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
- 4.8 • 2.2K Ratings

- OCT 23, 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
- OCT 23, 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
- OCT 30, 2019
3. The Cuckoo's Nest

3. The Cuckoo's Nest

Was it torture, or treatment?
- 26 min
- NOV 6, 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
- NOV 13, 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
- NOV 20, 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

4.8 out of 5

2.2K Ratings

Brilliant!

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

Wow!!!

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

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).