Podcast Summary: "Descobri que minha mãe biológica era a dona da padaria que eu frequentava"

Podcast: BBC Lê
Host: BBC Brasil
Episode Date: 4 December 2025
Read by: Thomas Papon
Original Program: Live’s Less Ordinary, BBC World Service

Episode Overview

This episode shares the touching, real-life story of Vamar Hunter, a Chicago man who, after a lifetime of not knowing his biological mother, discovers she is the owner of his favorite local bakery. The episode traces the coincidence, surprises, and emotions that led to their unexpected reunion, and how their connection transformed both of their lives.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Vamar Hunter’s Lifelong Curiosity and Love for Sweets

• Vamar, described as a “guloso” (glutton), became a regular at “Give Me Some Sugar,” a bakery in Chicago’s South Side.
• Over the years, he visited frequently for the “best pancakes in the city” and especially enjoyed the chocolate chip cookies.
• Unbeknownst to him, the bakery owner was the mother he had never met.
  [01:16]

2. The Role of a TV Show and a Genealogist

• Vamar’s search began whimsically at Christmas 2022, when a friend, inspired by a TV segment about a woman whose baby was stolen in 1974 (Vamar’s birth year), urged him to call the hotline.
• "Um dos meus amigos mais próximos havia visto o mesmo programa com uma mulher que falava do seu filho que fora sequestrado em um hospital em 1974, o ano em que eu nasci." — Vamar Hunter [02:00]
• He called, learned he was not the abducted child in the story, but was referred to genealogist Gabriela Vargas.
• Within two weeks, she found his real mother living nearby.
  [03:25]

3. Lenore Lindsey’s Story — Teenage Pregnancy in the 1970s

• Lenore was 16 when she became pregnant by her high school boyfriend, Michael.
• She only discovered her pregnancy in the sixth month.
• "Quando colocou o estetoscópio na minha barriga, a médica disse, ‘meu Deus’, e eu ouvi as batidas do coração." — Lenore Lindsey [04:35]
• The social stigma and strict environment led her to place the baby up for adoption.
• She never saw or held the baby, and intentionally omitted the father’s name to protect his identity.
  [05:00]

4. Adoption, Secrecy, and Emotional Impact

• Vamar’s adoptive family only told him the truth at 35; he always felt something amiss growing up.
• Lenore struggled with guilt, repression, and maternal detachment—even impacting her relationship with her later daughter, Rachel.
• “Reprimi tudo... Eu era a rainha da repressão.” — Lenore Lindsey [06:30]

5. Lenore’s New Beginning — The Bakery

• 17 years ago, Lenore left a dissatisfying job to open “Give Me Some Sugar,” drawing inspiration from church friends who loved her baking.
• The bakery opened in 2008, and just two years later Vamar unknowingly became a regular customer.
  [08:00]

6. The Climactic Discovery

• In late 2022, after agreeing to contact him, Lenore phoned her son using the padaria’s number—prompting Vamar to connect the dots.
• “Eu liguei e disse, alô, você é Vamar Hunter... é a senhora Lenore da padaria, Give Me Some Sugar?” — Lenore Lindsey [10:05]
• Vamar: “Eu tinha o número da padaria no telefone para encomendar minhas panquecas.”
• The shock of the discovery left both stunned and emotional.
• Their first conversation was “marcada por gritos, choros e risos.”
  [10:15]

7. Emotional Reunion and Its Ripple Effect

• Their reunion, involving both families at a church, transformed Lenore’s relationship with her daughter:
• “Aquilo me tornou muito mais maternal, também com Rachel… é como se agora eu estivesse livre para ser mãe.” — Lenore Lindsey [10:40]
• Vamar became more involved at the bakery, helping his mother during her cancer treatment and eventually leaving his job to join her full-time.
• “No começo, meu único objetivo era passar algum tempo com minha mãe e ajudá-la, pois fisicamente era muito difícil para ela.” — Vamar Hunter [11:10]

8. New Beginnings and New Bonds

• Hunter took on baking, learning recipes and enjoying the interaction with customers.
• Lenore quips: “Ainda bem, porque eu disse a ele que você não iria ganhar dinheiro aqui,” laughing about bakery profits.
  [11:35]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the surprise TV connection and the start of the search:
  “Ele me disse, ‘você deveria ligar para esse número. Talvez eles possam ajudar você a encontrar sua mãe.’” — Vamar Hunter [01:50]

• On the moment of pregnancy discovery:
  “Eu só fiquei sabendo que estava grávida no sexto mês... quando coloquei o estetoscópio na minha barriga, a médica disse, ‘meu Deus’, e eu ouvi as batidas do coração.” — Lenore Lindsey [04:35]

• On adoption and secrecy:
  “Eu não era uma dessas mães que ao olhar para a bebê, me conectava com ela. Não fui uma mãe carinhosa.” — Lenore Lindsey [06:52]

• On recognizing the number during the fateful phone call:
  “Eu tinha o número da padaria no telefone para encomendar minhas panquecas.” — Vamar Hunter [10:15]

• On the transformative power of reunion:
  “Aquilo me tornou muito mais maternal, também com Rachel.” — Lenore Lindsey [10:40]

Segment Timestamps

• [01:16] — Introduction of Vamar, the bakery, and coincidence of meeting his mother
• [02:00] — The TV show and Hunter’s initial search
• [04:35] — Lenore’s teenage pregnancy and family reaction
• [06:30] — Impact on Lenore and Vamar’s adoptive experience
• [08:00] — How Lenore opened her bakery
• [10:05] — The phone call and discovery
• [10:40] — Family reunion and new relationship dynamics
• [11:10] — Vamar joining the bakery
• [11:35] — Reflections, humor, and new beginnings

Conclusion

This story, rich with serendipity, emotional depth, and gentle humor, illustrates how chance encounters and a taste for sweets led to the healing of old wounds and the forging of new familial bonds. The episode remains faithful to the voices of Vamar and Lenore, highlighting themes of forgiveness, transformation, and the enduring search for belonging.