Best MPE Podcasts (2025)

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Stacy's Story 53:01

Play Pause

1d ago53:01

53:01

In this deeply personal conversation (and crossover episode), Stacy opens up about discovering she’s a double NPE, confronting painful family truths, and grieving a father she never had the chance to know. She reflects on healing, chosen family, and how community, therapy, and self-compassion helped her rebuild her sense of identity. Stacy is the h…

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Constance's Story 36:51

9d ago36:51

36:51

Constance grew up believing she shared the same father as her siblings, though she always sensed something was off. Decades later, an AncestryDNA test and unexpected messages from strangers unraveled the truth—leading her to her biological father living just 20 minutes away. Their emotional first meeting, the highs and lows of building a relationsh…

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Krissy's Story 33:32

21d ago33:32

33:32

Krissy shares her decades-long journey from an offhand comment in her teens to the life-changing discovery that she is an NPE, uncovering hidden family truths on both her maternal and paternal sides. She can be reached via email [email protected] NPE Stories Patreon NPE Stories facebook page https://www.facebook.com/NPEstories…

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Traci Grant's Story 51:26

26d ago51:26

51:26

In this episode, Traci Grant shares her profound NPE journey, uncovering a hidden truth about her biological father after a lifetime of painful family dynamics and secrecy. Traci can be reached at tracigrant.com or [email protected] Resources Mentioned: After the Rotting by Traci Grant NPE Stories Patreon NPE Stories facebook page https://ww…

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Amy W's Story 53:03

1M ago53:03

53:03

Amy’s discovery about her origins reshaped everything she thought she knew about her life and family. This conversation stayed with me long after recording—it’s one of those stories that quietly breaks your heart while reminding you what healing can look like. Amy can be reached via email [email protected] Resources Mentioned: Some NPE groups on…

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James' DNA Surprise 1:09:47

1M ago1:09:47

1:09:47

DNA surprises often lead to answers - the truth about parentage, insights into family dynamics, clarity about the past. Still, as I often say, they also leave us with questions. Questions that may never be answered. But what if something as simple as a birthdate was unknown to you, possibly forever? Welcome to the season 12 finale of DNA Surprises.…

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Devon’s DNA Surprise 56:37

2M ago56:37

56:37

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 …

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William's Story 39:54

2M ago39:54

39:54

After a tumultuous childhood, William built a happy life as a chef, husband, and father—until a DNA test revealed a hidden truth about his identity. His discovery led him to a new family, a shared passion, and a journey of forgiveness and healing. In this episode, William reflects on breaking cycles of pain and finding connection through truth. Wil…

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Jeremy's DNA Surprise 42:36

2M ago42:36

42:36

You can’t unring a bell. After a DNA surprise is uncovered, after contact is made with newfound relatives, what’s done is done. Which is why some people are hesitant to dig into the truth. You never know what’s waiting for you on the other side. In this week’s episode, Jeremy shares why he didn’t decide to take his test to confirm the identity of h…

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Pat's Story 33:55

2M ago33:55

33:55

When Pat took a DNA test to ease her brother’s doubts, she never imagined it would upend everything she thought she knew about her family. What followed was a story of shock, grief, forgiveness, and the quiet strength it takes to rebuild your identity after discovering a hidden truth. Pat can be reached via email [email protected] NPE Stories Pa…

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Dan and Melissa’s DNA Surprise 43:37

2M ago43:37

43:37

"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 D…

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Gina H's Story 40:50

3M ago40:50

40:50

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Angeline's DNA Surprise 42:33

3M ago42:33

42:33

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Oscar’s DNA Surprise 36:16

3M ago36:16

36:16

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, mayb…

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Luisa's DNA Surprise 41:12

3M ago41:12

41:12

Dad. Bio dad. Genetic father. Father. After people connect with their newfound biological fathers, they often struggle with what to call them. And what about the dads we grew up with? Raised dad. Step-dad. Birth-certificate dad. Then there’s the well-meaning but perpetually frustrating phrase, “your dad is still your dad.” Love that one. Many of us…

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Lisa F's Story 44:20

3M ago44:20

44:20

Lisa F. grew up in what seemed like the perfect family in a small Oklahoma town—until a DNA test revealed a shocking truth about her biological father. In this episode, she shares the journey of piecing together family secrets, confronting long-held assumptions, and finding unexpected connections with new relatives. Her story is both heartbreaking …

1
Joe's DNA Surprise 32:34

3M ago32:34

32:34

The truth will set you free. That’s the hope, right? In this week’s episode, Joe shares how taking a test for fun led to him uncovering the truth about his paternity, which relieved him of the guilt and burden of maintaining a relationship with his birth certificate father. He also discusses how he’s connected with newfound family and what it means…

1
Lori's Story 1:03:31

3M ago1:03:31

1:03:31

In this episode, Lori shares her journey of discovering she was donor conceived after taking a DNA test meant to be a distraction during a difficult time. What began as curiosity about her heritage unraveled decades of family secrets, uncovered hidden siblings, and raised urgent questions about medical history and identity. Lori speaks candidly abo…

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Angie M's DNA Surprise 54:41

4M ago54:41

54:41

Much like life, DNA surprises are rarely tied up in a perfect bow. We don’t get answers to all of the questions we have, and it’s up to us to make peace with that…or keep digging. In this week’s episode, Angie shares how she uncovered that she has a different biological father than her four sisters. She details her effort to find the truth when mos…

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Rebecca's Story 50:40

4M ago50:40

50:40

Rebecca grew up without the steady presence of a father, carrying unanswered questions into adulthood. When a DNA test opened unexpected doors, she discovered family connections that had been close by all along — in ways she never could have imagined. Resources Mentioned: DNA Surprises with Alexis Hourselt NPE Stories Patreon NPE Stories facebook p…

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Michelli's DNA Surprise 37:49

4M ago37:49

37:49

Welcome to season 12 of DNA Surprises. This season marks nearly four years of sharing these stories. And while each story is unique, the threads that tie our stories together remain strong. For example, there are many ways that people uncover their discoveries. Sometimes, people learn about their parentage through who they connect to - a new cousin…

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Lizette's Story 59:39

4M ago59:39

59:39

We kick off Season 7 with a warm welcome to new listeners and a bit of housekeeping before diving into this week’s story. Our guest, Liz, grew up surrounded by confusion—her various IDs and birth certificates carried different names and birthdates, leaving her with more questions than answers. Discovering she is an NPE helped bring clarity, and sin…

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Lori's DNA Surprise 1:05:24

5M ago1:05:24

1:05:24

Who would I have been if I’d known the truth about my identity? This is a question people in the DNA surprise community often ask themselves. Where would I have lived? What choices would I have made? What about my life would be different from how it is today? In the season 11 finale of DNA Surprises, Lori shares how much of her childhood, and who s…

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Jill's DNA Surprise (Update) 48:04

6M ago48:04

48:04

Hands down the best part of hosting this podcast is the relationships I’ve been able to build with people in this community. From keeping in touch with guests turned friends, to hosting the DNA surprise retreat, to the special group of folks who join our Third Thursday meetups, I’m so grateful for the connections I’ve formed here. In this week’s sp…

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Jennifer P's DNA Surprise 41:56

6M ago41:56

41:56

Oftentimes with DNA surprises, there is so much left unsaid. So many unasked questions. So many feelings are unspoken. In this week’s episode, Jennifer shares what life was like for her growing up without a father figure in her life, a fact she never really questioned throughout her childhood and adolescence. After her mother passed, she decided to…

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Kelly's DNA Surprise 53:43

6M ago53:43

53:43

A picture is worth a thousand words - and sometimes, it's the first clue in solving a DNA mystery. In this week’s episode, Kelly shares how a surprising detail in an old photograph of her parents sparked questions about her paternity. Nearly four decades later, Kelly learned the truth about her paternity and her ethnicity. She shares what happened …

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John's DNA Surprise 48:19

6M ago48:19

48:19

How often do we hear on this show that people never felt like they fit in with their families growing up? This week’s guest, John, reveals that he felt the same way, and even held onto some guilt around his feelings. Fast forward to a little over two years ago, when his daughter took a DNA test and unearthed a surprise for the entire family: John w…

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Did Not Anticipate 54:02

6M ago54:02

54:02

In this powerful Season 6 finale, author J. Steven Osborne shares his remarkable DNA surprise journey—from a casual ancestry test to discovering he was not biologically related to the father he adored. What began as a search for Native American heritage unraveled decades of hidden family truths, emotional trauma, and unexpected healing. With humor,…

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Courtney B's DNA Surprise 35:56

7M ago35:56

35:56

Everyone has the right to know where they come from. They deserve to know their family history, stories and traditions. They have the right to know where their features come from and who else shares their aptitudes and interests. And just as importantly, or may most importantly of all, they have the right to know their medical history. In this week…

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Danielle C's DNA Surprise 39:28

7M ago39:28

39:28

DNA surprises are often devastating to the people who uncover them, but imagine if the truth was a relief? Danielle grew up believing that her mother had four children by four different men, making all of her siblings half-siblings. After taking a DNA test, Danielle learned that she actually shared a father with her younger sister. This news was mo…

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Meaghan's DNA Surprise 49:42

7M ago49:42

49:42

At the end of every DNA Surprises episode, I ask my guests two questions. I ask for advice for people in our community, and I ask for advice for parents keeping a DNA surprise from their child. Time and time again, guests implore parents to tell the truth. But when is the right time to tell? And are the ramifications different than when a DNA surpr…

1
Brittany's DNA Surprise 46:41

7M ago46:41

46:41

Hindsight is 20/20. After experiencing a DNA surprise, it’s easy to look back at moments throughout our childhoods and realize that the truth was there all along. Growing up in Indiana, Brittany always felt like an outsider. Her parents were divorced, and when she asked her dad if she could go live with him, he revealed that he wasn’t her biologica…

1
Deb's Story 44:57

7M ago44:57

44:57

Trigger warning: This episode contains discussions of child abuse, including physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. Deb recounts a sad childhood with abuse and multiple years in foster care. After finding out she was an NPE through a DNA test Deb shares her story of meeting and building strong bonds with her biological paternal family while dealing…

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Elizabeth's DNA Surprise (Part 3) 36:26

8M ago36:26

36:26

This is part 3 of a 3-part series. If you haven’t listened to parts 1 and 2, be sure to go back and listen before starting this episode. In Part 3 of Elizabeth’s story, we find out what happened after she visited her family and met her biological father for the first time ever. She shares what those first moments felt like and where things stand af…

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Elizabeth's DNA Surprise (Part 2) 39:17

8M ago39:17

39:17

So what happened after Elizabeth sent off those letters to her siblings? In Part 2 of Elizabeth’s DNA surprise story, she reveals how she was able to make contact with several of her newfound siblings - and her biological father. I loved this conversation because we get a glimpse into the other side of the DNA surprise equation - the found family’s…

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Elizabeth's DNA Surprise (Part 1) 58:57

8M ago58:57

58:57

Welcome to a new season of DNA Surprises. We’re kicking this season off with a triple-episode premiere as we follow Elizabeth on her DNA surprise journey. Elizabeth grew up knowing that the man she called “Dad” wasn’t her biological father, but she also grew up believing that the man she believed was, didn’t want to be part of her life. Her childho…

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Rashanda's Story 45:41

8M ago45:41

45:41

Rashanda opens up about growing up without a mom or dad and the emotional toll of navigating life without a traditional family structure. From childhood instability to finding her own voice, her story is one of raw honesty, growth, and empowerment. This episode offers a moving look into what it means to rise above your beginnings. Rashanda can be r…

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Annette's Story: Living Into the Truth 57:52

8M ago57:52

57:52

Raised in a devout Catholic family, Annette grew up believing her father had died before she was born. Decades later, a series of emotional discoveries unraveled everything she thought she knew about her identity. Her journey explores loss, secrecy, and the power of living one’s truth Annette's memoir is called Living Into the Truth. You can learn …

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Melanie Dawn's Story 1:09:28

9M ago1:09:28

1:09:28

In Episode 216, Melanie recounts the emotional journey of reconnecting with the father who raised her, only to lose him and then learn he wasn’t her biological dad. Her story unfolds with raw honesty as she navigates the shock of a DNA discovery, a hidden past, and the bittersweet truth of finding her biological father. Melanie can be reached via e…

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Dave and Denise's DNA Surprise 57:27

9M ago57:27

57:27

Welcome to the season 10 finale of DNA Surprises. Buy one, get two. No, this isn’t an ad for the latest testing kit sale. In this week’s episode, I’m joined by Dave and Denise, a married couple who discovered that they were both NPEs after their grandson took a DNA test. Before you listen to this episode, I want to take a moment to remind listeners…

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Melissa's DNA Surprise 54:10

9M ago54:10

54:10

When someone uncovers a DNA surprise, their family tree changes. That sounds simple, but the reality is that our roots, so many of the things that make us, us, come from generations before us. In this week’s episode Melissa shares her profound journey after discovering that the man who raised her is not her biological father. From uncovering clues …

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Devorah's Story about Taken From The Cradle 41:14

9M ago41:14

41:14

Devorah Lee, author of Taken from the Cradle, shares her journey of discovering she was a late-discovery adoptee (LDA) from a Jacksonville, FL, black market baby ring. She opens up about the shock, secrecy, and search for truth in her NPE experience. Devorah Lee can be reached via email [email protected] Resources Mentioned: Taken From T…

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Lauren's DNA Surprise 48:16

9M ago48:16

48:16

If we don’t laugh, we’ll cry. DNA surprises can be gut-wrenching and difficult experiences, but some of us can find humor in almost any situation. In this week’s laughter-filled episode, Lauren LoGuidice tells the story of how she learned she was donor conceived. Lauren discusses how she never fit in with her raised family but was regularly dismiss…

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Christine's DNA Surprise 53:33

10M ago53:33

53:33

When someone opens up their DNA test results, the outcome isn’t always an explosive surprise. Sometimes, it takes a while of pulling at a thread before a truth is unraveled. In this week’s episode, Christine shares how her curiosity about one of her ethnicity results led to her shocking discovery that her dad isn’t her biological father. But in ano…

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Lauren's Story - Five Years Later 1:10:04

10M ago1:10:04

1:10:04

Lauren returns to the podcast five years after first sharing her story in Season 1, hoping others can learn from her journey as she reflects on what has unfolded since. Lauren can be reached via email [email protected] To hear Lauren's origin story Episode 28 of NPE Stories listen here. NPE Stories Patreon NPE Stories facebook page https://…

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Tamara's DNA Surprise 34:55

10M ago34:55

34:55

Imagine uncovering your DNA surprise, experiencing the shock and devastation that comes with it, and then learning that the surprise wasn’t a total surprise after all? Earlier this season, we heard a story like this, and in this week’s episode, you’ll hear another. When Tamara confronted her mom about her DNA surprise, she was shocked to learn that…

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Christina's DNA Surprise 38:54

10M ago38:54

38:54

After a DNA surprise is uncovered, many moments from the past come into focus. Especially moments that, in hindsight, were missed opportunities for parents to tell the truth. In this week’s episode, Christina shares how she uncovered her DNA surprise and how she’s feeling about seven months into her discovery. She discusses how she’s struggling wit…

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DNA Speaks the Truth, But Your Doctor May Not 1:22:55

10M ago1:22:55

1:22:55

Episode 213: Challenging Medical Guidelines on Misattributed Paternity In this special episode, host Richard Wenzel leads a compelling discussion with fellow NPEs Gina Daniel, Jodi Girard, Lily Wood, and Eve Sturges. Together, they dive into their recent article, Misattributed Paternity Discovery: A Critique of Medical Organizations' Recommendation…

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Chaya’s DNA Surprise 48:03

10M ago48:03

48:03

As we’ve heard earlier this season, many people within the DNA surprise community saw their test results as mere confirmation of something they’d long suspected. But as heard in this week’s episode, not everyone was able to put their finger on just why they felt different. Chaya never felt like she fit in with her family. She found solace in music …

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Kim O's DNA Surprise 37:04

11M ago37:04

37:04

After three years of making this podcast and speaking to people who’ve experienced life-altering DNA surprises, I’ve noticed several trends. One trend is that oftentimes, the biological father is someone a guest knew from childhood. Another trend is a tumultuous relationship with the mother. In this week’s episode, Kim shares her emotional journey …