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Family Ghosts

78 EpisodesProduced by WALT FMWebsite

Every house is haunted. In each episode of Family Ghosts, we investigate the true story behind a mysterious figure whose legend has followed a family for generations. Grandmothers who were secretly jewel smugglers, uncles who led double lives, siblings who vanished without a trace, and other ghostly… read more

78 Episodes | 2017 - 2024

Season 1 Trailer: Every House Is Haunted

March 21st, 2017

1:06

Coming November 15th: true stories of the spirits that haunt our family histories. Each week, we'll bring you a different family's attempt to exorcise their ghost.

Our pilot episode, "The Family Jewels," produced as …

1: The Family Jewels

March 23rd, 2017

46:53

One afternoon in 1961, a mysterious woman in sunglasses wandered into my grandfather's jewelry shop and stole his heart. Two years later, she …

2: No Brown Spots

November 15th, 2017

54:15

Everything changed for Caila on June 22, 2010. On today's episode, she finally confronts the truth about what happened that night.

3: Sue's Clues

November 22nd, 2017

53:10

When Nick's grandfather died in 1994, something bizarre happened: his aunt Susan stole the body and hid it. Susan died shortly thereafter, and for …

4: A Spirit of Vengeance

November 29th, 2017

43:25

NOTE: This episode contains graphic descriptions of violence.

Jill grew up hearing the terrifying legend of Austin Riddick, who her mom always …

5: Lookin' Good, Charlie

December 6th, 2017

55:20

After his dad dies when Mark is only 14, Mark is forced to make his way without much guidance - his only memories of his father are tender, stubbly …

6: That You Should Be Happy

December 13th, 2017

47:27

Micaela is haunted by a recurring dream - a vision from her family's harrowing past. This week, she tries to figure out what it means.

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7: None Of Your Business

December 20th, 2017

46:42

Sam discovers he has an uncle he never knew about. He starts asking questions his father never thought he'd have to answer - and gets answers he never knew he needed.

For more information about our show, please visit …

Season 2 Trailer: We Never Really Talked About Our Past

May 1st, 2019

2:42

The official trailer for Season 2 of our show. New episodes begin on May 15th.

"I've been told there is a power in the blood. Is it enough? Is it …

8: The Love Family, Part 1 - Love & Logic

May 15th, 2019

50:53

After a fateful acid trip in 1967, a man named Paul tries to build his ideal family.

"You and I both know that the house is haunted. You and I both …

9: The Love Family, Part 2 - Vision & Completion

May 15th, 2019

37:21

Love is real.

"Those of us who are lost and low - we know how you feel. We know it's not right, but it's real." - Laura Marling

10: The Love Family, Part 3 - Constance & Composure

May 22nd, 2019

56:36

Posey tries to uncover the connection between the loss of her mother and her parents' time in the Love Family.

"I've lived my whole life for it to …

11: His Minor Years

May 29th, 2019

52:19

A souvenir from from Meara's great-uncle turns out to be a clue about a scandal that almost tore her family apart.

"I've got a box of old …

12: The Chinese Food Incident

June 5th, 2019

44:54

A mysterious burglary has haunted the Falco family for 25 years. This week, we try to catch the thief. 

"What comes easy, you better hold on to. …

13: June & George

June 12th, 2019

41:43

Kimberly's grandparents find themselves imprisoned without cause. When they're released, they refuse to talk about it, leaving Kimberly and her family with a lot of questions about what happened.

"Try to separate a man …

14: The Sasquatch of Spring Valley

June 19th, 2019

47:39

After Asher's uncle dies, the family goes to clean out his apartment, and discovers a box of love letters from a woman they've never met.

"Yes, you call me in the morning. You call me in the morning - I'll tell you …

15: A Settling in the Bones

June 26th, 2019

46:26

Kirya's childhood home was haunted by two elusive ghosts - the fleeting presences of her grandfathers, neither of whom she knew much about. When she …

16a: Bone Hill - Act 1

July 3rd, 2019

41:46

Martha's family has their land stolen, and then their identity. More than a hundred years later, Martha wants to set the record straight.

"In the …

16b: Bone Hill - Act 2

July 3rd, 2019

53:19

Martha's family makes a home on Black Mountain, and reckons with the past.

"From whence we came, we shall return. From the old ways, our lessons …

Season 3 Trailer: A Circle of Ghosts

November 20th, 2019

2:12

The official trailer for Season 3 of our show - coming to your headphones on December 4th. ~41~

17: The Clotilda Legacy, Part 1: The Descendants

December 4th, 2019

31:58

Africatown is a small community in Mobile, Alabama, where many families share a painful history. For decades, their story has been an open secret - …

18: The Clotilda Legacy, Part 2: The Stronghold

December 11th, 2019

35:33

Joycelyn and Darron try to escape the shadow of the Meaher family's pervasive influence in Africatown. ~41~

20: A Boy In A Story

January 8th, 2020

51:19

David tells the story of three unlikely family members who shaped his life. ~41~



21: Collateral For Ten Million

January 15th, 2020

50:07

Kierran grew up hearing stories about her grandfather's adventures owning diamond mines, tangling with the mafia, robbing banks, and other wild …

22: The Trove

January 22nd, 2020

50:49

Mariah travels to a country she's never been to in hopes that she can find a man she's never met: her father. ~41~

This episode is supported in part by the Kindred Spirits - our supporters on Patreon. For just $5 a …

23: Your Ghost

January 29th, 2020

57:50

Three stories about the moment when the static dissolves, and a transmission from the past comes through loud and clear. Featuring Sandi Marx (

24: Little Stonehenges

February 5th, 2020

47:07

Following her father's death, a ghost appears in Natalie's childhood home and refuses to leave. Natalie has spent the last few decades attempting to …

25: The Ambassador

February 12th, 2020

42:18

Mac and his mom have a lot to talk about: her relationship with her psychic, his brother's murder, and a life-altering betrayal that happened decades ago. But with her health in rapid decline, Mac's starting to worry it …

26: Spirit World

February 19th, 2020

50:33

Mythic masonry, a haunted crucifix, and the Marfa lights. This week: Jim peeks behind the veil of Gothic horror, Susan's mom goes looking for - and finds - evidence of the afterlife, and Melle searches the highways of …

27: The Mission

March 4th, 2020

47:27

Decades after her brother's mysterious disappearance, Toni finally learns the truth about what happened to him. ~41~

This is episode is made possible thanks to the support of the Kindred Spirits, our community of …

28: The Faith Exam

March 11th, 2020

50:56

Julian joins a church in Poughkeepsie, and discovers a decades-old secret about her uncle. ~41~

Learn more about Andrew Chugg at

29: A Crane in the Bay - Part 1

January 14th, 2021

31:07

When an unnatural disaster befalls her family, Kate demands answers. But no one's willing to talk.

Read David Simon's 1992 article about Kate and her family here.

This episode is made possible by the generous support …

30: A Crane in the Bay - Part 2

January 28th, 2021

37:52

Kate flees the haunting silence of Baltimore - but no matter where she goes, Eddy's ghost isn't far behind. After decades of torment, she decides to open her own investigation into her father's disappearance.

This …

31: A Crane in the Bay - Part 3

February 11th, 2021

29:44

After more than thirty years of following roads to nowhere, Kate carves her own path.

This episode is made possible by the generous support of the

32: Unwell - A Midwestern Gothic Mystery

February 25th, 2021

51:15

Sam takes you on a trip to a mysterious boarding house in Mt. Absalom, Ohio - a community riddled with secrets and lost memories.

Learn more about Unwell at https://www.unwellpodcast.com.

Family Ghosts is made …

33: Rack & Cue

March 11th, 2021

25:59

Bradford and Paul come to terms with the people they wish their parents could be - and the people they actually are.

Find more of Bradford's stories …

34: Foxes

March 25th, 2021

38:33

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," …

35: Guests

April 8th, 2021

29:26

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 …

36: Still Close

April 23rd, 2021

43:39

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 …

37: The Walls of Jericho

May 7th, 2021

28:49

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/. …

38: The Reality Map (or The Faith Exam, Part 2)

May 20th, 2021

47:47

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 …

39: The Old Block

June 4th, 2021

36:07

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 …

40: Motherland - Part 1

June 18th, 2021

34:43

“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 …

41: Motherland - Part 2

July 1st, 2021

42:16

“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.

42: The Namesake - Part 1

July 16th, 2021

38:52

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 …

BONUS: Snatching Sinatra

July 27th, 2021

12:03

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 …

42: The Namesake - Part 2

July 30th, 2021

28:56

"You can open up a book and choose a sentence at random, and derive meaning from it."

This episode is made possible thanks to the generous support of the Kindred Spirits - our community of supporters on Patreon. Please …

43: The Namesake - Part 3

August 13th, 2021

25:01

"I feel really lucky that Danny is Danny." The conclusion of our miniseries with Jessie Pascarelli.

This episode was made possible in part by the generous support of the Kindred Spirits, our community of supporters on …

44: Forever Is A Long Time

August 26th, 2021

52:57

Everyone in Ian's family gets divorced. Now that he's been married for a few years, he wants to know if his relationship is doomed. Listen to the …

45: A Hollywood Ending

September 10th, 2021

1:01:10

Following the tragic murder of his brother Asher, Mac's family finds disparate ways of re-assembling their shattered lives. Mac’s essay originally …

46: A Dime for Mr. Fetterman

September 24th, 2021

37:36

This week, we're celebrating family stories that seem simple on the surface, but are actually the keys to understanding our entire personalities. Featuring comedians Pat Regan and Gastor Almonte. Listen to Pat's …

47: The Soft War

October 7th, 2021

31:07

Thi Bui tells producer Jennifer Lai about the delicate process of asking her parents about their worst experiences - and the even more delicate process of turning those conversations into works of art. Listen to …

48: Superheroes

October 21st, 2021

38:22

Stories about unexpected impulses with deep generational roots. Hubby Jenkins tells the story of discovering a deep connection with his banjo, and …

BONUS: The Rumor

October 25th, 2021

15:27

A mysterious story has haunted the city of Baltimore for 25 years. Can Sam unravel the truth...before the truth unravels him? Follow The Rumor on

49: City Folk

November 5th, 2021

33:45

Sam gets a ghostly answer to a decade-old question.

50: They Don't Make 'Em Like That Anymore

November 19th, 2021

30:31

Stories from Bradford Jordan and Ophira Eisenberg about reckoning with the fundamental truth (or, in some cases, lies) about who their mothers are.

This episode is made possible thanks to the generosity of the Kindred …

51: You Know It's Wrong

December 3rd, 2021

33:04

Stories about rediscovering home in unexpected ways. Featuring Micaela Blei and Jeff Simmermon.

52: Untitled Dad Project

December 17th, 2021

43:18

Janielle Kastner tries to get to know a man she never got to meet. Find and follow “Untitled Dad Project” wherever you’re listening to this.

Family …

53: Something in the Wind

December 31st, 2021

31:39

Sam has a memory he can't explain - which, in turn, explains a lot about Family Ghosts. Thanks to Marcy and Betsy - check out A Funny Feeling here. And find the Neighborhood Watch photo essay here.

Family Ghosts is …

54: The Fatal Nickel

January 14th, 2022

37:21

The wayward son of a manufacturing dynasty tries to sow fresh roots in his family tree.

Sources:

Jane Mayer

Daniel Schulman

Brian O’Reilly …

55: Don't Look Directly At It

January 27th, 2022

39:40

Malcolm Gladwell shares a parable from the past, and Nick Markovich searches for the meaning of life. Hear more of Malcolm’s work on Revisionist …

56: Pioneer Stock - Part 1

February 12th, 2022

38:50

Craig grows up in hiding from his uncles' secret lives, fearful that his family will one day discover his own secret. Listen to Craig on the Moth …

57: Pioneer Stock, Part 2: A Life Deferred

February 25th, 2022

37:12

Craig travels to Utah to unlock the mysteries of his Uncle Brent’s life - literally.

Family Ghosts is made possible thanks to the generous support of the Kindred Spirits, our community of supporters on Patreon. For …

58: Pioneer Stock, Part 3: Sacred Secrets

March 11th, 2022

57:39

Craig learns the truth about the end of his Uncle Larry's life - and finds a new beginning for his own.

Family Ghosts is made possible thanks to the generous support of the Kindred Spirits. For just $5 per month, …

59: How Will You Spend Your Time? (A Family Ghosts Mixtape)

March 25th, 2022

38:52

Seven songs from in (and around) our series that just might make you come unstuck in time. Featuring performances by: D and Chi, Allan, Martha Redbone, Kirya Traber, Jay Starling, and Jocelyn Mackenzie.

60: Telling Our Stories To Ourselves

April 8th, 2022

52:24

Producer Veralyn Williams explores the power of subjective storytelling in the aftermath of her experience working on a particularly harrowing …

61: The Pretender & The Godfather

April 22nd, 2022

29:14

On the occasion of a major life milestone, Sam reflects on two of his wayward role models.

Family Ghosts is made possible thanks to the generosity …

62: Manual Transition

May 6th, 2022

27:09

Mark embarks on a rollicking quest to find a Cool Dad.

Family Ghosts is made possible thanks to the generous support of the Kindred Spirits - our …

63: Hard Eights and Husky Boys

May 21st, 2022

28:20

Stories about inscrutable older men with vital wisdom to share - if only we could figure out how to talk to them.

Family Ghosts is made possible …

64: A Mississippi Story

June 3rd, 2022

32:06

Guy Story finds out his father had a secret. Before long, Guy finds himself on a treacherous journey of discovery about a mysterious desperado, and trying to figure out why everyone seems ashamed to admit they’re …

65: An Electric Dissatisfaction

June 17th, 2022

37:34

Josh Ritter tells Jayson De Leon about charting a course through the unknown.

66: Bone Hill Reprise

July 1st, 2022

1:37:53

An important update about Family Ghosts, and a reprise of a timely tale.

67. The Midnight Disease

April 5th, 2023

1:04:23

Sam shares an update on why Family Ghosts has been MIA lo these many months - and an exciting preview of a new beginning. If you like what you hear, please check out The Midnight Disease for the thrilling conclusion to …

Sam's Breadcrumbs

April 19th, 2023

1:01:06

Sam was recently featured on an episode of Breadcrumbs, hosted by his best and oldest friend Allen Brooks. In the course of their conversation, they …

Good Company

August 31st, 2023

8:19

Sam's quest to uncover a family ghost that lives in his radio. If you like what you hear, please check out “Good Company” on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

FG Presents: The Burden

March 19th, 2024

22:05

Introducing "The Burden," from legendary investigative reporter (and longtime friend of the Ghost Family) Steve Fishman.

Farewell

February 22nd, 2024

0:39

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