If your truth has been shattered this episode is one for you. Jack opens up about how we get through the challenges life throws at us adoptees. Jack has a gift for clarity and distills neuroscience from his college days in a way that we can all understand healing. He changed my take on trauma. Listen in and see if he does the same for you. Jack Rocco is one of the more than two million babies born in the 1960s who were taken away from their birth mothers and sent to live with an adoptive family....
Jul 05, 2023•51 min•Ep. 325
Feeling like a victim of circumstances - poor little me - is totally normal for us. But we don't want to feel like that. So how do stop feeling that way? Listen in as poet Jill and I explore how we get a clearer sense of ourselves. When I spoke with Jill before we did the recording I knew we'd be in for a big and empowering conversation. Jill really delivered. Enjoy. Jill Uchiyama (Skufakiss) was born in New York City in 1968. She grew up in Hammond, Indiana and attended Indiana University and W...
Jul 04, 2023•54 min•Ep. 324
Our feeling of loss somehow turns into the belief that there's something wrong with us. It's central to our lives. But what if it's not true? Join adoptee and therapist Joanne as we bust this belief and explore how to improve reunions. Here's a bit about Joanne from her website: As a trauma and sex therapist, my work in this field is highly influenced by my education, training, and research in attachment and psychodynamic theories, sexual health, trauma, mindfulness, and somatic psychotherapies ...
Jul 03, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 323
If you're a Christian then you're going to love our very first unashamedly Christian interview. Jane goes deep into healing through Christ and I try to follow her. Do I keep up? Well listen in and make your own mind up. Then let me know! She takes a very intimate look at her off and on relationship with Jesus and what 'whole' means to her. Listen and be prepared to be stretched - in a good way. I know the interview stretched me and really enjoy that. Would you like to stretch me with a new take ...
Jun 30, 2023•45 min•Ep. 322
Coming out of the fog is often a painful experience. Trauma threatens to engulf us. The narrative from society or our adoptive parents is revealed to be lies. So what's healing? How do we heal? Where's the hope? Listen in adoptee and therapist Marcella shares illuminating insights. Here's more about Marcella from her website: I began my work in the mental health field working with children and adolescents in the public school system, as well as working with refugee and immigrant families in the ...
Jun 29, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 321
Here's the link to Pamela's interview: https://thriving-adoptees.simplecast.com/episodes/finding-happiness-within-with-pamela-karanova Here's the link to the podcast about us being more than molecules. https://www.simonmundie.com/blog/challenging-the-mainstream-model-of-reality-bernardo-katdrup Some words from Miguel: Before there was my adoption, there was my relinquishment. And here is something I have believed about myself since I was a child, since before I knew I was an alcoholic: My birthm...
Jun 28, 2023•52 min•Ep. 320
Time is not the greatest healer. So what is? Aha moments. Those moments when we see something new for ourselves. Insights. Quite literally sights from within. And insights from others can catalyse insights in us. Listen in as adoptee, therapist and birth mother Abby shares some of her most profound aha moments. They helped me see things I'd not seen before. I'm sure they'll do the same for you. Dr. Abigail Hasberry splits residence in Texas and Maryland. Her work focuses on examining and develop...
Jun 27, 2023•52 min•Ep. 319
So many of us feel stuck. Unable to move on. Frustrated. Aching. Suffering. Our trauma is preverbal - so we have no words for it. How can we talk about it in talk therapy? How can we heal? Ellianna shares what's helped her heal. Profound. Uplifting. Healing. Here's a link to the interview with Emma Stevens: https://thriving-adoptees.simplecast.com/episodes/freedom-with-emma-stevens Here's a link to the book about a spontaneous healing from cancer: https://www.amazon.com/Dying-Be-Me-Journey-Heali...
Jun 23, 2023•59 min•Ep. 318
For adopted individuals to be empowered to advocate for their healthcare needs, medical providers must know how to interact in an adoption identity affirming manner and create an environment where patients feel safe discussing their biological history. This episode brings together pediatrician Elaine and 2 transracial adoptees Ramya and Julia to discuss advocating for our own health. Julia Small, MS III is a transracial adoptee from Hunan, China who was raised in Topsfield, Massachusetts. She is...
Jun 22, 2023•34 min•Ep. 317
Trauma goes round and round in a loop for so many of us. So how do we try stop it? Many of us try talk therapy. But much of our trauma is preverbal - it happens literally before we have words. How on earth can we talk to a therapist about our trauma we don't have words for? Listen in as adoptee, clinician and author Julie Lopez challenges how we see healing and dives deep into ending the trauma loop. Here's more about Julie from her organisation's website: As a trauma-informed practitioner, Dr. ...
Jun 19, 2023•53 min•Ep. 316
The Primal Wound is, for so many of us, the 'bible' because it describes our experience so well. It's so many ways it's the perfect diagnosis. But what if who we TRULY are is unwoundable??? How could that possibly be true. My good friend and regular guest Vin asks me searching questions. Listen in and see if I'm barking up the totally wrong tree. Talking about barking - 10 week old chocolate labrador pup Indie steals the limelight at the end... Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) lice...
Jun 16, 2023•36 min•Ep. 315
So many of us felt like a fish out of water growing up. And feel more comfortable around people we share DNA with. Why is that? What is genetic validation? How can it help us feel more comfortable in our own skin? Adoptee and psychotherapist Elliott shares his insights to catalyse insights in us. Elliott Driscoll (he/him) is a psychotherapist at The Resource Group, and has been practicing for more than 20 years in New York, New Jersey and Maryland. He works with clients ages 22 and older. He hol...
Jun 15, 2023•53 min•Ep. 314
Working so hard to counter shame and the belief that that we are inherently bad is exhausting. Transracial and transcultural adoptee and licensed clinical social worker Rachel goes deep on leading ourselves out of this, transforming our relationship with the different parts and more. It's a particularly profound and empowering episode. Here's a bit about Rachel from her website: As a Korean American transracial and transcultural adoptee, I offer a unique lens to my therapeutic work and adoption ...
Jun 13, 2023•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 313
Transracial Adoptee Corissa suffered in the deep darkness of depression and addiction. She'd been asking herself who she was all her life. Listen in as she shares what she found out. We go deep and get clear on who we all are. I hope you love that clarity and freedom. Here's more about Corissa from her website: WHO AM I? I’ve been asking myself this question my entire life. I’m a Korean-born, adopted, American, mother, wife, entrepreneur, energy worker, storyteller, teacher, mystic, marketer, co...
Jun 02, 2023•54 min•Ep. 312
Growing up in a hostile and toxic environment adds a dense layer of trauma to the trauma of being relinquished by our birth mother. We feel insecure and unstable. Adoptee and podcaster Mike shares what he's learning about solidifying his sense of self after having a terrible time with his adoptive parents. We dive deep into resilience and identity. Profound and tough. Check out Mike's podcast at: http://www.secretsonpod.com/ Visit his website at: http://www.miketrupiano.com/ Connect with him on ...
Jun 01, 2023•55 min•Ep. 311
Some say that when we see better, we do better. I think that seeing better helps us we feel better too. More comfortable in ourselves. More at peace with the world. So the next question pops up: what helps us see better? A broader perspective. The ability to see the wood from the trees. Listen in as transracial adoptee Lora shares what she's seen about broadening her perspective and how that's helped her feel more comfortable about being her. Here's more about Lora from her website: I was born i...
May 31, 2023•49 min•Ep. 310
Coming out of the fog reveals our trauma. We become conscious of what was subconscious. But who we really are remains shrouded in mist. We just can't see it. Join Greg and I on the journey to seeing our essence. Depth reveals truths. You're going to love this if you want clarity on identity. I found this excellent bio on Jennifer Dyan Ghoston's website for the Once Upon A Time In Adoptee Land Podcast: Greg Gentry is a domestic baby scoop era adoptee, born in California in 1969. He has been in re...
May 30, 2023•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 309
How do we grow? Become comfortable in ourselves? Feel whole? Listen in as transracial adoptee Sun Mee shares her personal growth story. She brings me back to clarity after I take us down a rabbit hole. Nice work Sun Mee, thank you! We bring the episode to close with an exercise you're going to want to join in on - but not if you're driving ok? Here's a bit about Sun Mee Sun Mee is a Korean-German adoptee, certified Holistic Coach, and Founder of NUMARU— An international community platform and em...
May 26, 2023•54 min•Ep. 308
Contact Michelle: michelle@gracepointpublishing.com Make sure your book is on: http://adopteereading.com/ Check out podcasts you want to be a guest on: https://blog.feedspot.com/adoption_po... Check out that book I mentioned: https://www.amazon.co.uk/1001-Ways-Ma... Here's the link to State Adoption Programme Managers https://www.childwelfare.gov/organiza... You put your heart and soul into writing your book. Because you're passionate sharing your story. And helping and supporting your fellow ad...
May 25, 2023•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 307
Keep going. Even when the search for your roots is like looking for a needle in a haystack. John shares profound insights from his journey with modesty and humility. We go deep on identity, tenacity and curiosity. Highly recommended. John was born in Mexico and raised in Arizona. He didn't start his search until he was 50. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100036393137797 https://www.johnsaintignon.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-saintignon-176a4332/ Guests and the host are not (unle...
May 24, 2023•49 min•Ep. 306
"When I was forty-five, I received a photograph of my birth mother in the mail—the first time I ever saw someone who looked like me. Seeing myself in another person’s face was a lightning bolt so powerful it divided my life into everything that happened before that moment from everything that happened after." Listen as Eric explains more and we discuss perspective, unconditional love and more... Eric had always wondered what it was like to have a visual bond with someone else: something that cle...
May 23, 2023•51 min•Ep. 305
Ryan found out that he was adopted just before he turned 18. It rocked his world. And not in a good way! Listen in as Ryan shares what he's learned - and continues to learn - about himself, being positive and helping others. Find out more at: https://www.booksie.com/646853-my-story Connect with Ryan at: https://www.facebook.com/peshy https://www.instagram.com/peshy37 Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified ad...
May 22, 2023•54 min•Ep. 304
Healing is a word that's bandied about a lot in adoptee circles. But what does it mean? How do we heal? Listen in as I run through David Hawkins' Map Of Consciousness from the perspective of us adoptees. It's an incredibly valuable tool for our healing journey. Sir David R. Hawkins, M.D., Ph.D.,is an internationally renowned spiritual teacher, psychiatrist, physician, researcher, lecturer and developer of the widely-known Map of Consciousness® The map/ladder/scale https://www.reddit.com/r/ALLISM...
May 18, 2023•24 min•Ep. 303
Simon Benn was adopted at 5 weeks old and told so young he doesn’t ever remember not knowing. He didn't experience any conscious adoption trauma until 40 when he found out his childhood teddy bear was a gift from his birth mother. This caused an eruption of anger, feeling rejected and unloved. That kickstarted a healing journey exploring trauma, my roots and who he is. He’s spent 16 years doing this and continues to be fascinated by it all and: working with 2,500 kids and parents in the UK and U...
May 17, 2023•14 min•Ep. 302
Have you spent a lot of your life trying to be free from trauma? I know I have! What if you could be free with trauma? Poetry can take where we've never been before. Listen as adoptee and poet Sarah shares a couple of her poems and we discuss peace, trauma and healing. Sarah Audsley is the author of Landlock X (Texas Review Press, 2023). A Korean American adoptee, a graduate of the MFA Program for Writers at Warren Wilson College, and a member of The Starlings Collective, Audsley lives and works...
May 16, 2023•53 min•Ep. 301
Boom! Many of us adoptees come out of the fog with a painful explosion. Adoptee and Developmental Psychologist Sharon goes deep on understanding repressed feelings, spiritual experience and much more as we explore her healing journey to help us progress along ours. Here's more about Sharon from her website: I am a graduate of Harvard University, where I completed my Doctorate in Education in human development and psychology, and held an internship at McLean Hospital in Belmont, Massachusetts.I h...
May 15, 2023•53 min•Ep. 300
Liz's nightmares used to be so vividly terrifying that they took her all day or to get over. And depression and anxiety marred her waking hours. We go deep exploring the multiple layers of trauma, separating from it to heal. Listen in with big ears to Liz's inspirational story of transformational change. Connect with her: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liz-debetta-ph-d-7b4ba953 https://www.facebook.com/liz.debetta Live soon: https://www.lizdebetta.com Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) ...
May 12, 2023•51 min•Ep. 299
Catie's watershed moment came when shame shifted for her. Listen in as we go deep on shifting shame through tenacity and curiosity - being mindfluid rather than being stuck in a mindset. This episode is one of the most laser focused conversations we've ever had on the show. That focus makes it incredibly powerful. I hope you love listening to the conversation as much Catie and I loved having it. Here's some background on Catie from her website: My name is Catie Samantha Peck. At birth I was name...
May 10, 2023•54 min•Ep. 298
With our life story missing chapter 1, it's no wonder identity can be tricky or a complete mystery for us adoptees. How can we feel good enough if we don't know who we are? Listen in as Jeff and I explore identity beyond shame, guilt and trauma. Jeff was adopted at birth. Raised in the Bay Area by two wonderfully loving parents, Jeff still felt a pull to know and uncover the mystery of his origin. Jeff eventually found his biological roots and has been in reunion with his birthmother for almost ...
May 09, 2023•53 min•Ep. 297
We adoptees often believe there is something wrong with us. This is known as pathologising ourselves. Adoptee Joyce has been working in the adoption world for 55 years. Listen in as Joyce shares what she's learned about busting the belief that there is something wrong with us. Dr. Pavao has done extensive training, both nationally and internationally. She is a lecturer in Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, and she has consulted to various public and private child welfare agencies, adoption ag...
May 04, 2023•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 296
