Thriving Adoptees - Let's Thrive

So many of us struggle to see our worth. To feel valid. Listen as we explore safety, connection and purpose before going way deeper into worth. You're going to want to listen right until the end of this when Linda drops a bombshell about her that explains so much of what we discuss. Wow! A truly belief busting episode with breathtaking clarity. Linda Michie has a Graduate Degree in Urban Studies w...

Do you want more peace and contentment? Who doesn't? Listen in as Janelle and I dive deep in to being content with who we are, fulfilment and more. Adoptive mom Janelle serves as Program Coordinator at Adoption Network Cleveland and in this position, she is responsible for coordinating programming for Families and Youth.  This includes program improvements, development, planning and implementation...

How do we see our wholeness? How do we feel whole? Listen in as we dive deep into life's biggest questions. https://lifesong.org https://www.facebook.com/lifesongfororphans https://twitter.com/lifesongorphans https://www.instagram.com/lifesongfororphans/ Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you nee...

What do we need to succeed? What tools do we have already? What tools can we get? Join us for a deep dive with a fellow metaphor lover Amanda into empowerment and thriving. Connect with Amanda here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-angell/ https://www.facebook.com/FosterandAdopt https://mofosteradopt.com/ Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from th...

The past is a place of reference not a place of residence. So what drives us forward? What keeps our momentum? Listen is as foster kid David shares his insights on growing forward. 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...

What's beyond your dreams? Tapping into the dreams beyond our dreams can take us to extraordinary places. Listen in as inspirational leader and adoptive dad Chris shares what he's learned about impact, dreams and much more. Connect with Chris here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christophertonniges/ https://www.onelfs.org/ https://www.facebook.com/OneLFS https://x.com/OneLFS_ Guests and the host are...

What if we were content with being content? OK with feeling OK? Searching for happiness prolongs the search. Listen in as Brett and I dive into the big sea of contentment. The one between the high tide of happiness and the low tide of a low mood. Here's a link to Brett's previous interview https://thriving-adoptees.simplecast.com/episodes/how-adoptees-change-safety-addiction-more-with-dr-brett-fur...

What does growth mean to you? How do we grow? Listen in as we dive into this BIG subject. Insights and practical guidance aplenty. Cynthia K. Jensen is a Certified Social Worker in the State of Wisconsin.  Cindy graduated Cum Laude from Milton College in 1978 with a Bachelor of Arts degree.  From 1990 to 2009 she was employed by another Wisconsin child placing agency.  During that time Cindy place...

Would you like more peace? Does trauma drown out peace for you? Listen in as we dive deep and deeper still to find peace. Perhaps one of the most profound and powerful conversations in 542 episodes. Enjoy. Here's a bit about Elmarie: I WRITE TO BREAK THE SILENCE. I was adopted through the closed adoption system in 1966, just five days after I was born. For decades, my story remained locked away—si...

So much of our lives has been based on protecting ourselves. And understandably so when we've felt so vulnerable and insecure. How would shifting our focus move us forward? Listen in as Ryan takes me - and you - on a profound learning journey. A truly mind shifting  and belief busting episode. Ryan is adopted. He and his wife are the proud parents of two adopted daughters through kinship care, a s...

What we resist persists. How about more freedom instead? Listen in as Danielle dives into emotional freedom, what it means and how we enjoy it. Profound and practical. Here are two of Danielle's previous interviews on Thriving Adoptees: https://thriving-adoptees.simplecast.com/episodes/upping-our-empathy-game https://thriving-adoptees.simplecast.com/episodes/seeing-our-untarnished-soul Danielle Ga...

Feeling free to be our authentic selves. Being accepted as we are. What does that mean for you? How can you help the people you love feel that? Listen is as adoptive mom and adoption professional Ligia shares what she's learned - and continues to learn - on two big topics. Especially as they relate to race. An eye opening episode. https://www.instagram.com/ligiaspeaks/ Guests and the host are not...

What if we were to stop searching for happiness outside us? How would that be? How would that feel? Listen in as Amanda and I dive into what she calls emotional self sufficiency. Have you heard of that? I certainly hadn't. And it lead to a profoundly empowering conversation. We both loved it and hope that you do too. https://www.theanchorfamily.com/ Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) l...

Truths can be elusive for us adoptees. Fantasies or nightmares may fill in the blanks.  And truths can shift when we re-visit the past and ask others for their truth - their versions of events. This can lead to profound realisations. Listen in as Julie and I explore shifting truths, changes of mind and more. Julie Ryan McGue is an author, a domestic adoptee, and an identical twin. She writes exten...

What helps us blossom? What gets in the way? How do we overcome those obstacles? Listen in as we explore big questions with grace and depth. Brad stretched me out of my comfort zone into new insights. I hope this interview catalyses sparks insights in you. Foster parent Brad Brooks serves as the Executive Director of Southeastern Children’s Home and Counseling Center. Brad is an avid San Francisco...

Shame. Not being enough. Trauma. Listen in as birth mother Janelle shares insights on what helps us thrive and what gets in the way of thriving. She also shares how shifts in perspectives help us overcome those obstacles. Powerful. Impactful. Love this. Connect and find out more at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janellebasham/ https://www.bravelove.org/stories/meet-the-team-janelle-basham/ Guests an...

Born without arms in Romania and unwanted, George went straight from the hospital to an orphanage where he stayed until being adopted at 18 months. Relentlessly bullied at school he felt ashamed, full of resentment, mad at the world and God. Listen in as he shares his insights on the journey to thriving. An incredibly powerful interview. You're going to love this. Find out more: @ThatArmlessGuy Ww...

Lacking knowledge of our history can impact our confidence. So what do we do? How can we be more confidence whatever the uncertainty of our roots? Listen in as Jen and I dive deep into overcoming some of our essential challenges as adoptees. From Laguna Beach (Orange County), California, Jennifer Bao Yu "Precious Jade" Jue-Steuck is an author, screenwriter, children's novelist, adoption researcher...

Many of us adoptees have been asking questions for as long as we can remember. Who are we? Where did we come from? Why were we adopted? What drives our questions? What drives your questions? Listen in as adoptee and therapist Kim shares the fierce curiosity that drives her, coming through the toughest of times and more. Rich and deep. Just like we love these interviews. Find out about where Kim wo...

"The past is a place of reference, not a place of residence." A great quote from Roy T. Bennett. As adoptees we talk a lot about the past, our stories and more. This episode is all about the future. Creating our own future. Listen in as Carol shares insights and learnings on potentiality - unlocking our potential. But it's not all about us, it's about helping others unlock their potential too. Her...

Do you yearn to belong? To feel a deeper sense of belonging? To feel you belong with others? With yourself? What would that mean to you? Listen in as Jude and I dive deep into this profound topic. Find out about Jude's book here https://www.amazon.com/Girl-without-Tribe-Between-Adoptees/dp/B0DJK4XS9F/ https://www.facebook.com/jude.a.hung https://www.instagram.com/finding_home_with_jude https://fhw...

So many of us feel broken. And that hurts like hell. How would it feel to be whole? A whole lot better. Listen in as Daryn shares his learnings from a very counter-cultural take on wholeness from adoptee Sydney Banks. Daryn really stretched me - in a good way - and that helped me to new insights. We both hope it catalyzes new insights for you. Here's a bit about Daryn from his website: Hello! My n...

How do we feel at our best? Listen in as we explore the mind and body connection together with some simple ways to feel at our best more of the time. I loved this conversation and we both hope you do too. Christine Tangel is a licensed clinical social worker with over 15 years of experience working with children and families in New York City. She has provided direct service and supervision in vari...

If you're in the muck, keep moving forward. You can move on. Listen in as birth mother Kristy describes how she got inspired and let her inspire you. Great life lessons. Great episode. Connect with Kristy here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristy-holt-b36873339/ https://x.com/KristyAkakrissy Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion o...

Where do we find the courage to step up? Listen in as birth father Andy shares where he found the courage to share his story to inspire others. Powerful. Be ready to be up-lifted. Connect with Andy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-coppenhall-2a92b4156/ Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need...