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Artwork for Family Secrets

Family Secrets

iHeartPodcasts
Family Secrets
Family Dynamics
Mental Health
Identity
Childhood Trauma
Grief
Suicide
Motherhood
Dani Shapiro
Writing
Domestic Violence
Racism
Inheritance
Family Trauma
Financial Issues
Abuse
Kripalu Center For Yoga and Health
Resilience
Trauma
Secrecy

Family Secrets. We all have them. And while the discovery of family secrets can initially be terrifying or traumatic, often these discoveries have the power to liberate, heal, and even uplift us. Join Dani Shapiro, bestselling author of the memoir Inheritance, and her guests as they explore astonishing family secrets and uncover the extraordinary lessons the truth can teach us.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes260Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Society & Culture

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Artwork for Family Secrets

Latest Episodes

Tom’s father takes up all the oxygen in the room with a presence that's larger than life. Larger, in fact, than the many lives he keeps hidden from his wife and children. Tom must reckon with this legacy as he sets out to forge his own.

See omnystud... more

For most of her life, Darcy’s identity is a mystery. Who’s her mother? Who’s her father? And who, in the end, is she?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A childhood rife with political upheavel, violence and loss. An adulthood overtaken by distrust and manipulation. And then, finally, the truest friend and companion -- a Jack Russell terrier named Coco--helps Fatima break free and discover the joy th... more

When tragedy befalls Laurie’s crowded family, she and her eight remaining siblings—and their deeply detached and peculiar parents—must navigate the unthinkable. And too, the unsayable—because in this haunted home, nothing is said at all.

See omnystu... more

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Recent Guests

Darcy Ballentine
Assistant Professor in the Departments of English and Black Studies at Toronto Metropolitan University
Toronto Metropolitan University
Episode: Making Yourself Up
Fatima Bhutto
Pakistani writer and columnist, author of Song of Blood and Sword and The Hour of the Wolf
Author, Journalist
Episode: We Heard Everything
Laurie Herzl
Journalist, book critic, and memoir author
Author of Ghosts of Fourth Street
Episode: Nobody Liked Their Nickname
Mimi Nickter
Cultural anthropologist, professor emerita at University of Arizona's School of Anthropology; author of Hostage
University of Arizona
Episode: Hijacked
Jackie Blankenship
Podcast host, marathon runner, Mrs. America, intersex LGBTQ+ advocate
Mrs. America/Intersex advocacy
Episode: Mrs. America
Belle Burden
Attorney and author of Strangers, A Memoir of a Marriage
Author, Strangers; attorney
Episode: Strangers
Mimi Nichter
Guest featured on the harrowing moment that changed her life
Not specified
Episode: Coming Soon: Family Secrets Season 14
Belle Burton
Guest reflecting on the aftermath of familial disaster
Not specified
Episode: Coming Soon: Family Secrets Season 14
Lori Hertzl
Guest sharing memories related to her brother
Not specified
Episode: Coming Soon: Family Secrets Season 14

Host

Dani Shapiro
Host of Family Secrets

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 6.8k ratings
  • Sop for the rich

    Is every memoirist a prodigy? The first ten minutes of every episode is someone blathering about how special they were as a child. I’m sure it’s not just egotism. Or the fact that these memoirists grow up rich and catered to. Really disappointing how this podcast is just about rich peoples’ supposed struggles. Oh boohoo my story was criticized in college. Traumatized for life now.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Meh9873
    United States25 days ago
  • I love the voice of the Dani, the podcaster, and the generally calm tone of the podcast while diving into deeply emotional topics... makes it much easier to listen to.

    Podchaser
    5
    John Gonyea
    a month ago
  • Strangers

    As a divorced mother who actually has to work, this episode is so out of touch. You went to elite schools and became a lawyer. You inherited money. You had two homes. Try living off one salary without alimony or child support and having to pay rent that is exponentially more than you can afford. Try paying with pennies to buy groceries because that’s all you have. This episode is a slap in the face to single mothers who are actually trying to make ends meet.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Check1check2check3
    United Statesa month ago
  • So Interesting!

    This podcast truly speaks to me, so I’m going to overlook the fact that there are WAYYYY too many ads 😅 The ads may drive me nuts, but the stories are absolutely fascinating and the host is excellent. I’m glued to this podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Dill H. Pickled
    Canada3 months ago
  • Phenomenal podcast

    Family Secrets is a remarkable podcast that reaches far beyond hidden truths. It’s about lives lived and not lived, and the quiet complexity of being human.

    Dani Shapiro is an outstanding host—genuine, tender, and deeply attuned. She knows how to gently explore facets of people’s secrets, creating conversations that feel both intimate and deeply human.

    Simply put, one of the best podcasts out there. Thank you.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Zaisabella
    South Africa3 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners praise intimate storytelling and strong host empathy, though some notice heavy ad breaks.
Critiques often target book-promo episodes and ad load, with some wishing for more diverse guest backgrounds.
Fans value the depth of personal revelations and guest expertise, rating production and guest variety highly.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Making Yourself Up
Q: What role did literature and academic study play in your healing and understanding?
Textual engagement with her father's work became a bridge to her own history, and later, a professional focus on Black studies that helped her to contextualize her identity within a broader Canadian and Caribbean diaspora.
Mrs. America
Q: What was it like to speak about this on stage during Mrs. America, and why did you choose to share?
She chose to share to normalize intersex experiences, reduce stigma, and empower others to seek education and support, even at the risk of personal discomfort, because visibility can drive understanding and change.
90 Miles
Q: How did you navigate the relationship with Gil given the danger he posed?
Karen recounts the escalating threats and abuse which ultimately led her to flee for safety.
The Guy Who Knew a Guy
Q: Did you ask your mom questions about why he was going to prison?
Francesca reveals that she did ask her mother questions, but the information provided was limited, leading to further curiosity about her father's life.
The Guy Who Knew a Guy
Q: How did your parents meet?
Francesca shares that her mother sought protection from an abusive gang leader by reaching out to her father, who was friends with the gang leader.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Family Secrets

What is Family Secrets about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show centers on intimate, often family-based revelations and the process of truth-telling, featuring memoirists, journalists, academics, and activists who share personal histories of secrecy, trauma, and resilience. Episodes frequently explore how hidden pasts shape identities, relationships, and life choices, with a strong emphasis on healing through confession, storytelling, and public accountability. Notable traits include a steady stream of author guests discussing their work within memoir and trauma recovery, a calm, empathetic interview style, and a blend of high-profile investigations with deeply personal narratives. This combination makes it compelling for listeners who value thoughtful, emotionally anchored conversations about ... more

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How many listeners does Family Secrets get?

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What are the audience demographics for Family Secrets?

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How many subscribers and views does Family Secrets have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Family Secrets has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Family Secrets?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Family Secrets:

1. The Secret Room | True Stories
2. What Was That Like - True Stories. Real People.
3. DNA Surprises
4. NPE Stories
5. This Is Actually Happening

How many episodes of Family Secrets are there?

Family Secrets launched 8 years ago and published 260 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Family Secrets?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Family Secrets?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Family Secrets from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on Family Secrets?

Recent guests on Family Secrets include:

1. Darcy Ballentine
2. Fatima Bhutto
3. Laurie Herzl
4. Mimi Nickter
5. Jackie Blankenship
6. Belle Burden
7. Mimi Nichter
8. Belle Burton

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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