Macaroni’s Story: Why We Hit Record—and Why You Should, Too
When my daughter April had to choose a “known” and “unknown” hero for a school project, she picked Aretha Franklin—and my dad, Carmen Mastroianni.
April’s choice meant a lot to me. Not just because of who she chose, but because of how she knew my dad’s story.
She knew my dad as her grandfather. She knew him as someone who made her laugh. But after we sat down together and recorded a conversation with him—one that spanned his childhood in Schenectady, his time working in the family bakery, and his service during the Vietnam War—she knew him in a whole new way.
She knew him as a person with a story.
And that’s what this week’s episode is all about: using storytelling as a form of death readiness.
Why This Episode Is Different
If you’ve been listening to The Death Readiness Podcast for a while, you know we often get into the legal mechanics of estate planning, end-of-life documents, and the practical steps that make life easier for the people we leave behind. But death readiness isn’t just about having the right paperwork.
It’s about preparing your family for the day when you’re no longer here. It’s about preserving who you were—what you believed, what you lived through, what mattered to you.
And that kind of preparation doesn’t come in the form of a checklist. It comes in the form of stories.
That’s why this episode - Macaroni’s Story: A Granddaughter Records Her Unknown Hero - is special. We’re sharing an excerpt from The Mastroianni Family Podcast—and giving you the tools to create a private family podcast of your own.
What You’ll Hear in the Episode
April and I interviewed my dad, Carmen, in our living room with nothing more than a laptop and a little curiosity. We weren’t planning on starting a podcast – we just wanted to connect. In the episode, you’ll hear about:
What it was like growing up in Schenectady, NY, in the 1950s
My dad’s overnight shifts at the Mastroianni Bros. Bakery
Summer days spent at the horse stables
Getting drafted into the Vietnam War weeks after graduating college
How he earned the nickname “Macaroni”
The harsh reality of returning home from an unpopular war
A lifetime of resilience, loyalty, and lessons that still hold true
It’s funny. It’s heartbreaking. It’s honest in a way that lingers.
And it’s the kind of conversation that’s only possible when you take the time to ask—and record.
How to Create Your Own Family Podcast (Yes, You Can!)
At the end of the episode, I walk listeners through how I created ours—and how you can too. You don’t need fancy equipment or editing skills. You just need a quiet space, a couple of questions, and a willingness to hit record.
Click here for a Family Podcast Starter Checklist to get you going.
Final Thoughts: Start Small. Start Messy. Start with Love.
You don’t have to do it perfectly.
Our family podcast started with an ordinary Saturday afternoon, a curious teenager, and a man who had lived through a lot. What came out of it was connection, understanding, and a legacy April will carry with her forever.
So, if you’ve ever thought about capturing the voices and stories in your family—this is your sign.
Start now.
Listen to the full episode here:
Questions? Email me at jill@deathreadiness.com.
