
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
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