Kim’s DNA Surprise
One of the things we talk about often within the DNA Surprise community is the ripple effect. Surprises don’t only affect NPEs, donor-conceived people, and adoptees – they affect their parents, their children, friends, spouses, and other family members. In this week’s episode, Kim shares how she helped uncover the complicated story of her Granda Mary, who had several NPE children. She discusses what steps she took to put the pieces together and how her work has affected her relationship with her dad.
Bonus Episode | Right to Know
Welcome to a bonus episode of DNA Surprises! I had the privilege of speaking with Kara and Alesia from Right to Know about all of the amazing work they do for the MPE, DCP, and adoptee communities.
Shardae’s DNA Surprise
The DNA Surprise community is very familiar with shame and stigma. This week’s episode tackles a taboo subject. Shardae took her DNA test for the same reason many Americans do – out of curiosity about her family’s indigenous ties. What she uncovered is that her birth certificate father is not her biological father – she is the product of a one-time encounter between her mother and her mother’s first cousin. Shardae talks about how she’s navigating this information and processing the stigma around her origin story.
Bianca’s DNA Surprise
NPEs come from all backgrounds, but all too often, the stories we hear involve childhood abuse. In this week’s episode, Bianca shares her difficult journey to finding out that she is an NPE. First, a content warning: Bianca’s story includes discussion of drug use, rape, and abuse, and is not suitable for all listeners.
Hayley’s DNA Surprise
One of the most interesting things about the DNA surprise community is how much intersection there is between adoptees, donor-conceived people, and NPEs. In this week’s episode, Hayley, who was one of the first people conceived through IVF in the UK, shares her NPE story. While she knew from a young age that she was conceived through IVF, it wasn’t until she was in her 30s that she learned her raised father is not her genetic parent. As a DCP, Hayley has a unique perspective as she embarked on her own parenting journey with her wife. She shares how being donor-conceived affects how she discusses the topic with her twins and what regulations are and should be in place for DCPs worldwide.
Devin’s DNA Surprise
Sometimes DNA surprises reveal that bio fathers are people known to the NPE, however unexpected. In this week’s episode, Devin shares how a DNA test revealed that he is one of more than a dozen children – some of his siblings old enough to be his grandparent. He shares how he’s connected with those siblings, and how his discovery has affected his relationship with his mother.
Ashley’s DNA Surprise
First, a content warning: due to the circumstances of Ashley’s conception, there is a lengthy discussion of rape and sexual assault. Ashley took her DNA test for health reasons, and was completely blindsided when she learned her raised father is not her bio dad. In this episode, she shares how she is processing two different versions of how she was conceived. Her mother says that she was raped – her father says it was a night of passion. She also shares how her discovery has affected her immediate family.
Jennifer’s DNA Surprise
In this week’s episode, Jennifer shares her NPE story. While she was never close to her birth certificate father, she was blindsided when she put the pieces together after taking a DNA test. Jennifer shares how her discovery has made an impact on her relationships and how she’s building a relationship with her biological father.
Kristin H’s DNA Surprise
Kristin had no idea her NPE was coming, let alone the secrets she’d uncover because of her DNA surprise. Not only did she discover that she is an NPE – she learned that her sister is, too. In this week’s episode, Kristin explains how she’s worked through rejection from her found family and estrangement from her raised family. She also shares her own regret over taking the test in the first place.
Bonus Episode | Crossover with ERWES
Welcome to a bonus episode of DNA Surprises, a crossover with Everything’s Relative with Eve Sturges! In this episode, we chat about our own NPE stories, the importance of humor throughout our journeys, and why we started our podcasts. I also share something I’ve never shared before – that I’ve been on the other side of a DNA surprise.