The Hungarian Heritage Podcast

Please join me in welcoming Rhonda Kofer to this episode of the Hungarian Heritage Podcast. Rhonda is here today to share about her Hungarian heritage, the resilience she inherited from one of her family members, how and why she started to dig a little deeper into her family history and the research that went along with that. But that's not all. Rhonda and I will talk about her trek to attain her citizenship living in Budapest and what she's up to now as she has tied all these things together. Rhonda, welcome to the Hungarian Heritage Podcast. Thank you so much for being here today.

CONNECT with Rhonda Copher
Website: https://hungarianancestors.com where you will find Rhonda's email, substack blog, and social media connections.

CONNECT with the Podcast
Website: www.myhungarianheritage.com
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: @hungarianheritagepodcast
Facebook: Hungarian Heritage Podcast  

There are two places in Hungary that have been the center of all of my grandmother's Those places were the houses where my grandmother lived. Those two places were the vessels of countless stories my grandmother carried with her when she escaped in 1956, which she then shared with me about her life in Hungary. Both were places that I had dreamed of visiting for my entire life because almost every story that my grandmother told was rooted in those places. One location was her family's home in Detk, located in Heves County, and the other location was her home in the 11th district of Budapest when she was married to my grandfather and where my father was born.

In between the interview episodes on the Hungarian Heritage podcast, I've started to tell about my family's story, their history, their life experiences in Hungary, and how it has affected my life. I have always interjected tidbits of my family's story during my interviews if it was relevant to what my guest was talking about, but I would mostly keep the interview focused on my guests. Over time and through many episodes, you have been able to learn things about my Hungarian heritage,

And if you're just joining me here today for the first time in this episode at the Hungarian Heritage Podcast, thanks so much for being here. If you'd like to hear more details about my story and my family's story first, you can certainly go back and listen to the three previous episodes.

They are a three-part series from a story that I wrote about my family that is published in the book Hungarian Roots and American Dreams.  You don't need to listen to those episodes first, but if you haven't yet listened, you should definitely go back to hear more about my family's Hungarian story after this episode.

CONNECT with the Podcast
Website: www.myhungarianheritage.com
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: @hungarianheritagepodcast
Facebook: Hungarian Heritage Podcast  

CONNECT with Hungarian Roots and American Dreams
Instagram: @hungarianroots_americandreams
Facebook : Hungarian Roots and American Dreams
Email : [email protected]
Purchase a copy of Hungarian Roots and American Dreams through this email:
[email protected]

Rétisas Restaurant
Phone Number: +36 20 468 4277
Address : Budapest, Hunyadi Mátyás út 56, 1116 Hungary
Facebook Website and Reservations : https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063779031556

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. 

Welcome to Story Time Part 3. If you didn't get a chance to listen to Parts 1 or 2 of my family's immigration story, you can certainly go back and listen to those episodes before you begin this one. 

Listen along to hear the final part of my family's immigration story found in Hungarian Roots and American Dream, as well as, why you, too, should start preserving your family's immigration stories for future generations. 

CONNECT with the Podcast
Website: www.myhungarianheritage.com
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: @hungarianheritagepodcast
Facebook: Hungarian Heritage Podcast  

CONNECT with Hungarian Roots and American Dreams
Instagram: @hungarianroots_americandreams
Facebook : Hungarian Roots and American Dreams
Email : [email protected]
Purchase a copy of Hungarian Roots and American Dreams through this email:
[email protected]

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. 

Welcome to Story Time Part 2. If you didn't get a chance to listen to Part 1 of my family's immigration story, you can certainly go back and listen to that episode before you begin this one. 

CONNECT with the Podcast
Website: www.myhungarianheritage.com
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: @hungarianheritagepodcast
Facebook: Hungarian Heritage Podcast  

CONNECT with Hungarian Roots and American Dreams
Instagram: @hungarianroots_americandreams
Facebook : Hungarian Roots and American Dreams
Email : [email protected]
Purchase a copy of Hungarian Roots and American Dreams through this email:
[email protected]

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: [email protected]
Instagram: @hungarianheritagepodcast
Facebook: Hungarian Heritage Podcast  

CONNECT with Hungarian Roots and American Dreams
Instagram: @hungarianroots_americandreams
Facebook : Hungarian Roots and American Dreams
Email : [email protected]
Purchase a copy of Hungarian Roots and American Dreams through this email:
[email protected]

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: [email protected]
Instagram: @hungarianheritagepodcast
Facebook: Hungarian Heritage Podcast  

Contact the American Hungarian Foundation to view Suzanne’s Collection

Website: www.ahfoundation.org
Email: [email protected]
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: [email protected]
Instagram: @mayer_northamerica
Facebook: Mayer North America  

CONNECT with the Podcast
Website: www.myhungarianheritage.com
Email: [email protected]
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: [email protected]
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: [email protected]
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: [email protected]
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: [email protected]
Instagram: @skybluefarm_puli
Facebook: Sky Blue Farm 

CONNECT with the Podcast
Website: www.myhungarianheritage.com
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: @hungarianheritagepodcast
Facebook: Hungarian Heritage Podcast