The Empowered Adoptee Podcast

Unpacking Han, Finding Jeong: A Korean Adoptee Narrative


Listen Later

Welcome back to another vulnerable episode where we get really personal and dive into two concepts that have shaped our lives as Korean adoptees: Han and Jeong.

You know those feelings you have that are too big for words? That's what Han and Jeong are for us. We'll be talking about how Han is the deep, unresolved grief and anger we feel—both individually from our own adoption narratives, and collectively from a history of oppression. And then there's Jeong, the profound and healing love we feel for our people, a connection that’s a source of incredible resilience.

In this episode, we're sharing a raw, honest discussion about why these two feelings hit so deep. We'll explore:

  • Where our Han comes from—the pain of losing our culture, our language, and our first families, and how the trauma from our past and from our ancestors' past still affects us.
  • How moments of collective struggle, like anti-Asian hate, can amplify our Han but also strengthen our Jeong.
  • The beautiful and healing power we find in community, whether it's sharing a meal with other adoptees or simply being in a space where we feel a deep sense of belonging.

This conversation is for anyone who has ever felt a grief they couldn't name or a powerful connection to a community they never knew they had. We hope it gives you a new way to understand these emotions. It’s an invitation to see how our deepest wounds can also be the very things that create our most profound connections.


Special Announcement - It’s finally here!! 

We are thrilled to announce the launch of our fall Empowered Adoptee Retreat, in collaboration with @Kimchi.Healing - a truly unique experience designed by adoptees, for adoptees.  

These retreats have become more than just weekends away. They’ve become sacred spaces of laughter, healing, nourishment, and deep connection. Whether it’s sitting around a fire, moving through somatic healing practices, or sharing a meal with people who just get it, we hope you’ll feel deeply seen, heard, and at home.

We hope you’ll join us this fall, with a heart open to connection, to healing, and to being fully yourself with others who know this journey too.

This is your moment. Our special early bird discount is available now, but only for a limited time. 

Register by September 7th to secure your spot at this life-changing event!

Learn more and register now at theempoweredadoptee.com/retreats/fall-2025-retreat.

Please share this retreat with another empowered adoptee. 

Hoping to see you there!!

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

Support the show

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

The Empowered Adoptee PodcastBy Claire Magenheimer and Laurie Vogler

  • 5
  • 5
  • 5
  • 5
  • 5

5

4 ratings


More shows like The Empowered Adoptee Podcast

View all
This American Life by This American Life

This American Life

91,173 Listeners

Scriptnotes Podcast by John August and Craig Mazin

Scriptnotes Podcast

2,440 Listeners

The Daily by The New York Times

The Daily

112,840 Listeners

On Purpose with Jay Shetty by iHeartPodcasts

On Purpose with Jay Shetty

27,653 Listeners

SmartLess by Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, Will Arnett

SmartLess

57,824 Listeners