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Family Secrets

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Family Secrets. We all have them. And while the discovery of family secrets can initially be terrifying or traumatic, often these discoveries have the power to liberate, heal, and even uplift us. Join Dani Shapiro, bestselling author of the memoir Inheritance, and her guests as they explore astonishing family secrets and uncover the extraordinary lessons the truth can teach us.
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Episodes

I Dug it Up

Growing up, Whit was extremely close with her mother. But when she becomes pregnant in her twenties, her mother extracts herself entirely; she spends the rest of her life pretending as if Whit simply does not exist. Why? To answer this burning question, Whit must dig and dig and dig. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 06, 20241 hrSeason 10Ep. 1

Family Secrets: Season 10 Trailer

Welcome to the 10th season of Family Secrets. Join us starting June 6th for new stories about identity, connection, and how we all long for the truth. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 30, 20242 min

A Message from Dani

Season 10 will launch in June; in the meantime, here’s an update on all things Family Secrets, some of which hit quite close to home. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 14, 20246 min

A Virtuosic Patient

Alice’s upbringing is one of simultaneous excess and absence, and in the deep canyon between the two, she loses herself entirely. In order to finally find herself and heal, she must confront the complicated truths and lies told by her artist parents. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jan 11, 202453 minSeason 9Ep. 10

An Answer to the Offness

Maggie made a life for herself as a successful poet, wife, and proud mother of two. But after years of marriage, she sensed something to be terribly off. When her intuition led to a painful discovery, she could finally claim her truth and grow. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jan 04, 202449 minSeason 9Ep. 9

You Belong to the Mystery

Her paternity. Her health. Her very self. For many years, these are all mysteries to Kimberly. As she reckons with this myriad of unknowns, she learns more than she ever expected to know. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 28, 20231 hr 7 minSeason 9Ep. 8

The Self I Could Have Been

In his journey toward self-discovery, Shane must reconstruct his past by cobbling together memories of his kidnapping, upbringing, and the enormous swell of questions which once defined his identity. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 21, 202331 minSeason 9Ep. 7

This Was All Supposed to be Secret

Susan takes great lengths and risks to get answers about her biological family. But sometimes, in the world of family secrets, these kinds of answers beget more questions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 14, 202358 minSeason 9Ep. 6

As Bad As a Lie

Brittany’s early life is defined by the road; she and her mom are vagabonds of sorts, never settling for too long in one place. But at least they have each other. That is, until they don’t. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 07, 202349 minSeason 9Ep. 5

Sail On

When Sarah is a young child, her parents vanish at sea. They are never found. How does she mourn what she cannot remember? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 30, 202330 minSeason 9Ep. 4

Because of William

Daniel grows up idolizing William, his friend and future brother-in-law. William is adventurous, effervescent and inspiring. But William has other attributes, too—secrets locked inside himself and when they come out, Daniel’s world unravels. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 23, 202354 minSeason 9Ep. 3

A Holiday Message from Dani

Happy Thanksgiving to our Family Secrets family. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 22, 20234 min

How Long the Dying Went On

It started with a wreck – a car accident steeped in the history of Cassandra’s family. When she learns about the accident and the secrets it bore, she can at last begin to understand who she is, and who she will become. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 16, 20231 hr 8 minSeason 9Ep. 2

Hall of Mirrors

Nobody thinks they’re joining a cult. Certainly not the children who are born into it. When, over time, Mikel learns the truths about his childhood, a whole world of information can finally crystalize. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 09, 202354 minSeason 9Ep. 1

Family Secrets: Season 9 Trailer

Join us on November 9th for new stories of resilience, memory, and the way in which long-held family secrets so often need out. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 02, 20233 min

Bonus: A Conversation with Dr. Ruth Faden

Today’s Great Minds bonus episode features scholar of bioethics and founder of The John Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics, Dr. Ruth Faden. She and Dani take a deep dive into the thematic waters of a powerful family secrets story from our second season. Take a listen to 'The Loving Choice' here. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Oct 19, 202335 min

Prepare for Our Next Great Mind!

Tune in next week for our next Great Minds bonus conversation with renowned scientist, academic, and founder of the Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics, Ruth Faden. We’ll be speaking about an unforgettable family secrets story from our second season. Take a listen to that episode in advance here ! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Oct 12, 20232 min

Bonus: A Conversation with Kris Carr

For this week’s Great Minds bonus episode, Dani sits down with bestselling author Kris Carr to explore the moving themes and meanings woven into a Family Secrets story from Season 6. Listen to Trent Preszler’s episode, ’Taxidermied Duck’ here . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 05, 202327 min

Get Ready for Another Great Minds Conversation!

Next week’s bonus conversation is with bestselling author and wellness leader, Kris Carr. We’ll be unpacking a moving and memorable Family Secrets episode from Season 6. Take a listen to that episode in advance! Listen to Trent Preszler’s episode, 'Taxidermied Duck' here . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Sep 28, 20232 min

Bonus: A Conversation with Dr. Mark Epstein

As part of this special bonus series, Dani and great mind Dr. Mark Epstein explore the powerful themes that underscore a memorable Family Secrets story from our third season. Listen to David Kacyznski's episode, 'What's Wrong With Teddy?' here . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 21, 202338 min

Get Ahead of Our Next Conversation with Great Minds!

Next week’s bonus conversation is with one of our favorite writers and thinkers, about an unusual and unforgettable Family Secrets episode. Listeners are encouraged to revisit the past episode in advance! Listen to David Kacyznski's episode, 'What's Wrong With Teddy?' here . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Sep 14, 20232 min

Bonus: A New Conversation with Dr. Galit Atlas

In the first episode of this special bonus series, Dani and great mind Dr. Galit Atlas unpack the themes presented in a memorable Family Secrets story from our third season. Listen to Adam Frankel's episode, 'Bubbe and Zayde and Grandma and Pa' here . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 07, 202333 min

Exciting News!

Dani announces a new bonus series of conversations with great minds coming soon! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 31, 20232 min

Bonus: A New Conversation with Jennifer Senior

In this bonus episode, Dani sits down with Pulitzer Prize Winning Writer Jennifer Senior about her latest cover story in The Atlantic - ‘Those We Sent Away’ - which explores her own family secret. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 17, 202349 min

A Message from Dani

As we prepare for Season Nine, Dani pauses to say hello to our Family Secrets family. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 13, 20232 min

You Can Run

In the second part of this inspiring two-part episode, writer and musician Jessica Willis Fisher finishes her powerful story of survival. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 06, 202333 minSeason 8Ep. 10

Total Depravity

In the first part of this harrowing two-part episode, writer and musician Jessica Willis Fisher courageously speaks the unspeakable truths of the abuse she faced at the hands of her father. But this is just the beginning. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 29, 202357 minSeason 8Ep. 9

Daddy Will Never Read Vogue

From the outside, Priscilla’s family life looks dazzling. Her parents are both revered in the literary community and she and her sister grow up in an artistic home. But things change when their parents decide to do something they said they never would: they divorce. After this, their father’s hidden life begins to rise to the surface. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 22, 20231 hr 8 minSeason 8Ep. 8

The 11:11 Wish

Kyleigh and her older sister Kait couldn’t be closer. They lean on one another all throughout childhood. But at a certain point, Kait’s mental health begins to fray and with it, so does Kyleigh’s grip on her relationship with her beloved sister. When Kait disappears, Kyleigh is left to grapple with incredible loss and the painful reality of questions that can never be answered. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 15, 202337 minSeason 8Ep. 7

World Class Liars

Letty’s life is laced with “shanda”—the Yiddish word for shame or disgrace. And the shanda is not hers alone; it stretches back and through many generations of suppression, secrecy, and the enormous heft of overcoming stigma and breaking the cycle for once and for all. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 08, 202347 minSeason 8Ep. 6
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