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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
DNA Testing
Family Dynamics
Mental Health
Donor Conception
Open Adoption
Trauma
NPE
NPE (not Parent Expected)
DNA
Childhood Trauma
Grief
Mental Wellness
Resilience
Family Relationships
Healing
Community Support
NPE Community

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... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes219Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureHistory

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

Latest Episodes

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 What happens when a sperm donor from the 1990s suddenly discovers he has children decades later? 

This is one of those stories that could only happen right now.

A decision made in the early ’90s, when anonymity was expected and p... more

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What happens when your story starts with secrecy… and ends with a global family?

In this milestone Episode 200 of Family Twist, Kendall sits down with author, musician, and adoptee Zara, whose life began in England during the force... more

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What happens when a life-altering DNA discovery becomes a feature film… and then gets unpacked in a room full of people who truly understand it?

In this special live episode of Family Twist, Corey sits down with filmmaker, actor, a... more

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What happens when you go from being an only child… to one of twelve overnight?

In this episode of Family Twist, and Kendall sits down with Elizabeth Barbour, an adoptee, adoptive mom, and reunion expert who has spent more than two ... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Aaron Long
Sperm donor and father of Bryce and Maddie; writer and musician
Donor-conceived family member featured in the story
Episode: He Donated Sperm in 1994. Decades Later, His Kids Found Him
Zara Phillips
Subject of the story discussed in this episode
Private individual
Episode: From Forced Adoption to DNA Discovery: Zara’s Story of Finding Family | Episode 200
Laura Olmsted
Founder of DNAngels, genetic genealogist
DNAngels
Episode: A DNA Test, a Family Secret, and the Birth of DNAngels
Gail Lukasik
Author of White Like Her and What They Never Told Us
Author, Speaker
Episode: Her Mother Passed as White. The Truth Stayed Hidden for Decades
Dr. Vicki Sanders
Licensed therapist specializing in relational trauma, adoption, and attachment wounds
Independent clinician
Episode: The Questions Adopted Kids Are Afraid to Ask
David Quint
Filmmaker and subject of the documentary Father Unknown
Documentary filmmaker
Episode: Don’t Ever Ask About Your Father Again
Keith Sciarillo
Late discovery adoptee sharing his story of identity and family
Episode: I Lived a Lie and Called It Family
Dr. Nicole Price
A Board Advisor at DNAngels who helps others navigate DNA discoveries
DNAngels
Episode: I Was the Only One Who Didn’t Know
Marylee MacDonald
Author and adoptee sharing her memoir about adoption and reunion
Self
Episode: I Was Told My Birth Parents Died. That Wasn’t True.

Hosts

Kendall Stulce
Co-host/Host exploring adopted background and personal journey into biological family discovery.
Corey Stulce
Co-host/Host with a warm, insightful approach to family twists and guest storytelling.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 106 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 States6 months 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 States7 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 States8 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 States8 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 Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

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

Many describe it as a go-to for exploring DNA-related family twists and identity.
Listeners praise the show for relatable, human storytelling and the hosts' warmth.
Fans enjoy its mix of personal and guest stories.
Some mention background music or production quirks as minor distractions.

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The Interview
The InterviewThe New York Times

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

From Only Child to One of Twelve
Q: Did you know you were adopted?
Elizabeth confirms she did know and describes her early awareness and the long path to reunion, including meeting her birth family after decades of searching.
Her Mother Passed as White. The Truth Stayed Hidden for Decades
Q: Can you tell us about your first book and what revelations you uncovered?
Gail explains the inspiration behind White Like Her, the discovery process, and how it led to shedding light on hidden family histories and the broader implications of racial passing.
The Questions Adopted Kids Are Afraid to Ask
Q: How does the primal wound factor into current mental health and relationships?
The primal wound is something that continues to influence attachment and identity across adolescence and adulthood; healing is possible but requires ongoing attention rather than a one-time fix.
The Questions Adopted Kids Are Afraid to Ask
Q: How do you advise families to begin these conversations?
Normalize discomfort, emphasize that it's okay to feel uneasy, and prioritize the child's needs over adult discomfort, gradually introducing questions and ongoing dialogue.
From International Adoption to Reclaiming Citizenship
Q: When did the conversation about the adoption circumstance with your adoptive family happen?
She recalls asking her adoptive mother why she didn't look like her and eventually learned about her adoption when she was three years old.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

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

A candid, human-centered series that follows real people navigating DNA surprises, adoption, donor conception, and late-discovery family history. Episodes weave intimate stories of identity, belonging, and healing with the hosts' own journey, often featuring reunions, confessions, and the emotional fallout of truth-telling. The show stands out for its warm, supportive conversation style, its focus on both the shock and the next steps—rebuilding relationships, setting boundaries, and forging new family connections. It tends to attract listeners who want empathetic storytelling about family secrets and the evolving meaning of family in the DNA era, and it often highlights resilience, community, and the diverse shapes families can take.

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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. Finding Family DNA
5. Mothers, Lies and DNA Surprises

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 4 years ago and published 219 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. Aaron Long
2. Zara Phillips
3. Laura Olmsted
4. Gail Lukasik
5. Dr. Vicki Sanders
6. David Quint
7. Keith Sciarillo
8. Dr. Nicole Price

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