Flower in the River: A Family Tale Finally Told

Send us Fan Mail Introduction: In episode 50, I uncover the stories and lasting legacy of the German Lutheran communities in Chicago, profoundly affected by the Eastland Disaster of 1915, exploring their resilience and the event's historical significance. Key Points: Lutheran Community’s Role: Highlighting how Lutheran churches served as pivotal social and spiritual support systems for immigr...

Send us Fan Mail Key Highlights of Episode 49: Eastland News Update: An intriguing update from a relative of coroner Peter Hoffman. R ootsTech 2024: The upcoming world's largest genealogy conference is right around the corner. Genealogy as a Swiss Army Knife: Explore the multifaceted tools of genealogy, from DNA analysis to historical research, and how they've helped me piece together my...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to "Flower in the River," where every episode is a journey through forgotten stories and hidden histories. In episode 48, I explore some unlikely and poignant connections to the Eastland Disaster.  The Eastland Disaster Unveiled: Learn about one of the most heart-wrenching tragedies in Chicago's history, where a crowded ship capsized in the Chicago Rive...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Flower in the River Podcast, Episode 47: Coroner's Conundrum: Pete Hoffman & The Eastland Disaster In this episode, we explore more coincidences that intriguingly knit together the fabric of our stories and histories. Join me as we uncover the unexpected intersections of past and present, proving that history is not just around us but occasionally aligns in the...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Episode 46 of Flower in the River Podcast -- "A Switchboard Operator and a Nurse Walk Into a Shipwreck: Unraveling the Eastland Disaster." News from the Newberry ! Photographs, postcards, death records and other materials related to the 1915 tragedy were donated by the Eastland Disaster Historical Society to the Newberry Library (Chicago). The info is availabl...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Episode 45 of Flower the River Podcast , where we will discuss: Email from listener in Austria: I’ll share an exciting update: an email from a family member of George Dobek, one of the victims of the Eastland disaster that I profiled in an earlier podcast episode ( Beyond the Titanic: The Eastland Love Story of George and Theresa) Story of Survival: The incredible story...

Send us Fan Mail Overview: In  Episode 44 of Flower in the River Podcast, I continue exploring  unexplained phenomena like premonitions, synchronicities, and precognition, especially in relation to the Eastland Disaster . This journey includes discussions on Carl Jung's theories, mysterious historical events, and personal stories linked to the Eastland tragedy. Warning: there is a detailed di...

Send us Fan Mail Join Me in Today's Adventure : In this episode, we're diving deep into the fascinating world of genealogy, exploring how unexpected synchronicities and age-old premonitions weave through our search for ancestral connections. I'll share stories and insights into how these mystical elements have surfaced in my research, particularly in relation to the Eastland Disaste...

Send us Fan Mail Come along with me as we traverse the poignant histories of Spring Valley's (IL) coal mining roots and their interwoven tales with the harrowing Eastland Disaster of 1915. The quiet streets of this city bear witness to a story that extends far beyond its borders, a narrative of labor struggles, cultural diversity, and the devastating loss of several of its own to the murky wa...

Send us Fan Mail Come along on an evocative journey through Chicago’s rich baseball heritage, where the crack of the bat resonates with the heartbeats of a diverse immigrant community. This episode weaves a compelling tale of how America’s pastime offered solace and unity during turbulent times, especially leading up to and following the Eastland Disaster of 1915. With insights from sports visiona...

Send us Fan Mail Join us as we journey into the heart of early 20th century Chicago, turning back the hands of time to explore the life and culture of the largest Lithuanian community outside of Lithuania. The raw beauty of Lithuanian folk music, performed by the group Žalvarinis / Robertas Semeniukas sets the stage for our exploration - a poignant reminder of the resilience of this community.  We...

Send us Fan Mail What if you could step back in time and breathe life into the pages of forgotten newspapers, unearthing fascinating tales interwoven with personal stories, tragedy, love, and family connections? That's exactly what happens in Episode 39 of Flower in the River Podcast . We’ll traverse the path of George Dobek and Theresa Danda’s tragic love story, cut short by the Eastland Dis...

Send us Fan Mail Episode 38 of Flower in the River Podcast is dedicated to Donna Loren and Dr. Adam Gerace from "Love's a Secret Weapon" podcast.  It’s not often that you can go on a podcast with a film star and singer that you’ve admired since you were a child--but that happened!  Last month, multitalented film icon and vocal powerhouse, Donna Loren and Dr. Adam Gerace invited me t...

Send us Fan Mail 🌺 Flower in the River Podcast - Episode 37 Show Notes Part 1 - A Poignant Journey with Zara Vrabel (Chapter 6, "Sketching an Unlived Life.") Join us as we follow Zara, our main character, on a heartfelt drive to a cemetery. It's not just any trip; Zara is about to "meet" her long-departed Aunt Martha for the very first time. Imagine the conversations they...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome back episode 36 of the Flower in the River podcast where I share stories and reflections around gratitude, family connections, and finding meaning in timeless tragedies. Highlights The importance of expressing gratitude, all year long. I share an example of feeling grateful after a meaningful conversation with a cousin. Imagining an alternative reality where my Aunt Martha...

Send us Fan Mail Sparkling Start with a Star-Studded Tale: We kick off with a dazzling story! I share how a simple email of gratitude opened doors to an incredible opportunity - being a guest on “Love’s a Secret Weapon” podcast. The host? None other than the iconic Donna Loren, a gem from the 60s! We’re talking a whirlwind of memories from her shining moments in “Playhouse 90,” her groovy times wi...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to all the new listeners, especially those from Ireland! Since there are so many new folks, I provide background on the origin of my podcast, which is tied to my book Flower in the River about the 1915 Eastland Disaster in Chicago. I also talk about the power of world building in genealogy and how understanding our ancestors' times can help us understand them and us b...

Send us Fan Mail In Episode 33, I explore the changing seasons in Minnesota, from the scorching heat of summer, marked by wildfires, to the serene arrival of winter.  I take you through my creative process in crafting podcast artwork and continue discussing Chapter Six, “Sketching an Unlived Life.” This chapter centers on Zara who is tasked with unraveling her tragic family history. Throughout, I...

Send us Fan Mail Episode 32 is a wild blend of personal stories, historical reflections, ancient wisdom, and a sneak peek into the future with voice cloning and multilingual adventures. 📺 YouTube Buzz: Uploaded podcasts featuring Barb Wachholz of the Eastland Disaster Historical Society and dropped some eye-catching YouTube Shorts. 🎤 Tech Adventure & Polyglot-ing Dubbed my voice and translat...

Send us Fan Mail This is P art 2 of the interview with Barb Decker-Wachholz! Here she guides us on a journey through time and unravels the remarkable tapestry of her family's connection to the Eastland Disaster of 1915 in Chicago. But brace yourself, as this story doesn't confine itself to the past; it propels us into the present--and beyond. In 1998, Barb and her family created somethin...

Send us Fan Mail Ready for a story about someone who SURVIVED The Eastland Disaster ? Welcome to Episode 30 of Flower in the River Podcast! Pack your bags as we take a journey filled with courage, resilience, and the unyielding human spirit. We are happy to welcome our guest, Barb Decker Wachholz, who shares her family’s tragic yet inspirational tale of survival during the Eastland Disaster . She...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Episode 29 of Flower in the River Podcast!  What's Cooking Today? A poetic toast to the 100th anniversary of Jun Fujita's "Tanka: Poems in Exile."  Your guide to sniffing out good advice from bad in the Writing & Genealogy Tips corner.  Meet Elly DeAngelo, a character from Flower in the River who was stitched together from some amazing real-life...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever pondered the sheer impact of just one word? Tune in as we unravel the deeply meaningful Zulu term, Sawubona , which simply, but powerfully, means “I see you.” In episode 28, we share the transformative journey of psychologist and writer Susan David, whose life was significantly touched by this single term. Think of Sawubona as a metaphorical embrace from your ancesto...

Send us Fan Mail Ever thought about how a river's journey might mirror our own life's twists and turns? Dive into Episode 27 of Flower in the River podcast where we muse over life's adventures alongside the ever-meandering Chicago River. Like this legendary waterway, weaving its tales of highs and lows through the city, our lives dance to the rhythm of experiences both joyous and ch...

Send us Fan Mail What if the family tales you never heard still echo in your bones? From Carl Jung’s dive into the Collective Unconscious to the mind-bending realm of epigenetics, there’s a world where untold stories wield their power, shaping us from the shadows. In this episode, I delve into the curious phenomenon of feeling the vestiges of past distress and emotional upheavals without ever bein...