280 - Shifting the Narrative Around Adoption and Centering Adoptees Voices with Counselor Cam Lee Small

Counselor, Author, and Speaker Cam Lee Small joins Latasha Morrison on the Be the Bridge Podcast during National Adoption Month to help shift the culture and church’s narrative surrounding adoption. As a transracial adoptee himself, Cam brings his lived experience and his professional work to this conversation. They discuss the tension of being connected to two places, the necessity of centering adoptees’ voices and stories, and ways to honor heritages and birth families. They also dive into the importance of celebrating and submitting to leadership that is not centered on whiteness, as well as the need to reframe the language around adoption so that it is not compared to the gospel. Cam generously shares some of his own journey of self discovery with the Be the Bridge community. And he encourages adoptees to have a community to be able to express their feelings. Everyone will leave this episode with more empathy, understanding, and language. Join in the conversation on our social media pages on Facebook and Instagram and LinkedIn to let us know your thoughts on this episode!  Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown Producer, Editor, & Music - Travon Potts with Integrated Entertainment Studios Assistant Producer & Transcriber - Sarah Connatser Quotes: “I was a son before I was adopted”. -Cam Lee Small “This work can't start when you adopt. The work has to start prior to that.” -Latasha Morrison “Let's not have the adoptive parent be the first one to jump on stage and teach us about the adoptee journey. Let's ask adoptees about that.” -Cam Lee Small Links: If you’d like to partner with the Be the Bridge Podcast, please fill out our Advertise with Us form.  Ads: Spotify for Podcasters [Record, edit, distribute your podcast. Download the Spotify for Podcasters app or go to www.spotify.com/podcasters to get started] Sign up for the Be the Bridge Newsletter Become a Donor of Be the Bridge Shop the Be the Bridge Online Shop Resources Mentioned: Be the Bridge TRA Academy Course Bellis The Inclusive Family Support Model Connect with Cam Lee Small: His Website Facebook Instagram Threads Connect with Be the Bridge: Our Website Facebook Instagram Threads Twitter Connect with Latasha Morrison: Facebook Instagram Threads Twitter Not all views expressed in this interview reflect the values and beliefs of Latasha Morrison or the Be the Bridge organization.