DJ Elley Phunk - Identifying Through Music
DAWTA The Podcast
Hello, my name is Dionne Draper and I am the writer, actor and producer of DAWTA a semi-autobiographical one woman musical, the roots of this podcast series, and I live with the complex transracial adoptee experience. Self regulation, or put simply the ability to manage our emotions and impulses is a particular challenge for transracial adoptee and fostered people. Season 2 is full of interviews with members of the community about wellbeing activities that support our self-regulation. From Djing to climbing to weightlifting (that’s me), and more. Join me for this wellbeing series as we...
info_outline
Music Therapy - 'Feeling Comfortable Being Vulnerable'
DAWTA The Podcast
TRIGGER WARNING: Self Harm is discussed in this episode. Hello, my name is Dionne Draper and I am the writer, actor and producer of DAWTA a semi-autobiographical one woman musical, the roots of this podcast series, and I live with the complex transracial adoptee experience. Self regulation, or put simply the ability to manage our emotions and impulses is a particular challenge for transracial adoptee and fostered people. Season 2 is full of interviews with members of the community about wellbeing activities that support our self-regulation. From Djing to climbing to weightlifting...
info_outline
When Women Lift
DAWTA The Podcast
DAWTA The Podcast Season 2 Episode 2 - Pat Tru Fitness ‘When Women Lift’ Main Intro Hello, my name is Dionne Draper and I am the writer, actor and producer of DAWTA a semi-autobiographical one woman musical, the roots of this podcast series, and I live with the complex transracial adoptee experience. Self regulation, or put simply the ability to manage our emotions and impulses is a particular challenge for transracial adoptee and fostered adults. So, Season 2 is full of interviews with members of the community about wellbeing activities that support our self-regulation....
info_outline
Mum, we've got the same nose!
DAWTA The Podcast
Hello, my name is Dionne Draper and I am the writer, actor and producer of DAWTA a semi-autobiographical one woman musical, the roots of this podcast series, and I live with the complex transracial adoptee experience. Self regulation, or put simply the ability to manage our emotions and impulses is a particular challenge for transracial adoptee and fostered adults. So, Season 2 is full of interviews with members of the community about wellbeing activities that support our self-regulation. From Djing to climbing to weightlifting (that’s me), and more. Join me for this wellbeing series...
info_outline
Solo, but not alone!
DAWTA The Podcast
Hello It's been a while but DAWTA The Podcast is back with Season 2, following a fantastic Season 1 with Lisa Marie-Simmons. Thanks Lisa. For Season 2 I will be riding solo, but certainly not alone. So join me, Dionne Draper for more knowledge from the experts and lived expertise from the guests. DAWTA The TRA Podcast - Telling Real Accounts. Info: IG: soullife05
info_outline
DAWTA @ The Mount Without Live (Black Identity Part II)
DAWTA The Podcast
Part 2 Welcome to Episode 6 of DAWTA The Podcast LIVE!! ( Part 2) Whoop, whoop! This live episode was recorded on Tuesday 3rd October at the beautiful and atmospheric crypt of The Mount Without in Bristol. Shout out to Lottie, Tom and Mira. Joined by my fabulous co-host Lisa Marie Simmons, (in the house!!) and the warmest and most insightful audience in Bristol, we dive into our enormous theme, ‘Black Identity’. In Part 2 we invite DAWTA The Podcast therapists Lana Lynn Moreno, Celena Lewis and health practitioner Michael Earle to the DAWTA sofa, to delve further into the theme of Black...
info_outline
Live @ The Mount Without (Black Identity Part 1)
DAWTA The Podcast
Welcome to Episode 6 of DAWTA The Podcast LIVE!! ( Part 1) Whoop, whoop. This live episode was recorded on Tuesday 3rd October at the beautiful and atmospheric crypt of #TheMountWithout in Bristol. Shout out to Lottie, Tom and Mira. Joined by my fabulous co-host Lisa Marie Simmons, (in the house!!), the wonderful DAWTA guests and the warmest and most insightful audience in Bristol, we dive into our enormous theme, ‘Black Identity’. Research: 'Loving Blackness as Political Resistance', Bell Hooks Love this! The VW Beastie boys started- it- all quest continued. Was it unequivocally...
info_outline
TRA's and Birth Fathers
DAWTA The Podcast
We love feedback. Please contact [email protected] with any questions you would like to ask Lisa or myself for our upcoming DAWTA The Podcast Q and A zoom special. All welcome, but priority given to TRA voices. In thia special Episode 5 edition of DAWTA The Podcast 'TRA's and Birth Fathers' we centre and her search for her birth father. Join us as we explore birth fathers in transracial adoption (TRA) and the complexity of the pervasive, negative image of black fatherhood. Where does it come from, and how does that obstruct the search for our black birth fathers? I also...
info_outline
TRA's and Religion
DAWTA The Podcast
In this Episode Lisa and I explore Sarah’s relationship with God, and we consider the wider question of TRA’s relationship with religion and spirituality. Why do TRA’s seek religion in their lives and what influences those decisions? And, how can religion impact a TRA’s reunion with birth families? In this our ‘Therapist View’ comes from Celena Lewis who has specialised in trauma and addiction for the past 18 years. Celena is a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP) and accredited with the National Counselling Society (MNCS). Celena...
info_outline
TRA Sons
DAWTA The Podcast
Show notes: Dionne Draper and Lisa Marie-Simmons bring you DAWTA The Podcast, Episode 3 with a special focus on the Black, Male TRA (Transracial Adoptee) experience and a wider focus on Black, Male Mental Health. Robert Lewtas is a transracial adoptee living in London and works as an accountant for a large theatre producer. He is a proud father who identifies as Black English..though others might disagree! Michael Earle is an award winning wellbeing consultant, international speaker, mental health practitioner and certified Nordic Walking instructor. He lives in Bristol with...
info_outlineDionne Draper and Lisa Marie-Simmons are both black, transracial adoptees and the hosts of 'DAWTA' The Podcast.
Dionne Draper is the writer, actor and producer of 'DAWTA' a semi-autobiographical multi-media work that centres the experiences of Sarah, a transracial adoptee. DAWTA, a one woman musical was the first live iteration (2019), then came DAWTA Digital an immersive online version (2021) and now DAWTA the Podcast has arrived (2023).
Lisa is a multi-disciplinary storyteller born in the US, adopted by a white family, subsequently re-homed to a white adoptive mother and her black husband, and raised in Boulder, Co. Lisa's work as a singer/songwriter, poet and essayist uses intimate details of her life to speak to a larger narrative.
DAWTA The Podcast centres on themes in Sarah's transracial adoption, with special guests and a 'Therapists View'. Each episode covers complex, challenging and always heart-warming stories of the transracial adoptee experience, and the powerful path to self-actualisation.
Show notes:
Kuligowski, M (2019) 'Coming Out of the fog'.
Angela Tucker https://www.angelatucker.com
The Primal Wound - Nancy Verrier
'Out of the Fog and into Consciousness' A model adoptee - Grace Newton
Astrid Castro - Adoption Mosaic
The Artists Way - Julia Cameron
The Body Keeps The Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma - Bessel van der Kolk
Top tips
- Find your community (ICAV, Adult Adoptee Movement, etc)
- Find voices that validate your transracial adoptee experience
- Self expression and creativity
- Explore self-care techniques that work for you i.e. meditation, yoga
DISCLAIMER: We hope this episode offers you knowledge, comfort and support, however it is not meant to serve as a substitute for a relationship with a trained and licensed counselor or therapist.
More info about Dionne and DAWTA info at www.dionnedraper.com
Lisa Marie-Simmons at www.lisamariesimmons.com
Lana Lynn Mareno - Journey to Wellness at www.bs2therapyrooms.co.uk