Advertise on podcast: Not Made In China

Send us Fan Mail Today, Shaosheen is joined by Korean adoptee and writer Jonathan, to talk about growing up as one of the only Asian children in a white Southern New Jersey suburb, and how his writing — from fiction, to poetry, to nonfiction — has mirrored his changing relationship with his own identity. We talk about the "class clown" persona he built to control how others saw him, a trip back to Korea that changed what he wrote about, and his current work on adoptee representation in horror films. Follow Jonathan: Website: https://www.jonathanwittmaier.com IG: @jonathanwittmaier and @thedesolationsaints Jonathan's Writing: https://www.rewritingadoption.com/blog/rewriting-narrative-jonathan-wittmaier https://www.rewritingadoption.com/blog/circumstantial-evidence https://www.brawllit.com/2026/jonathan-wittmaier https://eunoiareview.wordpress.com/2025/09/09/learning-to-be-korean-while-also-not-crying-in-h-mart/ We post new episodes every other Tuesday and you can follow us @notmadeinchinapodcast on Instagram & TikTok

Send us Fan Mail We're taking a short break and will be back on the 6th of October with new episodes, new guests and new stories. Thank you so much for listening, we can't wait to be back soon! Shaosheen x Follow us on Instagram & TikTok @notmadeinchinapodcast

Send us Fan Mail Today, Shaosheen is joined by Eva, a Chinese adoptee and creator of BBC Sounds' Made In China, to talk identity, assumptions, and growing up as one of the only Asian faces in a predominantly white area. We cover the microaggressions and stereotypes she faced growing up, how "being the joke" felt like survival, and the therapy work behind unlearning it. We also explore nature vs. nurture as an adoptee, and why she's pushing back on the pressure to feel endlessly grateful for a life she never chose. This is a raw, honest conversation on transracial adoption, identity, and self-acceptance, for anyone who's ever felt like other people's assumptions defined them before they got a chance to speak. We post new episodes every other Tuesday across all major streaming platforms and we hope you enjoy eavesdropping on our conversation. Follow us on IG & TikTok: @notmadeinchinapodcast Follow Eva on IG & TikTok: @777kod_

Send us Fan Mail Today, Shaosheen is joined by Addy, a fellow Chinese adoptee and friend, raised by her mother in the US. Addy opens up about growing up between cultures, from her early years in Beijing to moving to New York, and what it's really meant to navigate her Chinese identity alongside her American upbringing. She shares her honest take on questions many adoptees ask themselves: am I Chinese enough? Do I have to choose? And why does the tension between two cultures sometimes feel like its own kind of identity? New episodes every other Tuesday. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @notmadeinchinapodcast

Send us Fan Mail Sophie found her birth family in just a few weeks, and still isn't sure she'd search again. Today, Shaosheen is joined by Sophie, a Chinese adoptee raised in the US, for a raw and honest conversation about birth family reunion. Sophie shares an often-unspoken side of adoption search stories, along with real, thoughtful advice for anyone considering searching for their own birth family. Although her search didn't go the way she expected, Sophie learned a huge amount about herself in the process — and offers genuinely valuable takeaways for other adoptees navigating similar questions. This is a conversation about identity, complexity, and what it really means to search for where you come from. New episodes every other Tuesday. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @notmadeinchinapodcast

Send us Fan Mail Today, Shaosheen is joined by Stefany, acclaimed author and Taiwanese kinship adoptee. Stefany shares her extraordinary journey of reuniting with her birth mother and later moving to Taiwan to live with her while learning Mandarin. We talk about the emotional reality of birth family reunion, navigating identity across cultures, and what it's really like building a relationship with a birth parent after years apart. Stefany also shares how writing has become a powerful way to advocate for adoptee voices and reclaim adoption narratives. IG & TikTok: @notmadeinchinapodcast  IG: @booksbystefany

Send us Fan Mail Trigger Warning: We briefly mention suicidal thoughts. If you or anyone you know is struggling with something similar, please visit Help for suicidal thoughts - NHS. Many adoptees grapple with questions of identity — but what if understanding your roots could heal decades of pain? Lifang, a Chinese adoptee and founder of Adoptopedia, shares her extraordinary journey from feeling like an outsider to embracing her legacy, and how her work is transforming countless lives.  Growing up in the Netherlands, Lifang faced daily confrontations that made her ask, "Why do I feel so alone in my skin?" She opens up about the racial taunts, the stigma, and her struggle with self-acceptance that many adoptees will instantly relate to. Despite the heartbreak, she found strength through therapy, reconnecting with her roots, and eventually discovering her birth family after 25 years — an experience that reshaped her identity and purpose. Adoptee Resources: www.adoptiepedia.nl Follow us on Instagram & TikTok: @notmadeinchinapodcast @yourhiddenchineseorigin

Send us Fan Mail Today, Shaosheen is joined by Brooke, a domestic adoptee from the UK. Brooke challenges adoption stereotypes by sharing her journey from a troubled background to a life of purpose. This episode explores her complex relationship with her birth family, the impact of trauma, and the power of resilience and love in defining family. Discover: How therapy and support systems foster self-growthThe importance of honest conversations about adoptionWhy identity transcends geneticsThe realities of reuniting with birth familyInsights into navigating adoption communication todayBrooke’s story is a powerful reminder that understanding and empathy are key to healing. Perfect for adoptees, parents, and anyone curious about the human side of adoption. We post new episodes every other Tuesday and you can follow us on Instagram and TikTok @NotMadeInChinaPodcast

Send us Fan Mail Today, Shaosheen sits down with Ming, a Chinese adoptee who recently returned to China. Together, they discuss what led her to make the decision to go back, how she felt in the lead-up to the trip, and the emotions and reflections she’s carried with her since returning home. Ming shares what it was like revisiting her hometown, visiting her orphanage, and reconnecting with parts of her story and identity in a completely new way. The conversation also explores growing up adopted in the UK, navigating identity as a transracial adoptee, and the emotional complexity of returning to your birth country years later.

Send us Fan Mail Today, Shaosheen is joined by Mariane, a Chinese adoptee raised by Quebecois parents. Mariane shares some of the challenges she faced as one of the only Chinese people in her area including her experiences of microaggressions and subtle racism, and how these experienced were often dismissed and not considered real racism. Mariane chats about how she has reconnected with her Chinese culture as she got older, through language, culture and clothing.  Mariane shares a beautiful poem she wrote, "I wish I could write this poem in Chinese", which she reads in the episode. Full translation available on request.   Follow Mariane on socials: Instagram: @mariane_c.r TikTok: @mariane.ming YouTube: @marianemingshobbies Follow us! Instagram, TikTok & YouTube: @notmadeinchinapodcast We hope you enjoy eavesdropping on our conversation. x

Send us Fan Mail Today, Shaosheen is joined by Emma, a Chinese American adoptee who grew up in Marin County, California. Emma shares what it was like growing up in a predominantly white community, where she largely felt “normal” and didn’t think adoption had a significant impact on her identity, often (and understandably) feeling more aligned with the world around her than with her Chinese heritage. As she got older, that perspective began to evolve. Together, they explore the moments that shaped Emma’s awareness of her identity, from school and adolescence to becoming more conscious of how others perceived her. They also discuss the realities of transracial adoption, including common misconceptions and how individual each adoptee’s relationship with their identity can be. Emma reflects on her adoptive parents’ efforts to connect her with her culture, what resonated (and what didn’t at the time), and how her understanding of her identity has evolved. She also shares why she chose to write about her story, with the aim of helping other adoptees feel seen and understood. We post new episodes every other Tuesday and you can find us both on IG, YouTube & TikTok: @emmamingfuller @notmadeinchinapodcast

Send us Fan Mail Today Shaosheen is joined by Anna, a Chinese adoptee raised in a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints family in Salt Lake City.  They explore what it means to grow up as a transracial adoptee, from early messages about “gratitude” to the often-overlooked realities of loss, identity conflict, and cultural disconnection. Anna shares her experience reconnecting with her Chinese heritage through language, reflection, and self-led exploration, as well as the emotional complexity of thinking about her birth family.  They also delve into some of the (frankly wild) comments people have left on social media in response to Anna sharing her adoption story, unpacking the adoption misconceptions they highlight.  Follow us on TikTok: @AdoptionLiterateAnna @NotMadeInChinaPodcast Instagram: @NotMadeInChinaPodcast

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Shaosheen is joined by Mackenzie, who became pregnant at 17 and made the decision to make an adoption plan for her daughter. Mackenzie shares the story behind that decision, the challenges she faced as a young birth mother, and the importance of the language we use when talking about adoption. She also reflects on the adoption process itself and what it looks like to navigate an open adoption relationship five years later. This conversation offers an honest look at the complexities of adoption from a birth mother’s perspective, highlighting the thought, care, and love that can go into making an adoption plan.

Send us Fan Mail Today, Shaosheen is joined by Cat, a British Chinese adoptee who has just completed her PhD exploring the British Chinese adoptee experience. In this episode, they dive into Cat’s research and her personal journey, discussing what it feels like to question if you’re “Chinese enough,” navigating cultural identity in predominantly white spaces, and the ways connecting with other Chinese adoptees helped her make sense of her own story.

Send us Fan Mail Today, Shaosheen is joined by Rick, a Black, Korean adoptee who grew up in the US. Rick talks about finding out he was adopted — and half Korean — at 16, how that shaped his identity, and what it’s been like reconnecting with his Korean heritage through food, language, and culture since. He also shares why confirming who his birth mother is feels so important to him.  Follow Rick on Instagram: @blaisiansays Korean Adoptee Resource Hub: kadresourcehub.com Follow us on Instagram & TikTok: @notmadeinchinapodcast