DNA Surprises

James' DNA Surprise

12 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

DNA surprises often lead to answers - the truth about parentage, insights into family dynamics, clarity about the past. Still, as I often say, they al...

Devon’s DNA Surprise

05 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What happens after you take a DNA test? After you make contact with newfound family? After you write that letter, or email, or hit send on a text? You...

Jeremy's DNA Surprise

21 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

You can’t unring a bell. After a DNA surprise is uncovered, after contact is made with newfound relatives, what’s done is done. Which is why some ...

Dan and Melissa’s DNA Surprise

14 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

"It’s a scam!" That’s what some family members say after a DNA surprise is uncovered. "Those tests aren’t accurate." Or, if ...

Angeline's DNA Surprise

07 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

DNA surprises by their very nature change the lens through which we view family. Our raise families, our newfound families. Things that seemed normal ...

Oscar’s DNA Surprise

30 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

At the end of every episode, I ask my guests two questions. The first question is advice for parents who may be keeping a DNA surprise from their chil...

Luisa's DNA Surprise

23 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Dad. Bio dad. Genetic father. Father. After people connect with their newfound biological fathers, they often struggle with what to call them. And wha...

Joe's DNA Surprise

16 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The truth will set you free. That’s the hope, right? In this week’s episode, Joe shares how taking a test for fun led to him uncovering the truth ...

Angie M's DNA Surprise

09 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Much like life, DNA surprises are rarely tied up in a perfect bow. We don’t get answers to all of the questions we have, and it’s up to us to make...

Michelli's DNA Surprise

02 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to season 12 of DNA Surprises.This season marks nearly four years of sharing these stories. And while each story is unique, the threads that t...

Lori's DNA Surprise

15 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Who would I have been if I’d known the truth about my identity? This is a question people in the DNA surprise community often ask themselves. Where ...

Jill's DNA Surprise (Update)

08 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Hands down the best part of hosting this podcast is the relationships I’ve been able to build with people in this community. From keeping in touch w...

Jennifer P's DNA Surprise

01 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Oftentimes with DNA surprises, there is so much left unsaid. So many unasked questions. So many feelings are unspoken. In this week’s episode, Jenni...

Kelly's DNA Surprise

24 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A picture is worth a thousand words - and sometimes, it's the first clue in solving a DNA mystery. In this week’s episode, Kelly shares how a su...

John's DNA Surprise

17 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

How often do we hear on this show that people never felt like they fit in with their families growing up? This week’s guest, John, reveals that he f...

Courtney B's DNA Surprise

10 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Everyone has the right to know where they come from. They deserve to know their family history, stories and traditions. They have the right to know wh...

Danielle C's DNA Surprise

03 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

DNA surprises are often devastating to the people who uncover them, but imagine if the truth was a relief? Danielle grew up believing that her mother ...

Meaghan's DNA Surprise

27 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

At the end of every DNA Surprises episode, I ask my guests two questions. I ask for advice for people in our community, and I ask for advice for paren...

Brittany's DNA Surprise

21 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Hindsight is 20/20. After experiencing a DNA surprise, it’s easy to look back at moments throughout our childhoods and realize that the truth was th...

Elizabeth's DNA Surprise (Part 3)

13 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This is part 3 of a 3-part series. If you haven’t listened to parts 1 and 2, be sure to go back and listen before starting this episode.In Part 3 of...

Elizabeth's DNA Surprise (Part 2)

13 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

So what happened after Elizabeth sent off those letters to her siblings? In Part 2 of Elizabeth’s DNA surprise story, she reveals how she was able t...

Elizabeth's DNA Surprise (Part 1)

13 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to a new season of DNA Surprises. We’re kicking this season off with a triple-episode premiere as we follow Elizabeth on her DNA surprise jo...

Dave and Denise's DNA Surprise

01 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to the season 10 finale of DNA Surprises. Buy one, get two. No, this isn’t an ad for the latest testing kit sale. In this week’s episode, ...

Melissa's DNA Surprise

24 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

When someone uncovers a DNA surprise, their family tree changes. That sounds simple, but the reality is that our roots, so many of the things that mak...

Lauren's DNA Surprise

17 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

If we don’t laugh, we’ll cry. DNA surprises can be gut-wrenching and difficult experiences, but some of us can find humor in almost any situation....

Christine's DNA Surprise

11 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

When someone opens up their DNA test results, the outcome isn’t always an explosive surprise. Sometimes, it takes a while of pulling at a thread bef...

Tamara's DNA Surprise

04 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Imagine uncovering your DNA surprise, experiencing the shock and devastation that comes with it, and then learning that the surprise wasn’t a total ...

Christina's DNA Surprise

25 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

After a DNA surprise is uncovered, many moments from the past come into focus. Especially moments that, in hindsight, were missed opportunities for pa...

Chaya’s DNA Surprise

18 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As we’ve heard earlier this season, many people within the DNA surprise community saw their test results as mere confirmation of something they’d ...

Kim O's DNA Surprise

11 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

After three years of making this podcast and speaking to people who’ve experienced life-altering DNA surprises, I’ve noticed several trends. One t...

Traci's DNA Surprise

04 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

If you’ve had a DNA surprise, how many times have you been told you should write a book? This week’s episode is a story that is truly stranger tha...

Danielle's DNA Surprise

28 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

"I knew it!" Or,  "I had no idea." When it comes to DNA surprises, some people are completely blindsided. Others felt like they knew it all along. Da...

Sarah K's DNA Surprise

21 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Black sheep. Golden child. In the DNA surprise community, these are labels we hear a lot. In this week’s episode, Sarah shares her emotional journey...

Krissy's DNA Surprise

14 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to season 10 of DNA Surprises. This season is jampacked with incredible stories that explore the emotional journeys of DNA discoveries. If you...

Bobbi's DNA Surprise

26 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Intergenerational trauma. It’s something we talk about a lot here. The most common cycles we discuss are the patterns of keeping secrets and the pat...

Guy's DNA Surprise | Update

19 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Who would I have become if I had known the truth? How were the interactions I had throughout my life colored by an unknown truth? These are questions ...

Crystal's DNA Surprise | Update

12 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

If you’ve had a DNA surprise, you might listen to this podcast from the perspective of someone who just uncovered their results. Or did it happen ye...

BettyJo's DNA Surprise

05 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

When people uncover DNA surprises, they are often left to unpack the mysteries themselves. From the who, what, when and where around their births to w...

Liann's DNA Surprise | Pat's DNA Surprise - Updates

29 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Did you know that the DNA Surprises podcast community meets in a virtual support group every month? We started the Third Thursday Meetup in 2023 to se...

Shannon W's DNA Surprise

22 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Not every DNA surprise has a happy ending. And sometimes, what seems like a happy ending takes a turn. But the opposite is also true. In this week’s...

Alissa's DNA Surprise

15 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Many people in the DNA surprise community grew up with dads, or birth certificate fathers, BCFs as they’re often called. We are raised by these men ...

Joan's DNA Surprise

08 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

DNA Surprises bring up a range of emotions, and if there’s one thing I hope I’ve made clear on this show, all those emotions are valid. In this we...

Yvette's DNA Surprise (Update)

01 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to the 100th episode of DNA surprises! OK, technically I’ve had more than 100 episodes already, but this is the 100th DNA Surprise story I’...

Ruby's DNA Surprise

24 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It’s your story. You have the right to tell it. This is something we hear a lot in the DNA surprise community - I say it a lot myself. In this week’...

Beth's DNA Surprise

17 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What would you do if you found out that your biological father wasn’t the man who raised you, but someone you’d known in the periphery of much of ...

Doe's DNA Surprise

10 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What never fails to surprise me is how innocently DNA surprises begin. In this episode, we hear from Doe - yes, that’s a pseudonym - who uncovered h...

Deanna's DNA Surprise

17 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to the Season 8 finale of DNA Surprises.  In this episode, I’m joined by Deanna, who shares her NPE story. Deanna has experienced unspeakab...

Jennifer's DNA Surprise

23 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Every DNA Surprise is unique—the who, what, when, and why surrounding an NPE vary from person to person. Still, after nearly 100 interviews, I’ve ...

Jessica B's DNA Surprise

16 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

DNA Surprises are confusing. They’re confusing for the people they happen to as they try to make sense of newfound information. With so many charact...

Robyn and Ida's DNA Surprise(s)

09 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

To paraphrase The Beatles, we get by with a little help from our friends. This is especially true when it comes to DNA Surprises. In this week’s epi...

Courtney's DNA Surprise

02 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

DNA surprises rarely happen in a vacuum. So many of the people I speak to have experienced other traumas throughout their lives, long before sending o...

Bonus Episode | Generational Healing - A Conversation About Generational Trauma with Therapist Iliamari Vazquez Houston

27 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this bonus episode of DNA Surprises, I chat with Iliamari Vazquez Houston, a therapist based out of the Phoenix metro area. Iliamari will facilitat...

Dawn's DNA Surprise

25 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Sometimes, after DNA surprises are revealed, our relationships with our raised parents become strained. Sometimes, this leads to estrangement. But for...

Bonus Episode | Just Breathe - An Introduction to Breathwork with Jenna Hedstrom

20 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this bonus episode of DNA Surprises, I chat with Jenna Hedstrom, E-RYT 500 and Expert Breathwork Facilitator. Jenna will lead a breathwork session ...

Miranda's DNA Surprise

18 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

(CW: Suicide, abuse)A common question in our community is “when is the right time to tell the truth about parentage?” While some say there is neve...

Bonus Episode | Trauma-Informed Yoga with Lanita Ugstad

13 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

During this bonus episode of DNA Surprises, I interview advanced yoga teacher Lanita Ugstad. Lanita will facilitate a gentle movement session at the ...

Sarah's DNA Surprise

11 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Did you grow up feeling different from your family? That feeling of being inexplicably out of place haunts many people in the DNA surprise community t...

Bonus Episode | Processing Betrayal Trauma with Therapist Venessa De La Cruz

06 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this bonus episode of DNA Surprises, I speak with therapist Venessa De La Cruz about betrayal trauma. Venessa will facilitate a session on Betrayal...

Shannon P's DNA Surprise

04 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

So many DNA surprises start with a gift. Mothers Day. Fathers Day. Prime Day. Christmas. Almost every month, consumer DNA testing companies offer deal...

Bonus Episode | Inner Child, Inner Healing - An Intro to Parts Work with Therapist Megan Irwin

30 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This special episode of DNA Surprises features Megan Irwin, a licensed therapist specializing in grief, loss, trauma, and PTSD. Megan will facilitate ...

Janeen Jackson's DNA Surprise

28 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Race. Ethnicity. Heritage. These are complex topics without the added nuance of a DNA surprise. Author Janeen Jackson grew up with two younger brother...

Steve's DNA Surprise

21 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

If there is one thing I hope we can all agree on, it’s that families come in all shapes and sizes. Many people with DNA surprises end up with two, t...

Julie's DNA Surprise

14 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Most of the time, when I speak to people on the podcast, we learn that the reason they took the test was out of curiosity or for fun. Maybe they were ...

Dana Schmalenberg's DNA Surprise

26 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

There is never a good time to discover that the man you’ve called “Dad” for your entire life isn’t biologically related to you, but I imagine ...

Angela, Wyatt, Cassidy, and Cody’s DNA Surprise

19 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How do you define family? For so many of us, DNA surprises have made us reflect deeply on this question. For Wyatt, Cassidy, Cody, and Angela, the ans...

Lisa S' DNA Surprise

12 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Many of us who have had DNA surprises spend some time wondering “What if?” What if we’d been raised in a different house, with our newly discove...

Pat's DNA Surprise

05 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Picture this: you grow up with a sibling who is convinced they are not your dad’s biological child. No one knows about DNA surprises or NPEs or anyt...

Ryan's DNA Surprise

27 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Secrets. Secrets are often at the beginning of a DNA surprise. But after the surprise is uncovered, is that the end of them? In this week’s episode,...

Jill's DNA Surprise

20 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Something that I’ve heard more than once on this podcast is a situation that goes something like this: people are having an argument. A mother and c...

Tina's DNA Surprise

13 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Tina grew up believing that her biological father didn’t want to be part of her life. Imagine her shock when, after taking a DNA test, she found out...

Robin Schepper's DNA Surprise

06 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The thing about DNA Surprises is that they can happen to anyone. It doesn’t matter your race, socioeconomic status, politics, or background. In this...

Ray's DNA Surprise

30 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Imagine being 16 and witnessing your parents’ divorce. Imagine finding out at this time that the man who raised you is not your biological father. A...

Daughter Dee's DNA Surprise

23 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Sometimes, DNA surprises happen more than once. NPEs, adoptees, and donor-conceived people might have their worlds shaken, only to have it happen agai...

Erika's DNA Surprise

16 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Erika's incredible DNA surprise journey starts with a mind-altering awakening. Erika always felt an underlying sense of 'otherness' in her...

Jenniffer's DNA Surprise

09 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to Season 7 of DNA Surprises. In the first episode of the season, Jenniffer shares how she unraveled her mother's deep secrets via DNA tes...

Jamie's DNA Surprise

28 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to the season 6 finale of DNA Surprises. In this week’s episode, Jamie bravely shares her DNA surprise journey, which began 5 years ago with...

Barbara's DNA Surprise

21 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's episode, we delve into Barbara's DNA surprise story.  Barbara grew up with a strong connection to her German heritage before d...

Lawrence's DNA Surprise

14 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this week’s episode, Lawrence shares his surprise at learning that he is a late discovery adoptee. After he took a DNA test, Lawrence discovered ...

Bonus Episode | Announcing the 2024 DNA Surprise Retreat!

08 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Have you been wondering when and where the 2024 DNA Surprise Retreat will be held? In this bonus episode, Debbie and I share all of the details about ...

Michelle Tullier's DNA Surprise

07 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

One of the most healing things that we can do during our DNA surprise journeys is to write about them. In this week's episode, I'm joined by a...

Patrice's DNA Surprise

31 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Not many of us experience our DNA surprises on television, but this week’s guest did exactly that. Patrice is a foundling adoptee, adopted at just a...

Bonus Episode: An update from Michael Paul

27 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to a bonus episode of DNA Surprises. Michael Paul first joined me in Season 2, shortly after his discovery. In this bonus episode, Michael sh...

Lily's DNA Surprise

24 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If you’re familiar with other DNA surprise podcasts, this week’s guest needs no introduction. And if you aren’t allow me to introduce you to Lil...

Nina's DNA Surprise

17 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Something we unfortunately hear too often in our community is that NPEs were treated differently as children. In this week’s story, Nina shares how ...

Gerard's DNA Surprise

10 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week’s DNA surprise story is told from a side we haven’t heard from yet - a found father. When Gerard received an email from a man claiming t...

Pam's DNA Surprise

03 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What is more shocking than one NPE discovery? Two NPE discoveries. In this week’s episode, Pam shares how she spent 20 years believing that her biol...

Michelle's DNA Surprise

26 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When Michelle took her DNA test, she wasn’t looking for her own biological father. In fact, she hoped to answer some questions about her mother’s ...

Eric's DNA Surprise

19 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

DNA tests. NPE. Donor conception. Politics. In this week’s episode of DNA Surprises, I’m joined by Eric, who learned that he was donor-conceived a...

Rikki, Jules, and Kendall's DNA Surprise

12 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to Season 6 of DNA Surprises. We’re kicking off this season with a quadruple DNA surprise story as told by triplets. Rikki, Julianne, and Ke...

Josie's DNA Surprise

01 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to the Season 5 finale of DNA Surprises.  In this week’s episode, Josie shares a DNA surprise that doesn’t come as the result of a test s...

Chris' DNA Surprise

25 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Sometimes the connections that we make on our DNA surprise journeys extend beyond immediate family - and sometimes, they’re beyond ourselves. In thi...

Shelly's DNA Surprise

18 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Before we begin this episode, a content warning: there is a brief mention of suicidal ideation in this story. Parenting while navigating a DNA surpris...

Penny's DNA Surprise

11 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Many folks who experience a DNA surprise share a feeling of being the black sheep of their family - of never quite fitting in, and in some cases, bein...

Caroline's DNA Surprise

04 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Before we begin this week’s episode, we have a content warning. There are multiple references to child abuse, including sexual abuse, in this story....

Shari's DNA Surprise

27 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When the parents in a DNA surprise story are no longer alive to answer questions, their children are left to investigate. In this week’s episode Sha...

Mark M's DNA Surprise

20 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In many cultures, kinship adoption is commonplace. Sometimes children grow up knowing they were adopted by a grandparent, aunt, uncle, or other extend...

Liann's DNA Surprise

13 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

DNA surprises are, by definition, surprises, but sometimes there are murmurs and suspicions long before a DNA test confirms the truth. In this week’...

Morgan's DNA Surprise

06 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What’s in a name? For people who have experienced a DNA surprise, a whole lot. In this week's episode, Morgan shares his DNA surprise story as t...

Kimberly's DNA Surprise

30 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When an NPE connects with newfound family and begins building positive relationships, many people consider it to be a success story. Sometimes, though...

Jen's DNA Surprise

23 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Content Warning: Please note that there are references to suicide in this story. If you are experiencing thoughts of self-harm, please contact an eme...