In the first 4 minutes of today's podcast, you'll hear a ballad sung by today's guest, Cory Goodrich, inspired by her NPE discovery. Then we'll get started with the conversation!

What happens when a brilliantly creative person finds time on their hands during a worldwide pandemic? If you're Cory Goodrich, the stars align in a way that opens doors, and you churn out a hopeful and poignant memoir called Folksong.

Cory's memoir touches on the pain & hope she felt through her journey at the end of her mother's life and through the discovery soon after that her mother had been keeping a secret about Cory's paternity for decades.

If you are a mother or parent keeping a DNA secret...

If you are a family member who wants a family secret to stay under wraps...

If you are a sibling who finds out your brother or sister is a half sibling, or that you have a new sibling you didn't know about...

And especially if you're an NPE struggling...stop & listen to Cory's experience today.

We kick off the conversation with Cory's editor Elizabeth Lyons involved in the discussion. The funny Cory/Elizabeth duo documents the twists involved in crossing paths and bringing Folksong to life. Cory then explores the ways creative expression has been life-saving to her. Her art has taken on new life and new meaning since she discovered that music and acting (and even painting!) are in her DNA.

We learn about Cory's journey of loss and how she was able to work her way through it.

Cory aims to de-stigmatize mental health issues for those with an NPE discovery. If in the aftermath of a DNA discovery, you have the thought "I am going crazy," Cory wants you to know she's been there, too. If you've struggled with your sanity, if you've had suicidal ideation, considered or tried therapy and medication to get you through it, Cory wants you to understand you are not alone.

Cory also addresses the mothers out there who--like hers--hold a secret about their child's genetic origins. She speaks to these mothers with honesty and compassion. Your child might be angry, she says, but if they are like Cory, once the anger resides the empathy moves in. A most powerful comment Cory makes about her mother was this: "I never would have stopped loving her."

"I am so grateful for who I am today because of this," says Cory near the end of the episode. 

A not-to-miss episode of DNA Clarity and Support!

Resources:

Cory's website

The Folksong website

Directory of specialized counselors at MPEcounseling.org (formerly NPEcounseling.org)

Mental health professional training for NPE support:

- Parental Identity Discovery by Jodi Klugman-Rabb

- NPE Trauma-Informed Coaching sponsored by NPE Friends Fellowship

If you're experiencing a mental health crisis, please reach out to the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741.