PODCAST · society
ABC Adoptees Born in China
by Tara
Same China. Different stories. We are the ones who found our way in a new life, Adoptees Born in China. Chinese adoptees’ stories and the stories of those lives they have become a part of. This podcast acts as a personal journal, archive, and resource for adoptees and others. Want to share your story? Email [email protected] @adopteesborninchinapodcast on Instagram/ Facebook. Please rate and review. Music | bensound.com
Episodes
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I can hang solo or with the community
It is my first school snow day in years and also it has been a minute since recording an episode. I got all dolled up (put some red lips for the camera) and reflected on growth/ change. I know we all process our adoption and feelings toward identity and relationships we develop in various ways.…
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By default they kind of are with Olivia
Olivia found out about the podcast thanks to Nanchang project. We sat down prior to October 2025 and talked about research, study, and working as Pre- K educator. Some cursing shared 50minutes in. Enjoy our debrief on Summer I turned Pretty and other YA stories (apologies for the spoilers if you...
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China, you did me dirty with Hannah
I went to Central park for an event and couldn’t find my friends. It’s not a long long story but I ended up meeting Hannah thanks to this adventure to the park. Hannah is currently pursuing studies and almost done and we talked about differing perspectives from a generation apart on the Asian...
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Anniversary of becoming a daughter with Jenna
Jenna came back to my cozy apartment in Queens to share about her most recent trip to China over the summer. This trip, Jenna went to Guangxi, Nanning, and Hong Kong. She was able to visit with people who were a part of the trip two years ago and we revisit a couple memories from that trip as…
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Mid Autumn birthday, a solo episode
5 years older and wiser! And also the longest project I have committed to. I share about a recent trip to Australia and emotions related to relationships (family, friends, romantic). I am also supporting and assisting the Nanchang project with their in person gathering in NYC on 10/11/25. The Mid...
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Adoptee coded with Jean
Happy birth month Jean! Like Jean Piccard! This episode Jean shares about adoption in Star Trek, Steven Universe, and Blue Eyed Samurai. It was great to have the shows discussed also help share and express some feelings and sentiments about adoption. Jean mentions comedian Ko King Booster and...
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Cut out all the weird stuff - Certificate of Citizenship with Carmen
Carmen sent a message saying she got her CoC June 2025 in which I replied -”CoC?” In this episode, Carmen shares about her experience with getting her Certificate of Citizenship (duration 7 months) including speaking with her mom, the adoption agency, and an attorney. We talk about the N- 600...
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The next thing after the policy is… I feel like a limited edition doll with Lianna
Note: Explicit language used a couple of times and not beeped We visit this recording with writer Lianna from winter 2024 and sharing now in summer 2025. Lianna lives outside of the US and adopted from Hunan province. We talk about the Nanchang project and how Chinese adoptee alliance like many...
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Quite a ride of emotional distress and intellectual strain with Laur
I spoke with Laur over the winter break from school and now releasing this episode a little over a month from the Chinese Adoptee Collective first ever conference taking place June 27-29. Laur has lived in various spots throughout the US and works within therapy. Sometimes it can be so difficult…
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I’ll change it. If you can find my bio fam with Jenna
We are both Marylanders who went to CLI in Guilin at different times but were able to meet in NYC twice. Couple years back, I spoke with Jenna over hot chocolate about adoption and then she kindly came to my cozy room in Queens where we recorded this episode. During 2 months of Chinese language...
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So I didn't want to go here with Mimi
Mimi is a senior in journalism at Ohio University and graduates soon. We connect because Mimi’s thesis project is about how China's one-child policy affects adopted Asian American women. This episode, we talk about OU and all I reminisce on the memories. Mimi went on a heritage trip to China,...
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In this season of life with Grace
I was able to catch Grace during a brief break from Phd studies. It’s the holiday season and we spent some time in nostalgia with books from childhood: Boxcar children, Magic Tree House, and Series of Unfortunate events. We also talk about food and other books related to cuisine and also about...
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Am I #adoptedenough with Rina
In this episode, recorded back in the beginning of Dec 2024, I talk with president of @transracialadoptees at Ohio State, Rina. She also used to host a run podcast and shares more about how running and adoption have formed her identity and how it is always developing. Rina shares about one of her...
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By "outgoing" they meant I screamed a lot with Jasmine
Jasmine works as a freelancer within broadcast journalism and uses her voice to speak about her experiences on various podcasts and other platforms. We talked about mental health from the roots to the current day, home and moving back, and using humor to alleviate the seriousness/ trauma. Follow…
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Really thinking about what we value on new policy and a birthday solo
To the first video episode and a birthday release! Watch here - It brings back the feeling of when I first started this show, scrappy and new. As a result of China’s policy regarding intercountry and international adoptions, it has brought a lot of feelings for many. In time with another year of...
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I took that documentary more as truth of my story than what it really was Haley
Upon seeking more adoptees to speak with, Haley responded and was so kind to share about her last three years. Since we last spoke, Haley visited China, finished masters, and participated in a pageant where adoption was her focus. It was really nice to sit down and speak. If you would like to…
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I was sleeping through mine with Lydia
Lydia has been active with exploring adoption and resources since first year of university, most likely even earlier. We spoke about how One Child Nation was a repeat feature to complete her first semester term paper along with working through the other challenges of university living and…
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Ultimately found the strength to keep going with Alex, Adoptee Film Fest
The Inaugural Adoptee Film Fest is this Nov 20 at Caveat (NYC) and will be available online! I spoke with creator Alex to learn more about her experience as a Hong Kong adoptee and growing up in her birth country. Also to learn more about what a film fest is and what inspired her to create and...
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Started unpacking physically and emotionally solo
4 years have gone by and life is... This solo episode I reflect on friendships, grief, and starting to really understand how much change is really for the better. Thank you for listening to ABC. We are on major podcast platforms including Apple and Spotify. Email adoptedbabiesfromchina@ gmail or...
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Whether we realize it or not, subconsciously we are doing something with our adoption search with Lexi
Lexi is working within the mental health space and at this point in her journey with adoption exploring all the resources. Lexi shares her vision and idea to connect adoptees living abroad in the countries they are abroad in. Since the Chinese adoptee community and space is growing stronger...
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Some people say hip opening helps to release emotions with Lian
This episode, Lian shares about how yoga has been a part of her process and identifying feelings related to adoption. We also talk about how being the ‘model adoptee’ was default just because of age and the feeling of trying to figure out self while also fitting this narrative. Also hearing about...
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I compare it to the analogy of going to a cemetery with Emma
Emma had an opportunity to go to China for a 5 week immersion program and shares about her experience. When it came to choosing a language to study, she chose Chinese and studied throughout high school and college. It was very insightful to hear about the 5 week program visit and processing the...
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I sea food, I eat it with Vanessa
Vanessa shares about her experience growing up in an interfaith family, her trip to China, and more. It was great sitting down over the holiday season and learning more! The LUNAR Collective is on instagram and Vanessa is a leader of the chapter in her area. Can follow @vanessa.bloom and...
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Challenging obstacles and really moments in time that have shaped where i’m at now with Lindsay
Lindsay returned to China on a couple of trips recently and I am excited to have been able to welcome her to the podcast after some time. Lindsay shared how she embraced aspects of her adoption journey and self that are inspiring to hear and talk more in depth about. We share and learn more about...
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Meet different people under this name with Xiaoyan
We both have cleft palettes that have been repaired. Xiaoyan has recently been exploring more about adoption and culture in relation to her identity. I got to reminisce about pop culture references that are pre Y2K and laugh along with Xiaoyan as I heard more about her discoveries and journey. If...
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The way we have become individuals in this world with Sariah
Sariah talks about adding items to our backpacks of truth. She recently left the Mormon faith and shared about her journey to start looking for her birth family while also unpacking and working through identity and other dynamics. Follow @theadopteeapostate on IG. Book mention - Death by Default…
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Entering a new decade birthday with Tara and Katie
Birthday episode 生日！A solo reflection and a recording on a windy rooftop in the city with Katie. In the week since turning 30, been able to reflect more about quality over quantity, leaving what doesn't serve you, and how every shift in life, there's change. I reflect on meeting hosts of a show...
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Paddles up (first double interview) with Hannah and Evelyn
NOTE: This episode contains some language that may not be suitable for some but mostly it is non explicit. Run time is around 1 hour and 25 minutes with a break around 42 minutes. On this double guest (my first one) episode, I talk with fellow Chinese adoptees from VAX dragon boat season 1 and 2....
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Apparently she was Guatemalan and not Chinese with Caitie
Caitie was adopted to a single parent and lived in the UK for the first four years of life until coming to Michigan. Caitie shares more about her perception of education and diversity while attending a Catholic private school and then going to a Big 10 university. It is always fun talking with a...
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Birthdays, Body painting, and Break by Tara
This is a solo episode. Sometimes there are things that make you cry at the most unexpected times because life does that. In the therapy session before this recording, I cried a lot when talking about birthdays and how for me personally it feels like a tough reminder versus a moment of…
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They make their home and they’re very good city dwellers wherever they go with Julie
Julie shares about her work and experience being adopted into a family with older parents and connection to relatives who are Chinese American. She lived in a town where the rabbi murdered his wife. It was cool to learn her perspective and experience with experience with not being “type cast” for...
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Our depressing May is bouncing back bountifully with Danny
This episode, I talk with Danny about Broadway, work, and depression. Mostly about recent seasonal depression and the timing but a conversation full of laughter nonetheless. It is the day before Danny’s adoption day. Previously spoke on May 23 2021 and April 11 2022. Biggest take away, We are all...
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I will not abandon you, as in self. I will not abandon you and I will not give up on you with Megan
Life is short, running makes it seem longer It is an episode about #runnerthings! We talk about experiences with seeing ourselves reflected in environments, existence, and sunrises and sunsets; their power and meaning. Megan goes into detail about her feelings on a culture/ adoption tour and how…
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Confidence = attraction. Remember confidence does not equal cockiness with Kaysie
We were thinking of recording after a year but then two passed and now three. Based on events happening and life, I did get a chance to catch Kaysie to record. Kaysie was the first adoptee to give me a chance and this podcast show. Since 2020, Kaysie reflects on what feels different or the same...
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I don’t know why I didn’t just seek solace in people; In the fellow travelers with Evelyn
NOTE: This episode does contain some cursing. Evelyn was also a paddler during Season 1 Vax Dragon boat. We were able to sit down and talk about travels, identity, personal growth, and more on this episode. I learned again Albany is the capital of NY state. We both also have dads who can speak...
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I think she knew on some level but actually hearing me say it with Emily
Emily didn’t have much to say when she was really young but here we talk about her experience. Currently lives in Honolulu and works in urban community and forestry, Emily has traveled and lived abroad. She went back to China at age nine for a month with family friends and her mom’s…
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Three years, sometimes you need to take a step back with Tara
The day after doing this recording, I found myself walking in the pouring rain in the wrong direction from my destination. There was a time deadline and I was by myself. I had a full on tantrum on the empty pathway at dawn. The journey ended with me being able to meet the deadline and the sun...
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I don’t think I ever felt that I was like the third choice with Allie
Allie is currently in a Clinical Psychology PhD program. Her research and clinical focus is on Chinese transracial adoptees, intersecting identities, cultural loss, and identity formation around college and emerging adulthood.. Allie shares her story and how she has reclaimed this aspect of her...
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That took over a lot of my identity so it wasn’t until up until the last 5 years or so that I really came out of the fog with Jade
Thanks to a mutual connection, I spoke with Jade who works as a complex trauma therapist. I hear about her recent experience with coming out of the fog. As a child, Jade was a camper at Camp Sunrise Inc., a camp that provides volunteer-driven, cost-free camping experiences for children with…
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A part of it is time to think, reflect, and act as a resource solo
This recording and whole podcast was created as way to help with stress and the up and downs of life. This particular solo recording revisits why the show started, thoughts on freelance, and sharing about our experiences/ stories (amongst others and within the adoption community). Oohjacquelina...
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We are sisters from another mister with An-Li
An-Li spoke about her experience growing up in a small town in Belgium with her sisters. There was a photo spread to show the people in town but it was more awkward than inclusive. This led to a nice conversation about everyone’s curiosity and how we do not owe anyone explanations. Follow @am.zxd...
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Are you asking me if adoption made me gay with Hannah
Note: There are some curse words in this episode. Hannah and I met paddling during Season 1 of VAX Dragon boat. This episode dives into the stories and feelings about identity. From exploring and coping with family to having a cardiac procedure upon coming to the US, we all are here taking it day...
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It also has made me reassess multiple times with Hannah
Hannah has lived in a few states in the US. Hannah shares about her experience growing up, connection to the environment, and connecting the two in an adoptee archive project. Submissions for the adoptee archive are open till June. https://hgershone01.github.io/adopteearchive/ Seeds from a Silent...
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Who do you go to when your therapist is the one causing stress and anxiety?
To the first sit down solo episode! A time to reflect on genetics testing, relationships— parents, bad therapy, and hustling. I’ve done voice memos before and those were short but sitting down and recording for about a half hour felt even more cathartic. It’s a huge reason to have started this…
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One is over in China and that’s how life happened with Molly
Molly shares her experience and story and In the process of completing residency. It was wonderful being able to reminisce but also have a conversation we didn’t have when we were teenagers. Molly has known she wanted to be a doctor since a young age, connected to Chinese culture growing up, and...
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When I first started getting help, I wrote a cute little adoption trauma list with TJ
This recording is from August 2022. There is also conversation about addiction, abuse, and other material. We had to shift our recording platform and the quality may be choppy at times. ----more----We are here at 60 full episodes! It was wonderful to sit down and speak with TJ over the summer. TJ...
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I LOVE THE BUS! with Abby
Abby is a new board member with AKA after becoming a member a year ago and really beginning her exploration with adoption. Abby shares about the origin story of how her parents came to adopt and more about her relationship with identity during adolescence into college. It is wonderful to speak…
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I feel I can say I am “born and raised” with Alex
I was excited to speak with Alex more about her adoption and career after staying with her dog, Cam. Alex shares memories of how she started to develop an interest in fashion. Also, Alex shared some deep memories from primary education years that many adoptees can relate to. Thank you again...
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No ones gonna make you dig into it (past) with Annabelle
Annabelle and I met at the Asian adoptee Global meetup back in April. We sat down and chatted during Mother’s day weekend. I enjoyed the energy and conversation we had about adoption and how Annabelle feels about her journey and relationship with her mother. @annabellexmair on Instagram. Please...
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Discover those roots that I felt I was deprived of with Katie
ＮＥＷ ＥＰＩＳＯＤＥ。ＹＥＡＲ3 “I wrote this with the intent and passion to share my story with others and hope it helps them share theirs or find something in their story that resonates or that helps them understand themselves more.” Katie has been working for a few years on her memoir about adoption, loss,...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Same China. Different stories. We are the ones who found our way in a new life, Adoptees Born in China. Chinese adoptees’ stories and the stories of those lives they have become a part of. This podcast acts as a personal journal, archive, and resource for adoptees and others. Want to share your story? Email [email protected] @adopteesborninchinapodcast on Instagram/ Facebook. Please rate and review. Music | bensound.com
HOSTED BY
Tara
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does ABC Adoptees Born in China have?
ABC Adoptees Born in China currently has 106 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is ABC Adoptees Born in China about?
Same China. Different stories. We are the ones who found our way in a new life, Adoptees Born in China. Chinese adoptees’ stories and the stories of those lives they have become a part of. This podcast acts as a personal journal, archive, and resource for adoptees and others. Want to share your...
How often does ABC Adoptees Born in China release new episodes?
ABC Adoptees Born in China publishes regularly with 106 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to ABC Adoptees Born in China?
You can listen to ABC Adoptees Born in China on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts ABC Adoptees Born in China?
ABC Adoptees Born in China is created and hosted by Tara.
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