Send us Fan Mail You can spend decades feeling like your story starts in the middle, then one DNA match changes everything. We sit down with Pekitta Tynes, a professional comedian, inspirational speaker, and the author of Thank God I Was Adopted Because DNA Is No Joke, and she brings humor and honesty to the parts of adoption that are hard to say out loud. Pekitta was abandoned without a birth certificate, moved through foster care, and was adopted at nine, which meant even basic facts like a...

Send us Fan Mail Adoption can hold joy and ache in the same breath. We open with reunion—meeting a sister after years—and the quiet courage of calling a birth parent “mom,” even while honoring the mother who raised us. From there, we move through grief, village support, and a practical update on a genealogy case that’s finally in motion. The heart of our conversation explores transracial adoption: why the numbers are growing, how economics and systems shape who adopts, and what it really take...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when the truth comes early, a storm knocks out the island’s power, and a single name spoken in a courtroom echoes for decades? We bring you Jennifer’s journey—from being adopted at two days old on Guam to leading an NYC adoption agency for older youth—and the winding path between belonging, uncertainty, and grace. We talk about the power of honest language in childhood and how it turns “You’re adopted” from a weapon into a badge of identity. Jennifer shares how ...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when a four-year-old's brave disclosure at a doctor's appointment changes the trajectory of her entire life? Sana Latrice Cotton joins us to share her extraordinary journey through foster care, adoption, and eventual reconnection with her biological family that will leave you breathless with its divine orchestration. From being separated from her twin brother when he was incarcerated at age 15 to discovering her future husband's grandmother had mysteriously kept...

Send us Fan Mail This intimate conversation offers a rare glimpse into how adoptees and their families navigate the complex emotions that arise when biological relatives are found. We explore the tension between excitement and caution, the fear of rejection from both sides, and the healing that happens when communication remains open. • The deep need adoptees have to understand their biological origins beyond their loving adoptive homes • How medical appointments can become unexpectedly pain...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when an adoptee grows up in an open adoption during the 1990s and becomes a children's book author? Sasha Sedman takes us through her remarkable journey, revealing the beautiful complexity of relationships that form when adoption is treated with honesty from the beginning. Sasha shares the extraordinary story of her birth - how her adoptive mother became friends with her birth mother during pregnancy and was even present in the delivery room. From a wicker bassi...

Send us Fan Mail Saran T. Baker never imagined that at 24, fresh out of college with her first job, she would suddenly become the adoptive parent to her younger siblings after her mother's tragic death. Yet somewhere deep inside, she always knew this would be her path. Growing up in what she candidly describes as the "hell home," Saran developed an early determination to one day provide her siblings with the safety and stability she never had. When her mother's fatal car accident made this a...

Send us Fan Mail Imagine uncovering hidden family truths and forming unbreakable bonds across unexpected paths. Join us, John and Lisa, in a heartfelt exploration of adoption, identity, and the relationships that shape our lives. This episode features the inspiring Kalila Scott Sumners, who offers a deeply personal glimpse into her adoption journey. From being embraced as a "chosen child" to the emotional complexities of meeting biological family members, Kalila's story is one of resilience, ...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when adoption intersects with marriage? Join us as we explore this question through the lens of our own relationships, with our significant others, Janice and Titus, lending their insights. From uncovering family secrets to navigating complex emotions, our 13th chapter marks a milestone in understanding the profound effects of adoption on personal identity and family dynamics. Through personal stories and candid conversations, we emphasize the necessity of open c...

Send us Fan Mail Imagine uncovering life-altering truths about your past nearly four decades into your life. This is the journey our guest shares, where unexpected revelations about family roots and adoption bring a cascade of emotions. We start by reflecting on the extraordinary lives of celebrated adoptees like Jamie Foxx and Babe Ruth, illustrating how nurturing environments and supportive relationships can shape destinies. Their stories set the stage for our guest’s poignant tale, as they...