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...
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16 Amanda
Because She's Adopted Podcast
Episode 16 | Amanda In the first 2026 episode of the Because She's Adopted Podcast, host Kristal Parke interviews Amanda. This episode is about mothers and fathers, parentification and self-discovery. Amanda discusses the impact of her family on her self-perception, and the healing she found through connecting with her biological father. Amanda's story highlights the importance of self-acceptance and the ongoing journey of reclaiming one's narrative and life. Guest Bio Amanda was born and raised in Western New York. She began her “coming out of the FOG” and reunion journey in...
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15 Louise Browne & Bill Edwards
Because She's Adopted Podcast
Episode 15 | Louise Browne & Bill Edwards In this episode of the Because She's Adopted podcast, host Kristal Parke engages with guests Louise Browne and Bill Edwards, exploring themes of Christmas traditions, Adoption:The Making Of Me Podcast, and the importance of supportive relationships. The conversation delves into personal stories, including first impressions from high school, the shared love for the Grateful Dead, and the challenges of being introverted in social situations. Louise shares her profound experience of meeting her biological family, while Bill discusses the...
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14 Christy & Scott
Because She's Adopted Podcast
Episode 14 | Christy & Scott In this episode of Because She's Adopted, hosts Kristal and Stewart Parke team up with Christy and Scott Gilvear for a podcast “double date,” diving into the nuances of marriage, family life, and the ever-evolving conversations around adoption. They explore the importance of communication, and the support systems that help navigate the challenges of being adopted and being in a partnership with an adoptee. The conversation highlights the significance of personal growth, emphasizing the shared journeys of understanding, boundaries and validation. Guest...
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13 Linda Pevac
Because She's Adopted Podcast
Episode 13 | Linda Pevac In this episode of the Because She's Adopted podcast, host Kristal Parke interviews Linda Pevac, an adoptee, author, and survivor. Linda shares her harrowing experiences of childhood trauma, the impact of hypervigilance, and the healing power of creativity. The conversation delves into the complexities of relationships with adoptive parents, the inner critic, and the importance of self-compassion. Linda also discusses her experiences with abusive therapy, the journey of caring for her parents, and the significance of emotional sobriety. Throughout the episode, Linda...
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12 Kim & Emma
Because She's Adopted Podcast
Episode 12 | Kim & Emma In this episode of Because She's Adopted, hosts Kristal Parke, Kim, and Emma explore the complexities of adoption, personal stories, and the importance of community. Kim shares her adoption journey, including her reunion with her birth mother and the emotional challenges that come with it. Emma provides her perspective as a partner supporting Kim through her experiences. Together, they discuss the significance of connecting with other adoptees and the impact of their relationships on their identities. Guest Bios Emma is an editor and producer based in Brooklyn, New...
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11 Chris Williams
Because She's Adopted Podcast
Episode 11 | Chris Williams Host Kristal Parke welcomes fellow adoptee and comedian, Chris Williams to recap a week in The Big Apple where Kristal’s film, Because She’s Adopted, was the official selection for The Adoptee Film Festival and had its New York City Premiere at the Caveat Theatre in Manhattan. From Central Park to Broadway, hotdogs to hamburgers, they cover it all in this lighthearted episode. Guest Bio Chris Williams is a stand-up comedian and producer from Los Angeles, currently based in Santa Barbara. Audiences are drawn to his intelligent, relatable, and irreverent style of...
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10 Christy Gilvear
Because She's Adopted Podcast
Episode 10 | Christy Gilvear Host Kristal Parke welcomes fellow adoptee Christy Gilvear for a powerful conversation about adoption, faith, and growing up in a high-control religious environment. Together, they unpack how those experiences shaped their identity, relationships, and journey toward healing. This episode of Because She’s Adopted offers an honest look at self-discovery, resilience, and finding freedom beyond the beliefs we were raised in. Guest Bio Christy Gilvear is the creator of The Rooted Petal and host of the upcoming Green Alchemy Podcast. Through plants, storytelling, and...
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09 Dr.Richard Wenzel
Because She's Adopted Podcast
Episode 9 | Dr.Richard Wenzel Dr. Richard Wenzel shares a riveting NPE journey that began with an at-home DNA test and unfolded into the discovery that his father was not his genetic father. The conversation traces childhood memories surrounding a sibling’s secret adoption, a pediatrician who “knew and lied,” and a later-in-life reckoning with identity, family history, and medical ethics. Richard explains why genetic secrets harm patients, how falsified family histories misdirect care, and why he advocates for clinician candor: “Just tell the truth.” Guest Bio For three decades, Dr....
info_outlineEpisode 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’ Festival Fur Queen then went on to become a delegate in the inaugural Miss Indigenous Canada pageant in 2024. These pageants gave her the opportunity to use her platform to connect with many people and bring forth a greater awareness of her sister’s legacy. Now, Gloria is learning what life looks like for her in a new city, amid both grief and trauma, while also embracing the excitement and gratitude of what her future holds.
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🔴JUSTICE FOR KENDARA
If you have any information related to Kendara’s case, please contact https://www.facebook.com/KendaraBallantyneMemorial or https://www.canadiancrimestoppers.org/ immediately.
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APTN - TAKEN - SEASON5 EPISODE 9 Kendara Ballantyne
https://www.aptntv.ca/taken/episode-guide/season-5/
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Gloria holds the title of the 2024 Northern Manitoba’s Trappers Festival Fur Queen https://www.trappersfestival.ca/
Gloria ran for the inaugural Miss Indigenous Canada in 2024 https://www.missindigenouscanada.ca/
Connect with Gloria on IG
Socials: https://www.instagram.com/glrpck/
Connect with Kristal
Website: https://kristalparke.net/
Merch | Voices Collection: https://kristalparke.net/merch/
Email: kristal@becauseshesadopted.com
Socials:
@kristalparkeofficial
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristalparkeofficial/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@KristalParkeOfficial
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kristalparkeofficial
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