Born in Ontario, Canada in 1965, Bill Stewart always knew he was adopted. What he didn't understand until much later was how profoundly that separation and the abuse he experienced growing up would shape his identity, relationships and sense of belonging.

In this deeply thoughtful conversation, Bill reflects on growing up in a home where adoption couldn't be spoken about, surviving physical and emotional abuse, searching for his biological family before the internet, and navigating reunion with both of his parents. He speaks candidly about addiction, suicidal ideation, healing through nature, and the enduring impact of relinquishment throughout his life.

One image stays with you long after the conversation ends: Bill describes himself as a branch grafted onto a tree that never quite grew as it should. It is a powerful metaphor for his experience of adoption and one that many adopted people may recognise.

Before Bill's story begins, Jo also briefly explores Canada's history of forced adoption and the ongoing calls for a national apology and meaningful redress.

This episode contains discussion of child abuse, addiction and suicidal ideation that some listeners may find distressing.

Keywords: adoption, personal story, childhood trauma, identity, family, loss, resilience, Canada, search for roots, mental health

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Bill Stewart's Story

01:35 Growing Up Adopted: Early Experiences

06:17 Family Dynamics and Abuse

08:52 The Search for Biological Family

12:26 Meeting Biological Family: Expectations vs. Reality

14:31 Reflections on Identity and Belonging

17:52 The Impact of Adoption on Mental Health

20:51 Conclusion and Hope for the Future

22:17 NEWCHAPTER

For more information go to ⁠⁠http://www.jigsawqueensland.com/podcast⁠⁠

To be considered for interview on the podcast, fill in the prospective guest form you'll find on the podcast page of the website.

Your host is Dr Jo-Ann Sparrow - President of Jigsaw Queensland (⁠⁠www.jigsawqueensland.com⁠⁠)

Connect with usInstagram - adopt_perspective_podcast

Facebook - Jigsaw Post-AdoptionCentre Queensland

If you are looking for support and reside in Queensland, Australia, you can reach Jigsaw Queensland's ForcedAdoption Support Service on toll-free 1800 21 03 13, or you can call Jigsaw on 07 3358 6666. If you live in another state of Australia, you can still call the Forced Adoption Support Service in the state that you're calling from. In everyother state of Australia, Relationships Australia operates this service.

A big thank you to Matt Sparrow for composing and recording our original theme music.

We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we work and the many lands that our clients nowlive on and we wish to acknowledge and show our respects to Elders past and present for their continuing connection to culture and the contributions they make to community. We acknowledge how much we have to learn from them and theirunique understanding of connection and adoption and their recognition that at the base of every change is truth telling and healing.

What happens when lived experience becomes art?

In this powerful episode of Adopt Perspective, we explore Broken Bonds, Fractured Lives – an original musical testimony that brings the hidden stories of Australia’s Forced Adoption Era to the stage through music, performance and truth-telling.

Host Jo Sparrow speaks with Louise Kirk, a mother impacted by forced adoption who, as a teenager in the 1970s, was coerced into the adoption of her six-month-old son. Louise shares her deeply personal story of love, loss and lifelong grief, as well as her journey into advocacy and peer support for other mothers affected by adoption separation.

They discuss how Broken Bonds, Fractured Lives is transforming lived experience into theatre, amplifying voices that have too often been silenced, and creating opportunities for healing through storytelling.

The production team is also seeking more men affected by forced adoption to become involved by sharing their experiences and potentially performing as part of the project.

Listen now and discover how creativity can honour memory, challenge silence and foster understanding.

To find out more email: swagssbunbury@gmail.com

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Broken Bonds Fractured Lives

01:17 Louise Kirk's Personal Journey

11:23 The Impact of Forced Adoption

16:03 The Struggles of Reunion and Identity

17:38 Advocacy Through Art and Music

20:04 The Birth of a Song: Tiny Hands

21:04 From Concept to Performance: The Journey Begins

23:17 Emotional Resonance: The Power of Storytelling

25:27 Expanding the Narrative: Including Fathers and Male Perspectives

29:01 The Right to Know: Advocating for Adoption Awareness

30:29 Sharing Truths: The Importance of Lived Experiences

34:28 Invitation to Participate: Engaging Men in the Conversation

Keywords:

Adoption, forced adoption, storytelling, theatre, advocacy, mental health, trauma, reunion, public truth-telling, music, community support

This episode will resonate with adopted adults, parents who lost children to adoption, siblings, adoptive parents, practitioners, and anyone seeking a deeper, more honest understanding of the lifelong impacts of adoption.

If this conversation resonates, subscribe for more honest discussions about adoption, identity and the lived experience of adopted adults, mothers and fathers who lost children to adoption and therapists, researchers and policy makers in this space.

This episode discusses adult themes and listener discretion is advised. For more information go to ⁠http://www.jigsawqueensland.com/podcast⁠

To be considered for interview on the podcast, fill in the prospective guest form you'll find on the podcast page of the website.

Your host is Dr Jo-Ann Sparrow - President of Jigsaw Queensland (⁠www.jigsawqueensland.com⁠)

Connect with us Instagram - adopt_perspective_podcast

Facebook - Jigsaw Post-Adoption Centre Queensland

If you are looking for support and reside in Queensland, Australia, you can reach Jigsaw Queensland's Forced Adoption Support Service on toll-free 1800 21 03 13, or you can call Jigsaw on 07 3358 6666. If you live in another state of Australia, you can still call the Forced Adoption Support Service in the state that you're calling from. In every other state of Australia, Relationships Australia operates this service.

A big thank you to Matt Sparrow for composing and recording our original theme music.

We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we work and the many lands that our clients now live on and we wish to acknowledge and show our respects to Elders past and present for their continuing connection to culture and the contributions they make to community. We acknowledge how much we have to learn from them and their unique understanding of connection and adoption and their recognition that at the base of every change is truth telling and healing.

What happens when the story you were told about your conception begins to unravel?

In this episode of Adopt Perspective, Jo Sparrow speaks with Katherine Dawson, creator of Origin Archives, about her experience as a donor conceived person, the shocking discoveries she made about her donor, the growing number of siblings she has found, and the serious questions her story raises about fertility clinics, records, health information, genetic identity and accountability.

This conversation explores donor conception in Australia, Assisted Reproductive Technology, family secrets, biological truth, systemic failure and the power of lived experience to create change.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Donor Conception and Personal Stories

06:36 The Complexities of Identity and Family

14:35 Marketing and Perceptions of Donor Conception

24:14 Navigating Medical Concerns in Donor Conception

29:27 The Search for Identity and Siblings

33:22 Health Implications and Genetic Awareness

38:45 Creating Change Through Origin Archives

Resources

Origin Archives

Donor Conceived Australia

This episode will resonate with adopted adults, parents who lost children to adoption, siblings, adoptive parents, practitioners, and anyone seeking a deeper, more honest understanding of the lifelong impacts of adoption.

If this conversation resonates, subscribe for more honest discussions about adoption, identity and the lived experience of adopted adults, mothers and fathers who lost children to adoption and therapists, researchers and policy makers in this space.

This episode discusses adult themes and listener discretion is advised. For more information go to ⁠http://www.jigsawqueensland.com/podcast⁠

To be considered for interview on the podcast, fill in the prospective guest form you'll find on the podcast page of the website.

Your host is Dr Jo-Ann Sparrow - President of Jigsaw Queensland (⁠www.jigsawqueensland.com⁠)

Connect with us Instagram - adopt_perspective_podcast

Facebook - Jigsaw Post-Adoption Centre Queensland

If you are looking for support and reside in Queensland, Australia, you can reach Jigsaw Queensland's Forced Adoption Support Service on toll-free 1800 21 03 13, or you can call Jigsaw on 07 3358 6666. If you live in another state of Australia, you can still call the Forced Adoption Support Service in the state that you're calling from. In every other state of Australia, Relationships Australia operates this service.

A big thank you to Matt Sparrow for composing and recording our original theme music.

We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we work and the many lands that our clients now live on and we wish to acknowledge and show our respects to Elders past and present for their continuing connection to culture and the contributions they make to community. We acknowledge how much we have to learn from them and their unique understanding of connection and adoption and their recognition that at the base of every change is truth telling and healing.