Hi! I’m Kristal and Chrystal
Join kelowna hosts Kristal and Chrystal in a heartfelt podcast exploring the unique perspectives of adoptees.
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“Now as a mother, I can understand the difficult decision my birth parents had to make.”
Discovering Identity and Healing Through Adoption: Episode One Recap
Welcome to Because She’s Adopted, a podcast where we explore the multifaceted world of adoption through open, heartfelt conversations. In our very first episode, Kristal Parke and Chrystal Redpath share their deeply personal journeys as adoptees, shedding light on the impact of adoption and the process of healing. Below is a recap of their conversation—a candid exchange about identity, loss, and growth.
Connecting Through Shared Experiences
Kristal Parke opened the episode by introducing her co-host, Chrystal Redpath, and the bond they share as adoptees. Despite knowing each other for over a decade, it was their shared experience of being adopted that created an unspoken connection.
“The minute I found out you were adopted, I felt this instant bond,” Parke recalled. “Meeting other adoptees always brings a feeling of peace, even before we dive into conversations about it.” Redpath agreed, describing this connection as a kind of mutual understanding, born from shared experiences and emotions that don’t always need to be spoken aloud.
Exploring Adoption Beyond Gratitude
When the two first met, Redpath introduced Parke to books that explored the complexities of adoption, including The Primal Wound and Adoption Healing. These books helped them view their adoption stories through a new lens, moving beyond the societal expectation of simply feeling grateful for being adopted.
“Reading those books blew my mind,” Parke said. “They put words to feelings I had carried for years but couldn’t express.” Redpath reflected on her own journey, sharing that these books were the catalyst for her emotional healing, helping her connect the dots between her adoption and her identity.
Stories of Loss, Identity, and Resilience
Redpath shared her adoption story, starting with her birth in Edmonton, Alberta, in 1978. Her biological parents, both teenagers, tried to raise her but eventually placed her for adoption after struggling to make ends meet. A police raid at their apartment marked the turning point, leading to her being taken into social services and later adopted.
“For a long time, I just told my story without really connecting to it,” she admitted. “Now, as a mother, I can understand the difficult decision my birth parents had to make.”
Parke, whose birth name was Melissa Elizabeth, also shared her experiences. Like many adoptees, she struggled with questions of identity and belonging. “For years, I fantasized about my birth mother,” she said. “I pictured her as this beautiful woman with long, dark hair. I longed for her deeply.”
The Complexities of Adoption
The hosts also explored the challenges of growing up as adoptees. Both shared stories of feeling insecure, overly sensitive, and deeply affected by seemingly minor interactions. Redpath recalled breaking down over a comment about mismatched socks, while Parke remembered being devastated when reprimanded in class.
“I was constantly seeking acceptance,” Redpath explained. “I lived with this low-grade sadness, like a fever that never went away.” This feeling often manifested as people-pleasing and fear of abandonment, a theme Parke echoed in her own life.
The Journey Toward Healing
Both hosts emphasized the importance of self-discovery and healing. Redpath shared how revisiting memories of her childhood and metaphorically “bringing home” her inner child helped her find peace. “Reuniting with that little girl I’d left behind was the start of my healing,” she said.
Parke added that recognizing adoption as a form of loss—akin to grieving a death—was a turning point. “It’s not about getting over it,” she said. “It’s about accepting it and learning how to move forward.”
A Platform for Connection and Growth
The Because She’s Adopted podcast is more than a space for adoptees to share their stories. It’s a platform for fostering conversations about identity, loss, and healing that resonate with a universal audience.
“When we share our stories, we heal,” Redpath concluded. “I hope this podcast inspires others to embark on their own healing journeys.”
As the hosts look forward to future episodes, they invite listeners to join them in exploring the depths of adoption and its impact on identity, relationships, and self-discovery.
Stay Connected
Thank you for tuning in to the Because She’s Adopted podcast. Be sure to like, subscribe, and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. Leave a rating or review wherever you get your podcasts, and join us next time for more heartfelt conversations.
Listen to this episode on the
Because She Was Adopted Podcast
Now, we’d love to hear from you!
What part of Kristal and Chrystal’s story resonated most with you? Have you experienced a moment in your life where exploring your identity or reconnecting with your past has transformed your journey? Share your thoughts in the comments—your story could inspire someone else to take their first step toward healing.
Remember, share as much detail as possible in your reply. Thousands of beautiful souls come here for insight and inspiration. Your story may spark a breakthrough for someone who really needs it.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for adding your voice and experience to this community. You make it one of the most powerful and supportive places across the internet.
With endless love and appreciation,
Kristal and Chrystal
