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The Anna Jinja show focuses on the stories, issues, and questions connected to adoption and foster care experiences. The host is an international adoptee with biological roots in Korea and adopted roots in the United States. As you can imagine, her journey and experiences as a transracial adoptee are multifaceted. Her experiences have been with the pain of discrimination and rejection as well as the joys of self-discovery and learning to embrace all aspects of her identity. Along the way, sh ...
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We are thrilled to sit down with the incredibly talented Susan Ito, a literary powerhouse with a lifelong passion for storytelling. Susan's journey began with the magic of reading at just three years old and evolved into crafting captivating narratives by the age of six, leaving a lasting impact on the literary world. Susan is an accomplished write…
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An Episode Almost Missed: Simon Benn's Change of Heart
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Join us for an unforgettable episode that almost didn't happen! As Anna prepared for her interview with Simon Benn, a passionate advocate for healing and resilience within the adoptee community, she shared the poem she had selected to guide their discussion about their adoption stories. Simon's intense reaction to and dislike of the poem initially …
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Tune in to the latest episode of the Anna Jinja Show, where we explore the extraordinary power of saying yes. In this special episode, Anna expresses her gratitude to Adam Rich, the show's dedicated engineer, who is embarking on a new adventure. Through heartfelt conversations with guests like Wendy McVicker, Bruce Dalzell, Caryn Bailey, and Dr. Ca…
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Ann Brandon - Adoptee's Journey of Identity & Belonging
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Join us for an emotionally charged episode as Ann Brandon, Associate Director of the Office of Health Promotion at Ohio University, reveals her deeply personal journey of identity and belonging. In a candid conversation, Ann reflects on her experience as an adoptee, a mother, and a woman navigating the complexities of her own past. From the challen…
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Tune in to our latest episode as we delve into the intricate world of adoption and foster care with two remarkable guests: Jenny Stotts and Caitlin Kraus. Jenny Stotts, Ohio’s pioneering Youth Ombudsman, appointed by Governor Mike DeWine, brings a wealth of experience as a licensed social worker and advocate. Join us as she shares her insights and …
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Dr. Melissa Rizzo answer the question: How do you think your life would change after first discovering a family secret that you had a brother that had been adopted as an infant and then years later having the opportunity to meet this sibling? We will find out one such story from Melissa Rizzo and how she sought to understand how adopted individuals…
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Susan Roth, Maya Roth-Wadsworth, & Nick Kizirnis
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Join us for an intimate exploration into the remarkable life of Susan Roth, an adoptee who thrives on breaking boundaries and seizing every opportunity with unwavering passion, humor, and courage. Discover Susan's multifaceted journey as she seamlessly weaves connections, whether through her masterful woodworking, compassionate nursing, or her role…
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Embark on a journey through the intricate world of identity, relationships, and family dynamics, framed by the unique perspectives of twinship and adoption. Both twins and adoptees often confront profound questions of individuality and belonging. Twins navigate comparisons and the challenge of being seen as a unit rather than as individuals, while …
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This episode introduces you to two incredible individuals who will captivate you with their stories and insights. Audrey McQuillan is a powerhouse currently rocking her MBA journey at Ohio University. She serves as a GA for the show and is taking it to the next level! Joining Audrey is the incredible Kate Walton, an artist and friend the host met d…
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Today’s episode is a creative interchange between a student-athlete and a poet. During her high school years, Katelyn earned four varsity letters for field hockey, showcasing her dedication and talent. Her journey continued at Ohio University, where she distinguished herself as the Mid-American Conference Offensive Player of the Year, demonstrating…
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Come join us for an engaging episode featuring Jacob Motta, a dedicated graduate student with a deep love for sports. Delve into Jacob's distinctive take on leadership, his commitment to continuous self-betterment, and how his varied experiences have honed his ability to adapt on the fly, all while contributing to Anna’s passion project. Don't over…
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Linnea's story is a beautiful blend of nature, arts, and a heart full of passion. Linnea encountered the concept of belonging in the most incredible way – through the Anna Jinja Show! The motif of belonging that runs through the show resonated deeply with Linnea, drawing her into a world where she felt connected and understood. What makes Linnea tr…
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Embark on an emotional journey as we delve into an extraordinary life story, narrated by a daughter (Madeleine White) and her mother (Jo Renton). Madeleine, born in Germany with roots in Canada and the UK, is not only a magazine publisher and editor but also the author of 'Mother of Floods' and a poignant poetry collection titled 'The Horse And The…
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Support the Show.By Anna Jinja
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Join us for an inspiring journey with David Bynum, a man whose life story is nothing short of extraordinary. Born and adopted in Columbus, OH, David began his search in 2018 and is currently in reunion with both sides of his biological family. A married father of three and grandfather of six, David is a U.S. Army Veteran and Retired Correctional Of…
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Maggie Giansante & Milly Raccoon and The New Normal
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Introducing Maggie Giansante, an extraordinary student reporter for the Post, driven by a mission close to her heart. Join us as Maggie's dedication to storytelling takes the spotlight, delving into the world of adoption in our upcoming episode. What inspired Maggie to focus on this story? Adoption transcends a mere word; it's a rich tapestry of un…
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Iowa-based artist, advocate and mentor, Jill Wells (she/her) has firmly situated herself within art and advocacy work. A 2005 graduate of Drake University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, she is well known for her dynamic, colorful, and tactile multimedia works investigating race, history, stereotypes, accessibility, and human experiences. By e…
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| Introducing our remarkable guest, Dr. Joy Stuewe Hoffman, whose superpower is empathy. She passionately believes in the potential for human growth and the profound impact of storytelling. With a diverse background as an educator, loving mom, devoted partner, Korean transracial adoptee, and aspiring baker, Joy brings a unique perspective to our sh…
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Jennifer Cochran, Katherine Cochran-Hill, & Don Baker
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About a week after returning home from a transformative service trip in Honduras, our host received a heartfelt surprise from her stepdaughter - a friendship bracelet and a touching note that read: "I'm so glad that you're now not only part of the Mather family but part of our Honduras family as well." This touching note confirmed her beliefs about…
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Dr. Simone Sorteberg-Mills & Milly Raccoon & The New Normal
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Join us for an emotionally stirring and uplifting conversation featuring the host's beloved little sister and the exceptionally talented musician, Milly Raccoon. Together, they'll lead us on a journey celebrating the unbreakable bonds that tie us together, be it by blood or by choice. This episode is a heartfelt testament to the extraordinary power…
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Get ready to be captivated as we introduce you to the host's husband, a masterful storyteller who fearlessly plunges into the profound depths of family bonds, the intricate tapestry of identity, and the life-altering connections that sculpt our destinies. In a truly poignant moment, he skillfully recites Mary Oliver's mesmerizing poem, 'The Journey…
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Meet Iris Anderson, a student at Columbia University, Class of 2026, who's on a mission to unravel the mysteries of biology and psychology. But Iris isn't just about hitting the books; she's a passionate writer, weaving narratives inspired by her own life's twists and the fascinating people who surround her. Iris penned an eye-opening article title…
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Writer and poet Rebecca Christain talks with Anna about milestone moments, aging gracefully, and shares her poem written for Anna's adoption story. The poem was written for the host after Rebecca heard her discuss the questions about her own origin story after hearing other adoptees find out theirs were lies. Rebecca's poem: Searching for Esau We a…
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Michelle Madrid, an adoptee empowerment coach who has lived both sides of the adoption experience, shares her the insights that led to Let Us Be Greater, the first book to explore the sense of loss, abandonment, and pain experienced by adoptees to help them heal. Support the Show.By Anna Jinja
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Do you ever get that feeling deep in your gut that you just can't ignore? A hunch, an instinct, a gut feeling that guides you in unexpected ways? This is Cathy's adoption story of how her gut instinct led her to finding her biological family. Her story is a testament to the power of intuition and the strength that comes from trusting your gut. The …
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Deb Gold is a certified ICF coach who helps globally-focused individuals and organizations take practical pathways to transformation to create purposeful and impactful transformation out in the world. Deb feels that it is important to share her adoption story, of how she entered the world, and how it’s informed her actions ever since and how she en…
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Constance Iannetta, #FosterStrong is a foster care alumna, foster/kinship/adoptive parent, and national child-welfare advocate. After aging out at eighteen to many struggles, she found healing in peer-support and purpose in helping others. She is “heart-driven” in making improvements to the system that has impacted her family for many generations. …
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Kim Pontius, Natalyn Chumley, & Nick Kiziirnis
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A Mother (Kim) and daughter (Natalyn) share their adoption story and discuss a few of the annoying questions that people ask adoptees. In 1979, Kim graduated from Iowa State with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. At age 40, she returned to school to get her master’s degree in human relations with an emphasis in counseling from the University of Ok…
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Marian Matthews Clark & "Just for the Time Being"
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Marian Mathews Clark, author of These Doors and Sixty-Something and Flying Solo, shares how, in the University of Iowa’s Writers Workshop, Marian took a revision class from Jane Smiley, where the participants wrote four drafts of their stories. Marian worked on a story about a foster sister but couldn’t pin it down. With each version, instead of ge…
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Dr. Erin Morgenstern's conversation centers on adoption, defined as the transitive verb to take by choice into a relationship. Erin shares her thoughts about the family we are assigned and the family we adopt into our lives. She shares her passion for the pursuit of higher learning and a community that was once a source of pain. Tune in to find out…
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Amanda Assalone Cho was born in Seoul, South Korea, and adopted into a white family in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She always believed that she was given up for adoption because her birth mother was young and could not financially raise a child. So when she received an email saying theyd been found, she quickly learned the truth. Her story had been fabricated…
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Bruce Dalzell was raised in Athens County Ohio and he describes himself as a child of clashing cultures. Where the Appalachian coal fields meet a large state university and its citizens of Cleveland and Cincinnati, one part hillbilly one part crooner, he invests more in songwriting and creating a supportive environment for songwriters than promotio…
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Wendy and Emily are mother and daughter who help the host connect to her middle name "Jinja" in a unique way. Anna has struggled with her middle name because it has been a source of embarrassment and discomfort. The name Jinja was assigned to her by the international adoption agency and her adopted parents kept it as her middle name. She included t…
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Dr. Frank Gaertner is the Senior Associate Director of Academic Advising at the Emory College of Arts and Sciences. Anna and Dr. Gaertner discuss his 35 years career in academic and student affairs where he works primarily with South Korean students, and how it informed his dissertation. Kim Hanken, a previous guest, serves on the board of Korean C…
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What do adoption, art, and creativity all have in common? Tune into a conversation with artist, social entrepreneur, and the founder of Passion Works Studio, Patty Mitchell to find out! Patty discusses how she chooses to empower marginalized populations. Passion Works Studio is a place where no voice, no resource, and no region are abandoned as the…
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What do an earthquake, the San Andreas Fault, pizza, and an opera singer who is an adoptee have to do with our guest, Debra Rentz, and Athens Poet Laureate, Stephanie Kendrick? Tune in and find out! Support the Show.By Anna Jinja
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Ellie Olin is a business owner, belly dancer, and adoptee. She shares what she learned about herself after finding her biological family after taking the 23 and Me genetic test. Claire Steele, a British writer and writing coach, joins the conversation to read a poem she selected for Ellie and to talk about creativity. Support the Show.…
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Holly Marlow is the mother of two children, one biological and one adopted, and an author of Delly Duck, a children's book about adoption. Holly discusses with Anna how she became an author and the beauty of different types of families. Support the Show.By Anna Jinja
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Ana Hays McCracken, author of Redacted—A Memoir of Adoption, shares the story of her twenty-two-year search for identity and how she comes to terms with the missing pieces of her personal story. Ian Vidovic, a musician from Portland, Oregon, selected for this episode a song that is based around a character who knows that there is something or someo…
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