Voices of Adoption amplifies authentic stories from across the adoption triad - birth parents, adoptees, and adoptive families - along with adoption service providers. Host Donna Pope, Executive Director of Heart To Heart Adoptions and Clinical Mental Health Counselor and her co-host Nathan Gwilliam, founder & former CEO of Adoption.com, create a safe space for honest conversations about the complexities of adoption. Birth parents share their journeys of love, loss, and healing. Adoptees discuss identity, belonging, and their lived experiences. Adoptive families open up about challenges and beautiful moments. Adoption service providers offer insights from their professional experience supporting families throughout the process. Each episode bridges different perspectives within the adoption community, helping listeners understand that every adoption story is unique yet connected by common threads of resilience and hope. These conversations don't shy away from difficult emotions or complex questions. Instead, they honor the full spectrum of adoption experiences with empathy and respect. Join us for stories that educate, inspire understanding, and remind us that every voice in the adoption community matters.
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Voices of Adoption amplifies authentic stories from across the adoption triad - birth parents, adoptees, and adoptive families - along with adoption service providers. Host Donna Pope, Executive Director of Heart To Heart Adoptions and Clinical Mental Health Counselor and her co-host Nathan Gwilliam, founder & former CEO of Adoption.com, create a safe space for honest conversations about the complexities of adoption. Birth parents share their journeys of love, loss, and healing. Adoptees discuss identity, belonging, and their lived experiences. Adoptive families open up about challenges and beautiful moments. Adoption service providers offer insights from their professional experience supporting families throughout the process. Each episode bridges different perspectives within the adoption community, helping listeners understand that every adoption story is unique yet connected by common threads of resilience and hope. These conversations don't shy away from difficult emotions or complex questions. Instead, they honor the full spectrum of adoption experiences with empathy and respect. Join us for stories that educate, inspire understanding, and remind us that every voice in the adoption community matters.
In this episode of Voices of Adoption, hosts Donna Pope and Nathan Gwilliam welcome Laurie James, author and somatic relationship coach, who shares her transformation story chronicled in her memoir "Sandwiched" about overcoming a lifetime of feeling like an outsider.
Guarded Hearts
Growing up, Laurie sensed an unexplained distance between herself and her adoptive mother despite clear signs of love. This puzzling dynamic remained a mystery until a car ride conversation with her aging father in her 40s revealed the truth behind her mother's guarded heart.
Double Tragedy
Laurie learned she was the third attempt at bringing a daughter into their home. Her adoptive mother had endured the stillbirth of a baby girl, followed by the heartbreak of losing another adopted daughter when the birth mother changed her mind months later. These devastating losses created a mother too wounded to risk full attachment again.
Ultimate Betrayal
Years later, Laurie's husband secretly searched for and contacted her birth mother despite her clear wishes against reunion. This violation by the person meant to protect her triggered deep abandonment wounds and ultimately contributed to the end of their 26-year marriage.
Medical Pandora
After her divorce, Laurie's health collapsed dramatically. Mysterious symptoms landed her in the hospital twice before a friend introduced her to Somatic Experiencing Therapy. Through this body-based healing approach, she discovered that adoption trauma had been stored in her nervous system for decades and learned practical tools for regulation and recovery.
Transform loneliness into lasting connection. Tune in to discover the process that helped Laurie heal decades of trauma and find her tribe. Don't miss future episodes that could change your adoption journey. Join thousands of "Voices" finding healing, hope, and community through the Voices of Adoption, today and SUBSCRIBE.
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Follow Laurie James:
Website: LaurieeJames.com
https://www.laurieejames.com/
LinkedIn: @lauire-james
https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurie-james-8336a0168/
Book: "Sandwiched"
https://www.amazon.com/Sandwiched-Memoir-Holding-Letting-Go/dp/1631527851
Apple Podcast: Confessions of a Freebird ... https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/confessions-of-a-freebird-midlife-divorce-heal/id1694026063
Laurie James' free Guide - “Beginner’s Guide to Somatic Healing."
https://laurieejames.myflodesk.com/bgtsh
Listen to Dr. Vivek Murthy's podcast on Loneliness and Connection:
https://brenebrown.com/podcast/dr-vivek-murthy-and-brene-on-loneliness-and-connection/
Voices of Adoption
Voices of Adoption amplifies authentic stories from across the adoption triad - birth parents, adoptees, and adoptive families - along with adoption service providers. Host Donna Pope, Executive Director of Heart To Heart Adoptions and Clinical Mental Health Counselor and her co-host Nathan Gwilliam, founder & former CEO of Adoption.com, create a safe space for honest conversations about the complexities of adoption. Birth parents share their journeys of love, loss, and healing. Adoptees discuss identity, belonging, and their lived experiences. Adoptive families open up about challenges and beautiful moments. Adoption service providers offer insights from their professional experience supporting families throughout the process. Each episode bridges different perspectives within the adoption community, helping listeners understand that every adoption story is unique yet connected by common threads of resilience and hope. These conversations don't shy away from difficult emotions or complex questions. Instead, they honor the full spectrum of adoption experiences with empathy and respect. Join us for stories that educate, inspire understanding, and remind us that every voice in the adoption community matters.
