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I am excited to introduce you to Gregory Luce today, the attorney behind Adoptee Rights Law. We get to hear some of Greg’s personal story today, including the five-year court battle it took for him to receive his records. We talk about some of the typical arguments adoptee activists hear from legislators against original birth certificate access and what impact DNA testing access has had on OBC legislation. Greg also challenges us to make sure we’re listening to all adoptee voices. Greg is a lawyer but he’s not giving us legal advice during this episode. Full Show Notes Here Recommended Resources adopteerightslaw.com The 5 Most Pernicious Myths about Adult Adopted People by Gregory Luce Adoptees United American Baby: A Mother, A Child, and the Shadow History of Adoption by Gabrielle Glaser Cleave by Tiana Noble The Guild of the Infant Saviour: An Adopted Child's Memory Book by Megan Culhane Galbraith Invisible Asians by Kim Park Nelson Surviving the White Gaze by Rebecca Carroll Connect With Us Gregory Luce: adopteerightslaw.com | Twitter | Facebook Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Adoptees On: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group Connect Occasional Newsletter | Send a Note

Marta Isabella Sierra, LMHC, is back this week! We are still talking about estrangement and today looking at the question - is loyalty a trauma response? Marta teaches us about “fawning” and that many of us will choose to be loyal to others before ourselves. Full Show Notes Here Recommended Resources Marta’s first appearance on the podcast was episode 69 which teaches about the Internal Family Systems model and why it’s helpful for adopted people. (Other episodes featuring Marta: 71, 134, 135, & 180) Connect With Us Marta Isabella Sierra, LMHC: martasierralmhc [at] gmail [dot] com | martadrachenberglmhc.com Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Adoptees On: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group Connect Occasional Newsletter | Send a Note

Marta Isabella Sierra, LMHC, one of our favourite adoptee therapists is back on the podcast today! We are talking about estrangement through the lens of the Internal Family Systems therapy model. Marta teaches us how to listen to our parts’ needs and prioritize the safety of our own identity above preserving relationships. Full Show Notes Here Connect With Us Marta Isabella Sierra, LMHC: martasierralmhc [at] gmail [dot] com | martadrachenberglmhc.com Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Adoptees On: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group Connect Occasional Newsletter | Send a Note

I’m thrilled Shannon Gibney, writer and activist is here! Shannon shares some of her personal story and how she’s observed adoptee voices reaching critical mass over the last fifteen years. Since her first novel, See No Color, was released 6 years ago, she’s heard from many younger adoptees who’ve felt seen and validated by reading her words. Shannon recounts how her experience of grief in motherhood and the adoptee experience intertwined, and how she’s modelled truth-telling, even the difficult things, to her children. Full Show Notes Here Connect With Us Shannon Gibney: www.shannongibney.com | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Adoptees On: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group Connect Occasional Newsletter | Send a Note

Ferera Swan is here to share her experiences of reunion and secondary rejection with us. We talk about the impact other members of the extended family can have on our reunions, and Ferera tells us about the meaning behind her name and what her producer encouraged to include in her song “Second Time”. Full Show Notes Here Connect With Us Ferera Swan: www.fereraswan.com | Instagram | SoundCloud | YouTube | Spotify | Indigo+Swan Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Adoptees On: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group Connect Occasional Newsletter | Send a Note

Dr. Chaitra Wirta-Leiker is with us today and she is teaching us about internalized oppression. She tells us why she finds the term “coming out of the fog” somewhat problematic. If you’ve ever found yourself self-sabotaging, Dr. Wirta-Leiker explains this could actually be a form of self-protection. She leads us with the adoptee-first lens, keeping our mental health and well-being the top priority even when we may prioritize teaching others instead. Full Show Notes Here Find Dr. Chaitra Wirta-Leiker’s directory of adoptee therapists here Check out the Society of Adoptee Professionals of Color in Adoption - SAPCA Connect With Us Dr. Chaitra Wirta-Leiker: www.growbeyondwords.com | Facebook Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Adoptees On: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group Connect Occasional Newsletter | Send a Note

I get to interview some incredibly special people on the show, and today is a perfect example. I am thrilled to introduce you to Miguel Caballero. Miguel shares some of his story with us including how he got sober eight years ago. There are so many adopted people who struggle with addiction, and Miguel describes feeling that he had a birth-mother-shaped hole to fill. He’s gone on to fill a great need in our community by starting the peer-led support group Adoptees and Addiction. Full Show Notes Here Connect With Us Miguel Caballero: www.adopteesandaddiction.com | Instagram | Facebook Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Adoptees On: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group Connect Occasional Newsletter | Send a Note

I am honoured to be able to bring you part two of Justin’s story today. Justin shares about a desire to add back his original surname and here in part two we’ll see the fallout. We speculate on what about our experiences as adopted people lets us accept poor treatment that we would never allow towards those we love. Ultimately a world-shifting event in Justin’s immediate family brings clarity to his relationship with his adoptive family. *TW: Suicide

I am honoured to be able to bring you Justin’s story today (this is part one, and we’ll be back next week with part two). Justin was labelled “difficult to adopt” because he is bi-racial. He tells us that he never had an interest in finding his biological family until he attended a very interesting week-long therapeutic workshop. Justin shares about a desire to add back his original surname and in part two we’ll see more of the fallout from that decision. *TW: Suicide Full Show Notes Here Show Notes Please sign the support letter here adopteesforjustice.com/supportletter/ Listen to Anissa’s story on Adoptees On - episode 147 - to understand how critical this issue of adoptee citizenship is Connect With Us Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Adoptees On: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group Connect Occasional Newsletter | Send a Note

Part two! We are back with more VERY real talk with Pam Cordano, MFT about estrangement from our adoptive parents. Pam teaches us how important it is for us to get clarity on what is actually possible in our relationships. We also address if they won’t change, it’s up to us - so what are we willing to change? Our amount of engagement in the relationship? The strength of our boundaries? Which ‘circle’ do they safely get to have access to? This is tough stuff! Thank you for listening and walking through this with us. Full Show Notes Here Show Notes Connect With Us Pam Cordano, MFT: pamcordano.com | yourmeaningful.life | Twitter | Instagram | Email pcordano(at)comcast(dot)net Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Adoptees On: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group Connect Occasional Newsletter | Send a Note

Pam Cordano, MFT returns to guide us through some thoughts on estrangement. Why does it ever get to the point that we’d consider going no-contact with our adoptive parents? Are adoptees just “too sensitive” and take everything personally? Even through challenging topics such as this one, Pam leads us with thoughtfulness, compassion, and helps us discover what’s most important. Full Show Notes Here Connect With Us Pam Cordano, MFT: pamcordano.com | yourmeaningful.life | Twitter | Instagram | Email pcordano(at)comcast(dot)net Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Adoptees On: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group Connect Occasional Newsletter | Send a Note

Dr. Susan Branco is with us today and she is a force for good in our community. She shares an overview of her story and we get a chance to deeply focus on topics that she’s done an incredible amount of work and research on. Her research includes how counselors of colour deal with client microaggressions and ensuring adoption themes make their way into the core curriculum for future social workers and therapists. Dr. Branco shares more with us about her case study of the Colombian Adoption House which includes firsthand experiences of Colombian adoptees and what happens when they find out their adoption was illicit or black-market. Her passion for family preservation is evident when we go down the list of systemic problems in the adoption industry. Full Show Notes Here Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group Connect Occasional Newsletter | Send a Note

Alice Stephens, the author of Famous Adopted People, joins us today! I was honoured to hear her describe her childhood which included years in Botswana, and she even shares a bit about her search in Korea for biological family. Of course, we talk about writing, publishing, and her book reviews; if you ever need a book recommendation for an adoptee-centric look at adoption, Alice is an expert. Full Show Notes Here Connect With Us Alice Stephens: www.famousadoptedpeople.com | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Adoptees On: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group Connect Occasional Newsletter | Send a Note

Today I get to introduce you to Leigh Bailey. This is the second episode of our estrangement series. Leigh shares about her reunion and how it started to be about her adoptive family’s experience instead of her own. We talk about how trying to put up safe boundaries can be exhausting, and how do you even decide if estrangement is called for in the situation: spoiler alert - we can’t tell you what’s right for you! Full Show Notes Here Connect With Us Leigh Bailey: alwayslooking.blog | Instagram | Facebook Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Adoptees On: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group Connect Occasional Newsletter | Send a Note

We are starting a short series on the topic of estrangement. This series isn’t meant to be a how-to undo estrangement or a “break up with your family” guide, it’s once again brought to you in the spirit of hoping to let you know you aren’t alone. I see you, and I acknowledge how hard and lonely this can be. Today we’re going to hear from Kirsten Weatherford about how a memorable trip - a pilgrimage - helped Kirsten come out of the fog. Did reunion with her first mother accelerate her estrangement from her adoptive parents? We also wrestle with what it would take to even broach the subject of reunification if that was ever on the table. Full Show Notes Here Connect With Us Kirsten Weatherford: nomoremisfit.com | Instagram Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Adoptees On: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group Connect Occasional Newsletter | Send a Note

We’re back! For the first episode of 2021, we are talking adoptees in comics! Emily N. Bartz shares her personal story of being adopted from the Philippines, and then why she spent her childhood going back and forth between the US and her country of origin. We have a fascinating discussion about adoptees in comics, including a focus on her article about “Loki: I Can Turn into anything as long as it’s me”. We also talk about adoptees in academics and how much is available for us to learn from academic journals in particular. Full Show Notes Here Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group Connect Monthly Newsletter | Send a Note or Record a Voicemail

The holiday season is here and that means we get to ask one of our favourite adoptee therapists, Lesli A. Johnson, MFT, your questions! We can be juggling multiple families, boundary issues, estrangement and loneliness, not to mention the global pandemic. Lesli and Haley talk through some challenging situations and try to help you figure out what YOU want out of this season. Full Show Notes Here Show Notes Recommended Resources Check out Lesli’s other holiday-themed episodes of Adoptees On: Surviving the Holidays E126 and E14 Lesli’s course - Come Out of the Fog and Into Your Life: Rewire Your Brain for Resilience and Joy Connect With Us Lesli A. Johnson, MFT: www.askadoption.com | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Adoptees On: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group Connect Monthly Newsletter | Send a Note or Record a Voicemail

Before I recorded this show, my guest shared her notes with me and I asked, “are you SURE you want to share this publicly on my podcast? It’s a goldmine of information about DNA!” Janet Weinreich-Keall is back, and when you hear her story, you’ll know why she’s a pro at searching. She walks us through how we should prepare to search, and then we dive into what DNA testing looks like, and how far the tech has come: making it easy and accessible for us to do our own searches. We also talk about the possible ramifications of having your DNA in a database - is your information really kept private? Full Show Notes Here Connect With Us Janet Weinreich-Keall: Instagram | Facebook | janetweinreichkeall.com Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Adoptees On: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group Connect Monthly Newsletter | Send a Note or Record a Voicemail

Today we’re giving you a little peek behind the curtain! Haley and Carrie chat all about what they’ve learned from reading a ton of adoptee-authored books in 2020. We’re announcing our book club plans for 2021 and would love to have you join us. We’re in the last few days of our sale for Patreon memberships! Sign up for one year and get a month free! http://www.adopteeson.com/partner Our sale ends on November 30, 2020. Full Show Notes Here Connect With Us Carrie Cahill Mulligan: ccmhats.square.site | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Adoptees On: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group Connect Monthly Newsletter | Send a Note or Record a Voicemail

Have you ever wondered what being welcomed into your original extended family would feel like? Today Maeve Kelly is back and she shares her experiences of a whirlwind trip to Ireland to meet more cousins and aunts and uncles than you can imagine. After a rejection from her first mother, to be embraced by a cousin was transformative. Two weeks left in the sale for Patreon memberships! Sign up for one year and get a month free! http://www.adopteeson.com/partner Full Show Notes Here Connect With Us Maeve Kelly: Twitter Haley Radke: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Adoptees On: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio | Spotify | Stitcher | YouTube Support Adoptees On One Time Donation | Monthly | Secret Facebook Group Connect Monthly Newsletter | Send a Note or Record a Voicemail