...the surprising things we learn about ourselves as we get older, the vast territories of unknown self suddenly exposed — eg, the ways our families’ immigrant histories impact our live and choices and relationships, every day — and how bracing and humbling it can be to realize we’ve labored under such partial understandings — was a recurring theme Niedzviecki reflected in with deep insight. The conversation had me revisiting some of my memories about his parents, jovial suburbanites who loved a good barbecue and always had an extra fridge stuffed with canned sodas. Not knowing they were immigrants from Russia who started with nothing except a tin suitcase that remains in the family as an heirloom. “It’s so easy to get lost in 21st century life. The first thing is, Who are you? Where do you come from. And if you don’t have an answer for that, you’re in trouble already.”