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Genetic sexual attraction is one of the most difficult and misunderstood possibilities that can emerge after biological family reunion. For decades, Monica Hall rarely spoke about her own experience with it.

In part one of this special two-part Family Twist conversation, Monica returns alongside filmmaker and fellow adoptee Kristal Parke. Their friendship began after Monica learned about another Cree adoptee in Canada and decided she needed to find her. One Facebook message and an hour-long phone conversation later, a friendship had begun.

Eventually, that friendship became something neither of them expected: Kristal started making a documentary about Monica’s life.

The film gives Monica an opportunity to talk about parts of her story she previously wasn’t ready to share publicly, including a relationship with a man she learned was her half-brother. Monica speaks openly about genetic sexual attraction, the intensity of that relationship, the shame she carried afterward and why she kept it largely secret for decades.

She also discusses addiction and sobriety, the grief that came when the relationship ended, and the very different perspective she has on that period of her life today.

Kristal has her own difficult role in telling the story. She isn’t interviewing a stranger. Monica has become one of her closest friends. Kristal talks about moving between filmmaker and friend, knowing when to ask another question and making sure Monica remains comfortable with what ultimately appears on screen.

There are plenty of laughs, too. Monica has accumulated decades of archival footage, old interviews, home movies and other surprises that she turned over to Kristal for the documentary. Some of those surprises were considerably more personal than Kristal anticipated.

In this episode:

• Monica speaks openly about genetic sexual attraction after biological reunion
• Why she kept the relationship secret from most people for decades
• The shame and grief she carried after it ended
• How addiction and sobriety intersect with this period of her life
• Why she can talk about the experience now when she couldn’t before
• How Monica and Kristal became friends
• Why Kristal decided Monica’s life should become a documentary
• The responsibility of filming someone you also love as a friend
• What decades of Monica’s archival footage bring to the film

We’re also relaunching Monica and Kristal’s original Family Twist episodes so listeners can hear their individual stories.

Then join us next week for Part Two, when the conversation turns to another bond between Monica and Kristal: their shared Cree heritage and what it means to reconnect with Indigenous identity after adoption.

Remember, family secrets are the ultimate plot twist.

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