Australian Adoption Podcast - My Unknown Truth

Episode 25 - Of Priests, Nuns & DNA: Brendan’s Search for Belonging

Nadia Levett Season 3 Episode 25

Send us a text

When Brendan was eight years old, his parents told him he was adopted. In his late twenties, he found out the identity of his birth mother – but she wanted nothing to do with him.

 For thirty years there was only limited communication with his birth mother, and he knew nothing about his birth father. It wasn’t until 2018, a DNA test led him to the truth: 

'After decades of searching, Brendan discovered that his birth parents were a Catholic priest and a nun.

His ‘Memoir which was released in August 2023  titled “Tell No One' explores the questions, anxieties and reflections arising from this hidden past..

Brendan is the son of a missionary priest. His father had studied in a Trappist monastery in Ireland, had a career as a house builder, was a Bondi Lifesaver, a trophy-winning ballroom dancer, was a landscape painter, met Mother Teresa and toured the world. 

Take a listen to this interview I did with Brendan in November last year. .

 Brendans memoir is an astounding story full of scandal, deception and coercion which had been uncovered over decades, it was a truth that must be told. 

If you would like to know more about Brendan and access his book head to brendanwatkins.com.au 

Support the show

Thanks for listening! Follow me on Instagram or find me on Facebook or Twitter.
The Australian Adoption Podcast with host Nadia Levett!

People on this episode

Podcasts we love

Check out these other fine podcasts recommended by us, not an algorithm.

Adopt Perspective Artwork

Adopt Perspective

Jigsaw Queensland
Unraveling Adoption Artwork

Unraveling Adoption

Beth Syverson
ADOPTION NOW Artwork

ADOPTION NOW

April Fallon
Pulled By The Root - Amplifying Adoption Issues Artwork

Pulled By The Root - Amplifying Adoption Issues

Heidi Marble - Amy Hansen - Elle Klassen - Alysa Zalma MD - Stephanie Pipes - Sean Farley
The Janchi Show Artwork

The Janchi Show

The Janchi Show
Adoption Shared Artwork

Adoption Shared

We Are Family
Once Upon A Time...In Adopteeland Artwork

Once Upon A Time...In Adopteeland

Jennifer Dyan Ghoston
Voice of Adoptees Artwork

Voice of Adoptees

David Schunk
Who Am I Really? Artwork

Who Am I Really?

Damon L. Davis
Adoptees On Artwork

Adoptees On

Haley Radke