12. Emma: Thinking Adoption Hadn’t Affected Me—Until It Did

About this episode

Emma, a Chinese American adoptee, discusses her evolving perspective on adoption and identity while growing up in a predominantly white community.

Today, Shaosheen is joined by Emma, a Chinese American adoptee who grew up in Marin County, California. Emma shares what it was like growing up in a predominantly white community, where she largely felt “normal” and didn’t think adoption had a significant impact on her identity, often (and understandably) feeling more aligned with the world around her than with her Chinese heritage. As she got older, that perspective began to evolve. Together, they explore the moments that shaped Emma’s aware...

People in this episode

Host: Shaosheen Jewel-Quirk

Guest: Emma

Topics covered

• adoption
• identity
• cultural heritage
• growing up
• Chinese American experience

Keywords

• adoption
• identity
• Chinese American
• cultural heritage
• Marin County
• growing up
• community

Mentioned in this episode

Places: Marin County, California, China

More episodes of Not Made In China

• 15. Brooke: On Growing Up as a British Adoptee and Staying Connected to Birth Family · June 10, 2026 · 1h 7m
• 14. Ming: Going Back to China for the First Time · May 26, 2026 · 36 min
• 13. Mariane: Being a Chinese Adoptee in Canada and Making Sense of My Identity · May 12, 2026 · 46 min
• 11. Anna: Adoption, Faith & Finding Identity as a Chinese Adoptee · March 31, 2026 · 1h 21m
• 10. Mackenzie: Falling Pregnant at 17: Why I Chose an Adoption Plan for My Daughter · March 17, 2026 · 31 min
• 9. Cat: How Listening to Other Adoptees Helped Me Understand My Story · March 3, 2026 · 1h 14m