DNA Surprises

Sometimes, DNA surprises aren’t about misattributed parentage. Sometimes, the biggest surprises are the feelings we experience as we explore biological connections.In this week’s episode, Tracy shares how she always knew was adopted, and always knew that she wanted to find her biological parents. Much to her surprise, after she reunited with both of them, she uncovered complicated feelings around boundaries and what she expected from her relationships. Overall, Tracy’s experience is one of acceptance - of her life and family.Thank you for sharing your story, Tracy.Support the show.

Words have power. Language is how we make meaning of the things we’ve experienced. For some, having language around DNA surprises, adoption, and donor conception helps people feel less alone.And others take it even further, using the power of language to write about their experience. In this week’s episode, I’m joined by Linda Pevac, also known by her pen name, Emma Stevens. Linda has penned three books about her life as a baby scoop era adoptee.We discuss her DNA surprise journey and why writing has been a powerful tool in sharing her story.Thank you for sharing your story, Linda.https://emmastevenswriter.com/books/Support the show

For some people, one of the trickiest things about DNA surprises is that they force us to see our parents as human. It can be uncomfortable to come to terms with infidelity in a marriage, or that your parent would lie to you.In this week’s episode, Ann reveals how she uncovered four DNA surprises in her family. As the “found family” member in each surprise, Ann shares why she felt it was important to be open to the new people in her life. Thank you for sharing your story, Ann.Support the show.

Papa was rollin’ stone. It’s a tale as old as time, and a phrase we’ve heard more than once on the podcast. But sometimes, there’s more to the story.Welcome to the Season 14 premiere of DNA Surprises. In this week’s episode, Patrick shares how taking a 23andme test out of curiosity led him down an unimaginable road - one that made things make sense while simultaneously upending everything he knew.He shares how he made his discovery, from his initial thoughts to what happened when he finally learned the truth. Patrick also demonstrates a positive, empathetic mindset for everyone involved in his story.Thank you for sharing your story, Patrick.Listen to Patrick’s song, “Dark Horse,” here. Support the show.

One of the things I’ve learned from hosting DNA Surprises is that these discoveries don’t lose their impact with age. Whether someone is 25, 45, or 70, learning that the man who raised you is not your biological father can shift your understanding of your identity in an instant.In this week’s episode, Randy shares how a DNA test organized by his half-sister uncovered that truth. With both of his parents already gone, he began the long process of piecing together the identity of his biological father - following DNA matches, working with relatives, and navigating a trail of clues that stretched across years.Randy reflects on the twists and turns of his search, and how the age we are when we make these discoveries can impact what happens after the truth is revealed.Thank you for sharing your story, Randy.Support the show.

It’s usually the fathers. When people open up their DNA results, it’s the dad’s side that doesn’t line up, and the DNA surprise experience begins. But sometimes, it’s the mothers. In this week’s episode, Robin shares how she uncovered a shocking secret after taking Ancestry and 23andme tests. Her story highlights the impact of family secrets and the power of learning the truth.Thank you for sharing your story, Robin.Support the show.

Surprise: an unexpected or astonishing event, fact, or thing.Yet, for many people there was always a sneaking suspicion. A wondering. The unthought known. This week’s episode is not one of those cases.When Sonya first took her DNA test, she was quickly able to make it make sense. It wasn’t until years later that she found a truth she never saw coming.Sonya shares how she found the identity of her biological father with the help of a search angel, how she’s working through her surprise without clarity from her mother, and how she frames her story in light of her upbringing.Thank you for sharing your story, Sonya.Support the show.

“ My quest to find my past would return again and again in the years to come like a lighthouse beacon that flashes bright and then fades only to return again.”This quote, written by Steve Pemberton and shared by this week’s guest, perfectly captures the hold that DNA surprises have on so many. There are periods of intense focus - on our feelings, research, and desire for connection. These are sometimes followed by periods where thoughts and feelings are fleeting, especially as time goes on. But they often return again, just like a lighthouse beacon.In this week’s episode, Ellen shares how she learned the truth about her paternity more than two decades ago. Since then, she embarked on a quest to learn the truth about her biological father. She’s encountered acceptance, quiet rejection, and obstacles that have prevented her from fully connecting with her newfound family, but she holds onto her desire for truth and connection.Thank you for sharing your story, Ellen.Support the show.

So much of our identity is wrapped up in the stories we tell ourselves. How we came to be, who our parents are, who our grandparents are. What they did how how they lived. For adoptees, many of those details are a mystery.In this week’s episode, Barry shares how he discovered his father’s incredible story after taking a DNA test. He reveals how learning more about his father created a powerful connection. Barry also reveals where things stand with - and what he has learned about - his biological mother. Through it all, he remains focused on his purpose, one that he found by connecting with his father.Thank you for sharing your story, Barry.For more information about Barry's work, see: https://www.addictionedufoundation.orghttps://veteransoberhouse.org/Support the show.

Welcome to Season 13 of DNA Surprises. We’re kicking off this season with a story that asks the question, what do you do when you learn that not one, but both of your parents are not related to you? A child of Russian immigrants, Maria shares her late-discovery adoptee experience, which includes a shocking ethnicity shift.During our conversation, Maria details how she uncovered the truth and she explores how her discovery has shaped her view of cultural belonging. She also shares how her discovery has affirmed the choices she made with her own child.Thank you for sharing your story, Maria.Support the show.

What happens after you take a DNA test? After you make contact with newfound family? After you write that letter, or email, or hit send on a text? You wait. And wait, and wait. In this week’s episode, I’m joined by Devon, who spent almost the entirety of her 70 plus years…waiting. From being raised by an aunt to life with her mother and a man whom she never felt biologically related to, Devon shares the decades-long journey she went on before discovering the truth, and making a shocking discovery…about her biological father - and her mother. Thank you for sharing your story, Devon.Follow Devon’s journey on Youtube.Support the show.

"It’s a scam!" That’s what some family members say after a DNA surprise is uncovered. "Those tests aren’t accurate." Or, if a long-lost relative reaches out, they’re surely after money. If you’ve listened to this podcast for any length of time, you know that’s not true, but it’s a common response. In this week’s episode, I’m joined by Melissa and Dan, who were both advised to be wary of each other after they connected. Dan was adopted as an infant, and after taking a test to find his biological parents, he found his sister, Melissa. They share what those first conversations were like and how they’ve forged a special bond in the short time they’ve known each other. Thank you for sharing your story, Dan and Melissa.Support the show

At the end of every episode, I ask my guests two questions. The first question is advice for parents who may be keeping a DNA surprise from their children. Most of the time, like 99% of the time, the advice is to tell. To tell because people have the right to know. To tell because trust in your parents is important. To tell because eventually, maybe generations down the line, the truth will come out.In this week’s episode, Oscar shares his story of what happens when the child of an NPE uncovers a DNA surprise. He shares why struggled with telling his mom, what he learned about his family, and where things stand today. Thank you for sharing your story, Oscar.Support the show.