My next guest Adam Frankel grew up idolising his wonderful father and his father’s father, following in their footsteps to become a successful speechwriter.  After graduating from Princeton University and the London School of Economics and Political Science, where he was a Fulbright Scholar, Adam joined Barack Obama’s fledgling presidential campaign in 2007, helping craft those unforgettable “Yes We Can” speeches.  

But around the same time, when Adam’s career was reaching its zenith, his personal life & sense of identity, was in complete & utter disarray.  At 25, Adam discovers a truth about his family that unravels his entire understanding of who he is.

Adam’s gripping debut book, “The Survivors: A Story of War, Inheritance & Healing”; is a memoir of family, the Holocaust, intergenerational trauma and identity - where Adam comes to terms with the legacy of his family’s painful past and learns who he is in the wake of a life-changing revelation.  

But above all else, Adam’s just one beautiful human being.  I might just have to adopt him as a baby brother.

Just a few things about this special chat… Unfortunately, the audio played up a little, so my conversation with Adam isn’t as clear in parts, as you’re used to.  But please bear with us, because I promise you, it’s worth the listen.

Lastly, this episode of BRAVE JOURNEYS talks about mental illness and suicide and isn’t remotely suitable for little ears.

If anything you hear during this episode is triggering in any way, please reach out to someone who can help keep you safe.  And please remember if you’re in Australia, you can phone Lifeline at any time on 13 11 14.

BUT BEFORE YOU GO…

Find out more about Adam here

Purchase Adam’s remarkable book, “The Survivors: A Story of War, Inheritance, and Healing” here 

Follow Adam on Insta here

Follow Adam on Facebook here

Follow Adam on Twitter here

Find out more about Tam here

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Join the conversation and chat about the episode here

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CREDITS:

Creator, Host & Executive Producer: Tammi Faraday

With thanks to my special guest: Adam Frankel

Audio Editor: Zoltan Fecso

 With very special thanks to George Weinberg and Ursula Ferguson 

 BRAVE JOURNEYS acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we record this podcast on, the Yaluk-ut Weelam Clan of the Boon Wurrungwho are part of the Kulin Nation. We pay our respect to their Elders, both past, present and emerging and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.