Pack One Bag

Pack One Bag

Author: WALT FM June 5, 2024 Duration: 35:50
"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 didn't make it out of the country and were forced to flee their homes? What responsibility does David have to his family's past - and to its future? It's an epic story of love, longing, separation, redemption, and the malleability of historical memory. And it just so happens to feature the voice talents of Signore Stanley Tucci! Your humble Ghost Host Sam worked closely with David for over two years as the story editor on "Pack One Bag," and we're excited to introduce you to the first episode. If you like it, follow the series in your podcast player of choice. Thank you for listening! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There’s a presence in every family tree, a story whispered at reunions or buried in old letters. Family Ghosts, from WALT FM, digs into those lingering family legends, the enigmatic relatives whose true stories have shaped generations in unseen ways. This isn’t about paranormal activity, but the very real, often unresolved mysteries that haunt our own histories. Each episode is a deep investigation into a single figure-perhaps a grandmother rumored to have been a jewel smuggler, an uncle who maintained a double life, or a sibling who disappeared without explanation. Through careful research and intimate storytelling, the podcast uncovers the facts and fictions surrounding these ghostly characters. Listeners will hear how these ancestral shadows influence family dynamics, secrets, and identities, revealing that we are all, in part, constructed from these inherited fragments of mystery. It’s a thoughtful exploration of memory, truth, and the silent forces within our lineages, making for a compelling listen that sits at the rich intersection of society and culture. Tune in to discover what, or who, might be quietly haunting your own story.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 78

Family Ghosts
Podcast Episodes
BONUS: Snatching Sinatra [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:04
For the last few months, Sam's been hard at work with John Stamos (yes, that John Stamos) on a top-secret project. In this special bonus episode, you’ll hear a preview of the wild, true story of Barry Keenan, who kidnapp…
42:  The Namesake - Part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:37
Jessie's name is the continuation of her aunt's story. But no one's ever told Jessie the real story of her aunt. This episode is made possible thanks to the generosity of the Kindred Spirits, our community of Patreon sup…
41: Motherland - Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:04
“Saving face would not rescue my mother.” Read more of Jiayang’s writing for The New Yorker here: https://www.newyorker.com/contributors/jiayang-fan. This episode is made possible thanks to the generous support of the Ki…
40: Motherland - Part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:31
“The two of us became the embodiment of the Chinese phrase xiang yi wei ming - mutual reliance for life." Read more of Jiayang's work here, and find her piece on ghost scams here. This episode is made possible thanks to…
39: The Old Block [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:55
Jim grabs the baton, and Gastor sees the face behind the mask. You can hear more of Jim's work on "Blindspot: The Road to 9/11" at https://www.npr.org/podcasts/908344999/blindspot-the-road-to-9-11, and more of Gastor's o…
38: The Reality Map (or The Faith Exam, Part 2) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:36
Andrew tells the family ghost story behind a Family Ghosts story. Learn more about Andrew and hear more of his work at http://gildedaudio.org. Our work is made possible thanks to the generous support of the Kindred Spiri…
37: The Walls of Jericho [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:37
When Erin moves to England, her mother presents her with a life-altering choice. Learn more about Erin at her website, https://www.erinhbarker.com/. Hear more of her work on the Story Collider podcast, and The Moth. This…
36: Still Close [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:28
Sam receives an unexpected message from the past, delivered by a Spiritualist medium in a mysterious town called Lily Dale. Learn more about Tiffany Hopkins at [nobox.us/unseen](nobox.us/unseen), and find Steven Cantor's…
35: Guests [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:14
Mary Terrier tells the story of a woman who seems to hold all the keys. Read more Mary Terrier at http://maryterrier.com. This episode is made possible thanks to the generous support of the Kindred Spirits, our community…
34: Foxes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:21
Kimberly King Parsons tells the story of a mother telling a story about her daughter telling a story. Learn more about Kim and buy "Black Light," her collection of stories, here. Family Ghosts wouldn't be possible withou…