Sibling Revelry with Kate Hudson and Oliver Hudson - Sisters From the Same Mister

Episode Date: March 25, 2024

A sibling saga so shocking you have to hear it to believe it. Jaclyn Frosolone shares her story along with three of her MANY sisters. How did they find out they share the same sperm donor dad along w...ith HUNDREDS of other people?  Jaclyn and her sister discuss how they all found each other, the scary health issues they all have in common, and what is the dating pool like when you have scores of brothers and sisters (that you know of)? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Starting point is 00:00:00 This is an I-Heart podcast. I'm Bridget Armstrong, host of the new podcast, The Curse of America's Next Top Model. I've been investigating the real story behind that iconic show. I ended up having anorexia issues, bulimia issues,
Starting point is 00:00:17 by talking to the models, the producers, and the people who profited from it all. We basically sold our souls, and they got rich. If you were so rooting for her and saw her drowning, what did you help her? Listen to the curse of America's Next Top Model On the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.
Starting point is 00:00:37 In early 1988, federal agents raced to track down the gang they suspect of importing millions of dollars worth of heroin into New York from Asia. Had 30 agents ready to go with shotguns and rifles and you name it. Five, six white people pushed me in the car. Basically, your stay-at-home moms were picking up these large amounts out. Carwin. All you got to do is receive the package. Don't have to open it. Just accept it. She was very upset, crying. Once I saw the gun, I tried to take his hand, and I saw the flash of light. Listen to the Chinatown Sting on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or anywhere you get your podcasts. Hi, it's Jemma's Begg, host of the Psychology of Your 20s. This September at the Psychology of
Starting point is 00:01:22 your 20s, we're breaking down the very interesting ways psychology applies to real life, like why we crave external validation. it's so interesting that we are so quick to believe others' judgments of us and not our own judgment of ourselves. So according to this study, not being liked actually creates similar pain levels as real life physical pain. Learn more about the psychology of everyday life and of course your 20s this September. Listen to the psychology of your 20s on the IHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hi, I'm Kate Hudson. And my name is Oliver Hudson.
Starting point is 00:01:59 We wanted to do something that highlighted our relationship. And what it's like to be siblings. We are a sibling revelry. No, no. Sibling reverie. Don't do that with your mouth. Sibling rivalry. That's good.
Starting point is 00:02:27 I want to talk about. Zapping brown spots on my face. Good, because I'm going to do that very shortly. And how it's like one of the most satisfying things you could ever do as you get older. What I've decided is that before I do like a show, because I'm about to do this Netflix show, that I'm just going to zap every spot I've ever had on my face. But now I can't go anywhere.
Starting point is 00:02:53 Are you doing, you look fine. Can you see them? No. It's pretty intense. Like I like, like, that word again? Intense? You were like,
Starting point is 00:03:01 Intense. You're like, it's pretty intense. Pretty intense. No, I know. I'm going to go to Dr. Diamond. You love your doctor. He's the best. What do you mean?
Starting point is 00:03:18 He's going to like do. Oh, he's going to scrape the whole thing clean. You're going to love it. I mean, look at how many, I have so much sun damage. Yeah. Just growing up in the sun in California. We didn't have any clue. Well, you also should get some brightener.
Starting point is 00:03:33 I don't know what I'm going to do. Like a brightening. I'm going to go do a Morpius. Oh, no, don't do that on your... I've done it. It crushed it. I'm going to do a PRP vampire facial. Wow, Ali, I'm so proud of you for talking openly about this.
Starting point is 00:03:46 Oh, yeah. I mean, look, bring on the filler. Oh, really? Oh, hell yeah. Fillers kind of yucky. I don't know, whatever he wants to do. You know what you should... You know what's a really...
Starting point is 00:03:56 You know what's a really interesting in jails. is the new Hyerlonic acid injection. I don't know what that is. And you know what we should have Nurse Jamie on. Oh, that would be good. And we should have Dr. Diamond on. We should revel in them. That's a great idea.
Starting point is 00:04:10 Yeah, because people want to know. Yeah. They want to know what. I don't think it's taboo anymore either. I mean, I wouldn't say taboo. Well, meaning it's like a perfume. It's like a perfume. You don't always reveal what you're wearing.
Starting point is 00:04:25 Yeah, but if you're smart, you know that every single person, an actor and actress, musician, whatever, most of them have done shit to their face. Not in a bad way. No. As upkeep. I'd be shocked to know which one hasn't. Yeah. Yeah.
Starting point is 00:04:39 I mean, you know, Diamond does a lot of celebrities and he would never reveal who. But we know that there's been some, like, big male names that have gone come through his office, probably. Yeah. And I think, too, like, as anything, as we evolve, there's just, everything's different. It's like a new facial, like a, like a, what used to be like a facial with, like, some, you know, some sort of muscle, you know, when they, what do you call it, the things that work the muscles, what do they call them, that tightens the muscle. It's like a type of, it's a type of microcurrent. Oh, right, right, right. Like that used to be the thing. Now, now it's just,
Starting point is 00:05:15 you know, injecting. Yeah, I'm going, I'm going to get Botox. What's any, what are you guys, what are you going to do about it? Nothing. And I'm going to look great. I'm going to look great. I love it. I'm still going to be a man. You know, because that's what I'm going to say. Like, I just need to be, I need to look masculine. I still want to look masculine. Right. You don't want to move.
Starting point is 00:05:36 Of course. You want to have preventative Botox. Exactly. But let's talk about skin texture for a second. Before we get into this, by the way, this has nothing to do with you were talking to today. I mean, this is like literally 180. I just had to talk about it. I don't know.
Starting point is 00:05:51 I like it. Because I'm getting, I'm getting creepy. Well, I was just going to say, like, skin texture and taking care of your skin, obviously starts with food and hydration and water and all those things. But like you're saying, we grew up in the sunshine, we actually, the sun damage is a real thing. Oh, yeah. Anyway. Yeah, I've got just so many brown spots.
Starting point is 00:06:16 I was feeling insecure about them, but you don't even see them. I don't see them at all. Great. We don't need to talk about it anymore. Okay. I don't forget about it. Oliver, I'm really excited about today's guest because it's another wild DNA story.
Starting point is 00:06:32 I feel like we're hearing more and more of these. Story. Story. The story of the GNAs. GNA. Yeah, it's another interesting story. More and more of these stories, by the way. You're starting to hear them all the time.
Starting point is 00:06:52 I'm like, there's like sperm flying around everywhere. There's so much flying sperm. I mean, for real. Can we please animate that? Oh, yeah. That's good. For our post. Good idea.
Starting point is 00:07:07 Yeah, it's wild. And, you know, I don't want to like, obviously, let's not, let's not, you know, reveal too much of what we're about to talk about. But this idea that it's so. available and that one person can just have so many kids. Yeah. It's just. And we'll get into it, but I want to get into the screening process as well.
Starting point is 00:07:33 Yes, we'll get into that. Yeah, because that's where it gets a little bit dicey. But let's hear the, let's hear the stories. Great. Well, we're going to talk to, we're actually, we're going to talk to Jacqueline Frosolone. Frozolone. Is it Italian?
Starting point is 00:07:47 I mean, it sounds Italian. I think you're just making everything Italian. It doesn't sound American. Well, Frozolone. It doesn't matter what it is. Frosolone. It sounds like it. It's like provolone.
Starting point is 00:08:03 Let me say it's spelled. Oh, yeah. And do you pronounce provolone? Provolone. I mean, like, everything Italian is an A on the end. It's like with Stanley 2. Provolon. You're like, can't you just say zucchini?
Starting point is 00:08:15 It's what he does on the show. A zucchini. It's like, I love you, but just say zucchini. Zucchini. Okay, so Jacqueline Frozoloni or Frozolone? Jamie LaRose and Maya Alana. Alanya, yay. All of whom are not Italian.
Starting point is 00:08:38 No, but these are three sisters who discovered each other. And there was an article in USA Today that just captured our imagination and our producers at sibling revelry. And we were like, let's get these ladies on. and let them tell all of us, their story. Open the door. Why did we do that? The Super Secret Festi Club podcast season four is here.
Starting point is 00:09:11 And we're locked in. That means more juicy cheesement. Terrible love advice. Evil spells to cast on your ex. No, no, no, no. We're not doing that this season. Oh. Well, this season, we're loving.
Starting point is 00:09:22 Mevelling up. Each episode will feature a special bestie and you're not going to want to miss it. Get in here! Today we have a very special guest with us. Our new super secret bestie is The Diva of the People. The Diva of the People. I'm just like text your ex. My theory is that if you need to figure out that the stove is hot, go and touch it. Go and figure it out for yourself. Okay. That's us.
Starting point is 00:09:46 That's us. My name is Curley. And I'm Maya. In each episode, we'll talk about. Love, friendship, heart breaks, men, and, of course, our favorite secrets. Listen to the Super Secret Bestie Club as a part of the Marco Tura podcast network available on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Your entire identity has been fabricated.
Starting point is 00:10:11 Your beloved brother goes missing without a trace. You discover the depths of your mother's illness, the way it has echoed and reverberated throughout your life, impacting your very legacy. Hi, I'm Danny Shapiro, and these are just a few of the profound and powerful stories I'll be mining on our 12th season of Family Secrets. With over 37 million downloads, we continue to be moved and inspired by our guests and their courageously told stories. I can't wait to share 10 powerful new episodes with you, stories of tangled up identities, concealed truths, and the way in which family secrets almost. always need to be told. I hope you'll join me and my extraordinary guests for this new season of Family Secrets. Listen to Family Secrets Season 12 on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you
Starting point is 00:11:05 get your podcasts. In early 1988, federal agents raced to track down the gang they suspect of importing millions of dollars worth of heroin into New York from Asia. We had 30 agents ready to go with shotguns and rifles and you name it. But what they find is not what they expected. Basically, your stay-at-home moms were picking up these large amounts of heroin. They go, is this your daughter? I said yes. They go, oh, you may not see her for like 25 years. Caught between a federal investigation and the violent gang who recruited them,
Starting point is 00:11:48 the women must decide who they're willing to protect and who they dare to protect. and who they dare to betray Once I saw the gun I tried to take his hand and I saw the flash of light Listen to the Chinatown Sting on the IHeart Radio app Apple Podcasts
Starting point is 00:12:03 or anywhere you get your podcasts You get your podcasts Hi Hi So let's Why don't we start with you And I believe that Well first we got
Starting point is 00:12:20 to talk about her last name. Oh, yeah. Frozoloni. Is it Italian? Yeah. Okay. Is it Frozen alone? Like provolone, but Frozolone.
Starting point is 00:12:30 You got it did autocracks to that. Yeah. I like Frosolone. I like to add the A at the end, if that's okay. Yeah, it is fine. Okay. And is that, so were you the one who started this process of finding out kind of, I mean, the article was sort of based on your,
Starting point is 00:12:50 story. Yeah, I had no idea they were going to do that. Okay, great. So why don't you, well, it was a fascinating story. Yeah, it's unbelievable. So it was pretty cool. Take us through how that, how it all started. How did you, you know. Oh, geez. Well, we're in contact with this woman. Her name is Laura Hi. She's all over TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and she's also donor conceived. And she found our sibling pod through, I think, one of the other siblings. And she did interviews with us, like two years ago. She did interviews with a whole bunch of us. And then since then, she's been contacted by outside people trying to get our information. And she asked me a couple months ago if I wanted to do a podcast and if I could get any of the other siblings to join. And I was
Starting point is 00:13:38 like, yeah. So I asked around, found a few that were honestly willing to do it. And we did the podcast and it kind of just like blew up from there wild okay so to take us through how you discovered that first of all that you you're now was it your mom your mom had a sperm donor yes and and and obviously anything you're uncomfortable talking about just don't just say you're uncomfortable talking about but but but take take us through how this all happened and how you found out that you it was a You are a, you know, a product of a sperm donor. Okay. All right.
Starting point is 00:14:17 So I always wanted to take tests. Whenever they started coming out, I was like, oh, that's really interesting. I really wanted to know my ancestry more like, you know, because I always told me I was 75% Italian. I'm like, okay, whatever. So I ended up moving out. I took a test. And I didn't tell my parents. Didn't tell anybody.
Starting point is 00:14:37 I just like took it. And then for Christmas, I gifted my sister and my sister, not my dad. dad. I don't know why, but I just gave the two my mom, my sister tests for Christmas. And I was like, hey, I took one. If you guys wanted to take them, you know, here you go. I got you some. And then I got my results. And January 1st, 2021, like, happy new year. I was all alone. I opened up the email. And I'm like, okay, I look. And it's got all these siblings. And I'm like, who are these fucking people? I'm like, what did they do with my DNA? Like, I really thought it was fake when they said that DNA could get flipped around and used by random people.
Starting point is 00:15:17 I was okay. So I'm looking. I'm looking. And you can click and see where their locations are. And my dad's a hunter. So he goes around and he hunts in different states. And they were all like states he hunts in. And I'm like, this motherfucker's a cheater.
Starting point is 00:15:30 I go, this, he's been cheating on my mom. He's had seven million kids. They were all younger than me. And I'm like, this is awful. Oh my God. So I message every single. single sibling. There was like 15 of them. And I'm like, hey, I think we have the same dad. No shit. It's not like my mom gave birth all these children. So one girl finally messaged me back and she's
Starting point is 00:15:52 like, so you don't have any idea what's going on? I'm like, no. I'm like, we all have the same dad, I guess. And she basically told me she's like, yeah, you're from a sperm donor and we have all these siblings, blah, blah, blah. There you go. And I was just like. Did you confront your dad when you found the results from the test or your mom sort of saying holy shit what is going on or was it almost too scary to open up that pandora's box I guess I sat there for about an hour kind of just contemplating um and then I went upstairs and I woke my girlfriend up at the time and I was like I don't I'm freaking out like you need to calm me down and my sister lives down the street for me so she called her and she's like you need to come here Jacqueline's freaking
Starting point is 00:16:36 out. So she came over. I tell her now she's freaking out because she doesn't know if she's my dad's kid or if she's from a sperm donor or if she's even like full sibling to me, which turns out she's not. She's actually from a different donor. So. Really? And your sister didn't know that any of this either. So this was kept a secret from you guys. Wow. And she's eight years older than me. So she was 30 when she found out. Okay. And so your father isn't biological. No.
Starting point is 00:17:13 But was this something that he was aware of? Yes. Okay. So they knew, but they didn't want to tell you guys. Yeah, they didn't tell a soul, not even their olden parents. Right. I was reading. Your mom actually burned the documents.
Starting point is 00:17:30 Yeah, I was a klepto, so she needed to, like, hide everything and get rid of it. Okay. So the confrontation, how did that happen? When did you gain the courage to do that? And did you and your sister do it together? No, I did it alone. It was that day, probably later on in the day, because I found it around like 7 a.m. in the morning.
Starting point is 00:17:52 And it probably wasn't until like 2 in the afternoon that I ended up calling her. And we have a good rapport. You know, we're close. And I called her up and I was like, hey, when were you going to tell me? I came from a sperm donor. you know, I'm trying to lighten the mood because I knew it was going to come off rough because there was no warning that that was going to happen and just instant sobbing and tears and we never wanted you guys to find out and we didn't want the relationship between your
Starting point is 00:18:20 father to be ruined and just a whole yeah, I felt really really bad. But how was it for you? Did you feel like disconnected from your dad or did you just, Like, were you able to reassure him that, or were you just upset that they didn't share the information? I, I honestly wasn't upset at all. I was, like, kind of happy. Right. Okay.
Starting point is 00:18:49 So, that's kind of fucking cool. Right. How many siblings did you find out that you have? How many do you have? And I know we're going to talk to your other, like, donor siblings. Yeah, wherever they are. when they figure out how to get on. But, like, what, you know, what did you, how many do you have?
Starting point is 00:19:12 There will never be an actual number because we have no idea how many are actually out there. Oh, welcome back. Hi. Are these all siblings? Yes. It's Amy, Maya, and Gianna. Oh, my gosh. Wow.
Starting point is 00:19:32 Amazing. Wow, there's a lot to unpack. Hi. Hello. Hi. Thank you so much for having us on here. This is an honor. Really is. We appreciate it. This is so fascinating, you guys. Where are you guys now? Where are you? We're in New Jersey. We're all from New Jersey here, but we did not grow up together. You found each other. Yes. Wow. Yeah. Whoa. Okay. You're all saying yes in the at the same time. Do you? I'm, okay. I have to And now you're all sisters and your homies Like you're great friends How long of you three They're all together for those who are listening
Starting point is 00:20:15 And can't see this but How long have the three of you been Known that you were sperm donors? I've known my whole entire life My mom always told me My mom's a single mom She was very fluid And I have a twin brother
Starting point is 00:20:30 Which is their brother Okay okay Oh wow So she had sperm donor and had twins. Yes. Amazing. And you guys? I've known my whole life because I have lesbian parents.
Starting point is 00:20:45 And one mom had me with the same donor that we share. And then also had a son who's two years younger than me, so also their brother. So I've known my whole life. I can't hide it from that. They were, you know, women. Wow. But as far as having hundreds and hundreds of siblings, that part, I did not know. what about you yeah so this is giana by the way i'm giana
Starting point is 00:21:08 yeah we're trying of Jamie Jamie i'm Maya Maya okay we have giana Jamie Jacqueline then Maya Joanna Jamie Jacqueline Maya hi um I'm the eldest of the group I'm like one of the oldest siblings in the pod I'm 25 so I found out when I was 16 that I was donor conceived but then I didn't take a test until I was 23. So a little bit older for like the norm of this kind of thing. I was not told until I was 16.
Starting point is 00:21:41 So I kind of went much longer than these girls had like I didn't have the same privilege of knowing. And your parents are still together? No. Oh, okay. No, my dad couldn't have kids for a very terrible reason. But they still wanted children. So then that's where they went to our biological father.
Starting point is 00:22:01 Okay. So when you know from the beginning, obviously there is no shock. Maybe the idea that you have hundreds of siblings, correct? That was a shock. That's the shock, right? And that's kind of scary, exciting. But you are okay from a psychological standpoint because your parents were open and honest and upfront with it, right? So Maya, did you, were you fucked up a little bit about this? I feel like in my heart, I always knew that, like, my legal father was not my biological father, because we just don't fucking look alike, that we don't behave alike. But my mom is adopted, so I didn't, it wasn't like a weird thing to, like, not be related to someone and still consider them family. So I was, I was fine. When I was told, I was still fine. Surprisingly, I was more so eager to find siblings. Because I already had such a strong familial support system, I wasn't looking for, like a dad or like another parent um i'm very blessed and privilege in that way but i was like
Starting point is 00:23:06 i'm an only child and now i have potentially siblings out there which at 16 i didn't fucking know i'd have over like 120 um especially in a concentrated area which is why i think it's a privilege that these girls knew because of the obvious dangers of not knowing who you are related to um but in all all in all like um i i i consider this like a large blessing in a lot of ways life is what you make it and um i just like to make up for a lost time because i i wish that i knew these girls like life it would have been really nice you know and and and how did you start that process of sort of reaching out you know through your curiosity how did you find everybody well i guess you should start yeah because i i okay so this
Starting point is 00:23:53 started last year for me in the beginning of 2003 um i saw my family my my biological family family, and I was real biological, again, immediate. Wow. I was like, there's no way I'm related to you guys. So I was like, let me do it 23 and me. Why not? Yeah, so I did the test. It came back, and in the beginning of the year, just like Jacqueline,
Starting point is 00:24:17 I was like, okay, I always knew I had siblings, but my mom was like, oh, it's 25 of them. And then I saw all the siblings from the father's side, and I was like, oh, okay, we're still going. And then I connected with a few of them. One of them was Maya. We got in connection and then, yeah. Wow.
Starting point is 00:24:39 I am 23, by the way. Like I said, I had gay parents, so I've known about this forever. And before like 23, I still haven't even done 23 or anything like that. I only know because when it was 2005, so I was 5 years old, my parents put in our donor number and matched on a donor registry site with other siblings, parents who had done that at the time. By the time I was old enough, I was about 10, I matched with my first sister. They let me meet her. And it was all cool and fun, but at this point, it was like every year was 10 more siblings, 10 more siblings. I mean, it was just like, at first I'm thinking it was going to be 10, and then it turned into 100, and then so on and so on.
Starting point is 00:25:18 And how I kept meeting them was that we then took those who knew each other from the ancestry site. Yeah, no, sorry, I meant to say the donor registry site and formed a Facebook. group. Um, and anytime a new sibling would come in, it'd be added there. And that's how I just kept meeting new ones and like, gosh, it was. Are there regulations? No. No. So, so zero. So explain that your parents, screening, but it's bad screening, correct? I mean, our parents are like STD screening. That's it. Yeah, that's about it. But what about genetic? What about genetic screening? You know, I mean, nothing. It's not reported the last time that I was notified. And he, And no one, nothing's ever being reported.
Starting point is 00:25:59 It's all self-reported and they're not verifying any information. Right, because it's just up to the donor to sort of say, no, I'm good, clean bill of health, guys. Yeah, take my blood, check for some herpes. I'm good. Here we go. Well, and hold on. You said that you're all very sick, but what do you mean by that? Mental, physical, yeah.
Starting point is 00:26:17 And the thing is that every sibling I'd ever get to know growing up, it's like there was always multiple common illnesses that were shared. That's not normal. in general it's very me shit it's like very obvious you know we try not to like read into things too much but like we can't ignore like very obvious patterns like if we all have like a fucking heart condition heart condition is that something that is runs in the runs with the siblings yes in connection yeah and then what was the other thing you said honey i have gastroperesis so my stomach the nerves in my stomach are partially paralyzed there's different levels of it um i can still eat somewhat but like not it's not good and I I share that in common with a couple other siblings
Starting point is 00:26:58 and I was born with horrible digestive system and that's a very common amongst any sibling I've gotten to know actually um so and I think just depending on our own lives and how like the things we eat and the choices we've made it all developed a little differently but and our mothers because again we do have different moms but like my none of our mom like my mom does not have any of the problems that I have yet I share them with all these girls that I have same dad with so yeah that's so and can you actually go to the site where this the donor and and share these things with this with with them i mean so that this is made it almost like it seems like there needs to be and someone needs to expose this not like you know yeah yeah that's
Starting point is 00:27:44 really like hard hitting exposés but still i mean this the fact is is that there's a genetic situation happening due to the lack of screening, a physical, you know, medical screenings that's very easy to do. Well, actually, I don't know that how easy it is to do a genetic screening, but seems like that would just be standard, you know? You would think to add to this, I have, none of us have been in contact with our father, but I have spoken to his brother, our uncle, and they, both our father and him and their sister have found out that like in their 30s they developed acid reflux joint issues but like it wasn't
Starting point is 00:28:27 to the state it's still not reported so we're all in the dark if i never talked to this man that happened to come out of the woodwork we never found our uncle i wouldn't even know that a lot of us struggle with like immunocompromisation things like that but things where you go to the doctor and they're like well there's clearly something wrong with you but we can't exactly figure out what it is so we're all very used to living in limbo and just not knowing and like i kind of find comfort in that at this point but me and Gianna specifically do you want to do you want to do you want this is can I show like on my
Starting point is 00:28:57 yeah just put it up so this is Gianna's hand oh wow okay and then this is my arm wow and then this is my face so and obviously that's not nice to look at
Starting point is 00:29:15 and it's eczema or whatever we dermatitis hormatitis hormonal we all have PCOS Um, so we get, we get, we get, we get, there's my, there's my, wait, wait, did you see it? Yeah. Oh, girl, it's my leg. Yeah, so, like, we all have, I mean, that's not something you just walk down the street and, like, everybody has it. That's clearly, like, a niche thing going on.
Starting point is 00:29:36 Yeah. Are you, are, are your parents involved in this and trying to get to the bottom of Mine aren't. Not necessarily. Mine are. Some parents, some not. Mine are pissed. Yeah.
Starting point is 00:29:59 Minor. Jamie's parents are, yeah. But again, they started in it. They were like, you know, they laid the groundwork for us. Do you blame your donor? I mean, I wouldn't call him your dad. You blame your donor? We don't really blame him.
Starting point is 00:30:15 Because imagine, imagine being a 25-year-old. He was my age when he started. That's what I mean. Imagine being a 25- year old man and you need money you know i don't i don't think he did it because he cared for giving like lesbian or gay of lesbian parents you know i don't think he cared much but i think he needed the money and you know you're not going to be too in in depth into your your health and generally because it shows i think like four generations down the line of like his health his side of the family um but it's all self-reported and
Starting point is 00:30:45 for men they don't really get as sick as women so a lot of the men in our pod um our brothers, they're not, they don't really are affected. And if they are affected, it's very little and they don't even realize. Wow. But for a lot of me, like, a lot of my sisters, like, we have skin disorders and we have gastro problems. PCOS. PCOS.
Starting point is 00:31:05 We have vocal attributes. We're a vocalist, like, since birth, since childbirth. And then, you know, we grow up in, like, we're in our 20s now and, like, we have paralyzed vocal cords. I'm getting injections into my neck with my own blood platelets to try and, you know, to try and be able to do what I've done my entire life. We just have, like, aged, like, you know, as you get older, but it's, if for our case, everything happens, like, in rapid succession.
Starting point is 00:31:28 So now at 25, I'm out of the job. I had my entire life from a genetic predisposition that, I mean, how would they, how would they even know? What was the job? You were singing? Yeah, I'm a vocalist professionally, and, like, so is Jamie, you know? And obviously, that's a major hit, not only from a business perspective, but, like, that's where our heart is, you know?
Starting point is 00:31:48 Mm-hmm. So it affects more than just, like. our work. Do you feel at least comfort in knowing that now you can pinpoint where these things come from and... Yeah, I feel like I'm not crazy. I feel like I'm not the problem.
Starting point is 00:32:03 You know? I find comfort. But one thing, one thing I also wanted to say, aside from health, is that he thought our donor, thought he was 100% Italian. And my mom thought he was, she was going to get a 100% Italian.
Starting point is 00:32:18 but the thing is that he himself didn't know that his father wasn't his father and so I went on my 23 and me and the only reason why I'm Italian is because of my mother but I'm German I'm French I'm Russian I'm assuming West Asian French German baby go yeah and like oh so he's not Italian he's not Italian basically not wait hold on he's not Italian I know you said this, but he's an Italian because he didn't know who his father was. So it's very loose.
Starting point is 00:32:53 Exactly. It's very loose. It's all self-reported. And there's no real test to really get these banks. And I don't want to talk. We shouldn't even know this. Like the things that we have figured out have been from other siblings. Oh, got it.
Starting point is 00:33:06 Getting curious and like going and finding him. And like when I first joined the pod, I was immediately, when I say immediately, I was immediately contacted by our other siblings and they showed me where our dad lives, what he looks like, his legal names. Does anyone look like him? I mean, it's funny because you guys all... Oh, we do. I got two nose dob, so we've come a long way.
Starting point is 00:33:27 That's it though. No killer, just the nose dom. Gotta be honest out here, you know? We all look like our mom's honest. Like, if you, for the most part, like almost all of us. But then like he looked at his face and you see, oh my God, wait a minute. There's that. The smile. It's dad's smile. Yeah.
Starting point is 00:33:43 Mm-hmm. Sorry. Do you spend a lot of time together? Yes. Yes, yes, yes. And if we could spend time with Jack? Jack, can get your house. We're so far and it's a hustle.
Starting point is 00:33:57 Yeah. So are the four of you guys very tight and as far as the big pod goes? You four are the closest, at least. Are there other pods within the pod? You know what I mean? Other groups are super tight. I don't like that. No.
Starting point is 00:34:13 But we are open. We're open. We accept. anyone that wants to come in and no toxicity here. What is allowed now that you, for the four of you, would like to see change? Like, is there anything that you would actually,
Starting point is 00:34:28 I mean, you're, you know, you're talking about it. And clearly this is a complicated scenario. And is there anything you'd like to see change? Limits on how many children can be born from one donor. Because, and I have a story. I have two stories So I completely agree with Jacqueline There should be a limit
Starting point is 00:34:53 And there's not And that is an increase of incest And it's scary And not only from us But if we were to have kids And our kids have kids And we're all so like Concentrated in one area
Starting point is 00:35:06 Unless we moved out It's scary And it's so scary And here's my two stories Jamie's Jamie's brother Who's also our brother just as related.
Starting point is 00:35:18 I lived a block away, or not lived, I'm sorry, I went to elementary school a block away from their house, their grandparents' house. And a few months ago, I found out that I'm a server. So I served my brother a burger,
Starting point is 00:35:35 and I didn't even know he was my brother. I just found that out yesterday. And it's honestly, it's shocking and it's insane how like we could see we can pass each other on the street and not even know we're related and if I stayed in the school system that I was in
Starting point is 00:35:53 because I did it my two elementary best friends are best friends with her brother her brother's name is Johnny our brother so I was best friends with Johnny's current friends and it's if I stayed in the system I wouldn't have known that
Starting point is 00:36:09 that was my brother unless we talked about it God forbid you know something happened between me and him we wouldn't Well, that's what I was about to ask, you know, do you guys have boyfriends or girlfriends? I mean, or is that you do? And this is where I come in. So I'm a lesbian. And obviously that means that, like, when it comes time for me to have children, my girlfriend and I, we're going to have to go through some kind of donor, whatever.
Starting point is 00:36:36 I definitely have my opinions on where I would be comfortable getting, you know, that kind of stuff. from, I don't believe going through a bank is the best, or best societyally, like, because, again, I don't want to contribute to the larger issue, which is, like, possible incest. Since my mom is adopted, I'm donor conceived and my children will be donor conceived. It's like my children are going to have, like, first cousins, second cousins, third cousins, hundreds and thousands of relatives that it's like, it's almost cruel to bring a child into that kind of situation.
Starting point is 00:37:15 So what I can do as a mother when I want to become one, which I do, is that, like, I would like to do something more private. So, like, I would prefer, as a gay person, to go to a dude who wants to do things for, like, lesbians. You know, you feel me? Like, but there are, you know,
Starting point is 00:37:31 ethical, there's ethical, private motherfuckers, you know? I don't, I don't know off the top of my head, but I do know people are doing it right out there, but when it comes to the conventional places, like, the banks, their industries, honey. Yeah. Also, I would also like to note really quick, just for my story as well as I'm, uh, one of our sisters, so one of the closest sisters to me, uh, is also a lesbian. A lot of our siblings are lesbians. I mean, there's a lot of us. So, of course, there's going to be, uh, gay people in our family. But because the lesbian community is already so small, my girlfriend that I've been with for over a year, um, we share a place together. One of my sister, our sisters, I should say, one of our sisters tried to holler at my girlfriend. Like, it's very cool. I love it. I'd be surprised. So, like, my girlfriend has seen many of my sisters on dating apps.
Starting point is 00:38:20 I'm sure we've seen our own siblings on dating apps. What's the screening process for something like that? When you are living... There is none. Yeah, that's what I... Well, I know, but I'm saying... You're, like, almost living in fear of intimacy because, oh, my God, am I going to be with my sibling?
Starting point is 00:38:34 I just want to say that I think that, you know, it's a very good cause to fight for more regulation. with sperm donors. Like you guys, and hearing your story and talking about this, the only people who can actually move the needle in that
Starting point is 00:38:52 are people like you who are in this scenario and it's happening and has happened to you guys and you're, you know, discovering all of these new things
Starting point is 00:39:03 and you can really speak to it. I mean, that's, I can't even believe, I didn't even know this. You know, I was, I was, that's not something,
Starting point is 00:39:13 I'm aware of it. And then I wonder, like I asked before, you know, is it a state, is it state by state regulations? Like, is it different? Is it more controlled? Like, is this? I don't know if it's a federal thing. I have no, I have no idea. I have to look it up.
Starting point is 00:39:28 Do you guys know? No. I do know about like a different country. Like Australia and UK, they have a cap. You can only have like 10 kids per donor. Something like that. Because they're smart. Yeah.
Starting point is 00:39:38 But it might be, it might be at the state level, which would, you know, It's such an easy thing, though, essentially. When someone is donating sperm, they're doing it in an area that you know will be populated by your seeds, so to speak, because those are the people going to be going. Right? I mean, so. But it's a business. No, no, I know. There's money involved.
Starting point is 00:40:00 But why, you know, why not put a cap on something like that? We can't say where we're from because we'll literally be like someone's going to knock on a door probably. But we, our bank is not in New Jersey. it's actually quite far yeah which goes to I'm sure there's some kind of like human science behind
Starting point is 00:40:20 like well the commonality we have is like we were expected to have like an Italian father and like Jersey people we love Italian so you would think you know what I mean it makes sense that like New Jersey New York you know we're all kind of like we want an Italian father but our bank is not in New Jersey wow okay
Starting point is 00:40:38 my parents literally wanted to go to this place because they're like oh if there are siblings so that my kids will never run into them because it's so far. Well, I mean, maybe it goes to say, do you have any idea or the records of the donor
Starting point is 00:40:55 and what the sort of statistics are on his sheet meaning like, elite athlete like the hottest man in the world? Can you just lie on these things and just be like the Superman? Yeah, no, we were lied to.
Starting point is 00:41:12 Wow. All right. Wow. Ladies, I'm going to ask, we're going to ask one more question, which is what advice would you give to others who might find themselves in a similar situation as you? You're not alone. There's way more people out there than you think going through this exact same situation. It's ridiculous. And would you encourage them to reach out and try to find their siblings?
Starting point is 00:41:38 Speak out. The people are there. We're being silenced by other siblings. that's why nothing has come forward yet that's what we're like the first ones yeah you're actually the second sibling we we interviewed
Starting point is 00:41:52 another they were older than they were older and they're different just as two generations up how many siblings 65 65 siblings we got to be five times two yeah I love it
Starting point is 00:42:07 I love you guys have come together and sort of found each other and have become not only siblings, but best friends and advocates for each other. You know what I mean? It's dope. It really is. And I think that you as young people have an opportunity to expose this and shine a light on it because it does seem a little bit crazy. It's hard because you want to be an advocate, but you also want to just have your life and not. But if you do sort of see how this is ruining, potentially ruining people, and you're seeing this mental illness, you know?
Starting point is 00:42:43 And you might as well take a shot at it. And not knowing, you know, we need, we should know what our genetic makeup is. And I, and it helps us, it helps our profile and like how we can be the healthiest we can be. Like, we now know that we can take these genetic tests and really understand how to take care of ourselves. And, you know, they should, they should be screening those things. Yeah, I know. And it's crazy. It kind of goes without saying.
Starting point is 00:43:08 it seems weird I would encourage I'm just going to say I would encourage you to find out if it's a federal if it's at the federal level for the I'm going to assume it's at the state level
Starting point is 00:43:22 for the regulations but if it's crossing state borders then it must be a it seems like the wild west it's like sperm flying everywhere just the wild west of sperm that's why it's so hard to talk about
Starting point is 00:43:34 because we don't even really know what we can and cannot say and I really appreciate you guys giving a fuck because somebody like we need help like it's you know it's it's going to be a collaborative experience I mean y'all don't want a bunch incested motherfuckers running around exactly
Starting point is 00:43:48 that's what I'm saying like yeah it's a human being issue like it's a societal issue human rights yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah so much well thank you guys this was awesome thank you thank you that was a whirlwind I'm in shock
Starting point is 00:44:08 Oh, yeah. It's so fun to interview young, you know. Yeah. Well, that's what was really interesting, too, is we did have on another guest. They were older. They were older. And it was a completely different conversation, obviously. When you're 25 and going through life and figuring shit out.
Starting point is 00:44:29 Yeah, totally different. This makes total sense. Yeah, it was a Gen Z whirlwind. But totally, but very articulate. And they have a really good, you know, you can. Very articulate. Yeah, very articulate. Smart girls.
Starting point is 00:44:41 And they have a, I mean, this is a real issue. That's unbelievable. And they're in the same state. It's so weird. In the same little city. The fact that she was saying that her, she's serving a burger to her brother. Yeah.
Starting point is 00:45:00 And like she could have been like, hey, you're super cute. Like, can I get your number? Or you just have no idea. And her bank was many, many miles. away apparently. You can't say where it was. Remember, it was not in state. The whole thing is mind blowing. And then all of the genetic disorders, you know, with all of the eczema and the skin issues, and then how it was more female driven. And you would think that with science today, that there has to be, you have to do a genetic test to find out what those genetic
Starting point is 00:45:32 things are. Yeah, it seems. So that the woman or couple or man, whoever is. getting the sperm donor, you know, needs to know what they're getting. Yeah. I mean, with that many siblings, I don't even know how to... 100% two of them have slept together. There's like almost 100% chance. Which, by the way, she's right. That's a human rights issue.
Starting point is 00:45:56 That's insane. That is... Incest is illegal, I think, correct? Well, and it's also, it's also just... Is it? Imagine falling in love with your brother, your sister? What if Aaron was your half-sister? That would be so terrible.
Starting point is 00:46:13 Oh, Oliver. What? Disgusting. Of course. She's an idiot. If she was my step-sister, then it would be kind of hot. No? Still bad?
Starting point is 00:46:24 Oh, so gross. Okay. No, but seriously, like, I'm serious. This should be protected in some capacity. There's got to be something happening. You know what I mean? got to be someone fighting the fight. I think it's really brave of those girls to be talking about it because it's true.
Starting point is 00:46:42 There's a lot of regulations. They're probably not supposed to be sharing this information. Yeah. And like Jacqueline said, it's like you're not alone and there's a lot of people out there and it should be stopped and they need to take care of each other. You need to know who your siblings are. Yeah. So you don't stop them.
Starting point is 00:47:04 Well, also, like. I mean, for the most part. It's also a health thing. You know, it's like when you go into a doctor's office, if they ask you about your family's medical history. Yes, that you need to know. Now you're going to have 200 people to write down. That's secondary.
Starting point is 00:47:18 Medical history. Secondary to stooping, though. That's number one. You need to notice you don't have a stup where you're like, uh, okay. Oh, God. Let me just put that out of my head. Talk about sending some people into like a tizzy.
Starting point is 00:47:37 Oh, get a... I don't want to... Sizzies. Sending someone into a tizzy. I know. You're like back in 1930s. I'm like, hold on. I've got to go get an ice cream from the icebox.
Starting point is 00:47:47 Get me a high ball before I'm a tizzy. Anyway, I thought that was absolutely fascinating. That was great. Really fascinating. All right. Peace. Peace out. I'm Bridget Armstrong.
Starting point is 00:48:07 host of the new podcast, The Curse of America's Next Top Model. I've been investigating the real story behind that iconic show. I ended up having anorexia issues, bulimia issues, by talking to the models, the producers, and the people who profited from it all. We basically sold our souls, and they got rich. If you were so rooting for her and saw her drowning, what did you help her? Listen to the Curse of America's Next Top Model
Starting point is 00:48:33 on the iHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get you. podcast. Hi, it's Honey German, and I'm back with season two of my podcast. Graziez, come again. We got you when it comes to the latest in music and entertainment with interviews with some of your favorite Latin artists and celebrities. You didn't have to audition? No, I didn't audition. I haven't audition in like over 25 years. Oh, wow. That's a real G-talk right there. Oh, yeah. We'll talk about all that's viral and trending, with a little bit of chisement and a whole lot of laughs. And of course, the great vivas you've come to expect. Listen to
Starting point is 00:49:07 the new season of Dacias Come Again on the I-HeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Your entire identity has been fabricated. Your beloved brother goes missing without a trace. You discover the depths of your mother's illness. I'm Danny Shapiro. And these are just a few of the powerful stories I'll be mining on our upcoming 12th season of family secrets. We continue to be moved and inspired by our guests and their courageously told stories. Listen to Family Secrets Season 12 on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. This is an IHeart podcast.

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