In this intimate and reflective solo-hosted episode, Kendall dives deep into a powerful conversation with guest John Portmann, exploring themes of family, identity, adoption secrecy, and the life-changing power of DNA discoveries.

Uncovering My Secret Irish Heritage Through DNA

Key Highlights:

• Growing Up Adopted:
• John shares parallels with Kendall in their early experiences of adoption, highlighting the profound role their adoptive parents played in creating a sense of security through openness and religious narratives.
• The adoption narrative instilled by John's religious parents: "God chose our family."

Family Dynamics and Adoption:

• Both Kendall and John experienced early awareness of their adoption but had distinctly different emotional journeys.
• John discusses his upbringing, his adoption in Arizona, and childhood relocation to Pennsylvania.
• Reflections from John on suppressing curiosity about biological origins during childhood versus the persistent desire for answers later in life.

Health History & Identity:

• John addresses the challenges adoptees face when asked about family medical history by doctors or financial planners.
• John explains how practical considerations, like retirement planning, sparked his curiosity about personal origins.

DNA as a Gateway:

• The transformative moment when John received DNA test results from Ancestry.
• John's shock, confusion, and excitement upon discovering he was 100% Irish and connecting with potential family members.

Searching and Finding Biological Family:

• John recounts his initial, confusing interactions with DNA matches and the struggle to interpret results.
• Introduction to the DNA detective who significantly impacted John's search—a Canadian university professor who provided empathetic, professional, and effective assistance.
• John discusses overcoming initial fears and vulnerability about trusting strangers with deeply personal information.

The Deep Impact of Adoption Secrets:

• The emotional complexities surrounding adoption secrecy, societal attitudes, and the powerful longing for identity validation.
• Insights from John into how societal shame and religious beliefs influenced the adoption process historically, especially within Catholic communities.

Fighting for Identity and Citizenship:

• John shares his challenging journey toward proving his Irish ancestry and gaining Irish citizenship despite legal and bureaucratic hurdles.
• Advocacy, resilience, and perseverance as John navigated complex international bureaucracy.
• The crucial role DNA evidence played in breaking down barriers in adoption and identity recognition, both in the U.S. and internationally.

Reflective Insights:

• Kendall and John share mutual understanding as adoptees, reflecting on the lifelong impact adoption can have on identity, belonging, and self-discovery.
• Discussion on how revealing hidden truths can heal generational wounds and empower adoptees.

In part one, we learned how Brad Ewell’s entire world changed with a single DNA test. What he thought was just a fun ancestry experiment unraveled a family secret buried for 49 years. A message from a stranger. A birth certificate with missing details. A phone call that ended in stunned silence. And finally, the words that changed everything:

"Bradley, you're adopted. And we’ve been trying to figure out how to tell you."

But that was just the beginning of Brad’s journey.

Shocking Family Secrets Keep Unraveling

In this second installment, we go deeper into the layers of secrecy and deception that shaped his life:

✔️ The unsettling moment Brad realized his adoptive parents would never have told him the truth

✔️ A shocking health-related revelation that could have changed everything—but didn’t

✔️ The gray-market adoption setup that kept the secret locked away for decades

✔️ The bombshell discovery of his biological father... who has been in prison for murder since 1972

✔️ The even bigger shock—his biological father was also his aunt’s ex-husband

Yeah. You read that right.

🔮 And it doesn’t stop there.

Brad now has a decision to make—does he reach out to the man who never knew he existed? Or does he keep his distance?

The answer? Brad took a step that would change everything.

And in the final installment of this series, we’ll follow him inside Angola Prison, where he meets his biological father for the first time. What happened in that moment? You’ll have to stay tuned to find out.

📌 Don’t miss the conclusion to this jaw-dropping story—subscribe now! Whether you’re listening on Family Twist or Horror Heals, the final part of Brad’s journey is one you do not want to miss.

🔥 Want More?

Follow us on social media for bonus content, behind-the-scenes details, and exclusive updates on future episodes!

🎧 Listen Now on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Amazon Music | Wherever You Get Your Podcasts!

🎙 Hosted by Corey & Kendall Stulce

Ever wondered how discovering your true heritage could reshape your sense of identity?

Join hosts Corey and Kendall Stulce in this emotionally compelling episode of Family Twist as they dive into Shari Leid's remarkable adoption story. From being found in a parking lot in Seoul, South Korea, to being raised by Japanese-American parents in Seattle, Shari's journey is filled with unique challenges and profound discoveries. This episode explores her lifelong quest for identity, the emotional complexities of her adoption experience, and the ongoing search for her biological roots.

From Seoul to Seattle: An Adoptee’s Search for Her True Identity

Listener Benefits:

1. Understand the emotional impact and challenges of growing up adopted, through firsthand narratives.
2. Learn about the resources and approaches available for tracing biological roots, including DNA testing and international searches.
3. Gain insights into the complexity of identity formation when one’s heritage is initially unknown.

Tune into this episode to discover how the quest for familial roots can profoundly affect personal identity and why embracing this journey might be the key to unlocking your own story.

Guest bio

Shari Leid is a certified and professionally insured Life Coach, a Core Dynamic Specialist, graduate of the Happiness Studies Academy, author of three highly acclaimed books, "The 50/50 Friendship Flow," "Make Your Mess Your Message" and "Ask Yourself This", Certified Member of the International Coaching Federation, a member of the Washington State Bar Association, a Board Member of WWIN (Washington Women In Need) and a President's Circle Member of The Fred Hutch Cancer Research Center, Contributor Circle Member of the Seattle Art Museum, 2023 Volunteer Community Leader for Seattle Dances benefiting Plymouth Housing.

Connect with Shari: https://animperfectlyperfectlife.com/

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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

Have you ever wondered how a detective's expertise can solve mysteries beyond crime scenes, particularly in unraveling personal DNA dramas?

This episode of Family Twist features a compelling discussion with Christine, a retired police officer turned law enforcement trainer, who intertwines her professional skills with her personal journey through DNA discovery. Learn how DNA technology not only solves crimes but also uncovers deep family secrets.

How DNA Technology Unveils Family Secrets and Solves Cold Cases

Listeners will gain:

• Insight into the integration of DNA technology in solving law enforcement cases and personal ancestries.
• Strategies for approaching personal and familial identities uncovered through DNA testing, including handling unexpected discoveries.
• Motivation from Christine's personal story of resilience and her mission to educate law enforcement agencies on the power of DNA in solving cold cases.

Tune in to discover how DNA technology bridges the gap between past mysteries and present truths, and explore the profound impact of genetic discovery both in law enforcement and one’s personal life.

Connect with Christine:

www.GeneticGenealogyForLawEnforcement.com

www.warrantedstore.com

www.NationalCertifiedGeneticGenealogist.com

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