Adoptee Thoughts

On Season 3, Episode 6 of the Adoptee Thoughts Podcast, Christian Aragon and host Melissa Guida-Richards discuss the shocking story of his illegal adoption and reunion with his biological family. You may recognize some of his story from his viral video with "Put a Finger Down" challenge. About the Adoptee: Christian Matthew Aragon was illegally adopted and raised by a woman who claimed to be my birth mother. He found his biological family at 36 and is just now getting to start his life with them. How to connect: Follow him @mattaragon87 on TikTok! _________ To read more of the work by your host Melissa Guida-Richards and resources available for purchase from panels to workshops, to book club information go to adopteethoughts.com or her Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adoptee_thoughts/ Her book are available anywhere books are sold. What White Parents Should Know About Transracial Adoption: An Adoptee's Perspective on Its History, Nuances, and Practices Preorder the companion Workbook here:

On Season 3, Episode 5 of the Adoptee Thoughts Podcast, Scott McCreary, Leigh Ann Baglin, Katie Ares, and host, Melissa Guida-Richards discuss the siblings reunion journey, including the ups and downs. About the Adoptees: Scott McCreary is a 39-year old adoptee from South Korea. He grew up in Oklahoma and presently lives in Missouri with his wife. Currently working at a local hospital and extremely happy to experience life with my siblings and catch up on all the time passed by. Leigh Ann Baglin is a 37 year-old South Korean adoptee residing in New Jersey with her husband and two biological children. She currently holds her LSW and works as a school therapist at the middle and high school levels. She has worked in various mental health settings such as adoption agencies, school-based youth programs, child welfare agencies, and group homes. Leigh is in active reunion with her birth father and is looking forward to growing with and sharing experiences with Katie and Scott. Katie Ares is a 40-year-old Korean adoptee. Born in Kyungsan, South Korea, Katie was adopted at the age of three months. Raised as an only child, she lived in Pennsylvania before her family moved to Central Florida (which she considers her hometown). Most of Katie's career has been spent in roles within the nonprofit sector. Katie now calls Arizona home, where she spends her free time exploring the outdoors with her husband and two dogs. Katie is grateful to have connected with Leigh and Scott, and is enjoying the important role of being an unni and noona. How to connect: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scott_a_mccreary/ https://www.instagram.com/leighanners/ _________ To read more of the work by your host Melissa Guida-Richards and resources available for purchase from panels to workshops, to book club information go to adopteethoughts.com or her Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adoptee_thoughts/ Her book are available anywhere books are sold. 📖What White Parents Should Know About Transracial Adoption: An Adoptee's Perspective on Its History, Nuances, and Practices Preorder the companion Workbook here:

On Season 3, Episode 4 of the Adoptee Thoughts Podcast, Molly McLaurin , and host, Melissa Guida-Richards discuss their upcoming Transracial Adoption 101 course and Molly's experience as a transracial adoptee. They dig into how the course came to be, connecting via social media, and the impact of educating on adoption. About Molly McLaurin: Molly E. McLaurin is an adoptee, twin, wife, mom and business owner. Molly founded Monarch Connections to bring people together, find what’s missing and to make meaningful connections. In 36 months, she has connected with 675 people at events and 25 through Life Coaching. One thing Monarch Connections created an adoptee community called Adoptee Talk, and Adoptee Talk: Teens, to empower adoptees. Growing up as a transracial adoptee, Molly often felt left out, and/or that she stood out in a way that was isolating. Monarch Connections and Adoptee Talk operate so others can belong. Molly authored, EXPLORING TRANSRACIAL ADOPTION AND THE INVISIBLE PROTECTION OF PRIVILEGE, while serving as a member of the Field Center’s Young Professionals Council. She is glad you are here and hope you decide you can learn from this course and improve your adoptee(s) lives. How to connect: website: https://www.monarch-connections.com instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monarchconnections/ email: molly@monarch-connections.com _________ To read more of the work by your host Melissa Guida-Richards, check out guida-richards.com, or the podcast's website adopteethoughts.com. Her book is now available anywhere books are sold. 📖What White Parents Should Know About Transracial Adoption: An Adoptee's Perspective on Its History, Nuances, and Practices Buy here!

On Season 3, Episode 3 of the Adoptee Thoughts Podcast, Lynn Woo Mykytyn, MA LPCC LADC, and host, Melissa Guida-Richards discuss Paige's experience as an adoptee and her role as a therapist. They dig into the nuance of this work, how it felt to grow up in a white majority family, and how she advocates for adoptees and birth parents. About Lynn Woo Mykytyn, MA LPCC LADC: Lynn Woo Mykytyn, MA LPCC LADC, is the founder of Sando Wellness & Counseling in Minnesota and works as a counselor supporting teens, adults, parents, and couples. Lynn built her practice on the concept that identifying what is right with us can support and motivate change in the areas of our life that no longer serve us. She believes that mental health and wellness has to do with all elements of our lives and all aspects of self; something that cannot be captured in a diagnosis and specializes in issues related to anxiety, depression, and addiction, as well as identity and transracial adoption. How to connect website: https://www.sandowellness.com/ instagram and twitter: @sandowellness email: Lynn@sandowellness.com _________ To read more of the work by your host Melissa Guida-Richards, check out guida-richards.com, or the podcast's website adopteethoughts.com. Her book is now available anywhere books are sold. 📖What White Parents Should Know About Transracial Adoption: An Adoptee's Perspective on Its History, Nuances, and Practices Buy here!

On Season 3, Episode 2 of the Adoptee Thoughts Podcast, Paige Knipfer, and host, Melissa Guida-Richards discuss Paige's experience as an adoptive mother and her role as an adoption consultant. They dig into the nuance of this work, what she does to make sure her business is ethical, and how she advocates for adoptees and birth parents. About Paige Knipfer: She is the owner of Love Grown Adoption Consulting to assist prospective families through the adoption journey. She is an adoption educator and adoptive mom. https://www.lovegrownadoptionconsulting.com _________ To read more of the work by your host Melissa Guida-Richards, check out guida-richards.com, or the podcast's website adopteethoughts.com. Her book is now available anywhere books are sold. 📖What White Parents Should Know About Transracial Adoption: An Adoptee's Perspective on Its History, Nuances, and Practices Buy here!

Hi Friends! Thank you so much for your wonderful support, I am so excited to share this episode with you. It was recorded in 2020, but due to my father's passing around that time I didn't have a chance to edit it until now. I hope you enjoy, and check out Alessia's work. On Season 3, Episode 1 of the Adoptee Thoughts Podcast, Alessia Petrolito, and host, Melissa Guida-Richards discuss Alessia's experience as a Black adoptee from the United States and what it was like growing up in Italy and later visiting America. About Alessia Petrolito: Born in the U.S., adopted and raised in Italy. Interested in Visual and Critical Studies and the connection between Art, Adoption and virtual communities, she presented her artistic research at 5th and 7th ICAR - International Conference on Adoption Research, respectively held in New Zealand and Italy. She currently lives in Turin, where she is working for an Art Foundation. linktr.ee/arpadoptic Personal blog arpadoptic.com Adoption Cloud project blog adoptcloud _________ To read more of the work by your host Melissa Guida-Richards, check out guida-richards.com, or the podcast's website adopteethoughts.com. Her book is now available anywhere books are sold. 📖What White Parents Should Know About Transracial Adoption: An Adoptee's Perspective on Its History, Nuances, and Practices Buy here!

On Season 2, Episode 5 of the Adoptee Thoughts Podcast, Astrid Castro, and host, Melissa Guida-Richards discuss Astrid’s work in the adoption community, reunion, as well as the nuances of learning our language from our birth culture. About Astrid Castro: Astrid has a degree in sociology with an emphasis in adoption. For twenty plus years, she has traveled the country to lead youth groups, present workshops on transracial parenting, talking with children about adoption and various other workshops focusing on adoption. Prior to creating Adoption Mosaic, Astrid worked in both the private and public sectors of various adoption organizations such the Oregon Post Adoption Resource Center (ORPARC), Holt International, Rocky Mountain Adoption Exchange, to name just a few. Astrid co-authored Adoption in the Movies, which takes the reader on a guided tour of 27 movies and documentaries that are ‘dripping with adoption’ asking questions that encourage the viewer to engage in ongoing dialogue and discussion. She also developed an innovative, evidence-based, 27-minute training DVD titled, Adoptive Parent Training: Developing Communication Skills. The training demonstrates how adoptive parents can communicate openly and honestly with family, friends and especially children. Astrid is a former member of the board of directors of the North American Council on Adoptable Children, the author of many articles on the subject of adoption and contributed a chapter to the book Parents As Adoptees. Website: https://adoptionmosaic.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adoptionmosaic/ _________ To read more of the work by your host Melissa Guida-Richards, check out guida-richards.com, or the podcast's website adopteethoughts.com. Her book is now available for preorder and in stores on October 5th! 📖What White Parents Should Know About Transracial Adoption: An Adoptee's Perspective on Its History, Nuances, and Practices Buy here! Social: Twitter Instagram Facebook Mailing List: Subscribe Here

On Season 2, Episode 4 of the Adoptee Thoughts Podcast, Annie Goodchild, and host, Melissa Guida-Richards discuss Annie's new video project, "I Used to Be Sam." This project will use interviews of fellow adoptees to an EP and audio visual project series discussing transracial adoptee experiences in addition to the one that is unique to her own. Anyone interested in participating can submit to: iusedtobesam@gmail.com Deadline: May 15, 2021 6:59 am (EST) About Annie Goodchild: On the day Annie Goodchild was adopted, her name changed. I Used to Be Sam is an American music artist whose career has left remarkable traces around the world. From selling out arenas as the lead singer to Scott Bradlee's Post Modern Jukebox, to opening for Alicia Keys, I Used to Be Sam's journey now leads her to expose all in her most emotional and personal project yet. I Used to Be Sam's self-titled EP strips away years of emotional armor to bare all and share her personal experience of self-discovery and self-love, as a transracial adoptee who grew up in the care of a white family. Website: http://anniegoodchild.com Instagram: @goodchild.annie _________ To read more of the work by your host Melissa Guida-Richards, check out guida-richards.com, or the podcast's website adopteethoughts.com. Her book is now available for preorder and in stores on October 5th! 📖What White Parents Should Know About Transracial Adoption: An Adoptee's Perspective on Its History, Nuances, and Practices Buy here! Social: Twitter Instagram Facebook Mailing List: Subscribe Here

On Season 2, Episode 3 of the Adoptee Thoughts Podcast, Jenny Heijun Wills, and host, Melissa Guida-Richards discuss Jenny's Memoir Older Sister, Not Necessarily Related (now available in paperback) and the intricacies of reunion with birth family. Jenny Heijun Wills is the author of Older Sister, Not Necessarily Related (McClelland & Stewart, Penguin Random House Canada, 2019), which won the 2019 Hilary Weston Writers' Trust Non-Fiction Prize and the 2020 Eileen McTavish Sykes Best First Book Award. She is also the co-editor of Adoption & Multiculturalism: Europe, The Americas, and the Pacific (University of Michigan Press, 2020). Purchase her memoir here and follow Jenny on Instagram. _________ To read more of the work by your host Melissa Guida-Richards, check out guida-richards.com, or the podcast's website adopteethoughts.com. My book is now available for preorder and in stores on October 5th! 📖What White Parents Should Know About Transracial Adoption: An Adoptee's Perspective on Its History, Nuances, and Practices Buy here! Social: Twitter Instagram Facebook Mailing List: Subscribe Here

On Season 2, Episode 2 of the Adoptee Thoughts Podcast, Christine Heimann, and host, Melissa Guida-Richards discuss their experience as international adoptees and the complexities of searching for birth family. Christine discusses why she created Adoptee Bridge and a little about her work with adoptees and adoptive families. Christine's Bio: Christine Heimann 정주빈 is a Korean American, transracial adoptee who has volunteered or worked with adoptees and adoptive families for over 15 years. In 2017, Christine founded AdopteeBridge, which is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, providing post-adoption support services to transracial and transnational adoptees and their families. Christine is passionate about providing post adoption services and resources to the adoptee community and this can be seen through the vision and programming of AdopteeBridge. Connect with Christine here: www.adopteebridge.org www.facebook.com/adopteebridge www.instagram.com/adopteebridge Email: info@adopteebridge.org _________ To read more of the work by your host Melissa Guida-Richards, check out guida-richards.com, or the podcast's website adopteethoughts.com. My book is now available for preorder and in stores on October 5th! 📖What White Parents Should Know About Transracial Adoption: An Adoptee's Perspective on Its History, Nuances, and Practices Buy here! Social: Twitter Instagram Facebook Mailing List: Subscribe Here

On Season 2, Episode 1 of the Adoptee Thoughts Podcast, Nicole Chung, and host, Melissa Guida-Richards discuss their experience with losing a loved one as an adoptee, as well as their writing process. Nicole shares some of her story as an adoptee, and advice for adoptees looking to get into writing. Nicole’s Bio: Nicole Chung is the author of the nationally bestselling memoir All You Can Ever Know (Catapult, US; Pushkin Press, UK). Named a Best Book of the Year by two dozen publications, All You Can Ever Know was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award, a semifinalist for the PEN Open Book Award, an Indies Choice Honor Book, and an official Junior Library Guild Selection. Chung’s writing has appeared in The New York Times, The New York Times Magazine, The Guardian, GQ, TIME, Longreads, and Vulture, among others, and she also writes a weekly Care and Feeding advice column for Slate. She is the editor-in-chief of the National Magazine Award-winning Catapult magazine and the former managing editor of The Toast. Her next book is forthcoming from Ecco Books/HarperCollins. Find Nicole on Twitter: @nicolesjchung & Instagram: @nicolesjchung _________ To read more of the work by your host Melissa Guida-Richards, check out guida-richards.com, or the podcast's website adopteethoughts.com. My book is now available for preorder and in stores on October 5th! 📖What White Parents Should Know About Transracial Adoption: An Adoptee's Perspective on Its History, Nuances, and Practices Buy here! Social: Twitter Instagram Facebook Mailing List: Subscribe Here

On Episode 11 of the Adoptee Thoughts Podcast, Louise, and host, Melissa Guida-Richards discuss the unique experience as an international adoptee who grew up in an open adoption, coming out of the fog, and more. Louise's Bio: Louise Shepherd was born as “Fenny” on the island of Java, in Indonesia in 1982. At 6 months old she was adopted by a white Australian family. It was then her name was changed to Louise. The family consisted of mum, dad, two biological sons, and then Louise. Two and half years later the family adopted her sister from Seoul, South Korea. Louise grew up in Adelaide, South Australia. Louise lives on Kaurna Land. In 2009 Louise completed her Bachelors of Social Work and Social Planning. She is currently working in the Homelessness sector and has previous experience working in Child Protection. Louise feels passionate about many human rights topics, in particular the plight of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. Louise is mum to one healthy and boisterous, thriving 6-year-old little boy. She enjoys going to the beach, trying different food cuisines, and spending time with friends and family. Louise also says a good afternoon nap never goes astray either. Follow Louise on Instagram! -------- To read more of the work by your host Melissa Guida-Richards, check out guida-richards.com, or the podcast's website adopteethoughts.com. My book is now available for preorder and in stores on October 5th! 📖What White Parents Should Know About Transracial Adoption: An Adoptee's Perspective on Its History, Nuances, and Practices Buy here! Social: Twitter Instagram Facebook Mailing List: Subscribe Here

On Episode 10 of the Adoptee Thoughts Podcast, Shelley, and host, Melissa Guida-Richards discuss the intricacies of being an international adoptee, the benefits of having an adopted sibling, and the experience of being raised by a single mom. Shelley's Bio: My name is Shelley Rottenberg and I'm a Chinese adoptee. I was adopted from Zhejiang province when I was 8 months old and I now live in Southern Ontario. I have a Masters in Human Geography and am really interested in exploring the connections between people and places. I conducted research on the Lived Experiences of Chinese Adoptees in Canada for my undergraduate thesis. My desire to connect with other adoptees and to learn more about their experiences continues to grow over time. Follow Shelley on Instagram! -------- To read more of the work by your host Melissa Guida-Richards, check out guida-richards.com, or the podcast's website adopteethoughts.com. My book is now available for preorder and in stores on October 5th! 📖What White Parents Should Know About Transracial Adoption: An Adoptee's Perspective on Its History, Nuances, and Practices Social: Twitter Instagram Facebook Mailing List: Subscribe Here

On Episode 9 of the Adoptee Thoughts Podcast, Maria, and host, Melissa Guida-Richards discuss how they handled finding birth family during a pandemic, the nuances of sharing the journey with adoptive parents, and how being adopted has impacted their parenting. My name is Maria Fernanda. I am a Transracial Adoptee. I was born in Quito, Ecuador, South America. I was adopted at age 2 and brought to the United States where I have lived ever since. I have always known I was adopted, but it was not really until I was pregnant with my first child that I began to feel that I wanted to search for answers. It has been thirteen years since I began my journey to deep healing and self-discovery. Right before the world shifted due to the pandemic, I began doing more intense birth family searching. Suddenly, I found my birth mother, my birth father, and my birth siblings. The journey to healing does not end for adoptees, in fact, once the reunion occurs it is as if we go back to the beginning with everything. My hope is to share my story, connect with other adoptees, and give support. Instagram: A Butterfly Series -------- To read more of the work by your host Melissa Guida-Richards, check out guida-richards.com, or the podcast's website adopteethoughts.com. My book is now available for preorder and in stores on October 5th! 📖What White Parents Should Know About Transracial Adoption: An Adoptee's Perspective on Its History, Nuances, and Practices Social: Twitter Instagram Facebook Mailing List: Subscribe Here

On Episode 8 of the Adoptee Thoughts Podcast, Aliyah, and host, Melissa Guida-Richards discuss her experience growing up in a predominantly white community, racism, and her experience working in foster care after seeing the flaws in the system. Aliyah Santos is a TRA, writer, podcaster, and single mother of 4. After finally leaving the fog at the age of 30, Aliyah set out to heal the trauma of growing up adopted in an abusive home through world travel with her kids. Now she's made a temporary home for herself and her family in Morocco and podcasts about traveling and breaking cycles of trauma. Her podcast is 4 Kids & Me Overseas. Insta: broken2brave Facebook:broken2brave -------- To read more of the work by your host Melissa Guida-Richards, check out guida-richards.com, or the podcast's website adopteethoughts.com. My book is now available for preorder and in stores on October 5th! 📖What White Parents Should Know About Transracial Adoption: An Adoptee's Perspective on Its History, Nuances, and Practices Social: Twitter Instagram Facebook Mailing List: Subscribe Here

Episode 7: An Interview with Lauren Sharkey, adoptee & author of 'Inconvenient Daughter' In Episode 7 of the Adoptee Thoughts Podcast, Lauren and host, Melissa Guida-Richards have a chat about her debut book that reflects some of her experiences as an adoptee, how being an adoptee impacts other relationships in our lives, and her thoughts on the industry of adoption. Lauren J. Sharkey is a writer, teacher, and transracial adoptee. After her birth in South Korea, she was adopted by Irish Catholic parents and raised on Long Island. Sharkey’s creative nonfiction has appeared in the Asian American Feminist Collective’s digital storytelling project, First Times, as well as several anthologies including, I Am Strength! and Women under Scrutiny. Inconvenient Daughter is her debut novel and loosely based on her experience as a Korean adoptee. You can follow her at ljsharks.com Buy her book, INCONVENIENT DAUGHTER! Social Media: Facebook Instagram or @inconvenientdaughterInstagram Twitter @theljsharks #InconvenientDaughter -------- To read more of the work by your host Melissa Guida-Richards, check out guida-richards.com, or the podcast's website adopteethoughts.com. My book is now available for preorder and in stores on October 5th! 📖What White Parents Should Know About Transracial Adoption: An Adoptee's Perspective on Its History, Nuances, and Practices Social: Twitter Instagram Facebook Mailing List: Subscribe Here

Episode 6: An Interview with Anissa Druesedow Anissa E. Druesedow, mother, adoptee, activist, and deportee. In episode 6, she shares her story of family separation and deportation as an adoptee without citizenship. Adoptees for Justice Ways to Help -------- To read more of the work by your host Melissa Guida-Richards, check out guida-richards.com, or the podcast's website adopteethoughts.com. My book is now available for preorder and in stores on October 5th! 📖What White Parents Should Know About Transracial Adoption: An Adoptee's Perspective on Its History, Nuances, and Practices Social: Twitter Instagram Facebook Mailing List: Subscribe Here

On Episode 5 of the Adoptee Thoughts Podcast, Guida-Richards talks with Jessica and discusses her experience finding and reuniting with her birth family, her work in mentoring fellow Adoptees, and helpful advice for adoptive parents. Mentorship at Spence-Chapin: NYC based Mentorship All Together Now: Brooklyn based Mentorship Bio: Based in New York, Jessica M. Luciere (she/hers), is a mother, photographer, transracial adoptee, and adoptee advocate who has spent 15+ years working with adoptive families from all around the world. Jessica is the President of All Together Now, a mentoring program based in Brooklyn NY, and the Director of the Spence-Chapin Mentorship program in New York City, both serving adoptees and their families. Her involvement in mentorship has given her the opportunity to witness the adoptee experience from many different lenses and learn from all of those within the adoption constellation. This has been the most important work Jessica has done and she continues to develop and grow programming for this community that is so close to her heart. Email Jessica at JMLuciere.nyc@ gmail DOT com Follow her on Instagram -------- To read more of the work by your host Melissa Guida-Richards, check out guida-richards.com, or the podcast's website adopteethoughts.com. My book is now available for preorder and in stores on October 5th! 📖What White Parents Should Know About Transracial Adoption: An Adoptee's Perspective on Its History, Nuances, and Practices Social: Twitter Instagram Facebook Mailing List: Subscribe Here

On Episode 4 of the Adoptee Thoughts Podcast, I have the honor of interviewing fellow transracial adoptee, Kylie Peterson. She talks about growing up as a Black TRA with white adoptive parents and how she has been discussing race and BLM with her family during this time. Kylie also shares some great tips for fellow transracial adoptees and we delve into some great insights that are essential for adoptive parents. Find Kylie on Instagram here! -------- To read more of the work by your host Melissa Guida-Richards, check out guida-richards.com, or the podcast's website adopteethoughts.com. My book is now available for preorder and in stores on October 5th! 📖What White Parents Should Know About Transracial Adoption: An Adoptee's Perspective on Its History, Nuances, and Practices Social: Twitter Instagram Facebook Mailing List: Subscribe Here

In episode 3 we discuss adoption influencer, Myka Stauffer, and the practice of rehoming adopted children. As an adoptee with disabilities I share my opinion on Adoption influencers and why it is problematic. For more information about Stauffer and her son Huxley, check out my article on Insider- 'I was adopted outside of the US and have disabilities. I'm tired of the savior narrative among white adoptive parents.' -------- To read more of the work by your host Melissa Guida-Richards, check out guida-richards.com, or the podcast's website adopteethoughts.com. My book is now available for preorder and in stores on October 5th! 📖What White Parents Should Know About Transracial Adoption: An Adoptee's Perspective on Its History, Nuances, and Practices Social: Twitter Instagram Facebook Mailing List: Subscribe Here