Episode Sixty-Three

Susan Strong & Goth Dad

We’re beyond thrilled to welcome Susan Strong—a powerhouse writer and open adoption advocate whose journey will have you rethinking everything you thought you knew about family. Her memoir, One Yes at a Time: How Open Adoption Transformed Our Family, reveals the raw, heartwarming, and eye-opening experiences that reshaped her family through love, trust, and openness.

But that’s not all! Susan’s career has taken her from the iconic MTV studios in New York to literary acclaim in Dayton, Ohio, with over 40 years of powerful storytelling under her belt. Now, she’s ready to share the secrets behind forming real connections with her kids and their birth families, the incredible lessons learned along the way, and how her media-savvy background shapes her unique perspective.

And there’s more—Colin, our talented audio engineer and musician, selected the perfect song, Dog, by his band, Goth Dad, which captures the loyalty and connection that define Susan’s adoption journey.

Don’t miss this episode packed with heart, art, and transformative stories that will leave you inspired!

Anna Jinja mather

host and producer

Anna Jinja Mather was adopted from Seoul, Korea, and grew up in Iowa. Her heart is filled with love for people and their stories. By sharing her adoption story and all that she is learning to help her navigate through personal and professional challenges, she hopes that this will lead us to believe, accept, and value the inherent worthiness of all people.

She has dedicated her life to a number of nonprofit organizations and causes as a volunteer or employee, which has led to a myriad of unexpected opportunities and adventures – including stepping into the role of a radio producer and host at KHOI 89.1 FM.

Anna recently relocated to Athens, Ohio, from Ames, Iowa, where she served as the executive director of Able Up Iowa, a non-profit helping people of all abilities become independent. Her previous employment includes working for several nonprofit organizations, including Habitat for Humanity, Kids Voting, and the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company.

Thanks to Hope (a wise mutual friend), Anna met and fell in love with a marvelous man named Pete while he was traveling in the Pacific Northwest during his car-top tent adventure. In 2022, Pete surprised Anna with a marriage proposal at their favorite wine bar on April 12. The next week, they were married at the Ames Public Library. She now lives happily with her husband, Pete, and their dog, Floyd, in the little blue house of happiness.

Anna invites you to join her learning adventure by listening to the people and creative content that makes her feel at home in this world.