Every house is haunted. In each episode of Family Ghosts, we investigate the true story behind a mysterious figure whose legend has followed a family for generations. Grandmothers who were secretly jewel smugglers, uncles who led double lives, siblings who vanished without a trace, and other ghostly…
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"Pack One Bag" is exactly the sort of story we often tell on "Family Ghosts." A documentarian named David Modigliani grows up with a fairy tale version of his grandparents' daring escape from Fascist Italy. But as an adult, he discovers that the fairy tale was only part of the story. This revelation sends him across the ocean in search of answers to disturbing questions: why are there friendly letters from Benito Mussolini to David's great-grandfather? What happened to the family members who didn't make it out of the country and were forced to flee their homes? What responsibility does David have to his family's past - and to its future? It's an epic story of love, longing, separation, redemption, and the malleability of historical memory. And it just so happens to feature the voice talents of Signore Stanley Tucci! Your humble Ghost Host Sam worked closely with David for over two years as the story editor on "Pack One Bag," and we're excited to introduce you to the first episode. If you like it, follow the series in your podcast player of choice. Thank you for listening!
Introducing "The Burden," from legendary investigative reporter (and longtime friend of the Ghost Family) Steve Fishman.
Sam's quest to uncover a family ghost that lives in his radio. If you like what you hear, please check out “Good Company” on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Sam was recently featured on an episode of Breadcrumbs, hosted by his best and oldest friend Allen Brooks. In the course of their conversation, they ended up talking about things they'd never discussed - deepening their connection even further. If you like what you hear, find more episodes of Breadcrumbs here.
Sam shares an update on why Family Ghosts has been MIA lo these many months - and an exciting preview of a new beginning. If you like what you hear, please check out The Midnight Disease for the thrilling conclusion to episode one, and stay tuned for weekly episodes going forward. Thank you, Ghost Family.
An important update about Family Ghosts, and a reprise of a timely tale.
Josh Ritter tells Jayson De Leon about charting a course through the unknown.
Guy Story finds out his father had a secret. Before long, Guy finds himself on a treacherous journey of discovery about a mysterious desperado, and trying to figure out why everyone seems ashamed to admit they're related to him. Check out Guy's band: https://www.storytownband.com/ Read the blog post he wrote to accompany his song: https://www.storytownband.com/the-latest-from-storytown/2021/7/1/skeletons-in-the-closet. And watch the music video here: https://youtu.be/ke_8Uc_09Mg Family Ghosts is made possible thanks to the generous support of the Kindred Spirits. For just $5 per month, Kindred Spirits get access to all of our episodes ad-free, and exclusive bonus content. If you have the means, please consider joining them today at http://patreon.com/familyghosts. And if you don't have the means, no worries. Please consider supporting the show for free by leaving us a review in Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Thank you for listening.
Stories about inscrutable older men with vital wisdom to share - if only we could figure out how to talk to them. Family Ghosts is made possible thanks to the generous support of the Kindred Spirits - our community of supporters on Patreon. For just $5 per month, Kindred Spirits hear our episodes ad-free, and get access to bonus content that's not available anywhere else. If you have the means, please consider joining them today at http://patreon.com/familyghosts.
Mark embarks on a rollicking quest to find a Cool Dad. Family Ghosts is made possible thanks to the generous support of the Kindred Spirits - our community of supporters on Patreon. For just five dollars a month, Kindred Spirits hear our episodes ad-free, and they get exclusive bonus content that's not available anywhere else. If you have the means, please consider joining them today at http://patreon.com/familyghosts.
On the occasion of a major life milestone, Sam reflects on two of his wayward role models. Family Ghosts is made possible thanks to the generosity of the Kindred Spirits - our community of supporters on Patreon. For just $5 per month, Kindred Spirits hear our episodes ad-free, and they get exclusive bonus content. If you have the means, please consider joining them today at http://patreon.com/familyghosts.
Producer Veralyn Williams explores the power of subjective storytelling in the aftermath of her experience working on a particularly harrowing episode. Find more of Veralyn's work at https://www.iamveralyn.com/, learn more about Robin Boylorn here, and Tayari Jones here.
Seven songs from in (and around) our series that just might make you come unstuck in time. Featuring performances by: D and Chi, Allan, Martha Redbone, Kirya Traber, Jay Starling, and Jocelyn Mackenzie.
Craig learns the truth about the end of his Uncle Larry's life - and find a new beginning for his own. Family Ghosts is made possible thanks to the generous support of the Kindred Spirits. For just $5 per month, Kindred Spirits hear our episodes ad-free, and they get access to exclusive bonus content that's not available anywhere else. If you have the means, please consider joining them today, at http://patreon.com/familyghosts. Find more of Craig's stories here. Thank you for listening.
Craig travels to Utah to unlock the mysteries of his Uncle Brent's life - literally. Family Ghosts is made possible thanks to the generous support of the Kindred Spirits, our community of supporters on Patreon. For just $5 per month, Kindred Spirits hear our episodes ad-free, and they get exclusive bonus content that's not available anywhere else. If you have the means, please consider joining them today at http://patreon.com/FamilyGhosts. And either way, thank you for listening.
Craig grows up in hiding from his uncles' secret lives, fearful that his family will one day discover his own secret. Listen to Craig on the Moth Radio Hour here, and find more of his work here. Family Ghosts is made possible thanks to the generosity of the Kindred Spirits, our community of supporters on Patreon. If you have the means, please consider joining them today at https://patreon.com/familyghosts. Thank you for listening!
Malcolm Gladwell shares a parable from the past, and Nick Markovich searches for the meaning of life. Hear more of Malcolm's work on Revisionist History, and more of Jacob's work on Deep Cover. Family Ghosts is made possible thanks to the generosity of the Kindred Spirits, our community of supporters on Patreon. For just $5 per month, Kindred Spirits hear our episodes ad-free, and they get access to exclusive bonus content. If you have the means, please consider joining them today at http://patreon.com/familyghosts.
The wayward son of a manufacturing dynasty tries to sow fresh roots in his family tree. Sources: Jane Mayer Daniel Schulman Brian O'Reilly & Patty De Llosa Katharine Q. Seelye Family Ghosts is made possible thanks to the generous support of the Kindred Spirits, our community of supporters on Patreon. For just $5 per month, Kindred Spirits hear our episodes ad-free, and get exclusive bonus content that's not available anywhere else. If you have the means, please consider joining the Kindred Spirits at http://patreon.com/familyghosts. Thank you for listening!
Sam has a memory he can't explain - which, in turn, explains a lot about Family Ghosts. Thanks to Marcy and Betsy - check out A Funny Feeling here. And find the Neighborhood Watch photo essay here. Family Ghosts is made possible thanks to the generous support of the Kindred Spirits, our community of supporters on Patreon. If you have the means, please consider joining them today for just $5 per month: http://patreon.com/familyghosts.
Janielle Kastner tries to get to know a man she never got to meet. Find and follow “Untitled Dad Project” wherever you're listening to this. Family Ghosts is made possible thanks to the generosity of the Kindred Spirits, our community of supporters on Patreon. For just five dollars per month, Kindred Spirits get ad-free versions of all of our episodes, plus exclusive bonus content. If you have the means, please consider joining them today at http://patreon.com/familyghosts.
Stories about rediscovering home in unexpected ways. Featuring Micaela Blei and Jeff Simmermon.
Stories from Bradford Jordan and Ophira Eisenberg about reckoning with the fundamental truth (or, in some cases, lies) about who their mothers are. This episode is made possible thanks to the generosity of the Kindred Spirits, our community of supporters on Patreon. Please consider joining them for just five dollars per month. You'll hear our episodes ad-free, get exclusive bonus content, and help keep Family Ghosts on the air!
A mysterious story has haunted the city of Baltimore for 25 years. Can Sam unravel the truth...before the truth unravels him? Follow The Rumor on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen.
Stories about unexpected impulses with deep generational roots. Hubby Jenkins tells the story of discovering a deep connection with his banjo, and Dr. Njoki McElroy tells the story of an evil happening in Sherman, Texas. Find more of Hubby's music at https://hubbyjenkins.com/, and read more about Dr. McElroy at http://www.drnjokimcelroy.com/. This episode is made possible by the generous support of the Kindred Spirits, our community of supporters on Patreon. For just $5 per month, Kindred Spirits hear our episodes ad-free, and get exclusive access to bonus episodes. If you have the means, please consider joining the Kindred Spirits at http://patreon.com/familyghosts.
Thi Bui tells producer Jennifer Lai about the delicate process of asking her parents about their worst experiences - and the even more delicate process of turning those conversations into works of art. Listen to Jennifer's current project, The Slowdown, here. And find Thi's memoir, “The Best We Could Do,” here. Family Ghosts is made possible thanks to the generous support of the Kindred Spirits, our community of supporters on Patreon. For just $5 per month, Patreon supporters get access to all of our episodes ad-free, as well as exclusive bonus content not available anywhere else. If you have the means, please consider joining the Kindred Spirits at http://patreon.com/familyghosts.
This week, we're celebrating family stories that seem simple on the surface, but are actually the keys to understanding our entire personalities. Featuring comedians Pat Regan and Gastor Almonte. Listen to Pat's podcast, Seek Treatment, and watch Hacks, the show he writes for, on HBO Max. Find more of Gastor's stories on PBS and Comedy Central, and check out his album, Immigrant Made.
Following the tragic murder of his brother Asher, Mac's family finds disparate ways of re-assembling their shattered lives. Mac's essay originally appeared in Gawker.
Everyone in Ian's family gets divorced. Now that he's been married for a few years, he wants to know if his relationship is doomed. Listen to the full series of “Forever Is A Long Time” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you're listening to this. And check out our Patreon page for a longer version of Sam and Ian's conversation from the end of this episode.
"I feel really lucky that Danny is Danny." The conclusion of our miniseries with Jessie Pascarelli. This episode was made possible in part by the generous support of the Kindred Spirits, our community of supporters on Patreon. If you have the means, please consider joining them today for just $5 per month at http://patreon.com/familyghosts.
"You can open up a book and choose a sentence at random, and derive meaning from it." This episode is made possible thanks to the generous support of the Kindred Spirits - our community of supporters on Patreon. Please consider joining them for just $5 per month: http://patreon.com/FamilyGhosts.
For the last few months, Sam's been hard at work with John Stamos (yes, that John Stamos) on a top-secret project. In this special bonus episode, you'll hear a preview of the wild, true story of Barry Keenan, who kidnapped Frank Sinatra, Jr in 1963. Follow “The Grand Scheme: Snatching Sinatra” wherever you listen to podcasts to hear the full story.
Jessie's name is the continuation of her aunt's story. But no one's ever told Jessie the real story of her aunt. This episode is made possible thanks to the generosity of the Kindred Spirits, our community of Patreon supporters. For just $5 per month, Kindred Spirits get ad-free versions of all of our episodes, plus exclusive bonus content you won't find anywhere else. If you have the means, please consider joining them today: http://patreon.com/familyghosts.
“Saving face would not rescue my mother.” Read more of Jiayang's writing for The New Yorker here: https://www.newyorker.com/contributors/jiayang-fan. This episode is made possible thanks to the generous support of the Kindred Spirits, our community of supporters on Patreon. For just $5 per month, Kindred Spirits hear our episodes ad-free, and get access to bonus content that's not available anywhere else. If you have the means, please consider joining them, at http://patreon.com/familyghosts.
"The two of us became the embodiment of the Chinese phrase xiang yi wei ming - mutual reliance - for life." Read more of Jiayang's work here, and find her piece on ghost scams here. This episode is made possible thanks to the generous support of the Kindred Spirits, our community of supporters on Patreon. If you have the means, please consider joining the Kindred Spirits for just $5 per month at http://patreon.com/familyghosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jim grabs the baton, and Gastor sees the face behind the mask. You can hear more of Jim's work on "Blindspot: The Road to 9/11" at https://www.npr.org/podcasts/908344999/blindspot-the-road-to-9-11, and more of Gastor's on "The War Report" at https://anchor.fm/warreportpod. This episode is made possible thanks to the generous support of the Kindred Spirits, our community of supporters on Patreon. If you have the means, please consider joining them at http://patreon.com/familyghosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Andrew tells the family ghost story behind a Family Ghosts story. Learn more about Andrew and hear more of his work at http://gildedaudio.org. Our work is made possible thanks to the generous support of the Kindred Spirits, our community of listeners who commit $5 per month to keeping Family Ghosts in your headphones. If you have the means, please consider joining them at http://patreon.com/familyghosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Louise’s brother Jessie was everyone’s best friend, and so she felt she had to conceal her happiness when he died. Louise tells us about their complicated relationship and the unexpected things that have happened since he passed. This is an episode of a wonderful podcast called "The Secret Room," which you can find and follow wherever you listen to "Family Ghosts," or at http://www.thesecretroompodcast.com. If you're a Patreon supporter, make sure to check out our Kindred Spirits feed, where we've posted an exclusive interview with Ben Hamm, host of "The Secret Room." Thank you for listening, and we'll be back next week with an all-new episode of our show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
When Erin moves to England, her mother presents her with a life-altering choice. Learn more about Erin at her website, https://www.erinhbarker.com/. Hear more of her work on the Story Collider podcast, and The Moth. This episode is brought to you by the Kindred Spirits, our community of supporters on Patreon. For just $5 a month, Kindred Spirits hear our episodes ad-free, get exclusive bonus episodes you won't hear anywhere else, and provide essential support for the work we do here at Family Ghosts. If you have the means, please consider joining them: http://patreon.com/familyghosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sam receives an unexpected message from the past, delivered by a Spiritualist medium in a mysterious town called Lily Dale. Learn more about Tiffany Hopkins at nobox.us/unseen, and find Steven Cantor's work at https://www.stickfigureproductions.com/. You can stream "No One Dies in Lily Dale" here. This episode is made possible thanks to the generous support of the Kindred Spirits, our community of supporters on Patreon. If you have the means, please consider joining them at http://patreon.com/familyghosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
While you're waiting for next week's all-new episode of Family Ghosts, Sam invites you to check out "Missing," a show about families wrestling with the psychic weight of their family ghosts in real time. If you like it, search for "Missing" from Crawlspace Media wherever you're listening to this. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mary Terrier tells the story of a woman who seems to hold all the keys. Read more Mary Terrier at http://maryterrier.com. This episode is made possible thanks to the generous support of the Kindred Spirits, our community of supporters on Patreon. Please consider becoming a member today: http://patreon.com/familyghosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Kimberly King Parsons tells the story of a mother telling a story about her daughter telling a story. Learn more about Kim and buy "Black Light," her collection of stories, here. Family Ghosts wouldn't be possible without the generosity of the Kindred Spirits, our community of supporters on Patreon. If you have the means, please consider joining them for just $5 per month at http://patreon.com/familyghosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Bradford and Paul come to terms with the people they wish their parents could be - and the people they actually are. Find more of Bradford's stories at http://www.bradfordjordan.com/stories. Find Paul's work with TestifyATX here, and his classes at Merlinworks here. This episode is made possible thanks to the generous support of the Kindred Spirits, our community of supporters on Patreon. For just $5 per month, Kindred Spirits get early access to our episodes, hear them ad-free, and get bonus content that doesn't appear here in the main feed. If you have the means, please consider joining them at http://patreon.com/FamilyGhosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sam takes you on a trip to a mysterious boarding house in Mt. Absalom, Ohio - a community riddled with secrets and lost memories. Learn more about Unwell at https://www.unwellpodcast.com. Family Ghosts is made possible thanks to the generous support of the Kindred Spirits, our community on Patreon. For just $5 a month, Kindred Spirits get early access to all our episodes, hear them ad-free, and get exclusive content that's not available anywhere else. If you have the means, please consider joining them at http://patreon.com/familyghosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
After more than thirty years of following roads to nowhere, Kate carves her own path. This episode is made possible by the generous support of the Kindred Spirits. For just $5 per month, Kindred Spirits get early access to all of our episodes, hear them ad-free, and get exclusive bonus content that's not available anywhere else. If you have the means, please consider becoming a member at http://patreon.com/familyghosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Kate flees the haunting silence of Baltimore - but no matter where she goes, Eddy's ghost isn't far behind. After decades of torment, she decides to open her own investigation into her father's disappearance. This episode is made possible thanks to the generous support of the Kindred Spirits - our community of supporters on Patreon. For just $5 per month, Kindred Spirits get early access to all of our episodes, hear them ad-free, and enjoy bonus content not available anywhere else. On top of all that, Kindred Spirits get the good feeling of knowing they’re making the work we do here at WALT FM possible – because the fact is without them, it simply wouldn't be. So if you have the means, please consider becoming a member today at http://patreon.com/familyghosts. And either way, thank you for listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
When an unnatural disaster befalls her family, Kate's demands answers. But no one's willing to talk. Read David Simon's 1992 article about Kate and her family here. This episode is made possible by the generous support of the Kindred Spirits, our community of supporters on Patreon. For just $5 per month, Kindred Spirits enjoy early access to all of our episodes, and hear them ad-free, and also get exclusive bonus content that's not available here in the main feed. If you have the means, please consider joining them at http://patreon.com/familyghosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Introducing the first episode of our first-ever Family Ghosts spinoff: Fisher Family Ghosts, a companion podcast to celebrate the 20-year anniversary of HBO's "Six Feet Under." Join Sam and co-host Adrien Behn (Strangers Abroad) for weekly discussions and debates about the Fisher family, whose fictional exploits in Alan Ball's classic dramedy inspired Sam to create Family Ghosts. If you like what you hear, please subscribe to Fisher Family Ghosts wherever you're listening to this - you'll find two additional episodes already waiting for you in the feed! P.S. Don't forget: season 4 of Family Ghosts premieres one week from today! Talk to you then, Ghost Family. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sam is joined by fellow audio storytellers Eleanor Hyde and TK Dutes for a conversation about the power and pitfalls of subjective storytelling. Listen to Unwell: A Midwestern Gothic Mystery here, and find more of Eleanor's work here. Find The Weeksville Project here, and more of TK's work here. And don't miss the fourth season of Family Ghosts, coming to your headphones on January 14th, 2021! This episode is made possible by the generosity of the Kindred Spirits, our community of supporters on Patreon. For just $5 a month, Kindred Spirits get early access to all of our stories, hear them ad-free, and enjoy exclusive bonus content not available anywhere else. If you have the means, please consider joining them at http://patreon.com/familyghosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sam tells the story of how his uncle unwittingly escorted him to the scummy side of the street. Plus: more news about Season 4 of Family Ghosts, coming your way on January 14th, 2021. Learn more about Robin's show Yum's the Word here. This episode is made possible thanks to the generosity of the Kindred Spirits, our community of supporters on Patreon. For just $5 a month, Kindred Spirits get early, ad-free access to our episodes, bonus content not available here in the main feed, and other cool surprises - this week, they got a sneak peek at the new Season 4 show art. If you have the means, please consider joining them at http://patreon.com/familyghosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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