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, honesty, and raw vulnerability, Steve recounts how love, support, and forgiveness helped him rebuild his identity and redefine the meaning of family. His story, as told in DNA – Did Not Anticipate, is one of shock, resilience, and the life-changing power of truth.

NPE Stories will return in August 2025 for Season 7.

Resources Mentioned:

Webpage: www.DNADidNotAnticipate.com

Amazon Book Link: https://tinyurl.com/wswyx3xv

Both Sides Now Video:   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SuaDsq3K2x2AlaUbAIN1huH2B6Ht4lie/view?usp=drive_link

Email: [email protected]

JSO's Facebook: DNA - Did Not Anticipate
Becky's Facebook: Becky Brower Osborne
X: @DNAOrphan
LinkedIn: J-Steven-Osborne

NPE Stories Patreon

NPE Stories facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/NPEstories

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 with legal matters at the same time. 

Deb can be reached via email [email protected]

NPE Stories Patreon

NPE Stories facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/NPEstories

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 reached via email [email protected]

Resources Mentioned:

DNAngels

NPE Stories Patreon

NPE Stories facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/NPEstories

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 more about Annette and her story at the following links:

annettemarquis.com

wordswomenpress.com

Resources Mentioned:

Untangling Our Roots Summit

High Conflict Institute

It's All Your Fault! Podcast

Right to Know

NPE Stories Patreon

NPE Stories facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/NPEstories

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 email [email protected]

Resources Mentioned:

Linked here is Melanie's warm letter to her BF 

NPE Stories Patreon

NPE Stories facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/NPEstories

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:

by Devorah Lee

Taken From The Cradle Website

Fraud in the Courts 

NPE Stories Patreon

NPE Stories facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/NPEstories

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://www.facebook.com/NPEstories

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' Recommendations, published in the American Journal of Human Genetics. The conversation explores the implications of current medical guidelines, personal experiences, and the broader impact of misattributed paternity discoveries.

Resources mentioned:

NPE Guide

Who Even Am I Anymore? A process journal by Eve Sturges 

Untangling Our Roots 

NPE Stories Ep. 73 Richard's Story and Ep. 100 100th Episode of NPE Stories

Everything's Relative with Eve Sturges

by Richard Wenzel, Gina Daniel, Jodi Girard, Lily Wood, and Eve Sturges

ASHG

Our Father on Netflix

by Shirley Munoz Newsom

by Peter J. Boni

Comments and Questions can be emailed to [email protected] 

NPE Stories Patreon

NPE Stories facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/NPEstories

Amy S's story is a journey of identity, family deception, and self-discovery. A DNA test revealed her biological father was not the man she adored but someone from her father’s social circle, shattering her sense of belonging. After grappling with grief and betrayal, she found healing through therapy, genealogy, and embracing her Irish heritage, ultimately reclaiming her identity and freedom.

Amy can be reached via email [email protected]

Resources Mentioned:

Lily Wood: NPE Stories Special Crossover Episode on Everything's Relative with Eve Sturges 

NPE Stories Patreon

NPE Stories facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/NPEstories

Jennifer is a first generation Colombian-American who describes her family as warm, loving, and hard-working. She had the shock of her life when her DNA results showed one of her best friends was actually her half-sibling.

Jennifer can be reached via email [email protected]

NPE Stories Patreon

NPE Stories facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/NPEstories