Society & Culture

DNA Surprises

by Alexis Hourselt

Claiming needs an RSS feed. Contact us.

Listen on Apple Podcasts

Recently ranked · United States

Last recorded placements from this show’s chart history. These are not current rankings.

Not on the United States charts we track today.

If you like DNA Surprises, try…

NPE Stories

Latest episodes

Shari's DNA Surprise

October 20, 2026 · 40 min

The Covid pandemic didn’t just launch 1,000 podcasts. While people were sequestered indoors with nothing to do, DNA tests were an interesting novelty. The result? Many DNA surprises. In this week’s episode, Shari explains how she…
Julie R's DNA Surprise

October 13, 2026 · 45 min

What if finding out that the parent who raised you isn’t biologically related to you is the least surprising part of your story? What if, instead, the surprise is the amount of serendipity surrounding the discovery and everything that…
Jamie L's DNA Surprise

October 6, 2026 · 48 min

DNA surprises often begin with a search for answers. But what happens when you find them – and realize the answers don’t give you control over what happens next? Jamie wasn’t searching for herself when she uncovered her DNA surprise. She…
Trudy's DNA Surprise

September 29, 2026 · 41 min

One thing we know for sure about family secrets is that they don’t always disappear when the people who kept them are gone. Sometimes, they remain hidden for decades – until a DNA test brings them into the light. Trudy had spent years…
Tamarra's DNA Surprise

September 22, 2026 · 41 min

One of the most disorienting parts of a DNA surprise is realizing that the truth has often been there all along. Things that once seemed insignificant – the way you looked, the questions you asked, the places you felt like you belonged…

Show 7 more episodesShow fewer episodes

Josh's DNA Surprise

September 15, 2026 · 41 min

A common theme in the DNA surprise community is coming to terms with the fact that we’ll never get answers to the many questions we carry after uncovering in the truth. In some cases, people even grow up with questions without ever…
Nichell's DNA Surprise

September 8, 2026 · 42 min

What happens when you spend your whole life searching for where you belong – only to discover shocking information after decades of putting the pieces together? Nichell grew up knowing she was different. Raised in an African American…
Bonus Episode | Inside Rhythm Is a Dancer with Lauren Caster

August 6, 2026 · 31 min

Hey everyone! We’re still on a summer break, but I’m excited to share a bonus episode with you in the meantime. In this episode, I am joined by Lauren Caster, the writer, director, producer, and star of the new feature film, Rhythm Is a…
Brytanie's DNA Surprise

June 30, 2026 · 48 min

***SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: DNA Surprises will be taking a short summer break during July and August. I’m excited to come back in September refreshed, recharged, and with more stories from the NPE, adoptee, and donor conceived…
Tracy's DNA Surprise

June 23, 2026 · 41 min

Sometimes, DNA surprises aren’t about misattributed parentage. Sometimes, the biggest surprises are the feelings we experience as we explore biological connections. In this week’s episode, Tracy shares how she always knew was adopted, and…
Nick B's DNA Surprise

June 17, 2026 · 41 min

The more, the merrier. Wouldn’t it be great if everyone involved in a DNA surprise had this mentality? While that’s unfortunately not always the case, this week’s guest has had an incredible time connecting with the family he discovered…
Linda Pevac's DNA Surprise

June 9, 2026 · 45 min

Words have power. Language is how we make meaning of the things we’ve experienced. For some, having language around DNA surprises, adoption, and donor conception helps people feel less alone. And others take it even further, using the…

Full episode archive on Apple Podcasts →

About the show

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 l'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 —this is DNA Surprises.