Michael Costello was born in Brisbane in 1970, at the height of the closed and forced adoption eras. He was initially placed in an orphanage, and then extended foster care, despite his mother making several attempts to regain custody. Michael went on to be adopted by his foster carers at the age of five where he was physically, sexually and emotional abused. Five years ago, he began the process of discharging his adoption, having his original birth certificate reinstated and his mother legally recognised as such. In this episode, Jo Sparrow talks to Michael about why he pursued a discharge and the process involved in achieving it. This episode discusses adult themes and listener discretion is advised. For more information go to http://www.jigsawqueensland.com/episode-notes

In this episode Jane speaks to Cath Mundy and Jay Turner, a singer-song writing duo who worked with Jigsaw Qld and our client and stakeholder groups to write a song to represent the Forced Adoption experience. They then performed the song with some of the group participants at the 2020 7th Anniversary of the National Apology for Past Forced Adoption Practices in Australia. This episode discusses adult themes and listener discretion is advised. For more information go to http://www.jigsawqueensland.com/episode-notes

In the first episode of 2021 we talk to adoptee, Psychotherapist, cancer survivor and author, Pam Cordano about her book, "10 Foundations for a Meaningful Life (No Matter What's Happened)". Most of Pam's work over 30 years has been focused on clients who experience serious illness or tragedy, where life was one way and suddenly changed in a moment. Pam's greatest passion is helping people awaken their human capacity to move from despair to living a life of meaning and empowerment which Pam calls 'finding a deeper yes to life'. Inspired by Victor Frankl, she helps clients identify and cultivate what is uniquely meaningful to them, which allows for increased vitality and new possibilities. This episode discusses adult themes and listener discretion is advised. For more information go to https://www.jigsawqueensland.com/episode-notes

Christmas is a time when there are many cultural messages about families getting together and being happy and joyful. However, the reality is often different. In this episode Jane and Jo talk about the added complexities of this time for those affected by adoption and offer some tips for managing the holiday season.This episode discusses adult themes and listener discretion is advised. For more information about podcast episodes, go to www.jigsawqueensland.com/episode-notes

What a year! In this penultimate episode of the podcast, join us as we review the first season of Adopt Perspective and the global landscape that led to its creation. We also reflect on the work delivered by Jigsaw Qld's Forced Adoption Support Service during a year that was particularly challenging for anyone affected by adoption. This episode discusses adult themes and listener discretion is advised. For more information about these projects, go to www.jigsawqueensland.com/episode-notes

Do you have a story to tell? if so, we'd love to hear from you. Go to www.jigsawqueensland.com/adopt-perspective to fill in the Prospective Guest Form. Note - Adopt Perspective is listened to all over the world.

As the 8th anniversary of Queensland's historic apology in parliament for past forced adoption policies and practices nears, Jigsaw Qld's Forced Adoption Support Service (FASS) Team Leader, Andrea Lynch talks to Jo about two Queensland projects aimed at educating the public about the State's dark adoption history and memorialising it in hope that these policies and practices are never forgotten or repeated. They discuss the memorial plaque located in the foyer of the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital and the Without Our Consent - A Queensland Story digital memorial. This episode discusses adult themes and listener discretion is advised. For more information about these projects, go to www.jigsawqueensland.com/episode-notes.

Do you have a story to tell? If so, we'd love to hear from you. Got to www.jigsawqueensland.com/adopt-perspective to fill in a Prospective Guest Form. Note: Adopt Perspective is listened to all over the world.

In this episode, Jo speaks to Jigsaw Qld's President, Dr Trevor Jordan about the emotions that can arise when doing advocacy work, how far we've come in Queensland and Australia and what is possible in the future. Trevor is a long-term advocate of responsible adoption reform and education. For 20 years he taught Public and Professional Ethics at the Queensland University of Technology. As a person adopted in the closed adoption era, he developed a particular interest in ethics and adoption.This episode discusses adult themes and listener discretion is advised. For more information and podcast notes, go to www.jigsawqueensland.com/episodes-notes.

Do you have a story to tell? If so, we'd love to hear from you. Go to www.jigsawqueensland.com/adopt-perspective to fill in a Prospective Guest Form. Note: Adopt Perspective is listened to all over the world!

In today's episode, Jo speaks to Kerri Saint - an adopted person and advocate who was a founding member of the Association for Adoptees. They discuss Kerri's personal experience of adoption and her efforts to seek legislative change, acknowledgement of past wrongs and redress for anyone affected by adoption. This episode discusses adult themes and listener discretion is advised. For more information about Kerri and the Association for Adoptees go to www.jigsawqueensland.com/episodes-notes.

Do you have a story to tell? If so, we'd love to hear from you. Go to www.jigsawqueensland.com/adopt-perspective to fill in a Prospective Guest Form. Note: Adopt Perspective is listened to all over the world!

In this episode, Jane speaks to Deputy CEO of International Social Service (ISS), Damon Martin. ISS Australia provides social work, legal and mediation services to families and children across international borders. This includes assistance for families experiencing international parental child abduction, facilitating international kinship care and other international child welfare matters. This includes intercountry adoption (and general) family tracing, reunification and mediation. ISS Australia is an independent arm of a broader ISS network which spans over 130 countries worldwide. They receive government funding for some services, but relay on fees, donations and other income to continue providing the full range of services. This episode discusses adult themes. For more information about Adopt Perspective or to register your interest in being interviewed by the podcast, go to www.jigsawqueensland.com/podcast

In part one of our intercountry series, Jo speaks to Barton Williams about his experience of being airlifted from war torn Saigon, Vietnam in 1975 as part of the controversial humanitarian mission, Operation Babylift. Barton was raised in the eastern suburbs of Adelaide, by his new Australian adoptive family and went on to represent Australia in water sports, graduated as a school teacher, created an award-winning fitness program for children, wrote two children's picture books (including one about his experience), performs television and movie stunts and is a mad-keen pogo stick jumper! Phew! At the time of this interview, Barton was in pandemic lockdown in London, England.