Season 5, Episode 9: Stories We Leave Behind - Preserving a Life Through the Lens with James Howard

What stories will remain when the people we love are no longer here to tell them?In this episode of The Starfish Storytellers, Liana Henry sits down with Toronto-area filmmaker and videographer James Howard, founder of Family History Studio, to explore the power of preserving a life through film.James's work grew from a deeply personal experience. In 1997, he interviewed his 91-year-old grandmother for nearly five hours, capturing her memories, voice, expressions, and personality on camera. Just two weeks later, she suffered a fall that would ultimately prove fatal. Years later, James did the same for his father, creating a film his dad was able to see shortly before his death.Those experiences became the foundation for Family History Studio and James's belief that a life story film can become something truly priceless for future generations.James and Liana talk about why listening may be the most important skill a storyteller can develop, how trust helps people move beyond rehearsed answers to reveal their authentic selves, and why some of the most meaningful stories emerge from the simplest questions.They also explore the importance of preserving old photographs, home movies, recordings, and family artifacts—and how bringing those pieces together with someone's own voice can create a legacy that lasts for generations.Because someday, someone you love may want to know what Grandpa sounded like when he laughed, how Mom told the story of meeting Dad, or what childhood experience shaped the person they became. And as James reminds us, you don't know what stories are waiting to be told until you ask.Learn more about James Howard and Family History Studio:Website: familyhistorystudio.comEmail: james@familyhistorystudio.com