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Personal Journals · Alexis Hourselt

DNA Surprises

by Alexis Hourselt

Welcome to DNA Surprises, a podcast that delves into the world of unexpected DNA discoveries. I'm your host, Alexis Hourselt. In July 2021, my life took a surprising turn when I found out l'm an NPE-a person who's experienced a non-paternal event. In other words, my biological father isn't who I thought he was. Join me as we explore the stories of NPEs, adoptees, and donor-conceived people and their families. Get ready to unravel the astonishing journeys that begin with a simple DNA test —this is DNA Surprises.

Chart trend

Position in the Personal Journals chart (US), last 90 days.

#23
all-time peak
148
days in the top 50 since Nov 2024

Latest episodes

Showing 20 · updated from the feed

Bonus Episode | Inside Rhythm Is a Dancer with Lauren Caster

Hey everyone! We’re still on a summer break, but I’m excited to share a bonus episode with you in the meantime. In this episode,  I am joined by Lauren Caster, the writer

Aug 6
31 min

Brytanie's DNA Surprise

***SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: DNA Surprises will be taking a short summer break during July and August. I’m excited to come back in September refreshed, recharged, and with mo

Jun 30
47 min

Tracy's DNA Surprise

Sometimes, DNA surprises aren’t about misattributed parentage. Sometimes, the biggest surprises are the feelings we experience as we explore biological connections. In t

Jun 23
41 min

Nick B's DNA Surprise

The more, the merrier. Wouldn’t it be great if everyone involved in a DNA surprise had this mentality? While that’s unfortunately not always the case, this week’s guest h

Jun 17
41 min

Linda Pevac's DNA Surprise

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 pe

Jun 9
45 min

Billy's DNA Surprise

After a DNA surprise, it’s common to look back and reflect on moments where the truth was right there in front of you. A slip of the tongue, that eerie feeling that somet

Jun 2
45 min

Ann's DNA Surprise

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 infideli

May 26
33 min

Stephanie’s DNA Surprise

What are you? For those of us who are quote “ethnically ambiguous,” this question is one we hear over and over again when meeting new people.   In this week’s episode, I

May 19
57 min

Patrick's DNA Surprise

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 Seas

May 12
47 min

Rebecca's DNA Surprise

An interesting thing about DNA Surprises is how much they can rock your identity, not once, but over and over again. Every time a layer is pulled back with new informatio

Mar 31
1 h 10 min

Randy's DNA Surprise

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

Mar 24
40 min

Nick's DNA Surprise

My therapist once told me, “Some of us heal out loud so others don’t have to.” I think of that almost every time I get a note from a podcast listener telling me how much

Mar 17
49 min

Robin N's DNA Surprise

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 t

Mar 10
37 min

Amber's DNA Surprise

Fool me once, shame on you…fool me twice? That expression doesn’t exactly translate to the DNA surprise community. As I often say, we believe what our parents tell us, an

Mar 3
42 min

Sonya's DNA Surprise

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 e

Feb 24
1 h 05 min

Shaun's DNA Surprise

Have you ever made a decision without thinking about the long-term consequences? It’s a pretty normal human experience, right? Now imagine making a decision and never bei

Feb 17
43 min

Ellen’s DNA Surprise

“ 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 quot

Feb 11
57 min

Myranda's DNA Surprise

If DNA surprises were carnival rides, they’d be roller coasters. There are years spent leading up to the test results- the slow climb. The shocking results - the drop. An

Feb 3
47 min

Barry's DNA Surprise

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

Jan 27
33 min

Kimberly Warner's DNA Surprise: An interview with the author of Unfixed

Hosting DNA Surprises gives me the incredible opportunity to speak to incredible people every week. And almost everyone I speak to says something along the lines of “I’ve

Jan 20
46 min

Chart positions

Where DNA Surprises ranks today in each Apple Podcasts chart (US, Sep 4, 2026).

#95 ▲ 6 Personal Journals US

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About DNA Surprises on Reason.fm

Here you find the Apple Podcasts chart positions of DNA Surprises, its latest episodes to listen to directly, and reviews from listeners. Rankings are updated daily for the United States.

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