SEP 18

Music Therapy - 'Feeling Comfortable Being Vulnerable'

TRIGGER WARNING: Self Harm is discussed in this episode. Hello, my name is Dionne Draper and I am the writer, actor and producer of DAWTA a semi-autobiographical one woman musical, the roots of this podcast series, and I live with the complex transracial adoptee experience. Self regulation, or put simply the ability to manage our emotions and impulses is a particular challenge for transracial adoptee and fostered people. Season 2 is full of interviews with members of the community about wellbeing activities that support our self-regulation. From Djing to climbing to weightlifting (that’s me), and more. Join me for this wellbeing series as we share our struggles,and super powers alike. In this episode I have an in-depth conversation with Music Pyschotherapist Alexis Wreathall about his work. We talk about the primary trauma of separation from the mother, to music therapists's practices to create a safe environment through routine, and predictable behaviours for clients. To facing anxiety and identity crisis head-on, seeing it as a cross cultural issue not simply a transracial adoptee or looked-after children experience, but also something many people suffer. It is hoped that this episode is one that everyone can relate to, providing knowledge and interest in the benefits of music therapy. Alexis Wreathall Bio Alexis Wreathall is a music psychotherapist who qualified in 2018 from the University of the West of England, and he practices in Bristol, Avon, Gloucester and North Somerset. Alexis has worked in a variety of different settings with different people, and his most recent clinical experience has been with young people who are within the adoption process, or who are looked after. Contact details: Email: alexiswreathall@gmail.com or info@naos.org.uk Advice - signposting British Association of Music Therapists - https://www.bamt.org/ This year DAWTA has partnered with Black led mental health charity Nilaari https://nilaari.co.uk funded by Quartet donors the Celtic Connection Fund. With this funding DAWTA is delivering activities and workshops for transracial adoptee and fostered adults (in-person and online). For more information about how you can get involved email me at dionne@singwithsoul.com or message me on insta at soullife05. Website: www.dionnedraper.com Finally, I have one small ask…if you enjoyed this episode please rate it with 5 stars, wherever you get your podcasts, and even a comment too - I love reading them! Ratings are essential to raise the profile of the podcast, get it heard, and recognised. I hope this podcast offers you comfort, knowledge and support, however, it is not meant to serve as a substitute for a relationship with a trained counselor or therapist. Thanks for listening, be well, and see you soon!

34 min

JUL 17

When Women Lift

DAWTA The Podcast Season 2 Episode 2 - Pat Tru Fitness ‘When Women Lift’ Main Intro Hello, my name is Dionne Draper and I am the writer, actor and producer of DAWTA a semi-autobiographical one woman musical, the roots of this podcast series, and I live with the complex transracial adoptee experience. Self regulation, or put simply the ability to manage our emotions and impulses is a particular challenge for transracial adoptee and fostered adults. So, Season 2 is full of interviews with members of the community about wellbeing activities that support our self-regulation. From Djing to climbing to weightlifting (that’s me), and more. Join me for this wellbeing series as we share our struggles,and super powers alike. I hope this podcast offers you comfort, knowledge and support, however, it is not meant to serve as a substitute for a relationship with a trained counselor or therapist. Pat Tru Fitness Bio Pat Tru Fitness is a personal trainer and coach resident in Bristol, UK where she hosts women’s weightlifting small groups, and one to one coaching in person and online. In this episode we talk about women, strength, confidence in the gym, the weights area and making sure we take up our space. We talk about how Pat got into fitness, my fitness journey, lashes, nails and much more. References: British Menopause Society, Paper - Menopause in Ethnic Minority Women 2023 Distinctive characteristics of the major UK ethnic minority groups Women of Afro-Caribbean origin • The mean age of natural menopause is 49.6 years. • Women experience a longer duration of menopause transition. • These women have the highest prevalence and longest duration of vasomotor symptoms, and they are also more severe. • They are more likely to experience shorter sleep duration, more frequent awakenings and less efficient sleep. • Weight gain and mental health issues may be prominent. • They display a smaller decline in sexual function and report a greater importance of sex Social prescribing - https://www.england.nhs.uk/personalisedcare/social-prescribing/ Grounding - 30 Grounding Techniques to Quiet Distressing Thoughts, 2024 https://www.healthline.com/health/grounding-techniques#mental-techniques Pat info: Pat Tru Fitness Socials https://www.instagram.com/pattrufitness/?hl=en Pat Tru Fitness website https://www.trufitnessbristol.co.uk/ Email: patvan11@yahoo.co.uk This year DAWTA has partnered with Black led mental health charity Nilaari https://nilaari.co.uk/ funded by Quartet donors the Celtic Connection Fund. With this funding DAWTA is delivering activities and workshops for transracial adoptee and fostered adults (in-person and online). For more information about how you can get involved email me at dionne@singwithsoul.com or message me on insta at soullife05. Website: www.dionnedraper.com Finally, I have one small ask…if you enjoyed this episode please rate it with 5 stars, wherever you get your podcasts, and even a comment too - I love reading them! Ratings are essential to raise the profile of the podcast, get it heard, and recognised. Thanks for listening, be well, and see you soon!

30 min

JUN 14

Mum, we've got the same nose!

Hello, my name is Dionne Draper and I am the writer, actor and producer of DAWTA a semi-autobiographical one woman musical, the roots of this podcast series, and I live with the complex transracial adoptee experience. Self regulation, or put simply the ability to manage our emotions and impulses is a particular challenge for transracial adoptee and fostered adults. So, Season 2 is full of interviews with members of the community about wellbeing activities that support our self-regulation. From Djing to climbing to weightlifting (that’s me), and more. Join me for this wellbeing series as we share our struggles,and super powers alike. I hope this podcast offers you comfort, knowledge and support, however, it is not meant to serve as a substitute for a relationship with a trained counselor or therapist. Liz Mytton Bio Liz Mytton is many things including a dear friend of mine, a fellow CIC director of DAWTA, and a Black adoptive parent. In this episode I sit down and talk to Liz about how she’s doing, what it’s like being 50 and her wellbeing. Liz speaks bravely and generously about being an adoptive parent of her dual heritage son, her husband’s whiteness (and tallness!) and their love for their son, storytelling for all, and the importance of play. Theatre in Flow https://theatreinflow.com/ Book: The Nap Ministry / Rest is resistance https://www.bookhausbristol.com/product/rest-is-resistance/ This year DAWTA has partnered with Black led mental health charity Nilaari https://nilaari.co.uk/ funded by Quartet donors the Celtic Connection Fund. With this funding DAWTA is delivering activities and workshops for transracial adoptee and fostered adults (in-person and online). For more information about how you can get involved email me at dionne@singwithsoul.com or message me on insta at soullife05. Website: www.dionnedraper.com Finally, I have one small ask…if you enjoyed this episode please rate it with 5 stars, wherever you get your podcasts, and even a comment too - I love reading them! Ratings are essential to raise the profile of the podcast, get it heard, and recognised. Thanks for listening, be well, and see you soon! Dionne x

29 min

JUN 14

Solo, but not alone!

Hello It's been a while but DAWTA The Podcast is back with Season 2, following a fantastic Season 1 with Lisa Marie-Simmons. Thanks Lisa. For Season 2 I will be riding solo, but certainly not alone. So join me, Dionne Draper for more knowledge from the experts and lived expertise from the guests. DAWTA The TRA Podcast - Telling Real Accounts. Info: dionne@singwithsoul.com www.dionnedraper.com IG: soullife05

1 min

11/03/2023

DAWTA @ The Mount Without Live (Black Identity Part II)

Part 2 Welcome to Episode 6 of DAWTA The Podcast LIVE!! ( Part 2) Whoop, whoop! This live episode was recorded on Tuesday 3rd October at the beautiful and atmospheric crypt of The Mount Without in Bristol. Shout out to Lottie, Tom and Mira. Joined by my fabulous co-host Lisa Marie Simmons, (in the house!!) and the warmest and most insightful audience in Bristol, we dive into our enormous theme, ‘Black Identity’. In Part 2 we invite DAWTA The Podcast therapists Lana Lynn Moreno, Celena Lewis and health practitioner Michael Earle to the DAWTA sofa, to delve further into the theme of Black Identity and give their ‘Therapists View’. Lynn Lana Moreno (Therapist) Journey to Wellness at www.bs2therapyrooms.co.uk Celena Lewis (Therapist) Celena Lewis Bristol Counselling (counsellinginbristol.org) Michael Earle (Health Practitioner) website www.alwaystakeyourlunchbreak.com Nilaari www.nilaari.co.uk Dedicated to providing mental health assistance, particularly to adults from Black, Asian, and Minoritized Communities. Based in Bristol, UK. Michael Earle email:mikeearle66@icloud.com Lisa Marie Simmons: https://lisamariesimmons.com/ Dionne Draper: https://www.dionnedraper.com/ Your episode hosts are Dionne Draper and li@lisamariesimmons.com and this live episode was produced by Dionne Draper and Kate and Adam Daggett. Thanks to both you did a great job! Please remember to SHARE, comment, and if you like please give 5 stars. 5 star ratings are essential to raise the profile of the podcast, get it heard and recognised. 🙏🏾 DISCLAIMER: We hope this episode offers you knowledge, comfort and support, however it is not meant to serve as a substitute for a relationship with a trained and licensed counselor or therapist. Thank you - Arts Council England, Mount With Out and DAWTA The Podcast Live audience.

50 min

10/23/2023

Live @ The Mount Without (Black Identity Part 1)

Welcome to Episode 6 of DAWTA The Podcast LIVE!! ( Part 1) Whoop, whoop. This live episode was recorded on Tuesday 3rd October at the beautiful and atmospheric crypt of #TheMountWithout in Bristol. Shout out to Lottie, Tom and Mira. Joined by my fabulous co-host Lisa Marie Simmons, (in the house!!), the wonderful DAWTA guests and the warmest and most insightful audience in Bristol, we dive into our enormous theme, ‘Black Identity’. Research: 'Loving Blackness as Political Resistance', Bell Hooks Love this! The VW Beastie boys started- it- all quest continued. Was it unequivocally Mike D then? Here's a clue…. https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/beastie-boys-strange-crime-wave/ Guests bio / socials Louise Ndibwirende (@louise_gw (IG and twitter) Christelle Pelleceur (https://www.christellepellecuer.com/) , Retreats - https://www.christellepellecuer.com/retreat Lisa Marie-Simmons 'Sparkler' , Notespeak 12 album link https://tr.ee/2CjFcPichl Rob Lewtas - With thanks Lisa Marie Simmons: https://lisamariesimmons.com/ Dionne Draper: https://www.dionnedraper.com/ Your episode hosts are Dionne Draper and li@lisamariesimmons.com and this live episode was produced by Dionne Draper and Kate and Adam Daggett. Filming on the night by Phoebe Curry. DJ on the night DJ Mistri. Welcome by Michelle Betsy. Thanks all you did a great job! and....Love this! The VW Beastie boys started it all (quest continued). Was it unequivocally Mike D then? Here's a clue…. https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/beastie-boys-strange-crime-wave/ Please remember to SHARE, comment, and if you like please give 5 stars. 5 star ratings are essential to raise the profile of the podcast, get it heard and recognised. 🙏🏾 DISCLAIMER: We hope this episode offers you knowledge, comfort and support, however it is not meant to serve as a substitute for a relationship with a trained and licensed counselor or therapist. Thank you - Arts Council England, Mount With Out and the fantastic DAWTA The Podcast Live audience!!

1h 18m

08/17/2023

TRA's and Birth Fathers

We love feedback. Please contact dionne@singwithsoul.com with any questions you would like to ask Lisa or myself for our upcoming DAWTA The Podcast Q and A zoom special. All welcome, but priority given to TRA voices. In thia special Episode 5 edition of DAWTA The Podcast 'TRA's and Birth Fathers' we centre Lisa Marie Simmons and her search for her birth father. Join us as we explore birth fathers in transracial adoption (TRA) and the complexity of the pervasive, negative image of black fatherhood. Where does it come from, and how does that obstruct the search for our black birth fathers? I also enjoy a moment contemplating the 'daddy's girl' fantasy in our 'Therapists View with Lynn Mareno. Interesting! In this our episode our ‘Therapist View’ comes from Lana Lynn Mareno who has been working as a therapist since 1987. She is a National Counseling Society accredited counsellor and a registered member of the British Complementary Medicine Association Lana Lynn opened Bristol’s BS2 Therapy Rooms in 2019 where she practices a variety of one on one Talking Therapies including Transpersonal Development, Holistic Life Coaching, Integral Core Therapy and she also provides Group facilitation and workshops. Articles/Books - The Case Against Adoption: Research and Alternatives for Concerned Citizens: by Jessica DelBalzo - ‘ The Primal Wound, In Search Of the Missing Piece’, by Nancy Verrier, 2009 Follow the links to find out more about: Lisa Marie Simmons: https://lisamariesimmons.com/ Harvard Law blog: https://blog.petrieflom.law.harvard.edu/2022/05/10/institutional-racism-and-the-rights-of-black-fathers/ https://youtu.be/jPr8KOp2aMc Lisa and Isell a Story About Adoption and The ghost Kingdom Dionne Draper: https://www.dionnedraper.com/ Lynn Moreno at info@bs2therapyrooms.co.uk Please remember to SHARE, comment, like and give 5 stars. 5 star ratings are essential to raise the profile of the podcast, get it heard and recognised. 🙏🏾 Your episode hosts are Dionne Draper and li@lisamariesimmons.com and produced by Dionne Draper and Kate Daggett. Thanks Kate, you did a great job!

1h 3m

07/14/2023

TRA's and Religion

In this Episode Lisa and I explore Sarah’s relationship with God, and we consider the wider question of TRA’s relationship with religion and spirituality. Why do TRA’s seek religion in their lives and what influences those decisions? And, how can religion impact a TRA’s reunion with birth families? In this our ‘Therapist View’ comes from Celena Lewis who has specialised in trauma and addiction for the past 18 years. Celena is a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP) and accredited with the National Counselling Society (MNCS). Celena has a particular interest in how people make sense of their experiences. Celena Lewis Bristol Counselling (counsellinginbristol.org) Events: Zoom: Black Women Pause, Wednesday 19th July, 12.30-1.30pm - For more information contact charmainel@nilaari.co.uk All Women of Colour are invited to join us! We will explore why self compassion is important for our Mental Health and Wellbeing. Outdooor Walking group: Roots to Wellness. For more information, email zara@nilaari.co.uk Articles/Papers: Impacts of Religious Affiliation on Transracial Adoptee identity. Sophie Yan Yun McHenry Navarro. San Francisco State University, California 2019 Some Children See Him: A Transracial Adoptee’s View of Color-blind Christianity: By JaeRan Kim. Journal of Christian Legal Thought Transracial Adoptions During the Black Lives Matter Movement Helping transracial adoptive families with “the talk" : Author: Damon A. Pryor, LMHC, Psy.D. Posted Feb 18th, 2021 Follow the links to find out more about: Lisa Marie Simmons: https://lisamariesimmons.com/ Dionne Draper: https://www.dionnedraper.com/ Celena Lewis Bristol Counselling (counsellinginbristol.org) Please remember to SHARE, comment, like and give 5 stars. 5 star ratings are essential to raise the profile of the podcast, get it heard and recognised. 🙏🏾 Your episode hosts are Dionne Draper and li@lisamariesimmons.com and produced by Dionne Draper and Kate Daggett. Thanks Kate, you did a great job!

1h 2m

06/14/2023

TRA Sons

Show notes: Dionne Draper and Lisa Marie-Simmons bring you DAWTA The Podcast, Episode 3 with a special focus on the Black, Male TRA (Transracial Adoptee) experience and a wider focus on Black, Male Mental Health. Robert Lewtas is a transracial adoptee living in London and works as an accountant for a large theatre producer. He is a proud father who identifies as Black English..though others might disagree! Michael Earle is an award winning wellbeing consultant, international speaker, mental health practitioner and certified Nordic Walking instructor. He lives in Bristol with his wife Joanne. Michael is a great advocate of self-care, and his mission is to inspire people to make their well-being a non-negotiable priority. SPECIAL OFFER!! Michael is offering the first three people that email him after listening to the episode a free thirty minute wellbeing check-up call. Research - Journal of social distress and the homeless, Vol. 0 No. 0, Month, 2015, 1–16 The emotional labor of playing cool: How Black male transracial adoptees find ways to cope within predominantly White settings. Darron T. Smith:The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, USA Ghost Kingdom - Coined by Betty Jean Lipton, an influential psychologist who specializes in adoption therapy and fought for adoption reform, the Ghost Kingdom refers to the hypothetical world adoptees enter when imagining their birth relatives. Different Strokes: Info found at https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077003/ Please remember to SHARE, comment, like and give 5 stars. 5 star ratings are essential to raise the profile of the podcast, get it heard and recognised. 🙏🏾 Your episode hosts are Dionne Draper and li@lisamariesimmons.com and produced by Dionne Draper and Kate Daggett. Thanks Kate, you did a great job! Follow the links to find out more about: Michael Earle website www.alwaystakeyourlunchbreak.com Michael Earle email:mikeearle66@icloud.com Lisa Marie Simmons: https://lisamariesimmons.com/ Dionne Draper: https://www.dionnedraper.com/ DISCLAIMER: We hope this episode offers you knowledge, comfort and support, however it is not meant to serve as a substitute for a relationship with a trained and licensed counselor or therapist.

1h 5m

05/24/2023

When TRA's Become Parents

Dionne Draper and Lisa Marie-Simmons are both black, transracial adoptees and the hosts of 'DAWTA' The Podcast. Dionne Draper is the writer, actor and producer of DAWTA a semi-autobiographical multi-media work that centres the esxperiences of Sarah, a transracial adoptee. DAWTA, a one woman musical was the first live iteration (2019), then DAWTA Digital and immersive online version (2021) and now DAWTA the Podcast (2023), with support from Arts Council England. Lisa is a multi-disciplinary storyteller bon in the US, adopted by a white family, subsequently re-homed to a white adoptive mother and her black husband, and raised in Boulder, Co. Lisa's work as a singer/songwriter, poet and essayist uses intimate details of her life to speak to a larger narrative. DAWTA The Podcast centres on themes in Sarah's transracial adoption, with special guests and a 'Therapists' View'. Each episode covers complex, challenging and always heart-warming stories of the transracial adoptee experience, and the powerful path to self-actualisation. SHOW NOTES DISCLAIMER: We hope this episode offers you knowledge, comfort and support - perhaps some laughs too - however it is not meant to serve as a substitute for a relationship with a trained and licensed counselor or therapist. Study 'From Being Adopted to Becoming a Parent' June 2018 - December 2021 Research team: Professor Beth Neil (Principle Investigator), Dr Julia Rimmer and Dr Irina Sirbu at the Centre for Research and Families at UEA Paper 'Indigenous Adoptees' Experiences of Racism in Transracial Adoption in Saskatachewan: Discovering Truth and Being Authentic (Copyright 2019:CJ McCloy) Books 'Surviving the White Gaze' Rebecca Carroll, 'Eyes On The Proze (Black Civil Rights Movement), 'Negroverse' (Pocket Poets), 'The Primal Wound - In Search Of the Missing Piece' Nancy Verrier TRA Networks - ICAV UK, Monarch Connections, Adoptee Thoughts Today's Guest Vik Fielder was born in London in 1971, adopted and moved to Somerset ata week old she now lives nestled in the Quantock Hills with her children. Vik really got into adoption advocacy during covid and has been running an adoptees only zoom chat since May 2020. Vik is also a founder member of the Adult Adoptee Movement. Links https://inews.co.uk/author/vik-fielder https://adultadoptee.org.uk/ https://adultadoptee.org.uk/kaepernick-transracial-adoption https://adultadoptee.org.uk/the-importance-of-genetic-mirroring/ More info about: Dionne and DAWTA at www.dionnedraper.com Lisa Marie-Simmons at www.lisamariesimmons.com Lana Lynn Mareno at Journey to Wellness at www.bs2therapyrooms.co.uk

1h 4m

05/03/2023

The Fog

Dionne Draper and Lisa Marie-Simmons are both black, transracial adoptees and the hosts of 'DAWTA' The Podcast. Dionne Draper is the writer, actor and producer of 'DAWTA' a semi-autobiographical multi-media work that centres the experiences of Sarah, a transracial adoptee. DAWTA, a one woman musical was the first live iteration (2019), then came DAWTA Digital an immersive online version (2021) and now DAWTA the Podcast has arrived (2023). Lisa is a multi-disciplinary storyteller born in the US, adopted by a white family, subsequently re-homed to a white adoptive mother and her black husband, and raised in Boulder, Co. Lisa's work as a singer/songwriter, poet and essayist uses intimate details of her life to speak to a larger narrative. DAWTA The Podcast centres on themes in Sarah's transracial adoption, with special guests and a 'Therapists View'. Each episode covers complex, challenging and always heart-warming stories of the transracial adoptee experience, and the powerful path to self-actualisation. Show notes: Kuligowski, M (2019) 'Coming Out of the fog'. Angela Tucker https://www.angelatucker.com The Primal Wound - Nancy Verrier 'Out of the Fog and into Consciousness' A model adoptee - Grace Newton Astrid Castro - Adoption Mosaic The Artists Way - Julia Cameron The Body Keeps The Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma - Bessel van der Kolk Top tips Find your community (ICAV, Adult Adoptee Movement, etc) Find voices that validate your transracial adoptee experience Self expression and creativity Explore self-care techniques that work for you i.e. meditation, yoga DISCLAIMER: We hope this episode offers you knowledge, comfort and support, however it is not meant to serve as a substitute for a relationship with a trained and licensed counselor or therapist. More info about Dionne and DAWTA info at www.dionnedraper.com Lisa Marie-Simmons at www.lisamariesimmons.com Lana Lynn Mareno - Journey to Wellness at www.bs2therapyrooms.co.uk

1h 5m

DAWTA The Podcast

Episodes

Music Therapy - 'Feeling Comfortable Being Vulnerable'

When Women Lift

Mum, we've got the same nose!

Solo, but not alone!

DAWTA @ The Mount Without Live (Black Identity Part II)

Live @ The Mount Without (Black Identity Part 1)

TRA's and Birth Fathers

TRA's and Religion

TRA Sons

When TRA's Become Parents

The Fog

Trailer

Solo, but not alone!

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