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Society & Culture · Family Secrets

Family Secrets

by Family Secrets

Family Secrets. We all have them. And while the discovery of family secrets can initially be terrifying or traumatic, often these discoveries have the power to liberate, heal, and even uplift us. Join Dani Shapiro, bestselling author of the memoir Inheritance, and her guests as they explore astonishing family secrets and uncover the extraordinary lessons the truth can teach us.

Latest episodes

Showing 20 · updated from the feed

Two Skirts, Two Shirts, One Dress, No Hair Dryer

#21 trending · Society & Culture

Bonnie is raised in a cult— but at the time she doesn’t even know it. She only knows extreme isolation and abuse. And what she’ll come to know is that she must break free

Oct 29
57 min

We Are the Short Family

As Ciaran uncovers dark and hidden truths about his family, he must ask himself: what's in a name? And what's not? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/ad

Oct 22
35 min

Something Happened to Susan

A trip to France. An act of profound violence. A marriage--a whole world-- forever changed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 15
47 min

Dear Dealer

Nadia and Sasha are The Bowers Sisters. But when tragedy strikes, one sister must investigate all she's lost, and all she's never known. Learn more about your ad choices

Oct 8
47 min

Coming Soon: New Episodes, New Secrets!

Family Secrets is back! And with more secrets and stories than ever before. Make sure to download, resubscribe, and tune in next week, October 8th, for an extraordinary c

Oct 1
1 min

A Skirt Caught on Fire

In our extraordinary season finale, Mary Afsari shows us how our unknowable pasts—the tragedies, traumas, and truths—can shape a future and change a life. Many lives, in

Jul 9
57 min

I Think You Should Stop Talking

When Emily returns from a family trip, she tells people she has a “crazy story” but it’s more than that. It’s always more than that.  See omnystudio.com/listener for priv

Jul 2
1 h 07 min

Have You Seen Her?

Casey’s biological mother doesn’t want to be found. But still, Casey seeks to find her. Needs to. And when she does, a deluge of truth pours forth.  See omnystudio.com/li

Jun 25
56 min

Have You Ever Seen a Body Like This?

Tom’s father takes up all the oxygen in the room with a presence that's larger than life. Larger, in fact, than the many lives he keeps hidden from his wife and children.

Jun 18
1 h 13 min

Making Yourself Up

For most of her life, Darcy’s identity is a mystery. Who’s her mother? Who’s her father? And who, in the end, is she? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 11
57 min

We Heard Everything

A childhood rife with political upheavel, violence and loss. An adulthood overtaken by distrust and manipulation. And then, finally, the truest friend and companion -- a

Jun 4
1 h 11 min

Nobody Liked Their Nickname

When tragedy befalls Laurie’s crowded family, she and her eight remaining siblings—and their deeply detached and peculiar parents—must navigate the unthinkable. And too,

May 28
48 min

Hijacked

First: a hidden sibling. Then: an unbelievably harrowing hostage situation. As Mimi moves through life, she must confront the scarring secrets stacked against her. See om

May 21
57 min

Mrs. America

Growing up, Jackie is a self-described “girl’s girl” in family full of women - surrounded by her sister, mother, and several loving aunts. But a generational secret has b

May 14
1 h 03 min

Strangers

A seemingly perfect marriage—a whole life—shatters overnight when Belle discovers her husband’s betrayal and uncovers the silences and stories that have come to define he

May 7
1 h 21 min

Coming Soon: Family Secrets Season 14

Join us for a new season of Family Secrets. We're back with 10 new stories starting May 7th. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad

Apr 30
2 min

A Thank You From Dani for Season 13

A message from Dani, with an update on the next season of Family Secrets. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit meg

Jan 29
1 min

Homeschooled

After being coerced into homeschool by a mother whose love threatens to consume him, Stefan must confront how an isolated childhood shrouded in secrecy will shape his lif

Jan 22
1 h 20 min

Should We Do This?

Marion and Tony are madly, deeply in love. But there are obstacles to their relationship, namely Tony’s sexual preference. When Tony loses his life to AIDS, Marion discov

Jan 15
41 min

The Mixed Marriage Project

In his locked study, Dorothy’s father works on his book. For years. And years. And years. But it’s not until after his death that Dorothy uncovers the secrets in between

Jan 8
1 h 04 min

Chart trend

Position in the Society & Culture chart (US), last 90 days.

#12
all-time peak
16
days in the top 50 since Nov 2024

Chart positions

Where Family Secrets ranks today in each Apple Podcasts chart (US, Oct 30, 2026).

#128 ▲ 26 Society & Culture US

What listeners say

A curated, balanced selection of Apple Podcasts reviews.

Just found Family Secrets and couldn’t stop listening. These stories feel both singular and shared — proof that the most personal truths are often the most universal. Beautifully told and utterly captivating.

With love Janice · Feb 2026

Family Secrets documents how family histories shape so many lives bringing to light powerful dynamics, generational pain and paths towards healing. I highly recommend.

GAÉ BOOK · Feb 2026

Wow ! I just finished listening to WITHOUT TELLING ME for the second time and shared it with so many people. The reason I listened again was because I didn’t want it to end and I wanted there to be more and more. What a beautiful heart rendering true story from the heart. This should be a movie and so right , back those days the family secrets were taken to the grave ! Thank you Dani for sharing , all the best for 2026

shellsdbn · Dec 2025

I look forward to each new episode and have enjoyed listening to the various family secrets shared. I too have been rocked by finding out I'm at the center of a family secret, and listening to this podcast has been comforting. It's giving me strength to speak my truth because secrecy and shame are so damaging. The commercials are annoying though

Patti3456 · Dec 2024

As a divorced mother who actually has to work, this episode is so out of touch. You went to elite schools and became a lawyer. You inherited money. You had two homes. Try living off one salary without alimony or child support and having to pay rent that is exponentially more than you can afford. Try paying with pennies to buy groceries because that’s all you have. This episode is a slap in the face to single mothers who are actually trying to make ends meet.

Check1check2check3 · May 2026

Hi Dani, in the band of men episode, I heard your laugh while discussing the atrocities faced by these boys, now men. It didn’t sit well. It’s also really disturbing to have the Disney cruise adverts on the episode because of the context. The ad glamorizes leaving your kid in Mickey’s care while adults can go get a massage or have a drink. Then in the testimony you hear what happened to these kids who were left alone in this man’s care.

luckiley · Feb 2026

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About Family Secrets on Reason.fm

Here you find the Apple Podcasts chart positions of Family Secrets, its latest episodes to listen to directly, and reviews from listeners. Rankings are updated daily for the United States.

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