Family Secrets

Karen vanishes with her children to escape a violent marriage, erasing a life in order to save it. But eventually, when it’s safe—if it’s safe—she must come out of hiding.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1998, long before Dani discovered the truth of her biological paternity, she published a story called “The Secret Wife” about the discovery of her father’s second wife, a secret marriage that had been hidden for decades. Today, she reads and reflects on this story—the uncovering of the silent grief and buried histories that shaped her. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Francesca sets out to understand her father’s past, she is faced with a world of crime, silence, and denial. But it’s not just his past she must reckon with; it’s her present, her inheritance of a story no one wanted to tell.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sam grows up without knowing his biological father. As he enters adolescence, he begins to resemble Bob Dylan. A lot. So when Sam learns his mother had a brief relationship with Dylan in the 70s, the cascade of questions begins to flow.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After centuries of ancestral trauma, Julian must listen closely to the stories of his family —stories of survival, memory, myth and generations of erasure—in order to discover the story of himself. Julian Brave NoiseCat's book, We Survived the Night, is out now.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Amanda’s parents’ eccentricities take a dark turn toward hoarding, scheming, and secret-keeping, the walls begin to literally close in on her. As the chaos and deceit grows in volume around her, she must figure out how to escape. Amanda Uhle's book is titled Destroy This House.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Kate begins to recover haunting memories, she must confront a family history shaped by silence and generational harm. What follows is her quest to piece together the truth and reclaim a stolen childhood. Kate Price's book, This Happened to Me: A Reckoning, is out now.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ari’el has spent his life playing characters, trying on different identities. But at a certain point he must discover who—beneath all these competing selves—he truly is. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thursday, November 13th. New Secrets. New Stories. New Season. Join us next week for our thirteenth launch!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gretchen Rubin, renowned author and podcaster, joins Dani for a thought-provoking conversation. They dive into the art of storytelling and its role in understanding happiness and human nature. Gretchen shares her childhood reflections and the power of aphorisms. The discussion highlights the significance of digestible reading for personal growth, the exploration of hidden truths within families, and the importance of self-awareness. Together, they emphasize how authenticity in life and art can deepen connections and foster resilience.