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?
Family Lore is a weekly narrative podcast that celebrates and investigates ancestral mystique. Each episode begins with a guest sharing a fascinating family legend, followed by a historical deep-dive to uncover the truth and meaning behind the tale.
Whether it’s a grandfather who flew before the Wright Brothers, a great-aunt who invented the margarita, or a great-uncle who killed a Texas ranching scion, each story offers an intimate glimpse into the familial fables that captivate us.
Family Lore is an Audacy original podcast.
For more compelling stories of American history, listen to Cement City and Hope, Through History (with Jon Meacham and The HISTORY® Channel), available in this feed.
Latest episodes
Showing 20 · updated from the feed
Natural History
A Bronx woman with a difficult upbringing decides to figure out where she came from. Her journey leads her to a grandfather whose work is admired by millions.
Jul 15 29 min
Alina In Exile
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
Jul 8 39 min
The King's Life Guard
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,
Jul 1 36 min
Remaking The World
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 realiz
Jun 24 30 min
Father Figure
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
Jun 17 36 min
Ann, The Witch
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.
Jun 10 38 min
The Pirate Connection
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 foun
Jun 3 32 min
Portrait of a Lady
The granddaughter of a prolific Jewish art collector who fled Europe during World War II embarks on a quest to recover the looted art.
May 27 35 min
Chasing Diamonds
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.
May 20 31 min
The Power of Family Stories
Author Bruce Feiler discusses the fascinating links between family stories and the elusive concept of happiness.
May 13 35 min
The Real Rosie
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 bec
May 6 36 min
A Texas Feud
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.
Apr 29 45 min
The Grandfather of Snowboarding
Did a family man's backyard invention change the world of outdoor sports?
Apr 22 31 min
If Mosquito Hawks Can Fly
A Louisiana man born into slavery designs an airship with hopes to take flight. Those plans are interrupted, but maybe not forever.
Apr 15 40 min
The Unsinkable Margarita Sames
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?
Apr 8 28 min
Introducing Family Lore
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 fict
Apr 7 2 min
Cement City: Episode 10 | A Thousand Pairs of Untied Shoes
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 colle
Nov 6 2024 56 min
Cement City: Episode 9 | No Indictments
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.
Nov 6 2024 1 h 00 min
Cement City: Episode 8 | Don’t Bitch About the Smog
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.
Oct 30 2024 50 min
Cement City: Episode 7 | Make Sure You Take Care of Vicki
Donora to the rescue!... of itself. Jeanne Marie and Erin discover the intricacies of Donora self-provided, self-maintained, totally improvised safety net.
Oct 23 2024 45 min
What listeners say
A curated, balanced selection of Apple Podcasts reviews.
Your reporting is excellent. Thank you for telling the compelling story of this town and introducing listeners to the people and community. I need an update! Did they get the community college?
tidetchr · Dec 2024
This is my favorite kind of storytelling. Ambling and free wheeling, honest and goofy. On top of being a wonderful exploration of what makes people stay in a dying town, it hilariously shows how absolutely awkward being an on the ground reporter can be. The moment where the mayoral candidate waxes poetically and Jeanne Marie and Erin let out this big sigh and laugh at how well spoken he is made me laugh out loud. It’s a moment most journalists would have edited out to keep the mystic of objectivity but their transparency is the heart of the podcast. Really really well done!
Bhudsdjoijh · Dec 2024
I so enjoyed this show. The quality of the reporting is what makes the story so compelling while also easy to follow, even with all of the Jims! My family is from Donora, and I spent so much time on those streets decades ago with my siblings and cousins. It was a gift to hear a series about a place I hold dear, I hope there is another season! Thank you!
Mjbuser · Dec 2024
This is a fascinating podcast that lets you get lost in the stories of the individuals that make and break a community. Jeanne Marie and Erin’s storytelling methods are really wonderful. It was also incredible to listen to the story of this contentious small election as we lived through a a larger version in our national election.
thedroegeproblem · Nov 2024
This show was a narrow portrait of a small town that never went anywhere and got lost in the gossip and local political infighting. It may be interesting to people who live in this tiny place, but there’s no appeal for a wider audience.
654258996 · Nov 2024
We strive to present a balanced view by showing a diverse range of reviews from Apple Podcasts.
Here you find the Apple Podcasts chart positions of Family Lore, its latest episodes to listen to directly, and reviews from listeners. Rankings are updated daily for the United States.
