Because She's Adopted Podcast

Join Kristal and her brother Mike, featured in the award-winning documentary Because She's Adopted, for a meaningful conversation about the importance of listening to adoptee voices, learning from lived experience, and what it truly means to support the adoptee in your life.

Episode 31 | Lisa Ayton Born in Toronto, Ontario in 1965, Lisa always knew she was adopted. It wasn't until age 56 when she read the book "Attached" about attachment styles and subsequently "The Primal Wound" that she began to make sense of a life long nagging feeling "What is wrong with me?" From books, to therapy, breathwork and plant medicine, Lisa is here to share her adoption story & healing experience. ______________________________________________________________________ Connect with Lisa IG: https://www.instagram.com/b.c.gal/ Email: [email protected] __________________________________________________________________________________ Connect with Kristal Website: https://kristalparke.net/ Merch | Voices Collection: https://kristalparke.net/merch/ Email: [email protected] Socials: @kristalparkeofficial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristalparkeofficial/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@KristalParkeOfficial TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@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 28 Pt.2 | Dr.Alana Berg ND Dr. Alana Berg, ND is an author, speaker, mother, Naturopathic Physician, and self-described healing facilitator. She has been practicing full time as a Naturopathic Doctor since graduating in 2005 from the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine. Since graduation, she has continually embarked on the journey of developing and honing her professional skills having achieved certification by her College of Naturopathic Physicians of British Columbia in: chelation, acupuncture, IV therapy, pharmacology, and ozone. As well, she has trained in several therapies like neural therapy, trigger point injections, and Bodytalk therapy to name a few. Other expertise has been gained directly from working with other doctors and practitioners from the United States, across Western Canada, Mexico and Spain, in order to fully dive into the healing arts. She has enjoyed living and working in Kelowna, BC, since 2006 with her beautiful family, where she owns a successful naturopathic practice, Axiom Health Clinic. She has a general naturopathic family practice, with a special interest in Lyme disease and chronic infections, detoxification and environmental medicine, digestive conditions, auto-immune diseases, men's and women's health, and mind-body medicine. She also had to navigate her own journey of healing, after a diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis in 2009, which ultimately led her to find her own cure. That journey inspired her to write a book, called The Courageous Cure, to share her story and to empower others to overcome their own health challenges as well. Connect with Dr. Alana Berg Social Media: @dralanaberg (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube) Email: [email protected] Website: https://dralanaberg.com Connect with Kristal Parke Email: [email protected] Website: https://kristalparke.netMerch | Voices Collection: https://kristalparke.net/merch/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristalparkeofficial/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@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 27 | Patrece Maluzynsky Patrece Maluzynsky is a writer, former English teacher and funeral celebrant from St. Albert, Alberta. She finds joy and healing in her writing and yoga practices, and she loves connecting with her recovery community and other adoptees. Patrece hopes to publish her recently completed memoir, A Surprising Peace: How One Adult Adoptee Transcended Her Anxiety and Addiction and Reconciled Her Grief. It's a deeply honest account of how she faced her fears, overcame addiction, and learned to love herself. She believes it will resonate with the adoption and addiction recovery communities, those living with anxiety, and those caring for aging parents. Never be afraid to do the hard work of self-exploration. Dig deep. The rewards are immeasurable. —Patrece Maluzynsky ______________________________________________________________________ Connect with Patrece Email: [email protected] Instagram: @asurprisingpeace https://www.instagram.com/asurprisingpeace/ Website coming soon: www.asurprisingpeace.com __________________________________________________________________________________ Connect with Kristal Website: https://kristalparke.net/ Merch | Voices Collection: https://kristalparke.net/merch/ Email: [email protected] Socials: @kristalparkeofficial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristalparkeofficial/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@KristalParkeOfficial TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@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 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 https://www.adoptionthemakingofme.com/ MONICA HALL; PRACTICALLY STILL A VIRGIN https://www.monicahall.com/ JEFF FORNEY; INNOCENT PEOPLE PROJECT https://jeffforney.com/innocentpeople/ DAMON DAVIS; WHO AM I REALLY PODCAST https://whoamireallypodcast.com/ TONY CORSENTINO https://corsent.substack.com/ ______________________________________________________________________ Connect with Virginia Email- [email protected] Counseling website: bozemanidentitycounseling.com Socials- @virginiamcqueen or @bozemanidentitycounseling __________________________________________________________________________________ Connect with Kristal Website: https://kristalparke.net/ Merch | Voices Collection: https://kristalparke.net/merch/ Email: [email protected] Socials: @kristalparkeofficial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristalparkeofficial/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@KristalParkeOfficial TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@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 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, research, and storytelling for systems change. She is the author of Adult Adoptees and Writing to Heal: Migrating Toward Wholeness and creator of the award-winning one-woman show Un-M-Othered, exploring adoption and patriarchy. Her work centers voice reclamation, identity integration, and the healing power of transforming silence into language and action. Un-M-Othered emerged directly from her long-term creative, scholarly, and embodied inquiry into adoption, trauma, and becoming the subject of one's own story. Julie Brumley, M.A. Adoptee, trauma-informed somatic coach, and creator of the 7-Phase Belonging Blueprint™, a body-based framework supporting adoptees in moving from fragmentation toward embodied self-belonging. Julie is also the host of the Resilience Project Podcast, where she illuminates the unseen impacts of adoption. Drawing from her master's-level training in counseling, somatic practices, and lived adoptee experience, Julie supports individuals in reconnecting with their bodies, regulating their nervous systems, and gently releasing long-held trauma patterns through compassionate, integrative, and embodied practices. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ UN-M-OTHERED: A REVOLUTION IN ADOPTEE HEALING May 23-24, 2026 Moscow, Idaho https://www.lizdebetta.com/un-m-othered-adoptee-healing-retreat ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Connect with Dr.Liz Links: www.lizdebetta.com My book: Adult Adoptees and Writing to Heal: Migrating Toward Wholeness FB: @Dr.LizDeBetta https://www.facebook.com/people/Dr-Liz-DeBetta/100071093076051/ TikTok & IG: @dr.liz.debetta https://www.instagram.com/dr.liz.debetta/ BlueSky: @dr-liz-debetta.bsky.social LI: linkedin.com/in/liz-debetta-ph-d-7b4ba953 ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Connect with Julie Website - www.cominghometoself.co Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/juliebrumley_/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/julierasbrum Podcast link - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-resilience-project/id1849822021 __________________________________________________________________________________ Connect with Kristal Website: https://kristalparke.net/ Merch | Voices Collection: https://kristalparke.net/merch/ Email: [email protected] Socials: @kristalparkeofficial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristalparkeofficial/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@KristalParkeOfficial TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@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 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 as the board members of Adoptees for Family Preservation about the developing podcast and how we can help to bring it to life. President: Sullivan Summer Secretary: Lora Alegria Treasurer / Funds Development Officer: Lilly Anspach Haley Radke is a Canadian domestic adoptee, the founder of Haley Radke Media, Inc., and host of Adoptees On, one of the most successful and longest-running adoption-related podcasts in the world, with over 1.5 million downloads globally. Haley's commitment to centering adoptee stories has made her a sought-after expert within the field of adoption, and within the realm of podcast storytelling more broadly. Her project-in-progress, On Adoption, is investigating adoption's impact on adoptees and birth/first parents. You can find her at adopteeson.com, adoptionpop.com and on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Sullivan Summer is a US domestic, transracial adoptee, independent scholar, essayist, critic, poet, and podcaster. After more than two decades as an attorney and corporate executive with some of the world's most recognizable brands, she returned to her first love: reading and writing. Sullivan is a host with the New Books Network, the largest books podcast network in the world, where her portfolio of author interviews includes winners of the Pulitzer Prize, NAACP Image awards, National Book Critics Circle awards, and MacArthur Geniuses. Her essays, interviews, poetry, and criticism have been published in numerous popular and academic outlets, and she is a 2025 "Best of the Net" anthology nominee. She also serves as the President of Adoptees for Family Preservation. Sullivan is a member of the National Book Critics Circle, the New York Society Library, the New York Historical (where she is also a Docent), the African American Intellectual History Society, and the Biographers International Organization. She is currently agent-shopping a completed novel manuscript, as well as a Civil War-era biography proposal. You can find her at her website, on Instagram, and on Substack. Lora K. Joy/Lora Alegria. Lora is a domestic, same race adoptee. She is fully estranged from her adoptive family and reunited with both maternal and paternal biological family. In 2022, she legally changed her name back to her birth name and Lora's biological mom reclaimed her through an adult adoption. Lora has self-published 3 illustrated books and a blog at www.myadopteetruth.com. She also co-led the publishing of the adoptee anthology The Flourish Experience. Lora is the Secretary of Adoptees for Family Preservation . Lora co-leads a peer support group on estrangement through Adoption Knowledge Affiliates. And she is a Producer for the Adoptees On podcast.You may contact Lora via e-mail at [email protected]. You may also email from the website www.myadopteetruth.com. Lilly Anspach is a nationally recognized leadership strategist, entrepreneur, and adoptee advocate with over 25 years of experience in operations, system design, and executive development. She is the founder of The Yuri Group, a consulting firm specializing in human-centered operational excellence, and a licensed affiliate of the Shingo Institute. Lilly is also the creator of Center to Shape, an innovative leadership workshop that blends hands-on pottery with deep self-leadership reflection. An adoptee and survivor of early childhood trauma, Lilly brings a personal and systemic lens to her advocacy. She reclaimed her name and voice as an adult and now uses her platform to elevate the stories and rights of adoptees. In addition to her consulting work, she is a speaker, artist, and coach who supports women in midlife as they reconnect with their values, reclaim their leadership, and design lives rooted in authenticity and purpose. ______________________________________________________________________ Adoptees For Family Preservation Tax deductible donations can be made here: https://www.adopteesffp.org/donations Website: https://www.adopteesffp.org/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/adopteesffp/ Email: [email protected] ______________________________________________________________________ Connect with Kristal Website: https://kristalparke.net/ Merch | Voices Collection: https://kristalparke.net/merch/ Email: [email protected] Socials: @kristalparkeofficial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristalparkeofficial/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@KristalParkeOfficial TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@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 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 over 18 years in the Public Defender system. Greta is a writer, actor, solo-performer currently living in Phoenix with her husband Mark and rescue dog Gilda. She has been in recovery from anorexia since 2022. Patrece's story reveals the complex realities of closed government adoption during Canada's "Baby Scoop Era." After a childhood marked by unacknowledged trauma, she became overwhelmed by fear and anxiety and developed an eating disorder as a means of coping. At thirty, desperate to escape the grip of an unrelenting addiction, Patrece sought help. Today, she continues her healing journey by writing, by connecting with other adoptees, and by finding belonging in a yoga-based recovery community. Patrece hopes to publish her recently completed memoir, A Surprising Peace, and to share her experience and hope with the adoption community. ______________________________________________________________________ RESOURCES: Suicide lifeline text 988 HEAL - theprojectheal.org NEDA - nationaleatingdisorders.org ANAD - - National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders www.anad.org Definitions of different eating disorders https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/eating-disorders/what-are-eating-disorders American Non-Profit providing help/resources for individuals and families https://feast-ed.org/ Overeaters Anonymous https://oa.org/ Recovery 2.0 (A community for those with any addictions, including food) https://r20.com/ Adoptees and Addiction https://www.adopteesandaddiction.com/ ______________________________________________________________________ Connect with Greta Greta can be found on Facebook and Instagram, as well as her website, www.gretafadness.com and her email is [email protected] Connect with Patrece Email: [email protected] Instagram: @asurprisingpeace Substack: Patrece Maluzynsky (asurprisingpeace) Website: www.asurprisingpeace.com Connect with Kristal Website: https://kristalparke.net/ Merch | Voices Collection: https://kristalparke.net/merch/ Email: [email protected] Socials: @kristalparkeofficial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristalparkeofficial/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@KristalParkeOfficial TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@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 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 insights into their experiences as a couple supporting each other through life's difficulties and discuss the importance of patience and understanding in relationships, especially when dealing with the emotional aftermath of family and cultural separation. The conversation highlights the need for open communication and the significance of acknowledging one's feelings in the face of pain. Guest Bio Meet Marisol and Will, a couple navigating the complexities of identity, loss, and love. Marisol, a transracial adoptee from Bogotá, Colombia, was raised in New Jersey and has spent recent years deeply processing her adoption experience without reunion. Will, a first-generation Palestinian American from the Philadelphia area, stands as her steadfast partner and support system through this journey of self-discovery. Married for ten years and raising three beautiful children, they face the unique challenge of parenting without guidance, as both sets of their parents have passed away. Together, they share an honest look at building a family foundation amidst significant grief and loss. Connect with Marisol Socials: https://www.instagram.com/marisol_anne926/ Connect with Kristal Website: https://kristalparke.net/ Merch | Voices Collection: https://kristalparke.net/merch/ Email: [email protected] Socials: @kristalparkeofficial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristalparkeofficial/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@KristalParkeOfficial TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@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 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 significance of understanding the adoptee experience as a partner. The episode concludes with reflections on finding purpose and passion in life, as well as the importance of sharing knowledge to help others navigate their challenges. Guest Bio Louise Browne is a co-host of the podcast Adoption: The Making of Me, and a passionate advocate for adoptees. With followers worldwide, her podcast with friend Sarah Reinhardt has created space for adoptees to explore identity, connection, and the lifelong journey of self-discovery. A Colorado native, Louise was adopted a few days after birth in 1968 and raised in a loving home in a Denver suburb. Her adoption story, like so many others, was shaped by sealed records and unanswered questions. Louise's background spans co-owning a gourmet ice cream truck business (with her current podcast partner), supporting high-level executives, teaching and coaching, and working in corporate education and the nonprofit sector. She moved to California in 1986 for college and remained in the Los Angeles area for more than thirty-five years. Most importantly, Louise is also a mother to a 27-year-old son, an animal lover, writer, hiker, loves yoga, and is a believer in the power of connections. She currently resides in California with her husband, Bill, and their adorable pup, Gracie. Bill Edwards is a carpenter, home remodeling project manager, and founder of Remodel Academy, through which he helps homeowners plan and manage remodeling and renovation projects. Bill grew up in Colorado and went to high school with his wife, Louise. However, he lost touch with her until they reconnected in 2011, which led to him moving to Los Angeles and eventually marrying Louise in 2018. Bill and Louise moved to the Central Coast of California in 2020 and now enjoy sea kayaking, wine tasting, and live music. Connect with Louise Browne ATOM Website Louise Browne Substack LinkedIn @LouiseBrowne_LA Instagram Adoption:The Making Of Me Podcast ATMOM Facebook ATMOM Instagram ATMOM TikTok ATMOM YouTube Connect with Bill Edwards Remodel Academy Website LinkedIn @Remodel.Academy Instagram Remodel Academy Facebook The BuilderBill Instagram Connect with Kristal Kristal's Website Voices Collection Merch Email Kristal Instagram Youtube TikTok 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 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 emphasizes the importance of awareness, community, and personal growth in the healing process. Guest Bio Emma Stevens, who is also known as Linda Pevac, is the author of two earlier memoirs: The Gathering Place: An Adoptee's Story and A Fire Is Coming. Her adoption journey began when she was relinquished as an infant and adopted at three months old. Only in hindsight does she understand how being an adoptee has shaped and formed her entire life. In her first memoir, The Gathering Place, Emma describes a magical space she has created for healing, comfort, and restoration for the younger parts of herself that never felt safe, seen, heard, or understood. A Fire Is Coming is Emma's cautionary tale, emphasizing the importance of selecting a therapist thoughtfully. She alerts readers to the psychological nightmare that can result from an unethical therapist, doctor, or counselor. Emma's third memoir, Choosing to Breathe, brings together all three themes. It takes readers back to The Gathering Place, where they discover what it means to integrate their identities as Emma releases multiple layers of trauma. After graduating with a journalism degree from the University of Oklahoma, she pursued master's-level coursework in psychology at Pepperdine University in Orange County, California. In March 2024, Emma won an Independent Author Award for her second book, A Fire Is Coming, at Tucson's 2024 Festival of Books. She was a finalist in the 18th Annual National Indie Excellence Awards for the same book. Emma loves traveling and spending time with her two adult children and her two lively, affectionate Bengal cats. Connect with Linda Website: www.emmastevenswriter.com Socials: https://www.instagram.com/lindacampbellpevac https://www.instagram.com/emmastevenswriter/ Email: [email protected] Purchase Linda's Memoirs: The Gathering Place: An Adoptee's Story A Fire is Coming Choosing to Breathe Connect with Kristal Website: https://kristalparke.net/ Merch | Voices Collection: https://kristalparke.net/merch/ Email: [email protected] Socials: @kristalparkeofficial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristalparkeofficial/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@KristalParkeOfficial TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@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 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 humor, which is anchored around his own life experiences, including his adoption story. Chris prefers the term "thrifted" rather than adopted. Connect with Chris Website: https://crwspeaks.com/aboutme Email: [email protected] Socials: https://www.instagram.com/crwspeaks/ Connect with Kristal Website: https://kristalparke.net/ Merch | Voices Collection: https://kristalparke.net/merch/ Email: [email protected] Socials @kristalparkeofficial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristalparkeofficial/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@KristalParkeOfficial TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@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 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. 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: [email protected] Links: Misattributed paternity discovery: A critique of medical organizations' recommendations - PubMed Buying my existence. Just $49, free shipping included - Wenzel - 2023 - Journal of Genetic Counseling - Wiley Online Library To be or not to be (honest): The persistent problem of misattributed paternity - Hercher - 2023 - Journal of Genetic Counseling - Wiley Online Library Connect with Kristal Website: https://kristalparke.net/ Email: [email protected] 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.