Shows / Family Secrets
Family Secrets
Family Secrets. We all have them. And while the discovery of family secrets can initially be terrifying or traumatic, often these discoveries have the power to liberate, heal, and even uplift us. Join Dani Shapiro, bestselling author of the memoir Inheritance, and her guests as they explore astonishing family secrets and uncover the extraordinary lessons the truth can teach us.
Episodes
Family SecretsNo, The Kids Were Not All Right
The cult is a secret to most people she knows. Her very identity is a secret to most people she knows. But at a certain point, Lauren needs to be herself. She…
Family SecretsCandy Bones
Reed grew up with a camera in his hand. At first, the videos he made with his brothers were just for fun. But when their mom goes missing, the boys embark on a…
Family SecretsA Lightning Bolt of Desire
When Molly’s secret longings and buried desires become the basis of her marriage, she must decide how—and how much—to disclose. To her husband, her children…
Family SecretsThis Didn’t Have to Be a Secret
Deep in Dina’s family lore is a story of a fire; someone burned a house down. But who? And why? After a lifetime of wondering, Dina finally hunts down the…
Family SecretsDear Sister
When Michelle gets a knock on her door one day in 2017, her life—and the lives of her loved ones—will be forever changed. What she learns that day will send…
Family SecretsCode Blue Cafeteria
Barrett and his wife Jane are both oncologists – they share a social world, a professional world, and a rich life together. But one thing is not shared—a…
Family SecretsI Dug it Up
Growing up, Whit was extremely close with her mother. But when she becomes pregnant in her twenties, her mother extracts herself entirely; she spends the rest…
Family SecretsFamily Secrets: Season 10 Trailer
Welcome to the 10th season of Family Secrets. Join us starting June 6th for new stories about identity, connection, and how we all long for the truth. See…
Family SecretsA Message from Dani
Season 10 will launch in June; in the meantime, here’s an update on all things Family Secrets, some of which hit quite close to home. See…
Family SecretsA Virtuosic Patient
Alice’s upbringing is one of simultaneous excess and absence, and in the deep canyon between the two, she loses herself entirely. In order to finally find…
Family SecretsAn Answer to the Offness
Maggie made a life for herself as a successful poet, wife, and proud mother of two. But after years of marriage, she sensed something to be terribly off. When…
Family SecretsYou Belong to the Mystery
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…
Family SecretsThe Self I Could Have Been
In his journey toward self-discovery, Shane must reconstruct his past by cobbling together memories of his kidnapping, upbringing, and the enormous swell of…
Family SecretsThis Was All Supposed to be Secret
Susan takes great lengths and risks to get answers about her biological family. But sometimes, in the world of family secrets, these kinds of answers beget…
Family SecretsAs Bad As a Lie
Brittany’s early life is defined by the road; she and her mom are vagabonds of sorts, never settling for too long in one place. But at least they have each…
Family SecretsSail On
When Sarah is a young child, her parents vanish at sea. They are never found. How does she mourn what she cannot remember? See omnystudio.com/listener for…
Family SecretsBecause of William
Daniel grows up idolizing William, his friend and future brother-in-law. William is adventurous, effervescent and inspiring. But William has other attributes…
Family SecretsA Holiday Message from Dani
Happy Thanksgiving to our Family Secrets family. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit…
Family SecretsHow Long the Dying Went On
It started with a wreck – a car accident steeped in the history of Cassandra’s family. When she learns about the accident and the secrets it bore, she can at…
Family SecretsHall of Mirrors
Nobody thinks they’re joining a cult. Certainly not the children who are born into it. When, over time, Mikel learns the truths about his childhood, a whole…
Family SecretsFamily Secrets: Season 9 Trailer
Join us on November 9th for new stories of resilience, memory, and the way in which long-held family secrets so often need out. See omnystudio.com/listener for…
Family SecretsBonus: A Conversation with Dr. Ruth Faden
Today’s Great Minds bonus episode features scholar of bioethics and founder of The John Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics, Dr. Ruth Faden. She and Dani…
Family SecretsPrepare for Our Next Great Mind!
Tune in next week for our next Great Minds bonus conversation with renowned scientist, academic, and founder of the Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of…
Family SecretsBonus: A Conversation with Kris Carr
For this week’s Great Minds bonus episode, Dani sits down with bestselling author Kris Carr to explore the moving themes and meanings woven into a Family…
Family SecretsGet Ready for Another Great Minds Conversation!
Next week’s bonus conversation is with bestselling author and wellness leader, Kris Carr. We’ll be unpacking a moving and memorable Family Secrets episode from…
Family SecretsBonus: A Conversation with Dr. Mark Epstein
As part of this special bonus series, Dani and great mind Dr. Mark Epstein explore the powerful themes that underscore a memorable Family Secrets story from…
Family SecretsGet Ahead of Our Next Conversation with Great Minds!
Next week’s bonus conversation is with one of our favorite writers and thinkers, about an unusual and unforgettable Family Secrets episode. Listeners are…
Family SecretsBonus: A New Conversation with Dr. Galit Atlas
In the first episode of this special bonus series, Dani and great mind Dr. Galit Atlas unpack the themes presented in a memorable Family Secrets story from our…
Family SecretsExciting News!
Dani announces a new bonus series of conversations with great minds coming soon! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad…
Family SecretsBonus: A New Conversation with Jennifer Senior
In this bonus episode, Dani sits down with Pulitzer Prize Winning Writer Jennifer Senior about her latest cover story in The Atlantic - ‘Those We Sent Away’ -…
Family SecretsA Message from Dani
As we prepare for Season Nine, Dani pauses to say hello to our Family Secrets family. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about…
Family SecretsYou Can Run
In the second part of this inspiring two-part episode, writer and musician Jessica Willis Fisher finishes her powerful story of survival. See…
Family SecretsTotal Depravity
In the first part of this harrowing two-part episode, writer and musician Jessica Willis Fisher courageously speaks the unspeakable truths of the abuse she…
Family SecretsDaddy Will Never Read Vogue
From the outside, Priscilla’s family life looks dazzling. Her parents are both revered in the literary community and she and her sister grow up in an artistic…
Family SecretsThe 11:11 Wish
Kyleigh and her older sister Kait couldn’t be closer. They lean on one another all throughout childhood. But at a certain point, Kait’s mental health begins to…
Family SecretsWorld Class Liars
Letty’s life is laced with “shanda”—the Yiddish word for shame or disgrace. And the shanda is not hers alone; it stretches back and through many generations of…
Family SecretsLetter of Extenuating Circumstances
Emi is a brilliant child caught in the storms of the adults around her. As such, her own troubles begin to brew and her secrets compound. From foster care to…
Family SecretsHow Are You Weird in the World?
Allison knows something is fundamentally different about her. She looks different and she feels different from the other girls in school. But when her parents…
Family SecretsOne Step Forward, Two Steps Back
Forever punctuated by shame, secrecy, and danger, Isaac's search to know himself has always been a precarious journey. But as he walks the rocky road toward…
Family SecretsThe Family Business
From a very young age, Sophia is taught to deflect when people ask questions. Her parents teach her this lesson, and they tell her to keep a low profile as an…
Family SecretsTelenovela
Growing up among conflicting cultures and customs, Carmen feels a profound sense of otherness. When her mother reveals their family secret, Carmen’s conflicts…
Family SecretsFamily Secrets: Season 8 Trailer
Join us starting May 4th for 10 new stories of tenacity, resilience, and the profoundly necessary excavation of long-held family secrets. See…
Family SecretsBonus: Dani's Family Secret
In this special bonus episode, the tables are turned as veteran journalist and podcast host Kimi Culp interviews Dani about her own family history and the…
Family SecretsBonus: The Secrets Hotline
Stories from our friends at The Secrets Hotline Podcast, hosted by Nick van der Kolk. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about…
Family SecretsIn Conversation with Dr. Gabor Maté
In this bonus episode, Dani speaks with renowned physician and author Dr. Gabor Maté about his new book,The Myth of Normal, and the ways in which we can begin…
Family SecretsBonus: Dani's Listening, Episode 8
In this bonus series, “Dani’s Listening”, Dani connects with listeners by responding to those who’ve called in to share their family secrets. Mark your…
Family SecretsBonus: Dani's Listening, Episode 7
In this bonus series, “Dani’s Listening”, Dani connects with listeners by responding to those who’ve called in to share their family secrets. Mark your…
Family SecretsThanksgiving Message from Dani
Dani shares a message this Thanksgiving with the Family Secrets community. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad…
Family SecretsTrastiendas
When Judy receives a thick envelope from her father—presumably including answers to long kept secrets about his identity and past—he instructs her to burn it…
Family SecretsPrisoner of History
As Tad reckons with the choices he’s made in his relationships—most prominently, in his marriage—he must confront the choices made by his father, too. And his…
Family SecretsA Special Episode from our friends at All the Wiser Podcast
Meyli Chapin shares her story and discusses PTSD with host Kimi Culp. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices…
Family SecretsPalais de Triomphe
Fraidy is raised in an ultra-Orthodox Jewish community where she is forced to follow many conventions including an arranged marriage in her teens. After…
Family SecretsGoing There
We all know—or think we know—the wonderful journalist, news anchor, and bestselling author, Katie Couric. But behind and beyond her camera-ready exterior is…
Family SecretsThe Depression Book
After Mark’s divorce, he cannot eat or sleep or function. Hesitant to pathologize these feelings, he finally acknowledges the clinical magnitude of his…
Family SecretsExclusive: An Audio Preview of Dani's Forthcoming Novel!
The opening chapter of SIGNAL FIRES is shared here, in Dani's voice, for the very first time. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more…
Family SecretsSomebody’s Daughter
Ashley’s father is imprisoned when she’s eight months old. She has no real context for him until she visits him for the first time, when she’s seven. They…
Family SecretsThe Best Family Ever
From a harrowing, unstable childhood, Venus perseveres and creates an ideal life for herself—with an exuberant husband and a gaggle of amazing kids. But…
Family SecretsThe Destroyed Palace
Growing up, Rich doesn’t know much about his family, save for the singular fact that his mother came to the US from Haiti when she was thirteen. But in 2010…
Family SecretsThe World of Dogs
Chloe is an only child, but she’s not entirely alone. She has dogs. Meaningful, magical, ever-supportive dogs. With reserved parents and a habit of hiding her…
Family SecretsThe Baby on the Boat
Putsata was an infant when she and her family fled from war-torn Cambodia on an escape boat. When the captain saw that baby Putsata was ill, he suggested that…