The Adoption Journey Podcast
Welcome to the Adoption Journey Podcast! This podcast is your one-stop-shop for learning about adoption and the adoption process. We'll discuss topics like international and domestic adoption, open and closed adoptions, adoption agencies, foster care and search and reunion. We'll feature interviews with adoptive families, adoptees, birthparents, and adoption professionals. Our goal is to provide you with all the information and resources you need to make informed decisions about adoption. Join us as we explore the world of adoption!
Episodes
Summary
In this episode of the Adoption Journey podcast, host Tarcia Smith speaks with Nole Pitts, who shares his unique experience of being adopted and growing up in a foster care system. Nole recounts the emotional day he discovered he was adopted at the age of five, the transition to foster care, and the complexities of navigating relationships with both his biological and foster families. He reflects on the impact of these e...
Summary
In this episode of the Adoption Journey podcast, host Tarcia Smith speaks with Jackson Terkeurst, who shares his harrowing story of growing up in Liberia during the Civil War. Jackson recounts his experiences of fleeing into the jungle, surviving in orphanages, and eventually finding his way to America. He discusses the challenges of adjusting to a new culture, the impact of trauma on his life, and the power of music in ...
Summary
In this episode of the Adoption Journey podcast, host Tarcia Smith speaks with Anna Linde, a transracial adoptee from Brazil raised in Sweden. Anna shares her experiences of growing up as the only black child in a predominantly white society, the challenges of cultural identity, and the complexities of navigating race and colorblindness in Sweden. She discusses her early life, adoption story, and the impact of her upbrin...
Summary
In this episode of the Adoption Journey podcast, host Tarcia Smith speaks with Kim Hill, an adoptee and founder of a nonprofit organization. They discuss Kim's journey of discovering her adoption, the challenges she faced growing up, including rebellion and isolation, and her experience as a teenage mother. The conversation highlights the complexities of identity, family dynamics, and the search for belonging within ...
In this episode of the Adoption Journey podcast, host Tarcia Smith speaks with Jae, a transracial adoptee from Korea. Jae shares her lifelong awareness of her adoption, her experiences growing up in a predominantly white community, and the challenges of cultural identity. She discusses her journey of self-discovery, including her awakening to her Korean heritage while working at a ramen shop. Jae also talks about her efforts to con...
In this episode of the Adoption Journey podcast, host Tarcia Smith speaks with Astrid Castro, who shares her experiences as a transracial adoptee. Astrid discusses her early life, the challenges of adapting to a new culture, and the complexities of family dynamics in an adoptive setting. She reflects on her childhood memories, the impact of language loss, and the search for her birth family in Colombia. The conversation delves into...
In this episode of the Adoption Journey podcast, host Tarcia Smith speaks with Angie Legg, a fellow adoptee, about her unique life story. Angie shares her experiences from being born two months premature to a Haitian immigrant mother, her struggles in the NICU, and the decision made by her birth mother to give her up for adoption due to her medical needs. Angie recounts her journey through foster care, the challenges of being adopt...
In this episode of the Adoption Journey podcast, host Tarcia Smith engages in a heartfelt conversation with Dr. Tanesha Lawrence about the complexities of abandonment, particularly in the context of adoption. They explore the definition of abandonment, its emotional impact, and the connection to identity issues. Dr. Lawrence shares her personal journey of recognizing her own abandonment issues and the healing process she underwent,...
In this episode of the Adoption Journey podcast, host Tarcia Smith engages in a heartfelt conversation with Morocca, who shares her experiences of being adopted and the challenges she faced throughout her childhood. From discovering her adoption at the age of 11 to enduring physical and emotional abuse, Morocca recounts her tumultuous journey. She discusses her time at House of Hope, a safe haven that provided her with stability an...
Summary
In this episode of the Adoption Journey podcast, host Tarcia Smith speaks with Callie, a birth mom and founder of Talk About Adoption. Callie shares her personal journey of becoming a birth mom at the age of 15, the challenges she faced, and the support she received from her family and organizations. The conversation delves into the emotional complexities of unexpected pregnancy, the decision against abortion, and the ex...
Summary
In this episode of the Adoption Journey podcast, host Tarcia speaks with David, a transracial adoptee from the UK. David shares his lifelong awareness of his adoption, growing up in a multicultural environment, and the unique challenges he faced as the only black child in his small town. He discusses his experiences with racism, family dynamics, and the motivations behind his adoptive parents' decision to adopt. Davi...
Kendal Richardson shares his journey of discovering his adoption at the age of 23 and the challenges he faced in uncovering his biological identity. He discusses the lack of information from his adoptive parents, the trauma and abuse he experienced, and the search for his biological family. The conversation also touches on the complexities of closed adoptions, DNA testing, and the emotional impact of the adoption journey. The ...
Summary
In this episode of the Adoption Journey podcast, host Tarcia Smith speaks with Tonya Hockaday about her profound experience of discovering her adoption at the age of 31. Tonya shares the shock and emotional turmoil she faced upon learning the truth, the impact on her identity, and the complexities of family dynamics surrounding her adoption. The conversation delves into her journey of self-discovery, the search for her...
In this episode of the Adoption Journey podcast, host Tarcia Smith speaks with William Uhrlaub, a transracial adoptee of Haitian descent. William shares his complex adoption story, detailing his early life in Haiti, the circumstances surrounding his adoption, and the challenges he faced growing up as the only black child in a predominantly white family. He discusses the impact of his upbringing in a fundamentalist Christian commun...
In this episode of the Adoption Journey podcast, host Tarcia Smith speaks with Lorna Little, a late discovery adoptee who shares her profound journey of discovering her adoption at the age of 33. Lorna recounts the shocking moment she learned about her adoption while applying for a passport, leading to a cascade of revelations about her birth parents and the complex family dynamics that ensued. Throughout the conversation, Lorna ...
In this heartfelt episode of the Adoption Journey Podcast, host Tarcia Smith reflects on her personal journey as an adoptee, her reunions with her birth parents, and the profound impact of the conversations she has had throughout the podcast. She expresses gratitude to the adoption community for their support and emphasizes the importance of sharing diverse stories. Tarsha encourages listeners to find balance in their lives while ...
In this powerful episode, Tanisha Bankston shares her harrowing journey from childhood trauma and abuse to finding her voice and purpose. Adopted at a young age, Tanisha faced unimaginable challenges, including sexual abuse and domestic violence. Despite these adversities, she emerged as a survivor, using her experiences to empower others and break the cycle of abuse. Her story is a testament to resilience, healing, and the importa...
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 thei...
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 highligh...
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