Led By A Heartstring

It's time to start applying for more information on Jonah's adoption. Throughout the next half of the podcast season, Jonah will take you through his 'search and reunion' process to try and find his birth family! This episode, we follow along as Jonah fills out and files for his adoption records from the Adoption & Permanent Care Services in Queensland. He hopes that there is enough information from these records to lead him to the next step in the journey of actually contacting his birth family!

Subscribe and stick around, because by the end of every episode, we will be one step closer to connecting with my birth family. You will also have a first-hand insight on the psyche of an adoptee and other issues surrounding adoption in Australia.

Find this project easily on socials @LedByAHeartstring on Instagram, @HeartstringPod on Twitter and you can easily find the page on Facebook for other live updates as they happen.

Led By A Heartstring is recorded in Brisbane, Australia. New episodes of the podcast are released weekly on a Monday. Send questions and other correspondence to: [email protected]

Original Music by Jonah Bobongie

Episode produced by Jonah Bobongie & Lauren Pollock for Long Way Entertainment.

As many of you know, I am very open about my adoption and I believe that’s all thanks to my adoptive mum Carol. I spoke with her in Episode 2 and you can take a listen to the conversation now or after you have your questions answered here on this very special bonus episode of Led By A Heartstring. 

Being open about my adoption has allowed for many people to reach out and share their stories, experiences and personal lives with me, as well as others curious about the adoption experience. Last week I posted on social media inviting you to ask me those burning questions that may have popped up in your mind whilst listening to my podcast, or hearing my interviews in other media. I received a fair amount of feedback from you and would love to get into answering some of these questions. 

Subscribe and stick around, because by the end of every episode, we will be one step closer to connecting with my birth family. You will also have a first-hand insight on the psyche of an adoptee and other issues surrounding adoption in Australia.

Find this project easily on socials @LedByAHeartstring on Instagram, @HeartstringPod on Twitter and you can easily find the page on Facebook for other live updates as they happen.

Led By A Heartstring is recorded in Brisbane, Australia. New episodes of the podcast are released weekly on a Monday. Send questions and other correspondence to: [email protected]

Original Music by Jonah Bobongie

Episode produced by Jonah Bobongie & Lauren Pollock for Long Way Entertainment.

Jonah is joined by the Chief Executive Officer of Adopt Change Australia, Renee Carter to discuss the latest numbers in out of home care across Australia, issues in which Adopt Change are focussing on at present and how change can be made in the community to support children who are seeking a healthy environment to grow and thrive in.

Renee is passionate about influencing child welfare ‘policy and practice’ to deliver timely and effective outcomes for children. Through garnering community, sector and government support, Renee and Adopt Change hope to create better childhood experiences and brighter futures for children in need of permanent care.

If you are thinking of becoming a carer or adopting in Australia, you can go to the Adopt Change website www.adoptchange.org.au to find more information on the organisation, programs, events and resources relevant to your queries.

Subscribe and stick around, because by the end of every episode, we will be one step closer to connecting with my birth family. You will also have a first-hand insight on the psyche of an adoptee and other issues surrounding adoption in Australia.

Find this project easily on socials @LedByAHeartstring on Instagram, @HeartstringPod on Twitter and you can easily find the page on Facebook for other live updates as they happen.

Led By A Heartstring is recorded in Brisbane, Australia. New episodes of the podcast are released weekly on a Monday. Send questions and other correspondence to: [email protected]

Original Music by Jonah Bobongie

Episode produced by Jonah Bobongie & Lauren Pollock for Long Way Entertainment.

With thanks to Adopt Change Australia.

Jonah is joined by Jane Sliwka, a post adoption practitioner at Jigsaw Queensland, to chat about the support that is available for adoptees, as well as what to expect searching and reuniting with birth family.

Jane is a post adoption practitioner at Jigsaw Queensland Post-Adoption Centre. Jane has had a long-term affiliation with Jigsaw Queensland, having volunteered in the past for the organisation and served on the Management Committee. Jane holds a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) and a Masters of Social Work Studies. Jane's honours thesis was about adoption, attachment and self-esteem.

You can listen to Jane Sliwka and Dr Jo-Anne Sparrow explore the adoption experience and interview other adoptees on their own podcast ‘Adopt Perspective’ available on your podcast app now. You can also visit www.jigsawqueensland.com for other information you may find relevant.

Content Warning: This podcast contains strong themes that may trigger emotional distress to some listeners. If you or anyone you know are experiencing distress of any nature, please do not hesitate to find professional support.

Subscribe and stick around, because by the end of every episode, we will be one step closer to connecting with my birth family. You will also have a first-hand insight on the psyche of an adoptee and other issues surrounding adoption in Australia.

Find this project easily on socials @LedByAHeartstring on Instagram, @HeartstringPod on Twitter and you can easily find the page on Facebook for other live updates as they happen.

Led By A Heartstring is recorded in Brisbane, Australia. New episodes of the podcast are released weekly on a Monday. Send questions and other correspondence to: [email protected]

Original Music by Jonah Bobongie

Episode produced by Jonah Bobongie & Lauren Pollock for Long Way Entertainment.

Jonah has a discussion with Lauren about the importance of self-identity as an emerging adult. Lauren proves that Jonah has aspects of identity for himself at the present and it can change in different periods of one’s life.

In the second half of the episode, they both advocate for mental health and touch on why Lauren encouraged Jonah to seek counsel before launching this podcast and starting the journey of finding his birth family. 

Lauren currently works with WhyNot, a platform that helps amplify the voices of young people by creating a safe space for them to express and engage in issues that are important to them. We met at Queensland University of Technology where we studied together. In 2019 she established Long Way Entertainment; a company with the ethos to connect and collaborate with young creatives across Australia to produce interesting and engaging content and to most importantly learn from each other. I am very grateful for the opportunity to bring this project on board as a production there.

Content Warning: This podcast contains strong themes that may trigger emotional distress to some listeners. If you or anyone you know are experiencing distress of any nature, please do not hesitate to find professional support.

Subscribe and stick around, because by the end of every episode, we will be one step closer to connecting with my birth family. You will also have a first-hand insight on the psyche of an adoptee and other issues surrounding adoption in Australia.

Find this project easily on socials @LedByAHeartstring on Instagram, @HeartstringPod on Twitter and you can easily find the page on Facebook for other live updates as they happen.

Led By A Heartstring is recorded in Brisbane, Australia. New episodes of the podcast are released weekly on a Monday. Send questions and other correspondence to: [email protected]

Original Music by Jonah Bobongie

Episode produced by Jonah Bobongie & Lauren Pollock for Long Way Entertainment.

Jonah interviews his school friend, Ellaine to compare the life and family makeup of an adopted and non-adopted person. They share memories of going to school together and when Ellaine and their friends first found out Jonah was adopted and how they handle the conversations regarding adoption with him.

Jonah also talks about the white picket fence between adoptees and their friends which is explored by 'The Silencing of Adoptees' and how he feels jealous of them every time he sees them.

Content Warning: This podcast contains strong themes that may trigger emotional distress to some listeners. If you or anyone you know are experiencing distress of any nature, please do not hesitate to find professional support.

Subscribe and stick around, because by the end of every episode, we will be one step closer to connecting with my birth family. You will also have a first-hand insight on the psyche of an adoptee and other issues surrounding adoption in Australia.

Find this project easily on socials @LedByAHeartstring on Instagram, @HeartstringPod on Twitter and you can easily find the page on Facebook for other live updates as they happen.

Led By A Heartstring is recorded in Brisbane, Australia. New episodes of the podcast are released weekly on a Monday. Send questions and other correspondence to: [email protected]

Original Music by Jonah Bobongie

Episode produced by Jonah Bobongie & Lauren Pollock for Long Way Entertainment.

Jonah interviews his sister, Jade, who was also adopted into the same family. Jade talks about her outlook on adoption and the impacts it had on her identity and inability to integrate with her adoptive family for personal reasons stemming from adoption.

In the second half of the episode, Jonah is curious about the process of contacting birth family and Jade shares how she did this. All of Jade's life banked up to the moment where she could look in a someone and feel like she's looking into a mirror, where she can see herself and what makes up her identity. Due to this, she fast-tracked her connection with her birth family and this was describe as a 'bittersweet' approach due to the sudden flood of emotions and unexpected information.

Content Warning: This podcast contains strong themes that may trigger emotional distress to some listeners. If you or anyone you know are experiencing distress of any nature, please do not hesitate to find professional support.

Subscribe and stick around, because by the end of every episode, we will be one step closer to connecting with my birth family. You will also have a first-hand insight on the psyche of an adoptee and other issues surrounding adoption in Australia.

Find this project easily on socials @LedByAHeartstring on Instagram, @HeartstringPod on Twitter and you can easily find the page on Facebook for other live updates as they happen.

Led By A Heartstring is recorded in Brisbane, Australia. New episodes of the podcast are released weekly on a Monday. Send questions and other correspondence to: [email protected]

Original Music by Jonah Bobongie

Episode produced by Jonah Bobongie & Lauren Pollock for Long Way Entertainment.

Jonah interviews his mum, Carol, who adopted him in 1998 when he was a baby. Carol talks about why she decided to adopt, how she tried to keep parts of Jonah's culture and heritage with him as he grew up and the processes and procedures of adopting around that time. Hopefully we gage what it is like to be an adoptive parent along every step of the journey up until today; where I am on the search to find my birth family. Jonah also reads a poem very special to any adoptive families hearts, "Legacy of an Adopted Child".

Content Warning: This podcast contains strong themes that may trigger emotional distress to some listeners. If you or anyone you know are experiencing distress of any nature, please do not hesitate to find professional support.

Subscribe and stick around, because by the end of every episode, we will be one step closer to connecting with my birth family. You will also have a first-hand insight on the psyche of an adoptee and other issues surrounding adoption in Australia.

Find this project easily on socials @LedByAHeartstring on Instagram, @HeartstringPod on Twitter and you can easily find the page on Facebook for other live updates as they happen.

Led By A Heartstring is recorded in Brisbane, Australia. New episodes of the podcast are released weekly on a Monday. Send questions and other correspondence to: [email protected]

Original Music by Jonah Bobongie

Episode produced by Jonah Bobongie & Lauren Pollock for Long Way Entertainment.

Jonah explores the feelings and emotional barriers he personally faces every day. You will hear about his upbringing and memories in a linear story of events leading up to today that he pinpoints aspects of his experience with adoption to. These are very important pieces to the puzzle that will help bring together his self-identity puzzle.

Content Warning: This podcast contains strong themes that may trigger emotional distress to some listeners. If you or anyone you know are experiencing distress of any nature, please do not hesitate to find professional support.

Subscribe and stick around, because by the end of every episode, we will be one step closer to connecting with my birth family. You will also have a first-hand insight on the psyche of an adoptee and other issues surrounding adoption in Australia.

Find this project easily on socials @LedByAHeartstring on Instagram, @HeartstringPod on Twitter and you can easily find the page on Facebook for other live updates as they happen.

Led By A Heartstring is recorded in Brisbane, Australia. New episodes of the podcast are released weekly on a Monday. Send questions and other correspondence to: [email protected]

Original Music by Jonah Bobongie

Episode produced by Jonah Bobongie & Lauren Pollock for Long Way Entertainment.

Welcome to Led By A Heartstring. My name is Jonah and thanks for joining me on this journey that very few people will experience in their lifetime. I was adopted a 8 weeks old and only now am about to set out to find my birth family and you’re invited to follow along! I hope fill in the missing piece of my identity and answer to that constant pull on my heartstring tugging me back to my origins!

I’ve decided to finally open up in raw conversations with those in my life so far and try to reconnect with others who should be. Over the course of the first season, I will be speaking with my adoptive family, close friends and professionals in adoption support. From this I hope you will gain first-hand insight on the adoption experience in Australia, issues surrounding the adoption process and personal challenges faced by adoptees.

Let the journey begin.

Content Warning: This podcast contains strong themes that may trigger emotional distress to some listeners. If you or anyone you know are experiencing distress of any nature, please do not hesitate to find professional support.

Subscribe and stick around, because by the end of every episode, we will be one step closer to connecting with my birth family. You will also have a first-hand insight on the psyche of an adoptee and other issues surrounding adoption in Australia.

Find this project easily on socials @LedByAHeartstring on Instagram, @HeartstringPod on Twitter and you can easily find the page on Facebook for other live updates as they happen.

Led By A Heartstring is recorded in Brisbane, Australia. New episodes of the podcast are released weekly on a Monday. Send questions and other correspondence to: [email protected]

Original Music by Jonah Bobongie

Episode produced by Jonah Bobongie & Lauren Pollock for Long Way Entertainment.