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★★★★★

4.9

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259 reviews

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Adoptees telling their own stories of life in adoption, their search for their birth family, and how their reunion attempt turned out. Stories that make you laugh, cry, or simply say "wow". This podcast has two purposes: 1) To help you explore your own feelings about your adoption, accept your desire understand your own personal history, and decide for yourself whether reunification with your biological relatives is right for you. It will help you understand how others have dealt with issues related to protecting the feelings of their adopted families who may be supportive of your search, or question your motives and present challenges. 2) For non-adoptees, this podcast will help you understand some of what is in the minds of your friends, family members, or others who are adopted. Perhaps you had questions for them but you didn’t know if you should ask. The stories will make you smile or bring you to tears, but they’re all true as told by the people who lived them. In them, I hope you’ll find something that inspires you, validates your feelings about wanting to search, or motivates you to have the strength along your journey to learn “Who Am I Really?”

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276 - I Just Can't Make This Sh!t Up!

2025/12/13

Alejandra, who spoke to me from Tampa, Florida, said that growing up she towered over her Mexican parents as a blonde white woman. They loved her deeply, making her feel safe she feels loyalty towards them. But adoption reunion, found Alejandra twice. Her maternal side had searched for decades to find her. Her paternal aunt found her then introduced her to her half-Brother. Alejandra has special gifts that made her super fast, overwhelming maternal reunion, a challenging adventure. This is Alejandra's journey. I Just Can't Make This Sh!t Up Who Am I Really? Who Am I Really? Website Share Your StoryDamon's story Find the show on: InstagramFacebookAppleYouTubeSpotifyGoogleTuneIn StitcherPlayer FMPodbean

275 - That's The Girl Barbara Got

2025/12/06

Yvette, from Memphis, TN, shared that In her childhood no one would say the word "adopted",. After a tense moment in the neighborhood and a series of events, Yvette figured out the truth. In reunion, Yvette learned she was placed for adoption at an odd place in the birth order of her siblings, corroborating an unsettling suspicion she had about her parents' relationship. However, she has also met some wonderful birth family members, one of whom she said is the best thing that has ever happened to her. This is Yvette's journey. Who Am I Really? Who Am I Really? Website Share Your StoryDamon's story Find the show on: InstagramFacebookAppleYouTubeSpotifyGoogleTuneIn StitcherPlayer FMPodbean

274 - If Anything More Was Supposed To Happen, It Would've Happened

2025/11/29

Lauren, from southwest England in the UK, grew up knowing she was adopted and was loyal to her family, but applying to university and thinking through her life made her want to trace her roots. When she found her birth mother, she met a woman who started off chilly but warmed up when Lauren got to meet her parents, and Lauren learned that mother and daughter have something in common. Her birth father found her too, after Lauren sent a letter, but in the end she's not connected to either side of her birth families, choosing to let things be as they are. This is Lauren's journey. Women Of A Certain Stage, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube Who Am I Really? Who Am I Really? Website Share Your StoryDamon's story Find the show on: InstagramFacebookAppleYouTubeSpotifyGoogleTuneIn StitcherPlayer FMPodbean

273 - Allowing The Grief of Each Little Separation

2025/11/22

Nicole, from outside London in the UK, grew up in Australia. As a teenager, Nicole struggled with her adoption, so after reaching out for help, her birth mother was found, but that caused challenges with her adoptive parents. Soon after, Nicole’s birth father was found and proudly showcased, but she admits she wasn’t ready for that paternal relationship and wishes now that she had invested more in it back then. Nicole also shared her feelings about how adopted people invest in parenting our own children. This is Nicole’s journey. Who Am I Really? Who Am I Really? Website Share Your StoryDamon's story Find the show on: InstagramFacebookAppleYouTubeSpotifyGoogleTuneIn StitcherPlayer FMPodbean

272 - Both Amazing and Bittersweet

2025/11/15

Greg, from Minneapolis, Minnesota, said when his son was born, he thought he could stroll into the D.C. adoption system to ask for his adoption records, but he learned there were significant barriers to access. He’s one of the few people who found reunion through a registry, meeting his birth mother just in time to form a bond, then inheriting the true documentation of her past, more valuable than anything the courts could provide. Greg still holds out hope that his birth father will warm up more quickly to get to know him one day. Until then... ...this is Greg's journey. Who Am I Really? Who Am I Really? Website Share Your StoryDamon's story Find the show on: InstagramFacebookAppleYouTubeSpotifyGoogleTuneIn StitcherPlayer FMPodbean

271 - The Blessing of Hardship is Perspective

2025/11/08

Christy, who called me from Utah, was deeply loved by her adoptive parents, who prayed she would be delivered to them. But throughout childhood, she was unable to shake the feeling of being abandoned. In reunion, Christy heard the hard truth of her conception, self-medicated to escape her feelings, then recovered to center herself in motherhood. Christy shared the importance of telling our stories, as another adoptee and journey mate did for her. This is Christy's journey. New Book! Inside the Adoptee Experience Who Am I Really? Who Am I Really? Website Share Your StoryDamon's story Find the show on: InstagramFacebookAppleYouTubeSpotifyGoogleTuneIn StitcherPlayer FMPodbean

270 - Glimmers of Light The Little Girl In Me Needs

2025/11/01

Neshia, from outside of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, said her birth mother lived the street life and exposed her children to the full dark side of the choices she was making back then. Neshia credits one amazing foster family with showing her what a normal life as a child should be, but it was short-lived. Transplanted from the city into a rural transracial adoption, she was cast out as a teen, and trauma cycles repeated themselves. But today, Neshia is doing her best to be a mom to her own children, focusing on the glimmers of hope in her life. This is Neshia's journey. New Book! Inside the Adoptee Experience Who Am I Really? Who Am I Really? Website Share Your StoryDamon's story Find the show on: InstagramFacebookAppleYouTubeSpotifyGoogleTuneIn StitcherPlayer FMPodbean

269 - It's Amazing How It All Fell Into Place

2025/10/25

Today is a special double adoptee episode with Noreen and Adrian. They both live in Massachusetts, but they were together in New Hampshire to meet someone special in Noreen's search. Her adoptive mother was very supportive and even spoke with her first mother. For Adrian, the maternal search has had its ups and downs, including finding a grave, but their stories ended up converging when they found each other through DNA, developed an instant bond, and have since supported each other through a shared paternal search. These are the individual and convergent journeys of Noreen and Adrian. New Book! Inside the Adoptee Experience Who Am I Really? Who Am I Really? Website Share Your StoryDamon's story Find the show on: InstagramFacebookAppleYouTubeSpotifyGoogleTuneIn StitcherPlayer FMPodbean

268 - I've Gained Peace With Every Piece

2025/10/18

Lori, from Missouri, said that growing up she wondered who her birth mother was, but it wasn’t until she received her original birth certificate that the gravity of her identity truly hit home. Incredibly, documenting her search on social media led her to a very supportive search angel who already knew exactly who Lori was looking for. She tried to correspond with her birth mother, but Lori was blocked and rejected, leaving her with only hope for the future. Still, Lori said finding each piece has given her peace. This is Lori’s journey. New Book! Inside the Adoptee Experience Who Am I Really? Who Am I Really? Website Share Your StoryDamon's story Find the show on: InstagramFacebookAppleYouTubeSpotifyGoogleTuneIn StitcherPlayer FMPodbean

267 -Things Worked Out The Way They Were Supposed To

2025/10/11

Sharla, from West Texas, grew up never wanting to find her birth family. But in truth, she knows she was suppressing that feeling. After a DNA test, Sharla finally figured out she had made a paternal connection, but she didn't realize how close she had actually come to meeting her birth father. Unfortunately, Sharla has gotten mixed signals from her birth mother, and now the woman has left her with negative comments. Sharla refuses to let her negativity drag her down. This is Sharla's journey. New Book! Inside the Adoptee Experience Who Am I Really? Who Am I Really? Website Share Your StoryDamon's story Find the show on: InstagramFacebookAppleYouTubeSpotifyGoogleTuneIn StitcherPlayer FMPodbean

266 - You Don't Have To Run Anymore

2025/10/04

Elina, from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was born in Russia. She spent her early years in her birth family’s care before moving into foster care. Then, as a minor, she finalized her own adoption before departing for America. Elina grew up as one of four adoptees, each experiencing the impacts of adoption at different stages of their lives. Elina has been contacted by her extended family, but she’s not interested in reconnecting with her birth mother. Instead, she’s focused on the deep healing work she wants to do for herself. This is Elina’s journey. New Book! Inside the Adoptee Experience Who Am I Really? Who Am I Really? Website Share Your StoryDamon's story Find the show on: InstagramFacebookAppleYouTubeSpotifyGoogleTuneIn StitcherPlayer FMPodbean

265 - Captain of Her Ship

2025/09/27

Angie, from Southern Maryland. Growing up, Angie was frequently defined by her skin tone, as her relationship to her adoptive parents was questioned. Her contrast against her schoolmates and surrounding community made her stand out. When Angie found her birth mother, she was welcomed home—even by the woman responsible for her placement. But her paternal reunion was marked by an unremarkable connection and vitriolic remarks, which led Angie to take control of who she keeps in her life. This is Angie’s journey. New Book! Inside the Adoptee Experience Who Am I Really? Who Am I Really? Website Share Your StoryDamon's story Find the show on: InstagramFacebookAppleYouTubeSpotifyGoogleTuneIn StitcherPlayer FMPodbean

264 - Connected By Cousins

2025/09/20

Donna, from New Jersey, grew up questioning the origins of her looks. In college the uniqueness of her appearance sparked curiosity. Donna spent years with no way to locate her birth family until DNA testing presented links to her maternal and paternal families simultaneously. While it was tough to find graves on her search, Donna takes fulfillment from the acceptance she's gained and the fostering she provides to children in her community. This is Donna's journey. New Book! Inside the Adoptee Experience Who Am I Really? Who Am I Really? Website Share Your StoryDamon's story Find the show on: InstagramFacebookAppleYouTubeSpotifyGoogleTuneIn StitcherPlayer FMPodbean

263 - I Know From Whence I Came

2025/09/13

Rosalyn spoke to me from the suburbs of Cleveland, Ohio. As a teenager, she learned the truth about her adoption at her adoptive mother’s funeral—a discovery that was revealed harshly and without warning. In reunion, Rosalyn said she found peace in the mirroring she saw with her first mother and her paternal family connections. But she refused to remain an unacknowledged secret with her birth father. Make sure you listen through to the end, where Rosalyn reveals why her informal adoption has created serious problems for some of her most basic freedoms. This is Rosalyn's journey. New Book! Inside the Adoptee Experience Who Am I Really? Who Am I Really? Website Share Your StoryDamon's story Find the show on: InstagramFacebookAppleYouTubeSpotifyGoogleTuneIn StitcherPlayer FMPodbean

262 - Un-M-Othered

2025/09/06

Dr. Liz Debetta spoke to me from Plymouth, Michigan. Growing up, adoption was an open topic until her younger brother's birth changed the family's focus. A series of bad relationships and feeling lost in life led Liz back to school where she rediscovered writing and the award-winning adoption story she's always had inside. In reunion, Liz found the first mother whom she always knew wanted to know her. But herdeep exploration of her adoption has driven a wedge between Liz and her older brother. This is Liz's journey. LizDebetta.com Inside the Adoptee Experience Who Am I Really? Who Am I Really? Website Share Your StoryDamon's story Find the show on: InstagramFacebookAppleYouTubeSpotifyGoogleTuneIn StitcherPlayer FMPodbean

Podcast reviews

Read Who Am I Really? podcast reviews

4.9 out of 5

259 reviews

★★★★★

carmdurf 2026/04/12

Not just for adoptees

This podcast has become one of my bookmarked favorites. It is full of enlightenment, humor, insights, and human stories. Damon is an excellent intervi...

★★★★★

Niemah Anne 2026/02/25

Wonderful Podcast!

Damon’s podcast is truly exceptional. He creates space for honest, meaningful dialogue with adoptees that goes deeper than surface-level conversation....

★★★★★

Now I’m the big sister 2025/03/26

Sibling reunion

I was recently contacted by a half sibling. We share a father though we do not know who he is at this point. Meeting someone that that I am geneticall...

★★★★★

Rmoonn 2024/06/02

Book Two!

Can not wait

★★★★★

Mimi Diggs 2024/02/24

Salve for the adoptee soul

Hearing all these other adoptee stories makes me feel less alone in this world of adoption. There is nothing like community to heal. Thank you for cre...

★★★★★

LittleLindsayG 2024/01/20

I'm an adoptive mother learning so much from this podcast.

I've really enjoyed going back and listening to so many of these episodes in hopes that it will help keep my mind open to any struggles my daughter ma...

★★★★★

Zlighting 2024/01/15

What a gift!

Thank you, Damon, and everyone who shares their stories. You have given me a great gift. Listening to you has given me a deeper understanding of the s...

★★★★★

Mjcrouse 2023/12/16

This show is a blessing!

I’ve been listening to Damon’s show for years now. It has truly been a blessing to me as an adoptee. Hearing other people’s stories who are similar to...

★★★★★

ErranSmith 2023/11/08

My absolute favorite

I’ve listened to several adoptee podcasts and ALWAYS come back to this one because it’s my FAVORITE! I love Damon’s approach and how he asks all the r...

★★★★★

Kasalena 2023/10/11

One of my favorites!

I love this show!!! I’m not an adoptee but I have known adoptees throughout my life and I really appreciate being able to hear their voices! This is a...

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