From Mystery to Memoir: Edward Di Gangi's Adoption Story

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My guest today has a fascinating story to share with us. Edward Di Gangi grew up knowing that he was adopted, though it was never discussed in his family. It wasn’t until later in life that he got curious about his birth parents and began a journey that would take him to a few different states, introduce him to a lot of people he would have never met otherwise, and ultimately inspire him to write a memoir about what he found.

Edward is the author of The Gift Best Given- It’s a story of adoption, search, discovery and reunion. Silence your notifications for the next forty-five minutes as Edward and I discuss his story. I feel confident you’ll be glad you spent this time with us.

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Unraveling a Hidden Past: Edward Di Gangi’s Memoir- The Gift Best Given

 

In this episode, Edward Di Gangi shares the compelling journey of his life as an adoptee, detailing how he uncovered the story of his birth parents later in life. Despite a positive adoption experience, Edward’s curiosity led him on an adventure across various states, ultimately inspiring him to write a memoir titled 'The Gift Best Given.'

 

Alongside host James, Edward discusses the emotional rollercoaster of uncovering his roots, from finding key documents to meeting people who knew his birth mother, an ice skating performer. The episode also explores the profound impacts and complexities of adoption, including Edward’s realization of his mother’s difficult decision and the additional connections he made with newfound family members.

 

00:00 Introduction and Initial Assumptions

01:01 Meet Edward Di Gangi

01:10 Edward's Adoption Journey Begins

03:35 Discovering the Past

05:16 The Search Intensifies

06:36 Uncovering Family Secrets

07:35 Connecting the Dots

08:19 The Role of Ancestry and DNA Testing

09:09 The Breakthrough Moment

11:38 The Artista Revelation

12:24 The Ice Skating Connection

14:19 The Antiques Dealer Discovery

20:58 Meeting Isabel

25:27 The Adoption Arrangement

28:34 The Gift Best Given

29:00 Emotional Impact of Adoption

29:22 Writing the Book

30:20 The Baby Scoop Era

31:24 Challenges in Research

32:19 Connecting with Birth Family

34:08 Publishing Journey

36:38 Finding the Right Audience

38:12 Personal Reflections

43:17 Future Projects

44:57 Conclusion and Contact Information