The Story Table

Legacy Storytelling is a guided oral history process that gently captures a person’s life, memories, culture, and reflections in their own words.

Sessions are shaped around the comfort, energy, and wishes of the person being recorded. Silence is allowed. Emotion is allowed. Humor is welcome. Nothing is rushed. Nothing is forced.

Each session is guided by conversation, not scripts. Topics may include:

• Life stories and personal history
• Family lineage and ancestry
• Cultural traditions, language, and heritage
• Memories of specific people or places
• Reflections, lessons, or messages for future generations
• Spiritual beliefs or values
• Everyday stories that were never written down

Individuals will set clear boundaries around what is included or excluded.

Because legacy also lives in joy

Not all meaningful recordings are made at the end of life. I also offer storytelling sessions to capture moments of joy, humor, and everyday tradition — the kinds of memories families return to again and again.

Examples include:

• Birthday messages or milestone reflections
• Wedding or anniversary messages
• Family recipe stories (the how and the why)
• Holiday traditions and rituals
• Messages for children or grandchildren to open in the future
• Stories meant to be shared at gatherings or reunions
• Interviews of friends and family to share at weddings, birthdays, celebrations of life, milestone anniversaries, etc.

These recordings can be audio or video and delivered as a keepsake or gift. The same care, respect, and privacy apply — just with a little more laughter.

A guided recording experience for individuals experiencing Alzheimer’s, dementia, or other memory and cognitive changes.

This work is deeply personal. My father lived with Primary Progressive Aphasia, and through that, I witnessed how memory and language can shift—and how important it is to hold onto someone’s voice while you can.

In this session, we create a calm, supportive space to share stories, reflections, and moments that matter—captured in their own words, at their own pace. Nothing forced. Just presence, conversation, and care.

These recordings become something lasting: a voice, a way of speaking, a piece of who someone is. Something to return to—again and again—over time.

A meaningful way to hold onto someone you love—now, and in the moments when memory begins to change.

For families shaped by migration, displacement, adoption, or diaspora, stories are often fragmented or carried only in memory.

This work creates space to preserve:

• Oral traditions
• Languages partially remembered
• Stories passed down without documentation
• Family history shaped across borders

A custom video created from your photos, videos, voice recordings, and personal stories—crafted into something meaningful to watch, share, and keep.

Think of it as a visual story—set to music, shaped by memory, and built from the moments that matter most.

Perfect for:

• Celebrations and ceremonies
• Memorials and tributes
• Family keepsakes and gifts

You can provide the materials, and I’ll shape the story—or I can guide you through what to gather and how to tell it.

*Examples provided upon request

Initial Conversation
A gentle intake conversation to understand your wishes, boundaries, and hopes for the recording.

Guided Recording Session
A calm, respectful interview paced around the participant’s comfort and energy. This can be a guided interview with agreed-upon questions, or a more organic conversation with content guidance.

Careful Editing
Light editing for clarity and flow while preserving natural rhythm and emotion.

Private Delivery
A digital keepsake delivered for you and your family to keep.

All recordings are private. Ownership always belongs to you or your family.

Sessions can be recorded:

• Audio only
• Video + audio
• In-person or remotely

You will receive:

• A professionally recorded keepsake
• Light editing (no emotional over-editing)
• A private digital file you fully own

Each project includes:

• One initial planning conversation
• Light preparation to guide the session thoughtfully

Some families request additional support, such as:

• Cultural or regional background research
• Reviewing letters, photos, and personal documents to help guide the conversation and shape meaningful interview questions.
• Planning a narrative arc across multiple sessions
• Coordinating with multiple family members

Additional preparation or research beyond the initial conversation is available at an hourly rate and discussed in advance.

Legacy storytelling is offered in several formats:

Single-session recordings: typically $350–$750

Extended or multi-session projects: typically $900–$2,000

Family archive projects: pricing varies based on scope and needs

Additional preparation or research is available at an hourly rate ($75–$150/hour)

Please reach out to discuss what works best for your family or your loved one: ana@traditioncafe.com

*Pricing depends on session length, level of guidance, post-production or editing, and any additional services requested. Please reach out to discuss what works best for your family or loved one.
**Sliding scale options are available for elders and families with financial constraints.

• I am not a therapist or medical professional
• This work is focused on listening, storytelling, and preservation
• Recordings are confidential and never shared without explicit consent
• Everyone being recorded must consent to the recording. If multiple people participate in a session, each person must be aware they are being recorded and sign an agreement.
• Recordings are never published, shared, or used publicly without explicit written permission.
• While emotional moments may arise during storytelling, these sessions are not a substitute for therapy, counseling, or medical care.
• Editing is light and focused on clarity and flow. The natural rhythm, pauses, and emotional authenticity of the conversation are preserved.
• Stories are preserved as they are remembered. Historical accuracy is not guaranteed, and memories may be imperfect or incomplete.
• Recording environments should be as quiet and interruption-free as possible to preserve sound quality.
• Sessions are guided with care and respect for the person being recorded. If a topic causes visible distress or discomfort, the conversation may be paused or redirected.
• Files will be securely stored for a limited period after delivery. Clients are responsible for downloading and preserving their final copies.

Are end-of-life recordings morbid?
No. Many families describe these sessions as grounding, comforting, and deeply meaningful.

Does the person being recorded need to prepare?
No preparation is required. The conversation is guided gently and naturally.

Who owns the recording?
You do. Always.

Can this be done remotely?
Yes. Remote sessions can be just as intimate and meaningful.

What if emotions come up?
That’s completely okay. We move at the pace of the moment. Nothing is forced.

Can this be given as a gift?
Yes. Many families offer legacy storytelling as a gift to elders or loved ones.

How do we know if research is needed?
Many sessions are beautiful without it. If deeper context or planning would be helpful, we’ll discuss options together.

Do we sign an agreement?
Yes. Before any recording session, you will receive a simple agreement that outlines the session details, privacy protections, ownership of the recordings, and project scope. This ensures everyone understands the process and that your stories remain fully yours.

What if we need to cancel or reschedule?
Life happens, and sessions can be rescheduled when needed. Because recording time and preparation are reserved in advance, cancellations made within 48 hours of a scheduled session may include a cancellation fee. Full details are included in the agreement shared before booking.

Stories shape how we remember, how we understand where we come from, and how we carry one another forward. Whether the recording captures a lifetime of experiences, a single cherished memory, or a message meant for the future, the goal is simple: to honor the voice of the person telling the story. If this feels meaningful for you or your family, I would be honored to help preserve it.