The Adoption Paradox

Family Twist: A Podcast Exploring DNA Surprises and Family Secrets

Author, adoptee, and fierce truth-teller Jean Widner returns to Family Twist—and this time, she’s holding a finished book in her hands. In this emotionally raw and intellectually rich conversation, Corey sits down with Jean to talk about the release of her long-anticipated book, The Adoption Paradox, and the deeply personal story behind it.

What began as a community-driven exploration of adoption evolved into something far more intimate—a reflection on grief, rejection, and what it means when your birth mother says “no.” Jean unpacks the anger, longing, and love that poured into her writing, including the moment a friend called her book “a love letter to your mother”—a revelation she hadn’t seen coming.

We also dive into the darker side of the adoption industry: predatory marketing tactics, the for-profit machinery behind child placement, and why “rescue” language is so harmful. Plus, Jean and Corey share a few behind-the-scenes truths about being marketers themselves, and what it means to use those skills for good.

The Adoption Paradox

This episode covers:

• Jean’s reflections one year after her birth mother’s painful rejection
• The real story behind The Adoption Paradox
• Why sealed birth certificates and loyalty tests still hurt
• Marketing ethics in adoption and who’s profiting from secrecy
• How community and storytelling create space for healing
• Why Fast Car by Tracy Chapman is the perfect song for her adoption journey

If you’ve ever felt like you couldn’t tell the whole truth about your story, this conversation is for you. Jean reminds us that sometimes the most radical act is just naming what happened, without the bow.

📖 Grab Jean’s book: adoptionparadox.com