Adopt Perspective Adoption Podcast

Jeannot Farmer is from Glasgow, Scotland, although she is joining us today from Melbourne Australia where she is holidaying with family. In 1978 she lost her son to forced adoption. Thirty-one years later they were reunited. In more recent years, Jeannot has become a powerful advocate in Scotland’s forced adoption space.Jigsaw Qld first connected with Jeannot in 2023 when she reached out while undertaking a Churchill Fellowship. Her research explored what happened in Australia following our 2013 National Apology for Forced Adoptions so that Scotland could learn from our experience after its own national apology, delivered a decade later in the Scottish Parliament on 22 March 2023.Jeannot travelled to Australia in September 2023, meeting with advocates, support organisations and stakeholders across Queensland, Victoria and Western Australia, including Jigsaw, and published her findings in 2024. In this episode she shares her personal story of losing her son to forced adoption and their reunion and how it led to her to stepping into the advocacy space, and what she learned about Australia's post national apology response. This episode will resonate with adopted adults, parents who lost children to adoption, siblings, adoptive parents, practitioners, policy makers, and anyone seeking a deeper, more honest understanding of the lifelong impacts of adoption. Chapters00:00 Introduction to Jeannot Farmer's Journey04:58 The Birth Experience and Hospital Treatment10:34 The Aftermath of Birth and Adoption Process15:42 Reunion After 31 Years34:58 The Journey of Connection41:56 Isolation and the Power of Shared Stories47:54 Advocacy and the Path to Apology55:41 Insights from Australia: Adoption Policies and Support🎧 If this conversation resonates, subscribe for more honest discussions about adoption, identity and the lived experience of adopted adults, mothers and fathers who lost children to adoption and therapists, researchers and policy makers in this space. This episode discusses adult themes and listener discretion is advised. For more information go to ⁠http://www.jigsawqueensland.com/podcast⁠To be considered for interview on the podcast, fill in the prospective guest form you'll find on the podcast page of the website.  (scroll down)Your host is Dr Jo-Ann Sparrow - President of Jigsaw Queensland (⁠www.jigsawqueensland.com⁠) Connect with us Instagram - adopt_perspective_podcast Facebook - Jigsaw Post-Adoption Centre Queensland  If you are looking for support and reside in Queensland, Australia, you can reach Jigsaw Queensland's Forced Adoption Support Service on toll-free 1800 21 03 13, or you can call Jigsaw on 07 3358 6666. If you live in another state of Australia, you can still call the Forced Adoption Support Service in the state that you're calling from. In every other state of Australia, Relationships Australia operates this service. A big thank you to Matt Sparrow for composing and recording our original theme music.  We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we work and the many lands that our clients now live on and we wish to acknowledge and show our respects to Elders past and present for their continuing connection to culture and the contributions they make to community. We acknowledge how much we have to learn from them and their unique understanding of connection and adoption and their recognition that at the base of every change is truth telling and healing. 

Felicity Lawson is an adopted person born at Hornsby Hospital, NSW in 1975. Over the past 32 years, she has searched for and reunited with both her mother and father - a long and complex journey marked by hope, heartbreak, and identity shifts.In this episode of Adopt Perspective, Felicity shares her lived experience of adoption reunion in Australia, reflecting on growing up adopted, navigating adoptive family dynamics, and the emotional realities of searching for biological parents.We also explore the broader legacy of the Forced Adoption Era (1940s–1980s) and the ripple effects of reunion - not just for adopted people, but for mothers, fathers, adoptive parents, siblings, partners and extended family members.Felicity is currently writing a resource book focused on adoption reunion in Australia, documenting lived experiences across the adoption community. In this conversation, she shares what reunion has taught her and how others can contribute to this important project. To find out more, you can email Felicity at [email protected]. If you are an adopted person, parent of loss, adoptive parent, sibling or child of an adopted person, or someone navigating search and reunion, this episode offers insight, validation and practical wisdom.Chapters 00:00 Felicity Lawson's Adoption Journey08:57 The Impact of Reunion on Identity15:51 Navigating Relationships with Birth Parents22:51 Understanding the Forced Adoption Era30:53 The Importance of Documenting Experiences🎧 If this conversation resonates, subscribe for more honest discussions about adoption, identity and the lived experience of adopted adults, mothers and fathers who lost children to adoption and therapists, researchers and policy makers in this space. This episode discusses adult themes and listener discretion is advised. For more information go to ⁠http://www.jigsawqueensland.com/podcast⁠ To be considered for interview on the podcast, fill in the prospective guest form you'll find on the podcast page of the website.  Your host is Dr Jo-Ann Sparrow - President of Jigsaw Queensland (⁠www.jigsawqueensland.com⁠) Connect with us Instagram - adopt_perspective_podcast Facebook - Jigsaw Post-Adoption Centre Queensland  If you are looking for support and reside in Queensland, Australia, you can reach Jigsaw Queensland's Forced Adoption Support Service on toll-free 1800 21 03 13, or you can call Jigsaw on 07 3358 6666. If you live in another state of Australia, you can still call the Forced Adoption Support Service in the state that you're calling from. In every other state of Australia, Relationships Australia operates this service. A big thank you to Matt Sparrow for composing and recording our original theme music.  We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we work and the many lands that our clients now live on and we wish to acknowledge and show our respects to Elders past and present for their continuing connection to culture and the contributions they make to community. We acknowledge how much we have to learn from them and their unique understanding of connection and adoption and their recognition that at the base of every change is truth telling and healing. 

Paul Sunderland is a renowned addiction specialist and psychotherapist. With over 35 years of experience, Paul's groundbreaking work has illuminated the deep and often-overlooked links between adoption, trauma, and addiction. His powerful presentations, shared widely by the adoption community, have resonated with thousands around the world. In this episode, we explore the lifelong impact of early maternal separation, how adoption shapes identity and mental health, and why adopted people may face a heightened vulnerability to addiction. Whether you're an adopted person, a parent of loss, an adoptive parent, or a professional working in the therapeutic or community services space, Paul's wisdom offers invaluable understanding and hope. This episode will resonate with adopted adults, parents who lost children to adoption, siblings, adoptive parents, practitioners, and anyone seeking a deeper, more honest understanding of the lifelong impacts of adoption.  🎧 If this conversation resonates, subscribe for more honest discussions about adoption, identity and the lived experience of adopted adults, mothers and fathers who lost children to adoption and therapists, researchers and policy makers in this space. This episode discusses adult themes and listener discretion is advised. For more information go to ⁠http://www.jigsawqueensland.com/podcast⁠ To be considered for interview on the podcast, fill in the prospective guest form you'll find on the podcast page of the website.  Your host is Dr Jo-Ann Sparrow - President of Jigsaw Queensland (⁠www.jigsawqueensland.com⁠) Connect with us Instagram - adopt_perspective_podcast Facebook - Jigsaw Post-Adoption Centre Queensland  If you are looking for support and reside in Queensland, Australia, you can reach Jigsaw Queensland's Forced Adoption Support Service on toll-free 1800 21 03 13, or you can call Jigsaw on 07 3358 6666. If you live in another state of Australia, you can still call the Forced Adoption Support Service in the state that you're calling from. In every other state of Australia, Relationships Australia operates this service. A big thank you to Matt Sparrow for composing and recording our original theme music.  We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we work and the many lands that our clients now live on and we wish to acknowledge and show our respects to Elders past and present for their continuing connection to culture and the contributions they make to community. We acknowledge how much we have to learn from them and their unique understanding of connection and adoption and their recognition that at the base of every change is truth telling and healing. TitlesUnderstanding Adoption and AddictionThe Intersection of Trauma and AddictionChapters00:00 Meet Paul Sunderland: Addiction Specialist01:25 Exploring Adoption, Trauma, and Addiction07:24 The Impact of Adoption on Mental Health11:10 Understanding PTSD and Complex PTSD14:26 The Primal Wound and Addiction Vulnerability18:01 Coping Mechanisms and Self-Soothing Patterns23:10 The Role of Shame in Adoption Experiences26:16 Types of Addiction Beyond Substance Abuse32:05 Understanding Codependency in Adoption39:19 Identity and Emotional Regulation Challenges43:39 The Importance of Psychoeducation47:49 Effective Therapy for Adopted Individuals53:53 Self-Help Strategies for Adopted People58:49 Supporting Adopted Individuals: The Role of Families01:01:10 Professional Support for Adopted People01:02:55 Final Thoughts on Recovery and Healing

In this episode of Adopt Perspective, Jo Sparrow speaks with Phil Kenwood, a father who shares his deeply personal story of losing a daughter to forced adoption in 1970. The conversation explores the emotional impact of adoption on fathers, the stigma surrounding men's mental health, and the importance of support groups. Phil discusses his journey of healing, the challenges of reconnecting with his daughter after many years, and the need for men to share their stories and seek help. The episode highlights the often unheard voices of fathers in the adoption narrative and emphasises the significance of empathy and support in the healing process.This episode will resonate with adopted adults, parents who lost children to adoption, siblings, adoptive parents, practitioners, and anyone seeking a deeper, more honest understanding of the lifelong impacts of adoption. TakeawaysJigsaw Queensland has launched a men's support group for those affected by forced adoption.Phil Kenwood emphasizes the stigma that prevents many fathers from sharing their experiences.The coercive nature of the adoption process in the past left lasting emotional scars.Phil's experience illustrates the profound impact of losing a child to adoption.The reunion with his daughter brought both joy and emotional turmoil for Phil.Phil's journey highlights the importance of mental health support for fathers.Yoga and therapy have been crucial in Phil's healing process.The need for men to openly discuss their grief and experiences is vital.Phil believes that just one supportive person could have changed many adoption outcomes.The episode aims to raise awareness about the emotional struggles faced by fathers in adoption.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Men's Mental Health and Support Groups02:03 Phil Kenwood's Journey: A Father's Perspective on Adoption10:35 The Impact of Forced Adoption on Lives18:07 Reunion and Its Emotional Toll21:13 Healing and Support: Finding Peace27:46 The Unheard Stories of Fathers in Adoption"If just one person had been supportive...""I suffered from anxiety for years.""Men need to talk and not hold onto grief."🎧 If this conversation resonates, subscribe for more honest discussions about adoption, identity and the lived experience of adopted adults, mothers and fathers who lost children to adoption and therapists, researchers and policy makers in this space. This episode discusses adult themes and listener discretion is advised. For more information go to ⁠http://www.jigsawqueensland.com/podcast⁠ To be considered for interview on the podcast, fill in the prospective guest form you'll find on the podcast page of the website.  Your host is Dr Jo-Ann Sparrow - President of Jigsaw Queensland (⁠www.jigsawqueensland.com⁠) Connect with us Instagram - adopt_perspective_podcast Facebook - Jigsaw Post-Adoption Centre Queensland  If you are looking for support and reside in Queensland, Australia, you can reach Jigsaw Queensland's Forced Adoption Support Service on toll-free 1800 21 03 13, or you can call Jigsaw on 07 3358 6666. If you live in another state of Australia, you can still call the Forced Adoption Support Service in the state that you're calling from. In every other state of Australia, Relationships Australia operates this service. A big thank you to Matt Sparrow for composing and recording our original theme music.  We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we work and the many lands that our clients now live on and we wish to acknowledge and show our respects to Elders past and present for their continuing connection to culture and the contributions they make to community. We acknowledge how much we have to learn from them and their unique understanding of connection and adoption and their recognition that at the base of every change is truth telling and healing. 

In this episode, Jo Sparrow speaks with Tracy Graham, an adopted adult who shares her lived experience of adoption trauma, identity and reunion across the lifespan. Tracy reflects on growing up in her adoptive family, the silence and emotional harm she experienced, and how adoption loss shaped her sense of self. The conversation explores adoption identity, motherhood, and the emotional labour often carried by adopted adults, as well as the realities of adoption reunion. Tracy’s story highlights the power of truth-telling, reconnection, and the role of narrative in healing and meaning-making. 00:00 Tracy's Early Life and Adoption Experience08:16 The Impact of Adoption on Identity16:34 Moving to Australia: A New Beginning18:34 Navigating Motherhood and Family Expectations22:03 The Search for Biological Family33:57 Discovering the Truth About Her Origins36:10 The Impact of Early Separation37:52 Navigating Relationships with Biological Family40:15 Understanding Silence and Emotional Barriers42:52 The Risk of Asking About the Past45:22 Serendipity in Family Connections49:53 Building Relationships with Siblings52:34 The Complexity of Family Dynamics58:30 Releasing Emotional Burdens01:02:27 Leaving a Legacy for Future GenerationsThis episode will resonate with adopted adults, parents who lost children to adoption, siblings, adoptive parents, practitioners, and anyone seeking a deeper, more honest understanding of the lifelong impacts of adoption.  🎧 If this conversation resonates, subscribe for more honest discussions about adoption, identity and the lived experience of adopted adults, mothers and fathers who lost children to adoption and therapists, researchers and policy makers in this space. This episode discusses adult themes and listener discretion is advised. For more information go to ⁠http://www.jigsawqueensland.com/podcast⁠ To be considered for interview on the podcast, fill in the prospective guest form you'll find on the podcast page of the website.  Your host is Dr Jo-Ann Sparrow - President of Jigsaw Queensland (⁠www.jigsawqueensland.com⁠) Connect with us Instagram - adopt_perspective_podcast Facebook - Jigsaw Post-Adoption Centre Queensland  If you are looking for support and reside in Queensland, Australia, you can reach Jigsaw Queensland's Forced Adoption Support Service on toll-free 1800 21 03 13, or you can call Jigsaw on 07 3358 6666. If you live in another state of Australia, you can still call the Forced Adoption Support Service in the state that you're calling from. In every other state of Australia, Relationships Australia operates this service. A big thank you to Matt Sparrow for composing and recording our original theme music.  We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we work and the many lands that our clients now live on and we wish to acknowledge and show our respects to Elders past and present for their continuing connection to culture and the contributions they make to community. We acknowledge how much we have to learn from them and their unique understanding of connection and adoption and their recognition that at the base of every change is truth telling and healing.