The Adoptee's Voice: Erin Calls for Reform of the Adoption System

Explicit content warning

04/23/25 • 83 min

Join us for a powerful conversation with Erin, known as Adoptee Advocate Erin (@woodorwater) on Tiktok, who shares her deeply personal adoption story, revealing the complexities and hidden truths behind the "beautiful" narrative that adoption has sold. Erin explains "the fog," a common experience where adoptees suppress their true feelings, and details the shocking discovery of her adoptive mother's lies about sealed records. She passionately advocates for adoption reform, highlighting the need for education, birth mother support, and an end to the commodification of children. Erin emphasizes the crucial importance of listening to adoptees and creating space for their diverse experiences. A must-listen for anyone touched by adoption or wanting to learn more than what we've been told.

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See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Previous Episode

The Complexities Of Adoption: Money, Marketing, and Ethics with Gretchen Sisson

On today's episode, Gretchen Sisson, author of Relinquished, sits down with Cate & Ty to discuss about her research on the gap between the cultural perception of adoption and the lived experiences of birth parents. Gretchen talks about the coercion and lack of resources playing a significant part that often led women to choose adoption, emphasizes that many would have chosen differently had they had more financial stability and support. The conversation also delves into the adoption industry using marketing tactics, their financial aspects, and the ethical concerns surrounding the system's inherent inequalities. Is every adoption a failure of society to provide adequate support for families? Cate & Ty break it down with Gretchen as she provides a nuanced look at adoption, challenging common assumptions and highlighting the need for change to better support birth parents, adoptees, and families in need.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Next Episode

Who Is Adoption Really For? Alé Cardinalle's International Adoption Experience

Join us for a powerful and deeply personal conversation with Alé (@wildheartcollective), who shares her incredible journey as an international adoptee. Adopted from Brazil at just four months old, Alé's story is one of emotional complexities, and ultimately, profound self-discovery. Alé opens up about the unique challenges she faced growing up—navigating feelings of difference, grappling with mental health struggles, but also shares the remarkable tale of how, with the support of her adoptive family, she was able to find her biological family in Brazil. Alé passionately advocates for a fundamental shift in how society views adoption, emphasizing the critical importance of prioritizing the child's needs above all else - the raw, honest, and eye-opening exploration of adoption from the inside out.

For more information visit Alé Cardinalle at wildheartcollective.care

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.