AUDIO KEEPSAKES
Modernizing Tradition
For centuries, people created and passed down ethical wills — letters, teachings, and stories — to convey their hopes, dreams, and moral wishes to loved ones.
We continue the tradition with modern comforts and conveniences.
Straight forward. Guided. Satisfaction guaranteed.
The Backstory
Once upon a time, a boy and his grandfather lived in houses next to each other and everyday they saw each other living their best lives.
One day the boy moved away, but left the grandfather with an empty book to fill with stories. What the boy didn’t know was Grandpa’s hands ached and couldn’t hold steady. So as time passed, the book of would-be-Grandpa’s-stories was forgotten.
That is until a sweaty July day when the boy discovered it again cleaning out of Grandpa’s home after he died.
No book of stories should remain empty.
Let us help you, without any regret or delay, to easily and quickly capture life’s most important details from the voice you cherish most.
You’ll die.
The words don’t have to die with you...
‘Have the last word’ today.
Services
Legacy Refined - $790
Our signature offering. A session to record hopes, dreams, and every moment that mattered edited into a moving professionally polished keepsake.
Includes:
2-Hour Recorded Interview/Conversation
Introduction + Custom Music Transitions
Edited narrative flow
Bonus content (jokes/bloopers)
PDF transcript (edited version)
Digital download + private link to share
Ideal For:
Those seeking a polished keepsake, a gift for future generations, or something to pair with a memorial, celebration of life, or personal archive.
Legacy Uncut - $222
A two-hour unedited recorded interview with light polish: musical transitions, custom intro, and download-ready files.
Includes:
Pre-interview coordination & prep
2-Hour Recorded Interview/Conversation
Introduction + Custom Music Transitions
Digital download + private link to share
Ideal For:
Budget conscious families who want a real, raw recording of their loved one
Yes, Gift A Session!
Surprise your loved one with an audio session. Simply provide your loved one’s contact information and complete the purchase.
We’ll reach out to introduce our service, share who sent us (or not if you prefer to remain anonymous), then schedule and record. (If the giftee declines, you will be refunded the purchase.)
After recording, we’ll edit the conversation and send you along with the interviewee the download link.
Let your words carry comfort, guidance, and connection even after you're gone.
“I loved how much these questions encapsulated my mom. I am left with a time capsule of her stories I can listen to for years to come!”
-Evelyn Lashley, May 2025
Audio keepsakes hold the treasures of your life. Share those gems, golden antidotes, pearls of wisdom & other sparkling stories.
The perfect moment is now.
Share your voice while you can.
Don’t wait.
For You Today Them Tomorrow
Creating an audio keepsake is gift for you, too.
It's a rare and meaningful opportunity to reflect on your life, to remember all you've lived and learned, and to affirm the things that matter most.
Let your voice, rich with authenticity and heart, be a bridge across generations.
Give your loved ones the lasting gift of your story — in your own words, in your own voice, forever.
Schedule Now
Today’s deposit secures interview.
Pay invoice to download keepsake when ready.
Satisfaction guaranteed.
Speak to future generations with the same clarity as a conversation across the kitchen table.
Begin Your Story
You don’t need to be a writer or a speaker.
You just need to be you.
We'll walk with you every step of the way, helping you share your voice with love, honesty, and grace.
Your story deserves to be heard. Today, tomorrow, and always. Let’s capture it together!
The Process
Capturing your story is a simple and straightforward process conducted with care and confidentiality.
STEP 1 - Record
Interviewer travels to your location and conducts the audio-only interview. No need to put on make-up or style your hair.
STEP 2 - Edit
After the interview is complete, we’ll edit the conversation based on client selections.
STEP 3 - Pay & Download File
Once the keepsake audio file is complete and ready for download, an invoice is sent to the Client.
As soon as the invoice is paid, a link to download the digital keepsake audio file is shared. We’ll even share the audio keepsake to your friends and family, too.
Your memories, laughter, and life lessons are treasures today.
Tomorrow they’ll be priceless.
Our Service Area
Based in Saint Paul, Minnesota, but willing drive up to 300 miles from home base to meet our clients where they need us. This means parts of Michigan, Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, the Dakotas, and yes, even Nebraska are in our service area.
If you’re outside the red circle, we’re still able to help you, we’ll just fly instead.
Free mileage within a 30 mile radius of home base.
Our Mobile Studio
Our mobile studio fits in a backpack and is great for capturing conversations in any location:
apartments & party rooms
living, dining & bedrooms
healthcare & hospice facilities
parks, sidewalks, & even public transit
We travel light and stay nimble. There is no need to move furniture or clean to prepare a space.
Your space works as is — no worries. Load-in/out is fast, easy, efficient, and not loud or disturbing.
Handheld Studio
Home, hospice, or honky-tonk — our gear allows us to capture your unforgettable voice — no matter where you find yourself.
Audio-Only Focus
Our audio-only process focuses everyone’s attention on your words and the meanings and feelings behind them. To capture your essence we use an audio recorder and a microphone. By keeping things simple we focus on what matters: you.
Each interview is conducted by a single interviewer. This allows subjects to relax, savor and be comfortable in the moment for a chat.
We love videos, but we’re not videographers. We don’t want multiple takes, angles, or sequences. We don’t want to lug lighting gear, tripods, and monitors. Most of all we don’t want our subjects to be influenced by the worry and self-consciousness cameras create.
No fussing over hair or make-up or which is your good side or if your fly is down or you have something in your teeth...
No cameras. No lights. No worries.
Our Interviewer
Michael Venske is a celebrant who for over 16 years has crafted and shared stories of wedding couples and the deceased. He uses humor and performance skills honed as an actor and writer to help non-church folx mark important occasions without holy hangups.
Venske is an Insight Certified Celebrant, member of Minnesota Death Collaborative, Threshold Choir member, and can be heard Sundays at 8PM on 94.1 FM WFNU as the host/producer of Your Funeral Music. #IWNDWYT
In his free time, Michael enjoys pondering deep questions while splitting and stacking firewood with his dog, Louise.
“Beautiful product to offer. Michael is welcoming, calm, and engaging. And now I have a lovely keepsake to leave my friends/family. Thank you!”
-Erica Scanlon, May 2025
In Case of Emergencies:
Press Play
FAQs
What is an audio legacy recording?
An audio legacy is a professionally recorded and guided conversation where you share your life stories, wisdom, values, and heartfelt messages. It’s a way to pass down your voice — not just your memories — for generations to come.
What do I need to prepare?
Nothing! This process should feel effortless, be comfortable, and immediate.
We’ll guide you with thoughtful questions and prompts that make it easy and natural to share. You’re welcome to bring favorite memories, quotes, or even meaningful music if you like, but it’s completely optional.
I’m not a good speaker — will I sound okay?
Absolutely. This is about capturing you — your true voice, full of warmth, wisdom, and life. Our process is relaxed and conversational. Plus, the conversation is recorded professionally to ensure a polished sound but still beautifully real.
How long does it take?
2.5 - 3 hours. The recording session is 120 minutes. Set-up/take down is an additional 30 minutes. We'll work with your schedule and comfort level every step of the way.
Who is this for?
Anyone who wants to capture or leave something deeply meaningful for loved ones: parents, grandparents, mentors, teachers — even friends. It’s a gift for now and for generations yet to come.
Examples:
An out-of-state adult child purchases a session to record their dad in MN;
Grandmother purchases session to record her stories for family;
Your best friend purchases a session to record you;
A Secret Santa in your office purchases a session for your family.
What will I receive?
You'll receive a high-quality audio file via secure digital download link to share with family and friends.
Can I record with a loved one or family member?
Yes! Joint recordings are beautiful. Sharing stories together can create an even richer legacy. We’re happy to accommodate family members, couples, or friends.
Will you interview my mom in her hospice room?
Yes. Our mini mobile studio is carried in a backpack in order to keep us nimble, unobtrusive, and go where we’re needed.
Will you come interview our family during cousins night?
Of course, and we’ll make a game out of it! We’ve amassed a collection of nearly 1,000 questions focused on family, legacy, joy, spirituality and love (to name a few). Pick any number between 1 - 1,000 for a random question — let’s play!
Will you interview my dad’s entire assisted living community?
Absolutely! Volume pricing discounts available.
What forms of payment do you accept?
Cash, check, credit. Also, Venmo.
Still got questions?
Please share your thoughts below.
Call or Text Today
Additional Resources
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The goal of the Stanford Letter Project is to help, empower and support all adults to prepare for their future and take the initiative to talk to their doctors and their friends and family about what matters most to them at life's end. Complete the seven tasks of life review in minutes using our
simple template available for free now. -
Join over 10 million happy 1SE App users. Free app download.
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Find happiness by contemplating your mortality. The WeCroak app is inspired by a Bhutanese folk saying: to be a happy person, one must contemplate death five times daily.
Each day, we’ll send you five invitations to stop and think about death. Remember, you’re going to die. Available on Apple App Store & Google Play Store.
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Ethical Wills are a tool for preserving and passing on your values, beliefs, life lessons, hopes for the future, love, and forgiveness to your family and community.
The Ethical Will Writing Guide Workbook provides an outline structure and dozens of phrases and sentences to help you develop a draft copy of your ethical will. A brief introduction to ethical wills and a list of resources are also included. You can edit the item choices to reflect your own style. The items often serve as a trigger for your own ideas that you can use in your draft. Click here to view on Amazon.
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Inspiring and imaginative, this bona fide "how-to” manual teaches us how to remember those we miss most, no matter how long they’ve been gone. Passed and Present is not about sadness and grieving. It is about happiness and remembering. It is possible to look forward, to live a rich and joyful life, while keeping the memory of loved ones alive. This much-needed, easy-to-use roadmap shares 85 imaginative ways to celebrate and honor family and friends we never want to forget. Click here to view on Amazon.
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A forever letter is a gift that will be read over and over again. Inspired by the centuries-old Jewish tradition of the ethical will, a forever letter is a perfect way to share your most precious possessions: your values, wisdom, and love with the people who matter to you most. And you don't have to do it alone. Through empowering stories, sample letters, and writing tips, author Elana Zaiman serves as your companion on this journey of self-discovery and deepening relationships. Click here to view on Amazon.
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Writing an ethical will, a document that includes stories and reflections about your past, is an ancient tradition. It can include joy and regrets, and ultimately becomes both a way to remember a loved one who is gone and a primer on how to live a better, happier life. Beloved Rabbi Steve Leder has helped thousands of people to write their own ethical wills, and in this intimate book helps us write our own. Click here to view on Amazon.