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Lyra Smith
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George Severis
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Lyra Smith
What's the first thing you think of when I say Kennedy?
George Severis
The style? The grace? The intelligence?
Lyra Smith
The rich?
George Severis
I think JFK and RFK Might have been cool, but I don't know. Robert Kennedy, if he didn't like you, he could be incredibly brutal.
Lyra Smith
Taylor Swift, for some reason. Then I start to think about the mob. There's so many places my mind goes when it comes to the Kennedys. Hi, I'm Lyra Smith.
George Severis
And I'm George Severis. And this is the United States of Kennedy, a podcast all about the Kennedys. A family that symbolizes whatever you want it to symbolize. The American dream, American statesmanship, nostalgia for 20th century American liberalism, the power of nepotism, the power of media spin, the power of being Catholic and from Massachusetts.
Lyra Smith
They're America's royal family.
George Severis
Every week, we'll go into one aspect of the Kennedy story through research and.
Lyra Smith
Gossip we heard and personal anecdotes.
George Severis
Oh, yeah, Lyra, you have so many.
Lyra Smith
Of those, it's very strange. Each time I've brought this podcast up to, like, friends or family, I get a new one popping up. And the juiciest one was about a family friend who interned for JFK and then had an affair and then broke up with him. Once he tried to get her to have a threesome with him and Bobby.
George Severis
I'm sorry, are you saying there was a Kennedy who had an affair?
Lyra Smith
Yeah.
George Severis
That is really crazy to believe, but I don't know. I mean, I guess we'll have to do our own research and see. I have to say, I want to tease one of my stories. They're not as juicy as yours, but. But a recent one I heard from a friend involved a pet snake. So I'm excited to get into that in a later episode. But generally, we're gonna explore everything that has to do with the Kennedys. Week after week, we're gonna look at everything from what really happened at Chappaquiddick to the fashion of proto influencer Carolyn Bessette, to the online antics of Jack Schlossberg.
Lyra Smith
We'll look at where RFK Jr came from, what he wants, how he found his way into the Trump White House.
George Severis
And we'll also talk about lighter topics, like the shocking number of very good movies and some kind of bad ones inspired by the Kennedys. I'm thinking Oliver Stone's jfk, Natalie Portman's performance as Jackie O, the Parker Posey cult classic House of Yes, and of course, our favorite, the infinitely rewatchable Gray Gardens.
Lyra Smith
The first piece of clothing that I ever bought on the Internet was a T shirt of little Edie. And it's kind of like the Che Guevara shirt, but Underneath, it says revolutionary.
George Severis
And listen, no lies detected. I remember the first time I saw Gray Gardens. I was living in San Francisco, and I went to a screening at the Castro Theater that I believe was hosted by two drag queens dressed as Big Edie and Little Edie.
Lyra Smith
Oh, my gosh, that's so good.
George Severis
It was heaven.
Lyra Smith
Each week, we'll revisit a different historical event, tabloid controversy or pop culture moment. And try to get closer to answering the question, what is it about the Kennedy family that keeps us locked in? When a Jack Schlossberg TikTok pops up, I honestly can't look away.
George Severis
Hey, everybody.
Jack Schlossberg
Valentine's Day is coming up in one month, and I need a valentine. I don't have a valentine right now, so if you want to be my valentine, please, like, comment and share. Write me a message. DM me. Someone from my team will get back to you. I can't make any promises. I'm going to pick the best valentine for me. So show us your stuff. And thanks a lot.
Lyra Smith
That is JFK's grandson alerting the world that he's still in need of a Valentine leading up to Valentine's Day this year. So we should probably introduce ourselves. I'm Lyra Smith. I've been making podcasts for over a decade. I've worked on shows like S Town, this American Life, and the Dream.
George Severis
And I am George. I'm a comedian and a writer. I was a former editor at Gawker, and I'm currently the host of the comedy podcast Stradiolab. But before we get into it all, Myra, don't you think we should introduce the cast of characters in our story?
Lyra Smith
It's necessary because there are so many Kennedys in each generation, and their stories build on each other. So we have the patriarch, Joe Kennedy. His grandparents immigrated from Ireland. He's born in 1888 and married Rose Fitzgerald in 1914. And he basically lived out the American dream. He amassed a huge fortune, and he and Rose had nine kids. This is the original lineup of the famous Kennedy family, and you've definitely heard.
George Severis
Of some of them. So of course we have JFK. You might know him as the 35th president of the United States. Some of his greatest hits include Ask not what yout Country can do for your, the Bay of Pigs, the Cuban Missile Crisis, signing the first nuclear weapons treaty, establishing the Peace Corps, his marriage to Jackie Kennedy, his rumored affair with Marilyn Monroe. He was, of course, assassinated in Texas in 1963, and one of the most memorable days in American history. Then we have JFK's brother and his attorney general, RFK. And no, it's not the one that is in the news lately. It's his father, Bobby Kennedy. Bobby also ran for president and was also famously assassinated. Shot publicly five years after JFK in 1968.
Lyra Smith
The brothers are, of course, the most lasting famous members of the family, but I've always been more interested in their sister Rosemary. There was also Kick, as she was known, and Ted, who has his own infamy later on.
George Severis
And Ted is sort of the one that I feel like I grew up with seeing in a government position.
Lyra Smith
Sure. And I thought that he was just a big joke because my first memory of Ted Kennedy is a Mad magazine.
George Severis
He is sort of a classic Mad magazine character.
Lyra Smith
He had, especially at this point time, he had the perfect frame and face to fit the illustrations. And that's literally all I remember is just that he seemed to be the perfect cartoon character. And I've since learned more about him. But as a kid I was just like, oh, yeah, that Ted Kennedy, he's the joke one, right?
George Severis
No, they do all have sort of a version, especially the men, a version of the same face. And you can have like the more cartoonish one. You can have the redhead one. You can have the more handsome one, you can have the more kind of kooky looking one. But anyway, we have those nine kids. Many grew up and had their own children who also went on to become pretty famous. So this brings us to the next generation. We have JFK's children. So that is JFK Jr. And Caroline Kennedy, who was most recently the ambassador to Australia under Joe Biden, and she was also the ambassador to Japan under Barack Obama. JFK Jr. Her brother was an attorney, a journalist, a magazine publisher, and many other things. But perhaps most importantly, he was the most eligible bachelor in Manhattan until he married Carolyn Bessette, which was a relationship the media covered mercilessly until their tragic death in a plane crash in 1999. Something we'll get into a lot in a future episode. Then we have other notable Kennedys of this generation. We have Bobby Kennedy's son, RFK Jr. Eunice Kennedy's daughter, Maria Shriver, who went on to marry Arnold Schwarzenegger, former Connecticut State Senator Ted Kennedy Jr. And former Massachusetts Congressman Joe Kennedy II.
Lyra Smith
Then after that generation, we finally get to current day with Jack Schlossberg, JFK's only grandson, and Patrick Schwarzenegger, Maria Shriver and Arnold Schwarzenegger's son. Yes, from White Lotus.
George Severis
All right, we're getting ahead of ourselves, so let's start at the beginning.
Lyra Smith
George, what was your memory of the Kennedys growing up?
George Severis
So I had a sort of very splintered childhood because I spent half my childhood in Greece and half my childhood in suburban New Jersey. So I spent my early childhood in Athens, moved to New Jersey from second grade to eighth grade, and then moved back to Greece for high school. So my memories are very kind of tied to whatever location I was at the time, to state the obvious, much like everyone's memories are, one might argue. And so I have this sort of, you know, the New Jersey element of my Kennedy memories, which is just like, you know, being in the Northeast. Of course, I was aware of the Kennedys. I was aware of Ted Kennedy, as I said, I would see him on tv. I watched documentaries and movies about the Kennedys. I knew them as sort of this emblem of American liberalism. But I think what stuck with me a little more was what the Kennedys meant in Greece. And in Greece, a huge part of kind of Greek pop culture and contemporary Greek lore, which was Jackie's relationship with Aristotle Onassis. So obviously, Jackie, already kind of beloved by the Greeks when she was married to jfk, there was all these stories about her visiting the Parthenon and saying publicly that she would like to see the Elgin Marbles return to Greece, which is sort of like the magic sentence you have to tell any Greek person if you want them on your side.
Lyra Smith
What are the Elgin Marbles? What is that?
George Severis
So the Elgin Marbles are a series of sculptures that were removed from the Parthenon, I believe, in the 19th century, and they are currently in the British Museum. So many people believe they should be returned to Greece. And if you ever want to pander to Greek people, just say you believe the Elgin Marbles should be returned.
Lyra Smith
That actually, I mean, honestly feels like a really progressive statement for a first lady at that time.
George Severis
Yes. No, absolutely.
Lyra Smith
Yeah.
George Severis
I wonder if this was sort of like the time before media training where it was just, you know, something she read in the newspaper and she said, you know, that seems unfair. They should be returned to Greece. And didn't really run it by anyone. And then there she is, sort of like saying it at a. I don't know, at an interviewer to a camera or something in Greece. But this is something that many Greek people will tell you. Jackie was always a friend of Greece because she said that they should return the Elgin Marbles. But then, of course, after JFK's death, she dated and then married Aristotle Onassis, who was this huge Greek shipping tycoon. Just like a huge figure in Greece and one of the richest people in the world. And that is when she really became a huge Greek celebrity. I mean, I think they maybe lived part time in Athens. She was sort of both beloved by certain people and also kind of, you know, held in suspicion by others that really wanted Aristotle Onassis to marry Maria Callas and thought of her as sort of a, you know, dare I say, gold digger. And so there were. People had mixed feelings about her. She was sort of a tabloid figure.
Lyra Smith
And Maria Callas is the one that Angelia Jolie just played.
George Severis
That is correct. Angelina Jolie played her in the film, and her relationship with Onassis was portrayed in the film. So they sort of famously were in a relationship while both of them were married.
Lyra Smith
Well, and also, the whole reason that Jackie got with him is because he was with her sister, Lee Radzwell, who was married.
George Severis
Right, Exactly. I think there was not a lot of fidelity. I think maybe there was something about Jackie actually marrying Onassis that was like, well, this is the final straw. We know all these people are having affairs, but how dare you make it official? But yes, it's. I mean, especially the connection between Onassis and Maria Callas. It's like these were the two most famous Greek people globally, basically. I mean, he was this, like, rich, you know, tycoon playboy, and she was the big diva. And so I think that meant a lot in terms of, you know, Greece's place in culture around the world.
Lyra Smith
It's also interesting that it's both Pablo Lorraine, right?
George Severis
Oh, yes, that's right.
Lyra Smith
Jackie.
George Severis
Pablo Lorraine did both Jackie starring Natalie Portman and Maria with Angelina Jolie. But anyway, so Jackie O really is, you know, she's someone that. That has been in the ether in Greece for a long time. And one of my favorite sort of small elements of that is the fact that the biggest gay club in Mykonos, which is, of course, like the gay island in Greece, is named Jackie O, and it's actually a growing empire. There is a Jacky O club, There is a Jackie O restaurant. They do drag show. I saw someone at my gym the other day wearing a Jackie O Mykonos hat. And then I went online and I was like, oh, maybe I'll buy us hats as a little gag gift for the show. Couldn't find them. I did, however, find a photo of a Greek drag queen meeting Natalie Portman at Jackie O. So that really is closing the loop, which is the actress that played Jackie is at the Jackie O Club. Meeting a drag queen that's sort of, you know, dressed like a Greek goddess.
Lyra Smith
It's interesting because I feel like another family possibly would shut that down, would be like, you're making money off of the name, but, you know, but the Kennedys don't ever do that.
George Severis
That is a good point. I had never. It had never even occurred to me. I mean, it's the Kennedys, but it also is the Jackie side of the family as well, because, you know, it's named Jackie O. I mean, we'll get into this more when we talk about Gray Gardens. But the fascination with Jackie sort of extended beyond the Kennedy part of her life and towards, like, her own relatives, like her various cousins, Onassis kids, and the feelings that they had towards Jackie. I mean, I honestly think if she starts. I mean, if her estate starts banning Jackie Omikonos, it's like, I don't know where they're going to stop, because it's sort of a whack, a mole in terms of poor representations of the family name. Lyra, I want to know what was your family's connection to the Kennedys?
Lyra Smith
So, yeah, my mom is Irish Catholic from the D.C. area. To her family, it was a huge deal that they had an Irish Catholic president. It meant that they were seen. They felt like this was major representation and major change for the family. And then everybody else who, like, shared their ancestry and religion. And even as, like, a tiny kid, my mom was like, he's the most handsome man in the world. Because it's like that was. It's funny now because when you. I feel like looking back at, like, images of him, you're like, all right, he's okay. And at the time, though, it was.
George Severis
Like, we're gonna have to talk about that at some point, because you really. It does feel like a form of gaslighting that you go through your entire, you know, adolescence in America where it's like, he's the one. He was the hot president. He was the hot president, and she was the hot first lady.
Lyra Smith
And, of course, what about Teddy Roosevelt?
George Severis
Right. I mean, it's tough because we've watched a lot of sort of, like, documentaries and footage and whatever, and preparing for this. And from today's point of view, you don't quite get it. But you have to remember that before the Kennedys, I mean, everyone was like, you know, a painting of an old wizard. You know, we had never had, like, a young, vibrant couple in the White House. And don't. Don't fact check us on that.
Lyra Smith
I mean, that's the thing that they always say. They're like, it's the first time anyone saw children in the Oval Office or in the White House and how impactful that was. And I mean, also the thing about JFK is the charisma, which a person is 10 times more attractive when they have an incredible personality and presence. And I think that's part of it.
George Severis
And so much of the JFK as president origin story is the famous televised debate with Nixon where Nixon came across as nervous and sweaty and JFK came across as charismatic and confident and calm. And so it sort of sets you up for success if the person that you're being compared to on television is Richard Nixon. But then it sort of stuck that he. His main thing is the. Is the charisma and the telegenic vibe.
Lyra Smith
I think also for my mom's family, they were like, for kids, they were pretty involved in civil rights protests. I think that they have, over the years, combined JFK's involvement in civil rights and Bobby's involvement with civil rights to be, you know, representative of what their hopes were at that time.
George Severis
So it wasn't just, you know, for your family. They weren't just a symbol of Northeastern Catholicism. It was a symbol of, like, American progressivism. Like, the Kennedys really, like, symbolized this liberalism that was so hopeful, especially for white people that wanted to feel better about themselves. That was so hopeful throughout the 20th century.
Lyra Smith
Yeah, I mean, they're really it in terms of the personification of that hope from that time. And, you know, the assassinations are like the loss of innocence for so many Americans that, like, that was their president and they were, you know, proud and happy and felt like, this is such a, like, youthful restart to, you know, what America can do. But I will say, even with all of that, my big family story, or the story that I remember growing up was about how RFK Jr. Was heavily pursuing my mom to date, and she rejected him repeatedly, which is something.
George Severis
Well, she's a smart lady.
Lyra Smith
I know, which is something that, as a child, you're like, what are you talking about? Are you kidding me? Why would you not do it? For the story. But they felt differently back then. But also she had a lot more intel. And she also is a lot smarter than me.
George Severis
I would say, well, maybe she's the one who could have saved us from what we're going through now.
Lyra Smith
No. Well, this is the thing is that when he was running for president and married to Cheryl Hines, I teased her and I was like, mom, you could have been the first lady. And my mom can be kind of morbid again, Irish Catholic. So she said, no, I would not have been the first lady. I would have killed myself. Which is how I learned that his previous wife committed suicide. She said, what you are seeing today is not the man that we were around then.
George Severis
Yeah, and I'm glad you brought up RFK Jr because there is something about him being the most visible Kennedy right now in 2025 that I think to me encapsulates why we wanted to make a show like this now. Because one of the constants of 20th century America and even early 21st century America was just like, what the Kennedy family meant, what it connoted, like what we think about when we think about the Kennedys. And there is something about RFK Jr. With his current political views, with his place in the Trump administration, being the most visible Kennedy that really just shows that there has been some sort of break in how things are happening all around us in America.
Lyra Smith
Even though they were never perfect, always deeply flawed, the representation of the, like, the pride and respect and the class that their family represented was a net positive for, like, our cultural understanding of, like, what a family in politics should look like and how they should behave. And it's. We're. We are losing that every day.
George Severis
I think it's sort of, you know, their flaws were America's flaws. And it's. Yes, their flaws were what, you know, they were hypocrisy, they were nepotism. They were kind of like this pretense that they are. They can somehow be progressive and anti establishment, despite the fact that they are 100%, always the establishment. Like it is, you know, achieving the American dream by amassing immense wealth and then passing it down to your children and sort of building generational wealth.
Lyra Smith
It's. It.
George Severis
The Kennedys were sort of like, how good can you be while still having all the flaws that America has? And in some ways, rfk, in his own way, is a classic Kennedy archetype. I mean, he struggled with addiction and exhibited a certain kind of bad boy behavior. In his youth. He, like, championed liberal causes. Earlier on, he was an environmental lawyer. Like, his whole, you know, he railed against fracking and pollution. Even later, he spoke out about forever chemicals and microplastics. He, like, talked about raising the minimum wage. And he has that Kennedy face, too. There were elements of him where you're like, okay, this is just a different, more contemporary version of the kind of Kennedy that we are used to. Even the scandals are so Kennedy to me. Like, the fact that he was accused of flying on Jeffrey Epstein's plane. I mean, that sounds like something a Kennedy would do.
Lyra Smith
Of course.
George Severis
I mean, his history of infidelity, the fact that he's like, married to a Hollywood actress, like, again, all these are very sort of like Kennedy things. And then I think where it really takes a turn is we start going into the conspiracy theorizing, the anti vaccine activism, the embrace of Donald Trump, and there's sort of just this, like, break from tradition. And I think something that I find fascinating about it is that it, like, is emblematic of a larger shift in American politics and this larger political realignment where what we think of as liberal and conservative just is not what it was in 1998 or 1964 or even, you know, 2012.
Lyra Smith
It's funny that you mentioned him going into the conspiracy theories because there are so many conspiracy theories about the Kennedy family themselves, including this, this concept of a Kennedy curse, which Even talking about RFK Jr and his rise and fall, it's like there's always going to be evidence to support this idea that the Kennedys are cursed. They're in the public eye, they have great wealth, they have great privilege. When they make a mistake or when tragedy befalls them, it can always get knocked under. This idea of the family being cursed.
George Severis
It is sort of a. I don't wanna say it's a self fulfilling prophecy, but there's something where you hear something tragic about a Kennedy and you almost nod your head solemnly, like, well, you know, something bad was bound to happen. Sure, you've sort of been trained to think that way. I mean, especially now that there's this new generation of young, handsome Kennedys. There's a part of me that's like, oh, my God, don't leave the house. Get off the board, Jack Patrick Schwarzenegger, don't go to Thailand. You don't know what might happen.
Lyra Smith
When RFK Jr. Was running for president, he had a fundraising element that was that you could get a ticket to go on a sailboat with him. And every single person on Twitter was just like, do not get on a boat with rfk.
George Severis
Don't get on a boat.
Lyra Smith
Don't get on a boat, don't get on a plane, don't get in a car with any Kennedy ever.
George Severis
I remember personally RFK came into my consciousness because I'm a huge Curb youb Enthusiasm Larry David fan. And famously, Larry David was the one who introduced RFK to Cheryl Hines. You know, during a different time, back when RFK Jr. Was in fact still a Proud Democrat who was an environmental lawyer, despite, I have to say, people call him an anti vaxxer. Being an anti vaxxer is one thing. He is an anti vaccine activist. It is. He's not. He doesn't just have beliefs that are cuckoo.
Lyra Smith
He travels to other countries and convinces them not to vaccinate.
George Severis
He has lobbied with celebrities in D.C. against, against vaccines. But anyway, that's neither here nor there. The point is, in terms of the Kennedy curse, I remember, like, when I read that Larry David introduced RFK to Cheryl Hines, I'm like, leave her alone. Like, why are you introdu? Why are you literally introducing her to this family where, oh, my God, every single generation, 15 tragedies happen. This poor woman.
Lyra Smith
And the photos of him at their wedding are incredible. It just looks like they're filming an episode. He looks so upset, so funny, but he's in every photo. Yes, the wedding photographer definitely was following him around, very interested in what he was gonna do. But also, you know, that that's another of my initial understandings of the Kennedys was the JFK Jr. Episode of Seinfeld, which I'm sure Larry David maybe felt like he was giving her her Elaine moment.
George Severis
Yes, that's right.
Lyra Smith
To hook up with a Kennedy, it's.
George Severis
Like, I mean, there is this lasting idea that what every single woman wants is to date a Kennedy.
Lyra Smith
Sure. Taylor Swift. Yeah, Taylor Swift. She could have had anybody. She got her Kennedy.
George Severis
I mean, we don't even know who. At some point, Jack Schlossberg is going to debut a girlfri. And that is gonna be a huge moment.
Lyra Smith
Yes. He's on Raya. I've seen him on Raya many times.
George Severis
Really? I didn't know that.
Lyra Smith
Yeah, I tried to message him. You know, I have not gotten a response. I did delete the app, but.
George Severis
Oh, my God. Sacrificing your journalistic integrity.
Lyra Smith
I know, but yeah, he was one of the celebs that were kind of famously always showing up for people on there. And we did a little like, Reddit gossip research and, you know, to our surprise, found nothing but, like, positive reviews of him as an individual. And it seems like he's had a few girlfriends and there are no negative stories to tell.
George Severis
So far, he does seem not to use a cliche, to be sort of what you might call chaotic good at the end of the day. I mean, I don't know if I would like to, you know, be roommates with him or something, but I think he ultimately, his heart is maybe in the right place.
Lyra Smith
It's A lot of singing, sure. It would be hard to share a space with him, probably.
George Severis
He does have a sort of theater kid vibe about him.
Lyra Smith
And also, like forever being celebrated for just putting any piece of himself out publicly. Because the thing is, is that his mother, somewhat famously, and many of the other past Kennedys, they don't put their personal being out into the public like that. They stay very kind of stoic. They have their, you know, this is the positive story of them, is that they are public servants or that they are working in politics for the good of the American people and that they care about committing to a life of public service in a lot of ways. Until RFK Jr most of the Kennedys have stayed pretty quiet outside of these diplomatic duties. Jack Schlossberg was doing that for a while. He was clearly media trained and operating as the family representative.
George Severis
I mean, there are a couple of counter examples. I'm thinking, you know, JFK Jr. In his heyday was a true socialite. I think that was also sort of part of what, you know, sounded the alarm bells in the Kennedy family was that, you know, the Kennedys are not supposed to be socialites, like, prancing around New York City. But if there's one thing RFK and Jack have in common is that they love showing off their torsos.
Lyra Smith
Yes. I feel like the first video I saw of Jack Schlossberg was him singing shirtless in a parking lot. And I didn't realize who it was, but I was still captivated. And then when he was on the skateboard reciting the poem was a Lord Byron poem. Like, you know, he's having a great time, but, yeah, now he's gotten the attention. It feels like people have been watching him very closely and they notice whenever he pulls back from social media. But he is just one of many Kennedys.
George Severis
Yes, it's being watched is just like a consistent part of the Kennedy story. And Jack Schlossberg is just the latest chapter of that. At every point, you know, people sort of like, keep up with them with a mix of fascination, reverence, suspicion, and it's not dying down anytime soon. So we are excited to jump into even more Kennedy stories. Everything that we mentioned today was just the tip of the iceberg. We have many, many weeks and months to get into how we got here and where we came from. So subscribe and follow to United States of Kennedy for all things Kennedy every week.
Lyra Smith
Thanks for listening.
Unknown
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George Severis
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United States of Kennedy: Episode Summary – "The Family Tree"
Podcast Information:
United States of Kennedy embarks on an in-depth exploration of the Kennedy family's multifaceted legacy in its episode titled "The Family Tree." Hosted by Lyra Smith and George Severis, the episode navigates through the intricate web of the Kennedy lineage, uncovering personal anecdotes, historical events, and contemporary dynamics that continue to shape the family's public image.
Lyra Smith introduces herself as a seasoned podcaster with over a decade of experience, having contributed to notable shows like S-Town and This American Life. George Severis complements her expertise with his background in comedy and writing, including his tenure as a former editor at Gawker and hosting the comedy podcast Stradiolab.
Notable Quote:
George Severis [03:01]: "I'm George Severis. And this is the United States of Kennedy, a podcast all about the Kennedys. A family that symbolizes whatever you want it to symbolize."
The hosts provide a comprehensive overview of the Kennedy family, beginning with the patriarch, Joe Kennedy, born in 1888 to Irish immigrant grandparents. Joe and his wife, Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy, had nine children, many of whom became prominent figures in American politics and society.
Key Family Members Discussed:
Notable Quote:
Lyra Smith [07:00]: "It's necessary because there are so many Kennedys in each generation, and their stories build on each other."
Lyra shares a personal family story illustrating the complex relationships within the Kennedy family. She recounts how RFK Jr. persistently pursued her mother, leading to tension and rejection that underscored the perpetually turbulent nature of Kennedy romances.
Notable Quote:
Lyra Smith [20:37]: "But they felt differently back then. But also she had a lot more intel. And she also is a lot smarter than me."
The discussion shifts to the concept of the "Kennedy curse," a pervasive narrative suggesting that members of the Kennedy family are doomed to tragedy and scandal. The hosts reflect on how this notion persists, citing recent events involving RFK Jr., such as his controversial political positions and personal controversies.
Notable Quote:
George Severis [25:31]: "It is sort of a self-fulfilling prophecy, but there's something where you hear something tragic about a Kennedy and you almost nod your head solemnly."
Lyra and George explore the Kennedy family's significant presence in media and popular culture. They discuss how movies like JFK, portrayals of Jackie Kennedy by actresses like Natalie Portman and Angelina Jolie, and the omnipresent media scrutiny have cemented the family's iconic status.
Notable Quote:
Lyra Smith [05:19]: "The first piece of clothing that I ever bought on the Internet was a T-shirt of little Edie. And it's kind of like the Che Guevara shirt, but underneath, it says revolutionary."
Focusing on the newer members of the family, the hosts highlight Jack Schlossberg and Patrick Schwarzenegger as the latest embodiments of Kennedy charisma and public interest. They discuss Jack's presence on social media, his public persona, and the anticipation surrounding his future endeavors.
Notable Quote:
George Severis [30:54]: "I think they ultimately, his heart is maybe in the right place."
The episode delves into how newer generations, particularly RFK Jr., have diverged from traditional Kennedy values. His affiliations with controversial political figures and movements signal a departure from the family's established liberal legacy, reflecting broader shifts in American politics.
Notable Quote:
George Severis [24:05]: "There's something about him being the most visible Kennedy right now in 2025 that really encapsulates why we wanted to make a show like this now."
The Family Tree episode of United States of Kennedy offers a nuanced examination of the Kennedy dynasty, balancing historical context with personal stories and contemporary analysis. Lyra Smith and George Severis adeptly navigate the family's storied past and its ongoing influence, providing listeners with a comprehensive understanding of why the Kennedys remain a subject of fascination and scrutiny.
Notable Quote:
Lyra Smith [32:07]: "Everything that we mentioned today was just the tip of the iceberg. We have many, many weeks and months to get into how we got here and where we came from."
Final Thoughts:
This episode emphasizes the enduring legacy of the Kennedy family, illustrating how their personal triumphs and tragedies continue to shape American cultural and political landscapes. By intertwining historical facts with personal anecdotes and contemporary issues, United States of Kennedy delivers a compelling narrative that appeals to both longtime Kennedy enthusiasts and new listeners alike.