Navigating Transracial Adoption with Amanda Baum - Ep 88
Release Date: 04/10/2023
Solving the Genetic Puzzle of Health Issues in Adoptees with Jeremy - Ep 141
Unraveling Adoption
"I hate when people say that my life should be a movie. Can we just ban that phrase?" - Jeremy Read the transcript here: Episode Summary: In this episode of Unraveling Adoption, host Beth Syverson delves into the complexities of adoption alongside her guest, Jeremy, a 24-year-old adopted person from Texas. Jeremy shares his journey of struggling with various health issues and neurodivergence, only to discover the genetic roots of his challenges after reuniting with his birth family in 2022. Jeremy's adoption story unfolds as he recounts being adopted in Albuquerque, New Mexico, from a...
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Connecting with Ancestors for Healing with Helena Soholm, PhD - Ep 140
Unraveling Adoption
"I want to normalize the practice of spirituality and ancestral rituals. They're a normal part of our lives." Helena Soholm, PhD Read the Transcript here: Episode Summary Beth Syverson, the host of the podcast Unraveling Adoption, welcomes Dr. Helena Soholm as a guest on the show. Dr. Soholm, a Korean mudang or shaman, shares her unique journey of combining contemporary forms of shamanism and psychology to help adoptees connect with their ancestors. Despite not being an adoptee herself, Helena has been instrumental in assisting Korean adoptees in their healing process through...
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Embracing Complex Identity: Insights from a Non-Binary Adoptee of Color with Anthony Lynch - Ep 139
Unraveling Adoption
"I think everyone has had this experience of feeling like they're in two places or even more than that, but not quite enough of any." -- Anthony Lynch Read the Transcript: https://app.swellai.com/t/tp_01HSYYTTTDQ2QVDVHZ079SXA3E Episode Summary: Beth Syverson, the host of the podcast "Unraveling Adoption," welcomes Anthony Lynch, a 24-year-old non-binary transracial adoptee living in London, as a guest on the show. Anthony is the co-founder of In Between Lines, an organization that empowers individuals with complex identities. Throughout the episode, Anthony shares insights into their...
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Self-Realization through Memoir Writing with Monica Hall - Ep 138
Unraveling Adoption
"I think that being an adoptee groomed me to relinquish my own child." -- Monica Hall Transcript of this episode: https://app.swellai.com/t/tp_01HSM5N1067HY39ZRSGK11MB5T Podcast Episode Synopsis: In this episode of Unraveling Adoption, host Beth Syverson welcomes guest Monica Hall, an adoptee and birth mother who has recently published her memoir titled Practically Still a Virgin: an Adoption Memoir. Monica shares her journey of healing and self-discovery through writing her memoir, which delves into the complexities of adoption, trauma, and family relationships. Monica opens up about her...
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Finding Family: "The Keepers and The Throwaways" with David R. Ford and Tibby Ford - Ep 137
Unraveling Adoption
"I think adoptees who are going to go try to find their family have to recognize that... once you get into the process, you just have to roll with it, right? You have to be optimistic and hopeful and just play it out." -- David R. Ford Episode Synopsis In this episode of Unraveling Adoption, host Beth Syverson delves into the complexities of adoption alongside her guest, David R. Ford, an adoptee who reunited with his birth family 20 years ago. The episode explores the theme of family relationships, especially in the context of reunion with birth families. Beth introduces David as an adoptee...
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Unveiling Biracial Identity with Bethany Fraser - Ep 136
Unraveling Adoption
"I was always trying to fit in and chameleon wherever I was." -- Bethany Fraser Transcript Read this episode's transcript: In this episode of Unraveling Adoption, host Beth Syverson welcomes guest Bethany Fraser, an adoptee and host of The Adoptee Diaries podcast. The conversation delves into the complexities of adoption, focusing on the impact of secrets and identity issues within the adoption experience. Bethany shares her personal journey of discovering her biracial identity in her 40s, after a secret about her ethnicity was kept from her by her adoptive parents. The discussion explores the...
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Coming Out: LGBTQ+ Challenges in Adoption with Joe Toolan - Ep 135
Unraveling Adoption
"I had to be OK with the fact that they might not accept me for who I am." - Joe Toolan Transcript Read this episode's transcript: Episode Summary In this episode of Unraveling Adoption, host Beth Syverson delves into the complexities of adoption through the lens of LGBTQ+ adoptees. Joined by guest Joe Toolan, a transracial, queer adoptee from Guatemala, the episode explores the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in the adoption process. Joe shares his personal journey of growing up in a conservative white family in Maryland, navigating his identity as a queer,...
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Food Behaviors and Adoption Trauma with Rebecca Berg - Ep 134
Unraveling Adoption
"The root of the work, I would say, is really slowing down and learning how to sit with the discomfort of different sensations in the body." -- Rebecca Berg Transcript Read this episode's transcript: Synopsis In this episode of Unraveling Adoption, I had the pleasure of speaking with Rebecca Berg, a registered dietitian and adoptee who specializes in the intersection of adoption and food behaviors. Rebecca shared her personal journey of overcoming orthorexia and how early childhood trauma can manifest in issues around food. We delved into the complexities of adoption trauma...
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A Disappeared Adoptee Reunites with Revolutionary Roots - with Nelson de Witt - Ep 133
Unraveling Adoption
My adoptive father talked about it as my birthright to go back to Central America. I really like that framing. So I think that was part of the reason why they let me go on so many trips and that was such a wonderful experience. - Nelson de Witt Discover the shocking truth about Nelson de Witt's journey to uncover his past after being adopted from Central America. His story is a heart-wrenching tale of forced disappearances, political strife, and the courage to face the truth. Nelson's experiences will leave you in awe and disbelief as he navigates the complexities of adoption and the impact...
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Perspectives from a Former Foster Youth and Adoptive Parent with Alicia Murray - Ep 132
Unraveling Adoption
Love is an action. It's not always pink and it's not always red. Sometimes it gets black, sometimes it gets blue. But love is an action. - Alicia Murray In this episode, you will be able to: Explore the challenges of foster care and adoption journeys. Discover the profound importance of sibling connections in adoption. Embrace the value of openness in adoption and birth family connections. Find out how to provide essential post-adoption services and support. Uncover the challenges and realities of adopting older children. My special guest is Alicia Murray Our guest, Alicia Murray,...
info_outlineIn this week’s Unraveling Adoption podcast, Beth talks with Amanda Baum, co-founder of Fireside Adoptees Facebook Group. They recently launched a sister site called Fireside Adoptees Constellation which is open to anyone touched by adoption. Now living in North Carolina, she is an intercountry adoptee originally from Mexico but adopted into Utah. Amanda will be talking about how being a transracial adoptee has affected her life. And she will talk about ways she gets and gives support in the adoption community.
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📆 Community Calendar: UnravelingAdoption.com/Calendar
💌Sign up for our Unraveling Adoption email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX
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RESOURCES:
Amanda’s information:
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Fireside Adoptees Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1411791922534076
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Fireside Adoptees Constellation Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/616673970200012
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Email Amanda at: [email protected]
Other Resources:
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APtitude Support Group for Adoptive Parents Facing Adoption’s Challenges: UnravelingAdoption.com/APtitude
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Other Parents Like Me - https://www.facebook.com/other.parents.like.me
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Heather Ross - Life Coaching for Parents of Addicted Teens: https://heatherrosscoaching.com/
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Find a Tele-Therapist: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/online-counseling
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Unraveling Adoption is produced and hosted by Beth Syverson
Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao
Email questions or comments to [email protected]
Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube
Support UnravelingAdoption on Patreon: Patreon.com/UnravelingAdoption
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TIME STAMPS:
1:33 Amanda’s childhood and adoption story as a Mexican intercountry transracial adoptee
4:38 Culture shock of moving to a bigger, more diverse school
6:48 The difficulties of growing up as a transracially adopted child
9:57 Creating a blended transracial family
12:33 Amanda’s unfruitful search (so far) and the start of her activity in the adoption community
14:23 Microaggressions and bullying makes her feel “found out,” navigating race as a transracial adoptee
19:57 Connecting with other Mexican and Latin American adoptees
21:12 How and why Amanda started Fireside Adoptees
27:00 Why she named it Fireside Adoptees and what resources the groups offer
29:04 Let’s get curious!