Adoptees On

I am honoured to be able to bring you part two of Justin's story today. Justin shares about a desire to add back his original surname and here in part two we'll see the fallout. We speculate on what about our experiences as adopted people lets us accept poor treatment that we would never allow towards those we love. Ultimately a world-shifting event in Justin's immediate family brings clarity to his relationship with his adoptive family. *TW: Suicide Full Show Notes Here Show Notes Recommended Resources Learn about Internal Family Systems Marta Dranchenberg shares about IFS on the Healing Series episode 69 and IFS and relationships on episode 71 Self-Therapy: A Step-By-Step Guide to Creating Wholeness and Healing Your Inner Child Using IFS, A New, Cutting-Edge Psychotherapy by Jay Earley, PhD Connect With Us Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Adoptees On: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group Connect Occasional Newsletter | Send a Note

I am honoured to be able to bring you Justin's story today (this is part one, and we'll be back next week with part two). Justin was labelled "difficult to adopt" because he is bi-racial. He tells us that he never had an interest in finding his biological family until he attended a very interesting week-long therapeutic workshop. Justin shares about a desire to add back his original surname and in part two we'll see more of the fallout from that decision. *TW: Suicide Full Show Notes Here Show Notes Please sign the support letter here adopteesforjustice.com/supportletter/ Listen to Anissa's story on Adoptees On - episode 147 - to understand how critical this issue of adoptee citizenship is Connect With Us Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Adoptees On: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group Connect Occasional Newsletter | Send a Note

Part two! We are back with more VERY real talk with Pam Cordano, MFT about estrangement from our adoptive parents. Pam teaches us how important it is for us to get clarity on what is actually possible in our relationships. We also address if they won't change, it's up to us - so what are we willing to change? Our amount of engagement in the relationship? The strength of our boundaries? Which 'circle' do they safely get to have access to? This is tough stuff! Thank you for listening and walking through this with us. Full Show Notes Here Show Notes Connect With Us Pam Cordano, MFT: pamcordano.com | yourmeaningful.life | Twitter | Instagram | Email pcordano(at)comcast(dot)net Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Adoptees On: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group Connect Occasional Newsletter | Send a Note

Pam Cordano, MFT returns to guide us through some thoughts on estrangement. Why does it ever get to the point that we'd consider going no-contact with our adoptive parents? Are adoptees just "too sensitive" and take everything personally? Even through challenging topics such as this one, Pam leads us with thoughtfulness, compassion, and helps us discover what's most important. Full Show Notes Here Connect With Us Pam Cordano, MFT: pamcordano.com | yourmeaningful.life | Twitter | Instagram | Email pcordano(at)comcast(dot)net Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Adoptees On: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group Connect Occasional Newsletter | Send a Note

Dr. Susan Branco is with us today and she is a force for good in our community. She shares an overview of her story and we get a chance to deeply focus on topics that she's done an incredible amount of work and research on. Her research includes how counselors of colour deal with client microaggressions and ensuring adoption themes make their way into the core curriculum for future social workers and therapists. Dr. Branco shares more with us about her case study of the Colombian Adoption House which includes firsthand experiences of Colombian adoptees and what happens when they find out their adoption was illicit or black-market. Her passion for family preservation is evident when we go down the list of systemic problems in the adoption industry. Full Show Notes Here Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group Connect Occasional Newsletter | Send a Note

Alice Stephens, the author of Famous Adopted People, joins us today! I was honoured to hear her describe her childhood which included years in Botswana, and she even shares a bit about her search in Korea for biological family. Of course, we talk about writing, publishing, and her book reviews; if you ever need a book recommendation for an adoptee-centric look at adoption, Alice is an expert. Full Show Notes Here Connect With Us Alice Stephens: www.famousadoptedpeople.com | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Adoptees On: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group Connect Occasional Newsletter | Send a Note

Today I get to introduce you to Leigh Bailey. This is the second episode of our estrangement series. Leigh shares about her reunion and how it started to be about her adoptive family's experience instead of her own. We talk about how trying to put up safe boundaries can be exhausting, and how do you even decide if estrangement is called for in the situation: spoiler alert - we can't tell you what's right for you! Full Show Notes Here Connect With Us Leigh Bailey: alwayslooking.blog | Instagram | Facebook Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Adoptees On: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group Connect Occasional Newsletter | Send a Note

We are starting a short series on the topic of estrangement. This series isn't meant to be a how-to undo estrangement or a "break up with your family" guide, it's once again brought to you in the spirit of hoping to let you know you aren't alone. I see you, and I acknowledge how hard and lonely this can be. Today we're going to hear from Kirsten Weatherford about how a memorable trip - a pilgrimage - helped Kirsten come out of the fog. Did reunion with her first mother accelerate her estrangement from her adoptive parents? We also wrestle with what it would take to even broach the subject of reunification if that was ever on the table. Full Show Notes Here Connect With Us Kirsten Weatherford: nomoremisfit.com | Instagram Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Adoptees On: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group Connect Occasional Newsletter | Send a Note

We're back! For the first episode of 2021, we are talking adoptees in comics! Emily N. Bartz shares her personal story of being adopted from the Philippines, and then why she spent her childhood going back and forth between the US and her country of origin. We have a fascinating discussion about adoptees in comics, including a focus on her article about "Loki: I Can Turn into anything as long as it's me". We also talk about adoptees in academics and how much is available for us to learn from academic journals in particular. Full Show Notes Here Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group Connect Monthly Newsletter | Send a Note or Record a Voicemail

The holiday season is here and that means we get to ask one of our favourite adoptee therapists, Lesli A. Johnson, MFT, your questions! We can be juggling multiple families, boundary issues, estrangement and loneliness, not to mention the global pandemic. Lesli and Haley talk through some challenging situations and try to help you figure out what YOU want out of this season. Full Show Notes Here Show Notes Recommended Resources Check out Lesli's other holiday-themed episodes of Adoptees On: Surviving the Holidays E126 and E14 Lesli's course - Come Out of the Fog and Into Your Life: Rewire Your Brain for Resilience and Joy Connect With Us Lesli A. Johnson, MFT: www.askadoption.com | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Adoptees On: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group Connect Monthly Newsletter | Send a Note or Record a Voicemail

Before I recorded this show, my guest shared her notes with me and I asked, "are you SURE you want to share this publicly on my podcast? It's a goldmine of information about DNA!" Janet Weinreich-Keall is back, and when you hear her story, you'll know why she's a pro at searching. She walks us through how we should prepare to search, and then we dive into what DNA testing looks like, and how far the tech has come: making it easy and accessible for us to do our own searches. We also talk about the possible ramifications of having your DNA in a database - is your information really kept private? Full Show Notes Here Connect With Us Janet Weinreich-Keall: Instagram | Facebook | janetweinreichkeall.com Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Adoptees On: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group Connect Monthly Newsletter | Send a Note or Record a Voicemail

Today we're giving you a little peek behind the curtain! Haley and Carrie chat all about what they've learned from reading a ton of adoptee-authored books in 2020. We're announcing our book club plans for 2021 and would love to have you join us. We're in the last few days of our sale for Patreon memberships! Sign up for one year and get a month free! http://www.adopteeson.com/partner Our sale ends on November 30, 2020. Full Show Notes Here Connect With Us Carrie Cahill Mulligan: ccmhats.square.site | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Adoptees On: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group Connect Monthly Newsletter | Send a Note or Record a Voicemail

Have you ever wondered what being welcomed into your original extended family would feel like? Today Maeve Kelly is back and she shares her experiences of a whirlwind trip to Ireland to meet more cousins and aunts and uncles than you can imagine. After a rejection from her first mother, to be embraced by a cousin was transformative. Two weeks left in the sale for Patreon memberships! Sign up for one year and get a month free! http://www.adopteeson.com/partner Full Show Notes Here Connect With Us Maeve Kelly: Twitter Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Adoptees On: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group Connect Monthly Newsletter | Send a Note or Record a Voicemail

Pam Cordano, MFT and I discuss anger. What is it and why are so many adoptees accused of being "angry adoptees"? We discuss the reasons we have for legitimately being angry. Pamela teaches us about different types of anger and gives us some practical exercises to work on. I find out I've been engaging in Spiritual Bypass, and why that is so toxic. Anger is a powerful emotion, let's harness it to make it work for us, and not against us. Announcing a three-week sale for Patreon memberships! Sign up for one year and get a month free! http://www.adopteeson.com/partner Full Show Notes Here Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group Connect Monthly Newsletter | Send a Note or Record a Voicemail

Today I'm honoured to introduce you to Bernie, a late discovery adoptee who has been working the past two years to learn about birth trauma and adoption trauma. Bernie and I talk about how he confirmed he was adopted, what patterns and challenges he had through his life that now he attributes to birth trauma, and what happens when the 'validators' of our memories are lost. Full Show Notes Here Connect With Us Bernie: adopteebernie (at) comcast.net Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Adoptees On: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group Connect Monthly Newsletter | Send a Note or Record a Voicemail

Join us today, October 30, 2020, to remember adoptees we've lost, to acknowledge adoption trauma, and to highlight other pressing issues adoptees face. Our listeners share tributes to those they've lost, some share how adoption has impacted them personally, and you are invited to join us in a collective moment of silence to honour adopted people. Show Notes Recommended Resources Adoptee Remembrance Day - October 30, 2020 What is Adoptee Remembrance Day? Adoptee Remembrance Day Facebook Page RSVP to the Adoptee Remembrance Day Event on Facebook Activities to participate in throughout the day - this page also includes numerous ways to contact Crisis Hotlines in the US Crisis Text Line: US & Canada 741741, UK 85258 Full Show Notes Here Connect With Us Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Adoptees On: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group Connect Monthly Newsletter | Send a Note or Record a Voicemail

Today we will learn about an upcoming day that I think will become critically important to the adoptee community: we are talking with Pamela Karanova about ways to commemorate the first annual Adoptee Remembrance Day. Please join us on October 30, 2020 to honour adoptees we've lost, to acknowledge adoption trauma, and to highlight other pressing issues adoptees face. Full Show Notes Here Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group Connect Monthly Newsletter | Send a Note or Record a Voicemail

Today we are talking with Amanda Medina, creator of This Adoptee Life. Amanda tells us about how she came out of the adoption fog during the past few years, she shares what adoption separation from our ancestors looks like via a beautiful and heartbreaking symbol of a broken legacy, and we discuss her commitment to building community among adoptees. Full Show Notes Here Connect With Us Amanda Medina: thisadopteelife.com | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Adoptees On: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group Connect Monthly Newsletter | Send a Note or Record a Voicemail

Today I'm excited to welcome a fellow podcaster, Damon Davis, creator and host of the Who Am I Really? podcast. Damon gets a turn to share his story of search, reunion, and loss. We also chat about why reunions get held up as this mythical gold standard of heartwarming six o'clock news bait, and what we've learned from talking to hundreds of adoptees over the past few years. Full Show Notes Here Connect With Us Damon Davis: www.whoamireallypodcast.com | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Adoptees On: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group Connect Monthly Newsletter | Send a Note or Record a Voicemail

Our guest today is Astrid Castro, founder of Adoption Mosaic. Astrid serves the adoption constellation through a variety of innovative trainings designed to highlight the adoptee experience. We discuss how she came to work in the adoption industry, the current state of ethics in adoption, and what it's like working in such a challenging space, especially as an adopted person. Full Show Notes Here Connect With Us Astrid Castro: adoptionmosaic.com | Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Adoptees On: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group Connect Monthly Newsletter | Send a Note or Record a Voicemail

We are celebrating highlighting adoptee voices for over four years, 144+ countries, and 500,000 downloads of the podcast. As Reshma McClintock (our special guest co-host of today's show) shares, "I am not going to allow the world to speak for me any longer". Join us as we continue to acknowledge that adoptee voices matter and need to be heard! Full Show Notes Here Connect With Us Reshma McClintock: Instagram | Facebook | reshmamcclintock.com | Calcutta is My Mother | Dear Adoption, Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Adoptees On: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group Connect Monthly Newsletter | Send a Note or Record a Voicemail

Welcome Lauren J. Sharkey, author of Inconvenient Daughter! Lauren and I talk about how her memoir morphed into a novel and how searching for biological family wasn't really something she thought about until it felt necessary as research for her novel. We also discuss how Lauren discovered the online adoptee community. Full Show Notes Here Connect With Us Lauren J. Sharkey: ljsharks.com | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Adoptees On: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group Connect Monthly Newsletter | Send a Note or Record a Voicemail

Today we welcome the creator of How To Be Adopted, Claire! Claire shares about experiencing postnatal depression when she had her first child, which was wrapped up in her process of coming out of the fog. We examine a certain popular adoptee reunion tv show for their inaccurate portrayal of reunions. Claire teaches us about the state of care in the UK and the various ways of contact she is allowed (and not allowed!) to have with her nieces and nephews. Full Show Notes Here Connect With Us Claire of How To Be Adopted: howtobeadopted.com | Twitter | Instagram Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Adoptees On: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group Connect Monthly Newsletter | Send a Note or Record a Voicemail

Matthew Salesses is here today and I'm so thrilled to share our conversation with you. He has a ton of insightful things to share with us. We talk about how coming out of the fog is an act of radicalization, we discuss issues of race, and why he's chosen to be so open and vulnerable on Twitter. We also touch on Dad jokes, and why adoptees often have a darker sense of humour. Full Show Notes Here Connect With Us Matthew Salesses: Twitter | Instagram | matthewsalesses.com Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Adoptees On: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group Connect Monthly Newsletter | Send a Note or Record a Voicemail

It's a great honour to bring to you the creative powerhouse JS Lee. We talk about racism, dealing with multiple complex traumas, and the challenge of how we attribute our resilience as adopted people. Full Show Notes Here Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group Connect Monthly Newsletter | Send a Note or Record a Voicemail

We finish our conversation with Stephanie Oyler, MSW, LSW and Amanda Transue-Woolston, MSS, LSW about the recent losses of their mothers. This is part two of a two-part series where we hear from Stephanie and Amanda about the loss of first mothers and adoptive mothers, both in the practical sense and about the psychological impacts. Learn from their wisdom about a topic that often gets avoided: losses all the way through an adoptee's lifespan. Full Show Notes Here Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group Connect Monthly Newsletter | Send a Note or Record a Voicemail

Mother loss. Doesn't that say it all? We get the extraordinary honour of hearing from Stephanie Oyler, MSW, LSW and Amanda Transue-Woolston, MSS, LSW about the recent deaths that have impacted them in tremendous ways. This is part one of a two-part series where we learn from Stephanie and Amanda about the loss of first mothers and adoptive mothers, both in the practical sense and about the psychological impacts. Join us for this powerful conversation. Full Show Notes Here Connect With Us Stephanie Oyler, MSW, LSW: adopteelitllc.com | Instagram | Facebook Amanda Transue-Woolston, MSS, LSW: declassifiedadoptee.com | amandawoolston.com | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Adoptees On: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group Connect Monthly Newsletter | Send a Note or Record a Voicemail

Today we welcome Julayne Lee, author of Not My White Savior. Julayne shares what drew her to visit Korea for the first time in her thirties and later how she spent three years there, working, traveling, and writing. We also discuss adoptee activism and the role anger can play in our work. Full Show Notes Here Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group Connect Monthly Newsletter | Send a Note or Record a Voicemail

On the latest episode of Adoptees On, we bring you some critical information about thousands of adoptees who are shockingly without citizenship. You will hear Anissa Druesedow's powerful story of being adopted and brought to the United States, finding out she doesn't have citizenship, and what lead to her deportation. Kristopher Larsen, Executive Director of Adoptees For Justice, also joins us to let us know how we can impact this movement and advocate for the Adoptee Citizenship Act. Full Show Notes Here Connect With Us Adoptees For Justice | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Adoptees On: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group Connect Monthly Newsletter | Send a Note or Record a Voicemail

Today we meet Abby Forero-Hilty, a Colombian adoptee now living in Canada. We talk about the importance of decolonization, the impact of finding yourself prior to searching for first family, and she shares her thoughts on connecting with other adoptees on a healing journey. Next, we shift into discussing the film Mum's The Word, and we even have an interview with the Director and Executive Producer, Colin Scheyen. A big congratulations to Colin and his team for winning a Golden Sheaf Award in the Mental Health category at the Yorkton Film Festival last night! Full Show Notes Here Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group Connect Monthly Newsletter | Send a Note or Record a Voicemail

I've been quiet as I've watched things unfold (we've been in the middle of moving during the pandemic, what timing). In searching for the perfect words to say, I'm obviously failing. So I'm trying to do the next right thing, which is to point you towards my fellow podcasters and adoptees who are BIPOC to listen and learn from, as I am. This is not to put the onus on them to teach us - this is to put the onus back on us to be active in learning to be allies and anti-racist. I can literally think of a very recent moment where I failed a friend in an all-too-common scenario, and I promise I won't let that happen again. I have a brief minisode for you today and we'll be back next week with a new full-length episode. Please listen and share your recommendations for other BIPOC adoptees who we should be following and learning from. Show Notes Recommended Resources Damon Davis - Who Am I Really? Podcast April Dinwoodie - Born in June, Raised in April Jessenia Parmer - I Am Adopted - Facebook | Instagram Hannah Matthews, M.S.Ed - Hey TRA - Instagram Connect With Us Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Adoptees On: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group Connect Monthly Newsletter | Send a Note or Record a Voicemail

Today we welcome Karri of The Invisible Threads Blog. Karri and I talk about reunion with biological parents and siblings, what her relationships really look like right now. We also talk about some personal struggles with maintaining relationships and how we've both built chosen community into our lives. Full Show Notes Here Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group Connect Monthly Newsletter | Send a Note or Record a Voicemail

Today we are talking with Sara Easterly about her memoir Searching for Mom. Sara shares how her relationship with her adoptive mother changed over the years, how adoption shaped her view of what motherhood means, and what that looks like for her today. Full Show Notes Here Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group Connect Monthly Newsletter | Send a Note or Record a Voicemail

Janet Nordine, MS, LMFT is back on the podcast and we are talking about an issue I've heard about from many adoptees, especially during this unprecedented time. We talk about using food as a comfort, feeling scared or anxious that there won't be enough, and how this time is bringing back memories of food hoarding from childhood. Janet teaches us about the "belly brain", why many of us struggle with using food or other oral stimuli as comfort, and she gives us an exercise to practice grounding. I want to add an acknowledgment that in our world there are people with literal food insecurity and that I understand this discussion does come from a place of privilege. If you are financially able to, I would encourage you to support an organization that you trust that is working to prevent hunger. Adoptees On has made a donation to our local food bank for this episode. Full Show Notes Here Connect With Us Janet Nordine, MS, LMFT: experiencecourage.com | Twitter | Instagram | Experience Courage on Facebook | Janet on Facebook Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Adoptees On: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group Connect Monthly Newsletter | Send a Note or Record a Voicemail

Nelle Doux shares her story of becoming her own advocate and, as she calls it, a private investigator to find her biological father and the truth about her origins. We discuss her experiences of racism even from a young age and the complete bewilderment Doux had from not knowing her racial identity. Full Show Notes Here Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group Connect Monthly Newsletter | Send a Note or Record a Voicemail

Kevin Barhydt shares that it wasn't until unpacking the multiple traumas of his addiction and childhood sexual abuse, that he uncovered adoption trauma that was there since his relinquishment. Kevin and I also talk about how community support has helped him thrive and grow. Full Show Notes Here Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group Connect Monthly Newsletter | Send a Note or Record a Voicemail

Alison Malee shares her story of being adopted in the nineties, and how she has been processing her recent discoveries via DNA testing. These have brought about great shifts in identity and also allowed her to connect with members of her first family. Full Show Notes Here Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group Connect Monthly Newsletter | Send a Note or Record a Voicemail

Jennifer Dyan Ghoston is here to share her story with us. Jennifer tells us about the moment she opened her original birth certificate, her search for her biological family, and what reunion with extended family really looks like for her today. Full Show Notes Here Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group Connect Monthly Newsletter | Send a Note or Record a Voicemail

Pam Cordano, MFT is here to share some insights from her brand new book, 10 Foundations For a Meaningful Life (No Matter What's Happened). Pam reveals some personal stories to teach us about how to find and understand our true worth. Full Show Notes Here Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group Connect Monthly Newsletter | Send a Note or Record a Voicemail

Pam Cordano, MFT is here to share some insights from her brand new book, 10 Foundations For a Meaningful Life (No Matter What's Happened). Pam reveals some personal stories to teach us about how to find and understand our true worth. Full Show Notes Here Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group Connect Monthly Newsletter | Send a Note or Record a Voicemail

Marta Isabella Sierra Drachenberg, LMHC is back on the Healing Series sharing more intimate moments from her reunion with her family in Colombia. She teaches us about how Internal Family Systems saved her relationship with her mother. You don't want to miss this very personal episode with some brilliant insights from Marta. Full Show Notes Here Connect With Us Marta Isabella Sierra Drachenberg, LMHC: marta.drachenberg [at] gmail [dot] com | martadrachenberglmhc.com Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Adoptees On: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group Connect Monthly Newsletter | Send a Note or Record a Voicemail

Marta Isabella Sierra Drachenberg, LMHC is back on the Healing Series! Marta recently returned from a year-long trip to Columbia, her country of origin. She shares some intimate moments of what cross-cultural reunion/reunification looks like and she teaches us about some common barriers in reunion we need to be on alert for. Full Show Notes Here Connect With Us Marta Isabella Sierra Drachenberg, LMHC: marta.drachenberg [at] gmail [dot] com | martadrachenberglmhc.com Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Adoptees On: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group Connect Monthly Newsletter | Send a Note or Record a Voicemail

Jenny Heijun Wills is our guest today, the author of the memoir Older Sister. Not Necessarily Related. We talk about adoption in literature, why it's so important to elevate the adoptee voice and Jenny explains what does it really mean when someone asks us "what do your adoptive parents think about all this". You can listen right here (turn up your sound 🔊🔊🔊) or search Adoptees On in any podcast app! Full Show Notes Here Connect With Us Jenny Heijun Wills: Twitter | Instagram | www.jennyheijunwills.com Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Adoptees On: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group Connect Monthly Newsletter | Send a Note or Record a Voicemail

Melanie Chung-Sherman, LCSW-S is back with us on the Healing Series sharing her wisdom. Melanie and Haley continue the conversation about safety in advocacy and activism, holding boundaries, and the cost of our emotional labour. Full Show Notes Here Connect With Us Melanie Chung-Sherman, LCSW-S: Facebook | mcscounsel.com Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Adoptees On: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group Connect Monthly Newsletter | Send a Note or Record a Voicemail

I can't wait to share my discussion with Melanie Chung-Sherman, LCSW-S with you. Melanie teaches us about responding to microaggressions while keeping ourselves safe. This is critical listening, especially for anyone working in adoptee advocacy. Full Show Notes Here Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group Connect Monthly Newsletter | Send a Note or Record a Voicemail

Lisa Wool-Rim Sjöblom, author of the stunning graphic memoir called Palimpsest: Documents From a Korean Adoption is our guest. She shares some of her story with us and then we dive into a conversation about racism, coming out of the adoption fog, what activism means to Lisa, and how she found her voice. Full Show Notes Here Connect With Us Lisa Wool-Rim Sjöblom: Instagram | woolrim.wordpress.com | www.patreon.com/woolrim Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Adoptees On: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group Connect Monthly Newsletter | Send a Note or Record a Voicemail

Cathy Caputo is our first guest of the new year and she has quite a surprising story, so I'm not going to spoil anything here. We talk about closed adoption, grief and loss, and what it's for meant for Cathy to start an in-person adoptee community. Full Show Notes Here Connect With Us Cathy Caputo: Instagram | Facebook Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Adoptees On: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group Connect Monthly Newsletter | Send a Note or Record a Voicemail

Today the creator of Not Your Orphan is sharing their story with us, Blake Gibbins is here! Blake and I talk about what happened three years ago to kick him out of the fog, we discuss grief and some losses Blake experienced earlier this year, and we move into a discussion about activism, cognitive dissonance and what it means to be queer and an adoptee. Full Show Notes Here Connect With Us Blake Gibbbins: Not Your Orphan on YouTube | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Adoptees On: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group Connect Monthly Newsletter | Send a Note or Record a Voicemail

Lilly Schmaltz is with us today, you may know her as Adoptee Lilly on YouTube. Lilly shares her story of what pulled her into adoptee advocacy and why she's so adamant about pushing back against the saviour narrative. We also get into some deeply personal topics including how her broken engagement brought up her abandonment all over again and what she does to pursue healing. Full Show Notes Here Connect With Us Lilly Schmaltz: YouTube | Instagram | Facebook | lfsmusings.com Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Adoptees On: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group Connect Monthly Newsletter | Send a Note or Record a Voicemail

The holiday season is here and some of us could really use the support. In this episode, we ask one of our favourite adoptee therapists, Lesli A. Johnson, MFT, your questions about how to navigate the holidays! We collected all your DMs, emails, and comments and I peppered Lesli with scenarios about gift-giving, family gatherings, how to create our own traditions when estranged…get ready to have some practical takeaways from this episode. Full Show Notes Here Connect With Us Lesli A. Johnson, MFT: www.askadoption.com | www.yourmindfulbrain.com | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Adoptees On: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group Connect Monthly Newsletter | Send a Note or Record a Voicemail