Thriving Adoptees - Let's Thrive

Shame seems to exist on a scale from mildly debilitating to totally wrecking adoptees' lives. Listen in as explore shame, where it comes from and coming to terms with it. This episode is all about how understanding the truth of who we are sets us free. Susan Beale  was raised on Cape Cod, lived in Belgium and France, and now lives in the Wells, Somerset. Susan has worked as a journalist and editor...

Adoptee Diane's search & reunion process was epic and, ultimately, rewarding. Listen in as we take a deep dive into faith, hope & perseverance that powered her through that process for insights galore for all adoptees. It is our human right to know who we are. After her adoptive parents passed away, Diane decided to take the DNA plunge to find her biological family. Learn how she found her biologi...

Feeling unwanted is a central theme to many of adoptees' lives. We ache for connection. And it's a deep throbbing heartache that hurts like hell.  Listen in as adoptee Laurie and I explore what she's learned to help you heal that heartache. What does it mean to belong? Laurie James spent most of her life wondering that same question. A lack of belonging and loneliness dictated how she spent most o...

Transracial adoptee Thomas felt anger was stitched into him. Listen in as we explore how he saw through that to find peace and end his identity crisis. This is a particularly profound conversation which listeners are going to love. Here's a bit about Thomas and his book: An inspirational book detailing the profound changes in the life of a black child being left at a hospital after birth. Thirteen...

Resolving identity is often particularly tricky for transracial adoptees given the extra layer of complexity that race brings to adoption. Lucy felt different, saw lots of people who looked very different to her and was treated very differently too. Finding peace and ease with her identity took decades. Listen in as we explore the insights on the journey. Here's a bit about her from her website Lu...

Taking our kids' behaviour personally stops us being the parents we need to be. So how do we become agents of healing? Listen in as therapist Catherine explores essential insights and steps to helping our kids heal. Here's some more about her from her website: Catherine Young, LMFT, is an author, trainer, consultant, clinical supervisor and child and family therapist. She has devoted over 25 years...

Many of us adoptees struggle with identity. Christiana became Christina at 8. All of a sudden she was in a new country, in a new continent, with a new culture and her new name. Listen in as we unpack what she's learned about absorbing the most extreme identity shock we've ever discussed on this podcast. Christina Rickardsson was born in 1983 as Christiana Mara Coelho in Brazil in a town called Dia...

Check out my free event in January https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/whole-healing-my-primal-wound-tickets-473258638327 Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

Adoptee Paula and I go deep - because where the treasure is - the priceless insights that helped her heal the hole in her soul. Adoptee Paula and I go deep - because where the treasure is - the priceless insights that helped her heal the hole in her soul. We both  really loved this conversation and hope you do too. Paula Gruben is a professional writer , born and bred in South Africa, now living i...

Trees seal, people heal. Adoptee Kate helps us to self understanding and compassion in this profound episode. Sit back and drink this all in - especially her healing moments - they've got incredible healing power for us all. Here'a bit about Kate's story from her website I swore I'd never let my birthmother into my life, but then Mom died of ovarian cancer and my birthmother, Val, found me through...

Love isn't finite. But what does that even mean? In a fantastic first for Thriving Adoptees an adoptee and her birth mother talk about this and much more in this profound conversation. You're going to love this one. It was released on 24th November 2022, the first Thanksgiving day that Cynthia has spent with both her adoptive mom and birth mom. Here's a  bit about Cynthia - who was adopted as a ch...

If we want our kids to grow, we need to grow. So how do we do that? Danny shares a wealth of insights into how we can grow based on a lifetime's experience working with kids and parents. It's wide-ranging, fascinating and empowering.  Dr. Daniel Huerta oversees Focus’ initiatives that equip mothers and fathers with biblical principles and counsel for raising healthy, resilient children.  A bilingu...

Coming out of the fog marks the start our healing journey not the end of it. Listen in as adoptee Lora shares what's turbo-charged her healing. We go deep because that's where the life changing epiphanies lie  - under the trauma. These epiphanies are like priceless gems buried deep underneath many layers of soil, earth and rock. I really loved talking with Lora and bringing these epiphanies into t...

How many ex foster kids are professors? How many have dedicated their lives to improving the lives of children from hard places. Dr David Cross is uniquely placed to support you the adoptive parent and this episode is a gem. The paradox of helping your kids thrive is that it starts with you thriving. Listen in with big ears as David shares succinct and clear insights into how you can make that hap...

Doubt and insecurities are part and parcel of parenting. And deeper for those adopting given the potential complexities growing their families that way. Listen in as Nancy who adopted Sophie from China  and raised her on her own shares her biggest insights along the way to prompt your own insights as you do all you can to ensure your family thrives. After years as a temporary college instructor wi...

What's the journey from hardship, anxiety and grief to love, joy and hope. Lisa Ann explores our burdens, how they develop over the stages of our lives and how to relieve ourselves of our burdens... Adopted at the tail end of the Baby Scoop Era, Lisa Ann’s multiple decades of searching for family finally broke through with the submission of her DNA in 2018. She has learned over the past few years...

Adopted at 22, Tami's story is anything but typical. Neither is her transformation from surviving to thriving. So what has she learned on the way? What's she continuing to learn? What's changed her life? We go deep on healing is about seeing. As a mentor of mine says listen into this one like a rock with big ears for your own insights - see what you can see differently... Here's more about  her bo...

Trauma can overwhelm our kids. So how do we help them transcend it? Adoptive mom Jenny Rose Asher and I go deep on allowing, validating and evaluating feelings on the road to healing. We also explore separating ourselves from the trauma to gain the perspective that helps us be the parents our kids need us to be to support them. Here's a bit about today's guest from her website. Jennifer Rose Asher...

If you are afraid you are definitely not alone. Fear is a familiar feeling for all parents but adoption can take it to another level. That's what adult adopted person and retired adoption professional Lynn Deiulis learned working in adoption for 25 years. In this fascinating and empowering episode we get to the very heart of that fear so you can parent with less of it, thrive and help your kids th...

Self worth is THE issue for us all. How we see ourselves determines how we see the world. Allison and I both had profound insights about self worth during our conversation. How we see ourselves shifted. So this is a must listen to episode for both adoptees and adoptive parents. If you're an adoptee you're going to want to listen for yourself. If you're an adoptive parent you're going to want to li...

We adoptees have lots of thoughts about adoption. Those thoughts decide how we feel. But what if those thoughts are wrong? And what if being wrong helps us heal? Ed and I explore how his curiosity let him to new discoveries and the truth. He's a great guy with a huge heart for helping us all. Hope you learn as much as I did! Edward Di Gangi was adopted at birth in New York City. An only child, he...

Where do we find happiness? Is it nature or nurture? Adoptee Charlotte came through some very tricky times in her adoptive family including her mother's suicide. What's she learned along the way? How has she become who she is? How has focusing on others has helped her be happy. Listen in for a very empowering episode. Dr. Charlotte Laws is an author, columnist, and public speaker. She was the star...

Did you immerse yourself in learning before adopting and yet still feel you're learning on the job? You're not alone. Adoptive mum/mom Susan has 3 kids all in their twenties. She STILL feels she's learning on the job. Learning never stops. Getting that in our bones reduces the frustration and impatience we sometimes feel. There's always more to learn so Susan shares her insights into connecting wi...

Mary Beth has 7 kids including 2 adopted from China and one from foster care. Ahead of our conversation she talked to her kids about what what helps them thrive. We talk about this and go deep into the meaning of adoption, taking things personally, empathy and understanding. Here's a bit about Mary Beth's non profit: We want to see all waiting children placed in a family in which they can thrive....

Adoptee writers Alice and Marci go deep on changing the narrative around around adoption. We explore changing the narrative out there in the world and the narrative within. What others say about us and what we say to ourselves. It's all about self-empowerment, healing, sharing and learning from others. Listen in for a great conversation with two people who really know how to inspire themselves and...