Grey Gardens

Fern Bernstein
  • 4.9 (71)
  • HISTORY

This is the podcast about a well known house on Long Island named Grey Gardens, made famous by the 1975 documentary by the Maysles. Step into the world of Big Edie and her daughter Little Edie. We'll discuss their family drama and memory lane meanderings. The Edies sing and dance and share their dreams of stardom. It's very difficult to keep the line between the past and the present…

  1. 04/04/2025

    Letters From Little Edie Beale

    In today's episode I'm excited to welcome Walter Newkirk to the podcast. Walter is the author of MemoraBEALEia and Letters From Little Edie Beale as well as his memoir titled The Secret Life of Walter Newkirk. Walter had the unique opportunity to visit Grey Gardens and interview Little Edie in 1976. The two started a letter writing exchange that lasted decades and Walter became a friend to Little Edie enjoying time spent at events, going for luncheon and hitting the night life of NYC.  Listen in for another interesting interview that gives us a sneak peek into the life of Little Edie Beale.    To order any or all of Walter Newkirk's books, email ediebealebooks@gmail.com   You can purchase Fern's own GG-inspired work of historical fiction, Staunch on Amazon.com as an ebook or in paperback.

    1h 13m

  2. 09/27/2024

    Little Edie Performs at Reno Sweeney

    In today's episode, Fern welcomes author David Vass to the podcast. David released a book last year titled Liar, Alleged: A Tell-All: Celebrities, Sex, and All the Rest. David was the sound and lighting director at the popular cabaret club in the West Village called Reno Sweeney, where in 1978 Little Edie Beale performed live on stage for eleven shows. David shares with us intimate details of working with Little Edie and a who's who of celebrity audience members. This is a longer than usual episode but one you are sure to enjoy! Links to both of our books are below. David's book can be purchased on Amazon.com or at your local bookseller. You can purchase Fern's own GG-inspired work of historical fiction, Staunch on Amazon.com as an ebook or in paperback.

    1h 55m

  3. 08/20/2024

    Behind the Garden Wall: A Collection of Musings from Hill to Lange

    After a five month break due to health reasons, I'm excited to launch a new Grey Gardens episode with returning guest Brian Buck, who is a long time Grey Gardens fan and admin for the Grey Gardens Facebook group. In today's episode Brian and I want to talk about the garden, the garden walls, the property and the landscape artists who helped each owner from the garden's inception to its reshaping and restoration over the past one hundred years. You can purchase Fern's own GG-inspired work of historical fiction, Staunch on Amazon.com as an ebook or in paperback. You can find Brain's Etsy page at www.etsy.com/shop/CallMeJoeByFryer www.figue.com The Grey Gardens house tour on YouTube

    1h 21m

  4. 03/19/2024

    Truman Capote

    In today's episode we're taking a detour from Grey Gardens and the Edies. Instead, we're going to talk about the infamous author Truman Capote, who is the center of the new miniseries Feud: Capote Verses the Swans. Lee Radziwill, family member of the Edies',  weaves Truman into her life, and in this episode we will learn about his past, his rise to fame, his socialite status, and eventually his demise. Known for Breakfast At Tiffany's and In Cold Blood, as well as other works, Truman Capote has captivated fans for decades. Today's guest Kirsten Crowe will share what she knows about this infamous author.

    1h 19m

  5. 02/05/2024

    Who's Normal Anyway?

    In todays episode we're going to take a deep dive into some of the problems that existed both within the lives of the Edies and the decaying house they lived in. My guest for this episode which is filled with sensitive questions and intriguing discussion is Marilyn VanPraag, a clinical social worker for over forty years. Marilyn will help to answers questions I've pondered since watching Grey Gardens such as: the state of Big Edie's bed, why were there so many cats, how did the Edies accept the conditions they lived in and why Little Edie came home in 1952 and never tried to relaunch her life until Big Edie's death in 1977. Go mix a highball and get ready for a fascinating episode that helps us understand more about the Edies lives and the state of Grey Gardens at its worst. You can purchase Fern's own GG-inspired work of historical fiction, Staunch on Amazon.com as an ebook or in paperback. Love to read and hear about great books? Follow bookstagramer Jamie L: @booksandscentsy

    1h 15m

  6. 11/28/2023

    Grey Gardens Editor Susan Froemke

    Todays episode is filled with so many Grey Gardens topics including: Lee Radziwill's footage, the Maysles decision to go back and film the Edies, editing the documentary Grey Gardens, the NY Film Festival, the Premier, The Plaza Hotel, Mick Jagger, Tom Logan, meals and friendship with Little Edie and so much more. Mix a few highballs chickens, this episode is almost two hours long! Listen in for an exciting upcoming stage performance depicting the Edies in NYC with Peter Mac and John Mac!    Grey Gardens Christmas Tickets   greygardensofficial.com   You can purchase Fern's own GG-inspired work of historical fiction, Staunch on Amazon.com as an ebook or in paperback.

    1h 56m

  7. 10/05/2023

    Staunch: The Edies of Grey Gardens

    In today's episode Fern welcomes to the mic, Liam Freivald, who edits and produces the podcast. They will share two exciting announcements! First is the goal of reaching 25,000 downloads. Our thanks to every listener of the podcast! The next announcement is the launch of Fern's book titled Staunch: The Edies of Grey Gardens. After three years in the making, Staunch is finally ready to be released to eager readers! Fern also welcomes Jody Siegel to join her in Grey Garden discussions about Little Edie's hair loss, the Edies' mother-daughter relationship and you'll get a sneak peek and hear the prologue from Staunch! Jody prepared a clip of "Around the World," the beautiful song Christine Ebersole sang in the Broadway musical. Let's mix some highballs, pet the cats and get ready for an exciting episode!   You can purchase Staunch on Amazon.com as an ebook or in paperback.   The cover was designed by Jessica Bell Design.

    1h 13m

  8. 08/20/2023

    Dark House Discussions

    Fern welcomes fellow podcast host and Grey Gardens fan Hadley Mendelsohn to todays episode. Hadley is the co-host of the podcast titled Dark House, which features two amazing episodes about Grey Gardens. Listen in to hear Fern and Hadley discuss the Edies, the women's stance against societal norms, ghostly energy existing within Grey Gardens and we will hear Big Edie recite her favorite Charles Kingsley poem. Let's mix some gin gimlets, pet the cats and dive into today's episode! The episode of Dark House that Hadley and Alyssa did on Grey Gardens can be found on Apple Podcasts or the podcatcher of your choice. Lois Wright's book My Life at Grey Gardens: 13 Months and Beyond, which Fern and Hadley referenced in today's episode, can be found on Amazon.com or at your local bookseller (such as Burton's Books).

    1h 7m
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Trailer

4.9
out of 5
71 Ratings

About

This is the podcast about a well known house on Long Island named Grey Gardens, made famous by the 1975 documentary by the Maysles. Step into the world of Big Edie and her daughter Little Edie. We'll discuss their family drama and memory lane meanderings. The Edies sing and dance and share their dreams of stardom. It's very difficult to keep the line between the past and the present…

Information

  • Creator
    Fern Bernstein
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    29
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    Grey Gardens