Summary of "Jennifer Mascia: Just Business" – The Moth Podcast Episode

Podcast Title: The Moth
Episode Title: Jennifer Mascia: Just Business
Host/Author: The Moth
Release Date: October 14, 2014

Introduction

In the episode titled "Just Business," storyteller Jennifer Mascia shares a deeply personal and gripping narrative about uncovering the hidden facets of her father's past and the profound impact it had on her family. Told live at the Players Club in New York City, Jennifer's story delves into themes of identity, secrecy, and the complexities of familial love.

Family Background

Jennifer begins by painting a vivid picture of her upbringing in Southern California, the only child of parents with contrasting backgrounds. Her mother, a "liberal Jewish Manhattan Beach sophisticate," and her father, an "Italian from Bay Ridge with a 12-tree Brooklyn accent and tattooed biceps," embodied the saying "opposites attract." Jennifer notes, "They were like my soulmates. We were very close, the three of us, and if I didn't tell them something, it was like it didn't happen." [03:50]

Father's Arrest and Its Immediate Impact

At the age of five, Jennifer's life takes an unexpected turn when her father is abruptly arrested. Initially told it was a movie stunt, she soon discovers the reality when she visits him in jail. The experience of living without her father for eight months leaves a lasting impression. Upon his sudden return, the family resumes life with a significant change: adopting their real last name, Masia. Jennifer reflects, "I instinctively knew that I was never really supposed to ask why my father was arrested that time." [06:10]

Relocation and Unveiling Secrets

When Jennifer turns 17, her father's business collapses, prompting a move back to New York. Two days after her high school graduation, the family's relocation brings them into direct contact with her father's past. Living in Farmingdale, Long Island, Jennifer becomes increasingly curious about her father's criminal history. She confides, "I was kind of tired of being the last one in the dark." [08:55]

Driven by curiosity, Jennifer utilizes the newly available online inmate records to investigate her father's past. To her shock, she discovers a sole conviction for murder, contradicting her mother's previously vague disclosures. Confronting her mother leads to the revelation that her father was not just involved in petty crimes but was an associate of the Gambino crime family and had committed murder. Jennifer poignantly states, "Now is my chance to independently verify, thanks to the Internet." [12:30]

Confronting the Truth

The revelation that her father had killed multiple people forces Jennifer to reassess her perceptions. Despite this, she grapples with the dichotomy of her father's brutal actions and his role as a loving parent. She shares a powerful internal conflict: "Because my father wasn't a monster. He was... the guy who made up silly songs to sing on the way to school." [14:15]

Final Revelations and Emotional Closure

Years later, with both parents battling lung cancer, Jennifer faces one final confrontation with the truth. Her mother discloses that her father had committed four to five murders, cementing the reality that her familial love coexisted with her father's violent past. In a moment of deep emotional resonance, her mother assures her, "Jenny, your father and I will always be with you." This affirmation provides Jennifer with solace, blending the complexity of love, forgiveness, and understanding.

Conclusion

Jennifer Mascia's "Just Business" is a masterful storytelling piece that explores the intricate layers of family dynamics, the burden of hidden truths, and the journey toward self-understanding. Her ability to juxtapose the harshness of her father's actions with the warmth of his paternal love offers listeners a nuanced perspective on the impact of secrets and the resilience of familial bonds.

Notable Quotes

• "They are not your blood. They are not your family." – Jennifer Mascia [09:15]
• "Your father and I will always be with you." – Jennifer Mascia's Mother [15:45]
• "Once a criminal, always a criminal." – Jennifer Mascia [10:25]

Additional Information

Speaker: Jennifer Mascia is a graduate of Hunter College and Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism. She worked at the New York Times for eight years, profiling the economically disadvantaged in the paper's long-running feature, the Neediest Country. She has also written and edited publications related to gun issues.

Upcoming Events: The Moth main stage events are scheduled in St. Paul on November 7th and December 3rd, and in Los Angeles. For tickets and more information, visit themoth.org.

This summary captures the essence of Jennifer Mascia's storytelling on The Moth podcast, highlighting the key moments and emotional depth of her narrative.