#151 - Embracing Identity & Chosen Family with Sam Futerman

First of All

Understanding our unique identities is no small feat. We're made up of so many intersecting things that also evolve over time. Some parts we embrace wholeheartedly, others confuse us, and some can just be difficult to accept. In this episode, Minji sits down with her friend, Sam Futerman, to discuss her incredible journey as a transracial adoptee from Korea who also discovered an identical twin sister as an adult. From growing up with a white family and having to navigate uncomfortable questions, looks, and assumptions to documenting the biggest surprise of her life - reuniting with her sister, Anais - Sam has walked quite a path. Together they discuss the short and longterm impact of culture, ignorance, racism, and love in how we grow up and see ourselves. They also get into the concept of family and what that means to those who are bound by blood and the beauty of choosing your own family.

This week's guest:

• Samantha Futerman (@samfuterman)

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• Clubhouse (@MinjiChang)

Music featured in this episode include "Uzuhan" by Uzuhan and "Time of Your Life" by DanAKADan featuring Alex Hwang

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This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Listen to Inheriting from LAist & NPR

"Inheriting" is a show about Asian American and Pacific Islander families, which explores how one event in history can ripple through generations. In doing so, the show seeks to break apart the AAPI monolith and tell a fuller story of these communities. In each episode, NPR’s Emily Kwong sits down with one family and facilitates deeply emotional conversations between their loved ones, exploring how their most personal, private moments are an integral part of history. Through these stories, we show how the past is personal and how to live with the legacies we’re constantly inheriting. New episodes premiere every Thursday. Subscribe to “Inheriting” on your app of choice

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