Episode 7: A Roll of the Dice

Join the conversation and submit a question or request a topic.

“Not all families are made the same way. Some are built by blood, others by circumstance—and sometimes, by a little bit of both.

In this episode, Joe takes us back to the family where he spent most of his time in foster care. It was a home shaped by complexity, care, and quiet tensions. And within it, one figure stood out: the oldest brother—the first biological son of Joe’s foster parents.

Their relationship wasn’t rooted in shared DNA, but in shared experiences—both spoken and unspoken. As the foster child entering a family with its own established rhythms, Joe had to navigate what it meant to belong in a space where love and limits often blurred.

In this heartfelt episode, Joe reflects on what that family gave him, what it didn’t, and how his brother’s presence—however imperfect—left a lasting mark on his life. Because even in complicated homes, identity and connection still find a way to take root.”