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. Oct 11

    Roots and Branches Episode 57: Childhood Trauma to Adult

    Unpacking Truth: A Journey Through Trauma and Resilience > Debbie Korver shares her story of overcoming childhood challenges. When the roots hurt, can we change the branches? In this week’s episode of *Roots and Branches Adoption Stories*, host Janet Munro speaks with Debbie Korver, an adoptee and advocate who bravely shares her journey of childhood trauma and resilience. The Power of Truth Debbie begins by discussing the importance of acknowledging our personal truths. "The truth is the way we see everything. Your truths are the way you see what happened to you," she says. This conversation centers on how our individual perspectives shape our identities and experiences. ## Childhood Trauma and Adoption Debbie reflects on her early years, revealing that she was adopted at birth during the infamous baby scoop era of the late 1960s. She shares, "I was born in 1969, and birth mothers were under a lot of pressure to give up their children for adoption." This pressure created a complex foundation for her understanding of family and belonging. As Debbie recounts her childhood, she speaks candidly about the challenges she faced, including emotional and sexual abuse. "The feeling of being given up... that stuck with me my whole entire life," she admits. Her experiences highlight the long-lasting effects of trauma on personal identity. ## The Role of Resilience Despite the difficulties, Debbie emphasizes the resilience she developed over time. "I was a challenging teenager, but I was also an overachiever and a perfectionist," she explains. This duality illustrates the complex coping mechanisms many adopt to navigate their pain. Debbie learned to read the emotions of those around her, adapting to ensure she was loved and accepted. ## Healing and Self-Acceptance Through therapy, Debbie began to confront her past. "I had never even talked to my husband about the abuse until right before I told my therapist," she shares. This revelation underscores the importance of seeking help and the transformative power of therapy in understanding one’s identity beyond trauma. As she continues her healing journey, Debbie acknowledges the need for self-forgiveness and acceptance. "You are worth it just because you're you. Never ever be apologetic about what your truth is," she advises, encouraging others to embrace their narratives without shame. A Call for Authentic Connection Debbie's story is not just one of survival but also of thriving through vulnerability. "I’m just unapologetically me now," she reflects, highlighting the beauty of authentic connections forged through shared experiences and openness. In closing, this conversation serves as a powerful reminder that understanding our past can help us shape a healthier future. To hear more of Debbie's inspiring story and insights, listen to the full episode of *Roots and Branches Adoption Stories*. --- Debbie Korver's journey illustrates the profound impact of personal truths and the resilience of the human spirit. As we navigate our own stories, may we find the courage to embrace our truths and foster connections that heal.

  2. Oct 7

    Roots and Branches Episode 56: What The Body Remembers

    What if the earliest moments of your life—before you even had words—shaped the way you love and trust decades later? In this powerful episode of *Roots and Branches Adoption Stories*, host Janet Munro dives deep into the hidden traumas of adoption with Julie Matye, an adoptee and trauma-informed coach. Julie's personal journey reveals how the shock of discovering her adoption at eight years old ignited a lifelong quest for identity and belonging. Together, they explore the profound impacts of separation from birth mothers, the complexities of attachment, and the often-unseen scars that linger in our bodies. You'll discover how adoption is not merely a legal process but a deeply emotional experience that can leave lasting effects on an individual's psyche. Julie shares her insights on critical topics, including: - The importance of early conversations about adoption and identity - How secrecy can amplify trauma for adoptees - Practical strategies for adoptive parents to support their children - The role of societal perceptions in shaping adoptees' experiences - The necessity of understanding both emotional and physical impacts of separation This episode is essential listening for anyone involved in the adoption journey—whether you're an adoptee, adoptive parent, or simply curious about the nuances of identity and belonging. Failing to address these issues can lead to a lifetime of unanswered questions and emotional distress. Join us for an enlightening conversation that not only sheds light on the challenges faced by adoptees but also provides hope and healing. Tune in to understand why knowing your story matters, and how it can transform lives. Perfect for anyone looking to foster understanding and compassion in the adoption community.

  3. Sep 11

    Roots and Branches Connect September 2026: Adoption, Identity & Belonging

    Roots & Branches Connect is a special monthly edition of Roots & Branches Adoption Stories, where former guests return to talk honestly about what is happening now in the adoption world. Hosted by birth mother and storyteller Janet Munro, with Joe “Digital Cowboy” Moore supporting the conversation, this first Roots & Branches Connect brings together voices from across the adoption constellation: adoptee, author, activist, and emerging coach Jean Widner; adoptive parent, author, and coach Bonnie Butler; adoptee and community voice Donna V. Werner; adoptive parent and former foster parent Kala Linville; adoptee and writer Ronda Payne; adoptive mother Genelle Ellis; and Janet’s daughter, Jill. This is a real conversation about the questions that continue long after an adoption story begins: identity, belonging, biological family, adoption reunion, genetic mirroring, secrecy, and the emotional safety children need as they grow. The group explores what adoptive parents can do when their child has questions about birth parents or biological family. They talk about how fear, insecurity, and silence can make those questions harder—and what it looks like to become an emotionally sturdy parent who can stay present through the difficult parts. For adoptees, the need to understand where they come from is not a rejection of the family that raised them. It is often part of becoming whole. Janet also shares a preview of her upcoming conversation with Daniel, a donor-conceived man who now works in open donation and maintains a private sibling registry. His story opens a larger discussion about donor conception, DNA testing, access to origins, family connection, and why honest information matters in the lives of donor-conceived people and adoptees alike. The conversation moves through foster care, adoption, the meaning of village, trauma-informed support, and the lifelong nature of adoption. Jean Widner shares resources for adoptive families and professionals, including Brian Post’s From Fear to Love, Lori Holden’s Adoption: The Long View, and adoption-competent support networks. Ronda speaks to the burden adoptees may carry when they sense a parent cannot handle the truth. Genelle reflects on letting her daughter have her own feelings. Kala shares the ongoing work of keeping connection possible for a child who may one day want to know more. Donna brings the perspective of an adoptee whose own adoption story was rarely discussed after childhood. Roots & Branches Connect is not about forcing one answer onto a complicated subject. It is about bringing birth parents, adoptees, adoptive parents, foster parents, and family members back into the same room—so we can listen, learn, and make the adoption world more honest, informed, and humane. Our roots are where we come from. Our branches are every life touched by the story. Join us each month as former guests return to the circle and help keep the conversation moving forward. https://rootsandbranchesadoptionstories.com/

  4. Sep 11

    Roots and Branches Ep 53: Do We Have a Right to Know?

    Do we have a right to know where we come from? Daniel Bayen brings a very different story to Roots and Branches: Adoption Stories. He was conceived using a sperm donor and raised in Germany by a single mother who made an important decision from the very beginning—she would not keep the truth of his conception from him. Daniel grew up knowing he was donor-conceived. His mother explained that she had wanted children very much and had intentionally chosen the man who would become his biological father. Rather than making Daniel feel different, he says her openness gave him confidence in his story. But knowing the truth didn't mean there weren't questions. Daniel wondered about the father he had never met, what he looked like and what characteristics they might share. Then, when Daniel was about 15, his biological father found the family through a donor sibling registry. What began with emails eventually led to meeting in person. Today, Daniel describes their relationship as being much like the relationship an adult son might have with his father. His story then takes an unexpected turn. The donor-conceived child grew up to become an open sperm donor himself. Daniel explains why he chose openness, why he keeps track of the families and half-siblings connected through him, and why he wants the children he helps create to have access to their biological history—and to him if they someday want that connection. He also shares how seriously he takes his own health and the responsibility he believes comes with helping create another generation. Just as prospective parents choose him, Daniel also chooses the people he is willing to help, looking at their health, stability and support systems. Some of Daniel's views may challenge you. You may agree with him, disagree with him, or find yourself asking questions you had never considered before. And that's exactly why this conversation belongs on Roots and Branches. Adoption and donor conception are not the same, but they can lead us to some remarkably similar questions: Who am I? Where did I come from? Who else shares my DNA? And will the people who know the answers be willing to tell me the truth? Daniel's story is ultimately a conversation about openness, identity, biological connections and the many different ways we define family.

  5. Sep 4

    Roots and Branches Ep 52: Should Siblings Ever Be Separated

    Should siblings ever be separated in adoption? When Terisse Walker learned about three sisters in foster care who needed a family, she and her husband wanted to adopt all of them. Instead, the system decided the girls should be separated because they had different fathers—even though they had always been raised together. Terisse was allowed to adopt only the middle sister. A year later, after another placement failed, the youngest sister joined their family. The oldest was raised by her grandmother. Nearly three decades later, Terisse reflects on the lifelong impact of that decision. She shares the joys and challenges of raising children who had experienced trauma, the importance of patience, counseling, and unconditional love, and the heartbreak of losing her youngest daughter far too soon. The story doesn't end there. Her grandsons eventually entered the adoption system themselves, once again facing separation—one in an open adoption, the other in a closed adoption. For Terisse, it reinforced the question that has stayed with her for almost 30 years: Should siblings ever be separated? In this heartfelt episode, we discuss: Why the court separated three sisters.The lasting effects of childhood trauma.Parenting children from foster care.Open versus closed adoption.The importance of keeping siblings connected.What needs to change in the foster care and adoption system.How ordinary families can make an extraordinary difference. Whether you're an adoptee, birth parent, adoptive parent, foster parent, or simply care about children, this conversation is a reminder that adoption decisions don't end in childhood—they often echo for generations

Ratings & Reviews

About

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.

You Might Also Like