213: John Abendshien KNOWS Movies, Healthcare, Curiosity Gone Wild, Human Nature, Kevin McCallister & Home Alone Home Ownership

About this episode

John Abendshien shares the story of his home becoming the iconic setting for 'Home Alone' and reflects on its impact on his life and family.

Imagine your home suddenly transformed into a Hollywood icon. That's precisely what happened to John Abendshien, whose real-life house became the star of "Home Alone." More than just a film set, it turned into a character of its own, filled with traps and slapstick chaos that helped make the movie a global hit. Decades later, the house remains legendary. Tourists visit, merchandise abounds—even gingerbread replicas exist. In his new book, "Home But Alone No More," Abendshien shares the fascinating behind-the-scenes story: how the location was chosen, what filming was like, and the surreal experience of having a blockbuster take over his home—and life. Filming lasted five months in 1990, but the impact never ended. What followed was a mix of magic and madness, as the family's home became a permanent tourist attraction. Blending humor and heartfelt reflection, Abendshien draws parallels between himself and young Kevin McCallister, noting the film's deeper themes of family, independence, and resilience. Over time, the house stopped being just his—it became everyone's house. And as he says, when you're part of something this beloved, you're never really home alone. John Abendshien…

People in this episode

Host: Randall Kenneth Jones

Guest: John Abendshien

Topics covered

• movies
• healthcare
• curiosity
• human nature
• family
• independence
• resilience

Keywords

• Home Alone
• John Abendshien
• Hollywood
• tourist attraction
• family
• independence
• resilience
• healthcare
• movie set
• Kevin McCallister

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: healthcare organizations

Books & works: Home Alone, Home But Alone No More

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