The RootsTech 2025 theme "Discover" took main stage in a special interview with Emmy Award-winning musician Rachel Platten. Originally scheduled to attend RootsTech in person, Rachel joined virtually due to unexpected events. Her warmth and enthusiasm were tangible, though, as she shared insights on family, love, and self-discovery and performed a very special musical number.
A Moment with Rachel Platten
RootsTech's charismatic English-language emcee, Kirby Heyborne, welcomed Rachel Platten, the singer-songwriter behind the hit anthem "Fight Song." She greeted the audience with a big smile and wave, welcoming all viewers.
Referring to Rachel's successful music career, Kirby asked her to share her journey over the past decade, from the release of one of her biggest hits, "Fight Song," to her latest album I Am Rachel Platten. Kirby asked what she has "discovered or rediscovered" about herself along the way. Rachel shared her main takeaway from the past decade, saying, "There was so much more to me than I was actually allowing the world to see. There was this depth and a darkness that I was really afraid of, and [I] did a really good job of pushing down rather than loving and welcoming and accepting myself.”
Rachel emphasized the importance of learning to love yourself. "There is a human being right here who deserves to be loved," she said. "You deserve love not because of anything you did or said, but because you exist."
Discovering Love as a Mother
Kirby noted that a big change in Rachel’s life during the last decade was becoming a mother. Reflecting on her role as a mother, Rachel shared how her profound journey has coincided with motherhood as she rediscovers herself through her daughters' experiences. "Loving and welcoming every part of myself has made me a better mom," she said. "That kind of work I did on myself is helping me mother in a beautiful way."
Rachel shared the joys of being a “girl mom” to her two “girly” daughters. She said, “I'll see myself through my oldest [daughter’s] eyes, and then I see parts of myself through my youngest daughter's eyes, and I just have a lot of compassion for them both.” Rachel also talked about how special it is to relive her own experience as a young woman, sister, and daughter through her little girls. “I think the most incredible thing is rediscovering who I was when I was growing up, kind of walking in my own little Rachel's shoes. And I like feeling again those feelings, which can be painful and raw, but also can help me understand a lot about myself.”
She recounted moments such as her oldest daughter's bravery in starting kindergarten, which helped them both find courage as they each enter new stages of life. "I'm seeing Violet, my oldest, enter kindergarten for the first time this year, and the fear she felt and then ultimately the blossoming and the courage it took," she shared.
Rachel described the "process of welcoming all of yourself, of befriending the life that's here with us." She added, "A practice I do daily is putting a hand on my heart and kind of feeling the beat of the heart, and feeling the fragility and the vulnerability and realizing there is a human life right here that needs to be loved, not out there, not in my kids, not in my husband, not in the millions of things and responsibilities . . . . It's right here first."
She concluded, " Loving myself like this . . . has allowed me to love my daughters in the same accepting way. 'You don't deserve my love only because you're good or because you've done something right, but just because you exist, because you were born, you deserve love.'"
Love, Motherhood, Music
Rachel’s vulnerability shows not only in her words about her daughters and life, but also in her songwriting. One of her newest songs, "Girls," is inspired by her young daughters. The song is a powerful anthem of self-worth, resilience, and the unbreakable bond between a mother and her children.
In the song, Rachel reminds her daughters—and all listeners—that they are capable of overcoming life's hardships, that they are worthy of love, and that they have the strength to chase their dreams fearlessly, no matter what obstacles lie ahead.
As Rachel performed the song on the piano to close her keynote, the repeating lyrics resonated deeply: "You were born to run, to reach the stars and chase the sun. . . . The world is at your feet." These words are a heartfelt reminder of the limitless potential within us all and the love that will always guide us, even in the toughest times.
What Is RootsTech?
RootsTech is a place to learn, be inspired, and make connections through family history. Hosted by FamilySearch and sponsored by other leading genealogy organizations, RootsTech has hundreds of expert classes, tips and tricks videos, and inspiring stories that can help you experience family history like never before. Visit our on-demand learning library, or make plans to join us for our next virtual or in-person conference event.
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