The clever way one family created to communicate with their isolated father

“Radio Enzo” is a podcast created for an audience of one ... but it's bringing joy and hope to many people.

This heartwarming story comes from a city north of Milan, Italy. The four adult children of a COVID patient had the brilliant idea of creating a sort of radio station for their father, whom they haven’t seen since October 26.

“Radio Enzo” is the only radio station created for a single listener, specifically for Enzo Favoloro, who is 65 years old. Every day his wife and children send him a 20-minute podcast via Whatsapp.

How the idea was born

This project was born on January 10, when Favoloro’s son, Gianmaria, became very worried about his father. His concern wasn’t only about the physical health of his dad, who was in intensive care, but also about his mental health.

With the coming of COVID-19, many people who were not used to being alone suddenly found themselves very lonely. This isolation often has had negative emotional and psychological effects.

So one day, after work, Gianmaria proposed to his family that they create a radio program for their dad. With very few tools (an app, a tablet and a microphone), they were determined to motivate their dad and let him know that, despite his isolation, his entire family is by his side.

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“Welcome to Radio Enzo, the radio that makes you feel at home!” This is how the program begins. Next a medical report is given in a very affectionate way, offering the father encouragement from his children.

Message of hope

A song, a joke, a message of hope, encouraging their dad to follow the doctor’s advice: Anything goes on this charming homemade radio show! As Gianmaria puts it,

Anything to give back some of the great love that he’s given us throughout our lives and that he continues to give even from there. Because from love, love is born and love is created. The love that we try to put into this project derives precisely from the great love that we’ve cultivated in our family over time.

Now the project has inspired other families to do the same. Very quickly this initiative spread through social media. Hundreds of people have contacted the family to get information on how to create a podcast for their loved ones who are totally isolated.

What a great example of technology used for good! Hopefully many families can grow in love, communication, and joyful hope through imitating this great initiative.