The Full Story You Haven’t Heard (Until Now)

This week on Family Twist, we’re celebrating a major milestone—three years of storytelling, surprise DNA discoveries, and untangling family secrets. And to mark the occasion, we’re bringing you a brand-new edit of one of our most meaningful conversations: a full, uncut interview with Brian Stanton, an acclaimed playwright and adoptee whose solo show, Blank, explores identity, origin, and the emotional terrain of adoption.

When we first released our conversation with Brian, time constraints meant cutting things short. But we always knew his full story deserved to be heard. Now, for our third anniversary, we’re setting the record straight—sharing the complete, powerful dialogue about how art can be a lifeline through family trauma, confusion, and healing.

Brian’s story runs parallel to Kendall’s in striking and emotional ways. Both experienced the complexity of growing up with missing pieces and found strength by stepping into the light of their truth—Kendall through podcasting, Brian through theater. In fact, theater is what first brought Corey and Kendall together, making this conversation feel full circle.

Brian Stanton is a Los Angeles-based actor, writer, and adoptee whose acclaimed solo show Blank explores his personal journey to uncover the truth about his identity. Through raw storytelling and theatrical vulnerability, Brian brings to light the emotional complexity of adoption and the universal search for belonging. He has performed Blank across the U.S. and internationally, sparking important conversations about family, secrecy, and self-discovery. Brian believes in the transformative power of theater—and uses the stage as a space for healing, both for himself and for others navigating similar journeys.

🎭 In this episode, you’ll hear:

• Brian’s deeply personal journey of writing and performing his solo show Blank
• Why adoption stories are never truly finished—and how that fuels Brian’s creative process
• Kendall reflecting on seeing Blank and the emotions it stirred in his own search for identity
• The therapeutic, transformative nature of storytelling—onstage and off
• A behind-the-scenes look at how Corey and Kendall’s love story began with theater

Whether you’re part of the adoption, NPE, or donor-conceived community—or simply drawn to stories of identity and transformation—this episode is a heartfelt tribute to the power of performance, memory, and finding your voice.

🎧 Listen if you love:

• True stories of adoption and DNA surprises
• Theater as a tool for healing
• Conversations that go deep, fast
• Real-life plot twists and reconnection
• Honest dialogue about family trauma and growth

🔗 Mentioned in this episode:

• Brian Stanton’s solo show Blank
• Previous Family Twist episodes about Kendall’s story (for new listeners!)
• Our anniversary shoutout to the Family Twist community