Best NPE Stories Podcasts (2025)

1
Bloodlines and Bombshells - an NPE story (Pt. 2) 1:07:27

7d ago1:07:27

1:07:27

Part 2 dives into the raw, real, emotion of Krystal's NPE (Not Parent Expected) story. Join us as we go into the unexpected journey after learning her biological father isn’t who she thought—and the ripple effects that followed.By Katrina Burns and Krystal Stover

1
Deb's Story 44:57

14d ago44:57

44:57

Trigger warning: This episode contains discussions of child abuse, including physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. Deb recounts a sad childhood with abuse and multiple years in foster care. After finding out she was an NPE through a DNA test Deb shares her story of meeting and building strong bonds with her biological paternal family while dealing…

1
Interview with author Christian Hurst 1:05:15

5h ago1:05:15

1:05:15

This week, we’re chatting with author Christian Hurst about his writing journey, the ups and downs of creating Lily Starling, and what it was like growing up Mormon—and, much like his book character, how he had to choose his own path. From early influences to the real-life experiences that shape his work, Christian brings humor, honesty, and a ton …

1
Australia’s Adoption Scandal Hits Home and Hard 22:29

1d ago22:29

22:29

Imagine building out a detailed family tree… only to find out you’re not actually in it. That’s what happened to this guest from Australia, who took a casual DNA test at age 59—and uncovered a life-changing secret: he was adopted, and no one had ever told him. In Part One of this deeply personal two-part conversation, we follow his journey from Aus…

1
Family Is Complicated, And We’re Not Done Talking About It 27:01

8d ago27:01

27:01

In this milestone episode, the hosts of Family Twist take a heartfelt, unfiltered look back on three years of storytelling, 150 episodes, and the ever-evolving journey of uncovering and healing from family secrets. Family Is Complicated And We’re Not Done Talking About It What began as a podcast to share one adoptee’s story has blossomed into a pow…

1
Richie Blair 54:39

8d ago54:39

54:39

Welcome to another episode of Missing Pieces. On today's show Richie Blair tells his heartwarming story. Check it out!!! If you want to get in touch with Don you can email him at donNPE at i cloud dot com. Or you can follow me on instagram @NPE_LIFE_PODCAST. Leave a message there. Thanks.By Don Anderson

1
Bloodlines and Bombshells - an NPE story (Pt. 1) 1:06:07

14d ago1:06:07

1:06:07

This week, we dive into part 1 of Krystal's story of growing up under the shadow of a narcissistic, verbally abusive dad that left scars she never fully understood. Now, as she pieces together her identity she confronts the pain of her past as a means to beginning a journey toward healing, forgiveness, and self-discovery.…

1
The Pain We Carry, the Monsters We Love 28:14

15d ago28:14

28:14

🩸 Episode Summary: In this hauntingly heartwarming bonus episode of Family Twist, Corey and Kendall open the crypt to their other podcast, Horror Heals—where trauma, grief, and found family intersect with creepy dolls, final girls, and haunted conventions. You’ll hear from six remarkable guests who’ve turned fear and pain into art, community, and h…

1
The Birth of the Donor Sibling Registry 1:06:26

15d ago1:06:26

1:06:26

In this powerful, first-time full release of our conversation with Wendy Kramer, co-founder of the Donor Sibling Registry (DSR), we explore the deeply personal and transformational story behind one of the most influential voices in the donor conception world. Originally thought to be partially lost due to a damaged audio file, this complete convers…

1
Casi Come Home (Pt. 2) 1:04:55

21d ago1:04:55

1:04:55

Trina and Krystal dive in to part 2 of a real-life missing person's case of Trina's cousin, Casi Ann Pogue. She went missing from Greenville Memorial Hospital, in Greenville, South Carolina, on July 5th of 2020. She was seen leaving the hospital on foot, and vanished after she got outside of the surveillance cameras and hasn't been seen or heard fr…

1
Elda From New York 48:24

21d ago48:24

48:24

Hi, Welcome to another fabulous episode of Missing Pieces - NPE Life. Today we have a very special guest named Elda. She's an amazing woman and a super close friend of my wife. She tells us her NPE story. To watch AJs YouTube channel check it out here (he was on the episode Bromance but now has a YouTube channel for NPEs) To get in touch with Don y…

1
Why I’m Not Angry They Didn’t Tell Me She Was Dying 28:13

22d ago28:13

28:13

Listener Note: This episode contains sensitive content, including the death of a pet, home invasion, and terminal illness. In this powerful continuation of Kendall’s adoption journey, we dive deep into one of the most defining and devastating chapters of his life: the years following his adoptive mother Betty’s terminal diagnosis. Why I’m Not Angry…

1
Rashanda's Story 45:41

24d ago45:41

45:41

Rashanda opens up about growing up without a mom or dad and the emotional toll of navigating life without a traditional family structure. From childhood instability to finding her own voice, her story is one of raw honesty, growth, and empowerment. This episode offers a moving look into what it means to rise above your beginnings. Rashanda can be r…

1
Casi Come Home (Pt. 1) 1:08:57

28d ago1:08:57

1:08:57

Trina and Krystal dive in to a real-life missing person's case of Trina's cousin, Casi Ann Pogue. She went missing from Greenville Memorial Hospital, in Greenville, South Carolina, on July 5th of 2020. She was seen leaving the hospital on foot, and vanished after she got outside of the surveillance cameras and hasn't been seen or heard from since. …

1
Embracing the Beautiful Mess of Surprise Family 30:49

29d ago30:49

30:49

In this episode of Family Twist, Corey and Kendall sit down with Eve Sturges, therapist, writer, and host of the podcast Everything’s Relative, to share her powerful journey through the twists and turns of family discovery. After taking a DNA test, Eve uncovered life-changing truths about her origins — and embarked on a heartfelt road trip across t…

1
Another Off the Cuff 55:36

1M ago55:36

55:36

Trina and Krystal dive into the wisdom they've received after 40, compartmentalizing trauma and how societal normalcy has changed in our current climateBy Katrina Burns and Krystal Stover

1
The Full Story You Haven’t Heard (Until Now) 1:19:39

1M ago1:19:39

1:19:39

This week on Family Twist, we’re celebrating a major milestone—three years of storytelling, surprise DNA discoveries, and untangling family secrets. And to mark the occasion, we’re bringing you a brand-new edit of one of our most meaningful conversations: a full, uncut interview with Brian Stanton, an acclaimed playwright and adoptee whose solo sho…

1
Annette's Story: Living Into the Truth 57:52

1M ago57:52

57:52

Raised in a devout Catholic family, Annette grew up believing her father had died before she was born. Decades later, a series of emotional discoveries unraveled everything she thought she knew about her identity. Her journey explores loss, secrecy, and the power of living one’s truth Annette's memoir is called Living Into the Truth. You can learn …

1
Marta From Poland 57:09

1M ago57:09

57:09

Welcome to another exciting episode of Missing Pieces. This is a good one. It's about an NPE from Poland. It's an incredible story and she's an incredible person. Check it out and spread the word. If you want to get in touch with Marta you can find her on instagram marta_kostrzewska To follow Don on instagram click here NPE_LIFE_PODCAST Please list…

1
Hookup Culture (Pt. 2) 47:38

1M ago47:38

47:38

This week Trina and Krystal talk again with Krystal's daughter, Mallory, and Trina's daughter, Abbee, about hookup culture, settling down, mommy and daddy issues and navigating the current climate in dating. We also give a good Irish goodbye! *Note* These are our first episodes with guests and we are still learning the audio. It's not terrible, but…

1
The Day I Was No Longer a Ghost 24:04

1M ago24:04

24:04

In the continuation of Jeremy’s deeply moving story, everything changes with one message: “We discovered we have a brother.” After a lifetime of being the family secret—unwanted by a mother who abused him, erased by a father who walked away—Jeremy took the risk of opening the door. And what came through was nothing short of transformational. The Da…

1
Melanie Dawn's Story 1:09:28

2M ago1:09:28

1:09:28

In Episode 216, Melanie recounts the emotional journey of reconnecting with the father who raised her, only to lose him and then learn he wasn’t her biological dad. Her story unfolds with raw honesty as she navigates the shock of a DNA discovery, a hidden past, and the bittersweet truth of finding her biological father. Melanie can be reached via e…

1
Hookup Culture (Pt. 1) 1:12:08

2M ago1:12:08

1:12:08

Trina and Krystal have an open conversation with their adult children on this generation's hook up culture and how it impacts dating normalcy. Part one dives into how social media and apps have made it easier than ever to hook up, while making it more difficult to find substantial relationships.By Katrina Burns and Krystal Stover

1
"Brace for Impact": Surviving Trauma and Searching for Identity 27:23

2M ago27:23

27:23

When Jeremy first reached out to Family Twist, his email stopped us in our tracks. The pain, the longing, the strength—it was all there in his words. In this raw and unforgettable episode, Jeremy shares the first part of his life story: a childhood marked by instability, abuse, and the aching absence of family identity. "Brace for Impact": Survivin…

1
Laura, Ann's Daughter 56:23

2M ago56:23

56:23

Check out this fabulous episode, where we hear Laura's (Ann from Iowa's daughter) side of the story. I love being able to hear the story from different perspectives. If you want to get in touch with Don email him at don NPE at iCloud dot com. (trying to get less junkmail) Or follow me on instagram at NPE_LIFE_PODCAST. To get in touch with Billy Sul…

1
Bucket List 51:21

2M ago51:21

51:21

It may be some people's weekend, but it's their dreams. Trina and Krystal discuss their bucket lists, and how they hope to one day go on the road. Chef Kerropi - https://chefkerropi.my.canva.site/By Katrina Burns and Krystal Stover

1
DNA Surprises in a Time of Erasure 34:33

2M ago34:33

34:33

In this powerful and timely episode, Corey and Kendall sit down with Alexis Hourse;t, the creator and host of the DNA Surprises podcast — a show dedicated to exploring the emotional complexity of unexpected DNA discoveries. Alexis shares her own deeply personal story of finding out through a consumer DNA test that she was not who she thought she wa…

1
Little Traumas 49:42

2M ago49:42

49:42

Trina and Krystal share some of their shorter stories of traumas. Trina discusses being hit by a car at her daycare, and moving in with 2 drug dealers when she was a teen. Krystal discusses witnessing a stabbing as a child, and getting lost at the beach. And of course, they use humor and their very own style of storytelling. **Note - You may hear s…

1
My Family Was Right Next Door 48:42

2M ago48:42

48:42

What if your biological family—siblings, a mother, even potential fathers—had been living just a few towns away your entire life, and you never knew? My Family Was Right Next Door In this emotionally charged episode of Family Twist, we meet a mother-daughter duo who peel back the layers of a decades-old secret. The mother was adopted in the 1950s u…

1
Pandemic at the Disco - Pt. 2 43:49

2M ago43:49

43:49

This week, Krystal discusses surviving the COVID fallout and the devastation it caused with losing a friend.By Katrina and Krystal

1
Devorah's Story about Taken From The Cradle 41:14

2M ago41:14

41:14

Devorah Lee, author of Taken from the Cradle, shares her journey of discovering she was a late-discovery adoptee (LDA) from a Jacksonville, FL, black market baby ring. She opens up about the shock, secrecy, and search for truth in her NPE experience. Devorah Lee can be reached via email [email protected] Resources Mentioned: Taken From T…

1
The Long Road Home to Irish Citizenship 26:48

2M ago26:48

26:48

What happens when the country of your birth refuses to acknowledge where you really come from? For adoptees, proving their origins can be a legal nightmare—especially when official documents don’t tell the whole truth. In this two-part Family Twist special, our guest shares his astonishing journey to uncover his heritage, navigate international red…

1
Pandemic at the Disco - Pt. 1 25:48

3M ago25:48

25:48

Trina and Krystal attempt "Southern" ASMR before diving deeper into how COVID changed their life. Part 1 features Trina's story on the trauma she endured during the pandemic, and surviving the losses.By Katrina and Krystal

1
Uncovering My Secret Irish Heritage Through DNA 26:00

3M ago26:00

26:00

In this intimate and reflective solo-hosted episode, Kendall dives deep into a powerful conversation with guest John Portmann, exploring themes of family, identity, adoption secrecy, and the life-changing power of DNA discoveries. Uncovering My Secret Irish Heritage Through DNA Key Highlights: Growing Up Adopted: John shares parallels with Kendall …

1
Ann From Iowa 1:06:51

3M ago1:06:51

1:06:51

Welcome to another special episode of Missing Pieces. Today Ann shares with us her story of being a birth mother and the source for an NPE. It's an incredible open conversation that can't be missed. If you would like to donate to Don's trip to Ukraine go to ianice,org and support us. Thanks so much!! If you want to get in touch with Don email him d…

1
Lauren's Story - Five Years Later 1:10:04

3M ago1:10:04

1:10:04

Lauren returns to the podcast five years after first sharing her story in Season 1, hoping others can learn from her journey as she reflects on what has unfolded since. Lauren can be reached via email [email protected] To hear Lauren's origin story Episode 28 of NPE Stories listen here. NPE Stories Patreon NPE Stories facebook page https://…

1
We're Trying This Thing Out 52:58

3M ago52:58

52:58

Trina and Krystal discuss the importance of music, and how trauma affects everyday life.By Katrina and Krystal

1
When Open Adoption Isn’t So Open 40:42

3M ago40:42

40:42

In this episode of Family Twist, Corey and Kendall sit down with Connor, who is in the process of writing a memoir about his experience with open adoption. Connor pulls back the curtain on the often-glossed-over complexities of open adoption, sharing how the promises made to birth parents, adoptive families, and adoptees themselves are often more m…

1
Off the Cuff 1:20:41

3M ago1:20:41

1:20:41

Trina and Krystal have a candid conversation about personal stories, family and embarrassing moments they've encountered.By Katrina and Krystal

1
What Happens When Your “Aunt” Is Actually Your Mother? 42:40

3M ago42:40

42:40

What happens when the life you’ve always known changes in an instant? For Natalie, a single conversation just before her 18th birthday unraveled everything she thought she knew about herself. She grew up believing she was the biological child of her Filipino immigrant parents—until they sat her and her triplet siblings down and revealed a shocking …

1
My Dad's Mixup 56:24

3M ago56:24

56:24

Welcome to another great episode. We hear Candi tell the amazing story about how she helped her dad figure who he really was. To get in touch with Don you can email him [email protected] or find me on instagram @NPE_LIFE_PODCAST To get more info on Candi and their amazing non-profit go to https://www.bestwa.org/home Don't forget to rate and review!…

1
DNA Speaks the Truth, But Your Doctor May Not 1:22:55

3M ago1:22:55

1:22:55

Episode 213: Challenging Medical Guidelines on Misattributed Paternity In this special episode, host Richard Wenzel leads a compelling discussion with fellow NPEs Gina Daniel, Jodi Girard, Lily Wood, and Eve Sturges. Together, they dive into their recent article, Misattributed Paternity Discovery: A Critique of Medical Organizations' Recommendation…

1
From DNA Surprise to Maximum Security 42:30

3M ago42:30

42:30

What would you do if a DNA test revealed a biological parent you never knew existed—who also happened to be serving a life sentence in a maximum-security prison? That’s exactly what happened to our guest, Brad Ewell. In this powerful three-part series, Brad shares his incredible journey from uncovering a decades-old family secret to standing face-t…

1
Shocking Family Secrets Keep Unraveling 38:47

4M ago38:47

38:47

In part one, we learned how Brad Ewell’s entire world changed with a single DNA test. What he thought was just a fun ancestry experiment unraveled a family secret buried for 49 years. A message from a stranger. A birth certificate with missing details. A phone call that ended in stunned silence. And finally, the words that changed everything: "Brad…

1
Amy S's Story 56:01

4M ago56:01

56:01

Amy S's story is a journey of identity, family deception, and self-discovery. A DNA test revealed her biological father was not the man she adored but someone from her father’s social circle, shattering her sense of belonging. After grappling with grief and betrayal, she found healing through therapy, genealogy, and embracing her Irish heritage, ul…

1
From Horror Fan to Horror Story 31:04

4M ago31:04

31:04

Some stories are so unbelievable, they sound like they belong in a movie. But this isn’t fiction—this is Family Twist. And for this special crossover episode, we’re also bringing our Horror Heals audience along for the ride. Brad Ewell thought he knew who he was. That changed in an instant. What started as a simple curiosity—one of those “Hey, let’…

1
Stream NPE Documentary for Free 21:02

4M ago21:02

21:02

In this episode of Family Twist, we sit down with Jon Baime, the writer, producer, and director of the powerful NPE documentary, Filling in the Blanks. Now streaming for free on Amazon Prime, Tubi, and the Roku Channel, the film explores Jon’s personal journey as a donor-conceived individual and the emotional discoveries that unfolded after taking …

1
Jennifer Ruiz's Story 55:00

4M ago55:00

55:00

Jennifer is a first generation Colombian-American who describes her family as warm, loving, and hard-working. She had the shock of her life when her DNA results showed one of her best friends was actually her half-sibling. Jennifer can be reached via email [email protected] NPE Stories Patreon NPE Stories facebook page https://www.facebook.com/NPEst…

1
Lost and Found: The Adoption Story Behind Family Twist 30:35

4M ago30:35

30:35

Corey and Kendall take a trip down memory lane, revisiting Kendall’s incredible adoption story—the inspiration behind Family Twist. For new listeners who may have missed the beginning, and loyal fans who want to hear more, Kendall shares untold details about his journey from being adopted as a baby to discovering his birth family at age 47 through …

1
Julie S's Story 40:23

4M ago40:23

40:23

Julie S is the result of a wife-swapping situation that turned into a love affair. She was conceived with intention, but no one was ever planning to tell Julie the truth about her biological father. Julie can be reached on instagram @katmondieu NPE Stories Patreon NPE Stories facebook page https://www.facebook.com/NPEstories…

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NPE Stories Podcasts

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