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Adoptees share their experiences through writing

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Talk of Iowa, hosted by Charity Nebbe

Around 7 million Americans are adopted, and just like every family is unique, every adoption experience is unique. When stories are told about adoption, we tend to focus on the experiences of adoptive parents, but adoptees have their own important stories to share.

On this episode of Talk of Iowa, host Charity Nebbe talks with two adoptees who have been sharing their experiences. Sara Easterly wrote a book about her life as an adoptee called Searching for Mom and was inspired to create an opportunity for adoptees of different backgrounds to connect and share their voices. Easterly founded Adoptee Voices to support this kind of storytelling, and she facilitates writing groups for adoptees.

Also in the conversation, Zhen E Rammelsberg is also an adoptee and wrote the award-winning play Black Box: An Adoption Story Choreopoem. She is also the co-host of Sick & Tired 2.0, a health advocacy podcast. Rammelsberg joined one of the Adoptee Voices Writing Groups and has found it to be a powerful experience.

Later in the episode, poet Ko Ko Thett talks about his new book Bamboophobia: Bilingual in Burmese and English.

This episode was originally produced April 18, 2022.

Guests:

  • Zhen Rammelsberg, playwright, writer of Black Box: An Adoption Story Choreopoem and Co-host of Sick & Tired 2.0
  • Sara Easterly, founder of Adoptee Voices, author of Searching for Mom: A Memoir
  • Ko Ko Thett, poet, author of Bamboophobia: Bilingual in Burmese and English
Charity Nebbe is IPR's<i> Talk of Iowa</i> host. She also hosts IPR's podcasts <i>Garden Variety</i> and <i>Unsettled</i>. Since 2010, Nebbe has interviewed, conversed with, and shared ideas from guests of all backgrounds and locations, and has helped listeners better understand, appreciate, and explore their state and the world around them. Nebbe has a bachelors degree from Iowa State University.
Matthew Alvarez
Matthew was a producer for IPR's River to River and Talk of Iowa
Madeleine Willis is IPR's Production Assistant supporting the talk shows and The Sunny Side Project. Willis has experience in audio production, reporting, writing and editing stories and conversations. She's reported and produced conversations on womanhood, sports, and good news from across Iowa. Willis will receive her bachelors degree from the University of Iowa in May 2025.