In this episode of Finding Family DNA, Jason didn't learn he was adopted until his late 40s — and a simple request for his original birth certificate cracked open decades of family secrets. After a DNA test revealed zero biological connection to the woman who raised him, Jason turned to genetic genealogy and, within weeks, was face to face with the truth about where he came from. What followed was an emotional reunion with a birth mother living abroad, a newfound sister he'd dreamed of having since childhood, and a paternal twist that stunned even our DNA expert. We break down how unusual centimorgan numbers led to a discovery no one expected, and how Jason chose compassion and discretion over confrontation. It's a story about identity, forgiveness, and finding family in the most unexpected place.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen — your support helps fund our pro bono DNA cases. Also, if you want to support our mission more directly, join us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/findingfamilydna

Watch this podcast right now on YouTube!

https://youtu.be/EhP70ShvZZc

00:00 Intro & welcome to episode 46

00:42 Celebrating 10,000 subscribers

01:04 State laws on birth record access

02:34 California's stalled Senate Bill 381

04:09 Why original birth certificates matter

05:55 Introducing Jason

06:20 Discovering he was adopted at 48

08:39 Requesting his original birth certificate

10:24 DNA test reveals a zero percent match

13:28 Calling Jay and starting the investigation

14:23 Locating his birth mother's family

20:00 Break

20:45 The paternal twist Misty uncovered

21:47 Breaking down the DNA evidence

24:13 Jason's reaction to the birth father news

26:02 Traveling to Italy to meet his birth mother

28:08 Meeting his sister for the first time

33:02 A family dinner to remember

35:16 Jason's relationship with his birth mother today

36:38 Closing thoughts

Follow the show here:

https://www.instagram.com/findingfamilydna/

https://www.instagram.com/lasleuth

https://www.instagram.com/birthparentfinder/

Are you looking to find your birth parents? Get in touch with Jay and his team!

https://www.birthparentfinder.com

https://www.instagram.com/birthparentfinder

This podcast was edited using PodShuttle, the fully-remote podcast editing and management service owned and operated by CHOBO Studios. For more info, visit podshuttle.io and follow us on Instagram to see more shows we've helped bring to life.

https://www.instagram.com/chobostudios

https://www.instagram.com/podshuttle

Adoption Reunion, Closed Adoption Search, DNA Genealogy, Adoptee Story, Italian Heritage, Birth Mother Found, Genetic Genealogy, Family Discovery, BirthParentFinder, New York Adoption

In this episode of Finding Family DNA, Jay sits down with Linda Burleson, a woman who spent over five years searching for the identity of her birth father after learning at age sixty-plus that the man who raised her was not her biological dad. What made Linda's case one of the longest in BirthParentFinder.com's history was the absence of any close DNA matches — just a wall of third, fourth, and fifth cousins that no genealogist could break through. Then, just two to three weeks after Linda had decided to give up entirely, a woman named Diane Bennett took an Ancestry DNA test on a whim — and changed everything. Linda and Diane are paternal half-sisters, and their first phone call felt completely natural, like they had known each other their whole lives. From a beach walk in North Carolina to a cruise already booked together, this is a story about the power of patience, the miracle of timing, and two women who found in each other exactly what they didn't know they were missing.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen — your support helps fund our pro bono DNA cases. Also, if you want to support our mission more directly, join us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/findingfamilydna

Watch this podcast right now on YouTube!

https://youtu.be/h-4RcTl60o0

00:00 Introduction & Show Update

01:31 Meet Linda Burleson

01:58 Learning the Truth

04:00 The Long DNA Search

05:41 Family Background & Houston Connection

07:27 Meet Diane Bennett

08:06 Why Diane Took the DNA Test

08:53 The Match & First Contact

17:37 The Meeting in Supply, NC

25:11 Medical History & Future Plans

29:31 Reflections & Closing Message

Follow the show here:

https://www.instagram.com/findingfamilydna/

https://www.instagram.com/lasleuth

https://www.instagram.com/birthparentfinder/

Are you looking to find your birth parents? Get in touch with Jay and his team!

https://www.birthparentfinder.com

https://www.instagram.com/birthparentfinder

This podcast was edited using PodShuttle, the fully-remote podcast editing and management service owned and operated by CHOBO Studios. For more info, visit podshuttle.io and follow us on Instagram to see more shows we've helped bring to life.

https://www.instagram.com/chobostudios

https://www.instagram.com/podshuttle

Finding Family DNA, Half Sister Found, Birth Parent Search, DNA Reunion, Closed Adoption Story, Adoptee Story, Family Discovery, BirthParentFinder, Emotional Reunion, DNA Genealogy

In this episode of Finding Family DNA, Jay and co-host Misty Gillis introduce Carla Salvatierra, a 29-year-old woman born in Los Angeles County who has spent years searching for the truth about her biological father. After discovering that neither the man on her birth certificate nor the man her family insisted was her father shared any DNA with her, Carla found herself starting completely from scratch — with no name, no country, and no answers. With the help of Misty's careful DNA analysis and genealogical research into Guatemalan civil records, the team was able to narrow Carla's birth father down to one of three brothers living in the United States. Despite sending letters and making direct contact with one of the brothers, the family has gone silent — and in a first for the show, Carla comes on air to make a heartfelt, tearful plea directly to her birth father. A devoted mother of two who runs her own construction company, Carla isn't asking for money or a lifelong commitment — she simply wants to know where she comes from, see her father's face, and finally have the medical history her children deserve.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen — your support helps fund our pro bono DNA cases. Also, if you want to support our mission more directly, join us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/findingfamilydna

Watch this podcast right now on YouTube!

https://youtu.be/A3QY9_5aDf8

00:00 Intro

00:11 Welcome and case overview

00:51 When DNA matches don't respond

01:07 Misty's outreach strategy

02:16 Introducing Carla Salvatierra

03:02 Growing up not knowing her father

04:38 DNA tests rule out two possible fathers

08:03 What led Carla to BirthParentFinder

09:51 Taking the Ancestry DNA test

10:38 How Misty analyzed the DNA matches

12:04 Narrowing it down to three brothers

13:23 Sending letters with no response

14:01 Ad break

14:32 How Jay finally made contact

16:08 Ruben goes silent

17:20 Misty's theory on the birth father

18:16 Carla's reaction to the breakthrough

21:42 Carla's plea to her birth father

23:21 Carla's family and life today

24:39 Who Carla is — business, family, hobbies

27:06 A message to the birth father's family

27:43 Every child deserves the truth

30:07 Closing thoughts from Jay and Misty

Follow the show here:

https://www.instagram.com/findingfamilydna/

https://www.instagram.com/lasleuth

https://www.instagram.com/birthparentfinder/

Are you looking to find your birth parents? Get in touch with Jay and his team!

https://www.birthparentfinder.com

https://www.instagram.com/birthparentfinder

This podcast was edited using PodShuttle, the fully-remote podcast editing and management service owned and operated by CHOBO Studios. For more info, visit podshuttle.io and follow us on Instagram to see more shows we've helped bring to life.

https://www.instagram.com/chobostudios

https://www.instagram.com/podshuttle

Finding Family DNA, Birth Father Search, DNA Genealogy, Guatemalan Heritage, Adoptee Story, Birth Parent Found, BirthParentFinder, Emotional Reunion, Closed Adoption Search, Family Discovery

In this episode of Finding Family DNA, attorney, author, and TEDx speaker Maria Leonard Olsen shares the shocking DNA discovery that changed her identity forever. After taking a 23andMe test, Maria learned that the man who raised her was not her biological father. What followed was a years-long search that led her to an aging Hollywood actor, former NFL player, and legendary Del Mar horse handicapper living in California. Maria opens up about navigating a non-paternity event (NPE), meeting her biological father for the first time at a racetrack, and how DNA testing can uncover life-changing family secrets no one saw coming.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen — your support helps fund our pro bono DNA cases. Also, if you want to support our mission more directly, join us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/findingfamilydna

Watch this podcast right now on YouTube!

https://youtu.be/9fgw0OmtUPc

00:00 Welcome and Subscribe

00:54 Meet Today’s NPE Guest

03:34 Maria’s Upbringing and Doubts

05:29 23andMe Surprise Revealed

08:05 Tracking Down Bio Dad

10:41 NPE Community and Conferences

13:26 Break and Sponsor Message

14:09 First Meeting at the Racetrack

17:17 Why Some Reunions Fail

22:21 Pandora’s Box of DNA Testing

24:27 Identity Faith and Forgiveness

30:29 Advice Resources and Closing

32:31 Book Plug and Final Thanks

Follow Maria here:

https://www.marialeonardolsen.com/

https://www.instagram.com/mariaolsen49/

Check out her book here: https://www.amazon.com/50-After-Reframing-Next-Chapter/dp/1538109646

Follow the show here:

https://www.instagram.com/findingfamilydna/

https://www.instagram.com/lasleuth

https://www.instagram.com/birthparentfinder/

Are you looking to find your birth parents? Get in touch with Jay and his team!

https://www.birthparentfinder.com

https://www.instagram.com/birthparentfinder

This podcast was edited using PodShuttle, the fully-remote podcast editing and management service owned and operated by CHOBO Studios. For more info, visit podshuttle.io and follow us on Instagram to see more shows we've helped bring to life.

https://www.instagram.com/chobostudios

https://www.instagram.com/podshuttle

NPE story, non paternity event, 23andMe discovery, DNA surprise, genetic genealogy, family secrets, finding biological father, DNA identity discovery, adoption and DNA, birth father reunion, ancestry DNA, family mystery, DNA testing podcast, unexpected DNA results, identity and family history, Chris Olsen

In this episode of Finding Family DNA, we follow Porsha Jones’ powerful journey from loss to reconnection. Adopted at birth and later losing both of her adoptive parents as a teenager, Porsha grew up navigating life on her own while carrying questions about where she came from. After years of searching, she turned to Jay Rosenzweig and BirthParentFinder.com—and in a matter of hours, her birth mother was found. What followed was an emotional surprise reunion that changed everything. Three years later, Porsha shares how that moment transformed her life, the deep bond she’s built with her mother, and the healing that comes from finally knowing your roots.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen — your support helps fund our pro bono DNA cases. Also, if you want to support our mission more directly, join us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/findingfamilydna

Watch this podcast right now on YouTube!

https://youtu.be/vQctv3vZn4o

00:00 Show Welcome and Host Intro

00:32 Subscribe and Mothers Day Giveaway

01:11 Meet Porsha Jones

02:01 Adopted at Birth

02:27 Losing Adoptive Parents Young

03:09 Raised by Older Brother

04:10 Why They Adopted

04:43 Loneliness Growing Up

05:12 Learning She Was Adopted

06:27 What She Was Told About Birth Mom

06:49 Searching as an Adult

08:15 How Jay Found Priscilla

08:39 Kept the Original Birth Certificate

10:06 The Surprise Reunion Setup

11:06 Promo and Reunion Video

11:37 First Meeting Reactions

12:02 Name Confusion and Sister Story

13:12 Birth Mom Reaction Clip

14:08 What Reunion Changed

15:52 Building a Relationship Over Years

16:19 Aneurysms and Recovery

17:26 Bond with Birth Mom

18:11 Respecting Her Past

18:57 Jail and Clean Record

19:35 Why She Never Searched

20:44 Granddaughter Meets Grandma

21:36 Siblings and Louisiana Roots

23:31 Cousin Eric Connection

24:08 Three Years Later Reflection

26:02 New Life and New Home

26:40 Host Wrap Up and Thanks

28:03 Photo Request and Farewell

Follow the show here:

https://www.instagram.com/findingfamilydna/

https://www.instagram.com/lasleuth

https://www.instagram.com/birthparentfinder/

Are you looking to find your birth parents? Get in touch with Jay and his team!

https://www.birthparentfinder.com

https://www.instagram.com/birthparentfinder

This podcast was edited using PodShuttle, the fully-remote podcast editing and management service owned and operated by CHOBO Studios. For more info, visit podshuttle.io and follow us on Instagram to see more shows we've helped bring to life.

https://www.instagram.com/chobostudios

https://www.instagram.com/podshuttle

adoption story, birth mother reunion, adoptee journey, finding biological family, DNA reunion, family reunion story, adoption podcast, genetic genealogy, emotional reunion, adoptee stories, long lost family, identity and adoption, finding birth parents, family healing, reunion story

This week, Jay & Misty celebrate the show’s 2-year anniversary by looking back at some of the most powerful, emotional, and unforgettable stories from the past two years. From long-lost family reunions to shocking DNA discoveries and unresolved cases that still stay with them. They also share behind-the-scenes insights, updates on past cases, and reflect on how the show has grown—from just a handful of viewers to a community helping fund life-changing pro bono reunions. This episode is a heartfelt reminder of the impact of DNA, storytelling, and the families still waiting to be found.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen — your support helps fund our pro bono DNA cases. Also, if you want to support our mission more directly, join us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/findingfamilydna

Watch this podcast right now on YouTube!

https://youtu.be/bSgyL2GElEI

00:00 Two Year Anniversary

00:39 Misty Joins In

01:08 KTLA Segment Update

01:42 Early Episodes Recap

03:03 Twins Story Fallout

04:01 Doctor Interview Clip

06:27 Patty Airport Reunion

08:13 Fake Name Birth Records

09:06 Mary May Case Heartbreak

10:31 RootsTech And Award

12:49 Kailyn Memphis Reunion

14:32 Funding Pro Bono Work

17:03 Break And Sponsor Spot

17:45 Chiari Smith Twist

19:09 Shanna Zoom DNA Reveal

20:16 Family Secret Revealed

20:54 Season Highlights Recap

21:31 Baby Holly Gains Traction

22:40 Reunion Updates and Studio Talk

23:40 Mary Maybe and Tough Choices

24:45 RootsTech Plans and Speaking

25:23 Caitlyn Reunion Goes South

26:31 Sensitive Cases and Letters

30:03 Donald Brown Mystery Name

31:28 Celebrity DNA and Vanishing Leads

32:58 Mexico Case Investigation

36:05 Pro Bono and Closing Thanks

Check out Jared's channel here:

https://www.youtube.com/@GeneaVlogger

Follow the show here:

https://www.instagram.com/findingfamilydna/

https://www.instagram.com/lasleuth

https://www.instagram.com/birthparentfinder/

Are you looking to find your birth parents? Get in touch with Jay and his team!

https://www.birthparentfinder.com

https://www.instagram.com/birthparentfinder

This podcast was edited using PodShuttle, the fully-remote podcast editing and management service owned and operated by CHOBO Studios. For more info, visit podshuttle.io and follow us on Instagram to see more shows we've helped bring to life.

https://www.instagram.com/chobostudios

https://www.instagram.com/podshuttle

Finding Family DNA, DNA reunion stories, adoption stories, genetic genealogy, family reunions, adoptee stories, family secrets, genealogy podcast, DNA discoveries, birth family search, podcast anniversary, DNA journeys, finding biological family, pro bono cases, emotional reunion stories

In this episode of Finding Family DNA, we follow Jenn Reinschmidt’s emotional journey to uncover her biological family after growing up knowing she was adopted. What started as a search for medical history quickly turned into a life-changing discovery when Misty Gillis used DNA matches and family tree analysis to identify Jenn’s birth mother—and ultimately connect her with her half-brother. Along the way, long-held family secrets are revealed, including the shocking truth that Jenn’s birth mother told others she had died at birth. This episode is a powerful story of identity, resilience, and what it means to find connection later in life.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen — your support helps fund our pro bono DNA cases. Also, if you want to support our mission more directly, join us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/findingfamilydna

Watch this podcast right now on YouTube!

https://youtu.be/OmTNL6AXjTc

00:00 Show Welcome

01:05 Meet Jen Rein Schmidt

01:28 Growing Up Adopted

03:11 Why Start Searching

04:56 Choosing Birth Parent Finder

06:38 Managing Expectations

08:07 Early Clues From Records

10:56 Break And Promo

11:37 DNA Matches Breakthrough

13:00 Tracking The Birth Mother

14:29 Contacting Bell Family

15:58 Randy Connection Revealed

17:05 Estranged Sister Update

18:20 Paternal Side Leads

19:28 Jen Reacts to Reunion

20:20 Meeting Randy for Lunch

21:19 Told She Died at Birth

22:25 Resemblance and Identity

24:06 Adoptive Parents Support

25:50 Future Plans with Randy

27:37 Advice for Searchers

29:21 Final Thoughts

Check out Jared's channel here:

https://www.youtube.com/@GeneaVlogger

Follow the show here:

https://www.instagram.com/findingfamilydna/

https://www.instagram.com/lasleuth

https://www.instagram.com/birthparentfinder/

Are you looking to find your birth parents? Get in touch with Jay and his team!

https://www.birthparentfinder.com

https://www.instagram.com/birthparentfinder

This podcast was edited using PodShuttle, the fully-remote podcast editing and management service owned and operated by CHOBO Studios. For more info, visit podshuttle.io and follow us on Instagram to see more shows we've helped bring to life.

https://www.instagram.com/chobostudios

https://www.instagram.com/podshuttle

Finding Family DNA, adoption story, adoptee journey, DNA reunion, birth family search, genetic genealogy, family secrets, adoptee stories, finding biological family, ancestry DNA, identity discovery, long lost family, emotional reunion, adoption podcast, DNA family search