Adoptees Crossing Lines

Joker: Systems, Class Warfare, and the Cost of Being Unseen Episode summary: In this episode of Adoptees Crossing Lines , Zaira and Jay continue their mini-series on family policing in the media with a discussion of the 2019 film Joker . They unpack the film as more than a villain origin story—examining how failed systems, class struggle, and abandonment by institutions shape Arthur Fleck’s descen...

Episode summary: Zaira and J continue the mini-series on family policing in the media with Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot . They break down how the film uses religion, marketing, and savior narratives to sell adoption as “justice,” while ignoring the root causes that push families into the system. They also connect the story to church state entanglement, coercion in congregations, and wha...

Losing Isaiah: When the System Steals, and Hollywood Sells It Back to You Episode Summary: In this episode of Adoptees Crossing Lines, Zaira and J Way continue their mini-series on family policing in the media with a critical look at the 1995 film Losing Isaiah . They unpack the film’s portrayal of Black motherhood, addiction, transracial adoption, and white saviorism. From courtroom drama to deep...

Instant Family: Comedy, Consent, and Adoption Propaganda Episode Summary: What happens when a comedy about foster care hides a deeper agenda? In this episode of Adoptees Crossing Lines , Zaira and J Way dig into the film Instant Family, its tone, tropes, and troubling narratives. They reflect on how comedy disarms audiences, how media normalizes adoption propaganda, and why who tells the story mat...

The Blind Side: Ownership, Propaganda, and the White Savior Playbook Episode Summary: In this episode of Adoptees Crossing Lines , Zaira and co-host/editor J Way kick off a new film mini-series with one of the most infamous adoption movies of all time: The Blind Side . They revisit this Oscar winning film with fresh eyes, exposing its white savior narrative, racist tropes, and the insidious contro...

Ashley Albert on Survival, Strategy, and Standing on Business Episode Summary: In this episode of Adoptees Crossing Lines , Zaira is joined by Ashley Albert—organizer, survivor, and founder of Stolen Children’s Month. Ashley shares her journey from foster care and incarceration to becoming the first parent in Washington state to legally enforce and modify an open adoption agreement. Together, they...

What We Carried from the Black Mothers March Episode Summary: In this episode of Adoptees Crossing Lines , Zaira sits down with her editor and friend J Way to reflect on their experience attending the Black Mothers March in Washington, D.C. From the powerful teach in and the emotional impact of firsthand stories to the joyful moments of community and connection, they unpack what it means to organi...

Adopted Twice: Kinship, Control, and the Cost of Silence Episode Summary: In this episode of Adoptees Crossing Lines , Zaira sits down with Kat Shahinian-Buffa to explore the layers of secrecy, grief, and reclamation embedded in kinship adoption. From being adopted the day she was born to uncovering that her sister is also her cousin through a DNA test, Kat walks us through her journey of survival...

Raised by Auntie, Called Mom: The Complicated Truth of Kinship Adoption Episode Summary: In this episode, attorney and pro-Black adoptee Aretha Frazier shares her story of being adopted by her aunt in a kinship placement that was far from simple. From navigating family loyalty and control to confronting abuse and the myth of gratitude, Aretha opens up about what it really meant to grow up in a hou...

Surveillance, Saviors, and Screens: Media & Adoption with J Way Episode Summary: In this episode of Adoptees Crossing Lines , Zaira is joined by her editor, cinephile, and dear friend J Way. Together, they dive into how adoption narratives are portrayed in film and television, from tropes like the “grateful orphan” to more realistic depictions of systemic harm. J Way shares their experience as...

Mutual Aid as Resistance: Building Systems of Care Episode Summary:  In this solo episode of Adoptees Crossing Lines , Zaira dives deep into the power and necessity of mutual aid. Drawing from personal reflection, historical examples like the Black Panther Party and the Young Lords, and global efforts from Sudan to Florida, this episode highlights how mutual aid has always been about survival...

Adoptee Storytelling & Film Advocacy Episode Summary: In this episode of Adoptees Crossing Lines, Zaira sits down with Alexandra, a British and American domestic transracial adoptee who grew up in her birth country of Hong Kong. Alexandra is the festival director of the Adoptee Film Fest , a global in-person and online film festival amplifying adoptee-centered films by adoptee filmmakers. They...

Root Work and Resilience: The Fight for Black Families Episode Summary: In this episode of Adoptees Crossing Lines , Zaira sits down with Tamara and Tracey Robertson, sisters, healers, and advocates serving as Healers in Residence with Movement for Family Power. Together, they discuss their journey of resisting the harms of the family policing system, while centering Black birth traditions, ancest...

Adoption, Privilege, and the Stories We Tell w/ Patrick Armstrong Episode Summary: In this episode, we explore the complexities of adoption, privilege, and the narratives that shape our understanding of family. Through personal stories and critical reflections, we unpack the ways in which adoption is often framed as an unquestionable good while overlooking the systemic issues at play. We discuss t...

Annalisa Toccara-Jones on Digital Resistance, Colonial Legacies, and Telling the Truth About Adoption Episode Summary: In this episode of Adoptees Crossing Lines , Zaira is joined by Annalisa Toccara-Jones, a UK-based producer, communication strategist, and doctoral researcher in journalism. Together, they explore the intersections of adoption, colonialism, race, and digital community. Annalisa sh...

Reflections on Grief, Healing, and Honoring My Mom Episode Summary: In this solo episode of Adoptees Crossing Lines , Zaira reflects on 2024—one of the most difficult years yet. With raw honesty, she speaks about the grief of losing a mother too soon, the journey of reclaiming memory and identity, and what it means to move through life in the aftermath of family separation. This episode is for any...

The Role of Legal Advocacy in Family Reunification w/ Keshia Adeniyi Episode Summary:  The child welfare system is waging war on Black families, and Keshia Adeniyi-Dorsey is on the front lines. In this episode, she shares her journey from foster child to family defender, exposing the racist roots of CPS and the urgent need for change. Keisha breaks down her tactics for protecting families dur...

Exploring Abolition, Intergenerational Trauma, and Creative Resistance w/ Benjamin Lundberg Torres Sánchez Episode Summary: Words matter. Especially when it comes to adoption. Benjamin Lundberg Torres Sanchez isn't just "adopted" - they were separated from their first family for 28 years. In this episode, we unpack how the language we use shapes our understanding of adoption. Benjamin shares their...

Unpacking Adoption w/ Henry: Identity, Community, and Healing Episode Summary: What happens when a Black child is adopted into a white Mormon family? The Mormon church silenced Henry's identity as a Black transracial adoptee, but he's done being quiet. From "colorblind" racism to the weight of forced gratitude, he exposes the ugly truth behind his adoption. We explore the impact of media represent...

Adoption, Therapy, and Self-Discovery: Fai Knudson's Story Episode Summary:  Fai Knudson grew up in a white, conservative town, always feeling different. As a biracial, transracial adoptee, Faye faced racism and isolation. Leaving their hometown ignited a journey of self-discovery, leading to advocacy and therapy focused on adoptee mental health. In this episode, Fai shares their powerful sto...

Finding Freedom: Reflections on One Year of No Contact Episode Summary: It's been 365 days since I cut ties with my adopters to protect myself. A year of healing, self-discovery, and finding my voice.  In this episode, I share my no contact journey, the reasons behind my decision, the process of healing, and the freedom I’ve found. Hear my story of setting boundaries, seeking safety, and recl...

Operation Stop CPS w/ Amanda Wallace Episode Summary: Amanda Wallace helps families powerfully stop Child Protective Services from stealing their children. In this episode she talk about how you can do it too, how her organization reunited 20+ families, and why we should abolish the belief that the CPS system should even exist. Listen and let’s stop CPS. In this episode, we cover: (00:22) Who is A...

Adoption is Not A Part Of God’s Plan Episode Summary: Some people who adopt say it’s God’s plan for them to adopt. But, they almost never say that God’s plan is for them NOT to have children. This is just one of the many ways people use religion to justify human trafficking.  I found out, through an archived article, that I was trafficked by the Church through the One Church, One Child moveme...

Mila's Truth: Navigating Adoption, Liberation, and Community Episode Summary:  The Church does an excellent job of silencing you if you oppose them. They’d even hire a marketing company to rebrand adoption so that their business as adoption middlemen can continue to thrive. But, it’s not just the Church. The dominant culture is to silence anyone who speaks up against adoption. That was Mila K...

My Journey To Abolition Content Warning: Sexual and Physical Abuse Episode Summary: Every adult in my childhood has failed me, none of them did what they’re supposed to. Every part of the system failed me, it did exactly what it’s supposed to. The system kills children and breaks families, it must be abolished. In this episode, I share how I gradually evolved towards this deep belief starting from...