A Quiet Thank You & What Comes Next
As the calendar turns and we step into a new year, I wanted to pause here for a moment, not to rush ahead, but to look back with gratitude.
Legacy Lore began as a passion project in the truest sense of the word. It was never built to be fast or loud or algorithm-friendly. It was built slowly, carefully, out of curiosity, research, and a deep pull toward the stories that live just beneath the surface of family history. Stories that don’t always have neat endings. Stories that ask us to sit with uncertainty. Stories that deserve to be handled gently.
Every single person who has pressed play, shared an episode, sent a message, or quietly listened while folding laundry or driving home I want you to know how much that means to me. This podcast exists because there are people willing to listen with care.
Legacy Lore is not just about the past. It’s about how memory works. How fear travels. How belief shapes action. How ordinary people became extraordinary cautionary tales simply because of the world they lived in. Researching and telling these stories has been challenging, emotional, and incredibly meaningful, and your presence here has made it possible to keep going when the material felt heavy.
Recently, I had the opportunity to sit down with Malcom Noble from the Talk Genealogy Podcast for a thoughtful conversation about Legacy Lore, why I started it, how genealogy and storytelling intersect, and what it means to approach difficult histories with care. That conversation felt very aligned with the heart of this project, and I wanted to share it here in case you’d enjoy listening. If you’re drawn to genealogy, family history, and the bigger questions that come with them, I think you may really appreciate his work as well. Click HERE to take a listen!
As we move into 2026, I’m taking a thoughtful step forward.
Before the next full season releases in Spring 2026, I’ll be sharing two mini episodes:
January 8, 2026: Why Women Were Accused: The Social Anatomy of Colonial Witchcraft Panic
February 5, 2026: Witchcraft + the Law: How Colonial Courts Handled Accusations”
These episodes are meant to gently bridge the space between seasons - offering context, reflection, and a deeper understanding of the themes we’ll be exploring next. They’re quieter by design. More reflective. A chance to linger a little longer before we continue the journey.
Season Two is coming, and I’ve taken great care with it. This work asks for patience and I’m grateful that this community understands that some stories cannot be rushed.
Thank you for trusting me with your time and attention. Thank you for caring about stories that history almost lost. Thank you for being here, whether you’ve listened from the very beginning or just found your way in.
Here’s to another year of listening closely—to the past, to each other, and to the quiet truths waiting to be told.
With gratitude,
Sammy Jo
