The Adoption Journey Podcast

In this heartfelt interview, Brittney Bonya Lee shares her 17-year journey through the foster care system, exploring the impact of systemic issues, her healing process, and insights for others in similar situations. Discover her story of resilience, cultural identity, and the importance of self-care and community support.

In this episode of the Adoption Journey podcast, host Tarcia Smith interviews Rob Scheer, a remarkable individual who shares his journey from foster care to becoming a successful author and advocate for children in the system. Rob discusses his early experiences in foster care, the importance of education and support from teachers, and the challenges faced by children in the foster care system. He...

In this episode of the Adoption Journey podcast, host Tarcia Smith engages comedian Chris Williams in a heartfelt conversation about his experiences with adoption. Chris shares his journey of growing up adopted, the normalcy he felt, and the curiosity about his biological roots. They discuss the complexities of identity, trauma, and the impact of ADHD on Chris's life. The conversation also del...

Summary In this episode of the Adoption Journey Podcast, host Tarcia Smith reflects on her personal growth through the podcasting experience, discussing the evolution of her understanding of adoption and trauma. She shares her journey of finding her birth family, the complexities of reunion, and the impact of diverse adoption stories on her perspective. The conversation delves into the nature of t...

Summary In this episode of the Adoption Journey Podcast, host Tarcia Smith engages with fellow adoptees Johnny Underwood and Lisa Sapp, exploring their unique experiences with adoption. The conversation delves into the emotional complexities of discovering one's adoption at different ages, the impact of family dynamics, and the importance of curiosity in understanding identity. Both guests sha...

Summary In this conversation, Dr. Abby Hasberry discusses her experiences with adoption, highlighting the coercive nature of the decision-making process and the lack of support she received after relinquishing her child. She reflects on the illusion of choice she felt and the absence of practical planning for her future post-adoption.

Summary The conversation explores the emotional journey of adoption, focusing on the speaker's personal experiences in an orphanage and the family's decision-making process regarding adoption.

Summary This conversation explores Ayden's remarkable journey from abandonment in China to finding a loving family in Pennsylvania. It delves into themes of resilience, cultural identity, and the importance of sharing personal stories to inspire others.

In this conversation, Dr. Adam Anthony shares his personal journey of adoption, exploring themes of identity, belonging, and the complexities of navigating family dynamics. He discusses the transformative experience of searching for his biological parents and the impact of secrecy in adoption. The conversation highlights the importance of mentorship and empowerment for young adoptees, as well as t...

Summary In this episode of the Adoption Journey podcast, host Tarcia Smith and guest Garrett discuss his transformative experience at the Black Adoptees Meetup in Chicago. Garrett shares updates on his journey of discovering his biological family through Ancestry.com, including the emotional challenges and revelations that came with connecting with siblings and learning about his biological mother...

Summary In this conversation, the speaker reflects on their journey from adoption to personal empowerment, exploring the complexities of identity, family dynamics, and emotional healing. They discuss the challenges of navigating childhood and adolescence, the impact of relationships on personal growth, and the importance of therapy in their journey. The conversation highlights the significance of...

In this episode of the Adoption Journey podcast, host Tarcia Smith speaks with Kaz, who shares his incredible journey from being adopted from Haiti to navigating life in America. Kaz discusses the challenges he faced, including language barriers, learning disabilities, and cultural adjustments. He highlights the importance of sports in his life, particularly football, as a means of finding identit...

In this episode of the Adoption Journey podcast, host Tarcia Smith speaks with Wilson Guenther, a transracial adoptee from Haiti. Wilson shares his experiences growing up in Haiti, the challenges he faced, and his journey to the United States. He discusses his time in an orphanage, the adoption process, and the cultural adjustments he made upon arriving in America. Wilson reflects on his identity,...

Summary In this episode of the Adoption Journey podcast, host Tarcia Smith speaks with Nole Pitts, who shares his unique experience of being adopted and growing up in a foster care system. Nole recounts the emotional day he discovered he was adopted at the age of five, the transition to foster care, and the complexities of navigating relationships with both his biological and foster families. He r...

Summary In this episode of the Adoption Journey podcast, host Tarcia Smith speaks with Jackson Terkeurst, who shares his harrowing story of growing up in Liberia during the Civil War. Jackson recounts his experiences of fleeing into the jungle, surviving in orphanages, and eventually finding his way to America. He discusses the challenges of adjusting to a new culture, the impact of trauma on his...

Summary In this episode of the Adoption Journey podcast, host Tarcia Smith speaks with Anna Linde, a transracial adoptee from Brazil raised in Sweden. Anna shares her experiences of growing up as the only black child in a predominantly white society, the challenges of cultural identity, and the complexities of navigating race and colorblindness in Sweden. She discusses her early life, adoption sto...

Summary In this episode of the Adoption Journey podcast, host Tarcia Smith speaks with Kim Hill, an adoptee and founder of a nonprofit organization. They discuss Kim's journey of discovering her adoption, the challenges she faced growing up, including rebellion and isolation, and her experience as a teenage mother. The conversation highlights the complexities of identity, family dynamics, and...

In this episode of the Adoption Journey podcast, host Tarcia Smith speaks with Jae, a transracial adoptee from Korea. Jae shares her lifelong awareness of her adoption, her experiences growing up in a predominantly white community, and the challenges of cultural identity. She discusses her journey of self-discovery, including her awakening to her Korean heritage while working at a ramen shop. Jae...

In this episode of the Adoption Journey podcast, host Tarcia Smith speaks with Astrid Castro, who shares her experiences as a transracial adoptee. Astrid discusses her early life, the challenges of adapting to a new culture, and the complexities of family dynamics in an adoptive setting. She reflects on her childhood memories, the impact of language loss, and the search for her birth family in Col...

In this episode of the Adoption Journey podcast, host Tarcia Smith speaks with Angie Legg, a fellow adoptee, about her unique life story. Angie shares her experiences from being born two months premature to a Haitian immigrant mother, her struggles in the NICU, and the decision made by her birth mother to give her up for adoption due to her medical needs. Angie recounts her journey through foster...

In this episode of the Adoption Journey podcast, host Tarcia Smith engages in a heartfelt conversation with Dr. Tanesha Lawrence about the complexities of abandonment, particularly in the context of adoption. They explore the definition of abandonment, its emotional impact, and the connection to identity issues. Dr. Lawrence shares her personal journey of recognizing her own abandonment issues and...

In this episode of the Adoption Journey podcast, host Tarcia Smith engages in a heartfelt conversation with Morocca, who shares her experiences of being adopted and the challenges she faced throughout her childhood. From discovering her adoption at the age of 11 to enduring physical and emotional abuse, Morocca recounts her tumultuous journey. She discusses her time at House of Hope, a safe haven...

Summary In this episode of the Adoption Journey podcast, host Tarcia Smith speaks with Callie, a birth mom and founder of Talk About Adoption. Callie shares her personal journey of becoming a birth mom at the age of 15, the challenges she faced, and the support she received from her family and organizations. The conversation delves into the emotional complexities of unexpected pregnancy, the decis...

Summary In this episode of the Adoption Journey podcast, host Tarcia speaks with David, a transracial adoptee from the UK. David shares his lifelong awareness of his adoption, growing up in a multicultural environment, and the unique challenges he faced as the only black child in his small town. He discusses his experiences with racism, family dynamics, and the motivations behind his adoptive pare...

Kendal Richardson shares his journey of discovering his adoption at the age of 23 and the challenges he faced in uncovering his biological identity. He discusses the lack of information from his adoptive parents, the trauma and abuse he experienced, and the search for his biological family. The conversation also touches on the complexities of closed adoptions, DNA testing, and the emotional impact...