Led By A Heartstring

Subscribe and stick around, because by the end of every episode, we will be one step closer to connecting with my birth family. You will also have a first-hand insight on the psyche of an adoptee and other issues surrounding adoption in Australia.

Find this project easily on socials @LedByAHeartstring on Instagram, @HeartstringPod on Twitter and you can easily find the page on Facebook for other live updates as they happen.

Led By A Heartstring is recorded in Brisbane, Australia. New episodes of the podcast are released weekly on a Monday. Send questions and other correspondence to: [email protected]

Original Music by Jonah Bobongie

Episode produced by Jonah Bobongie & Lauren Pollock for Long Way Entertainment.

This week Jonah explains what an intermediary service provides for adoptees and how he is utilising it to search and reunite with is birth mother. After receiving the documents back in last weeks episode that outlined his name before adoption and his birth mothers name, he feels using an intermediary will enable him to follow through on any leads in the most civil manner.

Subscribe and stick around, because by the end of every episode, we will be one step closer to connecting with my birth family. You will also have a first-hand insight on the psyche of an adoptee and other issues surrounding adoption in Australia.

Find this project easily on socials @LedByAHeartstring on Instagram, @HeartstringPod on Twitter and you can easily find the page on Facebook for other live updates as they happen.

Led By A Heartstring is recorded in Brisbane, Australia. New episodes of the podcast are released weekly on a Monday. Send questions and other correspondence to: [email protected]

Original Music by Jonah Bobongie

Episode produced by Jonah Bobongie & Lauren Pollock for Long Way Entertainment.

We're giving you this very personal insight on the moment Jonah called Carol announcing he had received a photograph of his birth mother holding him. Have a listen as Jonah's adoptive mum shows her support and love for Jonah to kick off the next step in this journey.

Subscribe and stick around, because by the end of every episode, we will be one step closer to connecting with my birth family. You will also have a first-hand insight on the psyche of an adoptee and other issues surrounding adoption in Australia.

Find this project easily on socials @LedByAHeartstring on Instagram, @HeartstringPod on Twitter and you can easily find the page on Facebook for other live updates as they happen.

Led By A Heartstring is recorded in Brisbane, Australia. New episodes of the podcast are released weekly on a Monday. Send questions and other correspondence to: [email protected]

Original Music by Jonah Bobongie

Episode produced by Jonah Bobongie & Lauren Pollock for Long Way Entertainment.

WE HAVE NEWS! Jonah just received his adoption records back from the Adoption & Permanent Care Services and he goes through and reacts to the information for the first time, live on the podcast! You don't want to miss this very exciting episode as he reacts to seeing this information in fact & figure. Towards the end of the episode, he shares a very special moment as he see's his birth mother's face for the very first time through a photograph that was provided to him.

Subscribe and stick around, because by the end of every episode, we will be one step closer to connecting with my birth family. You will also have a first-hand insight on the psyche of an adoptee and other issues surrounding adoption in Australia.

Find this project easily on socials @LedByAHeartstring on Instagram, @HeartstringPod on Twitter and you can easily find the page on Facebook for other live updates as they happen.

Led By A Heartstring is recorded in Brisbane, Australia. New episodes of the podcast are released weekly on a Monday. Send questions and other correspondence to: [email protected]

Original Music by Jonah Bobongie

Episode produced by Jonah Bobongie & Lauren Pollock for Long Way Entertainment.

It's time to start applying for more information on Jonah's adoption. Throughout the next half of the podcast season, Jonah will take you through his 'search and reunion' process to try and find his birth family! This episode, we follow along as Jonah fills out and files for his adoption records from the Adoption & Permanent Care Services in Queensland. He hopes that there is enough information from these records to lead him to the next step in the journey of actually contacting his birth family!

Subscribe and stick around, because by the end of every episode, we will be one step closer to connecting with my birth family. You will also have a first-hand insight on the psyche of an adoptee and other issues surrounding adoption in Australia.

Find this project easily on socials @LedByAHeartstring on Instagram, @HeartstringPod on Twitter and you can easily find the page on Facebook for other live updates as they happen.

Led By A Heartstring is recorded in Brisbane, Australia. New episodes of the podcast are released weekly on a Monday. Send questions and other correspondence to: [email protected]

Original Music by Jonah Bobongie

Episode produced by Jonah Bobongie & Lauren Pollock for Long Way Entertainment.

As many of you know, I am very open about my adoption and I believe that’s all thanks to my adoptive mum Carol. I spoke with her in Episode 2 and you can take a listen to the conversation now or after you have your questions answered here on this very special bonus episode of Led By A Heartstring. 

Being open about my adoption has allowed for many people to reach out and share their stories, experiences and personal lives with me, as well as others curious about the adoption experience. Last week I posted on social media inviting you to ask me those burning questions that may have popped up in your mind whilst listening to my podcast, or hearing my interviews in other media. I received a fair amount of feedback from you and would love to get into answering some of these questions. 

Subscribe and stick around, because by the end of every episode, we will be one step closer to connecting with my birth family. You will also have a first-hand insight on the psyche of an adoptee and other issues surrounding adoption in Australia.

Find this project easily on socials @LedByAHeartstring on Instagram, @HeartstringPod on Twitter and you can easily find the page on Facebook for other live updates as they happen.

Led By A Heartstring is recorded in Brisbane, Australia. New episodes of the podcast are released weekly on a Monday. Send questions and other correspondence to: [email protected]

Original Music by Jonah Bobongie

Episode produced by Jonah Bobongie & Lauren Pollock for Long Way Entertainment.

Jonah is joined by the Chief Executive Officer of Adopt Change Australia, Renee Carter to discuss the latest numbers in out of home care across Australia, issues in which Adopt Change are focussing on at present and how change can be made in the community to support children who are seeking a healthy environment to grow and thrive in.

Renee is passionate about influencing child welfare ‘policy and practice’ to deliver timely and effective outcomes for children. Through garnering community, sector and government support, Renee and Adopt Change hope to create better childhood experiences and brighter futures for children in need of permanent care.

If you are thinking of becoming a carer or adopting in Australia, you can go to the Adopt Change website www.adoptchange.org.au to find more information on the organisation, programs, events and resources relevant to your queries.

Subscribe and stick around, because by the end of every episode, we will be one step closer to connecting with my birth family. You will also have a first-hand insight on the psyche of an adoptee and other issues surrounding adoption in Australia.

Find this project easily on socials @LedByAHeartstring on Instagram, @HeartstringPod on Twitter and you can easily find the page on Facebook for other live updates as they happen.

Led By A Heartstring is recorded in Brisbane, Australia. New episodes of the podcast are released weekly on a Monday. Send questions and other correspondence to: [email protected]

Original Music by Jonah Bobongie

Episode produced by Jonah Bobongie & Lauren Pollock for Long Way Entertainment.

With thanks to Adopt Change Australia.

Jonah is joined by Jane Sliwka, a post adoption practitioner at Jigsaw Queensland, to chat about the support that is available for adoptees, as well as what to expect searching and reuniting with birth family.

Jane is a post adoption practitioner at Jigsaw Queensland Post-Adoption Centre. Jane has had a long-term affiliation with Jigsaw Queensland, having volunteered in the past for the organisation and served on the Management Committee. Jane holds a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) and a Masters of Social Work Studies. Jane's honours thesis was about adoption, attachment and self-esteem.

You can listen to Jane Sliwka and Dr Jo-Anne Sparrow explore the adoption experience and interview other adoptees on their own podcast ‘Adopt Perspective’ available on your podcast app now. You can also visit www.jigsawqueensland.com for other information you may find relevant.

Content Warning: This podcast contains strong themes that may trigger emotional distress to some listeners. If you or anyone you know are experiencing distress of any nature, please do not hesitate to find professional support.

Subscribe and stick around, because by the end of every episode, we will be one step closer to connecting with my birth family. You will also have a first-hand insight on the psyche of an adoptee and other issues surrounding adoption in Australia.

Find this project easily on socials @LedByAHeartstring on Instagram, @HeartstringPod on Twitter and you can easily find the page on Facebook for other live updates as they happen.

Led By A Heartstring is recorded in Brisbane, Australia. New episodes of the podcast are released weekly on a Monday. Send questions and other correspondence to: [email protected]

Original Music by Jonah Bobongie

Episode produced by Jonah Bobongie & Lauren Pollock for Long Way Entertainment.

Jonah has a discussion with Lauren about the importance of self-identity as an emerging adult. Lauren proves that Jonah has aspects of identity for himself at the present and it can change in different periods of one’s life.

In the second half of the episode, they both advocate for mental health and touch on why Lauren encouraged Jonah to seek counsel before launching this podcast and starting the journey of finding his birth family. 

Lauren currently works with WhyNot, a platform that helps amplify the voices of young people by creating a safe space for them to express and engage in issues that are important to them. We met at Queensland University of Technology where we studied together. In 2019 she established Long Way Entertainment; a company with the ethos to connect and collaborate with young creatives across Australia to produce interesting and engaging content and to most importantly learn from each other. I am very grateful for the opportunity to bring this project on board as a production there.

Content Warning: This podcast contains strong themes that may trigger emotional distress to some listeners. If you or anyone you know are experiencing distress of any nature, please do not hesitate to find professional support.

Subscribe and stick around, because by the end of every episode, we will be one step closer to connecting with my birth family. You will also have a first-hand insight on the psyche of an adoptee and other issues surrounding adoption in Australia.

Find this project easily on socials @LedByAHeartstring on Instagram, @HeartstringPod on Twitter and you can easily find the page on Facebook for other live updates as they happen.

Led By A Heartstring is recorded in Brisbane, Australia. New episodes of the podcast are released weekly on a Monday. Send questions and other correspondence to: [email protected]

Original Music by Jonah Bobongie

Episode produced by Jonah Bobongie & Lauren Pollock for Long Way Entertainment.

Jonah interviews his school friend, Ellaine to compare the life and family makeup of an adopted and non-adopted person. They share memories of going to school together and when Ellaine and their friends first found out Jonah was adopted and how they handle the conversations regarding adoption with him.

Jonah also talks about the white picket fence between adoptees and their friends which is explored by 'The Silencing of Adoptees' and how he feels jealous of them every time he sees them.

Content Warning: This podcast contains strong themes that may trigger emotional distress to some listeners. If you or anyone you know are experiencing distress of any nature, please do not hesitate to find professional support.

Subscribe and stick around, because by the end of every episode, we will be one step closer to connecting with my birth family. You will also have a first-hand insight on the psyche of an adoptee and other issues surrounding adoption in Australia.

Find this project easily on socials @LedByAHeartstring on Instagram, @HeartstringPod on Twitter and you can easily find the page on Facebook for other live updates as they happen.

Led By A Heartstring is recorded in Brisbane, Australia. New episodes of the podcast are released weekly on a Monday. Send questions and other correspondence to: [email protected]

Original Music by Jonah Bobongie

Episode produced by Jonah Bobongie & Lauren Pollock for Long Way Entertainment.