Episode 03a: Identity and Adoption with Hank and Sueann Fortener of Adopt Together
The co-Star of this episode:
The Whiskey Old Fashioned
Featured Guest: Hank and Sueann Fortener
What happens when the story changes? What happens when we discover our truth?
In this 3-part series to Episode 3, we deep dive into three very different adoption stories to explore the topic of biological identity and origin. In Part 1, Jason reveals a major find, a truth to his own adoption story that perhaps would have gone undiscovered if not for Ancestry.com. This find led Jason and Yvonne to a soulful and identity-searching discussion with Hank and Sueann Fortener of Adopt Together, an organization that helps families come to be.
This week:
From the lens of what it means to adopt, we’ll discuss identity and origins from generation to generation
Jason tells Yvonne the story of how he paid the Department of Human Services in Nebraska $17 for information on his adoption while on a road trip to a show in Chicago
Jason discusses how his adoption story and his DNA journey lead him to explore family members he never knew; people from Louisiana, Scotland, South Carolina, South Georgia, and even a few Germans in Russia (Volga Germans)
Jason discusses what it means to be a Black man, and an adopted man, in America
Jason and Yvonne speak to Hank and Sueann Fortener about their non-profit Adopt Together.
Adopt Together is a donation organization that has helped 6500 families raise $25 million in 10 years
Sueann discusses not being American enough in America and not being Korean enough in Korea
Sueann and Yvonne discuss the complexities of multi-ethnic subcultures and their racial standards
Hank discusses how at seven years old his parents approached him about how he felt about them becoming foster parents
Hank discusses how his own family took on foster kids after he and his wife could no longer have kids biologically
“I would have moments when I would see people see us and I would think, ‘Oh my family is really different.’”
- Hank (minute 45:50)
Cocktail: Whiskey Old Fashioned
Recipe
2 oz of George Dickel Rye Whiskey
Three teaspoons of simple syrup
Several dashes of bitters
A couple of splashes of water
History & Meaning
The Old Fashioned :
Before the 1860s, cocktails in America tended to be some mixture of spirit (often cognac), water, sugar, and bitters. After the 1860s and into the 1870s, other liquors like absinthe were being introduced to bars.
But a generation of drinkers wanted something more classic, so they would ask for something their grandfather would drink. They would say, “Make me something old-fashioned.” And the name stuck.
About our special guests
Hank and Sueann Fortener
Hank Fortener is a speaker, entrepreneur, and activist.
He is the founder of AdoptTogether.org.
Sueann Cho Fortener has played a crucial role since starting AdoptTogether in 2012. She currently runs all things Operations.
Hank Fortener is a speaker, entrepreneur, and activist.
He is the founder of AdoptTogether.org, the world's first and largest crowdfunding site for adoption costs. In its 8 years, AdoptTogether.org has helped over 6000 families raise over $20M to cover adoption expenses and bring their children home.
He has spoken to audiences around the world, at a TEDx conference, and through podcasts that have been downloaded by over 1 million listeners.
Hank currently serves as General Manager of Artist Management at Roc Nation.
He lives in Los Angeles with his wife and two daughters.
Sueann Cho Fortener has played a crucial role since starting AdoptTogether in 2012, and has been a part of every step.
She currently runs all things Operations.
Her main hustle, however, remains being Mom of 2 daughters.
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(and the cocktail too)?
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