Color Shift: Transracial Adoptees

Nathan Choi

This podcast is where transracial adoptees come and share their stories. 

  1. Color Shift: Patrick A

    11h ago

    Color Shift: Patrick A

    For much of his life, Patrick Armstrong believed he had a fairly positive adoption experience. Raised in Indianapolis after being adopted from Korea, he spent decades navigating racial isolation while completely rejecting an important part of his identity—without fully realizing the impact it was having on him. After dropping out of college, Patrick spent years traveling in search of purpose and trying to figure out who he was. But it wasn't until the convergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, the rise in anti-Asian hate, and the Black Lives Matter movement that something shifted. Those events became the catalyst for what Patrick describes as his "rupture"—a moment of awakening that forced him to confront his adoption, race, and identity in ways he never had before. Over the past five years, Patrick has been unpacking the complexities of transracial adoption, embracing his Korean identity, and working toward becoming his most authentic and whole self. Along the way, he has discovered that healing isn't a destination but an ongoing practice. Patrick also shares one of the most painful chapters of his journey: the possibility that he missed an opportunity to reconnect with his biological mother after waiting too long to respond to a letter she sent him. He reflects on the grief, regret, and hope that continue to shape his search and why he hasn't completely given up on the possibility of finding her again. This conversation explores racial isolation, identity rejection, late-discovery adoptee consciousness, the lifelong process of healing, and the courage it takes to rediscover yourself after decades of living disconnected from who you truly are. Hear more from Patrick on his own podcast Conversation Piece. Patrick's socials: Instagram, Podcast Support the show Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/color_shift_tra?igsh=em5ka3hkMXJxODA5 TicTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@colorshifttransra?_t=ZP-8wOIvdcK7ah&_r=1 Merch: Color Shift 1.0 by Nathan Choi – Adoptive Threads If you are interested in supporting this podcast please go to the listener support page: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2502012/support If you are a transracial adoptee and want to share your story email me at: transracialadoptionstories@gmail.com

    1h 11m
  2. Color Shift: Lily

    Jun 22

    Color Shift: Lily

    In this episode of Color Shift, we sit down with Lily, a Thai adoptee whose journey spans continents, recovery, and self-discovery. Born in Bangkok and spending her early years in foster care, Lily was adopted at age four by a white American family in Pennsylvania. Growing up in a home where she never felt a true sense of connection, she spent years searching for belonging and understanding her place in the world. As a young adult, that search led her through addiction, loss, and some of the darkest chapters of her life. But through music, Lily found something powerful: a way to process her pain, reclaim her voice, and begin healing. What started as a lifeline became a purpose. Today, Lily is an artist, recovery advocate, and co-founder of Adoptees & Addiction, a peer-led support community created specifically for adoptees navigating addiction and recovery. She has also spent years working in treatment, helping others find hope in their own recovery journeys. Along the way, she returned to Thailand to search for her birth mother and reconnect with the culture and identity that had been separated from her through adoption. This conversation explores resilience, identity, addiction, healing, and the lifelong journey of belonging. Lily's story is a powerful reminder that even after years of feeling disconnected, it is possible to rediscover your roots, your voice, and yourself. To learn more about the peer support group Lily co-founded, visit Adoptees & Addiction Support the show Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/color_shift_tra?igsh=em5ka3hkMXJxODA5 TicTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@colorshifttransra?_t=ZP-8wOIvdcK7ah&_r=1 Merch: Color Shift 1.0 by Nathan Choi – Adoptive Threads If you are interested in supporting this podcast please go to the listener support page: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2502012/support If you are a transracial adoptee and want to share your story email me at: transracialadoptionstories@gmail.com

    1h 3m
  3. Color Shift: Maya

    Jun 8

    Color Shift: Maya

    In this episode of Color Shift: Transracial Adoptees, Maya shares her experience as a Cambodian adoptee raised by LGBTQ moms in Maine before eventually settling in Pennsylvania. Maya reflects on growing up at the intersection of adoption, race, and family, and how those experiences have shaped her sense of identity over time. The conversation also explores her recent journey into family research, a search that led to an unexpected and deeply meaningful discovery. Along the way, Maya discusses belonging, connection, and the ways adoptees continue to piece together their stories throughout adulthood. It's a thoughtful conversation about family, identity, and what it means to find parts of yourself you never knew were missing. Through A Different Lens: Instagram Support the show Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/color_shift_tra?igsh=em5ka3hkMXJxODA5 TicTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@colorshifttransra?_t=ZP-8wOIvdcK7ah&_r=1 Merch: Color Shift 1.0 by Nathan Choi – Adoptive Threads If you are interested in supporting this podcast please go to the listener support page: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2502012/support If you are a transracial adoptee and want to share your story email me at: transracialadoptionstories@gmail.com

    1h 17m
  4. Color Shift: Sarah M

    May 25

    Color Shift: Sarah M

    For this episode of Color Shift, Nathan sits down with Sarah Myer, the acclaimed Korean American comic artist, author, and illustrator behind the award-winning graphic memoir Monstrous: A Transracial Adoption Story. Adopted from South Korea and raised in rural Maryland by a white family, Sarah shares the deeply personal experiences that shaped both their identity and creative voice. Through conversations about racism, bullying, fandom, cosplay, art, and belonging, Sarah opens up about the emotional journey that inspired Monstrous — a powerful coming-of-age story that has earned multiple starred reviews, award nominations, and recognition as one of the standout graphic memoirs of recent years.  Beyond Monstrous, Sarah has become a rising force in the comics world, illustrating and creating cover art for several issues of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Saturday Morning Adventures and contributing to other major projects across the comics industry. In this episode, Sarah reflects on the intersection of adoptee identity, creativity, queer identity, and pop culture — and how art became both a refuge and a way to reclaim their story.  You can find Sarah's work here at her website.  See their upcoming conventions they are attending, purchase some art and their book Monstrous!  Support the show Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/color_shift_tra?igsh=em5ka3hkMXJxODA5 TicTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@colorshifttransra?_t=ZP-8wOIvdcK7ah&_r=1 Merch: Color Shift 1.0 by Nathan Choi – Adoptive Threads If you are interested in supporting this podcast please go to the listener support page: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2502012/support If you are a transracial adoptee and want to share your story email me at: transracialadoptionstories@gmail.com

    1h 14m
  5. Color Shift: Luciana

    May 11

    Color Shift: Luciana

    In this episode of Color Shift: Transracial Adoptees, Luciana shares her experience growing up as an Indonesian adoptee in rural East Texas, navigating identity, belonging, and the feeling of being “othered” in a conservative environment. She reflects on family complexity, racial awakening, and the process of “coming out of the fog” as she began recognizing how adoption and race shaped her lived experiences.  After building community with other Asian transracial adoptees and returning to Indonesia in search of answers, Luciana uncovered truths about her story that challenged everything she thought she knew about her adoption. In this deeply thoughtful conversation, she speaks openly about grief, mental health, estrangement, healing, and the importance of creating space for adoptees to tell honest and nuanced stories about their lives.  Luciana would love everyone to know that she has graduated from grad school with a Masters in Counseling.  If you would like to connect with Luciana you can email her at  lucianamstandley@gmail.com Support the show Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/color_shift_tra?igsh=em5ka3hkMXJxODA5 TicTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@colorshifttransra?_t=ZP-8wOIvdcK7ah&_r=1 Merch: Color Shift 1.0 by Nathan Choi – Adoptive Threads If you are interested in supporting this podcast please go to the listener support page: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2502012/support If you are a transracial adoptee and want to share your story email me at: transracialadoptionstories@gmail.com

    1h 4m
  6. Color Shift: Vinh

    Apr 27

    Color Shift: Vinh

    Vinh  was born in Vietnam, with Cambodian roots, and adopted into an Icelandic, Danish, and Swedish family, where he was raised in Sweden. Growing up across multiple cultures, Vinh carried a deep curiosity about his origins—one that stayed with him for years and ultimately led him to begin searching for his birth family.  Without support from any formal systems or government resources, Vinh’s search was driven by persistence, instinct, and connection. With the help of a Vietnamese friend, he was eventually reunited with his birth family—an experience that brought both answers and a new layer of emotional complexity.  In this episode, Vinh shares openly about identity, belonging, and what it means to navigate life as a transracial adoptee across cultures. He also speaks candidly about deeply personal topics, including trauma, sexuality, and the emotional realities of reunion. His story challenges simplified narratives about adoption and highlights the resilience it takes to seek truth on your own terms.  Vinh Professional Website Support the show Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/color_shift_tra?igsh=em5ka3hkMXJxODA5 TicTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@colorshifttransra?_t=ZP-8wOIvdcK7ah&_r=1 Merch: Color Shift 1.0 by Nathan Choi – Adoptive Threads If you are interested in supporting this podcast please go to the listener support page: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2502012/support If you are a transracial adoptee and want to share your story email me at: transracialadoptionstories@gmail.com

    58 min
  7. Color Shift: Tara

    Apr 13

    Color Shift: Tara

    Tara was adopted as a baby from Lake Charles, Louisiana by white Mormon parents and raised in Utah with seven siblings—three biological to her adoptive parents and four adopted from different families. In 2018, she reunited with her biological family and discovered she had one full biological brother and one half-brother. Unfortunately, her biological father had passed away before she could meet him. This reunion marked a turning point. Tara began to experience a shift in her adoption narrative, emerging from the adoptee fog while simultaneously beginning to deconstruct the high-demand religion she had grown up in. This overlapping upheaval led to religious psychosis, and seeking mental health support was the first time she realized her religion might have been hurting her. She left Mormonism in 2019. Today, Tara is still navigating the complexities of belonging. She is working to build relationships with her biological family, but continues to feel the pain of not quite fitting in—either with them or her adoptive family. Projects & Communities: Pouty Mouth (podcast) Pouty Mouth Instagram Community DiscordSupport the show Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/color_shift_tra?igsh=em5ka3hkMXJxODA5 TicTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@colorshifttransra?_t=ZP-8wOIvdcK7ah&_r=1 Merch: Color Shift 1.0 by Nathan Choi – Adoptive Threads If you are interested in supporting this podcast please go to the listener support page: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2502012/support If you are a transracial adoptee and want to share your story email me at: transracialadoptionstories@gmail.com

    1h 15m
  8. Color Shift: Renee

    Mar 30

    Color Shift: Renee

    In this episode of Color Shift, we’re joined by Renee, a Korean adoptee born in Daegu in 1976 and brought to the United States in 1977. Renee’s adoption story, as she shares, isn’t a simple one—and it’s one she’s willing to speak about fully, with honesty, care, and deep intention. Renee opens up about the complexities of her experience and the ways it has shaped her identity, relationships, and healing journey over time. Through it all, she has found a path rooted in self-discovery and transformation. Since 2018, Renee has been in private practice offering Reiki—work she describes as a form of spiritual therapy that connects mind, body, and spirit, helping others move toward healing, purpose, and meaning. This conversation explores what it looks like to face difficult truths while still choosing growth, grounding, and compassion. Renee's Substack Renee's own Podcast Renee's Business Support the show Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/color_shift_tra?igsh=em5ka3hkMXJxODA5 TicTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@colorshifttransra?_t=ZP-8wOIvdcK7ah&_r=1 Merch: Color Shift 1.0 by Nathan Choi – Adoptive Threads If you are interested in supporting this podcast please go to the listener support page: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2502012/support If you are a transracial adoptee and want to share your story email me at: transracialadoptionstories@gmail.com

    1h 1m
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This podcast is where transracial adoptees come and share their stories. 

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