In this episode, Claire and Laurie get honest about perimenopause and menopause as Korean adoptee women. They share what they have experienced in their bodies, their minds and their moods, what they have tried, and where they still need support.

Most women have a mother or grandmother to ask, "When did this start for you?" Adoptees often have no answer. Claire and Laurie talk about what it means to enter this stage of life with no family health history, and what it would mean to have that lineage passed down to them.

They also talk about estrogen as the people pleasing hormone. As their estrogen drops, the urge to keep everyone happy is dropping with it. For two women raised to be grateful and easy to love, that shift brings rage, relief and a new kind of freedom.

In this episode, you will hear:

• Claire and Laurie's lived experience with perimenopause and menopause, and the physical, mental and emotional symptoms that came with it
• Why they call estrogen the people pleasing hormone, and what changes when it declines
• Giving yourself permission to stop performing and stop chasing perfect
• The freedom of midlife: letting go of expectations, saying what you feel, and letting the rage out
• Their experiences with doctors who dismissed them, misinformed them and left them feeling gaslit
• What it would mean as Korean adoptees to inherit their health history and lineage
• Hwabyung (화병), "fire illness," describes the swallowed anger of middle-aged Korean women carrying duties to husbands, in-laws and children. Many of our birth mothers lived this.
• What they are prioritizing next for their health, their relationships and their peace

Meet us in Seoul October 18-24!

Claire and Laurie are reuniting in Vietnam and then traveling to Korea for the IKAA Gathering. If you will be in Seoul that week, reach out. We would love to meet you in person.

Workshop: I Am Enough: Reclaiming Safety, Worthiness & Belonging Through EFT

Laurie Jean Vogler; Claire Magenheimer

Description: Join this compassionate, hands-on exploration of somatic healing and Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), also known as Tapping. EFT is a gentle, self-applied, evidence-informed practice combining acupressure points with intentional language to support nervous system regulation and emotional
processing.

Together, we’ll explore how early separation, adoption, and the unknowns of our histories. Which can leave imprints on the body and nervous system, sometimes showing up as grief, shame, hypervigilance, “not enoughness,” or difficulty feeling a sense of belonging. Drawing from my own adoptee healing journey, I’ll guide participants through a trauma-informed tapping experience designed to release held emotions, create greater inner safety, and reconnect with the body. Come discover a practical tool for moving from survival toward freedom.

If this episode spoke to you, share it with an adoptee friend who is going through the change.

We would love to connect with you and hear from you! Please send us a text and share your story 💜

Support the show

laurie@theempoweredadoptee.com

claire@theempoweredadoptee.com

In this episode of The Empowered Adoptee Podcast, we sit down with Saja, a Korean American adoptee, actress, comedian, mother, and creative force for an inspiring conversation about reinvention, identity, and following your truth.

You may recognize Saja from the beloved play Kim's Convenience, where she was cast as Umma. Her path to the screen, however, was anything but traditional. After years working in IT and corporate fraud, Saja made a bold pivot, choosing to pursue a life in the arts and step into her creative voice.

Now performing stand-up comedy, writing her first book, and working on an upcoming documentary, Saja shares what it means to break free from expectations, embrace authenticity, and begin again.

In this episode, we explore:

• Navigating identity as a Korean American adoptee
• Creative expression as healing and empowerment
• Balancing motherhood, purpose, and artistry
• Courageously stepping into a new chapter

This is a heartfelt and empowering conversation about trusting yourself, taking risks, and creating a life that feels true.

If you’d like to support Saja’s documentary, check out her Seed&Spark campaign here:
Support Saja’s Film

We would love to connect with you and hear from you! Please send us a text and share your story 💜

Support the show

laurie@theempoweredadoptee.com

claire@theempoweredadoptee.com

In this episode of The Empowered Adoptee Podcast, we’re joined by Zack Fraser, a Korean American adoptee and board member of the Association of Korean Adoptees San Francisco (AKASF), for a thoughtful conversation on identity, belonging, and coming home to yourself.

Zack shares about his 10 years living in Korea, where he worked in private education and architecture while navigating the complexities of being both a foreigner and someone deeply connected to the culture.

Now back in California, a new father, and stepping into community leadership, Zack reflects on how his experiences have shaped his sense of identity and purpose and his desire to support other adoptees.

In this episode, we explore:

• Living in Korea as a Korean adoptee
• Navigating identity across cultures
• Redefining belonging
• Finding purpose through community

A grounded and honest conversation about what it means to reclaim parts of yourself and move toward wholeness.

To connect and learn more about local events, visit the Association of Korean Adoptees San Francisco (AKASF) website.

https://www.akasf.org/

To connect with Zack:

zgfraser@gmail.com

We would love to connect with you and hear from you! Please send us a text and share your story 💜

Support the show

laurie@theempoweredadoptee.com

claire@theempoweredadoptee.com