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PODCAST

Once Upon A Time...In Adopteeland

Jennifer Dyan Ghoston

Through an audio drama and episodes of thought-provoking conversations, the listening audience can learn some of the issues faced by those affected by adoption. The adoptee is at the center of all conversations had with other members of the adoption constellation.

society & culture personal journals

All Episodes

01:03:44

235. Danna Schmidt: "Rituals of Healing From Birth to...

Once Upon A Time...In Adopteeland ·

2025/06/10

Danna Schmidt is an end-of-life navigator, ceremonialist, and adoptee who often writes about ritual and threshold moments at the bedside or graveside. Her writings have appeared in Adoptee Voices, Severance Magazine, Grown and Flown and in Maggie Oman Shannon’sCrafting Love: Sharing Our Hearts Through the Work of Our Hands.She has two works in progress: a hybrid guidebook,Funerals, Families & Other Exciting F Words,and her adoption memoir,What the Stork Brought, which chronicles family secrets

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44:14

234. Ed Di Gangi: "Gliding Through Goodbye"

Once Upon A Time...In Adopteeland ·

2025/06/03

Ed Di Gangi was adopted at the time of his birth. It wasn't until late in his adulthood that he chose to explore the identity of the woman who had placed him for adoption so many years before. His meticulous research led to his learning the circumstances of his birth and subsequent adoption. A dna sample helped him identify his birth father. While neither his father nor his first mother were still alive when Ed made his discoveries, he is in reunion with both maternal andpaternal half brothers and a

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51:01

233. Jean Widner: "The Adoption Paradox: Putting...

Once Upon A Time...In Adopteeland ·

2025/05/27

Jean Widner is the author of a new book,The Adoption Paradox: Putting Adoption in Perspective. Today we’re talking about her road to understanding adoption and why she wrote this important book. Jean was born in 1965 and raised in Washington State as an adoptee. After having a mostly positive adoption experience growing up, she shares her story, as it continues to evolve navigating adoption’s complexities. Her book includes a fascinating history of adoption, as well as individual stories frombirth

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55:54

232. Chris Benton: "Why Can't We Talk About My...

Once Upon A Time...In Adopteeland ·

2025/05/20

Chris Benton from the UK (Birmingham) was fostered until 2 years of age prior to adoption. He listens to OUATIA podcast while doing landscaping work for his business. He recently transitioned from tree surgery to grounds maintenance (landscaping).He has an adoptive older brother (troubled) and in contact with bio brother who is 4 years younger (also adopted out) who lives in the US (Michigan). Chris has spoken with foster father (foster mother has dementia) and in contact with bio mom (psych

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53:23

231. Stacey Gatlin: "Yes We Adopt"

Once Upon A Time...In Adopteeland ·

2025/05/13

Stacey Gatlin, a passionate servant leader, is on a mission to transform the lives of children, women, and families through her commitment to personal, professional, and community development. She transitioned her corporate experience in talent management, leadership, and project management into entrepreneurship and advocacy.Stacey was compelled to rewrite the narrative around Black adoption and fostering when she became a mom through adoption. Fueled to counteract negative stereotypes, she created

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55:10

230. Part 2/2 with Leslie Lee: "Connection with a...

Once Upon A Time...In Adopteeland ·

2025/05/06

Music by Corey Quinn

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01:10:16

229. Part 1/2 with Leslie Lee: "Connection with a...

Once Upon A Time...In Adopteeland ·

2025/04/29

Leslie Lee at the age of 58, is just beginning to explore what it truly means to be adopted. As a same-race adoptee, she was placed with her family at eight weeks old, according to the transcript she received from the agency (Louise Wise) that facilitated the adoption. For most of her life, she carried this part of her identity in silence—only sharing it with a select few friends and family members. Secrecy, and at times shame, shaped much of her experience.Today, she's married, a proud mother of

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47:50

228. Veronica: "Adoption Cost Adoptees So Much"

Once Upon A Time...In Adopteeland ·

2025/04/22

Veronica is the co-author of "Rooted in Adoption-A Collection of Adoptee Reflections" and the "Rooted in Adoption Journal" now on Amazon.Veronica's Instagram is @rootedinadoption0520 Recommendations: https://www.sdpb.org/2012-07-16/piecing-together-stories-of-families-lost-in-slavery https://growbeyondwords.com/2015/08/screening-questions-when-seeking-an-adoption-competent-therapist/Music by Corey Quinn

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46:43

227. Kimberly L. Carter: "Rise, Thrive, and Flourish"

Once Upon A Time...In Adopteeland ·

2025/04/15

Kimberly L. Carter is a women's leadership strategist, speaker, and author of the journal, “Rise, Thrive, and Flourish”. With a background in spirituality, empowerment, and Gen Z leadership development, she helps women and organizations cultivate confidence, clarity, and purpose. Through her consulting work, coaching, and vibrant online presence, Kimberly empowers the next generation of leaders to show up boldly, speak with authority, and lead with heart. She is a military veteran, holds an MBA and

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49:39

226. Laura Batt: "Bridging the Gap Between the...

Once Upon A Time...In Adopteeland ·

2025/04/08

Laura Batt (she/her) was adopted domestically as an infant and raised in a closed adoption. She has been in reunion with her biological family for 26+ years. Laura is also a birth/first parent to her oldest adult son. She is parenting another teenage son and young child with her significant other in Oregon.Laura worked in pregnancy and parenting support for 20+ years. She has a Master’s degree in social work, and she has certifications in adoption therapy and perinatal mental health. Laura has

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52:14

225. Mirella Stoyanova: "Healing Toward Authenticity"

Once Upon A Time...In Adopteeland ·

2025/04/01

Mirella Stoyanova is a therapist, writer and international adoptee from Bulgaria of both Bulgarian and Iraqi origin. Her writing work has appeared in Write or Die Magazine, Business Insider, and HuffPost Personal, among otherplaces. She is a proud member of Adoptee Voices and lives in Seattle, Washington with her husband Jason, her son Milo and her beloved dog, Finn. Find her@mirellastoyanova on Instagram or on her writing website,mirellastoyanova.com.Reference: https://adopteelitfest.com/Music by

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56:11

224. Maureen McCauley: "Lions Roaring Far From Home"

Once Upon A Time...In Adopteeland ·

2025/03/25

Maureen McCauley is the adoptive mom of four now-adult children, two sons born in the U.S. and twin daughters born in Ethiopia; she has lived experience with infant adoption, international adoption, older child adoption, U.S. adoption, and transracial adoption. She also has three granddaughters. Her professional background is in social and educational welfare advocacy, including as former executive director of three nonprofits focused on adoption and foster care.With Adoption Mosaic, Maureen

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50:18

223. Brooke Haynes: "Consurgo"

Once Upon A Time...In Adopteeland ·

2025/03/18

Brooke Haynes is a business coach, website and marketing system designer, and the founder of Consurgo, a personal development community for visionary entrepreneurs. With a unique ability to see the big picture, Brooke helps small businesses streamline their systems, build engaged communities, and create sustainable growth. Everyone who works with Brooke walks away with renewed passion and clear visions for their entrepreneurial journeys. Connect with Brooke hereitssimplyreal.comWebsites:

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51:08

222. Stephanie C. Watterson: "Septopus"

Once Upon A Time...In Adopteeland ·

2025/03/11

My guest is Stephanie C. Watterson.Originally a shy and awkward biracial adoptee, Stephanie is now one of those people who, as soon as you meet her, you’ll feel joy around. She graduated from Langara College (Digital & Print Publications, Dean’s Honour Roll) and recently from Simon Fraser University (Editing Certificate). Last summer, she published her first children’s book – Septopus.Stephanie’s love for literature has lingered and will always be a labour of love. Try saying that ten times

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11:15

221. Bonus: "A Tribute to Ricky; an Adoptee Ally"

Once Upon A Time...In Adopteeland ·

2025/03/04

This episode is dedicated and in tribute to Ricky Lamont Boone. August 7, 1962-January 2, 2025.Music by Corey Quinn

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56:37

220. Dr. David McCarty-Caplan: "Adoption...

Once Upon A Time...In Adopteeland ·

2025/03/04

Dr. David McCarty-Caplan (PhD) is a researcher, educator, writer, and consultant whose professional experience focuses on issues of identity development, support of underserved populations, racial equity, and pursuit of social justice. David was born in Bogota, Colombia but adopted and raised in a white Jewish family in the United States. This lived experience has profoundly shaped his personal and professional interests and he is increasingly involved in work dedicated to adoption consciousness and

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48:31

219. D. Yvonne Rivers: "F.O.G. and I.C.E."

Once Upon A Time...In Adopteeland ·

2025/02/25

D. Yvonne Rivers is a returning guest. She is the host of the Birth Moms Real Talk Podcast.Since 1988, D. Yvonne Rivers Aka Phoebe has been a champion of a cause, from business success, domestic violence, re-entry, and adoption community. One facet of this global business expert is an esteemed speaker, facilitator, and trainer across the globe on four continents.Another facet of this woman started in 1973 with the birth of her son who she championed for family assistance for support to raise as an

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02:13:32

218. Black History Month: "Powerful Words From Adoptees"

Once Upon A Time...In Adopteeland ·

2025/02/18

Reflecting on words from eleven prior adoptee guests for Black History Month"In order of appearance:Dr. Syb Brown, Isaac Etter, Maya Holmes, Sandria Washington, Dr. Jack Rocco, Kenneth Bonomo, Joi R. Fisher-Griffin, David Bynum, Dr. Patrice Martin, Iris Bryant and Dr. KE Katherin Garland.Thank you for your generous gift of sharing a part of your story on the show.Each adoptee has been a guest on this podcast. Go to https://www.onceuponatimeinadopteeland.com/ to listen to their full episode.Music by

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47:53

217. Dewi Sungai Marquis-Houston: "My Name Is Not Amy"

Once Upon A Time...In Adopteeland ·

2025/02/11

Dewi Sungai Marquis-Houston is a mixed-race Native Bornean (Ngaju Dayak, Banjarese, Sundanese, English) mother, wife, and filmmaker who was born in Indonesia, adopted as an infant by white American parents, renamed “Amy" (a name she has since rescinded to reclaim her birth name), and raised in the U.S. in white suburbia. Dewi's experiences as a transracial adoptee led her to a filmmaking career that centers marginalized voices and challenges narratives spun from white supremacy culture and

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01:01:43

216. Diego Vitelli: "Adoptee Identity, the Search for...

Once Upon A Time...In Adopteeland ·

2025/02/04

Diego Vitelli is a dedicated adoptee-focused therapist, relationship expert, and advocate for racial diversity and LGBTQ+ inclusion. An international adoptee from Colombia, Diego was adopted at approximately five years old by an Irish-Italian family outside of Boston. His lived experience as an adoptee fuels his deep passion for amplifying adoptee voices and fostering spaces where identity, belonging, and healing can thrive.Now holding a master’s degree in Couples and Family Therapy, Diego

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255 results

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