In this episode, Laurie and Claire are joined by Kaleena Bliss, a KAD who grew up in WA and is now living and working in Chicago as an executive chef. Kaleena shares her experiences navigating racism and identity challenges, how building relationships with other Asians helped to foster a sense of belonging and pride for her heritage, and the impact…

After the incredible response to our first episode on how adoption impacts relationships, we’re diving even deeper into this important topic. In this heartfelt follow-up, Laurie and Claire explore the lasting effects of adoption on attachment styles, emotional intimacy, and relationship dynamics, sharing new insights from their personal journeys. W…

What are you bringing into 2025? When it comes to manifestation, how do we know we are doing it right? Join Laurie and Claire on their very first episode of season 2, kicking off a brand new year! This just might be the podcast episode that will help you transform your life, re-write your narrative, and manifest that thing you have always wanted in…

In this final podcast episode of this Season 1, Laurie and Claire reflect and highlight some of our guests over the year. Join us while we share some of the messages, lessons, and special moments from our beloved guests that we have treasured and taken to heart. Freeing Your Voice: A Journey with Phoenix Song, Trans Korean Adoptee and Sound Healer …

In this heartfelt episode, Laurie and Claire sit down to reflect on the lessons, challenges, and growth they’ve experienced in 2024. As the year comes to a close, they share what they’re leaving behind and what they’re taking into 2025. •Laurie on Letting Go of People-Pleasing: Laurie opens up about how people-pleasing has shaped her life and the s…

In this episode of The Empowered Adoptee Podcast, we sit down with Jenna, an American, transracial Korean adoptee currently residing on Jeju-Do, South Korea. Jenna’s life journey reflects a deep commitment to exploring the complexities of identity, belonging, and self-discovery through meaningful connection and storytelling. Jenna’s path has been a…

In this episode of our podcast, Laurie and Claire delve into the often challenging topic of navigating holiday triggers. With the holiday season approaching, many adoptees find themselves facing emotional triggers that can disrupt their peace and joy. Laurie and Claire share personal stories about their own experiences with holiday triggers, offeri…

Get ready to meet April Williamson, a Korean Adoptee who grew up in West Virginia and is now living in Bedford, OH. She shares stories from her childhood, stories of identity formation, and her challenges while growing up in white spaces in small town America. April shares her mental health journey and some of the tools she has used to feel more sa…

In this episode of the Empowered Adoptee podcast, In this episode of the Empowered Adoptee Podcast, we’re joined by Su Brooks, a Korean American adoptee, as she shares her unique journey of healing and finding unconditional love through her dog, Chewy, and her deep love for animals. Su opens up about how connecting with Chewy has been a powerful so…

In this episode of the Empowered Adoptee podcast, we are honoring National Adoptee Awareness Month by sharing stories and voices of Korean adoptees. We believe that our messages and experiences as Korean adoptees matter, and that it is important to amplify our voices in order to raise awareness and promote understanding and acceptance. In this epis…

In this episode of the Empowered Adoptee Podcast, we sit down with Mike Malloy to explore the complexities and truths behind adoption stories. Mike opens up about his personal adoption journey, sharing insights into the nuanced and often overlooked layers that go beyond the simplistic narrative of "black and white." He discusses how his experiences…

In this episode, Laurie, Jolie, and Claire discuss the importance of connecting with our ancestors and the practices and rituals we have developed to honor and heal from the past. We share our personal experiences and the ways in which we have used ancestral healing to help us on our own journey of self-discovery and personal growth. Tune in to the…

Join us for a transformative experience as we share an adoptee virtual workshop hosted by Laurie and Claire, where they explored the power of Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) Tapping and Somatic Breathwork. Through guided sessions, you will learn how to release emotional blocks, reduce stress, and cultivate a deeper connection with yourself. This …

In this episode of the Empowered Adoptee Podcast, we sit down with the incredible Phoenix Song, a queer, nonbinary, trans Korean adoptee who has been helping people free their voices, rhythms, and body stories since 2006. Phoenix is a singer, musician, sound healer, performer, writer, facilitator, and dharma teacher whose work is rooted in empoweri…

In this episode of the Empowered Adoptee Podcast, we take a deep dive into the Hero’s Journey and its profound connection to the orphan archetype, especially as it relates to the adoptee experience. Drawing from Joseph Campbell's famous narrative structure, we’ll explore how the themes of abandonment, separation, and identity that define the orphan…

Laurie, Jolie, and Claire answer all your questions about The Empowered Adoptee Retreat in this Q&A session. A little backstory about the retreat, we intentionally curated a unique experience for Korean adoptees and our special offerings really stand out because there is nothing like it anywhere else in the community. We came together and ran sever…

If life is a poem, be the poet. If life is a story, be the author. If life is an adventure, be the hero. To live any other way is a waste of this experience we call life. -Dr. Steve Maraboli Todays Takeaways Dealing with issues of struggle Honoring a dear friend A turn of the century story about grit and overcoming Powerful words for a lifetime Mak…

Sooki Jalali was part of the first wave of Korean adoptees and grew up in her orphanage as a “house mother” from age 5 until approximately 12 or 14 yrs old, when she was adopted to a single mother and her sister and grew up in Minnesota. Join us as Sooki sits down with Laurie and Claire and intimately shares her unique experiences as an independent…

In this episode of the podcast, Jolie Wermter joins Laurie and Claire for a panel discussion on Intersectional Identity, which will be a topic of one of the workshops at our upcoming KAD retreat - The Empowered Adoptee Retreat. The Big 8 social identities are often tied to power, privilege, and oppression in our society. These include Ability, Age,…

In this episode, we sit down with Ji Young, a Korean adoptee who has been living in Seoul for five years and she shares how her unique experiences has led her to incredible strength, resiliency, inner wisdom, peace, and personal growth. She is a true inspiration and a light in this community! As someone who is differently abled with cerebral palsy,…

Join Laurie, Claire, and Jolie while we share exciting live updates about our upcoming Empowered Adoptee Retreat! The Empowered Adoptee Retreat is a transformative journey for Korean Adoptees of all genders to explore identity, heal in community, and learn tools to live life more empowered. Build Your Community - Find meaningful connections with ot…

DeLa Dos is a Korean adoptee from Washington, D.C. who works in DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion). Join us as DeLa shares their story of growing up Asian in a predominantly Black neighborhood in Memphis, Tennessee. The unique experiences and the challenges they faced in navigating multiple identities has shaped their perspective on identity an…

In this episode of the podcast, Laurie and Claire share podcast updates and exciting upcoming events. Claire is currently in Seoul, and the Dream Team will be livestreaming from The Empowered Adoptee Podcast Facebook page soon. We are excited to announce that we will open up registrations for our second Empowered Adoptee Retreat soon! Throughout th…

In this episode of the podcast, we sit down with Mihyun Lee, a Somatic Movement Therapist who works with Korean adoptees on their healing journeys. She uses somatic movement to help her clients tap into the unconscious memories and emotions that are being stored in the body. We discuss how somatic movement therapy can be particularly effective for …

Join us as we explore the significance of community, support networks, and chosen family for adoptees who are seeking true belonging and happiness. We discuss how adoptees can often feel disconnected from the world, why we struggle to feel at home, and how we create that feeling of home within ourselves. Throughout the episode, Laurie and Claire of…

In this episode, we delve into the complex and problematic history of Asian misrepresentation in media. From enduring stereotypes and personal impacts, to the broader impact on society, we uncover the layers of this issue and discuss ways to move forward. Listen in while Laurie and Claire explore how these portrayals have shaped perceptions and dis…

In this episode, we delve into the complex issue of estrangement in adoption, exploring the nuanced experiences of adoptees while we navigate relationships. Understanding the adoptee experience is crucial to repairing and nurturing relationships with adoptees and adopted families. Listen in while Laurie and Claire discuss causes of estrangement, pe…

Join us as we sit down with Nate Choi, a Korean adoptee who overcame open heart surgery as a baby and shares his inspiring journey of healing and resilience. Nate opens up about his experiences navigating the complex layers of identity, multiculturalism, and race, and the tools he found to empower himself and his son through conscious parenting. Li…

Join us as we take a deep dive into our stories and insights about what it's like growing up as transracial adoptees in the dark about health issues and how we reclaimed our power over our own personal health journeys. Get ready to hear our vulnerable stories and connect. We share practical tools for empowerment and the challenges we have experienc…

Join us as we sit down with Jolie Wermter, a bi-racial daughter to Claire and second-generation Korean Adoptee, for a captivating conversation about what being Korean means to her, and how she has navigated the complexities of her unique journey. As a passionate advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, Jolie has dedicated her career to promot…

In this episode, guest Dr. Hollee McGinnis shares her journey of her reclamation of her culture and all that she lost that day she was adopted - including her language, her food, and her people. Listen in as Hollee shares her heartfelt and empowering stories of healing through Korean food. Dr. Hollee A. McGinnis, MSW, PhD, is an Assistant Professor…

Kirsten is a KAD from PA who has been in reunion with her birth mother for over 10 years. Just recently she traveled to Seoul, Korea to meet her birth mother for the first time since she was adopted. Get ready to hear her heartfelt and courageous stories of how she has navigated being a KAD, a mom, a daughter, and as someone with "a gentle curiosit…

In this episode, guest Lauren Schlesinger, an empowered KAD, shares her inspirational mental health journey and the impact that adoption trauma had on her life. She also shares tools and healing modalities that helped her transform her mental health and become free from depression and suicidal ideation. *Trigger warning* Suicidal ideation is discus…

In this episode, we dive into our reflections about the events, discussions, and healing modalities after holding our first Empowered Adoptee Retreat. Get ready to hear our vulnerable stories and connect. We share practical tools for empowerment and the challenges we have experienced along the way. Join us as we share our personal experiences, vuln…

This episode is a special treat because we feature guests from our recent KAD retreat. Kyungmi and Sun are two Korean Adoptees who attended The Empowered Adoptee Retreat this past weekend. They both share their own personal stories about their relationship with Korean food and the role it played in their own identity formation and adoption journeys…

In this Episode, we delve into the concepts of a "fixed" vs. a "growth" mindset and how to shift the way we experience our relationships. Laurie and Claire discuss their own journeys to a growth mindset and the specific steps they took to get unstuck. Get ready to hear our vulnerable stories and connect. We share practical tools for empowerment and…

In this episode, we delve into the movie "Return to Seoul," focusing on the story of Freddie, a 25-year-old Korean adoptee who grew up in France. Freddie's narrative is one of profound identity crisis as she grapples with the complexities of her cultural heritage and struggles to find her sense of peace and belonging. Throughout the film, we explor…

In this vulnerable episode, we unpack how the adoption journey leaves lasting impressions on our attachment styles and relationship dynamics. Laurie and Claire share what our process of empowering our present relationships looks like for us. Get ready to hear our vulnerable stories and connect. We share practical tools for empowerment and the chall…

Join us for a unique episode as we explore the transformative power of Somatic Breathwork through a hands-on session led by Claire, with participant Laurie. A somatic breathwork practice combines conscious breathing with body awareness. It helps to release tension, stress, and emotional blockages stored in the body by using the breath as a tool for…

Join us for a unique episode as we explore the transformative power of Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) through a hands-on session led by Laurie, with participant Claire. Discover how EFT, using light percussive taps on meridian lines similar to acupuncture and acupressure, can unlock the subconscious mind and empower us to reclaim our inner peace…

How does learning the history of Korean adoption shape our identity? How do we learn from history so that we can gain deeper understanding of our stories and possibly change the narrative? In this controversial episode, we unpack some of our surprising truths around learning the history of Korean adoption, and we share what our process of empowerin…

When visiting Korea, did you feel like you were "home"? Did you feel like you were seen as you are and treated as you like to be treated? In this episode, we share our heartfelt stories about visiting Korea for the first time, and talk about how our experiences have shaped our journeys and understanding of ourselves. Get ready to hear our vulnerabl…

In this episode, we dive into our process of shifting our mindset. How do we transform our limiting beliefs and old identities so that we can become our true authentic selves? Get ready to hear our vulnerable stories and connect. We share practical tools for empowerment and the challenges we have experienced along the way. Join us as we share our p…

In this episdoe, we delve into our own adoption journeys and share insights about our healing. We explore the topics of relationships, trauma responses, addiction, coping mechanisms, and healing modalities that have personally helped us. Join us as we share our personal experiences, vulnerabilities, and insights, offering inspiration and support fo…

In this episode, we discuss our personal experiences as transracial and transcultural adoptees growing up in White America. We explore the concept of the "other" or "gray" space, and how adoption has shaped our own unique identities. As targets of racism and stereotyping, we share our heartfelt stories and also strategies for dealing with some pret…

On this pilot episode of the Empowered Adoptee Podcast, hosts Laurie Vogler and Claire Magenheimer, both Korean Adoptees, open up about their own adoption and healing journeys. They share deeply personal stories and reflections on their experiences, shedding light on the impact of adoption on identity formation. Laurie, a Bay Area-based speaker, te…

Welcome to Heart of the Valley Community Church Podcast: Northwest Bliss Where we share our lives, walking on the other side of the veil. Discovering Heaven, One encounter at a time! Today you are in for a treat as one of our founding members & Trustee, Sandy Jeffers shares the testimonies of an intimate journey. Today's Takeaways: Undoing shame an…

How does God love You? a great question to start our message with. How do I serve Love? And how does Gods love speak and touch you? Join Susan Schoonover in this candid and heart felt message. Heart of the Valley Community Church

with Steve Schoonover God has planted imagination in the hearts of people. 1. Imaginations are coming to pass. 2. Allow imagination fertile ground to grow. We look at the movement of a submarine, surfacing with a telescope. Deep unto deep. Up periscope to the ocean surface and share what the Lord is working within us. 1 Cron. & Ephesians 3:20. Choo…

Is God silent? Join HVCC as we unpack this question, get face to face with Jesus, unveil the truth. You'll be encouraged.