Episoder
-
Please join me as I speak with Connor Howe, a California(but also an Irish!) adopted person who has grown up as one of the first generation of "Open" adoptees.
After the birth of his child, Connor began to deconstruct from the adoption narrative. As a marketing professional, Connor brings both his lived experience as a young adoptee in open adoption and his education and work experience to the conversation.
Connor is known as Adopted Connor on social media and can be found at: Adopted Connor (@adopted_connor) • Instagram photos and videosAdopted Connor - YouTube(7) [email protected]
Mentioned in the episode:
Georgia Tann:Georgia Tann - WikipediaAgency price lists: Every agency, public and private, keeps price lists, usually referred to as fee listings. I found a large number of articles the discuss the fees and fee structures but am not interested in posting them here. If you want to subject yourself to the experience, just google average costs to adopt.
Financial reports for non-profits: all non-profits are required by the IRS to report their financials each year and make them publicly available. Note: just because an organization calls themselves a non-profit does not mean money is not being made. Take note of monies spent on advertising, legal fees, home studies, employee payroll, etc. You may find that many of the people hired by the non-profits are affiliated in some way with the org itself-in-laws, board members, other family members, etc. Many are affiliated with churches as well. Nonprofit Explorer - ProPublica
History of sealed birth certificates in the United States:
BB: A History of Sealed Records in the United States | Bastard Nation
Adoption Law: Adoptee Rights Law Center PLLCCalifornia adoption law: California | Adoptee Rights Law Center
Irish Citizenship: Citizenship | Department Of Foreign Affairs | Ireland.ie | Ireland.ieCatholic Church and forced adoption: For Decades, Churches Forced Unwed Mothers Into Adoptions | SojournersIreland’s shame: reforming an adoption system marked by secrecy and traumaThe Adoption Machine: The Dark History of Ireland's Mother and Baby Homes and the Inside Story of How 'Tuam 800' Became a Global Scandal: Redmond, Paul Jude, Daly, Clare: 9781785371776: Amazon.com: BooksThe opinions of the host and their guest are just that, their opinions. The host is not a lawyer, a therapist or an adoption professional.
Thank you for listening!
-
Please join me as I talk with Andrea and Greg about the challenges of being in an adoptee/non-adoptee relationship. We recognize that this is just one couples relationship. Some of the topics discussed will feel relevant to many others in similar situations.
Mentioned in the episode:
Air Supply: A band from the 80s that specialized in ballads. They are either one of the worst things to come out of the time period, or a beloved rock band. You decide.
Adoptees Connect: Where Adoptee Voices Meet – An Adoptee Centric Connect GroupFog Lift: Fog Lift — Reckoning with The Primal Wound: A DocumentaryUntangling our Roots: Homepage - Untangling Our RootsThe opinions of the host and their guest(s) are just that, their opinions. The host is not a lawyer, a therapist or an adoption professional.
Thank you for listening!
-
Manglende episoder?
-
Please join me and my guest Andrea Steiner Coates as we revisit the topic of adoptee/non-adoptee conversations. Curiosity is a necessary component.
Andrea is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, a Search Angel, and adoptee advocate and ally.
Be advised: this episode contains references to suicide and suicidal ideation.
Mentioned or referenced in the episode:
The Girls Who Went AwayAmazon.com: The Girls Who Went Away: The Hidden History of Women Who Surrendered Children for Adoption in the Decades Before Roe v. Wade (Audible Audio Edition): Ann Fessler, Coleen Marlo, Tantor Audio: Books
Adoptees on:
Adoptees OnAnne Heffron:ANNE HEFFRONLaureen PitmanThe Lies That Bind: An Adoptee's Journey Through Rejection, Redirection, DNA, and Discovery: Pittman, Laureen, Martin, Angie, Martin, Angie: 9781793142979: Amazon.com: BooksUntangling our Roots: Homepage - Untangling Our Roots
The Alliance for the study of adoption and culture Alliance for the Study of Adoption & Culture
Fog Lift Fog Lift — Reckoning with The Primal Wound: A DocumentaryFireside
(15) Fireside Adoptees Public Page | FacebookThe opinions of the host and their guest are just that, their opinions. The host is not a lawyer, a therapist or an adoption professional.
Need to talk to someone? (Warmlines)National Hotline for Mental Health Crises and Suicide Prevention | NAMIMental health helplines | healthdirectNational Suicide Prevention Helpline Uk » Home9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline - Canada.caThe Trevor Project - Suicide Prevention for LGBTQ+ Young PeopleRAINN | The nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization
-
Please join me as I talk with Rena Joy. Rena is a Canadian adoptee, adopted as a toddler from foster care. Rena recently published her first book, a poetry collection titled Almost Loved. On this episode, Rena shares some of her poetry as we talk about how adoption has impacted her life, and some of the ways she copes with the trauma inherent in adoption.
Rena can be found at:
rena joy poetry | authorAmazon.com: Almost Loved: 9781069038128: Joy, Rena, Leigh, Shelby: BooksRena Joy Poetry | Love & Healing Quotes (@renajoypoetry) • Threads, Say moreand @renajoypoetry on Instagram and TikTok
Please be aware that suicide and suicidal ideation are mentioned on the episode. If you are experiencing suicidal ideation, please reach out for help and support. I am including some of the hotline information here in the notes.
9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline - Canada.caThe Trevor Project - Suicide Prevention for LGBTQ+ Young PeopleRAINN | The nation's largest anti-sexual violence organizationWe're all EARS | WARMLINE.ORGMentioned in the show:
Somatic TherapySomatic Therapy | Psychology TodayThe host and their guests opinions are just that, opinions. The host is not a lawyer, therapist or adoption professional.
Thank you for listening!
-
Please join me as I talk with Lorah Gerald about the courage required to navigate life as an adopted person, and as an advocate for the rights of children and adopted people.
Lorah is a Baby Scoop Era, domestic, same race adopted person. Lorah is also known as The Adopted Chameleon, and can be found at Lorah Gerald (@theadoptedchameleon) • Instagram photos and videos(20+) FacebookLorah Gerald, The Adopted Chameleon | Kundalini Yoga Classes/Videos, Community, Support Group | PatreonShe can also be found on tiktok, and as a guest and speaker on a number of podcasts and events.
Read on the episode today:
https://www.facebook.com/TheAdoptedChameleon/posts/pfbid02NV7744DZ2Qy2JVMqHvGeSrmY2ZiCr9xyfnT9c7AGCN6wMBuwTpbnBNKtMdmJu4bjl
What is NAAM? About National Adoption Month | Child Welfare Information GatewayThe opinions of the host and their guests are just that, their opinions. The host is not a lawyer, a therapist or an adoption professional.
Thank you for listening!
-
Please join Haley and I as we speak about pursuing identity in Alberta, Canada. We also talk about finding community in the process of navigating the challenges of being adopted.
Haley Radke is a domestically adopted person from Alberta Canada. Seeking answers and connection, she began a podcast to help her feel less alone with the traumas of adoption. In the process, she has grown as an individual while also inspiring others.
Haley can be found on numerous social media platforms. Please visit her website for more information about her podcast, mentoring work, speaking engagements, Patreon and more.
Our Host — Adoptees On
mentioned in the episode:
Poutine: Poutine - WikipediaNanaimo Bars Recipe20200225_bill-048.pdf
Are Alberta Adoption Records About to Become More Accessible?I Would Meet You Anywhere — Susan Kiyo Ito[Birth Mother] First Mother Forum: RIP: The fire behind adoption reform, Florence FisherOpen Adoption Records | Government of Prince Edward Island- yes, you can be fined and/or imprisoned in this province if you knowingly violate a contact preference form
Mental health support: get help - Canada.ca
The opinions of the host and their guest are just that, their opinions. The host is not a lawyer, therapist or adoption professional
Thank you for listening!
-
Please join me for a brief episode of the podcast. This is from a blog post I wrote in September of 2021.
The opinion of the host is just that, their opinion. The host is not a lawyer, or a therapist or an adoption professional.
Thanks for listening!
-
As part of NAAM, here is another short blog post from the early days of The Adoption Files.
-
Please join me as I speak with TJ Johnson. TJ is a musician, English teacher and Baby Scoop Era adopted person. She writes on Medium as The Onyx Phoenix. She contributed to the anthology Strangers by Adoption.
The Onyx Phoenix. – Medium
An Open Letter To My Father. An adoptee writes a letter to her… | by The Onyx Phoenix. | Adoptere: Auditing the Narrative | Oct, 2024 | MediumThe Onyx Phoenix (@redbyrde1960) | TikTok
This conversation is part of our effort to amplify the voices of adopted people and others impacted by adoption during the month of November.
Please be aware that this episode includes graphic descriptions of child abuse.
Mentioned in the episode:
Amazon.com: Strangers By Adoption: 10 Adoptees Share Their Stories of Rejection and Abuse: 9780578495743: Sippel, Doris Michol, Musser, Sandy, Sippel, Doris Michol, Musser, Sandy, Sippel, Doris Michol, Yarrow, Patricia Vivien: BooksHome - Saving Our SistersPound Pup LegacyMoses Farrow
The opinions of the host and their guest are just that, their opinions. The host is not a lawyer, therapist or adoption professional.
Every state and region had its own child abuse reporting laws and helplines. We are including the link to the national helpline. If you know or suspect that a child is being abused, please report.
National Child Abuse Hotline - Childhelp
Thank you.
-
As a part of NAAM, I am sharing a reading of my very first blog post. Thank you for listening!
-
Please join me as I speak with Baby Scoop Era, domestic adoptee Sophi Richman Fletcher. Sophi shares with us a piece she wrote on the search for her father, what she discovered, and how her discovery has been pivotal in her own self-empowerment.
Sophi can be found on Facebook as Sophi Richman Fletcher. Sophi welcomes questions about the search process and on managing expectations in search and reunion. She can be messaged through FB Messenger.
Mentioned in the show:
No Apologies for Being Me, a blog by The Adopted Genealogist, Lynn GrubbLynn Grubb (noapologiesforbeingme.blogspot.com)The Sunshine Boys: Southern Gospel History - Sunshine Boys (sghistory.com)National Adoption Awareness Month was established to promote adoption. Adopted people have been working to reframe the conversation centering the voices of adult adopted people in order to shift the prevailing narrative. There are many resources that people can explore to learn more about the deconstruction of the adoption narrative. We encourage listeners to listen to podcasts produced by adoptees, read books and articles, and visit adoptee produced content on IG, FB, Tiktok and X, as well as blogs on blogspot, wordpress, substack and other platforms.
The opinion of the host and their guest are just that, their opinions. The host is not a lawyer, therapist or adoption professional.
Thank you for listening!
-
Hi! As we begin yet another National Adoption Awareness Month, the podcast will be sharing on the history and function of the event, along with the stories and perspectives of some of us who are impacted by adoption.
Mentioned in the podcast today:
About National Adoption Month | Child Welfare Information GatewayData and Statistics: AFCARS | The Administration for Children and Familieshttps://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R43025/11US Adoption Statistics | Adoption NetworkPlaces you can find information on the experiences of adoptees and mothers who are deconstructing from the adoption narrative:
this podcast!
Adoptees of Tiktok
Adoptees on IG
Adoptees on Twitter(X)
The many podcasts hosted by adopted people
Adoptees United | Identity, Citizenship, EqualityWhere Adoptee Voices Meet – An Adoptee Centric Connect GroupAdoptee Rights Law Center PLLCAdoptees for JusticeHome | ARC
There are many state based adoptee rights groups also: California Alliance for Adoptee Rights, Georgia Alliance for Adoptee Rights, Adoptee Advocates of Michigan, Virginia Alliance for Adoptee Rights, Texas Adoptee Rights Coalition, and more. Adoption Trauma Network (@adoptiontraumanet) • Instagram photos and videos
Adoptee Reading: An Adoption Book Catalog - Books Written & Recommended By Adoptees
Concerned United BirthparentsThe Family Preservation Project – Where Moms and Resources MeetHome - Saving Our SistersThe opinions of the podcast host are just that, their opinions. The host is not a lawyer, therapist or adoption professional. The host is a Late Discovery, Baby Scoop Era, Intercountry, Same Race Adopted person whose identity also intersects with the LGBTQ and the Disabled community.
Thank you for listening!
-
Please join the host and their guest Dani Joy as we continue talking about the challenges of deconstructing from our beliefs around adoption and religion. This episode, we explore the ways in which entitlement intersects with and is reinforced by the religious and adoption narratives that we were raised with.
Entitlement: There are a lot of different dictionaries with slightly different definitions of the concept of entitlement. We used the Oxford Dictionary definition. I am also providing a link to another definition. https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/entitlement
Understanding the Trauma Brain | Psychology TodayThe Girls Who Went Away: The Hidden History of Women Who Surrendered Children for Adoption in the Decades Before Roe v. Wade: Fessler, Ann: 9780143038979: Amazon.com: BooksHow to Have Difficult Conversations | Psychology Today
About RAINN | RAINNNational Hotline for Mental Health Crises and Suicide Prevention | NAMIThe opinions of the host and their guest are just that, their opinions. The host is not a lawyer, therapist or adoption professional.
-
Please join Dani Joy and me as we have a conversation about how deconstructing from religion and the adoption narrative has affected how we perceive sexuality.
Please be aware that the episode includes discussion of sexual assault.
(13) Dismantling Purity Culture | FacebookRAINN | The nation's largest anti-sexual violence organizationThe Trevor Project - Suicide Prevention for LGBTQ+ Young PeopleHuman Sexuality | Psychology TodayReproductive Justice — Sister SongThe opinions of the host and their guest are just that, their opinions. The host is not a lawyer, a therapist or an adoption professional.
Thank you for listening!
-
Please join me as I speak with adoptee rights advocates and community builders Anna Thompson and Valerie LeMieux about what they are creating in the state of Michigan.
Mentioned in the show:
Adoptee Advocates of MichiganAdoptee Advocates of Michigan Adoptee Advocates of Michigan
Adoptee Rights Law (Greg Luce)Adoptee Rights Law Center – Legal representation and advocacy for adult adopted peopleAdoptee Citizenship Act of 2024Congress Introduces The Adoptee Citizenship Act of 2024 (adopteerightscampaign.org)Adoptees for Justice Adoptees for Justice
Adoptee Rights Law citizenship pageU.S. Citizenship (adopteerightslaw.com)
Reconnecting the Dots: Reconnecting the Dots: A Detroit-Based Transracial Adoptee's Story Tickets, Sat, Oct 19, 2024 at 1:00 PM | EventbriteMichiganders! Take Action for Adoptee Citizenship (adopteerightslaw.com)
Michigan Adoptee Rights Coalition Michigan Adoptee Rights Coalition | Home (michiganadoptees.org)Grand Rapids Pacific FoundationGR Asian-Pacific Foundation (grapf.org)Korean American Adoptee Adoptive Family Network(1) Facebook
The opinions of the host and their guest(s) are just that, their opinions. The host is not a lawyer, therapist or adoption professional
Thank you for listening!
-
Please join Dani Joy and I as we discuss some of the pitfalls of deconstructing from the narratives around race, religion and adoption.
Dani Joy is a mother of loss to adoption. She can be found on Facebook, as well as on Dani Joy, mother and homesteader – MediumMentioned in the show:
(10) Birth Mom Support And Education | Facebook(10) Estranged & Thriving; Support for Adult Children | Facebook(10) Dismantling Purity Culture | Facebookfive-losing-strategies-five-winning-strategies.pdf (moonstonecounseling.com)The opinions of the host and their guests are just that, their opinions. The host is not a lawyer, a therapist or an adoption professional.
Thank you for listening!
-
Please join me as I speak with transracial, transnational displaced person Lina Vanegas, MSW and advocate. We talk about the intersection of transracial and transnational adoption, racism and colonialism and impacts on mental health and suicidal ideation.
Lina can be found at: (12) FacebookLina Vanegas Msw (@linaleadswithlove) • Instagram photos and videosLina Vanegas - @linaleadswithlove : r/abolishadoption (reddit.com)as well as on X and other platforms @linaleadswithlove
Mentioned in the episode:
Mila | WHO: Adoption Survivors of Color + Global Majority WHAT: “Visualizing Adoption Abolition” Community Building Workshop WHEN: Saturday... | InstagramMila | (This workshop is for BIPOC Adopted People Only.) We are offering an online workshop, “Visualizing Adoption Abolition” in collaboration... | InstagramNos Buscamos – ONGAdoption fraud was widespread for many South Koreans adopted into Western countries, AP finds (nbcnews.com)Why China Is Banning Foreign Adoptions of Children - NewsweekThe U.S. history of Native American Boarding Schools — The Indigenous FoundationHistory of Residential Schools | Indigenous Peoples Atlas of CanadaNABSW_Trans-Racial_Adoption_1972_Position_(b).pdf (ymaws.com)Illegally adopted during Chile's dictatorship, they're now reuniting with biological families | AP NewsThere are a great many more articles and resources referencing illegal adoptions, the sourcing of children of color from other countries for the purpose of adoption, and the coercive tactics employed by so-called Resource employees, who are hired to procure children for agencies.
For people looking for lists of podcasts and other media produced by people of color and transnational adopted people, you can visit the site for Intercountry Adoption News, which maintains files and is an excellent source of news about transracial and transnational adoption.(13) Facebook
The opinions of the host and their guest are just that, their opinions. The host is not a lawyer or mental health professional.
If you or someone you know is feeling alone in navigating trauma and suicidal ideation, please seek support.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline | SAMHSAMental health support: get help - Canada.caUK Suicide & Crisis Helplines. Free, 24/7 Chat, Text & Phone (findahelpline.com)Mental health and suicide prevention contacts | Australian Government Department of Health and Aged CareRAINN | The nation's largest anti-sexual violence organizationWhere to get support | Te Hiringa Mahara—Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission (mhwc.govt.nz)Thank you for listening!
-
Growing up, the two topics that were taboo at the dinner table were religion and politics. Which may be a big part of how we ended up in the mess we find ourselves in. Please join Dani Joy and me as we ramble a bit about how deconstruction changed our political perspectives, and how those changing perspectives tie into our thoughts on adoption and family preservation.
Mentioned in the show:
TANF Welfare benefits or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) | USAGovSaving our Sisters: Home - Saving Our Sisters (savingoursistersadoption.org)The Family Preservation Project: FacebookThe opinions of the host and their guests are just that, opinions. The host is not a lawyer, therapist or a politician. The host encourages listeners to research the topics discussed and engage your curiosity and critical thinking skills. Let's problem solve together.
-
Please join Dani Joy and I as we continue our conversation on deconstruction from adoption and religious trauma. Todays episode is a discussion on the Ideal Family narrative. We talk about how the Christian belief system that we experienced created an environment where harm was inevitable.
Some resources for people deconstructing from religious trauma:
A Little Bit Culty with Sarah and Nippy.Lalich CenterBITE model (freedomofmind.com)Exvangelical Podcast Series - Apple PodcastsConsidering terminating your parental rights for adoption? Please first consider contacting:
Home - Saving Our Sisters (savingoursistersadoption.org)(20+) Facebook The Family Preservation Project(20+) Facebook Mothers of Loss to Adoption
There are a number of support spaces online for adopted people and for mothers of loss and other family members. You can also find adoptees and mothers on IG, Tiktok and other social media platforms. Quality varies. We encourage people to reach out to form support systems. Reading and listening for a while can be helpful in determining if a space aligns with your needs.
A few to be aware of:
Adoptees Connect
Adoptees United
Adoptee Rights Law
The Adoption Trauma Network
Intercountry Adoption News
You can find lists of resources on my Wordpress blog page also. The Adoption Files – A place to talk about the emotional and physical side of accessing our identities, in addition to talking about the laws regarding access to our documents. (wordpress.com)You can reach out to Dani Joy at Deconstructing Adoption: One Mother’s Road | by Dani Joy, mother and homesteader | Adoptere: Auditing the Narrative | Jul, 2024 | MediumThe opinions of the host and their guests are just that, our opinions. The host is not a therapist or a lawyer or a cult leader.
Thank you for listening! Please consider rating the podcast . We appreciate feedback.
-
Please join me as I talk the National Council for Adoption conference with Renee Gelin, founder of Saving Our Sisters and fellow board member and founder of The Family Preservation Project Katie Nelson Burns.
We begin our conversation with an overview of the keynote speakers address, and then dive into the first two sessions attended by Katie and Renee. Renee heard about how CPS and DCFS partners with medical providers to keep an eye out for prospects in medical settings. Katie listened as a lawyer who represents Gladney, is a board member for NCFA, and a member of the Association of Adoption Attorneys presented on how agencies should work to protect themselves against disrupted adoptions(contested adoptions).
I hope to have them back to continue the conversation, as there is much more to learn about how the National Council for Adoption works to promote family severance.
The host of the podcast is not a lawyer, or an adoption professional, or a board member of any organization. The opinions of the host and their guests are just that, our opinions. They may be informed opinions, but they are still our thoughts on the topics discussed, and we are allowed to have opinions on our lived experiences. If this bothers you, perhaps ask yourself why.
Thank you to all the listeners! This podcast is for you. Please takbe a moment to rate the show if you can, as this makes the information more widely availale thanks to the lovely algorithms.
- Vis mere
