“Everybody has come from somewhere, and everyone has a story. Every story is important.”
In this episode, Scott Asmar reflects on his family’s Lebanese roots and his journey to reconnect with that heritage. He shares how his great-grandfather Anton left Lebanon with his bride, Mariam Helu, changing their family name from Asmar to Prieto to start a new life. This shift created a gap in the family’s connection to their past. Years later, Scott felt a deep need to reclaim his family’s original name and legally changed his own back to Asmar, honoring the identity his ancestors left behind.
Scott is joined by his uncle Eric, who shares a powerful story of his grandfather John’s service in WWII. Eric recalls how John courageously defended his fellow soldiers in a fierce battle, capturing the resilience and sacrifice of young men who risked everything for freedom. Through these stories, Scott invites listeners to think about their own family history and the significance of preserving memories for future generations. Heritage matters— it connects us to those who paved the way and grounds us in a shared legacy.
Quotes
- “My dad said he never fought for medals or things like that. It was just to help the cause and keep his comrades alive if he could.” (15:24 | Eric Prieto)
- “Things may not always be great. We may get upset at certain aspects of the country. But we do live in the best country in the world because of people like my grandfather that fought for us.” (17:41 | Scott Asmar)
- “I think every American should be proud of being an American because without the rights that we have in our country, it’s just not the same… And I think our country is striving to be the best that it can be.” (20:12 | Eric Prieto)
- “I just urge all of you, especially those that are midlife like me, in their mid-50s, it does help and it does build character to dig into your heritage, regardless of where you came from, regardless of nationality or race or religion. Just get those stories from your family down on paper. Have them be told to you, and start developing that line of heritage and history for future generations.” (21:19 | Scott Asmar)
- “Everybody has come from somewhere, and everyone has a story. Every story is important.” (22:05 | Scott Asmar)
Links
Connect with Scott Asmar:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scottasmar5/
Popular Podcasts
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Are You A Charlotte?
In 1997, actress Kristin Davis’ life was forever changed when she took on the role of Charlotte York in Sex and the City. As we watched Carrie, Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte navigate relationships in NYC, the show helped push once unacceptable conversation topics out of the shadows and altered the narrative around women and sex. We all saw ourselves in them as they searched for fulfillment in life, sex and friendships. Now, Kristin Davis wants to connect with you, the fans, and share untold stories and all the behind the scenes. Together, with Kristin and special guests, what will begin with Sex and the City will evolve into talks about themes that are still so relevant today. "Are you a Charlotte?" is much more than just rewatching this beloved show, it brings the past and the present together as we talk with heart, humor and of course some optimism.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.