Family Secrets

special podcast episode

Her paternity. Her health. Her very self. For many years, these are all mysteries to Kimberly. As she reckons with this myriad of unknowns, she learns more than she ever expected to know.

I’ve hesitated sharing this with you.

Over the holiday break, I tuned into one of my favorite podcasts, Family Secrets, only to hear my own voice chime back. I knew it was coming, I just didn’t know when.

I gulped. Held my breath. And then exhaled a soft teary smile for the next sixty minute listen.

Never have I ever heard my life story told with such penetrating clarity and depth. If you’re not already familiar with Dani Shapiro’s Family Secrets, you’re in for a treat. The podcast series—with over 30 million downloads—offers background to her best-selling memoir Inheritance and a collection of stories from guests who have discovered long-hidden secrets from their families’ past.

It was a memorable, cathartic experience to be held in Dani’s masterful inquiry and heart.

Spoiler alert, this episode reveals yet-to-be-published chapters, but my new friend and author

Christine Wolf

—who first heard the interview and is now catching up on reading— assures:

Knowing the whole story is what hooked me in the first place. Knowing how things turn out doesn't dissuade me from wanting to read this. Why's that? It's the writing. The reflection. The detail. In fact, I LOVE that I've HEARD what happened from your actual voice...and now I'm SEEING what happened through your written words. Bring on the Dani Shapiro interview and worry not that it might steal any thunder. Talking about a story and writing about it are two completely different things...and your loyal followers (I'm waving my hand wildly here) are happy to devour both.

Thank you Christine for your knowing nod of encouragement. Thank you, readers, as you offer sturdy branches à la

Chloe Hope

for my story to safely alight.