This is StRest! In Part Two of her most personal series yet, Kerstin Lindquist returns to share the continuation of her family’s story—this time focusing on the deep emotional journey of adoption, the trauma of miscarriage, and the decision to get attached even when everything could fall apart.

With honesty, heartbreak, and hard-won perspective, Kerstin opens up about failed adoptions, lost pregnancies, and the emotional labor of parenting a child who might not stay. She speaks directly to anyone navigating this road—parents, relatives, and friends—and offers real guidance on how to talk about adoption, support grieving families, and celebrate every part of a child’s identity.

From hospital rooms to courtroom finalizations, from whispered secrets to joy shouted from the rooftops, this episode is a love letter to the families we choose and the faith that keeps us going.

Major Themes & Concepts

✅ The emotional toll of adoption and infertility

✅ Why getting attached is an act of love, not risk

✅ What not to say: real talk about adoption language

✅ The spiritual and physical cost of miscarriage

✅ Why “real parent” is the wrong phrase—and what to say instead

✅ Breastfeeding, bonding, and attachment for adopted babies

✅ Celebrating identity: race, roots, and real belonging

✅ Why joy shouldn't wait for certainty

Chapter Breakdown

00:00 – “We should never hide adoption. It’s beautiful.”

01:04 – Episode intro: A two-part story of family and faith

02:14 – Feeling someone is missing: the nudge to adopt again

06:00 – Miscarriage at the clinic, grief behind the makeup chair

10:20 – The emotional toll of failed adoptions

13:30 – “Don’t delay joy”: Why Kerstin told her kids early

18:15 – The last-minute call that changed everything

21:45 – Ben is born: hospital emotions and holding two truths

25:00 – Legal limbo: 30-day wait and fight for finalization

30:30 – “Real parents,” right words: Language that honors

33:00 – Skin-to-skin, breastmilk, and the science of attachment

36:10 – Wrap-up, resources, and Kerstin’s books

Work with Kerstin

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Workshops & Events⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ – Join upcoming events & retreats.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Health Coaching with Kerstin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ – 1:1 coaching for stress reduction & wellness.

Resources & Recommendations

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Dr. Denese Skincare ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠–   Use code STREST

⁠Ancient Nutrition⁠ - Use code STREST25

Partner Links & Discounts

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Dr. Tabatha - Hormone test & HRT⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apollo Neuro⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ – Discount Code: KERSTINLINDQUISTLLC

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lumen⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ – Discount Code: CoachKL

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ultrahuman⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ – Discount Code: KERSTIN10⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

More about Kerstin

Production, Distribution, and Marketing By Massif Studio & Production & The Tallawah Group

Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠www.massifsp.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Massif Studio & Production⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ www.TallawahWorldwide.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Tallawah Group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email [email protected].

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