As a two-time adoptee by two different families (no, there isn’t an award for this achievement—I checked), I approached this podcast uncertain of my expectations or where the discussions might lead. I was seeking stories from adoptees, told in their own voices, that could help me feel there was a common thread within our shared experiences of adoption and the complex feelings that often accompany it. I found exactly what I was looking for in Adoption: The Making of Me podcast. Sarah and Louise, adoptees themselves, bring a comforting yet inquisitive approach to exploring all topics related to adoption. By including guests who share their own adoption stories, they provide listeners with a well-rounded perspective on this unique community. Come for the stories, and stay for the education. I highly recommend this podcast if you are grappling with your own experiences and emotions as an adoptee, the parent of an adopted child, or even as a biological parent who placed a child for adoption. Sarah and Louise create a safe, nonjudgmental space filled with a collection of experiences, emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. Their work offers a sense of commonality and comfort, allowing any adoptee to draw comparisons and find solidarity in their own journey.

As an adoptee, I return to this podcast each new episode for a number of beneficial reasons. To start, this is one among a handful of adoptee-led podcasts that creates a space that is so important to me - one where the voice of the adoptee is central to storytelling. Within this space, I have been fortunate enough to listen to very vulnerable moments from folks’ lives, with an open heart, of course, since many of the plot points in their journeys reflect versions of those in my life. And even when the tale is wildly different from my own, due to time / place / circumstances, as a listener I learn so much. Another great aspect of the show is the book club to begin each episode. The world of adoptee literature is somewhat new to me as well, discovering it alongside adoptee podcasts, circa 2022. Again, this is like the course work I knew I needed in my life as an adoptee but was not sure ever that it existed or was accessible. I have become a better student of the history and system of adoption in the United States, as it operates today through these works and discussions. Often, we listeners have to pleasure of hearing an interview with these awesome authors as well!

This is frustrating to listen to, as these ladies constantly interrupt the person telling the story. You just want to scream, shut up, so you can hear the story.

A friend told me about The Making of Me and after listening to one episode, I was hooked. As an 1960’s baby scoop era adoptee, listening to other adoptees share their stories with honesty and authenticity has been a validation of the feelings and struggles I’ve had my entire life. I found my people and I’m so deeply grateful! I never miss an episode! A giant thanks to podcasters Sarah and Louise for keeping it real and stepping up to help us share, connect and heal!

There are so many aspects of my adoption that a completely unknown. This podcast has helped me unravel my own beginnings that have been hidden away from me for 50+ years. I find this sharing necessary & noteworthy. Highly recommend.

Great podcast

Sarah and Louise have created a community for adoptees that’s like no other. It’s love learning with them as they read a book on adoption at the beginning of each episode and then interview an adoptee who then shares their story. As a fellow adoptee it’s important to share our stories and find a community of fellow adoptees. You will live them!

I started listening to your podcast because I didn’t have anyone to read and discuss adoptee related books with me, so I welcomed the chance to read along with you. I take something away from every episode and appreciate how you both are so relatable. You are working through your trauma and enlightenment right alongside with all of us in this special adoptee community.

You are making an invaluable contribution to the world in telling the truth about adoption & taking your listeners with you as you come out of the fog.

Sarah and Louise continue to focus on how adoption was in the past and continue to blame adoptive parents for all the trauma of adoptees. Instead of focusing on the positive changes that have occurred in the last few decades with open adoption they continue to focus on the closed adoption practices that are not often practiced anymore. They really need to deal with their own trauma before continuing to spread their negative adoption message. I wish I could give zero stars. (And I listened every episode in the hope that the negative message would turn more positive but in the end the only have gotten more negative over the years). I am an adoptive mom in an open adoption. My 23 year old daughter has a wonderful relationship with her birthfamily and her adoptive family. There is room in her life for all of us.

As an adoptee who was looking for people on the same path, these two are the perfect duo for this message. They are caring, thoughtful, hilarious and wounded just the way I like my adoptees! Normalizing open dialogue about issues surrounding adoption is long over due. I just hope they want to hang with me someday and hear my story. Highly recommend!

Sarah and Louise have a unique style that is so refreshing and fun to listen to. I love the format of book club / interview. And look forward to this podcast every week!

Listening to these ladies explore the books that they read and talk to others about their adoption experience is a treat. This podcast is unique in that the listener gets to witness the hosts grow in their understanding of how adoption has effected them as they talk with each other.

The hosts are easy on the ears and have unique adoption stories of their own. I encourage you to start from the beginning. ❤️

I gave you 2 stars. Why? Simple really. As an adoptive mother of 3 young children I REALLY want to know how to be a good adoptive parent and how to meet my children's overall needs not just of shelter and protection, but also of identity. The guest you have on the show, thier adoption stories, are utterly amazing. My husband and I learn so much and have made conscious decisions to keep open dialogs with birth families - who by the way don't always engage in contact. I could go on and on about how great your guest have been. BUT we are tired of hearing your OPINIONS on how horrible and selfish adoption is, how selfish adopting families are for choosing adoption. For providing safe homes and loving families, away from violence, poverty, homelessness, abuse, neglect. How selfish adpoting families are when we contantly strive for inclusion and connection with birth families who don't want the connections. Know what is selfish - any parent who has been able to concieve naturally and feels that is the only way families should be made. Niether of you are medical professionals or social workers yet have so much negativity towards persons who can't conceive on thier own. Your opions are along the lines of "You can't concieve, you're a selfish human for wanting a family anyway. Accept it. Keep children with thier birth parents no matter what the cost to the child - abuse, neglect, violence, abandonment." We find your opions selfish and judgmental towards a group of people who sacrifes so much to make healthy home. I've KNOWN I would adopt since I was 5 y/o. Deep inside I knew and couldn't explain it. My oldest daughters birth father wouldn’t acknoweldeg her existence, the mother ghosted us after a year of contact. My middle child's father threatened to kill him and his mother, he saw violence at the hands of his birth family from day 1, he's known food insecurity and moved from house to house running from a violent father. My youngest - her parents just dropped her off without explaination. So how dare you, HOW DARE YOU call adopting parents selfish. My children were "inconvienent" to thier birth families. WE - the adopting family - work so hard at keeping the lines of communication open because we don't want them to loose thier history, thier story. But you ladies can't see past your own trauma and your own biological children long enough to understand that not every birth parent is a suitable parent. I hope this review hits home and you actually consider your own biases.

The rapport that Sarah and Louise share helps draw the listener in to be able to talk about the entire, complex truth of being an adoptee. Kudos!

As an adoptive mom, I really value hearing from adoptees. This podcast has been great! Thank you for taking us along on your journey.

What I enjoy most about the podcast: The conversation between the hosts—two “experienced” adoptees reflecting from a distance on their own lived experiences as adoptees. It’s not a sideshow or a victim-fest.

Louise and Sarah are awesome. Thank you both for sharing your stories and opening up an avenue for so many others to share their stories!

Loved Sam…. You never know where your journey will take you! Bravo… so proud to be part of the adoption community!

If you haven’t listened to this podcast, you are missing an honest exploration into adoption and the impact of separation. Sarah and Louise share their journeys, delve into topics that many avoid and invite others to share their relationship to adoption. Start from the beginning!

So many interesting stories, it doesn’t matter if you’re adopted or know someone who is. You’ll be pulled into everyone’s journeys! I loved it so much I asked to be a guest! These gals have such a great friendship and are such natural hosts. You will love!

I enjoy hearing everyone’s stories, and of course Louise and Sarah’s banter makes it fun and engaging.

These two ladies share such intimate moments of their lives with so much honesty and acceptance it is inspirational. They are discussing their adoption stories which has made me realize there’s so much I need to learn about my own life story. Keep these episodes coming!!!

This podcast by a couple of adopted women who became friends and ran a business together is personal, warm and smart. I’m not adopted (though there have been times I wish I had been), but this podcast is as valuable for anyone who wasn’t adopted as it would be for adoptees. It’s eye-opening, genuine and entertaining, and Sarah and Louise are lots of fun to listen to. Great show. Definite subscribe.

What an awesome podcast! Sarah and Louise are vulnerable and informative, while also being so relatable. I’m not adopted but I still can’t wait to listen to the next episode!

Sarah and Louise are vulnerable and real in their discussions about their own experience with adoption. Relatable whether you are adopted or not, wonderful dialogue and fantastic synergy between these two brilliant minds!