After the incredible response to our first episode on how adoption impacts relationships, we’re diving even deeper into this important topic. In this heartfelt follow-up, Laurie and Claire explore the lasting effects of adoption on attachment styles, emotional intimacy, and relationship dynamics, sharing new insights from their personal journeys.

We discuss how understanding these patterns has helped us empower our connections—with ourselves and others—and offer actionable tools for healing and growth. Whether it’s navigating trust, setting boundaries, or fostering meaningful relationships, this episode provides a safe space to reflect on the challenges and celebrate the triumphs.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• How adoption stories shape attachment and connection.
• Practical tools for building healthy, empowered relationships.
• Vulnerable stories of growth, healing, and resilience.
• A bonus meditation to help reprogram your subconscious beliefs around your core wounds so that you can start healing yourself and improving your relationships.

Join us for an open and honest conversation that aims to inspire, empower, and support you on your own Adoptee Healing Journey.

Tune in to the Empowered Adoptee Podcast to continue the conversation and find connection and community in your journey of healing and transformation.

If you would like to connect with us, you can find us here:

Website: https://www.theempoweredadoptee.com/
Facebook: The Empowered Adoptee 
Instagram: the.empowered.adoptee
Email: [email protected]


Please reach out and ask us your questions and share your own stories! Together, we are empowering Adoptees through community.


If you feel called to support The Empowered Adoptee Podcast it would mean the world to us. Support the show and get subscriber only content, access to workshops, and personalized adoptee support from Laurie and Claire! 💜

We would love to connect with you and hear from you! Please send us a text and share your story 💜

Support the show

What are you bringing into 2025?

When it comes to manifestation, how do we know we are doing it right? 

Join Laurie and Claire on their very first episode of season 2, kicking off a brand new year!

This just might be the podcast episode that will help you transform your life, re-write your narrative, and manifest that thing you have always wanted in your life.

Laurie and Claire get even more real, more vulnerable, and more committed to diving deep through all the layers of our adoption journeys with you. 

Listen in while they have honest conversations about manifesting and reveal what to do and what not to do while trying to manifest what you want. 

We all want to embody our best versions of ourselves so that we can reach our goals.

What if we are trying really hard to establish healthier habits but the energy that we’re bringing each day is coming from a place of fear? Fear of failing, fear of judgement, or fear of not being enough?

Now think about all the possibilities if the energy we felt was from a place of love instead of fear?

The opposite of fear is love. Let’s focus on releasing our fears so that we can show more love, kindness, and compassion to ourselves. Let’s shed the layers of ourselves that are no longer serving us and step into our true selves, our power. 

When we are better aligned with the higher version of ourselves and feel those elevated emotions, we will have a much easier time making our habits stick and we can show up how we want to show up in the world.

This is the key to manifesting what we do want.

Somatic breathwork and EFT Tapping can be a tool to release the blockages, negative emotions, and the stress that’s being stored in your body. It helps to regulate your nervous system so that you can get out of your fight or flight and into your rest and digest part of the nervous system. It can be the tool to help you connect with more elevated emotions like love, peace, gratitude, and expansiveness.

Join Laurie and Claire on Saturday, Jan 11 @12pm EST for a powerful workshop.

This virtual workshop is designed especially for adoptees who want to release fears and stuck emotions and learn tools to manifest amazing things like joy, peace, abundance, connection, better relationships, and more safety while we navigate our journeys.

We are offering this workshop free of charge to adoptees with the option to donate. Your contribution supports the continuation of this important work in our adoptee community and helps others access it as well.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1135511949809?aff=oddtdtcreator

Looking forward to sharing tools and holding space for you this year!


If you would like to connect with us, you can find us here:

Website: https://www.theempoweredadoptee.com/
Facebook: The Empowered Adoptee 
Instagram: the.empowered.adoptee
Email: [email protected]


Please reach out and ask us your questions and share your own stories! Together, we are empowering Adoptees through community.


If you feel called to support The Empowered Adoptee Podcast it would mean the world to us. Support the show and get subscriber only content, access to workshops, and personalized adoptee support from Laurie and Claire! 💜

We would love to connect with you and hear from you! Please send us a text and share your story 💜

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In this final podcast episode of this Season 1, Laurie and Claire reflect and highlight some of our guests over the year. Join us while we share some of the messages, lessons, and special moments from our beloved guests that we have treasured and taken to heart.


Freeing Your Voice: A Journey with Phoenix Song, Trans Korean Adoptee and Sound Healer (Episode 32)

Phoenix Song is a queer, nonbinary, trans Korean adoptee singer, musician, performer, sound healer, writer, facilitator, dharma teacher, and bad-ass human being who has been helping people free their voices, rhythms, body stories, and lives since 2006. 

Phoenix specializes in helping people sing, sound and speak their truths. 

Mental Health Awareness: Lauren Schlesinger’s Journey From Depression to Freedom (Episode 14)

Lauren Schlesinger, an empowered KAD, shares her inspirational mental health journey and the impact that adoption trauma had on her life. She also shares tools and healing modalities that helped her transform her mental health and become free from depression and suicidal ideation. 

Jenna Lee Kim: Connector, Ally, and Advocate For Adoptees On A Journey to Finding Their Truth (Episode 40)

Jenna is an American, transracial Korean adoptee currently residing on Jeju-Do, South Korea. Jenna’s life journey reflects a deep commitment to exploring the complexities of identity, belonging, and self-discovery through meaningful connection and storytelling.

Jenna advocates for all who seek their origin story, empowering adoptees on the journey to finding their truths. By inquiring about others' stories, her goal is to discover more about her own. 

Dr. Hollee McGinnis: Reclaiming Korean Culture Through food (Episode 16)

Dr. Hollee A, McGinnis, MSW, PhD, is an Assistant Professor at Virginia Commonwealth University's School of Social Work and has nearly 30 years of community organizing, practice, policy, and research experience on adoption, child welfare, and alternative care. Her research broadly examines the social and cultural determinants of mental health and well-being, including the effects of early childhood adversity, attachment trauma, cultural loss, and racial and ethnic identity,  that centers the lived experiences of individuals with histories of child welfare with a focus on racially minoritized individuals of Asian descent. Prior to her doctorate at Washington University in St. Louis, Dr.  McGinnis was the Policy Director at the Donaldson Adoption Institute in New York City. She received her Master of Science from Columbia University School of Social Work, and a post-Master’s Clinical Fellowship at the Yale Child Study Center. In 1996 she founded Also-Known-As, Inc., a non-profit adult intercountry adoptee organization in New York City.

Dr. Hollee McGinnis shared her journey of reclamation of her culture and all that she lost that day she was adopted - including her language, her food, and her people. 

Kirsten’s Birth Mother Search and Reunion Story (Episode 15)

Kirsten is a KAD from PA who has been in reunion with her birth mother for over 10 years. Earlier this year, she traveled to Seoul, Korea to meet her birth mother for the first time since she was adopted.

Kirsten Mathis shared her journey visiting her homeland of Korea where she met her birth mother for the first time. She shared her heartfelt and courageous stories of how she has navigated being a KAD, a mom, a daughter, and as someone with "a gentle curiosity" about her identity which led to seeking answers inside KAD spaces and by traveling to Korea.

We would love to connect with you and hear from you! Please send us a text and share your story 💜

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In this heartfelt episode, Laurie and Claire sit down to reflect on the lessons, challenges, and growth they’ve experienced in 2024. As the year comes to a close, they share what they’re leaving behind and what they’re taking into 2025.

•Laurie on Letting Go of People-Pleasing:

Laurie opens up about how people-pleasing has shaped her life and the steps she’s taking to set boundaries and prioritize her own needs. She shares her personal journey of self-discovery and how learning to say "yes" to herself is helping her embrace authenticity.

•Claire on Growth in Relationships:

Claire dives deep into the lessons she’s learned about fostering meaningful connections. She discusses how growth in relationships requires vulnerability and courage, especially when it means confronting fears or having hard conversations.

•Facing Fears and Moving Forward:

Both Laurie and Claire reflect on how fear has shown up in their lives and how they’re working to face it head-on in the new year. They explore the importance of embracing discomfort as a path to growth.

Tune in for:

A conversation full of insights, relatable moments, and inspiration as Laurie and Claire prepare to step boldly into 2025.

If you would like to connect with us, you can find us here:

Website: https://www.theempoweredadoptee.com/
Facebook: The Empowered Adoptee 
Instagram: the.empowered.adoptee
Email: [email protected]

Please reach out and ask us your questions and share your own stories! Together, we are empowering Adoptees through community.

If you feel called to support The Empowered Adoptee Podcast it would mean the world to us. Support the show and get subscriber only content, access to workshops, and personalized adoptee support from Laurie and Claire! 💜

We would love to connect with you and hear from you! Please send us a text and share your story 💜

Support the show

In this episode of The Empowered Adoptee Podcast, we sit down with Jenna, an American, transracial Korean adoptee currently residing on Jeju-Do, South Korea. Jenna’s life journey reflects a deep commitment to exploring the complexities of identity, belonging, and self-discovery through meaningful connection and storytelling.

Jenna’s path has been anything but conventional. Before relocating to Korea in 2023, she made history as the first female mayor of Royersford, Pennsylvania, where she served her community with passion and vision from 2018 to 2023. Prior to her time in public service, Jenna spent a decade as a student affairs professional in higher education, earning her MA in education at Bucknell University.

In this heartfelt conversation, Jenna shares how her experiences have shaped her advocacy for adoptees seeking their origin stories. She opens up about finding her birth parents and siblings, her transition to life in South Korea, the intersectional layers of her identity, and how asking others about their stories has helped her uncover her own truths.


Stay Connected with Jenna:

Get a more detailed glimpse into Jenna's life in Korea. 

Subscribe to Jenna's Substack to follow her insights, reflections, interviews, and stories: linktr.ee/jennaleekim

Connect with her on Instagram: @mayor.jenna.explores


Please reach out and ask us your questions and share your own stories! Together, we are empowering Adoptees through community.

If you feel called to support The Empowered Adoptee Podcast it would mean the world to us. Support the show and get subscriber only content, access to workshops, and personalized adoptee support from Laurie and Claire! 💜

We would love to connect with you and hear from you! Please send us a text and share your story 💜

Support the show

In this episode of our podcast, Laurie and Claire delve into the often challenging topic of navigating holiday triggers. With the holiday season approaching, many adoptees find themselves facing emotional triggers that can disrupt their peace and joy. Laurie and Claire share personal stories about their own experiences with holiday triggers, offering a candid look at the lessons they've learned along the way.

Listeners will gain insights into how Laurie and Claire have managed their relationships amidst these challenges, and the practical tools they've developed to handle future triggers more effectively. From setting boundaries to practicing mindfulness, they discuss strategies that can help anyone maintain emotional balance during the holidays.

Whether you're dealing with family dynamics, stress, or past memories that resurface during this time of year, this episode provides valuable insights and encouragement. Join us for an honest conversation about turning holiday triggers into opportunities for growth and connection.

We're hosting an EFT Tapping and Somatic Breathwork virtual event for adoptees on Sunday, Dec. 8 @9:00AM PST/ 12:00PM EST we hope to see you there!

Register soon because space is limited.

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/1092407392919?aff=oddtdtcreator

If you would like to connect with us, you can find us here:

Website: https://www.theempoweredadoptee.com/
Facebook: The Empowered Adoptee 
Instagram: the.empowered.adoptee
Email: [email protected]

Please reach out and ask us your questions and share your own stories! Together, we are empowering Adoptees through community.

If you feel called to support The Empowered Adoptee Podcast it would mean the world to us. Support the show and get subscriber only content, access to workshops, and personalized adoptee support from Laurie and Claire! 💜

We would love to connect with you and hear from you! Please send us a text and share your story 💜

Support the show

Get ready to meet April Williamson, a Korean Adoptee who grew up in West Virginia and is now living in Bedford, OH. She shares stories from her childhood, stories of identity formation, and her challenges while growing up in white spaces in small town America. 

April shares her mental health journey and some of the tools she has used to feel more safe, more joyful, more aligned with her true self, and also empowered.

We also talk about processing the fear that comes with the current social climate around the election and the difficult conversations some may face with their adopted families. 

If you would like to learn more about April, or connect/follow you can find her here:
Tiktok: DeepSouthKorean
Instagram: deepsouthkorean

If you would like to connect with us, you can find us here:

Website: https://www.theempoweredadoptee.com/
Facebook: The Empowered Adoptee 
Instagram: the.empowered.adoptee
Email: [email protected]

Please reach out and ask us your questions and share your own stories! Together, we are empowering Adoptees through community.

If you feel called to support The Empowered Adoptee Podcast it would mean the world to us. Support the show and get subscriber only content, access to workshops, and personalized adoptee support from Laurie and Claire! 💜

We would love to connect with you and hear from you! Please send us a text and share your story 💜

Support the show

In this episode of the Empowered Adoptee podcast, In this episode of the Empowered Adoptee Podcast, we’re joined by Su Brooks, a Korean American adoptee, as she shares her unique journey of healing and finding unconditional love through her dog, Chewy, and her deep love for animals. Su opens up about how connecting with Chewy has been a powerful source of comfort, resilience, and emotional healing, offering a path to unconditional love.

This episode carries a trigger warning for sensitive listeners, as Su shares personal stories involving traumatic life events. Her openness and vulnerability reveal the transformative power of animals in the healing journey, showing how unconditional love and connection can come from surprising places. Join us as we dive into Su’s inspiring story of resilience, healing, and the strength she’s found through her connection with animals.

If you would like to connect with us, you can find us here:

Website: https://www.theempoweredadoptee.com/
Facebook: The Empowered Adoptee 
Instagram: the.empowered.adoptee
Email: [email protected]

Please reach out and ask us your questions and share your own stories! Together, we are empowering Adoptees through community.

If you feel called to support The Empowered Adoptee Podcast it would mean the world to us. Support the show and get subscriber only content, access to workshops, and personalized adoptee support from Laurie and Claire! 💜

We would love to connect with you and hear from you! Please send us a text and share your story 💜

Support the show

In this episode of the Empowered Adoptee podcast, we are honoring National Adoptee Awareness Month by sharing stories and voices of Korean adoptees. We believe that our messages and experiences as Korean adoptees matter, and that it is important to amplify our voices in order to raise awareness and promote understanding and acceptance.

In this episode, we will be featuring interviews with Korean adoptees Nate, AJ, and Kirsten, who share their stories and messages about adoptee awareness.  Join us for an honest and heartfelt conversation that highlights the importance of truth-telling, understanding, and empowerment within the adoptee community.

We hope that this episode will serve as a powerful reminder that our voices matter and that we have the power to make a difference in our own lives and in the lives of others. Whether you are a Korean adoptee yourself or simply an ally, we invite you to join us in celebrating National Adoptee Awareness Month and supporting the empowerment of the Korean adoptee community.

If you would like to connect with us, you can find us here:

Website: https://www.theempoweredadoptee.com/
Facebook: The Empowered Adoptee 
Instagram: the.empowered.adoptee
Email: [email protected]

Please reach out and ask us your questions and share your own stories! Together, we are empowering Adoptees through community.

If you feel called to support The Empowered Adoptee Podcast it would mean the world to us. Support the show and get subscriber only content, access to workshops, and personalized adoptee support from Laurie and Claire! 💜

We would love to connect with you and hear from you! Please send us a text and share your story 💜

Support the show

In this episode of the Empowered Adoptee Podcast, we sit down with Mike Malloy to explore the complexities and truths behind adoption stories. Mike opens up about his personal adoption journey, sharing insights into the nuanced and often overlooked layers that go beyond the simplistic narrative of "black and white." He discusses how his experiences have shaped his understanding of identity, belonging, and the importance of embracing the full spectrum of our stories as adoptees.

Mike also shares his time volunteering with the Holt Adoption Agency, offering a unique perspective on how adoption agencies function and how they shape the lives of adoptees. Together, we delve into the truths, challenges, and healing processes that many adoptees experience, offering inspiration and clarity for those navigating their own adoption stories.

Join us for an honest and heartfelt conversation that highlights the importance of truth-telling, understanding, and empowerment within the adoptee community.

If you would like to connect with us, you can find us here:

Website: https://www.theempoweredadoptee.com/
Facebook: The Empowered Adoptee 
Instagram: the.empowered.adoptee
Email: [email protected]

If you are interested in attending The Empowered Adoptee Retreat, our upcoming retreat will be held Oct 25-28 in Shenandoah Valley, VA. 

Don't miss your chance — reserve your spot today before tickets sell out!


Please reach out and ask us your questions and share your own stories! Together, we are empowering Adoptees through community.


New episodes drop every Monday, it would mean the world to us if you share it with a friend and share the love 💜

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We would love to connect with you and hear from you! Please send us a text and share your story 💜

Support the show