Episode 318: Dena Schusterman on her book Stories Carry (September 15, 2026)

In this episode of The Catholic Bookworm, Kiki Latimer interviews Dena Schusterman on her book Stories Carry.STORIES CARRY is a personal memoir about faith, belonging, and the inherited stories that shape us. As the daughter of Chabad emissaries in 1970s Berkeley, California, and now a shlucha herself in Atlanta, Georgia, Schusterman, mother of eight, has spent her life straddling two worlds--deeply rooted in Hasidic tradition while fully engaged in modern society. Through interwoven narratives of her parents' journey and her own, STORIES CARRY explores the beauty and challenges of faith, the struggle to belong within a community, and the tension between tradition and individuality. It offers a rare, intimate look inside the Hasidic world, one often misunderstood or stereotyped, inviting readers to step beyond assumptions and see a vibrant, complex community from the inside. At a time of increasing polarization, STORIES CARRY is a reminder of the power of shared humanity. Through warmth, honesty, and humor, this book welcomes readers into a world both deeply personal and universally resonant.https://www.amazon.com/Stories-Carry-Memoir-Dena-Schusterman/dp/B0H4W37YZV/