Adoptees On

Can you really be adopted back into your family of origin? I get to introduce you to Jemma Sullivan, and she shares some incredibly painful realities of having a narcissistic adoptive parent, it's not all gloom and doom though - I promise you need to wait to hear what happens at the beginning of Jemma's new chapter with her first mother. Full Show Notes Here Connect With Us Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Adoptees On: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Monthly Newsletter Send a Note or Record a Voicemail Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Play | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group

Lesli A. Johnson, MFT answers a listener question about finding our identity. "Lesli kept saying it was important to know your narrative as a way to heal trauma. I don't know mine. I don't know really anything about how I came into the world, I don't even know who my father is. Half of my ancestry is a big black hole. And society tells me to be grateful for that. How do we move forward without knowing our first chapter?" Full Show Notes Here Connect With Us Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Adoptees On: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Monthly Newsletter Send a Note or Record a Voicemail Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Play | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group

If you are in reunion or are anticipating one shortly… this episode is for you. Marni Hall shares her story and walks us through three guiding principles that she has for a successful reunion, and they are so helpful. Full Show Notes Here Connect With Us Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Adoptees On: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Monthly Newsletter Send a Note or Record a Voicemail Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Play | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group

Haley talks about how to find an adoption-competent therapist. She gives you five questions to ask and multiple tips for finding that perfect fit. Full Show Notes Here Connect With Us Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Adoptees On: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Monthly Newsletter Send a Note or Record a Voicemail Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Play | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group

Rebekah Henson shares her story of growing up as an only child, then discovering she was one of seven biological siblings. If this sounds at all familiar, I actually interviewed Rebekah's older sister Mary Anna King on season one, episode 7. Rebekah is incredibly open with me about the challenges of such a complex reunion. We also dish on all the awkward and completely inappropriate things people have said to us about being adopted. We also chat about the adoptee rights movement and adoptee advocacy and activism. Full Show Notes Here Connect With Us Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Adoptees On: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Monthly Newsletter Send a Note or Record a Voicemail Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Play | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group

Katie Jae Naftzger, LICSW discusses why adoptees can hold themselves back from becoming successful. Why do we feel like we're not worth that much, that we don't have value to bring to the table? How can we manage our insecurity? Full Show Notes Here Connect With Us Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Adoptees On: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Monthly Newsletter Send a Note or Record a Voicemail Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Play | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group

Mariette Williams tells us about her experiences as a Haitian adoptee growing up in Vancouver, Canada, and finding out that her adoption was non-consensual. We touch on some things that transracial adoptees may struggle with and Mariette gives us her perspective on adoption reform. Full Show Notes Here Connect With Us Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Adoptees On: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Monthly Newsletter Send a Note or Record a Voicemail Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Play | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group

Is adoption really as traumatic as some people say it is? Lesli A. Johnson, MFT teaches us about what the word trauma means and confirms that indeed a trauma occurs when an infant, a baby, a child is separated from their mother. There's even brain science to prove it! The process of separating a baby from its mother is coded in the nervous system as traumatic for both the mother and the baby. We chat about ways to heal from adoption trauma and Lesli suggests three books for further reading on the topic. Full Show Notes Here Connect With Us Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Adoptees On: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Monthly Newsletter Send a Note or Record a Voicemail Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Play | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group

An in-depth discussion with a first mother and daughter (Maret Headley and Erica Curry VanEe) that is one of the most touching and intimate views I've ever had of a reunion. They were extraordinarily candid with me about what's been lost because of adoption. Three adoptees (Ruth Rawlin Tacoma, Lisa Floyd, and Michelle Madden) tell me, "what do you really think about adoption?", "what would you say to your family of origin if you had the chance?", and "what do non-adopted people need to know about adoptees?". And, as per usual, I cry while describing a moment at the conference I will never forget. Full Show Notes Here Connect With Us Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Adoptees On: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Monthly Newsletter Send a Note or Record a Voicemail Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Play | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group

Mike McDonald, the host of The Rambler podcast, tells us about his experiences as a Korean adoptee, his work with the Also Known As Teen/Youth Mentorship Program and why he did DNA testing before he got married. Mike teaches us about the extensive Korean adoption program and tells us that there are over 200,000 Korean adoptees worldwide. Full Show Notes Here Connect With Us Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Adoptees On: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Monthly Newsletter Send a Note or Record a Voicemail Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Play | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group

Pamela 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. Full Show Notes Here Connect With Us Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Adoptees On: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Monthly Newsletter Send a Note or Record a Voicemail Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Play | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group

Lesli A. Johnson, MFT answers the question, "How do I tell my adoptive parents I'm searching for my biological family". An adoptee's desire to search is not a rejection of their biological parents. It's a natural, normal desire to want to know your biology, to know the circumstances of your birth, and to see someone who resembles you. Lots of great takeaways in this episode! Full Show Notes Here Connect With Us Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Adoptees On: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Monthly Newsletter Send a Note or Record a Voicemail Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Play | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group

Keith Sciarillo is a late discovery adoptee. His cousin accidentally told him he was adopted when Keith was 33 years old. No one would confirm this for Keith, so he went on to search and find out for himself. We talk about how almost everyone in Keith's extended family knew and just assumed Keith knew too. Full Show Notes Here Connect With Us Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Adoptees On: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Monthly Newsletter Send a Note or Record a Voicemail Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Play | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group

We talk with Katie Jae Naftzger, LICSW about what to do when you don't find answers at the end of your search. Katie shares about her trips back to Korea to search and her two moments of clarity during her second trip. One while hearing babies cry all night long at the adoption agency and another when a birthmother asks her, "What's the hardest part about being adopted?". We've got four steps to finding some peace when those answers never come. Full Show Notes Here Connect With Us Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Adoptees On: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Monthly Newsletter Send a Note or Record a Voicemail Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Play | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group

Anne Heffron (author of You Don't Look Adopted) goes deep into all kinds of things in her story, including failures that she attributes to adoption trauma, things she's working on to find healing, what "write or die" means to her, and we find a way to laugh a lot. Full Show Notes Here Connect With Us Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Adoptees On: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Monthly Newsletter Send a Note or Record a Voicemail Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Play | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group

We talk with Melissa K. Nicholson, LMSW about adoptee suicide (sometimes in a graphic manner and so please listen at your discretion). An incredibly important topic as adoptees are at a greater risk for suicide than the general population. We talk about some warning signs, how to get help, how we can intervene and also therapies that are beneficial for adoptees who may struggle with suicidal ideation. If you are suicidal, please reach out for help: USA: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ or 1-800-273-TALK (8255) Canada: http://suicideprevention.ca/need-help/ (There's local numbers for each province, sometimes for local communities as well) Things to look up in your area "crisis centre" "distress line" "suicide hotline" You can also call 911 to be connected to a suicide hotline. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_suicide_crisis_lines Melissa K. Nicholson www.mkntherapy.com Full Show Notes Here Connect With Us Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Adoptees On: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Monthly Newsletter Send a Note or Record a Voicemail Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Play | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group

Fellow adoptee and therapist, Lesli A. Johnson, MFT teaches us all about EMDR therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing by Dr. Francine Shapiro). We talk about what it is and Lesli explains why it is so incredibly effective for adoptees. Full Show Notes Here Connect With Us Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Adoptees On: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Monthly Newsletter Send a Note or Record a Voicemail Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Play | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group

An interview with John, an adoptee who accidentally discovered he was adopted at age 10. We unpack the strain this placed on his relationship with his adoptive parents and the trust issues this has caused him throughout his life. John also shares how his birthmother found him, and the warm reception he's received from his extended family. Full Show Notes Here Connect With Us Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Adoptees On: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Monthly Newsletter Send a Note or Record a Voicemail Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Play | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group

Pamela Cordano, MFT addresses the question that many adoptees struggle with, "Why Me?". Pam shares that it's a natural, yet painful question for us to struggle with. We talk about how we can work on healing this feeling of shame and unworthiness. Full Show Notes Here Connect With Us Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Adoptees On: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Monthly Newsletter Send a Note or Record a Voicemail Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Play | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group

An interview with Kelley Baumgartner an adoptee who found her birthmother via a public social media poster search. You've likely seen her facebook post where she held up a poster with personal details in an attempt to be able to connect with her biological family. She shares about the effects this has had on her reunion, and about her relationship with her adoptive parents. Full Show Notes Here Connect With Us Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Adoptees On: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Monthly Newsletter Send a Note or Record a Voicemail Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Play | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group

A bonus episode featuring Lesli A. Johnson, MFT where we speak about surviving the holidays as an adoptee. Lesli coaches us through some situations where we may feel triggered, and shares some practical steps we can take to practice mindfulness and self care. Full Show Notes Here Connect With Us Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Adoptees On: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Monthly Newsletter Send a Note or Record a Voicemail Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Play | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group

Carrie Cahill Mulligan and Haley Radke chat about some themes they've seen throughout the season one interviews, a peek behind-the-scenes and plans for season two. Haley Radke shares an in-depth view of her first reunion story with her birth mother (which ends in secondary rejection) which starts around the 28 minute mark if you'd like to skip the chit-chat. Full Show Notes Here Connect With Us Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Adoptees On: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Monthly Newsletter Send a Note or Record a Voicemail Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Play | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group

An interview with Davis Peticolas who shares his story about coming out of the adoption fog when he was fifty years old. Davis outlines some of his deeply personal struggles that can be traced back to adoption trauma as the root cause. Full Show Notes Here Connect With Us Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Adoptees On: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Monthly Newsletter Send a Note or Record a Voicemail Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Play | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group

We talk with Pamela Karanova of Adoptee in Recovery, a fellow adoptee who'll be sharing her story with us. We talk about her search, a brief reunion, her struggle with alcohol addiction and recovery, and some surprising connections she's made with extended bio family members through DNA testing. We also discuss some issues about Christianity and adoption. Full Show Notes Here Connect With Us Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Adoptees On: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Monthly Newsletter Send a Note or Record a Voicemail Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Play | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group

An interview with Landric, an adoptee who was recently found by his natural mother. We discuss his relinquishment, feelings about reunion, becoming an oldest brother to four siblings, and a big lesson he's learned from his time in counselling. Full Show Notes Here Connect With Us Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Adoptees On: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Monthly Newsletter Send a Note or Record a Voicemail Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Play | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group

An interview with Liz Story who shares her journey of reunion with her birth mother, her gift of a kidney (!) to her maternal aunt, and her hesitation to connect with her birth father and how Twitter led Liz to explore an entirely new definition of what it means to be adopted. Full Show Notes Here Connect With Us Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Adoptees On: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Monthly Newsletter Send a Note or Record a Voicemail Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Play | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group

An interview with Diane Wheaton, a fellow adoptee who is in reunion with her biological mother. We talk about letting go of the idealized picture of reunion and some hard truths about the seemingly permanent place of unsettledness and ambivalence Diane has come to. Full Show Notes Here Connect With Us Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Adoptees On: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Monthly Newsletter Send a Note or Record a Voicemail Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Play | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group

An interview with Mary Anna King who shares her fascinating in-family adoption story. She describes her experiences of being adopted as an older child, and also her separation from (and subsequent reunions with) her other biological siblings. We also discuss common adoptee feelings of guilt and indebtedness. Full Show Notes Here Connect With Us Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Adoptees On: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Monthly Newsletter Send a Note or Record a Voicemail Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Play | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group

An interview with Liz Prato, author of Baby's on Fire. Liz shares her search and secondary rejection story with us. She received a letter from an attorney from her biological father. Liz also shares her beautiful reunion with her biological half-sister and the heartbreak of losing her entire adoptive family by age 44. Full Show Notes Here Connect With Us Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Adoptees On: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Monthly Newsletter Send a Note or Record a Voicemail Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Play | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group

An interview with Ellie who shares her story of being an in-family adoptee; adopted by her great uncle and aunt, Ellie shares what her current relationship is like with her birth mother, who is now legally her cousin. Full Show Notes Here Connect With Us Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Adoptees On: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Monthly Newsletter Send a Note or Record a Voicemail Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Play | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group

An interview with Becky Drinnen, a fellow adoptee who shares her experiences as a baby scoop adoptee and the pain of secondary rejection. We also discuss her Sherlock-Holmes-level searching skills to find her biological father. Full Show Notes Here Connect With Us Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Adoptees On: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Monthly Newsletter Send a Note or Record a Voicemail Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Play | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group

An interview with Maeve Kelly who shares her story of search and secondary rejection from her biological mother. We discuss some deep feelings and how our views of adoption have shifted as we became parents. Full Show Notes Here Connect With Us Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Adoptees On: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Monthly Newsletter Send a Note or Record a Voicemail Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Play | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group

An interview with Carrie Cahill Mulligan who shares her story of search and secondary rejection from her birth mother, and later her reunion with her biological father. We talk about the stages of reunion (AKA the emotional roller coaster!) as well as how grief and joy can intermingle. Full Show Notes Here Connect With Us Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Adoptees On: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Monthly Newsletter Send a Note or Record a Voicemail Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Play | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group

We introduce season one of the podcast where adoptees discuss the adoption experience. Adult adoptees share stories of search, reunion, and secondary rejection. Adoptees On also curates recommended resources to encourage and educate the adoption community about adoptee issues. Connect With Us Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Adoptees On: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Monthly Newsletter Send a Note or Record a Voicemail Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Play | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group