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