In this powerful episode of Family Twist, Corey and Kendall Stulce sit down with Cree filmmaker and adoptee, Kristal Parke, to discuss her impactful documentary Because She’s Adopted. Kristal’s film dives deep into the complex emotional landscape of adoption, exploring themes like the primal wound, hidden trauma, and how adoptees often navigate identity challenges and mask their pain.

Kristal shares her journey of meeting her birth mother—an experience that profoundly shaped her sense of self. Corey and Kendall, who have had their own transformative reunion experiences, explore these themes with Kristal, discussing the intricate ways family, whether by blood or bond, influences identity. Kristal also offers a glimpse into her upcoming six-part podcast series, Because She’s Adopted, which promises to take listeners even deeper into the topics of her documentary.

This episode offers insightful perspectives on adoption’s impact on identity and the journey toward healing, making it a must-listen for anyone interested in family dynamics, belonging, and self-discovery.

• Introduction to Kristal Parke and Her Documentary: Overview of Because She’s Adopted and Kristal’s experiences as a filmmaker and adoptee.
• The Primal Wound and Hidden Trauma: Exploring how early separation and loss impact adoptees, often resulting in a lifelong sense of “otherness.”
• Kristal’s Reunion with Her Birth Mother: A moving recount of her reunion and the significance of this experience in her life.
• Adoption, Identity, and Healing: Insights on the complex ways adoption affects one’s identity, the trauma adoptees often carry, and the healing journey.
• Kristal’s Upcoming Podcast, Because She’s Adopted: Preview of her limited-series podcast, a deep dive into the documentary’s central themes.
• Corey and Kendall’s Personal Reflections on Adoption: Their own family stories, reunions, and the ways adoption has shaped their lives.
• Embracing Cultural Heritage and Identity: Kristal’s journey in reconnecting with her Cree heritage and Sicilian family, along with Kendall’s discovery of his Irish roots.
• Family Reunions and Self-Discovery: The experiences of meeting birth family members, embracing cultural roots, and finding a deeper understanding of self.

• “There’s this nagging feeling adoptees have that you can’t put your finger on—it’s the trauma, the separation trauma.” — Kristal Parke
• “Meeting my birth mother was a profound moment. I never expected the overwhelming emotions that would follow me for years.” — Kristal Parke
• “Every adoptee’s story is different, but somehow they’re all the same, too. There’s an unspoken bond in shared experiences of separation and healing.” — Corey Stulce

Guest links:

Kristal's website