Author: Emily and Gene Trowbridge

Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify  In this episode of the Hey Am I Adopted podcast, hosts Emily, Gene, and Kay Trowbridge delve into the complexities of adoption through personal anecdotes and reflections. They explore the emotional nuances of being adopted, the challenges of identity, and the risks involved in searching for biological parents. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding family dynamics and the impact of adoption on relationships. In this episode, Gene and Emily Trowbridge delve into the complexities of family dynamics, particularly in the context of adoption. They explore the significance of familial roots, the emotional challenges of navigating relationships, and the…

Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify In this episode of the Hey, Am I Adopted podcast, hosts Emily and Gene Trowbridge reflect on their journey over the past year, discussing the purpose of their podcast, which focuses on adoption from the adoptee’s perspective. They share insights on adoption statistics, personal experiences, and the importance of community engagement in sharing adoption stories. The conversation emphasizes the emotional complexities of adoption and encourages listeners to connect and share their own narratives. Story Notes: The podcast aims to highlight the adoptee’s perspective on adoption. Adoption stories can vary greatly even within the same family. Statistics show a decline…

Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify  In this episode of the Hey, Am I Adopted podcast, hosts Emily and Gene Trowbridge delve into the complexities of adoption, focusing on the implications of being told or not told about one’s adoption. They explore themes of identity, the emotional impact of adoption, and the relationship between adoption and addiction. Through personal anecdotes and reflections, they discuss the importance of open conversations about adoption and the feelings of loss and connection that often accompany the experience.  The episode emphasizes the need for understanding and empathy in discussions surrounding adoption, highlighting that regardless of when someone learns about their…

Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify In this follow-up episode of the Hey! Am I Adopted podcast, hosts Emily and Gene Trowbridge continue the conversation on unexpected family discoveries. This time, they sit down with Rob, who shares his emotional journey of uncovering his biological family through DNA testing. Building on themes from the previous episode, Rob reflects on growing up in a large family, the secrets that shaped his identity, and the life-changing impact of finding his true heritage. The discussion delves deeper into the complexities of family dynamics, the power of connection, and the emotional challenges of embracing newfound relatives. Rob’s story highlights the significance…

Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify In this episode of the Hey Am I Adopted podcast, host Emily Trowbridge engages with brothers Johnny and Jimmy, who share their unique reverse adoption story. They discuss their experiences with ancestry research, the surprising discovery of a new family member, and the emotional dynamics that come with such revelations. The conversation delves into the importance of family connections, the impact of secrets, and the curiosity that drives individuals to seek out their roots. Through their journey, they highlight the significance of understanding family history and navigating new relationships with empathy and care. In this engaging conversation, Emily Trowbridge…

Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify  In this episode of the Hey, Am I Adopted podcast, Gene Trowbridge and his family engage in a heartfelt discussion with several guests about their personal adoption stories. The conversation explores the motivations behind sharing these stories, the impact of community and connection among adoptees, and the complexities of biological relationships. Each guest brings a unique perspective, highlighting the importance of openness and education in the adoption journey. In this episode, the conversation delves into the complexities of adoption, exploring personal journeys of discovery, family connections, and the emotional impacts of being adopted. The speakers share their experiences with…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…