Keepsake resources
Skills
Practical how-tos for interviewing and recording at home.
Upgrade the craft side of memory keeping with clear tutorials for interviews, audio capture, and editing basics.
Best starting points
Pick one useful next step.
30 Day Family Journaling Challenge
Challenge · A month long prompt plan for capturing family stories
Journaling prompts: 75 ideas for clarity, memory, and change
Use these journaling prompts to get unstuck, notice what matters, make decisions, and preserve the stories inside ordinary days.
20 questions game to guess, learn, and laugh
Play the 20 questions game with a simple yes or no format that keeps everyone engaged and makes quick guessing rounds fun.
- Is it something you can hold in one hand?
- Is it used indoors most of the time?
- Is it something that plugs in?
Printables
Worksheets for this topic.
Guides
Editorial walkthroughs.
Journaling prompts: 75 ideas for clarity, memory, and change
Use these journaling prompts to get unstuck, notice what matters, make decisions, and preserve the stories inside ordinary days.
Journaling for self discovery: 50 prompts that unlock family stories
Use these 50 self-discovery journal prompts to explore your identity, values, and family history - then share what you learn with the people who matter most.
How to interview a family member about their life
Follow this seven-step process to plan, record, and preserve meaningful family interviews without overwhelming your storyteller.
Recording voice notes with clear, warm audio
Follow this six-step process to capture rich, easy-to-hear recordings on any phone while keeping storytellers comfortable.
Conversation cards
Questions to open the room.
20 questions game to guess, learn, and laugh
Play the 20 questions game with a simple yes or no format that keeps everyone engaged and makes quick guessing rounds fun.
- Is it something you can hold in one hand?
- Is it used indoors most of the time?
- Is it something that plugs in?
21 questions game to get to know someone fast
Use this 21 questions game to spark real conversations with friends or dates, with playful and deep rounds included.
- What is a small habit that makes your day better?
- What kind of trip feels most relaxing to you?
- Who in your life makes you feel most understood?
Controversial questions that challenge assumptions
Discover 70 controversial questions that spark debate, challenge perspectives, and lead to conversations people actually remember.
- Is it ever okay to lie to protect someone?
- Should wealthy people be required to give away most of their money?
- Is social media making society better or worse?
Conversation starters that make talking easy
These conversation starters help you begin with ease and keep the chat flowing without awkward pauses.
- To start a conversation, what is a small joy you found recently?
- If you are starting a conversation, what is a memory that still makes you laugh?
- As a conversation starter, what is a place you want to visit next?
Deep questions that open honest conversations
Deep questions that invite honest stories, values, and emotions, plus tips for creating a safe space to share.
- What do you wish people understood about you without asking?
- Which moment in your life changed how you see yourself?
- What does feeling safe with someone actually look like to you?
Drinking game questions for group nights
These drinking game questions keep things playful while still feeling respectful and easy to answer.
- In a drinking game round, what is a small joy you found recently?
- During a drinking game, what is a memory that still makes you laugh?
- If you are playing a drinking game, what is a place you want to visit next?
Embarrassing questions that keep it light
These embarrassing questions are playful and light, perfect for laughs without crossing boundaries.
- What is the most embarrassing thing you said at the wrong time?
- What is an embarrassing outfit choice you regret you can laugh about now?
- What is a harmless embarrassing message you sent to the wrong person that still makes you smile?
Existential questions that invite reflection
These existential questions help people explore meaning, identity, and the choices that shape a life.
- What does it mean to live a good life?
- What does it mean to belong somewhere?
- What does it mean to feel truly known?
Journal
Short reads for context.
How to digitize old photos without losing the stories behind them
A practical guide to scanning family photos that preserves not just the images but the memories, names, and context that make them meaningful.
Mindfulness journal prompts and journal prompts for anxiety
Use these mindfulness journal prompts and journal prompts for anxiety to slow down, regulate stress, and deepen connection with the people you love.
Frequently asked questions
A smartphone with a voice recorder app works well for most home interviews. For better audio quality, consider a clip-on lavalier microphone. Choose a quiet room with soft furnishings to reduce echo and background noise.
Review any family photos or documents beforehand to spark questions. Prepare 10-15 open-ended questions but stay flexible. Test your recording equipment, choose a comfortable location, and allow plenty of time so the conversation can flow naturally.
Most people share best in sessions of 45-90 minutes. Longer interviews can tire both parties. Plan multiple shorter sessions rather than one marathon recording, and end while energy is still good to leave room for follow-up conversations.