Episode Details
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Micki Lamb & Shei Sanchez
Description
This episode follows Micki Lamb, a clinical director at Hopewell Health, who first tried to find her birth mother as a middle schooler walking through a snowstorm to mail a secret letter. Decades later, Micki discovered that her birth mother, Linda, had made a similar solitary trek at age 17—walking across Houston to safely place Micki with an adoption agency.
The Anna Jinja Show brought Micki’s story to acclaimed poet Shei Sanchez without instructions or prompts. The result is "Origin," a powerful new poem that reframes the adoptee experience through the iconic line: "My birth family is in red. My adoptive family, in blue. I have begun my own, in purple." On mic, Micki and Shei meet to explore each other’s perspectives for the first time.
Key Themes & Appeal
•Local & Universal Resonance: Explores adoption, identity, and generational healing through two compelling voices—a former international educator turned Ohio goat farmer/poet, and a veteran child trauma therapist.
•Original Arts Feature: Contains the exclusive broadcast premiere and discussion of the poem "Origin."
•Emotional Depth: High-engagement narrative suitable for public radio storytelling, human-interest, and arts-focused programming blocks.