Family Ghosts

WALT FM

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 characters who cast shadows over our lives in ways that might not be immediately obvious. We are all formed in part by our familial collections of secrets, intrigues, and myths. By engaging with each others’ legends, perhaps we can see each others’ realities more clearly. Hosted by Moth Grand Slam winner Sam Dingman, whose stories have been featured on Risk!, TBTL, Benjamen Walker’s Theory of Everything, and The Moth Radio Hour.

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Our Editor's Take

The Family Ghosts podcast is about true stories and spooky family secrets. The podcast's eerie instrumental intro and informative narrations bring scary stories to life. The host, Sam Dingman, is vibrant in his description of each account. He uses poetic language to add excitement and suspense to these true tales. Detailing the horrifying realities of family drama, he confronts the darkness in humanity. Sam searches for redemption in family histories. This catalog is a trove of disturbing dramas. It tells of everything from fascist sympathizers to secretive grandmothers.

The podcast has many compelling stories. David Crabb shares his experience of panic and depression in a haunted house. Another episode combines a family reunion story, a fallen vulture, and ghost believers. Fittingly, The Family Ghosts has an episode about how a family caused supernatural occurrences. Other episodes describe boarding school secrets and Nazi nannies.

Many of these episodes blend into one another. Several stories supersede one episode. Those of "The Love Family" are great examples. This is a tale of exploitation, drugs, and names of virtue. The "Untitled Dad Projects" follows a daughter's search for resolution in her own story. Some episodes explore motherlands and namesakes. Others focus on family jewels and ancestral mysteries. These guests range from people like Jiayang Fan, a New Yorker writer, to anybody with a story.

Family Ghost is not only about the supernatural. Instead, "ghost" symbolizes the secrets and strangeness that exist in people's pasts. All families have some ghosts hidden somewhere. This podcast delves into the shadows of these pasts. It blends spiritualism and storytelling to create accounts of scary personal histories.

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Society & CultureSociety & Culture

Play Trailer

Season 1 Trailer: Every House Is Haunted

Season 1 Trailer: Every House Is Haunted

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 part of the Panoply Pilot Project, is available now. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @famghoshow. And remember: every house is haunted.

Season 5

54: The Fatal Nickel

54: The Fatal Nickel

The wayward son of a manufacturing dynasty tries to sow fresh roots in his family tree. Sources: Jane Mayer Daniel Schulman Brian O’Reilly & Patty De Llosa Katharine Q. Seelye Family Ghosts is made possible thanks to the generous support of the Kindred Spirits, our community of supporters on Patreon. For just $5 per month, Kindred Spirits hear our episodes ad-free, and get exclusive bonus content that’s not available anywhere else. If you have the means, please consider joining the Kindred Spirits at http://patreon.com/familyghosts. Thank you for listening!

55: Don't Look Directly At It

55: Don't Look Directly At It

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 History, and more of Jacob’s work on Deep Cover. Family Ghosts is made possible thanks to the generosity of the Kindred Spirits, our community of supporters on Patreon. For just $5 per month, Kindred Spirits hear our episodes ad-free, and they get access to exclusive bonus content. If you have the means, please consider joining them today at http://patreon.com/familyghosts.

56: Pioneer Stock - Part 1

56: Pioneer Stock - Part 1

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 Radio Hour here, and find more of his work here. Family Ghosts is made possible thanks to the generosity of the Kindred Spirits, our community of supporters on Patreon. If you have the means, please consider joining them today at https://patreon.com/familyghosts. Thank you for listening!

57: Pioneer Stock, Part 2: A Life Deferred

57: Pioneer Stock, Part 2: A Life Deferred

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 just $5 per month, Kindred Spirits hear our episodes ad-free, and they get exclusive bonus content that’s not available anywhere else. If you have the means, please consider joining them today at http://patreon.com/FamilyGhosts. And either way, thank you for listening.

58: Pioneer Stock, Part 3: Sacred Secrets

58: Pioneer Stock, Part 3: Sacred Secrets

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, Kindred Spirits hear our episodes ad-free, and they get access to exclusive bonus content that’s not available anywhere else. If you have the means, please consider joining them today, at http://patreon.com/familyghosts. Find more of Craig’s stories here. Thank you for listening.

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

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

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

60: Telling Our Stories To Ourselves

Producer Veralyn Williams explores the power of subjective storytelling in the aftermath of her experience working on a particularly harrowing episode. Find more of Veralyn’s work at https://www.iamveralyn.com/, learn more about Robin Boylorn here, and Tayari Jones here.

61: The Pretender & The Godfather

61: The Pretender & The Godfather

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 of the Kindred Spirits - our community of supporters on Patreon. For just $5 per month, Kindred Spirits hear our episodes ad-free, and they get exclusive bonus content. If you have the means, please consider joining them today at http://patreon.com/familyghosts.

62: Manual Transition

62: Manual Transition

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 community of supporters on Patreon. For just five dollars a month, Kindred Spirits hear our episodes ad-free, and they get exclusive bonus content that’s not available anywhere else. If you have the means, please consider joining them today at http://patreon.com/familyghosts.

63: Hard Eights and Husky Boys

63: Hard Eights and Husky Boys

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 thanks to the generous support of the Kindred Spirits - our community of supporters on Patreon. For just $5 per month, Kindred Spirits hear our episodes ad-free, and get access to bonus content that’s not available anywhere else. If you have the means, please consider joining them today at http://patreon.com/familyghosts.

64: A Mississippi Story

64: A Mississippi Story

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 related to him. Check out Guy’s band: https://www.storytownband.com/ Read the blog post he wrote to accompany his song: https://www.storytownband.com/the-latest-from-storytown/2021/7/1/skeletons-in-the-closet. And watch the music video here: https://youtu.be/ke_8Uc_09Mg Family Ghosts is made possible thanks to the generous support of the Kindred Spirits. For just $5 per month, Kindred Spirits get access to all of our episodes ad-free, and exclusive bonus content. If you have the means, please consider joining them today at http://patreon.com/familyghosts. And if you don’t have the means, no worries. Please consider supporting the show for free by leaving us a review in Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Thank you for listening.

65: An Electric Dissatisfaction

65: An Electric Dissatisfaction

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

66: Bone Hill Reprise

66: Bone Hill Reprise

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

67. The Midnight Disease

67. The Midnight Disease

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 episode one, and stay tuned for weekly episodes going forward. Thank you, Ghost Family.

Sam's Breadcrumbs

Sam's Breadcrumbs

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 ended up talking about things they’d never discussed - deepening their connection even further. If you like what you hear, find more episodes of Breadcrumbs here.

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

FG Presents: The Burden

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

Season 4

29: A Crane in the Bay - Part 1

29: A Crane in the Bay - Part 1

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 of the Kindred Spirits, our community of supporters on Patreon. For just $5 per month, Kindred Spirits enjoy early access to all of our episodes, and hear them ad-free, and also get exclusive bonus content that's not available here in the main feed. If you have the means, please consider joining them at http://patreon.com/familyghosts.

30: A Crane in the Bay - Part 2

30: A Crane in the Bay - Part 2

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 episode is made possible thanks to the generous support of the Kindred Spirits - our community of supporters on Patreon. For just $5 per month, Kindred Spirits get early access to all of our episodes, hear them ad-free, and enjoy bonus content not available anywhere else. On top of all that, Kindred Spirits get the good feeling of knowing they’re making the work we do here at WALT FM possible – because the fact is without them, it simply wouldn't be. So if you have the means, please consider becoming a member today at http://patreon.com/familyghosts. And either way, thank you for listening.

31: A Crane in the Bay - Part 3

31: A Crane in the Bay - Part 3

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 Kindred Spirits. For just $5 per month, Kindred Spirits get early access to all of our episodes, hear them ad-free, and get exclusive bonus content that's not available anywhere else. If you have the means, please consider becoming a member at http://patreon.com/familyghosts.