Sign in

Lisa McDonough

@astepoffstage.bsky.social
57 followers 135 following 206 posts

🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 Adoptee Educator and Advocate ✍️ Writing about my experience of reuniting as an adoptee… 🔗 Learn more on Substack - open.substack.com/pub/astepoffstage

PostsRepliesMedia
Lisa McDonough @astepoffstage.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
🎟️ 🔗 givebutter.com/adoptee-read... 🎟️ 🔗 #adoption #adoptionjourney #adoptionislove #adoptionrocks #adoptionstory #adoptionsaveslives #adoptionday #adoptionawareness #adoptionstories #adoptioncommunity #adoptionsupport #adoptee #adopteevoices #adoptees #gotchaday #openadoption
000
Lisa McDonough @astepoffstage.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
@stephalazarasus.bsky.social I love your book reviews! You’re getting my library list going 🥰
110
Lisa McDonough @astepoffstage.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
#WritingCommunity #Substack #SubstackSky #WriterSky #WritingCommunity #BookSky #Newsletter
020
Lisa McDonough @astepoffstage.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
#Memoir #MemoirWriting #CreativeNonfiction #PersonalEssay #LifeStories #BookSky #WritingCommunity #IAmEditing #IAmWriting #WIP #IndieAuthor #PubSky #AutoBiography #Biopic #BioSky #FamilyHistory #Genealogy #DisabledWriters #DisabilitySky #PitchSky #Drafting
030
Lisa McDonough @astepoffstage.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
#ActorSky #FilmSky #TVSky#TheaterSky #ScreenWritingSky #WriterSky #Casting #EntertainmentIndustry
000
Lisa McDonough @astepoffstage.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
#Substack #SubstackWriters #SubstackWriter #Newsletters #SubstackReads #Essay #AcademicSky
010
Lisa McDonough @astepoffstage.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
#EntertainmentIndustry #Memoir #MemoirWriting #CreativeNonfiction #PersonalEssay #LifeStories #BookSky #WritingCommunity #IAmEditing #IAmWriting #WIP #IndieAuthor #PubSky #AutoBiography #Biopic #BioSky #FamilyHistory #Genealogy #DisabledWriters #DisabilitySky #PitchSky #Drafting
020
Lisa McDonough @astepoffstage.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
#ActorSky #FilmSky #TVSky#TheaterSky
000
Lisa McDonough @astepoffstage.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
astepoffstage.substack.com/p/my-adoptio...
astepoffstage.substack.com
My Adoption Reunion Story - Part 26: Making Contact with My Birth Mother
How I decided to make contact, what language I chose, and what I wasn’t prepared to expect - both families handled adoption very differently.
000
Lisa McDonough @astepoffstage.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
I wrote her a note you’ll have to hear the article to get the details 🔗 in comments #adoption #adoptionjourney #adoptionislove #adoptionrocks #adoptionstory #adoptionsaveslives #adoptionday #adoptionawareness #adoptionstories #adoptioncommunity #adoptionsupport #adoptee #adopteevoices #adoptees
Sia collage of a handwritten letter and a mailbox with a letter sticking uout of it in the background with a title saying “ my adoption reunion story part 26 making contact with my birth mother
100
Lisa McDonough @astepoffstage.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
I don't mean to start a war about it, but I can sometimes find it frustrating to connect with other adoptees among the 🐶 📷 It would be nice to have some differentiators for the two groups. Perhaps pet people feel the same way? 🤷‍♀️ #sorrynotsorry #Adoption #AdopteeVoices #AdopteeRightsAreHumanRights
woman with her hair tied back with salmon-colored hoodie with her hood up smirking. With text reading: If you wish there was a separate hashtag to separate pet adoption from human adoption, like, share, repost, comement. Let me know how this impacts community building in the comments below.
010
Lisa McDonough @astepoffstage.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
I’d like to go back to school for marriage and family counseling with a specialization in grief counseling. There just aren’t enough resources out there for families to cope with adverse experience, or grief services for children.
010
Lisa McDonough @astepoffstage.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
I am not, but what’s up?
000
Lisa McDonough @astepoffstage.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
open.substack.com/pub/astepoff...
open.substack.com
An Adoption Reunion for Sarah Warren | Lisa McDonough | Substack
Personal Essays, educational content, and discussions covering some of the less familiar and seldom discussed topics that arise through the lifelong journey of adoption. Click to read An Adoption Reun...
000
Lisa McDonough @astepoffstage.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
The thing I’m most proud about in my work, is that #socialworkers, #pychologists, and #childwelfare experts are reading and recommending my #substack. In a #post-roe world… I’m thrilled my #adoption experience can help make it better for all! Check out the🔗 in the comments
110
Lisa McDonough @astepoffstage.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
Ufff! The gift trope gets so complicated!
010
Lisa McDonough @astepoffstage.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
#socialjustice #Justice#JusticeForThePeople #HumanRights #Equality #adoption #adoptionjourney #adoptionislove #adoptionrocks #adoptionstory #adoptionsaveslives #adoptionday #adoptionawareness #adoptionstories #adoptioncommunity #adoptionisbeautiful #adoptionsupport #adoptee #adopteevoices #adoptees
000
Lisa McDonough @astepoffstage.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Ever wonder what it’s like to search and find your biological family as an adoptee? P.S. it’s easier when the state allows it - and with everything we know about the life long impacts on those relinquished, it’s still something 33 states still don’t allow astepoffstage.substack.com/p/part-25-a-...
astepoffstage.substack.com
Part 25: I Found My Family
How quick research led me to a family that I had waited thirty-eight years to find!
110
Lisa McDonough @astepoffstage.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Hot off the presses - Part 24 - astepoffstage.substack.com/p/my-adoptio... #adoption #adoptionjourney #adoptionislove #adoptionrocks #adoptionstory #adoptionsaveslives #adoptionday #adoptionawareness #adoptionstories #adoptioncommunity #adoptionisbeautiful #adoptionsupport #adoptee #adopteevoices
A collage of different birth certificates, a brown catalog envelope, and the title of the article "My Adoption Reunion Story, Part 24: Opening Up Your Birth Certificate for the first time at 38 years old."
000
Lisa McDonough @astepoffstage.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Oh, and doesn't that impact the reunion SO badly! For me, that was the most painful part.
000
Lisa McDonough @astepoffstage.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
When it comes to anything family-planning related... as the saying goes... you can't plan life.
010
Lisa McDonough @astepoffstage.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Uff, I think that's something that a lot of people need to sit with!
010
Lisa McDonough @astepoffstage.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
#adoption #adoptionjourney #adoptionislove #adoptionrocks #adoptionstory #adoptionsaveslives #adoptionday #adoptionawareness #adoptionstories #adoptioncommunity #adoptionisbeautiful #adoptionsupport #adoptee #adopteevoices #adoptees #gotchaday #openadoption
000
Lisa McDonough @astepoffstage.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
astepoffstage.substack.com/p/my-adoptio...
astepoffstage.substack.com
My Adoption Reunion Story – Part 23: I Just Want the Name on My Original Birth Certificate
Thinking about a plan about my reunion, and learning more about some of the darker histories of private adoption.
000
Lisa McDonough @astepoffstage.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
I'm not against #adoption; I'm pro creating a better experience for everyone who enters it. Let's talk about the hard stuff, so there are no surprises! Check out more in the comments.
Photo of a woman with short brown hair, smirking, with a caption that reads, "That time I wrote about unethical adoption laws and was worried about losing subscribers, and ended up gaining 12!"
211
Lisa McDonough @astepoffstage.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
astepoffstage.substack.com/p/my-adoptio...
astepoffstage.substack.com
My Adoption Reunion Story – Part 23: I Just Want the Name on My Original Birth Certificate
Thinking about a plan about my reunion, and learning more about some of the darker histories of private adoption.
000
Lisa McDonough @astepoffstage.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
We need to talk about private adoption. Check out the full article in the comments. #SocialJustice #HumanRights #Activism #MutualAid #AdopteeVoices #Memoir #MemoirWriting #CreativeNonfiction #PersonalEssay #LifeStories #WritingCommunity #IAmWriting #Drafting
110
Lisa McDonough @astepoffstage.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
#adoption #adoptionjourney #adoptionislove #adoptionrocks #adoptionstory #adoptionsaveslives #adoptionday #adoptionawareness #adoptionstories #adoptioncommunity #adoptionisbeautiful #adoptionsupport #adoptee #adopteevoices #adoptees #gotchaday #openadoption
000
Lisa McDonough @astepoffstage.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
If there's anything that adoptive parents should know about before their children grow up, it's the history of #adoption and #GeorgiaTann. Learn more about what it's like for children to reunite: astepoffstage.substack.com
100
Lisa McDonough @astepoffstage.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
#Substack #SubstackWriters #SubstackWriter #Newsletters #SubstackReads #Essay #AcademicSky
010
Lisa McDonough @astepoffstage.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
#WritingCommunity #Substack #SubstackSky #WriterSky #WritingCommunity #BookSky #Newsletter
030
Lisa McDonough @astepoffstage.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
#Memoir #MemoirWriting #CreativeNonfiction #PersonalEssay #LifeStories #BookSky #WritingCommunity #IAmEditing #IAmWriting #WIP #IndieAuthor #PubSky #AutoBiography #Biopic #BioSky #FamilyHistory #Genealogy #DisabledWriters #DisabilitySky #PitchSky #Drafting
050
Lisa McDonough @astepoffstage.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
#adoption #adoptionjourney #adoptionislove #adoptionrocks #adoptionstory #adoptionsaveslives #adoptionday #adoptionawareness #adoptionstories #adoptioncommunity #adoptionisbeautiful #adoptionsupport #adoptee #adopteevoices #adoptees #gotchaday #openadoption
000
Lisa McDonough @astepoffstage.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
With #GeorgiaTann in the background. And I'm sure I will lose subscribers, so feel free to sign up and show support! astepoffstage.substack.com
410
Lisa McDonough @astepoffstage.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
There's so much space to talk about what's learned through an #adoptionreunion Learn more about what to expect: astepoffstage.substack.com
000
Lisa McDonough @astepoffstage.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
#Substack #SubstackWriters #SubstackWriter #Newsletters #SubstackReads #Essay #AcademicSky
010
Lisa McDonough @astepoffstage.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
#WritingCommunity #Substack #SubstackSky #WriterSky #WritingCommunity #BookSky #Newsletter
130
Lisa McDonough @astepoffstage.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
#Memoir #MemoirWriting #CreativeNonfiction #PersonalEssay #LifeStories #BookSky #WritingCommunity #IAmEditing #IAmWriting #WIP #IndieAuthor #PubSky #AutoBiography #Biopic #BioSky #FamilyHistory #Genealogy #DisabledWriters #DisabilitySky #PitchSky #Drafting
040
Lisa McDonough @astepoffstage.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
#ActorSky #FilmSky #TVSky#TheaterSky #ScreenWritingSky #WriterSky #Casting #EntertainmentIndustry
000
Lisa McDonough @astepoffstage.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
#adoption #adoptionjourney #adoptionislove #adoptionrocks #adoptionstory #adoptionsaveslives #adoptionday #adoptionawareness #adoptionstories #adoptioncommunity #adoptionisbeautiful #adoptionsupport #adoptee #adopteevoices #adoptees #gotchaday #openadoption
000
Lisa McDonough @astepoffstage.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Did anyone else have preconceived ideas of what their #adoptionreunion would be like? I think most people would be surprised, and everyone should be aware of how complicated this actually gets! Who's with me?
510
Reposted by Lisa McDonough
Jem Wayne @jem361.substack.com · 21/09/2026
Time to embarrass @evkingwrites.bsky.social LOL!
1133
Lisa McDonough @astepoffstage.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
If moneys right right now, we all hear that. And… your financial hit maybe someone else’s crisis. Don’t lose sight of others when times are hard. Let’s keep working together!
000
Lisa McDonough @astepoffstage.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
#Substack #SubstackWriters #SubstackWriter #Newsletters #SubstackReads #Essay #AcademicSky
011
Lisa McDonough @astepoffstage.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
#WritingCommunity #Substack #SubstackSky #WriterSky #WritingCommunity #BookSky #Newsletter
050
Lisa McDonough @astepoffstage.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
#Memoir #MemoirWriting #CreativeNonfiction #PersonalEssay #LifeStories #BookSky #WritingCommunity #IAmEditing #IAmWriting #WIP #IndieAuthor #PubSky #AutoBiography #Biopic #BioSky #FamilyHistory #Genealogy #DisabledWriters #DisabilitySky #PitchSky #Drafting
050
Lisa McDonough @astepoffstage.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
#ActorSky #FilmSky #TVSky#TheaterSky #ScreenWritingSky #WriterSky #Casting #EntertainmentIndustry
000
Lisa McDonough @astepoffstage.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
That moment when you realize acting headshots are completely different than everyone else's professional headshots 😂
430
Lisa McDonough @astepoffstage.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
#WritingCommunity #Substack #SubstackSky #WriterSky #WritingCommunity #BookSky #Newsletter
030
Lisa McDonough @astepoffstage.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
#Memoir #MemoirWriting #CreativeNonfiction #PersonalEssay #LifeStories #BookSky #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #AmEditing #WIP #IndieAuthor #PubSky #AutoBiography #Biopic #BioSky #FamilyHistory #Genealogy #DisabledWriters #DisabilitySky #PitchSky #Drafting
050