so happy we are being blessed with a third season!! thank you Liz and Mark!!

I love it that you are back with Carolyn and Camille’s diaries. They come at a particularly hard time for me as I have had eye surgery and cannot drive, read, or watch TV for a while. I literally clapped my hands in glee when I saw that My Grandma’s Diaries was back with the Twin’s diaries. When I listened to the episode SURPRISE, I broke down, sobbing at the news that Carolyn had passed away during the break. It was as if I lost a member of my own family, and I am so sorry for your loss. The eulogy was absolutely beautiful and perfectly written for a woman who lived life to the fullest. Thank you so much for sharing such a lovely and personal tribute. I will think of her every time I see the grammatical errors that bothered her so. They bother me too. 🏆 Diary Lady❤️ Merideth Putman Canyon Country, CA

I have been listening to this podcast from the beginning. I just got Apple Podcast and had to leave a review to one of my favorite podcasts. Almost a year ago, I started my own daily journal. My journal is a 5 year daily journal and also asks questions every day! It’s so fun to look back on the days I don’t remember well now. Thank you so much for sharing these untold stories. I look forward to hearing Mark and Liz every week & so happy that you are back with the twins books! My grandpa is the same age as the twins so it’s really fun hearing what it would have been like for him in high school.

I just adore this podcast! Hope you 2 have more projects coming! Thanks!!

Oh my… I am listening to episode 41, and when Liz and Mark read that listener letter about the woman’s mom listening in her final days in hospice to help her reminisce on her own childhood in small town Missouri, I welled up with tears immediately. I cannot express how grateful I am to have shared in these memories of a life so well lived. These days, it’s so easy to get bogged down with the negative, but then I think about how much Betty went through in her young life, and she did so graciously and without complaining. I think she was the happier for it, and I wish to emulate her in that way. As a former avid journaler who recently had a baby and had to give up my 4-5 page daily entries for a hectic existence as a parent, Elizabeth has inspired me to go the 5-year journal route so I can keep up with such an important hobby as primary source creation. My only regret is that I found the podcast too late and won’t be able to send in a voice recording, which is why my review is so thorough, here. Thank you Mark and Liz, and I hope you and yours are safe after these horrible hurricanes. I’ve been worried about you all.

Late to the podcast, but I LOVE it. This is the first podcast I have ever listened to in it’s entirety. I am from Providence Arkansas and I have enjoyed SO MUCH hearing about Steprock, Searcy, Judsonia and Pangburn, as I have lived here all 50 years of my life. I feel like I KNOW these people personally, and I hear names and stories that I’ve heard from my ancestors! Thank you Mark and Liz for a job well done! Can’t wait to see this on Netflix!

So wonderful to get an update on Elizabeth’s life. She lived through such turbulent times but she got and her family got through it to prosper on the other side.

This podcast has been so fascinating and entertaining. It has inspired me to try journaling for my children’s children to learn about us in the olden days. I can’t wait to replay from episode 1.

Love this pod. It’s fun to learn about Elizabeth over the years. Love the historical tie ins too. Clean pod the whole family can love! Waiting in the Netflix special…

I enjoyed the podcast very much. I know Mark’s Uncle Bill so that made it even more enjoyable.

I was late to the party and started listening after they finished their last episode. My goodness. I laughed, I cried, and told my family they needed to start listening! I know others feel the same way, but I wish I had my grandparents’ diaries! Listening to this podcast brought me back in time! Thank you so much for sharing this podcast!

This is pretty good, sometimes I am not enamored by the hosts. The actual diary entries are pretty fun. Why do the commercials step on what the hosts are saying?

I have loved every episode of this podcast! It’s entertaining and you learn a few things along the way. Now that it’s done ( at least for awhile)I think I will start it all over again. Thank you

This podcast is an easy listening journey. It gives a wonderful window into the world prior to WW2. You’re able to put it on and just listen as the stories keep coming. Recommend!

The last episode was hauntingly beautiful. I do miss listening to a new episode every Tuesday. Thank you for sharing your family with all of us.

I stumbled across My Grandma’s Diaries and was immediately hooked! It’s a lovely journey of a young woman’s family and their struggles during a very difficult period of US history. The mix of history and personal struggle really paints a picture of what life was like for a young person living in that era. It was fun to see that time hasn’t changed ,as I was just as “boy crazy” as Elizabeth. Liz and Mark narrate so well! My favorite part was trying to guess who would be Mark’s grandfather. This podcast is truly ageless and anyone would enjoy it!

Do yourself a favor and try this podcast. It’s filled with fun, real-life stories from the diaries of a young woman growing up during the depression, interesting historical tidbits, and a lot of heart. I so enjoy the voices of the two podcasters who bring the diaries to life. I sincerely hate that I am near the end of the series, but am grateful for the many hours I was able to listen to this show. I am forever a “Betty” 🌹❤️

I love this podcast. I listened to it on long car trips driving my some all over the country for sports. I can hardly bring myself to listen to the last episode. You two are so talented and I could listen to you guys just read the phone book! Cheers!

I absolutely love this podcast. I’m so sad it’s ending. I’m not a Pat’s payer so just wondering if you covered how many children Elizabeth had. I know the twins were first, then a brother was conceived just before the diaries ended. How many children’s did Elizabeth have? Where are they today? I’m wondering if there’s a little bit of a divide between those siblings so you weren’t allowed to mention them. It happens. No judging. Just curious about all her kids and grandkids.

I’ve loved the podcast or since it started! I started with the reels on Facebook and went straight to the podcast! You guys are wonderful, Liz’s voice is so calm and chill! it makes me think about my granny that I lost clear back when I was seven she was my whole life and my greatest love! As the podcast wraps up I’ve decided to relist to the entire podcast whenever the newest podcasts in my rotation of about eight have been listened to. I’ll put Grandma on to clean or make dinner, driving in the car, ect. Sorry, I haven’t put my rating in sooner, I actually listen to you guys on prime music. I always hear podcast asking for their rating and I know I need to go back and do it to all the others. I listen to as well. I just don’t use Apple podcast for my listening, it’s unfortunate that that’s the big app that counts as far as ratings go. I also listen to Liz’s other podcast about her adoption. That one was a binge one weekend after I’d run out of my other podcast as well lol. It was amazing too. (now that I think of it, I better go rate that one on Apple as well lol) You’ll both will have to come out with some more content very soon! Thanks again for the great pod! Love, grandma’s Belle, Lori K, Grand Island, NE

I listened til the very end

This podcast always brightens up my week. Liz and Mark have done such a beautiful job with Betty’s diaries. She would be so proud! They’ve really brought her to life through their amazing storytelling. This podcast is truly a labor of love. As someone who loves genealogy and history, this podcast does a fantastic job of providing historical context. I’ve really love and appreciate the thorough genealogical research done by Liz. I am looking forward to whatever Mark and Liz do next. I just now it’ll be great.

Beautiful story beautifully told

This podcast is absolutely incredible and beautiful! If you’re a fan of all things historical, you will love it. Mark and Liz have kept me company for so long now, I don’t know what I’m going to do when it’s over.

There’s nothing like a firsthand account to bring you back to one of the most pivotal periods in American history. You can almost feel the shift in Elizabeth’s words from the desperation of the Depression to the relative ease of the 1940s.

Super interesting- puts a lot into prospective

This is a wonderful podcast.

remember the moment I stumbled upon "My Grandma's Diaries" on TikTok. I was immediately captivated by the raw and honest portrayal of life during the Great Depression. As someone who grew up near Belle Missouri, hearing Elisebeth's stories resonated deeply with me. Elisebeth's journey took me on an emotional rollercoaster. From the heartbreaking struggles of her family during the depression to the joyful moments of young love and the comfort of faith, I felt every emotion right along with her. Hearing firsthand accounts of life in a small town in Missouri and Arkansas brought back memories of my own grandmother, who was also a telephone operator in Poplar Bluff around the same time. The way Elisebeth's story is told is truly special. The videos on Instagram, Facebook,TikTok, YouTube, the podcast and website all work together to paint a vivid picture of her life. I felt a deep connection to Elisebeth. Mark and Liz, the creators of this amazing project, have done an incredible job bringing Elisebeth's story to life. Their hard work and passion are evident in every detail. I am forever grateful for the opportunity to experience Elisebeth's life through their talented storytelling. I'm not just a "Betty" - I will be a lifelong fan and supporter of "My Grandma's Diaries". I can't wait to see where the journey takes us next. If you haven't yet discovered this gem, I highly recommend you check it out. You won't be disappointed.

I’ve listened every week from the beginning, every Tuesday. In my podcast there’s not one episode under my unplayed episodes filter. I’m just simple going to have to go back to the beginning and listen again.

I eagerly await Tuesday each week to listen to a new episode. I love the discussion between the hosts and historical references along the way. I’m sad for the podcast to reach its conclusion, but am hopeful that there will be more podcasts from this duo in the future.

So love this podcast! It tells a well researched story of what life was like during the great depression, as well as giving us political, and social context of that time. And by the way, my new favorite ice cream is Rose and Lavender!! Keep 'Em coming, your research is incredible!!

Started watching this on Tik Tok when there was only maybe 10 or less videos and loved every minute of it. Now that Liz and Mark turned it into a podcast it’s even better because you get to dive into the peoples lives around Elisabeth plus history for that time period while driving in the car. Just love love this family, thank you for sharing your grandma with us!

One of my favorite podcasts to listen to. Recommend to everyone!

Fantastic series very well done guys!

This podcast puts a beautiful story with context to describe the life of a woman based on her own diary. I could listen to this podcast over and over, it is just so well done and such an incredible story!

This has become my comfort podcast. Liz and mark are fantastic. their passion for this project is so infectious! I’m honestly so sad it’s ending. I will keep following y’all in the hopes we will have a Liz and mark coffee chat show!

I will definitely miss this podcast

I love everything about this podcast. The narration keeps you intrigued and wanting to listen to more. Elizabeth has become a part of my weekly routine.

What a lovely journey of discovery this podcast is! A young girl describes her life in the 1930s & 1940s. The hosts do a fantastic job telling us the story. Suitable for all ages. Enjoy!

My Grandma’s diaries is like no other podcast. Liz and Mark are funny, knowledgeable and entertaining. Eizabeth’s diary entries include authentic details that I remember learning about during my own childhood, from the stories that older family members shared with me about their lives during the Great Depression. I’m the youngest child/grandchild of older parents/grandparents from a large family that weathered the 30’s. Details are the same as from Elizabeth’s entries - frequent flats on old, worn out cars running on slender, often threadbare tires one had to drive on in the 30’s. Washing clothing with gasoline - my home ec teacher Grandma was horrified at that one. The family acquaintance of the Hartzells that had a member with TB - my dad endured multiple minimally effective treatments for TB, including surgical pneumothorax, and stayed months in special hospitals until effective antibiotics were invented in the 50’s. Some of the most poignant entries by Elizabeth occurred when the Hartzells returned to Belle after their time in Steprock. Belle seemed to have lost its sparkle, and wasn’t as much fun the second time around. Multiple family members of my mom’s were desperate to escape poverty in rural Pennsylvania and squeezed into my Grandpa’s house in Philadelphia for a time. Although they were no doubt relieved when they were able to return to their home, rumors and the air contagion from poverty may have followed them back. It’s heartbreaking to know that Elizabeth will not live long enough to meet her grandchildren. One wonders if the years of field labor and tent living as a teen in Steprock, or the poor nutrition that resulted, may have played a role. I will sorely miss the podcast when it ends, as Elizabeth and the marvelous hosts feel like extended family.

Do you like storytelling, history, coming of age stories? This one is for you. Thank you Mark and Liz for sharing these gems with the world.

I have so enjoyed this little peak back into history. This could have been the story of my Grandma too, and it makes me wistful. I’ll be sad to see it end.

Wonderful job by the hosts!! I’m sad it’s coming to an end. I really hope we get a wrap up on all the family members. Looking forward to the book!!

I absolutely adore this podcast - Elisabeth’s story has brought such abundant joy! I never had the chance to know my own grandmothers as they passed away very young (and before I was born. I have always felt their physical loss so keenly. They were a little older than Elisabeth but in the same generation. Sadly, I don’t have any diaries of theirs to read, but by listening to these episodes I feel as if I have gained a special insight into what life was like for them, too. (Also, I have so enjoyed hearing about Arkansas as I have roots in White County! So I wonder if any of my relatives interacted with the Hartsells and their extended family/friends!) My heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has made this treasure of a podcast possible.

Such a great podcast. I’m a true crime junkie and I love taking a break from all that with this lovely podcast. I know there’s a lot of sad things going on but Elisabeth’s strength and endurance throughout are amazing and inspiring. You’re both doing a great job.

I’m pretty sad that the diaries are coming to an end soon. This is the only podcast that I look forward to each week. When it ends, there will be a little hole left in my heart. I love listening to the diary entries and then learning about life at that time, as well as where the people she was close to ended up. It has inspired me to start my own 3-year diary. A habit I hope I can continue for the rest of my life.

I absolutely love listening to my grandma’s diaries. Liz makes me laugh all the time and I desperately want to take a trip to Charleston and take a one of her tours. I drive an hour to work and listen the entire time!! So thankful Betty wrote down her thoughts and we are able to get to experience a piece of history all over the world!! A grateful Betty, Amanda J.

I love this show! I stumbled upon it on Facebook and started binging the podcast. I love this look into history as seen from the eyes of a young girl living through the 1930s depression era and WWII. Liz and Mark are wonderful hosts. I am hooked.

If you are a lover of history, researching down rabbit holes, genealogy, and a pinch of humor and drama, you’re in the right place. It genuinely feels like sitting down with a couple of friends as you geek out over the fascinating firsthand account of a young woman during the Great Depression. The historical context (and, at times, modern perspectives - that I wholeheartedly agree with) helps flesh things out into a deeper level. I am often reminded of the stories my grandfather told me about his experiences during that time; although he was in a larger town in upstate NY, the hardships are actually shockingly similar. As a librarian, I greatly appreciate the depth of research that you undergo and generously share. I can’t wait to hear where Elizabeth’s story takes us!

I love this podcast! Elisabeth’s life is so interesting and Liz and Mark are great hosts. What also makes this podcast great are the side stories and additional historical events that give the listener more context. I’ve found this podcast is not only entertaining, but is relatable to what is going on in the world today. I only found this podcast a few weeks ago and I’m already caught up! Recommend to all the history lovers!