SummaryIn this conversation, Dr. Abby Hasberry discusses her experiences with adoption, highlighting the coercive nature of the decision-making process and the lack of support she received after relinquishing her child. She reflects on the illusion of choice she felt and the absence of practical planning for her future post-adoption.
Summary In this episode of the Adoption Journey podcast, host Tarcia Smith welcomes back repeat guest Koko and her brother Eric Shaw to discuss their experiences as Black adoptees. They reflect on the recent Black Adoptee Meetup 2024, sharing how it was a profound and healing experience for them. The conversation delves into their personal stories of growing up adopted, the dynamics of their adoptive family, and the impact of their adoptive parents on their lives. Eric and Koko share their differing experiences with their adoptive mother, highlighting the complexities of their relationships and the challenges they faced. They also discuss the effects of trauma and the importance of addressing it to break the cycle for future generations. In this conversation, Eric and Koko delve into their experiences with trauma, family dynamics, and the impact of narcissism on their lives. They discuss the challenges of reconnecting with their birth families, the complexities of their relationships with their adoptive mother, and the importance of setting boundaries for self-love and healing. The dialogue emphasizes the significance of understanding narcissistic traits and the necessity of prioritizing one's well-being in the face of familial challenges.
Summary In this episode of the Adoption Journey podcast, host Tarcia Smith speaks with Jade, a transracial adoptee who shares her harrowing experiences of growing up in foster care and navigating multiple adoptive families. Jade recounts her early life in a chaotic home, her time in a therapeutic foster home where she faced abuse, and her struggles with cultural identity in a conservative adoptive family. The conversation highlights the complexities of adoption, the impact of trauma, and the resilience required to overcome such challenges. In this conversation, Jade shares her profound journey through childhood trauma, foster care, and the complexities of adoption. She discusses the challenges she faced while growing up in an abusive foster home, her decision to run away, and the eventual adoption by a loving family. Jade also reflects on her reconnection with her biological family, the struggles of navigating cultural identity as a transracial adoptee, and the importance of advocacy for foster children. Her story is one of resilience, personal growth, and the ongoing journey of self-discovery.
Summary In this episode, host Tarsha Smith connects with her cousin Jerome, whom she recently discovered through her paternal side of the family. Jerome shares his experience as an adoptive parent and discusses why he and his wife decided to adopt. They also talk about the challenges and adjustments their biological children had to make when they welcomed foster children into their home. The conversation explores the process of fostering and adoption, as well as the importance of empathy and living out one's faith. In this conversation, Jerome Chandler discusses his experience as a foster and adoptive parent. He talks about the process of becoming a foster parent, including the extensive background checks and home inspections. Jerome emphasizes the importance of maintaining therapy appointments and documenting the child's progress. He also addresses the concern of children being lost in the system and assures that in his case, the agency and state were actively involved in checking on the children. Jerome shares that the adjustment of the adoptive children has had its ups and downs, but overall, they have been doing well. He highlights the importance of open communication and family therapy in resolving conflicts and building stronger relationships. Jerome also discusses the role of faith and therapy in his parenting journey. He encourages potential foster and adoptive parents to do inner work, take classes, practice discipline techniques, and seek support from a support group.
Summary In this episode of the Adoption Journey podcast, host Tarcia Smith speaks with Kimberly Carter, a fellow adoptee, about her experiences growing up knowing she was adopted, the emotional complexities of her journey, and her eventual search for her birth family. Kimberly shares her feelings of shame and relief, the challenges of navigating relationships with both her adoptive and biological families, and the importance of self-care and community support during the search process. The conversation highlights the significance of understanding one's identity and the healing journey for adoptees.
Summary The conversation revolves around the Black Adoptee Meetup, highlighting the experiences, connections, and cultural significance of the event. The speakers share their personal stories, the importance of creating a safe space for dialogue, and the unique challenges faced by Black adoptees. They reflect on the impact of the meetup and express gratitude for the community formed, emphasizing the need for such gatherings in the future.
Summary In this episode of the Adoption Journey podcast, host Tarcia Smith speaks with Dominique Williams, who shares his unique story of searching for his father after growing up without him. Dominique discusses his childhood experiences, the challenges of not having a father figure, and the emotional journey of discovering his family through DNA testing. He recounts the steps he took to find his father, the initial contact, and the subsequent building of relationships with newfound family members. Dominique offers insights and advice for others who may be on a similar journey of searching for lost family connections.
Summary In this episode of the Adoption Journey podcast, host Tarcia Smith engages in a heartfelt conversation with Tony Hynes, who shares his personal experiences with adoption, foster care, and identity. Tony reflects on his early awareness of being adopted, the complexities of his family dynamics, and the impact of cultural differences on his upbringing. He discusses the challenges faced by interracial adoptive families, the motivations behind adoption, and the importance of understanding one's identity, especially in the context of race and family. The conversation also touches on the significance of hair as a cultural marker, navigating relationships in a gay household, and the ongoing complexities of relationships with birth families. Tony emphasizes the importance of support for adoptees and the need to hold space for all emotions related to adoption.
Summary In this episode of the Adoption Journey podcast, host Harsha Smith speaks with Adrienne Tucker, an adoptive mother who shares her emotional and transformative journey to motherhood through adoption. Adrienne discusses her background in working with victims of sex trafficking, her struggles with infertility, and the unique circumstances that led her to adopt a child. She highlights the challenges of navigating the adoption process, including cultural considerations and the importance of community support. Adrienne also shares her experiences with fundraising for adoption, the emotional rollercoaster of waiting for a child, and the joy of finally holding her baby. The conversation emphasizes the significance of open adoption and the importance of being honest with adopted children about their origins. Ultimately, Adrienne's story is one of hope, love, and the power of community in the adoption journey.
Summary In this episode of the Adoption Journey podcast, host Tarcia Smith engages in a heartfelt conversation with Morgan Harvey about her experiences with adoption, DNA testing, and the search for her birth family. Morgan shares her emotional journey of discovering her roots, connecting with her birth family, and navigating complex relationships with her birth parents. The discussion highlights the impact of identity, the significance of family connections, and the ongoing process of self-discovery and healing that comes with understanding one's origins.
Morgan Harvey shares her adoption journey, starting with finding out she was adopted at the age of four. She recalls the conversation with her parents and how she already knew she was adopted. At the age of eight, she had a different conversation about her adoption, which led to feelings of being shut down and silenced. Morgan discusses her relationship with her adoptive parents, describing her dad as cool and her mom as strict. She talks about her experiences in school, including being bullied and constantly switching schools. Morgan then shares her decision to search for her birth family, starting with her birth mother. She also discusses her journey to becoming a mother herself and the challenges she faced. The episode ends with Morgan going to the adoption agency and hitting a roadblock in her search. Morgan shares her experience of searching for her biological family and the challenges she faced along the way. She recounts her interactions with adoption agencies and the difficulties in obtaining information. Morgan eventually discovers non-identifying information about her birth mother, which provides some insight into her background. She also discusses her struggles with attachment and identity after giving birth to her own child. Despite the obstacles, Morgan remains determined to find answers and connects with other adoptees for support. She eventually takes a DNA test and receives surprising results.
Brittney shares her experience of being in the foster care system and the challenges she faced. She talks about the initial transition into foster care and the circumstances that led to her and her siblings being placed in the system. She discusses the impact of being separated from her siblings and the trauma she experienced. Brittney also highlights the difficulties she faced in different foster homes and the lack of understanding and support she received. She touches on the issue of behavior and how it affected her placements. The conversation ends with the revelation that her twin and younger sister were adopted together, leaving her feeling abandoned. Brittney Sherell shares her journey from foster care to advocacy and founding the Suitcase in a Dream foundation. She emphasizes the importance of never stopping dreaming and provides resources and support for those aging out of foster care. Brittney also discusses her experiences with autism, healing, and the power of unpacking. She announces the launch of her podcast, Suitcase Conversations.
Summary Kathy shares her journey as a two-time adoptee, revealing her experiences with abuse, foster care, and the challenges of identity and family dynamics. She discusses her search for her birth parents and the complexities of her adoption story. Kathy shares her journey of searching for her biological family, encountering heartbreak, disappointment, and unexpected reunions. She navigates the complexities of family relationships and the impact of her discoveries on her life. Kathy shares her journey of finding her birth parents and the challenges she faced in building relationships with them. She emphasizes the importance of identity and medical history for adoptees and encourages others to pursue their own search for their birth families.
Summary Maya, a same-race adoptee, shares her adoption journey and how her understanding of adoption changed as she grew older. She discusses the challenges she faced as a child and teenager, feeling isolated and struggling with her identity. Maya talks about her decision to search for her birth parents and the support she received from her adoptive parents. She shares the steps she took in her search, including registering on an adoption registry and writing a letter to the court. Despite not finding a match, Maya remains determined to continue her search. Maya Holmes shares her journey of searching for her birth family and the emotional reunions she experienced. After learning about changes in adoption laws, Maya requested her original birth certificate and received it on Mother's Day. She then wrote a letter to her birth mother's address, which turned out to be her grandmother's house. Her siblings contacted her, and she had heartwarming conversations with her birth mother and oldest sister. Maya reflects on the impact of being adopted and the positive path her life took because of it. She also embarks on a search for her biological father. Maya shares her experience of meeting her biological father and his family. She recounts how she reached out to her father and the surprising phone call she received from him. Maya describes her first meeting with her father and the overwhelming experience of meeting her extended family. She reflects on the emotions she felt and the sense of belonging she experienced. Maya also discusses the challenges she faced in her reunion journey, including the passing of her biological mother and the impact of addiction on her family. She emphasizes the importance of therapy and allowing oneself to feel and heal.
Summary In this episode, host Tarcia Smith interviews Helen, a transracial adoptee from Ethiopia who grew up in a predominantly white community in the Netherlands. Helen shares her experiences of struggling with self-hatred and identity as she navigated a world where nobody looked like her. She discusses the impact of her external environment on her self-perception and the challenges she faced in dating. Helen also talks about the role of her adoptive parents and their efforts to support her, as well as her journey to accept and embrace her natural hair. Overall, the conversation highlights the importance of representation and the need for a diverse and inclusive environment for adoptees. In this conversation, Helen discusses her experience as a transracial adoptee and the challenges she faced in discovering her identity. She talks about the pressure to conform to societal beauty standards and the struggle to embrace her natural hair. Helen also shares her journey of uncovering information about her birth parents and the emotional impact it had on her. She emphasizes the importance of seeking support from others who share similar experiences and the need for better mental health resources for adoptees.
Monica Kelsey shares her powerful journey of being conceived in rape, abandoned at birth, and her quest to find her biological mother. She also discusses the impact of adoption on her life and the inspiration behind the Safe Haven Baby Boxes. Monica Kelsey shares her personal journey of discovering her biological roots and the impact it had on her sense of worth. She also discusses the creation of the Safe Haven Baby Box and its impact on saving the lives of abandoned infants. The conversation delves into the challenges and successes of the Baby Box program, as well as the importance of providing options and support to mothers in crisis.
Summary Adrian, a transracial adoptee, shares his adoption journey from Peru to Canada. He was adopted at two weeks old due to the political unrest and economic struggles in Peru. Growing up in a predominantly white area, Adrian stood out as the only person of color. Despite this, he had a good childhood and was well-liked by his peers. As he got older, Adrian became more interested in his Peruvian culture and took Spanish classes. He made several trips back to Peru to learn the language and connect with his roots. Learning Spanish boosted his self-esteem and gave him a deeper sense of identity. Adrian discusses his experience with language learning and how he has become fluent in Spanish. He also talks about his dating preferences and attraction to Latin girls. The conversation then shifts to Adrian's experience as an adoptee and his relationship with his adoptive and birth families. He shares his journey of reconnecting with his birth family in Peru and the emotions he felt during that process. Adrian also mentions his therapy sessions in Spanish and how it has helped him in his personal growth. Adrian shares his experiences with his biological mother and father, highlighting the challenges and complexities of building relationships with them. He discusses the difficulties of communication and the economic disparities that affected their interactions. Adrian also emphasizes the importance of managing expectations when reconnecting with birth parents and the need to be prepared for various outcomes. He expresses gratitude for the support of his adoptive parents throughout his journey and encourages other adoptees to explore their first culture and heritage.
Summary Dakotah shares their experience as an adoptee, starting from being put in foster care at a young age. They recall memories of their birth parents and the reasons they were taken into foster care. Dakotah discusses the challenges of being separated from their siblings and the difficulties they faced in the foster care system. They then talk about their adoption at the age of seven and the dynamics within their adoptive family. Dakotah reveals the abuse they experienced from their adoptive father and the complex emotions they felt about speaking up due to their concern for their siblings. They also mention the favoritism shown by their adoptive mother towards their younger brother. Dakotah shares her experience of growing up in an abusive adoptive family, where she faced physical and sexual abuse from her adoptive father. She discusses the lack of support from her adoptive mother and the denial and gaslighting she experienced. Dakotah eventually sought therapy and confronted her adoptive father, leading to her decision to cut off contact with her adoptive family. She emphasizes the importance of breaking the cycle of abuse and creating her own family. Despite the challenges, Dakotah finds strength in sharing her story and hopes to inspire others.
Summary The conversation covers Tarcia's journey of reuniting with her birth family, the emotional rollercoaster of meeting her birth father, and the self-reflection and healing that came with it. It also delves into the complexities of adoption trauma and the importance of self-love and storytelling within the adoption community.
Summary Chanelle Harris shares her adoption journey, from discovering her adoption at age five to reconnecting with her biological family as an adult. She discusses the emotional impact of seeking her biological family and the challenges she faced along the way. The story unfolds with moments of hope, disappointment, and eventual reconnection. Chanelle E Harris shares her emotional journey of reuniting with her biological family, meeting her birth mother, and coping with the loss of her mother. The story is a testament to the complexities of adoption, the search for identity, and the power of family bonds.