About this episode

Jeff shares his journey of identity and understanding through adoption and DNA testing.

Jeff was born in San Francisco in 1962, relinquished at birth, and raised in a loving adoptive family that openly discussed adoption—yet he still struggled with identity, shame, and substance use, shaped in part by a “chameleon” coping mechanism. Years later, learning about adoption-related trauma and exploring his origins through DNA testing led to powerful revelations, unexpected family connections, and a deeper understanding of his story.

People in this episode

Hosts: Louise Browne, Sarah Reinhardt

Guest: Jeff

Topics covered

• identity
• adoption
• trauma
• family connections
• DNA testing
• substance use

Keywords

• adoption
• identity
• chameleon coping
• substance use
• family connections
• DNA testing
• adoption trauma

Mentioned in this episode

Places: San Francisco

More episodes of Adoption: The Making of Me. An Oral History of Adoptee Stories

• Virginia: Live Podcast from Austin, Texas · April 28, 2026 · 55 min
• Alex: An Accident of Birth · April 21, 2026 · 55 min
• Lisa: Adoption, Identity & Health · April 14, 2026 · 1h 3m
• Mioara: The Long Thread Home · April 7, 2026 · 47 min
• Greta: The Road from Loneliness to Self · March 24, 2026 · 1h 3m
• Raven: Living Beyond The Lies · March 17, 2026 · 57 min

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