Deciphering Ethnic Confusion: Mecenzéf, Metzenseifen, or Medzev and Stories from the Past

Welcome to this special Throwback Thursday edition of The Disruptor podcast.  In this remixed episode, originally aired on The Apex Podcast in November 2021, hosts Jan and John explore their family histories to uncover the ancestral origin of John's great-grandfather. A couple of ago, Jan and John made an intriguing discovery - their families both hail from towns just 35 km apart in what is today Slovakia. Jan’s roots hail from Košice. John grew up hearing that his great-grandfather, Theodor Kundtz, emigrated from Metzenseifen to the United States in 1873, claiming to be Hungarian but speaking German. The only problem is that Metzenseifen can't be located on a current map. To help solve this ethnic mystery, Jan and John interview their guest, David Kundtz, Theodor's grandson.David grew up near Cleveland before heading out West in the 1960s as a Catholic priest. He spent over 20 years ministering in Idaho and Colombia, South America. After leaving the ministry, David became a family psychotherapist in Berkeley, California, for over 20 years until retiring. He is also a prolific author. His most recent book, The Art of Stopping: How to Be Still When You Have to Keep Going, will be featured in an upcoming TBT remix episode. In this episode, Jan, John, and David discuss and compare three generations of culture, traditions, travel experiences, family lore, and their common ethnic confusion. Does the mystery town turn out to be Metzenseifen, Mecenzéf, or Medzev?Tune in to find out!Learn more about David Kundtz and his work at davidkundtz.com. Stay tuned for our next TBT remix episode featuring David's book,  The Art of Stopping: How to Be Still When You Have to Keep Going. Thanks for listening!Comments or Questions? Send us a textSupport the show***Engage, Share, and Connect!Spread the Word: Valuable insights are best when shared. Share this episode with peers who may benefit from it if you find it insightful.Your Feedback Matters: How did this episode resonate with you? Share your thoughts, insights, or questions. Your engagement enriches our community.Stay Updated: Don’t miss out on further insights.Subscribe: You can listen to our podcast, read our blog posts on Substack, and watch our YouTube channel.Collaborate with The Disruptor and connect with John Kundtz.Got a disruptive story to share?  We’re scouting for remarkable podcast guests. Thank you for being an integral part of our journey. Together, let’s redefine the status quo!