PODCAST · society
Finding Family DNA
by Birth Parent Finder
Welcome to Finding Family DNA, the show about finding and connecting birth families with Jay Rosenzweig, founder and CEO of BirthParentFinder.com. Every week, we explore a new case shedding light on the investigative tools, genetic genealogy, and DNA technology that make these incredible reunions possible. Join us as we navigate through the complexities of adoption searches and celebrate the profound connections formed along the way.
Episodes
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The Montana Records That Led Misty to a Killer
In this episode of Finding Family DNA, Jay and Misty step away from adoption reunions to revisit a 47-year-old Montana cold case Misty worked during her time at Parabon NanoLabs. In December 1978, 16-year-old Corina Lydia Contreraz was sexually assaulted and murdered outside Billings, and her…
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CeCe Moore Gets Canded: DNA, Friendship & the Stories Behind the Cases
When we recorded this episode of Finding Family DNA, we had no idea that CeCe Moore was about to be announced as a RootsTech 2027 keynote speaker. Now, with that announcement official, the timing of this conversation couldn’t be better. Internationally renowned genetic genealogist CeCe Moore…
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A Tragic Discovery About My Birth Father Led Me to My Sister | Ep. 51
In this episode of Finding Family DNA, we follow the story of a woman who set out to find the birth father she never knew, hoping for closure but bracing herself for anything. Using DNA and genetic genealogy, our investigator uncovers his identity in just 48 hours — only to reveal a devastating...
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50 Episodes of Finding Family DNA: A Look Back
In this episode of Finding Family DNA, we're celebrating a major milestone with a special look back at the journey so far. Host Jay Rosenzweig sits down with longtime co-host Misty, plus the studio team behind the scenes, to reflect on how far the show has come and the moments that made it...
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From the Primal Wound to the Paternal Wound
In this episode of Finding Family DNA, filmmaker Rebecca Autumn Sansom joins Jay to share the story behind her acclaimed documentary, Reckoning with the Primal Wound, and the winding path that led her back to both of her birth parents. Rebecca opens up about the years-long process of earning...
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I Broke Into an Adoption Agency to Find My Name
In this episode of Finding Family DNA, we sit down with an author and adoptee who turned a decades-long search for her birth family into three deeply personal books. Adopted in Denver in the early 1960s, she spent years chasing fragments of her past before taking a daring, real-life risk to…
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A Regifted DNA Kit Uncovered My Birth Parents
In this episode of Finding Family DNA, we meet a California adoptee who grew up knowing she was adopted but never imagined how her story would unfold. After decades of quiet curiosity, a chance moment during the pandemic sparked her decision to finally search for her birth family. What followed…
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DNA Revealed The Shocking Truth About My Birth Parents
In this episode of Finding Family DNA, Jason didn't learn he was adopted until his late 40s — and a simple request for his original birth certificate cracked open decades of family secrets. After a DNA test revealed zero biological connection to the woman who raised him, Jason turned to genetic...
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Five Years No Answers Then A DNA Match Appeared
In this episode of Finding Family DNA, Jay sits down with Linda Burleson, a woman who spent over five years searching for the identity of her birth father after learning at age sixty-plus that the man who raised her was not her biological dad. What made Linda's case one of the longest in...
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My Birth Father's Family Ghosted Us — So I'm Speaking Out
In this episode of Finding Family DNA, Jay and co-host Misty Gillis introduce Carla Salvatierra, a 29-year-old woman born in Los Angeles County who has spent years searching for the truth about her biological father. After discovering that neither the man on her birth certificate nor the man her...
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Maria Leonard Olsen's Shocking DNA Discovery
In this episode of Finding Family DNA, attorney, author, and TEDx speaker Maria Leonard Olsen shares the shocking DNA discovery that changed her identity forever. After taking a 23andMe test, Maria learned that the man who raised her was not her biological father. What followed was a years-long...
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I Lost My Adoptive Parents Young — Then Jay Found My Birth Mother
In this episode of Finding Family DNA, we follow Porsha Jones’ powerful journey from loss to reconnection. Adopted at birth and later losing both of her adoptive parents as a teenager, Porsha grew up navigating life on her own while carrying questions about where she came from. After years of...
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My Endless Search for My Birth Family: Adopted from China
In this episode of Finding Family DNA, Jay and Misty sit down with Taylor Shennett, a Chinese-born adoptee who was adopted into an American family as a baby and has spent the last decade searching for her biological roots. As a transracial adoptee, she shares her deeply personal journey…
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What Happened After the DNA Reunions? (2-Year Anniversary Special)
This week, Jay & Misty celebrate the show’s 2-year anniversary by looking back at some of the most powerful, emotional, and unforgettable stories from the past two years. From long-lost family reunions to shocking DNA discoveries and unresolved cases that still stay with them. They also share...
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My Birth Mother Told Everyone I Died at Birth
In this episode of Finding Family DNA, we follow Jenn Reinschmidt’s emotional journey to uncover her biological family after growing up knowing she was adopted. What started as a search for medical history quickly turned into a life-changing discovery when Misty Gillis used DNA matches and family...
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Inside RootsTech 2026: The Future of DNA and Genealogy
This week, Misty explains how investigative genetic genealogy helped solve the 1991 murder of Danielle Clause in Ventura, California. Using preserved crime scene DNA, GEDmatch, and advanced genealogy techniques, the team identified Larry Devon Welch more than three decades after the crime. Misty...
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How DNA Solved the Mysterious Murder of Danielle Clause
This week, Misty explains how investigative genetic genealogy helped solve the 1991 murder of Danielle Clause in Ventura, California. Using preserved crime scene DNA, GEDmatch, and advanced genealogy techniques, the team identified Larry Devon Welch more than three decades after the crime. Misty...
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Reuniting with My Birth Mother and Sister After Foster Care and Homelessness
This week, we meet Linda Rasmussen — Jay’s right-hand woman and the intake specialist for BirthParentFinder.com. Linda introduces us to the powerful case of Victor, a young man living in a homeless shelter, whose search for his birth family becomes one of the most emotional reunions the team has...
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A DNA Test Revealed My Birth Father Was My Mother’s Stepfather
Jay and Misty sit down with Shanna Daloussi, a past giveaway recipient, who shares the emotional and unexpected journey of discovering her biological father. With Jay’s help, Shanna used DNA testing to uncover the truth: the man who raised her was not her biological father — and the person who…
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She Had a Secret Daughter — And Never Told Anyone
We’re kicking off 2026 with a powerful reunion story between Mary and Nia — two half-sisters who had no idea the other existed. After decades of dead ends and a private investigator who vanished, Mary found Finding Family DNA and began her journey again. With the help of public ancestry records,...
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Inside the Boy in the Box Case with the Woman Who Solved It
In this special edition of Finding Family DNA, Jay turns the spotlight on co-host and investigative genetic genealogist Misty Gillis, as she walks us through the chilling and historic “Boy in the Box” case — a mystery unsolved for over six decades. Misty shares how she used the same DNA…
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How DNA Led Me to a Father Who Never Knew I Existed
In Episode 32 of Finding Family DNA, Jay and Misty sit down with Chakari Smith, an adoptee who grew up in Philadelphia and entered foster care at age 7 before being adopted at 11. Despite reconnecting with her birth mother later in life, Chakari never knew her father—until a combination of DNA...
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How DNA Helped Me Reclaim My Story—and Myself
In Episode 31 of Finding Family DNA, therapist and adoptee advocate Nikole Shaw shares her powerful journey of uncovering the truth about her biological roots. After years of believing she was conceived through a violent assault, a recent DNA match revealed a very different story—one that brought...
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From Family Secret to Feature Film: "One Big Happy Family"
In Episode 30 of Finding Family DNA, Jay and Misty sit down with actress, writer, and producer Lisa Brenner, whose latest film "One Big Happy Family" draws from her real-life discovery that the man who raised her was not her biological father. Lisa shares how a casual decision to take a DNA test…
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How a 23andMe DNA Test Found My Dad
In this powerful follow-up to Episode 4, author and adoptee Lakeeta Greene returns to share the next chapter in her remarkable journey—finding her birth father, Richard. After the emotional reunion with her mother detailed in her first book Seeking Closure, Lakeeta’s story continues in Closure at…
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How I Discovered My Birth Father’s Hollywood Past
This week Jay and Misty sit down with adoptee Kim Goff to share her decades-long journey to uncover the truth about her biological parents. Adopted as an infant in 1962 in Los Angeles and raised in Maine, Kim always knew she was adopted but lacked answers about her origins. Her search revealed a...
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Jeremy, the DNA Detective
In this episode, Jay and Misty sit down with licensed private investigator and genetic genealogist Jeremy Lipford, whose passion for solving mysteries was sparked by a friend's unexpected DNA discovery. Jeremy shares how he blends traditional investigative work with modern DNA tools to crack cold...
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DNA Revealed The Truth About My Birth Father
Jay shares the powerful and emotional journey of Bethany, who reached out to him in 2018 after discovering the man who raised her was not her biological father. Struggling with grief over the loss of her grandfather—whom she saw as her true father figure—Bethany wrestled with whether she even...
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Hugging My Birth Mother Was Priceless
This week, Jay and Misty welcome guest Joanna Winans, whose extraordinary reunion story began in 2018 when she reached out to find her birth mother after facing infertility. Motivated by a desire to understand her roots, Joanna was connected with her birth mother Amber, leading to a powerful...
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From Missing Child to Family Reunion
This week, Jay Rosenzweig and genealogist Misty Gillis discuss their roles as intermediaries in emotionally charged family reunions, highlighting two poignant case studies. The episode features a client who discovered his birth father through ancestry results but hesitated to make contact; with…
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Reunion Tears and Triumphs at RootsTech 2025
Join host Jay Rosenzweig and genealogy expert Misty Gillis at RootsTech 2025, the world’s largest family history conference. This special episode features exciting interviews, personal stories, and insightful discussions on the ethical dimensions of genealogical research and the transformative...
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Finding My Father and Solving a 40-Year Mystery
In this heartwarming episode, host Jay facilitates a profound reunion between Anthony McDermott and his birth father, Greig Watson. Discover how DNA testing brought them together after decades of separation and uncovered the identity of Anthony’s birth mother. Genealogist Misty Gillis plays a...
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My Mom Left My Birth Father In Mexico
This week Chris & Jay welcome Lizett Armstrong who shares the emotional journey of discovering her biological father’s identity after years of uncertainty. Born in Tijuana and raised in the United States without knowledge of her father, Lizett’s quest begins with fragmented clues and a baptismal...
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I Want To Thank My Birth Mother Before It's Too Late
This week Chris and Jay explore the compelling story of Angela Harden's search for her biological parents. Angela, who was adopted at a young age, embarked on this journey driven by health concerns and a curiosity about her familial origins. The episode highlights the complexities of genealogical...
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My Birth Father Never Kept Me A Secret
This week we discuss the case of David Durbin, a 53-year-old man who embarked on a journey to uncover his biological origins. Born in 1969 and adopted at birth, David had minimal information about his birth parents. With Jay's expertise and the strategic use of the California Birth Index, they...
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My Adoption Was A Secret Until I Was 65
This week Chris & Jay dive into the unique story of Robin Wescott whose biological mother went to the hospital under Robin’s adoptive mother's name and gave birth to her. This episode explores the emotional and logistical aftermath of finding out she was adopted at 65 years old after decades of...
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Blessed To Be A Sperm Donor Baby
This week Chris & Jay are joined by Annie Ross, Jay’s niece, who shares her personal experience as a sperm donor-conceived individual. The discussion touches on the reasons donors choose anonymity, the challenges recipients face in accessing vital medical histories, and the broader implications…
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Found My Birth Father Alive At 99 Years Old
While Chris is on vacation, Jay is joined by Rosie Okumura, an expert in scam detection. This episode focuses on the story of Mary Maybee, a 75-year-old adoptee from Denver, who sought to uncover her roots. After a serendipitous meeting with Jay at a genealogy conference, Mary shares her…
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My Birth Mother Didn’t Want To Know Me
In episode 14 of "Finding Family DNA," Caroline Chamblee shares her journey through adoption from both the perspective of an adoptee and a birth mother. Caroline was adopted into a loving family but always knew about her adoption and had some information about her birth mother. As an adult, with...
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Orphaned And Then Adopted At 18 Months
In episode 13 of "Finding Family DNA," Lori Quinn shares her story of discovering her biological family through the efforts of Jay and his team. Initially contacting BirthParentFinder.com due to a compelling news story featuring Chris, Lori's journey uncovers layers of her identity shaped by a...
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[BONUS] How My Relationship With My Daughter Fell Apart With Dawn Voris
In this Patreon-exclusive segment of "Finding Family DNA," Dawn Voris shares her complex and emotional journey surrounding the adoption of one of her twins. From Fort Wayne, Indiana, Dawn recounts the circumstances that led her to place one twin for adoption while keeping the other, a decision...
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I Separated My Twins At Birth
Join our Patreon to get exclusive bonus segments from each episode! https://www.patreon.com/findingfamilydna Watch this podcast right now on YouTube! https://youtu.be/9vUH_VvV0yc In episode 12 of "Finding Family DNA," we delve into the complex and emotionally charged story of Dawn Voris, who made...
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My Adoption Story Led to BirthParentFinder.com
Join our Patreon to get exclusive bonus segments from each episode! https://www.patreon.com/findingfamilydna Watch this podcast right now on YouTube! https://youtu.be/ep4suRHL2Fk In episode 11 of "Finding Family DNA," we explore the journey of Jay’s niece, Maggie Botta. Jay, originally not in the...
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My Birth Parents Were Murdered: An Interview With Baby Holly
Join our Patreon to get exclusive bonus segments from each episode! https://www.patreon.com/findingfamilydna Watch this podcast right now on YouTube! https://youtu.be/aVKK0i9lOKE In this special true crime episode of "Finding Family DNA," we uncover the harrowing and heartrending story of Holly...
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I Never Gave Up Hope Of Being Reunited With My Son
Join our Patreon to get exclusive bonus segments from each episode! https://www.patreon.com/findingfamilydna Watch this podcast right now on YouTube! https://youtu.be/3gkWl3DsCU0 In episode 9 of "Finding Family DNA," Patty Garcia recounts her emotional journey of teenage pregnancy and the...
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I Didn't Feel Complete Until I Met My Birth Family
Join our Patreon to get exclusive bonus segments from each episode! https://www.patreon.com/findingfamilydna Watch this podcast right now on YouTube! https://youtu.be/WIV88X7E13I In episode 8 of "Finding Family DNA," Tom Freeman shares his profound journey of discovering his birth family with the...
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Orphaned in Korea, but Found My Birth Parents in the U.S.
Join our Patreon to get exclusive bonus segments from each episode! https://www.patreon.com/findingfamilydna Watch this podcast right now on YouTube! https://youtu.be/iaRz9bNK_fw In episode 7 of "Finding Family DNA," Aneyah Elmore delves into her complex journey as a Korean adoptee and her…
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I Waited 34 Years For My Daughter To Find Me
Join our Patreon to get exclusive bonus segments from each episode! https://www.patreon.com/findingfamilydna Watch this podcast right now on YouTube! https://youtu.be/jBhPvoGQRTg In episode 6 of "Finding Family DNA," Kim Carrington, a birth mother, shares her journey of placing her daughter,...
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I Met My Birth Father Four Months Before He Passed Away
Join our Patreon to get exclusive bonus segments from each episode! https://www.patreon.com/findingfamilydna Listen To Tarcia's Podcast Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-adoption-journey-podcast/id1697365233 https://open.spotify.com/show/1Lm7HLeSKJorSKiGhpVD7h Watch this podcast…
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Finding My Mom After She Disappeared When I Was 6
Join our Patreon to get exclusive bonus segments from each episode! https://www.patreon.com/findingfamilydna Watch this podcast right now on YouTube! https://youtu.be/GJUgq426DPQ In episode 4 of "Finding Family DNA," we explore the touching story of Lakeeta Greene, who uncovered her birth mother...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Welcome to Finding Family DNA, the show about finding and connecting birth families with Jay Rosenzweig, founder and CEO of BirthParentFinder.com. Every week, we explore a new case shedding light on the investigative tools, genetic genealogy, and DNA technology that make these incredible reunions possible. Join us as we navigate through the complexities of adoption searches and celebrate the profound connections formed along the way.
HOSTED BY
Birth Parent Finder
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Finding Family DNA have?
Finding Family DNA currently has 54 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Finding Family DNA about?
Welcome to Finding Family DNA, the show about finding and connecting birth families with Jay Rosenzweig, founder and CEO of BirthParentFinder.com. Every week, we explore a new case shedding light on the investigative tools, genetic genealogy, and DNA technology that make these incredible reunions...
How often does Finding Family DNA release new episodes?
Finding Family DNA has 54 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Finding Family DNA?
You can listen to Finding Family DNA on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Finding Family DNA?
Finding Family DNA is created and hosted by Birth Parent Finder.
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