Roxanne Male-Brune & Bernhard Debatin

Finding Home in the Journey: When Life Takes Unexpected Turns 

The latest episode of The Anna Jinja Show proves that some of the most profound conversations happen when strangers discover their stories are beautifully intertwined.  

An Unlikely Connection 

Host Anna Jinja brought together two guests who had never met but shared remarkably similar experiences of early family disruption and the journey to find belonging.  

Roxanne Malè-Brune, recently retired Senior Director for Grant Development at Ohio University, spent three years in foster care after her parents' divorce and her father's serious health crisis.  

Bernhard Debatin, a songwriter visiting from Germany, experienced family instability as his father moved the family frequently due to his own mental health struggles.  What makes this conversation so compelling isn't just their shared experiences, but how they've transformed early trauma into wisdom and compassion.  

The Power of Honest Reflection 

The episode centers around Bernhard's song "Salty Sea," which Roxanne chose because of its honest portrayal of life's imperfections. The song doesn't promise that everything will be perfect - instead, it acknowledges that "not everything was as it should" while still celebrating the beauty of human connection.  

As Roxanne shared, "Life is not perfect. And if that is your expectation, you will be sorely disappointed. But also, I think that you will find the resilience in yourself to find what is wonderful."  

Lessons in Resilience Both guests offer practical wisdom for anyone facing turbulent times:  

Give yourself grace: Roxanne emphasizes the importance of self-compassion and understanding that struggling doesn't mean failing.  

Follow your interests: Bernhard encourages taking risks to pursue what genuinely engages you, even when it's difficult.  

Surround yourself with good people: Both speakers credit supportive relationships as crucial to their healing and growth.  

Embrace imperfection: Learning to accept that neither you nor others will be perfect opens the door to deeper connections and forgiveness.  

The Ripple Effects of Early Experience One of the most touching moments comes when Roxanne describes realizing how her experience at age six affected her parenting when her own son reached that age. It's a powerful reminder that our early experiences continue to shape us - but we have the power to choose how. 

 Why This Story Matters Now In a world where many people feel displaced or searching for belonging, this conversation offers hope. It reminds us that family isn't always biological, that home can be found in unexpected places, and that our most difficult experiences often become the source of our greatest strength.  The Anna Jinja Show continues to provide a space where adoption stories - broadly defined as the ways we all choose and are chosen by the people and experiences that shape us - can be shared and celebrated.  

Listen to the full episode to hear Bernhard's complete song and dive deeper into this remarkable conversation about resilience, belonging, and the beautiful messiness of human connection.

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