<p>In this episode, Ben Straker shares his journey of self-discovery as an adopted person. He reflects on his childhood, the complexities of family dynamics, and the impact of adoption on his identity. Ben discusses the trauma associated with his birth experience and how it resurfaced during the birth of his own child. He explores the concept of the primal wound and the emotional turmoil of searching for his biological family. Despite facing rejection and unanswered questions, Ben emphasises the importance of finding peace and connection within himself and his family through ritual.</p><p><strong>Chapters</strong></p><p>00:00 Ben&#39;s Adoption Journey</p><p>09:00 The Impact of Adoption on Identity</p><p>18:34 Trauma and the Birth Experience</p><p>22:10 Discovering the Primal Wound</p><p>28:15 Searching for Roots and Original Identity</p><p>30:53 Unpacking Identity and Adoption</p><p>33:37 Discovering Birth Family: The Search</p><p>37:31 The Emotional Impact of Discovery &amp; Using ritual for healing</p><p>40:19 Navigating Silence and Rejection</p><p>50:12 The Search for Father: Challenges and Obstacles</p><p>56:08 Finding Peace in Unanswered Questions</p><p><br></p><p>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. </p><p><br></p><p>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. </p><p>This episode discusses adult themes and listener discretion is advised. For more information go to <a href="http://www.jigsawqueensland.com/podcast">⁠http://www.jigsawqueensland.com/podcast⁠</a></p><p> </p><p>To be considered for interview on the podcast, fill in the prospective guest form you&#39;ll find on the podcast page of the website.  </p><p>Your host is Dr Jo-Ann Sparrow - President of Jigsaw Queensland (<a href="http://www.jigsawqueensland.com/">⁠www.jigsawqueensland.com⁠</a>) </p><p>Connect with us Instagram - adopt_perspective_podcast </p><p>Facebook - Jigsaw Post-Adoption Centre Queensland  </p><p>If you are looking for support and reside in Queensland, Australia, you can reach Jigsaw Queensland&#39;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&#39;re calling from. In every other state of Australia, Relationships Australia operates this service. </p><p>A big thank you to Matt Sparrow for composing and recording our original theme music.  </p><p>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. </p><p><br></p>