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 →
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 →
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, 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 →
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