Stories in Our Roots

Linda Broenniman knew little about her Hungarian heritage until a surprising revelation at the age of 27 changed everything. Discovering her Jewish roots and the heroic actions of her family members during the holocaust became a turning point in her quest to delve deeper into her family's past.With warmth and authenticity, Linda reflects on the personal transformations that occurred as she delved into her family history, emphasizing the power of understanding one's roots and the blessings that can be derived from preserving and celebrating ancestral legacies. She encourages listeners to ask questions and pursue their family heritage with tenacity, as it reveals not only the stories of the past but also valuable insights into oneself.About Linda:Linda Ambrus Broenniman grew up in Buffalo, New York. She is the middle child of seven born to Hungarian physicians who survived World War II and started their new life in the US in 1949. Linda graduated from Swarthmore College with a BA in psychology. Several years after getting her MBA from Carnegie Mellon, she left mainstream corporate America to follow her path as an entrepreneur, building companies in technology and biotech. She let her passion for uncovering hidden potential in unexpected places guide her. And she allowed this passion to fuel her search for her hidden family. Linda lives in Great Falls, Virginia with her husband of 28 years and their dog, Juno.Connect with Linda:Website:  politzersaga.comFacebook: Linda Broenniman______________________________Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphy

As a public historian, Fayge had always been interested in history.  It wasn't until she moved to West Philadelphia, close to where her ancestors lived, that she began her search in earnest. Her exploration was also intertwined with her reconnection to Judaism, prompting a deeper desire to understand her family's story.Fayge shares how delving into her family's history has deepened her sense of belonging and connection to her Jewish identity and community. She also discusses the challenges and triumphs of piecing together her family's narrative, offering insights into the process of unraveling ancestral stories and the lasting impact it can have on personal identity.About Fayge:Fayge Horesh is a public historian, tour guide, and freelance writer. Since her days as a six-year-old eager to infodump Benjamin Franklin Facts on anyone who would stand still long enough to listen, she has wanted to share her passion for history with others.The creator and host of the podcast “D Listers of History,” Fayge brings her research skills, curiosity, and irreverence to discuss important but mostly forgotten historical figures. She joins her audience in exploring what these often colorful people can tell us about ourselves and our society today.Fayge also teaches private music lessons in the greater Philadelphia area and only sometimes sneaks history in between etudes.In all the work Fayge does, her primary goal is to make both historical stories and the study of history accessible to everyone. History is crucial to understanding where we are now and how we can build a better world in the future.Connect with Fayge:Website: www.dlistersofhistory.comFacebook: D Listers of HistoryInstagram: @dlistersofhistory________________________Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphy

Julie Pham, a Vietnamese boat person, shares her family's journey as refugees fleeing communism and establishing a new life in the United States. Through Julie's experiences and insights as a historian, listeners will explore the power of multiple truths, the push and pull factors of immigration, and the dynamics of being an insider and an outsider in different communities. We delve into the significance of understanding family history and its impact on shaping individual perspectives and resilience. Join us as we uncover the importance of curiosity in fostering human connection, empathy, and inner peace while embracing the diverse stories that make up our shared history.About Julie:Dr. Julie Pham is the founder and CEO of CuriosityBased, an organizational development firm based in Seattle. She is the author of the Amazon best-seller, 7 Forms of Respect: A Guide to Transforming Your Communication and Relationships at Work and a TEDx speaker. Dr. Pham has applied her award-winning community building approach to building strong, collaborative, and curious teams. Dr. Pham earned her Ph.D. in history at Cambridge University as a Gates Cambridge Scholar and she graduated magna cum laude from the University of California, Berkeley as a Haas Scholar. She earned her real life MBA by running her family’s Vietnamese language newspaper during the Great Recession. She has worked as a journalist, historian, university lecturer, marketer, nonprofit executive, and management consultant.Connect with Julie:Website: www.curiositybased.comFacebook@curiositybasedInstagram@juliephamphdLinkedIn Julie PhamTEDxTalk on "curiosity as a practice"Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphy

Join Danielle and Galeet Dardashti as they share their journey of discovery  to learn why their father's family left Iran during the Golden Age for Jews. With limited access to records to answer their questions, the sisters relied on interviewing over 85 individuals, including family members, scholars, and unexpected acquaintances.  They have reconstructed an engaging story that transcends cultural boundaries and challenges preconceived notions.  What they learned sheds light not only on their familial roots, but also on universal themes of identity, belonging, and the intricate connections that tie us all together. About Danielle and Galeet:Danielle Dardashti is an Emmy award-winning documentary writer/producer, a former on-air TV news reporter, an author, and a Moth storySLAM champion who leads corporate storytelling workshops all over the world.Dr. Galeet Dardashti is a vocalist, composer, and anthropologist of Middle Eastern Jewish culture. In her new album, Monajat, she sings with samples of her grandfather who was called The Nightingale of Iran. She's currently a Fellow at University of Pennsylvania’s Katz Center.Connect with Danielle on LinkedIn  Connect with Galeet on Instagram @galeet.dardashti or Facebook @galeetHead to nightingaleofiran.com to listen to their story and join their list for bonus materials.Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphy

In retrospect, Elizabeth Keating wishes she would have used her skills as an anthropologist when she interviewed her mother about family history.  To help others avoid her mistakes, Elizabeth shares how we can use interviews with living family members to uncover the everyday experiences and cultural nuances of previous generations.  Elizabeth encourages listeners to embrace the value of family stories and their priceless insights to help us understand not only what happened to our ancestors, but to envision what life was like from their perspective and experience. About Elizabeth:Elizabeth Keating is a professor of anthropology at the University of Texas at Austin. She’s just written a book "The Essential Questions: Interview Your Family to Uncover Stories and Bridge Generations" that helps people find out more about their own family’s history. Her specialty in anthropology is Linguistic Anthropology, the study of language and culture.Connect with Elizabeth:Website: elizabeth-keating.comInstagram: @elizabethkeating44 LinkedIn: Elizabeth KeatingAre we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphy

Our conversation delves into the remarkable life of Vivien Sieber's Czech-born grandmother, who faced adversity and triumphs during World War II. From owning a cinema in Vienna to finding refuge in England and caring for girls who fled their families as part of the Kinder Transport, Vivien uncovers the intricacies of her family's history and shares the lessons she learned along the way.About Vivien:Dr. Vivien Sieber worked in biosciences research, education development, learning technology and information literacy at a range of UK universities. She lives in Oxford with her husband and dogs. Since retiring she is learning to make pots and has written Kino and Kinder.Connect with Vivien:Facebook: Kino and KinderInstagram: siebervivienLinkedIn: Vivien SieberAre we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphy

All of your ancestors were perfect, right? Unfortunately, everyone has ancestors who disappoint us with their choices.In this episode, I talk about four ways we respond when we discover an ancestor made choices that hurt others.As we learn to be more open to putting our ancestors' choices into the context of their lives we can see them as real people, living with the effects of their environment, the choices of their family members and others around them, as well as their own choices.An added bonus is that as we learn the skill of being observant of our ancestors, we can also use that skill in our interactions here and now.Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphy

In Stephanie Renée's story, there's an exploration of identity and belonging that resonates deeply. She began her journey seeking to fill in the gaps left by the early loss of her mother. Her path took an unexpected turn when she discovered her mother was adopted, leading her into the world of genetic genealogy. Despite the hurdles she faced, Stephanie was driven to understand her roots and expand her familial network, bringing her closer to understanding her lineage and establishing a sense of belonging.Connect with Stephanie on Instagram @TheDNAJourney or check out her website StephanieRenee.comWant to support her video series, The DNA Journey?  You can do that here.Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphy

Annie Hartnett recently started exploring her family's connections to slave ownership, which took her on a transformative path of discovery. By doing so, Annie gained a deeper understanding of her roots, and as a result, developed an increasingly authentic relationship with herself, her country, and those around her. Fascinated by the forgotten stories of those enslaved, she now dedicates her time to researching and writing about them and hopes to inspire others to do the same."I want to write about the stories of those people whose lives were stolen from them and whose stories have been buried and lost."We talk about:Developing skills for safeguarding historical knowledge and promoting awareness among others. Confronting the legacy of slave ownership and its enduring consequences in today's world. Revealing the previously untold lives of the enslaved and honoring their perseverance. Adopting a mindset of transparency and understanding to progress beyond historical injustices. Gaining insights on maintaining our shared history and educating future generations about the past. Annie Harnett began researching her family’s involvement in chattel slavery in the U.S. in the spring of 2021. Until that time, she knew very little about American history and nothing about genealogy. In addition to the essays and interviews published on Medium, Annie has published essays and op-eds in Salon, the Austin American Statesman, and Texas Parks and Wildlife Magazine, among others. Annie has an MFA in Creative Writing from Texas State University and lives in Austin, Texas.Connect with Annie:Website: https://anniehnet.medium.com/Twitter: @AnnieHHartnett1Facebook: @annie.hartnett.5Instagram: @relationskinsfolkAncestry.comSign up for a 2 week free trial and discover the records that tell the stories of your ancestors.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphy

Jacqueline Jannotta's genealogy research uncovers a family history of mob ties and tragedy, revealing the ripple effects of trauma and the importance of understanding our shared humanity.Through her genealogical research, Jacqueline gained a greater understanding and compassion for her ancestors, particularly her tough, outspoken grandmother. The trauma experienced by her family shaped their personalities and relationships, and it made her realize the importance of understanding one's roots to better comprehend oneself and others. Jacqueline's belief that we are all interconnected through our stories encourages her to approach communities and cultures with empathy and curiosity. By exploring the complexities of her own lineage, Jacqueline encourages others to look beyond the surface of their family's history, in order to uncover hidden layers that may lead to greater self-awareness and connection with the world around them.About Jacqueline:Jacqueline Jannotta is the award-winning author of the book Let’s Leave the Country! A Guide to Your Family Year Abroad, inspired by her family’s extraordinary year in Genoa, Italy. She’s a graduate of Northwestern University who spent the early part of her career working in television and sitcoms, followed by producing Internet content. After leaving the entertainment business and starting a family, Jacqueline continued writing and also devised a year abroad for her family. Her book was born out of that adventure, and she continues her work as a writer, avid genealogist, and forever optimist who is dedicated to building a better vision for the future.Website: becomingbetterpeople.usMedium: @JacquelineJannottaFacebook and Instagram: @becomingbetterpeople.usMastodon: @JacquelineJannottaYou can purchase her book, "Let's Leave the Country!: A Guide to Your Family Year Abroad" through Amazon (affiliate link)Ancestry.comSign up for a 2 week free trial and discover the records that tell the stories of your ancestors.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphy

Amidst the shocking history of his family's escape from Austria during the Nazi invasion, Christopher Bock discovers the remarkable life of his great-uncle Paul Patek, a metal worker and artist who played a key role in their survival, inspiring Bock to write a book about him and uncovering hidden talents in his own family lineage."[Researching] really did make me understand my family a lot more in a lot of ways."Key Points:Traverse Christopher Bock's lineage, as we uncover the intricate details of his ancestry.Learn about the gripping escape from Nazi-occupied Austria and the challenges of starting anew.Comprehend the value of investigating family histories and the talents concealed within.Discover the profound influence of family tales in shaping our self-awareness and identity.About Christopher:Everything Christopher Bock does is with passion and thoroughness fueled by curiosity. The list is diverse—photography, collecting baseball cards, keeping bees, and his own hardwood flooring business, Geronimo Floors. But he never thought of writing a book until he was handed his grandfather’s autobiography. That same curiosity and passion led him to the extraordinary story of his grandfather’s escape from Austria in 1938—and the key role a mischievous uncle played in the family’s survival.Christopher's book, "An Ordinary Man: from Vienna to Japan and Back During World War II" is available on Amazon. (affiliate link)Ancestry.comSign up for a 2 week free trial and discover the records that tell the stories of your ancestors.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphy

Shannon Peel is an expert at stories, and while her usual audience is made up of business owners looking to improve their marketing, her discussion of hero vs victim language in storytelling is so valuable to those learning about the stories in their family tree.  We started off talking about her deep roots in western Canada, delved into the "why" questions around emigration, and then found ourselves looking at the way we talk about our ancestors, women in particular.Shannon Peel is the creative force behind the MarketAPeel Brand. She works from her home office overlooking life in Downtown Vancouver, BC Canada. She is passionate about stories and how to they connect people and exploring why people make the choices they make. People describe her as intelligent, quick witted, and creative, all things she takes pride in as she values intelligent thought and solution based productivity. MarketAPeel reflects her values and vision.https://www.marketapeel.agency/speakerLinkedIn: Shannon PeelFacebook: @marketapeelTwitter: @shannonpeel1Instagram: @market_apeel-------------This podcast is supported by Heather Murphy's TraceLine Success.  Get your free workbook, Success is Found in Your Roots, at heathercmurphy.com/successworkbookConnect with Heather on Instagram or Facebook @msheathermurphyAre we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphy

In this episode, Heather shares how she took elements from therapy, even after having a very negative experience, and used them to transform the ways in which she approaches family history.  She explains the connection between the 8 C's of Internal Family Systems and the framework she built to unlock the power of family history research.Join us for a new 12- week group program, Rooted Success, to learn how to use psychology and family history to help you live your version of a successful life.You can find the details at https://programs.heathercmurphy.com(You can get it for 40% off if you sign up by November 30, 2022!)Ancestry.comSign up for a 2 week free trial and discover the records that tell the stories of your ancestors.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphy

Oftentimes when people research in their family history they're looking for inspiration. They're looking for ancestors who did hard things, who were successful, and who can inspire them in their own struggles and what they want to achieve in life. That is what David Alston found.David was adopted as an infant, though the story is complicated, as you will hear in this episode. But as he learned about his birth family he discovered he was related to Harriet Tubman.  Knowing how she lived her life, and that he had a blood connection to her, inspired David to what his purpose in life could be and how he could move forward in helping other people live their own.About David Alston:David Alston has over thirty-five years of experience as an educator, motivational speaker and public figure. David is the 3rd cousin of Harriet Tubman. He has dedicated his life to helping others to live a free and better life. David is the host of The Underground Subway, which is a podcast that focuses on discussing the issues and strategies that will lead to freedom and a better way of life. David is the author of "Blood, Sweat and Cheers... The roadmap to success" and "Son of Another Mother... The Struggle of Adoption." David has a strong passion for motivating others to survive and achieve their purpose.Connect with him on Facebook @BishopDavidAlston This podcast is supported by Heather Murphy's TraceLine Success.  Get your free workbook, Success is Found in Your Roots, at heathercmurphy.com/successworkbookAncestry.comSign up for a 2 week free trial and discover the records that tell the stories of your ancestors.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphy

What if your grandchildren could have a video chat with your grandmother, even if they didn't live at the same time?That is the vision behind StoryFile, a way to preserve and share personal experiences and stories in an interactive platform.Heather Smith, co-founder and Chief Visionary Officer of StoryFile, shares why it was important to her to create a new way to have conversations and make connections across generations and experiences and how you can, and should, make a StoryFile for yourself and other family members.StoryFile is revolutionizing the way we connect with each other by introducing conversational video with Audio Visual technology at the forefront of this generation. Through the click of a button, StoryFile magically turns video into a conversation. This next generation of technology uses artificial intelligence to support video conversations on any device. StoryFile transforms traditional one-way video into a two-way conversation. This is the biggest audio-visual evolution since video was first created.Go to StoryFile.com to create an account and use the code STORIESINOURROOTS for 20% off (valid through November 26, 2022).You can also follow StoryFile at:Instagram @storyfileFacebook @StoryFileAppTwitter @storyfileLinkedIn  StoryFileAre we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphy

Dave Combs shares stories of music and perseverance that carry through his family tree.About Dave:Dave Combs is a songwriter, entrepreneur, successful business executive, and best-selling author. Over the 40+ years he has written over 120 songs and created fifteen albums of soothing, relaxing instrumental piano music, including the popular standard, Rachel’s Song. He is the author of the bestselling book, Touched by the Music.Connect with DaveWebsite: CombsMusic.comFacebook: @TouchedByTheMusicLinkedIn: Dave CombsYouTube: combsmusicAncestry.comSign up for a 2 week free trial and discover the records that tell the stories of your ancestors.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphy

Lisann Valentin began her family history journey by exploring why her Puerto Rican great-great-grandmother was called La Irlandésa, or “The Irish One.”  Along the way she discovered the things her ancestors were known for “had nothing to do with their careers, it had everything to do with how they showed up vibrantly in their life.”    She uses the inspiration of their lives to support her own dreams and how she shows up in the world.About Lisann:Lisann Valentin is a professional actor, a best-selling author & 5th generation shaman.Through every career change, this multi-hyphenate has leaned on the legacy of belief her family inspired within her. From Wall Street to red-carpets, her lineage led her to intuitive coaching where she seamlessly helps empathic leaders within the corporate world and entertainment industry.You can see this film and television actor recurring on the Netflix series Manifest, or you can learn more about her coaching practice at LisannValentin.com Website: www.LisannValentin.com Instagram: @LisannValentin Get your free workbook, Success is Found in Your Roots, at heathercmurphy.com/successworkbookAncestry.comSign up for a 2 week free trial and discover the records that tell the stories of your ancestors.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphy

Renee Harris is the founder of an online skin care business selling soap and lotion for dry skin. Ironically, it was "soap-selling" that her grandfather used as a cover to hide dozens of Jews throughout World War 2 in his home in Holland. Having this special connection made Renee dig in deeper to uncover the stories of courage and hope left by her grandparents.Learn more about the experiences of Renee’s grandparents at  https://hardlotion.com/soap-how-it-helped-my-grandparents-survive-during-ww2/Website parenttheirpassion.com Facebook @parenttheirpassion and @hardlotionInstagram @parenttheirpassion and @hardlotionAncestry.comSign up for a 2 week free trial and discover the records that tell the stories of your ancestors.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphy

Ann Hince shares the stories of how she came to meet her birth mother, learned about her birth father, and made other family connections.  We talk about the parts of herself she recognized as she learned about her birth family, that not everyone gets an adoption reunion story, and how her father’s writing helped her get a small feeling of what it means to live during war.About Ann:When Ann was 19, she woke one morning to find her mother dead in her bathroom. Twenty years later the tears from that trauma were still just under the surface.  Ann has found that seeking out our truth, what we truly feel, and accepting those feelings, is the key to inner peace. She has written a book, A Pathway to Insight, available on Amazon.com. Website: annhince.com Facebook: @annhincewisdom LinkedIn: Ann Hince Ancestry.comSign up for a 2 week free trial and discover the records that tell the stories of your ancestors.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphy

Anika shares her experiences as a second-generation immigrant and how she realized she didn’t need to choose between the cultures that made her who she is.  Through learning the stories of her parents’ and ancestors she gained a deeper understanding of herself and sees the opportunity we have to celebrate ancestral greatness built out of hard experiences.  Anika also adds some great tips about having conversations to preserve your own family heritage. About Anika:Anika Chabra is co-founder of the platform Root & Seed which helps others claim, honour, document and celebrate their unique family stories, traditions and culture and includes a mobile based web app that help inspire conversations with our elders. She is also the host of a podcast of the same name, The Root & Seed podcast.Website: rootandseed.comFacebook: @rootandseedcoInstagram: @rootandseedcoTwitter:  @rootandseedcoLinkedIn: @rootandseedcoConnect with Heather:heathercmurphy.com or Instagram, LinkedIn, or Facebook @msheathermurphyAncestry.comSign up for a 2 week free trial and discover the records that tell the stories of your ancestors.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Are we connected on Instagram or Facebook yet? Find me @msheathermurphy