Adoption can change more than one life. For Gemi and Ili Bertran, it transformed an entire family. Gemi was born in Haiti and adopted as a child by Ili, who brought her to Barcelona. Their journey together has been shaped by love, identity, resilience, and the challenges of bridging cultures. In this conversation, they open up about the realities of international adoption, the work it takes to nurture trust, and how they’ve navigated questions of heritage and belonging. It’s a story about family in all its forms, the power of listening, and what it really means to grow together.

Chapters:

00:00 A mother–daughter story begins

01:30 Growing up in Haiti

04:15 The path to adoption in Barcelona

07:20 Adjusting to a new culture

09:45 Building trust across differences

12:00 Answering questions about identity

14:30 The role of heritage in family life

17:15 Navigating cultural misunderstandings

19:50 Lessons learned from each other

22:00 Finding belonging in two places

24:40 Motherhood across cultures

27:15 Advice for adoptive parents and adoptees

29:30 Why listening matters most

The Powerful Ladies podcast, hosted by business coach and strategist Kara Duffy features candid conversations with entrepreneurs, creatives, athletes, chefs, writers, scientists, and more. Every Wednesday, new episodes explore what it means to lead with purpose, create with intention, and define success on your own terms.

Whether you're growing a business, changing careers, or asking bigger questions, these stories remind you: you're not alone, and you're more powerful than you think.

Explore more at thepowerfulladies.com and karaduffy.com.

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