Shannon Lamkin discovered on her 14th birthday that she was adopted—and that everyone in her family had known all along.

Years later, armed with an old address, telephone directories, handwritten letters and sheer determination, Shannon began searching for the truth about where she came from.

What she uncovered was extraordinary: an affair, a forged signature on her adoption papers, seven biological siblings on her birth mother’s side and a birth father who had never even known she existed. Tragically, Shannon discovered that he had died just two years before she began searching.

In this deeply emotional episode of The Girl in the Cupboard, Shannon shares the fear of travelling deep into the Ozark Mountains to meet her birth family, the shocking reality she found when she arrived and why she ultimately felt grateful that her birth mother had given her up for adoption.

She also reveals how DNA finally confirmed her father’s identity decades later—and how her search led her to more than a dozen siblings across her adoptive and biological families.

This is a remarkable story of adoption, family secrets, identity, survival and the lifelong need to understand where we come from.

Please remember that these are real people sharing deeply personal experiences. Lovely and supportive comments only.

If Shannon’s story moved you, please like, comment, subscribe and share this episode—it may reach someone who needs to hear it.

Connect with Shannon:

Travel Time Stories with Shannon
https://traveltimestories.com

Shannon’s forthcoming book, Map Back to Me: A Journey from Darkness to Light, is expected in late 2026 or early 2027.

#AdoptionStory #AdopteeVoices #FamilySecrets #DNAJourney #BirthFamily #AdoptionReunion #Identity #TheGirlInTheCupboard

Samaritans if you need just someone to talk please know you are never alone call 116 123 everyone deserves to be listened to

Contact me by email [email protected]

At nine years old, Astrid discovered that the man she called Dad was actually her stepfather.

At 16, she wrote to her biological father in Kazakhstan and discovered she had two brothers—but after one reply, he disappeared from her life again.

Years later, Astrid found him and made contact, only to learn that he had kept her existence secret from his entire family for approximately 35 years. Then, unexpectedly, a brother who never knew he had a sister found her on Facebook.

In this emotional episode, Astrid shares:

• Why she always felt different from her family
• The childhood conversation that revealed the truth
• Her feelings of abandonment and unanswered questions
• Finding her biological father and hearing his voice
• Why she eventually ended contact
• Discovering she had been hidden from his family
• Building a relationship with her brother
• Her connection to her Kazakh heritage
• The difficult decision about visiting Kazakhstan
• Why healing means facing what happened without allowing it to control your future

This is a powerful conversation about identity, belonging, rejection, family loyalty and the courage it takes to search for the truth.

The Girl in the Cupboard is a safe and supportive community for people affected by unexpected parentage, DNA discoveries, adoption, donor conception and hidden family secrets.

If you have a story you would like to share, please get in touch. You can appear openly, use a different name or remain anonymous.

Please subscribe, share this episode and keep all comments kind and respectful. Behind every story is a real person, a real family and real emotions.

Contact Astrid: Instagram itsastridborn

Samaritans if you need just someone to talk please know you are never alone call 116 123 everyone deserves to be listened to

Contact me by email [email protected]

At just 12 years old, Lady V was told that the man she believed was her father wasn’t her biological dad. Shortly afterwards, she began dating a boy from school—only to discover that he was actually her half-brother.

That devastating family secret shattered her trust in the adults around her. Already experiencing abuse at home and feeling she had nowhere safe to turn, Lady V found herself living on the streets and became a madam at just 15 years old.

In this deeply honest episode of The Girl in the Cupboard, Lady V shares how childhood abuse, hidden parentage and family betrayal pushed her towards street life, abusive relationships and numerous attempts to take her own life.

She also reveals what happened when she finally spoke publicly about the abuse, why she lost her family for almost ten years, and how she eventually transformed her pain into purpose.

Now an author, speaker, podcaster and Spiritual Release Coach, Lady V helps others release their past, overcome limiting beliefs and “ROAR in their greatness.”

This is a powerful story of survival, forgiveness, faith and finally learning to choose yourself.

Connect with Lady V and discover her books, podcast, coaching and other work:
https://linktr.ee/LadyVenp

⚠️ Content warning: This episode contains discussions of childhood sexual abuse, suicide attempts, exploitation and abusive relationships. Viewer discretion is advised.

If anything discussed in this episode affects you, please reach out to a trusted person or an appropriate support organisation. You are not alone.

Please keep all comments kind and respectful. The Girl in the Cupboard is a safe and supportive community where people can share their truth without judgement.

If you have experienced a DNA discovery, unexpected parentage or a hidden family secret and would like to share your story, please get in touch.

Please like, subscribe and share to help these important stories reach the people who may need to hear them.

Samaritans if you need just someone to talk please know you are never alone call 116 123 everyone deserves to be listened to

Contact me by email [email protected]

What would you do if, on your 50th wedding anniversary, an unexpected message revealed that your husband had a daughter he never knew existed?

In this deeply personal first episode of The Girl in the Cupboard, I’m joined by my stepmum, Sharon Bosworth—the remarkable woman who received my message, welcomed me into her family and changed my life forever.

After taking an Ancestry DNA test, I accidentally discovered that the man who raised me was not my biological father. A DNA match led me to Kurt, my biological dad, and to the woman who would become far more than a stepmum to me.

Together, we talk openly about:

• The message that arrived on their 50th wedding anniversary
• Sharon’s reaction to discovering her husband had another daughter
• The moment my dad first called me
• Meeting my biological father and family for the first time
• Discovering that I was half German
• Being welcomed by a sister I never knew I had
• Losing my dad after only two and a half years together
• The family holiday where we scattered his ashes
• What to consider before taking a DNA test
• How to respond when an unexpected relative contacts you

This is a story about DNA, identity, grief, acceptance and the extraordinary difference one person can make by choosing kindness.

As I tell Sharon during our conversation: “You gave me the family I never had.”

The Girl in the Cupboard is a safe and supportive community for people affected by DNA discoveries, unexpected parentage, adoption, donor conception and hidden family secrets.

Please keep all comments kind, positive and respectful.

If you have a story you would like to share, please get in touch. You can appear openly, use a different name or remain anonymous.

Please subscribe, share this episode and help it reach someone who may need to know they are not alone.

Samaritans if you need just someone to talk please know you are never alone call 116 123 everyone deserves to be listened to

Contact me by email [email protected]

At 52, a DNA test completely changed everything I believed about myself.

I wasn’t searching for my biological father. I simply wanted to continue the family tree after my mum died. Instead, the results revealed that the man I had always believed was my father wasn’t my biological dad—and that I was half German, not Cornish as I had believed all my life.

That one test led me to a dad I never knew existed, a sister, another brother, a stepmum and an entirely new family. I was incredibly fortunate to have two and a half precious years with my biological father before he passed away.

In this opening episode, I share:

• Why I hid in a cupboard during my difficult childhood
• The clues that made me feel different growing up
• Why I believe my mum knew the truth
• Discovering my biological father through DNA
• Hearing my dad’s voice for the first time
• Learning how to become part of a family
• Why I created The Girl in the Cupboard

This podcast is a safe and supportive community for stories about DNA discoveries, unexpected parentage, adoption, fostering, donor conception and family secrets.

If you have a story to share, you can join me openly, use a different name or remain completely anonymous.

Please subscribe and keep all comments kind, positive and respectful. Behind every story is a real person, a real family and real emotions.

Whatever your story, you deserve to be heard—and you should never have to carry it alone. Welcome to The Girl in the Cupboard.

Samaritans if you need just someone to talk please know you are never alone call 116 123 everyone deserves to be listened to

Contact me by email [email protected]

8TH March  2024

Today I finish her notes/letter on her life in India with her parents 

Don't forget to go back to the other episodes or just one might seem a bit odd!. 

Would be grateful if you could subscribe & like the episode so I know you are a real person :)

Samaritans if you need just someone to talk please know you are never alone call 116 123 everyone deserves to be listened to

Contact me by email [email protected]

6TH March  2024

Just a quick hello and update on the letter , back again tomorrow with a full episode

Don't forget to go back to the other episodes or just one might seem a bit odd!. 

Would be grateful if you could subscribe & like the episode so I know you are a real person :)

Samaritans if you need just someone to talk please know you are never alone call 116 123 everyone deserves to be listened to

Contact me by email [email protected]

27th February 2024

Out on our walk today I'am devastated out on my walk my mums letter has fallen out of my pocket, back home I sit on the sofa & start to read the next letters, apologies for the tears I cant believe they are lost

Don't forget to go back to the other episodes or just one might seem a bit odd!. 

Would be grateful if you could subscribe & like the episode so I know you are a real person :)

Samaritans if you need just someone to talk please know you are never alone call 116 123 everyone deserves to be listened to

Contact me by email [email protected]

23rd February 2024

Out on our walk today where I read more of her letter/book pages, I discovered how I was born!

Don't forget to go back to the other episodes or just one might seem a bit odd!. 

Would be grateful if you could subscribe & like the episode so I know you are a real person :)

Samaritans if you need just someone to talk please know you are never alone call 116 123 everyone deserves to be listened to

Contact me by email [email protected]

22nd February 2024

We are in the snug again today as we read more of mums letter/book, I discover a lot of things but iam shocked to read that he kept pigeons in the toilet! 

Don't forget to go back to the other episodes or just one might seem a bit odd!. 

Would be grateful if you could subscribe & like the episode so I know you are a real person :)

Samaritans if you need just someone to talk please know you are never alone call 116 123 everyone deserves to be listened to

Contact me by email [email protected]