In this episode of Adoptees Crossing Lines, Zaira is joined by Ashley Albert—organizer, survivor, and founder of Stolen Children’s Month. Ashley shares her journey from foster care and incarceration to becoming the first parent in Washington state to legally enforce and modify an open adoption agreement. Together, they speak truth to power about the family policing system, the Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA), and the necessity of abolition. This conversation is about legacy, resistance, and the spiritual practice of staying alive and dangerous in the face of erasure.In this episode, we cover:(00:22) Ashley’s story of survival and her legal breakthrough in Washington State.(06:08) What it really takes to fight for your children—and what the system demands.(09:50) Why Ashley created Stolen Children’s Month and what it means to bear witness.(21:20) The truth about ASFA, adoption incentives, and systemic erasure.(34:30) Spiritual resistance, healing justice, and caring for ourselves as abolitionists.(45:17) Messages for survivors, caregivers, and anyone who's ever felt broken by the system.Connect with Ashley Albert & Stolen Children’s Month: Instagram: @stolenchildrensmonth Website: stolenchildrensmonth.comWork With Me: Email adopteescrossinglines@gmail.com for brand partnerships and business inquiries.Editing by J. Way (AV Editor) Special thanks to J. Way for editing this podcast. To collaborate with her, email jwayedits@gmail.com.

In this episode of Adoptees Crossing Lines, Zaira sits down with her editor and friend J Way to reflect on their experience attending the Black Mothers March in Washington, D.C. From the powerful teach in and the emotional impact of firsthand stories to the joyful moments of community and connection, they unpack what it means to organize, to protest, and to be witnessed. Together, they talk about the dystopian reality we’re living in, the role of media in shaping narratives around adoption and family policing, and how they’re carrying the work forward.In this episode, we cover:(00:22) The power of the Black Mothers March and what made the teach-in so impactful. 06:54) Surveillance, storytelling, and the intersections of state control and care.(11:26) Joy, organizing, and finding community as resistance.(20:39) Reproductive justice, dystopia, and the erasure of Black mothers.(33:40) What we’re carrying forward—and what comes next.Call To Action:Subscribe to Adoptees Crossing Lines wherever you listen to podcasts. Follow us on social media and Substack for more content and community:Website: adopteescrossinglines.comInstagram: @adopteescrossinglinesBlueSky: adopteecrossing.bsky.socialTikTok: @adopteescrossinglines_Substack: Adoptees Crossing Lines SubstackConnect with J Way: TikTok: @itsyagirl_jway BlueSky: @itsjway.bsky.socialWork With Me: Email adopteescrossinglines@gmail.com for brand partnerships and business inquiries.Editing by J. Way (AV Editor) Special thanks to J. Way for editing this podcast. To collaborate with her, email jwayedits@gmail.com.

In this episode of Adoptees Crossing Lines, Zaira sits down with Kat Shahinian-Buffa to explore the layers of secrecy, grief, and reclamation embedded in kinship adoption. From being adopted the day she was born to uncovering that her sister is also her cousin through a DNA test, Kat walks us through her journey of survival, family deception, and international discovery. Together, they dig into the ways adoption alters identity, why even kinship adoption can be deeply harmful, and what it means to raise yourself.In this episode, we cover:(00:20) Kat’s adoption story, growing up with five siblings, and being raised by her biological uncle’s wife.(06:54) Realizing the burden of being “chosen,” perfectionism, and being othered in her adoptive family.(17:37) How DNA tests blew open family secrets—including discovering her sister is also her cousin.(27:15) Why even kinship adoption isn’t inherently safer or healthier—and how it distorts medical history and relationships.(42:10) The long road to healing, mental health support, and raising yourself.Call To Action: Subscribe to Adoptees Crossing Lines wherever you listen to podcasts. Follow us on social media and Substack for more content and community:Website: adopteescrossinglines.comInstagram: @adopteescrossinglinesBlueSky: adopteecrossing.bsky.socialTikTok: @adopteescrossinglines_Substack: Adoptees Crossing Lines SubstackConnect with Kat Shahinian-Buffa: Instagram: @kadasarus BlueSky: @kadasaurus.bsky.socialWork With Me: Email adopteescrossinglines@gmail.com for brand partnerships and business inquiries.Editing by J. Way (AV Editor) Special thanks to J. Way for editing this podcast. To collaborate with her, email jwayedits@gmail.com.

In this powerful episode, attorney and pro-Black adoptee Aretha Frazier shares her story of being adopted by her aunt in a kinship placement that was far from simple. From navigating family loyalty and control to confronting abuse and the myth of gratitude, Aretha opens up about what it really meant to grow up in a household where blood ties didn’t guarantee safety or care. She and Zaira dive deep into the complexities of kinship adoption, family dynamics, and what it means to center adoptees—especially Black adoptees—in every conversation. This is a raw, necessary look at the assumptions we carry about family, care, and who gets to be believed.

In this episode of Adoptees Crossing Lines, Zaira is joined by her editor, cinephile, and dear friend J Way. Together, they dive into how adoption narratives are portrayed in film and television, from tropes like the “grateful orphan” to more realistic depictions of systemic harm. J Way shares their experience as a transracial adoptee, the cultural erasure they endured, and the healing power of chosen family, storytelling, and visual media. This powerful conversation unpacks the surveillance, silence, and saviorism that often surround adoption—and what it means to reclaim your story through art and truth.In this episode, we cover:(00:28) J Way’s story: growing up adopted with two sisters in a white household (03:11) Surveillance, culture loss, and being banned from speaking Spanish (05:33) How film became a safe space and helped process adoption trauma (08:49) Media critiques: from Queen’s Gambit tropes to Atlanta’s searing truths (14:52) Social media, saviorism, and adoption propaganda (31:38) Love beyond biology: Zaira’s documentary vision on family policing (37:33) The harm and manipulation of “open” adoptions (47:07) “It’s not about blood”: media rhetoric, savior narratives, and erasureCall To Action:Subscribe to Adoptees Crossing Lines on your favorite podcast platform. Follow us on social media, and subscribe to our Substack for deeper content and community.Website: adopteescrossinglines.comInstagram: @adopteescrossinglinesTikTok: @adopteescrossinglines_BlueSky: adopteecrossing.bsky.socialSubstack: Adoptees Crossing Lines SubstackConnect with J Way:TikTok: @its_yagirl_jwayBluesky: @itsjway.bsky.socialWork With Me:Email adopteescrossinglines@gmail.com for brand partnerships, sponsorships, or collaboration inquiries.Editing by J WaySpecial thanks to J Way for editing this episode. To collaborate with her, email jwayedits@gmail.com.

In this solo episode of Adoptees Crossing Lines, Zaira dives deep into the power and necessity of mutual aid. Drawing from personal reflection, historical examples like the Black Panther Party and the Young Lords, and global efforts from Sudan to Florida, this episode highlights how mutual aid has always been about survival. Zaira explores how mutual aid rejects systems of exploitation and centers community care as a form of resistance—especially for marginalized communities continuously neglected by the state.In this episode, we cover: (00:20) What mutual aid is, how it differs from charity, and why it’s essential for survival. (05:13) Historical examples of mutual aid in action—from the Black Panther Party to the Young Lords. (12:35) How mutual aid shows up today across the globe and in local communities. (17:36) The call to practice mutual aid in our daily lives and how storytelling is a form of digital resistance.Call To Action: Subscribe to Adoptees Crossing Lines wherever you listen to podcasts, follow us on social media, and subscribe to our Substack for more content and community:Website: adopteescrossinglines.com Instagram: @adopteescrossinglines BlueSky: adopteecrossing.bsky.social TikTok: @adopteescrossinglines_ Substack: Adoptees Crossing Lines SubstackListen to these episodes next:Community: A powerful solo episode exploring the importance of community for adoptees and system-impacted people—how it’s built, sustained, and why it’s critical for healing.Work With Me: Email adopteescrossinglines@gmail.com for brand partnerships and business inquiries.Editing by J. Way (AV Editor)Special thanks to J. Way for editing the podcast. To collaborate with her, email her at jwayedits@gmail.com.

Adoptee Storytelling & Film AdvocacyIn this episode of Adoptees Crossing Lines, Zaira sits down with Alexandra, a British and American domestic transracial adoptee who grew up in her birth country of Hong Kong. Alexandra is the festival director of the Adoptee Film Fest, a global in-person and online film festival amplifying adoptee-centered films by adoptee filmmakers. They discuss her journey of navigating identity, community, and storytelling, and how the Adoptee Film Fest came to be. Alexandra shares her experience of growing up in a segregated society, her birth search, and the importance of creating adoptee-centered spaces in media.In this episode, we cover:(00:20) Introduction to Alexandra and her background as a British and American domestic transracial adoptee. (03:13) The impact of growing up in Hong Kong and navigating identity in a segregated society. (10:19) Alexandra’s birth search journey and the challenges of finding community and validation. (20:27) The inception of the Adoptee Film Fest and its importance for the adoptee community. (27:37) The role of storytelling and community building through film. (38:03) Alexandra’s reflections on adoptee representation in media and future plans for the Adoptee Film Fest.Call To Action:Subscribe to Adoptees Crossing Lines wherever you listen to podcasts, follow us on social media, and subscribe to our Substack for more content and community:Website: adopteescrossinglines.com Instagram: @adopteescrossinglines BlueSky: adopteecrossing.bsky.social TikTok: @adopteescrossinglines_ Substack: Adoptees Crossing Lines SubstackWork With Me:Email adopteescrossinglines@gmail.com for brand partnerships and business inquiries.Editing by J. Way (AV Editor) Special thanks to J. Way for editing the podcast. To collaborate with her, email her at jwayedits@gmail.com.

Root Work and Resilience: The Fight for Black FamiliesIn this episode of Adoptees Crossing Lines, Zaira sits down with Tamara and Tracey Robertson, sisters, healers, and advocates serving as Healers in Residence with Movement for Family Power. Together, they discuss their journey of resisting the harms of the family policing system, while centering Black birth traditions, ancestral wisdom, and community healing. From childhood foundations of faith and service to their powerful doula work, this conversation is a testament to the resilience and power of Black families protecting their own.In this episode, we cover:(03:03) What led Tamara and Tracey to do the healing work they do today.(07:41) Their introduction to the family policing system and how it fueled their advocacy.(16:02) Tamara’s story of caring for her brother and keeping him out of the system.(22:04) Doula work and challenges Black families face during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care.(32:10) The erasure of Black birth traditions and the need for advocacy in hospital settings.(39:32) What it means to be a Healer in Residence with Movement for Family Power and disrupting the family policing system through love and community.Call To Action:Subscribe to Adoptees Crossing Lines wherever you listen to podcasts, follow us on social media, and subscribe to our Substack for more content and community:Website: adopteescrossinglines.comInstagram: @adopteescrossinglinesBlueSky: adopteecrossing.bsky.socialTikTok: @adopteescrossinglines_Substack: Adoptees Crossing Lines SubstackConnect with Tamara Robertson:Instagram: @queeeentamEmail: healer@movementforfamilypower.orgMovement for Family Power: movementforfamilypower.orgListen to these episodes next:Alan’s Episode: An insightful conversation with Alan, an abolitionist and advocate deeply rooted in efforts to dismantle the family policing system. Alan shares their journey of understanding the harmful impacts of the system, their personal experiences, and their vision for transformative change.Dorothy Roberts’ Episode: A powerful interview with Dorothy Roberts, acclaimed scholar and author of Torn Apart. Dorothy discusses the historical and present-day harms of the family policing system, offering a compelling argument for abolition and highlighting how systemic racism continues to harm Black families.Work With Me:Email adopteescrossinglines@gmail.com for brand partnerships and business inquiries.Editing by J. Way (AV Editor)Special thanks to J. Way for editing the podcast. To collaborate with her, email her at jwayedits@gmail.com.

In this episode, we explore the complexities of adoption, privilege, and the narratives that shape our understanding of family. Through personal stories and critical reflections, we unpack the ways in which adoption is often framed as an unquestionable good while overlooking the systemic issues at play. We discuss the intersection of race, class, and power in adoption, the impact on adoptees, and the importance of centering their voices. This conversation challenges dominant narratives and invites listeners to consider the broader implications of adoption beyond individual experiences. 

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Send us a textKeshia The child welfare system is waging war on Black families, and Keshia Adeniyi-Dorsey is on the front lines. In this episode, she shares her journey from foster child to family defender, exposing the racist roots of CPS and the urgent need for change.Keisha breaks down her tactics for protecting families during CPS investigations, from refusing home entry to shutting down fishing expeditions. Her success rates are fantastic: 95.8% of parental rights protected and 93.7% of families reunified."We already know, and we've already done in the past, like, right? Like, took care of ourselves, we took care of everybody else's kids too, right? We don't need the system to do it." What we discussed (00:23) Meet Keshia Adeniyi-Dorsey(01:37) Adoptions and Safe Families Act(06:08) Reality of CPS investigations(12:17) Protecting families during CPS investigations(17:11) Reuniting 93.7% of families (23:46) Challenges of advocating for families OR Dealing with incompetence(28:56) We don’t need police for that OR The color of the system OR  Black families don’t need CPS OR We don’t need help OR Not everyone needs help(35:33) Affording counsel (43:39) Truth to powerLinksConnect with Keshia: Website | LinkedInFollow us on social media: Twitter | Instagram | TiktokCreditsSpecial thanks to Samuel Oyedele for editing our podcast, support his work on Instagram or e-mail him at Drumaboyiglobal@gmail.com 

Send us a textBenjaminWords matter. Especially when it comes to adoption. Benjamin Lundberg Torres Sanchez isn't just "adopted" - they were separated from their first family for 28 years.In this episode, we unpack how the language we use shapes our understanding of adoption. Benjamin shares their journey of rejecting industry terminology and embracing more accurate descriptions of their experience.We discuss how this shift in language opens up new possibilities for solidarity and political action."I think it's just really important to name what happened to us."What we discussed (00:22) Who is Benjamin Lundberg Torres Sanchez?(01:41) Conceived in violence(04:58) Adoption day(07:23) Good experiences but still angry OR Good vs. bad adoptions(10:10) Learning to think critically about adoption OR Language of adoption(14:35) Being hungry for community OR Availability of light skinned children(18:56) Not only focusing on adoptees OR Adoptees are not alone (26:46) Organized abandonment (28:30) We Are Holding This Magazine(37:46) Intersectionality vs. isolation(44:12) Finding alternative power brokers OR Finding power brokers (48:14) Get curious (51:32) Support BenjaminLinksWe Are Holding This MagazineBenjamin’s websiteFollow us on social media: Twitter | Instagram | Tiktok

Send us a textHenryWhat happens when a Black child is adopted into a white Mormon family? The Mormon church silenced Henry's identity as a Black transracial adoptee, but he's done being quiet. From "colorblind" racism to the weight of forced gratitude, he exposes the ugly truth behind his adoption.We explore the impact of media representation, the importance of acknowledging adoptee anger, and why abolishing the current system might be the only way forward.Henry shares his journey of finding community with other adoptees and reclaiming his voice."My life was really to fill this hole in my parents' life instead of my parents being there to raise children.What we discussed (00:22) Who is Henry? (01:48) Coming out of the fog(03:52) Adopted through the mormon church (06:34) Growing up with adopted sisters (08:26) Adoptees vs. adoptive parents on This is Us OR Adoptees vs. Adoptive parents on TV(13:23) Expectation of gratefulness OR “I want someone to love me”(20:26) Being allowed to feel & express(23:21) Alternatives to family policing OR Mind your own business(26:02) Relationship with adoptive parents while being abolitionist (32:27) Find your inner voice LinksBlack Adoptee Facebook Group Follow us on social media: Twitter | Instagram | TiktokCreditsSpecial thanks to Samuel Oyedele for editing our podcast, support his work on Instagram or e-mail him at Drumaboyiglobal@gmail.com 

Send us a textFai KnudsonFai Knudson grew up in a white, conservative town, always feeling different. As a biracial, transracial adoptee, Faye faced racism and isolation. Leaving their hometown ignited a journey of self-discovery, leading to advocacy and therapy focused on adoptee mental health. In this episode, Fai shares their powerful story, the challenges of being a transracial adoptee, and how they now help others navigate similar paths.What we discussed (00:18) Who is Fai Knudson? (04:05) Feeling different(05:32) Not allowed to read adoption paperwork (06:30) Coming out of the fog(09:11) Studying adoption for master’s(13:53) Adoptee therapists (21:32) Adoptee care is neglected (28:12) Story behind “Good Faith Therapy”(33:20) Support for adoptees (35:01) Genetic graveyard (36:24) Finding an adoptee affirming therapist (39:34) Partial reunion(47:54) Finding your authentic self LinksConnect with Fai Knudson: LinkedInGood Faith Therapy Website | Good Faith Therapy Instagram  Peer Support Space Grow Beyond WordsJourney of The Adopted Self Psychology TodayFollow us on social media: Twitter | Instagram | TiktokCreditsSpecial thanks to Samuel Oyedele for editing our podcast, support his work on Instagram or e-mail him at Drumaboyiglobal@gmail.com 

Send us a text1 Year of No ContactIt's been 365 days since I cut ties with my adopters to protect myself. A year of healing, self-discovery, and finding my voice. In this episode, I share my no contact journey, the reasons behind my decision, the process of healing, and the freedom I’ve found. Hear my story of setting boundaries, seeking safety, and reclaiming my identity.What we discussed (00:24) 1 year of no contact (01:50) “but they’re your parents” OR Expectation to be grateful (04:17) How I felt after no contact (06:21) Family policing gaslit me(11:20) Forgiveness as a weapon(14:36) Becoming free, finally(18:01) Getting tattoos (& my favorite one) (20:26) Being able to grieve my mom(30:56) Healing by finding biological family(34:38) Stealing me from my mom  (36:12) #1 reason for child removal (39:43) Why I do this workLinksFollow us on social media: Twitter | Instagram | TiktokCreditsSpecial thanks to Samuel Oyedele for editing our podcast, support his work on Instagram or e-mail him at Drumaboyiglobal@gmail.com 

Send us a textAmanda Wallace Amanda Wallace helps families powerfully stop Child Protective Services from stealing their children. In this episode she talk about how you can do it too, how her organization reunited 20+ families, and why we should abolish the belief that the CPS system should even exist.Listen and let’s stop CPS.What we discussed (00:22) Who is Amanda Wallace?(01:25) Why she wants to stop CPS - Child Protective Services(05:16) Why are you in my house?!(06:32) Repealing the Child Abuse Prevention & Treatment Act + Adoption & Safe Familis Act  (08:12) How to respond to CPS (11:29) Reuniting 20 families (15:32) Reparations are not enough(18:08) Black Mother’s March (Collective power)(23:07) Drug testing a birth & Interrogating children (24:42) Creative collabs for collective action(26:50) How can you stop CPS?(33:07) Freedom can happen in our lifetime OR Freedom is not complicatedLinksRespond In Power Guide Black Mother’s MarchTwisted YogiConnect with Amanda Wallace: Stop CPS Website | Instagram | Tiktok Follow us on social media: Twitter | Instagram | TiktokCreditsSpecial thanks to Samuel Oyedele for editing our podcast, support his work on Instagram or e-mail him at Drumaboyiglobal@gmail.com 

Send us a textAdoption is Not A Part Of God’s PlanPeople who adopt say it’s God’s plan for them to adopt. But, they almost never say that God’s plan is for them NOT to have children. This is just one of the many ways people use religion to justify human trafficking. I found out, through an archived article, that I was trafficked by the Church through the One Church, One Child movement which operates in 32 states. What we discussed (00:22) Is adoption God’s plan? (04:23) Forcing adoptees to go to church OR “Go to church or leave”(11:53) Making adoptees mini versions of them  (13:04) Telling my adoptive parents I’m stepping away from the church  (14:51) One Church, One Child business (20:36) The church trafficked me(28:39) Orphan sundays (30:07) Church preaches family separation (hypocritical?)(34:24) Forced assimilation (36:13) Adoption is not God’s planLinksFollow us on social media: Twitter | Instagram | TiktokCreditsSpecial thanks to Samuel Oyedele for editing our podcast, support his work on Instagram or e-mail him at Drumaboyiglobal@gmail.com 

Send us a textMila's Truth: Navigating Adoption, Liberation, and CommunityThe Church does an excellent job of silencing you if you oppose them. They’d even hire a marketing company to rebrand adoption so that their business as adoption middlemen can continue to thrive. But, it’s not just the Church. The dominant culture is to silence anyone who speaks up against adoption. To make them feel shame. To gaslight them. That was Mila Konomos’ experience once she realized how adoption has wounded her. Mila tells her story of how she was forcibly removed from her family in 1975 to the realization in 2009 that everything she thought she knew about adoption was a lie. She discusses how reuniting with her biological parents changed everything, how similar she realized she was hto her bio parents, grappling with her identity, the power of speaking up,  and the cultural resistance against accepting the truth about adoption. Mila is the host of the podcast called Everything You Think You Know About Adoption Is A Lie.“If you don't change the narrative, then you can't change the policies.”What we discussed (00:22) Who is Mila Kanomos? (01:39) Being a (clueless) grateful adoptee (04:25) Realizing I’m actually wounded (06:00) “You had this information all of my life?!”(08:24) The Last Unicorn (12:55) Terrified of opposing adoption publicly (15:50) The Church is complicit (18:23) Propaganda around adoption (19:38) Surviving reunion (22:04) How do I become Korean?(25:39) Biological traits & connections(30:55) Everything you know about adoption is a lie(36:43) Church PAID to rebrand adoption (41:03) Centering adoptee narratives  (44:47) Adoption IS oppression (49:03) What can you do about this?(55:51) You already know who you areLinksEverything You Think You Know About Adoption Is A Lie PodcastChild Catchers by Catherine Joyce Connect with Mila: Instagram | Podcast Instagram Follow us on social media: Twitter | Instagram | TiktokCreditsSpecial thanks to Samuel Oyedele for editing our podcast, support his work on Instagram or e-mail him at Drumaboyiglobal@gmail.com 

Send us a textMy Journey To AbolitionEvery adult in my childhood has failed me, none of them did what they’re supposed to. Every part of the system failed me…it did exactly what it’s supposed to. The system kills children and breaks families, it must be abolished. In this episode, I share how I gradually evolved towards this deep belief starting from a school trip to juvie when I was just 10. I talk about my encounters with the family policing system growing up and how it failed me. My story is not an is not an anomaly or an isolated incident. This is the experience of many children who are victims of the family policing system that they carry with them through adulthood. Abolition is a journey toward collective liberation, this is my journey so far… [CW: Sexual and Physical Abuse]What we discussed (00:22) Taking a trip to juvie at 10 years old(03:42) The system is NOT broken (04:42) [CW] Punished for speaking up about abuse   (07:30) Losing faith in adoption, police, and the system OR My first encounter with family policing system(10:32) Going to school with bruises on my arm OR “You had a really good school year because DCF did not show up at my door” OR DCF shows up, I’m a disappointment OR DCF gets me in trouble(16:41) My adopters’ public facade OR Where my skepticism started OR Losing respect for authority(19:10) Suffering through therapy (21:40) Who are they protecting? OR Abolition is the only option(25:54) The system doesn’t care about children [CW: school shootings] OR They let alligators eat black babies (true story)(31:45) My journey with queerness OR Queers in evangelical homes LinksLearn more about abolition: Alan Dettlaff Episode | Torn Apart by Dorothy Roberts Confronting the Racist Legacy of the American Child Welfare System By Alan Dettlaff13th Documentary | The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander Follow us on social media: Twitter | Instagram | TiktokCreditsSpecial thanks to Samuel Oyedele for editing our podcast, support his work on Instagram or e-mail him at Drumaboyiglobal@gmail.com