Episode 11
Host: Jill Mastroianni and April
Guest: Carmen Mastroianni
Macaroni’s Story: A Granddaughter Records Her Unknown Hero
In this special episode, we step away from legal mechanics and into something deeply personal: the power of capturing family stories. Jill and her daughter April share an episode from their private family podcast, featuring Carmen Mastroianni—Jill’s father and April’s grandfather.
Carmen reflects on his childhood in Schenectady, New York, his unexpected path to college, and his unforgettable experience serving in the Vietnam War. Nicknamed “Macaroni” during basic training, Carmen’s stories are full of humor, heartbreak, and history. Along the way, Jill offers listeners a behind-the-scenes look at how you can create a podcast to preserve your own family legacy.
What We Discussed
The inspiration behind starting a family podcast
Carmen’s early years: riding horses, working in his dad’s bakery, and life at a private Catholic high school
How a last-minute college application changed his life
His friendship with Donnie Brewer and the profound loss that followed
Getting drafted into the Vietnam War and earning the nickname “Macaroni”
His unexpected transfer from infantry to finance—and how it saved his life
The emotional return home from an unpopular war
Life lessons he hopes future generations will remember
April’s choice to honor her grandfather as an “unknown hero” in a school project
Tips, tools, and encouragement for starting your own family podcast
Resources & Links
Podcasting Tools Mentioned:
Microphone: ATR-2100X (~$50)
Foam Windscreen (~$5)
Recording Software: Riverside.fm (~$30/month)
Podcast Hosting: Simplecast (~$15/month)
In-Person Recording: Zoom PodTrak P4 (~$170)
Cover Art Creation: Canva (free and paid options)
Podcast Editing Support:
Jon Gay – JAG in Detroit Podcasts
Connect with Jill:
Website: DeathReadiness.com
Email: jill@deathreadiness.com
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