Ep. 262 Exploring Adoption and Identity with Julie Ryan McGue

Parenting Great Kids with Dr. Meg Meeker

Dr. Meg Meeker

Kids & Family, Education, Parenting, Self-improvement

4.6 • 1.1K Ratings

🗓️ 22 January 2025

⏱️ 42 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

In this episode of Parenting Great Kids with Dr. Meg Meeker, Dr. Meg is joined by Julie Ryan McGue—an award-winning writer, domestic adoptee, and identical twin—to dive deep into the complexities of adoption and identity. Julie opens up about her journey of growing up as an adoptee, the emotional impact of being part of a closed adoption, and her search for birth relatives to uncover critical medical history. Listeners will gain valuable insights as Julie discusses: The emotional and psychological challenges of being part of a closed adoption. The importance of open communication between adoptive parents and children. How adoptees can navigate their unique struggles with belonging and self-identity. The role of support groups in fostering community and understanding. Julie also shares her perspective on the generational and emotional struggles often tied to adoption, highlighting how openness and honesty can help adopted children cultivate a positive sense of self. This episode offers invaluable takeaways for adoptive parents, adoptees, and anyone eager to better understand the dynamics of adoption. Tune in now to hear Julie’s remarkable story and thoughtful advice! About Our Guest: Julie Ryan McGue Julie Ryan McGue is an American writer, domestic adoptee, and identical twin. Her award-winning memoir, Twice a Daughter: A Search for Identity, Family, and Belonging, was released in May 2021 and chronicles her journey to uncover her birth relatives. Through her writing, Julie explores the intricate themes of identity, family, and belonging, providing hope and inspiration for adoptees and adoptive families alike. Key Moments: 00:00 Introduction to Parenting Great Kids 00:26 Guest Introduction: Julie Ryan McHugh 01:03 Early Life and Adoption Experience 02:25 Navigating Identity and Belonging 04:09 Challenges of Closed Adoption 06:38 Support Groups and Shared Experiences 08:43 Complex Family Dynamics 16:31 Cultural Identity and Adoption 21:27 Personal Journey and Health Issues 34:05 Advice for Adoptive Parents 35:09 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Our Sponsors: Stay warm this season with Heat Holders®—from thermal socks to cozy hats, gloves, and layers, they’ve got you covered. Get 15% off at heatholders.com with code “DRMEG” and free shipping on orders over $25! Hungryroot is your personal shopper and nutritionist combined, making healthy eating easy and stress-free. Get 40% off your first box, plus enjoy a free item in every box for life! Visit Hungryroot.com/drmeg and use code DRMEG to claim this exclusive offer. Breathe easier, live better with AirDoctor! Head to airdoctorpro.com, use promo code DRMEG, and you’ll receive UP TO $300 off air purifiers! Clear hormonal & cystic acne with no side effects with Phyla Biotics. Enter code DRMEEKER at checkout and start your journey to healthier skin. Build a better you, one brick at a time with Field of Greens. No extracts, no lab-made stuff, just whole, organic fruits and vegetables. Visit fieldofgreens.com and use promo code DRMEG for free rush shipping and 15% off your first order. Start saving and investing for your future with Acorns—visit acorns.com/drmeg or download the app today! Wild Interest, where the magic happens when kids run the show. Find it wherever you get your podcasts. It’s wild! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	Did you know that eating disorders affect millions of people each year and recovery can be a family journey?
0:07.4	Equip Health believes that no one should face these challenges alone.
0:12.2	Equip Health is a virtual eating disorder treatment program designed to help families heal together.
0:18.5	Their team of experts, including therapists, dieticians, and medical
0:23.2	providers, works with both the individual and their loved ones to create a tailored plan for recovery.
0:30.7	Equip makes treatment accessible by bringing care to your home and focusing on long-term results
0:37.3	through a compassionate,
0:39.0	evidence-based approach. They're transforming the way eating disorders are treated, helping families
0:44.9	build stronger bonds and healthier futures. If someone you love is struggling with an eating
0:50.1	disorder, EquipHealth can help. Visit equiphealth.com slash Dr. Meg to learn more and get
0:57.4	started. That's equiphealth.com slash Dr. Meg. Hi, everyone, it's Dr. Meg. Today's episode is
1:05.8	brought to you by IXL. As parents, we all want to give our kids the best tools to help them succeed,
1:12.7	whether it's learning to read, mastering math, or preparing for big milestones like the SATs.
1:19.2	That's why I've partnered with IXL to support a child's learning journey.
1:25.2	IXL is an online learning program that supplements your homeschool curriculum
1:30.1	with interactive practice, lessons, and even video tutorials in math, language, arts, science,
1:36.7	and social studies. What I love most is that I-X-L is flexible. It adapts to your child's level,
1:43.7	whether they're ahead or need some extra support.
1:46.6	The instant feedback helps kids know right away where they can improve, and it also saves
1:51.6	you time with helpful progress reports. You can try it out and get 25% off an IXL membership.
2:00.3	Just visit IXL.com slash Dr. Meg and take your child's learning to the next level.
2:07.8	That's IXL.com slash Dr. Meg.
	...

Transcript will be available on the free plan in -63 days. Upgrade to see the full transcript now.

Previous episode | Next episode

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Dr. Meg Meeker, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of Dr. Meg Meeker and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.