Family Twist: A Podcast Exploring DNA Surprises and Family Secrets Corey and Kendall Stulce

Have you ever wondered about the secrets and stories hidden within the world of adoption?
Dr. Joyce Maguire Pavao shares her personal journey of being adopted and how it led her to become a therapist specializing in adoption and foster care. She discusses the secrecy surrounding adoption in the past and the importance of transparency and openness in the adoption process. Joyce also addresses the need for policy changes in adoption and the importance of educating professionals in various fields about the complexities of adoption. She emphasizes the significance of supporting adoptive families and providing resources for adoptees to explore their roots.
The Need for Policy Changes in Adoption with Dr. Joyce Maguire PavaoKey Benefits for Listeners:
Gain a deeper understanding of the emotional and psychological intricacies of being adopted, from personal identity searches to the reality of finding biological family members.Explore the evolution of adoption policies and practices, including the challenges and ethical concerns that have shaped them over the decades.Receive practical advice and resources for anyone navigating the adoption process, whether they are considering adoption, are adoptees themselves, or work within the foster care and adoption systems.
Discover the untold narratives of adoption and how they could resonate with or enlighten your own life experiences by tuning into this compelling episode.Guest bio:
Joyce Maguire Pavao, Ed.D.,LCSW, LMFT, was the Founder and CEO of Center For Family Connections, Inc. (CFFC - est. 1995-2012) in Cambridge, MA and New York. Adoption Resource Center was founded in 1978 and PACT (Pre/Post Adoption Consulting and Training) was established in 1982-becoming part of CFFC from 1995 to 2012. PACT and ARC are back standing on their own, as of March, 2012. Dr. Pavao is building comprehensive post adoption services throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts with Riverside After Adoption Consulting and Training (AACT) they are doing an extensive project with the Department of Mental Health in Massachusetts. Dr. Pavao has done training, both nationally and internationally. She is a Lecturer in Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, and has consulted to various public and private agencies, schools, and the court system. Additionally, she has worked closely with individuals and families created by adoption, foster care, and other complex blended family constructions. She has developed models for treatment and for training using her systemic, intergenerational, and developmental framework The Normative Crises in the Development of the Adoptive Family and her book The Family of Adoption (1998/2005) has received high acclaim. Dr. Pavao has received many awards and honors, including the Adoption Excellence Award for Family Contribution (2003), and the Angels in Adoption award (2000).

Ever wondered what it's like to discover your true heritage and embrace a multifaceted identity amid societal norms?
We're presenting a "remix" episode with Jack Malstrom, a deejay, a drag performer and Two-Spirit educator. Jack navigates the complexities of adoption, identity discovery, and cultural integration. This episode isn't just about identity—it's about the power of self-discovery and the courage to embrace one’s full self in the face of societal expectations.
Indigenous Bombshell and Embracing a Two-Spirit LifeKey Benefits for Listeners:
Gain insights into the unique challenges and triumphs faced by adoptees as they explore their roots and establish their identities.Understand the significance of the Two-Spirit identity within Indigenous cultures and its modern-day implications and challenges.Learn how personal heritage and cultural understanding can profoundly affect personal and community relationships, fostering a deeper sense of belonging and acceptance.
Tune into this powerful episode to explore Jack Malstrom's remarkable journey and discover how embracing your true self can lead to a deeper understanding of your heritage and identity.Listen to Jack's radio show: Rose City Native Radio
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How can attending an adoptee summit transform your understanding of identity and connection?
In this episode of Family Twist, we're joined by Monica Hall for an insightful discussion on the Untangling Our Roots Summit. Monica shares her profound experiences at the summit, emphasizing the healing power of connecting with others who have similar adoption-related experiences. The episode explores the emotional journey of adoptees and birth parents, highlighting stories of reunions, the deep sense of loneliness many adoptees face, and the importance of compassion and understanding in these unique relationships.
I Knocked On My Birth Mother's DoorBenefits of Listening:
Gain insight into the transformative power of adoption summits and how they foster healing and connection.Learn about the emotional impact of reunions between adoptees and their birth families, including heartwarming and challenging stories.Understand the importance of listening to birth parents' stories to grasp the full scope of the adoption experience.
Tune in to hear Monica's moving stories and discover how shared experiences at adoption summits can lead to profound healing and connection—listen now!

Ever wondered how an open adoption can transform lives and bridge the gap between adoptive and birth families?
In this episode of Family Twist, we dive deep into the profound experiences and insights of Lori, an adoptive parent and advocate for open adoption. Lori shares her journey of navigating the complexities of adoption, the importance of openness, and the lasting impact on both her children and their birth families. If you're an adoptive parent, a birth parent, or anyone touched by adoption, this episode will provide valuable perspectives and practical advice.
Adoptive Mom Builds Relationships with Birth FamiliesBenefits of Listening:
Discover the real meaning of open adoption and how it can positively affect the adoptee's life and family dynamics.Learn from Lori's personal experiences and professional insights on building healthy, honest relationships between adoptive and birth families.Gain practical advice on handling the emotional and psychological aspects of adoption for both parents and children.
Don't miss this heartfelt and informative episode to gain new insights and practical tips on navigating the world of open adoption—tune in now!Guest bio:
Lori Holden is author of the groundbreaking book Adoption Unfiltered: Revelations from Adoptees, Birth Parents, Adoptive Parents, and Allies, co-authored with adoptee Sara Easterly and birth parent Kelsey Vander Vliet Ranyard. She wrote the highly acclaimed The Open-Hearted Way to Open Adoption with her daughter's birth mom, is host of the podcast Adoption: the Long View, and has explored adoption for 17 years at LavenderLuz.com. Lori was nominated by Senator Michael Bennet to be honored as an Angel in Adoption® by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute.
Guest links:
Book: The Open-Hearted Way to Open Adoption: Helping Your Child Grow Up Whole
Podcast: Adoption: The Long View
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Adoptee Monica Hall discusses her journey from leaving corporate America to starting her own soap company and finding her indigenous roots. She shares anecdotes about selling peppermint soap to a gay community and the success of her products. Monica also opens up about her personal life, including her experiences with relationships and her challenging childhood.
She talks about her spiritual practices and the importance of maintaining a high vibration. The conversation touches on the power of storytelling and the healing process, as well as the impact of adoption on individuals and families. Monica discusses her experiences with family dynamics, including distancing herself from toxic family members and the realization that she had been enabling their behavior. She reflects on her upbringing and the impact it had on her relationships and self-worth.
Monica also talks about the process of writing her memoir and the challenges she faced in condensing her story. She shares her journey of reconnecting with her biological daughter and the complexities of being an indigenous person. Overall, Monica's story is one of resilience, healing, and the search for identity and belonging.
High Vibrations with the Author of Practically Still a VirginBenefits of Listening to This Episode:
Inspiration for Entrepreneurial Ventures: Learn how Monica turned her passion for natural products and herbology into a thriving business, providing practical inspiration for listeners looking to start their own entrepreneurial journeys.Insights into Personal Growth Through Heritage: Gain insights into how connecting with one's cultural and familial roots can lead to significant personal growth and self-discovery.Understanding the Impact of Adoption on Identity: Monica discusses her experiences with adoption from both personal and professional perspectives, offering listeners deeper understanding of how early life experiences can shape personal identity and relationships.
Guest bio:
Monica Hall is a speaker, writer, coach, and entrepreneur. In addition to working as a business consultant, Monica has founded several companies, including an eponymous skincare line and a successful business centered on natural, chemical-free body care, and has worked in advertising and marketing for more than twenty years.
Her entrepreneurial spirit is fueled by the often traumatic experiences of her youth, which helped to cultivate the fierce and fearless personality that prepared her to build and direct successful industry-leading companies. Monica loves sharing her story and giving hope to those in crisis, which she has done for over three decades. She devotes much of her time to working with women by guiding them through life’s challenges. This has been instrumental in her development, and Monica describes it as a life-changing experience.
Freely giving her time has helped her to shed a self-centered worldview and gain new insight into human motivation and interactions.
Connect with Monica:
https://www.instagram.com/monicahallauthor/
About Practically Still a Virgin
A gripping memoir recounting a fifteen-year-old adoptee's experience of rape and the pregnancy that changed her life.
Adopted and raised during Alaska’s lawless 1970s oil-boom era, Monica grows up amid trauma and dysfunction. As a teen, she rebels into delinquency.
When Monica is raped and becomes pregnant, her religious parents push her into giving up her baby, her only known blood relative for adoption. These events kick off a decades-long search for family and belonging.
Thread by thread, she weaves...

Ever wondered how discovering hidden family secrets can transform your sense of identity and belonging?
In this episode, Kendall continues the conversation with Pam, an NPE (not parent expected) individual. They discuss the possibility of being the product of an affair or open relationship, and the challenges that come with it. They also talk about the importance of love and acceptance in reunion experiences, as well as the complexities of family dynamics and secrets.
Kendall shares her own experiences with her birth mother and the emotions that come with uncovering family secrets. The conversation highlights the need for processing and healing in order to move forward. The conversation explores the themes of self-discovery, the impact of family secrets, and the importance of love and acceptance. It delves into the movie "Soul" and how it relates to the journey of the soul and personal experiences. The conversation also touches on the idea that connecting with biological family members is part of one's soul's journey and the importance of embracing that connection. It concludes with a discussion on the complexities of family secrets and the need for honesty and open communication.
Family Shadows and the Children of AffairsBenefits of Listening:
Being the product of an affair or open relationship can present unique challenges and complexities in one's identity and family dynamics.Reunion experiences can be filled with mixed emotions, and it's important to navigate them with love, acceptance, and understanding.Family secrets can have a lasting impact on individuals and relationships, and it's important to process and heal in order to move forward.The journey of uncovering family secrets can be both painful and therapeutic, allowing for personal growth and a deeper understanding of oneself. Self-discovery is a significant part of the NPE journey, and it can be influenced by various factors, including personal experiences and external influences.Family secrets and shame can have a damaging impact on individuals, preventing them from acknowledging and accepting their true origins.Connecting with biological family members is seen as part of one's soul's journey, and it is important to embrace that connection and the stories it brings.Honesty and open communication are crucial in navigating the complexities of NPE discoveries and building meaningful relationships with biological family members.
Discover more captivating family stories here!Listen, Rate & Subscribe
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