For this episode, we are joined by an incredible woman named Laney, who is here to talk about her important journey as a transracial and transnational adoptee. We get a glimpse of her life as she shares her resiliency in trying to find her biological family, yearning to experience that moment of reunification. As a Chinese national adopted by an American family, Laney was determined to follow a path of meaningful exploration of cultural and self identity, digging deep to decipher who she was at her core. Laney offers insightful information for reframing and reshaping the way we think about adoption- to stop looking at adoption through the lens of the adopter but to change the focus to the more important perspective of the adoptee. Today, Laney takes on a key leadership role in supporting other people who are adopted from China. https://www.storkdpodcast.com/season2

In This Episode: 

• [ 3:00 ] Laney’s introduction about herself and what her family composition currently looks like
• [ 6:29 ] Laney’s experiences growing up as a transracial and transnational adoptee
• [ 9:44 ] Laney’s cultural reclamation 
• [13:26 ] Where Laney currently is in her reflection around her self identity
• [ 15:40 ] Steps Laney took to learn her more about her culture
• [ 17:54 ] The relationship with her adoptive mom
• [ 19:46 ] The fear of hurting or letting down your adoptive parent as an adoptee
• [ 23:54 ] How she pulled herself out of a deep depression she struggled with as a teenager 
• [ 25:45 ] Potentially having a reunion with a family who could be Laney’s biological family
• [ 30:36 ] Laney’s emotional resilience to continue going through the searching process
• [ 34:32 ] The beautiful and not so beautiful parts of Laney’s adoption
• [ 35:55 ] What she wants others to hear about the adoptive experience
• [ 40:43 ] If Laney could go back and tell her younger self something she’s learned, what would she want her to know?
• [ 41:38 ] How Laney’s adoptive experiences shape her definition of family
• [ 43:35 ] What she hopes people listening will get from hearing her story
• [ 47:18] Where to find Laney
• [ 47:48] What the China’s Children International organization Laney co-founded does

 Takeaways: 

• When looking into the adoption process, it’s important to look at the perspective of the adoptee who may hold a different perspective from the adopter
• The struggles and trauma of self and cultural identity being a transracial and transnational adoptee
• As an adoptee, not having the permission to experience your own full range of emotions around your own adoption
• Laney’s work with China’s Children International, empowering Chinese adoptees from all over the world by providing an inclusive and supportive community for all who share this common beginning. 
• Moving away from society’s “savior” narrative in relation to adoptions

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