Stories That Live In Us

May 30 2024 27
Stories That Live In Us Podcast artwork

What if the most powerful way to strengthen your family’s future is to look to the past?
I’m Crista Cowan, known online as The Barefoot Genealogist.  I created this podcast to inspire you to form deeper connections with your family - past, present, and future.  All families are messy and life is constantly changing but we don’t have to allow that to disconnect us.  I’ve spent my whole life discovering the power of family history and I know that sharing the stories that live in you can change everything.

Tune in weekly to receive inspiration and guidance that will help you use family stories to craft a powerful family narrative, contributing to your family’s identity and creating a legacy of resilience, healing, and connection.

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One Person's Trash | Episode 9

May 30 2024 18 mins  
When an unexpected email unearthed irreplaceable family heirlooms, it reminded me that people—including our own relatives—are often not quite what they seem.My grandpa’s youngest sister, Aunt Madeleine, was always a bit of an enigma within our family—emotionally distant and reserved. More than once she said things that left us all a little stunned. Yet, certain discoveries

L'dor V'dor - From Generation to Generation (with Howard Hochhauser) | Episode 8

May 23 2024 23 mins  
Serena never spoke of her life before she married into the Hochhauser family. They knew she was from Eastern Europe and based on her age and the timing of her immigration, they knew she had suffered through the events of the Holocaust and survived. But, how she did so was a story that was never told.Nearly two decades after Serena’s death a set of historical records from the Red

And Then I Heard A Meadowlark Sing (with Sunny Morton) | Episode 7

May 16 2024 27 mins  
Genealogist Sunny Morton didn’t even know someone was missing from her family tree until a single mention in an obituary led her to a Nun.Sister Mary Bertilla. This single name sparked a long search that culminated in the discovery of a remarkable, yet nearly forgotten, woman who dedicated herself to faith and service. Her story, encapsulated in a touching obituary, highlights th

This Gathering Place (with Shelly Cowan) | Episode 6

May 09 2024 30 mins  
Imagine sitting down at a family dinner where every bite is seasoned with laughter, love, and connection. You're invited to a conversation with my sister-in-law, Shelly Cowan, about an overly large family table and the powerful traditions it supports.The mother of five boys, Shelly didn't just build a table with her dad, she crafted a space of profound gratitude and deep connection

Out of Obscurity (with Kevin Giddins and Camlyn Giddins) | Episode 5

May 02 2024 25 mins  
Raised in the New York foster care system, Kevin Giddins knew his biological mother's name but not much else. But, an AncestryDNA test led him to her doorstep and an extraordinary reunion. His daughter Camlyn, caught the whole thing on film.The three of us have a meaningful conversation about the essence of these family relationships and the roles they play in shaping who we are. W

The Whole Tree (with Sunny Mahe) | Episode 4

May 02 2024 23 mins  
Cultural nuances, defining moments, and raw honesty. My conversation with my dear friend, Sunny Mahe has all of these things. We also dive deep into the power of faith and family.From her Tongan heritage to her ten children, I am so inspired by the way that resilience and friendship flourish within the walls of her home.The stories that live there - all of the stories - define them

Bliss It Was In That Dawn To Be Alive (with Eric Allen) | Episode 3

May 02 2024 37 mins  
Have you ever wondered about the faces in those old family photos tucked away in grandma's attic? Join me as Eric Allen (Vice President of Marketing at Ancestry) and I explore the power of pictures in helping us to discover, preserve, and share our family stories.Whether it's a box of grandpa's slides from the 1940s or mom's photo album from the 1970s, every image holds a story tha

Grandma's Love for the Theater (with Lisa Elzey and Will Swenson) | Episode 2

May 02 2024 36 mins  
Ruth Hale, an icon in Utah's theater world, always knew she was adopted. But, it wasn't until her grandson, actor Will Swenson, decided to take a DNA test at the urging of my producer, Lisa Elzey, that the mystery of her parentage had a hope of being solved.And, you won't believe what we uncovered!Listen in as Lisa and I share the story of sealed adoption records, scarce DNA matche

The Story That Lives In Me | Episode 1

May 02 2024 34 mins  
From a childhood rooted in family stories to a long-standing family mystery that required solving, follow me on my journey into family history.Be reminded of the painstaking efforts once required to climb a family tree —from county by county searches in Ohio courthouses to scrolling through microfilms in Salt Lake City's vast library. And rejoice with me in how the digital revolu

Stories That Live In Us | Trailer

Apr 25 2024 1 mins  
I created this podcast to inspire you to form deeper connections with your family - past, present, and future. All families are messy and life is constantly changing but we don’t have to allow that to disconnect us. I’ve spent my whole life discovering the power of family history and I know that sharing the stories that live in you can change everything.________________________