IAMAdoptee Team IAMAdoptee Team

Untitled Thoughts

Untitled Thoughts is a deeply personal reflection by IAMAdoptee co-founder Joy Lieberthal Rho that explores the complexities of identity, belonging, and the lifelong process of making meaning from adoption. With honesty and vulnerability, Joy shares observations from her own journey as a Korean adoptee, therapist, and community advocate, touching on the tensions of holding multiple identities, the search for connection, and the importance of embracing uncertainty. Thought-provoking and introspective, the piece invites readers to sit with difficult questions while finding comfort in shared experiences and the ongoing work of self-discovery.

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IAMAdoptee Team IAMAdoptee Team

Dunbar Number

Dunbar Number explores the importance of connection, community, and belonging in the adoptee experience through the lens of the “Dunbar Number” theory—the idea that humans can maintain meaningful relationships with only a limited number of people. The author reflects on how adoptees often search for spaces where they feel seen, understood, and connected, and how finding an adoptee community can be a transformative part of that journey. Thoughtful and introspective, the piece highlights the healing power of authentic relationships and the role community plays in supporting identity, resilience, and emotional well-being.

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IAMAdoptee Team IAMAdoptee Team

I Want To Be A Father

I Want to Be a Father is a heartfelt reflection on identity, loss, and the deep longing to build a family as an adoptee. Through personal storytelling, the author explores how adoption can shape one’s understanding of parenthood, belonging, and legacy. The piece examines the hopes, fears, and emotional complexities of wanting to become a father while navigating questions about family, connection, and what it means to break cycles and create something new. It is a powerful reminder that the desire to nurture, love, and belong can be a profound part of the adoptee experience.

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IAMAdoptee Team IAMAdoptee Team

Finding Healing One Song at a Time

Finding Healing One Song at a Time explores how music can become a powerful bridge to identity, culture, and healing. In this personal reflection, IAMAdoptee co-founder Joy Lieberthal Rho shares how discovering BTS during the pandemic deepened her connection to her Korean heritage, supported her mental wellness journey, and helped her navigate the complexities of being both Korean and adopted. Through music, language, and community, she reveals how unexpected sources of inspiration can foster pride, belonging, and emotional healing.

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IAMAdoptee Team IAMAdoptee Team

What Does AAPI Month Mean to Me?

During AAPI Heritage Month, Glenn Morey and Joy Lieberthal Rho reflect on identity, belonging, and representation. Their conversation explores what it means to navigate Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage while growing up across cultures, families, and communities

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