In this episode of Family Twist, we sit down with Jon Baime, the writer, producer, and director of the powerful NPE documentary, Filling in the Blanks. Now streaming for free on Amazon Prime, Tubi, and the Roku Channel, the film explores Jon’s personal journey as a donor-conceived individual and the emotional discoveries that unfolded after taking a DNA test.

Jon shares candid insights into how his father’s adamant resistance to DNA testing led to life-altering revelations, as well as the complex emotions tied to uncovering long-hidden family secrets. From confronting identity crises to fostering new relationships with biological relatives, Jon walks us through the filmmaking process and the healing power of storytelling.

We also delve into the shared experiences of NPEs (Not Parent Expected) and donor-conceived individuals, highlighting the documentary’s impact on viewers within these communities. Whether you’re navigating your own DNA discovery or curious about the hidden dynamics of family relationships, this episode is a must-listen.

Topics Covered in This Episode:

• The inspiration behind Filling in the Blanks
• Jon’s father’s resistance to DNA testing and the shocking revelation of being donor-conceived
• The emotional and psychological impact of discovering biological relatives
• Jon’s approach to balancing humor and heavy subject matter in the documentary
• Insights into the NPE and donor-conceived communities
• The unique challenges of telling such a personal story through film
• Audience reactions and the film’s role in promoting healing

Where to Watch the Documentary:

Filling in the Blanks is streaming now on Amazon Prime, Tubi, and the Roku Channel.

Corey and Kendall take a trip down memory lane, revisiting Kendall’s incredible adoption story—the inspiration behind Family Twist. For new listeners who may have missed the beginning, and loyal fans who want to hear more, Kendall shares untold details about his journey from being adopted as a baby to discovering his birth family at age 47 through a DNA kit.

Listener Anne’s touching letter prompts Kendall to reflect deeply on the loss of his adoptive parents, Betty and Rubel, who adopted him after years of longing for a child. Their story of love, perseverance, and resilience shaped Kendall’s outlook on life, and Corey brings new insights into how their legacy continues to inspire the podcast.

Highlights include:

• The Start of Kendall’s Story: How a DNA kit and a birthday surprise revealed six half-siblings, 13 nieces and nephews, and two living birth parents.
• Listener Anne’s Powerful Letter: Anne, a long-time listener, offers a heartfelt perspective on Kendall’s journey and the enduring love he feels for his adoptive parents.
• A Love Story in Arkansas: Betty and Rubel’s love story, their struggles with infertility, and the joy of welcoming Kendall into their lives.
• Nature vs. Nurture: Kendall reflects on the connections between his adoptive and biological families, exploring how traits and personality are shaped by both.
• The Legacy of Loss: Kendall shares his thoughts on mourning his adoptive parents and how discovering his birth family has deepened his appreciation for Betty and Rubel.

Listener Shout-Out:

Anne’s message is a reminder of the global reach of Family Twist and its ability to connect with listeners on a deeply emotional level. Thank you, Anne, for your kind words and for sharing our podcast with others.

Call to Action:

If you’ve been inspired by Kendall’s story or know someone who might be, please share Family Twist with a friend. Whether you’re an adoptee, part of the NPE or donor-conceived community, or just someone who loves stories of resilience and connection, this podcast is for you.

Tune In:

Discover the origins of Family Twist and hear the untold stories behind Kendall’s journey in this moving episode.

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In this unforgettable continuation of Karen’s journey, we dive deeper into the raw, real, and often messy world of family relationships. Karen opens up about the bold choices she’s made to protect her well-being, the bittersweet beauty of reconnection, and the courage it takes to set boundaries—even with the people we love most.

Here’s what you’ll hear in this episode:

When love isn’t enough: Karen shares the hard truth behind stepping away from her birth father and why it was the healthiest choice for her.

Sibling bonds and brokenness: The ups and downs of connecting with half-siblings, including one sibling’s struggle with addiction and another’s unexpected rejection.

Generational echoes: How the shame and trauma carried by her birth mother during pregnancy shaped Karen’s life—and the work she’s done to break free.

Boundaries and grace: The emotional tightrope of maintaining a relationship with her adoptive mother in the shadow of political divides and unkind comments.

Why community matters: Karen reflects on the importance of shared stories and how finding others who “get it” has been a lifeline.

Karen’s story isn’t just about the pain of loss or the weight of family secrets; it’s about resilience, growth, and the radical act of choosing yourself. This episode will challenge you, inspire you, and remind you that healing doesn’t happen overnight—but it’s always worth the fight.

What if the worst day of someone else’s life was also the beginning of your greatest revelation? In this jaw-dropping episode of Family Twist, we explore an adoptee’s extraordinary journey, starting with a mysterious medical episode and culminating in an emotional family reunion. But it’s the uncanny connection to her half-sister—a woman she never met—that will leave you questioning fate itself.

Here’s why you’ll want to listen:

Discover how a simple letter to Catholic Charities uncovered long-buried secrets.

Hear the heart-wrenching story of a half-sister’s untimely passing—and the eerie timing that connected their lives.

Explore the bittersweet reality of adoption reunions, from joyous discoveries to the complexities of navigating new relationships.

Gain insight into how this journey inspired a calling to help others through adoptee-competent therapy.

This isn’t just a story about adoption. It’s about loss, love, and the inexplicable ties that bind us. From the moment Karen woke up with unexplained anxiety to the day she connected with her birth family, you’ll be hooked on every twist and turn of this compelling narrative.

Why Listen All the Way Through?

The truth revealed in the final moments of this story is too powerful to miss. You’ll leave with a renewed appreciation for resilience, the mysteries of connection, and the incredible strength it takes to bridge the gap between past and present.

Subscribe now and press play—this is one episode you won’t forget.

Contact us to share your own Family Twist story

Your support helps us keep bringing you the most heartfelt and impactful adoption stories. Don’t forget to leave a review and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it!

We reflect on our wonderful guests from 2024, and tease what's to come in 2025!

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 Expected) community.

Kendall also dives into his own DNA discovery story, revealing the life-changing realization that his biological father wasn’t who he thought. With humor and heart, Kendall recalls thinking his test results were 'ruined' by a morning kiss and how his persistence eventually led him to uncovering the truth.

Key Highlights:

• Pam’s personal discovery of her biological parentage through DNA testing.
• The emotional complexities of being the child of an affair and navigating relationships with biological family members.
• Kendall’s candid and humorous recounting of his DNA discovery and its emotional fallout.
• The advocacy work Pam has undertaken to create support spaces for those with unexpected parentage discoveries.
• The importance of finding community and support in NPE, adoption, and DNA discovery groups.

Key Quotes:

• "I just wanted to know how Irish I was. Instead, I discovered my entire identity wasn’t what I thought." – Kendall
• "You can’t erase the fact that I’m here. I deserve to exist." – Pam
• "Family twists don’t just change lives; they reveal truths that have been buried for decades." – Corey

Connect With Us:

If you have a story to share or know someone whose family twist deserves to be told, reach out to us at [insert email address].

Additional Resources:

• Learn more about NPE advocacy at [insert resource link].
• Join support groups for DNA discoveries, adoption, and NPE [insert group link].
• Check out past episodes of Family Twist on [insert platform links].

Don’t Forget to Subscribe!

Be sure to follow us wherever you listen to podcasts so you don’t miss upcoming episodes featuring more extraordinary stories like Pam’s.

Make sure and listen to episode 100 of The Family Twist Podcast before listening to this "lost," bonus episode with Monica Hall.

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 healing, empowerment, and reconciling with her past. Monica shares stories about finding the daughter she gave up for adoption, and the potentially literal demons that haunted her and her son, Levi.

Monica recounts haunting tales from her teenage years, including the trauma of sexual violence and her subsequent quest for closure. In a moment straight out of a thriller, she describes confronting her past head-on by tracking down the man who wronged her—a journey filled with equal parts courage and catharsis. From shadowy figures and family secrets to her son’s “Spidey sense,” Monica’s story is gripping and raw, offering listeners an unfiltered look at the resilience of the human spirit.

This episode also explores how trauma and healing intersect, touching on themes from Corey and Kendall’s other podcast, Horror Heals. Monica’s tale reminds us that no matter how dark the story, there’s always hope for light and growth.

What You'll Hear in This Episode:

• Revisiting Monica’s Story: A quick recap of Monica’s life journey, from leaving corporate America to rediscovering her indigenous roots and building a global soap empire.
• Haunted by the Past: Monica shares chilling accounts of shadowy figures and demons tied to family trauma, and her relentless pursuit of healing through confrontation.
• The Power of Writing and Reflection: How writing her memoir helped Monica process decades of pain and repressed memories.
• Family, Trauma, and Healing: Monica’s reflections on the complexities of adoption, family secrets, and her ongoing work to reconcile her past.
• Connections to Horror Heals: How Monica’s experiences align with the themes of horror as a tool for mental wellness.

Why You Should Listen:

This bonus episode isn’t just about revisiting Monica’s incredible life; it’s about exploring the power of owning your story. Monica’s raw honesty, dark humor, and relentless spirit remind us that even the most challenging twists in life can lead to transformative growth. Whether you’re here for her wit, her wisdom, or her unwavering courage, this episode will leave you inspired to face your own shadows.

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 effects of generational trauma.

Listen as Jill reveals the origins of her pen name, the grit it took to overcome a tumultuous childhood, and her determination to uncover and tell her truth. Corey and Kendall connect with Jill on a deeply personal level, discussing the shared challenges of DNA surprises and how finding community has transformed their experiences. This heartfelt conversation will inspire anyone grappling with identity, family, and the quest for belonging.

Timestamps:

00:00 – 03:45: Welcome and introductions; Jill’s snow-filled New England backdrop

03:46 – 10:32: Jill’s alter ego, Margo Reilly: The meaning behind the name

10:33 – 20:15: Jill’s childhood challenges and the development of her resilience

20:16 – 33:55: The DNA discovery that changed Jill’s life

33:56 – 42:30: Navigating family rejection and acceptance

42:31 – 51:20: Writing for healing: Jill’s journey to sharing her truth

51:21 – 58:00: The power of community in healing family wounds

58:01 – 1:02:30: Closing thoughts and Jill’s hopes for her readers

Resources and Links:

• Preorder Jill’s memoir: When You Shake the Family Tree (Available December 12th, 2024)
• Read Jill’s first book: When the Apple Falls Far from the Tree
• Follow Jill (Margo Reilly) on Instagram and Facebook
• Learn more about DNA surprises and community resources at Untangling Our Roots

Key Takeaways:

• Resilience can stem from even the most challenging experiences and guide us through unimaginable revelations.
• Family secrets may feel protective in the moment but often lead to generational harm.
• Building a supportive community is a critical part of healing from DNA surprises and family estrangement.
• Sharing our stories can bring clarity and catharsis—and help others feel less alone.

Listener Challenge:

If Jill’s story resonated with you, take a moment to reflect on how family secrets have impacted your life. Consider journaling, reaching out to someone you trust, or exploring your own genealogy as a step toward understanding and healing.