Adopt Perspective Adoption Podcast1 Jul 2025

Paul Sunderland

Today we’re joined by a very special guest—renowned addiction specialist and psychotherapist, Paul Sunderland.
With over 35 years of experience, Paul’s groundbreaking work has illuminated the deep and often-overlooked links between adoption, trauma, and addiction. His powerful presentations—shared widely by the adoption community—have resonated with thousands around the world, especially his insights for Life Works and the Adult Adoptee Movement on YouTube.

In this episode, we explore the lifelong impact of early maternal separation, how adoption shapes identity and mental health, and why adopted people may face a heightened vulnerability to addiction. Whether you're an adopted person, a parent of loss, an adoptive parent, or a professional working in the therapeutic or community services space, Paul’s wisdom offers invaluable understanding and hope.

This episode discusses adult themes and listener discretion is advised. For more information go to http://www.jigsawqueensland.com/episode-notes

Your host is Dr Jo-Ann Sparrow - President of Jigsaw Queensland (www.jigsawqueensland.com)

Connect with us

Instagram - adopt_perspective_podcast

Facebook - Jigsaw Post-Adoption Centre Queensland

We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we work and the many lands that our clients now live on and we wish to acknowledge and show our respects to Elders past and present for their continuing connection to culture and the contributions they make to community. We acknowledge how much we have to learn from them and their unique understanding of connection and adoption and their recognition that at the base of every change is truth telling and healing.

Denne episoden er hentet fra en åpen RSS-feed og er ikke publisert av Podme. Den kan derfor inneholde annonser.

Episoder(124)

Healing Through Art: The 'Broken Bonds Fractured Lives' Project

What happens when lived experience becomes art?In this powerful episode of Adopt Perspective, we explore Broken Bonds, Fractured Lives – an original musical testimony that brings the hidden stories of...

16 Jun 36min

Donor Conception and the Right to Know

What happens when the story you were told about your conception begins to unravel?In this episode of Adopt Perspective, Jo Sparrow speaks with Katherine Dawson, creator of Origin Archives, about her e...

26 Mai 1h 5min

The Hidden Truths of Adoption - Bev Shipway

Did you know that behind every adoption story, there’s a painful truth that’s rarely discussed? In this episode of the Adopt Perspective podcast, Jo Sparrow interviews Bev Shipway, who shares her harr...

5 Mai 38min

Late Discovery Adoption: I Was 27 When I Learned the Truth

In this episode, Jo Sparrow speaks with Caroline Liesegang about her journey of discovering her adoption at the age of 27. Caroline shares her experiences growing up in a family where all siblings wer...

14 Apr 37min

When your adoption search ends with a no - Ben Straker

In this episode, Ben Straker shares his journey of self-discovery as an adopted person. He reflects on his childhood, the complexities of family dynamics, and the impact of adoption on his identity. B...

24 Mar 1h 1min

Apology is a Moment. Justice is a Process with Jeannot Farmer

Jeannot Farmer is from Glasgow, Scotland, although she is joining us today from Melbourne Australia where she is holidaying with family. In 1978 she lost her son to forced adoption. Thirty-one years l...

3 Mar 1h 2min

Adoption Reunion in Australia: Felicity Lawson

Felicity Lawson is an adopted person born at Hornsby Hospital, NSW in 1975. Over the past 32 years, she has searched for and reunited with both her mother and father - a long and complex journey marke...

24 Feb 32min

Adoption and Addiction with Paul Sunderland

Paul Sunderland is a renowned addiction specialist and psychotherapist. With over 35 years of experience, Paul's groundbreaking work has illuminated the deep and often-overlooked links between adoptio...

17 Feb 1h 6min