Domino Podcast

Stormey Nielsen: Healing the Birth Family

Sat, 05 Sep 2026 13:30:25 GMT

Stormey Nielsen shares her powerful story of growing up adopted and Black in a very White community. She tells about how reconnecting with her birth family built strong cross-generational connections. And she shares how being adopted led her to become a licensed therapist where she started Focal Point, a counseling agency specializing in the needs of transracially adopted youth and adults. Stormey is a powerful voice in the transracial adoption community and we all have lots to learn from her.

Brandon Day: Navigating Identity and Resilience: Brandon Day's Journey of Adoption, Race, and Belonging

Sat, 05 Sep 2026 13:30:14 GMT

Brandon Day shares his extraordinary life story, marked by resilience, self-discovery, and a profound sense of identity. Born to a biracial family and adopted at the age of eight, Brandon recounts his childhood experiences of growing up as the only Black child in Star Valley, Wyoming, a predominantly white and rural community. With pride in his heritage, he embraced his uniqueness, defied stereotypes, and found strength in the love and support of his adoptive family. As an adult, Brandon reflects on his journey through fatherhood, race, and identity, emphasizing the importance of fostering pride, love, and understanding in raising his own children. His story sheds light on the complexities of transracial adoption, the power of community, and the enduring impact of self-awareness and empathy.

Brandon Williams: Navigating Identity: A Journey Through Transracial Adoption and Self-Discovery

Sat, 05 Sep 2026 13:30:11 GMT

Brandon Williams shares his deeply personal journey as a transracial adoptee raised in Utah, navigating the challenges of identity, race, and belonging in a predominantly white environment. Growing up, Brandon faced stereotypes and racial misunderstandings while striving to reconcile his black and white heritage. His strong friendships, supportive family dynamics, and later connections with his biological parents have shaped his path toward self-acceptance. Professionally, he now works to empower transracial adoptees, fostering identity exploration and belonging within the community. Brandon’s candid reflections highlight the profound impact of adoption on identity, the importance of self-love, and the value of creating spaces for healing and connection.

Caleb Ford "Roots and Resilience: Caleb Ford's Journey Through Foster Care, Adoption, and Identity"

Sat, 05 Sep 2026 13:30:07 GMT

In this deeply moving episode of the Domino Podcast, Curtis Linton interviews Caleb Ford, whose extraordinary life journey traverses the complexities of foster care, transracial adoption, and the discovery of identity. From his challenging early years in foster homes to being adopted by a white family in his teens, Caleb reflects on the racial and socio-cultural gaps that shaped his path. Through resilience and intellectual exploration, including a focus on Black feminist thought and literature, Caleb redefined his sense of self, balancing the weight of systemic barriers with the transformative power of education and community. As he prepares for marriage and a new chapter in his life, Caleb shares profound insights into race, privilege, family, and the intricate balance of belonging. This episode is a poignant testament to the enduring strength found in identity and love.

Jeff Mann: Navigating Identity: A Journey Through Race, Culture, and Community

Sat, 05 Sep 2026 13:29:56 GMT

Jeffrey Mann, a transracial adoptee raised in a predominantly white environment, shares his profound life journey, marked by cultural duality, systemic challenges, and personal growth. Growing up with a twin brother in Idaho and spending formative years in Africa, Mann recounts experiences ranging from cultural adaptation to confronting overt racism, including a harrowing encounter with students donning KKK robes. His story highlights the complexities of being "too black to be white, too white to be black," and his dedication to mentoring youth and fostering community understanding. Mann's life philosophy—adapting like a chameleon to build bridges across diverse communities—underscores his impactful work as a mentor, coach, and advocate for racial and cultural dialogue.

Julia Morella: "Bridging Identity: A Transracial Adoptee's Journey of Self-Discovery and Healing"

Sat, 05 Sep 2026 13:29:52 GMT

Julia Morella, a transracial adoptee raised in Utah, shares her deeply personal journey of navigating identity, culture, and family dynamics. Julia reflects on the challenges of growing up in a predominantly white environment with adoptive parents who, despite their love, often struggled to address the nuances of raising a child of a different race. She speaks candidly about the complexities of reconciling her upbringing with her biological roots, the impact of unmet cultural understanding, and her ongoing efforts to embrace her heritage. Through vulnerability and adaptability, Julia offers insights into the unique struggles of transracial adoptees while emphasizing the importance of love, education, and community in fostering belonging and healing.

Kari Weiss: "Roots of Resilience: A Transracial Adoptee's Journey Through Trauma, Healing, and Advocacy"

Sat, 05 Sep 2026 13:32:16 GMT

Kari Weiss, a transracial adoptee with an extraordinary life story. Adopted from India as an infant and raised in Utah, Carrie reflects on her experiences navigating identity, cultural dissonance, and the lifelong impact of relinquishment trauma. Her insights into trauma-informed care, drawn from both personal experiences and professional aspirations as a future pediatric nurse practitioner, shed light on the unique challenges faced by adoptees. Carrie’s candid discussion about finding connection, healing through relationships, and the complexities of adoption leaves listeners with a deeper understanding of the enduring effects of adoption and the power of unconditional love and empathy.

Koryn Sobel: Discovering Identity: Corinne Sobel's Journey as a Biracial Adoptee

Sat, 05 Sep 2026 13:29:46 GMT

Corinne Sobel shares her profound story of being a biracial adoptee raised in a white family in Utah. From exploring the complexities of her identity and navigating the intersections of black and white cultures to reconnecting with her birth parents, Corinne reflects on the challenges and blessings of her unique upbringing. Through candid insights, she highlights the role of community, family, and self-discovery in shaping her identity while addressing universal themes of belonging, love, and growth. This heartfelt conversation offers a moving perspective for adoptees, adoptive families, and anyone seeking to understand the nuanced journey of adoption.

Sara Jones: "A Journey of Identity and Advocacy: Reflections of a Transracial Adoptee"

Sat, 05 Sep 2026 13:29:43 GMT

At 18 years old, Sarah Danze Jones would have shared her adoption story from the lens of a young adult steeped in gratitude and faith. She believed her placement in her adoptive family was divinely orchestrated—a miraculous convergence of her parents feeling prompted by the Holy Ghost to adopt just as she entered an orphanage in South Korea. Raised in a loving, religious household, Sarah would have framed her adoption as a story of chosen purpose, an alignment of spiritual destiny. She would express pride in her family, an eagerness to honor the sacrifices her parents made, and a desire to live up to the mission she believed had been divinely assigned to her. At this stage, her narrative would reflect the expectations placed upon her and the beliefs she embraced to make sense of her journey.

In the next episode, Sarah's adult perspective on this same story will undoubtedly offer depth and nuance, shaped by years of self-reflection and lived experience.

Sara jones: "A Journey of Identity and Advocacy: Reflections of a Transracial Adoptee"

Sat, 05 Sep 2026 13:29:40 GMT

Sarah Danzie Jones shares her deeply personal and transformative journey as a transracial adoptee, navigating the complexities of identity, familial relationships, and advocacy. Born in South Korea and adopted by an American family, her story unfolds through layers of emotional upheaval, discovery, and reconciliation. Reflecting on the impact of cultural and emotional dislocation, Sarah emphasizes the importance of adoptive parents embracing a guardian mindset, prioritizing their child's lifelong well-being over immediate expectations of love or gratitude. Her journey toward reclaiming her narrative and reuniting with her birth family highlights the resilience required to bridge divided identities. Through her advocacy, including efforts for the Adoptee Citizenship Act, Sarah seeks to address systemic inequalities and inspire adoptive families and adoptees to foster empathy, understanding, and lasting connection.

Stephanie Willis: "Finding Identity: A Journey of Adoption, Race, and Rediscovery"

Sat, 05 Sep 2026 13:29:37 GMT

He feels like family. We talk frequently, and we’ve gotten pretty close over the last year. It’s interesting because despite not growing up together, there’s an undeniable connection. He’s shared a lot about our father’s side of the family, and it’s been fascinating to learn more about that heritage through his experiences and memories. He’s very open and warm, which makes building this relationship a lot easier. Unlike some other biological relatives who might be hesitant or reserved, he seems genuinely interested in forming a bond. It’s nice to have someone who’s also curious about our shared background and wants to explore it together. Having him in my life has added another layer to my journey of self-discovery. It’s a reminder that family can come in so many forms, and sometimes it’s about the connections we make later in life that help fill in the gaps of our story.

Taylor White: "Navigating Identity and Resilience: A Journey of Adoption, Race, and Self-Discovery"

Sat, 05 Sep 2026 13:29:34 GMT

Taylor White, a transracial adoptee raised in the small, predominantly white town of Kanab, Utah, shares her deeply personal journey of navigating identity, race, and self-advocacy in a challenging environment. Adopted at birth into a supportive family, Taylor reflects on growing up with minimal racial representation and the impact of microaggressions and overt racism on her and her younger brother. Her story illuminates the resilience and growth fostered through navigating these challenges, finding a voice in advocating for herself, and forming meaningful connections within diverse communities.

Highlights include Taylor’s transformative college experience at the University of Utah, her involvement in the Black Student Union, and the invaluable mentorship of other transracial adoptees. She offers profound insights into systemic barriers, the importance of culturally specific support systems, and the power of self-discovery. Taylor’s inspiring narrative underscores the complexity of identity and the importance of creating spaces for belonging and growth.

Cordan James: Resilience in the Face of Adversity: Corden James' Journey

Sat, 05 Sep 2026 13:29:29 GMT

Corden James, whose remarkable journey from a challenging childhood to advocacy and fatherhood serves as an inspiring testament to resilience. Born into the chaos of Los Angeles during the height of the crack epidemic, Corden navigated a life of early trauma, adoption into a homogenous community in Utah, and eventual estrangement from his adoptive family. Along the way, he faced systemic racism, emotional isolation, and the struggle to reconcile his identity as a Black child in a predominantly white world. Through his unwavering strength, support from empathetic mentors, and transformative programs, Corden emerged with a deep understanding of his own story. His candid reflections underscore the power of resilience and the importance of being seen and heard in overcoming life's hardships.