The Anna Jinja Show
The Anna Jinja show focuses on the stories, issues, and questions connected to adoption and foster care experiences.
The host is an international adoptee with biological roots in Korea and adopted roots in the United States. As you can imagine, her journey and experiences as a transracial adoptee are multifaceted. Her experiences have been with the pain of discrimination and rejection as well as the joys of self-discovery and learning to embrace all aspects of her identity.
Along the way, she has discovered that she is not alone. We’re all – in some ways – adopted into or out of homes, cultures, communities, and relationships as we grow and evolve. This show illuminates the theme of adoption, in all ways, in our lives. And how those experiences create who we are and who we are yet to be.
Her hope is that through engaging with the guests and creative content, we are welcomed home in this world, cradled in the belief that we belong, that we are worthy, and that we are loved.
So stay tuned, and you may discover your own adoption story.
- Update frequency
- every 6 days
- Average duration
- 28 minutes
- Episodes
- 91
- Years Active
- 2023 - 2025
Lou Mei & Dr. Bruce Martin
We are bouncing with excitement to share our latest episode featuring Lou Mei Gutsch - a master's student whose story is so uplifting, it should come with a happiness warning label!
Why This Episode …
Anna Sheffield & Kristin Cotterell Sheffield
In this deeply moving episode, host Anna Jinja sits down with Anna Sheffield, a young adoptee from Iowa City, and her mother, Kristin Cotterell Sheffield, to explore the layers of identity, belonging…
Max Wieland & Ian Vidovic
Finding Home in Two Worlds: Max's Journey from China to Minneapolis and Beyond: A Story of Courage, Identity, and Belonging
What does it mean to belong when you're caught between two worlds? In this…
Lane Igoudin & Bruce Dalzell
From Heartache to Hope
In our latest episode of The Anna Jinja Show, host Anna Jinja brings together three extraordinary voices for a conversation that will change how you think about adoption, family…
Simon Benn & Thrive Book
Simon Benn's Vision: How Your 250 Words Can Transform Adoptee Lives |
The moment that changes everything often looks ordinary. For Simon Benn, it was learning at age 40 that his childhood teddy bear …
Linda Sistrunk, Lish Greiner, & Kim Kaler
Step by Step, Bit by Bit: How Two Women Created a Community of Love for 30+ Children
What started as children visiting friends turned into something extraordinary. Linda Sistrunk and Lish Greiner neve…
Kristina Denbow & Mather Family
An Adoptee’s Story of Courage, Connection, and Coming Full Circle
Kristina's journey isn't just about going back to Kazakhstan – it's about the universal human need to understand where we come from a…
Meredith Jensen & Sydney Roberts
Like Dandelions: How Two Women Redefine Belonging and Family
The Anna Jinja Show welcomes Meredith Jensen and Sydney Roberts for a conversation that blooms with unexpected wisdom
There's something magi…
Roxanne Male-Brune & Bernhard Debatin
Finding Home in the Journey: When Life Takes Unexpected Turns
The latest episode of The Anna Jinja Show proves that some of the most profound conversations happen when strangers discover their storie…
Muffin's Mom & Marshall McKellar Part 2
The Five-Minute Bond: Part 2 – Unraveling the Threads of Fate
The story of Shannon and Jan captivated listeners in Part 1, leaving us with the warmth of a bond formed in just five powerful minutes. …
Muffin's Mom & Marshall McKellar Part 1
The Five-Minute Bond: A Story of Serendipity and Family
What would you do with five minutes that could define a lifetime?
In our latest episode, we share the remarkable story of Shannon, who discov…
Levia Hartman Remember My Name
Crown Up: A Journey of Self-Love and Identity with Levia Hartman
Join host Anna Jinja for an inspiring conversation with motivational author and poet Levia Hartman, whose extraordinary journey from …
Kate and Jay Johnson & Rylee Bapst
Complicated Love: A Military Family's Journey Through Three Adoptions
Join us for an emotionally enriching episode of the Anna Jinja Show, where we delve into the universal experience of adoption and…
Richard Dickerson & Don Baker
This episode of the Anna Jinja Show showcases a powerful creative collaboration between photographer Richard Dickerson and singer-songwriter Don Baker. Born from Anna Jinja's innovative storytelling …
Finn & Levi
Finding Purpose Through Music and Empathy
This episode welcomes musician Levi Merrill and guest Finn for a heartwarming conversation about the search for belonging. Levi's performance of "Drive-In M…
Lily Sager & Nick Kizirnis
Out of Touch, Into Belonging: Lily Sager’s Adoption Journey
In our latest episode of The Anna Jinja Show, we delve into the profound themes of identity, belonging, and the multifaceted nature of fami…
Jeff Wunderly & Dan Canterbury
On this week's episode of The Anna Jinja Show, we explore the profound idea that adoption isn't confined to legal documents; it's a fundamental aspect of the human experience. Every day, we actively …
Kari Gunter-Seymour & Britnie
Here at "The Anna Jinja Show," we believe that belonging isn't just found, it's actively created. It's in the connections we forge, the values we embrace, and the experiences that shape us. And somet…
Anna Sheffield & Tayvia Harrington
In our latest episode, we are thrilled to introduce Anna Sheffield, a captivating guest whose story showcases the beauty of self-discovery and the importance of community. As an adoptee and the first…
Cat Powell-Hoffman & Colin Cameron
In this episode of the Anna Jinja Show, we delve into the emotional depths of identity, loss, and discovery through the lens of the song "Skylight" by Pinegrove. This week, we are joined by Cat Powel…