The Adoptee Next Door

Kristen and I talk about her identity as a white-passing Latina, adopted from Paraguay to Washington DC. The first time Kristen and I chatted she told me that she has only recently begun identifying as Latina.

You can reach out to Angela through her website or on Instagram @angieadoptee.

Over the past week it's become clear that most U.S. Americans view Amy Coney Barrett’s transracial family as noble, good and representing all things decent. However, transracial adoptees have a different take. It seemed to showcase white saviorism and virtue signaling. Torie and Angela discuss why the Supreme Court nominee's comment was so polarizing and why conversations about transracial adoption are so divided that even hearing directly from transracial adoptees, isn't enough to counter the dominant fairytale narrative. 

You can reach out to Angela through her website or on Instagram @angieadoptee.

The impacts of being told that you were adopted late in life are far reaching. One Late Discovery Adoptee (LDA) says "It feels like a cruel joke. Finding out that you are adopted late in life destroys part of your identity and turns your life upside down." Some parents think they are protecting their child by not telling them. However, finding out as an adult is undoubtedly a shock and for many LDA's they can't help but wonder what else their parents' may have lied about? 

But Jay sees it differently. He explains how he differentiates a secret versus a lie.

You can reach out to Angela through her website or on Instagram @angieadoptee.

Angela speaks with Black adoptee Maya Holmes, who was adopted by Black parents as an infant. Maya shares her perspective and challenges Angela's assumptions about racial identity formation for black same-race adoptees.

You can reach out to Angela through her website or on Instagram @angieadoptee.

Angela speaks with adoptee Nancee Winslow, about nature vs. nurture, reuniting with birth family members, and adoptees feeling the need to prove they are "well-adjusted" with their adoption. Nancee shares a powerful story about the moment she told her 4-year-old son that she was adopted, and his emotional reaction. 

You can reach out to Angela through her website or on Instagram @angieadoptee.

Tony Hynes is a transracial adoptee, and was adopted by white lesbian moms in the mid 1990s. A judge told his parents “A white, same-sex-headed household is not the right household to raise a black child in,” and at the age of 7, Tony was asked to choose between his birth family and his adoptive family. Tony and Angela discuss racism and homophobia in this podcast. 

You can reach out to Angela through her website or on Instagram @angieadoptee.

Angela speaks with transracial adoptee; Jessenia Parmer about the need for more mental health awareness among adoptees. They both address the fear and courage it takes to challenge the mainstream positive narrative of adoption, by acknowledging stories of trauma and loss.  

You can reach out to Angela through her website or on Instagram @angieadoptee.

Angela speaks with Black adoptee; Sam Collier about the complications of reuniting with his birth family. They discuss Sam’s new book “A Greater Story” and why he considers himself to be “rescued.”

You can reach out to Angela through her website or on Instagram @angieadoptee.

Welcome to The Adoptee Next Door! This podcast will feature conversations with adoptees revealing unique insights about racism, religion, immigration, trauma, and the many layers of unconventional families. Hope you join us for Season 1!

You can reach out to Angela through her website or on Instagram @angieadoptee.