Full Circle: A Mother, Son, and the Music of Belonging
This week's episode features both Diane and her son Levi Merrill for an intimate conversation about adoption, identity, and what it really means to create family through choice and unconditional love. Levi, a gifted singer-songwriter, producer, and guitar teacher, opens the episode with a performance of Dan Bern's "Jerusalem"—a quirky, vulnerable song that explores identity, belonging, and the courage to reveal yourself fully.
The opening lyric says it all: "When I tell you that I love you, don't test my love, accept my love."
For Levi, these words capture the essence of his relationship with his mom and his experience as an adoptee. He was told the truth about his adoption from the very beginning, which allowed him to fully accept his mother's love without question or hesitation.
"My mom has always been my mom," Levi says in the episode. "I was born adopted. I wouldn't have it any other way."
The conversation covers beautiful ground:
For Anyone Who Needs to Hear This Story
If you're questioning whether you belong, whether you're loved, whether your story matters—this episode is for you. If you've ever tested love instead of accepting it, this conversation will give you permission to soften.
And if you're navigating your own adoption journey, whether as a parent, child, or someone exploring what "chosen family" means, Diane and Levi's story will remind you that love isn't about biology—it's about showing up, telling the truth, and holding space for each other's full humanity.
