Family Lore

Alina Fernandez was a small child when the Cuban Revolution spilled onto the streets of Havana. The Revolution's leader, Fidel Castro, would appear on television, giving speeches that would often run for hours. Then, when the speeches were over and the television was turned off, Fidel Castro would appear in her living room.

A man who grew up with little to no information about his family history encounters a 380-year-old tale about war and royalty. And with the help of a British researcher, new information is discovered.

David Belden was born into the upper echelons of Moral Re-Armament, a spiritual movement that hoped to save the world. It wasn't until later in his life that David realized he was in a cult.

Acclaimed magazine writer Tom Junod investigates the history of his father, his family, and himself.  In the process of writing his memoir - In The Days Of My Youth I Was Told What It Means To Be A Man - he discovers an explanatory secret.  

A family discovers an ancestor who was convicted at the Salem Witch Trials. And they take umbrage with the fact that she was never pardoned.

While connecting the dots between her family and the infamous New Orleans pirates, Jean and Pierre Laffite, a self-taught genealogist discovers a family secret.  The founder of the Laffite Society has his own secret connection to the pirates. 

The granddaughter of a prolific Jewish art collector who fled Europe during World War II embarks on a quest to recover the looted art.

A Dutch retiree never knew what his father experienced in Nazi-occupied Amsterdam.  But when he finds his father's journal, he discovers some unfinished business.  

Author Bruce Feiler discusses the fascinating links between family stories and the elusive concept of happiness.

During World War II, posters featuring a brash and beautiful woman inspired others to take up factory jobs and support America's war effort. "Rosie The Riveter" would become a symbol of American gumption. But was Rosie a real person?

A love triangle between ranching families in the Texas Panhandle has fatal consequences.  Over a 100 years later, the killer's great-niece revives the story. 

Did a family man's backyard invention change the world of outdoor sports?

A Louisiana man born into slavery designs an airship with hopes to take flight. Those plans are interrupted, but maybe not forever. 

The margarita is arguably the most famous cocktail in the world. But have you ever stopped to wonder who was the first to make it?

All families tell stories about themselves. Those stories are passed down, and like an intergenerational game of telephone, the details sometimes change from fact to fiction. But have you ever wondered how much of the lore is actually true? Welcome to Season 1 of Family Lore, a weekly narrative podcast that celebrates and investigates the tales we hear at home.

Jeanne Marie and Erin are closing in on a year in Donora. At Twinkle Bright Night they face existential questions: Will the new mayor save council? Is the community college going to come? What’s gonna happen to this town, anyway? But first things first: will Jeanne Marie and Erin ever leave?

It’s the general election! Yancey vs. Ed! The future of Donora is on the line, and ballot tampering and election denialism are in the air.

Other towns have apples. Or pumpkin festivals. Donora has smog. Mayor Piglet sees this as an opportunity, and Donora is totally transformed — if only for a day.

Donora to the rescue!... of itself. Jeanne Marie and Erin discover the intricacies of Donora self-provided, self-maintained, totally improvised safety net.

There’s trouble everywhere. Jeanne Marie and Erin realize what the town has always known: This town isn’t on anyone’s radar. No one is coming in to help.

Indictments! Scandal and intrigue! The s***show on council is worse than anyone could have imagined. 

It’s Election Day. A ragtag group of rookies is promising change and looking for a clean sweep. Jeanne Marie sees a potential hero and falls hard.

It’s gridlock on council and nothing’s getting done. An upcoming election feels like the only ray of hope.

Donora has no banks, no gas stations, no schools. Jeanne Marie and Erin discover the one thing that could bring the town back to life.

Jeanne Marie and Erin wander off the highway into Donora, Pa, a dying town with a dark secret. They decide to buy a house. A solid concrete house. In a neighborhood called Cement City.