58: Mike O’Krent of LifeStories Alive on Personal History Videos, Part 1

How volunteering for Steven Spielberg sparked a career saving stories (This is part 1 of our interview with Mike O'Krent. Listen to part 2 here.) Mike O'Krent was volunteering for an organization in Austin when he learned about Survivors of the Shoah, a foundation created by Steven Spielberg to interview and record the stories of Holocaust survivors. His training in L.A. set him up for successful interviews with survivors in Texas. In an article by Rich Polt (a previous guest on this podcast), Mike says, “These conversations are not going to be easy, nor should they be. In some cases, you’ll be asking loved ones to recall events and memories that have long been dormant. That’s OK. Don’t shy away from asking the hard questions.” Don’t shy away from asking the hard questions." Mike's work with the Shoah Foundation helped him discover his passion for interviewing people and helping them save their story. Today, he runs LifeStories Alive, LLC, a video company that documents the stories of individuals, non-profits, and businesses.     Links & Stuff Mike's company, LifeStories Alive, LLC USC Shoah Foundation