Pulled By The Root - Amplifying Adoption Issues

In this episode, Heather Sachs courageously dives into the issues surrounding adoption loss. Here are her words:  I am adopted and see myself as a disrupter as well. The more we put our stories out there, the more we can change the narrative to being adoptee focused! I was adopted at two when my mother relinquished me to her then boss. Like many others, I didn’t even know that adoption/relinquishment was trauma until a therapist told me so. Only at that point was I able to start the journey reparenting myself enough to heal some of my abandonment wounds. I’ve subsequently became passionate about genealogy as a means to help adoptees establish the roots they have felt they are missing all their lives. I’ve found creating biological family trees can help adoptees remember that despite their mother and fathers inability to keep their family together, they still are made up of numerous ancestors DNA and stories. I love to help them find those stories. Click here to send us a text. Also, our book “Pulled By The Root” is available at https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/book [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1588156/open_sms] https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/ [https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/]

Dr. Deborah Sweet is a licensed Psychologist who specializes in adults recovering from childhood trauma. To treat trauma she uses Somatic Experiencing, EMDR, Brainspotting, the Havening Technique, IFS and the pit model. She is also certified coach for personal growth. Before her career in mental health, she worked in the music and film businesses. She was the founder of the Trauma Counseling Center of Los Angeles and is currently working on a book. Click here to send us a text. Also, our book “Pulled By The Root” is available at https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/book [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1588156/open_sms] https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/ [https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/]

Trigger warning: In honor of Joshua’s life, Nicholas Fontana agreed to film with PBTR a few years ago to share his experience of losing his adopted friend Joshua to suicide. I ran into Nicholas at a mutual friends party a few weeks ago. Everything fell away as we began to speak about the effort to heal and all of the ways he has made progress. I asked Nicholas if he would be willing to be on the podcast to talk about the ideas he shared during our conversation. This led me to think about how to deal with our diverse levels of pain in a way that I have never considered before. His inspiration for self exploration came from; Gangaji, Alan Watts. Adyashanti, Eckhart Tolle and Terrence McKenna. It is important to understand that the people who love adopted people hurt when we hurt. Adoption is not a singular event that happens to one person. Adoption loss extends out from us; it affects our relationships, our parenting and our ability to feel worthy. In reintroducing you to Nicholas and Joshua we hope you feel inspired by the courage, friendship and the bond they shared. We honor Joshua and his brave battle, we honor all of the warriors we have lost. Remember you are worthy in fact you are spectacular!  -Joshua Samuel Kukla - Father, friend, musician, brother, son, adoptee Click here to send us a text. Also, our book “Pulled By The Root” is available at https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/book [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1588156/open_sms] https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/ [https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/]

Ashley is a 40-year-old wife and mother of three. Originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Ashley moved to New York City after college and has remained in the area ever since. She now resides in South Orange, NJ, a town she loves. She enjoys a balance of yoga and tennis and cherishes her friends and close-knit community. Professionally, Ashley holds a hybrid role that blends project management and executive support, allowing her to work primarily from home, a flexibility that's especially valuable as her children grow and need her in new ways. Ashley was adopted at birth, and after processing much of her pain, she is passionate about sparking conversations that could eventually lead to adoption reform. She believes it's essential for both those considering adoption and those who have adopted to understand its complexities, so they can provide the support and guidance necessary for a healthy, fulfilling life. Click here to send us a text. Also, our book “Pulled By The Root” is available at https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/book [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1588156/open_sms] https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/ [https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/]

Scott, a high school math teacher from New Jersey, placed his daughter for adoption in the 1980s after a teenage pregnancy. In 2002, he reunited with her through an online search. Scott has three other children who were also part of the reunion. Lena, a domestic closed adoptee from New Jersey/New York, was adopted in the 1980s and raised as an only child by a family unable to have children. She reunited with her paternal biological family in 2002 and has attempted to contact her birth mother twice over the past 20 years, though both attempts were rejected. Now a licensed clinical social worker in Florida, Lena specializes in grief, loss, and terminal illness. She has been married for 15 years and has two children. Click here to send us a text. Also, our book “Pulled By The Root” is available at https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/book [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1588156/open_sms] https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/ [https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/]