Tag: family

Episode, Podcast

DNA Story #5 – Cayla

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Cayla’s biological father

Abandonment takes many shapes and forms and the legacy of closed adoptions can trigger harmful ripples that can last for generations. We wrap up our series on DNA testing and how the rise in these tesiting services opens up a world of discovery with a truly compelling story. Cayla’s story. It is a memoir of family secrets, heartache, reconciliation, and forgiveness.

Cayla grew up without her biological father in her life. Never accepting the reasons why, she embarked on a journey to learn of his identity and get answers to the burning question…”why did you abandon me?” After a multi-year search, she found some of the answers she was looking for. But was the truth enough to make her feel whole? Listen to this incredible story to find out.

Cayla’s grandmother

Music in this episode features DNA (Internal Alchemy) by Ketsa under Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Amerika by Audiobinger under Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

Episode, Podcast

DNA Story #4 – Rachel

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When it comes to searching your family tree, there are inevitable roadblocks that can keep you from achieving the kind of progress that you hoped to make. For descendants of slaves, the barriers can be quite difficult to overcome. The same is true for the descendants of some immigrants who worked to forget the past by getting fresh start in America.

The task can be as equally daunting when you are adopted or the child of a parent who was adopted. Without critical information like surnames, birthdates and places, you lose an entire section of family tree and an opportunity to complete yourself. That was certainly the case for today’s storyteller, Rachel. A young woman curious about a section of family that she knew absolutely nothing about. So many question rolling around her mind, so many answers waiting to be discovered. For Rachel, this missing bit of information stood in the way of feeling whole. As you’ll discover after listening to the show, this is ultimately a story of belonging.

People who have a strong sense of belonging tend to be more secure and comfortable with their identity. It’s a basic human need that provides a sense of wholeness and community that can improve motivation, health, and happiness. Enjoy Rachel’s story.

Music in this episode includes Warm Morning and Biscuits by Ketsa under Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

And Ground Effect by Bio Unit under Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

Episode, Podcast

DNA Stories #3

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Chuck’s Story

The Howe family – Chuck’s great grandfather Charles Wesley Howe (back row center) and his grandfather Walter Wiley Howe to his left.

Forget what you think you know about your family’s history. Once you start down the DNA testing rabbit hole, there is no telling what you might discover. There’s something intriguing and mysterious about sleuthing through your family history.

Some search for peace that comes from knowing their origins, or the thrill of discovering that they are related to some famous historic figure. But for some, a little surprise information can challenge long-held beliefs about their family and create thought-provoking context for their existing relationships. That is certainly what happened to our next guest, Charles (Chuck). Chuck’s simple journey to confirm and learn more about his Irish heritage produce a few extra surprises.

These enlightening moments often have a way of challenging our perspective on family and our relationships to one another. And, in Chuck’s case, we gain a different understanding of our family’s participation in the American experiment.

Music in this episode is Steady Ships and Blazing-Stars by Ketsa under Creative Commons non-commercial, No-derrivatives 4.0 International use.

Episode, Podcast

DNA Stories – 2

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Kalia’s Journey

My personal journey to discover more about my maternal grandfather’s lineage led to other unanticipated discoveries. Like a deeper dive into my ethnicity and developing a broader sense of my identity and worldview. It also afforded me an opportunity to meet family members I didn’t know I had. Like my wonderful cousin Jennifer Jones and her beautiful daughter Victoria. We arranged to meet up, share a meal, and get connected in a familial way.

Cousins Victoria (L) and Jennifer (R)

Thorough Jennifer and Ancestry.com I met my cousin Kalia Loper. Jennifer and Kalia’s grandmother Carol and my grandmother Norma are sisters from the Brodis side of our family. Through them, I learned more about my grandaunt who I knew very little about.

I also learned that Kalia was on her own personal journey of self-discovery. What started out as an opportunity to assist in the research of Crohn’s disease through DNA testing with 23 And Me turned into an amazing spiritual journey to connect with her ancestors and eventual physical journey across the Atlantic ocean. Please take a listen. I know you will enjoy it.

Kalia Loper
Kalia’s Great Grandfather
Kalia and Jennifer’s grandmother Carol, my grandaunt.
Kalia’s ancestor Leah Wanter Ruth – born in Guinea and sold into slavery
Episode, Podcast

The DNA Stories

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Joe & The 44

The DNA test kit market was valued at $747 million in 2018 and is expected to grow 23% by 2027. Much of it is driven by services offered by companies like Ancestry.com and 23 and Me to meet the demand of a growing number of people interested in their ancestral family tree and DNA testing for health and fitness. Along the way, people are making discoveries about themselves and their ancestors that challenge and influence their identities and how they see themselves in the world.

This 4 part series of Life in HD examines the personal journeys and discoveries of people who have taken DNA test. These stories of self-discovery are in the storyteller’s own words and I sincerely appreciate their choice to share with us all. Everyone’s story is as unique as the force that drives them into the arms of history.

The first story of the 5 part series is Joe and The 44. It is my own journey to discover more about my ancestors, my heritage, and struggles with identity.

Music in the episode is Love Me Forever and I Used To Love Hip Hop by Audiobinger under Attribution Non-commercial license.

The Anderson family – Mary Anderson (my paternal 2nd great grandmother) at center
Maternal great grandparents Robert and Bessie Brodis
Parents and grand parents: Josephus & Helen Lee (L) – Joseph & Frances Lee (C) – Mordecai & Norma Brown (R)
Paternal great grandmother Lillian McGoines (far left) and paternal 2nd great grandmother Betty Coates on the right
Podcast

Making Peace with Anger

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Holidays can be a joyous time of year filled with cheerful music, wonderful food, gift-giving, and family. 

It’s the family part of the equation that can sometimes be risky.  You can get over receiving an ugly tie as a gift…but a heated argument with Aunt Sadie might not be so easy.

Family gatherings CAN be a wonderful part of holiday traditions but they can also be heated, uncomfortable and filled with tension.  What if…you’re the problem?

Can YOU make peace with your own anger for a more harmonious Christmas?  The answer is…yes.  We chatted with a man who did exactly that. Meet Tom Corner, author of the book Borrowed Eyes and Feet: Finding Enlightenment After Rage. Tom carried anger with him for a while and that anger manifested itself in very self-destructive ways.  That is until he had a break through. Listen to find out how Tom broke through the anger, made peace with himself, and contributed to more harmonious family gatherings.

To learn more about Tom, his book, and his motivational speaking…visit Tom Corner.net. (We’ll have a link to his sit in the show notes at joeblee.com) Music that you’re listening to is Ride Out by Audiobinger under creative commons non-commercial use license.