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 share our struggles,and super powers alike.

In this episode I have a colorful conversation with DJ Elley Phunk about her work as a Therapeutic Mentor, being a mixed-race transracial adoptee with Zambian roots, dysregulation, early memories of being forced to read-out the 'N word', and her early introduction to Black Music and resistance. Wait!t She raps too!

DJ Elley Phunk Bio

DJ Elley Phunk has 28 Years of experience behind the turntables. She's been involved in the dance scene since the early 90's. Elley, originally a vinyl DJ, started mixing in 1995. She swiftly became a well-known house and Breakbeat DJ around the Southwest. Elley quickly picked up a tight and original style as she cuts with confidence. Elley went on to join an all women hip-hop collective named Dutty Girl, which is Bristol, based, playing old-school Hip-hop, getting the chance to support DJ Jazzy Jeff.

She runs DJ workshops supporting hard-to-reach youth and students, and works as a Therapeutic Mentor/ Student Support Worker. Her most recent achievement involved her writing an MA dissertation on the benefits of DJing on mental health, community, and self-empowerment. Her style is original and ranges through many inspirational genres that are fundamentally MOBO (Music of Black Origin)

DJ Elley Phunk also plays festivals, including: Boomtown, Glastonbury Festival.She has a residency at The Plough Inn, Easton, Bristol

Show references:

(The song mentioned at the top of the show) Burning Spear / Columbus https://youtu.be/7qXHU6wla8A?si=jTMErRbCR53NkKaE

The Boy Who was Raised As a Dog - Bruce Perry https://www.amazon.co.uk/Boy-Who-Raised-Psychiatrists-Notebook-What/dp/0465094457

Elley's contact details:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/djelleyphunk/

Website: https://djelleyphunk.wordpress.com/

You can also check out Elley Phunk's latest sounds on Mixcloud

https://www.mixcloud.com/elleyphunk/

Dionne Draper's info:

This year DAWTA has partnered with Black led mental health charity Nilaari https://nilaari.co.uk funded by Quartet donors the Celtic Connection Fund. With this funding DAWTA is delivering activities and workshops for transracial adoptee and fostered adults (in-person and online). For more information about how you can get involved email me at [email protected] or message me on insta at soullife05.

Website: www.dionnedraper.com

IG: https://www.instagram.com/soullife05/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/dionne.draper.79/

Finally, I have one small ask…if you enjoyed this episode please rate it with 5 stars, wherever you get your podcasts, and even a comment too - I love reading them! Ratings are essential to raise the profile of the podcast, get it heard, and recognised.

I hope this podcast offers you comfort, knowledge and support, however, it is not meant to serve as a substitute for a relationship with a trained counselor or therapist.

Thanks for listening, be well, and see you soon!

Copyright © 2026 Dionne Draper. All Rights Reserved.

Unauthorized Use Prohibited: Any reproduction, distribution, or use of this content or the DAWTA™ trademark without the prior express written permission of Dionne Draper is strictly prohibited and subject to legal action.

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 (that's me), and more. Join me for this wellbeing series as we share our struggles,and super powers alike.

In this episode I have an in-depth conversation with Music Pyschotherapist Alexis Wreathall about his work. We talk about the primary trauma of separation from the mother, to music therapists's practices to create a safe environment through routine, and predictable behaviours for clients. To facing anxiety and identity crisis head-on, seeing it as a cross cultural issue not simply a transracial adoptee or looked-after children experience, but also something many people suffer. It is hoped that this episode is one that everyone can relate to, providing knowledge and interest in the benefits of music therapy.

Alexis Wreathall Bio

Alexis Wreathall is a music psychotherapist who qualified in 2018 from the University of the West of England, and he practices in Bristol, Avon, Gloucester and North Somerset. Alexis has worked in a variety of different settings with different people, and his most recent clinical experience has been with young people who are within the adoption process, or who are looked after.

Contact details:

Email: [email protected] or [email protected]

Advice - signposting British Association of Music Therapists - https://www.bamt.org/

This year DAWTA has partnered with Black led mental health charity Nilaari https://nilaari.co.uk funded by Quartet donors the Celtic Connection Fund. With this funding DAWTA is delivering activities and workshops for transracial adoptee and fostered adults (in-person and online). For more information about how you can get involved email me at [email protected] or message me on insta at soullife05.

Website: www.dionnedraper.com

Finally, I have one small ask…if you enjoyed this episode please rate it with 5 stars, wherever you get your podcasts, and even a comment too - I love reading them! Ratings are essential to raise the profile of the podcast, get it heard, and recognised.

I hope this podcast offers you comfort, knowledge and support, however, it is not meant to serve as a substitute for a relationship with a trained counselor or therapist.

Thanks for listening, be well, and see you soon!

Copyright © 2026 Dionne Draper. All Rights Reserved.

Unauthorized Use Prohibited: Any reproduction, distribution, or use of this content or the DAWTA™ trademark without the prior express written permission of Dionne Draper is strictly prohibited and subject to legal action.

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. From Djing to climbing to weightlifting (that's me), and more. Join me for this wellbeing series as we share our struggles,and super powers alike.

I hope this podcast offers you comfort, knowledge and support, however, it is not meant to serve as a substitute for a relationship with a trained counselor or therapist.

Pat Tru Fitness Bio

Pat Tru Fitness is a personal trainer and coach resident in Bristol, UK where she hosts women's weightlifting small groups, and one to one coaching in person and online. In this episode we talk about women, strength, confidence in the gym, the weights area and making sure we take up our space. We talk about how Pat got into fitness, my fitness journey, lashes, nails and much more.

References:

• British Menopause Society, Paper - Menopause in Ethnic Minority Women 2023 Distinctive characteristics of the major UK ethnic minority groups Women of Afro-Caribbean origin

• The mean age of natural menopause is 49.6 years.

• Women experience a longer duration of menopause transition.

• These women have the highest prevalence and longest duration of vasomotor symptoms, and they are also more severe.

• They are more likely to experience shorter sleep duration, more frequent awakenings and less efficient sleep.

• Weight gain and mental health issues may be prominent.

• They display a smaller decline in sexual function and report a greater importance of sex

• Social prescribing - https://www.england.nhs.uk/personalisedcare/social-prescribing/

• Grounding - 30 Grounding Techniques to Quiet Distressing Thoughts, 2024 https://www.healthline.com/health/grounding-techniques#mental-techniques

Pat info:

• Pat Tru Fitness Socials https://www.instagram.com/pattrufitness/?hl=en

• Pat Tru Fitness website https://www.trufitnessbristol.co.uk/

• Email: [email protected]

This year DAWTA has partnered with Black led mental health charity Nilaari https://nilaari.co.uk/

funded by Quartet donors the Celtic Connection Fund. With this funding DAWTA is delivering activities and workshops for transracial adoptee and fostered adults (in-person and online). For more information about how you can get involved email me at [email protected] or message me on insta at soullife05.

Website: www.dionnedraper.com

Finally, I have one small ask…if you enjoyed this episode please rate it with 5 stars, wherever you get your podcasts, and even a comment too - I love reading them! Ratings are essential to raise the profile of the podcast, get it heard, and recognised.

Thanks for listening, be well, and see you soon!

Copyright © 2026 Dionne Draper. All Rights Reserved.

Unauthorized Use Prohibited: Any reproduction, distribution, or use of this content or the DAWTA™ trademark without the prior express written permission of Dionne Draper is strictly prohibited and subject to legal action.

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 as we share our struggles,and super powers alike.

I hope this podcast offers you comfort, knowledge and support, however, it is not meant to serve as a substitute for a relationship with a trained counselor or therapist.

Liz Mytton Bio

Liz Mytton is many things including a dear friend of mine, a fellow CIC director of DAWTA, and a Black adoptive parent. In this episode I sit down and talk to Liz about how she's doing, what it's like being 50 and her wellbeing. Liz speaks bravely and generously about being an adoptive parent of her dual heritage son, her husband's whiteness (and tallness!) and their love for their son, storytelling for all, and the importance of play.

Theatre in Flow

https://theatreinflow.com/

Book: The Nap Ministry / Rest is resistance

https://www.bookhausbristol.com/product/rest-is-resistance/

This year DAWTA has partnered with Black led mental health charity Nilaari https://nilaari.co.uk/

funded by Quartet donors the Celtic Connection Fund. With this funding DAWTA is delivering activities and workshops for transracial adoptee and fostered adults (in-person and online). For more information about how you can get involved email me at [email protected] or message me on insta at soullife05.

Website: www.dionnedraper.com

Finally, I have one small ask…if you enjoyed this episode please rate it with 5 stars, wherever you get your podcasts, and even a comment too - I love reading them! Ratings are essential to raise the profile of the podcast, get it heard, and recognised.

Thanks for listening, be well, and see you soon!

Dionne x

Copyright © 2026 Dionne Draper. All Rights Reserved.

Unauthorized Use Prohibited: Any reproduction, distribution, or use of this content or the DAWTA™ trademark without the prior express written permission of Dionne Draper is strictly prohibited and subject to legal action.

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: [email protected]

www.dionnedraper.com

IG: soullife05

Copyright © 2026 Dionne Draper. All Rights Reserved.

Unauthorized Use Prohibited: Any reproduction, distribution, or use of this content or the DAWTA™ trademark without the prior express written permission of Dionne Draper is strictly prohibited and subject to legal action.

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 Identity and give their 'Therapists View'.

Lynn Lana Moreno (Therapist) Journey to Wellness at www.bs2therapyrooms.co.uk

Celena Lewis (Therapist) Celena Lewis Bristol Counselling (counsellinginbristol.org)

Michael Earle (Health Practitioner) website www.alwaystakeyourlunchbreak.com

Nilaari www.nilaari.co.uk Dedicated to providing mental health assistance, particularly to adults from Black, Asian, and Minoritized Communities. Based in Bristol, UK.

Michael Earle email:[email protected]

Lisa Marie Simmons: https://lisamariesimmons.com/

Dionne Draper: https://www.dionnedraper.com/

Your episode hosts are Dionne Draper and [email protected] and this live episode was produced by Dionne Draper and Kate and Adam Daggett. Thanks to both you did a great job!

Please remember to SHARE, comment, and if you like please give 5 stars. 5 star ratings are essential to raise the profile of the podcast, get it heard and recognised. 🙏🏾

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.

Thank you - Arts Council England, Mount With Out and DAWTA The Podcast Live audience.

Copyright © 2026 Dionne Draper. All Rights Reserved.

Unauthorized Use Prohibited: Any reproduction, distribution, or use of this content or the DAWTA™ trademark without the prior express written permission of Dionne Draper is strictly prohibited and subject to legal action.

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 Mike D then? Here's a clue…. https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/beastie-boys-strange-crime-wave/

Guests bio / socials

Louise Ndibwirende (@louise_gw (IG and twitter)

Christelle Pelleceur (https://www.christellepellecuer.com/) ,

Retreats - https://www.christellepellecuer.com/retreat

Lisa Marie-Simmons 'Sparkler' , Notespeak 12 album link https://tr.ee/2CjFcPichl

Rob Lewtas - With thanks

Lisa Marie Simmons: https://lisamariesimmons.com/

Dionne Draper: https://www.dionnedraper.com/

Your episode hosts are Dionne Draper and [email protected] and this live episode was produced by Dionne Draper and Kate and Adam Daggett. Filming on the night by Phoebe Curry. DJ on the night DJ Mistri. Welcome by Michelle Betsy. Thanks all you did a great job!

and....Love this! The VW Beastie boys started it all (quest continued). Was it unequivocally Mike D then? Here's a clue…. https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/beastie-boys-strange-crime-wave/

Please remember to SHARE, comment, and if you like please give 5 stars. 5 star ratings are essential to raise the profile of the podcast, get it heard and recognised. 🙏🏾

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.

Thank you - Arts Council England, Mount With Out and the fantastic DAWTA The Podcast Live audience!!

Copyright © 2026 Dionne Draper. All Rights Reserved.

Unauthorized Use Prohibited: Any reproduction, distribution, or use of this content or the DAWTA™ trademark without the prior express written permission of Dionne Draper is strictly prohibited and subject to legal action.

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 Lisa Marie Simmons 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 enjoy a moment contemplating the 'daddy's girl' fantasy in our 'Therapists View with Lynn Mareno. Interesting!

In this our episode our 'Therapist View' comes from Lana Lynn Mareno who has been working as a therapist since 1987. She is a National Counseling Society accredited counsellor and a registered member of the British Complementary Medicine Association Lana Lynn opened Bristol's BS2 Therapy Rooms in 2019 where she practices a variety of one on one Talking Therapies including Transpersonal Development, Holistic Life Coaching, Integral Core Therapy and she also provides Group facilitation and workshops.

Articles/Books

- The Case Against Adoption: Research and Alternatives for Concerned Citizens: by Jessica DelBalzo

- ' The Primal Wound, In Search Of the Missing Piece', by Nancy Verrier, 2009

Follow the links to find out more about:

Lisa Marie Simmons: https://lisamariesimmons.com/

Harvard Law blog: https://blog.petrieflom.law.harvard.edu/2022/05/10/institutional-racism-and-the-rights-of-black-fathers/

https://youtu.be/jPr8KOp2aMc Lisa and Isell a Story About Adoption and The ghost Kingdom

Dionne Draper: https://www.dionnedraper.com/

Lynn Moreno at [email protected]

Please remember to SHARE, comment, like and give 5 stars. 5 star ratings are essential to raise the profile of the podcast, get it heard and recognised. 🙏🏾

Your episode hosts are Dionne Draper and [email protected] and produced by Dionne Draper and Kate Daggett. Thanks Kate, you did a great job!

Copyright © 2026 Dionne Draper. All Rights Reserved.

Unauthorized Use Prohibited: Any reproduction, distribution, or use of this content or the DAWTA™ trademark without the prior express written permission of Dionne Draper is strictly prohibited and subject to legal action.

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 has a particular interest in how people make sense of their experiences.

Celena Lewis Bristol Counselling (counsellinginbristol.org)

Events:

Zoom: Black Women Pause, Wednesday 19th July, 12.30-1.30pm - For more information contact [email protected]

All Women of Colour are invited to join us! We will explore why self compassion is important for our Mental Health and Wellbeing. Outdooor Walking group: Roots to Wellness. For more information, email [email protected] Articles/Papers:

Impacts of Religious Affiliation on Transracial Adoptee identity. Sophie Yan Yun McHenry Navarro. San Francisco State University, California 2019

Some Children See Him: A Transracial Adoptee's View of Color-blind Christianity: By JaeRan Kim. Journal of Christian Legal Thought

Transracial Adoptions During the Black Lives Matter Movement Helping transracial adoptive families with "the talk" : Author: Damon A. Pryor, LMHC, Psy.D. Posted Feb 18th, 2021

Follow the links to find out more about:

Lisa Marie Simmons: https://lisamariesimmons.com/

Dionne Draper: https://www.dionnedraper.com/

Celena Lewis Bristol Counselling (counsellinginbristol.org)

Please remember to SHARE, comment, like and give 5 stars. 5 star ratings are essential to raise the profile of the podcast, get it heard and recognised. 🙏🏾

Your episode hosts are Dionne Draper and [email protected] and produced by Dionne Draper and Kate Daggett. Thanks Kate, you did a great job!

Copyright © 2026 Dionne Draper. All Rights Reserved.

Unauthorized Use Prohibited: Any reproduction, distribution, or use of this content or the DAWTA™ trademark without the prior express written permission of Dionne Draper is strictly prohibited and subject to legal action.

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 his wife Joanne. Michael is a great advocate of self-care, and his mission is to inspire people to make their well-being a non-negotiable priority.

SPECIAL OFFER!! Michael is offering the first three people that email him after listening to the episode a free thirty minute wellbeing check-up call.

Research - Journal of social distress and the homeless, Vol. 0 No. 0, Month, 2015, 1–16

The emotional labor of playing cool: How Black male transracial adoptees find ways to cope within predominantly White settings. Darron T. Smith:The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, USA

Ghost Kingdom - Coined by Betty Jean Lipton, an influential psychologist who specializes in adoption therapy and fought for adoption reform, the Ghost Kingdom refers to the hypothetical world adoptees enter when imagining their birth relatives.

Different Strokes: Info found at https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077003/

Please remember to SHARE, comment, like and give 5 stars. 5 star ratings are essential to raise the profile of the podcast, get it heard and recognised. 🙏🏾

Your episode hosts are Dionne Draper and [email protected] and produced by Dionne Draper and Kate Daggett. Thanks Kate, you did a great job!

Follow the links to find out more about:

Michael Earle website www.alwaystakeyourlunchbreak.com

Michael Earle email:[email protected]

Lisa Marie Simmons: https://lisamariesimmons.com/

Dionne Draper: https://www.dionnedraper.com/

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.

Copyright © 2026 Dionne Draper. All Rights Reserved.

Unauthorized Use Prohibited: Any reproduction, distribution, or use of this content or the DAWTA™ trademark without the prior express written permission of Dionne Draper is strictly prohibited and subject to legal action.