Have you ever wondered how facing our storms can transform our lives? Step into the world of buffalos and cows with me! This episode isn't just a story; it's a profound metaphor for the resilience we foster when we confront our challenges head-on. It's not about dodging the raindrops but learning to dance in the rain, and discovering the power and control we possess over our own lives.As we forge ahead, remember that braving the storm doesn't mean we can't seek shelter when needed. So, if you're ready to embrace your journey and equip yourself with the tools to not just survive but thrive through each challenge, tune in next Tuesday for an empowering exploration of resilience and self-discovery.Contact Adopted: The Whole Story Email me / Subscribe / Ask Questions at www.adoptedthewholestory.com Follow on Instagram Check in on Facebook Thanks for listening and don't forget to fall in love with your journey!

Being vulnerable is a weakness? It is a myth we're busting because we should embrace vulnerability as an authentic positive quality. Let's share, connect, and celebrate the courage it takes to live authentically, proving that vulnerability isn't just about taking risks—it's about laying the foundations for a life lived fully and fearlessly.Contact Adopted: The Whole Story Email me / Subscribe / Ask Questions at www.adoptedthewholestory.com Follow on Instagram Check in on Facebook Thanks for listening and don't forget to fall in love with your journey!

Elena, our guest for this heartwarming episode, offers a rare and authentic window into the world of adoption—spanning the journey from her early days in Russia to the intricate relationships and identity explorations that followed. Adoption is not a monochromatic experience, and Elena's literary contributions—"Through Adopted Eyes" and children's literature—are testament to the kaleidoscope of stories within the adoptee community. Her candid reflection on her positive adoption story, the nuances of personality development, and the "gray areas" in adoption challenges us to reframe our understanding.  Whether you're intimately familiar with adoption, seeking to support someone who is, or you're simply here to gain a new perspective on identity and community, this episode promises a mix of heartfelt stories, laughter, and education. Join us for a session that's as enlightening as it is emotive, with a guest whose wisdom and warmth are as impactful as her written words.Elena's Books on Amazon - click the title below to go to Amazon:Through Adopted Eyes - Collection of Memoirs from AdopteesThrough Adopted Hearts - Collection of Memoirs from Birth and Adoptive ParentsAdoption is Both - For Younger Children and Adoptive FamiliesElena Hall - Instagram https://throughadoptedeyes.wixsite.com “Elena S Hall is a LMSW, adoptee, author, and speaker who has a passion for adoption advocacy that stems from her faith and family. Her goal is to promote healing and growth within the adoption community and empower others to share their own stories.” Want to be a guest on Adopted The Whole Story - Email us!Contact Adopted: The Whole Story Email me / Subscribe / Ask Questions at www.adoptedthewholestory.com Follow on Instagram Check in on Facebook Thanks for listening and don't forget to fall in love with your journey!

My story is one of transformation—from seeking pity to finding strength, from a broken engagement to the birth of a self-assured, resilient spirit. If you've ever felt like life's castaway, in a sea of uncertainty, join me and discover that even the deepest of fears can lead you to an unbreakable will.I want to share my strategies for staying afloat. I recount the art of sidestepping the venom of rumors, the healing power of self-care, and the liberating revelation that we are often our own harshest critics. So, tune in and let's spend some time together towards empowerment, perseverance, and the unfaltering belief in tomorrow's promise.Songs I mentioned today below.  Makes me laugh, where can you have a great song from Dean Martin and Snake River Conspiracy in one place.....both beautiful songs with so much truth to them!!!! Let me know what you think....which one did you like better? You're Nobody Till Somebody Hates YouYou're Nobody Till Somebody Loves YouDon't forget to share the podcast!Contact Adopted: The Whole Story Email me / Subscribe / Ask Questions at www.adoptedthewholestory.com Follow on Instagram Check in on Facebook Thanks for listening and don't forget to fall in love with your journey!

On today's intimate episode of "Adopted: The Whole Story," I take you down the raw and often untold path that shaped me emotionally.Through a personal story of running away and a night gone all wrong - I will dive into the deep-seated challenges of understanding and expressing our feelings in a world that doesn't always validate them. You'll hear about my own turbulent teenage years, marked by confusion, pain, and a longing to understand my identity—emotions that many who share my experience of adoption will relate to.Join me as we navigate the complexities of acknowledging and embracing our emotions, and perhaps find solace in knowing you're not alone in the struggle to process these overwhelming experiences.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------THINGS I MENTIONED THAT HELPED ME:Ed Mylet - I listen to him to weekly to feel empowered, motivated, and know that anything can happen with effort and proper mindset. He has great interviews with all types of people and also provides straight yet caring talks about being a becoming a better version of yourself. Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@EdMylettShowJess Heslop - I am trying to master meditation! This channel really helps me with meditating, being grateful, and positive affirmations. If you have a hard time thinking of things to be grateful or telling yourself positive affirmations than this channel is a great way to start.Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/c/Ilivethelifeilove/videosSubscribe to the Podcast: @adopedthewholestory and get the Free Emotion Wheel downloadContact Adopted: The Whole Story Email me / Subscribe / Ask Questions at www.adoptedthewholestory.com Follow on Instagram Check in on Facebook Thanks for listening and don't forget to fall in love with your journey!

When fate unexpectedly reunited me with my birth mother.In sharing my own story, I invite you into a world where curiosity intertwines with trepidation, and the dream of a fairytale reunion dances with the stark realities of reconnection. The story of the two wolves fighting within us captures the essence of my internal struggle, as I grappled with the inherited traits from both my biological and adoptive families. Through recounting these personal milestones, our episode explores the impact of our origins on our identity and the choices we make to feed the best parts of our nature. Subscribe: @adoptedthewholestory Contact Adopted: The Whole Story Email me / Subscribe / Ask Questions at www.adoptedthewholestory.com Follow on Instagram Check in on Facebook Thanks for listening and don't forget to fall in love with your journey!

I explain my own personal "Battle for Belonging," laying out each thread of my emotional journey, from the pang of difference felt within my adoptive family to the aching curiosity about my birth parents. This episode peels back the layers of identity, self-worth, and the silent fears that often accompany adoptees like a shadow. And as we look forward to the next chapter in this series, I extend a hand to you, our listener, to become a part of the story by joining our Instagram community, where the spirit of support and connection flourishes. Whether you're an adoptee yourself or simply wishing to understand the depth of this experience, this episode stands as a sign of hope and a testament to resilience.Contact Adopted: The Whole Story Email me / Subscribe / Ask Questions at www.adoptedthewholestory.com Follow on Instagram Check in on Facebook Thanks for listening and don't forget to fall in love with your journey!

Hi, I'm Tara, welcome to my podcast Adopted: The Whole Story. aDiscover how the echoes of my childhood, filled with both light and shadow, still resonate through my life, and how such experiences can shape the soul. By sharing these vulnerable chapters of my life, I hope to reach fellow adoptees and parents who adopted find their way and realize they're not alone in their struggles.Each story is a unique thread in the complex fabric of adoption, influencing who we become. Tune in for conversations that promise to be as raw as they are real, exchanges that offer insights and bring solace. I urge you to join us, share your own slices of life, and subscribe to continue this collective voyage through the diverse landscape of adoption, as we unravel the threads of our past to weave a more understanding future.Subscribe: @adoptedthewholestoryContact Adopted: The Whole Story Email me / Subscribe / Ask Questions at www.adoptedthewholestory.com Follow on Instagram Check in on Facebook Thanks for listening and don't forget to fall in love with your journey!