Not Made In China

Trigger Warning: We briefly mention suicidal thoughts. If you or anyone you know is struggling with something similar, please visit Help for suicidal thoughts - NHS.Many adoptees grapple with questions of identity — but what if understanding your roots could heal decades of pain? Lifang, a Chinese adoptee and founder of Adoptopedia, shares her extraordinary journey from feeling like an outsider to embracing her legacy, and how her work is transforming countless lives. Growing up in the Netherlands, Lifang faced daily confrontations that made her ask, "Why do I feel so alone in my skin?" She opens up about the racial taunts, the stigma, and her struggle with self-acceptance that many adoptees will instantly relate to. Despite the heartbreak, she found strength through therapy, reconnecting with her roots, and eventually discovering her birth family after 25 years — an experience that reshaped her identity and purpose.Adoptee Resources: www.adoptiepedia.nlFollow us on Instagram & TikTok:@notmadeinchinapodcast@yourhiddenchineseorigin

Today, Shaosheen is joined by Brooke, a domestic adoptee from the UK. Brooke challenges adoption stereotypes by sharing her journey from a troubled background to a life of purpose. This episode explores her complex relationship with her birth family, the impact of trauma, and the power of resilience and love in defining family. Discover:How therapy and support systems foster self-growthThe importance of honest conversations about adoptionWhy identity transcends geneticsThe realities of reuniting with birth familyInsights into navigating adoption communication todayBrooke’s story is a powerful reminder that understanding and empathy are key to healing. Perfect for adoptees, parents, and anyone curious about the human side of adoption.We post new episodes every other Tuesday and you can follow us on Instagram and TikTok @NotMadeInChinaPodcast

Today, Shaosheen sits down with Ming, a Chinese adoptee who recently returned to China. Together, they discuss what led her to make the decision to go back, how she felt in the lead-up to the trip, and the emotions and reflections she’s carried with her since returning home.Ming shares what it was like revisiting her hometown, visiting her orphanage, and reconnecting with parts of her story and identity in a completely new way. The conversation also explores growing up adopted in the UK, navigating identity as a transracial adoptee, and the emotional complexity of returning to your birth country years later.

Today, Shaosheen is joined by Mariane, a Chinese adoptee raised by Quebecois parents. Mariane shares some of the challenges she faced as one of the only Chinese people in her area including her experiences of microaggressions and subtle racism, and how these experienced were often dismissed and not considered real racism. Mariane chats about how she has reconnected with her Chinese culture as she got older, through language, culture and clothing. Mariane shares a beautiful poem she wrote, "I wish I could write this poem in Chinese", which she reads in the episode. Full translation available on request.  Follow Mariane on socials:Instagram: @mariane_c.rTikTok: @mariane.mingYouTube: @marianemingshobbiesFollow us!Instagram, TikTok & YouTube: @notmadeinchinapodcastWe hope you enjoy eavesdropping on our conversation. x

Today, Shaosheen is joined by Emma, a Chinese American adoptee who grew up in Marin County, California. Emma shares what it was like growing up in a predominantly white community, where she largely felt “normal” and didn’t think adoption had a significant impact on her identity, often (and understandably) feeling more aligned with the world around her than with her Chinese heritage.As she got older, that perspective began to evolve. Together, they explore the moments that shaped Emma’s awareness of her identity, from school and adolescence to becoming more conscious of how others perceived her. They also discuss the realities of transracial adoption, including common misconceptions and how individual each adoptee’s relationship with their identity can be.Emma reflects on her adoptive parents’ efforts to connect her with her culture, what resonated (and what didn’t at the time), and how her understanding of her identity has evolved. She also shares why she chose to write about her story, with the aim of helping other adoptees feel seen and understood.We post new episodes every other Tuesday and you can find us both on IG, YouTube & TikTok: @emmamingfuller @notmadeinchinapodcast

Today Shaosheen is joined by Anna, a Chinese adoptee raised in a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints family in Salt Lake City.  They explore what it means to grow up as a transracial adoptee, from early messages about “gratitude” to the often-overlooked realities of loss, identity conflict, and cultural disconnection.Anna shares her experience reconnecting with her Chinese heritage through language, reflection, and self-led exploration, as well as the emotional complexity of thinking about her birth family. They also delve into some of the (frankly wild) comments people have left on social media in response to Anna sharing her adoption story, unpacking the adoption misconceptions they highlight. Follow us on TikTok: @AdoptionLiterateAnna @NotMadeInChinaPodcastInstagram: @NotMadeInChinaPodcast

In this episode, Shaosheen is joined by Mackenzie, who became pregnant at 17 and made the decision to make an adoption plan for her daughter.Mackenzie shares the story behind that decision, the challenges she faced as a young birth mother, and the importance of the language we use when talking about adoption. She also reflects on the adoption process itself and what it looks like to navigate an open adoption relationship five years later.This conversation offers an honest look at the complexities of adoption from a birth mother’s perspective, highlighting the thought, care, and love that can go into making an adoption plan.

Today, Shaosheen is joined by Cat, a British Chinese adoptee who has just completed her PhD exploring the British Chinese adoptee experience. In this episode, they dive into Cat’s research and her personal journey, discussing what it feels like to question if you’re “Chinese enough,” navigating cultural identity in predominantly white spaces, and the ways connecting with other Chinese adoptees helped her make sense of her own story. 

Today, Shaosheen is joined by Rick, a Black, Korean adoptee who grew up in the US. Rick talks about finding out he was adopted — and half Korean — at 16, how that shaped his identity, and what it’s been like reconnecting with his Korean heritage through food, language, and culture since. He also shares why confirming who his birth mother is feels so important to him. Follow Rick on Instagram: @blaisiansaysKorean Adoptee Resource Hub: kadresourcehub.comFollow us on Instagram & TikTok: @notmadeinchinapodcast

In today's episode, Shaosheen sits down with Sophie, a UK adoptee. Sophie discusses the positive experiences she had with her adoptive family and the supportive environment they created. She reflects on the complexities of being adopted, including feelings about her birth parents and the misconceptions surrounding adoption.

In today's episode, Shaosheen reconnects with her old friend and fellow Chinese adoptee, Hannah. They share their stories of growing up in (relatively) white communities and navigating identity, belonging, and family. They talk honestly about experiences with racism, reconnecting with their culture, and the surprising journey of finding Hannah's birth family entirely by accident! 

In today's episode, I sit down with Cerrita Smith, a therapist with over a decade of experience supporting adoptees and their families across the NHS, children’s services, and private practice. We explore what she’s learned about identity, attachment, and complex trauma, how therapy can support adoptees and their families, the role social workers play throughout the adoption journey, and so much more. About CerritaCerrita Smith is an Organisational Consultant, Music and EMDR Therapist, Lecturer, and Clinical Supervisor.  She holds a Bachelor of Music, BA, from Cardiff University, a Masters of Arts in Music Therapy from Guildhall School of Music, and an MA in Business Consultancy and Leadership from the Tavistock and Portman.Since qualifying as a Therapist more than 13 years ago, she has worked across a broad range of clinical settings supporting individuals across the life span, including in NHS Adult Psychiatry and Addictions service lines and with children and their families in the public sector, charitable sector, and in her private practice. She has a special interest in the fields of Complex Trauma, Mental Health, and Adoption.Cerrita now divides her clinical work between adult psychiatry in the NHS, and in private practice with Children and Adults who have experienced complex trauma.Between 2017 - 2018 she established and delivered an international development project in Rwanda, East Africa, in collaboration with Music as Therapy International. The project supported local teachers and community leaders to use music to support educational and psychological development of young people within the community. Whilst working in Rwanda she developed a number of community psychoeducational and music services to support parents and families who were survivors of the Rwandan genocide.Cerrita has written for a number academic and professional publications. She has  spoken at national and international conferences; has been an invited speaker on BBC Radio 3, BBC Radio Berkshire; and is a visiting lecturer at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama where she leads Music Therapy Outreach service. She is the founder of Cync, an organisation providing Therapy, Business consultancy and Coaching to organisations and individuals. Cync has a strong ethos of nurturing community and widening access to therapy, and delivers a number of low cost and free therapy to underserved, global majority, and minoritised communities.In her Business consulting and coaching work she brings her wealth of experience from Therapy into her work with organisations and is renowned for guiding organisations and individuals to work in depth when negotiating complex transition and change. She has worked across Arts Industry, Education, Fashion Industry, Public Health, Charitable, Higher Education and the Corporate sectors with executive leaders and wider organisations to support change.Cerrita is interested in empowering individuals in therapy and beyond. She runs a range of community outreach projects aimed at increasing awareness and understand of Therapy. She is excited to begin a therapy outreach project exploring ‘modern masculinity’ with secondary school boys in KS3 in South London.

In this deeply personal episode, Shaosheen talks with Kellan, a queer transracial adoptee and somatic therapist, about their journey of healing, identity, and growing up adopted from China in the UK. Kellan shares how somatic therapy can help adoptees process trauma through the body and explores the complexities of transracial adoption, belonging, and self-discovery. Shaosheen and Kellan were both adopted from the same orphanage in China, but weren't in touch growing up, so this episode was a wonderful change to reconnect!

In today's episode, Shaosheen catches up with an old friend and fellow Chinese adoptee, Shaofan. They chat about growing up adopted in the UK, navigating identity, and what being British Chinese means to them, with plenty of laughs along the way. 

In today's episode, Shaosheen chats to Jodie who adopted her son Charlie within the UK. Jodie shares the beautiful story of how she, her husband and Charlie all became a family and navigated the adoption process through COVID. 

In the first episode, Shaosheen talks to her mother about her experience with overseas adoption. They chat about why her parents adopted in the first place, how they found the process and and what challenges they faced along the way.