Once Upon A Time...In Adopteeland Jennifer Dyan Ghoston

Amy Hansen is a domestic adoptee, born in 1969. She was placed for adoption at birth. She grew up in a loving family and was well cared for. Amy was the "happy" adoptee, so grateful to her birth parents, her adopted parents and always trying to make everyone happy. She has been in reunion with some of her birth family for the past 5 years and has recently come out of the FOG. Amy is beginning to realize that she was living behind the disguise of a happy, positive person who didn’t realize the loss and grief she was carrying. Today, she feels sad, confused and angry about her adoption and feels that sharing her story is being honest for the first time in her life. 
Amy has been married to a wonderfully supportive husband for over 30 years. They have 3 amazing adult children and 2 golden retrievers.  She enjoys the outdoors and spending time with family and friends.
Amy Hansen is a guest of the following podcasts: Pulled By The Root, Wandering Tree, This Adoptee Life and Adoption:The Making of Me
Music by Corey Quinn

Hannah Andrews is a U.S. domestic adoptee, born in Chicago during the Baby Scoop Era, raised on a farm in central Illinois. After semi-retiring she moved to San Diego and started writing again ( a lifelong love) but, definitely not about adoption. Hannah mostly ignored all things adoption until 2018 when she met a birthmother and author at a Writers Conference in San Diego. Everything changed in that moment. She began searching, found that not only had she moved at one time within 2 blocks of her birth mom in Venice Beach, CA, but that she had died a decade earlier (months before Illinois changed its OBC law though she didn't know the law had even changed until years later). Hannah also began reading and consuming all things related to adoption, especially adoptee and first mother authored memoirs. Now, that is all she writes, and attend CUB (Concerned Birthparents) and AKA (Adoption Knowledge Affiliates) adoptee support groups and serve on the board of AKA as well.
Hannah is an advocate for open records, and supports a push for a national apology to the Baby Scoop generation as well as more transparency in the industry across the board. 
Mentions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PX2Vm18TYwg&t=186s
Music by Corey Quinn and invitational by MDT

Talitha A. Abell is a same race domestic adoptee born in California in 1976. She always knew she was adopted and had what she considers a positive childhood, Still she says she wondered about her beginning story and so she was always looking off and on to find her birth mom. In 2020, she was introduced to the adoptee community through a podcast which has helped to add language and growth to her understanding of her adoptee identity. Being denied access to her original birth certificate she enlisted the help of her childhood friend In January of 2021. In December of 2021 she found her birth family and has enjoyed getting to know them.
Referenced: The Primal Wound by Nancy Verrier
Music by Corey Quinn and Invitational by MDT

Jessica M. Luciere is a transracial adoptee born in Bogota, Colombia who grew up on Long Island, New York. She is an Adoptee Advocate, working to create supportive spaces for adoptees and their families around the world. Currently the Manager of Community Engagements at Spence-Chapin, Jessica is also the facilitator of the Mentorship Programs, which have been in existence since 2005. Jessica is the former President of All Together Now, Inc based in Brooklyn NY, and has also worked with Adoptive and Foster Family Coalition of New York (AFFCNY). Jessica’s passion for working with adoptees has always been the driving force behind her work, and is the reason she continues to create spaces for adoptee stories and voices to be heard by all.
Music by Corey Quinn

Ed Knight graduated George Washington University with a B.A. in Journalism.  (his late adoptive father studied law there.) He worked at The Washington Post for many years in the Circulation and I.T. Departments, starting as a clerk, and ending up as a database administrator.
Ed took an early retirement after finding his biological family and needing time to, “find myself”. In Reunion with biological family, and still close to adoptive family Ed just consider them one big family now, from his point of view. He married Steven Frank in 2009, and in relationship since 1982.   Steven was born Deaf and went blind later in life.  Consequently, Ed knows ASL, and tactile ASL. He is active in his church, St. Barnabas Church of the Deaf (Episcopal), as volunteer.
A member of Sons of the American Revolution after proving descent from patriot ancestor Joshua Smith, with the help of his natural mother, who is a former member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.  Ed is active in his local chapter.  His late natural father was also active in the SAR, having served a term as President of the DC Society of the SAR.
Ed is in Year Three of the Master Artist Program at The Compass Atelier, in Rockville, MD. His website is epscottart.com
Ed referenced Adoptees United and Gregory Luce https://adopteesunited.org/
Music by Corey Quinn and Invitational by MDT

Valerie Naiman (pronounced naymen) is an adoptee, author, story-song writer, passionate singer, re-purposer, goat mama, apiarist, gardener, environmental activist, and eco-village founder living in Asheville, NC. As you’ll discover in her soon to be release book, she’s a secret to her natural family.  Her personal journey throughout six decades delves into life’s biggest mysteries as she searched for her identity.
Join Valerie on social media; http://www.instagram.com/valnaimanauthor https://www.facebook.com/valnaimanauthor
Valerie's Website: http://valerienaiman.com
Music by Corey Quinn