This American Life 874: Under One Roof
24 snips
Nov 16, 2025 Guest
Bella (Rivera daughter)
Guest
Mackenzie (Rivera daughter)
Guest
Fidel Rivera
Guest
Valerie Kipnis
Guest
Heather Gay
Heather Gay, a former Mormon, opens up about her secret life within the church and the surprising memories shared with her daughters. Valerie Kipnis narrates the Rivera family's struggle with immigration decisions. Fidel Rivera, an undocumented father, grapples with self-deportation while his daughters, Mackenzie and Bella, express their fears and hopes as family tensions rise. As they prepare for a potential move to Mexico, the emotional and practical challenges highlight the complexities of family dynamics in the face of uncertainty.
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Episode notes
Hidden Keurig And Double Life
- Heather Gay hid coffee and vodka at home while publicly teaching Mormon doctrine to her ward.
- Her daughters sensed contradictions but mostly followed an unspoken rule of not asking about her private behavior.
Gift Revealed A Hidden Understanding
- Ashley insists she bought the Keurig at age 12 to signal her mom could drink coffee openly.
- Heather had a different memory and felt unready to admit that side of herself to her children.
Same House, Different Realities
- Family members living together can perceive the same events in radically different ways.
- Small objects like a coffee maker can symbolize vastly different meanings across generations.