DNA Surprises

Tamarra's DNA Surprise

One of the most disorienting parts of a DNA surprise is realizing that the truth has often been there all along. Things that once seemed insignificant – the way you looke

Josh's DNA Surprise

A common theme in the DNA surprise community is coming to terms with the fact that we’ll never get answers to the many questions we carry after uncovering in the truth. I

Nichell's DNA Surprise

What happens when you spend your whole life searching for where you belong – only to discover shocking information after decades of putting the pieces together? Nichell

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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