Family Ghosts
Society & Culture
WALT FM
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 characters who cast shadows over our lives in ways that might not be immediately obvious. We are all formed in part by our familial collections of secrets, intrigues, and myths. By engaging with each others’ legends, perhaps we can see each others’ realities more clearly. Hosted by Moth Grand Slam winner Sam Dingman, whose stories have been featured on NPR, Risk!, TBTL, and The Moth Radio Hour.
24: Little Stonehenges
Following her father's death, a ghost appears in Natalie's childhood home and refuses to leave. Natalie has spent the last few decades attempting to decode the ominous messages it left behind. ~41~
This episode is made possible by the generous support of the Kindred Spirits, our supporters on Patreon. In addition to early access to all of our episodes, Kindred Spirits hear them ad-free, and get bonus episodes that aren't available anywhere else. This week, they're hearing a story from Sam about a supernatural experience of his own. If you have the means, please consider joining the Kindred Spirits for just $5/month at http://patreon.com/familyghosts. And to learn more about "There Is Evil In This House," the play Natalie wrote based on her haunting, click here: https://newplayexchange.org/users/23061/natalie-dressel.
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53:5705/02/2020
23: Your Ghost
Three stories about the moment when the static dissolves, and a transmission from the past comes through loud and clear. Featuring Sandi Marx (https://www.sandijmarx.com/), Richard Cardillo (https://themoth.org/storytellers/richard-cardillo), Nimisha Ladva (https://twitter.com/nimishaladva), and Maggie Carson (http://maggiecarsonmusic.com). ~41~
This episode is made possible by the generous support of the Kindred Spirits, our supporters on Patreon. For just $5/month, Kindred Spirits get early access to all of our episodes, hear them ad-free, and get exclusive bonus episodes that aren't available anywhere else. If you have the means, please consider joining them at https://www.patreon.com/FamilyGhosts.
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01:04:4029/01/2020
22: The Trove
Mariah travels to a country she's never been to in hopes that she can find a man she's never met: her father. ~41~
This episode is supported in part by the Kindred Spirits - our supporters on Patreon. For just $5 a month, Kindred Spirits get early access to all of our episodes, hear them ad-free, plus exclusive bonus episodes that aren't available anywhere else. This week, they're getting a behind the scenes conversation between Sam and Mariah about the development process for this week's story. If you have the means, please consider joining the Kindred Spirits at http://patreon.com/familyghosts.
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57:3922/01/2020
21: Collateral For Ten Million
Kierran grew up hearing stories about her grandfather's adventures owning diamond mines, tangling with the mafia, robbing banks, and other wild tales. But as she's gotten older, Kierran's starting to realize some of those stories might be total B.S. And if they are, she wants to know why everyone was so willing to let him get away with it. ~41~
The Kindred Spirits, our supporters on Patreon, have already heard this episode ad-free - and they're also getting exclusive bonus episodes you can't hear anywhere else. If you have the means, please consider joining them for just $5 a month at http://patreon.com/familyghosts.
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56:5615/01/2020
20: A Boy In A Story
David tells the story of three unlikely family members who shaped his life. ~41~
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58:0808/01/2020
19: The Clotilda Legacy, Part 3: The Reckoning
Ring the bell so the world will know. ~41~
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45:4718/12/2019
18: The Clotilda Legacy, Part 2: The Stronghold
Joycelyn and Darron try to escape the shadow of the Meaher family's pervasive influence in Africatown. ~41~
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42:2111/12/2019
17: The Clotilda Legacy, Part 1: The Descendants
Africatown is a small community in Mobile, Alabama, where many families share a painful history. For decades, their story has been an open secret - until now. ~41~
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38:4604/12/2019
16b: Bone Hill - Act 2
Martha's family makes a home on Black Mountain, and reckons with the past.
"From whence we came, we shall return. From the old ways, our lessons learned." - Martha Redbone
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01:00:0903/07/2019
16a: Bone Hill - Act 1
Martha's family has their land stolen, and then their identity. More than a hundred years later, Martha wants to set the record straight.
"In the still of our hollows, we hear the calling of our Lord. Black coal is running through our veins." - Martha Redbone
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46:3503/07/2019
15: A Settling in the Bones
Kirya's childhood home was haunted by two elusive ghosts - the fleeting presences of her grandfathers, neither of whom she knew much about. When she discovers an old audio cassette recording of herself making up songs and stories about the world she thought she understood, she decides it's time to seek out some real answers.
"Here's to missed beginnings, and things that never start - for these are the ghosts that run around in my heart. When I see that where I'm going isn't where I want to be, I get the urge to call you up, and see if you would come and meet me." - Slaid Cleaves
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53:1526/06/2019
14: The Sasquatch of Spring Valley
After Asher's uncle dies, the family goes to clean out his apartment, and discovers a box of love letters from a woman they've never met.
"Yes, you call me in the morning. You call me in the morning - I'll tell you what to do if you call me in the morning." -Harry Nilsson
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54:2819/06/2019
13: June & George
Kimberly's grandparents find themselves imprisoned without cause. When they're released, they refuse to talk about it, leaving Kimberly and her family with a lot of questions about what happened.
"Try to separate a man from his soul. You only strengthen him and lose your own." - Brother Ali
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48:3212/06/2019
12: The Chinese Food Incident
A mysterious burglary has haunted the Falco family for 25 years. This week, we try to catch the thief.
"What comes easy, you better hold on to. Because when it gets tough, believe me when I tell you: all you got is what you been through." - Melissa Ferrick
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51:4305/06/2019
11: His Minor Years
A souvenir from from Meara's great-uncle turns out to be a clue about a scandal that almost tore her family apart.
"I've got a box of old photographs - mostly pictures of you. I never look at those pictures anymore - I guess you got your negatives, too. They're playin' oldies on the radio - kick the clutch and shift the gears. You can drive all night long, but you can't get there from here." - Trout Fishing In America
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59:0929/05/2019
10: The Love Family, Part 3 - Constance & Composure
Posey tries to uncover the connection between the loss of her mother and her parents' time in the Love Family.
"I've lived my whole life for it to come down to this. Remember me if I forget." - Charlie Parr
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01:03:2622/05/2019
9: The Love Family, Part 2 - Vision & Completion
Love is real.
"Those of us who are lost and low - we know how you feel. We know it's not right, but it's real." - Laura Marling
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44:0915/05/2019
8: The Love Family, Part 1 - Love & Logic
After a fateful acid trip in 1967, a man named Paul tries to build his ideal family.
"You and I both know that the house is haunted. You and I both know that the ghost is me." - Shakey Graves
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57:4215/05/2019
7: None Of Your Business
Sam discovers he has an uncle he never knew about. He starts asking questions his father never thought he'd have to answer - and gets answers he never knew he needed.
For more information about our show, please visit our website: http://familyghostspodcast.com. And if you have a story you'd like us to consider for a possible future season, don't hesitate to email us: [email protected].
Thank you for listening to the first season of Family Ghosts - where every house is haunted.
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51:3220/12/2017
6: That You Should Be Happy
Micaela is haunted by a recurring dream - a vision from her family's harrowing past. This week, she tries to figure out what it means.
Follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @famghoshow.
Thank you for listening! Learn more about Micaela Blei at her website: https://www.micaelablei.com/.
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52:1613/12/2017
5: Lookin' Good, Charlie
After his dad dies when Mark is only 14, Mark is forced to make his way without much guidance - his only memories of his father are tender, stubbly hugs and an old leather shaving kit. What did Mark's dad mean to him? And will he ever kill it in a dance montage?
For our full episode archive and lots more information about our show, visit our brand-new website: http://familyghosts.panoply.fm. For more stories like this one, listen to Mark's podcast, "Other Men Need Help."
Find us on Twitter and Instagram: @famghoshow.
Thank you for listening!
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01:00:1006/12/2017
4: A Spirit of Vengeance
NOTE: This episode contains graphic descriptions of violence.
Jill grew up hearing the terrifying legend of Austin Riddick, who her mom always called "the crazy man from Mississippi." But as an adult, she starts to question her mom's version of the story. The closer she gets to the truth about Austin, the closer she comes to confronting the truth about herself.
Find our show on Twitter and Instagram: @famghoshow.
Thanks for listening to the show!
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48:1429/11/2017
3: Sue's Clues
When Nick's grandfather died in 1994, something bizarre happened: his aunt Susan stole the body and hid it. Susan died shortly thereafter, and for the last twenty-three years, Nick and his family have agonized over his grandfather's whereabouts - but much to Nick's frustration, never enough to actually try and find him.
This week, Nick asks "Family Ghosts" host Sam Dingman to see what he can do.
Find us on Twitter and Instagram: @famghoshow.
Thanks for listening!
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58:0022/11/2017
2: No Brown Spots
Everything changed for Caila on June 22, 2010. On today's episode, she finally confronts the truth about what happened that night.
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59:0515/11/2017
1: The Family Jewels
One afternoon in 1961, a mysterious woman in sunglasses wandered into my grandfather's jewelry shop and stole his heart. Two years later, she vanished without a trace, leaving his life and career in ruins. For years, that's all I knew about her - until a few months ago, when I decided to start asking questions.
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50:4223/03/2017