The Adoptee Next Door

The Adopted Life
  • 4.9 (210)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE
  • UPDATED SEMIMONTHLY

There is something temptingly tidy about the idea of adoption: a family with extra love and resources meets a child in need of both. The Adoptee Next Door takes the listener beyond the sparkly fairy tale of adoption. angieadoptee.substack.com

  1. From Unadoptable to Unstoppable

    AUG 4

    From Unadoptable to Unstoppable

    On this episode of The Adoptee Next Door, Patrick opens up about the profound challenges he faced growing up in foster care, from being labeled "unadoptable" to enduring multiple placements. He shares his emotional journey of self-discovery, the moment he faced his case file for the first time, and the painstaking process of reconciling his past. Through his experiences of homelessness, recovery, and his mission to create change for others, Patrick embodies the power of resilience. His story challenges the stereotypes of foster care and offers a powerful message of hope and transformation. Get full access to Angela Tucker at angieadoptee.substack.com/subscribe

    44 min
  2. Let's Read "You Should Be Grateful" Together!

    MAR 5

    Let's Read "You Should Be Grateful" Together!

    If you’re reading this, I already know something important about you: You care. You’re willing to engage with adoptee perspectives in a way that so many people aren’t. And for that, I’m deeply grateful. Because you’re here, I know that you understand that adoption isn’t a simple “happily ever after.” You know that love is important, but it’s not a substitute for racial identity, community, or space to process loss. But, perhaps you haven’t gotten around to reading my book, You Should Be Grateful! I want to invite you to dig deeper with me through a self-paced book club—a space designed to challenge old narratives and build something better. I’ve created a guided book club slide deck that includes: ✅ Thought-provoking discussion prompts ✅ Action steps to make real, meaningful change ✅ A live Zoom session with me to unpack it all (April 2025) And because I love sharing my creative process with you, I’m throwing in some fun extras: 🎹 A personal piano performance 🎧 The Spotify playlist that shaped my writing process 📖 A few hilarious behind-the-scenes audiobook moments Join Now: ✨ $5 for non-subscribers - Sign up here! ✨ FREE for all paid Substack subscribers (Email me at angela@theadoptedlife.com, and I’ll send you the deck.) Get full access to Angela Tucker at angieadoptee.substack.com/subscribe

    1 min
  3. Patrice Martin: How Long Lost Family Went High, While Other Adoption Media Goes Low

    12/13/2023

    Patrice Martin: How Long Lost Family Went High, While Other Adoption Media Goes Low

    (Yes, the episode title is derived from Michelle Obama's famous line; "when they go low, we go high!") Television influences public opinion of adoption. It's easy to see the influence shows like Annie and The Blind Side have had as they highlight the savior tropes and downplay or ignore the adoptees journey of grief and loss.  To my amazement, Long Lost Family seems to buck the trend! This show (which aired on TLC from 2016-2019) focuses on reuniting adoptees with their biological family. In the adoptee-world, shows like this often are termed 'reunion porn.' But this was different. Adoptee, Patrice Martin, was cast on Season 6, Episode 8 and to my amazement they resisted the urge to exploit her story. The production team treated her and her story with the humanity and care that we adoptees desire. Stunned and impressed, I just had to speak with the team that put this episode together.  Listen to learn more about how a network television resisted the inevitable ratings gold. This episode features: Patrice Martin - Adoptee Kathryn Takis - Long Lost Family producer Lisa Joyner - Host of Long Lost Family Jen Utley - Director of Family Research at Ancestry.com Leslie Mackinnon - Therapist for Long Lost Family cast and crew    You can reach out to Angela through her website or on Instagram @angieadoptee. Get full access to Angela Tucker at angieadoptee.substack.com/subscribe

    51 min
  4. Alexandra "ALX J": Transgender adopted teen discusses race, adoption, and LGBTQ intersectionality

    12/15/2020

    Alexandra "ALX J": Transgender adopted teen discusses race, adoption, and LGBTQ intersectionality

    Back in 2016, Angela had 12 year old transracial adoptee Alex, as a guest on her web series, The Adopted Life. In this episode, Angela reconnects with Alex, now a 17 year old transgender woman, to discuss adoption, the intersections of LGBTQ culture, and how quarantine provided a silver lining for Alex's transition period. You can reach out to Angela through her website or on Instagram @angieadoptee. Get full access to Angela Tucker at angieadoptee.substack.com/subscribe

    51 min
  5. Tiffany Henness: Could The Book Of Psalms Help Us Rethink The Fairy-Tale Adoption Narrative?

    12/01/2020

    Tiffany Henness: Could The Book Of Psalms Help Us Rethink The Fairy-Tale Adoption Narrative?

    Angela talks with Tiffany Henness about the surprising grief she experienced during her pregnancy and childbirth of her two biological kids. As a Christian she challenges the fairy-tale narrative about adoption and wonders if Christians may be use the book of Psalms to think differently about helping children through adoption.  You can reach out to Angela through her website or on Instagram @angieadoptee. Get full access to Angela Tucker at angieadoptee.substack.com/subscribe

    44 min
  6. Kristen Garaffo: Everyone Just Assumed I Was White

    11/10/2020

    Kristen Garaffo: Everyone Just Assumed I Was White

    Kristen and I talk about her identity as a white-passing Latina, adopted from Paraguay to Washington DC. The first time Kristen and I chatted she told me that she has only recently begun identifying as Latina. You can reach out to Angela through her website or on Instagram @angieadoptee. Get full access to Angela Tucker at angieadoptee.substack.com/subscribe

    51 min
  7. Torie DiMartile: Amy Coney Barrett and the White Savior Narrative

    10/20/2020

    Torie DiMartile: Amy Coney Barrett and the White Savior Narrative

    Over the past week it's become clear that most U.S. Americans view Amy Coney Barrett’s transracial family as noble, good and representing all things decent. However, transracial adoptees have a different take. It seemed to showcase white saviorism and virtue signaling. Torie and Angela discuss why the Supreme Court nominee's comment was so polarizing and why conversations about transracial adoption are so divided that even hearing directly from transracial adoptees, isn't enough to counter the dominant fairytale narrative.  You can reach out to Angela through her website or on Instagram @angieadoptee. Get full access to Angela Tucker at angieadoptee.substack.com/subscribe

    53 min
  8. Jay Johnson: "What Is a Late Discovery Adoptee?"

    09/29/2020

    Jay Johnson: "What Is a Late Discovery Adoptee?"

    The impacts of being told that you were adopted late in life are far reaching. One Late Discovery Adoptee (LDA) says "It feels like a cruel joke. Finding out that you are adopted late in life destroys part of your identity and turns your life upside down." Some parents think they are protecting their child by not telling them. However, finding out as an adult is undoubtedly a shock and for many LDA's they can't help but wonder what else their parents' may have lied about?  But Jay sees it differently. He explains how he differentiates a secret versus a lie. You can reach out to Angela through her website or on Instagram @angieadoptee. Get full access to Angela Tucker at angieadoptee.substack.com/subscribe

    48 min
See All (14)

4.9
out of 5
210 Ratings

About

There is something temptingly tidy about the idea of adoption: a family with extra love and resources meets a child in need of both. The Adoptee Next Door takes the listener beyond the sparkly fairy tale of adoption. angieadoptee.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    The Adopted Life
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2025
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Angela Tucker
  • Show Website
    The Adoptee Next Door

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