"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 did...
Jun 05, 2024•36 min•Season 5Ep. 17
Introducing "The Burden," from legendary investigative reporter (and longtime friend of the Ghost Family) Steve Fishman. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 19, 2024•22 min•Season 5Ep. 16
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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Aug 31, 2023•8 min•Season 5Ep. 15
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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Apr 19, 2023•1 hr 1 min
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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Apr 05, 2023•1 hr 4 min•Season 5Ep. 14
An important update about Family Ghosts, and a reprise of a timely tale. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jul 01, 2022•2 hr 38 min•Season 5Ep. 13
Josh Ritter tells Jayson De Leon about charting a course through the unknown. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jun 17, 2022•42 min•Season 5Ep. 12
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...
Jun 03, 2022•37 min•Season 5Ep. 11
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. Learn more about your ad choice...
May 21, 2022•33 min•Season 5Ep. 10
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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
May 06, 2022•32 min•Season 5Ep. 9
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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Apr 22, 2022•34 min•Season 5Ep. 8
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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Apr 08, 2022•57 min•Season 5Ep. 7
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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 25, 2022•44 min•Season 5Ep. 6
Craig learns the truth about the end of his Uncle Larry's life - and finds 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. Learn ...
Mar 11, 2022•1 hr 2 min•Season 5Ep. 5
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. Learn more abou...
Feb 25, 2022•42 min•Season 5Ep. 4
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! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Feb 12, 2022•46 min•Season 5Ep. 3
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://patr...
Jan 27, 2022•44 min•Season 5Ep. 2
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 Spiri...
Jan 14, 2022•42 min•Season 5Ep. 1
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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dec 31, 2021•36 min•Season 4Ep. 26
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. Learn more about your...
Dec 17, 2021•50 min•Season 4Ep. 25
Stories about rediscovering home in unexpected ways. Featuring Micaela Blei and Jeff Simmermon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dec 03, 2021•38 min•Season 4Ep. 24
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! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Nov 19, 2021•35 min•Season 4Ep. 23
Sam gets a ghostly answer to a decade-old question. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nov 05, 2021•39 min•Season 4Ep. 22
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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 25, 2021•15 min
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 Spirit...
Oct 21, 2021•43 min•Season 4Ep. 21
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 o...
Oct 07, 2021•38 min•Season 4Ep. 20
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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 24, 2021•42 min•Season 4Ep. 19
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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 10, 2021•1 hr 8 min•Season 4Ep. 18
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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Aug 26, 2021•58 min•Season 4Ep. 17
"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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Aug 13, 2021•30 min•Season 4Ep. 16
