Year-End Recap for Flower in the River Podcast
Farewell to 2023
Holiday greetings from Minnesota where the rain is pouring and there’s not a snowflake in sight! I hope that wherever you are that you’re having a good holiday season.
A very wise friend once shared, "There are never gains without losses or losses without gains." In some years, that's more pronounced than in others. Take 2023 for example.
The Unexpected Journey of Flower in the River Podcast
I dove into the podcasting scene in March 2023 for a whole bunch of reasons. In 2022, I guested on a slew of podcasts and radio shows discussing Flower in the River, and people asked questions I'd never even considered. That got me thinking – why not start my own podcast to dig into these questions about the book and the family saga behind it? Why not ask myself questions that I wished some interviewers had asked?
In the first episode, I shared my unexpected journey to becoming a genealogist and family historian. Back in elementary school I was told by a not-so-well-meaning teacher that I didn't have any family history since my ancestors weren't on the Mayflower. The crazy-making aspect of this story is that years later, I looked up this teacher's family records to see if I could get a better understanding of why she did what she did. Well, despite her posh-sounding married name, her original name sounded Slovak. A bit more digging revealed that her grandparents and mine came from the same area in Eastern Slovakia.
Something about naysayers brings my second-grade, playground-defiant self roaring back to life. They're not my favorite people, but they have this uncanny ability to push my motivation over the top. Each "you can't" is like a dare to my younger self, and I'm all about accepting that challenge. Not only do I end up doing what they say I can't, but I also go ahead and add a cherry on top—and do more. I call on my inner second-grader for wisdom and advice frequently, by the way.
Guests. I've had a few
My podcast usually features just me! I discuss my book, my family, and others affected by the Eastland Disaster. So, it's a real treat when I do have a guest!
In 2023, I was honored to chat with Graham Lee, the great-nephew of Jun Fujita, who captured the Eastland tragedy through his poignant photography. Jun's lens offered me a window into my own family's past during Chicago's fateful summer of 1915.
Then, there was a heartfelt session with Barbara Decker Wachholz, a founding pillar of the Eastland Disaster Historical Society. Her family's dedication has been a beacon for all of us connected by this history, helping to illuminate our shared legacy.
Capping off these memorable encounters, I stepped into the guest seat on "Love's a Secret Weapon" with the fabulous Donna Loren, a true icon of the '60s "Beach movies" era. Meeting Donna, a hero whose generosity matches her immense talent, was a dream that turned into a heartwarming reality.
Audiobook and Podcast: A Dynamic Duo
In the midst of all of this podcast stuff, I was still recording my audiobook. Creating an audiobook isn't a walk in the park since requirements are stringent as hell (unlike a podcast's requirements).
I decided to do it myself when the first person I worked with—someone with acting experience—could not manage the massive technical requirements. I felt for this person. I mean, RMS, Noise Floor, Peak Level – the technical trio of nightmares--is not for the fainthearted.
Several professional actor friends-turned-voiceover-artists pushed me into narrating my own book. So, there I was in a makeshift studio in a garage, with construction noise as my unwanted soundtrack. But hey, now it's a funny story!
Here's the cool part: while recording my audiobook, the podcast became my sidekick. Tired of the audiobook grind? Time for a podcast episode! Each book chapter sparked a new podcast idea, rejuvenating me for more audiobook recording. It was like a dance - audiobook tags in, podcast tags out.
Fast forward to late summer - audiobook published. Check! No more chapter-by-chapter breakdowns are needed for the podcast because now you can just listen to the audiobook.
The Eastland Chronicles: A Podcast Detour
My book is all about tracing my family's journey through immigration and the Eastland Disaster and I soon found myself going beyond my own family history into the larger landscape of 1915 Chicago. I was continually haunted by the question, "What about the other 844 souls lost in the disaster?" “What are their stories?” or “I know you hear us, so how about doing something about this?” :)
I have had a lot of inner nudges on this journey, and I try to attend to them. Their stories needed to be heard. Enter "The Eastland Chronicles" - my podcast's new chapter, unraveling tales from before and after the tragedy. Thought I'd be done by now. I've done literal archeological digs throughout the years, and this one isn't much different--even if it is digital.
Global Ears: Buzzsprout Blows My Mind
2023 specs for Flower in the River Podcast (Buzzsprout)
Cool thing. My podcast stats from Buzzsprout reveal a fanbase beyond the U.S., with a surprise Finnish following! You never know who will resonate with the stories you tell.
Citing Sources: The Path Toward Better Genealogy
As a journalist and author, of course, I know source citation is critical. But in genealogy it’s just as important. Maybe more so.
I've needed to up my game and reach out to several genealogy mentors (masters) who are sticklers for detail—think of them as the Jedi Masters from the Elizabeth Shown Mills dojo of genealogy. Elizabeth, or ESM as she's fondly known, literally wrote the book on tracking down family facts with her "Evidence Explained." (which weighs 3.5 pounds!).
Rewind to my early days of family tree crafting; I was all about the fun finds, snapping up photos and anecdotes with less care for the nitty-gritty of citations. Citations seemed like homework. But wisdom comes with time (and a few gentle nudges from those with more experience). They drilled into me a golden rule: if you can't back it up, it might as well be a tall tale.
They've even thrown down the gauntlet, challenging me to debunk my own family legends. As you know by know, I love these kinds of challenges. As a result. My podcasts have a new spin, thanks to their push for authenticity. ESM was right, and my mentors echoed her every word.
You'd think with my M.A. in systematic theology with a focus on ancient languages and interpretation, I'd find genealogy a breeze. But let me tell you, it's a whole different kind of challenge. Yet, it's one I embrace because our ancestors and their "FAN club"—friends, associates, and neighbors, in ESM terms—deserve our very best effort and nothing less.
ESM is all about evidence, so here’s my evidence!
