26 Tanis Burnett
Because She's Adopted Podcast
Episode 26 | Tanis Burnett Tanis is a transracial adoptee from South Korea. She was adopted at 5 months old and joined her adoptive family in BC in 1987. She has two older brothers who are identical twins, who were also adopted (as a domestic adoption). She grew up in a white family, in cities and towns that are predominantly white. She played competitive hockey and baseball growing up, but now prefers golf and spending time with her dog. Part of her journey has been taking a deeper look into identity development for adoptees and the unique dynamics within adoptive families. Her journey began...
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25 Virginia McQueen
Because She's Adopted Podcast
Episode 25 | Virginia McQueen Join Kristal Parke and Virginia McQueen as they recap this past weekend at the Adoption: The Making Of Me Live Podcast event April 17-18, 2026 in Austin, Texas. In this episode, they explore impactful moments, discussing topics like support systems, triggers, self care and their love for the adoptee community and beyond. ______________________________________________________________________ ADOPTION:THE MAKING OF ME, LOUISE BROWNE & SARAH REINHARDT MONICA HALL; PRACTICALLY STILL A VIRGIN JEFF FORNEY; INNOCENT PEOPLE PROJECT DAMON DAVIS; WHO AM I REALLY...
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24 Dylan Paul
Because She's Adopted Podcast
Episode 24 | Dylan Paul Dylan Paul is a queer, adopted individual whose experiences have shaped a deep curiosity around identity, belonging, and connection. Navigating both adoption and sexuality has given him a unique perspective on what it means to find and define a sense of self. Dylan discusses grief and the loss of both his adoptive and bio mothers at a young age as well as his reunion journey. Through open and honest conversation, Dylan hopes to share his story and connect with others on similar journeys. ______________________________________________________________________ TUITION...
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23 Dr.Liz Debetta & Julie Brumley, M.A.
Because She's Adopted Podcast
Episode 23 | Dr.Liz Debetta & Julie Brumley Un-M-Othered: A Revolution in Adoptee Healing. Dr.Liz Debetta and Julie Brumley announce and discuss an upcoming adoptee event May 23-24, 2026 in Moscow, Idaho. Dr. Liz is an award-winning solo performance artist, writer, educator, and the founder of Migrating Toward Wholeness™, a trauma-informed, arts-based narrative healing framework. She holds a Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Studies with emphases in creative writing, feminist critical theory, and social justice. She has spent over a decade working at the intersection of lived experience,...
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22 Catherine
Because She's Adopted Podcast
Episode 22 | Catherine Talbott Retired and taking to social media to ask "Who Cares?" Catherine Talbott was adopted as a toddler and she was removed and placed back into government care at the age of twelve; she never lived with her family again. Catherine has worked in the child welfare sector for over 30 years and has recently retired. She was the founder of NOW Canada, a multi service agency based in Kelowna, BC which has served thousands of homeless and street entrenched youth, women and children. She has worked in the downtown Eastside of Vancouver for seven years with BC Housing, leading...
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21 On Adoption & Adoptees For Family Preservation
Because She's Adopted Podcast
Episode 21 | Haley Radke | Sullivan Summer | Lora Alegria | Lilly Anspach Adoptees for Family Preservation is a registered 501(c)(3) organization that exists to raise awareness about family separation issues and the long-term impact on adoptees and their families. The organization is currently supporting the investigative podcast, “On Adoption,” produced by Haley Radke Media, Inc., a podcast exposing the unethical practices of the modern-day adoption industry through the lens of adult adoptees, and recent birth/first mothers’ experiences. In this episode we chat with Haley Radke as well...
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20 Sarah Reinhardt
Because She's Adopted Podcast
Episode 20 | Sarah Reinhardt Co-host of Adoption:The Making Of Me Podcast talks about…you guessed it, the adoptee experience. Sarah Reinhardt is an adoptee and co-host of Adoption: The Making of Me. She is a writer, empty-nester, OCD dog parent, and works in Public Media in Kansas City. Sarah was born in the baby scoop era in St. Louis, MO, but only by chance - her birth mother’s water broke on the ascent from JFK to St. Louis. When Sarah found that out later, her lifelong obsession with New York City made sense. Sarah grew up in a small town in Missouri with a younger brother who was...
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19 Greta & Patrece
Because She's Adopted Podcast
Episode 19 | Greta & Patrece Adoptees, Eating Disorders & Recovery Greta Handgis (Fadness) is a domestic infant adoptee born during the Baby Scoop Era in 1968. She found her first family in 1989, which included a full-blood brother and sister, and was in reunion for over 30 years. She is estranged now from her first mother and sister as well as her adoptive family siblings. Both her adoptive parents have passed away. Greta played NCAA college basketball and majored in Theatre. She has worked as an actor in both Los Angeles and Phoenix, Arizona, and as a criminal defense paralegal for...
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18 Gloria
Because She's Adopted Podcast
Episode 18 | Gloria Gloria Ballantyne-Packo is a 27 year old Swampy Cree Woman living in Winnipeg, MB. Gloria is a member of Misipawistik Cree Nation and is originally from The Pas, MB. Gloria has lived many different lives but one of the most prominent parts of her life story is how she became an MMIWG2S+ advocate. Gloria’s younger sister, Kendara Ballantyne, was reported missing in 2019 and later found murdered. This tragedy catapulted Gloria to raise more awareness of the MMIWG2S+ epidemic through local and national stages. Gloria was crowned the 2023 Northern Manitoba Trappers’...
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17 Marisol & Will
Because She's Adopted Podcast
Episode 17 | Marisol & Will In this episode of the Because She's Adopted podcast, host Kristal Parke and her husband Stewart, welcome Marisol and Will, a couple navigating the complexities of identity, parenting and grief. The couple discusses their unique challenges as parents without guidance, having lost both sets of their parents, and how they strive to build a supportive family foundation rooted in faith and love. Their candid conversation touches on the emotional weight of adoption, the impact of loss, and the importance of community support in their journey. Marisol and Will provide...
info_outlineKelowna adoptees Kristal and Chrystal welcome 60's scoop survivors Tina Taphouse and Nadine McSpaddan as they courageously share their journey back to their roots and inform us on one of Canada's darker times in history.