Pamela A. Karanova is an Adult Adoptee, Writer, President of Adoptees Connect, Inc, and the Founder of Adoptee Remembrance Day – October 30th. Pamela has been featured on Adoptees On, Religion News Service, Reckoning with The Primal Wound, and Overcoming Odds.
Bold | Courageous | Fierce | Writer | Unruly Adoptee | Truth Seeker | Uncensored
Adoptea – Dishing out authentic, bonafide adoptee realitea one click, article, comment, and post at a time, adding uncensored and unfiltered rants and raves with an occasional impromptu cup of hot tea & virtual chat time with fellow adoptees & subscribers.
Moxie – Moxie describes someone with a fighting spirit. If you’ve got moxie, you’ve got confidence, grit, determination, and nerve. If you’ve got moxie, you have a growth mindset, which means you can’t be stopped by an emotional response to a challenging situation and, ultimately, not by anything. Moxie is a word that means: strength of character. It means courage and spunk.
For over a decade, I have been curating adoptee-centric writings with a focus on difficult and challenging topics about adoption on my website www.pamelakaranova.com. As a result, I have exceeded over 200,000 views and hundreds of articles to elevate the adoptee’s voice and lived experiences. In addition, I am the recipient of The Angel in Adoption Award and several awards for the best adoptee website. I have spent countless hours creating adoptee-centric resources for the adoptee community and built lifelong relationships with adoptees and those in the adoption constellation worldwide.
What is The Real Adoptea Moxie?
One newsletter will drop every week & another will drop monthly!
On Substack, I will focus on sharing new and unique pieces of my writings about topics related to the adoptee experience from being in the fog, coming out of the fog, search, reunion, grief, loss, trauma, anger, rage, healing, and all the layers that can come with the adoptee experience. Over the last decade, I have navigated continuous areas in my healing journey. I am enthusiastic about sharing some of the knowledge I have gained with you on this platform. I share one piece of extended writing here for free each month, but I also offer a 5 dollars a month paid subscriber option.
Each month, all subscribers receive an “Ask Me Anything” newsletter — which will answer one or two adoptee-related questions from paid subscribers. Think: What adoptee healing tools have been the most valuable to you? How have you navigated the grief and loss process? What made you want to search for your biological family? How was your reunion once you searched? Do you regret searching?
Each week, paid subscribers get the “The Real Adoptea Moxie Insider TEA” newsletter, which includes sections like:
- In My Adoptee Opinion — I sound off about adoption topics based on my experience being an adult adoptee. Example: what it’s like growing up adopted, how specific layers of the adoptee experience have impacted me short term and long term about grief, loss, abandonment, rejection, anger, rage, substance use disorder, raising kids, relationships, cutting ties, setting boundaries and much more!
- Smash that Lie— I share popular myths, secrets, and lies many adoptees are told and set the record straight. I will also link stories/resources from other adoptees who touch on this topic.
- I Highly Recommend — An overview of recommended resources I have used personally and why I recommend them for adoptees or others in the adoption constellation.
- Helping Hands & Healing — A advice section that helps a subscriber deal with a current adoptee problem. I suggest adoptee healing tools that have helped me along my journey and share healing tools with fellow adoptees.
The paid plan is $5 per month or a discounted $55 annually.
Plus, the occasional waterfall or hiking photo — like this one of me basking in a waterfall!
This is Cummins Falls State Resort Park in Cookeville, Tennessee. The hike through the gorge is 2.4 miles in and out and runs into a 75 feet high waterfall you see in this photo.
Who would benefit from The Real Adoptea Moxie?
Anyone who wants to learn more about adoption! I’ll cover various topics, from the basics of living as an adult adoptee to deep heartfelt topics about what it feels like to be adopted and navigate the adoptee journey with the goal of healing. (And you don’t have to be a fellow adoptee to subscribe. Anyone can subscribe!)
Mostly, I’m excited to establish a supportive community for those who are a part of the adoption constellation and non-adopted individuals who have the willingness to learn by offering the 5 dollar a month subscription option.
While most of us have adventures with social media, at times, it’s more challenging to go deeper into our conversations and connections with one another. The Real Adoptea Moxie will be a community built on support for one another’s growth and to gain understanding and validation regarding our adoptee experiences. It’s a place of dishing the adoptTEA in bold honesty, truth-seeking, truth-telling, and uncensored experiences, thoughts, and fierce transparency about adoption from an adoptee’s perspective.
I am committing to spend some time each week in the comment sections of the writings that will be open for subscribers to spark conversations with one another. I will also host an occasional impromptu Adoptea Time by way of a virtual chat space for paid subscribers!
Subscribe
No matter where you are in your adoption/adoptee journey, I’m confident this newsletter will be entertaining, fun, and informative. Whether you’re a free or paid subscriber, I’m excited to have you as part of The Real Adoptea Moxie Community.
Thank you for being so supportive, and I look forward to connecting with you more profoundly through The Real Adoptea Moxie Substack Platform!
Here are some of the writing pieces I’m the proudest of:
The Perplexity of Forced Bonding in Adoption – I share my thoughts on the bonding process in adoption.
100 Heartfelt Transracial Adoptee Quotes that Honor the Truth of Adoption – 100 Transracial Adoptees come together to share feelings on how adoption has impacted them.
Adoptees, Why Are You So Angry? – Adoptees share feelings on why they are angry.
Why Do Adoptees Search? An Adoptee Collaboration – Many adoptees experience why they choose to search for biological families.
100 Heartfelt Adoptee Quotes that Honor the Truth of Adoption – 100 Adoptees come together to share heartfelt feelings on how adoption has made them feel.
My Friend Has an Adopted Child, and They Don’t Have Any Issues with Being Adopted – Shining a light on the comment so many adoptees hear over and over.
Here are some of the articles I have been featured in:
These Adoptees Refuse to Be Christian Pro-Life Poster Kids by Kathryn Post of Religious News Service.
Toward Preventing Adoption- Related Suicide by Mirah Riben.
Before a month celebrating adoption, a day to recognize adoptees’ trauma by Religion News Service.
Bringing Adult Adoptee Issues to Light by Angela Burton of Next Avenue.
Stay up-to-date
You won’t have to worry about missing anything. Every new edition of the newsletter goes directly to your inbox.
The Real Adoptea Moxie is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
“Adoption Loss is the only trauma in the world where the victims are expected by the whole of society to be grateful.” - Rev. Keith C. Griffith.
Disclaimer: If you or someone you know is experiencing a serious mental health event, such as suicidal thoughts or a crisis, please dial 911 and seek immediate help by contacting a licensed therapist or reaching out to the suicide hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or text #988 for assistance and support.
Please note that we are not licensed therapists or mental health professionals, and therefore, we are not liable for any actions taken based on the information provided on this platform. Your mental health and safety are of utmost importance, and we encourage you to seek professional help in times of crisis.
Recommendations
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Rating: 5 out of 5.
“Pamela A. Karanovas has been an absolute lifeline for me as an adopted adult. Her advocacy work and ability to provide personalized support have truly made a difference in my life. Through one-on-one Table Talk sessions, she has offered valuable tools and resources that have helped me navigate my unique journey of adoption. Her understanding of grief and loss in the adoptee journey has been incredibly insightful and comforting. I highly recommend connecting with her for anyone in need of validation and support.” – Jeanette M. Boston, MA. USA.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Rating: 5 out of 5.
“I cannot thank Pamela A. Karanovas enough for the support she has provided me as an adopted adult. Her personalized approach to advocacy and her ability to tailor resources to fit my specific needs has been invaluable. Through our one-on-one Table Talk sessions, she has offered validation and understanding that have truly made a difference in my healing process. Her expertise in grief and loss has been a guiding light for me, as well as attending my local Adoptees Connect group. I highly recommend reaching out to her for anyone in need of a compassionate lifeline.” – Wendy L. Davenport, IA. USA.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Rating: 5 out of 5.
“Pamela A. Karanovas is a true gem in the world of advocacy for adopted adults. She has spent so much time and energy in creating resources for adult adoptees. Her ability to provide personalized support and resources based on individual needs is unmatched. Through my one-on-one Table Talk sessions with her, I have found validation and understanding that have been crucial in my healing journey. Her expertise in grief and loss has provided me with a sense of comfort and guidance, and learning about The Grief Recovery Method as an adoptee has been life-changing. I highly recommend connecting with her for anyone in need of a supportive lifeline. She truly is a beacon of light in the adoption community.” – Michelle T. – Sydney, AU.
Pamela A. Karanova 