Scattered

WNYC Studios

4.8 (2.3K)
SOCIETY & CULTURE
WEEKLY SERIES

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.

EPISODE 1

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
EPISODE 2

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.

27 min
EPISODE 3

3. The Cuckoo's Nest

Was it torture, or treatment?

27 min
EPISODE 4

4. The Chunited States

Andres catches a break. Mr. Bible-Jesus is born. And an American dog drinks café con leche.

37 min
EPISODE 5

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
EPISODE 6

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
SEASON 1 TRAILER

Introducing Scattered

Chris Garcia’s dad had one dying wish: That his family scatter his ashes off the coast of Cuba -- the country he was born in, and the country that would break him. Chris’s mom? She doesn’t give a crap about dying wishes. She’s vowed to never go back to Cuba again. So for now, the ashes are sitting on a shelf in a closet, between a Paul McCartney record and a Gizmo Halloween mask. As Chris tries to do right by his dad, he sets out to uncover the truth about a man he barely knew, who survived Castro’s labor camps only to lose his way in search of the American dream. Scattered, a new podcast from WNYC Studios, drops on October 23rd

4 min
BONUS

7. Bonus: Karen Kilgariff and the Shark

Fellow comedian Karen Kilgariff (My Favorite Murder) and Chris Garcia are members of the same sad club: they both lost their parents to Alzheimer’s. Karen tells Chris about caring for her mom, her too-real stand-up set, and how Alzheimer's is like the movie Jaws.

26 min

TRAILER

Introducing Scattered

Chris Garcia’s dad had one dying wish: That his family scatter his ashes off the coast of Cuba -- the country he was born in, and the country that would break him. Chris’s mom? She doesn’t give a crap about dying wishes. She’s vowed to never go back to Cuba again. So for now, the ashes are sitting on a shelf in a closet, between a Paul McCartney record and a Gizmo Halloween mask. As Chris tries to do right by his dad, he sets out to uncover the truth about a man he barely knew, who survived Castro’s labor camps only to lose his way in search of the American dream. Scattered, a new podcast from WNYC Studios, drops on October 23rd

S1

•

4 min

4.8

out of 5

2,259 Ratings

Our parents secrets

11/26/2024

Hudy benudy

I loved this podcast. I discovered Chris as a murderino and it was so great to hear about his family not just his dad. I need another podcast with or about Marta! A must listen for everyone.
Brilliant!

12/16/2023

organic nanny

I am so proud of you and the beautiful way you honor your Cuban heritage Barbara
Wow!!!

08/12/2022

mstnini

Thank you for telling your story. I am always looking to read or listen to stories about Cuba or Spain I miss hearing the stories my abuelita and my Tia and tío always told me. I was also touched by how well you handled your father during Alzheimer’s. I work in a memory care community. I teach Alzheimer’s classes and Dementia live. I know how hard it can be for the family I took care of my Tia abuela. This disease is so horrible I say it is the longest goodbye because little by little you have to say goodbye to your loved one. And yet you can still have amazing moments I am blessed to have the chance to help our residents have the best end of life possible and I am making beautiful memories with them that I will forever cherish. Thank you again for your story. Hope to hear more from you.
Truly Beautiful

03/08/2022

On the road again <3

What an enjoyable listen! Chris is able to tell his dads story and talk about some very tough topics all with a hint of comedy and light-heartedness. I’d recommend this to anyone but be prepared to cry (happy and sad tears).
Exceptional

03/07/2022

ampp04

Cried a few times. Laughed a few times. Great podcast.
It’s Beautiful

03/01/2022

Nessa508

I binged the entire show in one day over a long road trip. It’s beautifully done, it made me cry and I was sad when it was over.
Binge worthy

01/24/2022

txca8488

Raised in Asia, migrated to the US to work , now parents to grown children and caring for a parent with Alzheimer’s. I can relate to your story in each episode. You made me laugh, cry and feel nostalgic for the old country. Kudos to your parents who risked everything to give the family a better future. What better way to honor them than with this podcast.
Gorgeous

12/21/2021

MissSR13

Just listen. You won’t regret it. Special goodness in the final bonus episode with Karen Kilgariff.
Impeccable storytelling

12/17/2021

LM819

Truly it’s great. It’s great.
Loved it

10/11/2021

cwth

I’m Cuban American, too and have a parent with dementia. This is so close to home but made me laugh with a tear in my eye. Chris Garcia captures the bittersweet with humor and love.

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.