You've heard the saying, 'Blood is thicker than water,' right? Yet for many people, family is not just about blood or DNA — it's about deep connections .For those people, chosen family could be close friends, people who share similar identities, people who went through similar experiences, or something else that forms a bond.We hear stories from people about their chosen families.We also speak with marriage and family therapist and sexologist Dr. Lexx Brown-James, about why chosen families are vital in people's lives.In participating regions, you'll also hear a local news segment to help you make sense of what's going on in your community.Email us at considerthis@npr.org.