On today's episode, Spence-Chapin Senior Manager of Client Services, Joseph Hall, who works in post-adoption records and resources, is joined by Damon Davis, the host of the Who Am I Really? podcast, where adopted people share their stories of adoption and their attempt to find their birth families. On this special episode, Damon and Joseph both discuss personal stories, as well as some of the challenges adopted people face in their search and reunion journeys, and why sharing these experiences can be so important.

Spence-Chapin intern Kate Lodge and long-time friend, E, both adopted from China into transracial families, discuss memories of their first years of life in China and their experiences with 23&me, microagressions, meeting other adoptees, and reconnecting with their heritage.

Welcome to our final installment of our special series for National Adoption Awareness Month. While the month of November is coming to a close, there are so many more voices connected to adoption that we want to share, so look for more Stories of the Constellation episodes in the coming months! This week we feature a story from a late-discovery adoptee, which means that the adoptee learned that they were adopted later in their life. Melissa Guida-Richards, an author, transracial adoptee, and advocate, shares her experience and her motivation for writing her latest book, What White Parents Should Know about Transracial Adoption, and its forthcoming workbook component.  Listen as she shares her journey with Spence-Chapin Community Programming Manager, Jessica Luciere. 

Welcome to another episode in our very special National Adoption Awareness Month series, Stories of the Constellation. While traditionally we may think about the adoption community as all being members of the so-called "triad," the truth is that there are many individuals who are touched by adoption beyond the birth parents, adoptive parents, and adoptees. These may be partners of adoptees, biological siblings of adoptees, extended family members, and many more.  This week we focus on the relationship between Danielle, an adoptee, and her biological half-sister, Madison, who was raised by the birth parent Danielle had been searching for. Together, the sisters discuss the moment they learned they had a sister and how their relationship has evolved since. 

If you or someone you know is searching for biological relatives or navigating a new relationship after a search and reunion, our team of adoption-competent therapists are here to help you navigate any challenges or concerns you may have. To learn more, contact us at info www.spence-chapin.org/therapy or call 646-539-2167. We're here for you.

Welcome to another episode in our very special National Adoption Awareness Month series, Stories of the Constellation. This week we feature a story about kinship adoption, which refers to a formal legal adoption process of a child by their relative or kin, such as a grandparent, aunt or uncle. What many may not know about kinship adoption is that the process is the same as a non-kin adoption, which can come as a surprise and a challenge for many families, especially in cases where the adoption is international and is prompted by the death of a child's main caregiver, creating real urgency in moving the adoption along. This was the case for Blondene, who shares her story on today's episode. 

If you or someone you know needs support in a kinship adoption, our team of adoption experts is here to support you. We can provide guidance and resources to get you started, conduct your home study, and provide counseling and other support to ensure a smooth transition for your family. To learn more, contact us at info at www.spence-chapin.org or call 212-369-0300.

On today's episode, we hear from filmmaker and adoptee, Rebecca Autumn Samson, who, along with her biological mother, Jill Hawkins, have released a feature-length documentary called Reckoning with the Primal Wound, which explores the 1993 book by Nancy Verrier, The Primal Wound, which has sparked discussion and interest in the adoption community for almost two decades. Rebecca shares with us her personal and professional journey in making the film, and the reactions from viewers she has received along the way. Let's get started!

www.reckoningwiththeprimalwound.com/

Welcome to the first episode of a very special National Adoption Awareness month series, Stories of the Constellation, where each week we will be highlighting the diverse and unique stories of individuals and families connected to adoption. This is the first of a four-part series discussing Search and Reunion, Kinship Adoption, Sibling Perspectives, and Adoptee Voices.

We'll first be speaking with Paulette, a Spence-Chapin adoptee who learned she was adopted as an adult and spent decades searching for her birth family. Originally interviewed for a blog series on our website, Rocky Road to Reunion, Paulette's journey had her crossing the country, utilizing DNA testing, and fighting legal barriers. We are pleased to share the conversation between Spence-Chapin's Alexandra Poirier and Paulette, where she shares her remarkable story.

Prompted by new research published by the National Council for Adoption, today's episode brings together its President and CEO, Ryan Hanlon, with author, columnist and Resident Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, Naomi Riley, to discuss with Spence-Chapin CEO Kate Trambitskaya, the state of adoption today, the child welfare system, and issues facing the adoption community. Let's get started.