Because She's Adopted Podcast

Because She’s Adopted is more than a podcast about adoption — it’s a space for real stories, honest conversations, and deep healing. Hosted by Kristal Parke, each episode dives into the complex and beautiful layers of, well...life, through the voices of those who’ve lived it. Together, we explore what it means to belong, to uncover identity, and to grow beyond the narratives we’ve inherited. With compassion and curiosity, Because She’s Adopted reminds us that healing is possible and that our stories — no matter how complicated — can lead to a better, more authentic version of ourselves.

11 Chris Williams 11/20/2025

10 Christy Gilvear 11/13/2025

09 Dr.Richard Wenzel 10/17/2025

09 Dr.Richard Wenzel 🎙️ Episode 9 | Dr.Richard Wenzel Episode summary 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: Dr.Richard Wenzel For three decades, Dr. Richard Wenzel, PharmD, CPPS, has been an accomplished educator, practitioner, researcher, and mentor in the realm of health care. He has authored nearly 50 peer-reviewed publications in medical journals and given more than 100 presentations at national, state, or local-level professional meetings. He received the American Pharmacists Association’s One-to-One Patient Counseling award, given annually to five pharmacists nationally, and is a two-time nominee for the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy's Master Preceptor award. In 2020, an at-home DNA test revealed that his father was not his genetic father, a result that helped explain why Richard has always felt ‘out of place’ within his own family. Unfortunately, both his mother and genetic father are long deceased, but available information substantiates that his conception was the result of a sexual assault of his at-the-time teenage mother. Moreover, evidence indicates that Richard's pediatrician knew of, and lied about, the facts of his paternity. Since his DNA discovery, Richard has published several articles in medical journals calling for health care professionals to improve their management of genetic secrets and has on-going projects aimed at improving public awareness about medical professionals' roles in propagating genetic secrets. Connect with Richard Email: Links: Connect with Kristal Website: Email: YouTube | Instagram | TikTok @kristalparkeofficial Support the Show If this conversation resonated with you, please subscribe, rate, and share the podcast to help more people discover these powerful stories of healing and identity. /episode/index/show/c09578b8-3c5b-42a7-bcf8-0b5728b2827f/id/38615870

08 Erin 10/16/2025

08 Erin 🎙️ Episode 8 | Erin In this heartfelt conversation, host Kristal Parke sits down with Erin, co-founder of Hiraeth Hope and Healing, Inc., to explore what it means to discover you’re an NPE (Not Parent Expected) and how she turned that revelation into one of purpose by creating community spaces for NPE's, adoptees, and donor-conceived individuals. Guest Bio: Erin In 2017, Erin unexpectedly discovered that she is an NPE (Not Parent Expected) while delving into her family history. Since then, she has devoted much of her time to assisting others in their quests to find family connections, serving as a search angel. Her dedication to service extends beyond her academic pursuits. Erin has established a supportive online community for NPEs on Facebook and facilitates Zoom meetings and a weekly book club tailored to adoptees, donor-conceived individuals, late discovery adoptees, and fellow NPEs. At Hiraeth Hope and Healing, Inc., a 501(c)(3), she helps host three annual retreats across the U.S. Erin also serves as the Board President for the Toms River Education Foundation and volunteers at a local food pantry. A passionate advocate for social justice, Erin is a high school special educator focused on supporting students through trauma-informed approaches and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) in schools. She’s a certified Reiki practitioner, a 500 RYT yoga teacher through Breathe for Change, and is currently pursuing her MSW at Rutgers School of Social Work. Residing at the Jersey Shore with her husband, three sons, and their beloved pup, Cooper, Erin enjoys reading, yoga, meditation, and a good binge of crime TV. Connect with Erin Website: Email: Facebook: Hiraeth Hope and Healing Instagram: @hiraethhopeandhealing Connect with Kristal Website: Email: YouTube | Instagram | TikTok @kristalparkeofficial Support the Show If this conversation resonated with you, please subscribe, rate, and share the podcast to help more people discover these powerful stories of healing and identity. /episode/index/show/c09578b8-3c5b-42a7-bcf8-0b5728b2827f/id/38612965

07 Sydney Curtin 10/23/2025

06 Do You Know What The 60's Scoop Was? Pt.2 10/21/2024

05 Do You Know What The 60's Scoop Was? Pt.1 10/14/2024

04 "She's Kinda Hard to Live With" 10/08/2024

03 Don't Stay Stuck 10/01/2024

02 Navigating Reunion; Great Expectations 09/24/2024

01 Getting To Know You 09/22/2024

Because She's Adopted Podcast

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