In this episode of the Hey, Am I Adopted? podcast, host Emily and Gene Trowbridge speaks with Thomas Mason about his adoption story. Thomas shares his experiences growing up adopted, the curiosity he had about his biological family, and the impact of adoption on his identity. He discusses the challenges of not having a medical history and how he navigated his teenage years with the knowledge of being adopted. The conversation also touches on the emotional aspects of connecting with biol...

In this episode of the Hey, Am I Adopted? podcast, hosts Emily, Gene, and Kay Trowbridge discuss the complexities of Mother's Day from the perspective of adoptees. They explore the emotional challenges that many adoptees face on this day, contrasting their experiences with those of birth mothers. The conversation delves into the significance of biological and adoptive relationships, the societal influences on adoption narratives, and the concept of being "chosen" in the context of adopt...

In this episode of the Hey, Am I Adopted? podcast, hosts Gene and Emily Trowbridge discuss Emily and her husband David's journey into adoption. They explore the foster to adopt program they are entering, the personal motivations behind their decision, and the unique challenges and considerations that come with adopting older children. The conversation also touches on generational adoption stories within their family, the importance of family support, and the financial aspects of the adop...

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 comp...

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 nar...

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 ex...

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 in...

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 jo...

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 conver...

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, ...

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 person...

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,...

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 complexitie...

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 be...

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 fam...

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 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 ...

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, em...

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 ...

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 conversa...