S4, Ep. 11: Rivi
Rivi Shocket was born in Baltimore Maryland in 1987. She was adopted two days after she was born and had an open adoption. From the time she was a toddler, her adoptive parents would take her to spend time with her birth family (mom, dad, siblings, cousins, and grandparents) every couple of years. Throughout Rivi's teenage years and into adulthood, she developed strong bonds with her immediate birth familyespecially her mother. Her birth mother struggled with addictions, so it was difficult to have a consistent relationship with her, but she cherished the times and talks they had up until her passing in 2016. In the past few years, Rivi has learned a lot as far as who she is, where she comes from, and even where she gets certain personality traits from. Along with learning some fun facts about her birth family, including their musical talents, she has also learned the traumas she was handed, being an adoptee. Although having an open adoption has answered many of her questions, the abandonment fears persist, as well as dealing with some of her own addiction traits. She is still learning how to deal with her relinquishment in general, but she has come to believe that writing songs about her experiences will be her saving grace.
Also in this episode, Sarah and Louise discuss American Baby by Gabrielle Glaser.
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We discuss the complexities of family history, genealogy, and the search for identity and belonging, as well as the nature vs. nurture debate and the role of cultural identity, ethnicity, and race in shaping one's sense of self. We explore the impact of adoption on mental health, trauma, healing, and coping strategies, and the importance of support systems, resilience, empowerment, and advocacy in promoting social justice and human rights.
Through storytelling, narrative, conversation, and interviews with guest speakers, we aim to provide personal growth, life lessons, wisdom, and perspective on the adoptee experience, and to foster authenticity, vulnerability, courage, empathy, and compassion in our community building, networking, mentorship, and guidance.
We also provide resources, information, and research on adoption, literature, media, entertainment, culture, arts, music, film, television, pop culture, social media, and digital platforms, to raise awareness and educate our audience on the diversity and richness of adoptee experiences and perspectives.
Join us as we delve into the inspiring and thoughtprovoking stories of adoptees like Rivi who show us the power of resilience and the transformative potential of personal growth and selfdiscovery.