The Homes (Life at the Homes)

Researched and hosted by Andrew Newell and Karen Thalacker. Sound edited by Robert Newell.

The Homes (Life at the Homes) is a history podcast hosted by Researched and hosted by Andrew Newell and Karen Thalacker. Sound edited by Robert Newell.. It has 28 episodes, with the latest published November 2025.

The true stories of life at a Lutheran institution housing orphans and the elderly in rural Iowa on the eve of the Great Depression. Almost lost to the passage of time, these stories of sorrow and joy, compassion and cooperation have been uncovered and can now be shared with you. Join mother and son hosts Karen Thalacker and Andrew Newell as you learn about life at the German Lutheran Orphans and Old Folks Home - or as it was commonly called The Homes. Follow The Homes on Instagram at lifeatthehomes for photographs and additional content.

history ·en-us ·28 episodes