Michael Goessling on Adoption, Faith & Finding Birth Father Michael McDonald | Ep. 680
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Michael McDonald's Son on Adoption, Faith & Finding His Birth Parents
What happens when you find your birth parents at 58 — and your birth father turns out to be Michael McDonald of The Doobie Brothers? In Episode 680 of It's Bizzy, my lifelong friend Michael Goessling shares his incredible adoption reunion story, and the faith, gratitude, and family love behind it.
Michael was adopted as a baby through Catholic Charities in St. Louis by Paul and Kay Goessling, who raised him to believe he was "a miracle and a gift from God." His birth parents were just 14 years old, and they searched for him for 35 years. Then a 23andMe DNA test by his half-brother, Dylan McDonald, led to a letter from an attorney, a birthday lunch with his birth mother, and a phone call that ended with: "Are you Michael McDonald?"
This isn't a celebrity story. It's a story about adoption, gratitude, grief, God's timing, and what makes a family.
In this episode:
• Growing up adopted and deeply loved
• Finding birth parents through a 23andMe DNA test
• Meeting his birth mother on his 58th birthday
• Losing his adoptive father, and his daughter's belief that "Pop sent Mike"
• How his adoptive mom welcomed his birth family with open arms
• Breaking the stigma around adoption
• Faith, letting go of worry, and trusting God's plan
"My birth parents were always heroes in my story. Either I'm here or I'm not — and I'm here."
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"Remember, you don't have to navigate the mess alone. Whether you're pivoting your career, your marriage, or your mindset, I'm here to walk that road with you. Let's make 2026 the year you finally put your own oxygen mask on first."
XO
Elizabeth "Bizzy" Chance
You're not alone. We're getting through this one day at a time.