The Book Serenity Podcast

Episode 2: The Platt Family in Colonial America

In this episode of the Book Serenity Podcast, Dr. Guadalupe Vanderhorst Rodriguez—genealogist with over 40 years of experience and author of several books on the Platt family—explores how the Platt family established their lives in Colonial America during the 1600s–1700s.

Discover early migration patterns from England to the American colonies, including settlements in New England, New York, and New Jersey. Learn how land ownership, church records, and family clustering reveal the true story of Platt family life, relationships, and community roles in early America.

Through real genealogical insight, this episode helps you understand how to trace the correct Platt lineage and avoid common research mistakes.

 To continue your journey, explore the Platt Family genealogy book available at Book Serenity, where you can access detailed, researched ancestral lines and save years of research.

 Perfect for listeners interested in genealogy, colonial history, and discovering their family roots.

Episode 1: Who Were the Platt Family? Origins & Identity

In this opening episode of the Book Serenity Podcast Platt Family series, Dr. Guadalupe Vanderhorst Rodriguez—genealogist with over 40 years of experience and author of several books on the Platt family—explores the true origins of the Platt surname and its journey from England to early America.

Discover the meaning behind the name “Platt,” the earliest records that mention the family, and how multiple Platt lineages developed across different regions. Learn why understanding these distinct family lines is essential for accurate genealogy and uncovering your true ancestral story.

 A foundational episode for anyone researching the Platt family or beginning their journey into family history.

Tahawus, New York: A Forgotten Town, A Living Memory

Hidden deep within the Adirondack Mountains lies Tahawus, New York—a place where history, ancestry, and the land itself tell a powerful story.

In this episode of the Book Serenity Podcast, Dr. Guadalupe Vanderhorst Rodriguez—genealogist with over 40 years of experience and author of several books, including works on the Platt family—guides you through the forgotten town once known as Adirondac, spelled without the “K.”

Discover the deeper history of this land, beginning with the Haudenosaunee Confederacy and the Mohawk Nation, who moved through this region long before industrial settlement. Explore the rise and fall of early ironworks led by Archibald McIntyre, the tragedy of David Henderson, and the later revival of the town through titanium mining by the National Lead Company.

This episode is more than history—it is a reflection on legacy, identity, and the connection between people and place. Through a genealogical lens, you will begin to see how even the quietest places hold stories waiting to be rediscovered.

 If you are passionate about genealogy, Indigenous history, and uncovering hidden stories of the past, this episode will speak to you.

The Secret Hidden in a Name: What Your Ancestors Left Behind

What if your ancestors already told you who they are… and the answer is hidden in a name?

In this powerful and engaging episode of the Book Serenity Podcast, we explore how middle names—especially in Southern genealogy and South Carolina family history—can reveal hidden ancestral connections that traditional records may not immediately show.

Using the real-life example of Lawrence Valentine Tann (b. 1848, St. James Goose Creek, South Carolina), you’ll discover how the middle name “Valentine” may point directly to a previously unknown ancestor—most likely from the paternal line. This episode breaks down how naming traditions in early American families preserved lineage, honored grandparents, and left behind clues for future generations.

✨ In this episode, you will learn:

• How middle names can reveal family surnames in genealogy research
• Why paternal grandmother surnames often appear as middle names
• How to use census records, parish records, and family patterns to connect your ancestors
• A step-by-step way to uncover hidden family lines in your own ancestry

Whether you’re researching your genealogy, South Carolina ancestry, or early American family history, this episode will open your eyes to clues you may have overlooked.

This is more than genealogy—it’s about identity, connection, and rediscovering your roots.

Ready to discover your own family connections?

 Visit the Tann Family History website for deeper research, family records, and historical insights:
www.tannfamilyhistory.com

Book Serenity at www.bookserenity.com

 

Listen now and uncover the story hidden in your name…

Have you noticed how quickly you judge yourself… but how rarely you truly understand yourself?

In this episode, The Inner Critic vs. Your True Voice, discover why your inner critic feels so powerful and how it developed as a protection mechanism—not a truth. Learn how to shift from self-criticism to self-awareness by connecting with your inner witness, the calm and compassionate voice that recognizes your effort, resilience, and humanity.

If you often think, “I should have done better,” this episode will help you reframe your inner dialogue, reduce emotional pressure, and build a healthier relationship with yourself. You’ll walk away with a simple, gentle approach to quiet self-doubt, strengthen self-awareness, and begin emotional healing—without needing to silence your thoughts.

 You are not your inner critic—you are the one who can choose a kinder voice.

Download Your Free Recognizing Your Goodness guide today @

Recognizing Your Own Goodness | Book Serenity

Do you ever feel like you’re doing everything right, but still feel like you’re not enough?

In this episode, we explore why so many people struggle to recognize their own goodness and how the mind naturally focuses on mistakes instead of care, effort, and resilience. You’ll learn how to shift from self-criticism to self-awareness with a simple, gentle practice that helps you reconnect with your inner strength, emotional balance, and self-worth.

Download Your Free Guide today @

Recognizing Your Own Goodness | Book Serenity

Do you ever feel like you’re doing everything right… but still feel like it’s not enough?

You show up for others.
You carry responsibilities.
You try your best every single day…

And yet, something inside still feels unseen.

In this episode of the Book Serenity Podcast, we explore a powerful truth:

 You are not missing goodness — you are missing recognition.

This gentle and relatable episode walks you through a simple daily practice to help you reconnect with your inner strength, self-awareness, and emotional balance.

You’ll learn:

✔ Why most people struggle to see their own goodness
✔ How the inner critic distorts your self-perception
✔ A simple 3-step daily practice to recognize your care and effort
✔ How this practice can reduce emotional exhaustion and increase self-trust

If you’ve ever thought:

“I should feel happy… but I don’t.”
“I’m doing everything… why do I still feel lost?”
“Is this all there is?”

This episode will speak directly to you.

 You don’t need to become someone new.
You are allowed to see who you already are.

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 Free Resource

Download your free guide:

3 Daily Steps to Recognize Your Own Goodness

Recognizing Your Own Goodness | Book Serenity

 Visit: BookSerenity.com

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 Continue Your Healing Journey

Explore the book and journal:

Recognizing Your Own Goodness
A gentle path to self-awareness, reflection, and emotional healing.

Can energy healing really reduce pain, calm the mind, and restore balance naturally? More people are turning to Reiki and energy healing as a gentle, effective way to support their health—especially when traditional approaches fall short.

In this episode of the Book Serenity Podcast, discover how Reiki works, what to expect in a session, and why it is becoming a trusted method for reducing stress and improving overall well-being.

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Hosted by Dr. Guadalupe Vanderhorst Rodriguez, D.Ac., L.Ac., a Licensed Acupuncturist and Usui Reiki Master with over 16 years of holistic healing experience, this episode provides a clear, beginner-friendly explanation of energy healing.

You will learn:

• What Reiki energy healing is and how it works

• How energy flows through the body and affects health

• The difference between Reiki and acupuncture

• What happens during a Reiki session

• How energy healing can support relaxation, pain relief, and emotional balance

Dr. Rodriguez also shares a real-life healing experience of a patient who found relief from chronic headaches through Reiki, offering insight into the practical benefits of this gentle therapy.

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If you have been feeling stressed, fatigued, or out of balance, Reiki may offer a natural way to restore harmony to your body and mind. Many individuals experience:

• deep relaxation and reduced stress
• improved energy and clarity
• relief from tension and discomfort
• a stronger connection between mind, body, and spirit

By understanding energy healing, you can begin supporting your health in a more natural and empowering way.

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Ready to explore Reiki and start your energy healing journey?

 Listen to the episode “Reiki and Energy Healing Explained.”

 Download your beginner-friendly guide to energy healing at:
www.bookserenity.com

Take the first step toward balance, relaxation, and natural healing today.