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Artwork for Family Twist: A Podcast Exploring DNA Surprises and Family Secrets

Family Twist: A Podcast Exploring DNA Surprises and Family Secrets

Corey and Kendall Stulce
Adoption
Family Secrets
Identity
Mental Health
DNA Testing
Trauma
Identity Discovery
Open Adoption
Family Dynamics
Policy Changes
Child Welfare
Foster Care
DNA Surprise Network
Horror Heals
NPE (not Parent Expected)
Healing
Mental Wellness
Horror Conventions
Transition
Personal Growth

Welcome to Family Twist, the podcast that dives deep into the tangled webs of family secrets and DNA surprises. Each episode, hosts Corey and Kendall Austin Stulce explore the complex and challenging truths that come with discovering you are a non-parent expected (NPE) individual—someone whose familial origins aren't what they seemed. Through candid interviews with people from the NPE, adoptee, an... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes195Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HistorySociety & Culture

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Artwork for Family Twist: A Podcast Exploring DNA Surprises and Family Secrets

Latest Episodes

What happens when you discover a whole set of siblings who grew up in the donor’s home, but you are not sure they even know you exist

In part one, a simple birthday DNA kit rewrote everything Nick thought he knew about his identity. He learned he wa... more

YouTube

What if a simple birthday gift revealed a secret your parents had been carrying for more than three decades?

For his 36th birthday, Nick’s siblings gave him a 23andMe kit. It seemed like a fun way to learn more about his ancestry, until his parents ... more

YouTube

What happens when a single email from a stranger confirms the secret you have been living with your whole life?

In this episode, Rich Boerner returns to Family Twist to share the second half of his extraordinary story. In Part One, Rich discovered t... more

YouTube

What if the father you spent your life wondering about turned out to be someone you already knew?

As a kid growing up on Long Island in the 1970s, Rich Boerner learned not to ask too many questions. His mother had her version of the truth and repeat... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Rich Boerner
Author of The Not-So Only Child
Self
Episode: The Not-So Only Child
Jeremy Bryant
Donor conceived individual and host of a Paranormal Podcast.
Paranormal Podcast
Episode: The Fertility Industry’s Dark Secret, Told by Two of Its Kids
Bryan Post
Leading expert in trauma and adoption, and an adoptee.
Episode: Why This Episode Left Us in Tears (and Hope)
Lisa Brenner
Actor, writer, and producer of the film One Big Happy Family
Independent film
Episode: When Your DNA Test Turns Into a Movie Script
Shirley Muñoz Newsom
Author and speaker on issues of switched at birth and family secrets.
Author of The Little Dark One, A True Story of Switched at Birth
Episode: Switched at birth and silenced for decades
J. Steven Osborne
An individual who navigated a family secret revealed through DNA testing.
Episode: Love Beyond DNA: The Man Who Raised Me
Kendall Stulce
Host of Family Twist Podcast
Family Twist
Episode: Two Families, One Primal Wound
Lisa MM Butler
Transracial adoptee, artist, and advocate
Episode: What Happens When a Transracial Adoptee Tells the Whole Truth?
Adrienne King
Final Girl from the original Friday the 13th
Episode: The Pain We Carry, the Monsters We Love

Hosts

Kendall Austin Stulce
Co-host with personal experience in adoption and family discovery journeys, Kendall often shares insights and emotional reflections that connect deeply with listeners.
Corey Stulce
Co-host and collaborator with Kendall, who brings his perspective and engages listeners through relatable storytelling and humor.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 98 ratings
  • Interesting Topics but…

    I’m always fascinated by these types of stories and was delighted to find the podcast today. However, the weird Halloween music in the background is a major distraction. Off to find another podcast, unfortunately.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    LS6
    United Statesa month ago
  • So relatable

    When you finally find the podcast where people actually understand your experience, it’s nothing short of magic. I love how Corey and Kendall share a mix of personal stories with guest experiences, showing us the many ways that family DNA can provide that oh-so-unexpected twist! Thank you so much for all you do. We all feel more seen, heard, and understood because of your show.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Emily Aborn
    United States2 months ago
  • Binge listening

    I found out about this podcast a couple of nights ago and binge listen all day while crocheting on the beach in Maine or on the porch. I grew up in Massachusetts, college in RI and live in NH. So it’s obviously have strong New England ties. Thank you Kendall and Corey for sharing and for letting others share their stories. I recently found a family member that is related (2nd or 2rd cousin) by an NPE and not positive who her related father is so I am helping her confirm but I am new to DNA b... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Love to Research
    United States3 months ago
  • Binge listening

    I found out about this podcast last night and binge listened all day while crocheting. Thank you Kendall and Corey for sharing and for letting others share their story. I recently found a family member that is related by an NPE and not positive who her related father is so I am helping.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Love to Research
    United States3 months ago
  • Expect the unexpected

    Kendall tells his story of being an adopted son. He and Corey, his partner tell their tales with honesty. Laughter and tears. Their outlook on life made me want to continue to listen. I am only on the first season. When I realized today that I have over 100 episodes to continue to listen to I was so happy! There’s a few different NPE podcasts out there and they are very good listens. BUT Kendall and Corey feel like family to me as I listen along to them. I hope you’ll agree that this podcast i... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sunchine1234
    United States7 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the candid and heartfelt storytelling of the hosts, feeling like they are part of a supportive community.
The emotional exploration of family secrets resonates deeply, with many finding comfort in shared experiences.
Listeners highlight the mix of humor and poignant narratives, making each episode both informative and engaging.
The personal journeys shared in each episode create a sense of connection and belonging among listeners, fostering a warm atmosphere.
There is a strong emphasis on healing and understanding in relationship to the surprises and challenges discussed.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

One Test. Two Brothers. Two Different Truths.
Q: Did your parents explain the circumstances around why they would even have to consider donor conception?
Yes, they explained that it took a long time for them to conceive naturally, considering adoption as an option but ultimately settling on donor conception after many years.
I Found My Father’s Name in My Mother’s Secrets
Q: At what point did you start to question that maybe you weren't getting the complete story?
Rich began questioning his mother's narrative about his father during his tween and teen years but didn't confront it until college due to his desire to protect his mother from pain.
I Found My Father’s Name in My Mother’s Secrets
Q: What was childhood like for a little Rich?
Rich describes his childhood as one filled with love but limited resources, growing up with a single mother in a small apartment and grappling with the absence of a father in the 1970s.
The Not-So Only Child
Q: What was the reaction from your kids when they read the book?
Rich shared that his eldest cried while listening to the book, feeling the loss of connection. His second child gave positive feedback and bought a copy, while the youngest found it engaging and praised Rich's writing.
When Kendall’s Story Became Her Mirror
Q: What is your relationship like with your heritage?
Jai is very connected to her roots and her mother kept the culture alive at home, instilling strong ties to both her Puerto Rican and Mexican heritage.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Focusing on the intricate narratives of family secrets and unexpected genealogical revelations, this podcast provides an engaging exploration of identity within the non-parent expected (NPE) and adoptee communities. Through heartfelt conversations with individuals who have faced shocking truths about their origins, listeners discover a range of emotional journeys—from the uplifting to the heart-wrenching. The unique blend of humor, candid storytelling, and personal experiences creates a supportive space where stories of rediscovery, acceptance, and healing resonate deeply.

What sets this podcast apart is its strong emphasis on community and shared experiences, making it not just informative but a true support network for those navigating s... more

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Which podcasts are similar to this podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. DNA Surprises
2. NPE Stories
3. Missing Pieces - NPE Life
4. Everything's Relative with Eve Sturges
5. Finding Family DNA

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 4 years ago and published 195 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Rich Boerner
2. Jeremy Bryant
3. Bryan Post
4. Lisa Brenner
5. Shirley Muñoz Newsom
6. J. Steven Osborne
7. Kendall Stulce
8. Lisa MM Butler

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