The Adoptee Next Door
The Adoptee Next Door

The Adoptee Next Door

The Adopted Life

Overview
Episodes

Details

There is something temptingly tidy about the idea of adoption: a family with extra love and resources meets a child in need of both. The Adoptee Next Door takes the listener beyond the sparkly fairy tale of adoption.

angieadoptee.substack.com

Recent Episodes

Let's Read "You Should Be Grateful" Together!
MAR 5, 2025
Let's Read "You Should Be Grateful" Together!
<p>If you’re reading this, I already know something important about you: You care. You’re willing to engage with adoptee perspectives in a way that so many people aren’t. And for that, I’m deeply grateful. </p><p>Because you’re here, I know that you understand that adoption isn’t a simple “happily ever after.” You know that love is important, but it’s not a substitute for racial identity, community, or space to process loss. But, perhaps you haven’t gotten around to reading my book, <em>You Should Be Grateful! </em> I want to invite you to dig deeper with me through a <strong>self-paced book club</strong>—a space designed to challenge old narratives and build something better. I’ve created a guided book club slide deck that includes:</p><p> ✅ Thought-provoking discussion prompts ✅ Action steps to make real, meaningful change ✅ A live Zoom session with me to unpack it all (April 2025)</p><p>And because I love sharing my creative process with you, I’m throwing in some fun extras:</p><p> 🎹 A personal piano performance 🎧 The Spotify playlist that shaped my writing process 📖 A few hilarious behind-the-scenes audiobook moments</p><p><strong>Join Now:</strong></p><p> ✨ <strong>$5</strong> for non-subscribers -<a target="_blank" href="#"> </a><a target="_blank" href="https://link.waveapps.com/7d3bjs-sb2b9j"><strong>Sign up here!</strong></a></p><p> ✨ <strong>FREE</strong> for all paid Substack subscribers (Email me at <strong>[email protected]</strong>, and I’ll send you the deck.)</p> <br/><br/>Get full access to The Adopted Life at <a href="https://angieadoptee.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_4">angieadoptee.substack.com/subscribe</a>
play-circle
1 MIN
Patrice Martin: How Long Lost Family Went High, While Other Adoption Media Goes Low
DEC 13, 2023
Patrice Martin: How Long Lost Family Went High, While Other Adoption Media Goes Low
<p>(Yes, the episode title is derived from Michelle Obama&apos;s famous line; &quot;when they go low, we go high!&quot;)<br/><br/>Television influences public opinion of adoption. It&apos;s easy to see the influence shows like Annie and The Blind Side have had as they highlight the savior tropes and downplay or ignore the adoptees journey of grief and loss.  To my amazement, Long Lost Family seems to buck the trend! This show (which aired on TLC from 2016-2019) focuses on reuniting adoptees with their biological family. In the adoptee-world, shows like this often are termed &apos;reunion porn.&apos; But this was different. Adoptee, Patrice Martin, was cast on Season 6, Episode 8 and to my amazement they resisted the urge to exploit her story. The production team treated her and her story with the humanity and care that we adoptees desire. Stunned and impressed, I just had to speak with the team that put this episode together. <br/><br/>Listen to learn more about how a network television resisted the inevitable ratings gold.<br/><br/>This episode features:<br/>Patrice Martin - Adoptee<br/>Kathryn Takis - Long Lost Family producer<br/>Lisa Joyner - Host of Long Lost Family<br/>Jen Utley - Director of Family Research at <a href="http://ancestry.com" class="linkified" target="_blank">Ancestry.com</a><br/>Leslie Mackinnon - Therapist for Long Lost Family cast and crew<br/>  <br/><br/><br/></p><p>You can reach out to Angela through her <a href="http://www.angelatucker.com">website</a> or on Instagram @angieadoptee.</p> <br/><br/>Get full access to The Adopted Life at <a href="https://angieadoptee.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_4">angieadoptee.substack.com/subscribe</a>
play-circle
51 MIN