On Episode 5 of the Adoptee Thoughts Podcast, Guida-Richards talks with Jessica and discusses her experience finding and reuniting with her birth family, her work in mentoring fellow Adoptees, and helpful advice for adoptive parents.

Mentorship at Spence-Chapin: NYC based Mentorship

All Together Now: Brooklyn based Mentorship

Bio:

Based in New York, Jessica M. Luciere (she/hers), is a mother, photographer, transracial adoptee, and adoptee advocate who has spent 15+ years working with adoptive families from all around the world. Jessica is the President of All Together Now, a mentoring program based in Brooklyn NY, and the Director of the Spence-Chapin Mentorship program in New York City, both serving adoptees and their families. Her involvement in mentorship has given her the opportunity to witness the adoptee experience from many different lenses and learn from all of those within the adoption constellation. This has been the most important work Jessica has done and she continues to develop and grow programming for this community that is so close to her heart.

Email Jessica at JMLuciere.nyc@ gmail DOT com

Follow her on Instagram

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To read more of the work by your host Melissa Guida-Richards, check out guida-richards.com, or the podcast's website adopteethoughts.com.

My book is now available for preorder and in stores on October 5th!

📖What White Parents Should Know About Transracial Adoption: An Adoptee's Perspective on Its History, Nuances, and Practices

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On Episode 4 of the Adoptee Thoughts Podcast, I have the honor of interviewing fellow transracial adoptee, Kylie Peterson. She talks about growing up as a Black TRA with white adoptive parents and how she has been discussing race and BLM with her family during this time. Kylie also shares some great tips for fellow transracial adoptees and we delve into some great insights that are essential for adoptive parents.

Find Kylie on Instagram here!

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To read more of the work by your host Melissa Guida-Richards, check out guida-richards.com, or the podcast's website adopteethoughts.com.

My book is now available for preorder and in stores on October 5th!

📖What White Parents Should Know About Transracial Adoption: An Adoptee's Perspective on Its History, Nuances, and Practices

Social:

Twitter

Instagram

Facebook

Mailing List: Subscribe Here

In episode 3 we discuss adoption influencer, Myka Stauffer, and the practice of rehoming adopted children. As an adoptee with disabilities I share my opinion on Adoption influencers and why it is problematic.

For more information about Stauffer and her son Huxley, check out my article on Insider- 'I was adopted outside of the US and have disabilities. I'm tired of the savior narrative among white adoptive parents.'

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To read more of the work by your host Melissa Guida-Richards, check out guida-richards.com, or the podcast's website adopteethoughts.com.

My book is now available for preorder and in stores on October 5th!

📖What White Parents Should Know About Transracial Adoption: An Adoptee's Perspective on Its History, Nuances, and Practices

Social:

Twitter

Instagram

Facebook

Mailing List: Subscribe Here

In this episode, we are delving into why adoptees search for birth family. I explain my reasons for genetic testing, why I wanted to search, and the importance of taking the time to prepare yourself before searching. This episode also includes a little behind the scenes of my recent HuffPo article, "My Half Siblings Found Me on 23andMe. I Wasn't Prepared for What Happened Next."

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To read more of the work by your host Melissa Guida-Richards, check out guida-richards.com, or the podcast's website adopteethoughts.com.

My book is now available for preorder and in stores on October 5th!

📖What White Parents Should Know About Transracial Adoption: An Adoptee's Perspective on Its History, Nuances, and Practices

Social:

Twitter

Instagram

Facebook

Mailing List: Subscribe Here

This is an introductory episode for Adoptee Thoughts. Your host, Melissa Guida-Richards, introduces herself and why she decided to start an adoptee centric podcast. She delves into her qualifications as a transracial adoptee, author, and mom. As well as discusses a bit her late-discovery adoption story.

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To read more of the work by your host Melissa Guida-Richards, check out guida-richards.com, or the podcast's website adopteethoughts.com.

My book is now available for preorder and in stores on October 5th!

📖What White Parents Should Know About Transracial Adoption: An Adoptee's Perspective on Its History, Nuances, and Practices

Social:

Twitter

Instagram

Facebook