Frequently Asked Questions
Tales Basics
What is Tales?
Tales is the easiest way to record your family's most important memories.
Our professional interviewers speak with your loved one (over the phone or over Zoom). Then that interview will be edited and polished and you will receive a professionally produced podcast episodes so that you'll have their stories forever.
Think of your favorite podcast or radio show (e.g., This American Life or Howard Stern).
Now imagine that focused on a person, relationship, or life event that matters to you.
That’s Tales.
Still not sure what it is? Have a listen to some of our sample Tales.
How does Tales work?
Tales conducts interviews about a subject of your choice.
Step 1. You choose the subject.
- Tell us who to talk to (e.g., family, friends, or colleagues) and what subjects you'd like us to explore with them.
Step 2. We do all the work.
- We will handle all of the scheduling and professional interviewers will conduct the interviews either over the phone or over Zoom, whichever is easiest for the guest. Then we edit the episode and add a curated musical overlay to make it sound like something that wouldn't feel out of place on NPR.
Step 3. You get a personal podcast to gift or share with friends and family.
- Waiting at a private webpage that is easy to share with family or friends or keep to yourself. It's up to you!
How long is a Tales episode?
Each Tales interview generally lasts 30-35 minutes. That interview then gets edited down into a polished 20 minute episode.
Where are you located?
We are headquartered in Provo, Utah, but our team and network of interviewers are located all over the United States.
Who are these professional interviewers?
Great question. Our professional interviewers bring a wide range of experiences from public radio and hosts of popular podcasts to experienced family and marriage therapists.
Despite their differences in backgrounds, they all have a few things in common. They are all great listeners, empathetic, non-judgmental, and have a knack for storytelling and guiding an interview.
Purchasing a Tale
Can I purchase more than one Tale at a time?
Absolutely.
In fact, most Tales customers purchase more than one Tale at a time especially if they are hoping to cover a lot of ground in their interviews.
For example, to capture a loved one's life story, we generally suggest purchasing at least three Tales episodes to be able to capture all of the important memories from someone's life.
Not sure about how many you should buy? No problem! Your dedicated Tales coordinator will work with you to determine how many episodes would be right for your specific situation.
How many Tales should I purchase?
It's hard to say because every situation is a bit different.
If you're not sure, please reach out to us at hello@tales.com and we would be happy to work with you to figure out what the right number is.
When will I receive my finished Tales episode?
For Tales episodes involving one or two interviews, you can expect it to be ready within two weeks.
For Tales episodes involving three interviews, you can expect it to be ready within three weeks.
For episodes involving four or more interviews, your Tales coordinator will provide a timeline which will depend on the number of episodes and guests you would like to include in the process.
If you need your Tales episode sooner than the above timelines, get in touch with us at hello@tales.com and we will do our best to accommodate your timeline.
How will I receive my Tale?
We will send you a link to a private, easy-to-share webpage that has your Tale and a brief description of the episode.
Who owns the Tale that I purchase?
You own the Tale. It is yours to do whatever you like.
Who will hear my Tale?
That is up to you.
We find that Tales episodes are generally intended for sharing with close family and friends as this encourages participants to be more open in their interviews.
That being said, you are more than welcome to share your Tale more widely if that is something that you would like to do.
What languages does Tales support?
At the moment, you can purchase Tales in English.
We plan on supporting additional languages in the coming months. If you would like to purchase a Tale in another language, please share that with us by emailing hello@tales.com.
We prioritize new languages based on customer demand, so please let us know which language you would most like us to support
What is included in the professional edit?
Each Tales episode is professionally edited, including sound mixing, a narrative introduction from the interviewer, and curated musical overlays.
Getting Interviewed for a Tale
What if I have trouble connecting with my interviewer?
If you have trouble connecting with your interviewer, please email us at hello@tales.com. Your coordinator will follow up immediately to help.
What exactly is the process?
Step 1. Your pre-interview thoughts & interview scheduling.
- You will complete a brief pre-interview questionnaire which takes about 5 - 15 minutes to complete.
- Your answers will provide the interviewer with helpful context also also get you thinking about what you would like to talk about.
- At the end of the questionnaire you will be asked to schedule your interview at your convenience.
Step 2. Your interview.
- Your interview will be conducted over Zoom or over the phone, whichever is more convenient for you.
- Allocate a 30 - 45 minute time block.
- Find a quiet place with reliable cellular reception or internet connection to ensure sound quality.
Step 3. The final product.
- Once the interviews making up this Tale are complete and edited, the person purchasing the Tale will receive an email with a link to the final product.
Who will hear my Tale?
Most Tales episodes are intended for close family and friends so that you can feel more comfortable opening up during the interview.
That said, if you would like to share your Tale with more people or on social media, you are welcome to do so!
How should I prepare for my interview?
Feel free to review your answers to your pre-interview questionnaire to jog your memory of what you will be speaking about.
Find a quiet place with reliable cellular reception or internet connection to ensure sound quality.
Have fun!
Receiving a Tale
Can I get a copy of my Tale?
Yes. We make your Tales available to you for listening, downloading, or sharing with others through a dedicated webpage.
Upon request, we can also provide you with the raw audio files making up your Tale. To make this request, please email us at hello@tales.com.
