Adoptees Dish

There is so much that goes into our names. In this episode we explore complexities names can bring to the adoptee community and how to navigate them.

Rarely does society make room for birth/first mothers to share their stories, perspectives, and experiences. In this episode Amy Barker D'Alessandro and Jennifer Joy Phoenix share their Fog Faze framework for birth/first mothers. This episode is filled with wisdom and insight as Amy and Jennifer share their heart's work with us. BOOKS: The Girls Who Went Away https://www.amazon.com/Girls-W...

Dr. Susan Branco is a collaborator in the creation of the Adoptee Consciousness Model. In this episode she joins us to dive deeper into what this framework consists of and how adoptees may find affirmation in their experiences. This episode reminds us that we are not alone in our stories and there is community that understands and holds space for the wholeness of our experiences. Susan Branco, PhD...

We are so excited to share this episode with all of you. Patrick Armstrong is a transracial Asian American adoptee, born in South Korea and adopted to a white family in rural Indiana in 1990. He is the host of the award-winning podcasts The Janchi Show, a show about the Korean + Asian adoptee experience, and Conversation Piece, a show about the missing pieces of the conversations we’re already hav...

Many of us have heard the term coming out of the fog, but in this episode Amy Barker D'Alessandro, LMHC joins us for a rich discussion about what that actually means by breaking "the fog," into 8 steps. This framework is powerful and helps adoptees feel seen and understood as we navigate so much. Amy Barker D'Alessandro, LMHC, is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Group Facilita...

Kathy Mackechney, LCSW, is an adoptee and therapist who specializes in working with other adoptees, which she started doing after her own experiences in therapy, where she had to educate her therapists about the issues adoptees commonly face. Kathy is an IFS (Internal Family Systems)-certified therapist and consultant in Denver. 

Rachel is a Korean-American transracial and transcultural adoptee and therapist who owns a private practice based in Connecticut. She works primarily with adults and specializes in adoption and attachment trauma. Her therapeutic approach is holistic and mind-body incorporated, with the intention of helping clients build a compassionate and confident relationship with themselves, increase self-awar...

Welcome back to season 2 of Adoptees Dish! We are so happy you are here with us. As Season 2 is launching in National Adoption Awareness Month, we wanted to create a tool fellow adoptees could listen to for grounding and affirmation. This meditation was created to breathe our support and love for our community into those listening. Please listen to this any time you are in need of a reminder or co...

Welcome to Season Two! This is a quick welcome to our upcoming season and reminder to take care of yourself as it also marks the beginning of National Adoption Awareness Month. We see you and we are so happy you are in community with us. Thank you for tuning in, together we have the power to heal broken systems. XO, Amy & Marcella

Last episode of Season 1 !! Last episode we began unpacking some of the amazing questions all of our listeners sent in. In this episode we begin unpacking the remainder of questions listeners sent in. Thank you to all of those who participated, sent in questions, or tuned in. Together we have the power to heal broken systems. Tune in Next week for the Launch of Adoptees Dish, Season 2!

Many of you sent in profound and meaningful questions related to search and reunion. In this episode we begin unpacking and sharing our thoughts and responses to the questions you asked. There are not perfect answers to any of these questions, but there is community as we unpack and navigate them together. Thanks for tuning in. XO, Marcella & Amy

In this episode we get to chat with ML Trimble regarding search and reunion. She shares with us her insights as a transracial, intercountry adoptee and clinician. ML recently created a powerful workbook for adoptees to use as a tool as they navigate reunion. Thank you for joining us as we continue to dive into complex topics , we are so happy you are here. Maria Trimble (ML) is a licensed therapis...

Next up in our mini series is the topic of reunion. Reunion is layered and can look different for everyone. There is no right or wrong way to navigate this process or step. In this episode we chat about things to consider, things that were helpful for us, and how to engage in self care along the way. As always, thank you for tuning in and being in community with us. xo, Marcella & Amy

Actively searching for biological connection can feel overwhelming. In this episode we dive into what it means to actively look, how to take care of self, and things to consider. These are hard conversations, and we are holding each of you as you navigate so much. Thank you for being a part of our community and letting us in. With Love, Marcella & Amy

Search and Reunion is a massive topic and sometimes it can be so hard to know where to even begin. In this episode we chat about things to get curious about and reflect on when engaging in first steps towards searching for family or making connections with biological roots. Whether you are an adopted individual, adoptive parent, or biological parent, this episode is for you. As always these conver...

In this episode we dive into meaningful conversation with Astrid Castro from Adoption Mosaic. She shares parts of her journey and how her work has influenced change and provided education to those touched by the adoption experience. Astrid Castro (she/her/hers) is the founder and CEO of  Adoption Mosaic. Adoption Mosaic is a BIPOC woman and adoptee-led business that seeks to build an inviting adop...

Search and reunion is complex. In this series we explore what search and reunion can look like for adoptees throughout the lifespan. We dive into breaking myths, navigating emotions, managing loyalty, and logistical barriers for adoptees. Thank you for tuning in.

In this episode Rebecca shares with us the concept of body lineage and how our relationship with food and our bodies is correlated to our sense of attachment and connection. She shares compassionately how we can conceptualize and get curious about our own patterns with food and eating. A bit about our guest: Rebecca Berg, MS, RDN (she/her/hers) is a Los Angeles-based Registered Dietitian Nutrition...

If you have been to therapy before, or are contemplating beginning for the first time, it can feel overwhelming. Finding a clinician that understands the experience of adoption can make it even more challenging. In this episode we share insights on how to begin this process, some questions to ask providers, and some things to look out for. No matter where you are in your journey, you are so courag...

Change is a natural part of life but change and transitions can be really hard on the adoptee identity. In this episode Marcella and Amy dive into why transitions can be so difficult and what we can do to prepare and take care of ourselves when life feels unpredictable. Take care of yourselves and thank you for tuning in!

Ambiguous loss is a fascinating topic and this week we dive in to what it means. Guest Amy Geller, LCSW helps us identify what ambiguous loss means, how to identify it in our own life, and what we can do to cope through it. Amy shares her wealth of knowledge and lived experience both as an adoptee and adoptee clinician. Amy shares how she is using ambiguous loss theory to conceptualize her work wh...

Mother's Day can be a triggering day of the year for adopted individuals. Did you know there is also a Birth Mother's Day too? Not many know about this day reserved to honor biological mothers. This episode talks about a full spectrum of emotions, experiences , and thoughts from our clinical and personal lenses. Holding space for everyone impacted by adoption as we lean into such a big wee...

Adoptee Community is a sacred and special space for so many of us. In this episode we dive into what we love about our adoptee community and how we grew into finding our voices and place within it. Book Referenced by Amy in episode: https://www.amazon.com/Still-Here-Adapted-Young-Readers/dp/0593240189/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3IRJKECD7OGN8&keywords=austin+channing+brown+i%27m+still+here&qid=1682960...

In 2021 Amy Wilkerson wrote her first children's book called, "Being Adopted." Amy wanted to create a representative space where all adopted children were able to see themselves in this complex narrative. In this episode Marcella interviews Amy on what inspired her to write this book and what impact it has had so far. Thanks for tuning in!

Too often when adoptees share their lived experience they are met with resistance. In this episode we unpack what adoptees face when they share experiences that challenge the narrative around adoption. We invite you to get curious alongside us as to how we can create more safety in these conversations and how we can advocate for more safety for adoptees to minimize and elevate harm. In this episod...