Children Like Us with Brittany Penner

In this episode of Read the Damn Book, host Michelle Glogovac sits down with Brittany Penner, author of the powerful memoir Children Like Us. Brittany shares her personal story as an Indigenous child adopted during the Sixties Scoop, offering an intimate look at how displacement, identity, and intergenerational trauma shaped her life.Their conversation explores the complexities of family dynamics, motherhood, and belonging, as well as how Brittany’s upbringing influenced her journey to becoming a doctor. She also discusses the role of storytelling in healing, reclaiming Indigenous identity, and challenging systems that silence lived experience. This episode is a thoughtful discussion on resilience, self-discovery, and the power of memoir to reclaim one’s narrative.What We're Talking About...Children Like Us chronicles Brittany Penner’s experience as an Indigenous child affected by the Sixties Scoop.The Sixties Scoop resulted in profound loss of culture, identity, and community for Indigenous children across Canada.Brittany reflects on family instability and loss, and how these dynamics shaped her sense of belonging.Intergenerational trauma remains a deeply rooted and ongoing issue within Indigenous families and communities.Regular family gatherings did not always provide emotional stability or safety during Brittany’s childhood.Animals, particularly cats, offered comfort, consistency, and emotional connection during times of upheaval.Reconnecting with her biological family brought moments of joy alongside emotional complexity and healing.A compassionate physician inspired Brittany’s path to becoming a doctor, reshaping her relationship with care and trust.Motherhood prompted deeper reflection on her upbringing, identity, and cycles of trauma and healing.Brittany underscores the power of memoir and storytelling as tools for reclaiming identity and owning one’s narrative.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Background02:54 The Impact of the 60s Scoop05:33 Family Dynamics and Loss08:49 Intergenerational Trauma11:33 The Role of Pets in Healing13:53 Reconnecting with Biological Family16:39 Navigating Identity and Caretaking21:06 Becoming a Doctor24:06 Motherhood and New Beginnings27:16 Supportive Relationships30:43 Facing Naysayers33:48 Reflections on Storytelling36:52 The Journey of Self-Discovery37:22 Courage in Sharing Personal StoriesLinks MentionedBrittany Penner's website: https://brittanypenner.com