Surprise: an unexpected or astonishing event, fact, or thing.

Yet, for many people there was always a sneaking suspicion. A wondering. The unthought known. This week’s episode is not one of those cases.

When Sonya first took her DNA test, she was quickly able to make it make sense. It wasn’t until years later that she found a truth she never saw coming.

Sonya shares how she found the identity of her biological father with the help of a search angel, how she’s working through her surprise without clarity from her mother, and how she frames her story in light of her upbringing.

Thank you for sharing your story, Sonya.

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Have you ever made a decision without thinking about the long-term consequences? It’s a pretty normal human experience, right? Now imagine making a decision and never being faced with the consequence for 20 years.

In this week’s episode, Shaun shares how his decision to become a sperm donor in his early twenties carried a gravity he didn’t realize until much later. He reveals how he learned that he is the genetic parent of adult children who may or may not have known that they were donor conceived, how he has connected with them, and how his decision has impacted the people in his life. He also discusses the joy, grief, and responsibility he feels as a biological parent.

Thank you for sharing your story, Shaun.

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“ My quest to find my past would return again and again in the years to come like a lighthouse beacon that flashes bright and then fades only to return again.”

This quote, written by Steve Pemberton and shared by this week’s guest, perfectly captures the hold that DNA surprises have on so many. There are periods of intense focus - on our feelings, research, and desire for connection. These are sometimes followed by periods where thoughts and feelings are fleeting, especially as time goes on. But they often return again, just like a lighthouse beacon.

In this week’s episode, Ellen shares how she learned the truth about her paternity more than two decades ago. Since then, she embarked on a quest to learn the truth about her biological father. She’s encountered acceptance, quiet rejection, and obstacles that have prevented her from fully connecting with her newfound family, but she holds onto her desire for truth and connection.

Thank you for sharing your story, Ellen.

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If DNA surprises were carnival rides, they’d be roller coasters. There are years spent leading up to the test results- the slow climb. The shocking results - the drop. And from there, we find ourselves on twists, turns and loops. We can’t always see where the drops are coming up ahead.

In this week’s episode, Myranda shares how she uncovered the truth about who her biological father is. Her story is one of complicated family dynamics, both with her raised family and her newfound family - and highlights the ups and downs that came with her discovery.

Thank you for sharing your story, Myranda.

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So much of our identity is wrapped up in the stories we tell ourselves. How we came to be, who our parents are, who our grandparents are. What they did how how they lived. For adoptees, many of those details are a mystery.

In this week’s episode, Barry shares how he discovered his father’s incredible story after taking a DNA test. He reveals how learning more about his father created a powerful connection. Barry also reveals where things stand with - and what he has learned about - his biological mother. Through it all, he remains focused on his purpose, one that he found by connecting with his father.

Thank you for sharing your story, Barry.

For more information about Barry's work, see: https://www.addictionedufoundation.orghttps://veteransoberhouse.org/

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Hosting DNA Surprises gives me the incredible opportunity to speak to incredible people every week. And almost everyone I speak to says something along the lines of “I’ve been told to write a book!” It’s true - our stories are stranger than fiction.

In this week's episode, I’m joined by someone who wrote that book. Kimberly Warner, author of Unfixed: A Memoir of Family, Mystery, and the Currents That Carry You Home

Her story details her perfect from the outside but far from it on the inside family, loss, illness, relationships, careers, and more, but as we discuss, it’s anchored on the revelation that the man who raised her is not her biological father.

I really enjoyed this conversation and hope you do too. Thank you for sharing your story, Kimberly.

Get your copy of Unfixed

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Welcome to Season 13 of DNA Surprises. We’re kicking off this season with a story that asks the question, what do you do when you learn that not one, but both of your parents are not related to you? A child of Russian immigrants, Maria shares her late-discovery adoptee experience, which includes a shocking ethnicity shift.

During our conversation, Maria details how she uncovered the truth and she explores how her discovery has shaped her view of cultural belonging. She also shares how her discovery has affirmed the choices she made with her own child.

Thank you for sharing your story, Maria.

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DNA surprises often lead to answers - the truth about parentage, insights into family dynamics, clarity about the past. Still, as I often say, they also leave us with questions. Questions that may never be answered. But what if something as simple as a birthdate was unknown to you, possibly forever?

Welcome to the season 12 finale of DNA Surprises. In this week’s episode, I’m joined by James, a foundling adoptee who was abandoned in a church in the 1970s. James always knew he was adopted, although he didn’t learn the circumstances until he was an adult. Then, with the combined power of research, DNA testing, and a little luck, he learned much more about where - and who - he came from.

We’ll be back in 2026 with brand new DNA surprise stories. But before I sign off, I want to thank you for listening. DNA surprises recently crossed 1 million downloads, something I never imagined when I started this podcast nearly four years ago. Thank you for your reviews, Patreon support, emails, and messages. It means so much. But most importantly, thank you for listening.

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