"Inconceivable Truth": Matt Katz's search for his biological father

A DNA test that Matt Katz took to answer questions about his ancestry only stirred more mysteries. The investigative journalist dug into a past replete with family secrets and early fertility treatments, and turned his journey into a podcast, "Inconceivable Truth." He talked with correspondent Lee Cowan about finding new family while searching for his own origins.
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[@alisont.6940]

The nice thing about this story is that everyone is basically happy and the information didn't destroy relationships.

[@tennyceb]

Made more family

[@bobsturgis4674]

I am glad he recognized the Step Father,for the one who was there all of his young life.I was adopted at the age of three,and have no desire to meet my biological parents.I was loved by my adopted parents,and i loved them very much.They are gone now,but all ways will be in my heart.Stay safe everyone,and Happy Fathers day to all of the dads out there.

[@22lyric]

Aww. Sounds like EVERY child should have parents like your parents! You all were truly blessed! ❤️🙏🏻

[@jv-ep2tc]

you have every right to know who you are/where you came from. that was taken from you and that is/was incredibly unfair to you. is it right that I know my family tree and you don't? I don't think so.

[@kharrell8356]

I hope he appreciated everything his stepdad did for him.

[@gailwebb9619]

He certainly seems to have been appreciative.

[@career5690]

Of course he is.

[@hockeymom223]

Great story!! So happy for his sibling connections!😊

[@arktos298]

just? Mix it up until there are no pedigrees, RHCP

[@pamelawooden6012]

I loved this story. Matt was so blessed with his stepfather.

[@cindyfitz3988]

I highly recommend the podcast. I couldn't wait for the new episode to drop each week. The twists and turns in Matt's journey captured my attention and own personal spirit. My son is adopted and he often provides me with new information about his own background. Plus, the love and acceptance of Matt no matter his biological background is heartwarming.

[@mililaniman]

I am glad that Matt has a father to raised and guides him through life.

[@aiai-j7i]

How ironic his father's address now has a restaurant named Pappas!

[@steveconn]

Matt searched for his roots, that's all that matters. His family is there no matter the bloodline ❤

[@DouglasSandvos-yo1lt]

I'm happy for Matt Katz's outcome! Being adopted through a closed adoption, I have some insight into his decision.

[@zachjohnson4530]

Happy Father’s Day

[@tennyceb]

That’s incredible! He has found family and you can never have enough heart in your corner! Lucky

[@happycook6737]

Matt's Dad, sitting on the sofa with his biological mother is a REAL man and true Dad! If his mom is Jewish, so is he according to Jewish law.

[@SM-ji1qe]

He never doubted he was Jewish. He wasn’t sure what his biological father was.

[@StephSH]

So nice that this had a happy ending. My own biological father and half brothers wanted nothing to do with me after I found him in 2010 when I was 49. After talking to cousins and his first wife, I’ve come to the conclusion that my life is better having been raised without his influence.

[@jv-ep2tc]

but at least you know. whatever the outcome, you are no longer in the dark about your own history.

[@moonhunter9993]

The truth sets you free

[@AnneAlready]

I'm sorry you had that experience. I'll bet if you get to search back further in your family tree you'll find some fine people. xx

[@StephSH]

@@AnneAlready I did- my cousins on that side (confirmed and discovered on Ancestry DNA and 23andMe) are awesome 🥰

[@kathyo9420]

I'm sorry you were rejected by the bios. I found my bio parents a few years back, I'm in my 50s, and was embraced by my mother's side and half siblings with open arms. My bio dad also was happy to have me as he never married and had no other children. As an only child, I'm his only relative. As the relationship progressed and evolved, I also came to the conclusion that not being raised by him was the best part of my life. And I've since told him that. I thanked him for everything, wished him well, and went on my way. I got what I needed.

[@jliriano8543]

People struggle to find meaning for their lives. Heritage is so important.

[@ErinMDavis05]

The podcast was so beautiful. ❤

[@edithlazenby5839]

Great story!! Happy father's day!

[@jenniferwilson9579]

He’s no stepdad, he’s the real dad here. Anybody can father a kid, but not everybody can be a dad.

[@MyName-nx1jj]

Wow, his father lived a quarter mile from me. I probably ran into him a few times as this is a small town.

[@lynetteczarkowski8344]

Matt, I loved your podcast! It was great to see faces with the voices.

[@PatLozano]

Wow such and interesting story!! So glad he found his half siblings!

[@marvinrosenthal6158]

G-d's inscrutable, but beautiful handiwork, for sure! Happy Fathers' Day to "all" our fathers.

[@judithdomangue9995]

Wow, that’s amazing! ❤

[@Bodyknowledge77]

What a tale. Things aren't necessarily how one might think they are. I was officially adopted in 82' but prior to that my parents were my foster parents( they got me not too soon after I was born in 77'). In the years before I was officially adopted I would be taken in to get check-ups at the agency and hang out with a man I called Mr David in the playroom who'd give me a brown paper bag of mixed fruit. Years later I wondered who Mr David was. Was he my biological father? One morning on Easter Sunday as I was preparing to go to my security job, I asked my mom if he was my father. She said he was and that I had a brother and sister( which was a shocker!). Maybe someday, somehow I'll learn more etc..

[@thenightporter]

That's bittersweet; he must have loved you to come spend that time with you but could not tell you who he was.

[@Bodyknowledge77]

@@thenightporter Yeah. Then there was the day I guess (unless he suddenly passed away) when he knew he wouldn't see me again. Then again, who knows? Sometimes it's like it's someone else's life.

[@Sylvie1710]

If you really want to know more you should consider taking an ancestry DNA test. It will link you to people you are genetically related to from closest relative to test out from there. You should also be able to contact the adoption agency used and petition to get a copy of your original birth certificate and anything in your file.

[@susanmark2000]

It is a great story. Thanks for sharing it.

[@barbaradobson9298]

I can see the Irish in him… he’s a son of Ireland for sure… but most importantly he’s a very good son to his Mom & step Dad who raised him.

[@jv-ep2tc]

I guessed Irish when watching this. We know our own.

[@saywhatnow57]

I listened to this and I'm amazed how much everyone looks exactly how I pictured them in my head.

[@24whoanelly]

Way to go, Matt. Well done.

[@Alifealonewithandie]

I feel ya brother. Something similar happened to me. Met my biological father once. Never heard from him again.

[@lizlee6290]

Wonderful story. Especially since he was able to find out so much about the man. That's pretty unusual. He became much more than "the sperm donor".

[@Forward-t7x]

I want to hang out with Matt. He seems like a cool guy, and funny too.

[@posthocprior]

Am confused about the primary part of the story. Did his mom think that she was getting sperm from her partner and the doctor actually used a sperm donor? That is, did the doctor knowingly lie? If so, then I think this is an important part of the story and should have been highlighted.

[@SlimKeith11]

Yes, it was donor sperm, the Mother was unaware of what the doctor had done. They can only speculate about why the doctor did this and it was NOT the point of the story. Watch again and stop whining if you don't learn all the PERSONAL details.

[@posthocprior]

@@SlimKeith11 The point of the story was about the deception by the doctor. That is, if the doctor hadn't done this, there would be no story. So, my point is that this should have been explained. Also, this isn't "whining" about "personal details". Everything I've mentioned is central to the story. If it's personal, it's because it's been shared by Matt.

[@debbiedoodiedandi]

4:20 - they said doctors back then would mix sperm from the partner and an anonymous donor to boost the chances. Assuming doctors never anticipated that people would one day easily be able to run DNA tests.

[@aiai-j7i]

At 4:13 they literally explain that doctors would mix the husband's sperm with a donor's in order to increase viability.

[@aiai-j7i]

@@posthocprior It IS explained.

[@janetpattison8474]

I went thru the opposite search. A sibling gave up a beautiful baby boy in the 60’s & many years ago I started looking for him online, including signing up for ancestry. I knew the City and the catholic home where he was born, but it closed years ago. Without money to Hire an investigator, I gave up😢. Collapse time to 2023 & My “adopted out” nephew found first cousins & a sibling w/ 23 & me about a yr. ago. Unfortunately, after an initial phone call, he made it clear. He didn’t want further contact with my big family. That he only connected as much as he did because of his wife. Little did I know that we were living in the same area. And his bio great & great great grandmother, cousins, also lived a few miles from him. You would think that you’d want to know some thing about your ancestry,, especially when you have a bunch of kids as he does, but that’s not the case.

[@mariaroldan4200]

So sad! Does he resent his biological mother because she wasn’t interested in finding him?

[@kintsukuroi6300]

There has to be a clear understanding one thing is donating DNA/biological material and another thing is FAMILY, CONNECTION, BONDS that lead to care and love and those DO NOT REQUIRE DNA/biological make up. This guy's story and like so many other does not clearly deals with a FACT: people donate sperms/eggs to make some extra cash and help others but that is it. No. they are not seeking to know who, when, where, what happened with that DNA they donate it and that's it. They are NOT looking for years later SURPRISE! Daddy....Mommy. But for this guy as he indicated there was an underlying theme of NOT BEING WANTED that was bothering his existence and so he pursued a search. Who knows what might of happened the Sperm Donor was dead, so that closes the cycle. He got to met other BIOLOGICAL siblings from the sperm donor. Because of my profession this is an issue I hear many times because same story line a person went on the search of the biological donor and end up with a door on their face: 'look I donated and I have my family and I am not interested on recounting what I did at one time in my youth (donating DNA material )so all the best to you and have a good life. With the current mentality of searching and trying to reconnect with people through social media some become obsessed with this. Some people are in your life for brief period and time but some are trying to reconnect with the kindergarten classmate. There is a saying common sense is like a flower that does not grow in every garden.

[@gingerhiser7312]

Adoption is not the great panacea politicians want to make it out to be. There is a lot of hurt and resentment of being given away. And typically the adoptee blames the mom but rarely the father. That just isn't right.

[@martaaltheide5146]

Very cool story and half siblings the prize!

[@wildoceanappaloosawomangay2535]

I heard the podcast before I saw this It’s excellent and very sad he never met his bio father His stepfather is a real man for loving him regardless that he’s not blood Most men would not do this 😔💚

[@jillloutsch]

That is absolutely insane and beautiful

[@2nd_of_3]

Adoptees go through this ALL THE TIME.

[@bettygrable6440]

This is one of the reasons that IVF is problematic.

[@thenightporter]

I think that if you know that you are the product of a sperm donor, you should get a DNA test before you marry someone just in case they are your biological sibling. I saw a story on (I believe) CBS where there was a group of well over 200 people who found out they all had the same biological father. They had formed a group and their "network" was still discovering new siblings all the time. This story reminds me of, how years ago, a couple I was friends with told our group of friends that they were having a hard time getting pregnant. They joked they might be related because they looked so much alike in elementary school. I know the husband said his parents tried hard to get pregnant with him. His family and the wife's family both lived for generations in the same area.

[@mariantreber8055]

It's probably not God approved, as every child wants their own, true parents. I don't really like "adoption," either. People want their real parents. Family is so important.

[@MaryCumbersnatch]

​@@mariantreber8055 such BS. I have 9 kids. I only gave birth to 3 kids. Does that mean i should throw away the other 6 kids? Ridiculous. I love my bonus kids the same way i love my biological kids, and they love me. Why shouldn't we love each other?

[@jillgott6567]

​@@mariantreber8055 While family is important, adoption can be a wonderful way to provide a child just that - a loving, supportive family . Because sadly, not everyone has a good biological family.

[@SM-ji1qe]

@@mariantreber8055take religion out if it if you’re using it to exclude children from families. Blood doesn’t always make a family. Love does.

[@water2wine1]

Great story

[@birdie4223]

Just lovely

[@brc9064]

Wonder if he would continue and try to connect with the family members of his birth father ?

[@kintsukuroi6300]

Some people love drama. The guy donated sperm to make some extra cash and if he was not dead he would have heard " Surprise! daddy..." Family, bonds, emotional connection, has nothing to do with biological DNA material. And proof of that is the stepdad that raised him as his own flesh and blood. But the guy had an existential issue 'not being wanted' quite ironic when the mother had IVF in order to conceive because she wanted a child.

[@janeoleary8454]

I was supposed to be 100% Irish. I'm 24% European Jew. I think my grandmother was adopted in 1898. She never knew

[@JustinCase780]

My Dad had a second family in S. Korea.

[@eleanor5117]

I wouldn’t be here if my biological mother’s husband had not been stationed in S. Korea during the Korean War. She adopted me out before I was born. I’m glad she did. I had wonderful parents! (I refer to myself as a “Korean War baby.”😉)

[@boathousejoed1126]

Was his name Frank Costanza?😂

[@JustinCase780]

@@boathousejoed1126 Yes, and he and Mom were always yelling even when they got out of N.Y. to enjoy Florida.

[@mikeelek9713]

As someone who is adopted, people who obsess over a biological parent are nuts. Who cares? If someone doesn't want to be a part of your life, move on. Who you will become is partly DNA but also your experiences. Worrying constantly about something that you can't control means that you miss out on so many experiences. I am eternally grateful for every good thing that has happened to me. I don't think that I've spent more than five minutes of my 60+ years thinking about it. Trying to connect with my DNA donor - it doesn't mean anything to me and never has and never will. I will happily go to my grave without caring to know this insignificant piece of information.

[@jv-ep2tc]

I don't believe you for one second. I think you feel an obligation to your adoptive parents to not do anything tht might seem like a lack of gratitude. To learn about your biological relatives is your human right.

[@susansawyer2475]

At the very least, an adoptee needs the DNA and biological details for medical purposes. For better or worse, each child receives "good and bad" genes (like hair color and predisposition to heart disease) they need to know about. It does not negate the bond between the child and their adoption parents, but it may help with warding off future health issues.

[@jv-ep2tc]

@@susansawyer2475 that is the very least of it. our ancestors health problems are not necessarily ours as well. knowing who you are is a human right. adoption can be a human rights violation in that regard.

[@susansawyer2475]

@@jv-ep2tc not disagreeing in the right to know part, and many adoptees I know want to know more about their personal genetic info, but there are a few who do not want to know, for many reasons. They still need the biological info for their health records, but it is also their right to not to seek out their biological parents, if that is their preference.

[@jv-ep2tc]

@@susansawyer2475 agreed, there is freedom to not know. not enough freedom for those that want to. My state has recently started offering information request forms for original birth certificates. I am thrilled about that for 2 friends.

[@scottconnuck2632]

My story is eerily similar to Matt's. I was raised in an Ashkenazi Jewish household in Brooklyn. My mother was 100% Ashkenazi Jewish, whose parents migrated from Warsaw, Poland. My father, who passed away when I was eight years of age, had Eastern European Jewish parents who migrated to the USA early in the 20th century. I had three biological brothers (all older). Well... my brother, Paul, decided to take a DNA test. To his utter shock, father turned out to be 100% Italian (Sardinia) which made Paul about 50% Italian! Upon his urging, he had first had his son take a DNA test as well in order to confirm, and, sure enough, his son's DNA reflected 25% Italian (Sardinia). Then, the final test... he purchased a DNA test for me to take, and, surprise, surprise... I am half Italian (Sardinia). Now, unlike Matt's story, the mystery in my family still exists... did my mother have a long lasting affair with an Italian? (Unfortunately, mom passed away in 2001.) Was my father switched at birth in the Buffalo hospital where he was born? Or, perhaps dad was adopted? Was the DNA test wrong? Perhaps we will never know. All I can say is... since this discovery, I've been eating a lot more pizza and spaghetti!

[@fredphilippi8388]

This story does not answer the question: how did the mother get duped into thinking she was being inseminated with her husband's sperm when, in fact, it was the sperm of a stranger.

[@debbiedoodiedandi]

4:20 - they said back the doctors would mix sperm to boost chances of getting pregnant. Sounds like she was never told.

[@aiai-j7i]

From 4:13 on in the video they explain it was common practice then for doctors to MIX the husband's sperm with a donor's to increase the chances of getting pregnant. So it would have been either the biological dad's sperm or the donor's. However, this was not disclosed to the parents.

[@gailwebb9619]

Did you watch the entire segment? It was explained that donor sperm and hubs sperm were mixed together to boost the chances of conception.

[@khaosghoul]

@@aiai-j7iheyo! actually matt’s cousin here, this is correct :)

[@MM-Iconoclast]

Why is it inconceivable? He looked Irish to me - that's what I guessed even before he said so. My dad is scots-Irish and mom was Jewish - he looks just like my brothers. He's a nerdy cutie, just like my bros. And his stepdad is a champ. PS: Fie on those sperm mixers without consent.

[@tanmoybhuyan]

There is a British movie very very similar to this story

[@dalemseitzer]

Why did the mom tell him, sad.

[@nopelindoputraperkasa5869]

Nice sharing Vidio 🇮🇩😍🙏

[@thegatesofdawn...1386]

She thought it was her former husband? Weird.

[@vibrantscolor]

❤❤❤❤

[@bloatedsodium7301]

Father Figures Matter

[@tananario23]

Not according to Matt, who chose to obsess about a stranger.

[@cecileroy557]

@@tananario23 That was uncalled for and untrue...

[@carolcole570]

Now WAIT ! Correct me if I misheard. Matt’s Mama had a husband who used a fertility clinic with artificial insemination (sp). But, HE had no clue they used another person’s sperm ! So, maybe he STILL doesn’t know……or maybe he DOES know. The POINT is Matt’s Mom ASKED DAD IF HE WANTED TO MEET HIS SON AND DAD WAS NOT INTERESTED ! Right ????? It was only by pure ACCIDENT that Matt was clued in that there was a fake Dad running around. So, MY question is…..WHY DIDN’T MATT’s DAD ( who thought he HAD a son ) WANT TO MEET HIM ?????

[@gingerhiser7312]

Maybe he was bitter about the divorce. Maybe he never wanted a kid. A friend's BC failed and her husband said get an abortion. She told him NO. He could stay or he could go but she wasn't going to have an abortion. He wasn't going anywhere...she made good money. He did, however, ignore his son. My friend was virtually a single mother. I was there once when the "father" gave his own 3-year old son the cold shoulder. A feel bad for the boy because he grew up just knowing he couldn't please his father and he never knew why. It's because he was half unwanted.

[@carolcole570]

@@gingerhiser7312 We’ll never know.

[@bitfenix90]

I think every child deserves to know the genetic dispositions for his medical history - and future. If DNA donors don't want to supply this capability, don't donate to the pregnancy.

[@vsanchez7158]

I guessed Irish right away.

[@thenightporter]

Oh my gosh, Matt's mom looks like she could be the sister of actress Jenny O'Hara.

[@daimonmarioperez9501]

It's a cool story. That it is 😊😊😊😊

[@semipenguin]

I haven’t seen my real father since 1974. The last time I was his mother was in 1995, and she hadn’t seen him in years. Oh well.

[@shirleyashanti3031]

That might have had a small part in his mothers divorce. Did he ever talk to her ex?

[@fanman12]

what about his mom's first husband?

[@sleeksalmon]

Its crazy to think that they would take anonymous sperm and mix it with the REAL fathers and not say anything to the childless couple. I mean come on your husband has only a 50 percent chance of being the father of your child??? I think for some they would be so desperate that they wouldnt care, and I think for others it would be a deciding factor and they might choose not to go through with it. I know it would bother me. How could this even be legal? Thank God it worked out for this family. Think about how many others are out there that havent a clue.

[@jennifer_m.8613]

You want to hear a crazy father's day story? My dad's cousin recently published a book - and the things we learned... Mind. Blown. Falling into Place by Paula Marquis

[@wilhelmina6429]

I’m so confused I always thought Jewish was a religion

[@cecileroy557]

It is also an ethnicity. Look into it!!

[@YeshuaKingMessiah]

That guy had no clue nor did he want a clue It was a cash transaction Period

[@mariaroldan4200]

Love this show! But, how could a doctor do that to a woman? Ok at least was not the doctor’s sperm, like in some cases.

[@WilliamBonney-gl2qf]

Matt looks like Martin Short

[@cecileroy557]

Yes - a bit. He has such a great personality!

[@marykendall302]

😊

[@darryldrax606]

👍

[@davesky538]

Bad news with the sperm being an unknown donor. Imagine the genetic problems!

[@rdbare4216]

Step dad???? I think that’s a legal father and a father in every way except genetically. I think under Jewish law the one who rears you is your father except for transmitting certain statuses

[@gingerhiser7312]

In many states, the husband at the time of birth is the legal father.

[@denisesalles7248]

Religion or a race? The dilemma continues.

[@aguerra1381]

The body is the vessel that we're given to navigate this life. What's really important is what we do while we're in it and not where it came from.

[@tbernstein]

Every time you go to the doctor they ask for or refer to your family history. it is absolutely important to know where you come from .

[@aguerra1381]

@@tbernstein You do have a point.

[@jv-ep2tc]

it is not your place to make a value judgment on the most basic need to have a clear knowledge of one's identity.

[@aguerra1381]

@@jv-ep2tc What you do with your life is much more important than your physical ancestry. I stand by my point.

[@jv-ep2tc]

@@aguerra1381 its not an either / or situation. if you do something meaningful with your life it won't wipe out an interest in one's identity. if you have read anything about the history of slavery in the United States then you know about the pain of having your self knowledge lost. Many black Americans deal with that now. Its a wound to the psyche. its one of the problems many adopted people deal with.

[@familylove5412]

I have a good story for the news....

[@mprkg]

So his mother lied. Awful woman

[@johnsradios484]

Oh please she knew!

[@Patricia-x9j8w]

He is Jewish from his mother and half Irish just like Ben Stiller Lol

[@Cathy-xi8cb]

People after 75 are more likely to have medical issues that diminish their ability to exercise. Cardiac, respiratory, orthopedic, visual, auditory, and I could go on and on. A friend fell and fractured her arm (shattered it, really). She can barely move. She is 80. She was doing yoga and more. She will work hard to get back, but she won't be likely to return to pre-injury muscle mass.

[@lamars2486]

There were quite a few of IRISH JEWS that passed as IRISH CHRISTIANS, too. dont forget that, but this story is great 😂😂😂

[@arktos298]

just? Mix it up until there are no pedigrees, RHCP

[@rosameryrojas-delcerro1059]

The first test tube baby was a success in the late 70's I believe. If he was concieved before that it was not a donation.

[@aiai-j7i]

Who is taking about test tube babies?? IUI, which was done here is not the same as IVF. Look it up.

[@gailwebb9619]

Hey genius….this was artificial insemination, not a “test tube baby.” Not the same thing at all. Maybe do a little research before posting nonsense.

[@cecileroy557]

"Test Tube Baby" is an outdated expression but that's what people used to say.... "genius".... 😉

[@MISNM0]

Is there are fertility issues then neither person is "the problem". They Are a human being with obstacles to reaching the goal of conception. Do better.

[@deirdregahansuttle5698]

He is soooo Irish.. IRELAND

[@tananario23]

Tiresome. Next.

[@BRM202]

Can a DNA test prove if someone is a Methodist, Muslim or Catholic?

[@Theodora1000]

Judaism is more of a nationality than a religion these days.

[@lisarose7084]

No, because those are all just religions. Jews are part of a ethnoreligious group. Similar groups include Shinto, Hindus, Vodun, and Native Americans. Members of ethnoreligious groups have shared genetic heritage that is unique and distinct from the general population.

[@dianewolfthal704]

@@tadatada296 But the Catholic piece will not show up in the DNA. It is cultural, not inherited.

[@UncleSam-USofA]

who cares my goodness get over race and be happy

[@maryanndavis8580]

That's cruel to say. Unless you are adopted or conceived in an unusual manner, you don't know how it feels.

[@UncleSam-USofA]

@@maryanndavis8580 just tired of the constant drone about race to me that's cruel

[@RamonaL909]

Hilarious

[@josephwatts314]

Fantasist Story : I believe we all needed this Today ! 🦘💙!