The Adoptee Diaries: Truth, Trust, and Transparency

Episode 10: Grief, Adoption, and Uncovering Hidden Truths

Lately, grief has been weighing heavy on my mind. On this episode, I share some of these thoughts as I try to make sense of the complex emotions surrounding grief, especially as they pertain to my journey as an adoptee.
After losing my father in April 2022, I found out he kept my ethnicity a secret which added layers of confusion and anger to my feelings of grief. I discuss how these revelations have reshaped my understanding of family, identity, and the significance of truth in our relationships.
 
Join me as I share my story and offer support to others navigating similar paths. Your feelings are valid, and you're not alone.
Helpful Resources:
The Center for Adoption Support and Education (C.A.S.E.) provides specialized adoption-competent therapy to children, teens and their families in the state of Maryland, Virginia or Washington, D.C. metro area through both in-person therapy and teletherapy.
Beth Tyson is an early Childhood Trauma Expert, Speaker, and Facilitator who taught me about ambiguous loss. Beth empowers organizations with evidence-based guidance to prevent and heal early childhood trauma.
Jonetta Moyo is the founder of My Inspiration Studio, journal-based experiences, designed to support, guide, and provide understanding throughout life's journey. Her proprietary framework, Engage the Page™, encourages situational awareness through journaling, helping individuals connect their inner thoughts and emotions to how they show up in different aspects of life. I was gifted a Jonetta journal to support my grief after my father died.
Follow us on Instagram @TheAdopteeDiaries 

Ep. 9 -- A Return to Connection

The Adoptee Diaries is a safe space for adoptees navigating the complex emotions of identity, trauma, and healing. Join me as I share personal reflections, journal entries, and real-time learnings from our community, featuring insights from experts who help us understand genetic and birth trauma. Whether you're an adoptee or someone seeking understanding, this podcast is about finding strength, connection, and resilience in a world that can often feel overwhelming. Together, let's move from our heads into our hearts and support each other on this journey.
Episode Description:
In this episode, I open up about the struggles I've faced over the past six months—feeling cornered, rattled, and overwhelmed by the world around me. But/And - my community has been my anchor, providing a safe space to heal and connect.
I discuss the importance of resilience, protecting our emotional well-being, and moving from head to heart.
Whether you're feeling stuck or just need a reminder that you're not alone, this episode is about finding strength together and pushing through the noise of the world with compassion and support.
So cheers to finding strength through community, to finding self-awareness, to protecting our emotional well-being and resisting the negativity that can come from external sources.
If you're experiencing anything you'd like to share, please do feel free to reach out. You are not alone and I'm here to support.

Ep. 8 — Part II: Reunion of Birth Father and Adoptee Daughter

In this bonus episode of The Adoptee Diaries, host Bethany Fraser offers listeners an intimate glimpse into an adoptee's journey to find her roots. This remarkable two-part conversation between Bethany and her birth father tackles the myriad complexities surrounding adoption—from the pain of intentional secrets, an unintended separation, and confronting uncomfortable truths to the joy of reconnecting with blood relatives, cultural ties, ancestry, and the truth.
The episode shines a light on the under-acknowledged narratives within the adoption industry and underscores the lack of adequate support systems for fragmented families.
Drawing from her personal experience, Bethany, with the help of her birth father, dive into their emotionally stirring journey to uncover the truth of her origins. This story of hope, healing, and reunion serves to inspire and comfort adoptees experiencing similar struggles.
This candid conversation also speaks to birth parents, Black fathers specifically, upon discovering the concealed identity of her birth father, who also empathetically conveys the regret and longing he’s experienced.
This unique episode brings to light a few things:
The often overlooked humanitarian aspect of adoption.
The vital need for empathy, transparency, and inclusivity.
Offers a powerful message of forgiveness and resilience.
The critical role of sharing experiences and seeking supportive communities in overcoming personal struggles.
Tune in to experience the transformative journey of an adoptee taking control of her narrative and discovering her true identity. Healing is available to you too. 

Ep. 7 — Part I: Reunion of Birth Father and Adoptee Daughter

Welcome to a heartfelt episode of "The Adoptee Diaries - Season Two". Beginning this season, our focus remains on providing a supportive platform where adoptees can freely share their stories, fostering understanding and empathy. This episode features a captivating narrative involving our host and her biological father, disclosing remarkable insights from their personal reunion.
In the pursuit of truth and identity, the host initiates a journey of self-discovery, unravelling decades-long secrets about her birth, adoption, and ethnicity through an ancestry DNA test. This emotional roller coaster ride culminates in a long-awaited reunion with her birth father, unfolding a unique tale of love, loss, recovery and reconciliation.
Discussing intricate racial concerns in adoption, the episode unearths the story of being raised in a predominantly white family, emphasizing the critical emotional impact the absence of physical similarities can have on one's sense of identity and belonging. The importance of technology in reconnecting severed bonds, the excitement and anxiety of making the first contact, leading to the revelation of deeply guarded family secrets.
This narrative aims not only to attention to the oft-ignored perspective of birth fathers, but also to provoke discussions about the responsibilities of adoption agencies, adoptive parents, and advocating for adoptees' rights.
Join us for this extraordinary exploration into one story of search and reunion. Listen to one father's story of loss, longing, determination, as well as his perseverance to be part of his daughter's life.

Ep. 6 Navigating Childhood Trauma & Adoption with Beth Tyson

In this episode of The Adoptee Diaries, host Bethany Fraser sits down with Beth Tyson, a global expert in childhood trauma, organizational training, award-winning authorship, and public speaking.
Beth's mission revolves around educating organizations and audiences worldwide about the profound impact of trauma. She offers guidance and tools to support affected children and families, as well as professionals like social workers, educators, child welfare practitioners, and corporate leaders. Beth's aim is to leave her audiences not just more aware of trauma but equipped to respond effectively.
Beth's message is crystal clear: Trauma is not a taboo word; it can manifest in everyday life events. With Beth's wealth of knowledge and insights, she paves the way for information to replace fear. She demonstrates that healing isn't just a possibility—it's a tangible reality that begins with awareness.
This episode is a transformative conversation, illuminating the world of trauma-informed care with Beth Tyson. It's a message of hope, where healing is not just attainable but within your reach. 
For resources and to connect with Beth:
www.bethtyson.com
Instagram @bethtyson_traumaconsulting
LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/bethtyson
Email Info@BethTyson.com
Subscribe to Beth's newsletter: LinkedIn Newsletter
Ambiguous loss webinar
Childhood trauma webinar
All Connected Academy - An animated video series to teach teens and young adults about childhood trauma. Beth is a co-writer of the All Connected Academy.

Ep. 5 Exploring the Intersection of Intergenerational Trauma & Adoption with Dr. Mariel Buqué

Psychologist, intergenerational trauma expert, and author Dr. Mariel Buqué, joins the Pod to discuss intergenerational trauma, its impact on adoptees, and tips for identifying and breaking generational cycles. 

Ep. 4 My Personal Essay

Finding my truth wasn't easy. Writing it and reading it was just as difficult. In this episode, I read an excerpt from my personal essay. It isn't just about me though, it's about your own journey too. It's about the stories we tell ourselves, the truths we seek, and the connections that shape us. Whether you're an adoptee, a supportive friend, or someone who believes in the power of stories to change lives, I hope this episode is helpful to your healing. You are not alone. 

Ep. 3 Adoption & Permanency: Shifting the Child Welfare Paradigm for Family Success

Dive into the powerful world of adoption and permanency with Adam Pertman, Founder & CEO of National Center Adoption & Permanency (NCAP). Adam has influenced policy, shaped laws, and advocated for change with his innovative research, powerful writing, and thought-provoking commentaries that educate professionals, parents, and the general public. His classic book, "Adoption Nation" has been hailed as a pivotal resource on the subject.

Ep. 2 Transforming Lives: Empowering Foster Children with Audra Bullock

We are honored to have Audra Bullock, the President of Tidewater Friends of Foster Care (TFFC), as our special guest. Audra's dedication to making a positive impact on the lives of foster children in Hampton Roads, Virginia, has led her on an incredible journey of advocacy and compassion. Visit tidewaterffc.org to learn more.

Ep 1. Birthparent Care: Beyond Adoption -- A Conversation with Alexis Eyler, Executive Director, On Your Feet Foundation

Today, we're with Alexis Eyler, Executive Director with On Your Feet Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides comprehensive post-placement support for birthparents. Alexis is a leading voice in advocating for the needs of birthparents and ensuring that they receive the support they need before, during, and after the adoption process.