What’s in a name?

from Real Talk Hosted by Colorado Public Radio and Denver7

For many adopted children, there are two stories within them. One that develops organically as they’re raised in an adopted family. And the other - especially for transracial adoptees - can make them question their place in the world. This week, we sit down with CPR host Nathan Fernando-Frescas, formally Nathan Heffel, for a discussion about self-discovery and his decision to change his last name, as well as local filmmaker Dewi Sungai Marquis-Houston, whose documentary, “My Name Is Not Amy,” delves into her journey to reclaim her name as a transracial and transnational adoptee. Together, they explore the unique challenges adoptees face, particularly those in transracial adoptions, and the deeply personal decisions some make to reclaim their identities. Sungai’s film premiers at the 2024 Denver Film Festival. Real Talk is hosted by Fernando-Frescas and Denver7's Micah Smith.