own podcast through Libsyn: https://signup.libsyn.com/?promo_code=ADOPTION

===============

Please rate (*****) and/or review Unraveling Adoption in Apple Podcasts and Spotify (even if you listen to it on another app). Your feedback will help more listeners find our episodes. Thank you!

===============

TIME STAMPS

  • Introduction to the Podcast: 00:00:02-00:00:12

  • Guest Introductions and Topic Introduction: 00:00:12-00:00:55

  • Personal Experiences with Plant Medicine: 00:00:55-00:01:30

  • Discussion on Individual Healing with Plant Medicine: 00:01:30-00:02:40

  • Leslie's Introduction and Adoption Journey: 00:02:40-00:03:54

  • Beth's Introduction and Adoption Journey: 00:04:00-00:05:40

  • Mee Ok Icaro's Introduction and Adoption Journey: 00:05:40-00:06:22

  • Reasons for Pursuing Plant Medicines: 00:06:22-00:08:56

  • Impact of Plant Medicines on Healing: 00:08:56-00:10:21

  • Ancestral Healing and Insights: 00:10:21-00:12:20

  • Healing in Relation to Adoption: 00:12:20-00:14:55

  • Preparation and Support for Plant Medicine Journeys: 00:15:00-00:27:03

  • Personal Growth and Community Healing: 00:27:03-00:39:41

  • Collective Healing and Collaboration: 00:39:47-00:46:33

 

18 Dec 2023Supporting Adopted Youth with Meggin (Nam) Holtz - Ep 12400:42:04

Take the initiative to learn from all the resources that are out there. Recognize the importance of doing so for the benefit of adopted youth. - Meggin (Nam) Holtz

If you're interested in supporting adopted youth in your family or community, then we have inspiration for you in today's episode! You may be trying to provide a loving and understanding environment, but still seeing your child struggle with feelings of not belonging. If you're feeling like your efforts to connect with an adopted youth in your life are falling short, then you are not alone! It's common to feel frustrated and discouraged when you see your child grappling with identity issues despite your best efforts to support them.

In this episode, you will be able to:

  • Discover how adoption shapes identity exploration in youth.

  • Explore the transformative power of artistic expression for adoptees.

  • Uncover the complexities of searching for biological relatives as an adoptee, especially as a teen or young adult.

  • Learn the importance of support and community for adopted youth.

My special guest is Meggin (Nam) Holtz

Joining us today is the remarkable Meggin (Nam) Holtz, an intercountry, interracial adoptee and adoption therapist. As a Korean adoptee who was raised in the US, Nam has been at the forefront of adoption advocacy, awareness, and support for over a decade. With a Master's in Social Work, she brings a wealth of expertise, working in a private practice with adopted individuals and their families, while also engaging in macro work towards adoption reform and education. Nam's award-winning documentary, Found in Korea, serves as a powerful catalyst for discussions about adoption among youth and young adults, showcasing her commitment to empowering adoptees and fostering understanding.

💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜

📆 Community Calendar: UnravelingAdoption.com/Calendar

✨Healing the Adoption Constellation database: UnravelingAdoption.com/Healing

💌Sign up for our Unraveling Adoption email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜

The resources mentioned in this episode are:

  • Watch Nam's documentary film Found in Korea on Vimeo to gain insight into the experiences of intercountry, interracial adoptees who are searching for their birth parents: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/foundinkorea 

  • Connect with Meggin (Nam) Holtz on Instagram at @foundinkoreafilm and on Facebook at Found in Korea

  • Visit the website adoptioninformed.com to learn more about Nam's therapy practice and find her contact information for potential therapy sessions.

  • Check out the Adoptee Mentoring Society that Nam mentioned, run by Angela Tucker: https://www.adopteementorship.org/

  • Here are Pact's youth groups: https://pactadopt.org/youth-clubs/

  • Find support groups and more events for all ages and all types of people touched by adoption at Beth's Community Calendar: UnravelingAdoption.com/Calendar

  • Explore the unravelingadoption.com website for resources, coaching groups, and individual coaching services for adoptive parents.

  • Consider supporting the Unraveling Adoption podcast by visiting patreon.com/unravelingadoption to contribute to the show's maintenance and development.

Artistic Expression for Adoptees
Artistic expression can serve as a vital cathartic outlet for adoptees' feelings of confusion or alienation. Activities like dance or music not only provide a form of non-verbal communication but also can help adoptees feel connected and accepted.

Identity and Adoption
The concept of identity is complex for adoptees, being shaped by both their biological heritage and the family that raises them. Adopted youths often grapple with issues regarding self-identity, as they navigate the intersection of different cultures, races, and environments. Providing a supportive environment that appreciates these unique experiences can foster a stronger sense of self and understanding for adoptees.

Challenges of Biological Search
It's common for adoptees to seek their biological roots to answer questions about identity and heritage. However, this journey can often be fraught with emotional turmoil and disappointment. Support and guidance during this process can prevent feelings of isolation and help the adoptees deal with complex emotions constructively.

💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜

Other Resources: 

💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜

Unraveling Adoption is produced and hosted by Beth Syverson

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

Email questions or comments to Beth@UnravelingAdoption.com

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube

Support Unraveling Adoption on Patreon: Patreon.com/UnravelingAdoption

www.UnravelingAdoption.com

Create your own podcast through Libsyn: https://signup.libsyn.com/?promo_code=ADOPTION

💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜

Timestamped summary of this episode:
00:00:00 - Introducing the Guests
Beth welcomes Joey as co-host, and introduces the guest, Meggin (Nam) Holtz, an intercountry, interracial adoptee, and adoption therapist. They discuss their personal experiences with adoption.

00:03:19 - The Power of Dance and Music
Nam shares her experience as a professional dancer and the importance of dance and music in her life as a form of nonverbal communication and emotional regulation. Joey also shares his experience as a musician and how music has been a lifeline for him.

00:11:13 - The Journey to Making a Documentary
Nam discusses her decision to make a documentary about her birth search and reunion in Korea. She shares the emotional process of deciding to search for her birth family and the challenges of documenting her journey on film.

00:13:46 - Navigating Korea Alone
Beth inquires about Nam's experience of traveling to Korea by herself, not knowing the language, and managing the camera while documenting her emotional journey. They touch upon the challenges and emotional turmoil Nam faced during her trip.

00:09:29 - Identity and Alienation
Joey shares his experience of feeling alienated and struggling with his identity as a minority in a predominantly white school and how it impacted his self-perception. Nam also reflects on her own challenges with identity and feeling alienated growing up in a white household.

00:14:02 - Emotional Challenges and Directing
Nam shares the emotional challenges and behind-the-scenes work of directing her documentary. She discusses the struggle of maintaining composure on camera and the non-stop work during filming, highlighting the intense experience of creating the film.

00:16:11 - Visiting Country of Origin
Nam encourages people to visit their country of origin, emphasizing the value of experiencing the space and its resonance without the pressure of fulfilling certain expectations. She reflects on her own powerful moment in the water on the island where she was born.

00:17:48 - Purpose of the Film
Beth and Nam discuss the impact and purpose of the film, Found in Korea, for young adoptees and families. Nam shares her intention to create a positive and hopeful representation of searching for one's origins, emphasizing the importance of representation and early intervention in addressing adoption-related questions and losses.

00:23:36 - Learning and Growth
Nam reflects on her family's openness to learning and acknowledges the changes and growth in her understanding of adoption over time. She discusses the evolving perspectives and terminology in the adoption community, highlighting the shifting nature of knowledge and awareness in this area.

00:27:40 - Teen Mentorship and Group Outings
Nam and Joe discuss their experiences in teen mentorship and the impact of group outings for adoptee teens. They highlight the challenges of online adoption groups and the need for in-person connections.

00:28:55 - Barriers to Online Adoption Groups
Joe expresses his preference for in-person meetings and the difficulty of building relationships online. Nam highlights the need for responsible leadership in in-person support groups for youth and mentions various online adoptee groups and meetups.

00:33:31 - Adoptees Not a Monolith
The conversation delves into the diversity within the adoptee community, emphasizing the importance of recognizing different experiences, such as transracial adoption and age at adoption. They stress the need for understanding and acknowledging these differences.

00:36:53 - Challenges Faced by Youth
Joe shares his perspective on societal expectations and the challenges faced by the younger generation. Nam acknowledges the need for adults to listen more and acknowledges the unique experiences and perspectives of today's youth.

00:39:12 - Taking Initiative to Learn and Speak Up
Nam urges adoptive parents and community members to take the initiative to educate themselves about adoption experiences. They emphasize the importance of speaking up against the dominant narrative of adoption as purely positive and recognizing the complexities and losses involved.

00:42:23 - Reconnecting with Joe
Beth expresses her excitement about having Joe back on the podcast and looks forward to more appearances in the future.

00:42:36 - Unraveling Adoption
Beth shares information about the website, coaching groups, and resources available for adoptive parents.

00:42:50 - Support for Adoptive Parents
Nam emphasizes the availability of free resources and coaching for adoptive parents, encouraging them to seek support.

00:43:06 - Conclusion and Call to Action
Beth, Nam, and Joe express their gratitude for the conversation and encourage listeners to stay safe. Beth also mentions the Patreon account for those interested in supporting the podcast.

25 Mar 2024Self-Realization through Memoir Writing with Monica Hall - Ep 13800:30:03

"I think that being an adoptee groomed me to relinquish my own child." -- Monica Hall

Transcript of this episode: https://app.swellai.com/t/tp_01HSM5N1067HY39ZRSGK11MB5T

Podcast Episode Synopsis:

In this episode of Unraveling Adoption, host Beth Syverson welcomes guest Monica Hall, an adoptee and birth mother who has recently published her memoir titled Practically Still a Virgin: an Adoption Memoir. Monica shares her journey of healing and self-discovery through writing her memoir, which delves into the complexities of adoption, trauma, and family relationships.

Monica opens up about her challenging childhood in Alaska, where she faced abuse and trauma within her adoptive family. She candidly discusses her experiences of relinquishing her daughter for adoption and the guilt and complexities that came with it. Through writing her memoir, Monica unravels layers of repressed memories and emotions, ultimately finding healing and clarity.

The podcast episode highlights Monica's writing process, where she initially struggled with self-doubt and perfectionism but found guidance and support from a dedicated editor. Monica emphasizes the importance of allowing oneself to start writing without judgment and to embrace the process of uncovering deep-seated emotions and experiences.

As Monica shares her personal journey of healing and self-discovery through writing, she encourages other adoptees and birth mothers to embark on their own memoir-writing journey. The episode concludes with a special giveaway of Monica's memoir, inviting listeners to participate by writing a review of the podcast or becoming a Patreon member.

Listeners are encouraged to explore Monica's powerful memoir, Practically Still a Virgin, and to support her in sharing her story of resilience and growth. The episode serves as a poignant reminder of the transformative power of storytelling and the importance of finding healing through self-expression and reflection.

===============

📆 Community Calendar: UnravelingAdoption.com/Calendar

✨Healing the Adoption Constellation database: UnravelingAdoption.com/Healing

💌Sign up for our Unraveling Adoption email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===============

RESOURCES:

Monica's Website: MonicaHall.com

Other Resources:

===============

Unraveling Adoption is produced and hosted by Beth Syverson

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

Email questions or comments to Beth@UnravelingAdoption.com

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube

Support Unraveling Adoption on Patreon: Patreon.com/UnravelingAdoption

Check out our website: www.UnravelingAdoption.com

Create your own podcast through Libsyn: https://signup.libsyn.com/?promo_code=ADOPTION

Timestamps:

00:00:00 - Introduction to Unraveling Adoption Podcast
00:05:30 - Overcoming Childhood Trauma and Identity Issues
00:09:25 - Starting the Memoir Writing Journey
00:16:08 - Writing Process and Reflections
00:20:46 - Uncovering Layers of Trauma and Family Relationships
00:24:18 - Recovery and Healing Journey
00:26:23 - Advice for Aspiring Memoir Writers
00:27:41 - Book Giveaway Announcement and Support for Unraveling Adoption Podcast

09 Oct 2023Unlocking Adoptees' Genetic Blueprint for Optimal Mental Health with Dr. Evelyn Higgins and Joey Nakao - Ep 11401:26:37

"Don't let shame and stigma add to the struggles of being adopted. Personalized genetic testing can provide valuable insights and guidance for addiction treatment. Let's break the cycle and empower individuals to heal." - Dr. Evelyn Higgins

Are you feeling overwhelmed by the endless trial and error of finding the right treatment for your mental health and/or addiction issues? Are you trying various medications and therapies that don't seem to alleviate your pain or provide lasting relief? I think many adoptees (and others!) can relate! It can be incredibly frustrating and disheartening to invest time, money, and hope into treatments that simply don't work, leaving you stuck in a cycle of disappointment and despair.

WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXZoCMUQgck
Parts 2 and 3 include video content (starting at 40:00)

In this episode, you will be able to:

  • Discover how genetic testing can reveal your susceptibility to addiction and other system dysregulation and empower you to make informed choices for a healthier life.

  • Understand the importance of exploring your genetic and family history in adoption to gain crucial insights into your potential health risks and make proactive decisions.

  • Uncover the intricate connection between neurotransmitters and genetic variations in addiction and mental health, providing a new perspective on the underlying causes and potential solutions.

  • Explore how personalized protocols tailored to your unique DNA can revolutionize your mental health and addiction recovery journey, unlocking a pathway to lasting transformation.

  • Learn about the transformative power of addressing genetic imbalances through targeted interventions, offering hope and new possibilities for improved mental well-being and overcoming addiction.

  • Hear (and see!) a real-life example of an adoptee going through the genetic testing. Find out the results that Joey received from his test and the customized protocol that was prescribed afterwards.

===============

 

📆 Community Calendar: UnravelingAdoption.com/Calendar

💌Sign up for our Unraveling Adoption email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===============

My special guests for this episode are Dr. Evelyn Higgins and my son Joey Nakao

Dr. Evelyn Higgins is a highly accomplished professional in the field of addiction and integrative medicine. With 34 years of clinical experience, she holds expertise in addictionology and pain management. As the CEO and founder of Wired for Addiction, Dr. Higgins has dedicated herself to helping individuals struggling with addiction through personalized treatment plans based on genetic profiles. Wired for Addiction utilizes advanced technology to analyze 85 biomarkers, including neurotransmitters and genetic SNPs, providing a comprehensive understanding of an individual's unique biology. Through a 31-page gene mapping report, clients gain insights into their brain chemistry, hormonal interactions, and genetic aberrations related to addiction, anxiety, depression, and impulse control. Armed with this objective information, clients receive an individualized biochemical pathway support plan to guide their healing journey. Dr. Higgins' work has made a significant impact in the field, offering improved mental health and addiction treatment outcomes through personalized interventions tailored to each individual's genetic profile.

Joey Nakao is a 19-year-old who has been on a journey of personal growth and healing while battling addiction for the past six years. As the son of Beth Syverson, the host of Unraveling Adoption, Joey's experience with addiction has led his family to explore numerous treatment options. Beth heard Dr. Evelyn Higgins on Heather Ross's podcast Living With Your Child's Addiction. She was fascinated with her expertise in addiction and genetic-based treatment plans. Joey decided to become a client of hers through her company Wired for Addiction (now also known as Wired BioHealth). With the hope of gaining insights into his unique biology and understanding how it relates to his addiction and mental health, Joey eagerly awaited the results of his gene mapping report, which you will hear about in this episode. By taking this proactive step, Joey is determined to improve his mental health and addiction treatment outcomes while uncovering a deeper understanding of himself. Through his journey, Joey aims to inspire and help others facing similar challenges, shedding light on the powerful impact of personalized interventions based on genetic profiles.

The resources mentioned in this episode are:

Genetic Testing for Personalized Addiction Treatment
Genetic testing provides an in-depth analysis that can be used to create personalized addiction treatment strategies. It takes into account the individual's unique genetic sequence and factors in potential medical conditions to offer tailored solutions. By providing a comprehensive understanding of an individual's body chemistry, it opens up new avenues for effective therapy and leads to improved outcomes.n This is particularly useful for adoptees who are not in an open relationship with their biological families.

Role of Neurotransmitters in Addiction and Mental Health
Neurotransmitters are the body's chemical messengers that play a significant role in addiction and mental health. Imbalances in neurotransmitter levels can contribute to addictive behaviors and mental health disorders like depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia. Understanding the complex workings of these neurotransmitters can provide insights into effective treatment strategies for addiction and mental health conditions.

Other Resources:

===============

Unraveling Adoption is produced and hosted by Beth Syverson

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

Email questions or comments to Beth@UnravelingAdoption.com

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube

Support Unraveling Adoption on Patreon: Patreon.com/UnravelingAdoption

www.UnravelingAdoption.com

===============

Timestamped summary of this episode:

00:00:55 - Background and Connection to Adoption,
Dr. Evelyn Higgins shares her personal connection to adoption and how it has influenced her work in addiction recovery. She discusses her late husband's [late discovery] adoption and the importance of knowing one's genetic and family history.

00:03:01 - Adoption and Addiction,
The conversation turns to the link between adoption and addiction, with Dr. Higgins highlighting the higher prevalence of substance use disorders among adult adoptees. Beth shares her own experience as an adoptive parent of a son struggling with addiction.

00:07:38 - Gene Testing and Understanding DNA,
Dr. Higgins explains the process of gene testing and how it has evolved since the completion of the Human Genome Project in 2003. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the role of genetics in addiction and mental health.

00:09:32 - The Test and Information Revealed,
Dr. Higgins provides an overview of the Wired for Addiction test, which examines 85 different biomarkers related to neurotransmitters and brain chemicals. She explains that the test will provide Joey with personalized information about his unique biology and how it relates to addiction and mental health.

00:13:09 - The Importance of Personal Histories,
Beth discusses her frustration with a healthcare provider who dismisses the reliability of genetic tests and prefers personal histories. She highlights the need for understanding and openness in healthcare professionals.

00:13:59 - The Need for Technology in Mental Health,
The conversation emphasizes the importance of using technology in mental health to provide objective information and improve diagnosis and treatment. It challenges the stigma surrounding mental health and addiction.

00:16:57 - The Impact of Genetic Testing on Addiction,
The guest explains that genetic testing for addiction provides a comprehensive clinical picture to individuals struggling with addiction. It often brings relief and understanding to both the individual and their family.

00:19:06 - Epigenetics and Addiction,
Epigenetics plays a role in addiction, as it can determine whether certain genes related to addiction are expressed. Trauma and major life transitions can trigger the expression of these genes.

00:20:32 - Addiction and Mental Health,
Addiction often stems from undiagnosed or untreated mental health conditions, trauma, or a combination of factors. Many individuals turn to substances as a form of self-medication, not realizing the underlying issues.

00:25:36 - The Power of Genetic Testing in Addiction Treatment,
Dr. Higgins discusses a case study where genetic testing helped understand the impact of addiction on a child's biomarkers. The test provided valuable information on neurotransmitters and genetics, leading to successful treatment and a positive change in the child's behavior and family dynamics.

00:26:57 - The Benefits of Genetic Testing for Adoptees,
Dr. Higgins emphasizes the importance of genetic testing for adoptees who may not have access to their birth family's medical history. Genetic testing can provide valuable insights into their own biology and help them make informed decisions about their health and lifestyle choices.

00:28:12 - Understanding the Genetic Basis of Mental Health,
Dr. Higgins highlights the potential of genetic testing to uncover the underlying causes of mental health issues. By identifying specific genes and biomarkers, individuals can gain a deeper understanding of their struggles and develop personalized treatment plans for improved mental well-being.

00:30:43 - The Role of Free Will and Choice,
Dr. Higgins acknowledges that genetic testing provides valuable information, but individuals still have the freedom to choose how they want to act on that information. It's up to each person to decide whether they want to pursue treatment options or make lifestyle changes based on their genetic results.

00:33:42 - The Emotional Impact of Genetic Testing,
Dr. Higgins discusses an emotional moment during an earlier consultation with Joey, who expressed fear about discovering his true identity through genetic testing.

00:37:44 - The Importance of Maximizing Quality of Life,
The speaker emphasizes the importance of maximizing quality of life and living it to the fullest. They discuss the impact of making positive changes and how it can affect not only individual lives but also the lives of those around them.

00:38:19 - Recognition for Life-Changing Work,
The speaker expresses admiration for the guest's work and suggests that they should receive recognition, possibly even a Nobel Prize, for their efforts in changing lives and making a significant impact.


WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXZoCMUQgck
Parts 2 and 3 include video content (starting at 40:00)

00:39:37 - Understanding Test Results,
The guest explains the different sections of the test results, including neurotransmitters, epigenetics, supplement protocols, and pharmacogenic reports. They highlight the value of these tests in providing valuable information for understanding an individual's biology and making necessary changes for healing.

00:45:07 - Low Norepinephrine and Epinephrine Levels,
The guest discusses Joey's low levels of norepinephrine and epinephrine, which can be associated with depression, mood changes, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating. They explain how these imbalances can affect motivation and make it challenging to achieve goals.

00:47:00 - Impact of Imbalanced Neurotransmitters,
The speaker reveals Joey's low levels of glutamate, which can impact learning and memory. They discuss the negative effects of imbalanced neurotransmitters on an individual's self-esteem and overall quality of life. They express excitement about the potential for improvement and the positive changes that

00:52:59 - Genetic Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms,
Dr. Higgins explains that polymorphism refers to errors in genetic coding and discusses the study of epigenetics. She emphasizes that our DNA can be upregulated or downregulated by our environment, which can have a profound impact on our biology.

00:54:25 - Gene Expression and Health,
Dr. Higgins explains that lifestyle habits and environmental factors can change the expression of our genes, which can affect our health. She highlights the importance of a healthy lifestyle, stress management, and adequate sleep in maintaining optimal gene expression.

00:55:16 - Impact of Gene Polymorphisms,
Dr. Higgins discusses specific gene polymorphisms and their implications. She explains that certain polymorphisms increase the risk of asthma and inflammatory disorders, while others contribute to a more robust inflammatory response. These gene variations can also affect neurotransmitters and brain chemicals, potentially leading to conditions like anxiety and depression.

00:57:27 - Autophagy and Cellular Quality Control,
Dr. Higgins explains the concept of autophagy, which is responsible for clearing out cellular waste. She discusses specific gene variations related to autophagy and highlights the importance of maintaining a clean diet, good sleep, and reducing exposure to harmful substances to prevent the activation of these genes.

01:00:14 - Environmental Factors and Inflammatory Markers,
Dr. Higgins discusses how our environment can affect inflammatory markers. She explains that certain gene variations increase the risk of autoimmune conditions and chronic

01:09:25 - Initial Reaction to the Genetic Information,
Joey expresses feeling overwhelmed and impressed by the genetic information presented to him, noting that he has always enjoyed science and math.

01:10:04 - Addressing Addiction on a Genetic Level,
Beth questions how the genetic information relates to addiction. Dr. Higgins explains that addiction is influenced by multiple genetic markers and factors working together, rather than a singular gene.

01:11:01 - Genetic Propensity and Substance Use,
Dr. Higgins discusses the concept of a genetic predisposition to addiction, explaining that when multiple genetic markers are present, it creates a "perfect storm" for substance use to occur.

01:13:14 - Update on Joey's Progress,
Joey shares his positive experience after taking the suggested supplements for seven weeks. He reports feeling different in a good way, with increased energy, focus, and productivity.

01:18:33 - Positive Changes and Future Outlook,
Joey discusses the significant changes he has experienced, such as being more proactive, having ideas and following through on them. He expresses optimism about his future, focusing on productivity, stability, and happiness.

01:24:54 - Achieving Baseline and Personal Growth,
The conversation discusses how achieving baseline in one's life allows for personal growth and pursuing other interests like going to the gym. It emphasizes the importance of being open to trying different things and acknowledges the hard work put into achieving this state.

01:25:27 - Wired for Addiction (Wired BioHealth),
The podcast highlights the name change of Wired for Addiction to Wired BioHealth and encourages listeners to check out their website for more information. It expresses hope that this episode will help many people.

 

05 Nov 2024Finding Empowerment through Sex Work as a Korean Adoptee with Kayla Tange - Ep 17000:39:45

Finding Empowerment through Sex Work as a Korean Adoptee with Kayla Tange

"I can be in my body, and in that moment, I feel safe." -- Kayla Tange

 

EPISODE SUMMARY:

In this episode of Unraveling Adoption, I had the privilege of speaking with Kayla Tange, a Korean adoptee raised by Japanese-American parents. She has navigated a unique and complex journey through life as an exotic dancer, performance artist, and sex worker. Kayla shared her adoption story, detailing her early life in an orphanage in Seoul before being adopted at six months old.

We explored how her experiences with ADHD and autism influenced her career choices and her desire for connection. Kayla candidly discussed her entry into the world of sex work, revealing how it provided her with a sense of empowerment and control over her body—something she felt was taken from her during her adoption.

Throughout our conversation, we touched on the themes of identity, belonging, and the emotional complexities that come with being an adoptee. Kayla's reflections on her work and the connections she forms with clients highlighted the often misunderstood aspects of sex work, challenging stereotypes and emphasizing the agency she feels in her choices.

Kayla also read a powerful piece from her contribution to the anthology Whorephobia, which delves into her experiences and emotions surrounding her adoption and her work. Her insights offered a profound understanding of the intersections between adoption, identity, and the search for belonging.

This episode is a deep dive into the complexities of adoption and the ways in which individuals navigate their identities and experiences. I encourage listeners to reflect on Kayla's story and the broader implications it has for understanding adoption and the diverse paths that adoptees may take.

===============

📘Get our new book Adoption and Suicidality: amazon.com/Adoption-Suicidality-Healthcare-Professionals-Unraveling/dp/B0DCBCTSLL

📆 Community Calendar: UnravelingAdoption.com/Calendar

✨Healing the Adoption Constellation database: UnravelingAdoption.com/Healing

💌Sign up for our Unraveling Adoption email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===============

RESOURCES:

Kayla’s information:

Other Resources:

===============

Unraveling Adoption is produced and hosted by Beth Syverson

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

Email questions or comments to Beth@UnravelingAdoption.com

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube

Support Unraveling Adoption on Patreon: http://Patreon.com/UnravelingAdoption

Check out our website: http://UnravelingAdoption.com

Create your own podcast through Libsyn: https://signup.libsyn.com/?promo_code=ADOPTION

===============

Please rate (*****) and/or review Unraveling Adoption in Apple Podcasts and Spotify (even if you listen to it on another app). Your feedback will help more listeners find our episodes. Thank you!

===============

TIME STAMPS

00:00:00 - Introduction to Unraveling Adoption
Welcome to the podcast and introduction of host Beth Syverson and her son Joey.

00:00:34 - Today's Topic: Sexuality and Sex Work
Discussion on the focus of the episode regarding sexuality and sex work.

00:00:56 - Introducing Kayla Tange
Introduction of guest Kayla Tange, her background as a Korean adoptee, and her work in the sex industry.

00:01:52 - Kayla's Adoption Story
Kayla shares her adoption story, including her age at adoption and her upbringing.

00:02:32 - Early Interest in Performance
Discussion on Kayla's early interest in dance and performance.

00:03:20 - Career Path and ADHD Diagnosis
Kayla talks about her career journey and the impact of her ADHD and autism diagnosis.

00:04:49 - Transition to Sex Work
Kayla explains how she transitioned into sex work and dancing.

00:05:59 - Job Satisfaction and Flexibility
Discussion on the benefits of working as a dancer compared to retail jobs.

00:06:33 - ADHD and the Nature of the Job
Exploration of how the job suited Kayla's ADHD tendencies.

00:08:06 - Connecting with Customers
Kayla discusses the importance of connecting with customers and building relationships.

00:09:06 - Adoption Trauma and Connection
Exploration of the link between adoption trauma and Kayla's need for connection.

00:10:25 - Empowerment through Sex Work
Kayla shares her perspective on feeling empowered through her work.

00:12:17 - Commodification of Bodies
Discussion on the commodification of bodies in adoption and sex work.

00:13:24 - Feelings of Displacement
Kayla reflects on feelings of displacement related to her adoption.

00:14:01 - Experiences in Korea
Kayla shares her experiences and feelings during her trips to Korea.

00:15:11 - Creating the Film "Dear Mother"
Discussion on the process and impact of creating her film.

00:16:28 - The Power of Performance
Kayla talks about the liberating aspects of performing.

00:17:56 - Family Dynamics and Support
Kayla reflects on her adoptive family's support and concerns regarding her career.

00:19:13 - Community and Support in the Industry
Discussion on the supportive community within the sex work industry.

00:20:12 - Advice to Her Younger Self
Kayla shares what she would tell her 12-year-old self.

00:21:45 - Advice for Parents
Kayla offers advice to parents about supporting their children's interests.

00:23:49 - Reading from Whorephobia
Kayla reads a powerful piece from the anthology Whorephobia.

00:37:04 - Closing Thoughts and Future Plans
Discussion on Kayla's ongoing work and future plans, along with closing remarks from Beth.

13 Nov 2023Preventing Adoptee Suicide through Compassionate Community Support with Moses Farrow - Ep 11900:48:24

"Being commodified, treated as an object, as a thing that can be returned or exchanged, deeply affects us. I am not a thing." - Moses Farrow

Did you know that adoptees are at least four times as likely to attempt suicide as their non-adopted peers? In this episode, Moses Farrow will shed light on the truth behind high suicide rates among adopted people, and will provide resources to help prevent adoptee suicide.

In this episode, you will be able to:

  • Gain a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by adoptees and how to provide meaningful support throughout their journey.

  • Uncover the alarming realities of high suicide rates among adoptees and discover strategies to prevent this tragedy.

  • Explore a wide range of mental health resources specifically tailored to meet the unique needs of adoptees.

  • Develop critical thinking skills to examine and question the adoption industry, promoting transparency and ethical practices for the benefit of all involved.

My special guest is Moses Farrow

Moses Farrow is an esteemed guest on Unraveling Adoption, bringing a wealth of expertise and personal insights to the discussion. As an intercountry, interracial adopted person from South Korea, Moses resides at the complex intersection of adoption, race, disability, mental health, and activism. With over two decades of experience in the mental health field, Moses has dedicated his work to serving adopted individuals and other at-risk populations. His passion for advocating a complete paradigm shift in the adoption industry is rooted in his tragic personal experiences, having lost three adopted siblings to suicide. Drawing from his extensive background and firsthand knowledge, Moses offers a unique perspective on the challenges faced by adopted people and the importance of prioritizing mental health support. We are privileged to have Moses join us on this episode as we explore the pressing issue of adoptee suicide and discuss strategies for prevention and support.

The resources mentioned in this episode are:

Understanding Adoptee Challenges
In this insightful conversation, Moses Farrow shares his personal experiences as an adoptee, bringing attention to the significant difficulties often faced by individuals in the same situation. He discusses the feeling of being a "square peg in a round hole," highlighting the common struggle of adoptees navigating their cultural identity and fitting into their adoptive families. Moses' shared insights underscore the importance of providing support, understanding, and validation for the unique challenges adoptees face.

Tailored Mental Health Resources
The discussion underscores the need for comprehensive mental health support for adoptees, taking into account the specific traumas and challenges they face. Moses highlights the prevalence of adoption trauma, urging for it to be understood as a normal response to traumatic experiences rather than pathologized as a mental disorder. He advocates for integrated mental health resources that consider the adoptee's whole experience, providing essential validation and facilitating healing and well-being.

Timestamped summary of this episode:

00:01:22 - Adoptee Suicide
Beth discusses the topic of adoptee suicide and shares her personal connection to it through her son Joey. Moses, who has lost three adopted siblings to suicide, emphasizes the need for better support and understanding of adopted individuals to prevent more suicides.

00:03:19 - Moses' Origin Story
Moses shares his adoption story, being adopted from South Korea at the age of two. He reflects on his Korean identity and having cerebral palsy, which he believes was caused by a difficult birth experience.

00:06:21 - Childhood Dreams
Moses discusses his childhood dreams and aspirations, including wanting to be an astronaut, a movie director, and a musician. He reflects on how his interests and goals evolved over time.

00:08:15 - Mental Health and Therapy
Moses talks about growing up in a large adoptive family and navigating complex relationships. He reveals that he is a survivor of child abuse and highlights the lack of mental health support during his childhood, focusing more on physical health issues.

00:17:36 - Adoption as Commodification
The guest shares a story from South Korea about how he feels that adoption commodifies human beings. The term "rehomed" is discussed, highlighting the disrespectful connotation it carries. The guest expresses frustration with the language used in pet adoption and human adoption.

00:18:47 - Feeling Like a Square Peg in a Round Hole
The experience of being adopted is compared to feeling like a square peg in a round hole. The guest discusses not feeling like they fit in or belong anywhere, describing the struggle of not feeling Korean enough or American enough.

00:19:18 - Adopted People and Suicide
Adopted individuals are four times more likely to attempt suicide. The guest acknowledges the attention given to anxiety, depression, and suicide in recent years, particularly among teens. They discuss the importance of understanding suicide within its own context and the need to destigmatize and normalize conversations about it.

00:20:41 - Normalizing Mental Health and Suicide
The guest highlights the increased attention given to mental health and suicide in society, similar to the normalization of the COVID-19 pandemic. They emphasize the importance of open conversations and building support networks to validate and acknowledge individuals' struggles.

00:24:07 - Suicide Prevention as an Ongoing Journey
Suicide prevention and mental wholeness cannot be viewed as achieving a goal or reaching a finish line. It is an ongoing journey and practice of self-reflection, curiosity, and intention.

00:34:57 - The Coercion in Adoption
The conversation delves into the issue of voluntary adoption and questions whether individuals and institutions can truly make the decision without being influenced by the culture of coercion surrounding them.

00:35:29 - Preventing Adoption Trauma
The focus shifts to the high rate of suicide attempts among adopted individuals and the need for support. The conversation emphasizes the importance of checking on adopted people regularly and providing mental health support.

00:36:02 - Updating Research on Adoption
The lack of updated research on the mental health of adopted individuals is discussed, along with the need to recognize adoption trauma as a public health crisis. Mental health support and reconnecting with their pre-adoption lives are seen as crucial in addressing this issue.

00:37:23 - Overcoming Adoption Stereotypes
Adopted individuals often face societal pressure to be grateful and not speak out about their experiences. The conversation emphasizes the need to recognize and validate adoptees' experiences, elevating their voices and understanding the lifelong impact of adoption.

00:41:04 - Creating Safe Spaces
The importance of creating safe spaces for adoptees to share their experiences is highlighted. Sharing personal stories humanizes adoptees and challenges the commodification and dehumanization perpetuated by the adoption industry. The conversation emphasizes the need for a comprehensive approach to addressing adoption trauma.

23 Dec 2024Unraveling the Layers of Childhood Trauma with Ron Jenkins - Ep 17600:43:38

"I didn't realize how strong I was until, you know, I got into therapy and started to understand all the things that I've overcome." - Ron Jenkins

Read the transcript of this episode here: https://app.swellai.com/t/tp_01JFJJKB7XP00HAV5P6H6ETQGJ

EPISODE SUMMARY:

In this episode of Unraveling Adoption, I had the privilege of speaking with Ron Jenkins, a remarkable individual whose journey through the complexities of foster care and adoption is both harrowing and inspiring. Ron's story begins with the tragic loss of his mother as a young child, leading him and his siblings into the foster care system. He was eventually adopted by a woman who, rather than providing a safe haven, exploited the system for drug money, resulting in a chaotic and violent environment.

Ron candidly shares the trauma he experienced, including the loss of several brothers to violence and the pervasive fear that defined his childhood. Despite these challenges, he made a conscious decision to steer clear of gangs and drugs, ultimately finding a mentor who changed the trajectory of his life. This mentor not only provided guidance but also became a father figure, helping Ron navigate his way to a football scholarship at Fresno State University.

Throughout our conversation, Ron emphasizes the importance of self-advocacy, therapy, and the need to break the cycle of trauma. He encourages listeners, especially men, to seek help and recognize that they deserve the same opportunities as anyone else. Ron's journey of healing and his commitment to helping at-risk youth through mentorship and advocacy work is truly inspiring.

We also touched on the impact of sexual abuse in Ron's life and how it shaped his relationships. He highlights the importance of addressing these issues through therapy, which has been instrumental in his healing process.

As we wrapped up, Ron shared exciting news about a movie being made about his life, and he invited anyone interested in supporting this project to reach out. This episode is a powerful reminder of resilience, the importance of community, and the potential for transformation, even in the face of overwhelming adversity. I hope Ron's story resonates with you and inspires you to seek help, advocate for yourself, and support others in their journeys.

===============

📘Get our new book Adoption and Suicidality: amazon.com/Adoption-Suicidality-Healthcare-Professionals-Unraveling/dp/B0DCBCTSLL

📆 Community Calendar: UnravelingAdoption.com/Calendar

✨Healing the Adoption Constellation database: UnravelingAdoption.com/Healing

💌Sign up for our Unraveling Adoption email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX 

===============

RESOURCES:

Ron’s information:

  • Ron’s email: rongolf6807@gmail.com

  • Documentary coming 2025-2026 - email Ron to find out how best to support that project

Other resources mentioned in this episode:

 

===============

 

Unraveling Adoption is produced and hosted by Beth Syverson

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

Email questions or comments to Beth@UnravelingAdoption.com

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube

Support Unraveling Adoption on Patreon: http://Patreon.com/UnravelingAdoption

Check out our website: http://UnravelingAdoption.com

Create your own podcast through Libsyn: https://signup.libsyn.com/?promo_code=ADOPTION

===============

Please rate (*****) and/or review Unraveling Adoption in Apple Podcasts and Spotify (even if you listen to it on another app). Your feedback will help more listeners find our episodes. Thank you!

===============

TIME STAMPS:

00:00:00 - Introduction
Welcome to Unraveling Adoption with host Beth Syverson and guest Ron Jenkins.

00:01:43 - Ron’s Adoption Story
Ron shares his early experiences in foster care and adoption.

00:02:21 - Foster Care Challenges
Discussion of difficulties faced due to his adoptive mother's drug use.

00:03:57 - Violence and Trauma
Recounting violent incidents and trauma in his childhood.

00:06:36 - Avoiding Gangs
Ron discusses his choices to stay away from gang involvement.

00:10:07 - Loss of a Brother
Heartbreaking story of his brother's murder and its impact.

00:12:39 - Self-Advocacy
Ron reflects on learning to advocate for himself.

00:14:23 - Mentorship
Introduction of Mr. Burnett, a key mentor in Ron's life.

00:16:30 - Impact of Sports
How sports provided structure and discipline.

00:20:08 - Helping Youth
Ron talks about his work with at-risk youth.

00:22:43 - Trust and Self-Advocacy
The importance of learning to trust and advocate for oneself.

00:25:04 - Value of Therapy
Emphasizing therapy's role in healing from trauma.

00:28:05 - Sexual Abuse Experiences
Ron shares his experiences with sexual abuse.

00:33:16 - Relationship Patterns
How past abuse influenced his adult relationships.

00:36:10 - Breaking the Cycle
The importance of addressing abusive patterns.

00:38:49 - Healing and Strength
Reflections on healing through faith and therapy.

00:39:39 - Book Recommendation
Ron recommends "Runaway Girl" for inspiration.

00:40:52 - Movie Project
News about a movie being made about Ron's life.

00:42:17 - Closing Remarks
Beth thanks Ron and encourages listeners to connect with resources.

04 Sep 2023Challenging the Adoption System with Chester Jackson - Ep 10900:50:09

Challenging the Adoption System with Chester Jackson

"The journey is more about being on the path more than off... The hardest part about being an adoptive parent is you're almost guaranteed to be disappointed because your motivation and your drive and everything you're thinking is involved around some fantasy child. It's not about that real human." -- Chester Jackson

Discovering the truth can be as exhilarating as it is terrifying. It can shatter the very foundation of your identity, leaving you scrambling to pick up the pieces. Chester Jackson's life seemed like a harmonious melody until a single piece of paper sent him spiraling into a world of unanswered questions and hidden secrets. Brace yourself as we delve into Chester's journey, where he unearths the unexpected twist that forever changed his life.

===============

📆 Community Calendar: UnravelingAdoption.com/Calendar

💌Sign up for our Unraveling Adoption email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===============

In this episode, you will be able to:

  • Delve deep into the complex world of adoption and how it affects the lives of adoptees.

  • Understand the vital role clear and sincere communication plays in the harmony of an adopted family.

  • Expose the latent issues and hidden incentives of adoptive parents, presenting possible solutions and benefits.

  • Unravel the critical need for maintaining ties between adoptees and their birth heritage.

  • Confront and overcome the hurdles and implicit prejudices sewn into the fabric of the adoption procedure.

My special guest is Chester Jackson

Meet Chester Jackson, a seasoned professional, with two decades worth of experience in the adoption sphere. His multifaceted perspective of adoption is born out of his own late discovery of being an adoptee and his role as an adoptive parent. Chester currently serves as the lifeline for many as the helpline coordinator at Adoptive Foster Family Coalition in New York, offering much needed counsel and support. Filled with both empathy and insights, Chester is known for his unwavering commitment to bettering the adoption system and all those it touches.

The resources mentioned in this episode are:

  • Visit the Adoptive Foster Family Coalition of New York (AFFCNY) website for more information about their services and resources: https://affcny.org/

  • Call the AFFCNY Helpline that Chester supervises: 888-80-helpline

  • Reach out to Beth Syverson for parent coaching if you are an adoptive parent: Beth@UnravelingAdoption.com

  • Consider seeking therapy or counseling to work through any adoption-related issues or emotions. Here's an adoptee therapist directory: https://growbeyondwords.com/adoptee-therapist-directory/

Grasping Adoption's Real-life Consequences
Fully understanding the real-life implications of adoption is crucial for adoptive parents. This insight stems from acknowledging that adoption not only involves taking a child into one's family but also carries lifelong emotional consequences for all parties involved. An improved grasp of these realities can help parents navigate adoption-related challenges and work towards fostering a healthy environment for their adopted children.

Preserving Links to Birth Heritage
Maintaining connections to the child's birth heritage plays an essential part in the adoption journey. This notion is vital as it enables the adopted child to maintain a tangible link to their roots, which can greatly assist in the formation of their identity. Adoptive parents who understand and prioritize this facet can significantly contribute to their child's sense of belonging and self-awareness.

===============

 

Other Resources:

 

===============

Unraveling Adoption is produced and hosted by Beth Syverson

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

Email questions or comments to Beth@UnravelingAdoption.com

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube

Support Unraveling Adoption on Patreon: Patreon.com/UnravelingAdoption

www.UnravelingAdoption.com

===============

Timestamped summary of this episode:

00:01:06 - Chester's Adoption Story,
Chester Jackson shares his experience as a late discovery adoptee (LDA). He explains that he found out he was adopted at age 33 and discusses how his adoption was a community agreement rather than a legal process. He also mentions his mixed feelings of relief and confusion upon learning the truth.

00:05:48 - Emotional Impact of Adoption,
Chester discusses the emotional impact of adoption and how it affected his sense of self-worth. He highlights the importance of adoptive parents understanding and addressing their own emotions to provide a healthy environment for their children.

00:07:36 - Chester's Work in Adoption,
Chester explains how he got involved in the adoption profession through a job opportunity. He reflects on how his work in adoption helped him understand his own adoption journey and the importance of supporting adoptive parents in addressing their own emotions.

00:09:58 - Broadening Perspectives in Adoption,
Chester discusses how his perspective in adoption has broadened over time. He shares how his current role requires him to consider the perspectives of all parties involved in adoption and emphasizes the importance of openness and addressing emotions in adoption.

00:12:21 - The Importance of Parental Rights,
The speaker emphasizes the importance of parental rights in the best interest of the child, even in cases of abuse. Adoption can be considered if necessary, but the focus should be on keeping families together whenever possible.

00:12:40 - Moral Adoption and Connections,
While legal adoptions are common, there are also instances of "moral adoption" where there is no legal process, but individuals consider themselves connected to the child. The speaker notes the importance of maintaining strong connections between adoptive parents and birth parents.

00:13:30 - Lack of Support for Birth Parents,
The speaker discusses the lack of support for birth parents in open adoptions. If birth parents show any signs of instability or make requests, they are often shut out. The speaker expresses disappointment in the lack of empathy and grace for birth parents in the adoption process.

00:14:09 - Lack of Legal Recourse for Birth Parents,
Birth parents are often promised open adoptions with the ability to see their children, but there is no legal recourse to enforce these agreements. Birth parents are often vulnerable in the adoption process and have little protection.

00:16:15 - Challenges of Adoptive Parenting,
Adoptive parents may have fantasies about their adopted child and can be disappointed when the reality doesn't match their expectations. The speaker emphasizes the need for adoptive parents to address their own challenges and seek therapy to navigate the complexities of adoptive parenting.

00:24:26 - Personal Growth and Family Systems,
The guest reflects on their personal growth journey and how their relationship with their son has served as a catalyst for change. They discuss the challenges of estrangement and the importance of self-reflection in understanding one's role in the family system.

00:25:34 - Connecting with Your Child,
The guest emphasizes the importance of connecting with your child, even if they are a stranger to you. They discuss the significance of non-verbal communication and the need for parents to create a sense of safety and connection for their children.

00:26:55 - Training and Support for Parents,
The guest acknowledges that parents today are receiving more training and support from larger agencies, but highlights the need for society to have a fuller appreciation of the importance of parenting. They encourage parents to seek out support groups and resources to navigate the challenges of adoption and foster care.

00:28:46 - The Power of Repair,
The guest emphasizes the importance of making repairs in relationships and apologizing to one's child when mistakes are made. They discuss the healing power of acknowledging and learning from past actions, and the significance of teaching children how to make repairs in their own relationships.

00:31:25 - The Helpline and Support Groups,
The guest shares information about The Helpline (888-80-helpline), a resource provided by the coalition for adoptive and foster families. They encourage parents to seek support through support groups and highlight the value of being in a room with others who understand and empathize with their experiences

00:36:18 - Reasons for Bias in Adoption,
The guest discusses the reasons for bias in adoption, including racism, sexism, and heteronormativity. He also mentions the societal belief that family is blood, which contributes to the negative perception of adoption.

00:37:21 - Lack of Support for Birth Families,
The conversation highlights the lack of support for birth families in the adoption system. The guest argues that if society truly valued children and family, more efforts would be made to keep them in their family of origin.

00:38:29 - Difficulty for Birth Parents,
The guest criticizes the foster system for making it extremely difficult for birth parents to regain custody of their children. He suggests that this may be due to societal biases and judgments towards birth parents.

00:39:23 - Finding Folk to Help,
The guest emphasizes that there are plenty of people willing to help in the adoption system, but society needs to be honest about what they are asking these people to do. He calls for a shift in perspective and a recognition of the importance of birth families.

00:43:09 - Importance of Self-Reflection,
The guest stresses the importance of self-reflection for adoptive parents. He believes that understanding one's own motivations and values is crucial for building a strong connection with their child. He also acknowledges the challenges and struggles that adoptees may face, but highlights the resilience and strength they possess.

00:48:31 - Accessing Information and Resources,
The guest suggests visiting their website, affcny.org, to access a wealth of information, join their network, and find inspiring and educational events.

00:48:47 - Support for Adoptive Parents,
The host mentions her website, unravelingadoption.com, where she offers a free support group for adoptive parents and parent coaching services.

00:49:13 - Supporting the Podcast,
The host mentions that listeners can support the show on Patreon.com/UnravelingAdoption to help keep the episodes commercial-free.

00:49:32 - Sharing the Episode,
The host encourages listeners to share the episode, especially with hopeful adoptive parents and those considering fostering, as it contains valuable information and insights.

 

20 Nov 2023Ayahuasca for Transforming Trauma and Pain with Mee Ok Icaro - Ep 12000:48:37

Reserve your FREE ticket to the Sacred Plant Medicine for Healing the Adoption Constellation webinar featuring Mee Ok as one of the panelists, December 3 at 1pm PST: https://healingadoptiontrauma.eventbrite.com

 

When you're in the margins and outside of the dominant narrative, you're very aware of what is just taken for granted. - Mee Ok Icaro

A transformative journey unfolds as Mee Ok, a Korean transnational adoptee, embraces the healing power of Ayahuasca, finding dramatic physical healing, challenging her beliefs, and finding spiritual growth amidst the risks and rewards of this sacred plant medicine.

In this episode, you will be able to:

  • Discover the transformative power of Ayahuasca on one's healing journey.

  • Explore cultural assimilation in the context of sacred plant medicines.

  • Learn about how sacred plant medicines (psychedelics) can treat and cure autoimmune diseases.

  • Understand the profound connection between the mind and body, and how it impacts physical ailments.

  • Explore the responsible and ethical use of sacred plant medicines for personal growth and healing.

===============

📆 Community Calendar: UnravelingAdoption.com/Calendar

✨Healing the Adoption Constellation database: UnravelingAdoption.com/Healing

💌Sign up for our Unraveling Adoption email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===============

My special guest is Mee Ok Icaro

Mee Ok Icaro is a noted writer, poet, teacher, book doula, and sacred medicine support practitioner. Born in Korea and adopted by a white evangelical couple in the US, her personal journey has been shaped by the complexities of transracial and transcultural adoption. Mee Ok was one of the case studies in Dr. Gabor Maté's recent book, The Myth of Normal, where she shared her experiences of overcoming scleroderma through the use of sacred plant medicines. Her story was also featured in an episode of Netflix's series [Un]Well, shedding light on her healing journey. Mee Ok's expertise and insights have led her to participate in Dr. Maté's panel for his Wisdom of Trauma Summit, where she shared her profound knowledge on the responsible use of sacred plant medicines. Her upcoming involvement in Unraveling Adoption's Sacred Plant Medicine for Healing the Adoption Constellation panel promises to offer valuable perspectives on how adoption, trauma, and physical pain can be transformed by sacred plant medicines.

The resources mentioned in this episode are:

 

Transformative Power of Ayahuasca
Ayahuasca, a plant medicine native to the Amazon, is renowned for its transformative potential. This sacred plant allows individuals to tap into deeper levels of consciousness, confront unresolved trauma, and initiate profound spiritual and personal growth. However, engaging with Ayahuasca requires due diligence, caution, and support from reputable indigenous healers to ensure a safe and efficacious journey.

 

Other resources mentioned in this episode:

===============

Unraveling Adoption is produced and hosted by Beth Syverson

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

Email questions or comments to Beth@UnravelingAdoption.com

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube

Support Unraveling Adoption on Patreon: Patreon.com/UnravelingAdoption

www.UnravelingAdoption.com

Create your own podcast through Libsyn: https://signup.libsyn.com/?promo_code=ADOPTION

Timestamped summary of this episode:

00:01:28 - Mee Ok's Adoption Story
Mee Ok shares her experience of being adopted from Korea by a white evangelical couple in the US. She talks about her upbringing and the challenges she faced, including childhood sexual abuse by her adoptive father. She also mentions her search for her birth family.

00:05:29 - Finding Birth Mother through Ayahuasca
Mee Ok shares her journey with Ayahuasca and how it helped her find her birth mother. She describes the process of fasting and being alone in the woods while working with the plant as well as the incredible coincidence of receiving an email from her adoption agency informing her that her birth mother had returned to their offices on the same day she started her fast.

00:11:41 - Healing and Understanding
Mee Ok discusses her healing journey through plant medicine, trauma work, and connecting with her birth family. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the intentional misplacements and eradication of records in adoption

00:14:41 - The Market for Adoption in Korea
The guest explains that the market for adoption in Korea was created due to complex social issues and economic devastation. The flow of money has made it difficult to stop the adoption market.

00:16:06 - Cultural Context of Korea
Mee Ok discusses the cultural context of Korea, highlighting its Christianization and the presence of U.S. military bases. She also reflects on her experience as a Korean adoptee growing up in a diverse community, then a homogeneous one.

00:18:02 - Transracial Adoption and Assimilation
The guest shares her experience with transracial adoption and how her parents followed the convention of assimilation. She talks about her mother's efforts to introduce Korean culture, but her own desire to be seen as an American kid.

00:19:26 - Illness and the Search for Healing
The guest recounts her journey of falling ill with scleroderma and seeking various treatments, including Western medicine and alternative therapies. She explains how she discovered Ayahuasca as a potential healing tool.

00:24:47 - Ayahuasca at Home
Due to her physical limitations, Mee Ok initially had to bring Ayahuasca into her own space and drink it at home. She shares her experience of using Ayahuasca as a therapeutic tool for healing while bedridden.

00:28:22 - The Healing Power of Communication
Mee Ok discusses how advancements in communication technology have allowed her to overcome the challenges she faced due to her disability. She mentions that she is now able to walk and no longer needs a wheelchair.

00:28:54 - Lack of Coverage for Alternative Healing
Mee Ok expresses frustration with the modern healthcare system's lack of coverage for alternative healing methods, such as Ayahuasca, which is the only effective medicine has found in her own healing journey. She highlights the narcissism and self-interest of Western medicine and the financial interests involved.

00:30:27 - The Mind-Body Connection
The guest explores the connection between physical and emotional pain, particularly in relation to autoimmune diseases like scleroderma. She shares her belief that healing should be holistic and not limited to psychotherapy or physicality alone.

00:31:51 - Ayahuasca and Healing in the Jungle
The guest describes her experiences with Ayahuasca ceremonies in the jungle and the profound healing she has experienced. She mentions the Shipibo tradition and their expertise in working with Ayahuasca and other medicinal plants.

00:34:37 - Ayahuasca as Sacred Medicine
The guest explains her perspective on Westerners becoming guides or practitioners in the Ayahuasca tradition. She believes it should remain with the native people who have preserved it for thousands of years and sees the role of Westerners as supporters rather than leaders.

00:42:30 - Finding a Legitimate Ayahuasca Healer
It's important to vet Ayahuasca healers before booking a retreat, as there are many illegitimate practitioners. Due to its illegal status, finding trustworthy healers can be challenging, and personal connections are often necessary.

00:43:04 - The Darker Elements of Ayahuasca
Ayahuasca experiences can have negative aspects, including energetic attacks. It's crucial to work with reputable healers and be protected during the process. Soltara is recommended by the guest as a reputable retreat center.

00:43:30 - Restoring the Soul through Ayahuasca
Ayahuasca healers often help restore one's soul, especially for those who feel disconnected. Mee Ok, who was previously an atheist, had a profound experience with Ayahuasca that transformed her perspective.

00:44:22 - Importance of Support and Integration
Ayahuasca journeys can leave individuals feeling isolated. Having allies and support during the integration process is crucial. The host shares her own experience of finding an integration circle for her son.

00:46:38 - Ayahuasca as Serious Medicine
Ayahuasca should be approached with the same seriousness as Western medicine. It's not something to be taken lightly, and thorough research and finding the right practitioners are essential for a safe and transformative experience.

22 Jul 2024The Impact of Colonization on an Inuit Greenlander Adoptee in Denmark with Kâlánguak Absalonsen - Ep 15500:32:55

"We have only ourselves. And when I'm thinking about that, I'm thinking how strong we are. Because we have survived and still live and still create and still talk about our history." -- Kâlánguak Absalonsen

Episode Summary:

In this episode of Unraveling Adoption, I had the privilege of speaking with Kâlánguak Absalonsen, an adopted person from Greenland living in Denmark. Kâlánguak shared her unique perspective on adoption, colonization, and the challenges faced by Inuit people in Denmark. She highlighted the impact of colonization on adoption practices and the struggle to maintain cultural identity in a foreign environment.

Kâlánguak’s personal journey of self-discovery and reconnecting with her Inuit roots was both inspiring and heartbreaking. She emphasized the importance of giving voice to marginalized communities, like Inuit adoptees, and the strength it takes to navigate the complexities of adoption without the support of family.

Through her blog, book, and advocacy work, Kâlánguak is shedding light on the experiences of Inuit adoptees and challenging the narratives imposed on them by society. Her resilience and determination to reclaim her identity serve as a powerful reminder of the strength within adoptees.

As the host, I was deeply moved by Kâlánguak’s story and her courage to speak out. I encourage listeners to visit her website, read her book, and support her efforts to amplify the voices of Inuit adoptees. Let's continue to spread awareness and understanding of adoption's complexities and support adoptees in their journey of self-discovery and healing.

===============

📆 Community Calendar: UnravelingAdoption.com/Calendar

✨Healing the Adoption Constellation database: UnravelingAdoption.com/Healing

💌Sign up for our Unraveling Adoption email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===============

RESOURCES:

Kâlánguak’s contact information:



Other Resources:

===============

Unraveling Adoption is produced and hosted by Beth Syverson

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

Email questions or comments to Beth@UnravelingAdoption.com

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube

Support Unraveling Adoption on Patreon: http://Patreon.com/UnravelingAdoption

Check out our website: http://UnravelingAdoption.com

Create your own podcast through Libsyn: https://signup.libsyn.com/?promo_code=ADOPTION

Time Stamps:

00:00:00 - Introduction to Kâlánguak and adoption in Denmark
00:01:32 - History Lesson on Greenland and Denmark
00:04:04 - Kâlánguak's Adoption Story
00:08:18 - Challenges Faced Growing Up in Denmark
00:11:04 - Learning Style Differences
00:13:35 - Transition to Adulthood and Career Path
00:15:56 - Discovering Learning Disability
00:19:36 - Estrangement from Adoptive Parents
00:22:08 - Impact of Colonization on Identity
00:24:34 - The Impact of Adoption on Kâlánguak's Life
00:26:37 - Advocacy for Inuit People and Adoptees
00:30:26 - Strength and Resilience of Adoptees

26 Jun 2023Walking into Recovery: Dallas's Adoption Journey - Ep 9900:42:01

Dallas remembers being told he was adopted at five years old. And at 19, he had a life-shattering realization about his adoption. Struggling with anger issues and feeling disconnected from his family, he spiralled into self-destructive patterns with drugs and alcohol to cope with his pain. Now, Dallas is on a journey of self-discovery and growth, using some unconventional tools to help him cope with his struggles. But what was the unexpected twist that prompted his self-destructive behavior? And what was the key that opened the lock of his recovery?

In this episode, you will be able to:

  • Uncover the significance of identity and belonging in adopted children's lives.

  • Learn about Dallas's personal struggles of addiction and his inspiring road to recovery.

  • Recognize the crucial role of understanding and support in addressing adopted children's unique challenges.

===============

📆 Community Calendar: UnravelingAdoption.com/Calendar

💌Sign up for our Unraveling Adoption email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===============

My special guest is Dallas

Get to know Dallas, an inspirational figure who has successfully navigated the challenges of adoption trauma and addiction to emerge stronger and more resilient. With a past marked by substance abuse and self-destructive behavior stemming from surprising revelations about his biological parents, Dallas embarked on a transformative journey of self-discovery and growth. Through his determination to overcome these challenges and the invaluable lessons he's gained along the way, Dallas supports and guides others grappling with the intricate ties between adoption and addiction.

The resources mentioned in this episode are:

Dallas’s information:

Other Resources:

 

 

===============

 

Unraveling Adoption is produced and hosted by Beth Syverson

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

Email questions or comments to Beth@UnravelingAdoption.com

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube

Support Unraveling Adoption on Patreon: Patreon.com/UnravelingAdoption

www.UnravelingAdoption.com

 

===============

The Importance of Love
One of the most important factors that can help adopted individuals navigate the challenges they face is love and support from their adoptive family. Communicating this love and understanding consistently can help them cope with feelings of emptiness, abandonment, or insecurity that may arise due to their adoption status. Adoptive parents should strive to be a pillar of strength and encouragement for their children, fostering a home environment where their child feels safe and valued. By creating a strong foundation of love and support, adoptive parents can help their children build resilience and instill a sense of safety and belonging that will serve them throughout their lives.

Psychedelics and Forgiveness
The use of psychedelics, such as psilocybin mushrooms, can sometimes lead to transformative experiences that help individuals release deep-seated anger and resentment. While not a conventional treatment method, and not recommended for everyone, Dallas's experience shows that exploring alternative therapies might be beneficial for some people in their healing journey. A critical aspect of this healing process is understanding the importance of forgiveness, both towards others and oneself. In the episode, Dallas recounts his life-changing experience with psilocybin mushrooms that allowed him to see his adoptive parents' perspective and let go of the anger he harbored towards them. However, even after this profound breakthrough, his addiction still persisted. Dallas's ultimate recovery came through a combination of forgiveness, self-reflection, and adopting healthier behaviors.

===============

Timestamped summary of this episode:

00:01:28 - Childhood and Adoption Story,
Dallas shares his adoption story, including finding out at 5 years old that he was adopted and struggling with anger and shame throughout his childhood. He also discusses how he found out at 19 that who he thought was his biological mother was not, which sent him into a downward spiral of addiction and self-destructive behavior.

00:05:19 - Self-Destruct Mode,
Dallas talks about how he turned to drugs and alcohol heavily for five years after finding out about his birth parents. He discusses how he was able to function as an addict, hiding his drug use from others, and how he felt like he wanted to die but didn't want to kill himself directly.

00:09:36 - Getting Help,
Dallas shares how he eventually sought help and went into recovery from all substances a year ago. He talks about the tools that have helped him in recovery, including therapy, mindfulness, and connecting with others in recovery. He also discusses the importance of understanding and addressing underlying issues to prevent relapse.

00:11:21 - Psychedelics and Forgiveness,
Dallas discusses using psychedelics and the profound experience he had at 24 that led to forgiveness towards his adoptive parents. He also talks about the benefits of integrating psychedelic experiences and how forgiveness can help overcome addiction.

00:14:41 - Quitting Substances and Self-Binding,
Dallas talks about his journey of quitting substances, including cigarettes, cocaine, alcohol, and finally weed. He credits his success to self-binding and physical barriers, such as going on walks without cigarettes.

00:18:26 - Marijuana Addiction,
Dallas shares his experience with marijuana addiction and how it was the hardest substance for him to quit due to the medicinal benefits. He also discusses how marijuana can cause anxiety and the importance of finding new ways to replace dopamine hits.

00:20:52 - Anhedonia and Finding New Pleasures,
Dallas explains anhedonia, the lack of pleasure after quitting a substance, and how he found new ways to replace dopamine hits, such as being in nature, exercising, and sleeping. He also talks about the clarity he gained after quitting weed.

00:22:24 - The Impact of Cannabis on Brain Function,
Dallas talks about how cannabis stunts brain function and causes cognitive fog. Beth shares how her son feels clearer and able to think better after taking a break from the substance.

00:23:13 - Adoption and Substance Use,
Dallas discusses how his adoption pain may have contributed to his self-destructive behavior and substance use. He talks about how he used drugs and alcohol to cope with triggers, such as birthdays and Mother's Day, holidays that reminded him of his adoption-related pain.

00:25:01 - Difficulty Finding Support,
Dallas explains the difficulty of finding support for his adoption trauma and substance use. He shares how he didn't have anyone to talk to about his struggles and how his friends were not attuned to his emotional needs.

00:27:35 - Finding Information About Birth Mother,
Dallas reveals how he learned about his birth mother being locked up in a mental institution and how he felt hesitant to talk to his adoptive parents about it. He shares how taking Psilocybin helped him open up about his birth mother to his adoptive parents.

00:30:00 - Addiction and Food,
Dallas discusses his addiction to food and how it's similar to his substance use. He shares how he substituted food for drugs and how binging on food is similar to binging on drugs. He advises parents to empathize with their children who may be struggling with addiction and substance use.

00:33:22 - The Importance of Honesty in Adoption,
Dallas shares how learning the truth about his adoption later in life caused him to spiral. He believes that it is important for adoptive parents to be honest with their children and provide them with information about their birth parents.

00:34:23 - Importance of Open Communication,
Beth and Dallas discuss the importance of open communication between adoptive parents and their children. Dallas recommends that adoptive parents let their children know that they are open to talking about their adoption if and when the child is ready.

00:35:07 - The Benefits of Walking,
Dallas shares how walking has been a crucial part of his recovery process. He believes that walking in nature helps clear his mind and allows him to sort through his thoughts.

00:38:26 - Helping Adopted Children,
Dallas expresses his desire to help adopted children who may be struggling with addiction and mental health issues. He believes that it is important to provide these children with the tools to cope with their pain and help them avoid years of heartache.

00:39:15 - The Importance of Love,
Dallas advises adoptive parents to let their adopted children know that they are loved and to shower them with affection. He believes that adopted children often start their lives with a deficit and need extra love and support from their parents.

 

18 Dec 2021Bullying with Maria Lundstroem Lopez - Ep 2000:49:26

In this Safe Home episode, Beth discusses the tough topic of bullying with a long-time friend of hers, Maria Lundstroem Lopez, who was regularly beaten and treated horribly in elementary school. Beth's son Joey was also bullied with racist microaggressions throughout his whole school journey. Maria talks about how these wounds from being bullied have stuck with her until adulthood and gives some ideas for how to deal with bullying in today’s schools and families.

===============

💌 Sign up for our Safe Home Families email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===============

Safe Home is created by Joseph Nakao and his moms Beth Syverson and Jan Mabie

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

Cover art by Joseph Nakao, photo by Beth Syverson, with design help from Nina Smith

Email questions or comments to Safe Home at SafeHomePodcast@gmail.com

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube

Support Safe Home on Patreon

======================================

RESOURCES:

Other Parents Like Me -  https://www.facebook.com/other.parents.like.me

Heather Ross - Life Coaching for Parents of Addicted Teens: https://heatherrosscoaching.com/

Find a Tele-Therapist: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/online-counseling

=======================================

TIME STAMPS:

2:34 Maria’s background

5:38 Maria’s coping tools when she was being bullied

9:15 How Maria helps make safe spaces for her music students

12:42 Bullying ourselves

14:57 Some people use drugs to cope

17:20 Maria’s suggestions for parents of kids who are bullied

18:15 Joey’s experience being bullied & how his school responded

22:22 Maria standing up for herself

--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/safe-home-podcast/message

27 Jun 2022Trauma and Resilience with Cheyanne Alsop - Ep 4800:50:45

In this week’s Safe Home Podcast, Beth talks with one of Joey’s friends, 19yo Cheyanne Alsop. Like Joey, Cheyanne was adopted, her adoptive parents later got divorced, and she struggled with mental health issues throughout her adolescence. Cheyanne’s harrowing childhood would leave most people completely paralyzed emotionally. But because of her willingness to get help and to work on her own emotional toolbox, Cheyanne has graduated high school, she’s got a job, and she’s on her healing path. Her story gives us all hope for our struggling kids, and she and Joey give some great advice to teens and parents at the end of the episode.

===============

💌 Sign up for our Safe Home Families email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===============

RESOURCES:

Cheyanne's contact info: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheyanne_autumn1618

Other Episodes mentioned during this episode:

  • Our CHS episode - #22
  • Our episode about psych hospitals: #16
  • Brenda's Adoption Story episode: #21

Other Resources:

===============

Safe Home is created by Joseph Nakao and Beth Syverson

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

Cover art by Joseph Nakao, photo by Beth Syverson

Email questions or comments to Safe Home at Hello@SafeHomeFamilies.com

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube

Support Safe Home on Patreon: Patreon.com/SafeHome

www.SafeHomeFamilies.com

===============

TIME STAMPS:

0:30 A little update with Joey

3:17 Cheyanne’s infancy and first relinquishment at age 3

4:42 Cheyanne’s childhood trauma with her grandparents

11:15 Moving to her aunt’s in foster care system

13:45 Getting matched with Cheyanne’s adoptive parents

16:55 Cheyanne and Joey talk about adoption trauma

22:20 Adoptive parents’ divorce created more pain and caused first hospitalization

25:00 Cutting and self-harm, Cheyanne’s rock bottom

27:58 Cheyanne and Joey’s advice to teens considering going to residential treatment programs

29:25 DBT - Dialectial Behavior Therapy, working hard in treatment

34:37 Things that have helped Cheyanne survive

36:38 How Cheyanne’s steered clear of the addiction route

41:23 Cheyanne’s plans for the future

44:13 Cheyanne’s advice for adoptive & foster parents

46:25 Cheyanne’s advice for teens

47:30 What Joey admires about Cheyanne

--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/safe-home-podcast/message

15 Jan 2022Somatic Experiencing (SE) with Emily Jaworski Koriath - Ep 2501:02:53

Emily Jaworski Koriath talks with Beth about the intersection between her career as a singer and voice teacher, her own trauma, and Somatic Experiencing, a body-centered method of healing trauma that she has found to be extremely effective for herself and others.

===============

Emily Jaworski Koriath’s Information:

Emily’s Website: https://www.emilyjaworskikoriath.com/

 

Other things mentioned in this episode:

Alexander Technique: https://alexandertechnique.com/

Steven Porges’ Polyvagal Theory: https://www.polyvagalinstitute.org/ and his book The Polyvagal Theory: The Pocket Guide to the Polyvagal Theory: The Transformative Power of Feeling Safe

Sharon Loeschen’s Safe Home episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEuFl8lg9yw&t=1s

Helping Clients Move Forward from Developmental Trauma--An Integrative Somatic Approach by Kathy L. Kain

To Write Love On Her Arms

Dr. Peter Levine’s Somatic Experiencing resources and education: https://www.somaticexperiencing.com/

Voice and Trauma Research and Connection Group

Rilke’s poem with “No feeling is final”: https://onbeing.org/poetry/go-to-the-limits-of-your-longing/

===============

TIME STAMPS:

1:43 Emily’s unusual music career journey

5:20 How Emily’s interest in trauma work began

8:40 The connection between Emily’s singing voice and trauma

10:51 Emily’s trauma

13:05 Emily’s voice students’ trauma and her responsibility as a teacher

18:38 Connections with our animals

19:44 Modeling self-care and co-regulation

24:02 Emily’s openness around her depression

28:00 Somatic Experiencing

35:00 Car accident example

40:16 Disconnection from our body

44:30 SE on Zoom

51:00 How Emily’s SE sessions are structured

 

===============

 

Safe Home is created by Joseph Nakao and his moms Beth Syverson and Jan Mabie

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

Email questions or comments to Safe Home at SafeHomePodcast@gmail.com

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube

Support Safe Home on Patreon

 

--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/safe-home-podcast/message

25 Sep 2023Troubling Tropes in Media's Adoption Stories with Kira Omans - Ep 11200:34:58

Troubling Tropes in Media's Adoption Stories with Kira Omans

"Adoptees are so infantilized in media and just seen as subjects in need of rescue and that they were given an opportunity at a better life." - Kira Omans

In a world where narratives shape our perceptions, Kira Omans defies expectations. As a transracial adoptee from China, she carries a tale waiting to unfold. But when she stepped into the glimmering lights of Los Angeles that she became more aware of the cruel twist that media had woven for adoptees. With a fire in her heart and a determination in her eyes, Kira has embarked on a journey to challenge the harmful stereotypes in media.

In this episode, you will be able to:

  • Look anew at insidious adoption narratives in mainstream media and discover their lasting effects.

  • Explore the unique identity challenges that transracial adoptees encounter.

  • Understand the implications of white saviorism in shaping false adoption narratives.

  • Identify pervasive and harmful stereotypes about adoptees portrayed in popular culture.

  • Understand the vital importance of hearing adoption stories directly from the adoptees themselves.

===============

 

📆 Community Calendar: UnravelingAdoption.com/Calendar

💌Sign up for our Unraveling Adoption email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

 

===============

My special guest is Kira Omans

With a heart for advocacy and a passion for performing, Kira Omans is a force to be reckoned with in the media industry. As an Asian-American adoptee, Kira was raised in a mostly white community in Alexandria, Virginia, and her unique upbringing has significant influence on her career and activism today. As an actor, stunt person, and voiceover artist now based in Los Angeles, she has landed roles which showcaseher talent and commitment to her craft. Yet, more important to her than the glamour of Hollywood, is the work she's doing to challenge and change demeaning adoption narratives within media spaces. Kira is dedicated to ensuring that adoptees, particularly those from transracial backgrounds, are portrayed more accurately and respectfully in their on-screen representations.

The resources mentioned in this episode are:

  • Visit Kira Omans' website to watch her stunt reel and learn more about her work in front of the camera and microphone: https://www.kiraomans.com/

  • Click on Kira's social media links:  Linktree  |  Instagram  |  Facebook  |  TikTok

  • Check out Kira's new database for Adoptees in Media, and add your own name if you work professionally in the media: bit.ly/adopteesinentertainment

  • Support Chinese Adoptee Alliance, an organization that Kira Omans is involved with, by visiting their website and considering a donation or getting involved in their advocacy work: https://www.fccny.org/

  • Watch the movie Crazy Rich Asians to support the representation of Asian actors and actresses in the film industry: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3104988/

  • Consider watching the Barbie movie featuring Simu Liu, an Asian actor breaking barriers in Hollywood: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1517268

  • Watch the film JoyRide that Kira mentions in this episode: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13515090

Other Resources:

 

 

===============

 

Unraveling Adoption is produced and hosted by Beth Syverson

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

Email questions or comments to Beth@UnravelingAdoption.com

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube

Support Unraveling Adoption on Patreon: Patreon.com/UnravelingAdoption

www.UnravelingAdoption.com

 

===============

Explore unique identity challenges
The identity challenges that adoptees face, particularly transracial adoptees, are unique and complex. Nearly always wading through questions of identity and belonging, these individuals often grapple with a meaningful connection to their culture of origin. Exploring these unique challenges is essential in acknowledging and understanding the multifaceted narratives that every adoptee carries within, thereby preventing oversimplification or misconstruction of their identities in media.

Understand implications of white saviorism
The implications of white saviorism are deeply embedded within adoption narratives, often overshadowing the voices of adoptees. This common trope centers the narrative on adoptive parents rather than the adoptees themselves, creating an imbalanced representation. Grasping the nuances of these implications will challenge and change the prevailing discourse in the media by encouraging a balanced, adoptee-centric narrative.

Timestamped summary of this episode:

00:01:16 - Kira's Adoption Story,
Kira shares that she was adopted from Zhongshan, China at ten months old and raised in Alexandria, Virginia by white adoptive parents in a predominantly white community. She also discusses her connection to her Chinese culture through Chinese dance and Chinese school.

00:02:22 - Acting Career and Adoption,
Kira talks about her love for acting and how her adoption story may have influenced her career choice. She shares that initially, she was offered small stereotypical roles, but has seen a positive shift in the industry since the release of Crazy Rich Asians.

00:06:29 - Cultural Identity and Representation,
Kira discusses the challenges of navigating cultural identity as an adoptee and feeling excluded from certain aspects of Asian American culture. She emphasizes that adoptees are still valid members of the diaspora and talks about the importance of representation in media.

00:10:40 - Progress in the Entertainment Industry,
Kira expresses her optimism about the progress being made in the entertainment industry regarding Asian representation. She shares that she feels supported by her agent and manager in pursuing meaningful roles and representing herself authentically.

00:13:26 - The controversy surrounding Michael Oher's story,
The guest discusses her frustration with the fact that Michael Oher, the subject of the film and book The Blind Side, did not receive any financial compensation. She also highlights the discrepancy in accounts between Oher's "adoptive" father and brother.

00:14:37 - The importance of evidence in court,
The guest expresses hope that Michael Oher has gathered enough evidence to support his claims before going public with his story. She emphasizes the need for him to prove these things in court.

00:15:19 - Adoption revelations and paper trails,
The guest discusses how many adoptees, including Michael Oher, find out about important details of their adoption later in life. She reflects on the challenges of discovering that you were not legally adopted and the difficulty of finding information about one's birth family.

00:16:49 - Adoption narratives in media,
The guest criticizes the portrayal of adoption in movies like The Blind Side and Instant Family, highlighting the white saviorism and infantilization of adoptees. She argues that these narratives promote harmful stereotypes and overlook the adoptee experience.

00:20:28 - Tropes and harmful narratives in movies and TV,
The guest discusses the prevalence of the orphan trope in movies and how it simplifies the adoptee experience. She also highlights the harmful narrative that reunion with birth parents is the ultimate resolution for adoptees, emphasizing that this is not always possible or desirable.

00:28:23 - Exclusion in Media Representation,
The guest expresses feeling excluded by the narrative of the film Joyride due to the lack of adoptee representation. They discuss the importance of adoptees having ownership of their own stories and the negative impact of adoption being used as a punchline or insult in media.

00:29:53 - Positive Representation in This Is Us,
The guest praises the portrayal of a transracial adoptee character in the TV show This Is Us and highlights the involvement of Angela Tucker, a knowledgeable transracial black adoptee, as a consultant. They emphasize the importance of accurate and complex depictions of adoptees' stories.

00:31:10 - Involving Adoptees in Media,
The guest encourages the involvement of adoptees in the media industry, both as consultants and in creative roles. They suggest hiring adoptees early in the process to ensure accurate representation and avoid exploitative portrayals.

00:32:03 - Reflecting on Adoption's Role in Storytelling,
The guest advises media creators to reflect on whether adoption is necessary to the plotline and if they are the right person to tell an adoptee's story. They stress the importance of doing research and respecting the adoption community before involving adoptees in the storytelling process.

00:33:16 - Amplifying the Message,
The host encourages listeners to share the episode with people in the media industry to raise awareness about the impact of inaccurate and hurtful adoption tropes. 

 

06 Feb 2023Moving Beyond Adoption Using Magnetic Mind with Kat Linquist - Ep 7900:54:40

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: On Saturday, March 11, Unraveling Adoption is hosting a free webinar called Moving Beyond Adoption - An Immersive Experience with Kat Linquist so you all can experience this amazing work that Kat does. It’s 10am-noon PST on Saturday, March 11, 2023. Tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/moving-beyond-adoption-an-immersive-experience-with-kat-linquist-tickets-532651855037

If you are curious about how Magnetic Mind can help you in your adoption journey - or with any blockage in your life - come on over on March 11 to check it out. The event is open to anyone 18 and older. You don’t have to be an adoptee to attend.

===============

In this week’s Unraveling Adoption podcast, Beth talks with Kat Linquist, an adoptee, an intuitive, and a practitioner of a transformation modality called Magnetic Mind. She has done her own release work around her adoption trauma using this process based on neuroscience. She will be sharing her adoption story and how she helps adoptees heal with this healing modality. At the end of this episode we will be telling you about a free workshop where Kat will be demonstrating this technique. So stick around to the end to hear all the details. 

===============

💌 Sign up for our Safe Home Families email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===============

RESOURCES:

Kat’s information:

 

Other Resources:

===============

Unraveling Adoption is produced and hosted by Beth Syverson

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

Email questions or comments to Beth@UnravelingAdoption.com

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube

Support Unraveling Adoption on Patreon: Patreon.com/UnravelingAdoption

www.UnravelingAdoption.com

===============

TIME STAMPS

  2:02 Kat’s adoption story - the big disconnect

 8:00 What prompted Kat’s search for her birth family?

11:00 Kat’s first experience with Magnetic Mind - a major transformation and reunion

22:00 No human can escape without some sort of trauma. How can we rewrite our trauma narrative?

28:51 Magnetic Mind can take people back into their lineage to repair damage done

30:57 Does Kat consider herself healed from adoption trauma?

34:25 Focusing on what we want to create through Magnetic Mind

36:53 Beth shares her experience with Kat using Magnetic Mind on her

46:25 What modalities are wrapped into Magnetic Mind?

49:35 How Kat works with people who want to heal using Magnetic Mind, including a FREE webinar we’re hosting on March 11 (Get FREE tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/moving-beyond-adoption-an-immersive-experience-with-kat-linquist-tickets-532651855037)



14 Oct 2024Creative Paths to Healing Childhood Trauma with Jonathan Moon - Ep 16700:45:07

“I'm telling all the skeptics who may be listening, just go in there with an open mind because you're not going to lose anything. You have so much more to gain.” - Jonathan Moon

 

EPISODE SUMMARY:

In this episode of Unraveling Adoption, I had the privilege of speaking with Jonathan Moon, an adopted person who has navigated the complexities of relinquishment and adoption trauma. Jonathan's journey began in Korea, where he faced significant challenges as a child, including living on the streets and experiencing significant instability. He was adopted to the U.S. at the age of nine and has recently embarked on a path of healing and self-discovery.

Jonathan shared his unique story, including his reunion with his grandmother through a Korean TV show and the emotional complexities surrounding his birth family. He discussed the struggles he faced growing up, including the impact of his father's alcoholism and abuse, and how these experiences shaped his identity.

Throughout our conversation, Jonathan emphasized the importance of community and connection among adoptees, highlighting how sharing similar experiences can foster understanding and healing. He also opened up about his journey toward healing, which has included acting classes, therapy, and alternative healing practices like myofascial release and ketamine therapy.

Jonathan's story is a testament to resilience and the ongoing process of healing from trauma. He is currently working on an artistic film titled Voice of Waters, which aims to share his experiences and insights with a broader audience. I encourage listeners to check out his website and support his work.

===============

📘Get our new book Adoption and Suicidality: amazon.com/Adoption-Suicidality-Healthcare-Professionals-Unraveling/dp/B0DCBCTSLL

📆 Community Calendar: UnravelingAdoption.com/Calendar

✨Healing the Adoption Constellation database: UnravelingAdoption.com/Healing

💌Sign up for our Unraveling Adoption email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===============

RESOURCES:

Jonathan’s information:

Other Resource Mentioned in the episode:

Other Resources:

===============

Unraveling Adoption is produced and hosted by Beth Syverson

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

Email questions or comments to Beth@UnravelingAdoption.com

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube

Support Unraveling Adoption on Patreon: http://Patreon.com/UnravelingAdoption

Check out our website: http://UnravelingAdoption.com

Create your own podcast through Libsyn: https://signup.libsyn.com/?promo_code=ADOPTION

===============

Please rate (*****) and/or review Unraveling Adoption in Apple Podcasts and Spotify (even if you listen to it on another app). Your feedback will help more listeners find our episodes. Thank you!

===============

TIME STAMPS:

00:00:00 - Introduction to Unraveling Adoption
Welcome to the podcast and introduction of host Beth Syverson and guest Jonathan Moon.

00:01:14 - Meeting at Untangling Our Roots
Discussion about the adoption conference where Beth and Jonathan met.

00:02:51 - Jonathan's Early Life
Jonathan shares his background, including his birth parents and early memories.

00:05:48 - Life with His Grandmother
Description of Jonathan's childhood living with his maternal grandmother.

00:08:00 - Transition to Living with His Father
Jonathan recounts the move to live with his birth father and half-brothers.

00:09:20 - Challenges at His Father's Home
Jonathan discusses the difficulties he faced living with his father and brothers.

00:12:52 - Living on the Streets
Jonathan shares his experiences of running away and living on the streets.

00:15:04 - Adoption Process
Jonathan describes how he was adopted to the U.S. and his initial thoughts.

00:18:34 - First Days in America
Jonathan reflects on his arrival in the U.S. and the adjustment to his new life.

00:20:34 - Family Dynamics
Discussion about Jonathan's adoptive family and his place within it.

00:22:05 - Struggles with Trauma
Jonathan opens up about the impact of his past traumas on his life.

00:23:24 - Military Experience
Jonathan talks about his time in the military and coping mechanisms.

00:24:18 - Reunion with Birth Family
Jonathan shares the story of his reunion with his grandmother and birth mother.

00:27:33 - Confronting His Birth Father
Discussion about Jonathan's decision to not reunite with his birth father.

00:28:55 - Journey to Healing
Jonathan discusses his healing journey and the steps he has taken.

00:29:24 - Acting and Self-Discovery
How acting classes helped Jonathan confront his trauma.

00:31:20 - Therapy and Healing Modalities
Jonathan shares his experiences with therapy and alternative healing methods.

00:33:22 - Myofascial Release Therapy
Description of myofascial therapy and its impact on Jonathan's healing.

00:35:16 - Ketamine Therapy
Jonathan discusses his experiences with ketamine therapy and its transformative effects.

00:37:43 - Profound Experiences with Ketamine
Jonathan recounts a significant session where he felt a deep connection with his family.

00:40:31 - Exploring Other Healing Practices
Jonathan talks about trying Reiki and other energy work.

00:41:34 - Creating Voice of Waters
Discussion about Jonathan's film project and its significance in his healing journey.

00:42:42 - Closing Thoughts and Resources
Beth encourages listeners to explore Jonathan's work and upcoming events related to adoption.

 

25 Dec 2021Adoption Story with Brenda Bash Cooper - Ep 2100:49:47

In this episode of Safe Home Podcast, Beth talks with a childhood friend Brenda Bash Cooper about her own adoption experience and how it informs her work with traumatized crime victims at her job. She and Joey -  and countless other adopted people - share that deep-down feeling of unworthiness. In her experience, Brenda attributes that feeling to her relinquishment trauma. Whether your family is touched by adoption or you’re just curious, this chat will inspire you to think deeper on the topic.

===============

💌 Sign up for our Safe Home Families email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===============

Safe Home is created by Joseph Nakao and his moms Beth Syverson and Jan Mabie

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

Cover art by Joseph Nakao, photo by Beth Syverson, with design help from Nina Smith

Email questions or comments to Safe Home at SafeHomePodcast@gmail.com

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube

Support Safe Home on Patreon

===============

RESOURCES:

Other Parents Like Me -  https://www.facebook.com/other.parents.like.me

Heather Ross - Life Coaching for Parents of Addicted Teens: https://heatherrosscoaching.com/

Find a Tele-Therapist: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/online-counseling

Beth mentions the book The Primal Wound in this episode. It’s life-changing reading for adoptive families.

===============

TIME STAMPS:

1:45 Brenda’s current life

3:34 Brenda’s adoption story

7:02 “not good enough” - adoption and attachment

12:12 Adoption trauma and healing

17:40 Reconciliation with biological father

31:41 Reconciliation with biological mother

39:46 Trauma experience and Brenda’s work with crime victims

--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/safe-home-podcast/message
27 Jan 2024Breaking Free: Reclaiming Identity as an Intercountry Adoptee with Sariah Baker - Ep 13000:46:32

“I think for adoptees, my biggest advice for them is to ask if you need something. Whether it be therapy, whether it's understanding your story, whether it's being able to know your identity, ask. And if they don't want to tell you, keep asking.” -- Sariah Baker

In this episode, you will be able to:

  • Understand the profound influence of adoption trauma on self-identity and self-worth.

  • Discover the unique struggles and triumphs faced by intercountry adoptees in the LGBTQ+ community.

  • Recognize the pivotal role adoptive parents play in supporting the unique needs and experiences of intercountry adoptees.

  • Learn about effective therapeutic approaches that empower intercountry adoptees to navigate their complex identities and experiences.

  •  Observe a journey of self-discovery and personal growth as an intercountry adoptee sheds limiting labels and societal expectations.

===============

📆 Community Calendar: UnravelingAdoption.com/Calendar

✨Healing the Adoption Constellation database: UnravelingAdoption.com/Healing

💌Sign up for our Unraveling Adoption email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===============

My special guest is Sariah Baker

Sariah Baker, a 31-year-old human resources manager living in Portland, Oregon, brings a unique perspective to the complexities of intercountry and interracial adoption. As an intercountry adoptee from China, raised in a white Mormon family, Sariah's story delves into the intricate layers of identity she has navigated throughout her life. Her experiences offer valuable insights into the challenges and triumphs of finding and embracing one's true identity.

The resources mentioned in this episode are:

Other resources:

===============

Uncovering the Impact of Adoption Trauma
Adoption trauma can have long-lasting effects on an adoptee. It can shake one's self-perception and fuel internal struggles, particularly in relation to identity. Helping adoptees navigate and heal from such trauma requires understanding, patience, and therapeutic intervention.

Embracing the Vital Role of Adoptive Parents
Adoptive parents play a crucial role in mitigating the impacts of adoption trauma and providing an accepting space for their children. They hold the responsibility of fostering open communication, providing emotional support, and celebrating the unique backgrounds of their adoptees. Proper understanding and support from adoptive parents can significantly aid in an adoptee's journey towards self-acceptance and self-discovery.

===============

Unraveling Adoption is produced and hosted by Beth Syverson

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

Email questions or comments to Beth@UnravelingAdoption.com

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube

Support Unraveling Adoption on Patreon: Patreon.com/UnravelingAdoption

Check out our website: www.UnravelingAdoption.com

Create your own podcast through Libsyn: https://signup.libsyn.com/?promo_code=ADOPTION

===============

Timestamped summary of this episode:
00:00:00 - Introduction and Background
Beth introduces the podcast and the guest, Sariah Baker, an intercountry adoptee from China raised in a white Mormon family. Sariah briefly shares her background and the circumstances of her adoption.

00:02:47 - Challenges of Adoption
Sariah discusses the complexities of her adoption, including the traumatic experiences in the orphanage and the challenges of being raised in a white Mormon family as a Chinese adoptee.

00:06:53 - Struggles with Identity and Trauma
Sariah shares her struggles with trauma, perfectionism, and navigating her sexuality within the context of her Mormon upbringing, leading to emotional pain and self-medication with large quantities of Ibuprofen.

00:10:15 - Seeking Help and Recovery
Sariah recounts seeking help for her mental health struggles and the impact of institutional treatment on breaking free from perfectionism and allowing herself to feel emotions.

00:11:28 - The Dangers of Self-Medication
Sariah and Beth discuss the dangers of self-medication with Ibuprofen, highlighting the need for parents to secure over-the-counter medications and the underlying psychological need for control in such situations.

00:12:04 - Overcoming Struggles with Therapy
Sariah shares her experience with therapy, including DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) and talk therapy, to overcome feelings of perfectionism and unmask her true self.

00:13:24 - Faith Crisis and Identity Struggle
Sariah discusses her struggle with her faith and identity crisis, including grappling with her sexuality and the impact of her environment on her mental health.

00:14:37 - Battle with Bipolar Disorder
Sariah opens up about her battle with bipolar disorder, including her suicide attempt and the importance of seeking help.

00:19:39 - Search for Birth Family
Sariah talks about her ongoing journey to find her birth family, including her experience with DNA testing and the challenges she faces in this quest for self-discovery.

00:22:53 - Family Support and Validation
Sariah reflects on the lack of support and validation from her adoptive family in her search for her birth family, emphasizing the importance of understanding and support in an adoptee's journey of self-discovery.

00:23:57 - Responsibilities of Adoptive Parents
Sariah and Beth discuss the important responsibilities of adoptive parents, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach to supporting the emotional and healing needs of adopted children, as well as being prepared for potential reunions and therapy.

00:25:08 - Challenges of Intercountry Adoption
Sariah and the host discuss the unexpected challenges and expenses of intercountry adoption, including the need for multiple trips to the child's country of origin, potential reunions, and therapy. They highlight the importance of adoptive parents being prepared for these aspects.

00:28:25 - Cultural Awareness and Identity
Sariah shares her experience of growing up in a predominantly white and Mormon culture, where her Chinese identity and culture were not fully integrated. She discusses the impact of not being encouraged to explore her cultural heritage and the implications for adoptees.

00:31:56 - Family Dynamics and Healing
Sariah reflects on her complex relationship with her adoptive family, expressing a desire for a more nurturing and supportive dynamic. She discusses the challenges of navigating her trauma and seeking acknowledgment and understanding from her family.

00:34:04 - Challenges of Identity and Acceptance
Sariah delves into the challenges of navigating her identity as a former Mormon, her sexuality, and the pressure to conform to societal expectations. She shares her struggle with feeling judged by her family and the difficulty of making personal choices.

00:35:42 - Impact of self-talk and internal struggles
Sariah discusses the unhealthy impact of self-talk and the internal struggles she faces as an adoptee, including feelings of being a bad person and the trauma of abandonment.

00:36:33 - Adoptive parents' reinforcement and expectations
Sariah shares how adoptive parents' reinforcement and expectations can contribute to an adoptee's struggle with identity and acceptance, highlighting the challenges of being gay in a conservative environment.

00:37:28 - Prioritizing self-needs and coping mechanisms
Sariah talks about prioritizing her own needs and shares coping mechanisms, including the use of poetry as a way to express emotions and the concept of the "backpack of truths" to acknowledge and accept oneself.

00:40:34 - Breaking free from societal labels
Sariah reflects on breaking free from societal labels and embracing her authentic self, emphasizing the importance of personal growth and self-acceptance as an adoptee with multiple identities. Sariah shares a hopeful poem she wrote called “Walls Versus Gates.”

00:44:28 - Advice for adoptees and self-discovery
Sariah offers advice for adoptees to seek understanding of their identity and emphasizes the importance of self-discovery and self-acceptance, encouraging others to explore their truths and seek support in their journey.

09 Oct 2021Parent Coaching - with Heather Ross - Ep 1000:39:49

Two moms talk about how they've managed their own lives while trying to support their kids struggling with substances. Beth chats with Heather Ross, who was her and Jan's parenting life coach last year, and who has an amazing podcast called Living With Addiction.

===============

💌 Sign up for our Safe Home Families email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===============

Safe Home is created by Joseph Nakao and his moms Beth Syverson and Jan Mabie

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

Cover art by Joseph Nakao, photo by Beth Syverson, with design help from Nina Smith

Email questions or comments to Safe Home at SafeHomePodcast@gmail.com

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube

Support Safe Home on Patreon

=======================================

Heather Ross - Life Coaching for Parents of Addicted Teens: https://heatherrosscoaching.com/

Here is our life coach Heather Ross’s Living With Addiction podcast episode that is mentioned, on which you can hear Beth, Jan, and Joey as her guests.  Subscribe to her podcast to listen to her other episodes too!

Find Heather Ross Coaching on Facebook and Instagram.

Find a life coach on any number of topics at https://thelifecoachschool.com/

=======================================

RESOURCES:

Here are some resources for teens and others who are struggling right now:

 

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: call 800-273-8255 - 24/7

Lifeline Chat: https://Suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat - 24/7

Teen Line: call 310-855-HOPE   6-10pm PST  Or text TEEN to 839863  Talk to other trained teens

Youthline:  call 877-968-8491   4-10pm PST   Or text Teen2Teen to 839863.

Need2Text: text TALK to 38255    24/7

 

And here are some resources for therapy, coaching, and counseling:

 

Find a Tele-Therapist: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/online-counseling

Miguel Rosell - Guided Core Integration: https://miguelrosell.com/

Heather Ross - Life Coaching for Parents of Addicted Teens: https://heatherrosscoaching.com/

 

TIME STAMPS:

2:05 What is life coaching?

2:50 Parents can’t stop their kid from using substances

7:30 How to deal with parental guilt about the past

10:47 How to deal with parental anxiety about the future

13:14 Heather’s history with her daughter and life coaching

17:10 Parental support that Beth experienced (or not)

20:40 Beth taking care of Beth so she could take care of Joey

22:04 Parent coaching can help every relationship

24:05 How Beth’s and Heather’s kids want to help others with our podcasts

26:58 Heather’s experience with AA and Alanon

28:00 Releasing judgment for families with struggling teens

31:50 The self-coaching model that Heather uses - Think/Feel/Act cycle

36:40 How to find Heather Ross Coaching

37:10 How to find any life coach in general - Life Coach School

--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/safe-home-podcast/message

16 May 2022Safe Home Families Update with Jan & Beth - Ep 4200:43:20

In this week’s Safe Home Podcast, Beth and Jan, Joey’s moms, give a State of the Family update. They talk about what’s been happening with all 3 family members, and share their vision for Safe Home Families as well.

===============

💌 Sign up for our Safe Home Families email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===============

RESOURCES:

Safe Home Families information:

Other Resources:

===============

Safe Home is created by Joseph Nakao and Beth Syverson

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

Cover art by Joseph Nakao, photo by Beth Syverson

Email questions or comments to Safe Home at Hello@SafeHomeFamilies.com

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube

Support Safe Home on Patreon - https://Patreon.com/SafeHome

===============

TIME STAMPS:

1:30 Family updates - Beth, Jan, and Joey

6:03 How Beth and Jan work together to maintain boundaries

13:48 Changing the things we can, which often prompts change in the family system

14:53 Adolescence and wanting more independence

23:50 Changing geography to try to solve problems

25:25 How our boundaries bring us peace and sanity

27:00 Safe Home Podcast expands to Safe Home Families

28:12 New support system for adoptive parents is coming

32:09 A boost in hope for Joey’s future

33:48 Our Patreon account - thanks to our current Patreon members - Camille, Susan, Nina, Rica, Mara, and Steve & Barbara

37:42 Huge gratitude for our first sponsor - Beth & Laurie Hansen

--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/safe-home-podcast/message
09 Jan 2023A Birth Mother's Perspective with Leslie Pate Mackinnon - Ep 7500:48:09

We are just switching our name from Safe Home Podcast to Unraveling Adoption, and this is the first full episode under our new name. 

In this week’s episode, Beth Syverson chats with Leslie Pate Mackinnon, a licensed clinical social worker and an adoption activist for the past 30 years. Leslie is a seasoned and well-respected therapist in the adoption community. She is a nationally known trainer who travels across the country training therapists, agencies and child welfare workers about the psychological issues inherent in adoption and third-party reproduction. Following four decades of successful practice in Atlanta, Leslie and her husband relocated to Asheville, NC. 

Leslie comes to this work by way of being a birthmother in the 1960s, the Baby Scoop Era. She understands adoption trauma deeply, both as a lived experience and as a therapist for all members in the adoption constellation - adoptees, birthparents, and adoptive parents. On Safe Home Podcast, we’ve had 8 episodes so far with adoptees, and 1 episode with another adoptive parent, but this is our first episode from the birth mom’s perspective, which is a super-critical piece of this puzzle.

===============

💌 Sign up for our Unraveling Adoption email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===============

RESOURCES:

Leslie’s information:

Other resource mentioned in this episode:

Other Resources:

===============

Unraveling Adoption is produced and hosted by Beth Syverson

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

Email questions or comments to Beth@UnravelingAdoption.com

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube

Support Unraveling Adoption on Patreon: Patreon.com/UnravelingAdoption

www.UnravelingAdoption.com

===============

TIME STAMPS:

  2:00 All voices in adoption matter, and adoptees’ voices come first 

  3:16 Positive adoption language and listening to adult adoptees

  6:35 Birth parents’ stories are often suppressed

  8:16 Leslie’s birth parent experience #1

16:08 Adoptees and birth parents both get stuck in culture’s judgements about adoption

17:03 Coping with trauma with substances, the intersection between adoption and addiction

25:30 Adoptive parents talking openly with their children about their adoption

28:35 Leslie’s birth parent experience #2

33:25 Birth parents’ difficulties, then and now

39:00 The importance of family preservation, and Follow the Money

44:10 How Leslie & Beth are dealing with their past regrets

16 Oct 2021Depression - Ep 1100:32:18

Beth and Joey compare notes about the way depression feels for each of them. (This episode was recorded several weeks ago, before Joey's  relapse.)

===============

💌 Sign up for our Safe Home Families email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===============

Safe Home is created by Joseph Nakao and his moms Beth Syverson and Jan Mabie

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

Cover art by Joseph Nakao, photo by Beth Syverson, with design help from Nina Smith

Email questions or comments to Safe Home at SafeHomePodcast@gmail.com

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube

Support Safe Home on Patreon

=======================================

 

RESOURCES:

Here are some resources for teens and others who are struggling right now:

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: call 800-273-8255 - 24/7

Lifeline Chat: https://Suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat - 24/7

Teen Line: call 310-855-HOPE   6-10pm PST  Or text TEEN to 839863  Talk to other trained teens

Youthline:  call 877-968-8491   4-10pm PST   Or text Teen2Teen to 839863.

Need2Text: text TALK to 38255    24/7

 

 

And here are some resources for therapy, coaching, and counseling:

Find a Tele-Therapist: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/online-counseling

Miguel Rosell - Guided Core Integration: https://miguelrosell.com/

Heather Ross - Life Coaching for Parents of Addicted Teens: https://heatherrosscoaching.com/

=======================================

For those listening to these episodes in order, Joey is still in relapse mode at the time of this episode's publication, but it was recorded about 6 weeks ago while he was still living with Beth and Jan.

 

TIME STAMPS:

1:19 What is depression for Joey?

2:08 What is depression for Beth?

3:57 Depression to numb out

4:43 Joey’s first experiences with depression

6:02 Did depression affect Joey’s decision to use substances?

7:06 Drugs as depressants

9:04 How Joey pulls out of a depression cycle

12:47 How Beth pulls out of a depression cycle

13:22 Beth’s depression history

17:48 Passive suicidality and suicide attempts

19:38 How psychedelics mixed with Joey’s depression

22:40 Depression while sober v while using substances

23:31 Dreaming to deal with depression

28:05 The one thing that helps Beth the most with depression

29:48 What Joey suggests for someone struggling right now

--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/safe-home-podcast/message

02 Oct 2023Healing Adoption Trauma Through Alternative Therapies with Ridghaus - Ep 11300:56:31

Reserve your FREE ticket to the Sacred Plant Medicine for Healing the Adoption Constellation webinar featuring Ridghaus as one of the panelists, December 3 at 1pm PST: https://healingadoptiontrauma.eventbrite.com


"Somatic therapy starts to move the body...taking breaths, activating the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems so that I started to have full body sensation as we talked about different things." - Ridghaus

In the depths of his journey through adoption, Ridghaus faced a powerful twist that would forever alter his path. What began as a selfless decision to relinquish this son for adoption suddenly transformed into a revelation about his own life. A surprising call from a social worker shattered his previous beliefs and opened new doors of possibility.

In this episode, you will be able to:

  • Understand the complexities of the adoptee experience and gain insights into its unique challenges and perspectives.

  • Learn about trauma in the adoption constellation, and discover strategies for supporting healing and resilience.

  • Recognize the importance of support and community for adoptees, and discover resources and networks to help navigate the journey.

  • Discover the potential of psychedelics and Internal Family Systems therapy as innovative approaches for adoptee healing and personal growth.

My special guest is Ridghaus

Ridghaus is a fascinating and multi-talented individual who brings a unique perspective to the world of adoption. As a "human becoming" and lifelong learner, Ridghaus has explored various roles and identities, including being an archaeologist of cultural artifacts, a Dudeist priest, a poet, a teacher, a filmmaker, and a guide for others's journeys. His personal experiences with adoption have deeply shaped his understanding of the complexities within the adoption constellation. From relinquishing a son in an open adoption to discovering his own adoption later in life, Ridghaus has navigated the emotional terrain of adoption with resilience and introspection. His journey and his use of a controversial healing modality have provided him with valuable insights that he generously shares with others. Join us in this episode as we delve into Ridghaus' unique perspective and gain a deeper understanding of trauma and healing in the adoption journey.

===============

📆 Community Calendar: UnravelingAdoption.com/Calendar

💌Sign up for our Unraveling Adoption email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===============

The resources mentioned in this episode are:

  • Check out Ridghaus House's creative work, Six Word Adoption Memoirs: https://vimeo.com/211568644

  • Attend the next Untangling our Roots summit this spring to connect with others in the adoption community: https://untanglingourroots.org/

  • Consider working with an adoption competent therapist to navigate the complexities of adoption. Check out the Adoptee Therapist Directory here: https://growbeyondwords.com/adoptee-therapist-directory/

  • Find support for adult children of alcoholics here: https://adultchildren.org/

  • Have you read The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk yet? https://www.amazon.com/Body-Keeps-Score-Healing-Trauma/dp/B08TX585RN

  • Find out more about Internal Family Systems (IFS) here: https://ifs-institute.com/

  • Here are the books that are mentioned toward the end of the episode:

    • How To Change Your Mind by Michael Pollan: https://www.amazon.com/Change-Your-Mind-Consciousness-Transcendence/dp/0735224153

    • This Is Your Mind on Plants by Michael Pollan: https://www.amazon.com/This-Your-Mind-Plants/dp/B08RF1K2LD

    • The Botany of Desire by Michael Pollan: https://www.amazon.com/Botany-Desire-Plants-Eye-View-World/dp/B0B3L6G9F5

    • Braiding Sweet Grass by Robin Wall Kimmerer: https://www.amazon.com/Braiding-Sweetgrass-audiobook/dp/B01H4772CU

    • The Doors of Perception by Aldous Huxley: https://www.amazon.com/The-Doors-of-Perception-audiobook/dp/B002LCSVB0

Other Resources:

===============

Unraveling Adoption is produced and hosted by Beth Syverson

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

Email questions or comments to Beth@UnravelingAdoption.com

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube

Support Unraveling Adoption on Patreon: Patreon.com/UnravelingAdoption

www.UnravelingAdoption.com

Understand Adoptee Complexities
Adoptees often navigate a myriad of complex emotions and experiences related to their adoption. By gaining a deep understanding of these complexities, adoptive parents can better support their children in their unique journeys. This inclusive insight assists adoptive parents in forming a healthy, resilient dynamic within their family.

Explore Trauma and Somatic Experiences
It's critical for parents and caregivers to recognize the impact of trauma that can exist within the bodies of adoptees, even when it may not be expressed verbally. Moreover, somatic experiences like yoga or hip work can provide a gateway to this unexpressed or 'bodily' trauma. The exploration of these traumas can offer an alternate healing approach besides traditional talk therapies.

Recognize Importance of Support
Support plays an indispensable role in the healing journey of an adoptee, whether it be professional aid from therapists or somatic practitioners, or a comforting community that understands their experiences. Adoptees can benefit greatly from being surrounded by individuals who validate their emotions and experiences associated with adoption. Shared resonance creates a sense of belonging, and supportive spaces aid in articulating feelings productively.

Timestamped summary of this episode:

00:01:26 - Ridg's Connections to Adoption,
Ridg shares that his first connection to adoption was through relinquishing a son at 19. He also discovered his own adoption at 35. He discusses the challenges of being a biological father in an open adoption and the lack of support for biological fathers in adoption spaces.

00:05:20 - Discovering His Adoption,
Ridg discusses his estranged relationship with his adoptive parents and their denial of his adoption. He shares the emotional impact of discovering his adoption and the importance of support and therapy in the reunion process.

00:08:59 - Reunion with Birth Mother,
Ridg shares that his birth mother was looking for him and they have been in reunion since. He reflects on the challenges of the reunion process and the need for adoption-competent therapy to navigate the complexities of reunion.

00:10:26 - Adoptive Parent Perspective,
Ridg discusses the delicate balance adoptive parents face in supporting their child's search for their birth family. He emphasizes the importance of adoptive parents doing their own personal work and being supportive without pressuring their child.

00:15:37 - The Body Keeps the Score and Somatic Experience,
Trauma lives in the body and is experienced pre-verbally. Somatic experiences, like yoga, can access and work through these traumas in a different way than just talking about them. Hips store pre-verbal memory.

00:17:11 - Finding Support and Safe Spaces,
It's important to have a support system and be in a safe space when delving into trauma. This can include therapists, somatic practitioners, or even trusted friends. Online and in-person communities can provide a sense of belonging.

00:18:19 - Survivor Bonds and Adoption as Trauma,
Adoptees often form tight bonds with others who have had similar experiences, creating a sense of belonging and understanding. Adoption can be seen as a traumatic experience, but societal narratives often suppress this perspective, making it important for adoptees to find validation and support.

00:20:10 - Acceptance and Understanding at Adoption Conferences,
Adoption conferences provide a space for adoptees to express themselves and be understood without judgment. The connections made at these conferences are deep and rooted in shared experiences of trauma and identity. Non-adoptive attendees can also find acceptance and understanding.

00:22:08 - The Challenges of Adoptive Parenthood,
Adoptive parents often bear the brunt of adoptees' pain and anger, as they are the immediate connection to the adoption experience. It's important for adoptive parents to do their own personal work and educate themselves on adoption trauma.

00:30:33 - The Openness of Internal Family Systems (IFS),
The guest discusses the beauty of Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy and how it allows for flexibility and openness. There is no dogma or strict rules, and individuals can personalize the therapy to fit their needs.

00:31:11 - Understanding Suicidal Parts in IFS,
The host shares a personal experience of working with a suicidal part with her son. She explains that this part is not trying to kill the person, but rather to eliminate the pain. Understanding this has been helpful in managing the suicidal part and keeping Joey alive.

00:31:54 - IFS Therapy and Psychedelics,
The guest practices IFS therapy and also incorporates psychedelics into their work. He explain that psychedelics can be a powerful tool for healing and awakening, but emphasizes the importance of having a sitter or guide during the experience. Integration is also crucial for lasting change.

00:35:18 - Different Doses of Psychedelics,
The guest explains the different doses of psychedelics, from micro-dosing to heroic doses. They clarify that a heroic dose is not about slaying a dragon, but about deepening the journey and seeking major healing or awakening. He also emphasizes the importance of integration after the experience.

00:40:00 - The Transformative Power of Psychedelics,
Both the guest and the host share their personal experiences with psychedelics and the transformative experiences they've had.

00:45:53 - The Importance of Protecting the Inner Child,
The guest emphasizes the importance of being fiercely protective of one's inner child and offers various therapeutic approaches to connect with and understand this part of oneself, including talk therapy and somatic therapy. Psychedelics, when used in conjunction with Internal Family Systems therapy, can provide immediate access to the Protector and facilitate a conversation with the inner child.

00:46:55 - Exploring Deep Emotional Spaces with Psychedelics,
Psychedelics allow individuals to delve into pre-verbal and cultural burdens that may be affecting their well-being. By facing these deep-rooted issues with the guidance of a therapist, adoptees can find healing and a greater sense of wholeness.

00:48:11 - Symbolic Experiences and Healing,
Ridg shares a personal experience with symbolism during a psychedelic journey, where holding a penny with images of Abraham Lincoln and a shark represented something deeper than just money. This symbolic experience brought about a sense of ease and helped lessen the impact of the guest's adoption-related concerns.

00:49:46 - Psychedelics as a Tool for Adoptees,
Psychedelics, when used in a therapeutic context, can be a powerful tool for adoptees carrying cultural burdens and unresolved trauma. By engaging in preparatory work and integrating experiences, adoptees may find themselves more capable of taking on the challenges and healing on a profound level.

00:53:07 - Honoring Indigenous Knowledge and Ancient Practices,
Ridg and Beth acknowledge the rich cultural history and knowledge about plant medicines that Indigenous people hold. Even though psychedelics are re-emerging in our culture, it's important to remember that these medicines are ancient and come from a deeply spiritual context.

05 Dec 2022An Unforgettable Adoption Reunion Story with Doris Blumenthal - Ep 7001:00:14

In this week’s Safe Home Podcast, Beth talks with Doris Blumenthal, an adopted person who lives in Northern California. Her adoption story is one of the adoptee narratives in the documentary Reckoning with the Primal Wound, which you’ve probably heard me talking about before. The filmmaker Rebecca Autumn Sansom was on this podcast in Episode 30. If you haven’t seen Reckoning with the Primal Wound yet, I highly recommend it, and I also want to let you know that this episode contains spoilers.

===============

💌 Sign up for our Safe Home Families email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===============

RESOURCES:

Resources mentioned in this episode:

===============

Support Safe Home on Patreon: Patreon.com/SafeHome

www.SafeHomeFamilies.com

===============

TIME STAMPS:

2:00 Doris’ adoption story, crossing paths with birth mother in the early days

6:40 The overwhelming need to know one’s biological roots

9:16 Doris’ adoptive parents’ attitude about adoption

11:54 The mysterious photograph and the broken relationship with Doris’ bio brother

13:35 Complex emotions with Doris’ paternal sisters

14:36 Starting the pre-internet search process

18:50 First attempt at finding birth mother

20:15 How DNA searches help

21:11 A common problem for adopted people: lack of health history

21:56 Minnesota sisters and other maternal relatives

22:54 How Arizona’s open records laws enabled Doris to find her birth mother

25:05 Finding Doris’ birth mother’s home - and SPOILER ALERT if you haven’t seen the Reckoning film yet

28:00 Doris’ brother’s attitude toward Doris, privacy v. right to know

31:35 Another amazing coincidence

33:40 More details about the reunion day

38:45 Did she find the mysterious photograph or any other mementos?

40:35 How Doris handles her complicated grief

43:45 Most adopted people have a deep desire to meet their natural parents

45:05 Doris’ dream of ideal records for adopted people

47:33 Backlash from sharing her story in the Reckoning with the Primal Wound documentary

51:34 Doris’ advice for adopted people who are contemplating reunion, and book recommendation

53:30 Doris’ book recommendation - The Primal Wound by Nancy Verrier

56:37 Doris’ advice for adoptive parents regarding reunion

--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/safe-home-podcast/message

20 Mar 2023Retreats for Adoptees with Cindy McQuay - Ep 8500:41:49

In this week’s Unraveling Adoption podcast, Beth talks with Cindy Olson McQuay, an adoptee from Pennsylvania who is the co-founder, with Erin Cosentino, of Hiraeth Healing Retreats for Adoptees, DCPs (Donor Conceived People), LDAs (Late Discovery Adoptees), and NPEs (Not Parent Expected). Cindy is a baby scoop era domestic infant adoptee, and she had a rather idyllic childhood with well-informed and open adoptive parents, which was somewhat unusual at the time.  Besides her work for Hiraeth, she advocates for adoption law reform and educates the public about separation trauma. 

===============

📆 Community Calendar: UnravelingAdoption.com/Calendar

💌Sign up for our Unraveling Adoption email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===============

RESOURCES:

Cindy’s information:

Other things mentioned in this episode:

Other Resources:

===============

Unraveling Adoption is produced and hosted by Beth Syverson

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

Email questions or comments to Beth@UnravelingAdoption.com

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube

Support UnravelingAdoption on Patreon: Patreon.com/UnravelingAdoption

www.UnravelingAdoption.com

===============

TIME STAMPS:

  1:25 Cindy’s adoption story and childhood

  6:40 Cindy’s search for her birth family

10:35 Does a “good adoption” preclude adoption trauma?

15:44 What prompted Cindy to become an adoption activist and search angel?

16:58 Adoption v. Guardianship

18:46 The problems with intercountry adoption and surrogacy

21:49 What is Hiraeth Hope & Healing?

25:25 The overlaps between adoptees, LDAs, DCPs, and NPEs

27:03 What do people experience at Hiraeth retreats? 

31:40 Scholarships ARE available! And help them find mansions to host these retreats 

35:17 Advice for non-adoptees and adoptive parents

21 Oct 2024Educating the Next Generation: Adoption Messages in Children's Books with Allison Olson - Ep 16800:30:57

"I can read a book and tell you if it's written by an adoptee, written by an adoptive parent or written by somebody who's just a famous author and someone told him to write about adoption and they know nothing about it." -- Allison Olson

EPISODE SUMMARY:

In this episode of Unraveling Adoption, I had the pleasure of speaking with Allison Olson, an adoptee and adoptive parent who has made significant contributions to children's literature on adoption. We explored her personal adoption story, which began in 1979 when she was adopted as a baby in a closed adoption, and how her experiences shaped her perspective as both an adoptee and a parent to an adopted child.

Allison shared her insights on the evolution of adoption practices, particularly the shift from closed to open adoptions, and the importance of representation in children's books. She expressed her frustration with the common narratives found in many adoption-themed picture books, which often portray adoptees as "lucky" rather than "loved." This inspired her to write her own books, including Surrounded by Love: An Open Adoption Story and Learning About My Friend's Adoption, aimed at educating children about adoption in a balanced and loving way.

We discussed the challenges adoptees face in educating their peers about their experiences and the need for more resources that accurately reflect the complexities of adoption. Allison emphasized the importance of normalizing conversations about adoption and providing children with the tools to understand and embrace their identities.

Listeners will find Allison's work invaluable, as it not only addresses the needs of adopted children but also serves as a resource for their friends and families. I encourage everyone to check out her books and share this episode to help spread awareness about the importance of thoughtful representation in children's literature.

===============

📘Get our new book Adoption and Suicidality: amazon.com/Adoption-Suicidality-Healthcare-Professionals-Unraveling/dp/B0DCBCTSLL

📆 Community Calendar: UnravelingAdoption.com/Calendar

✨Healing the Adoption Constellation database: UnravelingAdoption.com/Healing

💌Sign up for our Unraveling Adoption email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===============

RESOURCES:

Allison’s information:

Other Resources:

===============

Unraveling Adoption is produced and hosted by Beth Syverson

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

Email questions or comments to Beth@UnravelingAdoption.com

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube

Support Unraveling Adoption on Patreon: http://Patreon.com/UnravelingAdoption

Check out our website: http://UnravelingAdoption.com

Create your own podcast through Libsyn: https://signup.libsyn.com/?promo_code=ADOPTION

===============

Please rate (*****) and/or review Unraveling Adoption in Apple Podcasts and Spotify (even if you listen to it on another app). Your feedback will help more listeners find our episodes. Thank you!

===============

TIME STAMPS:

00:00:00 - Introduction to Unraveling Adoption
Welcome to the podcast and introduction of host Beth Syverson and guest Allison Olson.

00:01:00 - Allison's Adoption Story
Allison shares her personal adoption journey and her experiences as both an adoptee and an adoptive parent.

00:03:00 - Closed vs. Open Adoption
Discussion on the differences between closed and open adoptions, including definitions and implications.

00:07:00 - The Impact of Openness in Adoption
Allison reflects on the benefits of open adoption and her experiences with her daughter's adoption.

00:10:00 - Challenges in Children's Adoption Books
Allison discusses her experiences with children's picture books about adoption and the messages they convey.

00:14:00 - The Need for Balanced Representation
Exploration of the importance of balanced narratives in adoption literature, highlighting both love and struggle.

00:17:00 - Creating Surrounded by Love
Allison explains her motivation for writing her first book and the intentional choices made in its creation.

00:20:00 - Learning About My Friend's Adoption
Introduction to Allison's second book aimed at educating non-adopted children about adoption.

00:24:00 - The Responsibility of Educating Others
Discussion on the burden adoptees face in educating their peers and the importance of literature in this process.

00:28:00 - Resources and Closing Thoughts
Allison shares her website and resources for finding adoption-related books.

18 Sep 2023Uncovering Hidden Roots with Peter O'Brien - Ep 11100:38:50

Uncovering Hidden Roots with Peter O'Brien

Uncover the profound journey of a late discovery adoptee (LDA) as he confronts the shocking truth of his adoption, embarks on a relentless search for his birth family, and navigates the complex emotions and conflicting loyalties that arise along the way. Find out the interesting way he found out he was adopted in his mid-50s, even though his adoptive parents were planning to go to the grave without him finding out.

"Finding my biological family was a journey filled with ups and downs, but in the end, it helped me understand a part of myself that I never knew existed." -- Peter O'Brien

In this episode, you will be able to:

  • Expose the clandestine aspects of late adoption and learn how to surf the emotional rollercoaster it brings to the adoptee.

  • Learn about the significant role of DNA testing in the quest for unveiling birth family genealogy.

  • Realize the damage caused by secrecy within adoption and the indispensable role of openness.

  • Understand the emotional maze that reunions can present and how to manage challenging expectations and outcomes.

  • Arm yourself with the knowledge to extend support to those on their epic journey of finding biological roots and reckoning with adoption.

===============

📆 Community Calendar: UnravelingAdoption.com/Calendar

💌Sign up for our Unraveling Adoption email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===============

My special guest is Peter O'Brien

Today’s guest on Unraveling Adoption is the fascinating Peter O'Brien. A late discovery adoptee, Peter's world was transformed in his mid-50s as he unearthed the secret of his adoption. Originating from Sydney, Australia, this retired accountant-turned-genealogist, leveraged his passion for family history to aid his personal awakening and understanding of his adoption journey. While his incredible story does have a twist of irony to it, it demonstrates Peter's resilience and strength in facing intriguing and often challenging revelations. His wisdom and experiences provide invaluable insights for those just discovering their adoption and grapplying with the multifaceted complexities.

The resources mentioned in this episode are:

The Role of DNA Testing in Finding Relatives
DNA testing has emerged as a crucial tool for adoptees seeking to uncover their genetic roots and find their biological families. For Peter, DNA genealogy was instrumental in locating his birth mother and unraveling the identity of his birth father. However, it's crucial to manage expectations when using DNA testing, as the results can sometimes lead to complex and challenging family dynamics like in Peter's case of finding out his birth father had abandoned both his families.

The Impact of Secrets in Adoption
Adoption secrets can have profound implications on an adoptee's sense of self and their emotional well-being. The harm induced by such secrecy can be long-lasting, creating feelings of betrayal and resentment, as evidenced by Peter's experience. This key value underscores the importance of transparency in adoption, advocating for a shift from earlier practices of shrouding adoption in secrecy, towards a more open and supportive approach.

===============

Other Resources:

===============

Unraveling Adoption is produced and hosted by Beth Syverson

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

Email questions or comments to Beth@UnravelingAdoption.com

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube

Support Unraveling Adoption on Patreon: Patreon.com/UnravelingAdoption

www.UnravelingAdoption.com

===============

Timestamped summary of this episode:
00:00:00 - Introduction and Background
Host Beth Syverson introduces the podcast and guest Peter O'Brien, a late discovery adoptee. Peter shares that he found out he was adopted in his mid-50s and discusses his childhood, which was seemingly normal with loving parents. He mentions that adoption was not on his radar until he learned the truth.

00:04:16 - Discovery of Adoption
Peter's mother, who had dementia, revealed to his sister that he was adopted while in a nursing home. His sister, unsure if he was aware, eventually told him the truth. Peter experienced conflicting emotions of anger and gratitude towards his parents for never telling him.

00:09:42 - Searching for Biological Family
Peter quickly took action to find his birth mother after receiving basic information from the Post Adoption Resource Center. With his genealogy background, he located her within a few hours. Through an intermediary, he established contact and eventually met his birth mother, along with her siblings.

00:11:46 - Meeting Birth Mother
Peter's initial meeting with his birth mother and her family was both lovely and traumatic. There were many people present, including Peter's wife, daughter, and sister. Although his birth mother was initially overwhelmed, they continued to stay in touch and develop a relationship.

00:12:16 - Continued Relationship
Peter and his birth mother maintained regular contact through phone calls and visits. Despite living a few hours apart, they made efforts to see each other.

00:13:54 - The Connection with Birth Mother,
The guest discusses how most adoptees are naturally gravitated towards their birth mother and recalls that his birth mother had a strong negative feeling towards his birth father even 55 years later.

00:14:20 - Challenges in Discovering Birth Father,
The guest shares that his birth mother eventually developed dementia before he could press the issue further, and she passed away shortly after they met. He then explains how he took a DNA test to find his birth father but initially struggled to understand the results.

00:15:45 - Finding DNA Matches and Identifying Grandparents,
The guest describes how he took a DNA test with Ancestry and eventually got better results and more helpful DNA matches. After researching his grandparents, he identifies a younger son who could potentially be his father and reaches out to his aunt and cousin for confirmation.

00:17:17 - Confirming Father's Identity,
The guest explains how his cousin did a DNA test, which proved that they were first cousins, ultimately confirming the identity of his birth father. He reveals that his birth father had already passed away and had a complicated personal history, including abandoning his first family.

00:19:55 - Challenges in Building Relationships,
The guest reflects on the difficulty of building relationships with his birth family, as they come from different backgrounds and have little in common apart from their DNA. He also shares that some family members were not receptive to forming a relationship, leading to strained connections.

00:27:43 - The Impact of DNA Genealogy for Adoptees,
DNA genealogy provides a significant help to adoptees, especially those who find out about their adoption later in life. It takes a weight off their shoulders and allows them to navigate their new reality more easily.

00:29:24 - Unraveling Family Secrets through DNA Testing,
DNA tests have revealed many family secrets, including cases where people discover that their supposed family tree is incorrect. Adoptees and others have found unexpected relatives and uncovered hidden truths through DNA matches.

00:30:05 - Changing Attitudes towards Adoption and Secrets,
The societal attitudes towards adoption and secrets have been evolving. In the past, adoption was often shrouded in secrecy and shame. However, with the advancement of DNA testing and changing social norms, there is a growing emphasis on openness and honesty in adoption.

00:31:49 - Embracing the Possibility of Biological Family Connections,
Adoptive parents and adoptees should see the discovery of biological family as an addition to their lives, rather than something that takes away from their existing relationships. It is important to approach reunions and connections with realistic expectations.

00:35:25 - The Emotional Complexity of Adoption Reunions,
Reconnecting with biological family members can be emotionally complex. While some reunions are positive and fulfilling, others may be challenging or disappointing. Managing expectations and seeking support from adoption therapists can be helpful in navigating these reunions.

03 Jun 2024Behind the Scenes of Because She's Adopted: A Filmmaker's Journey with Kristal Parke - Ep 14800:28:42

"I truly felt the weight of the world telling the story. I felt like it was a great responsibility, but I had to do it." -- Kristal Parke

Read the transcript here:

https://app.swellai.com/t/tp_01HZE3F00W8S92RJM8N2F3METT

EPISODE SUMMARY:

In this episode of Unraveling Adoption, I had the pleasure of interviewing Kristal Parke, an adoptee and filmmaker behind the acclaimed documentary Because She's Adopted. Kristal shared her journey of self-discovery and identity exploration through the creation of her film, which delves into her childhood, reunion with her birth mother, struggle with addiction, and intentional reconnection with her Indigenous heritage. The film has received critical acclaim and won awards, shedding light on the complexities of adoption.

Kristal discussed the impact of her film on her family, crew, and herself, highlighting the vulnerability and growth that came with sharing her story. She emphasized the importance of owning her narrative and the evolution of her understanding of adoption. The podcast episode also touched on the behind-the-scenes process of creating the documentary, including the support of her adoptive family, crew members, and the challenges and joys of filming.

Listeners were encouraged to watch the film, which is set to be officially released by fall 2024. Kristal shared details on how to stay connected with updates and screenings.

===============

📆 Community Calendar: UnravelingAdoption.com/Calendar

✨Healing the Adoption Constellation database: UnravelingAdoption.com/Healing

💌Sign up for our Unraveling Adoption email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===============

RESOURCES:

Kristal’s information:

 

Other Resources:

===============

Unraveling Adoption is produced and hosted by Beth Syverson

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

Email questions or comments to Beth@UnravelingAdoption.com

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube

Support Unraveling Adoption on Patreon: Patreon.com/UnravelingAdoption

Check out our website: www.UnravelingAdoption.com

Create your own podcast through Libsyn: https://signup.libsyn.com/?promo_code=ADOPTION

===============

Please rate (*****) and/or review Unraveling Adoption in Apple Podcasts and Spotify (even if you listen to it on another app). Your feedback will help more listeners find our episodes. Thank you!

===============

Timestamps:

    • 00:00:02 - Introduction to Kristal Parke: Beth introduces Kristal Parke, a Canadian adoptee and filmmaker, and talks about her acclaimed documentary "Because She's Adopted."

    • 00:05:31 - Unique Adoption Story: Kristal shares the unique story of how she was chosen based on her gender for adoption.

    • 00:10:18 - Residential School Trauma: Kristal discusses the traumatic experiences of Indigenous children in Canadian residential schools.

    • 00:12:26 - Reunion with Birth Mother: Kristal recounts her emotional reunion with her birth mother and meeting her older brother.

    • 00:14:58 - Impact on Family: Kristal reflects on how her family, including her brothers and father, were affected by the documentary.

    • 00:17:43 - Supportive Husband: Kristal talks about the role of her husband in the documentary and the title choice "Because She's Adopted."

    • 00:20:16 - Serene Reflection: Kristal describes a peaceful moment in Manitoba that symbolized her journey of self-discovery during filming.

    • 00:24:27 - Personal Growth: Kristal shares how making the film helped her own her story and continue her journey of self-discovery.

    • 00:26:33 - Film Release Information: Kristal provides details on how to watch the film and stay connected for updates.

07 Mar 2022A Family's Recovery Journey with Dawn McCord - Ep 3200:47:59

In this week’s episode you will hear another family’s story of adolescent addiction and recovery. Dawn McCord’s son Carson had a tumultuous adolescence but he found recovery through wilderness therapy. Dawn’s new memoir "Chasing Carson: A Family's Journey through Adolescence, Addiction and Recovery," provides an honest account of their whole family’s healing process.

===============

💌 Sign up for our Safe Home Families email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===============

RESOURCES:

How to find Dawn McCord and her book:

Another book mentioned in this episode:

Other Resources:

===============

Safe Home is created by Joseph Nakao and Beth Syverson

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

Cover art by Joseph Nakao, photo by Beth Syverson

Email questions or comments to Safe Home at SafeHomePodcast@gmail.com

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube

Support Safe Home on Patreon

===============

TIME STAMPS:

2:05 Did Carson give his blessing for the memoir?

3:35 Dawn and Beth are committed to reducing the shame around addiction

6:25 Adolescents’ risky behavior is part of normal development

9:30 Carson’s addiction story

14:11 Compounding the addiction story with poverty or racism

16:16 Ideas for helping our struggling kids

21:30 The dangers of social media for our kids

24:45 Carson progressed to heroin and found wilderness therapy

33:25 Reorganizing home rules and revising family habits

35:38 How Dawn has stayed sane

40:00 What Dawn would have done differently (hint: smart phones)

--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/safe-home-podcast/message

25 Oct 2022More Than Sex Ed with Emmalinda MacLean - Ep 6400:49:07

In this week’s Safe Home Podcast, Beth talks with Emmalinda MacLean, co-founder of More Than Sex-Ed, a Los Angeles-based non-profit whose mission is to nourish healthy development through honest conversation about sex. She is the Director of Curriculum & Instruction at More Than Sex-Ed plus she wrote a children’s book around the topic of consent called “Everybody, Every Body!”  

In case you couldn’t guess, this episode will talk openly about sexual topics, so this episode might not be safe for work.

===============

💌 Sign up for our Safe Home Families email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===============

RESOURCES:

Emmalinda’s information:

Other resources mentioned in this episode:

Other Resources:

===============

Safe Home is created by Joseph Nakao and Beth Syverson

Email questions or comments to Safe Home at Hello@SafeHomeFamilies.com

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube

Support Safe Home on Patreon: Patreon.com/SafeHome

www.SafeHomeFamilies.com

===============

TIME STAMPS:

1:42 How Emmalinda landed a career in sex ed

4:24 Gender diversity is NOT a new thing

7:21 Parental backlash?

8:22 Beth’s sex ed experience at church

10:33 Teaching consent

12:00 Questions about “gay sex”

14:00 What is sex?

15:52 Can parents rely on school or church to teach about sex?

17:53 Don’t Freak Out!

19:33 Acknowledging pleasure reduces victimization

20:25 At what age can kids start learning about sex?

22:30 The topic of menstruation and Turning Red

25:23 How does gaming and social media affect our kids?

27:30 What’s the deal about furries?

30:18 Anonymous question box and porn

33:31 What about sexting?

35:19 What should parents do regarding phones?

36:03 How the fall of Roe will affect our teens

39:19 Emmalinda’s best piece of advice for parent

42:10 LGBTQ+ identities

44:00 What services does More Than Sex-Ed provide?

--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/safe-home-podcast/message
25 Sep 2021Opiates - with Emma Roberts from National Harm Reduction Coalition - Ep 801:03:35

In this episode, Beth talks with special guest Emma Roberts from National Harm Reduction Coalition about what her organization is doing to help mitigate harm from opiates and other substances.  

===============

💌 Sign up for our Safe Home Families email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX

===============

Safe Home is created by Joseph Nakao and his moms Beth Syverson and Jan Mabie 

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao 

Cover art by Joseph Nakao, photo by Beth Syverson, with design help from Nina Smith 

Email questions or comments to Safe Home at SafeHomePodcast@gmail.com 

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube 

Support Safe Home on Patreon 

 

RESOURCES: 

National Harm Reduction Coalition: https://harmreduction.org/ 

Find Naloxone near you (to reverse opiate overdose): https://harmreduction.org/resource-center/harm-reduction-near-you/ 

Find sterile syringes near you: https://www.nasen.org/map/ 

Johann Hari’s TED talk ”Everything you think you know about addiction is wrong” that Emma mentioned in the podcast: https://www.ted.com/talks/johann_hari_everything_you_think_you_know_about_addiction_is_wrong?language=en 

 

Here are some resources for teens and others who are struggling right now: 

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: call 800-273-8255 - 24/7 

Lifeline Chat: https://Suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat - 24/7 

Teen Line: call 310-855-HOPE   6-10pm PST  Or text TEEN to 839863  Talk to other trained teens 

Youthline:  call 877-968-8491   4-10pm PST   Or text Teen2Teen to 839863. 

Need2Text: text TALK to 38255    24/7 

 

And here are some resources for therapy, coaching, and counseling: 

Find a Tele-Therapist: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/online-counseling 

Miguel Rosell - Guided Core Integration: https://miguelrosell.com/ 

Heather Ross - Life Coaching for Parents of Addicted Teens: https://heatherrosscoaching.com/ 

 

TIME STAMPS: 

1:35 Emma Roberts’ background with harm reduction work 

5:10 Definition of harm reduction philosophy 

6:50 Harm reduction v. “Just Say No” 

7:10 Harm reduction origins with AIDS 

8:40 Connection as antidote to addiction 

11:30 Frustrations with our Kaiser Permanente healthcare system 

16:17 Harm reduction offers more tools for your tool kit 

18:47 Harm reduction in sex ed 

20:15 Opiate overdoses higher since Covid 

22:08 Presence of fentanyl 

23:44 Importance of having Narcan/Naloxone available 

25:50 Where to get Narcan/Naloxone 

28:16 Indiana outbreak of opiate overdoses 

31:25 Syringe services 

31:58 Teens and opioids 35:46 Risks of injecting substances 42:27 War on the War on Drugs 45:57 Looking for the root cause of substance use 48:17 Proliferation of opioid prescriptions 51:28 Labelling people as addicts 53:20 Drug/Set/Setting - evaluating risk 57:21 How we can support National Harm Reduction Coalition (HarmReduction.org) 59:57 Loving people back to health

--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/safe-home-podcast/message

26 Feb 2024Food Behaviors and Adoption Trauma with Rebecca Berg - Ep 13400:24:15

"The root of the work, I would say, is really slowing down and learning how to sit with the discomfort of different sensations in the body." -- Rebecca Berg

 

Transcript

Read this episode's transcript: https://app.swellai.com/t/tp_01HQC31S90118VY2NM91EADH9Q

 

Synopsis

In this episode of Unraveling Adoption, I had the pleasure of speaking with Rebecca Berg, a registered dietitian and adoptee who specializes in the intersection of adoption and food behaviors. Rebecca shared her personal journey of overcoming orthorexia and how early childhood trauma can manifest in issues around food. We delved into the complexities of adoption trauma and its impact on food relationships, highlighting the importance of understanding the connection between food and emotional well-being.

Rebecca emphasized the need for adoptees to feel connected to their bodies and prioritize self-care, especially when dealing with stress and anxiety. She discussed the concept of "safe foods" for children with trauma histories and the importance of creating a structured and consistent meal environment to promote a sense of safety and security.

As an adoptive parent, Rebecca provided valuable insights on supporting adopted children with food issues, emphasizing the significance of co-regulation and offering familiar, comforting foods to build trust and stability. She also introduced the concept of "body doubling" as a supportive technique for individuals struggling with nutrition and mental health challenges.

Throughout the episode, Rebecca highlighted the importance of seeking professional help from registered dietitians with expertise in mental health and eating disorders. She shared practical advice for adoptive parents and individuals struggling with food-related issues, emphasizing the need for patience, self-compassion, and a willingness to explore and experiment with different approaches to nutrition and well-being.

The episode concluded with a reminder to join the upcoming town hall meeting on March 10th to address the serious issue of murders of adopted children by adoptive parents and brainstorm ways to create safer environments for adopted children in our communities.

Overall, the episode provides valuable insights into the complex relationship between adoption, trauma, and food behaviors, offering practical strategies for individuals and families navigating these challenges.

 

Timestamps

  • Introduction to Unraveling Adoption: 00:00:02-00:00:13

  • Exploring the Intersection of Adoption and Food Behaviors: 00:00:46-00:00:56

  • Personal Journey of an Adoptee and Registered Dietitian: 00:04:12-00:05:57

  • Understanding Orthorexia and Recovery: 00:05:05-00:06:07

  • Impact of Anxiety and Trauma on Eating Behaviors: 00:08:17-00:09:48

  • Becoming a Registered Dietitian: 00:10:06-00:11:29

  • Challenges and Nuances of Food Issues: 00:12:27-00:13:22

  • Strategies for Grounding and Regulation: 00:14:40-00:15:56

  • Body Doubling and Supportive Techniques: 00:15:56-00:16:44

  • Advice for Adoptive Parents on Food Issues: 00:17:02-00:19:00

  • Importance of Safe Foods and Feeding Practices: 00:19:10-00:20:17

  • Seeking Help and Professional Support: 00:20:38-00:22:51

  • Upcoming Event and Call to Action: 00:23:01-00:24:07

 

Resources mentioned in this episode

 

Other Resources

Améliorez votre compréhension de Unraveling Adoption avec My Podcast Data

Chez My Podcast Data, nous nous efforçons de fournir des analyses approfondies et basées sur des données tangibles. Que vous soyez auditeur passionné, créateur de podcast ou un annonceur, les statistiques et analyses détaillées que nous proposons peuvent vous aider à mieux comprendre les performances et les tendances de Unraveling Adoption. De la fréquence des épisodes aux liens partagés en passant par la santé des flux RSS, notre objectif est de vous fournir les connaissances dont vous avez besoin pour vous tenir à jour. Explorez plus d'émissions et découvrez les données qui font avancer l'industrie du podcast.
© My Podcast Data