My friend Jessie has started a NEW podcast all about family history and I got to be one of her guests. You can LISTEN HERE. You can also listen using the iPhone podcast app or on Stitcher (for Android) by searching Family History Modernized. Jessie and I met at the RootsTech event back in 2015 and we've been following and championing each other ever since. I LOVE that Jessie is a young mom, smack dab in the middle of it all and that she is still making time for both family history research and storytelling. Her message is that you don't need to become a grandma before you get engaged in this work! You can learn much more about Family History Modernized on Instagram. 

On my episode I share a few stories and ideas that might make more sense if you SEE them. 

The first idea is that it's EASIER than you think to create family connections across generations. Years ago, after my Grandpa Hall passed away, I was at Grandma's house in the upstairs bathroom. I had washed my hands and needed some lotion. I opened the medicine cabinet and saw Corn Husker's Lotion. I did not know what this was, but it said lotion, so I opened the lid. I experienced an immediate sensory reaction, because this kinda-runny, clear-yet-murky lotion smelled JUST LIKE MY GRANDPA. I remember standing there, reading the label and fighting back tears. Apparently, my Grandpa used this stuff, liberally! Years after that, I saw a bottle in a grocery store and bought it, but wasn't sure what to do with it. I now buy my Corn Huskers Lotion on Amazon, and I keep a bottle ready on the shelf above our laundry room sink, next to a couple of pictures. It's a visual reminder of Grandpa Hall and an invitation to become more familiar with him, by using something he used everyday. 

Back in February-ish, I posted to Instagram about my Best Books corner in the living room. I'm still working on this and will eventually write a good post about my vision and all of the details, but on the podcast, I explain the meaning behind the rooster pillow, colorfully perched on my chair (which I found HERE on etsy.) You'll have to listen to the podcast to hear the story. It's a good one.  

At the end of our conversation, Jessie invited me to share a few things I've done or am doing that might be of interest to her listeners. I shared two things ...

First, for those wanting to get started in family history, by creating a scrapbook album of their family tree, I've got THIS CLASS at Big Picture Classes.  Here's a video overview of the album. 

And, second ... I'm partnering with Close To My Heart to create a line of story-first products. THIS IS HAPPENING!! I actually signed the contract last week—still waiting for the signed-by-them copy be returned to me in the mail. I will then make this official partnership public, but I have been hinting at things on a newer Instagram account, @storybystacy and I'd LOVE you to follow along over there.  

If you have questions about anything I shared on the podcast or here, don't hesitate to ask!