Best MPE Podcasts (2024)

1
Jessica B's DNA Surprise 57:12

2h ago57:12

57:12

DNA Surprises are confusing. They’re confusing for the people they happen to as they try to make sense of newfound information. With so many characters, twists, and turns in each story, they’re also confusing for people listening to DNA Surprises stories. This week’s DNA surprise story is no exception. In fact, it features a triple-NPE. So before w…

1
Robyn and Ida's DNA Surprise(s) 43:26

7d ago43:26

43:26

To paraphrase The Beatles, we get by with a little help from our friends. This is especially true when it comes to DNA Surprises. In this week’s episode, coworkers Robyn and Ida share their NPE discoveries, which happened right around the same time. In fact, Robyn used her genealogy skills to identify Ida’s father. They each reflect on their person…

1
Courtney's DNA Surprise 1:01:37

14d ago1:01:37

1:01:37

DNA surprises rarely happen in a vacuum. So many of the people I speak to have experienced other traumas throughout their lives, long before sending off DNA tests. In this week’s episode, Courtney shares how her mother’s mental health struggles played a large part in her childhood. She knew she was adopted by her stepfather when she was young and g…

1
Bonus Episode | Generational Healing - A Conversation About Generational Trauma with Therapist Iliamari Vazquez Houston 32:49

19d ago32:49

32:49

In this bonus episode of DNA Surprises, I chat with Iliamari Vazquez Houston, a therapist based out of the Phoenix metro area. Iliamari will facilitate a session on generational trauma - and generational healing - at the DNA Surprise Retreat, September 19-22, 2024 in Phoenix, AZ. We discuss what generational trauma is and how we can begin to break …

1
Dawn's DNA Surprise 55:36

21d ago55:36

55:36

Sometimes, after DNA surprises are revealed, our relationships with our raised parents become strained. Sometimes, this leads to estrangement. But for others, these surprises simply compound already strained relationships. When Dawn had her DNA surprise, she was already virtually no contact with her mother. In this week’s episode, she shares why sh…

1
Bonus Episode | Just Breathe - An Introduction to Breathwork with Jenna Hedstrom 37:04

26d ago37:04

37:04

In this bonus episode of DNA Surprises, I chat with Jenna Hedstrom, E-RYT 500 and Expert Breathwork Facilitator. Jenna will lead a breathwork session at the DNA Surprise Retreat, September 19-22, 2024 in Phoenix, AZ. During our conversation, we discuss what breathwork is and how it benefits us. We also chat about how to overcome blockers around pra…

1
Miranda's DNA Surprise 39:27

28d ago39:27

39:27

(CW: Suicide, abuse) A common question in our community is “when is the right time to tell the truth about parentage?” While some say there is never a good time to tell, many believe that the truth should be shared from birth. In this week’s episode, Miranda’s story highlights the importance of telling early - and often. Miranda’s mother never hid …

1
Lauren LoGiudice's Story 38:54

26d ago38:54

38:54

Lauren LoGiudice is a comedian that identifies as a misfit, and is also a donor-conceived person with a couple hundred estimated siblings. Lauren can be reached at laurenlogi.com Lauren's Podcast Misfits Makin' It Resources Mentioned: Untangling Our Roots NPE Stories Patreon NPE Stories facebook page https://www.facebook.com/NPEstories…

1
Bonus Episode | Trauma-Informed Yoga with Lanita Ugstad 21:59

1M ago21:59

21:59

During this bonus episode of DNA Surprises, I interview advanced yoga teacher Lanita Ugstad. Lanita will facilitate a gentle movement session at the DNA Surprise Retreat, September 19-22, 2024 in Phoenix, AZ. We discuss how yoga is beneficial for people who have experienced trauma, and what it means to facilitate a session through a trauma lens. La…

1
Sarah's DNA Surprise 1:00:57

1M ago1:00:57

1:00:57

Did you grow up feeling different from your family? That feeling of being inexplicably out of place haunts many people in the DNA surprise community throughout childhood and adulthood - before they uncover the truth. In this week’s episode, Sarah shares how while she always felt different from her family - she was more sensitive and had a different…

1
Bonus Episode | Processing Betrayal Trauma with Therapist Venessa De La Cruz 36:34

1M ago36:34

36:34

In this bonus episode of DNA Surprises, I speak with therapist Venessa De La Cruz about betrayal trauma. Venessa will facilitate a session on Betrayal Trauma at the DNA Surprise Retreat, September 19-22 in Phoenix, AZ. She defines what betrayal trauma is and how things like DNA surprises can manifest for us both physically and mentally. We also div…

1
Shannon P's DNA Surprise 43:28

1M ago43:28

43:28

So many DNA surprises start with a gift. Mothers Day. Fathers Day. Prime Day. Christmas. Almost every month, consumer DNA testing companies offer deals encouraging people to give a DNA test as a present. If you’re listening to this podcast, you know how this sometimes turns out. In this week's episode, Shannon shares how after receiving a DNA test …

1
Shirley's Story 41:26

1M ago41:26

41:26

Shirley discovered through DNA tests that her entire biological family was different from the one she had known all her life, leading her to become a private detective so that she could uncover her true origins. Shirley can be reached via email smunoznewsonauthor@gmail.com Instagram: shirleymunoznewson_author Facebook: shirleymunoznewson.com Resour…

1
Bonus Episode | Inner Child, Inner Healing - An Intro to Parts Work with Therapist Megan Irwin 39:46

2M ago39:46

39:46

This special episode of DNA Surprises features Megan Irwin, a licensed therapist specializing in grief, loss, trauma, and PTSD. Megan will facilitate a session on parts work at the 2024 DNA Surprise Retreat, September 19-22 in Phoenix, AZ. During our discussion, we covered what parts work is (and isn’t) and why people typically think of it in terms…

1
Janeen Jackson's DNA Surprise 1:13:30

2M ago1:13:30

1:13:30

Race. Ethnicity. Heritage. These are complex topics without the added nuance of a DNA surprise. Author Janeen Jackson grew up with two younger brothers and her parents in an African American household. In this week’s episode, she shares how, through a DNA test, she not only learned that she is adopted, but that her biological father is a white man.…

1
Shelly Lee's Story 39:08

2M ago39:08

39:08

Shelly is part of a great little NPE community called the NoMi Girls who meet in Northern Michigan regularly. She had a traumatic childhood and has put a lot of work into healing, including EMDR and support groups, but Shelly says this experience has changed her a lot. Shelly can be reached via email shellywellsnpe@gmail.com Resources Mentioned: Un…

1
Steve's DNA Surprise 47:35

2M ago47:35

47:35

If there is one thing I hope we can all agree on, it’s that families come in all shapes and sizes. Many people with DNA surprises end up with two, three, or more fathers and just as many mothers, too. When Steve experienced his DNA surprise, he already had two men in his life that he called “Dad.” After he learned the truth about who his biological…

1
Julie's DNA Surprise 52:45

2M ago52:45

52:45

Most of the time, when I speak to people on the podcast, we learn that the reason they took the test was out of curiosity or for fun. Maybe they were given the DNA test as a gift from a friend or significant other. So imagine my surprise when I learned that this week’s guest was given her Ancestry DNA kit by her mother. Welcome to Season 8 of DNA S…

1
Kris's Story 32:10

2M ago32:10

32:10

Kris took a DNA test along with many of her family members and saw that she did not have DNA in common with her birth certificate father. She hid her profile online and has chosen, at this point, not to discuss this with her dad. Kris can be reached via email kristinekellympls@gmail.com Resources Mentioned: Untangling Our Roots Summit High Conflict…

1
Lily and others at Untangling our Roots 2024 41:18

2M ago41:18

41:18

This was a very long emotional episode that has been divided into 2 parts. This is part 2. This was part of a panel held at the Untangling Our Roots Summit 2024 in Denver, CO. The panel was moderated by Don Anderson of Missing Pieces - NPE Life and featured Eve Sturges of Everything's Relative and Lily Wood of NPE Stories. Eve shared for 10 minutes…

1
Eve and others at Untangling Our Roots 2024 39:16

3M ago39:16

39:16

This was a very long emotional episode that has been divided into 2 parts. This is part 1. This was part of a panel held at the Untangling Our Roots Summit 2024 in Denver, CO. The panel was moderated by Don Anderson of Missing Pieces - NPE Life and featured Eve Sturges of Everything's Relative and Lily Wood of NPE Stories. Eve shared for 10 minutes…

1
Margo's Story 47:24

3M ago47:24

47:24

Margo discovered her NPE status when she purchased an Ancestry kit to kill a lifelong curiosity. She learned her younger brother was not the only NPE in the family and suddenly her chaotic childhood began to make sense. Resources Mentioned: When the Apple Falls Far from the Tree: Discovering the Gifts within the Chaos by Margo Reilly Upcoming Memoi…

1
Terra's Story 49:29

3M ago49:29

49:29

Terra was raised in Texas by her single father and asked for a 23andMe for Christmas to see how much Native American she had on her maternal side. Terra ended up having quite an ethnicity shift after her NPE. NPE Stories Patreon NPE Stories facebook page https://www.facebook.com/NPEstories

1
Dorene's Story 44:23

4M ago44:23

44:23

Dorene’s NPE discovery in 2022 at the age of 60 inspired her to become a trauma recovery coach, specializing in helping NPEs. As she began to study intergenerational trauma and apply what she learned to her experience, the events of Dorene's life finally began to make sense. Dorene can be reached via email at dorene@thetruthofme.com Resources Menti…

1
Dana Schmalenberg's DNA Surprise 1:17:46

4M ago1:17:46

1:17:46

There is never a good time to discover that the man you’ve called “Dad” for your entire life isn’t biologically related to you, but I imagine that having this realization as he lays in a hospital bed, dying, must be among the worst. In the season 7 finale of DNA Surprises, Dana Schmalenberg shares how she uncovered the truth that both of her parent…

1
Laura H's Story 47:52

4M ago47:52

47:52

Laura found out her half-siblings are her full siblings, and since finding out she was an NPE her family members have become distant. Resources Mentioned: Tickets still available for the Untangling our Roots Summit Apr 25-28, 2024 in Denver, CO NPE Stories Patreon NPE Stories facebook page https://www.facebook.com/NPEstories…

1
Angela, Wyatt, Cassidy, and Cody’s DNA Surprise 1:11:06

4M ago1:11:06

1:11:06

How do you define family? For so many of us, DNA surprises have made us reflect deeply on this question. For Wyatt, Cassidy, Cody, and Angela, the answer is different depending on who you ask. Twenty-plus years ago when Wyatt, Cassidy, and Cody were born, fertility clinics didn’t advocate for disclosure. So when their mother and father asked Angela…

1
KaSheena's Story 53:28

4M ago53:28

53:28

KaSheena took a DNA test to see what part of Africa her ancestors came from, but ended up finding a bunch of strangers show up in her DNA matches. KaSheena can be reached via email kasheena.winston@gmail.com Resources Mentioned: Tickets still available for the Untangling our Roots Summit Apr 25-28, 2024 in Denver, CO NPE Stories Patreon NPE Stories…

1
Lisa S' DNA Surprise 1:16:28

4M ago1:16:28

1:16:28

Many of us who have had DNA surprises spend some time wondering “What if?” What if we’d been raised in a different house, with our newly discovered biological parent? What if we’d known the truth from the beginning? What would our lives look like now? Would they be better? Or…would they be worse? In this week’s episode, Lisa shares how she uncovere…

1
Pat's DNA Surprise 36:05

5M ago36:05

36:05

Picture this: you grow up with a sibling who is convinced they are not your dad’s biological child. No one knows about DNA surprises or NPEs or anything like that, but they just know their dad isn't THEIR dad. Years later, after commercial DNA testing becomes commonplace, you offer them some peace of mind. All of your siblings take a test to prove,…

1
Sue's Story 47:39

5M ago47:39

47:39

Sue is an NPE that has a full sibling from her mother's affair with her birth father. Her research has uncovered other NPEs from her family as well, including her own mother. Resources Mentioned: Join us at the Untangling our Roots Summit Apr 25-28, 2024 in Denver, CO NPE Stories now has a new $3 donation tier on Patreon Sue can be reached via emai…

1
Ryan's DNA Surprise 36:00

5M ago36:00

36:00

Secrets. Secrets are often at the beginning of a DNA surprise. But after the surprise is uncovered, is that the end of them? In this week’s episode, Ryan shares how on one fateful Thanksgiving, his mother confessed the truth about his paternity. When he spoke to his birth certificate father and his biological father, they both requested that he con…

1
Devin's Story 44:43

5M ago44:43

44:43

Devin shares his NPE story of finding out he is the youngest of 23 children spanned over many decades. He believes he may still have siblings out there he has yet to meet. Devin can be reached via email devindavis2277@gmail.com or via instagram @dd_227 Resources Mentioned: Devin has shared his story previously on DNA Surprises NPE Stories Patreon N…

1
Jill's DNA Surprise 45:37

5M ago45:37

45:37

Something that I’ve heard more than once on this podcast is a situation that goes something like this: people are having an argument. A mother and child. A husband and wife. Both parents with their child, or some other combination. And then, in the heat of the moment, someone reveals the truth. So and so isn’t your real dad anyway. And then, just a…

1
Tina's DNA Surprise 28:39

5M ago28:39

28:39

Tina grew up believing that her biological father didn’t want to be part of her life. Imagine her shock when, after taking a DNA test, she found out that her biological father is someone else altogether. In this week’s episode, Tina shares how she found her biological father and then quickly lost him. She also reveals her family history of NPEs, in…

1
Robin Schepper's DNA Surprise 43:02

5M ago43:02

43:02

The thing about DNA Surprises is that they can happen to anyone. It doesn’t matter your race, socioeconomic status, politics, or background. In this week’s episode, my guest, author Robin Schepper, shares her DNA surprise story. For more than thirty years, Robin served at the highest levels of American politics and government. including on four pre…

1
AJ's Story 1:08:00

6M ago1:08:00

1:08:00

After being abandoned by his mother at 6 months old, AJ moved to a rural area with the man everyone thought was his father. His whole life, he never knew that the missing pieces he felt were not just because of his mother's absence. Through death, loss and shock AJ has navigated his life purposefully and arrived at a place that he is very grateful …

1
Ray's DNA Surprise 35:23

6M ago35:23

35:23

Imagine being 16 and witnessing your parents’ divorce. Imagine finding out at this time that the man who raised you is not your biological father. After finding your biological father and failing to connect, you go through the next three decades just living your life. You have a child. You get married. You get divorced. And then you take a DNA test…

1
Bob M's Story 50:34

6M ago50:34

50:34

Raised just outside of Detroit, Bob had a vastly different upbringing than his biological father's children. Bob has found out, after taking a DNA test, that he is half Ashkenazi Jewish. Bob can be reached via email bobmason68@gmail.com Resources Mentioned: Untangling Our Roots Summit in April 25-28, 2024 in Denver, CO NPE Stories Patreon NPE Stori…

1
Daughter Dee's DNA Surprise 35:16

6M ago35:16

35:16

Sometimes, DNA surprises happen more than once. NPEs, adoptees, and donor-conceived people might have their worlds shaken, only to have it happen again months, years, or even decades later. In this week’s episode, Daughter Dee shares her late discovery adoptee experience, which was followed decades later by an NPE. She shares how she learned that s…

1
Shantel's Story 1:01:16

6M ago1:01:16

1:01:16

After a traumatic childhood and being raised primarily by an abusive grandmother, Shantel discovered her NPE status at age 23. The discovery came with a change in her racial identity but it wasn’t until almost 15 years later that Shantel discovered who her biological father was. Messages to Shantel can be sent to npestories@gmail.com referencing Sh…

1
Erika's DNA Surprise 50:08

6M ago50:08

50:08

Erika's incredible DNA surprise journey starts with a mind-altering awakening. Erika always felt an underlying sense of 'otherness' in her family. After an experience with psilocybin, or “magic mushrooms,” she realized that there was a big lie in her life. Thanks to a DNA test and a potent dose of self-awareness, a truth emerges that casts her enti…

1
Sharilyn's Story 48:23

6M ago48:23

48:23

Sharilyn figured out she was an NPE when she found her birth certificate. She met her birth father before his passing but needed time to process meeting her new biological family members. Like so many NPEs she would really like a sincere apology. Sharilyn can be reached via email ssharilyn@hotmail.com Resources Mentioned: Severange Magazine Missing…

1
Jenniffer's DNA Surprise 53:00

6M ago53:00

53:00

Welcome to Season 7 of DNA Surprises. In the first episode of the season, Jenniffer shares how she unraveled her mother's deep secrets via DNA testing. Jenniffer talks about growing up in a Venezuelan family, fostered at times by her paternal grandparents, only to discover later in life that she shares no DNA with them. In addition, she learned tha…

1
Jess's Story 33:24

7M ago33:24

33:24

Jess is taller than her brothers and never had a relationship with her BCF after he was sent to prison when she was a child. She found out she was an NPE and her BF's family has been a new joy in Jess's life. Jess can be reached via email jessmaineg@gmail.com Resources: Grief Class and the 5 stages of grief NPE Stories Patreon NPE Stories facebook …

1
Aly's Story 48:37

7M ago48:37

48:37

My fellow millenial NPE shares her story. She was the product of a work affair between her mom and birth father. She had a shocking parent-child match on her DNA results after taking a DNA test for fun. Aly can be reached: on Facebook at Aly Copeland on Instagram @Alytowel email alysonmnowell@gmail.com Resources Mentioned: Aly discusses an NPE mill…

1
Jacoba Ballard's Story from Netflix's Our Father 55:52

7M ago55:52

55:52

Jacoba Ballard from Netflix’s Our Father comes on to share her full NPE/DCP story, including details that were not put into her documentary. She is 1 of nearly 100 siblings whose mothers were violated by Dr. Donald Cline when they were unknowingly artificially inseminated with their fertility doctor’s sperm. Jacoba suffers serious medical condition…

1
Jamie's DNA Surprise 1:03:14

8M ago1:03:14

1:03:14

Welcome to the season 6 finale of DNA Surprises. In this week’s episode, Jamie bravely shares her DNA surprise journey, which began 5 years ago with a 23&Me test. Jamie’s story encapsulates many parts of the DNA surprise stories we hear. She shares how her NPE came as a complete surprise. Her story includes an ethnic shift, from Italian to Portugue…

1
Barbara's DNA Surprise 47:34

8M ago47:34

47:34

In this week's episode, we delve into Barbara's DNA surprise story. Barbara grew up with a strong connection to her German heritage before discovering, in her fifties, that she was donor-conceived and of Jewish descent. She discusses the challenges she faced, the shock and sense of displacement she felt after the discovery, and the impact it had on…

1
Lawrence's DNA Surprise 36:08

8M ago36:08

36:08

In this week’s episode, Lawrence shares his surprise at learning that he is a late discovery adoptee. After he took a DNA test, Lawrence discovered that the mom who raised him is not his biological mother. He describes his search for his biological family, as well as the truth about his birth story, and how his newfound relationships are blossoming…

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