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DNA Surprises

Alexis Hourselt

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Welcome to DNA Surprises, a podcast that delves into the world of unexpected DNA discoveries. I'm your host, Alexis Hourselt. In July 2021, my life took a surprising turn when I found out I'm an NPE—a person who's experienced a non-paternal event. In other words, my biological father isn’t who I thought he was. Join me as we explore the stories of NPEs, adoptees, and donor-conceived people and their families. Get ready to unravel the astonishing journeys that begin with a simple DNA test —th ...
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Join us as we delve into the fascinating world of folklore, where you can uncover thrilling tales of heroic feats, dastardly villains, and even the enigmatic Bigfoot. Immerse yourself in the myths and legends of various genres, from fantasy to horror and science fiction. Our stories are guaranteed to ignite your imagination, so buckle up and get ready to embark on an unforgettable adventure. Please help support the Campfire Creatures podcast! https://patron.podbean.com/campfirecreatures Webs ...
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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 that having this realization as he lays in a hospital bed, dying, must be among the worst. In the season 7 finale of DNA Surprises, Dana Schmalenberg shares how she uncovered the truth that both of her parent…
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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 answer is different depending on who you ask. Twenty-plus years ago when Wyatt, Cassidy, and Cody were born, fertility clinics didn’t advocate for disclosure. So when their mother and father asked Angela…
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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 discovered biological parent? What if we’d known the truth from the beginning? What would our lives look like now? Would they be better? Or…would they be worse? In this week’s episode, Lisa shares how she uncovere…
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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 anything like that, but they just know their dad isn't THEIR dad. Years later, after commercial DNA testing becomes commonplace, you offer them some peace of mind. All of your siblings take a test to prove,…
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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, Ryan shares how on one fateful Thanksgiving, his mother confessed the truth about his paternity. When he spoke to his birth certificate father and his biological father, they both requested that he con…
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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 child. A husband and wife. Both parents with their child, or some other combination. And then, in the heat of the moment, someone reveals the truth. So and so isn’t your real dad anyway. And then, just a…
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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 that her biological father is someone else altogether. In this week’s episode, Tina shares how she found her biological father and then quickly lost him. She also reveals her family history of NPEs, in…
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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 week’s episode, my guest, author Robin Schepper, shares her DNA surprise story. For more than thirty years, Robin served at the highest levels of American politics and government. including on four pre…
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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. After finding your biological father and failing to connect, you go through the next three decades just living your life. You have a child. You get married. You get divorced. And then you take a DNA test…
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Sometimes, DNA surprises happen more than once. NPEs, adoptees, and donor-conceived people might have their worlds shaken, only to have it happen again months, years, or even decades later. In this week’s episode, Daughter Dee shares her late discovery adoptee experience, which was followed decades later by an NPE. She shares how she learned that s…
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Erika's incredible DNA surprise journey starts with a mind-altering awakening. Erika always felt an underlying sense of 'otherness' in her family. After an experience with psilocybin, or “magic mushrooms,” she realized that there was a big lie in her life. Thanks to a DNA test and a potent dose of self-awareness, a truth emerges that casts her enti…
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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 testing. Jenniffer talks about growing up in a Venezuelan family, fostered at times by her paternal grandparents, only to discover later in life that she shares no DNA with them. In addition, she learned tha…
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Trapped in a snowbound forest, two families face a deadly standoff with Bigfoot in this harrowing episode of Campfire Creatures. As they seek refuge in an isolated cabin, their sanctuary becomes a battleground against a savage legend. Bloodshed and terror unfold in the night, marking a brutal fight for survival. Tune in for a raw, merciless journey…
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In the electrifying conclusion of The Churail, we plunge deeper into the dark world of the Churail, a menacing entity from South Asian folklore. Can our protagonists finally vanquish the Churail, or will they succumb to its malevolence? Join us for this thrilling conclusion to our journey into the realms of folklore, terror, and the supernatural!…
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Branding expert Ashia Amavé shares how showing up as your full, authentic self serves community. For our last episode of Season 3 — wowza! — we sit down with personal brand expert Ashia Amavé. She shares why it’s important to both your career and your community to show up as your whole self and blows our minds by describing the personal brand as yo…
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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 a 23&Me test. Jamie’s story encapsulates many parts of the DNA surprise stories we hear. She shares how her NPE came as a complete surprise. Her story includes an ethnic shift, from Italian to Portugue…
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In this gripping episode of "Churail - Part 1," we delve into the eerie and suspenseful journey of Arjun, a geologist torn between his duty to the British Crown and his ancestral roots in a remote Punjab village. This episode, unfolds the first three chapters that set the stage for a story of mystery, oppression, suffering and the legendary spirit,…
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It’s hard out there for an entrepreneur — but it doesn’t have to be hard and lonely. That’s the perspective of our next guest, Laura Zug, who works tirelessly to help her clients strategically and organically build community. In short, she helps people find, communicate and nurture their biggest fans. In this episode, we dig into the many aspects o…
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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 discovering, in her fifties, that she was donor-conceived and of Jewish descent. She discusses the challenges she faced, the shock and sense of displacement she felt after the discovery, and the impact it had on…
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In the heart of the treacherous Himalayas, Ewan Calder and his companions confront the ancient terror of the Yeti. As they descend into the mountain's depths, they discover the beast's intelligence and its grotesque lair. A battle ensues, filled with bloodshed and sacrifice, leaving Calder to face the darkness within himself.…
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Valerie Gangas, author and founder of Juniper Holiday + Home on creating experiences through hospitality and community. Simply put: Valerie Gangas is a powerhouse. She owns and runs 50 — soon to be 100! — short-term rental properties through Juniper Holiday + Home, and she’s also penned two amazing books on life, empowerment and spirituality. (In D…
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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 that the mom who raised him is not his biological mother. He describes his search for his biological family, as well as the truth about his birth story, and how his newfound relationships are blossoming…
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In the first part of this bone-chilling saga, 'Campfire Creatures' takes you to a remote Himalayan village in 1920, engulfed by a merciless blizzard. The arrival of Ewan Calder, a war-weary foreigner, marks the beginning of a spine-tingling journey into the supernatural. As the village grapples with ominous portents and ghastly occurrences, Calder …
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The duo behind the vibrant network talks about why community matters. In this episode of No Surprises, we add to the nesting dolls of the season — the community of people who have recorded our podcast about community — with Sarah Greisdorf and Sam Zelitch. This dynamic duo helms Squarespace Circle, a network of Squarespace creatives, designers and …
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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 next year's DNA Surprise Retreat. We also chat about what we loved about 2023's retreat and what we look forward to next year. Registration for the retreat opens November 15, 2023. Visit www.dnasurpri…
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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 author Michelle Tullier. Michelle talks about her journey of finding out the truth, her initial reaction to her discovery, and how she has processed the emotions and navigated her new relationships. She also d…
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In Episode 9 of "2050: Nature's Last Stand," we plunge into a world teetering on the brink of ecological collapse. As the mid-21st century unfolds before us, this gripping episode paints a chilling yet poignant picture of Earth's last remaining wildlands fighting for survival against human encroachment and climate calamity. This episode is a double…
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As two of our favorite Squarespace community members, we love to sit down with Will Myers and Christy Price, whether in person at Circle Day or logging on from far-off locales like Texas (Christy) and Italy (Will). Cue the wanderlust! In this edition of No Surprises, Kelsey and Mal talk to these Squarespace leaders about their individual skill sets…
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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 few months old after being abandoned in a garbage bin. She always knew she was adopted, but as an adult, she decided she wanted to look for her biological family. The TLC show Long Lost Family shows he…
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Explore a thrilling saga of love, sacrifice, and monstrous challenges on our latest episode. Join Sarah and Steven as they grapple with a profound dilemma, confronting their inner beasts to battle the terrifying Crone. With moonlit forests, epic battles, and mysterious heart-shaped stones, this podcast offers a gripping adventure. Tune in for a sus…
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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 shares an update on what's happened in his life since we last spoke. He shares his journey of discovering the importance of self-care and setting boundaries after a DNA surprise. He also discusses his ev…
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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 Lily Wood, host of NPE Stories. Lily started NPE Stories after experiencing her own NPE in 2019. She is a strong presence in our community, a bonafide truth-teller, and I call her one of the OGs in this space.…
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Join us in this thrilling podcast episode as we embark on an epic voyage with Henry Mitchell, a seasoned fisherman whose courage and determination are put to the ultimate test when he encounters the mythical Kraken in the treacherous depths of the Atlantic Ocean!Greg Ahira
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Part of 3 of the "I am Bigfoot" series. "Azukah", the Guardian Bigfoot leader befriends a human named Layla. Both join forces to safeguard the Bigfoot way of life and the sanctity of the forest. Through the course of their mission, they are hunted by Burt and his friend Dave, who have other plans for the Bigfoot. Tune in to hear the final episode o…
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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 her DNA surprise explained why her mother treated her poorly her entire life. She also discusses how her newfound connections are going and how she is working to accept that she may never find answers. …
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The community engagement expert talks global giving — and taking care of yourself along the way. Kristin Lewis’s career journey starts over pancakes — as many great journeys do — and follows a twist-y path to United Airlines, where as Senior Manager of Global Community Engagement and Partnership, Kristin manages the brand’s non-profit portfolio, in…
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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 to be his son, he wasn’t sure what to think. He soon discovered that unbeknownst to him, he was the father of a 30-something-year-old man who had been adopted as an infant. Gerard shares how he pieced toge…
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As both Community Lead for the education platform and in his everyday life Max Pete is all about bringing people together. You know how there’s that person who you keep intersecting with on your career path? For Kelsey, that’s Max Pete. As two people in the Squarespace design and tech space, their work has woven along their respective journeys, con…
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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 biological father wasn’t her “dad," but another man with whom she had a strained relationship. Imagine her surprise when, after the invention of commercial DNA tests, she uncovered another truth - that her …
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Marketing guru Lindsey Pinchuk on how a community-centered approach leads to success. Community is so hot right now — but it’s always been a part of Lindsey Pinchuk’s ethos. From her very first business to her current work as creator of Dear FoundHer, building and cultivating community is central to everything she does. Meaning that she’s a communi…
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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 NPE. You can imagine her shock when she discovered that her mother wasn’t the only NPE - Michelle was too. She also learned that her biological father is a man she fondly remembered from her childhood. Mi…
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The head of community and partnerships talks growth, change and connection She’s the person who brings people together for an app that’s designed to bring people together — meaning that Meagan Allers is basically always thinking about community. The way it grows, contracts, changes and evolves, but how at its root it always comes back to one thing:…
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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 after taking a 23andMe test. He shares why he decided to take the test, why he waited three years before doing anything with his surprising results, and how his discovery impacted his relationship with his…
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The founder of the Squarespace hub and SEO agency talks building and nourishing community. “True growth comes in community, when there are people pushing you forward.” It’s this quote that makes David Alex not only one of our very favorite collaborators, but the perfect guest for our first episode of No Surprises Season 3, which focuses on communit…
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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 Kendall are donor-conceived triplets who were separated at birth. Rikki was raised by her biological mother and who she believed was her biological father. Jules and Kendall were raised together by their …
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In this minisode — the last episode of Season 2 — Mallory settles into the interviewer’s chair, as she asks Kelsey about her book, “Squarespace from Signup to Launch,” and her new collaboration course with education platform SuperHi. Kelsey shares the book’s origin story and discusses how she wrote the book she wanted to write, making deadlines, an…
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Sometimes, a collaboration goes beyond creative magic and into the friendship world. Take Emily Positano, for example. The Founder/CEO of Made Better Brands has become not only one of our favorite collaborators (we’ve created sites for her clients CoLeague and The Channeled Source) but also one of our favorite people. Seriously, folks: she’s a gem.…
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In this episode of “No Surprises,” our team gathers from all corners: Kelsey taps in from a Wisconsin cabin, Mal joins from Mexico City, Reyna produces from Tel Aviv, and our esteemed guest — the incredible artist Grace Miceli — comes to us from the cozy confines of their gorgeous NYC apartment (recently featured in Architectural Digest, NBD). We c…
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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 she took, but of her own revelation well into her twenties. She always knew that she was donor conceived and raised by a single mother, but it wasn’t until she had her son that she wanted to find her sperm d…
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Marketing expert Sonia Elyss talks trends, pro tips and the joys (and occasional challenges) of online communities. In this edition of No Surprises, class is in session, as Mal and Kelsey sit down with beauty marketing consultant Sonia Elyss for a bona fide education. Sure, this beauty expert — who may have invented influencer marketing, NBD — coul…
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