Geno Ray
Geno Ray
Episode 2: Shelise Gieseke
Episode 2: Shelise Gieseke
Episode 2: Shelise Gieseke
Sunday 21st September 2025
Explore Shelise Gieseke's journey as a transracial adoptee from Korea, navigating identity and belonging in 'Native As I Can Be' Episode 2.
Explicit
74 minutes
Inspiring
Informative
Honest
Healing
Engaging
About this podcast
Author:
Geno Ray
Overview:
Categories:
Navigating Intimate Relationships
Relationships & Community
Healing Relationships
Religion & Spirituality
Understanding Addiction & Recovery
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Episodes:
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Get the buttons here!Finding Home: Shelise Gieseke's Journey of Identity
Episode Overview
- Transracial adoption presents unique identity challenges.
- Cultural representation shapes self-perception.
- Adoption systems have historical complexities.
- Major life transitions can resurface adoption-related emotions.
- Importance of connecting with one's culture of origin.
I felt my bones settle, like my body was connected to the earth there.
How does one navigate the complex terrain of identity when born into a world that feels foreign? In this compelling episode of 'Native As I Can Be,' host Mccona Kekahuna welcomes Shelise Gieseke, a transracial adoptee from South Korea. Raised on a Minnesota farm by a white family, Shelise shares her deeply personal journey of being adopted as an infant and growing up in a predominantly white community.
Her story is not just about her search for her biological roots in Korea, but also about finding her own identity in a world where she often felt out of place. Shelise opens up about her unique experiences, from being the only adopted child among her siblings to navigating cultural identity in a predominantly white environment. Her journey back to Korea in search of her birth family reveals the complexities and emotional challenges faced by transracial adoptees.
The episode touches on the broader issues of adoption, cultural identity, and the search for belonging. With moments of raw honesty and heartfelt anecdotes, Shelise shares how her upbringing on a rural Minnesota farm shaped her understanding of herself and her heritage. The conversation also highlights the significance of representation and the impact of societal perceptions on personal identity. This episode is not just about adoption; it's about understanding who you are and finding your place in the world.
It's a reminder that identity is multifaceted and ever-evolving. So, how do you define your own identity in a world that often tries to label you?