Podcasting to Elevate Adoptee Voices with Sarah Reinhardt and Louise Browne - Ep 128

"Adoptive parents, go do your own work. It's kind of a natural birthright to know who you are." - Louise Browne

Adoptive parents and allies: Do you want to better understand and support your adoptive child's experiences? Our guests, adoptees Sarah Reinhardt and Louise Browne, will be sharing valuable insights and guidance on how to gain a deeper understanding and provide the support that adoptees need to thrive. By listening to their stories - and other adoptees' stories they share on their Adoption: The Making of Me podcast episodes - you can gain a deeper understanding and provide the necessary support for your adoptive child to flourish. Tune in to gain some new insights to support your adoptive child's journey.

In this episode, you will be able to:

• Understand the unique challenges of adoption experiences.

• Explore the impact of secrecy and shame in adoption.

• Gain insight into adoptees' alternate realities and perspectives.

• Get the inside scoop about Sarah and Louise's friendship and their podcast, Adoption: The Making of Me.

My special guests are Sarah Reinhardt and Louise Brownee

Sarah Reinhardt and Louise Browne are the dynamic duo behind the podcast Adoption: The Making of Me. As adoptees themselves, they bring their personal stories and insights in a candid and relatable manner on their own pod. Through their podcast, they aim to unravel the complexities of adoption, offering a blend of humor, empathy, and raw honesty. Sarah and Louise's journey of coming "out of the fog" in real-time adds authenticity and depth to their discussions, making their podcast an invaluable resource for adoptive parents and allies seeking to understand and support their children's experiences. Get ready to dive into their fascinating stories and gain a deeper understanding of adoption through their eyes. And find out more about their podcast's background and hopes for the future.

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The resources mentioned in this episode are:

• To listen to the Adoption: The Making of Me podcast, visit their website at adoptionthemakingofme.com, or search for them on your favorite podcast platform.

• Support the Adoption: The Making of Me podcast on Patreon to help them continue their important work in elevating adoptive voices and providing valuable resources to the adoption community.  https://www.patreon.com/themakingofmepodcast

• Come meet Sarah and Louise in New York for a meet-and-greet before Rebecca Autumn Sansom's and Liz DeBetta's Operation Fog Lift NYC Edition on February 2-4, 2024.

• Here are some of the books that were mentioned in the episode:

• The Primal Wound by Nancy Verrier

• Journey of the Adopted Self by Betty Jean Lifton

• The Baby Thief: The Untold Story of Georgia Tann, the Baby Seller Who Corrupted Adoption by Barbara Bisantz Raymond

Other Resources:

• APtitude Support Group for Adoptive Parents Facing Adoption’s Challenges: UnravelingAdoption.com/APtitude

• Other Parents Like Me - oplm.com 

• Heather Ross - Life Coaching for Parents who have a child struggling with addiction: https://heatherrosscoaching.com/

• Adoptee-Therapist Directory: https://growbeyondwords.com/adoptee-therapist-directory/

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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 Unraveling Adoption on Patreon: Patreon.com/UnravelingAdoption

www.UnravelingAdoption.com

Create your own podcast through Libsyn: https://signup.libsyn.com/?promo_code=ADOPTION

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Timestamped summary of this episode:
00:00:00 - Introducing the Guests
Beth introduces the guests, Sarah Reinhardt and Louise Browne, who co-host the podcast Adoption: The Making of Me. They aim to uncover adoption complexities and share their own adoption stories.

00:01:23 - Different Adoption Stories
Sarah and Louise discuss their different adoption experiences. Sarah had a traumatic beginning, while Louise was adopted into a loving family. They highlight the impact of adoption on their lives.

00:09:30 - Coming Out of the Fog
The guests share their journey of coming out of the fog, realizing the complexities of adoption, and experiencing emotional ups and downs. They discuss the awakening moments and the challenges they faced during this process.

00:11:42 - Starting the Podcast
Sarah and Louise reflect on starting their podcast without anticipating the emotional intensity of discussing their adoption experiences. They talk about bonding over being adoptees and finding camaraderie with other adoptees.

00:13:02 - Adoptee Camaraderie
The guests highlight the unique camaraderie among adoptees, where they can instantly connect with others who share similar experiences. They emphasize the shared understanding and connection that comes from living through adoption.

00:13:12 - The Beginning of the Podcast Journey
Sarah and Louise discuss how their podcast journey began as adoptees looking to explore the adoption world and provide a platform for adoptees to share their stories.

00:14:39 - Unexpected Growth and Community
Reflecting on the podcast's growth, Sarah and Louise acknowledge the impact of books, their supportive listeners, and the community they've built, highlighting the importance of diverse adoptee voices.

00:16:39 - Insights from Difficult Topics
The hosts share insights from discussing difficult topics, such as the book The Baby Thief, shedding light on the impact of historical figures like Georgia Tann and the far-reaching ripple effects of adoption-related trauma.

00:19:00 - Embracing Adoptee Stories
Sarah and Louise express their commitment to providing space for all adoptees to share their stories, emphasizing the importance of empathy and understanding regardless of individual experiences.

00:24:18 - Future Visions and Realities
The hosts discuss their future vision for the podcast, acknowledging the desire to reach wider audiences and expand their impact, while also recognizing the challenges of balancing real-life responsibilities with podcasting.

00:25:37 - Weekend Events and Workshops
Sarah and Louise discuss the upcoming New York event Operation Fog Lift, including a happy hour, a movie screening, and a writing workshop. They highlight the opportunities for adoptees and supporters to connect in person.

00:26:41 - First In-Person Event
Louise shares that this is their first in-person event, and they express excitement about meeting people face to face. They emphasize the transformative experience of interacting with others in real life.

00:27:59 - Advice for Adoptive Parents
The hosts offer advice for adoptive parents, emphasizing the importance of open communication, doing personal healing work, and not taking things personally. They stress the significance of acknowledging the adoptee's identity and experiences.

00:32:12 - Abundance of Adoptee Podcasts
Sarah and Louise discuss the value of the adoption community supporting numerous adoptee podcasts, emphasizing the diversity of voices and the ability to cater to different segments of the audience. They highlight the importance of collaboration and supporting each other within the adoption community.

00:34:27 - Dream Celebrity Interviews
The hosts express their desire to interview celebrities such as Keegan Michael Key, Colin Kaepernick, and Simone Biles, who all have adoption connections. They share their bold approach to reaching out to potential guests and the significance of elevating adoptee voices through their podcast.

00:38:12 - Coaching for Adoptive Parents
Beth offers coaching services for adoptive parents, specializing in helping them navigate through challenges such as addiction, mental health, and suicidality in their children. Her personal experience allows her to provide valuable support and resources.