DNA Surprises

In this episode, Kristin shares her NPE journey after discovering the truth just four months prior to our conversation. She was completely blindsided by the discovery and shares her shock and confusion over what to do next.
She also discusses the new family connections she's made so far while expressing some concern about her raised father's feelings.
Thanks to Kristin for sharing her story.

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Whitney's mom told her the truth about her biological father long before she took a DNA test. She learned the truth at 14, 6 years after the tragic loss of the man she believed was her father.
In this episode, Whitney shares the long and winding road to connect to her biological father. She offers a compassionate view on the choices the adults in her life made and how those choices affected her.
Thank you to Whitney for sharing her story.

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Michael had been told he didn't look related to his family his entire life, so when his sisters asked him to take a DNA test for fun, he knew the truth was going to be revealed.
In this episode, Michael shares his quest for answers despite both of his biological parents having Alzheimer's. He is also candid about his struggles with mental health in general and in light of his discovery.
Thanks to Michael for sharing his story.

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Summer’s mother told her about her NPE status when she was 13–a secret she kept for decades. It wasn’t until she took a DNA test that she connected with her half-siblings, some of whom (to her shock) already knew about her, too.
Summer shares how her relationships are developing despite not living in the same state. She also discusses some of the questions she has for her mother, who has since passed. Finally, Summer shares a unique, compassionate perspective of her mother and the difficult choices she made.
Thanks to Summer for sharing her story.

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Wendy’s path to finding her biological father is a long and winding road. As a double NPE, she has twice learned that the man she believed was her bio dad was not. Now that Wendy knows the truth about her parentage, she discusses the challenges of building a relationship with her new family, which include a lack of time and differing religious values.
Thanks to Wendy for sharing her story.

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When Diana learned that her biological father is an old family friend, she was completely shocked. But soon after her discovery, many things started making more sense. With the help of a newly found cousin, Diana began making connections with her family members, including an aunt. Unfortunately, Diana’s biological father and brothers haven’t reciprocated her efforts to connect. She shares how she’s moving forward despite not being able to speak directly to her father.

Thanks to Diana for sharing her story.

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Crystal's DNA surprise came as a total shock, years after she took her Ancestry DNA test. When her older sister showed up as a half-sibling, Crystal discovered that she is an NPE.
She shares the intense emotions that people who experience non-paternal events feel, from sadness to hope. She talks about how connecting with her newfound family is going so far. Finally, Crystal offers some great advice for anyone who has just discovered that they are an NPE.
Thanks to Crystal for sharing her story.

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Kerry's suspicions about her NPE status have come and gone throughout the years. As a child, she always felt different from her siblings, but a unique medical condition caused her to push aside any doubts she had about her paternity. By the time she learned the truth about her biological father from a DNA testing kit, her mother had passed, leaving her unable to ask many questions.
Kerry offers a beautiful perspective on life and forgiveness. She talks about the stigma of being a conceived as the result of an affair and how that has affected her relationship with her biological father.
Thanks to Kerry for sharing her story.

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Yvette shares a story of intergenerational secrets that she unearthed after discovering her DNA surprise in December 2020.
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She learns that not only is she an NPE, but so is her biological father. Yvette also shares what it’s like to realize that she has a very different ethnic background than she previously believed.
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In addition to sharing the range of emotions she’s felt during her NPE journey, Yvette talks about ways that she’s connected with her birth father and ethnic background even after his death.

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IG: @dnasurprises
Twitter: @dnasurprises
TikTok: @dnasurprises
Website: dnasurprises.com
DNA Surprise Retreat | A bridge to healing for NPEs, adoptees, and DCPs after a DNA discovery.

Imagine spitting into a tube, sending off your DNA, and unknowingly turning your life upside down. For me and thousands of others, this is our reality. 
I'm your host, Alexis Hourselt. In July of 2021, I discovered that I am an NPE - someone who has experienced a non-paternal event. In other words, my biological father isn't who I thought he was.
This podcast shares the journeys of people who were shocked by a DNA discovery, mostly through modern DNA testing. We're telling the stories of NPEs, adoptees, and donor-conceived people and their families. 
This...is DNA Surprises.

Join the DNA Surprises Patreon community!
IG: @dnasurprises
Twitter: @dnasurprises
TikTok: @dnasurprises
Website: dnasurprises.com