Family Twist: A Podcast Exploring DNA Surprises and Family Secrets

For Shirley, life was a mystery with pieces that never quite fit—until a DNA test in 2001 revealed the unthinkable truth: she had been switched at birth. Raised in one family and belonging by blood to another, Shirley’s world was upended. In her memoir, The Little Dark One: A True Story of Switched at Birth, she recounts the trials and triumphs that followed, from grappling with family secrets to finding her place in a supportive community of adoptees and others with similar experiences.

When Corey and Kendall met Shirley at the Untangling Our Roots Summit, they immediately connected with her story. In a space filled with adoptees, NPEs, and donor-conceived individuals, Shirley found her tribe—people who understood the weight of family secrets and the power of shared experiences. Shirley describes the summit as “a group of nodding heads” who listened with empathy, providing the understanding she longed for but couldn’t find elsewhere.

Beyond her discovery, Shirley’s story is also about resilience and betrayal. After locating her biological family, she faced a heartbreaking betrayal when family members sold her story to tabloids. Despite this, Shirley found solace and love through her chosen family, including her beloved Aunt Mary, who welcomed her into her heritage and taught her the traditions of her roots. “DNA does not make a family, love does,” Shirley says, a mantra that has guided her through the twists and turns of her journey.

Writing The Little Dark One was a cathartic process for Shirley, bringing to light the emotions she’d buried for decades. She discovered how trauma had manifested in her physical health and found healing not only through writing but also through faith. “My body was falling apart,” she recalls, crediting therapy for saving her and helping her confront the past.

Shirley’s journey is a story of self-acceptance, healing, and the enduring strength of the human spirit. Her message resonates with all who struggle to find where they belong, reminding us that healing is possible and that sometimes, family is found where we least expect it.

Read Shirley's book, The Little Dark One: A True Story of Switched at Birth, available on Amazon and in local bookstores.

Episode Summary: In this powerful episode, Corey and Kendall speak with Shirley, the courageous author of The Little Dark One: A True Story of Switched at Birth. Shirley shares her remarkable journey of self-discovery, healing, and the power of faith after uncovering a life-altering truth: she was switched at birth. Together, they dive into the emotional and physical toll of her experience, the betrayals she faced, and the strength she found through her chosen family and the community of adoptees, NPEs, and donor-conceived individuals. This episode delves deep into themes of rejection, identity, forgiveness, and the resilience it takes to turn pain into purpose.

Key Topics Discussed:

Finding Community and Belonging: Shirley recounts her experience at the Untangling Our Roots Summit, where, for the first time, she felt truly understood by people with similar stories of family twists and hidden truths.

Discovering She Was Switched at Birth: Shirley details her journey of discovery, piecing together her past and finding her biological family in the early days of DNA testing and research.

Betrayal and Resilience: The painful experience of family members selling her story to tabloids and how she learned to find strength amidst betrayal.

Faith as a Foundation: Shirley’s journey through her faith and how it provided her with solace, strength, and a foundation for healing.

Healing Through Writing: How writing The Little Dark One uncovered buried trauma and contributed to her healing, both emotionally and physically.

The Power of Chosen Family: Shirley shares touching stories of her Aunt Mary and others in her biological family who welcomed her with open arms and love, showing that family is made by love, not just DNA.

Memorable Quotes:

"DNA does not make a family, love does." – Shirley, on the profound connections found beyond biological ties.

"My body was falling apart. Therapy was saving me." – Shirley, discussing the physical toll of buried trauma and the healing process.

"It’s not about hurting anyone. It’s about helping just one person." – Shirley’s motivation for sharing her story and writing her book.

Resources Mentioned:

Shirley's book: The Little Dark One: A True Story of Switched at Birth, available on [Amazon] and local bookstores.

The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk, a resource that helped Shirley understand the physical impact of trauma.

Join the Conversation: Follow the Family Twist podcast to hear more stories of family secrets, adoption, and self-discovery.

In part two of this eye-opening conversation, Kendall Stulce and Rich Uhrlaub pick up where they left off, diving even deeper into the emotional highs and lows of the adoption journey. This episode unveils the unfiltered realities adoptees face, from unexpected family rejections to the healing power of creative expression. Rich continues sharing insights into his musical For the Record(s), a powerful work that voices the silenced stories of adoptees and birth families, capturing the struggle to reclaim identity amid a culture of secrecy.

This Episode Will Change How You See Adoption

Kendall and Rich also explore the social and psychological impact of adoption. They discuss their own paths to self-discovery, reflecting on how the need for answers transcends personal histories and taps into universal human questions. For anyone who has ever felt like a “second-tier” relative or struggled to make sense of their past, this episode is a powerful reminder that healing is possible—even in the face of silence and denial.

Key Takeaways:

• Art as a Means of Healing: Rich shares how creating For the Record(s) allowed him to process deep-seated emotions around his adoption, turning personal pain into a universally resonant story.
• The Complexities of Family Reunions: Kendall and Rich reflect on the bittersweet reunions with biological families, revealing how relationships don’t always meet the expectations that adoptees carry with them.
• Navigating Rejection and Silence: This episode shines a light on the emotional impact of being excluded from family milestones and the frustration adoptees face when denied basic truths about their origins.
• Advocating for Adoptee Rights: Rich discusses his continued work in adoption advocacy, including his role in legislative changes that aim to give adoptees the right to know their biological roots.

Quotes from the Episode:

• “Sometimes reconnecting with family doesn’t feel like a happy ending; it feels like starting a whole new story with no guarantees.” - Kendall Stulce
• “Art gives us a way to channel the emotions we can’t put into words. For me, For the Record(s) became that voice.” - Rich Uhrlaub
• “The right to know where we come from is as fundamental as it gets—why is that still so controversial?” - Rich Uhrlaub

Episode Highlights:

1. Turning Pain into Performance - Rich reveals how the creation of For the Record(s) helped him make sense of his adoption story, transforming personal struggles into a story that resonates widely.
2. Expectations vs. Reality in Family Reunions - Both Kendall and Rich share candid stories of meeting biological family members and the challenges that arise when reality doesn’t align with dreams.
3. Breaking the Silence - This conversation unpacks the pain and frustration adoptees feel when denied basic truths about their origins, and the emotional toll of facing family rejections.
4. Fighting for Adoptees’ Rights - Rich emphasizes the importance of advocating for adoptee rights, sharing his experience of helping to bring legislative change in Colorado.

In this gripping episode, Kendall Stulce opens up a powerful, no-holds-barred conversation with writer, advocate, and adoptee Rich Uhrlaub, the creative mind behind For the Records—a bold new musical that brings the haunting truths of adoption to the stage. Set in 1967, Rich’s musical unravels the hidden heartache of the baby scoop era, a time when adoption was shrouded in secrecy, leaving adoptees to grapple with questions about their identities and worth.

As a long-time advocate, Rich has fought tirelessly to give adoptees their stories back. Kendall and Rich delve deep into the emotional maze of finding biological family members and the unexpected rejections and heartbreak that can come with it. Together, they lay bare the highs and lows of family reunions, from joyful connections to the painful reality of still feeling like a stranger. This is a story of resilience, raw honesty, and the universal human desire to belong. Don't miss the first of this two-part conversation that is as unforgettable as it is eye-opening.

Key Takeaways:

• For the Records: Rich shares the lightning-bolt moment when he knew his story—and the stories of so many adoptees—had to be told on stage. Hear how his powerful musical confronts the unspoken truths of adoption.
• The Quest for Identity: Kendall and Rich dive into what it’s like to uncover your biological roots, only to face the complex family dynamics and often bittersweet reunions that follow.
• Fighting for Truth: Rich’s advocacy has helped countless adoptees reclaim their stories, but he reveals the frustrating legal obstacles that still stand in the way for many.
• Hard Conversations, Real Healing: From the anger of being sidelined in family celebrations to the quiet strength of just showing up, Kendall and Rich get real about what it means to seek answers—and acceptance—without losing yourself in the process.

Episode Highlights:

1. Rich’s Musical Vision - Discover how a hot tub brainstorm led Rich to write For the Records, a musical that lays bare the forgotten voices of the baby scoop era.
2. Adoptees’ ‘Second-Tier’ Status - Kendall and Rich share brutally honest accounts of what it’s like to be viewed as ‘outsiders’ in their own families, even after reconnecting.
3. Confronting the Past, Embracing the Present - The conversation reveals how societal norms have shaped the adoption journey, from legal battles to the internal struggles that adoptees continue to face.
4. The Fight for Every Adoptee’s Right to Know - Rich recounts his work to bring truth to light for adoptees, including groundbreaking legal wins in Colorado that are breaking down barriers for adopted people everywhere.

Guest link:

For the Record(s) the musical

In this special Halloween crossover episode, Corey and Kendall invite listeners into the unique space where family stories and horror healing meet. As the founders of both Family Twist and Horror Heals, Corey and Kendall explore the ways that family traditions, especially around Halloween, can bring people closer together—even in the most unexpected ways.

Our guest, Darin, is a Halloween enthusiast and devoted family man who has woven spooky traditions into his family life. Together, Corey, Kendall, and Darin share memories of haunted houses, eerie movie marathons, and the comforting nostalgia that horror can bring. Corey also opens up about his own childhood experiences and how horror became a source of resilience and connection during challenging times.

Listeners of both Family Twist and Horror Heals will find familiar themes of family bonds, trauma healing, and the unexpected ways horror can play a role in mental wellness. This Halloween, join us as we celebrate the magic that horror and family can create together.

Listen now and get inspired to make this Halloween one to remember, filled with treats, traditions, and a little horror magic!

In this episode, Corey and Kendall Stulce sit down with Shirley Muñoz Newson, a Gillette, Wyoming wife, mother, grandmother, and author of The Little Dark One. Shirley shares her incredible story of discovering, at age 43, that she was switched at birth. What followed was a journey filled with shock, emotional upheaval, and a courageous search for identity. With unshakable faith, the support of her family, and years of therapy, Shirley found the strength to tell her story in her memoir. Join us as we explore Shirley’s path to healing, how she navigated her relationships with both her birth and raising families, and the transformative power of faith.

Key Topics:

• The shocking DNA test results that changed Shirley’s life
• The emotional challenges of being switched at birth
• Shirley’s journey of faith and therapy as she processed her new identity
• Writing her memoir The Little Dark One and the impact it has had on others
• How Shirley’s family, particularly her grandson, encouraged her to share her story with the world
• The importance of resilience, healing, and finding peace through faith

Memorable Quotes:

• "I learned everything I knew about myself wasn’t true. But with faith and support, I found a way to keep moving forward."
• "Writing my memoir wasn’t just about telling my story. It was about helping others find hope in their own struggles."
• "You’re never too old to discover who you really are and find the strength to heal."

Tune in to hear Part One of Shirley Muñoz Newson’s powerful story of resilience, faith, and healing after discovering she was switched at birth. Don’t miss Part Two, where we dive even deeper into Shirley’s journey and how her faith helped her find peace. If Shirley’s story resonates with you or someone you know, please share this episode and help spread the message of hope and healing.

In this special crossover bonus episode, we share an insightful conversation from our sister podcast, Horror Heals, where we explore how horror can be a powerful tool for healing trauma. Corey and Kendall dive into Kendall’s adoption journey and DNA found family story, connecting it to the themes of resilience and recovery that often arise in both horror films and real-life experiences.

Guest: Dr. Ashley Allen

We’re joined by Dr. Ashley Allen, a licensed clinical psychologist with expertise in mood disorders, PTSD, grief, and trauma. Known for her work with neurodivergent LGBTQ+ individuals, Ashley offers a surprising perspective on how horror films can provide emotional processing, catharsis, and empowerment.

What We Discuss:

• Kendall’s adoption story: A personal look at how Kendall’s DNA found family story ties into themes of trauma, discovery, and healing.
• The link between horror and mental health: How horror can help individuals cope with anxiety, PTSD, and mood disorders by creating a controlled environment for confronting fears.
• Horror as a therapeutic tool: Why Dr. Ashley Allen introduces horror to her neurodivergent and LGBTQ+ clients to foster resilience and provide a sense of control over their emotions.
• The inclusive nature of horror conventions: How horror fan communities offer nonjudgmental, safe spaces for those who often feel like outsiders.
• Facing fears through film: Exploring how horror allows both therapists and clients to tackle real-life challenges by building resilience through fictional fear.

Key Takeaways:

• Horror movies can offer a unique therapeutic experience, allowing people to process trauma and gain control over their emotions in a safe way.
• The horror community often serves as an inclusive, accepting space for neurodivergent and LGBTQ+ individuals to connect with others and find empowerment.
• By confronting fictional fears, people can build resilience and emotional strength that helps them tackle real-life challenges.

Quotes from Dr. Ashley Allen:

• "For those with trauma or mood disorders, horror offers a controlled way to confront overwhelming emotions."
• "Horror creates a safe space for fear—perfect for my neurodivergent and LGBTQ+ clients to find empowerment and relief."
• "Even therapists sometimes need an escape; for me, horror provides that in the most cathartic way."

Listen to the Full Episode:

If you’re curious about how horror can unlock new paths to healing, don’t miss this powerful conversation. Tune in to learn how fictional fear can transform into real-life resilience. And be sure to check out more episodes from Horror Heals for similar stories of healing through horror.

In Part 2 of our heartfelt conversation with Cree filmmaker, Kristal Parke, we explore her journey of reconnecting with her Opaskwayak Cree Nation roots and her Sicilian heritage. From embracing her Indigenous identity to the emotional weight of her birth family reunion, Kristal reflects on how her documentary, Because She’s Adopted, has helped her and others process the deep impacts of adoption. Join us as we dive into the transformative power of heritage and family bonds.

Key Moments:

• Revisiting Sicily and the Opaskwayak Cree Nation: Kristal’s feeling of “coming home.”

• Cultural and personal growth: What it means to be adopted and indigenous.

• The making of Because She’s Adopted and its continued healing impact.

• Reflections on family, self-compassion, and emotional honesty.

Guest links:

Kristal's website

In this powerful episode of Family Twist, Corey and Kendall Stulce sit down with Cree filmmaker and adoptee, Kristal Parke, to discuss her impactful documentary Because She’s Adopted. Kristal’s film dives deep into the complex emotional landscape of adoption, exploring themes like the primal wound, hidden trauma, and how adoptees often navigate identity challenges and mask their pain.

Kristal shares her journey of meeting her birth mother—an experience that profoundly shaped her sense of self. Corey and Kendall, who have had their own transformative reunion experiences, explore these themes with Kristal, discussing the intricate ways family, whether by blood or bond, influences identity. Kristal also offers a glimpse into her upcoming six-part podcast series, Because She’s Adopted, which promises to take listeners even deeper into the topics of her documentary.

This episode offers insightful perspectives on adoption’s impact on identity and the journey toward healing, making it a must-listen for anyone interested in family dynamics, belonging, and self-discovery.

• Introduction to Kristal Parke and Her Documentary: Overview of Because She’s Adopted and Kristal’s experiences as a filmmaker and adoptee.
• The Primal Wound and Hidden Trauma: Exploring how early separation and loss impact adoptees, often resulting in a lifelong sense of “otherness.”
• Kristal’s Reunion with Her Birth Mother: A moving recount of her reunion and the significance of this experience in her life.
• Adoption, Identity, and Healing: Insights on the complex ways adoption affects one’s identity, the trauma adoptees often carry, and the healing journey.
• Kristal’s Upcoming Podcast, Because She’s Adopted: Preview of her limited-series podcast, a deep dive into the documentary’s central themes.
• Corey and Kendall’s Personal Reflections on Adoption: Their own family stories, reunions, and the ways adoption has shaped their lives.
• Embracing Cultural Heritage and Identity: Kristal’s journey in reconnecting with her Cree heritage and Sicilian family, along with Kendall’s discovery of his Irish roots.
• Family Reunions and Self-Discovery: The experiences of meeting birth family members, embracing cultural roots, and finding a deeper understanding of self.

• “There’s this nagging feeling adoptees have that you can’t put your finger on—it’s the trauma, the separation trauma.” — Kristal Parke
• “Meeting my birth mother was a profound moment. I never expected the overwhelming emotions that would follow me for years.” — Kristal Parke
• “Every adoptee’s story is different, but somehow they’re all the same, too. There’s an unspoken bond in shared experiences of separation and healing.” — Corey Stulce

Guest links:

Kristal's website

In this episode of Family Twist, Corey and Kendall Austin Stulce reflect on their Halloween experiences growing up, contrasting their childhood traditions and the cultural perceptions of Halloween. They delve into the significance of community and identity, particularly in relation to donor conception and adoption. The conversation also explores the positive impact of horror culture on mental wellness, emphasizing the importance of sharing personal stories and experiences.

Support Lauren LoGuidice’s short film "Honestly" via Seed & Spark

Takeaways

Halloween was a fun and creative time for Kendall's family.

Corey's parents straddled the line between fun and conservative values.

Trick or treating was a strategic event in Kendall's childhood.

Generational differences in Halloween celebrations are notable.

Horror culture can provide a sense of community and belonging.

The importance of embracing one's identity is highlighted.

Mental wellness can be positively influenced by horror movies.

Sharing personal stories can help others heal from trauma.

The podcast aims to connect with more guests who have unique stories.

Community support is vital for those with adoption or donor conception experiences.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Kendall’s unique Southern Baptist Halloween experiences growing up with his adoptive parents
• Corey and Kendall’s first Halloween together as a couple, dressed in Rocky Horror Picture Show costumes
• A fan's personal story of using horror movies to cope with trauma
• Reflections on family trauma, including Kendall’s father’s alcoholism
• Support for past guest Lauren Lowe’s donor conception short film project
• Crossover themes between Family Twist and Horror Heals podcasts