Testimonials
35 families. Every one of them, in their own words.
Not edited down to sound good. Just what they actually said, right after they heard it.
Hear it for yourself
Stephen Turner, in his own words.
Stephen Turner — Son
What it's actually like to sit and listen.
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The parent you thought you knew
The core discovery — you assumed you already knew them.
Delphine Dumont — Daughter
Delphine on what her siblings saw that she didn't.
I just love to paint a picture of who my dad was growing up... but that's possibly not exactly who he is or he thinks he is. I just want to know what that person looked like more.
I don't think anyone has ever given him so much attention without anyone interrupting him... I love knowing we've got these recordings, we can hear Dad's sense of humour, his mannerisms.
Even though Dad and I are close, the experience uncovered so much I didn't know and might never have known — for that I am grateful.
I love the fact that it feels so raw. It doesn't feel curated. Whereas if you write a book, everything kind of feels like a polished version of the story you want to tell.
I found the recording more emotive than I thought I was going to, because I thought I'd heard most of this before. Sitting on the train listening to it, I actually felt emotional — and I don't often get emotional. I was very moved by Dad's experiences as a child; it explains a lot about how he is as an adult.
His love and passion for football, food, politics, leadership and helping people are all captured in his thoughts and stories. This was incredibly reassuring. You have given us something special to keep forever.
I felt very lucky that Dad was given the time to unpack all of his stories. Often when our parents share stories we don't get the chance to really unpack them and dig deeper.
I forgot at points that it was my dad talking — I thought I was listening to a podcast. There's so much we talk about, but there's so much more we don't cover. I learned even more, and new bits, which was really nice and surprising.
It created value for me that I wasn't even expecting it to create.
Simon Pinks — Son
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Simon on the version of his dad he'd never heard before.
Sam Ulph — Son
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Sam on what he learned about his dad that he might never have known.
Alex Cheyney — Son
Alex on the gap between the dad you know and the man he was.
Abi Smith — Daughter
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Abi on listening back to her dad's story.
Sam Smith — Son
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Sam on what stood out from the recordings.
Siblings, reconnected
The unexpected bonus — it's not just about the parent, it's about each other.
Axel — Son
Axel on what the recordings gave his family.
Leah Johansson — Daughter
Leah on what changed between her and her siblings.
I found the experience deeply cathartic and almost calming. It was a chance to really think about my father and our family in general, start to connect the dots, and laugh at the life we have all shared together. It was a bonding experience that I am very grateful for.
Lucy Cheyney — Daughter
Lucy on connecting the dots — and laughing at the life they've shared.
Where I was surprised and delighted was my brother and my sister... We've earned way more than 10 episodes. We've earned a connection that wasn't existing.
It definitely brought the siblings closer together. When I went home at Christmas, it felt like the first time we were just the siblings, together — and my brother was more emotional than he normally is. This kind of stuff makes him feel like we're becoming a lot closer.
I loved listening to my siblings give their version of things. My twin rang me straight after and said, what did you think of this bit, what did you think of that — it brought a real element of closeness. And my brother and my dad hadn't really been on good terms for years; now they're randomly going on holiday together. Coincidence? I don't think so.
The whole experience has been really fantastic — and I think it brought us closer too. We spoke on the phone on Sunday and were joking about a lot of the stuff: “Dad being a secret thrill-seeker”.
It brings so much understanding and clarity to the family — why we behave in certain ways. And a chance for siblings to connect. We don't make enough space in life to do these kind of things.
Simon Pinks — Son
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Simon on what the whole family got out of it.
Before it's too late
Mortality, urgency, and the reluctant parent who came around anyway.
My dad? Let's just say he was a little sceptical... Thankfully, my mum is very persuasive, and before long, my dad was on board too... I've cried. I've laughed uncontrollably. I've learned things I never knew about my parents.
My dad was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer... every unasked question and unrecalled moment grew significant... persuading Dad wasn't hard at all. Now, Dad's voice is captured — a legacy I can revisit when he's gone.
You always assume there will be more time. Now is the time!
Everyone gets sick and everyone dies. What we're left with when they pass is memories. This is the opportunity to keep that alive — so don't hesitate.
Hearing my parents' stories filled us with joy — but realizing our children and grandchildren will hear them one day is beyond value. I'd have paid ten times more. Don't wait until it's too late — the cost of inaction is priceless.
One of my greatest regrets in life is that I never asked my grandparents, or my father, about their family and their childhood and their passions. I'm determined for it not to happen again with Mummy.
The value was giving my dad that opportunity, and almost setting him the deadline — there's always something more urgent on his plate. Always is.
We were talking about the little things — watching TV together on a Sunday morning, the paper round. It makes you realise you don't need to do big stuff with kids. They just want you to be present. The whole thing has been really good for how I approach parenting — which I wasn't expecting.
It's so easy now, on my commute, to just pull up the iPad — do a chapter on the way in and a chapter on the way out. You find yourself completely engrossed in it. What stuck with me most was just knowing I can hear his voice whenever I want.
In their own words — the parents
This isn't something done to parents. They love it too.
I think you've managed this whole process beautifully... I can think of nothing else, nothing else like it actually. It was like my epitaph, but I was present.
That is incredible that you have been a part of more than 35 families... what a meaningful treasure each family will have forever.
It was a wonderful experience. We all really enjoyed it, and we all got a lot out of it, because it unearthed conversations that we had perhaps had in the past, or perhaps we'd never had! But focusing like you did was so important. I will cherish this.
This experience gave me the opportunity to share my story with my son in a way that everyday life never allows. It's a priceless gift, allowing him to truly know me, my past, and the lessons I've learned.
It's good to know that the future generations will know what it was like. Because it's a personal thing, you can be far more honest than if you were writing a book. It was an excellent experience.
He got more out of it emotionally than any of us expected. It really made him feel like we were a family — because he could feel all these connected elements running through the stories.
My reflection is that it makes me feel a lot better that Sam's now got a much clearer idea of who I was. This is why I am like I am, why my philosophies are built the way they are — and it's something that never comes out unless you do something like this.
Me & My Old Man is the best thing we have done in years. The end result means our children will have a living memory of not only our voices, but our memories.
John Turner — Dad
"I loved every minute of it."
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A dad on what the experience was like from his side of the microphone.
David Ulph — Dad
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David on sharing his story with his son.
Stories of those we've lost
Grief, and the families who've done this after losing someone, not just before.
Chris Walton — Son-in-law
Chris on doing this after losing his own dad — and why he wouldn't wait again.
It's not really a decision. It's go and do it, because it will be some of the best money you've spent... So go and do it now.
Everything I'd hoped for and more. It was so lovely to hear the stories — it made me remember so many more stories.
I'd lost my father and I thought — what a fantastic idea! I wish I could have done that with my own dad... when you've lost a parent, you sort of realise that things like this are absolutely priceless.
Ben Noifeld — Son
“She'd have paid a million pounds.”
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What it's worth, once they're gone.
Short films
Two more, in their own voices.
Short audiograms families were happy for us to share.
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