Overcoming Feelings of Abandonment with Ji Young
Yuliana is joined by Ji Young, the founder of the TIDE FILM FESTIVAL. An attorney turned non-profit executive, producer, writer, speaker and facilitator, Ji is the Founder of DreamMaker DreamDoer DreamSupporter, Inc. 3D, and is the creator, producer and host of the web series ‘Not Your Average’ for KoreanAmericanstory.org. as well as the founder, co-creator, former co-producer and current advisor to ‘$6.99 Per Pound’ podcast. At the age of 3, Ji was adopted from Korea by an Italian and Irish-American family, grew up in upstate New York, and today shares the story of her adoption, the battle with her identity, and the impact of reuniting with her Korean birth family.
Ji begins the conversation by talking about her adoption as the one event that shaped her life’s direction, her childhood growing up as an Asian-American in New York, and how it took 10 years for her to brace herself to meet her birth family after having found them. She goes on to describe meeting them and the emotions that surfaced, the moment she truly understood the rationale behind her birth mother’s decision, and when she truly forgave her. Ji also delves into how the sense of abandonment impacted her relationships and how she and her husband work to make sure their children feel confident, proud and love themselves. The episode rounds off with Ji talking about Tide and the one song that describes her life - a super sad song about resilience. A model of resiliency herself, Ji and her story of meeting and overcoming challenges will undoubtedly move and inspire all who listen in today.
Episode Highlights:
The event that redirected the course of Ji Young’s life
Growing up as an adopted child in New York
Why parents should help their children learn about their culture and identity
Seeking out her birth family - Ji’s story
The week Ji met her birth family
The reason why giving Ji up for adoption was necessary
The moment of true forgiveness
The journey of Ji’s identity
Dealing with the sense of abandonment
Raising mixed children
Ji speaks about her TIDE FILM FESTIVAL
The one song that describes Ji’s life