Stories That Live In Us

One child, 35 foster siblings, and an AncestryDNA test that changed everything...

In this moving episode, I sit down with Kevin Giddins and his filmmaker daughter Camlyn as they share their journey from being keepers of old secrets to tellers of powerful new stories. Through their father-daughter viewpoints, we witness how modern technology and cherished traditions blend to forge meaningful family connections. Their example of asking a simple question - "How is your world?" - shows us how to transform relationships across generations, turning hidden histories into shared stories that shape who we are.

Want to learn more about connecting with your adult children? Visit CristaCowan.com/blog for practical tips and story prompts inspired by this conversation.

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🎧 Ready to discover more stories that could transform your family connections? Subscribe to 'Stories That Live In Us' wherever you get your podcasts, and leave a review to help other families find their path to deeper connection through family history. Together, we're building a community of families committed to preserving and sharing the stories that matter most.
🖼️ Ready to turn your family discoveries into a beautiful conversation piece? Visit FamilyChartmasters.com to create a family tree chart that will help your family share stories for generations.
♥ Want more family history tips and inspiration? Follow me @CristaCowan on Instagram where I share behind-the-scenes looks at my own family discoveries and practical ways to uncover yours!

From the sidelines of NFL stadiums to the heart of Tongan traditions... Meet Sunny Mahe, mother of ten and keeper of powerful family stories. In this intimate conversation with my dear friend, we explore how her family's defining moments—both joyful and heart-shattering—have shaped their unshakeable bonds. Through faith, resilience, and raw honesty, Sunny reveals how embracing all parts of our family story—even the painful ones—creates a legacy of hope that extends far beyond our earthly connections.

Want to learn how connecting with our ancestors’ stories can transform how we nurture relationships with our living family members? Visit CristaCowan.com/blog to find practical tips and story prompts from this episode.

〰️ 🌳 🧬 〰️
🎧 Ready to discover more stories that could transform your family connections? Subscribe to 'Stories That Live In Us' wherever you get your podcasts, and leave a review to help other families find their path to deeper connection through family history. Together, we're building a community of families committed to preserving and sharing the stories that matter most.
🖼️ Ready to turn your family discoveries into a beautiful conversation piece? Visit FamilyChartmasters.com to create a family tree chart that will help your family share stories for generations.
♥ Want more family history tips and inspiration? Follow me @CristaCowan on Instagram where I share behind-the-scenes looks at my own family discoveries and practical ways to uncover yours!

What if uncovering a family story you never knew could change the way you see yourself and the world? In 2019, Ancestry's documentary Railroad Ties revealed how the Underground Railroad connected descendants of the enslaved with those who fought for their freedom. Before listening to this powerful conversation, watch the film.

My guest Gayle George's journey began with a surprising invitation to be part of this documentary. What she discovered – from emotional court records of her great-grandmother to unmarked family graves – transformed her understanding of home, belonging, and legacy. Today, through the Weems the People Foundation, she helps other families uncover and preserve their own powerful stories.

This episode will inspire you to look deeper into your family's untold stories and the profound impact they can have on future generations.

Discover more about Gayle's work and the legacy of her ancestors at WeemsThePeople.org and Awakeningho.me.

〰️ 🌳 🧬 〰️
🎧 Ready to discover more stories that could transform your family connections? Subscribe to 'Stories That Live In Us' wherever you get your podcasts, and leave a review to help other families find their path to deeper connection through family history. Together, we're building a community of families committed to preserving and sharing the stories that matter most.
🖼️ Ready to turn your family discoveries into a beautiful conversation piece? Visit FamilyChartmasters.com to create a family tree chart that will help your family share stories for generations.
♥ Want more family history tips and inspiration? Follow me @CristaCowan on Instagram where I share behind-the-scenes looks at my own family discoveries and practical ways to uncover yours!

When Emily Paulson learned that nearly 72,000 WWII heroes remained unidentified, she found her calling...

Through her role as a contractor at the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, Emily combines traditional genealogy research and DNA science to identify more than 81,000 missing American service members who served from WWII through the Gulf War. As we mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day, she shares the moving story of Second Lieutenant William McGowan, who left behind a young wife and a legacy of family service when his P-47 Thunderbolt was shot down in France. Emily reveals how dedicated teams work with families across generations to fulfill a sacred promise: that no service member will be forgotten. Her message of hope reminds us that every missing hero has a family waiting for their story to be completed.

Listen now to discover how modern genealogy helps bring our heroes home and write the final chapters of their remarkable stories.

📝 Read our companion blog post to learn more about the massive, ongoing efforts to bring closure to families and honor the memories of those who paid the ultimate price.

〰️ 🌳 🧬 〰️
🎧 Ready to discover more stories that could transform your family connections? Subscribe to 'Stories That Live In Us' wherever you get your podcasts, and leave a review to help other families find their path to deeper connection through family history. Together, we're building a community of families committed to preserving and sharing the stories that matter most.
🖼️ Ready to turn your family discoveries into a beautiful conversation piece? Visit FamilyChartmasters.com to create a family tree chart that will help your family share stories for generations.
♥ Want more family history tips and inspiration? Follow me @CristaCowan on Instagram where I share behind-the-scenes looks at my own family discoveries and practical ways to uncover yours!

When my mom was just 17, she lost her father – but 50 years later, DNA revealed an unexpected gift...

In this deeply personal episode, I share how an ordinary AncestryDNA test revealed an extraordinary family secret. What began as a potentially devastating discovery became a beautiful experience that brought four women (in their 60s and 70s) closer together. As the story unfolds, you'll see how even the messiest parts of our family stories are an opportunity for connection. Join me as I explore how DNA testing can unlock forgotten stories, heal old wounds, and create new bridges between generations that transform both our past and future relationships.

〰️ 🌳 🧬 〰️
🎧 Ready to discover more stories that could transform your family connections? Subscribe to 'Stories That Live In Us' wherever you get your podcasts, and leave a review to help other families find their path to deeper connection through family history. Together, we're building a community of families committed to preserving and sharing the stories that matter most.
🖼️ Ready to turn your family discoveries into a beautiful conversation piece? Visit FamilyChartmasters.com to create a family tree chart that will help your family share stories for generations.
♥ Want more family history tips and inspiration? Follow me @CristaCowan on Instagram where I share behind-the-scenes looks at my own family discoveries and practical ways to uncover yours!