CK: Your AI Guide To Our Podcast Journey!

Meet CK, our AI-powered podcast assistant for the "Long Sought" podcast!Dive into history with a modern twist. Tap the pretzel bot on your right to chat with CK and dive deeper into episodes.With CK, "Long Sought" is not just a listening experience but an interactive journey enriched by the insights of artificial intelligence.As John Oliver Smith and his audio producer wife, Iran Davar Ardalan, become increasingly captivated by their ancestral histories, their podcast doesn't just highlight John's unexpected roots. They've also developed an AI Knowledge Base, incorporating episode transcripts, links to US Census Bureau data on German American history, and other historical references.With CK, their AI co-pilot, they offer listeners an enriched content experience. "Long Sought" is not just a podcast, but an AI-assisted exploration that might encourage you to delve into your own concealed lineage.

Talk to CK

Press the CK bot button to open the podcast assistant (located in the lower right corner of the page.) Our tech-savvy podcast assistant, still in training, blends historical tales with a digital touch.

Lost Heritage

Over three episodes, discover the unexpected tale of how John’s family changed their surname from Schmidt to Smith, driven by a historical animosity towards German ancestry in America — a time when even the music of Beethoven was once shunned.CK, represents Catherine Kessler, John Oliver Smith's 1800s ancestor from Mount Crawford, VA, CK guides our historical re-enactments, revealing rich German-American roots.Listen and interact with "Long Sought" now!Today, 42 million Americans are descended from these resilient pioneers who were farmers, saddle makers, and tailors in Virginia, Maryland and Ohio.Not only did they bring valuable farming and crafting traditions with them, but roughly half-a million went on to enlist as soldiers for the Union during the Civil War - due largely to their opposition against slavery as well as memories of authoritarianism back home.
So many traditional American customs we take for granted like decorating Christmas trees, taking our kids to kindergarten and eating pretzels and hamburgers, were also brought to us by German immigrants centuries ago.

Long Sought is an exploration into identity, assimilation and heritage within America's cultural psyche.

• Transcripts of Episodes

John Oliver Smith

Co-Host

John Smith, an alumnus of The Ohio State University ("Go Bucks!") and a licensed Civil/Environmental Engineer, boasts a rich history of leading environmental projects worldwide. His expertise has touched corners from Hong Kong and Brazil to Saudi Arabia, Southwest Asia, and Europe.Recently, he discovered his German ancestry. Alongside his wife, Iran Davar, and with the help of genealogists and historians, he embarked on a journey that took them through Maryland, Virginia, and Ohio. Inspired by his ancestor, Catherine Kessler, John's search for his origins infuses his podcast with a special mix of knowledge and German pride.Relocating from Annapolis, Maryland to Southwest Florida, John and his wife, Iran Davar, have nurtured a large blended family of eight: seven sons and a daughter. They now revel in the joys of 3 grandchildren.

Iran Davar Ardalan

Co-Host & Executive Producer

Iran Davar Ardalan, Executive Producer of "Long Sought" and wife of John Oliver Smith, cherishes her Iranian-American roots. Their bond deepened when they discovered John's hidden German heritage with the help of experts.Ardalan, an award-winning media executive and founder of TulipAI in Southwest Florida, has made significant strides at NPR News and National Geographic, launching projects like "Overheard" and "Into the Depths." A pioneer in spatial audio, she also sees AI-generated audio and voice AI as key to preserving wisdom, history, and culture.

CK Chronicles: Where Ancestral Whispers Jam with AI Beats

Co-Host & AI Researcher

CK, a character brought to life through text-to-speech technology, enhances the podcast's interactivity. Listeners can hear CK on the podcast and interact with CK, here on the podcast website.CK stands for Catherine Kessler, an ancestor to John who resided in Mount Crawford, VA in the 1800s; it was her name that sparked his journey into uncovering his German ancestry through centuries old German Church records. In true pioneering spirit, CK leads our historical re-enactment team. Amazing what the past can teach us through her voice.By reaching out to CK, a can dive deeper into the episodes, seek answers, learn more about our hosts, and unearth intriguing tidbits from each segment.

Ask Away!

Click on the bot icon to talk to CK about our podcast series and learn more about the episodes.

Prompts for CK

1) When did the first Germans arrive in America?2) How did German-Americans contribute to America?3) What are some of the most profound insights and reflections on identity that John Oliver Smith offers throughout the exploration of "Long Sought"?4) Where is Rocktown History?5) How can I find the Washington Historical Society?Go ahead ask CV to respond in German or Spanish:
Worum geht es in diesem Podcast?
¿De qué trata este podcast?

Why Long Sought?

The name "Long Sought" reflects John Oliver Smith's quest to uncover his roots and the fascinating stories that make up the tapestry of America. It also happens that John’s ancestor owned land called Long Sought in Washington County, Maryland. It symbolizes the enduring quest for identity and the importance of understanding our heritage.