TALK TO ME. SHARE WITH THEM.

Have you ever wanted to tell someone what you love, admire, and learned from them but don't know how to tell them?

Have you ever wondered about your parents lives when they were younger?

Do you have stories to share that you want to make sure generations to come can listen to in you own voice?

WHAT IS STORIED?

Your stories are worth sharing. For anyone looking to preserve stories and feel more connected to those they love, I record, edit, and make your audio interview a thoughtfully crafted gift.

Storied is my answer to preserving family history, lore and funny tales. It is a unique way to facilitate sharing what you love, admire, and have learned from those around you.

As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker for over a decade, I have spent hours honing the skills of listening, asking questions, and helping people feel comfortable sharing. With Storied, I use these skills to promote joy and connection.

Need story ideas? See the PROCESS page for examples.

Becca Wertheimer, Storied founder

Name: Storied
Address: US

Interviews can be conducted:

In the Storied studio trailer

Online

By phone

At your location*

*Please note that for interviews at your location, any fees associated with travel, mileage, and per diem fees may be applied.

GET IN TOUCH

rebecca wertheimer

portland, me 04103

becca[at]storiedme.com

Tel: 207-712-7651

I know what questions I have for you, what questions do you have for me?

Contact

Want to make your next event truly memorable? Book the Storied Trailer!

Make your wedding, milestone birthday or any event more memorable by capturing your guests' stories in the Storied trailer! Your guests' will have the opportunity to share their stories privately, in a comfortable and relaxing setting. To learn more, discuss what's possible and hear about past events, get in touch at becca[at]storiedme.com.

Apologies for being out of touch for many months. To make up for it, I have a deal for you...

Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 11th and I have cooked up a way to fill your cup and your plate:

Create an audio card for a mother, mother figure, or anyone in your life from now until Sunday, May 11th for only $45 (that is a $5 savings). Audio cards are short and sweet interviews that take 20 minutes or less. 
I will donate your full $45 to @fullplatesfullpotential

Sounds nice and all but why should I do it and what is the final product?

💙Your audio interview will be emailed to you in a digital Dropbox link and saved and mailed to your recipient in a cute little credit card sized USB card. So, along with your recorded interview you have a tangible gift to present. 
💙Sharing with someone what you love, admire, and have learned from them just feels good to do. And it feels great to receive. 
💙Your mother, mother figure, or anyone will feel good knowing that along with your kind recorded words they are also helping to end childhood hunger in Maine.  
💙Smug virtuousness?

Reach out to get your interview scheduled!

I will do my very best to not let another 5ish months go by without checking in.

Hope your cups are feeling fuller each day.

🎸LIFE UPDATES🎸

🎸In the next few weeks I will finish up my active treatment for breast cancer. I am working on balancing the excitement and anxiety that this milestone brings.   
🎸I have been in treatment for awhile now and Storied interviews both remotely and in the trailer has kept me buoyed and been a constant reminder of how grateful I am that this is my ‘job’. I still feel like I am getting away with something for getting paid to do this thing that I love. And, full credit to my amazing husband @andrew.pixley who gets paid to be a nurse, carries our insurance, and has a steady income which allows me to do Storied. Those who are less grateful for us—Aetna. We have gotten our monies worth this year for sure.

🎸In 2025, I am looking forward to more interviews and projects with less of having to work around my treatment schedule.  
🎸The trailer is super cozy this time of year so come on in!
 🎄HOLIDAY UPDATES🎄

🎄I love buying presents for people (and myself). While I know that a Storied interview makes the perfect gift, I also know how nice it is to have something tangible to give someone. You can purchase Storied gift certificates online here in just a few clicks. But, if you also like me to mail you a physical gift certificate for you to present, just email/call/text me and I will pop one in the mail to you. 
🎄Minor caveat—I ran out of physical gift certificates but have ordered more and they should arrive my the middle of next week at which point I can mail them out to you or drop off if you live in the greater Portland, Maine area. 
🎄And, your final interview product will be emailed to you in a digital link and be saved on a physical USB card because it’s human to like ‘things’, right?! 
🎄If you want a thoughtful and meaningful last minute gift, look no further!🎄

🎄After purchasing online, contact me if you’d like me to mail you a physical gift certificate as well. Or contact me with a question or idea about a Storied interview or idea. I love ‘em all!

🎸🎄Thank you for sticking with me through this last year and I’m looking forward to whatever 2025 has to offer!

🍁A few updates and a few ramblins’:

🍂Storied is alive and well and I have been enjoying in-person and remote interviews. Not to brag but I have kind of mastered scheduling things around my chemo treatments which with any luck will wrap up in December 2024.

🍂Fall is the perfect time to schedule with me so that you can get ahead of the holiday rush AND you can feel morally superior knowing you have a meaningful gift to give at holiday time!

🍂The Storied trailer remains really cozy and I have finally managed to keep it temperate in there with the help of a space heater or air conditioner depending on the day.

🍂In July, with the help of my patient and sweaty husband, we took the trailer on the road to record stories at the @mcf_triforacure I had a wonderful time collecting stories of folks impacted by cancer. The trailer took its maiden voyage and she’s a good little traveler!

🍂If you have an upcoming event where you want to capture stories related to the event (think weddings, retirement parties, graduations, memorial services, etc) please reach out!

🍂Another offering to consider...what the world needs now is more podcasts, right?! Insert pumpkin face photo.

Pumpkin photo credit: my daughter’s pumpkin carving with heavy assist from papa)

🍂Yes, there are so many podcasts out there AND if you have an idea for one and you need a place to record it and someone to help you edit/produce it and you want to hire someone local, I’m your gal!

🍂I got this email from the NYTimes back in August but it perfectly captures what I am hoping to accomplish when talking with you. The author @melissakirsch is referring to podcasts but since Storied is kind of like a personal podcasts, I think it applies.

✨My goal is always to be present, feel connected, and ask generous questions.✨

🍂All this to say, I am still here and would love to capture your stories.

🎸One of my favorite lines in a Jason Isbell song is, “Just find what makes you happy girl and do it ‘til you’re gone.”

🍁Done and done!🍁

Should have included this visual proof yesterday regarding my current likeness to Paulie Walnuts. Go see @_photographyforthepeople and he will work his magic on you too!

Last summer felt like a blur—between boatloads of rain, being in treatment, and logging lots of hours on the couch it felt like everything went ‘TITZUP’ (my new favorite vanity plate my sister spotted yesterday)

Cut to this summer, and life is feels a little bit calmer. The Storied trailer has a new look and so do I. I went from bald to Paulie ‘Walnuts’ from the Sopranos and the trailer looks like it is kinda supposed to be in our front yard now.

Thankfully my very talented friend @_photographyforthepeople takes pictures that make us all look a little better.

Now that we both have a little more pep in our step, come on over and share your stories in the cozy and comfortable spiffed up trailer!

Or if you have an event where you are looking to capture stories (think weddings, retirement parties, milestone birthdays) we can come to you! Contact me to chat about it!

Since it is audio only, come as you are—dressed up or dressed down. The goal is always to be comfortable sharing your stories.

So excited to have the trailer all spiffed up finally! Thank you to @screenprintmaine for working your magic and for @timberceramics for all of the transportation help. I still have to practice driving the trailer myself but free interviews to the owner of any car I ding 😬 In the meantime come on over and chat with me in the stationary trailer!

It’s been almost a year with this cozy little trailer living in our front yard. I love it when people come in and tell me how comfortable they feel in it. Thank you to @timberceramics for all of the work on the trailer and for @andrew.pixley for all of his patience.

If you spend any amount of time with me, you will probably walk away with an unsolicited recommendation for a podcast, lipstick color, recipe, or someone to follow on IG. I just can’t help myself. I love to share what I have been loving.

In a recent episode of one of my favorite podcasts, @vibecheck_pod , @samsanders talked about how being an influencer is what kids these days cosplay instead of pretending to be a teacher or doctor like we used to back in the day.

If I were a kid today I would probably be skipping mock teaching the ABCs in favor of sharing different lipstick brands to try too.

✨But when I really stop and think about it, the thing I like to most influence people to do is share stories, share what they love about another person, and get it recorded for others to enjoy.✨

Come on over and record your stories with me in the Storied trailer, or record remotely, and leave feeling like you have been influenced to share joy and connection.

And on your way home, if like me you enjoy a good pop culture deep dive, listen to one of these:
@vibecheck_pod
@glamoroustrashtalk
@fixingfamouspeople
@eventherichpod

A wise friend pointed out to me that folks might be hesitating to book a Storied interview because of my ongoing health stuff and not wanting to fill up my plate.

Just a friendly reminder that Storied is open for business and I am ready to fill my plate with all of your stories!

What kind of plate fillers are you talking about?

🍽️ Parents sharing reflections on their early lives for their children
🍽️ Friends sharing tales about a loved one for a for a birthday or anniversary
🍽️ Words of love and appreciation for a partner.

For anyone looking to preserve their legacy and feel more connected to those they love, I record, edit, and make your audio interview a thoughtfully crafted gift.

It seems like the start of 2024 is as good a time as any to reintroduce myself and explain what Storied is and why this might be the year to work with me.

✨What is Storied and who are you?

My name is Rebecca (Becca) Wertheimer and I am the founder of Storied. I audio interview people about stories that are important to share with loved ones.

✨What kind of stories are you talking about?

Parents sharing reflections on their early lives for their children, friends sharing tales about a loved one for a for a birthday or anniversary, or words of love and appreciation for a partner.

✨And who is Storied for really?

For anyone looking to preserve their legacy and feel more connected to those they love, I record, edit, and make your audio interview a thoughtfully crafted gift.

✨And what makes you qualified to do such a thing?

As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker for over a decade, I have spent hours honing the skills of listening, asking questions, and helping people feel comfortable sharing. With Storied, I use these skills to promote joy and connection.

✨What else is important to know?

I just love talking to people. I am curious and genuinely interested in people’s lives and their origin stories.

With Storied I am trying to create a physical and figurative space where people feel at ease sharing about themselves.

I can be found most days in sweatpants and red lipstick. I love taking walks around my neighborhood and cooking/baking while listening to a podcast. I love going to the movies (Falmouth Flagship Cinema is my favorite) and Junior Mints and a fountain soda are my snacks of choice while there.

Oh, and I have breast cancer which is no fun but is also the least interesting thing about me. Cancer is responsible for the buzz cut you see above and some needed flexibility when scheduling interviews in the next few months.

For the past few weeks I have attended an online course helping me with business branding. You wouldn’t think it would be so hard to effectively communicate what I do but it turns out putting things into clear and understandable language is challenging.

Thank you to the @ceiwomensbusinesscenter @mallikamalhotra.co and the others ladies in the group for helping me put my jumbled words into some type of order. And, thank you to my steady husband and dear friend @outdoormovementproject for polishing it up.

If you ever have the misfortune of getting stuck in an elevator with me and you ask me what I do, here is my answer:

My name is Rebecca (Becca) Wertheimer and I am the founder of Storied. I audio interview people about stories that are important to share with loved ones.

Like parents sharing reflections on their early lives for their children, birth stories for their own children, friends sharing tales about a loved one for a birthday or anniversary, or words of love and appreciation for a partner.

For anyone looking to preserve their legacy and feel more connected to those they love, I record, edit, and make your audio interview a thoughtfully crafted gift.

And, if you are in the market for a last minute thoughtfully crafted gift, consider a Storied gift certificate!

Here’s my pitch for the new year—Let’s make plans for the future, take it one day at a time, and share stories about it all.

On my website, I have a line that reads, "As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker for over a decade, I have spent hours honing the skills of listening, asking questions, and helping people feel comfortable sharing. With Storied, I use these skills to promote joy and connection."

Sometimes I wonder if I should take out the 'joy and connection' part because I think it feels a little too hacky. And maybe someday I will. For now I am keeping it though.

When someone sits down to chat with me, I want them to:
✨EnJOY the process of sharing their stories
✨Feel connected to their past
✨Feel connected to their loved ones who will be listening to the recordings
✨Feel heard and listened to
✨Have peace of mind knowing their stories and legacy will be preserved

If you are looking to spread some joy and connection this holiday season, or any season, consider a Storied gift card for yourself or a loved one.

If you purchase a digital gift card but would like a physical gift card mailed to you, just reach out and I will pop one in the mail to you:

becca@storiedme.com
207.712.7651

While 2024 will bring some more cancer treatment for me, I continue to be buoyed by the joy and connection involved in capturing your stories.

First photo: Pre surgery

Second photo: Post surgery (but with some narcotics still on board)

Third photo: Today

I had surgery on Monday and so the past week has consisted of me donning various hospital johnnies, a beanie to keep my bald head warm, and a thumbs up. My version of a signature look.

At the moment I am upright, doing some Storied editing, and reminding you all that I am still here.

I am happily booking sessions and gift certificates are available for purchase at any time. Go ahead and put those thumbs to use...

I will reserve my middle fingers for cancer but anything Storied related gets two thumbs up. And as always, please reach out with any questions or story recording ideas you have!

My dad used to jokingly say, "Patience is a virtue but not a very important one." He was known to lose his cool over a late newspaper delivery or getting stuck in traffic. Yet he could patiently put time into a crossword puzzle, a book, or a bridge game. I guess patience can take many forms. Give me traffic with a podcast over a crossword puzzle any day.

Over the last few months, I have had the pleasure of recording some wonderful conversational interviews. The editing of those interviews has taken me longer than usual and longer than I would like.

Thank you to those that are waiting for your finished product. I am working on getting them turned around to you as soon as possible.

✨If you would like to record something with me but need a quick turnaround time, just reach out to me and we can discuss options.

I have one more round of this current chemo next week (woo hoo) and hoping that once I am up and running again by the end of October, I will be able to get in some uninterrupted editing time and get final products delivered to folks.

I have surgery scheduled for early November the results of which will determine the rest of my treatment to follow. Not sure how virtuous I am but I am working hard to be patient with it all.

While my health stuff has put a wrinkle into my current plans, it has done nothing to distract me from how much I love running Storied. Every time I sit down with someone, I am reminded of what a gift it is to listen and learn from your stories. A gift that I will patiently wait for more of.

I know that any social media manager, or marketing person, or anyone really would tell me that my rate of posting is deeply inadequate in order to keep a small business front of mind for folks. To them I would say, "You are absolutely right and I'm doing what I can. I wouldn't even call it 'doing my best' but I am doing what I can for right now." Also, I know this graphic doesn't really connect with the text but again, doing what I can.

I am still here and kickin' and love capturing your stories. Listening to stories, asking questions, hearing people reflect on their own stories, and finding patterns and connections within those stories is really the thing I love doing most. And it is a good thing too because I am uniquely unqualified to do much of anything else. Unless you are looking for a recommendation for sweatpants specifically from a big box store. Then by all means, come to me. My new favorites are from Kohl's.

Even thought my schedule is a bit limited at the moment, my energy and enthusiasm about capturing your stories is abundant. You can record remotely or in-person in the Storied trailer. In both cases sweatpants are not required but highly recommended.

Many years ago, Hannaford had a marketing slogan something like “Hannaford. We never stop surprising you.” I think they were referencing the surprise of the fresh produce and well stocked aisles but I think this catchy slogan works on multiple levels. Let me explain.

First off, most times I am at Hannaford, I have some amusing or sweet or very human interaction with the checkout person or bagger. I go there so much that I know the best checkout folks, the most efficient baggers, and the wild cards. I love the eclectic mix of staff and patrons you find there. Hospitals and Hannaford—everyone will need to go there from time to time and both institutions are truly the great human equalizer.

Last week my husband and I were shopping together and loading our bags into the trunk of the car. I was moving slow and had bandages on my chest from my port infection and had a bandana on my head. I looked the part of someone with cancer.

As we were loading the groceries into the car, a massive shiny black pickup truck parked next to us and a large man all tatted up on his arms and legs hopped out and gave a quick nod. As my husband was returning the cart, the man walked by him and gently said, “Hey man. My mom is a survivor. Stay strong.”

This little act of shared humanity in the Hannaford parking lot totally caught me off guard and made me tear up.

Just a reminder that you we all have such rich and varied life experiences and you never know the ways in which Hannaford will surprise you. In the store or the parking lot.

No surprise here though—I am still excited to capture your stories. I have availability the weeks of:

✨August 21st
✨September 11th
✨October 2nd

Feel free to schedule online at storiedme.com or message me directly. Go ahead and surprise me!

Whenever my kids start a sentence with, “Honestly” or “To be perfectly honest” it irks my husband Andrew who thinks they should always be honest and not have to explicitly state it. While I understand what he is saying, I think sometimes “Honestly” is just a way to preface and prepare someone for tough information to follow.

So, honestly the first few rounds of chemo have not been easy. I will spare you the bodily function details but let’s just say my bathroom is working overtime and my couch and bed are as well.

Mentally it’s a slog too. I waffle between immense gratitude for the village that is keeping me and my family afloat and feeling like a burden that is exhausting the precious resources of the good folks around me. Tears have come easily this week and family discord has been the norm.

And just when I feel like I am at my breaking point, the universe throws me a bone and I feel among the living again for a bit.

Yet whether in bed or full of energy, I always love listening to stories. During chemo weeks, it has taken the form of listening to celebrity memoirs. I stand by them. Everyone has a story to tell.

During my “good” weeks (which is about every third week) I want to listen and record your stories. Please reach out and I will tell you honestly when I am feeling good and available to do so.

Hello all! I have been pretty quiet lately but Storied is still kickin', the trailer is still wonderful, and summer feels here-ish. And, a lot of life has been happening for me separate from Storied. Let me explain...

I had breast cancer in 2016. Turns out the 'ole cancer missed me and has returned to grace me with it's presence again. Call me the cancer hostess with the mostess! I start chemo on June 26th and from what my doctors tell me it looks like I have a solid year of treatment, in one form or another, ahead of me.

Of course, I will have to wait and see how I feel as treatment progresses but for the moment my hopeful plan is to:

*Continue remote interviews via computer and phone
*Do limited in-person interviews in the trailer (housed in my front yard) depending on clearance from my doctors
*Put trailer related events on hold for the next few months

For my first go around with cancer, I had a double mastectomy and reconstructive surgery. As part of that bizarre process, I worked with a plastic surgeon to figure out what my new breast size would be. As my (male) plastic surgeon said to me on several occasions, "No shame if you want to go a little bigger."

While he was referring to my cup size and not my aspirations, I am here to say, that I plan to go bigger this time around.

Bigger in terms of taking rest when I need it. Bigger in asking for help when I need it. And bigger in sharing my storied experience with all of you.

I will pull the cancer card when I need to but please know that I am still excited and ready to capture your stories too.

When I was younger and I couldn't see something that was right in front of me, my mom used to say, "If it were a bear it would have bit ya." Yet, as a 13 year old, it was the 1991 Vanessa Williams hit, 'Save the Best for Last', that really spoke to me:

Sometimes the very thing your looking for is the one thing you can't see...

Last week while on a call with @gems_storytelling Elena suggested I put all of my Storied interview clips into a Spotify podcast. I mean right, of course. Side note--if you are in California, or have a loved one there who is looking to preserve their stories, check her out!

I took Elena's advice and loaded all of my Storied clips into @spotify and @soundcloud It was surprisingly easy because it turns out any ding dong can start a podcast.

Not to worry--this is not a 'true podcast'. I am not sure the world needs that from me right now. It is really just a way to house some clips from past interviews to give people a sense of what a Storied interview is like.

In other news, the mobile Storied studio is getting closer and closer to being interview ready. I will send along some more updates later this week.

And if you have any ideas for me that are so obvious I am not seeing them, please send them my way!

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7JWbCnKzlZf0Xpr0HiCmVg?si=GDkytIhhR3OWN3p5HUJMnw&dd=1

SoundCloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/cE7FRHcEE8axmfix5

@timberceramics has been hard at work this week. I have been a less hard working errand gal. Stay tuned for more upgrades!

Last week at a school community dinner my daughter and her friend collected stories from students, teachers, and parents about someone at the school who has made them feel special or unique and what hopes they have for the school in the future (mostly a bigger gym and daily pizza).

I promise I am not trying to prime her to take over my business but I do hope that she continues to ask thoughtful questions and then shares the answers with those who need to hear it.

I don’t care how young or old you are, how high brow or low brow your humor may be, or what your human package looks like—we all need to hear how we have influenced another person, hopefully for the better. Just knowing that someone else is thinking of you in a positive way can make it feel like spring on a dreary early April day.

I will carefully step down from my soapbox now because my knees aren’t what they used to be.

Stay tuned for more updates on the mobile trailer later this week! @timberceramics has come out of carpentry retirement for this one last project and then he will promptly be heading back to his studio to make more ‘dumb pots for smart people.’ Smart people, do yourself a favor and get yourself one.

I know you don’t need my help to share nice things you are thinking about others...but if you do want my help, just reach out.

I know enough to not be fooled by one sunny early spring day but I will take it. One partly sunny day at a time!

Today I am grateful for clear skies, @timberceramics starting work on the trailer, and his willingness to be paid in black bean burritos.

In my last post I said that the aesthetic I am going for is 'cozy living room on wheels'. With the addition of all of the porthole windows, I guess it is more 'The Life Aquatic' meets 'mobile living room' minus the water.

I will keep on sending trailer renovation updates and will keep workshopping the look and feel I am going for...

I got a new 🎤 that I was excited to try out so I decided to re-record my little intro video. I talk longer than a reel would like so you can listen to the whole thing on my website if you care to. Please ignore the fact that I no longer have the office space pictured here or those white chairs. But good things are in store, I promise. 🎤 drop! Kidding, I would never purposefully drop this precious piece of equipment.

I thought it might be time to let you all know that I am still around working on various projects and on getting the mobile Storied studio up and running.

I am at the stage of the trailer project where I probably owe the UPS and FedEx folks some cookies for all the extra deliveries they have been making. Once all the supplies have arrived, the work can begin.

I am not sure that this aesthetic really exists but I am hoping that my fabulous design/build team can help me create a 'cozy living room on wheels' in which to record your stories.

Let me introduce, Meg Gorsline of Lady Ma'am Home (website coming soon!) who is helping me with all things design and @timberceramics who will be interrupting his ceramic making for a few days to help build the trailer out.

And, thank you to @frassicanese for consulting with me on how to make the recordings sound as best they can in a mobile environment.

This new mobile office, and spring, cannot come fast enough because my only office mate is starting to cramp my style big time!

I will keep sending along pictures and updates as the mobile living room progresses. And, in the meantime, please be in touch if you have a remote interview you'd like to schedule. I am also willing to travel to you and record in your living room.

Portland, Maine area folks:

Two accent chairs in good condition. Some paint scuffing on arms of chair and one chair has a little bit of loose stuffing. Otherwise, great chairs!

I used them in an office space that I no longer have. Purchased last summer. Originally $299 each.

Both chairs for $350. Message me if you are interested!

Proceeds will go to purchase new items for my mobile Storied studio!

I am the proud owner of a new-to-me 6x10 cargo trailer!

First photo: A glamour shot from the driveway it was purchased from in Freeport.

Second photo: A less shiny, but more realistic picture, of where she currently resides taking up a good portion of our driveway in Portland.

My hope is that by the late spring 2023, the snow will be melted and there will be an 'after' picture of a mobile studio to share with you.

To be totally clear, my only contribution to the 'after' picture will be the emotional support and snacks I provide to the multitalented @timberceramics who will be doing all of the carpentry work while he takes a short break from making his amazing monster mugs. He will be assisted by @threlkeldphotography who will no doubt document the whole thing and my husband, Andrew, who is a steady and constant support to all those around him and skilled lifter of heavy things.

I am getting excited to take this show on the road to weddings, family reunions, and pop-up events. If you have other ideas, please send them my way!

I was given some constructive feedback by someone close to me (read: my husband) that not everyone likes hearts as much as I do. True, but also, ok (read: shoulder shrug). I like a heart. So, for this first round of the new Storied audio greeting cards, the front has a heart on it. I have taken his feedback to heart and the next time I go to the printer, I will have options.

I think that the new Storied audio cards are kinda perfect for telling someone what you love, admire and have learned from them.

Romantic love, parent love, sibling love, friend love—it fits for all of it. Also, telling people what you love about them within the context of a story just feels good and is fun.

Save yourself a last minute to trip to Walgreens in mid-February to find the least offensive Valentine’s Day card you can. With a little pre-planning you will have your card and gift covered.

Just hold on with me—one handed videography is not my strong suit. Thank you to the @dalerandprinting and @pamchamjewelry dream team for making these new audio cards looks so dang good!

I like to think that part of my charm is that I really appreciate the simple things. Case in point—my new Storied USB! Makes a great clicking noise, folds up nice, and fits in a wallet. It’s nothing fancy but charming nonetheless.

I know I sound like a broken record but the @nytimes made me do it. Again! In my inbox this morning came another NYTimes article about writing a “living eulogy” as part of a 7 day Happiness Challenge. The author, @janceedunn offers this challenge today:

‘For today’s exercise, we’re going to get vulnerable and tell an important person in our lives how we feel about them. “Think about what they have done for you in your life,” said Dr. Bob Waldinger, a professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and the author of the new book “The Good Life.” “Where, or who, would you be without them?”

Consider what you would thank this person for if you thought you would never see them again. Take a few minutes and write down what you would tell them, with as many specific examples as possible. Don’t overthink it: It can be both dashed off and straight from the heart. Think of it as a eulogy for the living.

Then send it — by email, text, handwritten note, whatever. The medium doesn’t matter; sending it does.’

Not that I am in any position to give the folks at the NYTimes advice BUT one note I might humbly offer--you can record your thoughts, with my help, and send the final product in an audio card all for the mere price of $50. That is less than you will pay for a NYTimes subscription. Just sayin'.

Whether you write it or record it, you have options. And, if you need some prompts to get you started, take a look at the questions I use in the audio card interviews.

I was going to start off writing about how you might have noticed that I have been a bit quiet in my communications lately. Then I thought, "Ok, nobody is thinking about you as much as you are thinking about you."

In case you are wondering, I am still around but have had my head glued to my computer in order to get all of my editing finished before years end. Proud to say that I have finished all of my current projects and I am ready to for more!

A few days ago, I received this New York Times article about recording your family members stories over the holidays. The amount of head nodding I did while reading this article was excessive. I even wrote to the journalist who wrote the article because I was so excited by it. No huge shock here but I have not heard back. Yet.

And, if you think recording your family members is a great idea because the New York Times said it was AND you like the idea in theory but don't really want to do it yourself AND you are a last minute shopper, consider a Storied gift certificate.

If you live in the Portland area, I will be doing some drop offs tomorrow and could drop a physical gift certificate off to you. When you order it online just note that you would like a physical gift certificate dropped off to you.

Stay tuned for more new Storied related things in 2023! Hoping that 2023 will bring a new mobile Storied studio--like a food truck but for sharing stories and feelings.

This is a very literal interpretation of #smallbusinesssaturday but here is a picture of the small space that I run my small business from. And a small clip from the small interviews that you can do for the small price of $50!

Thank you so much @portlandbuylocal and @mainehomesmagazine and @mainecalling for the shout out! Come for an audio card, stay for a longer form interview! ♥️

I am totally moved out of my South Portland office studio a little earlier than expected but grateful for the opportunity and glad to be home. For the next few months, I will be doing remote interviews or can travel to you to do in person ones. Stay tuned for my next office iteration. Hint…it will have wheels. And a big warm thank you to @mollymaps for the in-person office opportunity and welcoming space.

Turns out it feels really good to publicly recognize someone’s talents so here I go again. There is no shame in promoting those you believe in, so enjoy another shame-absent promotion.

If you have an existing website that needs a tune up and you are also in need of some hard earned marketing expertise, please run to @pamchamjewelry.

I can say many wonderful things about her, but I will keep it brief and say that when you work with Pam, it feels like you have a professional on your side. She knows her stuff and she is collaborative—she is direct, clear, and thorough but not competitive.

The best investment I have made in my business is hiring Pam to level up my website.

And plus, she is just a good hang.

Thank you Pam for making my web presence look professional even if in reality I am wearing sweatpants and chugging diet soda while editing.
@pamchamjewelry

Shameless self promotion is one of the more challenging parts of small business ownership. Luckily I have little shame and I love bragging about my friends (which is also a humble brag because I keep real good company) @outdoormovementproject SOLD OUT of her trail guides at @rei! SOLD OUT!! Not to worry though, because she is restocking them. Get yours now! They make great stocking stuffers…

Small business ownership has taught me that if you cannot adapt, you will not make it.

A few months ago, I moved into a sweet little office space in South Portland. I love that cozy little space for in-person interviews.

The downside of that cozy spot is that rent is $$ and when working from home is an option (doing remote interviews, editing, other business related tasks) being able to do laundry and walk the dog mid-day is pretty convenient too.

So, what to do??

The answer, as of today, is this:

* Stay in my current office space until the end of April 2023 when my lease is up.

* Look for another cozy nook in Portland's Woodfords Corner/Deering Center neighborhoods that I can walk to from home, is quiet, clean, has nice neighbors, parking, and that is practically being given away. As long as I am putting things out into the universe, why not ask for all of it, right?!

* Until a new space presents itself, continue conducting remote interviews from my home office and take the show on the road--meaning I will travel to do you to do in-person interviews in your home.

I am feeling a bit melancholy about leaving that South Portland space in a few months AND no matter where I end up, I will do my best to make our time and space together cozy and comfortable.

So excited by my website facelift! You can now book online and buy gift certificates online! Do it! ✨

You do You--an idiom as defined by the Cambridge English Dictionary:

Used to say that someone should do what they think is best, what they enjoy most, or what suits their personality.

Sometimes the Instagram universe hits you with the right quote, haircut inspiration, or heartwarming video at just the right time. This quote from James Clear spoke to me yesterday.

The reason it resonated is this: Over the past few weeks I have had many moments questioning what I am doing and if I can really make a go at this. Now I have listened to enough episodes of 'How I Built This' to know that self-doubt and wanting to throw in the towel is part of running a small business.

I have spent some time coming to terms with all I am not:

* I am not a podcaster
* I am not an oral historian
* I am not a journalist
* I am not a trained interviewer
* I am not a sound engineer
* I am not a website designer or social media marketing guru

And, I have also become more steadfast in what I am:

* I am someone who loves to talk with people
* Making people feel comfortable talking and sharing brings me immense joy
* “You are easy to talk to" is the best compliment I can receive
* I am someone who is learning how audio recording, social media, and website design works
* I am willing to hire folks who can teach me what I don't know yet.

Self-doubt is part of the human condition and most certainly part of mine AND I feel solid in what I have to offer with Storied. Slow and steady is how I do, so I will just continue to do that.

And, on that note, it has taken me almost three years but I finally feel like I have more clearly articulated why I started Storied. You can check out my new bio and website facelift at storiedme.com. A big, warm THANK YOU to @pamchamjewelry for all of her website botox. Stay tuned for online booking and online gift certificate purchasing as well.

Thank you for your continued support and letting me be me. 🧡

Thank you @als_nne for letting me capture some stories this past weekend at the Portland walk. What an amazing group of walkers and staff and supporters. Always nice to spend some time gazing at the Backcove too.

I like this deceptively simple question that produces a hearty harvest of information. Just a little food for thought. 🙄

If this guy were alive, he would be turning 80 tomorrow. I imagine that he would be 80 and highly ornery, cracking bad jokes with his trademark self-congratulatory smirk. In the past seven years since he’s been gone there is so much that I would have loved for my dad to see and so much that I’m glad he didn’t.

Luckily my mom, siblings, sibling-in-law, husband, nephew, and my own kids can share stories and keep him alive a little longer.

Do you have a loved one that you want to record stories with, or for, too? If so, please reach out!

Thank you @oprah and David Brooks for these thoughtful questions. I will be weaving these into my life story interviews!

I have had a few requests lately so I though I would remind folks that If you live in the greater Portland, Maine area and would be more comfortable recording stories in your own home, I can come to you.

And if you live farther away, we might be able to make something work so please reach out!

Do you have stories to share that you want to make sure future generations can listen to in your own voice?

Have you ever wondered about your parents' lives when they were younger?

If so, come talk to me and share with them! 🧡

Also, a big thank you to @kerry_constantino_photography for all of the photos! ⚡️

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