Constance grew up believing she shared the same father as her siblings, though she always sensed something was off. Decades later, an AncestryDNA test and unexpected messages from strangers unraveled the truth—leading her to her biological father living just 20 minutes away. Their emotional first meeting, the highs and lows of building a relationship at midlife, and Constance’s journey toward grace, understanding, and identity make this a deeply meaningful NPE story.

Constance can be reached via email constancethenpe@gmail.com

NPE Stories Patreon

NPE Stories facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/NPEs...

Krissy shares her decades-long journey from an offhand comment in her teens to the life-changing discovery that she is an NPE, uncovering hidden family truths on both her maternal and paternal sides.

She can be reached via email sweetalizady@aol.com

NPE Stories Patreon

NPE Stories facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/NPEstories

In this episode, Traci Grant shares her profound NPE journey, uncovering a hidden truth about her biological father after a lifetime of painful family dynamics and secrecy. 

Traci can be reached at tracigrant.com or traciygrant630@gmail.com

Resources Mentioned:

After the Rotting by Traci Grant

NPE Stories Patreon

NPE Stories facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/NPEstories

Amy’s discovery about her origins reshaped everything she thought she knew about her life and family. This conversation stayed with me long after recording—it’s one of those stories that quietly breaks your heart while reminding you what healing can look like.

Amy can be reached via email amyr200015@yahoo.com

Resources Mentioned:

Some NPE groups on facebook 

MPE Life: DNA Surprise, NPE, Adoptee, & Donor Conceived (DCP) RTK Support

https://www.facebook.com/groups/mpelife

Togetherness Heals ~ NPE Only on facebook
https://www.faceboo...

After a tumultuous childhood, William built a happy life as a chef, husband, and father—until a DNA test revealed a hidden truth about his identity. His discovery led him to a new family, a shared passion, and a journey of forgiveness and healing. In this episode, William reflects on breaking cycles of pain and finding connection through truth.

William can be reached via facebook or email waperance@gmail.com

Resources Mentioned:

Dani Shapiro's Inheritance 

William Aperance's A Life Half Told: Unraveling my life's story through DNA

NPE Stories Pat...

When Pat took a DNA test to ease her brother’s doubts, she never imagined it would upend everything she thought she knew about her family. What followed was a story of shock, grief, forgiveness, and the quiet strength it takes to rebuild your identity after discovering a hidden truth.

Pat can be reached via email patmcd1974@gmail.com

NPE Stories Patreon

NPE Stories facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/NPEstories

After taking a DNA test to support her granddaughter’s school project, Gina discovered a life-changing truth: the man who raised her wasn’t her biological father. In this episode, Gina shares her journey through not one but two NPE revelations, finding—and then losing—new family, and ultimately building meaningful connections with previously unknown siblings. 

Gina H can be reached via email gmhpkr@aol.com

Resources Mentioned:

Unearthing by Kyo Maclear

DNAngels 

NPE Stories Patreon

NPE Stories facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/NPEstories

Lisa F. grew up in what seemed like the perfect family in a small Oklahoma town—until a DNA test revealed a shocking truth about her biological father. In this episode, she shares the journey of piecing together family secrets, confronting long-held assumptions, and finding unexpected connections with new relatives. Her story is both heartbreaking and hopeful, showing how identity and belonging can be reshaped in unexpected ways.

Please leave a rating or review for NPE Stories.

NPE Stories Patreon

NPE Stories facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/NPEstories

In this episode, Lori shares her journey of discovering she was donor conceived after taking a DNA test meant to be a distraction during a difficult time. What began as curiosity about her heritage unraveled decades of family secrets, uncovered hidden siblings, and raised urgent questions about medical history and identity. Lori speaks candidly about the impact on her relationships, the search for truth, and her commitment to breaking cycles of secrecy for future generations.

Lori can be reached on Instagram @journe2me

https://www.instagram.com/journe2me?igsh=MXIwcWw5dmF1bXl1dg%3D%3...

Rebecca grew up without the steady presence of a father, carrying unanswered questions into adulthood. When a DNA test opened unexpected doors, she discovered family connections that had been close by all along — in ways she never could have imagined.

Resources Mentioned:

DNA Surprises with Alexis Hourselt

NPE Stories Patreon

NPE Stories facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/NPEstories

We kick off Season 7 with a warm welcome to new listeners and a bit of housekeeping before diving into this week’s story.

Our guest, Liz, grew up surrounded by confusion—her various IDs and birth certificates carried different names and birthdates, leaving her with more questions than answers. Discovering she is an NPE helped bring clarity, and since then she’s begun building relationships with some of her family members. While those connections are slowly unfolding, she has not yet met her biological father.

Liz can be reached via email lizette.rmc@gmail.com

R...

In this powerful Season 6 finale, author J. Steven Osborne shares his remarkable DNA surprise journey—from a casual ancestry test to discovering he was not biologically related to the father he adored. What began as a search for Native American heritage unraveled decades of hidden family truths, emotional trauma, and unexpected healing. With humor, honesty, and raw vulnerability, Steve recounts how love, support, and forgiveness helped him rebuild his identity and redefine the meaning of family. His story, as told in DNA – Did Not Anticipate, is one of shock, resilience, and the life-changing power of truth.

NPE Stor...

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 with legal matters at the same time. 

Deb can be reached via email debscales25@gmail.com

NPE Stories Patreon

NPE Stories facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/NPEstories

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 reached via email rashandalawyer@gmail.com

Resources Mentioned:

DNAngels

NPE Stories Patreon

NPE Stories facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/NPEstories

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 more about Annette and her story at the following links:

annettemarquis.com

wordswomenpress.com

Resources Mentioned:

Untangling Our Roots Summit

High Conflict Institute

It's All Your Fault! Po...

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 email mel251116@yahoo.com

Resources Mentioned:

Linked here is Melanie's warm letter to her BF 

NPE Stories Patreon

NPE Stories facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/NPEstories

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 takenfromthecradle@gmail.com

Resources Mentioned:

Taken From The Cradle: Unveiling a Black-Market Baby Ring; Conquering Walls to Unearth the Truth 

by Devorah Lee

Taken From The Cradle Website

Fraud in the Courts 

NPE Stories Patreon
Duration: 00:41:14

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 laurencookphoto@gmail.com

To hear Lauren's origin story Episode 28 of NPE Stories listen here.

NPE Stories Patreon

NPE Stories facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/NPEstories

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' Recommendations, published in the American Journal of Human Genetics. The conversation explores the implications of current medical guidelines, personal experiences, and the broader impact of misattributed paternity discoveries.

Resources mentioned:

NPE Guide

Who Even Am I Anymore? A process journal by Eve Sturges 

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, ultimately reclaiming her identity and freedom.

Amy can be reached via email aslingsby@tds.net

Resources Mentioned:

Lily Wood: NPE Stories Special Crossover Episode on Everything's Relative with Eve Sturges 

NPE Stories Patreon

NPE Sto...

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 jayca519@aol.com

NPE Stories Patreon

NPE Stories facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/NPEstories

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

Bill grew up looking different than his brothers and was often asked if he was Italian or Spanish. Although he never suspected it as a child, turns out his DNA results show good reason for this line of questioning. 

NPE Stories Patreon

NPE Stories facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/NPEstories

Robin was never told who her father was, only that he was in the airline industry with her mother. As she came of age, Robin started searching and writing to who she believed her father to be, even though she saw no resemblance. It wasn’t until a 2019 Ancestry DNA test that Robin started to receive DNA results. She has written a book called Finding My Way; details below.

Robin can be reached through her website https://robinfschepperauthor.com/

on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086576767741

or on In...

David started to question who his birth father was many years ago, and was never given a straight answer. He even went as far as getting his birth records unsealed and was still unsuccessful until he finally took a DNA test and with help, narrowed down his birth father.

David can be reached via email at davidsulak01@yahoo.com 

Resources Mentioned:

Previous guest Ep. 194 Margo's Story has just released her sequel memoir, When You Shake the Family Tree   by Margo Reilly available on justbeingjill.com

NPE St...

Growing up Heather was always given the confusing narrative that her dad didn’t want her. She recently changed her last name to her proper surname, after finding and establishing a relationship with her biological father. 

Heather can be reached via email Heathercarrie1000@gmail.com

NPE Stories Patreon

NPE Stories facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/NPEstories

Gina's (Gigi’s) parents were beloved and she didn’t understand a lot of her parents' behavior until later in life. Many secrets were kept by her family members and the DNA Angels were able to help her figure out more about her paternal family. 

Gina can be reached by email ginalsobania@gmail.com

Resources Mentioned:

DNA Angels - a nonprofit search angel organization dedicated to the assistance of individuals seeking to identify their biological parent(s) using DNA interpretation.

NPE Stories Patreon

NPE Stories facebook page<...

Stella had to deal with her NPE revelation and a horrible death all while trying to keep it a secret from her biological father. Four years later Stella shares where she is currently at in her NPE story today. 

Resources Mentioned:
Dr. Michele Grethel looking to interview NPEs, LDAs, DCPs and their family members. For more information, contact Dr. Grethel at mgrethel@usc.edu or 917-797-5608.

NPE Stories Patreon

NPE Stories facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/NPEstories

Content Warning: This episode contains accounts of child abuse and violence.

Caroline was essentially an orphan at a young age and always felt ostracized by her sisters. Many of her family members knew the secret of her true paternity and participated in keeping this information from her. Caroline is still struggling with this betrayal as she starts to learn more about her biological father's side of the family.

Caroline can be reached on facebook at Caroline Sorg Vance Champion

NPE Stories Patreon

NPE Stories facebook page
https://www.facebook.com...

Bertrice took a DNA test to help a family member, and ended up finding a close family friend in her DNA matches. Since finding out she was an NPE during Covid to losing her husband this last year Bertrice's life has changed drastically. 

Bertrice chooses to remain anonymous but wanted to share her NPE story. 

NPE Stories Patreon

NPE Stories facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/NPEstories

Nicole lost both her parents in a short period of time, and then after getting into genealogy to honor her father's passing, she found out she was an NPE in the worst way. Nicole went through a few therapists until she found one that she really resonated and felt safe with.

Nicole can be reached via email at nwebs24@gmail.com

Resources Mentioned:
DNA Painter

Who Even Am I Anymore: A Process Journal For the Adoptee, Late Discovery Adoptee, Donor Conceived, NPE, and MPE Community 

a process journal b...

Duration: 00:49:44

Lauren LoGiudice is a comedian that identifies as a misfit, and is also a donor-conceived person with a couple hundred estimated siblings.

Lauren can be reached at laurenlogi.com
Lauren's Podcast Misfits Makin' It

Resources Mentioned:
Untangling Our Roots

NPE Stories Patreon

NPE Stories facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/NPEstories

Shirley discovered through DNA tests that her entire biological family was different from the one she had known all her life, leading her to become a private detective so that she could uncover her true origins.
 

Shirley can be reached via email smunoznewsonauthor@gmail.com
Instagram: shirleymunoznewson_author
Facebook: shirleymunoznewson.com

Resources Mentioned:
Untangling Our Roots
Don Anderson's Missing Pieces - NPE Life
The Little Dark One: A True Story of Switched at Birth by Shirley Munoz-Newson

NPE Stories Patreon

NPE Stories f...

Shelly is part of a great little NPE community called the NoMi Girls who meet in Northern Michigan regularly.  She had a traumatic childhood and has put a lot of work into healing, including EMDR and support groups, but Shelly says this experience has changed her a lot.

Shelly can be reached via email shellywellsnpe@gmail.com

Resources Mentioned:
Untangling Our Roots
Lauren LoGiudice
Don Anderson's Missing Pieces - NPE Life
Hiraeth Hope & Healing Retreats

NPE Stories Patreon

NPE Stories facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/N...

Kris took a DNA test along with many of her family members and saw that she did not have DNA in common with her birth certificate father. She hid her profile online and has chosen, at this point, not to discuss this with her dad.

Kris can be reached via email kristinekellympls@gmail.com

Resources Mentioned:
Untangling Our Roots Summit
High Conflict Institute
Hiraeth Hope & Healing
Eve Sturges

NPE Stories Patreon

NPE Stories facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/NPEstories

This was a very long emotional episode that has been divided into 2 parts. This is part 2.

This was part of a panel held at the Untangling Our Roots Summit 2024 in Denver, CO. The panel was moderated by Don Anderson of Missing Pieces - NPE Life and featured Eve Sturges of Everything's Relative and Lily Wood of NPE Stories. Eve shared for 10 minutes on changing family narratives followed by others in the audience.  Then Lily shared for 10 minutes on Estrangement and Rejection followed by others in the audience.
Audience members who shared in Part 2:

This was a very long emotional episode that has been divided into 2 parts. This is part 1.

This was part of a panel held at the Untangling Our Roots Summit 2024 in Denver, CO. The panel was moderated by Don Anderson of Missing Pieces - NPE Life and featured Eve Sturges of Everything's Relative and Lily Wood of NPE Stories. Eve shared for 10 minutes on changing family narratives followed by others in the audience.  Then Lily shared for 10 minutes on Estrangement and Rejection followed by others in the audience.

Audience members who shared in Part 1:

Margo discovered her NPE status when she purchased an Ancestry kit to kill a lifelong curiosity. She learned her younger brother was not the only NPE in the family and suddenly her chaotic childhood began to make sense.

Resources Mentioned:
When the Apple Falls Far from the Tree: Discovering the Gifts within the Chaos
by Margo Reilly

Upcoming Memoir due out summer 2024: When you Shake the Family Tree by Margo Reilly

Who Even Am I Anymore: A Process Journal by Eve Sturges

Jill Krzyzanowicz's website
justbeingjill.com
<...

Terra was raised in Texas by her single father and asked for a 23andMe for Christmas to see how much Native American she had on her maternal side.  Terra ended up having quite an ethnicity shift after her NPE. 

NPE Stories Patreon

NPE Stories facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/NPEstories

Dorene’s NPE discovery in 2022 at the age of 60 inspired her to become a trauma recovery coach, specializing in helping NPEs. As she began to study intergenerational trauma and apply what she learned to her experience, the events of Dorene's life finally began to make sense.

Dorene can be reached via email at dorene@thetruthofme.com

Resources Mentioned:

Tickets available for the Untangling our Roots Summit Apr 25-28, 2024 in Denver, CO

NPE Stories Patreon

NPE Stories facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/NPEstories

Laura found out her half-siblings are her full siblings, and since finding out she was an NPE her family members have become distant.

Resources Mentioned:

Tickets still available for the Untangling our Roots Summit Apr 25-28, 2024 in Denver, CO

NPE Stories Patreon

NPE Stories facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/NPEstories

KaSheena took a DNA test to see what part of Africa her ancestors came from, but ended up finding a bunch of strangers show up in her DNA matches.

KaSheena can be reached via email kasheena.winston@gmail.com

Resources Mentioned:

Tickets still available for the Untangling our Roots Summit Apr 25-28, 2024 in Denver, CO

NPE Stories Patreon

NPE Stories facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/NPEstories

Sue is an NPE that has a full sibling from her mother's affair with her birth father. Her research has uncovered other NPEs from her family as well, including her own mother.

Resources Mentioned:

Join us at the Untangling our Roots Summit Apr 25-28, 2024 in Denver, CO

NPE Stories now has a new $3 donation tier on Patreon

Sue can be reached via email suzanwalker57@hotmail.com

NPE Stories Patreon

NPE Stories facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/NPEstories

Devin shares his NPE story of finding out he is the youngest of 23 children spanned over many decades. He believes he may still have siblings out there he has yet to meet.

Devin can be reached via email devindavis2277@gmail.com
or via instagram @dd_227

Resources Mentioned:

Devin has shared his story previously on DNA Surprises

NPE Stories Patreon

NPE Stories facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/NPEstories

After being abandoned by his mother at 6 months old, AJ moved to a rural area with the man everyone thought was his father.  His whole life, he never knew that the missing pieces he felt were not just because of his mother's absence.  Through death, loss and shock AJ has navigated his life purposefully and arrived at a place that he is very grateful for. 

AJ can be reached via email AJD1139@gmail.com

Resources Mentioned:

Missing Pieces - NPE Life host Don Anderson Episode S2 E12 Bro-mance

Norwood Free Methodist Chu...

Raised just outside of Detroit, Bob had a vastly different upbringing than his biological father's children. Bob has found out, after taking a DNA test, that he is half Ashkenazi Jewish.

Bob can be reached via email bobmason68@gmail.com

Resources Mentioned:
Untangling Our Roots Summit in April 25-28, 2024 in Denver, CO

NPE Stories Patreon

NPE Stories facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/NPEstories

After a traumatic childhood and being raised primarily by an abusive grandmother, Shantel discovered her NPE status at age 23. The discovery came with a change in her racial identity but it wasn’t until almost 15 years later that Shantel discovered who her biological father was.

Messages to Shantel can be sent to npestories@gmail.com referencing Shantel Episode 185

Resources Mentioned:
Shantel found the Family Tree DNA/Genealogy groups she joined very helpful in her search for her biological paternal family. 

NPE Stories Patreon

NPE Stories facebook page
https://www.fac...

Sharilyn figured out she was an NPE when she found her birth certificate. She met her birth father before his passing but needed time to process meeting her new biological family members. Like so many NPEs she would really like a sincere apology.

Sharilyn can be reached via email  ssharilyn@hotmail.com

Resources Mentioned:

Severange Magazine

Missing Pieces - NPE Life hosted by Don Anderson 

NPE Stories Patreon

NPE Stories facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/NPEstories

Jess is taller than her brothers and never had a relationship with her BCF after he was sent to prison when she was a child. She found out she was an NPE and her BF's family has been a new joy in Jess's life.

Jess can be reached via email jessmaineg@gmail.com

Resources:
Grief Class and the 5 stages of grief

NPE Stories Patreon

NPE Stories facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/NPEstories

My fellow millenial NPE shares her story. She was the product of a work affair between her mom and birth father. She had a shocking parent-child match on her DNA results after taking a DNA test for fun. 

Aly can be reached:
 on Facebook at Aly Copeland
on Instagram @Alytowel
email alysonmnowell@gmail.com

Resources Mentioned:
Aly discusses an NPE millenial subgroup which can be reached after joining the private DNA NPE Friends group on facebook. 

NPE Stories Patreon

NPE Stories facebook page
https://www.facebook.com...

Jacoba Ballard from Netflix’s Our Father comes on to share her full NPE/DCP story, including details that were not put into her documentary. She is 1 of nearly 100 siblings whose mothers were violated by Dr. Donald Cline when they were unknowingly artificially inseminated with their fertility doctor’s sperm. Jacoba suffers serious medical conditions, along with many of her siblings, which were likely inherited from her biological father.

Jacoba can be reached via email at ballardjacoba@gmail.com 
IG @jacobajballard 
Facebook:  Jacoba Ballard 

Resources Mentioned:
Our Father available on Netflix
Duration: 00:55:52

Reggie (NPE) grew up one of five children on public assistance by a loving single mother. He is now a lawyer and civil rights activist, just like his biological father.

Reggie can be reached via email  reggieshuford@gmail.com

Resources Mentioned:
Wilmington's Lie, by David Zucchino: https://groveatlantic.com/book/wilmingtons-lie/

Reggie's blog: https://reggieshuford.medium.com

Reggie's blog about his ancestry discovery: https://reggieshuford.medium.com/father-figure-my-journey-to-find-my-biological-father-ad7846809d9b

The story about Reggie's friend Sam: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/09/us/politics/son-finds-father-sam-anthony.html

The 1619 Project, b...

Content Warning: This episode contains accounts of child sexual abuse and violence.

Caroline has a very important message regarding accurate her medical history for all NPEs. She is undergoing treatment for breast cancer that may have been avoided had she known her true family medical history and had the proper genetic testing done long ago.

Caroline can be reached  on IG @carolinemoranearl

Resources Mentioned:
DNA Surprises Caroline's Episode
Everything's Relative with Eve Sturges Caroline's Story

DNA Angels
newspapers.com
Archives of University Nevada Las Vegas
Death C...

Kim was a daddy's girl and raised as an only child until she found out she was an NPE. Turns out her DNA test shows she has a significant amount of Cuban ancestry, which came as a total surprise to Kim.

Kim can be reached via email at highervoice@hotmail.com
FB or IG @kimberlygravesmatthes

Resources Mentioned:

newspapers.com

DNA Centimorgan Chart

NPE Stories Patreon

NPE Stories facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/NPEstories

Meet Alexis Hourselt, host of DNA Surprises podcast, and listen to her share her own personal NPE story with a major ethnicity surprise. Alexis Hourselt and I share our NPE stories on each other's podcasts this week.

Alexis can be reached via her website or email dnasurprises@gmail.com
IG @dnasurprises
TikTok @dnasurprises 

Untangling our Roots Summit for NPEs and those affected by Adoption

DNA Surprises podcast with Alexis Hourselt

DNA Surprise Retreats the next retreat is scheduled for Sept 19-22nd, 2024 in Phoenix

NPE Stories Patreon Duration: 00:48:16

Ridg received a letter from the State Social Services Office in 2005 that changed his life forever.

Ridghaus can be reached through Instagram @Ridghaus

Resources Mentioned:

Untangling our Roots Summit Denver, CO April 25-28 2024

NAAP: National Association of Adoptees and Parents

Father Unknown film by David Quint

Six Word Adoption Memoirs

Original - https://vimeo.com/161846105

Year 2 - https://vimeo.com/211568644

Amy S short - https://vimeo.com/240901115

Reshma M short - https://vimeo.com/240904104

Barbara R  short - h...

Marcie Keithley, co-founder of The National Association of Adoptees and Parents, comes on to share her personal adoption story and provides some education and awareness about the adoption community.

Marcie can be reached via email marcie@naapunited.org or marciejkeithley@gmail.com

Resources Mentioned:

NAAP: National Association of Adoptees and Parents

NAAP Adoption Happy Hour; 1st and 3rd Fridays of every month

Untangling our Roots Summit Denver, CO April 25-28 2024

The Shoebox Effect: Transforming Pain Into Fortitude and Purpose by Marcie Keithley

NPE...

Kellie identifies as a double NPE.  Kellie's 2nd father told her unexpectedly that he should have asked her mother for a paternity test. 

Kellie can be reached via email schwartzkellie999@gmail.com

Resources Mentioned:

Eve Sturges of Everything's Relative with Eve Sturges has compiled 100 songs sent in by NPEs, found here on Spotify.

Missing Pieces ~ NPE Life with Don Anderson

Hiraeth Hope & Healing Retreats 

NPE Stories Patreon

NPE Stories facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/NPEstories

Dr. Nicole Price is a love child from a 10-year-long relationship, and now uses her NPE in her leadership work. Most of her family and close community knew and kept this secret from her. 

*The 15:00 mark has a great explanation for empathy and how she has a deeper understanding for people's suffering from her own NPE.

Dr. Nicole Price can be reached through her website here

Resources Mentioned:

DNAngels

Spark the Heart: Engineering Empathy in Your Organization by Dr. Nicole Price

The Holy Educated Mother Fucker: A F...

This is a whirlwind of a story, and one not to be missed. From kidnapping, foundling, foster child, to being raised by an adopted family Jack has been on the search of a lifetime to find his parents true biological child, as well as to uncover his own genetic truth. There are an incredible amount of resources listed below that are sure to help NPEs and adoptees on their own personal searches. 

Resources Mentioned:
NAAP
Right to Know
The Lost Sons available on Discovery +
Who is Paul Fronczak Facebook Page
Cece Moore G...

I sat with my anger long enough until she told me her real name was grief.
-C.S. Lewis

Joan is a late-discovery donor-conceived individual. She never had any idea this was a possibility until her mother told her 5 years ago, before taking a DNA test. Joan's birth father is her mother's OB/GYN.

Joan is searching for any other donor siblings she may have and can be reached via email: jaymarshnpe@gmail.com

Resources Mentioned:
NPE Stories Episode 89 Jaime’s Story 07/01/2021

https://podcasts.apple.co...

Mike wasn’t ready to find out he had a sister through 23andMe. He hasn’t told anyone in his raising family except for one conversation he had face-to-face with his mother. Mike is very cognizant of the impact his NPE may have on his family relationships.

Mike can be reached via email mjamesp1989@yahoo.com

Resources Mentioned:
Facebook Support Group (Private)
DNA Identity Surprise and This NPE Life
admin Alesia Weiss 

NPE Stories Patreon

NPE Stories facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/NPEstories

Season 5 of NPE Stories

Amy has a double NPE story. She has just connected with her biological family in the last of couple years and has found that her paternal line carries a very serious gene mutation. 

Amy can be reached via email benakrn@yahoo.com

NPE Stories Patreon

NPE Stories facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/NPEstories

Christy was unable to tell anyone she was an NPE the first year after discovery, even her own siblings, because she feared for her mother's physical safety.

Christy can be reached via her email at christy_felix@yahoo.com

Resources Mentioned:

Private NPE Facebook Group NPE Only After the Discovery

Leeanne R. Hay's book: NPE* A Story Guide For Unexpected DNA Discoveries

Podcasts:
Everything's Relative with Eve Sturges
Missing Pieces NPE Life with Don Anderson


Ep. 25 Season 3 Duck Tales (finale) on Disney, good NPE...

 Carlyn found out through a DNA test that she was adopted. She shares her remarkable story and experiences of her journey in learning about her past and her identity, especially after growing up in an immigrant family of Latino heritage.

Carlyn can be reached via her website: http://animalhumanhealth.com/

Resources Mentioned:
Carlyn's memoir is called Junkyard Girl: A Memoir of Ancestry, Family Secrets, and Second Chances 

Website: http://animalhumanhealth.com/

Bio: https://animalhumanhealth.com/press-kit/carlyns-bio/

Adoption Mosaic 

Private NPE FB Group: Togetherness Heals~NPE Onl...

Nikee is a Gold Star Mother who found her relinquished adopted sister through a DNA test. She has had 2 legal birth certificates and neither of those had the true name of her biological father.

Nikee can be reached via email at kramer.nikee@yahoo.com 

Resources Mentioned:
DNA Angels

Right to Know

NPE Stories Patreon

NPE Stories facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/NPEstories

Shardae had a startling parent/child match of 57.28% on her 23andMe DNA results.  It turns out her family is much more entangled than expected.

Resources Mentioned:
DNA Surprises Podcast Shardae's Story (Part 1)

Nonviolent Communication
by Marshall B. Rosenberg

NPE Stories now has a Patreon page, where listeners and guests can see additional behind-the-scenes content for each episode and support this podcast's creation.
patreon.com/npestories

Thank you to the NPE Stories Patreon devotees Shawn, Marysol, and William Cook.

NPE Stories facebook page
https://www.facebook.c...

Shawn grew up in a blended family where all the children looked different, so he never suspected he was an NPE. Completely out of the blue an unexpected text from his sister alerted him to the fact that his dad was not his dad.

Resources Mentioned:
The Loss Cycle

NPE Stories now has a Patreon page, where listeners and guests can see additional behind-the-scenes content for each episode and support this podcast's creation.
patreon.com/npestories

NPE Stories facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/NPEstories

NPE Stories Patreon<...

Cody was raised in a family where he was not allowed to show any emotion. After discovery, his life hit rock bottom and he had to make his mental health a top priority. Through therapy and hard work Cody has come out of his depression and shares his story on the podcast.

Cody Hatheway can be found on facebook and reached through email: hatheway10@gmail.com

Resources Mentioned:
 NPE Stories now has a Patreon page, where listeners and guests can see additional behind-the-scenes content for each episode and support this podcast's creation.
 patreon.co...

Paige was raised in poverty in Louisiana with a very rough childhood. She had heard rumors that her late father was not her dad, but this was never confirmed until she took an Ancestry DNA test. Paige has a beautiful calming presence while sharing her story on the podcast.

Paige can be emailed at paige.stpierre@yahoo.com

Resources Mentioned:
NPE Stories now has a Patreon page, where listeners and guests can see additional behind-the-scenes content for each episode and support this podcast's creation.
patreon.com/npestories

NPE Stories facebook page<...

Brittani is healing not broken, she shares her story of healing through depression and creating a healing cycle for herself and for others. Finding out you are an NPE is at most times very difficult and hard to process, Brittani wanted to share her story in hopes to help others going through a similar journey, to help normalize the emotions that can come up while healing trauma. She  is the creator of healing not broken which has sourced three affirmation decks, art work and led her to become a reiki master and life coach. 

This is the fi...

Fred is a late discovery adoptee, and realized life was never going to return back to normal after the "swing of the wrecking ball" He has written a memoir and is 20 years into his discovery and reunification process.

Fred can be reached via email at fred@fredsbreadstore.com

Resources Mentioned:
Untangling our Roots Summit

NAAP National Association for Adoptees and Parents

Forbidden Roots: A Memoir of Late-Discovery Adoption
by Fred Nicora
www.frednicora.com


Private Facebook Group for NPES
NPE Only: After the Discovery<...

Stacey found out through a DNA test and subsequent conversation with her mother, that she was an NPE. She has started a relationship with her HS and BF. 

Stacey can be emailed at staceyleigh1@yahoo.com

Resources Mentioned:
Megan Hunter High Conflict Personalities
High Conflict Institute
Megan Hunter and Bill Eddy's Podcast "It's All Your Fault: High Conflict People"

DNA Angels

Private Facebook Group for NPES
NPE Only: After the Discovery


NPE Stories facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/NPEstories

NPE S...

Heather knew she was conceived at Quantico. An unknown mystery uncle appeared on her Ancestry. After speaking with his family Heather was able to figure out that one of his brothers was stationed as a marine at Quantico, at the same time.

Heather can be reached via email at hdswann@gmail.com

Resources Mentioned:
The Reverend and the Reprobate Podcast
DNA Tests, Family Trees, and NPE Stories: The Lily Wood Interview

Therapeutic process writing group with Eve Sturges, LMFT, author of "Who Even Am I Anymore." 8 week Writing Workshops on Thursdays. <...

A month before her dad is coming to visit her, Josie re-logs back into 23andMe after many years and notices something strange in her family tree.

Josie can be emailed at hello@spadeandanchor.com

Resources Mentioned:
Healing Retreats for Adoptees, Donor Conceived People, Late Discovery Adoptees, and NPEs
Hiraeth Hope & Healing Retreats


NPE Stories facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/NPEstories

NPE Stories Patreon

NPE Stories facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/NPEstories

Crystal found out she was an NPE in 2021.   She spent some time messaging her family before they all figured out who her biological father was. She has now formed a great relationship with her brothers, which is especially profound as Crystal was raised as an only child.

Crystal can be emailed at truthcamp@hotmail.com

Resources Mentioned:
Untangling our Roots Summit
Held in Louisville, KY Mar 30 - Apr 1 2023

Dr. Krista Driver's NPE Tuesday Zoom calls
kdriver@mariposacenter.org

Crystal was a guest on the podcast The Secret in m...

Beth chooses to share her NPE story anonymously because her birth certificate father does not know the truth. Her sister found out they were half-sisters through a 23andMe DNA test.

Resources Mentioned:
Untangling our Roots Summit
Held in Louisville, KY Mar 30 - Apr 1 2023

NPE Stories facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/NPEstories

NPE Stories Patreon

NPE Stories facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/NPEstories

Nancy wondered why her Mom picked a cousin to be her godfather rather than one of her beloved brothers...she later found out they were closer than she knew.

Nancy can be reached through email at nkauf92@gmail.com

Resources Mentioned:

Ancestry Discoveries: What Happens Under the Sheets Doesn't Stay There

by Annette L Becklund

NPE Stories facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/NPEstories

NPE Stories Patreon

NPE Stories facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/NPEstories

Bobbi says her NPE story is a rare one, and she hasn't heard one quite like it. Many of her family members end up being NPEs.

Bobbi can be reached through email at bobbi859@gmail.com

NPE Stories facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/NPEstories

NPE Stories Patreon

NPE Stories facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/NPEstories

Sydney always felt that something was off in her family of origin, and everyone around her acted extremely strange when she started to talk about her DNA results. Turns out nearly everyone in her life knew the truth except for Sydney. 

Sydney can be reached through email at sydneybarnes08@yahoo.com

NPE Stories facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/NPEstories

NPE Stories Patreon

NPE Stories facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/NPEstories

Jeff says his NPE story has a happy ending. He had a normal upbringing as a child and was completely surprised when a HS reached out to him after taking an Ancestry DNA test.

Jeff can be reached through email at jefftaylor.5.16.15@gmail.com

NPE Stories facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/NPEstories

NPE Stories Patreon

NPE Stories facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/NPEstories

Although Pam Z forgave her birth certificate father on his deathbed she kept her distance from him throughout her childhood for her own protection.

Pam Z can be reached through email at dreambig373@gmail.com

Resources Mentioned:
Hiraeth Hope & Healing Retreat
The Canadian group is Not Parent Expected Canada which is the public education page and the private support group is: 
Canadian NPEs/MPEs on Facebook

Notparentexpected.ca is the public information website and Facebook group below.
https://www.facebook.com/NotParentExpectedCanada?mibextid=LQQJ4d

The NPE B...

Liann is an NPE and no longer wants to be the family secret. She made sure she was in the right mindset for rejection before reaching out to certain family members. One of her half siblings has started communicating with Liann after her BF and HB did not want to pursue a relationship.

Liann can be reached through email at gotheart89@gmail.com

Resources Mentioned:
Inner Child Work and Ancestral Trauma work
IAOTRC Certified Trauma Specialist, track for NPEs

NPE Stories facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/NPEstories

...

Kelly Grace Hickey is such an important volunteer in our NPE community. She has solved endless cases through the non-profit founded by Laura Olmsted, DNAngels. DNAngels, if you haven't heard, finds birth parents FOR FREE for adoptees, donor conceived, and Not Parent Expected individuals. Kelly is a joy to listen to as she shares her own personal story, as well as the incredible background information around the service work she does. 

Kelly Grace can be reached through email at kelly@dnangels.org
Kelly can also be found on facebook as Kelly Grace

Resources mentioned: Duration: 01:18:42

Kimberly has gone through a lot of healing to get where she is currently at in her NPE story. Although initially she had contact with her biological father, like so many other NPEs, that relationship has its own set of complications. 

Kimberly can be reached through email at kdsoto8@gmail.com

Resources mentioned:
Hiraeth Hope and Healing Retreats

NPE Stories facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/NPEstories

NPE Stories Patreon

NPE Stories facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/NPEstories

Izola is 90 years old, and has not been able to find out a lot about her biological father, since most of the people that would know information are no longer around. She was incorrectly told it was 2 different men when her mother was still alive. Now she lives with her daughter who acts as her historian, and through DNA testing and search angels has been able to get a name for her biological father.  It was truly an honor to be able to record Izola's story for the NPE community.

Izola can be reached through email kij1120@y...

Traci's sister thought she was the NPE in the family after finding out her mother had a brief secret marriage to a man they didn't know. After taking a DNA test Traci found out she was in fact the NPE.

Traci can be reached through email at tlwilk1990@gmail.com

Resources mentioned:
Gina Daniel and Richard Wenzels' website NPE Guide
Gina Daniel's NPE Stories episode #19
Don Anderson's podcast episodes:
Missing Pieces NPE Life Ep. 7

Missing Pieces NPE Life Ep. 8

NPE Stories facebook page
https://www.facebook...

Leeanne is an NPE and the author of NPE* A story guide for unexpected DNA discoveries.   
Leeanne comes on the podcast in Episode 144 and shares some of her favorite resources, portions of her book as well as her NPE story.

Leeanne can be reached on twitter @leeannerh
Leeanne's website: leeannerhay.com

Resources:
DNAngels
Elizabeth Kubler-Ross 5 Stages of Grief
Untangling our Roots Summit 2023

NPE Stories facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/NPEstories

NPE Stories Patreon

NPE Stories facebook page
ht...

Melissa never knew who her father was, and was never given much information as her mother had her out of wedlock, and her family carried a lot of shame over this. As an adult Melissa had the internet and started researching her birth fathers name until she found, who she thought, was her dad.

NPE Stories facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/NPEstories

NPE Stories Patreon

NPE Stories facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/NPEstories

Eric found out he was a donor conceived when a sibling messaged him through a DNA testing site. After processing his shock for several years he is now very involved in the donor conceived and BIPOC donor conceived community.

Eric can be reached on Instagram @ericsbmusica

Resources:
Eric's podcast: The MN Futball Show
IG: @DCCsupport
IG: @donorconceivedcouncil
donorconceivedcommunity.org
The Secret in My DNA podcast
The Reverand and the Reprobate Podcast
Everything's Relative with Eve Sturges podcast

Eric's music can be found at:
ericsbmusica.bandcamp...

Kara Rubinstein Deyerin and Alesia Weiss come on Episode 141 to share their NPE stories, talk about their service work at Right to Know, and also share about the upcoming summit in March 2023 called Untangling our Roots.

Resources:
Untangling our Roots Summit held Mar 30 - Apr 1 in Louisville, KY
Tickets currently $279, Significant Other Ticket $119
NPE, LDA, and DCP FREE mentors available online request at Right to Know
323-TALK-MPE free mentor hotline through Right to Know


NPE Stories facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/NPEstories

NPE Stories Patreon
<...

Liz got a shocking message from an unknown half sister, who then deactivated her account before Liz could get more information. Liz shares the rest of her story and how she found out she was an NPE in Episode 140. 

Liz can be reached through email at thelizsowers@gmail.com

NPE Stories facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/NPEstories

NPE Stories Patreon

NPE Stories facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/NPEstories

Geoff found out he was an NPE after all his parents had passed.  He now is beginning to understand why his mother worked on a women's right to choose in the state legislature, many years ago. 

Geoff can be reached through email at geoffdoyle@yahoo.com

Resources mentioned:
Dani Shapiro's book: Inheritance and podcast

Dawn Davies Episode #77 of NPE Stories

NPE Stories facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/NPEstories

NPE Stories Patreon

NPE Stories facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/NPEstories

Sarah M grew up in a picture perfect household. As adults that picture began to change after she and her siblings discovered their mother had been lying about her age, leading them to suspect she was keeping bigger secrets. However, when Sarah took a DNA test, she never expected to find out that the big secret involved her.

Sarah can be reached through email at sarahnpe67@gmail.com

Resources mentioned:
Right to Know: Community and Connection Webinars for NPEs
Jason Hobbs LCSW Mindfulness Practice for MPEs

Right to Know is searching...

Bianca had a traumatic childhood (**trigger warning child sexual assault**) and was abandoned by her mother and raised by her birth certificate father. As an adult Bianca found out she was an NPE. 

Bianca can be reached through email at bner1156@gmail.com
Bianca can be found on instagram @themakeupbianca_npe

Resources mentioned:
Book: Secrets from the Grave by Bianca Ramos
Spotify Podcast: Rewriting the Generational Script

NPE Stories facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/NPEstories

NPE Stories Patreon

NPE Stories facebook page
https://w...

Simone found out she was an NPE in a shocking moment days after her dad died. She was left to process this alone and has since been able to find out more of her story and who her paternal biological family is.

Simone can be reached through email at barrett.simone@yahoo.com

Resources mentioned:
Private NPE Facebook group called Togetherness Heals ~ NPE Only
NPE ONLY~a safe haven solely for NPEs (no family or friends), because Togetherness Heals"

NPE Stories facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/NPEstories

...

Ryan is on a search for his biological family and has not had any success to date.  He was abandoned at a Moroccan hospital as an infant and spent the first 18 years of his life not knowing he wasn't related to his adopted family. This has been completely overwhelming at times and Ryan continues to try to search for answers. 

Ryan can be found at the resources below as well as on IG @peshy37 

https://open.spotify.com/episode/0o6rizhzwOXC6YvRNlwEmK?si=rfA6kca2T5OGtr8-_AvYVQ&context=spotify%3Ashow%3A4WeW65eUD...

Jackie was told in anger by her mother that her dad wasn't her real father, and confirmed this through DNA testing. She has a beautiful relationship with all her siblings, but she does speak to the fact that she has trouble finding joy since her NPE revelation. 

Jackie can be reached through email at jaxmobeach@gmail.com

NPE Stories facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/NPEstories

NPE Stories Patreon

NPE Stories facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/NPEstories

Nichole never suspected she was an NPE, until her Grandmother raised suspicion when she shared alarming stories in a moment of grief. Turns out many in her family and community had to keep this secret all these years.  Finding out the true biological father was another story entirely.

Nichole can be reached through email at n.siembieda@gmail.com

NPE Stories facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/NPEstories

NPE Stories Patreon

NPE Stories facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/NPEstories

Raised as an only child, Shelly's mom and dad passed away when she was in her early 20s. In spring 2021, at age 35, she was ready to find children she had been told her dad had before she was born but didn't raise. What she found out is that her dad wasn't her biological father, half of her ethnic heritage was incorrect, and she was not an only child. As a journalist, she has written about her experiences, and is learning how to balance being an NPE, a storyteller, and a mom in the healthiest way possible. 


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