Family Twist: A Podcast Exploring DNA Surprises and Family Secrets

When Your DNA Test Turns Into a Movie Script


Listen Later

What happens when a DNA test flips your world upside down and you decide to make a comedy about it? Actor, writer, and producer Lisa Brenner joins Corey and Kendall to talk about her new film One Big Happy Family, opening in AMC Theatres on October 3, 2025.

Inspired by her own discovery at age 40 that the dad who raised her wasn’t her biological father, Lisa transformed a life-altering revelation into a heartfelt comedy. In this episode, she shares how she worked through shock and grief, why she wanted to honor her mother instead of vilifying her, and how humor became her way of finding perspective.

The conversation also celebrates the late Linda Lavin, star of Alice, who delivers her final screen performance in One Big Happy Family. As lifelong fans, Corey and Kendall reflect on Linda’s impact, her strength as a trailblazing actor, and the legacy she leaves behind.

This episode is a reminder that family is complicated, comedy can heal, and DNA discoveries don’t always have to end in tragedy, sometimes they spark laughter, connection, and a brand-new story.

When Your DNA Test Turns Into a Movie Script

Topics We Cover

  • How a “just for fun” DNA test led to Lisa’s shocking discovery at 40
  • Why she chose comedy instead of melodrama to tell her story
  • The secrecy and shame around early IVF and donor conception in the 1960s
  • Honoring her mom’s role in her life and avoiding the blame game
  • The wild experience of finding multiple donor-conceived siblings
  • Working with the legendary Linda Lavin in her final film role
  • Why community and connection are so vital after a DNA surprise

Resources & Links

  • 🎬 One Big Happy Family — Official Website
  • ❤️ More Family Twist episodes at familytwistpodcast.com


...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Family Twist: A Podcast Exploring DNA Surprises and Family SecretsBy Corey and Kendall Stulce

  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8

4.8

67 ratings


More shows like Family Twist: A Podcast Exploring DNA Surprises and Family Secrets

View all
The Secret Room | True Stories by Ben Hamm

The Secret Room | True Stories

2,881 Listeners

What Was That Like - True Stories. Real People. by Scott Johnson & Glassbox Media.

What Was That Like - True Stories. Real People.

1,921 Listeners

Family Secrets by iHeartPodcasts

Family Secrets

5,015 Listeners

Everything's Relative with Eve Sturges by Eve Sturges, Bleav

Everything's Relative with Eve Sturges

242 Listeners

NPE Stories by Lily Wood

NPE Stories

253 Listeners

DNA Discoveries by Edward Looney

DNA Discoveries

56 Listeners

DNA: ID by AbJack Entertainment

DNA: ID

1,004 Listeners

Suddenly Family - DNA Discoveries with Samuel Burke by CNN Philippines

Suddenly Family - DNA Discoveries with Samuel Burke

127 Listeners

Missing Pieces - NPE Life by Don Anderson

Missing Pieces - NPE Life

218 Listeners

DNA Surprises by Alexis Hourselt

DNA Surprises

185 Listeners

NPE -Child of an Affair by Pam Child of an Affair

NPE -Child of an Affair

10 Listeners

The Secret In My DNA by Michèle Primerano

The Secret In My DNA

38 Listeners

Finding Family DNA by Birth Parent Finder

Finding Family DNA

16 Listeners

Camp Shame by iHeartPodcasts

Camp Shame

432 Listeners

Unicorn Girl by Apple TV+ / Seven Hills

Unicorn Girl

1,841 Listeners