Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify In this episode of the Hey, Am I Adopted podcast, hosts Emily and Gene Trowbridge with guest Stephen discuss their experiences as adoptees. They explore topics such as when they first knew they were adopted, the circumstances of their adoptions, and the relationships with their birth parents. They also delve into the complex emotions and struggles that come with being adopted, including issues of identity, abandonment, and substance abuse. Stephen shares his journey of healing and finding stability through journaling, meditation, and focusing on his own personal growth. In this conversation, Stephen shares his experience of searching for and…
Author: Emily and Gene Trowbridge
Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify In this episode, Emily and Gene Trowbridge discuss the themes of loss and grief in the context of adoption. They explore the concept of the ‘primal wound’ and how it can affect adoptees. They share their personal experiences with loss, including the death of a sibling and the loss of biological parents. They discuss how adoptees may handle loss differently and the importance of stability in their lives. They also touch on the topic of emotional attachment and the process of grieving as an adoptee.Story Notes: 🤝Loss is a major theme in adoption, starting with the ‘primal wound’ of…
Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify In this episode, Emily, Kay, and Gene Trowbridge discuss the story of Amy Trowbridge, Emily’s sister, and her struggles with adoption, addiction, and mental health. They explore how adoption may have played a role in Amy’s mental health and addiction issues. The conversation delves into Amy’s behavior changes in kindergarten, her promiscuity, feelings of emptiness and loneliness, and her suicide attempts. The Trowbridge reflect on their parenting and the impact of adoption on their family dynamics. They also discuss the importance of addressing adoption-related trauma and the need for nurturing and closeness in adoptees’ lives. This conversation delves into…
Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify In this episode, Gene and Kay Trowbridge interview their daughter Emily about her adoption story. Emily recalls asking her mom if she was adopted at a young age and how her mom confirmed it. She also remembers books that her mom read to her about adoption and how those books became a core memory for her. Emily shares the story of her adoption, including how her parents found out about her through a fortune cookie and the process of picking her up. She also discusses her feelings about being adopted, feeling special and chosen, but also experiencing moments of…
Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify In this episode, Gene Trowbridge shares his adoption journey and reflects on how being adopted has affected him. He discusses his early awareness of being adopted and the impact of the Mary Beth story, where a sibling was briefly brought into the family and then taken away. Gene shares his thoughts on loss and rejection as an adoptee and how it has shaped his perspective. He also talks about receiving his adoption papers at the age of 16 and his lack of interest in finding his biological father. In this conversation, Gene Trowbridge reflects on the influence of adoption…
Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify In this episode, Emily and Gene discuss the things that adoptees wish their adopted families knew. They explore topics such as the sense of loss that adoptees feel, the importance of grieving that loss, and the impact it can have on their ability to receive love. They also discuss the significance of thinking about their birth families, even if they don’t talk about it, and the need for open conversations about adoption. They touch on the issue of abandonment and how it can affect adoptees’ relationships. Overall, the conversation highlights the importance of understanding and empathy in adoptive families. In…
Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify n this episode, the hosts explore the question of belonging for adoptees. They discuss personal experiences of belonging and the impact of early experiences on identity. The hosts also delve into the challenges of navigating cultural differences and the search for biological parents. They touch on the influence of narratives and the impact of reunion on identity. The hosts emphasize the importance of acceptance and self-acceptance in forming a healthy sense of identity. They also discuss the unique characteristics of adoptees and the significance of publicly identifying as adopted.Overall, the episode explores the complex and multifaceted nature of adoptees’…
Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify In this episode, Emily, Gene, and Kay discuss their perspectives on meeting or searching for their biological parents. Emily expresses her lack of interest in meeting her biological parents, while Gene and Kay share their stories of searching for and reconnecting with their biological fathers. They discuss the different experiences and emotions associated with adoption, including feelings of abandonment and the desire to know one’s roots. The conversation highlights the complexity of family dynamics and the importance of understanding individual perspectives in the adoption journey. This part of the conversation explores the need to know why one was given up…
Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify In this episode, Emily and Gene Trowbridge discuss addiction in adoptees. They explore the reasons why adoptees may be more likely to become addicted, including the trauma of being separated from their biological parents at birth. They also discuss the impact of multiple placements and the need for stability in a child’s life. The conversation delves into coping mechanisms, such as substance abuse and risky sexual behavior, that some adoptees may turn to as a way to deal with their trauma. Overall, the episode sheds light on the unique challenges faced by adoptees and the importance of understanding and…
Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify In this episode, Emily, Kay, and Gene Trowbridge discuss the adoption of their daughter and sister, Amy Trowbridge. They share their experiences of the adoption process and the emotions they felt when they first met Amy. They also discuss the unique challenges and dynamics of being an adoptive family. The conversation touches on topics such as sibling relationships, identity, and the impact of adoption on mental health. The episode highlights the importance of understanding and supporting adoptive children and the need for specialized therapy and resources. This conversation delves into the complex emotions and experiences surrounding adoption, addiction, and…
Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify In this episode, Kay Trowbridge shares her unique adoption story and her journey to reconnect with her biological father. She discusses the dynamics of her family, including her stepfather and her relationship with her biological father’s wife. Kay also talks about her decision to adopt and the challenges she faced in trying to conceive. She reflects on the feelings of abandonment and the importance of creating a loving and supportive family. In this conversation, Emily and her mom, Gene, discuss various aspects of adoption and family dynamics. They explore the importance of encouraging connections with birth parents and the complexity…
Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify In this episode, Emily Trowbridge shares her adoptee journey and experiences growing up in an adoptive family. She recalls early memories of asking if she was adopted and reading adoption books. Emily discusses the adoption process and her understanding of being adopted. She reflects on her family dynamics and the adoption papers she had. Emily also talks about dealing with teasing and feeling different as an adoptee. She shares her thoughts on meeting her biological parents and her fear of not liking what they look like. The episode concludes with a discussion on tracking biological parents and the importance…