I was trying to connect John and Tony Podesta to Brian Podesta. I was thinking that they could be cousins or uncle/nephew or something but I struck out. I was researching Brian's father, Don, to see if he was from Chicago and possibly went to family gatherings with John and Tony. Don Podesta

Don Podesta was born in Chile ( https://archive.is/bTnpH ) and grew up in Columbia ( https://archive.is/h2j1h)). He emigrated to United States in time for grade 9 ( 1964 ) and he grew up in Miami. He went to Walter Cronkite Journalism School and met Jane Sims. Married her and had 3 kids Laura, Brian and PJ.

They absolutely could be connected. When someone has the same name as you, you tend to talk to them and maybe that is how they met. Also Don was the news editor and deputy foreign editor for WaPo. Which would have brought him into contact with John and Tony Podesta I believe.

There is the slight possibility that Don and John had the same Paternal Great Grandfather (but I didn't do any research into the Italian birth records).

I am posting this so that no one spends too much time trying to prove they are closely related.