Who Am I Really?

Katherin called me from Atlanta, Georgia. She grew up in a challenging environment with an adoptive mother on dialysis, an adoptive father who disengaged from parenting, and life lessons that taught her to suppress her emotions. Seeking connection, Katherin turned to the affection of men to fill the emotional voids in her life.

In reunion, Katherin discovered her birth mother's struggles with mental health and gained a sister with whom she shares a close bond. However, building a relationship with her birth father has been difficult, as his wife harbors resentment over his past transgressions.

This is Katherin’s journey.

In Search of a Salve: Memoir of a Sex Addict

Who Am I Really?

• Who Am I Really? Website
• Share Your Story
• Damon's story

Find the show on:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Apple
• YouTube
• Spotify
• Google
• TuneIn 
• Stitcher
• Player FM
• Podbean

Amy shared her story with me from Carlisle, Pennsylvania. She learned about her adoption before her teen years—a revelation that left her in shock but also helped her make sense of her family dynamics.

In college, Amy’s coming out created a rift within her family, leaving her worried that pursuing an adoption reunion might lead to similar tensions.

Thankfully, Amy’s birth mother embraced her happiness and wholeheartedly committed to supporting her in their reunion. Listen until the end when you hear how Amy had to adopt her own child even though she's married. This is Amy's Journey.

Let me know if you'd like further adjustments!

Who Am I Really?

• Who Am I Really? Website
• Share Your Story
• Damon's story

Find the show on:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Apple
• YouTube
• Spotify
• Google
• TuneIn 
• Stitcher
• Player FM
• Podbean

Virginia spoke to me from New York. When she was young, her single mother struggled to raise her and her two younger brothers, battling addiction and mental illness, which ultimately led to their family being separated. While Virginia was reunited with her mother, she was not reunited with her brothers and was devastated by the terrible news that she would never see them again.

As an adult, Virginia felt something wasn't right about the story of her younger brothers. Determined to uncover the truth, she embarked on a mission to find answers. Although Virginia is not adopted, her brothers were. This is Virginia's journey.

Who Am I Really?

• Who Am I Really? Website
• Share Your Story
• Damon's story

Find the show on:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Apple
• YouTube
• Spotify
• Google
• TuneIn 
• Stitcher
• Player FM
• Podbean

Bobbi, who lives in Montgomery County, Maryland, reached out as an ally to the adoptee community. After we chatted, she realized something important about her own journey.

She shared her tale of generational kinship adoption, the heartbreaking discovery that her beloved granny had likely endured an assault, and the DNA discoveries of multiple adoptees who were placed from her own family tree.

This is Bobbie's Journey.

Who Am I Really?

• Who Am I Really? Website
• Share Your Story
• Damon's story

Find the show on:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Apple
• YouTube
• Spotify
• Google
• TuneIn 
• Stitcher
• Player FM
• Podbean

Jean, from Boulder City, Nevada, shared that her raising parents had their flaws, from addiction to enablement, but she knows they loved her and they did the best they could with what they had in their toolbox.

Searching for her birth mother, the woman was found quickly, their resemblance was shocking, and after discovering some disturbing facts about the woman's past, maternal reunion remains an unmet need for Jean. However, when she learned there would be no reunion, Jean could not have been in a better place than among other adoptees.

This is Jean's journey.

Who Am I Really?

• Who Am I Really? Website
• Share Your Story
• Damon's story

Find the show on:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Apple
• YouTube
• Spotify
• Google
• TuneIn 
• Stitcher
• Player FM
• Podbean

Curt, from in Las Vegas, Nevada, felt like something was off in his family when he was a kid, so he he set out to find his own way. As an adult, Curt got curious about locating his birth family, but chickened out on submitting a DNA sample to launch is search for reunion.

On his maternal side, Curt was finally able to meet his birth mother, but she seems to be keeping him at arm's length. Curt's birth father knew he had fathered a child, prepared his family to hear from Curt one day, and was more prepared to welcome him into his life than his birth mother.

This is Curt's Journey.

Who Am I Really?

• Who Am I Really? Website
• Share Your Story
• Damon's story

Find the show on:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Apple
• YouTube
• Spotify
• Google
• TuneIn 
• Stitcher
• Player FM
• Podbean

Patrice, from Northern Virginia, said that in her house adoption was never discussed when she was a kid. So her curiosity led to a secret search as an adult. While her birth mother had no plans to meet Patrice, in reunion, her birth father told everyone about his long lost daughter.

Unfortunately, the loneliness of the COVID 19 lockdown drove a wedge between Patrice and her birth father.

This is Patrice's journey.

Who Am I Really?

• Who Am I Really? Website
• Share Your Story
• Damon's story

Find the show on:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Apple
• YouTube
• Spotify
• Google
• TuneIn 
• Stitcher
• Player FM
• Podbean

Sharon, from Springfield, Missouri, grew up in a small town as part of a large family. After leaving home, she became pregnant and was abandoned by the birth father. Following the placement of her daughter, she suffered in silence for years. For decades, Sharon hid her pain behind a smile—until the day her daughter found her.

When they reconnected, they finally saw the beauty in each other. Sharon is a birth mother, and this is her journey.

Who Am I Really?

• Who Am I Really? Website
• Share Your Story
• Damon's story

Find the show on:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Apple
• YouTube
• Spotify
• Google
• TuneIn 
• Stitcher
• Player FM
• Podbean

Janet spoke to me from her home in Nantucket, Massachusetts. She grew up with an adoptive mother who presented to the outside community as a saint whom everyone loved. But at home she was unkind to her family. Janet said she spent her whole life wanting to know her birth mother when she finally found the woman. Janet's birth mother didn't want to know her and only met her after her other children forced the issue. However, her birth father welcomed her with open arms and compassion, the kind of welcome every adoptee hopes for. This is Janet's Journey.

Who Am I Really?

• Who Am I Really? Website
• Share Your Story
• Damon's story

Find the show on:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Apple
• YouTube
• Spotify
• Google
• TuneIn 
• Stitcher
• Player FM
• Podbean

Baya called me from Basking Ridge, New Jersey. She was raised in Germany by parents who grew up in post-World War II Germany, along with an abusive older brother. In her town, everyone knew Baya was adopted, and she even knew who her birth mother was. However, to this day, Baya has not yet reached the point where she feels ready to take the next step—coming face to face with the woman she has known about her entire life.

This is Baya's journey.

Who Am I Really?

• Who Am I Really? Website
• Share Your Story
• Damon's story

Find the show on:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Apple
• YouTube
• Spotify
• Google
• TuneIn
• Stitcher
• Player FM
• Podbean