DNA Surprises

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 point of view. I reconnected with Elizabeth in January 2025 and two of her siblings, Aerin and Emily joined us. Her siblings share what it was like to learn about Elizabeth, and Elizabeth shares how it felt to finally connect with her biological father and family.

This is Part 2 of a 3-part series. If you haven’t listened to Part 1, go back and listen to Elizabeth’s DNA Surprise.

Thank you to Elizabeth, Aerin, and Emily for sharing your story.

So, what happened when Elizabeth went to visit her family? Listen to Part 3 to find out.

If you have a DNA surprise that you’d like to share, submit your story at DNASurprises.com.

Get early, ad-free access to episodes by supporting the show.

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 childhood was fraught with abuse and neglect and by the time she discovered the truth, she already had strained relationships with her parents and siblings.

This is part one of Elizabeth’s story. In this episode, Elizabeth shares what she learned after taking her test - that her conception was the result of sex trafficking and that her mother did not know who her father was. Thanks to modern DNA testing, Elizabeth was able to find her biological father but had been unable to make direct contact with him. She was on the verge of sending letters to her siblings but had no idea what would happen next.

Listen to Part 2 to find out what happens next.

Thank you for sharing your story, Elizabeth.

If you have a DNA surprise that you’d like to share, submit your story at DNASurprises.com.

Get early, ad-free access to episodes on Patreon.

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 that family secrets like these don’t stay hidden in the modern age of DNA testing, and Dave and Denise are a great example of this. They didn’t uncover their surprises because they took a test. Even their grown children wouldn’t have surfaced the secret. It was their curious grandson with a love of genealogy and heritage who led to the truth. For both of them.

Thanks to Dave and Denise for sharing their stories.

Support the show

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 in her late grandmother's writings to learning about her biological father's tumultuous past and building new relationships with half-siblings, Melissa delves into the complex emotions and revelations that emerged along the way. Through her genealogical research, Melissa connects with her ancestral roots, understanding more about her family's history and the legacies that shape her identity. 

Thank you for sharing your story, Melissa.

Resources:

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 dismissed and gaslit when she questioned why she looked so different. She shares how she connected with her donor-conceived siblings, her genetic father, and how things are with her parents today.

She doesn’t disguise her journey with humor, rather, she infuses it into her storytelling. You can check out Lauren’s comedy, including the latest on her upcoming film, at her website linked in the show notes.

Thank you for sharing your story, Lauren.

Resources:

Lauren LoGiudice - Comedy and Characters for Misfits

Support the show

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 another twist, even after finding out the truth about her paternity, the mystery about her ethnicity remained.

Christine discusses both of these DNA surprises and how they’ve affected her relationships. She also shares how her surprise has transformed her perception of herself, for the positive.

Thank you for sharing your story, Christine.

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 they’d already discussed it when she was younger. For some reason the memory didn’t stick with her, and when she learned the truth,it came back to her. Yet she still had to contend with this revelation as though she was hearing it for the first time.

Tamara details her search for her biological father after being given incorrect information and facing roadblocks from her found family. Just before we recorded our interview, she got a surprise that gave her the answers she was looking for.

Thank you for sharing your story, Tamara.

Support the show.

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 with feelings of anger at her mother, especially when she reflects on times when her mom could have disclosed the truth about who her biological father was.

Before listening to this episode, please note that there is a brief discussion about child sexual abuse that may be upsetting to listeners. If you want to avoid this content, skip over timestamps of approximately 24:00-26:00.

Thank you for sharing your story, Christina.

⁠Support the show.⁠

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 and the friendships she formed in the metal scene during her rebellious teen years. Then one day, during a heated exchange with her parents, her mother revealed that the man she believed was her father was not. She pursued a relationship with the man her mom identified, only to learn even more shocking information about her paternity.

Thank you for sharing your story, Chaya.

⁠Support the show.⁠

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 after discovering a family secret through genealogical research. She discusses the shock and clarity that came with this revelation, her strained relationship with her mother who kept the secret, and the dynamics with her siblings and other family members who knew the truth but were sworn to secrecy. Kim also speaks candidly about her efforts to build a relationship with her biological father and how the presence of this secret created issues throughout her life. 

Kim first told her story a few years ago on NPE Stories, hosted by Lily Wood.

Listen here: Spotify or Apple

Thank you Kim, for sharing your story.

Support the podcast.