8 episodes

Chris Garcia’s dad had one dying wish: That his family scatter his ashes off the coast of Cuba. Chris’s mom? She doesn’t give a crap about dying wishes. She’s vowed to never go back to Cuba again.

As Chris tries to do right by his dad, he sets out to uncover the truth about a man he barely knew.

Scattered is produced by WNYC Studios, home of other great podcasts including Radiolab, Death, Sex & Money, On the Media and Nancy.

Scattered WNYC Studios

- Society & Culture
- 4.9 • 7 Ratings

- 23 OCT 2019
1. Soy Andres, a Tus Pies

1. Soy Andres, a Tus Pies

Chris’s dad was a classy guy. Whenever he met one of his son’s girlfriends, he’d extend his hand, give her a firm handshake and say, “Soy Andrés, a tus pies.” Which means, “I’m Andres, I serve at your feet.”
Andres carried his wife’s purse when they went out, taught Chris to throw a knuckle ball by age eight, and loved a good joke at Fidel Castro’s expense. But behind it all was a dark past that Chris was too scared to ask about.
- 30 min
- 23 OCT 2019
2. The Camp

2. The Camp

When Andres asked the Cuban government for permission to leave the country in 1969, he got a letter with a set of instructions.
- 26 min
- 30 OCT 2019
3. The Cuckoo's Nest

3. The Cuckoo's Nest

Was it torture, or treatment?
- 26 min
- 6 NOV 2019
4. The Chunited States

4. The Chunited States

Andres catches a break. Mr. Bible-Jesus is born. And an American dog drinks café con leche.
- 37 min
- 13 NOV 2019
5. The Ashes

5. The Ashes

Chris confronts the box in his closet.
Follow @ScatteredPodcast for updates on the show, old photos of the fam back in Cuba, and more.
Our theme song is "Please Won't Please" from This is How You Smile by Helado Negro.
- 33 min
- 20 NOV 2019
6. The End

6. The End

Ana puts on her hot pink visor, Chris gets heatstroke, and the Garcias say goodbye.
Follow @ScatteredPodcast for updates on the show, old photos of the fam back in Cuba, and more.
Our theme song is "Please Won't Please" from This is How You Smile by Helado Negro.
Additional song: "Cuando Salí de Cuba" performed by Celia Cruz. Courtesy of Craft Recordings, a division of Concord Music Group, Inc. Written by Luis Aguilé.
Special thanks to Lillian Guerra, Rachel Hynson, Emily Botein, Celia Muller, Janna Freed, Tobin Low, the entire Death Sex and Money team, Mark Szuchman, and Carrie Kahn. Ernesto Chavez, Suzie Lechtenberg, Julia Longoria, Katie Bishop, Megan Cunnane, Soren Wheeler, Raymond Guillemette, Edward Lattimer, and Carmen Cusido.
- 36 min

4.9 out of 5

7 Ratings

Bueno!

I can’t believe this podcast only has 4 ratings!! It’s brilliant. So touching, poignant, sad and heartwarming. I would have never listened if I read some review declaring it to be a story of true love and yet that’s what it is, and I love it more for this reason. Palpable love between Chris and his Papi and Mami, the love his parents have for each other; his aunt’s love for her brother; his Mami’s love for him. I have wept with some 85yr old guy whose name I couldn’t even catch, as he broke down at the end of his interview... The love and commitment this family has for each other has taught me some big life lessons.
Thank you Chris for sharing these stories.
(From Ireland with love)