The year was 1956. My family made a decision that would change everything. Hungary was in the middle of a revolution, and for many families, staying was no longer an option.

Growing up, I always heard pieces of my family’s story—little moments about leaving Hungary, about refugee camps, about starting over in America. But it wasn’t until later that I realized what they had actually lived through.

They left their home with almost nothing… not knowing if they’d ever return, not knowing what would happen next.

What started as a fight for freedom quickly turned into a journey of escape, survival, and starting over in a new country.

In a time of political upheaval and fear, my family made the difficult decision to leave everything behind in search of freedom.

This series of episodes is about that journey, what led them to leave, what they experienced along the way, and how it shaped everything that came after.

This isn’t just history. This is my family’s story. This is the story of how it all happened—and why they had no choice but to leave.

Welcome to Story Time – Part 1

CONNECT with the Podcast
Website: www.myhungarianheritage.com
Email: Christine@myhungarianheritage.com
Instagram: @hungarianheritagepodcast
Facebook: Hungarian Heritage Podcast

CONNECT with Hungarian Roots and American Dreams
Instagram: @hungarianroots_americandreams
Facebook : Hungarian Roots and American Dreams
Email : reka.bakos@rootstories.hu
Purchase a copy of Hungarian Roots and American Dreams through this email:
hungarianrootsamericandreams@rootstories.hu

In this episode of the Hungarian Heritage Podcast, I speak with my talented guest Suzanne Ócsai, who shares all about her Hungarian heritage and her continued quest to feel connected to her Hungarian community. We talk about her family's Hungarian heritage and her search for a feeling of belonging, and what that means when you are searching for your community. We discuss Suzanne's life-long love for art, how it has inspired her professional career, as well as, the art she creates. We specifically discuss her current wired art collection that is on display at the American Hungarian Foundation in New Brunswick, NJ.

If you are interested in seeing Suzanne’s Hungarian wired art collection that is currently on display at the American Hungarian Foundation in New Brunswick, NJ, her collection will be there until June. You can view the collection during one the upcoming events being held at the American Hungarian foundation, or by calling AHF to schedule a visit. If you’re interested in seeing the collection AND meeting Suzanne, then make sure you attend the Hungarian Festival on June 6, 2026.. All of this information will be listed below, along with Suzanne’s website and social media information so you can contact her and give a follow!

If you have feedback or questions about this episode or you would like to connect with me at the podcast, you will also find that information below. If you’ve enjoyed this episode and you’re interested in learning more about this Hungarian Heritage community, please do not hesitate to reach out. I would love to hear from you.

Our theme music is Hungarian Dance by Pony Music, used with special license from Envato Market. Don’t forget to subscribe, rate and review wherever you listen to your podcasts. Thanks again for listening, and until next time, make sure you Stay Hungarian Heritage Strong! Sziastok

CONNECT with Suzanne Ócsai
Website: www.suzanneocsai.com
Email: info on website
Instagram: @suzanneocsai
Facebook: Suzanne Ócsai

CONNECT with the Podcast
Website: www.myhungarianheritage.com
Email: Christine@myhungarianheritage.com
Instagram: @hungarianheritagepodcast
Facebook: Hungarian Heritage Podcast

Contact the American Hungarian Foundation to view Suzanne’s Collection

Website: www.ahfoundation.org
Email: info@ahfoundation.org
Instagram: @americanhungarianfoundation
Facebook: American Hungarian Foundation

Phone: 732-846-5777

Address: 300 Somerset Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08903

Thanks for joining me on this episode of the Hungarian Heritage Podcast with a special thanks to my guest Gábor Oszter from Mayer's Harvest. We discuss the naturally sourced fruits that make up their delicious syrups and jams and how they are still produced by hand presseing. You will find out where you can purchase these items, as well as, the company’s mission to give back to animals, not to mention the generous discount code you will receive when you purchase products directly from their website! If you are interested in ordering these products or contacting Gabor, I will leave all of that information below.

If you have feedback or questions about this episode or you would like to connect with me at the podcast, you will also find that information below. If you’ve enjoyed this episode and you’re interested in learning more about this Hungarian Heritage community, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I would love to hear from you.

Our theme music is Hungarian Dance by Pony Music, used with special license from Envato Market. Don’t forget to subscribe, rate and review wherever you listen to your podcasts. Thanks again for listening, and until next time, make sure you Stay Hungarian Heritage Strong! Sziastok

CONNECT with Gabor Ozster and Mayer products
Website: www.mayersharvest.com
Email: info@mayersharvest.com
Instagram: @mayer_northamerica
Facebook: Mayer North America

CONNECT with the Podcast
Website: www.myhungarianheritage.com
Email: Christine@myhungarianheritage.com
Instagram: @hungarianheritagepodcast
Facebook: Hungarian Heritage Podcast

In this episode I will speaking about the importance of preserving our Hungarian heritage, as it will be an ongoing conversation this season in between the interview episodes. I will also start to share some of my family's Hungarian heritage stories in these episodes, and I look forward to the conversations that will result from these stories and discussions.

CONNECT with the Podcast
Website: www.myhungarianheritage.com
Email: Christine@myhungarianheritage.com
Instagram: @hungarianheritagepodcast
Facebook: Hungarian Heritage Podcast

In this episode I am speaking with Samuel Hymes and he is here to talk about his Hungarian Heritage preservation and what he has accomplished so far in his journey. In our conversation, Samuel will also share about his experience with the HYPE Network, a leadership Program organized through the American Hungarian Coalition. We will discuss the importance of preserving our Hungarian heritage no matter when you start or how long it takes you to get there.

If you are interested in contacting Samuel to find out about his experience with the HYPE network, his contact information is below, as well as, the Hungarian American Coalition's website with the official HYPE Network information.

If you have feedback or questions about this episode or you would like to connect with me at the podcast, you will also find that information below. If you’ve enjoyed this episode and you’re interested in learning more about this Hungarian Heritage community, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I would love to hear from you.

Our theme music is Hungarian Dance by Pony Music, used with special license from Envato Market. Don’t forget to subscribe, rate and review wherever you listen to your podcasts. Thanks again for listening, and until next time, make sure you Stay Hungarian Heritage Strong! Sziastok

CONNECT with Samuel Hymes
Linkedin: Samuel Hymes
Email: samuelslomowitzhymes@gmail.com
Instagram: @bustahymes
Facebook: Samuel Hymes

CONNECT with The HYPE Network and Hungarian American Coalition
Website: www.hacusa.org
Instagram: @Hungarianamericancoalition
Facebook: Hungarian American Coalition

CONNECT with the Podcast
Website: www.myhungarianheritage.com
Email: Christine@myhungarianheritage.com
Instagram: @hungarianheritagepodcast
Facebook: Hungarian Heritage Podcast

Welcome to this episode of the Hungarian Heritage Podcast where I am speaking with Noemi Taylor, and she is here to talk about the Puli and Komondor Hungarian dog breeds. At Skyblue farm in Colorado, Noemi and her family breed Pulis and Komondors with kindness, love, and most of all respect for these two Hungarian dog breeds. We find out what these dog are traditionally known for, and what makes them different from each other. We will also discuss how Noemi and her family take extra care in determining what type of environment is best suited to bring one of these Hungarian dog breeds into your home. If you are interested in contacting Noemi to find out how you can start the process of bringing home a Puli or a Komondor, I will leave all of that information below.

If you have feedback or questions about this episode or you would like to connect with me at the podcast, you will also find that information in the show notes. If you’ve enjoyed this episode and you’re interested in learning more about this Hungarian Heritage community, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I would love to hear from you.

Our theme music is Hungarian Dance by Pony Music, used with special license from Envato Market. Don’t forget to subscribe, rate and review wherever you listen to your podcasts. Thanks again for listening, and until next time, make sure you Stay Hungarian Heritage Strong! Sziastok

CONNECT with Noemi Taylor at Sky Blue Farm
Website: www.mangalitsafarmusa.com
Email: skybluefarmllc@gmail.com
Instagram: @skybluefarm_puli
Facebook: Sky Blue Farm

CONNECT with the Podcast
Website: www.myhungarianheritage.com
Email: Christine@myhungarianheritage.com
Instagram: @hungarianheritagepodcast
Facebook: Hungarian Heritage Podcast

In this episode of the Hungarian Heritage Podcast I am thrilled to announce another exciting co-host collaboration! As many of you know, Season 3 has featured many new co-hosts, and all of them began with an episode recording, followed by a blossoming friendship that lead to new collaborative ideas. So, for those of you who have been listening to the podcast for a while, it will come as no surprise that my next co-host is Ilka Kocsis, author of Ilka’s Kitchen Stories, Balassi summer program participant, and most importantly my friend. Together, Ilka and I will be celebrating Australians with Hungarian heritage, and in this first episode of our Australian series we will be featuring Peter Sacket from the Hungarian folkdance group, Keszkenő. Listen closely and you’ll hear the strength of Hungarian heritage in every step of this folk dance group. You will hear just how Hungarian Heritage strong the Keszkenő Folkdance group and Peter Sackett are as they continue to foster the growth and love of traditional Hungarian folk dancing in Western Australia.

If you are interested in contacting my co-host Ilka Kocsis about her cookbook or her experience in the Balasssi program , I will leave her information below, and if you are interested in contacting Peter Sackett from the Keszkenő folk dance group, I will leave the dance group’s contact information in below, as well.

If you have feedback or questions about this episode or you would like to connect with me at the podcast, you will also find that information below. If you’ve enjoyed this episode and you’re interested in learning more about this Hungarian Heritage community, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I would love to hear from you.

Our theme music is Hungarian Dance by Pony Music, used with special license from Envato Market. Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review wherever you listen to your podcasts. Thanks again for listening, and until next time, make sure you Stay Hungarian Heritage Strong! Sziastok!

CONNECT with Ilka Kocsis
Reach out through Instagram or Facebook to purchase her book.
Instagram: @ilkas_kitchen_stories
Facebook: Ilka's Kitchen www.balassieducation.hu

CONNECT with Peter Sackett from the Keszkenő Folk Dance Group
Email: keszkeno@outlook.com
Instagram: @KeszkenőHungarianDanceGroup
Facebook: Keszkenő Hungarian Folk Dance Group

CONNECT with the Podcast
Website: www.myhungarianheritage.com
Email: Christine@myhungarianheritage.com
Instagram: @hungarianheritagepodcast
Facebook: Hungarian Heritage Podcast