Pulled By The Root - Amplifying Adoption Issues

Michael Raymond Porter was born on July 5th 1968. His adoption was legalized on December 28th, 1972.  Two years ago Michael began his deepest search and introspection on “who am I supposed to be?”  In Michael’s submission to our podcast,   he acknowledges the exhaustion of trying to put the pieces of his adoption story together. This episode is also a master class in courage, as Michael continues to keep a soft heart in spite of everything he has been through. This is the first time he is sharing his story publicly and he wants nothing more than to help others feel less alone. 

Click here to send us a text. Also, our book “Pulled By The Root” is available at https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/book

https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/

In this episode we are joined by biological mother, Barbara Bazett and daughter Vicky Graham, separated by adoption speak about being in reunion for nearly 30 years. Everyone loves a happy ending: Mother and daughter became best friends, but they had a rough start. It took decades to get real. After years of searching, biological Barbara found Vicky - her secret baby, and the intensity of their connection was shocking. The healing bond between mother and child remained. Barbara and Vicky continue to work together, creating a podcast, writing a book and collaborating on healing meditations.


“Special needs adoption is rarely told from the child’s perspective. Being told I was rejected and relinquished by my birth mother because of my birth defect pummeled my self-esteem. But I told no one. I was grateful my adoptive parents saved me from life in an orphanage.

Let me be clear, I do not see myself as a victim, but rather the hero of my own journey. I hope my words will help others find healing and self-love.”

-Vicky Graham


For more about the incredible work Barbara and Vicky are doing,
https://www.freeyourselfthrough.com/

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Click here to send us a text. Also, our book “Pulled By The Root” is available at https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/book

https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/

It’s been a long eight months navigating my heart healing journey. I have just undergone a heart procedure and thankfully have a wonderful prognosis. The healing odyssey continues one step at a time. There will be months ahead of restrengthening. We are thrilled to share a few of our archived episodes from the beginning of our podcasting journey in addition to some new guests with remarkable stories to share. From all of us at PBTR, thank you. 

This week we would like to feature my biological Aunt Louise. She is a powerhouse of a woman in her 90’s who welcomed me with open arms and became my historian. Having the matriarch of the family pull me close has meant everything. In this conversation we dive deep into her version of my adoption.  We hope this conversation offers compassion, understanding and hope. 

Episode recorded in 2021.

Click here to send us a text. Also, our book “Pulled By The Root” is available at https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/book

https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/

Kelly Grace Hickey met Laura Leslie-Olmsted in November 2018 when they were paired together as search angels for a support group.  They instantly bonded and together with their team found over 100 biological mothers and fathers for clients between November 2018 and June 2019. They formed a Non Profit DNAngels dedicated to finding biological parents at no cost for their clients. DNAngels has turned their own NPE and Adoption Stories into helping others who find themselves wondering where they come from. They assist Adopted, Donor-Conceived, NPE and Adult Foster Children on their journey to find their truths. This episode is a lively conversation about the important work they do to help people find their identity. The passion that drives these powerhouse ladies is tireless, inspiring and life changing.

For more about Kelly and Laura’s work: 

DNAngels.org

Click here to send us a text. Also, our book “Pulled By The Root” is available at https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/book

https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/

 Nancy Verrier has a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology. Her thesis was on the subject of adoption which resulted in the publishing of her first book THE PRIMAL WOUND: Legacy of the Adopted  Child has become a classic in adoption literature. Nancy’s second book COMING HOME TO SELF is focused on healing and increasing awareness about beginning of life trauma and how it affects our relationships with self and others. As a mother to both a biological and adopted child Nancy has devoted her life to educating others on the manifestations of separation and loss in adoption. Recently a stunning documentary film was created called Reckoning With The Primal Wound by filmmaker and adoptee Rebecca Autumn Sansom. 

Nancy has been so generous during the building of our platform, her supportive conversations and encouragement helped us continue. Having the chance to interview her was a privilege. This episode focuses on healing the specific wounds of adoption, self responsibility and how collectively we can move forward. 


Note: This episode was recorded in 2021

Click here to send us a text. Also, our book “Pulled By The Root” is available at https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/book

https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/

Hello Everyone,

It has been awhile since we have released a solo sode. I have chosen to title this episode “Heart of the Matter” because after all our hearts matter. As an adopted person, I have struggled with self care, self awareness and worthiness. In this episode, we share our vision for Pulled By The Root as well as a struggle of the heart I am dealing with. Pulled By The Root is deeply grateful to all of you for listening, sharing and supporting the effort to heal in community. We will be releasing a few archived episodes this summer with a complete pause in August. We have so many amazing guests lined up that are eager to share. 

Your strength, courage and vulnerability have been inspiring to say the least. Please know you are worthy!

-H.M.

Click here to send us a text. Also, our book “Pulled By The Root” is available at https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/book

https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/

Michael was adopted in 1961 in Illinois.  He grew up with two younger sisters, one adopted and one biological. They moved to Southern California when he was five years old. Michael has been married for 36 years and has three wonderful children and one granddaughter. He worked in the television industry for many years and moved his family to Atlanta to work on the Olympics and never left.

Around 22 years ago he started running, then biking and was always a swimmer. One thing led to another and he started doing Iron Man triathlons and is currently training for one later this year. If you asked him to describe himself 2 1/2 years ago he would say a husband a father and an athlete. He did both ancestry and 23 and me just had a curiosity never searched for my family then there was a match on 23andMe. 
Now he describes himself as ADOPTED, married, father, grandfather,  & athlete.

Click here to send us a text. Also, our book “Pulled By The Root” is available at https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/book

https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/

Corissa Saint Laurent is a holistic brand advisor and international speaker inspiring and empowering entrepreneurs, leaders, and creatives to light up their lives so they can light up the world. She has over 20 years of entrepreneurial and corporate business experience in marketing, branding, business development combined with professional training in mind/body/energy work. Her business life has always been a deep reflection of her personal goals and interests, and she is forever learning, growing, and sharing her knowledge, insight, and expertise with others. Corissa was adopted from South Korea at the age of 3 and grew up in New Hampshire and Los Angeles. At the age of 37, she met her birth mother and sister leading her on the most unexpected adventure of her life. Corissa is the embodiment of light and positive energy, in this episode her spirit shines. She has found a way to rise above all of the adversity adoption has brought her way.


https://corissasaintlaurent.com/

Click here to send us a text. Also, our book “Pulled By The Root” is available at https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/book

https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/

Ryan Anderson was transracially adopted from Morocco to Scotland but didn’t find out until I was 18. Then he decided to keep this  secret until this year (13 years later) now feeling brave to tell his story to friends and for everyone to see online. Ryan had been around alcohol & drugs while traveling the world for the last 10 years trying to escape his problems but is now opening  up to face them to raise mental health awareness. Ryan has been working away on himself for the past 18 months dealing with issues and coming up with ideas to improve his mental health. He has finished writing his 20-page story and creating a 15 minute video to help others. Ryan hopes he can encourage people to be kind and inspired finding balance in life. As it would happen, I found out through DNA I am 50% Scottish hearing Ryan’s thick accent felt like home. We are releasing this episode while I am in Scotland hopefully meeting up with Ryan for a real life chat. This young dynamic man shared ever aspect of his story with a deep desire for outreach. He does not want others to hold secrets, he wants all of us to be free, heard and known.



For more about Ryan’s story:

https://www.edinburghlive.co.uk/news/edinburgh-news/edinburgh-man-abandoned-morocco-baby-23864598

Click here to send us a text. Also, our book “Pulled By The Root” is available at https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/book

https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/

Mike Trupiano is a dry comedic Midwestern American performer in Berlin with a bass voice. His specialties are deadpan, physical comedy, improvisation. He excels at playing arrogant, incompetent authority figures. Mike does English language dubbing and record documentary narration as well as audio books in his home studio. He also teaches storytelling and standup comedy, both in groups and one on one. Mike is also an adopted person who shared his story telling talent in this episode. His lived experiences are the definition of resiliency, expression and head on truth telling.  His booming voice commands attention, his openness is in invitation for all of us to speak louder, express and fight for our identity.

https://miketrupiano.com/

https://twitter.com/heartlandrefuge

https://soundcloud.com/heartlandrefugee

Content warning: This episode discusses some difficult topics such as self harm, suicide, and sexual abuse. 

Click here to send us a text. Also, our book “Pulled By The Root” is available at https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/book

https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/