Family Ghosts

Family Ghosts

Every house is haunted. In each episode of Family Ghosts, we investigate the true story behind a mysterious figure whose legend has followed a family for generations. Grandmothers who were secretly jewel smugglers, uncles who led double lives, siblings who vanished without a trace, and other ghostly characters who cast shadows over our lives in ways that might not be immediately obvious. We are all formed in part by our familial collections of secrets, intrigues, and myths. By engaging with each others’ legends, perhaps we can see each others’ realities more clearly. Hosted by Moth Grand Slam winner Sam Dingman, whose stories have been featured on NPR, Risk!, TBTL, and The Moth Radio Hour.

Episodes

March 21, 2017 1 min
Coming November 15th: true stories of the spirits that haunt our family histories. Each week, we'll bring you a different family's attempt to exorcise their ghost. Our pilot episode, "The Family Jewels," produced as part of the Panoply Pilot Project, is available now. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @famghoshow. And remember: every house is haunted. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mark as Played
One afternoon in 1961, a mysterious woman in sunglasses wandered into my grandfather's jewelry shop and stole his heart. Two years later, she vanished without a trace, leaving his life and career in ruins. For years, that's all I knew about her - until a few months ago, when I decided to start asking questions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mark as Played
November 15, 2017 59 mins
Everything changed for Caila on June 22, 2010. On today's episode, she finally confronts the truth about what happened that night. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mark as Played
November 22, 2017 58 mins
When Nick's grandfather died in 1994, something bizarre happened: his aunt Susan stole the body and hid it. Susan died shortly thereafter, and for the last twenty-three years, Nick and his family have agonized over his grandfather's whereabouts - but much to Nick's frustration, never enough to actually try and find him. This week, Nick asks "Family Ghosts" host Sam Dingman to see what he can do. Find us on Twitter and Instagram: @f...
Mark as Played
November 29, 2017 48 mins
NOTE: This episode contains graphic descriptions of violence. Jill grew up hearing the terrifying legend of Austin Riddick, who her mom always called "the crazy man from Mississippi." But as an adult, she starts to question her mom's version of the story. The closer she gets to the truth about Austin, the closer she comes to confronting the truth about herself. Find our show on Twitter and Instagram: @famghoshow. Thanks for listeni...
Mark as Played
December 6, 2017 60 mins
After his dad dies when Mark is only 14, Mark is forced to make his way without much guidance - his only memories of his father are tender, stubbly hugs and an old leather shaving kit. What did Mark's dad mean to him? And will he ever kill it in a dance montage? For our full episode archive and lots more information about our show, visit our brand-new website: http://familyghosts.panoply.fm. For more stories like this one, listen t...
Mark as Played
December 13, 2017 52 mins
Micaela is haunted by a recurring dream - a vision from her family's harrowing past. This week, she tries to figure out what it means. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @famghoshow. Thank you for listening! Learn more about Micaela Blei at her website: https://www.micaelablei.com/. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mark as Played
December 20, 2017 51 mins
Sam discovers he has an uncle he never knew about. He starts asking questions his father never thought he'd have to answer - and gets answers he never knew he needed. For more information about our show, please visit our website: http://familyghostspodcast.com. And if you have a story you'd like us to consider for a possible future season, don't hesitate to email us: sam@walt.fm. Thank you for listening to the first season of Famil...
Mark as Played
The official trailer for Season 2 of our show. New episodes begin on May 15th. "I've been told there is a power in the blood. Is it enough? Is it enough to carry me back from where I am, to where I was? I hope there is some power in my blood." - Josh Ritter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mark as Played
After a fateful acid trip in 1967, a man named Paul tries to build his ideal family. "You and I both know that the house is haunted. You and I both know that the ghost is me." - Shakey Graves Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mark as Played
Love is real. "Those of us who are lost and low - we know how you feel. We know it's not right, but it's real." - Laura Marling Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mark as Played
Posey tries to uncover the connection between the loss of her mother and her parents' time in the Love Family. "I've lived my whole life for it to come down to this. Remember me if I forget." - Charlie Parr Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mark as Played
May 29, 2019 59 mins
A souvenir from from Meara's great-uncle turns out to be a clue about a scandal that almost tore her family apart. "I've got a box of old photographs - mostly pictures of you. I never look at those pictures anymore - I guess you got your negatives, too. They're playin' oldies on the radio - kick the clutch and shift the gears. You can drive all night long, but you can't get there from here." - Trout Fishing In America Lea...
Mark as Played
June 5, 2019 51 mins
A mysterious burglary has haunted the Falco family for 25 years. This week, we try to catch the thief.  "What comes easy, you better hold on to. Because when it gets tough, believe me when I tell you: all you got is what you been through." - Melissa Ferrick Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mark as Played
June 12, 2019 48 mins
Kimberly's grandparents find themselves imprisoned without cause. When they're released, they refuse to talk about it, leaving Kimberly and her family with a lot of questions about what happened. "Try to separate a man from his soul. You only strengthen him and lose your own." - Brother Ali Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mark as Played
June 19, 2019 54 mins
After Asher's uncle dies, the family goes to clean out his apartment, and discovers a box of love letters from a woman they've never met. "Yes, you call me in the morning. You call me in the morning - I'll tell you what to do if you call me in the morning." -Harry Nilsson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mark as Played
June 26, 2019 53 mins
Kirya's childhood home was haunted by two elusive ghosts - the fleeting presences of her grandfathers, neither of whom she knew much about. When she discovers an old audio cassette recording of herself making up songs and stories about the world she thought she understood, she decides it's time to seek out some real answers. "Here's to missed beginnings, and things that never start - for these are the ghosts that run around in my h...
Mark as Played
July 3, 2019 46 mins
Martha's family has their land stolen, and then their identity. More than a hundred years later, Martha wants to set the record straight. "In the still of our hollows, we hear the calling of our Lord. Black coal is running through our veins." - Martha Redbone Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mark as Played
July 3, 2019 60 mins
Martha's family makes a home on Black Mountain, and reckons with the past. "From whence we came, we shall return. From the old ways, our lessons learned." - Martha Redbone Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mark as Played
November 20, 2019 2 mins
The official trailer for Season 3 of our show - coming to your headphones on December 4th. ~41~ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    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

    24/7 News: The Latest

    The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.

    Therapy Gecko

    An unlicensed lizard psychologist travels the universe talking to strangers about absolutely nothing. TO CALL THE GECKO: follow me on https://www.twitch.tv/lyleforever to get a notification for when I am taking calls. I am usually live Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays but lately a lot of other times too. I am a gecko.

    The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

    The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.

    The Bobby Bones Show

    Listen to 'The Bobby Bones Show' by downloading the daily full replay.

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.