The Adoptee Next Door

Dr. Abby Hasberry joins me to discuss her memoir, Adopting Privilege: A Memoir of Reinventing My Adoptee Narrative . As a transracial adoptee, licensed therapist, birth mother, and researcher, Abby brings a uniquely layered perspective to conversations about adoption, identity, race, and belonging. In this episode, we explore her experiences growing up in a color-evasive adoptive family, the compl...

Some conversations are worth trudging through a blizzard for. In early February, when New York City was buried under a Bomb Cyclone, I made my way to the Church of the Ascension in Greenwich Village for a conversation I’d been wanting to have for a long time, with Rev. Alissa Newton , Canon to the Ordinary of the Archdiocese of New York, adoptive mom, founder of the Adoptive Parents 4 Adoptees Fun...

Al Jazeera released this documentary and it’s available HERE . I had so much fun interviewing Huibert van Wijk for this podcast—and watching Child of Their Time left me quietly undone in the best way. Two things struck me immediately. First, this is an adoption story told with deep care by the adoptee’s brother. Second, the film allows the adoptive father to be fully seen and not as a caricature o...

In mid-November, I found myself standing inside a glowing cube in Hollywood. Not metaphorically. Literally. Emerson College’s West Coast micro-campus is a futuristic beacon rising from the heart of the entertainment capital, housing the ambitions of 200+ students who are learning to write, produce, act and report on the stories that will shape our culture. And on this particular night, the stories...

What started as two women chatting in a nail salon turned into a deep and moving exchange about family, identity, and what it really means to belong. In this heartfelt episode, Angela Tucker—author of You Should Be Grateful —joins Jen Psaki for an honest conversation about transracial adoption, the myths that surround it, and the importance of centering adoptee voices. From laughter and vulnerabil...

On this episode of The Adoptee Next Door , Patrick opens up about the profound challenges he faced growing up in foster care, from being labeled "unadoptable" to enduring multiple placements. He shares his emotional journey of self-discovery, the moment he faced his case file for the first time, and the painstaking process of reconciling his past. Through his experiences of homelessness, recovery,...

If you’re reading this, I already know something important about you: You care. You’re willing to engage with adoptee perspectives in a way that so many people aren’t. And for that, I’m deeply grateful. Because you’re here, I know that you understand that adoption isn’t a simple “happily ever after.” You know that love is important, but it’s not a substitute for racial identity, community, or spac...

(Yes, the episode title is derived from Michelle Obama's famous line; "when they go low, we go high!") Television influences public opinion of adoption. It's easy to see the influence shows like Annie and The Blind Side have had as they highlight the savior tropes and downplay or ignore the adoptees journey of grief and loss.  To my amazement, Long Lost Family seems to buck the...

Back in 2016, Angela had 12 year old transracial adoptee Alex, as a guest on her web series, The Adopted Life. In this episode, Angela reconnects with Alex, now a 17 year old transgender woman, to discuss adoption, the intersections of LGBTQ culture, and how quarantine provided a silver lining for Alex's transition period. You can reach out to Angela through her website or on Instagram @angie...

Angela talks with Tiffany Henness about the surprising grief she experienced during her pregnancy and childbirth of her two biological kids. As a Christian she challenges the fairy-tale narrative about adoption and wonders if Christians may be use the book of Psalms to think differently about helping children through adoption.  You can reach out to Angela through her website or on Instagram @angie...

Kristen and I talk about her identity as a white-passing Latina, adopted from Paraguay to Washington DC. The first time Kristen and I chatted she told me that she has only recently begun identifying as Latina. You can reach out to Angela through her website or on Instagram @angieadoptee. Get full access to The Adopted Life at angieadoptee.substack.com/subscribe

Over the past week it's become clear that most U.S. Americans view Amy Coney Barrett’s transracial family as noble, good and representing all things decent. However, transracial adoptees have a different take. It seemed to showcase white saviorism and virtue signaling. Torie and Angela discuss why the Supreme Court nominee's comment was so polarizing and why conversations about transraci...

The impacts of being told that you were adopted late in life are far reaching. One Late Discovery Adoptee (LDA) says "It feels like a cruel joke. Finding out that you are adopted late in life destroys part of your identity and turns your life upside down." Some parents think they are protecting their child by not telling them. However, finding out as an adult is undoubtedly a shock and f...

Angela speaks with Black adoptee Maya Holmes, who was adopted by Black parents as an infant. Maya shares her perspective and challenges Angela's assumptions about racial identity formation for black same-race adoptees. You can reach out to Angela through her website or on Instagram @angieadoptee. Get full access to The Adopted Life at angieadoptee.substack.com/subscribe

Angela speaks with adoptee Nancee Winslow, about nature vs. nurture, reuniting with birth family members, and adoptees feeling the need to prove they are "well-adjusted" with their adoption. Nancee shares a powerful story about the moment she told her 4-year-old son that she was adopted, and his emotional reaction.  You can reach out to Angela through her website or on Instagram @angiead...

Tony Hynes is a transracial adoptee, and was adopted by white lesbian moms in the mid 1990s. A judge told his parents “A white, same-sex-headed household is not the right household to raise a black child in,” and at the age of 7, Tony was asked to choose between his birth family and his adoptive family. Tony and Angela discuss racism and homophobia in this podcast.  You can reach out to Angela thr...

Angela speaks with transracial adoptee; Jessenia Parmer about the need for more mental health awareness among adoptees. They both address the fear and courage it takes to challenge the mainstream positive narrative of adoption, by acknowledging stories of trauma and loss.   You can reach out to Angela through her website or on Instagram @angieadoptee. Get full access to The Adopted Life at angiead...

Angela speaks with Black adoptee; Sam Collier about the complications of reuniting with his birth family. They discuss Sam’s new book “A Greater Story” and why he considers himself to be “rescued.” You can reach out to Angela through her website or on Instagram @angieadoptee. Get full access to The Adopted Life at angieadoptee.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome to The Adoptee Next Door! This podcast will feature conversations with adoptees revealing unique insights about racism, religion, immigration, trauma, and the many layers of unconventional families. Hope you join us for Season 1! You can reach out to Angela through her website or on Instagram @angieadoptee. Get full access to The Adopted Life at angieadoptee.substack.com/subscribe