Season 2: Episode 8

Anne, Doug, and Betsy welcome newly found second cousin Chris (Mimi’s grandson), who tracked them down by googling family names after sorting his late parents’ belongings. They swap memories of Mimi, her husband Joe, and the Titusville house, discuss family artifacts, and share a joyful wedding-trip letter. The conversation then returns to the unresolved 1947 death of 19-year-old Cornell student Dick Kraffert, reviewing a “Cornell Atomic Shadow Timeline” that links lab work, illnesses, sudden deaths, and Soviet spy Alfred Sarant, alongside frustration over missing autopsy records. They close by assigning Chris “homework” to search more letters (from Fleur to Mimi?).

Season 2: Episode 7

Anne shares a photo of bundled condolence letters and explains how reading family correspondence helped her finally “meet” her uncle Dick Kraffert, a brilliant 19-year-old Cornell student who died suddenly in 1947. She reads three short sketches inspired by details in the letters, imagining Dick’s campus life, his close bond with Anne’s mother Nancy, and Anne’s grandmother’s private grief in the attic armoire where the letters were kept. The group discusses the mystery of Dick’s death—three autopsies with no cause found—and a lingering rumor linking his physics promise and Oppenheimer-era tensions to foul play. Doug’s cousin Lori connects the theme to her daughter Jessica’s death, returning saved childhood notes to friends, and her own postcard-inspired creative writing, as the hosts look ahead to possible letters from Fleur to her sister via a newly contacted second cousin.

Season 2: Episode 6

Meet Me at the Wall welcomes Beloit neighbor and aspiring storyteller Rick McGrath, who shares a parallel “letters project” from his own family archive. Rick describes a shoebox of World War II letters from his Uncle Emil—an Army Air Corps pilot—written to his mother during flight training and up to his deployment. A decades-later call about recovered remains and artifacts leads Rick to a previously unknown relation, and to the painful misunderstanding caused when letters were intercepted. Rick connects the story to aviation history, family artifacts, and the rediscovery of the lost letters, before the episode ends with the show’s traditional cookie toast.

Season 2: Episode 5

The hosts finish their World War II conversation with historian John Gurda, covering rationing, Victory Gardens, war-bond propaganda, and how labor shortages brought many women into Milwaukee defense factories during the Rosie-the-Riveter era. After reflecting on how letters enable “time travel” and historical imagination, Anne shares a Red Cross newsletter about a 22-year-old pilot’s Guadalcanal heroics and a Valentine she mailed to his grandson. Anne then reads her sketch “Curious Nancy” and its source letters describing her mother’s teenage appendectomy, plus a short hospital note from Nancy. The episode concludes with a 1941 letter referencing “Franksgiving,” touches on preserving the letter archive, and previews a bonus third WWII episode.

Season 2: Episode 4

This episode introduces World War II, featuring letters from Anne’s family archive and part one of a call with Milwaukee historian John Gurda. Betsy reads a December 1941 letter from Shiny to Fleur describing air-raid warnings and rumors of enemy planes near New York. Then Doug and Anne read June–July 1942 correspondence between Fleur in Titusville, Pennsylvania and Ben, training with the Army at Miami Beach’s Wofford Hotel.

Season 2: Episode 3

Episode three begins with a call to Barry Cressman, a longtime Titusville resident and former Presbyterian pastor who knew Anne’s grandparents Ben and Florence Kraffert. Barry recalls Florence shopping in Manhattan during the 1929 crash, describes Titusville’s Depression-era bust and WPA projects, a local bank-run story, and the town’s later booms in steel and plastics before a 1990s downturn and current tourism focus.

Season 2: Episode 2

This Meet Me at the Wall episode spotlights Florence “Fleur” and her best friend Shiny through Anne Goodwin’s 1934–35 sketches and Betsy’s readings of Shiny’s original letters. Anne portrays Fleur settling in Charlottesville while Benj attends UVA law school, hosting a large cocktail party, and growing concerned about Shiny’s health; a second sketch dramatizes Fleur driving over winter mountains with her children to visit Shiny, mixing fact with a borrowed real-life detail.

Season 2, Episode 1

The hosts of Meet Me at the Wall return for season two, thank listener Billy in their first call-in interview, and discuss plans to blend dramatized sketches with original letters as the story moves into the 1930s and 1940s. Anne shares a new sketch set in 1931 about Florence and Ben being invited to fly with barnstorming aviators Hugh Herndon and Clyde Pangborn, then a 1944 postscript about their son Dick’s growing flying obsession. The hosts read Dick’s August 1944 letter describing soloing, tailspins, rough landings, and passing his driver’s test, and Anne connects it to her blog reflections. Betsy adds background on Herndon and Pangborn’s trans-Pacific record and Japan arrest.

Season 1, Episode 10

In the final episode of season 1, hosts Doug, Anne, and Betsy reflect on their journey thus far. They express gratitude to listeners, share a whimsical poem dedicated to Anne's grandmother, Florence, and read some of her writings. Listeners are treated to two letters, and a humorous short story, highlighting Fleur’s wit and voice. The episode also touches on the enduring value of relationships and the timelessness of written correspondence. As they look ahead to season 2, the hosts plan to let historical letters tell their own stories and welcome various guests to explore the themes of ancestry and history further.

Season 1, Episode 9

IIn this ninth episode of 'Meet Me at the Wall,' we gather for a special segment with descendants of two other women pictured on the Sweet Briar wall: Frank Mountcastle and Maeve McGuire. We dive into a rich conversation about historical letters, family connections, and personal stories. Highlights include the delightful moment of Maeve's first connection with Anne, Frank's recounting of reunions, and reminiscing about the vibrant lives of their mothers and grandmothers. This episode intertwines the significance of letter writing, historical traditions, and lasting friendships.

Season 1, Episode 8

In this episode we wrap up the sketches set in the 1920s and reflect on lessons learned from Anne and Betsy’s research.  We discuss the emotional impacts of uncovering family letters and connecting with descendants of past family friends.

Season 1, Episode 7

In this episode we learn about the adventurous life of Walter Critchlow, as well as Florence's early years of marriage and starting a family.  We also discuss how certain traits and tendencies can pass down through generations.

Season 1, Episode 6

In this episode the hosts share fascinating finds including a ticket from the Delaware Lackawanna and Western Railroad, a letter written at the Waldorf Astoria, and other historical ephemera. Follow deep dives into the significance of Pullman Porters, Walter's friendship, and of course, adventures with Ben and Florence. Whether detailing life milestones or unexpected mishaps, this podcast continues to intertwine personal history with broader historical events.

Season 1, Episode 5

Anne explores a thread linking one of Ben's letters to Florence with the bobbed hair craze. Anecdotes from history are shared, like a surprise trip to Baltimore and special details about the wedding reception. The episode concludes with anticipating the challenges and joys of Florence and Ben's early married life in future episodes.

Season 1, Episode 4

Anne shares Ted's story of enlisting in WWI, showing how history intertwines with personal decisions. Our hosts also explore ephemera and artifacts such as a housekeeper's chatelaine, dance cards, and cookbooks, emphasizing how these connect us to the past. Sketches about Florence’s life reveal her engagement dilemma and her eventual decision. The conversation wraps up with a teaser for the next episode…the wedding episode!

Season 1, Episode 3

From Reggie's relentless affection to Ben's sincere courtship, this episode delves into Florence's challenging decision between her suitors. Offering insights into the Sweetbriar College era, the hosts touch upon the historical context and familial influences shaping Florence's choices. Additionally, the show features a touching segment recounting Anne’s recent visit to connect with a descendant of one of Florence’s friends, providing a rich tapestry of both personal and historical narratives.

Season 1, Episode 2

Anne explores her grandmother's history through century-old letters, discussing the concept of a 'Mrs. degree' and Sweet Briar College traditions. She recounts a visit to Sweet Briar and the emotional impact of walking in her grandmother’s footsteps. Anne also shares a poignant sketch depicting an adoption ceremony created for a friend in need, blending fact and fiction to highlight enduring friendships.

Season 1, Episode 1

In the inaugural episode of 'Meet Me at the Wall,' our hosts introduce a podcast dedicated to uncovering and bringing to life the history of Anne's grandmother, Florence Westgate. Anne details how her deep dive into letters written to her grandmother led her to write historical fiction based on real-life nuggets of history such as Florence's romantic entanglements and the tight-knit community of Sweet Briar College. The hosts ponder the ephemeral nature of modern communications compared to the lasting legacy of handwritten letters, and also touch on the historical context of the changing oil industry and its impact on their families.  The episode includes sketches inspired by these letters, setting the stage for a season devoted to the 1920s.