168. Monica Hall: "Practically Still a Virgin"

Monica Hall was born in Canada, adopted by American parents, and raised in Anchorage, Alaska. Growing up in a house filled with dysfunction, Monica rebelled against her strict Catholic parents in a downward spiral of delinquency. After being raped and finding out she was pregnant, her parents pushed her to up give her daughter–her only known blood relative– for adoption. Her experiences as an adoptee and a mother who relinquished a child for adoption kicked off a decades-long search for family and belonging. Over the course of 44 years, Monica got sober, embarked on a journey of self-discovery and self-love, and found ways to come out the other side stronger than ever.

After being reunited with her biological family, Monica learned that she was indigenous and began traveling to Canada to connect more with her biological family, roots, and culture. She also makes frequent visits to Anchorage, the land of her youth.

Family is one of the most important things in Monica’s life. Today, she has strong relationships with her daughter and son, as well as the daughter she was reunited with eighteen years after relinquishing her for adoption. She is also very close to her grandchildren and (adoptive) brother.

Website: https://www.monicahall.com/

Music by Corey Quinn