We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Anna Jinja a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Anna , thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
I’ve always been fascinated by the power of stories to connect us—to each other, to ourselves, and to the world around us. Growing up, I felt like stories were a window into lives and experiences that were different from my own, and they helped me make sense of the complexities of being human.
The interesting thing is that I avoided telling my own story until I was introduced to my community radio station in Iowa as I was quickly approaching my 50s. As a teenager, I remember how I would wear sunglasses foolishly thinking that I could conceal that I was born in Korea. There are so many other examples of how throughout my life, I would do everything to avoid sharing my adoption stories with others.
And now, through this podcast passion project, I find myself sharing these stories weekly, a stark contrast to my past. My radio experience unveiled the shame that I had carried about my origin story, and this ultimately sparked and led to the creation of The Anna Jinja Show, reconnecting me with my love of storytelling and my own.
The show is about bringing people together through creativity, vulnerability, and shared experiences. Writing has always been my way of reflecting and making meaning, so incorporating that into the show—whether through scripts, interviews, or creative prompts—allows me to bring these values to life.
As an adoptee, storytelling became an especially important way for me to explore identity, belonging, and the intersections of different cultures.
My deepest desire is that this show inspires others to tell their own stories, to embrace the messy and beautiful parts of their lives, and to connect in ways that feel genuine and transformative.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I was adopted from Seoul, Korea, and grew up in Iowa. My heart is filled with love for people and their stories. I have dedicated my life to 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 that has led to hosting and producing, The Anna Jinja Show.
The Anna Jinja Show focuses on the stories, issues, and questions connected to adoption and foster care experiences. 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.
I also recently published my debut novel. Adopting Grace came to life through the people, places, and experiences tied to my own adoption journey. I wrote from what I knew, weaving and twisting those threads into Grace’s story.
Adopting Grace, follows the journey of Grace, a 39-year-old Korean-American woman who was adopted as an infant from South Korea by a Norwegian family in Iowa. As Grace grapples with her husband’s affair with his high school sweetheart, her therapist suggests exploring deep-rooted issues tied to her adoption. Grace, however, believes her stress stems from juggling the demands of raising two daughters, running a small business, designing a bridal gown for a challenging client, and managing complex relationships within her family. This poignant story delves into Grace’s struggles as a wife, mother, and adoptee, exploring what it truly means to be part of a family.
I describe it as the kind of book you’d pick up at Target—an easy, relatable read. It was written in response to someone who once told me that writing was self-indulgent and a waste of time if it didn’t make money. This project is my way of processing my adoption story and personal experiences through a fictional narrative inspired by memories and life events.
Early in my writing journey, someone told me that writing was a self-indulgent waste of time if it didn’t generate income—and that I wasn’t good enough for it to make a difference anyway. Those words stung, but they taught me something valuable: the importance of believing in yourself, even when others don’t.
Writing isn’t just about making money; it’s about expression, exploration, and growth. The stories you tell have value, even if they don’t come with a price tag. Surround yourself with people who encourage your creativity, and don’t let the opinions of others dim your passion.
I believe I have a good sense of humor, and it’s one of the most important tools we have to navigate life’s ups and downs. Humor breaks the ice, eases tension, and helps us see the light even in the most challenging situations.
As an adoptee, a creative, and someone who wears many hats in life, I’ve found that a good laugh—especially at myself—keeps me grounded. It’s a reminder not to take everything so seriously, even when the world feels heavy.
While writing Adopting Grace, I made sure to weave bits of humor into the story. Though I explore meaningful and often complex topics, humor keeps Grace’s journey relatable and human. It ties everything together, reminding us that joy and laughter are just as essential to our stories as moments of introspection.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
The most damaging lesson I had to unlearn was that my creative pursuits were only valuable if they generated income or immediate external validation, There were several incidents and individuals who seemed to enjoy letting me know that creative pursuits were selfish, a waste of time if it didn’t generate revenue, and that I was not talented enough to make money or make a difference with the ways that I enjoyed expressing and interpreting my experiences. This stung deeply, and for many years, I internalized these words, questioning my passion and doubting my abilities.
The backstory is that my childhood and adoption trauma joined forces with these words to build the case that I did not deserve to pursue creative interests. I allowed narrow definitions of success dictate how I spent my time. It took years of struggle and self-reflection (and therapy sessions!) to realize that creativity is inherently valuable, regardless of commercial potential. I had to unlearn that my worth as a writer and podcast producer was tied to external measures. The true lesson was learning to trust my own voice and believe in my work, even when others didn’t or don’t.
Today, I embrace creativity as a vital part of my identity and powerful tool for connection. I no longer seek external validation to justify my creative pursuits. Instead, I find joy and meaning in the process itself, in the exploration of ideas, and the sharing of stories. The journey of unlearning this limiting belief has been transformative, leading me to a deeper understanding of myself and a stronger commitment to the creative path. Now, I encourage others to embrace their own creative passions, regardless of external expectations, and to find joy in the unique expression of their authentic selves.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
After a relationship that took me to England for nearly four years, I returned to my home state with a shattered into a million pieces, my dreams in tatters, and my bank account drained. The weight of the loss was crushing, and I felt alone and lost. To move forward, I visited my past. It was a painful but necessary process of self-discovery and healing.
During this time, I accepted a job working as an executive director for a nonprofit organization, In the first couple of months, internal and external stakeholders shared their extreme dislike for how the organization operated and did not serve its intended clients. I was told that our funding would be pulled if we didn’t pull it together!
Drawing on my communication and creativity skills combined with a determination to focus on the mission and the people that were meant to serve, a volunteer and paid team were able to make a positive difference. Addressing the nonprofit’s PR problem, a team member, community volunteer, and I were able to develop a partnership with the local radio station to start a show that focused on the people and issues connected to this nonprofit organization. The radio show and station became a lifeline for me, a platform to share stories of hope, resilience, and purpose.
This return to my home state journey taught me the power of perseverance, the importance of community, and the resilience of the human spirit. It forged a stronger, more determined version of myself.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.annajinjashow.com
- Instagram: @ANNAJINJAMATHER
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annajinja.mather/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-jinja-mather-5440794/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAnnaJinjaShow
- Other: https://www.amazon.com/Adopting-Grace-Anna-Jinja/dp/B0DLSWZ6TD/ref=sr_1_1?crid=285262EPVC4E6&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.omDsYm_mOjq5BGHhNZlss2q01EpiHFLPB0aT0WAbqFPGjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps.7bOvpHwIdZMH6irLuVQPF8Lofa8duI5oILTNP7PgWws&dib_tag=se&keywords=adopting+grace+anna+jinja&qid=1741363613&sprefix=%2Caps%2C119&sr=8-1
Image Credits
Fischer Wallace, SWAE