How do we talk about our family histories?

Published Jul 11, 2024 9:31 AM

Listen • 1:01:39

A panel of six people speak on a black stage in front of a pink and purple backdrop that reads "Inheriting: How do we talk about family histories?"

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Topline:

In a special live version of Inheriting, host Emily Kwong takes listeners back to pivotal moments in Asian American and Pacific Islander history with three families from Season 1. This final episode of the podcast delves into their experiences and reflections that add context to the show. It also provides practical insights for listeners on interviewing their own loved ones.

Why you should listen:

Inheriting is a podcast modeling how to have conversations about family history — as a way to bridge intergenerational gaps, tend to our mental health, and process the world we live in today. If you’ve always wanted to interview someone in your life, our team suggests the following tips:

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Set an intention. Why are you talking to the family member and what questions are you trying to answer? Knowing this will allow you to stay focused. It will also help establish what the person being interviewed will get out of the conversation.
Bring media. Having family photos, heirlooms, or home videos might help jumpstart the conversation and bring to mind old memories. It might also make the person being interviewed more comfortable. Also, decide how and if you want to record the conversation through audio and/or video technology.
Set boundaries & take ample breaks. There might be topics that are off limits or triggering, especially if the person you’re interviewing experienced something difficult or traumatic. Make sure to set some ground rules ahead of time and know which topics to avoid, and know when to pivot to another topic if needed.
Treat this interview as part of a longer project of getting to know one another. If you get nervous or the conversation goes off the rails, circle back to your intention. Spend some time at the end reflecting on what this experience was like for you both.
Use the printable handout from our team below to guide you through the process.

A list of tips about how to talk about family histories on a white background with black font and gold subheadings. The Inheriting tile art is in the lower right hand corner.

Resources

For even more information and resources for interviewing family, check out the Inheriting Resource Guide for Episode 10. You'll also find a printable handout to guide you through this process.

Want more advice?

Listen to episode 10 of Inheriting, where Kwong, the show’s consulting psychologist Sherry Wang, and ethnic studies post-doctoral lecturer Carol Kwang Park (featured in episodes 1 & 2) share advice on talking to family. Their conversation, driven by audience questions, happens in the last half hour of the episode.

Watch the entire video recording of the Inheriting live show here.

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Find all episodes of Inheriting Season 1 wherever you get your podcasts and on LAist.com/Inheriting.

What’s next for Inheriting?

Thank you so much for your support, feedback, and love for the first season of the show! It would not be possible without you. We are actively fundraising for Season 2. So, if you want to hear more work like this, go to LAist.com/Inheriting and click the orange box to donate to future seasons. Right now, your contribution will be matched dollar-for-dollar thanks to Jihee and Peter Huh.