Roxanna Asgarian, author of We Were Once a Family, discusses trauma reporting, child welfare systems, and the emotional impact on birth families. The chapter also touches on the challenges faced by journalists and the power of therapy in processing trauma.
Giving voice to the often unheard birth parents and shedding light on flaws within the child welfare system.
The reporter's personal experiences with trauma and empathy have fueled her commitment to telling stories of individuals who have often been unheard.
Reporting on traumatic stories requires building trust with sources who have experienced trauma, respecting boundaries, and being sensitive to their past experiences.
Deep dives
In-depth investigation of a tragic accident
The podcast discusses the tragic accident in which an SUV with a couple and their six adopted children drove off a cliff. The parents were white and the children were black, leading to allegations of abuse and questions about the adoption process. The podcast highlights that the story received significant media attention, but little focus was given to the reasons the children were in the adoption system in the first place. The reporter interviewed birth parents and uncovered a different and shocking story. The conversation with the reporter explores her approach and how she gained the trust of the birth parents. The podcast emphasizes the importance of giving voice to those who have experienced trauma and sheds light on the flaws within the child welfare system.
Origins of a journalism career
The podcast delves into the early aspirations and experiences of the reporter, Roxanna Asgarion. She shares that her interest in writing and journalism began at a young age influenced by her bookish father. She recalls the intense reading sessions they had as a family and how it sparked her passion for writing. In college, she discovered her ability to connect with people and realized that journalism was a way to pursue her passion and use her skills in a meaningful way. The podcast explores how her personal experiences with trauma and empathy have fueled her commitment to telling stories of individuals who have often been unheard.
Navigating trauma reporting
The podcast delves into the challenges of reporting on traumatic stories and the ethical considerations involved. The reporter discusses her experience in trauma reporting, learning through trial and error as there were no specific classes or training for it during her journalism education. She touches on the fine line between respecting boundaries and securing crucial information, emphasizing the importance of building trust with sources who have experienced trauma. The podcast explores the emotional toll and personal growth experienced by the reporter while covering difficult stories, highlighting the responsibility of journalists to give affected individuals a voice while being sensitive to their past experiences.
The complexity of the child welfare system
The podcast delves into the flaws and complexities of the child welfare system, as revealed through the reporter's investigation. It questions the notion of 'best interest of the child' as a subjective and biased judgment, influenced by cultural and societal norms. The podcast highlights the disparities and biases within the system, where adoptive parents were given preferential treatment and deferred to at the expense of birth parents. It explores how the system often creates barriers and a lack of trust, leaving many people without access to proper support and resources. The podcast emphasizes the need for a fundamental shift in the system's approach to prioritize the well-being and preservation of families, rather than punitive measures.
Reflections on the reporting process
The podcast reflects on the emotional toll and personal journey of the reporter throughout the reporting process. It examines the challenges faced, the decisions made, and the impact on the lives of those involved. The podcast discusses the delicate balance of being a journalist and a compassionate advocate, striving to bring attention and accountability to important issues while respecting the privacy and well-being of the subjects. The reporter shares her hope that the story will change the narrative surrounding these events and elevate the conversation about the child welfare system. The podcast concludes by highlighting the importance of continuing to shed light on these often overlooked stories and working towards meaningful change.
“Every once in a while, I'll have someone just freak out at me. And it keeps you honest, in a way, because they don't owe you anything. People don't owe you anything as a journalist. ... But everyone reacts to trauma differently and some people really do want to talk about it. And I think the families in this book really wanted to talk about it and it felt like no one was even paying attention to them.”
