Thriving Adoptees - Let's Thrive

"Other people's opinions of us are none of our business." Winston Churchill. I love that quote. For me it's about doing what feels authentic to me. Being me. Doing me. I could never have imagined that the starting point for our conversation - stigma - was going to empower my advocacy. Make me bolder. Listen in and see where this episode takes you.  About Becky's last interview... Following failed...

Do feel different? Less than? Do you deserve to thrive? Doug always felt different. But he didn't know he was adopted until he was 12. Listen as we dive into insights, sobriety and more in this profound and empowering episode. Check out Doug's book - There Are More Like Me: Search, Reunion, and Synchronicity in Adoption here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/There-Are-More-Like-Synchronicity/dp/B0DYQJN7FK...

Another episode with a difference courtesy of two ladies with huge hearts. Empathy for others in the adoption constellation is foundational to thriving and communication. Listen in as birth mother Laura and adoptee Hannah explore the path to empathy.  Hannah Andrews  was born in Chicago and was adopted as an infant during the Baby Scoop Era. She was raised on a Midwestern farm with two older adopt...

The Promise is that Scotland's children and young people will grow up loved, safe and respected. This episode dives into how Fraser, his team and partners are delivering on that. We explore resilience, expectations and more. Fraser has been Chief Executive of The Promise Scotland since September 2022. Prior to that, he spent 16 years working for Audit Scotland, including ten years as Controller of...

At times our trauma threatens to overwhelm us. To overcome us. But how would it be to see that we are bigger than our trauma? Not just to see that. To feel it. To let go of blame. To be free. Listen in as Cher and I dive deep into understanding, forgiveness and more. Cher became a passionate advocate for children and decided to help children break the cycle of abuse after experiencing a traumatic...

Are you feeling out of balance? I know I do sometimes. And often because our perspective is to narrow. Listen in as Danny shares a broader, and deeper, perspective on thriving. Powerful and thought provoking. If we want our kids to grow, we need to grow. So how do we do that? Danny shares a wealth of insights into how we can grow based on a lifetime's experience working with kids and parents. It's...

There's no such thing as bad kid. There's no such thing as a bad adult. Although that doesn't stop us feeling bad right? Listen in as Matthew and I dive under our beliefs and trauma to see the inherent goodness at our core. Matthew McCall started at The Home in 1998 as a Child Care Worker. Matthew has held virtually every client serving role at The Home, from counselor, to clinician, program and d...

Is trauma getting in the way on your journey to home? To peace? Is your ego pulling you off the path?  Adoptive mom Chasity was adopted by her step-father whilst she was in pre-school. Listen in as we explore the journey home, obstacles and more... Connect with Chasity at https://www.linkedin.com/in/chasity-galyon-2b4994250/ https://alovingoptionadoption.org/   Guests and the host are not (unless...

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...