Being Other: My Story on Adoption, Race, and Never Fitting the Mold

What this episode is about

Hallie goes deeper into her story: growing up biracial in a big blended family, homeschooled, a preacher's kid, with a stutter, and constantly asked who her real parents were.

She shares hard memories, including being asked to leave rooms so others could tell racist jokes, a moment on a mission trip where she finally felt like she belonged, and what her siblings taught her about not changing who you are to fit in. If you have ever felt like the chameleon in the room, this one is for you.

Chapters

1. 0:00Intro
2. 0:34More of my adoption story
3. 1:26Growing up "other"
4. 3:03Never the picture perfect family
5. 3:57Growing up in a biracial family
6. 5:38Looking in the mirror and seeing a mix
7. 6:23Where do you look for guidance on fitting in?
8. 7:24"What about your real parents?"
9. 8:32Learning to be a chameleon
10. 9:24Being asked to leave the room
11. 11:32Why I stayed
12. 12:05Finally finding a place I fit in
13. 13:00What not fitting in does to you
14. 14:37Being loved no matter what
15. 15:15Why being other became a gift
16. 16:48Your daily reminder

Takeaways

• Shapeshifting to fit in has a cost
• Belonging can show up in unexpected places
• Being different can become a strength

A question to sit with

• Where have you changed yourself just to fit in?