In this episode, we meet Simon Benn, a fellow podcaster adopted from England! Simon opens up about his adoption story as well as his journey in the adoption space and the challenges he has observed in the industry. He discusses the lack of focus on post-adoption support and the importance of addressing trauma while maintaining hope. He delves into the concept of thriving adoptees and the significance of connecting with one's true self. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the need to question the narrative of sharing our stories. Simon shares his approach to his podcast and the impact he hopes to make on adoptees. They also touch on the importance of personal connections and the power of opening up.

Find and follow Simon here:

Instagram: @simonjbenn @thrivingadoptees

Facebook: Thriving Adoptees

Website: www.thrivingadoptees.com

thelink.bio/simonjbenn

This episode may contain sensitive and triggering content and is intended for mature audiences only. Please take care while listening.

Join us as we hear Irina's story of faith. Adopted from Russia at the age of 8, she shares the traumatic early upbringing she faced and how her conviction and faith in God saved and brought her into a better life. Listen as Irina shares her powerful testimony.

We welcome Katya, or Kathleen to the show. Hear the detailed story of her personal journey of arriving to the United States and her later journey to search for and reunify with her biological family. She shares great wisdom and what her future holds as her story continues.

Meet Marina, a Russian adoptee, from Arizona. Marina discusses the specific issues she faces with identity, and learning about her heritage. She talks about how her experience is similar but also different from other adoptees. Marina tells us about how she learned about her family and finding her identity.

Born in and adopted from Louisiana, Jess is a writer, works with children, and is an adoption advocate. Jess shares much reflective insight into her journey and how she came to be vulnerable in sharing her amazing story. She also shares the reunification process of meeting her biological family and some of the inward struggles she has faced as she navigates her emotions about it all. Tune in today to hear this great conversation!

Tarcia is an adoptee and entrepreneur, living in Florida, who has her own podcast about adoption. Adopted early, she speaks of her upbringing and how she discovered she was adopted. She speaks of the immense appreciation she had for her adoption. Hear the amazing discovery of her finding and meeting her biological family. Finally, Tarcia shares how she conjured up the creative idea for her podcast!

Find and Follow Tarcia here:

IG: @theadoptionjourneypodcast

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-RKWkfaNXCijkUbELArNFA

http://linktr.ee/tarcia75

Facebook: Tarcia Quarrells Smith

Meet Kaitlyn, who is from Louisiana, and has adopted a child with Hispanic nationality. Kaitlyn tells about her decision to adopt, helps us understand the difference between open and closed adoptions, and she gives us personal insight about the tug-and-pull parents might feel from both the perspective of the adoptive parent as well as the biological parent. Tune in today!

In this follow up to part 1, released on October 4th, we hear from Michelle as she shares her journey of adopting her two kids internationally. She shares how she came to adopt and how that process went. She tells her fears and how she supports and will continue to support her children as they experience their journeys. Finally, she explains how she maintains her children's countries and cultures, and her advice for other parents who want to adopt.

You can find and follow Michelle here:
IG: @themichellemadrid
Tik Tok: @themichellemadrid
Threads: @themichellemadrid
Facebook: @letherbegreater (author page) www.themichellemadrid.com 

Her new book is NOW available to purchase! 
Let Us Be Greater: A Gentle Guided Path to Healing for Adoptees Can be purchased on Amazon and Barnes and Noble or from her website. 

Michelle, author and counselor, is a foster adoptee from England and was adopted by an American couple. We learn how she came to the states, her two identities, and topics of the complexity of acceptance, truth, and having or not having knowledge about your adoption. She discusses how to learn to trust others and how to come to terms with her adoption. Listen now! 

You can find and follow Michelle here:
IG: @themichellemadrid
Tik Tok: @themichellemadrid
Threads: @themichellemadrid
Facebook: @letherbegreater (author page) www.themichellemadrid.com 

Her new book is NOW available to purchase! 
Let Us Be Greater: A Gentle Guided Path to Healing for Adoptees Can be purchased on Amazon and Barnes and Noble or from her website. 

Meet Rebecca, who is a dietitian, nutritionist, and adoptee. Learn about her adoption, how she got into the nutrition profession, how her eating habits and choices influenced or were influenced by her adoption, and how to connect your identity and lineage to your eating choices and habits.

You can find and follow Rebecca here:

https://www.nostringsnutrition.com/

IG: no.strings.nutrition

[email protected]