The Janchi Show
The Janchi Show

The Janchi Show

The Janchi Show

Overview
Episodes

Details

The Janchi Show is a podcast where three Korean adoptees explore what life is like after you're adopted by white people. Nathan Nowack, Patrick Armstrong, and KJ Roelke share their own unique journeys into discovering and learning more about their Korean and adoptee identities through conversations with each other and guests. Each episode they'll also try a Korean snack or drink! Join us each week and follow us at @janchishow across all social platforms.

Recent Episodes

174 // Can we trust our origin stories?
DEC 10, 2025
174 // Can we trust our origin stories?

Episode Summary: We're back with a short one, and the last one of 2025! In this week’s episode of your favorite Korean Adoptee podcast, the Janchi Boys sit down and talk about whether or not we can trust our origin stories, and have further reflections on the TRC Report — Human Rights Violations in Intercountry Adoption


Show Resources:


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// Support the Show!


Online at janchishow.com / @janchishow

Support the show at janchishow.com/support

Join our Facebook Group! janchishow.com/afterparty

Watch our Youtube Videos

Leave a voicemail! 972-677-8867

Write us a note: [email protected]


The Janchi Show Quick Bio

The Janchi Show focuses on exploring intersectional identities and current events through the lens of adoption, race, lived experience and more. Sometimes we have guests, and sometimes it’s just the three of us. Either way, it’s always a janchi!


// Meet the Janchi Boys!


Nathan Nowack

Nathan (he/him) is a transracial Korean American adoptee who was born in Seoul in the 1970s. He was adopted at the age of 5 months old and raised in a small town in Oklahoma along with a non-biological Korean adopted sister.  After going to college in Colorado he later moved to Los Angeles to pursue a digital media career and eventually started 2 photography companies.  He loves spending time with his wife and 3 kids, playing golf, and collecting Lego. He is in reunion with his biological family as the youngest of 7 and has been in contact since 2015.  He currently serves on the Advisory Council for KAAN and helps with the planning of their annual adoptee conference.  In 2021, Nathan and his family moved back to Colorado to be closer to family and start a new chapter in their lives. 

 

Connect with Nathan!

Website: http://www.coverve.com

Instagram: http://instagram.com/nnowack


Patrick Armstrong

Patrick Armstrong (he/him) is a transracial Korean American adoptee, podcaster, speaker, and community facilitator. He is one of the hosts of the Janchi Show, a podcast that explores and celebrates the experiences and stories of Korean adoptees everywhere. He also is host of Conversation Piece with Patrick Armstrong, a podcast where he discusses the missing pieces of the conversations we’re already having. He is a cofounder of the Asian Adoptees of Indiana, a group dedicated to creating a safe, engaging community for all Asian adoptees who need it. He is currently based in Indianapolis with his wife and cat.

 

Connect with Patrick!

Website: http://patrickintheworld.me

LinkedIn: http://linkedin/in/patrickintheworld

Instagram: http://instagram.com/patrickintheworld

K.J. Roelke (@kjroelke)

KJ (he/him) was adopted from Daegu and raised in Dallas, Texas with his two biological, older siblings and his younger sister, adopted from Russia. After spending a decade in the Midwest for college and career, he and his wife are back in Dallas and living large! He has been on his journey of discovery since 2015 and spends his days as a web developer for the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma.


Connect with K.J.!

Website: https://kjroelke.online/

LinkedIn: https://linkedin/in/kjroelke

Instagram: https://instagram.com/kjroelke

// Listen to/Watch The Janchi Show on all major platforms:

Apple: http://janchishow.com/apple

Spotify: http://janchishow.com/spotify

Youtube: http://janchishow.com/youtube

Gratitude & Credits

Michelle Nam for our logo and branding

Jerry Won for bring us together


This show is created and produced by Patrick, Nathan and KJ and is the sole property of the Janchi Show, LLC.



play-circle icon
37 MIN
173 // Feeling Korean as Parents
SEP 17, 2025
173 // Feeling Korean as Parents

Episode Summary: In this week’s episode of your favorite Korean Adoptee podcast, the Janchi Boys sit down and talk about whether or not Patrick hates Korea, the role of governments (and how America's is perfect and has never made any missteps ever), and integrating Koreanness as parents.


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// Support the Show!


Online at janchishow.com / @janchishow

Support the show at janchishow.com/support

Join our Facebook Group! janchishow.com/afterparty

Watch our Youtube Videos

Leave a voicemail! 972-677-8867

Write us a note: [email protected]


The Janchi Show Quick Bio

The Janchi Show focuses on exploring intersectional identities and current events through the lens of adoption, race, lived experience and more. Sometimes we have guests, and sometimes it’s just the three of us. Either way, it’s always a janchi!


// Meet the Janchi Boys!


Nathan Nowack

Nathan (he/him) is a transracial Korean American adoptee who was born in Seoul in the 1970s. He was adopted at the age of 5 months old and raised in a small town in Oklahoma along with a non-biological Korean adopted sister.  After going to college in Colorado he later moved to Los Angeles to pursue a digital media career and eventually started 2 photography companies.  He loves spending time with his wife and 3 kids, playing golf, and collecting Lego. He is in reunion with his biological family as the youngest of 7 and has been in contact since 2015.  He currently serves on the Advisory Council for KAAN and helps with the planning of their annual adoptee conference.  In 2021, Nathan and his family moved back to Colorado to be closer to family and start a new chapter in their lives. 

 

Connect with Nathan!

Website: http://www.coverve.com

Instagram: http://instagram.com/nnowack


Patrick Armstrong

Patrick Armstrong (he/him) is a transracial Korean American adoptee, podcaster, speaker, and community facilitator. He is one of the hosts of the Janchi Show, a podcast that explores and celebrates the experiences and stories of Korean adoptees everywhere. He also is host of Conversation Piece with Patrick Armstrong, a podcast where he discusses the missing pieces of the conversations we’re already having. He is a cofounder of the Asian Adoptees of Indiana, a group dedicated to creating a safe, engaging community for all Asian adoptees who need it. He is currently based in Indianapolis with his wife and cat.

 

Connect with Patrick!

Website: http://patrickintheworld.me

LinkedIn: http://linkedin/in/patrickintheworld

Instagram: http://instagram.com/patrickintheworld

K.J. Roelke (@kjroelke)

KJ (he/him) was adopted from Daegu and raised in Dallas, Texas with his two biological, older siblings and his younger sister, adopted from Russia. After spending a decade in the Midwest for college and career, he and his wife are back in Dallas and living large! He has been on his journey of discovery since 2015 and spends his days as a web developer for the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma.


Connect with K.J.!

Website: https://kjroelke.online/

LinkedIn: https://linkedin/in/kjroelke

Instagram: https://instagram.com/kjroelke

// Listen to/Watch The Janchi Show on all major platforms:

Apple: http://janchishow.com/apple

Spotify: http://janchishow.com/spotify

Youtube: http://janchishow.com/youtube

Gratitude & Credits

Michelle Nam for our logo and branding

Jerry Won for bring us together


This show is created and produced by Patrick, Nathan and KJ and is the sole property of the Janchi Show, LLC.


play-circle icon
63 MIN
172 // with Mei Tomko
JUL 9, 2025
172 // with Mei Tomko

Episode Summary: In this week’s episode of your favorite Korean (& Asian) Adoptee podcast, the Janchi Boys sit down Mei Tomko and talk about growing up in the age of OG Youtube and embracing your asianness, doing the most with what you’ve got, and building things that last.


Later we get into some Bibim Chips by Paldo…did they just make this to promote their sauce?!


Meet Mei!


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// Support the Show!


Online at janchishow.com / @janchishow

Support the show at janchishow.com/support

Join our Facebook Group! janchishow.com/afterparty

Watch our Youtube Videos

Leave a voicemail! 972-677-8867

Write us a note: [email protected]


The Janchi Show Quick Bio

The Janchi Show focuses on exploring intersectional identities and current events through the lens of adoption, race, lived experience and more. Sometimes we have guests, and sometimes it’s just the three of us. Either way, it’s always a janchi!


// Meet the Janchi Boys!


Nathan Nowack

Nathan (he/him) is a transracial Korean American adoptee who was born in Seoul in the 1970s. He was adopted at the age of 5 months old and raised in a small town in Oklahoma along with a non-biological Korean adopted sister.  After going to college in Colorado he later moved to Los Angeles to pursue a digital media career and eventually started 2 photography companies.  He loves spending time with his wife and 3 kids, playing golf, and collecting Lego. He is in reunion with his biological family as the youngest of 7 and has been in contact since 2015.  He currently serves on the Advisory Council for KAAN and helps with the planning of their annual adoptee conference.  In 2021, Nathan and his family moved back to Colorado to be closer to family and start a new chapter in their lives. 

 

Connect with Nathan!

Website: http://www.coverve.com

Instagram: http://instagram.com/nnowack


Patrick Armstrong

Patrick Armstrong (he/him) is a transracial Korean American adoptee, podcaster, speaker, and community facilitator. He is one of the hosts of the Janchi Show, a podcast that explores and celebrates the experiences and stories of Korean adoptees everywhere. He also is host of Conversation Piece with Patrick Armstrong, a podcast where he discusses the missing pieces of the conversations we’re already having. He is a cofounder of the Asian Adoptees of Indiana, a group dedicated to creating a safe, engaging community for all Asian adoptees who need it. He is currently based in Indianapolis with his wife and cat.

 

Connect with Patrick!

Website: http://patrickintheworld.me

LinkedIn: http://linkedin/in/patrickintheworld

Instagram: http://instagram.com/patrickintheworld

K.J. Roelke (@kjroelke)

KJ (he/him) was adopted from Daegu and raised in Dallas, Texas with his two biological, older siblings and his younger sister, adopted from Russia. After spending a decade in the Midwest for college and career, he and his wife are back in Dallas and living large! He has been on his journey of discovery since 2015 and spends his days as a web developer for the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma.


Connect with K.J.!

Website: https://kjroelke.online/

LinkedIn: https://linkedin/in/kjroelke

Instagram: https://instagram.com/kjroelke

// Listen to/Watch The Janchi Show on all major platforms:

Apple: http://janchishow.com/apple

Spotify: http://janchishow.com/spotify

Youtube: http://janchishow.com/youtube

Gratitude & Credits

Michelle Nam for our logo and branding

Jerry Won for bring us together


This show is created and produced by Patrick, Nathan and KJ and is the sole property of the Janchi Show, LLC.


play-circle icon
73 MIN
171 // South Korea did us dirty...
MAY 14, 2025
171 // South Korea did us dirty...

Episode Summary: In this week’s episode of your favorite Korean Adoptee podcast, the Janchi Boys sit down and react to the news of South Korea admitting to adoption fraud. It’s not a light topic, but it is the Janchi Show so there’s still a fair amount of laughs!


Later, we get into HBAF Flavored Popcorn! Can someone tell us what the heck a “New York Cheeseburger” is?!


Resources:

The New York Times article

Reddit Post with NYT article text (in comment)



---


// Support the Show!


Online at janchishow.com / @janchishow

Support the show at janchishow.com/support

Join our Facebook Group! janchishow.com/afterparty

Watch our Youtube Videos

Leave a voicemail! 972-677-8867

Write us a note: [email protected]


The Janchi Show Quick Bio

The Janchi Show focuses on exploring intersectional identities and current events through the lens of adoption, race, lived experience and more. Sometimes we have guests, and sometimes it’s just the three of us. Either way, it’s always a janchi!


// Meet the Janchi Boys!


Nathan Nowack

Nathan (he/him) is a transracial Korean American adoptee who was born in Seoul in the 1970s. He was adopted at the age of 5 months old and raised in a small town in Oklahoma along with a non-biological Korean adopted sister.  After going to college in Colorado he later moved to Los Angeles to pursue a digital media career and eventually started 2 photography companies.  He loves spending time with his wife and 3 kids, playing golf, and collecting Lego. He is in reunion with his biological family as the youngest of 7 and has been in contact since 2015.  He currently serves on the Advisory Council for KAAN and helps with the planning of their annual adoptee conference.  In 2021, Nathan and his family moved back to Colorado to be closer to family and start a new chapter in their lives. 

 

Connect with Nathan!

Website: http://www.coverve.com

Instagram: http://instagram.com/nnowack


Patrick Armstrong

Patrick Armstrong (he/him) is a transracial Korean American adoptee, podcaster, speaker, and community facilitator. He is one of the hosts of the Janchi Show, a podcast that explores and celebrates the experiences and stories of Korean adoptees everywhere. He also is host of Conversation Piece with Patrick Armstrong, a podcast where he discusses the missing pieces of the conversations we’re already having. He is a cofounder of the Asian Adoptees of Indiana, a group dedicated to creating a safe, engaging community for all Asian adoptees who need it. He is currently based in Indianapolis with his wife and cat.

 

Connect with Patrick!

Website: http://patrickintheworld.me

LinkedIn: http://linkedin/in/patrickintheworld

Instagram: http://instagram.com/patrickintheworld

K.J. Roelke (@kjroelke)

KJ (he/him) was adopted from Daegu and raised in Dallas, Texas with his two biological, older siblings and his younger sister, adopted from Russia. After spending a decade in the Midwest for college and career, he and his wife are back in Dallas and living large! He has been on his journey of discovery since 2015 and spends his days as a web developer for the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma.


Connect with K.J.!

Website: https://kjroelke.online/

LinkedIn: https://linkedin/in/kjroelke

Instagram: https://instagram.com/kjroelke

// Listen to/Watch The Janchi Show on all major platforms:

Apple: http://janchishow.com/apple

Spotify: http://janchishow.com/spotify

Youtube: http://janchishow.com/youtube

Gratitude & Credits

Michelle Nam for our logo and branding

Jerry Won for bring us together


This show is created and produced by Patrick, Nathan and KJ and is the sole property of the Janchi Show, LLC.


play-circle icon
60 MIN
170 // Sara Docan-Morgan
APR 9, 2025
170 // Sara Docan-Morgan

Episode Summary: In this week’s episode of your favorite Korean Adoptee podcast, the Janchi Boys sit down with Sara Docan-Morgan and talk about the burden of magical thinking while adopted, being in reunion with your birth family and how casual familial interactions can reduce the spotlight that is so often placed on adoptees when they meet their birth families.


Meet Sara Docan-Morgan!

Instagram: @in.reunion

Check out her book, In Reunion!


---


// Support the Show!


Online at janchishow.com / @janchishow

Support the show at janchishow.com/support

Join our Facebook Group! janchishow.com/afterparty

Watch our Youtube Videos

Leave a voicemail! 972-677-8867

Write us a note: [email protected]


The Janchi Show Quick Bio

The Janchi Show focuses on exploring intersectional identities and current events through the lens of adoption, race, lived experience and more. Sometimes we have guests, and sometimes it’s just the three of us. Either way, it’s always a janchi!


// Meet the Janchi Boys!


Nathan Nowack

Nathan (he/him) is a transracial Korean American adoptee who was born in Seoul in the 1970s. He was adopted at the age of 5 months old and raised in a small town in Oklahoma along with a non-biological Korean adopted sister.  After going to college in Colorado he later moved to Los Angeles to pursue a digital media career and eventually started 2 photography companies.  He loves spending time with his wife and 3 kids, playing golf, and collecting Lego. He is in reunion with his biological family as the youngest of 7 and has been in contact since 2015.  He currently serves on the Advisory Council for KAAN and helps with the planning of their annual adoptee conference.  In 2021, Nathan and his family moved back to Colorado to be closer to family and start a new chapter in their lives. 

 

Connect with Nathan!

Website: http://www.coverve.com

Instagram: http://instagram.com/nnowack


Patrick Armstrong

Patrick Armstrong (he/him) is a transracial Korean American adoptee, podcaster, speaker, and community facilitator. He is one of the hosts of the Janchi Show, a podcast that explores and celebrates the experiences and stories of Korean adoptees everywhere. He also is host of Conversation Piece with Patrick Armstrong, a podcast where he discusses the missing pieces of the conversations we’re already having. He is a cofounder of the Asian Adoptees of Indiana, a group dedicated to creating a safe, engaging community for all Asian adoptees who need it. He is currently based in Indianapolis with his wife and cat.

 

Connect with Patrick!

Website: http://patrickintheworld.me

LinkedIn: http://linkedin/in/patrickintheworld

Instagram: http://instagram.com/patrickintheworld

K.J. Roelke (@kjroelke)

KJ (he/him) was adopted from Daegu and raised in Dallas, Texas with his two biological, older siblings and his younger sister, adopted from Russia. After spending a decade in the Midwest for college and career, he and his wife are back in Dallas and living large! He has been on his journey of discovery since 2015 and spends his days as a web developer for the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma.


Connect with K.J.!

Website: https://kjroelke.online/

LinkedIn: https://linkedin/in/kjroelke

Instagram: https://instagram.com/kjroelke

// Listen to/Watch The Janchi Show on all major platforms:

Apple: http://janchishow.com/apple

Spotify: http://janchishow.com/spotify

Youtube: http://janchishow.com/youtube

Gratitude & Credits

Michelle Nam for our logo and branding

Jerry Won for bring us together


This show is created and produced by Patrick, Nathan and KJ and is the sole property of the Janchi Show, LLC.


play-circle icon
83 MIN