Podcasts & Interviews

A Story of Adoption and Destiny

Stephen Rowley, Ph.D., is a psychotherapist practicing on Bainbridge Island,Washington. He is an adoptee and the father of an adopted son. Born in 1949 to anunwed mother, he was adopted at six months and enjoyed the benefits of growing up in a loving and affluent home. At age 13 he became deeply curious about his parentage. Not until college did he have the means to begin a lifelong quest to find his birth mother and his true identity. After years of investigation, he finally found his birth mother …
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Listen as I share insights into my adoption experience, including the profound moment of reconnecting with my birth mother at the age of 40. This emotional reunion brought a sense of closure and connection that I had been yearning for, despite the challenges and complexities that came with it.

Throughout the conversation, we delved into the Zen concept of the lost coin, highlighting the idea of mystery and intuition in navigating life’s challenges and uncertainties.

#TheLostCoin

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“Imagine there’s an orphan who lives within them. The orphan is homeless, restless, disconnected, and searching for something or someone it can’t find, including its very soul. For some, the orphan’s persistent presence may arise intermittently through feelings and behavior at any stage of life or circumstance. No orphan, however, is beyond redemption. The lost orphan can be found in the shadows and brought to the safety and security of light. Disconnection can be healed by loving reconnection. In our conversation Stephen fleshed out the issues of abandonment with tenderness, insight and compassion.”

#TheLostCoin

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Many of us feel that we were brought up in a false narrative. Many of us feel that the current narrative around adoption is still false. But what about OUR narrative? The narrative that sums up how we see our life? The narrative that changes. The narrative that’s meant to change. Stephen shares routes to a more empowered narrative. Fascinating. Empowering. And very, very different. Different in a GOOD way.

#TheLostCoin

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Tune into Great Dad Talks for an insightful conversation with Great Dad Talks host, Paul Banas, as we discuss the deep-seated issues of identity, belonging, and resilience in adoptees and share wisdom for adoptive parents navigating these complex waters. As I recount my poignant reunion with a family member after decades, you will gain a unique perspective on family connections and the human psyche.

#TheLostCoin

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