True Story London Podcast 18 - A Tale of Two Mothers w/Donna Freed
Dec 27, 2023
Joining the discussion is Donna Freed, author of the memoir 'Duplicity: My Mother's Secrets.' She shares her emotional journey of discovering her adoption and the complexities of reconnecting with her birth mother. Donna reflects on the impact of childhood memories and how family dynamics shaped her identity. She dives into the challenges and revelations of motherhood, examining the influence of societal expectations on her own experience. Through her storytelling, Donna highlights the transformative power of understanding one's roots.
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Distilling a Memoir's Essence
- Donna struggled to condense her comprehensive memoir into a short live story while preserving its emotional depth.
- Familiarity with the story's intimate details influenced how she chose which moments to highlight.
Nature and Nurture Interplay
- Donna recognizes traits inherited from both mothers, such as intelligence, skepticism, and reserved behavior.
- Nature and nurture interplay significantly shaped her personality and life perspective.
Early Adoption Impact
- Learning she was adopted at six caused Donna to feel cast out and less valued, impacting her self-esteem.
- This early trauma led her to risk-taking behavior and secrecy as coping mechanisms.
