Best Zaira Podcasts (2024)

Send us a Text Message. Fai Knudson Fai Knudson grew up in a white, conservative town, always feeling different. As a biracial, transracial adoptee, Faye faced racism and isolation. Leaving their hometown ignited a journey of self-discovery, leading to advocacy and therapy focused on adoptee mental health. In this episode, Fai shares their powerful…

1
Finding Freedom: Reflections on One Year of No Contact 46:06

Play Pause

2M ago46:06

46:06

Send us a Text Message. 1 Year of No Contact It's been 365 days since I cut ties with my adopters to protect myself. A year of healing, self-discovery, and finding my voice. In this episode, I share my no contact journey, the reasons behind my decision, the process of healing, and the freedom I’ve found. Hear my story of setting boundaries, seeking…

1
Operation Stop CPS w/ Amanda Wallace 36:02

3M ago36:02

36:02

Send us a Text Message. Amanda Wallace Amanda Wallace helps families powerfully stop Child Protective Services from stealing their children. In this episode she talk about how you can do it too, how her organization reunited 20+ families, and why we should abolish the belief that the CPS system should even exist. Listen and let’s stop CPS. What we …

1
Adoption is not a part of God's plan 41:02

3M ago41:02

41:02

Send us a Text Message. Abolition is Not A Part Of God’s Plan People who adopt say it’s God’s plan for them to adopt. But, they almost never say that God’s plan is for them NOT to have children. This is just one of the many ways people use religion to justify human trafficking. I found out, through an archived article, that I was trafckied into ado…

1
Mila's Truth: Navigating Adoption, Liberation, and Community 58:08

4M ago58:08

58:08

Send us a Text Message. Mila's Truth: Navigating Adoption, Liberation, and Community The Church does an excellent job of silencing you if you oppose them. They’d even hire a marketing company to rebrand adoption so that their business as adoption middlemen can continue to thrive. But, it’s not just the Church. The dominant culture is to silence any…

1
My Journey to Abolition 33:56

4M ago33:56

33:56

Send us a Text Message. My Journey To Abolition Every adult in my childhood has failed me, none of them did what they’re supposed to. Every part of the system failed me…it did exactly what it’s supposed to. The system kills children and breaks families, it must be abolished. In this episode, I share how I gradually evolved towards this deep belief …

1
Navigating Change: A Conversation with Josh Lamers, Co-founder of Collective of Child Welfare Survivors 49:48

5M ago49:48

49:48

Send us a Text Message. Josh Lamers Adoption is trauma. How do we help surviving children heal the wounds they’ve sustained from the child welfare system? Josh Lamers, a transracial adoptee, is public enemy #1 for child welfare agencies in Canada. He joins the show to discuss what adoption and child welfare are like in Canada; and how his organizat…

1
Adoptees & Community 24:18

5M ago24:18

24:18

Send us a Text Message. Adoptees & Community Before I found other adoptees online I was lost. I wanted to know where I came from, and I wanted to know others like me. Most adoption communities center adoptive parents and foster parents. We are left out of the picture. This doesn’t make sense. This episode is a collection of my thoughts on this matt…

1
Confronting the Racist Legacy of the Child Welfare System w/ Alan Dettlaff 43:10

6M ago43:10

43:10

Send us a Text Message. Confronting the Racist Legacy of the American Child Welfare System It was when Alan arrived at a home with the cops to remove a child and heard his mother say “Charles, run, they're coming to take you and they're going to sell you to the white people” that he realized how the trauma of slavery cannot be disentangled from the…

1
Unveiling Roots: The Journey of Gregory D. Luce, Attorney and Advocate for Adoptee Rights 42:19

8M ago42:19

42:19

Send us a Text Message. Unveiling Roots: The Journey of Gregory D. Luce, Attorney and Advocate for Adoptee Rights Us adoptees have to pay thousands of dollars and jump through hoops to unseal our records. This robs us of autonomy, dignity, and equality. Gregory D. Luce is an attorney who helps adoptees all across the US go through this hurdle. In t…

1
Zaira Armendariz: Depression, Dating, and Self-Discovery 59:57

9M ago59:57

59:57

Join us as we journey alongside Zaira Armendariz, who has a BFA in Film Production and her own podcast, Complex, Like Wine. Together, we peel back the layers of her own experience with depression and anxiety. Zaira shares her strategies for maintaining mental wellbeing, from embracing hobbies like reading to the importance of setting boundaries. Sh…

1
Torn Apart: How the Child Welfare System Destroys Black Families--and How Abolition Can Build a Safer World 1:10:02

9M ago1:10:02

1:10:02

Send us a Text Message. Torn Apart: How the Child Welfare System Destroys Black Families--and How Abolition Can Build a Safer World More than anyone else, black women get their children kidnapped by the state, by the child “welfare system”. This episode is about the whys and hows of abolishing a system built to strip families away from their childr…

1
Embracing Identity: John's Journey of Self-Discovery 39:14

9M ago39:14

39:14

Send us a Text Message. Reuniting with his birth family showed John McCormick, a transracial adoptee, a new world. He physically felt a relaxation he had never felt before, he connected with music and art like never before, and he started to own who he is - confidently - even when others denied his identity. This is the story of how John’s reunion …

1
Emily's Journey: Identity, Language Learning, and Adoption Realities 40:40

10M ago40:40

40:40

Send us a Text Message. Emily's Journey: Identity, Language Learning, and Adoption Realities After 9 months of living with monks, Emily Harris was adopted from China. She was left behind by her bio family due to the One Child Policy. To process her loss of identity, she has started to learn Chinese with a community of adoptees. In this episode, she…

1
Transforming Classrooms with Math Superpowers: Kristen Powers 50:40

10M ago50:40

50:40

Picture your favorite teacher. Got them in mind? Now imagine if they were given the freedom to teach without the constraints of standardized testing. That’s what Kristen Powers, the founder of Math Superpowers, is advocating for. With over a decade of teaching experience and a master's in elementary and math education, Kristen is on a mission to tr…

1
Recess Reset: A Guided Meditation Journey for Educators 10:12

10M ago10:12

10:12

How often do you, as a teacher, take time to rejuvenate your mind, body, and soul? This 10-minute Recess Reset was made just for you: grab a bathroom break, and shake off the funk by employing deep breathing techniques and visualization to cultivate a tranquil space filled with unconditional joy, love, and learning. Enjoy! Miri xo Support the Show.…

1
Adoption Trauma, Mental Health, and Suicide Risk with Lina Vanegas 46:04

10M ago46:04

46:04

Send us a Text Message. Lina Though Lina Vanegas was born to a Colombian family, she was forced to assimilate as a white jewish person. 38 years later, she’s unable to fully connect with her bio family nor speak their language. Forced assimilation is trauma. Her mission is to educate people on adoption trauma. In the episode, she gives a crash cour…

1
Mastering Your Classroom and Life with Kindergarten Teacher Gina Venancio 51:48

10M ago51:48

51:48

What happens when you land your dream job and it feels more like a battlefield than a classroom? Kindergarten teacher Gina Venancio knows that feeling all too well. After years of struggling to manage her classroom, a heart-to-heart with her teaching partner gave her the wake-up call she needed to take control. Gina embarked on a journey of researc…

1
Balancing the Teaching Scale: Insights on Mental Health and Teacher Burnout with Brittany Wheaton 52:26

11M ago52:26

52:26

Have you ever found yourself struggling to maintain a healthy balance between your work and personal life, especially in a demanding profession like teaching? Our conversation with Brittany Wheaton, a K-8 art educator from Grand Rapids, Michigan, may hold some profound insights for you. Brittany takes us along on her journey, discussing the highs a…

1
Navigating the Complex World of Adoption: Unveiling Azriel June's Journey 45:26

11M ago45:26

45:26

Send us a Text Message. Navigating the Complex World of Adoption: Unveiling Azriel June's Journey They were told they’re white. They aren’t. They were told they’re Jewish. They aren’t. They tried to erase her heritage over and over again. They couldn’t…so they “gave her back”. This is the story that explains how US adoptions human rights violations…

1
Season 2 Trailer: I’m Back! And Ever Changing 3:04

11M ago3:04

3:04

When I first started the Mindful Miri podcast, I set out to explore being a woman, having a body, and healing our relationship to our bodies. As I worked with clients individually, I noticed that those who came to me for body issues often had overall difficulty taking great care of themselves. And most of the requests and feedback I was getting cam…

1
Navigating No Contact: Adoptees' Journeys to Healing 37:58

11M ago37:58

37:58

Send us a Text Message. Should you cut off your adoptive parents? Should you “go no contact” with your adoptive parents? “Oh hell no. Not this time. I’m done.” That’s what we felt before cutting off contact with your adoptive parents. Sometimes, the healthies thing we can do is to go no contact with our adoptive parents. Escaping abuse. Escaping ra…

1
Reclaiming Identity: Dr. Amy Ritterbusch on International Adoption & Abolition 39:59

12M ago39:59

39:59

Send us a Text Message. Reclaiming Identity: Dr. Amy Ritterbusch on International Adoption & Abolition Dr. Amy Ritterbusch was stolen from Colombia as a child and forced to live in the United States with her adoptive family. Foreign land, foreign people, foreign language. But, her longing for where she came from and who she came from never died. Sh…

1
Navigating Holidays as an Adoptee: Exploring Complex Emotions and Self-Care 37:38

12M ago37:38

37:38

Send us a Text Message. Navigating Holidays as an Adoptee: Exploring Complex Emotions & Self Care For adoptees, holidays mean performance. Acting like you care, acting like you’re happy, acting like you’re grateful. And if you don’t perform, then you live in guilt. It’s ironic, because adoption itself is an act. Join us as we explore this and discu…

1
Challenging Adoption Norms and Embracing Queer Parenting: A Conversation with Yomi 42:42

1y ago42:42

42:42

Send us a Text Message. Adoptee Origin Story: Ayomide Bee Is Adoption Human Trafficking? With Ayomide Bee Selling children is human trafficking, so why isn’t adoption considered human trafficking? It’s state-sanctioned trafficking with a paper trail. Ayomide Bee shares her adoption story as a queer transracial adoptee. Her take is not only that sam…

1
Activism & Origin Story: Erica Babino 29:44

1y ago29:44

29:44

Send us a Text Message. Activism For Adoptees With Erica Babino What’s it like to be an activist for adoptees? What’s the story of someone who is an adoptees activist? How would you feel if you discovered that your bio mom lives on your street, after you’ve been searching for her for 25 years? This week, we speak to Erica Babino a Black same race a…

1
A Bittersweet Farewell: Reflecting on Season One and Embracing Self-Care 5:38

1y ago5:38

5:38

Send us a Text Message.By Dr. Noelle, Tosha, Lia

1
Every Girl is a Pretty Girl with Christina Flach, Celebrity Makeup Artist & CEO, Pretty Girl Makeup 43:51

1y ago43:51

43:51

Christina Flach is a world renowned celebrity makeup artist with experience working with celebrity clientele, magazines, and big name brands. She has been featured in Vogue, People, Time, and Elle, as well as campaigns for Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Macy’s, and Bloomingdales. A more extensive list of her clie…

1
Dr. Noelle's Origin Story: A Journey of Adoption, Identity, and Reunion 29:48

1y ago29:48

29:48

Send us a Text Message. Adoptee Origin Story: Dr. Noelle Two white people raised me, an African American child. I’m Dr. Noelle and this is the secret-filled story of my adoption after being an orphan in Texas. What we discussed (00:00) Cosplaying as adoptees? (01:35) The stories I was told (05:30) My abusive adoptive mother (06:15) Taking a DNA tes…

1
Navigating Adoption and Rediscovering Family: Lia's Journey 30:48

1y ago30:48

30:48

Send us a Text Message. Navigating Adoption and Rediscovering Family: Lia's Journey I’m Lia and this is my adoptee origin story from foster care to reuniting with my siblings. What I shared (01:02) What I was told about my bio parents (02:18) What actually happened (04:59) My adoptive parents (05:34) My birth father’s side of the story (06:36) My a…

1
Next Wave Mentorship: What would you tell your younger self? Here's your chance! 23:45

1y ago23:45

23:45

What would you tell your younger self? This question always seems to strike a chord with my guests and give them pause. Wouldn't it have been wonderful to have a cool, wise older woman sherpa you through your career, motherhood, and womanhood instead of floundering alone? Tyler Skinner is taking the "younger self" question to the next level with Th…

1
Fit, Fat, and All That with Julia Parzyck, Eating Disorder Recovery Coach 25:00

1+ y ago25:00

25:00

Fit, Fat, and All That with Julia Parzyck, Eating Disorder Recovery Coach Mindful Miri Podcast, Episode 26 Topics Discussed: Julia's journey to becoming a coach in eating disorder recovery The importance of body positivity and unlearning societal beauty standards Inclusivity and diversity in the media Discrimination based on body size and appearanc…

1
Exploring the Impact of Adoption on Mental Health: Insights from Adoptees 39:10

1+ y ago39:10

39:10

Send us a Text Message. Exploring the Impact of Adoption on Mental Health: Insights from Adoptees Why adoptees are more likely to attempt suicide Trigger Warning: Suicide, Suicidal ideation, Involuntary hospitalization Adoptees are 4x more likely to commit suicide, in this episode we unpack why that is. Being an adoptee is a lifelong sentence, we h…

1
Un-Hustling Your Life with Paden Hughes, Amazon Best-Selling Author, Speaker & HSP Coach 51:35

1+ y ago51:35

51:35

In this episode, we discuss how Paden Hughes went from a life of constant hustle and high ambition to finally listening to her body protesting it all. We talk with the Author/CEO about how to get back up after burning yourself out, how to navigate being a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP), and managing it all while being a mom and a CEO. We also talk a…

1
Navigating Parenthood as Adoptees: Insights from Dr. Noelle and Tosha 31:22

1+ y ago31:22

31:22

Send us a Text Message. Adoptees as parents Parenting as an adoptee What’s it like when you’re adopted and then become a parent? We discuss the unexpected joys and reliefs of parenting, the mistakes we were almost programmed to make, how parenting can heal us, how to tell your children you’re adopted, and being careful about not placing a burden on…

1
You Are Not Your Size With Lindley Ashline, Body Liberation Activist 47:30

1+ y ago47:30

47:30

In this week's episode, we discuss issues of #race, #weight, and systems of #oppression with Lindley Ashline. Other themes: - Embracing our true selves - #bodypositivity for larger bodies - How systems are not built for all sizes - #weightstigma as an offshoot of #racism About Lindley Ashline: Lindley Ashline creates photographs that celebrate the …

1
Changing Woman's Inner Dialogue With Emily Vazquez, Intuitive Eating Registered Dietitian 55:43

1+ y ago55:43

55:43

This week, we talk to Emily Vazquez, Intuitive Eating Registered Dietitian (RD). We cover unhealthy dieting, how society affects woman's self-validation, and changing beliefs to have a healthy relationship with food and yourself. Emily also shares what it looks like working with her, focusing on the whole client, not only their relationship with fo…

1
Exploring Adoptees' Identity: Navigating Complex Journeys 44:27

1+ y ago44:27

44:27

Send us a Text Message. Adoptees & Identity For all our lives, our identities as adoptees have been stripped away from us. Our names changed, our blackness erased, and our birth certificates stolen. This episode we break down the ugly reality of having a fluid identity. Adoption is about stripping us of our decision-making autonomy, so this episode…

1
Women in Beauty and Fashion With Roslyn Griner Business and Life Style Influencer 57:37

1+ y ago57:37

57:37

This week on the Mindful Miri Podcast, we talk about careers, beauty and fashion, boundaries, experimenting with beauty, and women in power with Roslyn Griner, Business and Life Style Influencer. Roslyn believes that fashion and beauty have no age limit. Since she was a child, she’s had a passion for beauty and fashion. They give her a sense of con…

1
Navigating Human Consciousness With Jill Wilde, Wilde Big Sur Retreats 1:02:48

1+ y ago1:02:48

1:02:48

This week on the Mindful Miri Podcast, we talk with Jill Wilde, host and guide of Wilde Big Sur. We talk about creating rituals, embodying love, stewarding land (and vice versa), as well as creating the community we want to be part of together. Listen to the Mindful Miri Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, or wherever you get your pod…

1
Exploring Blackness and Adoption: Navigating Identity and Challenges 35:34

1+ y ago35:34

35:34

Send us a Text Message. Blackness and adoption Adoption taught us anti-blackness Being adopted makes us an “other” whether we were raised by white, black, or brown families. In this episode we talk about unlearning the anti-blackness we internalized as children, why black adoptees cost less than white adoptees, the parallels between adoption and sl…

1
An Open Letter to the People who Bought Me 33:36

1+ y ago33:36

33:36

Send us a Text Message. An open letter to the people who bought me Yesterday I decided to text my adoptive parents that they failed me as parents, it was the first time I ever confronted them. I talk about how they responded in this episode and open up about being sexually assaulted as a child…then gaslighted. This was never my burden to carry, but…

1
Nothing Beats A Superwoman With CJ Silas A Stadium Announcer And ESPN Radio Host 56:12

1+ y ago56:12

56:12

This week on the Mindful Miri Podcast, an amazing conversation with CJ Silas, professional sportcaster. They talk about passion and purpose in career and how to shatter the glass ceilings that were built to block women in male-dominated industries. They highlight the barriers a woman has to go through: the abuse, the trauma, and the validation we c…

1
Be Your Own Power With Sara Garafalo A Certified Intuitive Health and Life Coach, Author, Energy Healer, and Ayurveda Counselor 49:58

1+ y ago49:58

49:58

This week on the Mindful Miri Podcast, Miri interviews Sara Garafalo. We talk about bulimia and body dysmorphia, trauma in the body, the different Ayurvedic body types or energetic blueprints, trusting your intuition, spiritual connection awakenings, your soul family, and spiritual channeling. Sara Garafalo is a certified Intuitive Health and Life …

1
Navigating Relationships as an Adoptee: Insights and Challenges 32:18

1+ y ago32:18

32:18

Send us a Text Message. Most challenging parts of friendship and dating for adoptees Why friendship and dating are so hard for adoptees What friends and partners don’t understand about adoptees As adoptees, we never want to rock the boat in any relationship we’re in be it with friends, family, or partners. The fear of abandonment is always lingerin…

1
Art, Faith, and Motherhood with Holly Beals, Mixed Media Painter, Wife, Boy Mama 41:58

1+ y ago41:58

41:58

This week on the Mindful Miri Podcast, we learn about Holly Beals, mixed media painter, wife, and boy mama of two. We talk about self-expression through art, motherhood, being a woman, and having faith in a higher power. Subscribe and listen to the Mindful Miri Podcast wherever you get your podcasts or here: Mindful Miri Podcast (buzzsprout.com). A…

1
Shelly Tygielski, CNN Hero, Self-Care Activist, Mindfulness Teacher, Author, Speaker, Good Human 1:02:51

1+ y ago1:02:51

1:02:51

This week on the show, we take a deep dive with Shelly Tygielski, self-care activist, author, speaker, community organizer, mindfulness teacher. We covered: returning to meditation (not just during a crisis), getting in your own way, non-profit disruption, bringing human connection back to philanthropy, mutual aid and communities of care. Full vide…

1
Unveiling Adoption's Dark Realities: Saviorism and Adoptive Parents' Narcissism 25:58

1+ y ago25:58

25:58

Send us a Text Message. The fact that there are more rigorous mental health requirements for people who want to do weight loss surgeries than there are for adoptive parents is a shame. Adoptive parents think they’ve done us a huge favor and “saved” our lives, that without them we’d be worse off - that’s the lie the whole industry is built on. Holdi…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Zaira Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide