Family Twist: A Podcast Exploring DNA Surprises and Family Secrets

Episode Description: In this special expanded edition of Family Twist, Corey and Kendall revisit 2024’s most downloaded episode featuring Pam, a courageous advocate who discovered through DNA testing that she is the child of an affair. Pam shares the emotional journey of uncovering her biological parentage, navigating family dynamics, and becoming an advocate for others in the NPE (Not Parent Expe...

Make sure and listen to episode 100 of The Family Twist Podcast before listening to this "lost," bonus episode with Monica Hall. The Lost Episode of Family Twist In this special “lost” episode, we reconnect with the unforgettable Monica Hall, whose previous appearance left us laughing, crying, and marveling at her resilience. This time, Monica dives even deeper into her extraordinary journey of he...

In this episode of Family Twist, Corey and Kendall sit down with Jill Krizinovich, better known by her pen name, Margo Reilly. Jill is the author of the forthcoming memoir When You Shake the Family Tree and its predecessor When the Apple Falls Far from the Tree. Jill shares her remarkable journey of resilience and self-discovery, navigating family secrets, a shocking DNA discovery, and the ripple...

Welcome to a special Thanksgiving episode of Family Twist! As the holiday season kicks off, Corey and Kendall take a brief pause to share heartfelt moments of gratitude and reflect on Thanksgiving traditions from their childhoods to today. From Kendall’s memories of his father’s long holiday weekends and lively house-hopping parties in Missouri to Corey’s packed family gatherings and their early d...

For Shirley, life was a mystery with pieces that never quite fit—until a DNA test in 2001 revealed the unthinkable truth: she had been switched at birth. Raised in one family and belonging by blood to another, Shirley’s world was upended. In her memoir, The Little Dark One: A True Story of Switched at Birth, she recounts the trials and triumphs that followed, from grappling with family secrets to...

In part two of this eye-opening conversation, Kendall Stulce and Rich Uhrlaub pick up where they left off, diving even deeper into the emotional highs and lows of the adoption journey. This episode unveils the unfiltered realities adoptees face, from unexpected family rejections to the healing power of creative expression. Rich continues sharing insights into his musical For the Record(s), a power...

In this gripping episode, Kendall Stulce opens up a powerful, no-holds-barred conversation with writer, advocate, and adoptee Rich Uhrlaub, the creative mind behind For the Records —a bold new musical that brings the haunting truths of adoption to the stage. Set in 1967, Rich’s musical unravels the hidden heartache of the baby scoop era, a time when adoption was shrouded in secrecy, leaving adopte...

In this special Halloween crossover episode, Corey and Kendall invite listeners into the unique space where family stories and horror healing meet. As the founders of both Family Twist and Horror Heals, Corey and Kendall explore the ways that family traditions, especially around Halloween, can bring people closer together—even in the most unexpected ways. Our guest, Darin, is a Halloween enthusias...

In this special crossover bonus episode, we share an insightful conversation from our sister podcast, Horror Heals , where we explore how horror can be a powerful tool for healing trauma. Corey and Kendall dive into Kendall’s adoption journey and DNA found family story, connecting it to the themes of resilience and recovery that often arise in both horror films and real-life experiences. What Your...

In Part 2 of our heartfelt conversation with Cree filmmaker, Kristal Parke, we explore her journey of reconnecting with her Opaskwayak Cree Nation roots and her Sicilian heritage. From embracing her Indigenous identity to the emotional weight of her birth family reunion, Kristal reflects on how her documentary, Because She’s Adopted, has helped her and others process the deep impacts of adoption....

In this powerful episode of Family Twist , Corey and Kendall Stulce sit down with Cree filmmaker and adoptee, Kristal Parke, to discuss her impactful documentary Because She’s Adopted . Kristal’s film dives deep into the complex emotional landscape of adoption, exploring themes like the primal wound, hidden trauma, and how adoptees often navigate identity challenges and mask their pain. Kristal sh...

In this episode of Family Twist, Corey and Kendall Austin Stulce reflect on their Halloween experiences growing up, contrasting their childhood traditions and the cultural perceptions of Halloween. They delve into the significance of community and identity, particularly in relation to donor conception and adoption. The conversation also explores the positive impact of horror culture on mental well...

Relinquishment, Addiction, and the Healing Power of Water Part 2

In this episode of Family Twist , Corey and Kendall Stulce sit down with David to explore the profound and raw themes of relinquishment, addiction, and healing. The conversation starts with an intriguing discussion about the Blue Mind movement, the scientifically backed benefits of water for mental health. David shares how being near water has become a personal meditative tool that helps him stay...

Hello, friends! Kendall and Corey launch their new podcast, Horror Heals, today, and we wanted to share one of the first episodes with you. If you like, please share, subscribe and review. Have friends or family who might like horror? Please share! And subscribe and leave a review so we can reach more people who need to know that Horror Heals! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-horror-heals...

In this compelling episode of the Family Twist podcast, Corey and Kendall Stulce sit down with Lezlee, author of If You Only Knew: Navigating DNA Surprises and the NPE World . Lezlee shares her deeply personal story of uncovering a life-changing truth about her biological father through a decade-long journey of DNA testing and family revelations. She candidly discusses the emotional turmoil, the i...

In this compelling episode of the Family Twist podcast, Corey and Kendall Stulce sit down with Lezlee, author of If You Only Knew: Navigating DNA Surprises and the NPE World . Lezlee shares her deeply personal story of uncovering a life-changing truth about her biological father through a decade-long journey of DNA testing and family revelations. She candidly discusses the emotional turmoil, the i...

In this episode of the Family Twist podcast, Kendall takes the reins as he engages in a heartfelt conversation with fellow adoptee, Greg Gentry. The two discuss their adoption experiences, touching on the challenges of reunion with biological families, the emotional impact of discovering one’s adoption later in life, and the ongoing journey of healing and understanding. Kendall and Greg find commo...

In part two of this conversation, Kendall Stulce and guest, Lori Evans Ermi, discuss their experiences with adoption and the importance of community and education. They share their personal stories of reunion and the challenges and joys that come with it. They also touch on the need for adoptees to be seen and recognized, and the importance of understanding and respecting different perspectives wi...

In this episode of Family Twist, Lori shares her extraordinary journey of adoption, intertwined with her love for music and family dynamics. Lori recalls her experiences and mesmerizes with stories about her daughter, an adoptee and a gifted singer who deeply contributed to her book's unique concept of pairing adoption stories with songs. Lori also discusses how music has been a healing force thro...

Twists of Fate: Diana's Journey of Identity and Family Secrets In this episode, Diana shares her astonishing journey of discovering her true origins. Born in Montreal instead of Manhattan, through a black market network involving baby smugglers, doctors, and illegal maternity homes, Diana unravels her past over 29 years. Exploring themes of identity crisis, familial bonds, and the determination to...

Twists of Fate: Diana's Journey of Identity and Family Secrets In this episode, Diana shares her astonishing journey of discovering her true origins. Born in Montreal instead of Manhattan, through a black market network involving baby smugglers, doctors, and illegal maternity homes, Diana unravels her past over 29 years. Exploring themes of identity crisis, familial bonds, and the determination to...

How does growing up as an Asian adoptee in a white family influence mental health and identity? This episode delves into Joey's personal story of being a Japanese adoptee raised by a white woman, exploring how his experiences with identity, trauma, and belonging led him down a path of drug use and self-harm. Joey and Beth share their candid journey through various healing pathways, offering valuab...

How does the journey of seeking one’s birth parents unfold in real life, with all its emotional complexities? For many, the decision to seek out biological roots is driven by a deep need for connection and identity. However, this journey can surface unexpected emotional challenges, from rejection to surprising familial revelations, as Kendall and our guest, Jean Widner discuss. Positive Reunions a...

In this conversation, Corey Stulce interviews Jordan Elizabeth Braxton about her transition journey and her experiences as an intersex woman. Jordan shares her realization of being female from a young age and her decision to transition later in life. She discusses the challenges she faced, including societal expectations and anti-LGBTQ laws. Jordan also talks about her involvement in the drag comm...