Family Twist: A Podcast Exploring DNA Surprises and Family Secrets

Corey and Kendall Stulce
  • 4.7 (79)
  • Society & Culture
  • Updated Weekly

Family Twist shares real-life stories of DNA surprises, adoption, donor conception, NPE discoveries, and the secrets that reshape families.  Hosted by Corey and Kendall Stulce, each episode explores what happens when the truth about identity, parentage, or family history comes to light. These revelations sometimes happen by choice, often by accident, and always with life-changing impact. Through candid conversations with adoptees, donor-conceived people, late-discovery NPEs, birth parents, and family members who are navigating unexpected truths, Family Twist looks beyond the initial shock. We explore what comes next. We talk about the relationships that grow or break, the boundaries that help or hurt, the grief that surfaces, and the unexpected connections that can heal. Kendall's personal journey plays an important role in the heart of the show. He was adopted at birth, searched for decades, and eventually discovered his biological family through a DNA test. His experience brings empathy, humor, and honesty to every conversation. Corey brings warmth and insight as the couple creates space for guests to share the real, complicated, hopeful, and often surprising moments behind their family twists. If you are searching for your people, untangling a difficult discovery, or simply fascinated by the truth behind modern families, this podcast will remind you that you are not alone and that your story matters. New episodes arrive every week, including in-depth interviews and shorter Story Snapshots that highlight powerful moments from our guests. Have a Family Twist of your own? Share it with us.

  1. 5d ago

    She Didn't Tell Me We Were Jewish

    Send us Fan Mail She didn't tell me we were Jewish. Those seven words changed everything. Author Joan Moran joins Corey and Kendall to discuss her remarkable memoir, Suddenly Jewish, a story that spans generations, continents, and one life-changing family secret. Joan grew up believing she knew her family's story. Then, just before marrying into a Jewish family, her mother revealed something she had kept hidden for decades. Their family was Jewish. The secret was not rooted in shame. It was rooted in survival. Joan shares her mother's journey from Odesa to London, Montreal, New York, and San Francisco, explaining how antisemitism shaped the choices her family made. Along the way, Corey and Kendall discover something familiar. Even though Joan's story is different from a DNA surprise, the emotional questions are remarkably similar. How does a family secret shape your identity? Can you understand the people who believed silence was the safest option? What happens when the truth finally comes out? The conversation also explores Kendall's own DNA discovery, the importance of identity beyond genetics, and why understanding history can sometimes lead to compassion, even when it cannot erase the pain. In this episode: • Why Joan's mother hid her Jewish identity • The historical events that made secrecy feel necessary • How hidden ancestry affects future generations • The surprising connections between hidden heritage and DNA discoveries • Why family secrets rarely stay buried forever Whether your story involves adoption, donor conception, a DNA surprise, hidden ancestry, or another family secret, this episode is a reminder that understanding where we come from can change how we see ourselves. Joan Moran's memoir, Suddenly Jewish, is available wherever books are sold. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who loves true stories about family, identity, and discovery. Remember, family secrets are the ultimate plot twist.

    37 min

  2. Jun 23

    What Horror Fans Understand About Trauma and Healing

    Send us Fan Mail Can horror movies actually help us heal? In this special crossover episode with Horror Heals, Corey sits down for a conversation that might surprise Family Twist listeners. While one podcast explores DNA surprises, adoption, and identity, and the other celebrates horror, both are ultimately about the same thing: how people make sense of difficult experiences and find connection through storytelling. Whether you've never watched a horror movie in your life or you're a lifelong fan, this episode explores why scary stories resonate so deeply with so many people. From grief and trauma to anxiety and resilience, horror can offer something unexpected: comfort, catharsis, and community. If you've ever found healing in an unlikely place, this conversation is for you. And if you enjoy what you hear, check out Horror Heals, where Corey and Kendall welcome actors, filmmakers, authors, therapists, and fellow horror fans every Friday to explore why horror is good for our mental wellness. About Horror Heals Hosted by Corey and Kendall Stulce, Horror Heals explores the surprising connection between horror and mental wellness. Through conversations with guests from inside and outside the horror world, the show examines how fear, grief, trauma, and resilience are reflected in the stories we love—and why so many people find comfort in the macabre.

    28 min

  3. Jun 16

    What Happens When You Finally Look Like Someone?

    Send us Fan Mail Julie Ann Brumley expected a DNA test to answer a few questions. She didn't expect to find a sister, a 100% Italian biological father, or an entire family where she could finally see herself reflected in someone else's face. In part one of our conversation, Julie and Kendall compare reunion stories and talk about the moments that don't always make it into the movies: sitting through family stories you weren't there for, wondering what you missed, and discovering that joy and grief can show up at the same dinner table. Along the way, they discuss:  Finding biological family through DNA  The first time you realize you actually look like someone  Walking into a family that already has decades of shared memories  Why reunion is a beginning, not an ending  Building relationships with biological siblings later in life Julie is an adoptee, trauma-informed coach, speaker, and creator of the Belonging Blueprint, helping adoptees reconnect with themselves through self-belonging and body-based healing. Next week: Julie explains why she believes adoptees carry their stories in their bodies, and Kendall opens up about the health, anxiety, and identity struggles that finally started making sense after reunion. About Julie Ann Brumley Julie Ann Brumley is an adoptee, trauma-informed coach, speaker, and founder of Coming Home to Self. After finding her biological family through DNA, she shifted her work to helping adoptees understand identity, belonging, and the lasting effects of early separation through somatic and self-belonging practices.

    24 min

  4. Jun 9

    A Therapist Faces Her Own DNA Surprise in Real Time

    Send us Fan Mail What happens when a mental health professional finds herself navigating a DNA surprise of her own? In this deeply personal episode of Family Twist, Corey and Kendall sit down with Angie Miller, licensed mental health therapist, wellness coach, speaker, and host of the Strong Mind, Strong Body podcast, for a conversation about identity, family secrets, and the emotional chaos that can follow a late-in-life DNA discovery.  Angie opens up about learning through DNA testing that the man she believed was her biological father likely wasn’t. What followed was a complicated emotional journey filled with grief, curiosity, guilt, fear, and unanswered questions. As someone trained in mental health and Internal Family Systems therapy, Angie brings a unique perspective to the conversation, explaining how different “parts” of ourselves can battle for control during moments of trauma and identity disruption.  The conversation dives into:  The emotional shock of unexpected DNA test results  Feeling protective of family members while searching for the truth  The fear of rejection from newly discovered biological relatives  How Internal Family Systems therapy applies to DNA surprises and NPE experiences  Why so many people suppress these discoveries instead of talking about them  The complicated mix of hope, grief, anger, and curiosity that comes with family secrets Angie also shares how she’s actively searching for answers right now, including preparing to potentially meet biological relatives in person for the first time. This isn’t a story being told years later with neat conclusions. It’s happening in real time.  If you’ve experienced a DNA surprise, are part of the adoption, NPE, or donor-conceived communities, or have ever questioned where you truly belong, this episode will hit home. About Angie Miller Angie Miller, M.S., LCMHC, CWC, is a licensed clinical mental health therapist, certified wellness coach, international speaker, author, and fitness expert specializing in the connection between emotional, physical, and mental wellbeing. She hosts the Strong Mind, Strong Body podcast and is a professional development educator for the National Academy of Sports Medicine. Angie also speaks internationally on stress management, resilience, and mental agility.

    39 min

  5. Jun 2

    “There’s No Way You’re Half White” and Other Things TikTok Got Right

    Send us Fan Mail Nicole thought TikTok was being ridiculous. After posting wedding videos online, strangers flooded the comments insisting there was “no way” she was half white like she’d always believed. Some people were curious. Others were cruel. But the comments kept coming. “You look Black.” “That’s not your dad.” “You should take a DNA test.” So she did. What Nicole expected would be a funny way to shut down internet trolls turned into a complete rewriting of her identity, family history, and understanding of herself. In this unforgettable episode of Family Twist, Nicole shares how a viral TikTok video led to the shocking discovery that the father who raised her was not her biological father. Raised in Maui in a conservative Christian household, Nicole never seriously questioned the story she’d been told about her background. But one DNA test uncovered an entirely different reality, including a biological father in Texas who never knew she existed. What follows is one of the most emotional and hopeful reunion stories we’ve heard on the podcast. Nicole opens up about confronting her mother, finding her biological father through an obituary and Facebook search, and the overwhelming moment of realizing she finally saw herself in someone else. Corey and Kendall also explore the complicated emotions that come with DNA surprises, race and identity, reunion, loyalty to the parent who raised you, and the emotional whiplash of discovering a whole new side of your family overnight. This episode covers: DNA surprises and NPE discoveriesViral TikTok DNA storiesRace and identity revelationsLate discovery biological familyReunion with a biological fatherFamily secrets and emotional healingNature versus nurtureAdoption-adjacent identity journeysThe impact of ancestry DNA testing Somehow, this story also includes one of the sweetest father-daughter reunions imaginable.

    37 min

  6. May 26

    “You Don’t Get to Tell Adoptees How to Feel”

    Send us Fan Mail What happens when you spend more than 40 years sensing something about your life doesn’t add up… only to discover you were right all along? In this deeply emotional and unforgettable episode of Family Twist, Corey and Kendall sit down with Dr. Syb, a late discovery adoptee whose world changed forever just before her 42nd birthday. What began as a lifetime of unanswered questions became a journey through adoption secrecy, grief, rage, identity, reunion, and ultimately, healing. Dr. Syb shares the shocking moment she learned she was adopted after decades of feeling different from everyone around her. She opens up about discovering that nearly everyone in her family already knew the truth, the emotional fallout of uncovering long-buried secrets, and the devastating reality that both of her biological parents had already passed away before she found them. But this conversation goes far beyond DNA tests and paperwork. Together, they explore the emotional impact of adoption trauma, the pressure adoptees often face to “just be grateful,” and the importance of allowing adoptees, NPEs, and donor-conceived people to fully process their anger, grief, and confusion without judgment. Dr. Syb also discusses:  The healing power of adoptee community and therapy  How music, movement, and dancing helped her process trauma  Why adoptees deserve agency over their own stories  The dangers of family secrecy and hidden truths  Reunion experiences with both maternal and paternal relatives  Why telling the truth matters before it’s too late This is one of the rawest and most honest conversations we’ve ever had on Family Twist, and Dr. Syb’s voice is one that will stay with listeners long after the episode ends. If you’re navigating adoption, a DNA surprise, NPE discovery, donor conception, or complicated family secrets, this episode will make you feel seen. And remember, family secrets are the ultimate plot twist.

    39 min

  7. May 19

    The Search for His Mother’s Past Led to a Shocking Discovery

    Send us Fan Mail What happens when your search for family stretches across decades, dead ends, sealed records, and fading hope? In part two of this deeply personal conversation, Corey and Kendall continue their discussion with author and journalist Paul T. O'Connor. Together, they explore the emotional realities of adoption, foster care, identity, and the lifelong impact of family secrecy. Kendall shares stories from his years-long search for his biological family, including placing newspaper ads in Arkansas long before consumer DNA testing existed, petitioning courts for records, and trying to piece together his origins from fragments of information. The conversation also dives into the strange experience of finally meeting biological relatives and seeing physical similarities reflected back for the first time. Paul opens up further about his mother’s history in foster care, the disappearance of critical records, and how secrecy and stigma shaped generations of families. It’s an honest conversation about grief, resilience, truth, and the complicated reality that love for adoptive family and curiosity about biological roots can exist at the same time. Paul’s new book, The Missing Child: The Life She Lived and the Life She Missed, published by Torchflame Books, is available beginning May 26 through bookstores and online retailers. If you’re part of the adoptee, NPE, donor-conceived, or DNA surprise community, this episode will likely feel very familiar.

    23 min

  8. May 12

    He Opened the Envelope His Mother Told Him to Destroy

    Send us Fan Mail What would you do if, on the day you buried your mother, you discovered a hidden bundle of records labeled with one clear instruction: Please destroy these? In this gripping first part of Corey and Kendall’s conversation with retired journalist and author Paul O’Connor, a lifetime of hidden family history begins to unravel through DNA testing, courthouse archives, old birth records, and one relentless search for the truth.  Paul shares how a mystery surrounding his mother’s identity turned into a years-long investigation that ultimately became his new book, The Missing Child: The Life She Lost and the Life She Led, releasing May 26. Pre-orders are available now. What begins as curiosity about his mother’s background evolves into something much deeper: an emotional exploration of shame, secrecy, adoption-era stigma, and the devastating weight family secrets can carry across generations. Using AncestryDNA, 23andMe, historical records, and help from newly discovered cousins, Paul uncovers shocking truths about infidelity, hidden relatives, and the biological grandfather his family never knew existed. Along the way, he and Kendall discuss the emotional complexity of adoption, identity, DNA surprises, and one question that lingers throughout the episode: Is knowing the truth always better? In this episode:  Paul discovers hidden family records after his mother’s death  A DNA test reveals unexpected biological connections  The emotional fallout of long-buried family secrets  Adoption stigma and shame in the early 1900s  How genealogy research helped uncover the truth  Why Paul wrote The Missing Child The complicated emotional legacy of secrecy  Kendall reflects on growing up adopted without secrecy If you’ve ever searched for biological family, uncovered a DNA surprise, wrestled with identity, or wondered how hidden truths shape generations, this conversation will stay with you long after it ends. Pre-order Paul O’Connor’s new book, The Missing Child: The Life She Lost and the Life She Led, ahead of its May 26 release, and subscribe to Family Twist for more stories about DNA surprises, adoption, NPE discoveries, donor conception, and the secrets families keep.

    28 min
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4.7
out of 5
79 Ratings

About

Family Twist shares real-life stories of DNA surprises, adoption, donor conception, NPE discoveries, and the secrets that reshape families.  Hosted by Corey and Kendall Stulce, each episode explores what happens when the truth about identity, parentage, or family history comes to light. These revelations sometimes happen by choice, often by accident, and always with life-changing impact. Through candid conversations with adoptees, donor-conceived people, late-discovery NPEs, birth parents, and family members who are navigating unexpected truths, Family Twist looks beyond the initial shock. We explore what comes next. We talk about the relationships that grow or break, the boundaries that help or hurt, the grief that surfaces, and the unexpected connections that can heal. Kendall's personal journey plays an important role in the heart of the show. He was adopted at birth, searched for decades, and eventually discovered his biological family through a DNA test. His experience brings empathy, humor, and honesty to every conversation. Corey brings warmth and insight as the couple creates space for guests to share the real, complicated, hopeful, and often surprising moments behind their family twists. If you are searching for your people, untangling a difficult discovery, or simply fascinated by the truth behind modern families, this podcast will remind you that you are not alone and that your story matters. New episodes arrive every week, including in-depth interviews and shorter Story Snapshots that highlight powerful moments from our guests. Have a Family Twist of your own? Share it with us.

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