DNA Surprises, Family Secrets, and Finding Belonging in One Big Happy Family with Actress and Writer Lisa Brenner
What happens when a DNA test reveals more than you bargained for? How do you process finding out that your family story isn’t what you thought it was? And can identity, belonging, and love transcend genetics?
In this moving episode of Brave & Curious, Dr. Lora Shahine sits down with actress and writer Lisa Brenner to explore how an unexpected DNA result changed her life and inspired her new film, One Big Happy Family.
Lisa shares the deeply personal journey of discovering she was an NPE (non-parent expected), what it meant for her relationship with her mother, and how decades of secrecy around fertility treatments in the 1960s and 70s shaped her story. Through candid reflection and humor, Lisa reveals how grief, resilience, and identity intertwine with the powerful theme of family—both the one we are born into and the one we build.
Listeners will learn about the hidden history of fertility medicine, the emotional complexity of uncovering DNA surprises, and the healing power of transparency and connection. This episode is filled with honesty, curiosity, and hope, reminding us that family is love—no matter how it’s formed.
In this episode you’ll hear:
[1:58] Lisa Brenner’s “just for fun” DNA test
[5:36] A life-changing moment
[9:57] Fertility treatments in the 1960s and 70s
[20:47] One Big Happy Family, the film, is born
[28:46] Nature vs. nurture
[32:33] Reflections on faith, belonging, & reconciling a hidden identity
[42:48] Lisa’s message of hope
Resources mentioned:
Dr. Shahine’s Weekly Newsletter on Fertility News and Recommendations
Follow @drlorashahine Instagram | YouTube | Tiktok | Her Books
