Call Your Grandmother

Every family has an origin story – for author Jo Piazza (Under the Influence, Wilder) her family's is a murder mystery. For as long as she can remember the Piazzas have told the story of their Sicilian roots going back over a hundred years ago: one by one the sons and then their father sailed off to America to carve out a better life. Their mother, Lorenza Marsala was supposed to join them – but she never made it. She was murdered by the Sicilian mafia, they said. The truth of what happened has morphed like a game of telephone through the generations. Various versions of the story claim she was killed by the Black Hand, others insisted she was a witch, killed over a bad spell. Now, Jo is determined to untangle the twisted narrative which just might bridge the gap from cinematic mob fantasies to an unexpected reality. Join her in Sicily on a family vacation/fact finding mission in which she goes to the scene of the crime, confronts mafia experts, consults mediums, and tracks down Italian officials, determined to set the record straight on her great, great grandmother’s mysterious disappearance. Listen here and subscribe to The Sicilian Inheritance on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcasts!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 2 April 2024

Sue Poster, the original inspiration for Call Your Grandmother, is back! This time, she’s joined by co-thespian and grandson Jed Levinson, who has a bone to pick after listening to Season 1 and discovering that he doesn’t seem to be the favorite grandchild. Show tunes, prank calls, and a trip to WrestleMania weave through the story of this hilarious pair of Call Your Grandmother anti-heroes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 23 June 2022

Legendary singer and actress Connie Stevens – a favorite of our hosts Rita and Ellin – has a beautiful bond with her eldest grandchild Skylar, who draws her out on kissing Elvis, being shorter than Sammy Davis Jr. and whether or not she had a fling with Neil Armstrong after the moon landing.  Skylar’s grounded sense of humor and work ethic as she follows in Connie’s larger than life footsteps are a testament to Connie’s steadfast focus on her family through the vicissitudes of a life in show business.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 16 June 2022

From learning to fly, to riding a white horse, to becoming friends with Michael Jordan, Mamaw’s audacious good humor has influenced her adored grandson Will to live with the same dauntless spirit – from starting Mental Floss with his friend Mangesh out of their college dorm room to becoming COO of iHeart’s Podcast Network. Join Rita and Ellin as they welcome our first Southern grandmother to the show with open arms – you’ll come away feeling like you could try anything and succeed.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 9 June 2022

Cosmetics pioneer Adrien Arpel's fearless work ethic rubbed off early on her entrepreneur granddaughter Ashley - in fact the two are nearly identical. Equally adept at deciphering texts from boys, battling over Halloween costumes, and falling in love at first sight, this incredible pair show true grit for life and admiration for each other in equal boundless measure.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 2 June 2022

Our Hosts Rita and Ellin are thrilled to be back and are ready to introduce you to a whole new crop of trailblazing grandmas! They’re off Bridgerton, on Steve Harvey, and famous in their buildings — and they’re beyond excited for season 2! As Ellin likes to say, you don’t have to be Jewish to love Levy’s Rye Bread - and you don’t have to be Jewish to listen to Call Your Grandmother!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 26 May 2022

Rita and Ellin come blazing back for a bonus episode with the show’s creator, Meryl Poster. They talk the making of the show, the thrill of daytime TV stardom, and Meryl shares a big surprise! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 1 April 2021

Hugh Jackman may want to tune in this week to hear the fabulous Joan confess to her treasured granddaughter Noa - about finagling a meeting with her future husband, how to dress for a date, and who the current love of her life is... Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 4 March 2021

Today our co host Ellin and her beloved grandson Logan lead us through remarkable family legends: a baby born on a ship, a rescue from summer camp, and poodle skirts washed in the bathtub... Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 25 February 2021

Lois and her granddaughter Jane see themselves as basically the same person... with a few generational disagreements! Join them as they discuss blind dates, an encounter with Eleanor Roosevelt, and how reading the obits every morning can actually be a good thing! Plus, hear how their nightly crossword routine and co-writing a book have brought them closer together. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 18 February 2021

With a mouth like a sailor and a talent for judging gymnastics and dog shows, Mimi impresses her grandson Aaron and his baseball teammates - and as we follow Mimi and Aaron’s relationship further, she reveals a tremendous inner strength and warmth that provides an invaluable lesson to her cherished grandson. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 11 February 2021

Meet Sue and Ava, the pair who inspired this podcast, as Sue accidentally live-streams on Facebook, kidnaps her beloved granddaughter Ava from school to visit a prize Yonkers bathroom and the two of them go on ticket hoarding runs to Chuck E Cheese - forming a lifelong and unbreakable grandmother granddaughter bond. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 4 February 2021

From "potsy" to jumping rope, Frank Sinatra to Trader Joe's, meet our co-host Rita through the eyes of her granddaughter, best friend and roommate, Rachael. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 28 January 2021

If 2020 proved anything, it's that EVERYONE needs a Jewish grandmother. Jewish grandmothers are natural comedians, and it’s about time they took the mic. Hosts Rita and Ellin introduce you to some less-than traditional Jewish grandmothers and the unbreakable bond they have with their favorite grandkids. These women will make you laugh your tuchus off and warm your heart like the coziest bowl of matzo ball soup. Each episode creates a time capsule of a certain era - long before television and online dating - overflowing with nostalgia and boundless love for their families. Tune in to get a dose of that love, plus some advice you definitely didn’t ask for but are happy to receive. After listening to these golden girls, you’ll be desperate to call YOUR grandmother. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 18 January 2021