Best Curious Skate Podcasts (2024)

1
Mind, Body, and Spirit: Gabbie Lamm on the Intersection of Physical and Mental Wellness 37:45

10d ago37:45

37:45

Ever wondered how a background in counselling psychology can transform a personal trainer's approach to fitness? Join us as we chat with Gabbie Lamm, a dynamic personal trainer and Lululemon ambassador who blends mental and physical wellness and resilience, which leads to empowering transformations, both inside and out. Gabbie shares behind-the-sce…

1
Beyond the Finish Line: Inside Ontario Special Olympics with Constable John Burke of the Waterloo Regional Police 25:01

2M ago25:01

25:01

Did you know bowling is an Olympic sport? In this exciting episode, Constable John Burke joins us to share inspiring stories from the Special Olympics, giving us a peek into a world where determination and joy shine through. As we gear up for the Ontario Special Olympic Spring Games, we talk with Constable Burke about the incredible journey these a…

1
S4:E9 Theater as a Catalyst for Change in the Adoption Community with Suzanne Bachner 49:16

3M ago49:16

49:16

Art meets advocacy when the transformative power of storytelling takes the spotlight. As a playwright, Suzanne Bachner channeled the raw emotions and experiences of the adoptee's pursuit into narratives that resonate beyond the stage, touching hearts and influencing legislative change. This episode doesn't merely trace Suzanne's path to discovering…

1
S4:E8 Unlocking Secrets of the Adoption Narrative with Lori Knisely 43:15

3M ago43:15

43:15

When Lori Knisely offers a window into her soul, revealing the intertwined paths of being an adoptee and storyteller, we're reminded that life is rich with complex patterns. Our hearts travel with Lori to the remnants of St. Anthony's Home for Infants, feeling the gravity of each stone and the stories they carry as we follow her quest for informati…

1
Lobster Tales: Dive into Entrepreneurship and Philanthropy with Ron Caudle 21:50

3M ago21:50

21:50

Are you a fan of seafood? Are you curious about the fascinating world of lobsters? Then you definitely need to tune in to our latest podcast episode featuring Ron Caudle, the inspiring entrepreneur behind Caudle's Catch. Ron has been a successful and influential business leader in the Kitchener-Waterlo area for over 40 years. Join us as Ron shares …

1
The Return of Curious Conversations: A Podcast for Kids by Kids 1:41

3M ago1:41

1:41

Welcome! We are thrilled to announce the start of a new season of Curious Conversations. For those of you who are new to our show, we are twins who just turned 14. We are about to finish Grade 8 and are looking forward to starting high school in the fall. We love playing sports, travelling, listening to music, and playing video games. We are still …

1
S4:E7 The Intertwined Histories of Adoption, Loss and Hope with Author Rebecca Wellington 40:36

3M ago40:36

40:36

Have you ever pondered the threads of history of adoption and how it intertwines to shape lives? Rebecca Wellington joins us in a thought provoking conversation that reaches into the depths of her own adoption story, the heartache of losing her sister, and the impetus behind her touching book, "Who is a Worthy Mother? An Intimate History of Adoptio…

1
S4:E6: From Isolation to Understanding A Mother and Son's Adoption Story: Adoption and Addiction Insights with Joe and Beth 35:08

3M ago35:08

35:08

Sometimes the bonds of family and the fabric of our identities need mending, a truth that Joe Beth know all too well. On this episode of Wandering Tree Podcast, we hear their powerful journey through adoption, suicide and addiction. The conversation leads up down a path which involves unraveling the deep emotional complexities that come with Joe co…

1
S4:E5 The Emotional Odyssey of an Adoptee and Birth Mother 58:16

4M ago58:16

58:16

Have you ever stood at the crossroads of identity, where the past and present collide in a mosaic of loss and discovery? Monica Hall's life is a living embodiment of such a crossroads, as she gracefully carries the dual mantle of being both an adoptee and a birth parent. In this episode, Monica recounts her story of growing up in a Catholic family …

1
S4:E4 Bridging Two Worlds An Actress's Tale of Adoption and Self-Discovery 42:36

4M ago42:36

42:36

When Kira Omans opens up about her life as a transracial adoptee, you can't help but be drawn into her world. Her narrative is not just a story of adoption but a profound testament to the search for identity and belonging. In today's conversation, we navigate Kira's childhood and growth into a confident Chinese American, actress, and advocate for t…

1
S4:E3 A Journey to Wholeness for A Baby Scoop Era Adoptee with Mary Ellen Gambutti 49:46

4M ago49:46

49:46

Have you ever felt like a piece of your identity was missing? Mary Ellen Gambuti joins us to weave the heartfelt narrative of her life as an adoptee from the baby scoop era, a time when societal pressures and moral expectations often forced the hand of birth parents. Her candid recollection begins with the harrowing tale of her abandonment at birth…

1
S4:E2 Finding Her Wings: Dana Ozak's Touching Story of Adoption, Identity, and Family Reunion 24:59

5M ago24:59

24:59

When Ohio native Dana Ozak was brought home on her mother's birthday, little did she know that her life would unfold as a tale both profound and inspiring. Our latest Wandering Tree Podcast episode encapsulates Dana's journey as an adoptee, weaving through family dynamics, identity formation, and the ceaseless quest for belonging. Her narrative is …

1
S4:E1 A Tapestry of Belonging in the Complex World of Adoption with Adoptee Julie McGue 45:40

6M ago45:40

45:40

A Tapestry of Belonging in the Complex World of Adoption with Adoptee Julie McGue When the quest for identity entwines with the intricacies of adoption, it's a journey worth sharing. This is precisely what Julie McGue, the award-winning author of "Twice a Daughter: A Search for Identity, Family and Belonging," offers as she unfolds her narrative of…

1
S3:E18 Her Ice Skating Dreams and My Adoption with Edward Di Gangi 40:18

7M ago40:18

40:18

When Edward Di Gangi sat down with us, we knew we were about to embark on a journey unlike any other—a quest for identity that turns the pages of the past to illuminate the present. He mesmerizes us with his narrative, one that began with his adoption during a time known as the baby scoop era and flourished into an idyllic upbringing by his loving …

1
S3:E17 Portrait of Resilience, Adaptation and Adoption: The Miracle of Life with Matt 48:36

7M ago48:36

48:36

As your host, I'm thrilled to welcome our guest, Matt, a beacon of hope and resilience who brings us an extraordinary tale of adoption, medical adversity, and the quest to find, define and anchor to his family roots. Born as a premature baby with an array of health complications, Matt's story begins with a life-threatening situation, taken under th…

1
S3:E16 Adoption - Nurture, nature and free will with Jack F. Rocco, MD 35:37

8M ago35:37

35:37

Ever wonder how it feels to grow up feeling chosen, only to discover that your life's narrative was built on a web of half-truths? Get ready for an adoptee rollercoaster as we sit down with Jack Rocco MD, author of "Recycled." Jack takes us through his adoption journey from his loving upbringing in a tight-knit Italian family to his path of self-di…

1
S3:E15 A Hidden Identity Revealed: Fred Nicora Path to Self-Understanding 40:40

8M ago40:40

40:40

Imagine being 41 years old and discovering at a family gathering that you were adopted. That's exactly what happened with our guest, author and adoptee, Fred Nicora. A unintentional disclosure sparked a massive transformation in Fred's understanding of his identity and started him on an ongoing journey of self-discovery and healing. He offers an in…

1
S3: E14 Running Towards Mental Health and Self-Discovery in Adoption - Andy Wallis 29:25

9M ago29:25

29:25

Have you ever wondered about the deeper psychological impacts of adoption? Join us as we plunge into the emotionally charged story of Andy Wallis, a man adopted in 1973 who has grappled with undiscovered impacts of adoption trauma for over a decade. Andy's unique and poignant tale navigates through his experiences with attachment and detachment in …

1
S3:E13 Ryan Anderson's Unabated Pursuit of Family;The Threefold Connection 35:18

9M ago35:18

35:18

Ryan Anderson, who imparts his moving journey of self-discovery and acceptance take us on an unforgettable journey of discovery and growth. Born and raised as an outsider in Scotland, Ryan opens up about his unique experience of grappling with various socio-cultural and economic factors that set him apart from the crowd. His narrative takes a surpr…

1
S3:E12 Living in the Light with Michelle Madrid 1:02:19

10M ago1:02:19

1:02:19

Do you need to find some light within you during the daily wins and losses of the adoptee journey? This episode welcomes international adoptee, author, and adoptee empowerment life coach Michelle Madrid. She shares intimate insights from her own experiences growing up in foster care, being labeled with limiting words, and the intense feelings of be…

1
S3:E11 From Strangers to Family: The Healing Impact of Retreats with Hiraeth, Hope and Healing 40:39

11M ago40:39

40:39

Have you ever felt the transformative power of community and connections? Join us as we dive into deep conversations with Erin, Cindy and Annie from Hiraeth, Hope, and Healing about their journeys of self-healing and discovery. They share their poignant stories of self-discovery, revealing how a nurturing community has become their backbone to joy.…

1
S3:E10 The Unbreakable Bond: Linda and Louise's Adoption Reunion Journey 56:32

12M ago56:32

56:32

It gets real and emotional in this episode where we welcome our special guests, Linda and Louise, a birth mother and adoptee duo, who bravely share their poignant journey of reunion, self-discovery, and bonding. Prepare to be moved as together, we unpack the life-altering experiences that marked Linda's past - from enduring abuse to meeting Louise'…

1
S3:E9 Unveiling a Birth Mother's Perspective on Adoption, Grief, and Healing with Candice Cahill 49:52

1y ago49:52

49:52

What does it mean to be a birth mother? How do you navigate the emotional terrain of unplanned pregnancies, the heart-rending decision of adoption, and the aftermath of that choice? These are the raw realities we tackle in this potent episode, guided by the strength and resilience of author and birth mother, Candice Cahill. This conversation is a d…

1
S3:E8 Healing Tree with Danielle Gaudette - Her Story of Self-Discovery 47:42

1y ago47:42

47:42

What if you had the chance to hear a powerful story of adoption, mental illness, and healing from someone who experienced it firsthand? We're honored to have Danielle Gaudette, author of Healing Tree, share her incredible journey with us. From being adopted just 10 days after her birth to reuniting with her biological mother at 21, Danielle opens u…

1
S3:E7 Exploring Adoptee Experiences through Art, Connection, and Healing 29:56

1y ago29:56

29:56

What happens when two domestic adoptees and passionate artists join forces in advocating for their community? In a captivating episode of Wandering Tree Podcast, we're thrilled to have Rebecca Autumn Sansom and Liz DeBetta sharing their stories, artistry, and insights on the adoptee experience. Liz, who was adopted at birth, has been using her tale…

1
S3:E6 When Searching Goes Up and Down and Up Again with Nicole 36:25

1y ago36:25

36:25

Guest Nicole shares with us her early desires to give back to adoptee community, how she think she wanted to search for her biological family and the point in time when she realized the moment was now. Nicole is a domestic, transracial adoptee born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. She grew up knowing she was adopted. Her father, a decorated Marine tu…

1
S3:E5 Coming Full Circle: My Adoption and Family with Laurie 44:21

1+ y ago44:21

44:21

Welcome to Season 3, Episode 5. Let's keep moving forward adoptees, sharing our life experiences and bonding in community. The collective goal of our guests and host is to create a safe space and have key conversations regarding the adoption reunion experience with biological family members. Laurie is a domestic adoptee. She was placed in her adopt…

1
S3:E4 I Am Adopted - My Go To Answer with Amy H. 43:39

1+ y ago43:39

43:39

Guest Amy shares how the longing to find and meet biological family did not manifest until later in life. Growing up she was surrounded by a loving and accepting adopted family; and she felt content with the situation. It was only later, and after having a family of her own, did Amy start to acknowledge the frustration she had felt for years in pro…

1
S3:E3 Accepted by Biological Family with Emma and Stephanie 43:40

1+ y ago43:40

43:40

Accepted by Biological Family Get your box of Kleenex out for this episode! All I can say about this one is WOW! It is packed with so many amazing moments between Guests Emma Stevens and her cousin Stephanie. They speak on the impact of meeting, attending a showing of Reckoning with The Primal Wound together, sharing information on common family me…

1
S3:E2 Sisters Connected with Lorah and Banner 43:14

1+ y ago43:14

43:14

Welcome to Season 3, Episode 2. Let's keep moving forward adoptees, sharing our life experiences and bonding in community. The collective goal of our guests and host is to create a safe space and have key conversations regarding the adoption reunion experience with biological family members beyond the parents. Have you found your biological roots? …

1
S3:E1 Reunion Experience: Siblings and Creating Space with Greg Gentry 52:19

1+ y ago52:19

52:19

Welcome to Season 3, Episode 1. We are glad to be back with everyone in 2023 and we are kicking this season off with a bang! Have you found your biological roots? Learned you have a sibling or two in the process of searching? Now what? What is the best method to approach them? Lacking a clue? So were guest Greg Gentry and Host Lisa Ann before they …

1
S2:E19 Using Social Media to Create a Thriving Adoptee Community 43:28

2y ago43:28

43:28

In today's conversation with host Adoptee Lisa Ann, our guests touch on the use of social media to connect to other adoptees. We tackle the benefits of using the various platforms such as Facebook pages, Facebook groups, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok to create a thriving community. Please join us in this roundtable discussion, where Wandering Tree…

1
S2:E18 Building Community with Fireside Adoptees Leadership 56:10

2y ago56:10

56:10

Connecting to the adoptee community can be very helpful to the adoptee in search and reunion. In the second instance of a four part series, Host Lisa Ann sits down with the leadership of Fireside Adoptees. This group of dedicated humans are setting the adoptee community on fire by offering a space to discuss adoption from the states of surviving to…

1
S2:E17 Reunion Musings with Damon Davis 57:34

2y ago57:34

57:34

In the third of a four part series on adoptees attending biological family reunions, Host Lisa Ann and podcaster Damon Davis have a great conversation. They cover the blessing of a fairytale reunion with a biological mother to the all-in aspects of a family reunion event. Wandering Tree was so grateful for the time these two spent in fellowship and…

1
S2:E16 We Attended a Bio Family Reunion with Elle 47:02

2y ago47:02

47:02

Adoptees Lisa Ann and Elle attended biological family reunions and have lived to share out their experience. In this session they share some of their thoughts and insights into the anxiety, excitement and details of what it was like to be in the presence of so many new people. Was it horrid or fantastic? Enjoy their laughs and near tears as they sp…

1
S2:E15 Connecting to the Adoptee Community with Jennifer D Ghoston 53:41

2y ago53:41

53:41

Connecting to the adoptee community can be very helpful to the adoptee in search and reunion. Several months ago, Host Lisa Ann sat down with Author and Podcaster Jennifer Dyan Ghoston to discuss the benefits of connection adoptee-to-adoptee. Their lived experiences spawned a creative shared episode, where they listed out a few of their favorite re…

1
S2:E14: Family Reunions with Elle Klassen 44:09

2y ago44:09

44:09

July is National Family Reunion month, who knew? Adoptees Lisa Ann and Elle are invited to biological family reunions and both have decided to attend. In this session they share some of their thoughts on the why to attend, how they have prepared and their overall fears of meeting several new people at one time. Enjoy their laughs and near tears as …

1
S2:E13 Adoptee and Adopter with The Sibling 46:11

2y ago46:11

46:11

Wandering Tree welcomes the Sibling to the show. The Sibling is one of Lisa Ann's three paternal biological sisters, a domestic adoptee from Baby Scoop era and an adopter of three in the late 1990's. Host Lisa Ann and The Sibling connected via their shared DNA match on Ancestry.com in 2019 and started to build out their current relationship from th…

1
S2:E12 The Ups and Downs of Mary's Search 54:37

2y ago54:37

54:37

Guest Mary shares the many ups and downs on the years of search for her birth mother, how the longing to find and meet her became a cycle associated with birthdays and holidays and how she never gave up. We listen as Mary talks about the first planned visit to the final goodbye of the woman she was destined to connect with all in the right timing. …

1
S2:E11 Fathers, Why It Is Different with Elle Klassen 54:48

2y ago54:48

54:48

Guest Elle Klassen and Host Lisa Ann prepare for another weekend where the ideology of great parenting is celebrated. You guessed it, we jump right in, speak our lived experience and it gets real! We sit down and spend our time together to address another key topic for many adoptees - Fathers. We want to welcome Elle Klassen back to Wandering Tree …

1
S2:E10b Spotify Reposted - Sitting down Paige Adams Strickland 48:53

2y ago48:53

48:53

Host Lisa Ann sits down with two-time author Paige Adams Strickland, who was born in Cincinnati, Ohio and adopted at 13 months of age. In this episode, Paige shares bits of her story and how her search for biological family began in 1987. While we agree not all adoptees have a great life, and ours was fairly normal, being adopted made us feel expos…

1
S2:E10 Sitting down Paige Adams Strickland 48:53

2y ago48:53

48:53

Host Lisa Ann sits down with two-time author Paige Adams Strickland, who was born in Cincinnati, Ohio and adopted at 13 months of age. In this episode, Paige shares bits of her story and how her search for biological family began in 1987. While we agree not all adoptees have a great life, and ours was fairly normal, being adopted made us feel expos…

1
S2:E9 Mothers, It Is Complicated with Elle Klassen 1:10:38

2y ago1:10:38

1:10:38

Guest Elle Klassen and Host Lisa Ann decided to dive into one of the most difficult topics for many adoptees - Mothers. You guessed it, we jump right in, speak our lived experience and it gets real! We want to extend a warm welcome to Elle Klassen. Elle is an artist, wife, mother, friend. She was adopted near the end of the baby scoop era in 1970, …

1
S2:E8 Reflecting with Rebecca Autumn Sansom 41:15

2y ago41:15

41:15

Rebecca Autumn Sansom, director of Reckoning with The Primal Wound, spends time with Host Lisa Ann sharing her love of the book, the process of creative projects and what is on the horizon. A beautiful conversation covering so many thoughts and feelings. It was an honor to have Rebecca read a poem in process called, "I have a secret." She is excite…

1
S2:E7 Chatting with The Adopted Chameleon, Lorah Gerald 48:51

2y ago48:51

48:51

Host Lisa Ann sits with The Adopted Chameleon, Lorah Gerald and talks all things adoption. The double quest in Tennessee to find her biological mother and father, three generations of rejections and how a book revered by adoptees was written out of love. To close us out, Lorah shares information on the upcoming first theater screening of the movie:…

1
S2:E6 Connecting with Emma Stevens - Author of The Gathering Place 54:21

2+ y ago54:21

54:21

Wandering Tree welcomes Author Emma Stevens, The Gathering Place, to the show. In today's conversation with host Adoptee Lisa Ann, our guest touches on her multi-decade journey of search and reunion; even teasing a bit on the adventures and detective skills needed to find ourselves. Having read/listened to this book myself, I can share that it is a…

1
S2:E5 Mary: A first mother's viewpoint 55:10

2+ y ago55:10

55:10

Wandering Tree welcomes Mary to the show; a first mother who was forced to relinquish her child for adoption. The day we spoke was a first for both myself and Mary. Neither of us really knew what to expect when it came to having a conversation on the topic of adoption from our differing viewpoints. It was a new experience for me to be talking to a …

1
S2:E4 Jim Serrano Stands Tall 1:32:45

2+ y ago1:32:45

1:32:45

Wandering Tree welcomes Jim Serrano to the show. He is a domestic adoptee, born January of 1962 in San Jose California. He found his biological family in his late thirties and has been in reunion for 22 years. Just a few days prior to sharing his story with Adoptee Lisa Ann, his biological mother passed away. While Jim processes through grief, he r…

1
S2:E3 Late Discovery Adoptee A. Stanley 1:25:26

2+ y ago1:25:26

1:25:26

Adoptee Lisa Ann and Ande Stanley of the blog and podcast -The Adoption Files - talk extensively about late discovery adoptees (LDA) and how hard it is to gain access to your personal information. Here is a list of ways to connect with our guest. Her blog at : \https://theadoptionfilescom.wordpress.com/ Her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/a…

1
S2:E2 Chatting Adoption with BFF Lissa 37:57

2+ y ago37:57

37:57

Adoptee Lisa Ann talks with one of her besties on how they are adoption adjacent, what she has witnessed on the search and reunion journey and how she views the topic today. It was a pleasure to have such a good friend join us in the reality of emotions watching things unfold.By Adoptee Lisa Ann

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Curious Skate Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide