Hey everyone! In this solo episode, I get real about something that’s been weighing heavy on my heart: the lie we’ve been told that adoption is always good, always safe, always “better.” The title says it all – You’re Not Crazy – The Odds Were Not In Our Favor. I walk through the reasons why so many Ethiopian adoptees feel isolated, gaslit, and unheard, and how our experiences have been erased or minimized under the guise of adoption “saving” us.

I talk candidly about the systems that failed us. Systems that didn’t vet adopters, didn’t check in on us, and never prioritized our well-being. I name what it really was: not adoption, but child trafficking and human trafficking. I speak directly to fellow adoptees who’ve been made to feel like they're the problem, like they should just be grateful, and I want you to hear me when I say – you're NOT crazy.

This episode is a truth-telling session. It's raw, it’s emotional, and it’s a call to reframe the way we talk about adoption and our stories. If you’ve ever felt alone in your experience or like your pain didn’t make sense, I hope this episode makes it just a little bit easier to breathe. Let's talk about it and then create a new game-plan that will allow for the happiness and peace you - ALL OF US - deserve! <3 

[SAME SUMMARY FROM PART I]

In this first episode of 2025, I had the honor of virtually sitting down with Cosimo Naldi, an Ethiopian adoptee raised and living in Italy. This conversation was raw, emotional, and deeply eye-opening. Cosimo’s story goes beyond adoption—it’s about survival, identity, and the complex layers that shape adoptee experiences. It’s not defined by trauma alone; it’s also about how love can be a solution, because amor vincit omnia, or “love conquers all,” which is not only Cosimo’s favorite phrase but also the title of a painting by one of my favorite artists, Caravaggio.

Born in 1999 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Cosimo shared his early experiences growing up on the streets with his brother after their aunt couldn’t care for them. His childhood was marked by trauma—stealing food to survive, dodging the police, and even being held in jail as a young child. Eventually, his aunt placed him and his brother in an orphanage, which he described as feeling more like a prison, filled with neglect and corruption. Despite the darkness, he found ways to cope, developing an ability to read people’s emotions—a survival skill that still serves him today.

At eight years old, Cosimo was adopted by an Italian couple. He remembers the moment he met them vividly—his father’s tears, his mother’s short haircut—and the surreal experience of suddenly being thrust into a new world. But life in Italy wasn’t the “heaven” he’d imagined. Adjusting to material comforts, learning to “be a child” after years of forced adulthood, and struggling to trust his new family were all part of his journey.

We talked about how he eventually formed strong bonds with his adoptive parents, who he’s grown to love deeply as they earned his trust and became a constant source of support over the years. Cosimo also formed strong connections with other important people in his life, like his babysitters, who became like family and introduced him to Italian culture through music. School brought its own challenges—learning a new language, trying to fit in—but over time, he discovered a love for literature and poetry.

Perhaps the most profound part of our conversation was Cosimo’s reflection on identity. Growing up, he tried to distance himself from his Ethiopian roots to fit in, leaving him feeling disconnected and lost—an experience many adoptees can relate to. His story is a powerful reminder of the silent battles adoptees face when it comes to belonging, identity, and healing from past wounds.

This episode speaks to the real, unfiltered adoptee experience—beyond the surface-level narratives we often hear. Cosimo’s resilience, honesty, and insight left me deeply moved—I know it will do the same for you. Because truly, amor vincit omnia. 

xoxo - Lidet 

In this first episode of 2025, I had the honor of virtually sitting down with Cosimo Naldi, an Ethiopian adoptee raised and living in Italy. This conversation was raw, emotional, and deeply eye-opening. Cosimo’s story goes beyond adoption—it’s about survival, identity, and the complex layers that shape adoptee experiences. It’s not defined by trauma alone; it’s also about how love can be a solution, because amor vincit omnia, or “love conquers all,” which is not only Cosimo’s favorite phrase but also the title of a painting by one of my favorite artists, Caravaggio.

Born in 1999 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Cosimo shared his early experiences growing up on the streets with his brother after their aunt couldn’t care for them. His childhood was marked by trauma—stealing food to survive, dodging the police, and even being held in jail as a young child. Eventually, his aunt placed him and his brother in an orphanage, which he described as feeling more like a prison, filled with neglect and corruption. Despite the darkness, he found ways to cope, developing an ability to read people’s emotions—a survival skill that still serves him today.

At eight years old, Cosimo was adopted by an Italian couple. He remembers the moment he met them vividly—his father’s tears, his mother’s short haircut—and the surreal experience of suddenly being thrust into a new world. But life in Italy wasn’t the “heaven” he’d imagined. Adjusting to material comforts, learning to “be a child” after years of forced adulthood, and struggling to trust his new family were all part of his journey.

We talked about how he eventually formed strong bonds with his adoptive parents, who he’s grown to love deeply as they earned his trust and became a constant source of support over the years. Cosimo also formed strong connections with other important people in his life, like his babysitters, who became like family and introduced him to Italian culture through music. School brought its own challenges—learning a new language, trying to fit in—but over time, he discovered a love for literature and poetry.

Perhaps the most profound part of our conversation was Cosimo’s reflection on identity. Growing up, he tried to distance himself from his Ethiopian roots to fit in, leaving him feeling disconnected and lost—an experience many adoptees can relate to. His story is a powerful reminder of the silent battles adoptees face when it comes to belonging, identity, and healing from past wounds.

This episode speaks to the real, unfiltered adoptee experience—beyond the surface-level narratives we often hear. Cosimo’s resilience, honesty, and insight left me deeply moved—I know it will do the same for you. Because truly, amor vincit omnia.

Part two of our conversation drops next week. You don’t want to miss it.

xoxo - Lidet 

Heyy everyone! In this new episode, I am joined by Habtamu Isaacson who shares his powerful adoption story. Adopted at the age of 9 in 2010 by a family in Minnesota, Habtamu reveals the challenging realities behind his adoption, rooted in the corruption of the Ethiopian adoption system. His grandmother, whom he loved dearly, was coerced into giving him up under false pretenses—a heartbreaking truth many adoptees share.

Habtamu discusses the often-ignored aspects of adoption that adoptive families and society fail to acknowledge, despite the outcry from adoptees. He opens up about the emotional, psychological, and physical abuse he endured from those who were seen and reinforced as "saviors." Sadly, as Habtamu recounts, it was these very "saviors" who manipulated the imbalance of power, creating chaos, isolation, and deceit.

In our conversation, Habtamu reflects on how his adoptive parents impacted his relationships with his biological sister, siblings, and friends, and how he struggled to navigate a new and unfamiliar world with limited support and resources. His story is a testament to his incredible bravery, resilience, and unshakable determination. Despite the difficulties he faced, Habtamu's journey is one of hope and faith, a reminder that even in the darkest moments, things can and will improve.

I am incredibly grateful to Habtamu for his vulnerability and strength to share his story. His courage is truly inspiring. Thank you, Habtamu!

Heyy everyone! In this new episode, I am joined by Habtamu Isaacson who shares his powerful adoption story. Adopted at the age of 9 in 2010 by a family in Minnesota, Habtamu reveals the challenging realities behind his adoption, rooted in the corruption of the Ethiopian adoption system. His grandmother, whom he loved dearly, was coerced into giving him up under false pretenses—a heartbreaking truth many adoptees share.

Habtamu discusses the often-ignored aspects of adoption that adoptive families and society fail to acknowledge, despite the outcry from adoptees. He opens up about the emotional, psychological, and physical abuse he endured from those who were seen and reinforced as "saviors." Sadly, as Habtamu recounts, it was these very "saviors" who manipulated the imbalance of power, creating chaos, isolation, and deceit.

In our conversation, Habtamu reflects on how his adoptive parents impacted his relationships with his biological sister, siblings, and friends, and how he struggled to navigate a new and unfamiliar world with limited support and resources. His story is a testament to his incredible bravery, resilience, and unshakable determination. Despite the difficulties he faced, Habtamu's journey is one of hope and faith, a reminder that even in the darkest moments, things can and will improve.

I am incredibly grateful to Habtamu for his vulnerability and strength to share his story. His courage is truly inspiring. Thank you, Habtamu!

Hey everyone, meet our next guest Ashenafi (Ash) Stuart! Ashenafi is an 18-year-old Ethiopian adoptee from Maryland, who was adopted when he was just 5 months old. In this episode, Ash expresses his appreciation for adoption, his openness to adopt one day himself, and the many figures who have helped him become the black man he is today. We also discuss the importance of black role models, being secure in your blackness/identity, and how geography and race can impact adoptee experiences. Ash also talks about his visit back to Ethiopia in 2019, and how that affected his life and his perspective as an adoptee living in America. Stating "there's no bone in my body that wants to be white", Ash coveys his gratitude for adoption and his adoptive parent's active steps in ensuring he had Black mentors growing up. He also stresses the importance of acknowledging race within transracial families because "you have to treat your child like who they are" for them to establish an authentic sense of identity. Ash's story provides a great new addition to those who have come before to establish how the Ethiopian adoptee experience truly exists on a spectrum. The interview also includes a lot of laughs as we share stories about our process of finding/securing our identity as black individuals more generally. Thank you Ash for coming on, being genuine, and sharing your experience as an Ethiopian adoptee. As always, feel free to reach out to me if you want to share your story at ethiopianadopteeuu@gmail.com. 

xoxoxo - Lidet 

(Kassaye & Aselefetch - Interview Part 2)

Hey heyy everyone and welcome to SEASON 2! I am so excited to kick off the new season with an amazing interview with the editors and contributors of, Lions Roaring Far From Home: An Anthology by Ethiopian Adoptees, Kassaye Berhanu-MacDonald and Aselefech Evans!!! These two incredible Ethiopian adoptee women have paved the way for political and social change in the many issues surrounding the transracial international adoption of Ethiopian children. The conversation is organic, honest, and adoptee-centered. Kassaye and Aselefch bring a priceless perspective to the discussion about the corruption within the Ethiopian adoption system, the intent versus the effects, and the ongoing battles that adoptees face. What better way to get an insight into Ethiopian adoptee experiences than hearing from them directly, from all around the world?! We discuss the events that led to the publication of, Lions Roaring Far From Home: An Anthology by Ethiopian Adoptees and its impact. The Anthology includes writers, ages 8 to over 50, from Sweden, France, Canada, the Netherlands, Australia, and the US. Thirty-three (33) unique, emotional, and complex essays are included and they illuminate how Ethiopian adoptee experiences truly exist on a spectrum, and it's not an experience that is easy to define. 

If you would like a copy of the book, kindly go to https://www.lionsroaringbook.com/. 

As always, feel free to reach out to me at ethiopiaadopteesuu@gmail.com or through the podcast Instagram page, ethiopianadopteesuu.  

Until next time, bye-bye. 

xoxo Lidet 

Hey heyy everyone and welcome to SEASON 2! I am so excited to kick off the new season with an amazing interview with the editors and contributors of, Lions Roaring Far From Home: An Anthology by Ethiopian Adoptees, Kassaye Berhanu-MacDonald and Aselefech Evans!!! These two incredible Ethiopian adoptee women have paved the way for political and social change in the many issues surrounding the transracial international adoption of Ethiopian children. The conversation is organic, honest, and adoptee-centered. Kassaye and Aselefch bring a priceless perspective to the discussion about the corruption within the Ethiopian adoption system, the intent versus the effects, and the ongoing battles that adoptees face. What better way to get an insight into Ethiopian adoptee experiences than hearing from them directly, from all around the world?! We discuss the events that led to the publication of, Lions Roaring Far From Home: An Anthology by Ethiopian Adoptees and its impact. The Anthology includes writers, ages 8 to over 50, from Sweden, France, Canada, the Netherlands, Australia, and the US. Thirty-three (33) unique, emotional, and complex essays are included and they illuminate how Ethiopian adoptee experiences truly exist on a spectrum, and it's not an experience that is easy to define. 

If you would like a copy of the book, kindly go to https://www.lionsroaringbook.com/. 

As always, feel free to reach out to me at ethiopiaadopteesuu@gmail.com or through the podcast Instagram page, ethiopianadopteesuu.  

Until next time, bye-bye. 

xoxo Lidet 

In this episode, we look at another way adoptee experiences are pushed to the margin. Specifically, we talk about the adoptee-to-parent dynamic and how the initial push to have adoptees refer to their adoptive parents as "mom" and "dad" may become problematic. We discuss how often adoptees have families comprised of parents, siblings, and relationships with their friends, food, and community. Still, we as adoptees are forced to participate in their adoptive environment as if we haven't lost everything. In this episode, we shift the dynamic and center adoptees in the conversation of choice and their right to choose whether or not to call the new adoptive people in their lives as the dominant labels often forced their way. Adoptees are so resilient and much of that comes from constantly being stripped of their autonomy and their right to choose what they feel comfortable doing within an incredibly uncomfortable and life-altering process that is adoption. As always, feel free to reach out! 

xoxo - Lidet 

In this shorter solo episode, I talk about the emotional complexities of an Ethiopian adoptee during the holidays. The holidays are a time that really emphasizes family in a very biological sense and it can be (unintentionally) an alienating time for adoptees. The holidays can further complicate our understanding of our place within our adoptive family, question what could have been with our biological family, and feeling the need to conseal the adroit emotional rollercoaster that many of us experience during this time of the year. The older I get, the more complicated and emotionally exhausting the holidays have become for me because it forces me to confront uncomfortable and confusing aspects of my existence as an adoptee that I often try and avoid. This episode is just to say to my fellow Ethiopian adoptees, you are in good company. 

xoxo - Lidet 

In this episode, I am lucky to have my brother Fekadu O'Connor on to talk about his experience as an Ethiopian adoptee. Now 19 years old and a freshman in college, Fekadu talks about his experience as an adoptee making friends, playing sports, and transitioning to college. He also touches on the conscious effort he now makes to connect with other Black individuals and how that's become an important part of understanding his identity as a Black man. As Fekadu says so perfectly, adoption is a "strange thing" and a "strange concept" - I couldn't agree more. Despite adoption being a complex conversation to have, Fekadu offers his personal experience as an Ethiopian adoptee and also reminds other adoptees of important words of encouragement - "be proud of who you are". Thank you so much Fekadu for sharing! 

Our second guest is my good friend, Gediyon Prince! Gediyon is a 24-year-old Ethiopian adoptee. He was adopted in 2006, at the age of 7, after nearly two years at Wide Horizons orphanage, located in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. In this episode, Gediyon illuminates how adoption complicates notions of identity, family dynamics, biology, and the concept of choice, and how he coped with it all. We also chat about the crisis adoptees face as a result of getting caught at the intersection of whiteness and blackness as a result of transracial adoption. His truth further helps to redefine our understanding of adoption, adoptees, and the traumatic process that is adoption. Unlike the normalized narrative pushed on adoptees of being grateful for their adoption, Gediyon's experience challenges that some adoptees like him, would have chosen to stay. What a concept! Thank you Gediyon for sharing your story with all of us; it's not easy. I hope you all enjoy the episode! As always, feel free to reach out with comments or suggestions.

xoxo - Lidet 

Hey hey! In this episode, I touch on some of the questions listeners have sent to me. I tried my best to answer the questions to the best of my abilities and based on my experiences. Please remember that I do not speak for all adoptees; my story and perspective are only mine. Thank you to those who wrote in and I hope I answered your question. The questions around identity, loss of culture, and racism in a predominately white area will take a long time to answer. This is just the beginning of the conversation and I cannot wait to continue and get more perspectives around such topics. As always, please feel free to reach out! 

xoxo - Lidet 

Hey everyone! I want to introduce you to my good friend and our first guest on the podcast - Behaylu Barry! Behaylu was adopted from Ethiopia in 2007 from Wide Horizons, located in the capital Addis, Ababa. During the interview, Behaylu takes the lead in being the first on the podcast to come on and unapologetically share his adoption story. He walks us through the process, which he perfectly describes as “‘messy”. Like many stories I’ve heard from Ethiopian adoptee friends, Behaylu also didn’t know what was going on during his adoption, although he knew something wasn’t right. Behaylu gets vulnerable about the emotional, psychological, and physical impact of adoption on his sense of identity and concept of family.

He beautifully articulates his adoption process and how he coped with it all (the title of the episode might give you a hint as to one!). Thank you Behaylu for sharing! 

Hey hey! In this episode I'll be talking about adoption as an illusion of choice for me, and for many of my Ethiopian adoptee friends. Since I was not able to interview someone in time for the second episode, this episode I'll fill you in a little bit more about the adoption process. I'll have you listeners join me in imagining what that experience might be like. This episode primarily challenges our notion of adoption as a net positive life event without thinking critically about what the transition entails for adoptees. It is essentially being forcibly removed from everything you know but never being allowed to say just how f**ked up it all truly is...let me know what you think! 

xoxo - Lidet 

Hey hey hey! This quick episode is an introduction to the podcast and a little bit about me. I try to answer some questions you might have... Like "who the heck is this girl?", "what is this podcast about?", and "what can I expect moving forward?". Although this episode consists only of me talking to myself (haha), most of the future episodes will include a guest! I am so excited to go on this journey with all of you! 

xoxo - Lidet