Adoption: The Making of Me. An Oral History of Adoptee Stories

Mike Berman was conceived in Bay City, Michigan in November 1944 and was born on
August 8, 1945 in Nashville, Tennessee to an 18 year old woman who surrendered
him for adoption to the Tennessee Childrenʼs Home Society the day after his birth.
Mike was adopted by a Jewish couple living in New York City and he was raised
there. In February 1950 his Mom gave birth to her only natural child, Mikeʼs
younger brother. Mike never considered searching for his birth parents until he
began to see the online ads for DNA testing and finally began his search in late
June 2017. In addition to DNA testing Mike discovered that because of the
appalling crimes committed by the TCHS under the direction of Georgia Tann he
would be able to acquire his complete adoption record from TN. Mike received
those records in late September 2017 and they proved to be a treasure trove of
information. In addition to his genealogical research Mike also began to read
about adoption and the psychological havoc it leaves in its wake. He has also read
many of the books written by other adoptees and has benefitted from the insight
and understanding they have achieved, each from their unique experiences. That
self-education continues and Mike expects it will go on for as long as he can keep
at it. Mike is currently in happy reunion with an older half-brother and a younger
half-sister, all three being the only remaining children of their common birth
mother, and all of them born on a Wednesday (refer to the childrenʼs rhyme
MONDAYʼS CHILD). Mike and his sister have met three times in person, most
recently earlier this month. His brother lives in Rhode Island and they havenʼt met
but they all keep in touch by phone and social media. Mike has been retired since
2014 and lives in Central Texas. He has been married twice, divorced once and is
currently separated from his second wife. Mike has two sons, one daughter, one
grandson, and one son-in-law who has the same first and middle name as his
adoptive brother. All of them live in the same town and get together regularly for
holidays and birthdays and for the occasional random reason. Mike has a 5 year
old female cat, Clara, who graciously permits him to share her house in exchange
for full-time litter-box maintenance. Mike says, “Life is good.”

To go directly to Mike's interview, skip ahead to  8:26.

Also in this episode, Sarah and Louise discuss American Baby by Gabrielle Glaser.

Thank you to our sponsor S12F.

Joe Soll & other adoptee resources
Fireside Adoptees Facebook Group
Reckoning with the Primal Wound Documentary

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Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support.
Our Patrons:  Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed,  Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kris

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Mireille Landry  is an interracial adoptee who, alongside her identical twin sister, was adopted at 3 months old and raised in a predominantly white area by white adoptive parents. Originally intended to be a closed adoption, at the age of 12, the twins coincidentally met their birth mother at the mall while traveling to a nearby city for a soccer game. This unexpected encounter marked the beginning of their reunification journey, which led to meeting most of their maternal and paternal biological family and a trip to Zambia, Africa in 2011 to meet their paternal grandparents and extended Zambian family.

Throughout this journey, Mireille's adoptive parents have been very supportive, fostering a positive relationship with their biological and adoptive families. Today, Mireille and her twin sister have met and established meaningful connections with most of their biological and adoptive relatives. Mireille often expresses her belief that one can never have too many people who love them

To go directly to Mireille's interview, skip ahead to  11:49

Also in this episode, Sarah and Louise discuss American Baby by Gabrielle Glaser.

Thank you to our sponsor S12F.

Joe Soll & other adoptee resources
Fireside Adoptees Facebook Group
Reckoning with the Primal Wound Documentary

If you want to support our show, you can go to our Patreon Page.

Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support.
Our Patrons:  Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed,  Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson,  Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket , Robert Perrino,  Colleen McCall, Janet MacDonald, Robin Wells, Lynn Grubb, Mikki Jackson-Brown, Sharon Katzman, Carol Levitt, Elizabeth McDonald, Darra Robinson, Diane Moore, Jennifer Arave, Thomas Stevenson, Michael Berman and Cindy Turgeon.

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Faith Brady was born on 22 June 1969 and adopted one month later when the US landed on the moon. She has always known she was adopted and had a great relationship with her adoptive parents. Her parents then adopted another child, a brother, 3 1/2 years later.  In 2015 she had to have open heart surgery and it was then that she became very interested in her medical history.  Ancestry found a 1st cousin that let her know that ALL of the women in her family died before they were 60, including her bio mom. This set Faith on a path of discovery to find out her history, which is still unfolding as of this airing.

To go directly to Faith's interview, skip ahead to 10:25

Also in this episode, Sarah and Louise discuss American Baby by Gabrielle Glaser.

Thank you to our sponsor S12F.

Joe Soll & other adoptee resources
Fireside Adoptees Facebook Group
Reckoning with the Primal Wound Documentary

If you want to support our show, you can go to our Patreon Page.

Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support.
Our Patrons:  Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed,  Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson,  Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket , Robert Perrino,  Colleen McCall, Janet MacDonald, Robin Wells, Lynn Grubb, Mikki Jackson-Brown, Sharon Katzman, Carol Levitt, Elizabeth McDonald, Darra Robinson, Diane Moore, Jennifer Arave, Thomas Stevenson, Michael Berman and Cindy Turgeon.

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Chris Stearns is Navajo and was adopted in the mid-1960s before the Indian Child Welfare Act existed. His mom was part of the federal Indian Relocation program which moved Native Americans away from reservations to large cities as part of a national assimilation policy. Chris began his life in the Los Angeles County foster care system and was adopted when he was 2 years old by a loving white family in New Jersey where he was raised.  Chris chose a career as an attorney fighting for Native American rights and spent many years in Washington, D.C. representing Indian tribes as well as working in the House of Representatives and the Clinton Administration. Chris eventually moved to Washington state where he now serves as a Representative in the state legislature. He also was able to access his sealed original birth records but has never been able to find his birth parents.  He now lives in Auburn, where he and his wife Pamela have two adult daughters and a grandson.

The New York Times: The Brutal Past and Uncertain Future of Native Adoptions by Gabrielle Glaser: May 16th, 2023

To go directly to Chris's interview, skip ahead to 13:35

Also in this episode, Sarah and Louise discuss American Baby by Gabrielle Glaser.

Thank you to our sponsor S12F.

Joe Soll & other adoptee resources

If you want to support our show, you can go to our Patreon Page.

Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support.
Our Patrons:  Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed,  Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson,  Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket , Robert Perrino,  Colleen McCall, Janet MacDonald, Robin Wells, Lynn Grubb, Mikki Jackson-Brown, Sharon Katzman, Carol Levitt, Elizabeth McDonald, Darra Robinson, Diane Moore, Jennifer Arave and Thomas Stevenson.

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Nancy Davis was born in Florida in 1949 and adopted by a family from New York. The adoption was private and no documents were available to investigate her origins. An Ancestry test 6 years ago revealed that Nancy had 5 siblings in North Carolina from her birth parents, 3 brothers, and 2 sisters. It has been an amazing journey for her and has helped fill many of the “unknowns” of her heritage. She works as an EMT in her current home in Connecticut and thoroughly enjoys sharing her story.

To go directly to Nancy's interview, skip ahead to 19:30.

Also in this episode, Sarah and Louise discuss American Baby by Gabrielle Glaser.

Thank you to our sponsor S12F.

Joe Soll & other adoptee resources

If you want to support our show, you can go to our Patreon Page.

Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support.
Our Patrons:  Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed,  Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson,  Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket , Robert Perrino,  Colleen McCall, Janet MacDonald, Robin Wells, Lynn Grubb, Mikki Jackson-Brown, Sharon Katzman, Carol Levitt, Elizabeth McDonald, Darra Robinson, Diane Moore and Jennifer Arave.

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An unofficial adoption. David Enker was born in Amsterdam in 1970, following the Summer of Love of 1969. Relinquished a few months after birth to another family in The Hague, his birth mother, a university student at the time, had hoped to retrieve him after her studies. Although never officially adopted, things turned topsy-turvy when his new family refused to let him go. A bumpy reunion unravels in reverse.

This unusual beginning, together with a life-long quest for an identity, belonging and meaning form the backbone of his recently published memoir "Phantom Parents". A heartbreaking and heartwarming work, addressing universal questions through illustrations, photographs and short stories.

Recently diagnosed with young onset Parkinson's Disease he endeavours to embrace life to the fullest. David is a creative currently living in the Dutch coastal city of Haarlem with his English-Irish wife and young son.

LINKS:

Website with book info: www.davidenker.com

Book on Amazon: www.amazon.com/gp/product/9090369449/

Trailer for the book: www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgxoFVOWAEk

Also in this episode, Sarah and Louise discuss American Baby by Gabrielle Glaser.

Thank you to our sponsor S12F.

Joe Soll & other adoptee resources

If you want to support our show, you can go to our Patreon Page.

Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support.
Our Patrons:  Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed,  Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson,  Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket , Robert Perrino,  Colleen McCall, Janet MacDonald, Robin Wells, Lynn Grubb, Mikki Jackson-Brown, Sharon Katzman, Carol Levitt, Elizabeth McDonald and Darra Robinson.

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I’m Annie O. O stands for my last name. O is round. It’s a hole I still live in, that I’m not allowed to escape. Why the fuck is that how it has to be?

Adoption has a long history, with a narrative built around it being a celebrated act of love, of charity and saviorism. I rejoice for those who experienced the best of that narrative. However, there is a growing number of investigations and reports that show, for many, adoption is not and has never been, what people are led to believe.

Why must I go to court to gain access to my identity?
Why was it considered necessary to erase my past?
Why are the adopted treated as second-class citizens?
Why are we all repeating this flawed ideology?
Why are only some people considered tabula rasa?

Where the fuck are our mothers and fathers?

Annie's Book

Annie at Parliament (go to the end of the session)

Also in this episode, Sarah and Louise discuss American Baby by Gabrielle Glaser.

Thank you to our sponsor S12F.

Joe Soll & other adoptee resources

If you want to support our show, you can go to our Patreon Page.

Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support.
Our Patrons:  Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed,  Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson,  Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket , Robert Perrino,  Colleen McCall, Janet MacDonald, Robin Wells, Lynn Grubb, Mikki Jackson-Brown, Sharon Katzman, Carol Levitt, Elizabeth McDonald and Darra Robinson.

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Mariela Andersen is the author of "Home Sweet Casa: A Journey to The Universal Heart". Her book is the story of her reunion with her biological family in Colombia after being separated from them at birth. Mariela’s book takes the reader along with her as she discovers more about her past than she could have ever imagined and dives deep into the multifaceted layers of what makes her who she is. Adopted or otherwise, everyone is sure to benefit from reading her story.

UPDATE:
Since this episode was recorded: Mariela visited her biological family in Colombia recently for the first time in 7 years. She was able to attend her sister’s quinceañera (a girl’s 15th birthday) and reconnect with her family there. She said it was a an emotional roller coaster but she’s glad that she went and she won’t let as much time go by before her next visit.

Also in this episode, Sarah and Louise discuss American Baby by Gabrielle Glaser.

Thank you to our sponsor S12F.

Joe Soll & other adoptee resources

If you want to support our show, you can go to our Patreon Page.

Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support.
Our Patrons:  Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Denise Cruz-Castino, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed,  Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson,  Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket , Robert Perrino,  Colleen McCall, Janet MacDonald, Robin Wells, Lynn Grubb, Mikki Jackson-Brown, Sharon Katzmann and Carol Levitt. 

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Paige Strickland is an Ohio “Baby-Scoop Era” adoptee, teacher, mom of two and grandmother of three. She is the author of two memoir books, Akin To The Truth and After The Truth. She is currently working on a YA (young adult) book-in-verse version of her books. Paige also teaches Zumba (tm) Fitness, enjoys working in her garden, loves the beach, reading and spending time with her family.

Also in this episode, Sarah and Louise discuss American Baby by Gabrielle Glaser.

Thank you to our sponsor S12F.

Joe Soll & other adoptee resources

If you want to support our show, you can go to our Patreon Page.

Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support.
Our Patrons:  Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Denise Cruz-Castino, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed,  Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson,  Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket , Robert Perrino,  Colleen McCall, Janet MacDonald, Robin Wells, Lynn Grubb, Mikki Jackson-Brown, Sharon Katzmann and Carol Levitt. 

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Sarah and Louise join their season three authors, A.M. Homes, Damon Davis, and Megan Culhane Galbraith in an intimate roundtable discussion about living as adult adoptees and learning to navigate early childhood wounds.

"The Mistress's Daughter" by A.M. Homes

"Who am I Really: An Adoptee Memoir" by Damon Davis

"The Guild of the Infant Saviour" by Megan Culhane Galbraith

Thank you to our sponsor S12F.

Joe Soll & other adoptee resources

If you want to support our show, you can go to our Patreon Page.

Thank you to our current Patreon donors for their support.
Our Patrons:  Laura Christensen, Barbara Frank, Ramona Evans, Linda Pevac, Blonde Records, Denise Cruz-Castino, Daphne Keys, Denise Hewitt, Michelle Styles, Emily Sinagra, Linda David, John Frey, Eric David, Beth Figuls, Ron Schneider, Tony Corsentino, Kristi Reed,  Kristen Steinhilber, Jane Bofenkamp, Kelley Brickfield, Sandra de Quesada, The Harpy, Kristan Higgin, Lisa Thompson,  Michelle Goodwine, Jesper Laursen, Julie Malone, Rivi Shocket , Robert Perrino,  Colleen McCall, Janet MacDonald, Robin Wells, Lynn Grubb, Mikki Jackson-Brown and Sharon Katzmann.

Support the show

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Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.