What if your biological family—siblings, a mother, even potential fathers—had been living just a few towns away your entire life, and you never knew?
In this emotionally charged episode of Family Twist, we meet a mother-daughter duo who peel back the layers of a decades-old secret. The mother was adopted in the 1950s under a veil of societal shame. Decades later, her daughter took on the role of family detective, determined to uncover the truth about her mother’s origins—and what she discovered would shock even the most seasoned genealogy sleuth.
From anonymous letters and DNA testing to surprise wedding encounters and jaw-dropping family resemblances, this story unfolds like a mystery novel with real-life stakes: identity, legacy, and longing.
You’ll hear how:
This is a tale of secrets kept, lives intertwined, and a daughter's relentless drive to give her mother the one thing she deserved all along: acknowledgment.
Whether you’re part of the adoption, NPE, or DNA surprise community—or simply love a gripping human story—you do not want to miss this episode.
Trigger warning: This episode includes discussions around adoption, familial rejection, and grief.
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Dateline NBC
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