Welcome to Family Tree, Food & Stories

Family Tree, Food & Stories

Family Tree, Food & Stories connects generations through family stories, food history, and heritage. Each episode uncovers the stories behind cherished recipes, unforgettable meals with family and friends, and unique food traditions that bring us together at the table. Here's where we celebrate how food creates lasting connections—every meal tells a story, and every story is a feast waiting to be shared. Tune in and join our family, where your story has a place at our table.

March 20, 2025

Vernal Equinox Foods: The Jelly Bean Diet, Muskrat, and Beer Are on This Menu

Spring Food Traditions You'll Want to Eat In this next episode of Family Tree, Food & Stories co-hosts Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely explore rather different and interesting springtime traditions, sharing some foods that you mi...

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March 13, 2025

St. Patrick's Day Traditions: Drowning Shamrocks, Smart Salmon, and TikTok Trends.

The Ultimate Guide to Irish Traditions Worth Knowing This St. Patrick's Day Join Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely for a fun-filled St. Patrick's Day special on Family Tree, Food & Stories ! This episode takes you beyond the green ...

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March 6, 2025

Reefers, Frozen Peas, and TV dinners: Chilly Stories & Innovations

This is a Chilling Episode about Food, Family and Refrigeration: Join Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely as they take you on a cool adventure through the history of refrigeration in this episode of Family Tree, Food & Stories about ...

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Feb. 27, 2025

A Fabulous Feast of Fs! Family, Friends, Fondue and Fire.

This episode is dedicated to February and all things F in the kitchen and around the table. What happens when food, family, and February collide? In this Family Tree Food & Stories episode , Nancy stirs up a pot F-related and...

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Feb. 20, 2025

Recipes to Remember: The Best Wedding Gift Ever

"I'm not a bad cook—I just don't cook!" Can a Self-Proclaimed Non-Cook Create Meaningful Mealtime Traditions? What does a wedding gift of handwritten recipes, family memories, and a self-proclaimed non-cook have in common? In...

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Feb. 13, 2025

Love, Lust, and Food Stories: Unveiling Valentine's Day Secrets

Dive into a decadent world of desire as Family Tree, Food & Stories hosts Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely unwrap the mysteries behind Valentine's Day's most seductive treats. Join chocolate expert Norma Taylor as she reveals how ...

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Feb. 6, 2025

Red Jelly Apocalypse: Radio Debut Disaster

One Waitress, One Microphone, a Whole Lot of Regret, and a Story That Became a Family Legend. This true Family Tree, Food Story begins with a simple radio interview that soon spirals into a chaotic comedy of errors. Here, you...

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Jan. 30, 2025

A 36 Year Hunt For the Perfect Cake: Can you help us solve this mystery?

How Our Hunt For The BEST Cake Keeps Us on The Road! 🥕 What if a single bite could change your life? In this Family Tree, Food & Stories episode, you’re invited to join Nancy and Bob on a 36-year quest to rediscover the flavo...

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Jan. 23, 2025

Drunk In Duluth Minnesota - And The Rest of That Story

How a Glass of Wine and a Cold Night in a Bar Became One of This Mom’s Favorite Story. This Family Tree Food & Stories episode is a delightful blend of humor and fun reflection as Sylvia recounts an unforgettable night in Dul...

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Jan. 16, 2025

Inaugural Balls: From Washington to Trump, Turtle Soup to Sliders and more!

What Might be Cooking at President Trump's Inaugural Ball? Lessons from presidential plates past and present. 🎙️In this episode of Family Tree, Food & Stories, co-hosts Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely dish up a banquet of stories...

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About the Hosts

Nancy May Profile Photo

Nancy May

Co-Founder, Family Tree, Food & Stories

🎙️ Meet Nancy May, a dedicated business professional and entrepreneur who co-founded the vibrant Omnimedia company Family Tree, Food & Stories and co-hosts the podcast Family Tree, Food & Stories. With a heart for creating personal connections—which she learned from her dad and mom—and a wealth of experience, Nancy has built an impressive career that bridges the worlds of business, imagination, and resourcefulness.

While Nancy's career took her to the heights of corporate America – from advertising executive to trusted advisor of Fortune 500 CEOs and global Corporate Directors – she never lost touch with what matters most: the power of personal connection. Her pioneering work hosting Boardrooms' Best, among the first CEO podcasts in 2017, and then the Eldercare Success podcasts, along with her insightful byline in CEO Forum Magazine, earned her recognition from Forbes as one of America's top governance experts. But ask Nancy what she's most proud of, and she'll tell you it's creating ways where people can create honest and authentic connections.

However, what truly sets Nancy apart is that she quickly puts everyone she meets at ease and can connect with others on a personal level. A multi-talented entrepreneur and five-star author, Nancy puts her unique energy into Family Tree, Food & Stories, where she serves as co-lead producer, author, and host. In this vibrant space, Nancy celebrates the universal themes that bring us together: family, friends, food, and stories, where she makes every listener feel like they are part of her family.

Outside of work, Nancy shares her life with her husband Bob and their two energetic Standard Poodles, The Mighty Quinn and Otis of Redding. Nancy often jokes that they treat them like their children (woof).

Join Nancy as she weaves together stories, laughter, and love, reminding us of the connections that make every day important and a bit more special.

Sylvia Lovely Profile Photo

Sylvia Lovely

Co-Founder, Family Tree, Food & Stories

🎙️ Meet Sylvia Lovely—a passionate storyteller, dedicated leader, and co-founder of the omnimedia company Family Tree, Food & Stories. Sylvia isn't just an award-winning author and visionary; she's a beacon of inspiration who invites you to gather around the table and celebrate life’s rich tapestry of family traditions and memories.

A dedicated business professional with a remarkable 30-year tenure as the CEO of the Kentucky League of Cities, Sylvia has proven herself to be a trailblazer in every sense of the word. Among her accomplishments, she’s noted for transforming the landscape of state and local governance and for innovative programs that have empowered and revitalized communities across the country. Her expertise didn’t stop there; as the Chief Legislative Agent for cities in the Kentucky General Assembly, she became a powerful voice for change.

But Sylvia's talents extend beyond the C-Suite as co-owner of the popular Azur Restaurant and the popular Dupree Catering and Main on Main and co-host of the Food News and Chews radio program, where she shares her love for food and storytelling.

What drives Sylvia now is her love for the rich, colorful stories that make us who we are. From her native Appalachian heritage to her own family's traditions and memories, Sylvia is on a mission to amplify the voices and stories that need to be told and heard.

As a writer, teacher, radio host, and podcast host, Sylvia has a gift for connecting with people from all walks of life. Her infectious enthusiasm will make you want to sit down and share your own story. Her Writing and Sharing the Stories of Your Life program has received national acclaim and touched countless lives across the country and around the world, proving that everyone's story deserves to be told.

When she's not collecting, writing, and sharing stories, you'll find her surrounded by the joy of her family - including her husband, two sons, and ten grandchildren, who keep her heart full and her stories flowing.