Adoption Arena Podcast

Hello! Thanks for joining us today we enjoy the very best unforgettable moments of Series 2 in this victorious final episode hosted by Joy Carter.

Episode Breakdown

Introduction

0-4 minutes

Laura C - Episode Laura C Uncut

4-12.30 minutes

Simon Benn - Truth Traveller

12.30-22 minutes

Sheafli Chandra - Seasons and Greeting

22-29 minutes

Michael Alan - Authorgate

29-38 minutes

Final thoughts

38-42

About Episode 2

Joy Carter 

CEO and founder of Adoption Arena

Joy is also an established comedian, Actress, Speaker and Writer. As well as being an adoption Advocate who has worked since 2006 in the field for many organisations in the UK to pioneer, talk and explore new avenues for adoptees and those who have been in care or fostered. Joy is also an established comedian - do come and meet her online for her next online show.

Care for the Family, book tickets HERE for May 19th 8pm viewing

About Laura C – guest

lauracmusic.com

Laura was adopted at the age of six weeks, and recently was reunited with six brothers and sisters, she never knew she had. Her adoption story is a triumphant testimony of overcoming rejection and attachment disorder, and finding gratitude and joy in her adoption experience.

She has been recording and leading worship since the age of 11, and has lived in Los Angeles, where she was signed to Chrysalis Music. As a songwriter, Laura has had songs recorded by major artists, and has featured in film and TV.

For the last 3 years, she has been travelling the world leading worship. During this tine she has been radically transformed by the Lord and is a powerful Christian, she now writes, records and releases Ascension Worship.

Please do follow Laura C and her amazing work

Trade/donate to support Laura's work

Paypal: [email protected]

Simon Benn - guest and pioneering voice

Thriving Adoptees

Simon discovered a major personal truth hidden in the guise of a teddy bear and his whole life erupted.

Shefali Chandra - guest and pioneering voice

Barnardos Advocate https://www.barnardos.org.uk/

Shefalie is Dual Heritage of Scottish mother and Indian father. Placed into the care of Dr Barnardos homes as baby. Long-term fostered. Had career in Army, and worked in a FE college as a counsellor.

Shefalie currently Sits on National council of Barnardos for Old Girls and Boys and has written work on her personal transracial journey that been included in several publications on the subject of adoption.

Passionate about helping others find their own voices and different ways to communicate. working with those who are marginalised in some way and for supporting and encouraging others to believe in themselves and that everyone matters.

Michael Alan

Author  of 'A Boy Named Tigger'.

Michael was adopted after the second world war in very challenging circumstances only to suffer later at...

Hello, today we meet author and adoptee Michael Alan joins he joins us to discuss his brand new book 'A Boy Named Tigger'. Michael was adopted after the second world war in very challenging circumstances only to suffer later at the hands of his adopted mother, but overcame all his life issues to become a very successful in banking and financial services, show jumping and has travelled much around the world.

'A Boy Named Tigger' Is available at Waterstones to buy

Published by Austin McAuley Publishers

Joy Carter - host/CEO and founder of Adoption Arena is also an established comedian, Actress, Speaker and Writer. As well as being an adoption Advocate working with many organisations in the UK pioneering new avenues of engagement, learning and creativity for adoptees and those who have been in care or fostered.

Find out more about our adoption work at www.adoptionarena.com Thank you for listening and please do subscribe and follow our work - thank u

Hello and hope your having a great week? Today we start on a new exciting feature called 'AuthorGate' when we encourage you to engage with a new author who has been adopted/fostered/or in care by hearing them read extracts of their new book. Then in the following episode (part 2 of this occasion on 16th March) I will interview them about their writing experience too as i'm keen to find out how they have changed since writing their book, how has their story been received? and What would they do differently? Plus I have some of your questions to ask Michael too - and please do leave comments or write in - we will reply.

Podcast timeline

Introduction

0-6.00 mins

I introduce Michael Alan our featured author.

'A boy named Tigger' is published by Austin Macauley and is available to purchase online and at Waterstones around the world.

I've had the pleasure to read Michael's book and speak to him and it is rammed with powerful insights and a thrilling story. I very much love is that it allows the reader to really get a clear child’s eye view of what it felt like to be a child moving around a very limited child care system in the 1940’s.

Michael clearly describes the grief, trauma and the added trauma of not just his adoption but the pain of being abused and tortured by his adoptive mother. The book is documented and draws a very clear picture of suffering and a search for answers too.

We also get to read about how he ran away and cycled 186 miles (apologies, I said 189 in the podcast!) in 24 hours as a young boy in an attempt to escape his abusive mother, I think any Olympian would be impressed if not shocked to read of a little boy cycling along the A3 motorway in the UK at night making a bolt for freedom.

We also read about the confusion of relationships, puberty and then how he had to find the strength and creativity to heal, overcome and use all the childhood trauma’s and challenges to jettison him into a successful adult life. Is it even possible? Please read this book for yourself and enjoy Michael's reading in this podcast episode.

What is even more remarkable, is that Michal has written this book in his 70’s – proving that it’s never too old to write and share your truth to help others

Michael is an everyday man who has had a remarkable life.

Michael reads from A boy Named Tigger

6-13.33mins

Enjoy hearing Michael read from his book

Then Meet Michael Alan for the next Episode 6.

Join us for the conversation at the AuthorGate with Michael Alan

I'm so excited to interview Michael about his work and ask what challenges he faced emotionally and practically? What tips would he give to other writers? and how he would like this book to be used to help others - plus tons of other questions.

Also, if you have any questions for Michael then please do DM us in social media, or simply drop us an email [email protected]

All all the information about buying the book is in the links above.

Thank you for listening and don’t forget to subscribe to our channel and support us, because your kind donations really do keep this channel and our work at Adoption Arena alive.

And please do follow us in social media too and spread the word!

Adoption Arena - a Sound Pathway into brighter futures

Welcome to Season's and Greetings! Today we welcome the wonderful Shefali Chandra (Jean Hollis married name) to share with us about her incredible life story, my name is Joy Carter today we discuss Shefali's early life in care, how she coped, overcame great difficulty facing her issues of dual heritage, and loss of her identity and birth family. Over many years she is a now is a pioneer helping other's who are marginalised in society today and working closely as an advocate for Dr Barnados

We are also honoured to welcome our special Intro guest voice Chukumeka (Chukes) Maxwell, Founding Director & CEO Action To Prevent suicide he shares his thoughts on what a pioneering Spirit means to him. You can find out more about his amazing work at:

www.actiontopreventsuicide.org Charity Project www.goodwillatps.org.uk Find out more about his life saving work.

Here is the podcast time breakdown

0-13

Show intro and Shefali explains her humble beginnings and life in foster care.

Shefali Chandra is Dual Heritage of Scottish mother and Indian father. Placed into the care of Dr Barnardo's homes as baby. Long-term fostered. She had a career in the Army, and worked in a FE college as a counsellor. Shefali currently Sits on National council of Barnardo's for Old Girls and Boys and has written work on her personal transracial journey that been included in several publications on the subject of adoption.

13 - 30

Shefali’s life journey has left her passionate about helping others find their own voices and different ways to communicate and working with those who are marginalised in some way.

We discuss what changes could be brought into help reform the system, how can things be improved for care leavers and young people in the foster care system as a whole especially as they navigate into adult life.

30 – 44

The Adoption Quiz! This new podcast feature is a short life journey inspirational quiz to find out more about our quests experience and for you too - so why not join in. This is both fun and moving for Shefali as she delivers some powerful wisdom about her foster family and how she confronted some difficult issues.

I also ask: What is your favourite colour? What are you most proud of overcoming in your life so far? The rest of the quiz will be in a special podcast in series 3 when I interview other adults and young people in the adoption and care sphere.

45 - 50

We discuss life 'Seasons and Greetings' how can the natural seasons help us understand the challenging seasons we all have in our life of Winter to Spring to Summer.

50

Summing up.

And if you are interested in Shefali and her creative work please please visit

Vamos Theatre Company

Thank you for listening

Please do share your thoughts on this amazing episode! Subscribe and let others know

We look forward to hearing from you again,

Adoption Arena Podcast

xx

Hello and thanks for joining us today. Simon Benn today's special guest discovered a major personal truth hidden in the guise of a teddy bear and his whole life erupted. Join us on today’s trip as we are also honoured to welcome the High Commissioner of South Africa Her excellency Tembi Tambo share what a Pioneering Spirit means to her at the start of the podcast. Anyone who has been adopted or fostered or encountered any kind of childhood family change knows how a hidden truth can easily unravel and questions such as Who am I? Where was I born? Who are you? Can suddenly Jump out at you and hit you in the face. This can make 'Truth Travelling' daunting - so what should you pack for your life journey? How do you deal with discovering new truths can could be painful?

Learn some great tips on truth travelling and prepared to be challenged and inspired too.

Our special guest on today's show is adoptee and adoption advocate the wonderful Simon Benn from Thriving Adoptees. Quite frankly – this show ROCKS!

Episode Timeline

0-13 minutes

My intro. Notes here - simply grab a cuppa and enjoy. The best way to travel is in comfort - ha!

We begin with the High Commissioners words and listen to show snippets.

I share thoughts about how we all have the capacity to be pioneers by simply starting with a decision in your hearts. I discuss the importance of being open to other people’s truths, being thankful and the challenge of learning from the freedom fighters who have gone before us and whose giant shoulders we all stand on!

BOOK NOTE

Tambo Lenyoka by Lindiwe Mabuza

13-24

Simon tells his adoption story, work obsession and then having it all and loosing it, his quest to find inner peace and how he started talking and sharing about his adoption story to others.

24-38

We discuss the relationship between therapy, coaching and self-validation. 

BOOK and LEARNING NOTES

Liz Ivory and Richard Wilkins

The Ministry of Inspiration

It’s not your fault, Elizabeth Ivory

The Voice of Knowledge, Don Miguel

Podcast recommendations

The High Performance Podcast, Rupert Spira

The Primal Wound, Thriving Adoptees. Great section with Simon Benn

38

Summing up and some questions you can ask yourself about your own life journey to you and or your family move on.

Thank you for reading this and listening.

Next Episode: Wednesday 16th February 2022

with Shefalie Chandra

Shefalie is Dual Heritage of Scottish mother and Indian father. Placed into the care of Dr Barnardos homes as baby. Long-term fostered. Had career in Army, and worked in a FE college as a...

Hello, and welcome! Today we have an amazing bonus full length show for you! My beautiful special guest is the highly acclaimed American singer songwriter and adoptee Laura C. This episode is the full length and continues from the previous episode 'The Pioneering Spirit'.

It is uncut and no holds barred! Laura is very personal, candid, and warm and she explains everything really well. She brings a huge wealth of personal experience and knowledge to this incredible episode – if this episode was a meal it would be a buffet, trust me it’s a full spread of goodies with a a doggy bag for later!

EPISODE TIMELINE BREAKDOWN AND NOTES

0-08.40

Introduction to this episode

Welcome message and listen to a few show snippets

08.40

Enjoy the first half of Laura’s interview (from Episode 1 – A Pioneering Spirit) when she talks about her adoption journey and how she was healed from addiction through her music and wrote music to help others. She explains some of the power of music and how she writes.

Ancient keys in music – solfeggio keys

25.06

Listen to the second part of the interview.

We discuss the healing power of sound, frequency and the power of words.

Cymatics – the effect of sound on water and in the body

Max Bruch

www.Heartmath.org The heart Math Institute is amazing resource to help us understand our the heart, wellness and science

We discuss our Laura's Birth story and issues surrounding trauma, severance and birth mothers

The loss and gain of childhood trauma and new truths around sound and frequency healing

50.00

Emotional genetics, addictions, mental health, re-training neurons

How faith in God helped Laura overcome and deal with personal labels, identity and spiritually.

1.02

The Gift of Brokenness, Laura’s own personal highly acclaimed musical ‘addiction step plan’ which not only healed herself from addiction but thousands of others from many addictions, trauma, and inner pain.

1.06

Introduction to Simon Benn from ‘Thriving Adoptees in our next episode entitled ‘Truth Traveller’ and thanks for listening!

LINKS

https://www.heartmath.org/

lauracmusic.com

Trade/donate to support Laura's work

Paypal: [email protected]

And please do follow us and subscribe and find out more about adoption arena

adoptionarena.com

Paypal: Paypal.Me/adoptionarena

Many thanks for listening and please do subscribe, share and let me know your comments and questions and all feedback much loved. Thank you.

Hello, and welcome! Today I ask why is pioneering so important to adoptee's and those in foster families? And what does it mean in modern day terms when facing challenges? I'm joined by Laura C a highly acclaimed singer songwriter, adoptee and a true pioneer through her music to help other heal the often difficult emotional scars we often get in our lives. I open with a catch up and introduction to Series 2, then from 7.30 minutes we dive straight into this amazing interview. The full interview is available from Wednesday 26th January.

About Laura

Laura was adopted at the age of six weeks, and recently was reunited with six brothers and sisters, she never knew she had. Her adoption story is a triumphant testimony of overcoming rejection and attachment disorder, and finding gratitude and joy in her adoption experience.

She has been recording and leading worship since the age of 11, and has lived in Los Angeles, where she was signed to Chrysalis Music. As a songwriter, Laura has had songs recorded by major artists, and has featured in film and TV.

For the last 3 years, she has been travelling the world leading worship. During this tine she has been radically transformed by the Lord and is a powerful Christian, she now writes, records and releases Ascension Worship.

Please do follow Laura C and her amazing work

lauracmusic.com

Trade/donate to support Laura's work

Paypal: [email protected]

and please do follow us and subscribe and find out more about adoption arena

adoptionarena.com

Please do contact us with any questions or feedback

And if you wish to donate to our work and the making of these episodes please do at

Paypal: paypal.me/adoptionarena

Hello today we discuss the British Government changes to overseas adoptions and how that affects adopters? Will this help fight against child trafficking in adoption? And finally I ask my panel - Why is the adoptee voice so important today?

Joining me today are 2 highly respected and internationally renowned social workers, Chris Atkins from IAC, The Centre for Adoption and co-founder of TTAG, The transracial and transnational adoption group, along with Judith Alexis Augustine Craig a Canadian adoptee from Haiti who is a speaker and Social worker specialising in adoption and fostering.

We also reference the book: ‘Chosen, Living with Adoption' by Dr Perlita Harris, available at Amazon and Waterstones. It’s a really important piece of writing and poetry written by 50 adopted adults born between 1934 – 1984.

Thank you so much for listening and your support. We are back with series 2 in the summer! Can't wait! New format, production and new ideas and features..

In the meantime please do support our work, subscribe and follow us online if you can.

Thank you for listening!

Hi there, today we discuss some big topics in overseas adoption such as why is adopting a child from another culture than your own so challenging? And what is the dubbed ‘grateful syndrome’ that all adoptees face? We discuss this and much more.

I’m very honoured to be joined by two highly respected and internationally renowned social workers, both are transracial adoptees who have been an integral part of my personal adoption journey.

Chris Atkins 

IAC - The Centre for Adoption

TTAG - Transnational and Transracial adoption group 

Judith Alexis Augustine Craig

Speaker and Social Worker specialising in adoption and fostering in Canada.

We also discuss the benefits of being part of a group/forum that can support you on your own journey, especially if you are an adoptee, been fostered/in care, are part of a foster or adoption family etc. As when challenges suddenly arise it can be reassuring to have people around you who maybe have been where you have and can offer support and advise you as you walk through that challenge.

So why not join us and become a member today at adoptionarena.com, and/or support our work.

We proudly celebrate and support World Social Work Month 2021 and the challenging, forever changing role of the social worker. 

Please do listen, share and subscribe to our weekly podcast. In next weeks episode we continue with this exciting discussion.

Many thanks for listening,

Joy Carter