Roots and Branches Adoption Stories Podcast

Janet Munro

Roots & Branches Podcast 🌳 Real Stories. Real Voices. Real Healing. Every adoption story is like a tree. Its roots reach into the unseen places, carrying history, identity, and the love that set life into motion. From these roots grows a strong trunk—the life of the adoptee, built with resilience and discovery. From the trunk extend countless branches—birth parents, adoptive families, siblings, grandchildren, and the unexpected connections that appear when least expected. Each voice is a branch, each moment a ring in the trunk, each secret a seed waiting for light. The Roots & Branches Podcast, hosted by Janet Munro, is a gathering place for these stories. Adoption is more than a process or a piece of paperwork—it is a living journey that unfolds over decades. Here, you’ll hear from adoptees who uncovered hidden truths about their beginnings, birth parents who made unimaginable choices, adoptive families who opened their hearts across borders, and relatives who discovered connections that changed everything. These conversations are at once heartbreaking and beautiful, heavy with truth yet filled with laughter, love, and hope. ✨ What you’ll hear: Resilience: A woman who lived on her own at 15, built a 52-year marriage, and only later reconnected with her birth family. Sacrifice: Parents who adopted across oceans, opening their hearts to children with medical needs, proving love knows no borders. Truth-telling: A grandmother who became both parent and healer, helping her granddaughter reclaim her sense of worth. Unexpected turns: A surrogate who became the adoptive mother of the baby she carried, weaving science and spirit into one family’s story. Unflinching honesty: Families facing the lifelong realities of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, navigating challenges with courage and faith. The father’s voice: Men who fought for their place in their child’s life, reshaping the conversation about what it means to be a parent. Each episode is a reminder that adoption is not a single moment—it’s a lifetime. It’s the laughter of reunion calls, the silence of unanswered questions, the ache of absence, and the joy of belonging. It’s faith tested, families forged, and love that refuses to break. These are stories that hold both the ache of the past and the promise of the future. For Janet, this podcast is more than hosting—it’s personal. Years ago, she made the difficult decision to place her son for adoption. For decades she wondered: Is he happy? Does he know why I chose this? Will we ever meet again? Then, one day, her phone rang. On the other end was the son she had prayed for. When they finally reunited, he looked at her and said three things she will never forget: “I want to get to know you.” “Thank you for giving me life.” “You have three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.” That moment planted the seed that grew into Roots & Branches. It’s a space where stories are honored, voices are amplified, and healing is cultivated. 🌿 Adoption touches over 20 million lives in North America—adoptees, birth parents, adoptive families, and extended relatives. Too often these stories remain hidden. Roots & Branches exists so they can be spoken aloud, honored, and shared. This is a place where silence ends, and connection begins. Whether you’re an adoptee searching for truth, a birth parent carrying both grief and love, an adoptive family navigating joy and complexity, or simply someone who believes in the power of human stories, this podcast offers you a seat at the table. 📌 New episodes every Friday. 🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Audible, Acast, and Rephonic. Roots & Branches: Where every story grows, every voice matters, and every branch finds its place in the tree.

  1. 1h ago

    Roots and Branches Ep 50: A Lifetime of Unfolding

    Zoë Hansen-DiBello, PhD, was adopted at just 11 days old and raised by two moms in a family that made history in Rhode Island. Growing up, adoption was simply part of her story—but becoming a mother herself changed the way she understood it. Seeing herself genetically reflected in her daughter for the first time awakened questions about identity, belonging, loss and the parts of herself she had never fully explored. Zoë began looking back at her life through a new lens and listening more deeply to the experiences of other adult adoptees. That journey eventually led Zoë and fellow adoptee Ellie Robinson to create Unfolding, a wellbeing app built by adoptees, for adoptees. Rather than telling adoptees how they should feel, Unfolding provides opportunities for reflection, conversation and connection. In this episode of Roots and Branches: Adoption Stories, Zoë reminds us that adoption may happen at one moment in life—but understanding our identity can continue unfolding for a lifetime.

  2. Aug 14

    Roots and Branches Ep 49: A Story of Belonging

    Born in Moscow in 1990, Ivan Gastanaga spent the first 13 months of his life in an orphanage before becoming the first Soviet-Russian child adopted by Spanish parents. Raised in Spain in a loving family, Ivan still carried questions about where he came from and who he resembled. At 18, he began searching for his roots, eventually finding and meeting his biological mother in Moscow. The reunion was not the storybook moment he had imagined, and building their relationship would take years. His search later led him to his Armenian heritage and biological family, adding new layers to his identity and sense of belonging. Today, Ivan lives in Chicago and helps adoptees around the world search for biological relatives and navigate the complicated emotions surrounding identity, reunion, and belonging. In this episode, Ivan shares why searching is about far more than finding a name—and why understanding where we come from can help us understand who we are.

    Roots and Branches Ep 49: A Story of Belonging

  3. Aug 7

    Roots and Branches Ep 48: Just Say YES!

    At 50 years old, after raising three sons, Genelle Ellis thought she knew what her family would look like. Then an unexpected opportunity changed everything. Genelle had already begun exploring foster care and adoption in Arizona when a friend introduced her to a young pregnant woman. Just one month after they met, Genelle was in the hospital room when baby Esther was born. In this episode of Roots and Branches Adoption Stories, Genelle shares the remarkable journey that brought Esther into her family and the months of uncertainty before the adoption became final. But adoption day wasn't the end of their story. It was the beginning. Now 15, Esther has always known she was adopted. Genelle intentionally made adoption something they could talk about openly, but as Esther grew older, her questions became more complicated. Who is my birth mother? Who is my birth father? Do I have brothers and sisters? Why were other children raised by my birth mother when I wasn't? Genelle speaks candidly about how difficult some of those questions were—not only for Esther, but for her as an adoptive mother. She shares why she eventually realized that protecting her daughter didn't mean protecting her from the truth. It meant creating a safe place where Esther could ask questions, express difficult emotions and receive support, including counseling when she needed it. Genelle also brings attention to another issue close to her heart: the tremendous need for foster families. She challenges listeners to think beyond newborn adoption and consider the older children and teenagers in foster care, particularly those who may eventually age out of the system without a permanent family or even a trusted adult to call when they need help. Her message to anyone who has thought about fostering but keeps saying “maybe someday” is simple: Now's the time. Find out. Take the classes. Learn about the children who need you. Just say yes. This conversation explores the beauty of adoption without ignoring its pain, the importance of allowing adoptees to ask difficult questions, and the difference one family—or even one caring adult—can make in a child's life. And perhaps Genelle's story will leave you asking: How many children need foster homes in my own community—and could I make a difference?

  4. Jul 31

    Roots and Branches Ep 47: The Unwed Father's Story

    For many years, adoption stories have focused on adoptees, birth mothers, and adoptive families. But what happens when a birth father wants to stay in his child's life and feels powerless to do so? In this emotional episode of Roots and Branches Adoption Stories, Shane Laufman shares his deeply personal journey as a birth father who never stopped loving his son. Raised in a childhood marked by poverty, family conflict, and emotional trauma, Shane entered adulthood determined to become the kind of father he never had. But after the birth of his son, his relationship unraveled, leading to an exhausting legal battle against overwhelming financial resources and a custody fight he believed he could never win. Faced with an impossible choice, Shane made a heartbreaking decision. Rather than expose his son to years of conflict, he signed adoption papers believing that protecting his son's childhood mattered more than his own pain. Years later, the emotional wounds remain. Hearing his son call him by his first name instead of "Dad" is a reminder of everything he lost. Yet Shane refuses to let bitterness define his life. Instead, he speaks openly about forgiveness, personal responsibility, and always putting the child's well-being first. Throughout this conversation, Shane discusses: Growing up surrounded by conflict and how it shaped his view of fatherhood.The emotional and financial realities of fighting for parental rights.Why he believes children should never become weapons between adults.The importance of documenting every communication during custody disputes.His hope that one day his son will read the complete story and make his own decisions.Advice for fathers facing similar situations and resources that may protect their parental rights. Host Janet Munro also shares information about Putative Father Registries, available in many U.S. states, which can help unmarried fathers protect their legal rights before an adoption takes place. This episode isn't about assigning blame. It's about giving voice to a perspective we rarely hear—the birth father who never stopped caring—and reminding us that every adoption story has many sides, each deserving to be heard. If this episode touched you, please like, subscribe, share, and leave a comment. Your support helps more adoption stories reach the people who need them most.

  5. Jul 24

    Roots and Branches Ep 46: From Foster to Founder

    Can one person's pain become the reason thousands of others find healing? In this unforgettable episode of Roots and Branches Adoption Stories, Janet Munro sits down with adoptee, former foster youth, therapist, author, educator, and Celia Center founder Jeanette Yoffe to explore a story that is both deeply personal and profoundly inspiring. At just 15 months old, Jeanette entered New York's foster care system after her overwhelmed immigrant mother unknowingly signed away her parental rights. She spent more than six years in foster care, separated from her younger brother and the family she loved. Years later, she uncovered the heartbreaking truth behind her mother's struggle with mental illness, searched for her birth family, reunited with her brother, and eventually traveled to Argentina to meet her birth mother, Celia. Rather than allowing her past to define her, Jeanette chose to transform it into a mission of hope. Today she is a licensed marriage and family therapist, founder of Celia Center, and one of the leading voices educating families, professionals, and adoptees about the lifelong impact of adoption and foster care. In this powerful conversation you'll discover: • Why adoption always begins with loss. • The hidden grief many adoptees carry throughout life. • Why identity and knowing where we come from matter. • How parents can better support adopted and foster children. • Why siblings should remain together whenever possible. • The healing power of community, creativity, and compassionate listening. • How one little girl turned her own heartbreak into a movement that has helped thousands. Jeanette reminds us that healing doesn't come from pretending the pain never happened—it comes from acknowledging it, understanding it, and walking through it with others who truly understand. Whether you're an adoptee, birth parent, adoptive parent, foster parent, or simply someone who wants to better understand the lifelong impact of adoption, this is a conversation you won't forget. If this episode touched your heart, please subscribe, share it with someone who needs to hear it, and help us continue bringing every voice in the adoption constellation together. #Adoption #FosterCare #Adoptee #BirthParents #AdoptionHealing #TraumaRecovery #CeliaCenter #JeanetteYoffe #RootsAndBranches #JanetMunro

    Roots and Branches Ep 46: From Foster to Founder

  6. Jul 17

    Roots and Branches Ep 45: The Story I Was Told - and the Truth I Finally Heard

    What happens when hearing your birth mother's story changes everything? Donna V. Werner shares her remarkable adoption journey, the meaning behind the "V" in her name, and why she's now changing lives around the world. Donna V. Werner always knew she was adopted. Raised by loving adoptive parents, she grew up believing she understood why her birth mother had placed her for adoption. Her adoptive father even told her a cherished story about choosing her from a room full of babies—a story that made her feel loved, wanted, and chosen. As an only child surrounded by a close-knit extended family, Donna's childhood was filled with love until age thirteen, when her father left for work one day and never came home. That unexpected loss changed the course of her life and left emotional wounds that would take years to understand. Years later, while caring for her adoptive mother during her final days, Donna made a discovery that would change everything—her original adoption papers. That discovery led her on a search for her birth mother with the help of ALMA (Adoptees Liberty Movement Association). What she found wasn't what she'd expected. Donna learned that the story she'd been told throughout her childhood wasn't entirely true. Her birth mother hadn't been forced to place her for adoption by an overbearing grandmother. Instead, as a frightened fifteen-year-old girl growing up in poverty, she made the heartbreaking decision herself because she wanted her daughter to have opportunities she couldn't provide. Their reunion became one of healing, understanding, and grace. Donna also met seven siblings and, for the first time, looked into the face of someone who looked just like her. As she says in this episode, she had finally "found her mirror." Following her divorce, Donna chose to honor both sides of her life by changing her name to Donna Vanita Werner, reclaiming the name given to her at birth as a tribute to the mother who gave her life. Today, Donna's story doesn't end with reunion. Through Dorcas Destiny International, she has dedicated her life to serving vulnerable women and children in Kenya. What began as one trip has grown into a ministry that feeds more than 700 children each day, provides scholarships, and is working toward opening a children's home for young people with nowhere else to go. This is a powerful conversation about identity, loss, healing, and discovering that sometimes the truth is even more beautiful than the story we've always believed.

    Roots and Branches Ep 45: The Story I Was Told - and the Truth I Finally Heard

  7. Jul 10

    Roots and Branches Ep 44: Nothing Wasted

    Infertility wasn't the end of Kim Patton's story—it was the beginning of a journey that led to adoption, foster care, open adoption, and a deeper understanding of trauma, healing, and hope. In this heartfelt conversation, Kim shares how difficult seasons strengthened her faith, her marriage, and her family, while offering encouragement to anyone facing life's unexpected challenges. #AdoptionStories #OpenAdoption #FosterCare #Infertility #AdoptiveMom #TraumaInformed #Faith #RootsAndBranches #NothingWasted #Hope

    Roots and Branches Ep 44: Nothing Wasted

  8. Jul 3

    Roots and Branches - The Branches - Ep 1

    Welcome to the very first episode of Roots and Branches – The Branches! What happens when a man discovers through DNA that he has a 40-year-old son? How does he process the joy, anger, grief, and acceptance that follow? And why are men's emotions so often hidden from view? In this powerful conversation, Jim Pehkonen shares the emotional journey of discovering he was a father decades after the fact, while psychologist Gloria Vanderhorst helps us understand why so many men struggle to express the emotions they've carried for years. This episode launches a brand-new series that goes beyond the stories to explore the psychology, trauma, healing, and hope behind adoption. If this conversation resonates with you, I'd love to hear your thoughts. Should The Branches continue? Please leave a comment below. #RootsAndBranches #TheBranches #AdoptionStories #BirthFather #MensMentalHealth #DNADiscovery #AdoptionReunion #TraumaHealing #Fatherhood #AdoptionJourney #Healing #Psychology #JanetMunro #KPHRED

    Roots and Branches - The Branches - Ep 1
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Roots & Branches Podcast 🌳 Real Stories. Real Voices. Real Healing. Every adoption story is like a tree. Its roots reach into the unseen places, carrying history, identity, and the love that set life into motion. From these roots grows a strong trunk—the life of the adoptee, built with resilience and discovery. From the trunk extend countless branches—birth parents, adoptive families, siblings, grandchildren, and the unexpected connections that appear when least expected. Each voice is a branch, each moment a ring in the trunk, each secret a seed waiting for light. The Roots & Branches Podcast, hosted by Janet Munro, is a gathering place for these stories. Adoption is more than a process or a piece of paperwork—it is a living journey that unfolds over decades. Here, you’ll hear from adoptees who uncovered hidden truths about their beginnings, birth parents who made unimaginable choices, adoptive families who opened their hearts across borders, and relatives who discovered connections that changed everything. These conversations are at once heartbreaking and beautiful, heavy with truth yet filled with laughter, love, and hope. ✨ What you’ll hear: Resilience: A woman who lived on her own at 15, built a 52-year marriage, and only later reconnected with her birth family. Sacrifice: Parents who adopted across oceans, opening their hearts to children with medical needs, proving love knows no borders. Truth-telling: A grandmother who became both parent and healer, helping her granddaughter reclaim her sense of worth. Unexpected turns: A surrogate who became the adoptive mother of the baby she carried, weaving science and spirit into one family’s story. Unflinching honesty: Families facing the lifelong realities of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, navigating challenges with courage and faith. The father’s voice: Men who fought for their place in their child’s life, reshaping the conversation about what it means to be a parent. Each episode is a reminder that adoption is not a single moment—it’s a lifetime. It’s the laughter of reunion calls, the silence of unanswered questions, the ache of absence, and the joy of belonging. It’s faith tested, families forged, and love that refuses to break. These are stories that hold both the ache of the past and the promise of the future. For Janet, this podcast is more than hosting—it’s personal. Years ago, she made the difficult decision to place her son for adoption. For decades she wondered: Is he happy? Does he know why I chose this? Will we ever meet again? Then, one day, her phone rang. On the other end was the son she had prayed for. When they finally reunited, he looked at her and said three things she will never forget: “I want to get to know you.” “Thank you for giving me life.” “You have three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.” That moment planted the seed that grew into Roots & Branches. It’s a space where stories are honored, voices are amplified, and healing is cultivated. 🌿 Adoption touches over 20 million lives in North America—adoptees, birth parents, adoptive families, and extended relatives. Too often these stories remain hidden. Roots & Branches exists so they can be spoken aloud, honored, and shared. This is a place where silence ends, and connection begins. Whether you’re an adoptee searching for truth, a birth parent carrying both grief and love, an adoptive family navigating joy and complexity, or simply someone who believes in the power of human stories, this podcast offers you a seat at the table. 📌 New episodes every Friday. 🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Audible, Acast, and Rephonic. Roots & Branches: Where every story grows, every voice matters, and every branch finds its place in the tree.

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