Category Podcasts
In this episode, Sammy looks back on the six months he, Dinna, and their seven-year-old son spent in Italy after leaving the USSR — the first time any of them had lived in a new country. He shares what it… Continue Reading →
Host Ramone and guest Sammy discuss their family’s immigration journey from the Soviet Union (now Russia) to Canada. Sammy shares that their family lived in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) before immigrating in 1979, undergoing a long and challenging process that… Continue Reading →
Ramone, Elliot, and Frisbee Rob engage in a free-flowing conversation covering a variety of topics, from paintball and laser tag to small-town life, travel, and personal experiences. They discuss past paintball outings, including competitive matches against coworkers and unexpected encounters… Continue Reading →
In this episode, I continue my conversation with my mother, Dinna, revisiting childhood memories—including the time I drank ink and when I broke a vase by setting up a web of string. She shares her perspective on those moments before… Continue Reading →
In this episode, my son Ramone takes over as host, kicking off a debate about a nine-on-nine baseball matchup—him versus me—which quickly expands to hockey, basketball, and ultimate frisbee, with plenty of smack talk. We reminisce about past family debates… Continue Reading →
In this episode, I interview my father, Sammy, about our family’s escape from the Soviet Union in 1979. He recounts the tense journey from Leningrad to Vienna, where we first experienced the abundance of the West, before secretly entering Italy… Continue Reading →
In this episode, I interview my mother, Dinna, about her childhood in post-war Gomel, Belarus. She shares memories of growing up in a multi-generational home, the hardships of Soviet life, and the simple joys of childhood, including friendships and family… Continue Reading →
Sammy continues his gripping story of emigration from the Soviet Union. He describes the pivotal moments that led to his family’s decision to leave, including financial challenges and the underground network of information that guided them through the process. As… Continue Reading →
After a long break, the conversation with Sammy resumes as he explores the personal and historical significance of his name, sharing family stories and an unexpected discovery about its origins. He recounts efforts to trace the Negelev family name at… Continue Reading →
In this episode, my father, Sammy, continues sharing his life story, reflecting on his early years of marriage with my mother, Dinna, in 1970s Leningrad. He talks about their courtship, the challenges of planning a wedding under Soviet bureaucracy, and… Continue Reading →
Sammy begins by describing the hardships he faced after returning from military service in 1968. Shortly after his discharge, his father’s wife, Nini, suffered a severe injury, which led to a devastating cancer diagnosis. Sammy details the struggles of caring… Continue Reading →
After returning from military service in 1968, Sammy faced the challenge of caring for his father’s wife, whose illness highlighted the severe shortcomings of the Soviet healthcare system. While managing these difficulties, he secured work as a draftsman but recognized… Continue Reading →
In this episode, Sammy continues his story, reflecting on the changes in his family after his mother’s passing and his father’s swift remarriage. He details his struggles to adjust, his time at technical college, and the friendships he formed during… Continue Reading →
In part two of my conversation with Sammy, we pick up where we left off—his parents’ lives in post-war Leningrad. Sammy shares insights into his father’s post-military life, working various manual jobs before settling into a factory maintenance role, while… Continue Reading →
In this episode, I interview my father, Sammy, about our family history, tracing back to his father, Yuri, and his mother, Pesya. We explore Yuri’s early years as an orphan after World War I, his service in the Soviet Army,… Continue Reading →
In this episode, I sit down with John Beltrano, a family man, dog owner, and deep thinker. We talk about woodworking, raising kids, pranks, technology, automation, and how humanity is adapting (or failing to adapt) to rapid changes in society…. Continue Reading →
In this episode, I interview my son, Ramone, about his life, interests, and family history. We discuss his love for baseball, hockey, and snowboarding, his experiences with travel teams, and his unique name origin. The conversation takes a lighthearted turn… Continue Reading →
