A Thousand Questions, A Hundred Answers | Lara Brenckle Malmont's Journey to Three Rivers Home

Every family has stories. Some are passed down from generation to generation, while others are nearly lost to time. In this episode of GenX Journeys, Paul Stroessner and Suzanne Mattaboni welcome author Lara Brenckle Malmont to share the remarkable true story that inspired her debut novel, Three Rivers Home. What began as childhood curiosity about a grandfather she never met turned into a twenty-year journey through family records, newspaper archives, courthouse documents, and long-forgotten letters. Along the way, Lara discovered a little-known chapter of Pittsburgh history involving children who were "farmed out" through Allegheny County's early foster care system—while also uncovering a deeper understanding of resilience, family, and the stories that shape us. The conversation also explores growing up Gen X, the books that inspired a generation of readers and writers, the influence of journalism, preserving family history before it's lost, and why asking questions may be one of the greatest gifts we can pass on. Whether you're fascinated by genealogy, historical fiction, or simply love hearing meaningful conversations, this episode is a reminder that every family has a story worth discovering. In This Episode Growing up Gen X in and around Pittsburgh How childhood curiosity became a 20-year research project The true story behind Three Rivers Home Forgotten history and Pittsburgh's early foster care system Journalism, storytelling, and historical fiction The books that shaped a generation of Gen X readers Why preserving family stories matters more than ever About Our Guest Lara Brenckle Malmont is a Pittsburgh native, journalist, and author of Three Rivers Home. Her writing explores the people, places, and stories that define home. Her debut novel is inspired by the true story of her paternal grandfather's childhood in early twentieth-century Pittsburgh and the forgotten history surrounding Allegheny County's dependent children. Connect with Lara larabrencklemalmont.com Get Three Rivers Home on Amazon Facebook Instagram (@lara_brenckle_malmont) LinkedIn: larabrenckle TikTok: @larabrencklemalmont X: @larabrenckle Closing If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who loves great stories and meaningful conversations. Because every journey begins with a question... and sometimes the answers change everything.   Who in your family has a story you've never asked about? Maybe it's time to start asking.   More from the GenX Book Club Crew 📖 Suzanne Mattaboni (Author of Once in a Lifetime) 🔹 Get her book anywhere books are sold, including Kindle Unlimited and onceinalifetimenovel.com 🔹 Visit her at suzannemattaboni.com 🔹 Follow Suzanne: 📷 Instagram: @suzannemattaboni80s 🐦 X: @suzmattaboni 📘 Facebook: Suzanne Mattaboni 🎙️ Del Roehling (Host of 80s at 8 on 91.1 WEDM FM) 🔹 Tune in to 80s at 8 for all your favorite throwback tunes 🔹 Get your daily dose of '80s news on the 80s at 8 Facebook page 💡 Connect with GenX Journeys 🌎 Website: GenXJourneys.net 📩 Email: [email protected] 📺 YouTube: @GenXJourneys 📷 Instagram: @GenXJourneys 🐦 Twitter/X: @Returntothe80s 📘 Facebook: GenX Journeys 🎥 TikTok: @GenXJourneys 🎧 Subscribe to the GenX Journeys Podcast on: ✅ Apple Podcasts ✅ Spotify ✅ iHeartRadio ✅ Podbean ✅ PlayerFM