In this episode, Sarah and Louise wrap up  the second adoptee memoir in a three-part series, "Who Am I Really" by Damon Davis. Following their discussion, they have a conversation with Cormac Downey.Cormac was born into a mother-and-baby home in Ireland, which was known to be exceptionally cruel to both mother and child. He was adopted at five months old. He's always known he was adopted but it was never spoken about. Ever. He did not look for his biological family until his adoptive parents died. He re-connected with his birth mother just before his fiftieth birthday. Sadly that didn't work out. He's just recently found out about his birth father, who is deceased.  He found this podcast by chance and is devouring it daily. He would like to send his gratitude to Louise and Sarah for their brilliant and insightful podcast. Each episode just shouts out something he never knew but knew all along.If you'd like to read along with Sarah and Louise, go here:  Who Am I Really by Damon DavisThank you to our sponsor S12F.If you want to support our show, you can go to our Patreon Page.Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support.  Our Patrons are:  Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Denise Cruz-Castino, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed,  Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson,  Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket , Robert Perrino,  Colleen McCall, Janet MacDonald and Robin Wells.Support the showSupport the showTo support the show - Patreon.

In this episode, Sarah and Louise discuss the penultimate chapter(s) of the second adoptee memoir in a three-part series, "Who Am I Really" by Damon Davis. Following their discussion, they have a conversation with Shari Geitzenauer.Shari was adopted at the age of four. She spent the first year in a hospital. Then went to several foster homes after that. When she met her adopted family, there was always an open conversation about her beginnings. She always knew her story from her past, so she never had many questions. Later on in life, she began a spiritual quest to heal from journey, as a young girl. This brought her to meet a spiritual teacher, and become a healer. This powerful work helped others as well and grounded Shari into a bigger version of herself. A true, successful, story of the wounded healer.ShariDreamCatcher blog and pageTo join Shari's free meditations on YouTubeIf you'd like to read along with Sarah and Louise, go here:  Who Am I Really by Damon DavisThank you to our sponsor S12F.If you want to support our show, you can go to our Patreon Page.Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support.  Our Patrons are:  Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Denise Cruz-Castino, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed,  Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson,  Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket , Robert Perrino,  Colleen McCall, Janet MacDonald and Robin Wells.Support the showSupport the showTo support the show - Patreon.

In this episode, Sarah and Louise discuss the second adoptee memoir in a three-part series, "Who Am I Really" by Damon Davis. Following their discussion, they have a conversation with Greg Gentry.Greg was born California in 1969 and placed in a closed adoption as an infant after spending 6 weeks in foster care, which was a common practice with Baby Scoop Era adoptions. Growing up, he sensed a certain ill-fit with his family, and found out about his adoption when he was 10. In 2006, at age 37, he finally discovered and made contact with his biological maternal side, and has experienced all the attendant ups-and-downs that so often accompany reunion. He was able to connect with his paternal family in late 2021, and is currently navigating the landscape and complexities of those newly-emerging relationships. Since coming out of the fog in 2021, Greg has been an active member of the online and in-person adoptee communities.To find Greg: Fireside Adoptees & Adoptees ConnectIf you'd like to read along with Sarah and Louise, go here:  Who Am I Really by Damon DavisThank you to our sponsor S12F.If you want to support our show, you can go to our Patreon Page.Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support.  Our Patrons are:  Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Denise Cruz-Castino, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed,  Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson,  Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket , Robert Perrino,  Colleen McCall and Janet MacDonald.Support the showTo support the show - Patreon.Support the showTo support the show - Patreon.

In this episode, Sarah and Louise discuss the second adoptee memoir in a three-part series, "Who Am I Really" by Damon Davis. Following their discussion, they have a conversation with Charity Elliott. Charity Elliott was born in 1969 and after spending 3.5 months in foster care was placed for adoption with the State of California.  Growing up in Missouri, Charity was a happy adoptee and found great comfort in her faith and in the sport of basketball.  After a collegiate career that ended with her team making it to the Final Four, Charity entered the college coaching ranks where she has spent the last 25 years.  Despite being located and contacted by her birth mother in college, Charity never realized the impact her adoption had on her until she lost her adopted father and shortly after met her birth father for the first time.  Over the last two years, the realization of the impact of her adoption has been brought to the forefront and she's been processing all the changes that have occurred in her life.  Charity has been married to her best friend and most patient husband ever, Chris Elliott, for 24 years and is the proud "mama" to a Jack Russell named Daxton Prince and all of her current and former players.  She is now in her 2nd year as the head women's basketball coach at Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, California.If you'd like to read along with Sarah and Louise, go here:  Who Am I Really by Damon DavisThank you to our sponsor S12F.If you want to support our show, you can go to our Patreon Page.Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support.  Our Patrons are:  Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Denise Cruz-Castino, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed,  Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson,  Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket , Robert Perrino,  Colleen McCall and Janet MacDonald.Support the showTo support the show - Patreon.Support the showTo support the show - Patreon.

In this episode, Sarah and Louise discuss what is coming up next in Season Three. They then speak with Jim Serrano.Jim Serrano's origins as a domestic adoptee started on January 22nd, 1962 in San Jose, California. Being adopted at 6 months of age, his journey has had many ups and downs. From childhood to his search for his biological family 23 years ago, Jim continues to heal from the trauma that is still so present in his life.If you'd like to read along with Sarah and Louise, go here: The Mistress's Daughter by A.M. HomesThank you to our sponsor S12F.If you want to support our show, you can go to our Patreon Page.Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support.  Our Patrons are:  Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Denise Cruz-Castino, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed,  Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson,  Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket , Robert Perrino,  Colleen McCall and Janet MacDonald.Support the showTo support the show - Patreon.Support the showSupport the showTo support the show - Patreon.

In this episode, Sarah and Louise wrap up their first memoir in Season Three with a discussion of "The Mistress's Daughter" by A.M. Homes. They then speak with Emily Sinagra.Emily Sinagra was born and relinquished, in 1958, at a Salvation Army Hospital for Unwed Mothers. After four months of foster care, she was placed in a closed adoption. Thirty years later, she found her birth parents and has been trying to put herself back together ever since. Writing, theatre, improv, clowning, painting, these are the tools she wields to patch and paste. Her memoir, How I got Born, is nearing completion, and she hopes her voice will collaborate with others to change assumptions about adoption and provide impetus for change. Most importantly, she is the mother of three adult children and one granddaughter. Miracles, all. Emily presently lives in Portugal. If you'd like to read along with Sarah and Louise, go here: The Mistress's Daughter by A.M. HomesThank you to our sponsor S12F.If you want to support our show, you can go to our Patreon Page.Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support.  Our Patrons are:  Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Denise Cruz-Castino, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed,  Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson,  Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket , Robert Perrino and Colleen McCall.Support the showTo support the show - Patreon.Support the showTo support the show - Patreon.

In this episode, Sarah and Louise continue Season Three with a discussion of the first adoptee memoir in a three-part series - starting with "The Mistress's Daughter" by A.M. Homes. They then speak with Adam Anthony.Adam Anthony is a same-race, black adoptee and blogger on the platform "Onward & Upward," which explores his motivation for persona development, mental health awareness, and his adoption discovery experience. Adam is a doctoral student, writer, and podcast host of two shows, "Curiously Becoming" and "Mentorship Mondays." Some of his featured writing on his perspectives on being an adoptee has been shown in online mediums like "Love What Matters" and "Severance Magazine."Onward & Upward  https://inspire-explore-promote.blogIf you'd like to read along with Sarah and Louise, go here: The Mistress's Daughter by A.M. HomesThank you to our sponsor S12F.If you want to support our show, you can go to our Patreon Page.Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support.  Our Patrons are:  Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Denise Cruz-Castino, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed,  Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson,  Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket , Robert Perrino and Colleen McCall.If you'd like to support the show, you can do it here: https://www.patreon.com/themakingofmepodcastSupport the showTo support the show - Patreon.

In this episode, Sarah and Louise continue Season Three with a discussion of the first adoptee memoir in a three-part series - starting with "The Mistress's Daughter" by A.M. Homes. They then speak with Ruth Bendig.Ruth Bendig is a “Baby Scoop Era” domestic adoptee. The oldest of her adoptiveparents' three children, she and her brothers were all relinquished as infants and raised in the Midwest.Becoming a mother jump-started a desire to learn more about her biological history.WIth the support and encouragement of her adoptive parents she began to search, first through the state, then, when that proved to be a dead end, through DNA testing. She is now in reunion with siblings and cousins on both sides of her biological family.If you'd like to read along with Sarah and Louise, go here: The Mistress's Daughter by A.M. HomesThank you to our sponsor S12F.If you want to support our show, you can go to our Patreon Page.Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support.  Our Patrons are:  Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Denise Cruz-Castino, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed,  Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson,  Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket , Robert Perrino and Colleen McCall.If you'd like to support the show, you can do it here: https://www.patreon.com/themakingofmepodcastSupport the showTo support the show - Patreon.

In this episode, Sarah and Louise continue Season Three with a discussion of the first adoptee memoir in a three-part series - starting with "The Mistress's Daughter" by A.M. Homes. They then speak with Garth Garrett.Given up at birth, placed in foster care, then adopted by a military family, Garth Garrett grew up always knowing he was adopted. He thought being adopted was no big deal - like being left-handed in a right-handed family and that his lingering sense of longing stemmed from the nomadic life of an Army brat. Only upon starting therapy in mid-life did he discover that adoption was actually the central issue of his life, including his own alienation from his own feelings. His multiple searches for each biological parent yielded information, more heartbreak, two more rejections by his biological mother, and ultimately a deep, happy connection with his biological sisters and a renewed sense of family with his adoptive sisters. Garth is recently retired after 31 years with L.A. Metro. If you'd like to read along with Sarah and Louise, go here: The Mistress's Daughter by A.M. HomesThank you to our sponsor S12F. If you want to support our show, you can go to our Patreon Page.Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support.  Our Patrons are:  Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Denise Cruz-Castino, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed,  Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson,  Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket and Robert Perrino.If you'd like to support the show, you can do it here: https://www.patreon.com/themakingofmepodcastSupport the showTo support the show - Patreon.Support the showTo support the show - Patreon.

In this episode, Sarah and Louise continue Season Three with a discussion of the first adoptee memoir in a three-part series - starting with "The Mistress's Daughter" by A.M. Homes. They then speak with Daphne Keys.Daphne Keys is a BSE adoptee born and raised in Maryland as the middle child between two brothers who are the biological children of her adoptive parents. Daphne always knew she was adopted, had access to the minimal non-identifying information provided at her adoption hearing and always searched the faces of her community for a connection to her biological family.Married for forty years, Daphne is the mother of four adult children and grandmother of eleven. Daphne did not realize the impact her adoption had on her ability to bond with and parent her own children until coming out of the fog after beginning a reunion with her biological family at age fifty-six. Daphne’s reunion with her birth mother’s family has been a wild ride from the pinnacle of happiness to the depths of despair. An avid reader, Daphne turned to the experts such as Betty Jean Lifton and Nancy Verrier to help her along her reunion journey. At the suggestion of her biological Aunt, Daphne turned to writing to help her process her feelings and is still working on a memoir. Along the way, Daphnealso began quilting and has found this very therapeutic. Afterall, she has been putting her pieces back together in various patterns, her entire life.If you'd like to read along with Sarah and Louise, go here: The Mistress's Daughter by A.M. HomesIf you want to support our show, you can go to our Patreon Page.Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support.  Our Patrons are:  Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Denise Cruz-Castino, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed,  Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson,  Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket and Robert Perrino.If you'd like to support the show, you can do it here: https://www.patreon.com/themakingofmepodcastSupport the showTo support the show - Patreon.Support the showSupport the showTo support the show - Patreon.

In this episode, Sarah and Louise continue Season Three with a discussion of the first adoptee memoir in a three-part series - starting with "The Mistress's Daughter" by A.M. Homes. They then speak with Jon Stautzenberger.Jon Stautzenberger is a pastor in the Texas hill country. He grew up an only child from a small family in a closed, private adoption always knowing that he was locally adopted and grew up in the community of his birth family. He finally took a DNA test in 2021 and connected with his paternal aunt. Suddenly the only child from a small family found himself with three aunts, three uncles, cousins galore, and a sister and a brother! Being from the same community, the times that their paths had crossed were astonishing.Moving forward Jon desires to help young adoptees know that there are adults that understand their experience and to help other adults rethink how to care for children in need.If you'd like to read along with Sarah and Louise, go here: The Mistress's Daughter by A.M. HomesIf you want to support our show, you can go to our Patreon Page.Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support.  Our Patrons are:  Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Denise Cruz-Castino, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed,  Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson,  Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen and Robert Perrino.If you'd like to support the show, you can do it here: https://www.patreon.com/themakingofmepodcastSupport the showTo support the show - Patreon.Support the showSupport the showTo support the show - Patreon.

In this episode, Sarah and Louise continue Season Three with a discussion of the first adoptee memoir in a three-part series - starting with "The Mistress's Daughter" by A.M. Homes. They then speak with Amy Hansen.Amy Hansen is a domestic adoptee, and was born in 1969. She was placed for adoption at birth.  Amy grew up in a loving family and was well cared for.  She was the "happy" adoptee, grateful to her birth parents, her adopted parents and always trying to make everyone happy. Amy has been in reunion with some of her birth family for the past four years and has recently come out of the FOG. She is beginning to realize she was living behind the disguise of a happy, positive person who didn’t realize the loss and grief she was carrying. Today Amy feels sad, confused and angry about her adoption and she feels that sharing her story is a way to be honest for the first time in her life. Amy has been married to a wonderful and supportive husband for thirty years. They have three amazing adult children and two golden retrievers. Amy enjoys  the outdoors and  spending time with family and friends.If you'd like to read along with Sarah and Louise, go here: The Mistress's Daughter by A.M. HomesIf you want to support our show, you can go to our Patreon Page.Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support.  Our Patrons are:  Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Denise Cruz-Castino, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed,  Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson,  Michelle Goodwine and Jesper Laursen.If you'd like to support the show, you can do it here: https://www.patreon.com/themakingofmepodcastSupport the showTo support the show - Patreon.Support the showTo support the show - Patreon.

In this episode, Sarah and Louise continue Season Three with a discussion of the first adoptee memoir in a three-part series - starting with "The Mistress's Daughter" by A.M. Homes. They then speak with Daryn Watson.Daryn Watson is a Canadian born Domestic Adult Adoptee who began his adoption reunion journey in 1995 after locating his maternal family in Canada. Daryn uses his 25+ years of experiences in reunion to guide other adoptees through their adoption reunion journeys. Daryn is a contributing author to two books on adoption:“The Adoptee Survival Guide” edited by Lynn Grubb  “Flip the Script: Adult Adoptee Anthology with Diane Rene Christianson.Daryn also has a blog on Facebook and IG “@TheAdopteeMind”Daryn is a Certified Life Coach for Adoptees, Birth/First Parents and others who have been affected by adoption. You can find Daryn on his website “AdoptionReunionCoaching.com” or email him directly at daryn@adoptionreunioncoaching.comLinks:Website:Home - Adoption Reunion Coaching | Home - Adoption Reunion CoachingEmail: daryn@adoptionreunioncoaching.comFB: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=adoption%20reunion%20coaching https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069741619695IG: https://www.instagram.com/theadopteemind/If you'd like to read along with Sarah and Louise, go here: The Mistress's Daughter by A.M. HomesIf you want to support our show, you can go to our Patreon Page.Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support.  They are: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Denise Cruz-Castino, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed,  Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson, and Michelle Goodwine.If you'd like to support the show, you can do it here: https://www.patreon.com/themakingofmepodcastSupport the showTo support the show - Patreon.

In this episode, Sarah and Louise continue Season Three with a discussion of the first adoptee memoir in a three-part series - starting with "The Mistress's Daughter" by A.M. Homes. They then speak with Laurie James.Laurie James is an adoptee, mother, caregiver, turned author and transformativecoach. Laurie’s book, Sandwiched: A Memoir of Holding On and Letting Go is abouther eight year journey when she was sent down an unwanted path after her motherhad a heart attack and her husband’s lawyer delivered some shocking news.Sandwiched between caring for her parents, managing caregivers, raising fourdaughters, and a crumbling marriage, she starts therapy and turns to alternativehealing programs to address her adoption, childhood trauma and loneliness she feltfor much of her life. Laurie now enjoys coaching others who are searching for theirown happiness and belonging. For more information on Laurie and her book, pleasevisit www.laurieejames.com or order and review her book on Amazon.If you'd like to read along with Sarah and Louise, go here: The Mistress's Daughter by A.M. HomesIf you want to support our show, you can go to our Patreon Page.Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support.  They are: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Denise Cruz-Castino, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson and Michelle Goodwine.Support the showTo support the show - Patreon.

In this episode, Sarah and Louise continue Season Three with a discussion of the first adoptee memoir in a three-part series - starting with "The Mistress's Daughter" by A.M. Homes. They then speak with Danielle Gaudette.Danielle’s vision is a healthier, happier, and more peaceful world starting from within. Bringing over two decades as a senior instructor, healer, and trainer, she's currently Regional Director of WA state's Body & Brain Yoga Center. Born in Manhattan, NY, she was adopted at 10 days old, growing up with her adopted parents, later reconnecting at 21 years old with her biological mother actress Kate Mulgrew from the hit series TV sitcom Orange is the New Black and Star Trek Voyager. As a highly sensitive person from a young age along with a deep concern for the state of our planet--these two qualities propelled her on a long journey in search for inner peace. Danielle's passion is helping people awaken their bodies and minds to meet their true nature, specializing in emotional management, brain management, aligning the mind, body, heart, and soul. If you'd like to read along with Sarah and Louise, go here: The Mistress's Daughter by A.M. HomesIf you want to support our show, you can go to our Patreon Page.Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support.  They are: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Denise Cruz-Castino, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgins and Lisa Thompson.Support the showSupport the showTo support the show - Patreon.

In this episode, Sarah and Louise continue Season Three with a discussion of the first adoptee memoir in a three-part series. First up is "The Mistress's Daughter" by A.M. Homes. They then speak with Nikole Shaw.Nikole Shaw also known as " Koko" in the online community was born in Hawaiian Gardens, California, growing up in the suburbs of Orange County.  Adopted as an infant, she is a black domestic adoptee who spent a large part of her life in a small town called Brea. Koko received her Bachelors of Science from San Jose State University and is currently working for the Department of Public Health San Francisco as a mental health professional.  Koko is mostly known in the adoptee community as " @theblackadoptea" and spends her time advocating for and creating content for the adoptee community.  She has a passion for spoken word and is also a writer who is in the process of completing her first children's book about adoption. Koko continues to share her adoption journey with the world and is reunion with her biological family from Belize.   The Mistress's Daughter by A.M. HomesIf you want to support our show, you can go to our Patreon Page.Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support.  They are: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Denise Cruz-Castino, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgins and Lisa Thompson.Support the showTo support the show - Patreon.

In this episode, Sarah and Louise start off their Season Three with a discussion of their first adoptee memoir in a three-part series. They discuss "The Mistress's Daughter" by A.M. Homes. Then they speak with Bob Guyer.Bob was born in 1953 and stayed for four days with his biological mother, and was adopted after a few months in foster care. He learned he was adopted at eight years old but didn’t think much of it until he went through a breakup and re-experienced his separation from his biological mother. Shortly before his 52nd birthday, he began a process of imaginative dialog with his feelings and that led to the healing of his Primal Wound. He has since found his biological relatives and remains in reunion. The Mistress's Daughter by A.M. HomesIf you want to support our show, you can go to our Patreon Page.Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support.  They are: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Denise Cruz-Castino, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgins and Lisa Thompson.Support the showTo support the show - Patreon.

In this episode, Sarah and Louise wrap up of  “Journey of The Adopted Self” by Betty Jean Lifton and then they speak to Lisa King.Lisa King is a retired disability specialist, artist and mother. She was born in 1957 into a closed adoption system and was adopted six months later. She has been on a lifelong quest to understand and make sense of how the adoptive experience has shaped and impacted her life. Having suffered the initial abandonment at birth, as all adoptees do, she has struggled throughout her life to embrace and not abandon her true self.Additionally, Lisa suffered a life changing traumatic accident that serves as a metaphor for her adoptive experience. Much of her spiritual search, consisting of dog rescue, mentorship and artwork have helped her transcend the trauma of relinquishment, and reclaim and integrate the orphans of her lost self.If you want to support our show, you can go to our Patreon Page.Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support.  They are: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Denise Cruz-Castino, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy and Kristan Higgins.Support the showTo support the show - Patreon.

In this episode, Sarah and Louise discuss Chapter Seventeen of  “Journey of The Adopted Self” by Betty Jean Lifton and then they speak to A.M. Homes.A.M. Homes was born in Washington D.C. in 1961 and adopted at birth in a private adoption.She began to explore themes related to adoption in her 1993 novel, In A Country of Mothers. Just before the book was published her birth mother—inspired by an Oprah show on ‘reunions’ made contact. A.M. explored what happened next in her 2007 best-selling memoir, The Mistress’s Daughter.A.M. Homes newest novel: The Unfolding.If you want to support our show, you can go to our Patreon Page.Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support.  They are: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Denise Cruz-Castino, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy and Kristan Higgins.Support the showTo support the show - Patreon.

In this episode, Sarah and Louise discuss Chapter Sixteen  of  “Journey of The Adopted Self” by Betty Jean Lifton and then they speak to Lynn Grubb.Lynn Grubb is a closed-era Illinois adoptee and parent by marriage, birth and adoption. She is the editor of "The Adoptee Survival Guide: Adoptees Share Their Wisdom and Tools" and the author of “Hidden Identity,” an audible memoir that chronicles her decades long search for her birth parents. She lives in Dayton, Ohio with husband Mark, their daughter, and two spoiled mini-Australian shepherds. You can reach out to Lynn on social media  @theadoptedgenealogist or email her at:theadoptedgenealogist@gmail.com. You can listen to Lynn's memoir here:https://theadoptedgenealogist.podbean.com/Here's our affiliate link for Buzzsprout:  When you sign up, you get a $20 Amazon Gift card.And if you want to support our show, you can go to our Patreon Page.Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support.  They are: Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Denise Cruz-Castino, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed, Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy and Kristan Higgins.Support the showTo support the show - Patreon.