Author: Emily and Gene Trowbridge

Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify  In this recap episode of the Hey, Am I Adopted podcast, hosts Emily, Kay, and Gene Trowbridge discuss the multifaceted world of adoption, reflecting on their personal experiences and the common themes that arise in the stories of adoptees. They explore core characteristics of adoptees, including feelings of loss, rejection, shame, and guilt, and how these traits impact identity and relationships. The conversation also delves into the importance of advocacy and support from adoptive parents, the emotional complexities surrounding the search for biological parents, and the significance of community among adoptees. In this episode, Emily and Gene explore the…

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Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify In this episode of the Hey, Am I Adopted? podcast, Gene and Emily Trowbridge engage in a heartfelt conversation with Caroline about her adoption journey from Taiwan to Canada and her experiences growing up as an adopted child. Caroline shares her early life, the challenges of cultural identity, and her emotional journey of reconnecting with her birth family. The discussion highlights the complexities of adoption, the importance of family dynamics, and the impact of cultural heritage on personal identity. In this engaging conversation, the speakers delve into the multifaceted emotions surrounding adoption, exploring themes of self-esteem, family dynamics, and…

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Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify  In this episode of the Hey, Am I Adopted podcast, Gene and Emily Trowbridge revisit their conversation with Mike, an adoptee who has dedicated his life to understanding and advocating for adoption. The discussion delves into Mike’s personal experiences with abandonment, family dynamics, and the impact of being adopted. Mike shares his unique perspective on abandonment, viewing it as a new adventure rather than a loss. The conversation also explores the relationships between adopted siblings, the influence of foster care, and the importance of names in shaping identity. Throughout the episode, themes of adaptability, resilience, and the complexities of…

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Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify In this episode of the Hey, Am I Adopted? podcast, hosts Gene and Emily Trowbridge engage in a heartfelt conversation with Rye, who shares his adoption story and the unexpected journey of discovering a half-sister through DNA testing. Rye reflects on his loving upbringing, the impact of losing his mother, and the curiosity that arose during the COVID pandemic when he connected with his half-sister Megan. The discussion delves into themes of family dynamics, identity, and the complexities of adoption, highlighting the importance of intergenerational storytelling and the bonds formed through shared experiences. Story Notes: 🤝He always knew he…

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Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify  In this episode of the Hey, Am I Adopted podcast, Mike shares his profound journey through adoption, reflecting on his experiences as an adoptee and later as an adoptive parent. He discusses the emotional complexities of his early life, the challenges of parenting adopted children, and the societal perceptions surrounding adoption. Through heartfelt anecdotes, Mike emphasizes the importance of love, responsibility, and the unique bond formed in adoptive families, while also advocating for better legal rights for adoptive parents. In this episode, Mike Bradley shares his personal adoption story, discussing the dynamics of open and closed adoptions, the feelings…

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Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify In this episode of the Hey, Am I Adopted? podcast, Gene, Kay, and Emily engage in a heartfelt conversation with Scott, an adoptee who shares his unique journey of adoption, reconnection with his biological father, and the complexities of family dynamics. The discussion delves into the emotional aspects of being adopted, the challenges of relationships, and the impact of identity on personal experiences. Scott’s story highlights the importance of open communication and understanding within families, especially in the context of adoption. In this conversation, Scott shares his experiences as an adoptee, discussing the complexities of relationships with biological parents…

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Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify  In this episode of the Hey, Am I Adopted podcast, hosts Emily, Gene, and Kay Trowbridge reflect on their journey through adoption discussions over the past 30 episodes. They explore the emotional impact of sharing personal stories, the search for biological families, and the importance of community and connection among adoptees. The conversation delves into the primal wound theory, family dynamics, and the lessons learned from their interviews, emphasizing the need for stability and openness in adoptive families. They conclude with thoughts on curiosity and the common experiences shared among adoptees, while inviting listeners to embrace intergenerational storytelling.Story Notes:…

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Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify  In this episode of the Hey, Am I Adopted? podcast, Gene Trowbridge and his daughter Emily engage in a heartfelt conversation with Jamie about her adoption journey. Jamie shares her experiences growing up adopted, her feelings of self-worth, and her eventual search for her birth parents. The discussion delves into the complexities of identity, the impact of caregivers, and the healing journey through ayahuasca. Jamie’s story highlights the emotional struggles and triumphs of being adopted, as well as the importance of connection and understanding in the adoption community.Story Notes: 🤝Jamie was adopted before she was born. 🤝She always knew…

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Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify  In this episode, hosts Emily and Gene Trowbridge engage in a heartfelt conversation with Laura Templeton about her adoption journey. Laura shares her experiences growing up knowing she was adopted, her search for her biological family, and the emotional connections she has made along the way. The discussion delves into themes of identity, the impact of adoption on family dynamics, and the importance of understanding one’s roots. Laura offers valuable insights and advice for other adoptees, emphasizing the significance of embracing one’s unique story and the connections that come with it. Story Notes: 🤝Laura has always known she was…

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Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify  In this episode, hosts Emily and Gene Trowbridge engage in a heartfelt conversation with Jessi, who shares her unique adoption story. Jessi was adopted by her biological aunt and uncle at the age of 12 after experiencing a tumultuous childhood marked by her mother’s struggles with addiction. The discussion delves into the complexities of family dynamics, the impact of foster care, and the importance of stability in the lives of adoptees. Jessi reflects on her relationships, trust issues, and the challenges of blending families as a parent. The episode concludes with Jessi offering advice to young adoptees, emphasizing the…

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Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify  In this episode we talked about Sharon’s adoption story and her journey to reconnect with her biological family. Sharon shares her earliest memory of being in a building in downtown Chicago and later finding out that it was the day she signed her adoption papers. She talks about the moment she found out she was adopted at the age of four and how it didn’t affect her much. Sharon also discusses her passion for figure skating and how it provided an escape and stability in her life. The conversation touches on the nature versus nurture debate and the importance…

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Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify Ryan shares his adoption story, highlighting the circumstances surrounding his adoption and his relationship with his birth mother. He discusses how he never felt abandoned and always understood that his birth mother made the best decision for him. Ryan also talks about his curiosity about his biological family and his journey to connect with them. He shares his experience of meeting his birth mother and extended family, and how it felt to be in a room with people who look like him. Ryan emphasizes that while he appreciates his biological family, he feels more connected to the family he…

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