Episodes

In episode 13, the Probably Speaking podcast welcomes back previous guests onto the show to share some of their most memorable holiday stories! You'll be listening to stories from Mike Dolan, Alex Baker, Kevin Rock, and Joan Barton, as well as a new guest, Christina Igaraividez, who you will be hearing more from in Season 2 (episode 14) in January! So sit back with some egg nog, and cozy up to some classic Jingle Bells music, and stories that demonstrate what family means. We think you'll enjoy ...

In episode 12, health care executive Alex Baker thoughtfully delves into the history of his paternal grandmother's life. Eleanor Baker was a fascinating woman, who traveled the world in search of knowledge and experiences, at a time when women were expected to "know their place" (early 1900s). Her life stories and diaries of her travels would eventually be well documented for the benefit of future generations. Some of her solo experiences included time volunteering as an ambulance driver in WW...

Find out how John and Paula Vergara discovered their Italian/Canadian ancestry, not through the traditional way, but from a Google search. Learn how their 3rd great grandfather, Antonio DeBassio, born in Italy in the late 1700s, went on to fight in Napoleon's army during the Napoleonic war, and survived the disastrous and deadly March on Moscow in 1812, where 600,000 of Napoleon's troops went in, and only 100,000 survived. His fateful move to Canada shortly after the war changed the course of ...

In Episode 10, LA-based musician-turned-contractor Joan Barton tells us some fascinating stories about her uniquely liberal upbringing, and how her entrepreneurial, free spirit is weaved throughout her family tree (her grandmother was the first woman to wear pants at the Ritz!). She also talks about how she discovered her true Jewish heritage in her 30s, and married one of her employees (shhh...). One of story in particular really stands out: Joan's Dad and his experiences with the Civil Righ...

In episode 9, actor, comedian, and entrepreneur Mike Dolan recounts the stories of his childhood growing up in a military family, as a third generation "army brat", moving every 2-3 years, while his Dad was in Colonel in the army. As the oldest of three siblings, he grew up on military bases in such places as Saudi Arabia, Panama, Alaska, and Japan. He spent time camping in the desert as a boy scout, and watching camel races where women were not allowed. Coming from a conservative, Irish-Cathol...

In this episode, John and Paula tell the story of their father's journey to America to practice medicine in 1954. Pepe's plan to move to Venezuela after medical school was scrapped after a fateful night of drinking with friends lead him to a residency in New York City. After a few long years in medical school in Valencia Spain, which included maggot races, a stomach-churning prank on an unsuspecting woman on a train, and building skeletons from discarded cemetery bones, Pepe Vergara landed in N...

In this episode, Paula recounts the story of her first trip to Spain at age 15. Needless to say, the trip to Ibiza was cursed...witnessing a horrific car accident at 5am, and going on an eye-opening paddle boat ride next to a few naked guys were not exactly on her sight-seeing list. On the plus side, this trip gave her a new level of respect for her Dad (a doctor), who jumped into action to help the accident victims.

In the fifth episode of the Probably Speaking podcast, co-host John Vergara recounts two harrowing stories of survival while studying abroad in Madrid, Spain during his junior year of college (circa 1981).  He dodged a potential kidnapping in Alicante after getting separated from friends and luggage on a train, and narrowly avoided being shot and/or captured during an attempted coup d'état in Madrid, just a few months later. Let’s just say, he was in the wrong place, at the wrong time.  Against all odds, he survived to tell the tales. Fortunately, the Vergara Bubble kept him safe.

Actor Kevin Rock tells a fascinating story about how (and when) he met his two half-sisters, Melanie and Bonnie, who had no idea they had a brother.  After a chance meeting at a movie premiere, Kevin set out to put the puzzle pieces of his family together, with little help from his estranged, biological father,  Clarence Rock.  He also tells the tale of how he met his wife, after almost crashing his plane.

Actor and writer Anil Kumar shares some very raw stories about his early struggles with being Indian-American, his evolving relationship with his Dad, and how his Olympic diving dreams were crushed, only to experience a few full-circle moments that allow him to forgive his parents, as well as his himself.

In the second episode of Probably Speaking, sibling duo John and Paula Vergara reminisce about Christmas past, including “Noche Buena”, and give listeners a taste of Spanish-style Christmas Eve foods. They also talk about their favorite childhood Christmas gifts that kept on giving, the uncommon Christmas tree topper, and Paula’s risky move at 3am on Christmas Eve. Things get serious, when they tell the harrowing story about their Spanish grandfather…a story that is guaranteed to give you goosebumps, as well as a good history lesson. So sit back with whatever is left of the Christmas cookies, and enjoy!

In the first episode of Probably Speaking, John explains the true meaning behind the podcast title. Paula digs deep, asking John about his favorite Christmas memory (there is a dead body involved), and then John tells the famous (or infamous?) story of our Dad, and the Spanish FIG. Hint: It's not about a piece of fruit.

Probably Speaking is a brand-new podcast that gives listeners an inside take on those wonderful, spontaneous stories that only family can inspire. Join the sibling duo of John and Paula Vergara, as they take a deep dive into stories and people that interest them, in an inclusive, informative, and humorous conversation, featuring special guests chiming in with their own, fascinating family stories. Subscribe now to gain free access to full episodes of Probably Speaking every month. We think you’ll have fun listening.