Lena Rosenbloom is a domestic closed adopted person from New Jersey New York. She was adopted in the 80’s and raised as an only child in an adoptive family that could not have children. She entered reunion in 2002 with her paternal biological family. Elena discovered her biologic family through the adoption.com website and message boards She has three half siblings on her paternal side. Lena has reached out to her biological mother two times in the past 20 years and been rejected.Lena is a licen...
Feb 13, 2024•57 min
Greg Gentry is a domestic baby scoop era adoptee, born in California in 1969. He spent the first 6 weeks of his life in foster care before going to live with his adoptive family. Greg has gone through the ups-and-downs of reunion with his maternal side since 2006. In 2021, a fellow adoptee helped him locate his paternal family. He has been in reunion with members of his late father’s side since early 2022, and continues to cultivate those relationships. Since July 2021, Greg has been an active m...
Feb 08, 2024•57 min
In this episode, you will get the chance to get to know our team at PBTR. Stephanie Joy Pipes/ Creative Director /Producer, Amy Hansen Co-Host/ Operations Manager/ Publicity , Elle Klassen Co-Host/Art Curator and Sean Farley Sound Engineer/Co-producer will be joining us today. The definition of a team is a group of people working collaboratively towards a common goal pooling their skills and knowledge. Although this definition resonates, our team also leads with their hearts, generosity and time...
Jan 25, 2024•51 min
Michelle Madrid is a life coach and guidance mentor who is passionate about igniting the light within every adoptee. She seeks soulful modalities of healing to support clients in feeling a deeper connectedness with themselves and with others. Michelle is a former foster child from the United Kingdom and an international adoptee. She understands the nuances of the adoptee experience and considers it a great honor to guide adoptees back home to themselves as they embrace a deeper sense of identity...
Jan 20, 2024•59 min
A special message from Heidi: With the tremendous support of my family, the PBTR team, and our adoption community, I am back to interviewing and embracing the work I am called to do. This week's solo episode is not just a reflection of my gratitude but also an exciting prelude to what's ahead. We are thrilled to be releasing future interviews soon with some remarkable guests, showcasing the diverse and impactful stories from around the globe. This marks a significant step in our journey, as Pull...
Jan 17, 2024•5 min
Christelle Pellecuer is a certified coach who helps adoptees to navigate their stories so they can find their authentic voices and identity. She has have been on a journey of self-discovery and self-acceptance as her adoption journey, like for many adoptees, has not been straightforward. She was adopted in South of France from Madagascar at the age of 10. For a long time, she lived in denial and didn’t acknowledge that her adoption was the cause of much of the life confusion she was feeling and ...
Jan 01, 2024•58 min
“Lora K. Joy is the progression of me. Lora was the name my biological mother gave me, but did not feel she had the right to put on my birth certificate. K. stands for her last name and for Kimberly. A name that is on my adoption record, but I am not sure who gave it to me. Joy was my adoptive name and how everyone knew me until January 2022 when I legally reclaimed the name Lora. I am an adult adoptee, born in 1979 and adopted through a religious organization in a closed adoption. The first tim...
Dec 31, 2023•1 hr 1 min
Jessica Pearson is a Certified Life and Health Coach, Co-Founder of Path Nutrition and Co-Host of Weight a Minute Podcast. Her work dives deep into the world of anti-diet culture and self acceptance. She's on a mission to help people to break free from diet culture and develop a profound and compassionate relationship with both their bodies and food. Her holistic approach to well-being extends beyond mere nutrition advice; it's about fostering lasting transformations and nurturing an empowered m...
Dec 23, 2023•58 min
Betsy McCoach is a full professor in the Educational Psychology department at the University of Connecticut where she teaches quantitative research methods and conducts research in education and psychology. Born in 1970, Betsy was placed with her adoptive family at 7 weeks old. Betsy grew up in a stable family and has always known that she was adopted. Betsy has one older adoptive brother: he is over 9 years older than she is, and he is not adopted. Betsy has been married to her husband for almo...
Dec 03, 2023•1 hr 4 min
Julie Ryan McGue is an author, a domestic adoptee, and an identical twin. She writes extensively about finding out who you are, where you belong, and making sense of it. Julie’s debut award winning memoir Twice a Daughter: A Search for Identity, Family, and Belonging (https://juliemcgueauthor.com/books/)(She Writes Press) came out in May 2021. It is the story of her five-year search for birth relatives. Her weekly blogs That Girl, This Life (https://juliemcgueauthor.com/blog/)and monthly column ...
Dec 01, 2023•53 min•Ep. 102
Joining us this week is returning guest from March, 2022 (episode 68) Linda Pevac where we learned about her adoption journey and discussed her first book, “The Gathering Place.” Linda has since released her second book, “A Fire is Coming,” available both on Amazon.com and audible. Linda, “Emma Stevens,” is a US domestic adoptee who was adopted at birth and has survived many layers of trauma. Her childhood upbringing in an authoritative, cult-like family, predisposed Linda to several more strugg...
Nov 04, 2023•51 min•Ep. 101
Thank you for being part of this journey, as we celebrate this milestone of 100 episodes with you! Pulled By The Root wishes to continue to shed light on the intricate journey of adoption, highlighting the resilience and strength of our community. In this episode, we are joined by Heidi Marble with a special message of hope and gratitude. Click here to send us a text. Also, our book “Pulled By The Root” is available at https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/book https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/...
Oct 22, 2023•4 min
Dana Ozak is a full time preschool teacher, passionate adoptee advocate, and author of her soon to be released memoir, “A Girl and Her Four Families.” Dana was born at St. John’s Hospital in Cleveland in 1973. She was adopted through Catholic Charities in November of 1973. Her adoption was never kept a secret from her, but she still wondered where she came from. She was able to find her biological mother’s name after the state of Ohio released her OBC (Original Birth Certificate). Sadly, she als...
Oct 08, 2023•50 min
This week we are joined by author, late discovery adoptee, and adoptee advocate Fred Nicora. Fred discovered he was adopted at the age of 41 years old, through a slip of the tongue by an elderly aunt at a large family gathering, when Fred’s parents had already passed away. The subsequent revelation was the discovery that he had no legal right to learn his true identity. "Forbidden Roots" describes Fred's journey over six years, from this discovery, through reunions, and finally arriving at some ...
Sep 19, 2023•57 min
Jenny has a deep connection to the human spirit, and a lifelong passion for health and wellness. Over the span of her life and career she has worked with thousands of individuals in fitness, with special needs, education, and business communities. Jenny has 21 certifications in alternative health and fitness, and an extensive background in business leadership. Her experience and education extend far beyond the classroom. Jenny was adopted as a baby and into an extraordinary family with a multitu...
Aug 29, 2023•54 min
Ken is an adoptee who was always wondering. Wondering about what if? Wondering about why? Always wondering and feeling rudderless. Ken suspects many adoptees have experienced the same insecurities. He decided that he needed to explore this further, examining his own journey and that of his birth mother on a deeper level. This examination inspired Ken to write his debut novel, "I Will See You Again....Hearts Will Sing". A journey of self-discovery told through equal parts of elation, despair, and...
Jul 22, 2023•58 min
Liz Brownell is a mother, wife, teacher, artist, and adoptee living in upstate NY. She and her husband Kurt live outside of Rochester with their teenagers. What started as a curiosity in an effort to thank her First mother let to the sad discovery that she would never have a chance to meet her. As she navigated the fog she found two half sisters and some other extended family along the way. She is beginning to collect and refine stories for her upcoming sabbatical. Liz will explore more deeply t...
Jul 09, 2023•49 min
Robert Ferraro is a pop culture journalist whose interviews include Jane Seymour, Melissa Etheridge, Paula Abdul and others. Robert is also founder of The Giving Arts, a website through which he helps public figures publicize their charitable causes. His essay sharing the challenges of his life as an adoptee - entitled 'My Love Is Stronger Than Your Disregard' - received considerable acclaim for its honesty and vulnerability. A companion piece, chronicling his emotional attempt to engage his bir...
Jun 09, 2023•1 hr 2 min
CARLYN MONTES DE OCA is a multi-award-winning author, an international speaker, and passionate animal advocate. A former film editor on such movies as Honey, I Shrunk the Kids and Three Men and a Little Lady , Carlyn holds a bachelor’s degree from Loyola Marymount University in communication arts and a master’s degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine. As a sought after speaker, Carlyn frequently talks on the powerful ways human health, happiness, and longevity are improved through our connection ...
May 25, 2023•54 min
Julia was adopted in September 1963, under the New Zealand closed adoption policy of sealed records. She grew up knowing she was adopted, but was unable to search for her real family until the late 1980s after the law was changed to allow adult adoptees to have access to their original birth certificates. She was able to trace her mother in the United Kingdom; however, to this day, her mother has not wanted a relationship with her. It took a great deal more to locate her father, who was an Ameri...
May 13, 2023•57 min
In this week's episode, we are delighted to have two special guests for an enriching roundtable discussion. We welcome back Lance Lukin, our guest from episode 33. Born in New Zealand in 1967, Lance was placed for adoption when he was just 21 days old, with his adoption becoming official in 1969. In addition, we are privileged to be joined by Brigitta Baker, adopted during the era of closed adoptions. Brigitta, fondly known as Brigs, brings a wealth of professional experience to the conversation...
Apr 29, 2023•1 hr 8 min
Beth Syverson, a mother, wife, and musician, has been a podcaster, activist, and public speaker since 2021. After adopting Joey from Japan at seven and a half months old, she came to understand that the core of his substance use stemmed from the trauma of relinquishment. As a guiding figure for adoptive parents grappling with the realization that their child's adoption brought about trauma, Beth offers support and understanding. Through their podcast, Untangling Adoption, she and Joey openly sha...
Apr 14, 2023•1 hr
Born in August 1970, Patrick Hawes was adopted in North Carolina. Growing up with a Japanese adoptive mother, it was clear that he wasn't her biological child. However, it wasn't until adulthood that Patrick felt compelled to seek answers about his biological family. Questions like "Why did my mom give me up? Was I not good enough? Did she not want me?" weighed on his mind. In 2015, Patrick embarked on a journey to find those answers. As he puts it, "I knew there was a possibility my mom wouldn'...
Apr 01, 2023•56 min
In this week's episode, our guest Lindsey shares her powerful story as a first mother who became pregnant at 15 and had no choice but to give up her baby for adoption. For 40 years, Lindsey carried this pain in secret. She discusses the challenges of adoption and society's need to understand the emotional impact of mother-child separation. This heart wrenching episode takes you on a journey as Lindsey recounts, for the first time, the highs and lows of her reunion with her daughter. Click here t...
Mar 17, 2023•50 min
This week we are welcoming back our guest Elle K. for a second interview. We take a deep dive into mothering, estrangement, F. O. G. fear, obligation, guilt), the healing works of fairy forests as well as why “hope” is such a slippery word. Her artwork and spirit are breathtaking. Elle’s way of unpacking the complexities of adoption is dynamic, heart felt and honest. To listen to our first conversation with Elle, tune into Ep70. Click here to send us a text. Also, our book “Pulled By The Root” i...
Mar 06, 2023•52 min
Shelise Keum Mee Gieseke (s/hers) is head of operations at Adoption Mosaic. Adoption Mosaic is a BIPOC woman and adoptee-led business that seeks to build an inviting adoption conscious community by providing innovative adoptee-centered programs and support. She has worked in the adoption community as an editor, educator, and administrator for over 10 years, including editing and curating the blog Land of Gazillion Adoptees and the online magazine Gazillion Voices. She is also an intercountry Kor...
Feb 10, 2023•56 min
Shelley is a domestic adoptee from the baby scoop era. 1970. She started her search four years ago and has since struggled deeply with attempts to connect with her biological Mother. Shelley is a pediatric nurse who is married with two sons. For this episode, I am joined by my guest co-host adopted person Amy Hansen. Together we traverse the highs and lows of Shelley’s journey. The courage and compassion Shelley holds in her heart are inspiring. Click here to send us a text. Also, our book “Pull...
Jan 27, 2023•51 min
Jenny Becknell is a biological mother who relinquished her daughter in an open adoption plan in 1992. The adoption was so open that Jenny left the hospital with the adoptive parents who welcomed them into their home. The relationship continued to be amicable until Jenny’s daughter turned 18 then it all fell apart. Jenny has watched her daughter struggle over the years, even though she had her biological parents and adoptive parents in her life it wasn’t easy. All the decisions were made by other...
Jan 11, 2023•57 min
Michael Raymond Porter was born on July 5th 1968. His adoption was legalized on December 28th, 1972. Two years ago Michael began his deepest search and introspection on “who am I supposed to be?” In Michael’s submission to our podcast, he acknowledges the exhaustion of trying to put the pieces of his adoption story together. This episode is also a master class in courage, as Michael continues to keep a soft heart in spite of everything he has been through. This is the first time he is sharing hi...
Dec 18, 2022•53 min
In this episode we are joined by biological mother, Barbara Bazett and daughter Vicky Graham, separated by adoption speak about being in reunion for nearly 30 years. Everyone loves a happy ending: Mother and daughter became best friends, but they had a rough start. It took decades to get real. After years of searching, biological Barbara found Vicky - her secret baby, and the intensity of their connection was shocking. The healing bond between mother and child remained. Barbara and Vicky continu...
Nov 15, 2022•54 min
