What Next? The Adoptee Rights Podcast

Sep 30 2024 23 ep. 52 mins 6

What Next? The Adoptee Rights Podcast artwork

All and everything about adoptee rights, with interviews, discussions, and the ongoing complexities of being an adopted person in the world.

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21: Truth and Reconciliation

Sep 30 2024 56 mins

Greg talks with Jennifer Kwon Dobbs and Ryan Gustafsson---two Korean-born transnational adoptees, scholars, and advocates---about their cases (and other cases) before the South Korean Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Jennifer and Ryan discuss their own personal experiences as well as what is meant by truth and reconciliation, not only in a global context but more specifically i

20: Rescission - A Conversation about Ending Your Own Adoption

May 02 2024 35 mins

Greg talks with Chelsey, a US-born adult adopted person who for years has been seeking to end her own adoption, and for good reason. They discuss her story and reasons, the various legal issues surrounding the rescission of an adoption, and the ongoing Adoptees United project that has led to a definition of terms and to a draft model bill that would establish a right as an adult t

19: Kara Bos - Dual Citizenship

Apr 24 2024 38 mins

Greg and CS talk with Korean-born and US transnational adoptee Kara Bos about her efforts to reclaim her Korean citizenship, lost to her when she was four years of age and adopted to the United States. Her efforts included the first successful paternity action in Korea to establish paternity with her Korean biological father. The conversation is part of an Adoptees United event, Du

18: Lobbying - With Annette O'Connell and Shawna Hodgson

Apr 18 2024 60 mins

Greg speaks with Annette O'Connell and Shawna Hodgson about lobbying in state legislatures, plus other (kinda nutty) issues that pop up. As board members of Adoptees United and as advocates in New York and Texas, Annette and Shawna have years of experience in lobbying legislators on birth record bills. They talk about their approach, how hard it is to do this work, and what it may

17: Relinquished - With Gretchen Sisson

Apr 12 2024 63 mins

A conversation with scholar, advocate, researcher and writer Gretchen Sisson, author of the recently published Relinquished: The Politics of Adoption and the Privilege of American Motherhood. This is the podcast version of our conversation we had before an online audience in March 2024. It has been slightly edited from that event. What Next: The Adoptee Rights Podcast is a producti

16: Max Aulbach

Feb 28 2024 45 mins

One of two episodes (the first with Ayana Smith-Kooiman) where Greg talks with legislative staffers. This time he sits down with Max Aulbach, the legislative director for Michigan Represetative Kristian Grant , whose district is in Grand Rapids. Max talks about his work, what works best (or not) in contacting legislative offices, and how he and his office works to support his boss.

15: Ayana Smith-Kooiman

Feb 28 2024 40 mins

We sit down with Ayana Smith-Kooiman, the legislative assistant to Sen. Erin Maye Quade in Minnesota. Ayana was the behind-the-scenes and front-desk staffer directly supporting Sen. Maye Quade's adoptee rights bill in 2023, ultimately getting it enacted. She's a Wisconsin-born adopted person, a Macalester College graduate, and a former advocacy fellow with Gender Justice in Minneso

14: Adoption Mosaic

Feb 18 2024 27 mins

Part 2 of a two-part interview with Astrid Castro, and we turn to the history of her work with Adoption Mosaic and the complications and joys of providing solid programming and events for adopted people---and allies, partners, and anyone impacted by adoption. We recommend listening to Part 1 before listening. Ciao! Show Notes Adoption Mosaic is a BIPOC woman owned, adoptee-led mis

13: Astrid Castro

Feb 18 2024 55 mins

Greg talks with Astrid Castro, someone he's long wanted to have on the show. Astrid is a transracial transnational adoptee who was born in Colombia. She is also the longtime leader and current CEO of Oregon-based Adoption Mosaic, and has since 1990 provided programming, guidance, wisdom, and space to all people impacted by adoption, but with a particular focus and dedication to ado

12: @stoweyvik

Jun 04 2022 65 mins

More widely known among adopted people as @stoweyvik on Twitter, Vicki is a transracial UK adoptee, army veteran, and host of the weekly Sunday Zoom chats with adoptees and Vicki's special guests. Greg talks to her about her and her sibling's life in rural England and about her recent participation in the government's recent inquiry into forced adoptions that occurred in the UK bet