38 episodes

In this podcast I deconstruct the romanticism holding up the adoption industry and expose the lies, abuse, and pain that gets silenced. I'm here to unwrap the shiny bow around adoption and speak my truths as an adoptee. In doing so, I explain what it means and what it feels like to “come out of the fog”. This isn't your feel good podcast, I am an angry, healing and honest adoptee. 

Adoptees Crossing Lines Zaira

    • Society & Culture
    • 4.9 • 26 Ratings

In this podcast I deconstruct the romanticism holding up the adoption industry and expose the lies, abuse, and pain that gets silenced. I'm here to unwrap the shiny bow around adoption and speak my truths as an adoptee. In doing so, I explain what it means and what it feels like to “come out of the fog”. This isn't your feel good podcast, I am an angry, healing and honest adoptee. 

    The Role of Legal Advocacy in Family Reunification w/ Keshia Adeniyi

    The Role of Legal Advocacy in Family Reunification w/ Keshia Adeniyi

    Send us a Text Message.Keshia The child welfare system is waging war on Black families, and Keshia Adeniyi-Dorsey is on the front lines. In this episode, she shares her journey from foster child to family defender, exposing the racist roots of CPS and the urgent need for change.Keisha breaks down her tactics for protecting families during CPS investigations, from refusing home entry to shutting down fishing expeditions. Her success rates are fantastic: 95.8% of parental rights protected ...

    • 46 min
    Exploring Abolition, Intergenerational Trauma, and Creative Resistance w/ Benjamin Lundberg Torres Sánchez

    Exploring Abolition, Intergenerational Trauma, and Creative Resistance w/ Benjamin Lundberg Torres Sánchez

    Send us a Text Message.BenjaminWords matter. Especially when it comes to adoption. Benjamin Lundberg Torres Sanchez isn't just "adopted" - they were separated from their first family for 28 years.In this episode, we unpack how the language we use shapes our understanding of adoption. Benjamin shares their journey of rejecting industry terminology and embracing more accurate descriptions of their experience.We discuss how this shift in language opens up new possibilities for solidarity and pol...

    • 54 min
    Unpacking Adoption w/ Henry: Identity, Community, and Healing

    Unpacking Adoption w/ Henry: Identity, Community, and Healing

    Send us a Text Message.HenryWhat happens when a Black child is adopted into a white Mormon family? The Mormon church silenced Henry's identity as a Black transracial adoptee, but he's done being quiet. From "colorblind" racism to the weight of forced gratitude, he exposes the ugly truth behind his adoption.We explore the impact of media representation, the importance of acknowledging adoptee anger, and why abolishing the current system might be the only way forward.Henry shares his journ...

    • 37 min
    Adoption, Therapy, and Self-Discovery: Fai Knudson's Story

    Adoption, Therapy, and Self-Discovery: Fai Knudson's Story

    Send us a Text Message.Fai KnudsonFai Knudson grew up in a white, conservative town, always feeling different. As a biracial, transracial adoptee, Faye faced racism and isolation. Leaving their hometown ignited a journey of self-discovery, leading to advocacy and therapy focused on adoptee mental health. In this episode, Fai shares their powerful story, the challenges of being a transracial adoptee, and how they now help others navigate similar paths.What we discussed (00:18) W...

    • 53 min
    Finding Freedom: Reflections on One Year of No Contact

    Finding Freedom: Reflections on One Year of No Contact

    Send us a Text Message.1 Year of No ContactIt's been 365 days since I cut ties with my adopters to protect myself. A year of healing, self-discovery, and finding my voice. In this episode, I share my no contact journey, the reasons behind my decision, the process of healing, and the freedom I’ve found. Hear my story of setting boundaries, seeking safety, and reclaiming my identity.What we discussed (00:24) 1 year of no contact (01:50) “but they’re your parents” OR Exp...

    • 46 min
    Operation Stop CPS w/ Amanda Wallace

    Operation Stop CPS w/ Amanda Wallace

    Send us a Text Message.Amanda Wallace Amanda Wallace helps families powerfully stop Child Protective Services from stealing their children. In this episode she talk about how you can do it too, how her organization reunited 20+ families, and why we should abolish the belief that the CPS system should even exist.Listen and let’s stop CPS.What we discussed (00:22) Who is Amanda Wallace?(01:25) Why she wants to stop CPS - Child Protective Services(05:16) Why are you in my house?!(06:32...

    • 36 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
26 Ratings

26 Ratings

jc0v ,

Can’t Stop Listening

I am a queer, white woman in my 30s. I won’t have biological children, but I do want a family, so I’ve been searching for stories about adoption and foster care.

Stumbled upon this RARE podcast that actually centers **the stories of adoptees and people who have survived the foster care system,** as opposed to stories from the adoptive/foster parent perspective. This has been vital listening for me, and absolutely exploded my perspective of what adoption means. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. This podcast has changed my life and will impact my future decisions. I am inspired to learn more about abolition.

Excellent content, well produced, expert guests and researchers from all facets of the industry. The personal stories that the hosts and guests share are profound, vulnerable and fascinating. Truly an amazing listen.

zocalo1889 ,

Eye opening

Appreciate the hosts’ honesty, especially in sharing all emotions.

Jacky Liam ,

REAL STUFF ABOUT ADOPTION NOT SUGARCOATED!

Okay, so I follow this podcast on social media as I was coming out of the FOG as an adoptee myself and dealing with severe trauma and just listened to the most recent episode with Azriel and they’ve been my first adoptee friend on social media and I was like “this is gonna probably hurt like a lot but they’re my friend and I care and Love them!” So I listened to this episode and loved it, their story is a lot like mine after I listened to it I was DM-ing them as I was listening having similar experiences as an adoptee. When I first came out of the FOG I was mentally a mess, medication was completely messed up and I was forcibly institutionalized twice in my life and it really made me worse when I came out of that. Anyway just wanted to say FANTASTIC podcast and Azriel told their story well and beautifully and really hit me hard! and they are right I wouldn’t be alive if it wasn’t for this community of adoptees!!

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