Episode 03c: Adoption in Black and White with Lisa Cole
The co-Star of this episode:
The Whiskey Old Fashioned
Featured Guest: Lisa Cole
What has been your search for identity?
In this 3-part series to Episode 3, we deep dive into three very different adoption stories to explore the topic of biological identity and origin. In Part 3, Jason and Yvonne sit down with Lisa Cole, a writer, mother, filmmaker, and global nomad. Lisa discusses how her writing about strong and disenfranchised women has been her way to find herself and shed light on the people who need it. Lisa also tells Jason and Yvonne about her fertility journey and her relationships with her transracially adopted children.
This week:
Yvonne asks Lisa, “What has been your search for identity?”
Lisa talks about how her writing has actually always been about finding a sense of self
Lisa talks about adopting after she was unable to carry a child to term; she mentions Safe Surrender.
Lisa talks about the vision of her daughter she had after the birth of her son
Jason asks Lisa, “How do you maintain truth in your adoption stories when there are so many opportunities to tell stories that are meant to protect others?”
Lisa tells Jason and Yvonne that her daughter has been reconciling with her own adoption story
“[Ruby] challenges us with her questions, and her knowing and, I mean, she keeps me on my toes! And I just want to do right by her… She deserves it. ”
- Lisa (minute 34:00)
Cocktail: Whiskey Old Fashioned
Recipe
2 oz of George Dickel Rye Whiskey
Three teaspoons of simple syrup
Several dashes of bitters
A couple of splashes of water
History & Meaning
The Old Fashioned :
Before the 1860s, cocktails in America tended to be some mixture of spirit (often cognac), water, sugar, and bitters. After the 1860s and into the 1870s, other liquors like absinthe were being introduced to bars.
But a generation of drinkers wanted something more classic, so they would ask for something their grandfather would drink. They would say, “Make me something old-fashioned.” And the name stuck.
About our special guest
Lisa Cole
Lisa Cole is a mother, filmmaker and global nomad. Lisa's lived with 201 families in 12 countries and shares stories of underrepresented voices embodying themes of neglect, empowerment, and redemption.
Mother, filmmaker, and global nomad, Lisa's lived with 201 families in 12 countries and shares stories of underrepresented voices embodying themes of neglect, empowerment, and redemption. She’s co-writer of GIRL NAMED SUE – (Winner Page Awards, La Femme & Top Ten Scripts of Slamdance, with Laura Bickford, Jean-Marc Vallee & Nathan Ross producing) and QUEEN OF NEWBURGH, Winner, Queen Palm Screenplay Contest, and Second Rounder Sundance Development Track 2022.
Lisa is a Student Academy Awards Regional Finalist, Academy Nicholl Fellowship Quarterfinalist, WIF mentee, Cine Quo Non Lab Fellow 2021, ScreenCraft Fellowship Finalist & Stowe Story Labs Final Draft Fellow.
Her award-winning short films include SHIPWRECK, currently screening in 30+ festivals including Official Selection Diversity in Cannes Short Film Showcase. Other work includes documentaries for The Gates Foundation, Sundance Institute, Viacom, BET & A&E.
A graduate of LMU’s School of Cinema & Television, Lisa serves on the Board of the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival. She resides in Los Angeles with her husband and two children.
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