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Artwork for Adoption: The Making of Me. An Oral History of Adoptee Stories

Adoption: The Making of Me. An Oral History of Adoptee Stories

Louise Browne & Sarah Reinhardt
Adoption
Identity
Mental Health
Family Dynamics
Trauma
Transracial Adoption
Reunion
The Girls Who Went Away
Foster Care
Closed Adoption
DNA Testing
Open Adoption
Adoptee Identity
Gretchen Sisson
Healing
Healing and Empowerment
Grief
Family Reunion
Relinquished
Angela Tucker

Two adult adoptees, Sarah Reinhardt and Louise Browne, delve into all things adoption - from their perspectives as adult adoptees. Each season Sarah and Louise recap a chapter from a book centered on adoption and then interview a guest. Sarah and Louise come out of the 'fog' in real-time through Seasons One and Two and are advocating for change in the adoption industry. They want to give voice to ... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes222Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ParentingKids & FamilyPersonal JournalsSociety & Culture

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Artwork for Adoption: The Making of Me. An Oral History of Adoptee Stories

Latest Episodes

Although born and adopted in London in 1967, Anne-Grete is a Norwegian adoptee. Her birth mother happened to be there when she gave birth, and her adoptive dad was stationed at the Norwegian Embassy at the time. She had two siblings, both adopted fro... more

Samantha (Sam) Shields was born in San Francisco in 1970 and adopted from foster care as an infant. She grew up in nearby Napa knowing she was adopted, and provided many of the same platitudes as a lot of other adopted people: She wanted you to have ... more

Originally from Chicago, Gabriel is an adult adoptee, street dancer, reconnecting P’urhépecha native, founder of MoFundamentals - the only foster-adoptee-led dance program in the U.S.- and artivist dedicated to highlighting the resiliency of the fost... more

Born & adopted in 1970 as an infant, Lynn always knew she was adopted. Told the sweet stories of being chosen & special. Lynn’s story later revealed many secrets & lies. Lynn grew up in a middle-class family with both parents, teachers & a brother 8 ... more

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Recent Guests

Mary Lynn
Adoptee sharing her personal journey and search for birth family
Former foster care and adoptee
Episode: Mary Lynn: From Hidden Story to Search Angel
Virginia McQueen
Adoptee, founder of Bozeman Identity Counseling Center
Bozeman Identity Counseling Center
Episode: Virginia: Live Podcast from Austin, Texas
Monica Hall
Adoptee and author, Practically Still a Virgin: An Adoption Memoir
Self-identified adoptee community
Episode: Season 11 Finale: Monica Hall, Jesse Scott & Liz Harvie
Jesse Scott
Author of You Can't Get Rid of Me
Self-identified adoptee community
Episode: Season 11 Finale: Monica Hall, Jesse Scott & Liz Harvie
Liz Harvie
Author of The Silent Truth Behind My Lifelong Trauma as a Forced Adoptee; co-founder of Adults Adoptee Movement (UK)
Adults Adoptee Movement
Episode: Season 11 Finale: Monica Hall, Jesse Scott & Liz Harvie
Jan Schiffer
Author of Finding the Rest of Me
Episode: Jan: Hidden in Plain Sight
Dr. Abby Hasberry
Domestic transracial adoptee and birth parent who explores the complexities of adoption
Episode: Abby: Live Podcast from Washington, D.C.
Mee Oak
Adoptee and ayahuasca retreat facilitator
Episode: Mee Ok: A Curious Soul Turns to Healing
Cameron Lee Small
Licensed clinical counselor and transracial adoptee, author of The Adoptee's Journey from Loss and Trauma to Healing and Empowerment.
Therapy Redeemed
Episode: Cameron Lee Small: The Adoptee's Journey: Season 10 Finale

Hosts

Sarah Reinhardt
Host with co-host, adoptee-led perspective; focuses on candid conversations about adoption and advocacy.
Louise Browne
Co-host and adoptee with a focus on open dialogue and advocacy within the adoptee community.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 203 ratings
  • Neshia and responsible

    I'm concerned after listening to this episode. Please be cautious of being exploitative of someone's trauma. I know that's not your intent . There is a bigger duty here that must be addressed. I hope you have some guidelines for the ethical use of these stories.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Science is sexy
    United States3 months ago
  • The Preeminent Adoptee podcast

    As a two-time adoptee by two different families (no, there isn’t an award for this achievement—I checked), I approached this podcast uncertain of my expectations or where the discussions might lead.

    I was seeking stories from adoptees, told in their own voices, that could help me feel there was a common thread within our shared experiences of adoption and the complex feelings that often accompany it.

    I found exactly what I was looking for in Adoption: The Making of Me podcast. Sarah and Louise... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    mhayslip
    United Statesa year ago
  • An Essential Platform

    As an adoptee, I return to this podcast each new episode for a number of beneficial reasons. To start, this is one among a handful of adoptee-led podcasts that creates a space that is so important to me - one where the voice of the adoptee is central to storytelling. Within this space, I have been fortunate enough to listen to very vulnerable moments from folks’ lives, with an open heart, of course, since many of the plot points in their journeys reflect versions of those in my life. And even wh... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    tent_stream
    United States2 years ago
  • Constant interruptions

    This is frustrating to listen to, as these ladies constantly interrupt the person telling the story. You just want to scream, shut up, so you can hear the story.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    frustratedbyusBank
    United States2 years ago
  • Transformative podcast!

    A friend told me about The Making of Me and after listening to one episode, I was hooked. As an 1960’s baby scoop era adoptee, listening to other adoptees share their stories with honesty and authenticity has been a validation of the feelings and struggles I’ve had my entire life. I found my people and I’m so deeply grateful! I never miss an episode! A giant thanks to podcasters Sarah and Louise for keeping it real and stepping up to help us share, connect and heal!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AZ Christina
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Fans highlight the community-building and advocacy relevance, including book-club-style segments.
Some critique rhythm and interruptions during conversations, suggesting pacing could improve clarity.
Listeners praise the candid, survivor-centered storytelling and the adoptee-led perspective.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Annette: A Fragile Beginning
Q: So did your journey stop there or have you now decided, okay, I am interested in knowing?
I am hoping to adopt and I will certainly want him or her to have all kinds of experiences with me, but I don't want to ever negate what she or he has had with her previous life.
Mary: Turning Questions into Advocacy
Q: Did she confirm your father?
We've never talked about it, she's never told me the story of her being pregnant.
Mary: Turning Questions into Advocacy
Q: Did they just tell you the normal things that they told you in that era?
I don't even think I got that she loved you so much; I think it was just like she couldn't take care of you or she couldn't keep you.
Mary: Turning Questions into Advocacy
Q: How was your childhood with your parents?
It was good. I mean, they were good to me and I never went without anything.
Doug: Digging for Truth, Finding Belonging
Q: How did your adoptive parents react to your interest in reconnecting with your birth family?
Doug shares that his adoptive parents were supportive but did not fully grasp the emotional complexities involved at the time.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Two adoptee hosts lead candid conversations about adoption from the perspective of adult adoptees, often pairing readings from adoption-focused books with interviews of adoptee guests. Episodes center on personal journeys through relinquishment, reunions, open vs. closed adoption, and the broader systems shaping adoption narratives. Guests frequently blend lived experience with advocacy, exploring topics like open records, kinship, identity, trauma, and healing through storytelling. A standout pattern is the use of a book-club-esque segment at the start, followed by intimate guest interviews, which creates a thoughtful, emotionally honest space for exploring complex adoption dynamics. The show is likely to appeal to adoptees, birth families... more

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Which podcasts are similar to this podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. Adoptees On
2. NPE Stories
3. DNA Surprises
4. Once Upon A Time...In Adopteeland
5. Because She's Adopted Podcast

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 5 years ago and published 222 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Mary Lynn
2. Virginia McQueen
3. Monica Hall
4. Jesse Scott
5. Liz Harvie
6. Jan Schiffer
7. Dr. Abby Hasberry
8. Mee Oak

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