PODCAST · society
NPE Stories
by Lily Wood
What if you found out your parent was not in fact your biological parent? NPE Stories is a podcast where NPEs can share their story. What is an NPE? It is a term that stands for Not Parent Expected or Non Paternity Event. It is used for people who have found out the life changing news that their parent wasn’t their biological parent. Most likely through the advent of home DNA kits. NPE Stories is a podcast where NPEs can share their story of what their original family was like. How they found out they were an NPE. And what their journey has been like since the day they found out. These stories are here for us to listen to and nod along with. Be a part of the story telling. If you are an NPE that would like to share your story email [email protected]. You do not have to give any identifying information. I’d like to hear from you. NPE Stories will be launching July 1st 2019. Come heal with us.
Episodes
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Rose's Story
In this episode, Rose opens up about discovering her biological father through a 2024 DNA test and managing the unexpected shift in her cultural identity. She shares how humor helped her navigate the initial shock, what it has been like trying to connect with a father who keeps her a secret, and...
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Bradley's Story
This episode features Bradley Hall, a well-known figure in the NPE community. He shares his own personal story and childhood trauma, as well as how his identity crisis and NPE affected him. So many great resources mentioned for NPEs in this special episode. Resources Mentioned: npenetwork.org The...
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Toi's Story
Toi shares what she has learned about her NPE and biological father, while noting that her mother may have never known the truth herself. After facing new heart failure complications and a hereditary diagnosis, she reaches back out to her biological relatives to uncover critical health details…
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Jen's Story
Jen originally had her non-paternal event as a young adult in the late 90's when a man she had known her whole life abruptly told her the truth. Jen spent years navigating her identity crisis and eventually found healing through EMDR. Jen can be reached via email [email protected] NPE Stories...
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Sharon's Story
After family gossip started up, Sharon submitted a DNA test and received a surprise in her DNA matches. Drawing on her crisis counseling background, Sharon has given back by serving as a certified trauma recovery coach and support group facilitator to help others in the NPE community heal....
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Diana's Story
Licensed mental health counselor Diana shares her recent NPE (Non-Paternal Event) discovery after a late 2020 DNA test led to unexpected family revelations in early 2026. Raised in a multicultural environment across New York and Florida, she explores the emotional journey of grieving her…
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Daisy's Story
Lily Wood kicks off Season 8 with guest Daisy Woods, who shares her story of discovering at age 55 that her biological roots were not what she had always believed. When a sudden health crisis leaves doctors searching for answers, Daisy is forced to uncover the true genetic history hidden from her...
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Relative Strangers
In the year 7 season finale I was so excited to chat with B.K. Jackson (aka Kate), the incredible founder of Severance magazine and editor of the brilliant new essay collection, Relative Strangers. We had a great conversation into her incredibly complex discovery story which includes 9 siblings,...
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Elizabeth's Story
In this episode, Lily Wood sits down with Elizabeth, a trauma-informed yoga teacher who shares her traumatic story of surviving a chaotic childhood only to discover through a 23andMe test the devastating truth about her conception. Elizabeth can be reached via email [email protected] Resources...
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Danny's Story
Danny's mother revealed that he was actually a Non-Paternity Event (NPE) child, and his biological father was a man from New York named Daniel. To honor his biological roots while acknowledging the man who raised him, he socially changed his name to Danny. Danny can be reached via instagram...
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Alethia's Story
Harmful Content Warning: This episode contains raw language including racial slurs, as well as discussions of domestic violence and systemic trauma. Alethia joins me to talk about a childhood defined by internal racism and the messy reality of growing up in a toxic home. We dive into the moment…
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Becca's Story
In this episode, Becca Rothman, a comedian, activist, and mother shares the surprising story of discovering she was donor-conceived later in life. After years of living with a "clue" found by her sister, Becca finally used a DNA kit to uncover a biological father—a pediatrician—who shares her…
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Mark's Story
Growing up with a "normal" Midwestern upbringing, Mark never felt different or disconnected from his family. However, after his father's death, a quest to explore his Portuguese heritage through a DNA test led to the staggering discovery that he was 100% Iberian and had zero Polish blood. Now, he...
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Alex's Story
Alex Frantz shares the life-altering discovery of being donor-conceived, a revelation triggered by a holiday DNA kit. They describe the shock of realizing they attended high school with their half-siblings. Alex recounts forming a deep, "seamless" bond with their biological father and…
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Dawn M's Story
Dawn grew up feeling a quiet sense that something didn’t quite fit, but it wasn’t until a search for her family’s past that everything she thought she knew began to shift. In this episode, she shares what it’s like to uncover the truth later in life—and how she’s finding her way forward, one…
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Molly's Story
In this episode, Lily sits down with Molly, who shares the complex layers of being both an adoptee and an NPE within a small-town dynamic where the adults knew the truth long before she did. Molly opens up about the "fairytale" highs and devastating lows of a reunion that ultimately didn't last,...
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Stephanie's Story
This episode follows Stephanie’s journey from a stable, loving childhood into a shocking DNA discovery after her dad’s death revealed he wasn’t her biological father. What starts with family secrets, an Ancestry test, and a stepmom’s cryptic comment turns into a whirlwind of answers — including...
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DJ's Story
DJ grew up believing he knew exactly where he came from—named after his father, raised in a working-class family shaped by absence, anger, and long stretches of silence. From childhood jokes about not looking like his dad to being told his parents stayed together “for him,” this episode sits with...
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Stacy's Story
In this deeply personal conversation (and crossover episode), Stacy opens up about discovering she’s a double NPE, confronting painful family truths, and grieving a father she never had the chance to know. She reflects on healing, chosen family, and how community, therapy, and self-compassion...
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Constance's Story
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...
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Krissy's Story
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 [email protected] NPE Stories Patreon NPE Stories facebook page...
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Traci Grant's Story
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 [email protected] Resources Mentioned: After the Rotting by Traci Grant NPE...
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Amy W's Story
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...
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William's Story
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...
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Pat's Story
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...
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Gina H's Story
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...
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Lisa F's Story
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...
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Lori's Story
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...
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Rebecca's Story
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…
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Lizette's Story
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....
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Did Not Anticipate
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,...
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Deb's Story
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...
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Rashanda's Story
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...
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Annette's Story: Living Into the Truth
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...
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Melanie Dawn's Story
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…
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Devorah's Story about Taken From The Cradle
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...
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Lauren's Story - Five Years Later
Lauren returns to the podcast five years after first sharing her story in Season 1, hoping others can learn from her journey as she reflects on what has unfolded since. Lauren can be reached via email [email protected] To hear Lauren's origin story Episode 28 of NPE Stories listen here.…
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DNA Speaks the Truth, But Your Doctor May Not
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…
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Amy S's Story
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...
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Jennifer Ruiz's Story
Jennifer is a first generation Colombian-American who describes her family as warm, loving, and hard-working. She had the shock of her life when her DNA results showed one of her best friends was actually her half-sibling. Jennifer can be reached via email [email protected] NPE Stories Patreon NPE...
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Julie S's Story
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...
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Bill's Story
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
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Robin Schepper’s Story
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…
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David's Story
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...
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Heather Venceil's Story
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 [email protected] NPE Stories...
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Gigi's Story
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 [email protected]...
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Stella's Story
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…
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Caroline Sorg's Story
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.…
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Bertrice's Story
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...
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Nicole's Story
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...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
What if you found out your parent was not in fact your biological parent?
NPE Stories is a podcast where NPEs can share their story. What is an NPE? It is a term that stands for Not Parent Expected or Non Paternity Event. It is used for people who have found out the life changing news that their parent wasn’t their biological parent. Most likely through the advent of home DNA kits.
NPE Stories is a podcast where NPEs can share their story of what their original family was like. How they found out they were an NPE. And what their journey has been like since the day they found out.
These stories are here for us to listen to and nod along with. Be a part of the story telling. If you are an NPE that would like to share your story email [email protected]. You do not have to give any identifying information. I’d like to hear from you.
NPE Stories will be launching July 1st 2019. Come heal with us.
HOSTED BY
Lily Wood
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does NPE Stories have?
NPE Stories currently has 249 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is NPE Stories about?
What if you found out your parent was not in fact your biological parent? NPE Stories is a podcast where NPEs can share their story. What is an NPE? It is a term that stands for Not Parent Expected or Non Paternity Event. It is used for people who have found out the life changing news that their...
How often does NPE Stories release new episodes?
NPE Stories publishes regularly with 249 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to NPE Stories?
You can listen to NPE Stories 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 NPE Stories?
NPE Stories is created and hosted by Lily Wood.
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