Finding Identity, Belonging, and Healing as a Transracial Adoptee with Michael Gaither

Finding Identity, Belonging, and Healing as a Transracial Adoptee with Michael Gaither

From Parenting Different by Parenting Different

June 11, 2026 · 1h 13m

About this episode

Michael Gaither shares his journey as a transracial adoptee navigating identity and belonging.

What happens when you spend nearly five decades wondering where you came from? In this powerful conversation, Anna Bernacki sits down with transracial adoptee Michael Gaither, a retired educator, former principal, executive coach, and adoption advocate. Michael shares his deeply personal journey of growing up as a Black child in a White family in 1970s Nebraska, navigating identity, race, belonging, and the lifelong questions that many adoptees carry. Michael speaks candidly about the challenges of living between two worlds, the pressure to hide his struggles, and the ways adoption shaped his understanding of himself. He reflects on the anger, anxiety, and isolation he experienced growing up, as well as the profound impact of meeting a Black mentor who helped him begin to see himself differently. Connect with Michael Gaither Beyond the Moment Adoption Studio Beyond the Moment Adoption Studio Resources and Courses Payhip Store – https://payhip.com/BeyondTheMomentAdoptionStudio?utm_source=chatgpt.com Free Resource: Seven Conversations Every White Parent Must Have With Their Black Child - Available free through Michael's website

People in this episode

Host: Anna Bernacki

Guest: Michael Gaither

Topics covered

  • transracial adoption
  • identity
  • belonging
  • race
  • mental health
  • personal journey

Keywords

  • transracial adoptee
  • identity
  • belonging
  • adoption
  • race
  • mental health
  • personal story

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Beyond the Moment Adoption Studio, Payhip Store

Products: Seven Conversations Every White Parent Must Have With Their Black Child

More episodes of Parenting Different

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Parenting Different podcast page.