The Donor Podcast: A DNA Horror Story – Details, episodes & analysis

In the mid-1980s, Hal worked his way through medical school as an anonymous sperm donor. Thirty years later, Hal was one of 23AndMe’s first customers, curious about his health genes. He had no idea that he’d just destroyed his donor anonymity. Suddenly, seven total strangers found “Daddy.” Except six of them had no idea that their actual biological father was a sperm donor. And the seventh? She knew. And she’d been looking for him. The Donor: A DNA Horror story follows an unexpected ripple effect of the personal genomics business – and its unanticipated impact on people’s lives.

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In a search for inner peace, Hal finally confronts his own feelings toward Beka.

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A chance encounter with an old friend – a psychiatrist – convinces Hal that his issues with Beka stem from her being a raging narcissist. But, when Hal tries to present his side to his donor kids, they all circle the wagons around Beka.

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Hal tries to take his case against Beka to his donor kids. But, his weak father-donor-kid bond is nothing compared to all his donor kids' sibling bonds with each other. Beka, Hal learns, has total sway over her diblings.

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Hal manages to pull his relationship with Beka back from the brink. As they begin to talk more, more of Hal’s donor kids sign on to 23AndMe. But Beka breaks off their relationship entirely after Hal suggests that her feelings for him might be stronger than she admits.

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If Hal’s relationship with Beka can be compared to a roller coaster ride (which it can!), then this is the part where the ride plunges terrifyingly. Somewhere between the start and end of a nine-hour bike ride, Hal’s relationship with Beka turns toxic.

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Threatened by Miles’ angry dad, Hal tries to diffuse the situation. Meanwhile, a second donor son joins 23AndMe. Hal learns quickly – most of his donor kids have no idea whatsoever they’re donor kids. They have all been their family secret.

As Hal tries to diffuse the situation with Miles’ dad, he meets a second donor son (Sonny) and a donor daughter: BEKA. Unlike her donor siblings (her diblings), Beka knew she was donor-conceived before joining 23AndMe. Also, unlike her diblings, she was actually looking for Hal.

Almost from the jump, Hal is drawn to Beka.

 

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In the mid 1980's, Hal worked his way through medical school as an anonymous sperm donor. Jump forward 25 years. Now a successful radiologist, Hal joined 23AndMe, curious about his health genes. He didn't realize that sending his DNA into a growing DNA database would destroy his donor anonymity. Suddenly, seven total strangers found "daddy". Except six of them had no idea their biological father was actually a sperm donor.

 For Bonus Content and to subscribe, please go to https://thedonorpodcast.com/