This is your gift to future generations—a way to keep you, your parents, and their parents alive through story. Dates and places, like those found on genealogical sites, offer the framework, but the narrative reveals how you lived your life. The records are the blueprint; the stories are what furnish the home your family will inhabit for generations to come.

Further, research shows that the more children know about their family’s history, the stronger their sense of control over their lives, the higher their self-esteem and the more successfully they believe their families function. These children have what is called a strong “intergenerational self.” They know they belong to something bigger than themselves.

You don’t have to have children to enjoy this process. A life history review can be cathartic and lot’s of fun, by providing you with a time to remember, reflect and reminisce. Gerontologists have even found that the process helps to improve one's confidence - by recalling, for example, how you overcame past struggles, or by revisiting joyous memories that remind you of a life well-lived. Your story, in your own words and voice, with your unique understanding of events that happened and how and why you made certain choices, is truly incomparable.

Both audio and video. A filmed interview.

Interviews are conducted and recorded via Zoom. During your site preparation (see The Process), I will consult with you about your space and make suggestions for setting up a quiet zone, free from noisy distractions.

It is not uncommon to lose one’s place or to simply have a “brain freeze” that interferes with your recall. During these instances, I will sit patiently in order to allow you to sift through your thoughts. We can then decide if it makes sense to circle back at a later time. And, of course these moments can also be removed during editing. This is your time; there is no judgment.

I am happy to share an outline in advance of some of the topics we’ll discuss, but there are not specific questions, word for word, or in a specific sequence. This is so that our conversations will be “real-time” and genuine, not practiced or canned. We'll start with brief biographical questions in the beginning and move on to more nuanced topics. None of the questions will stump you, as you are the expert on your life, and we can pause at any time so that you can collect your thoughts or refer to notes if that is helpful.

Our best results are achieved when we have a one-on-one dialogue. Another listener may cause you to self-censor because you have already told the story numerous times before or you may hold back if you feel self-conscious, especially if you are uncertain about specific details. Sometimes, another listener may straight out interrupt or commandeer the telling. Since you are the interview subject, your story is as you recall, and it truly comes to life when you paint the picture for someone who is hearing it for the first time. That being said, my goal is to obtain the best interview possible. If you are put at ease by having a companion with you, I support that.

Much has been written about the blessings of an ordinary life. The article "Breathe A Sigh Of Relief. It's Okay To Be Ordinary" shares: “The irony of trying to live an extraordinary life is that it’s actually the ordinary things that make us happiest. If we find meaningful work, cultivate close relationships and develop our skills, this can create a deeply fulfilling life, even if it isn’t ‘special.’ We don’t have to do something different to everyone else in order to have a good life.” The poem "Make the Ordinary Come Alive” by William Martin also offers excellent food for thought!

The truth is, people are inspired by your success. And your friends, your family, those for whom you are telling your narrative, will learn how your success came by way of hard work and dedication (okay, perhaps also a pinch of luck). There are many resources that can help you find an honest and authentic way to discuss your achievements without alienating. For example: Brag!: The Art of Tooting Your Own Horn without Blowing It by Peggy Klaus. So don’t hold back. Don’t downsize your accomplishments!

We begin with an introductory consultation and the process will unfold from there.

Of course you can. But let’s face it - even with the best of intentions, this is a project that often gets pushed aside due to lack of time, expertise, and planning. Wait too long, and you lose the window of opportunity to memory loss, lack of stamina, or worse. There is a prescient African proverb that states, "When an old man dies, a library burns to the ground.” I advise my prospective clients, whether or not you hire me, please don’t waste valuable time.

But here’s the other thing. A trusted “facilitator,” trained in the art and practice of interviewing, is uniquely capable of capturing your narrative in a way that you simply cannot get by going it alone with a family member. Too often, family is simply too intimate to extract your best telling. Think, for example, of how you relate a story to someone who is hearing it for the first time, versus recounting it to someone who has heard it “a million times.” A trained interviewer poses informed questions that unearth stories, prompt more vivid storytelling and create follow-up questions that encourage detailed responses. See also FAQ "Can my child/spouse/friend sit in on the sessions?"