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PODCAST

Adopt Perspective Adoption Podcast

Dr Jo-Ann Sparrow for Jigsaw Queensland

Honest conversations about adoption, identity, trauma and belonging - told by the people who live it. Adopt Perspective is a podcast for anyone affected by adoption, especially adopted adults, parents who lost children to adoption and their families. We explore adoption trauma, adoption loss, identity, belonging and reunion through lived experience. Featuring personal stories and expert conversations, we examine late discovery adoption, forced adoption, intercountry adoption, searching, reunion

society & culture documentary

All Episodes

00:37:08

Late Discovery Adoption: I Was 27 When I Learned the...

Adopt Perspective Adoption Podcast ·

2026/04/14

In this episode, Jo Sparrow speaks with Caroline Liesegang about her journey of discovering her adoption at the age of 27. Caroline shares her experiences growing up in a family where all siblings were adopted but none were told the truth. The conversation delves into the emotional impact of secrecy, the complexities of trust in relationships, and the challenges of navigating family dynamics after such a revelation. Caroline reflects on her reunion with her biological family and the ongoing

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01:01:20

When your adoption search ends with a no - Ben Straker

Adopt Perspective Adoption Podcast ·

2026/03/24

In this episode, Ben Straker shares his journey of self-discovery as an adopted person. He reflects on his childhood, the complexities of family dynamics, and the impact of adoption on his identity. Ben discusses the trauma associated with his birth experience and how it resurfaced during the birth of his own child. He explores the concept of the primal wound and the emotional turmoil of searching for his biological family. Despite facing rejection and unanswered questions, Ben emphasises the

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01:02:24

Apology is a Moment. Justice is a Process with...

Adopt Perspective Adoption Podcast ·

2026/03/03

Jeannot Farmer is from Glasgow, Scotland, although she is joining us today from Melbourne Australia where she is holidaying with family. In 1978 she lost her son to forced adoption. Thirty-one years later they were reunited. In more recent years, Jeannot has become a powerful advocate in Scotland’s forced adoption space.Jigsaw Qld first connected with Jeannot in 2023 when she reached out while undertaking a Churchill Fellowship. Her research explored what happened in Australia following our 2013

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00:32:08

Adoption Reunion in Australia: Felicity Lawson

Adopt Perspective Adoption Podcast ·

2026/02/24

Felicity Lawson is an adopted person born at Hornsby Hospital, NSW in 1975. Over the past 32 years, she has searched for and reunited with both her mother and father - a long and complex journey marked by hope, heartbreak, and identity shifts.In this episode of Adopt Perspective, Felicity shares her lived experience of adoption reunion in Australia, reflecting on growing up adopted, navigating adoptive family dynamics, and the emotional realities of searching for biological parents.We also explore

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01:06:54

Adoption and Addiction with Paul Sunderland

Adopt Perspective Adoption Podcast ·

2026/02/17

Paul Sunderland is a renowned addiction specialist and psychotherapist. With over 35 years of experience, Paul's groundbreaking work has illuminated the deep and often-overlooked links between adoption, trauma, and addiction. His powerful presentations, shared widely by the adoption community, have resonated with thousands around the world. In this episode, we explore the lifelong impact of early maternal separation, how adoption shapes identity and mental health, and why adopted people may face

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00:30:02

The Silent Struggle of Fathers in Adoption - Phil...

Adopt Perspective Adoption Podcast ·

2026/02/10

In this episode of Adopt Perspective, Jo Sparrow speaks with Phil Kenwood, a father who shares his deeply personal story of losing a daughter to forced adoption in 1970. The conversation explores the emotional impact of adoption on fathers, the stigma surrounding men's mental health, and the importance of support groups. Phil discusses his journey of healing, the challenges of reconnecting with his daughter after many years, and the need for men to share their stories and seek help. The episode

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01:05:57

Adoption Trauma and Identity: Reunion, Loss and the...

Adopt Perspective Adoption Podcast ·

2026/02/04

In this episode, Jo Sparrow speaks with Tracy Graham, an adopted adult who shares her lived experience of adoption trauma, identity and reunion across the lifespan. Tracy reflects on growing up in her adoptive family, the silence and emotional harm she experienced, and how adoption loss shaped her sense of self. The conversation explores adoption identity, motherhood, and the emotional labour often carried by adopted adults, as well as the realities of adoption reunion. Tracy’s story highlights the

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00:34:00

Adoption Trauma, Identity & Reunion | An Adopted...

Adopt Perspective Adoption Podcast ·

2026/01/27

Adoption trauma, adoption identity, and adoption reunion are lifelong experiences for many adopted adults. In this episode of Adopt Perspective, Clare Cochrane shares her lived experience of adoption, reunion, and dual belonging. Clare was born in Perth in 1966 and adopted at just two weeks of age. She grew up knowing she was adopted and describes her experience as a “good adoption.” Yet, like many adopted adults, Clare has come to understand that good does not mean uncomplicated - and it does not

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00:01:05

Trailer

Adopt Perspective Adoption Podcast ·

2026/01/14

Welcome to Adopt Perspective, a podcast for anyone affected by adoption. This podcast is a production of Jigsaw Queensland Inc., however the views expressed are those of the people participating, and not necessarily Jigsaw Queensland. The podcast discusses adult themes and listener discretion is advised. Your host is Dr Jo-Ann Sparrow - President of Jigsaw Queensland If you'd like to find out more, go to the podcast page on www.jigsawqueensland.com and you'll find a wealth of information

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00:50:22

Ryan Anderson

Adopt Perspective Adoption Podcast ·

2025/10/28

Today’s conversation is one that takes us across continents, cultures, and the complex search for identity that so many adopted people navigate. Ryan Anderson is an intercountry adoptee who now lives in Scotland. Ryan was born in Morocco and adopted at six months old after being found on the streets of El Jadida. He was fostered by a Moroccan family prior to being adopted at 3 months of age and came to live in Scotland with his adoptive parents in 1990 when he was 6 months old—but it wasn’t until he

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00:51:25

Tammy Richie - Loss, Reunion and the Bonds That Shape Us

Adopt Perspective Adoption Podcast ·

2025/10/14

Born in 1972 in Toowoomba and adopted into a family in Boonah, Tammy Richie’s story is one of heartbreak, resilience and rediscovery. In this episode, Tammy shares her remarkable journey — from learning she’d lost her twin at birth to finding her biological family decades later.A veteran of the Australian military, mother and advocate, Tammy speaks with depth and honesty about trauma, love, and the spiritual threads that connect us across time and loss.This episode discusses adult themes and

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00:36:07

Heather Waters - You Should Be Grateful

Adopt Perspective Adoption Podcast ·

2025/10/01

Today on Adopt Perspective, we're joined by South Australian filmmaker, writer, adoptee and advocate Heather Waters. Heather’s work explores the lasting impacts of adoption on identity, family, grief and belonging and one of her films will be showcased at an AdopTEA event at Carindale on 11 October 2025.Her films include The Lost Souls, You Should Be Grateful and You Were Chosen: Secrets of Closed Adoption — powerful projects challenging myths, secrecy and the expectations placed on adoptees

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00:57:12

Kim Rankin

Adopt Perspective Adoption Podcast ·

2025/09/23

This week on Adopt Perspective podcast, we’re joined by Kim Rankin, who was born and adopted in Sydney in 1973. It would be another 27 years before Kim reunited with her mother, Karen Chaston — who shared her side of the story in our previous episode.Since that reunion, Kim and Karen have navigated the many highs and lows that adoption can bring. In this conversation, we’re honoured to hear Kim’s perspective on adoption, identity, and the long journey of building connection.This episode discusses

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00:49:36

Karen Chaston

Adopt Perspective Adoption Podcast ·

2025/09/16

Today’s guest, Karen Chaston, was just 16 years old when she lost her daughter to adoption in Sydney in 1973. Nearly three decades later, after 28 long years, they were reunited. In this special two-part series, we’re privileged to hear from both mother and daughter as they share their perspectives on separation, reunion, and what it means to rebuild connection after adoption.This episode discusses adult themes and listener discretion is advised. For more information go

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00:33:18

Professor Daryl Higgins - Child Safety Inquiry &...

Adopt Perspective Adoption Podcast ·

2025/09/03

Today we're joined by Professor Daryl Higgins, Director of the Institute of Child Protection Studies at the Australian Catholic University. For nearly 30 years, Daryl has researched child abuse impacts and prevention, family violence, and family functioning, with a focus on public health approaches to keeping children safe and building child-safe organisations. A registered psychologist and author of more than 250 publications, Daryl’s work spans child protection, out-of-home care, family law,

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01:06:07

Anna Linde - The Adopted Sexologist

Adopt Perspective Adoption Podcast ·

2025/08/19

Today’s guest is someone whose work is reshaping how we think about adoption, identity, and intimacy. Anna Linde is an adoptee, a Dance & Movement-Therapist, a Sexology researcher, and the founder of The Adopted Sexologist. Her work focuses on the often-unspoken intersections between adoption, sexuality, race, and belonging — exploring how adopted people, especially transracial adoptees, experience the body, desire, and self. (The Adopted Sexologist)Anna's writing is rich, provocative, and

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00:49:17

Brett Kable

Adopt Perspective Adoption Podcast ·

2025/08/12

While adoption stories often share familiar threads, each one is deeply personal and unique.In this episode, we're joined by Brett Kable, who was born in Nambour, Queensland in 1975 and adopted at six weeks of age into a family with an adopted sister. It wasn’t until reuniting with his mother that Brett discovered just how different his story was from most.Brett shares his adoption journey and reflects on his recent pilgrimage to Spain, where he walked the Camino Trail—a test of physical

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00:40:22

Prof. Nahum Mushin AM - Review of Qld's Adoption...

Adopt Perspective Adoption Podcast ·

2025/07/30

In this episode, Dr Jo-Ann Sparrow is joined by Professor Nahum Mushin AM—former Family Court Judge and Chair of the Forced Adoption Apology Reference Group—for a timely conversation as Queensland reviews its Adoption Act 2009 and ties it to the Commission of Inquiry into the Child Safety System.With Premier David Crisafulli calling to “bring back adoption” in response to youth crime, Jo and Nahum explore whether this move risks repeating painful mistakes of the past.Topics include:Adoption as a

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00:16:49

How Attachment Styles Affect Adopted People - Axis...

Adopt Perspective Adoption Podcast ·

2025/07/23

At Jigsaw Queensland, we’re excited to be offering another exciting project made possible through our Forced Adoption Support Service Small Grant Funding. We’ve partnered with Axis Clinic to offer a powerful new 10-week online group therapy program designed specifically for adopted people impacted by Australia’s forced adoption era - starting 21 August 2025. It’s called How Attachment Styles Affect Adopted People, and it offers a safe, trauma-informed space to explore the lasting impacts of adoption

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01:00:14

Tash Hope

Adopt Perspective Adoption Podcast ·

2025/07/22

Back in Season 2, (21 April 2021), we spoke with Vivienne Timmermans — a much-loved and well-respected voice in the Queensland adoption community. In 1980, Vivienne was an Australian Champion Figure Roller Skater from Inala when, at 17, she became pregnant and lost her daughter — whom she named Sheree — to adoption.Vivienne went on to write about her experience in her memoir You Named Me Sheree and now facilitates a support group called You Gave Me a Voice.Today, we are privileged to hear another

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