Today we got the pleasure of speaking to Melissa - the creator of Adoptee Thoughts. As she mentioned at the beginning of this episode her story is a little more complex than the "average" adoptee. Melissa Guida-Richards is an adoptee advocate, an educator, and the author of What White Parents Should Know About Transracial Adoption _and its follow-up _Workbook which will be out in Summer, 2023.  She has appeared on news outlets such as _Washington Post, NYT, Tamron Hall, Good Day LA. _For more, check out AdopteeThoughts.com.

Be sure to follow her page at adoptee_thoughts on Instagram!

Thank you all for your support and listening!

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TW: Mentions of sexual assault in this episode Today we interview Michelle-- the voice and adoptee behind Baby Be Brave. We connected with her on Instagram initially and have supported each other's work through the platform. Now we finally get to sit down and talk with Michelle about her journey as a Romanian adoptee. She has gone through a tumultuous healing journey as the answers she was seeking for so long kept throwing her a curveball. Now through Baby Be Brave, she supports other adoptees through her conversations, her campaign for Adoptee Awareness Day, and supporting National Adoption Awareness Month alongside the adoptee community.

Be sure to follow her page at babybebrave_ on Instagram!

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It is International Podcast Day and what better way to celebrate than a comeback episode with your favorite Colombian adoptees?

There have been so many curveballs thrown at us the last few months that have prevented us from producing Colombian Influence consistently, and we are here to share some of those big life events! We have big plans coming up and we can't wait to bring you more content to finish off 2022 and start 2023 off strong!

Thank you to all of our supporters through these crazy times, and we can't wait for what the future holds for us.

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Today we talk to Mike about his experience to becoming a US Citizen much later in life than typical adoptees. Unbeknownst to him, he lived most of his life as an illegal alien in the States. Through some typical processes in life, he found out that he was not a legal citizen and his citizenship was never processed. His journey is unlike any we have heard before, and we didn't realize how common this issue actually is. Mike has gone through so much with lawyers, the possibility of being deported, and the emotional trauma of his adoption being brought back to the surface.

Since we have known Mike, we have seen the emotional process he has been through, as well how long the process to become a citizen has taken. Luckily, as of April 28, 2022, Mike is a legal citizen of the United States!

Thank you all for your support and for listening!

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Welcome to the Colombian Influence Book Club! We are diving into chapter 16 of The Primal Wound: Honor Thy Children, written by Nancy Verrier.

Chapter 16, the final chapter, wraps up the entire book of putting the child's needs first. The Primal Wound gives details for all parts of the triad to understand how complex adoption is. The adoptee's journey is lifelong, and each story is completely different. Continue to listen and learn from us as we stay vulnerable to speak our truths.

Be sure to view the video version of this episode on our YouTube channel or Facebook Page @colombianinfluence

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Welcome to the Colombian Influence Book Club! We are diving into chapter 15 of The Primal Wound: Further Implications of the Primal Wound, written by Nancy Verrier.

Chapter 15 sparks the conversation surrounding difficult choices regarding adoption and abortion. "Women who have had abortions and have also given up a child for adoption will most often say that adoption was the more difficult of the two for them to deal with."

Be sure to view the video version of this episode on our YouTube channel or Facebook Page @colombianinfluence

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Welcome to the Colombian Influence Book Club! We are diving into chapter 14 of The Primal Wound: Empowering Ourselves, written by Nancy Verrier. Chapter 14 sparks the conversation surrounding the importance of healing and taking back your power. This chapter reminds us of coming out of the fog, a term many adoptees are familiar with. "If you are angry at your birth mother for abandoning you, why do you keep abandoning, yourself?" We all have a purpose in life, never forget you are worthy!

Be sure to view the video version of this episode on our YouTube channel or Facebook Page @colombianinfluence

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Welcome to the Colombian Influence Book Club! We are diving into chapter 13 of The Primal Wound: The Reunion Process, written by Nancy Verrier.

Chapter 13 sparks the conversation surrounding the fear and emotions of the reunion process. Reunions can be a vital part of the healing process for all sides of the adoption triad. The process takes time, patience, understanding, and support. "Reunions are very emotional."

Be sure to view the video version of this episode on our YouTube channel or Facebook Page @colombianinfluence

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