Reflections on Being on The Kelly Clarkson Show by Olivia Savoie

Reflections on Being on The Kelly Clarkson Show by Olivia Savoie 

I had the honor of being a guest on The Kelly Clarkson Show. I spoke about my inspiration from my grandmothers, my process from first interview to finished book, my passion for preserving memories, and the “adopted grandparents” (former subjects) I’ve accumulated over the years. The episode aired on January 9, 2023. Kelly Clarkson herself couldn’t make it, but who better to serve as the guest host than comedian Howie Mandel? 

When I began life story writing several years ago, I would not have believed it if someone told me I’d be a guest on the #1 inspirational daytime talk show in America. I could never have believed I would have written more than 40 heirloom life story books. But most importantly, I never could have fathomed the joy gleaned from telling others’ stories or the depth of wisdom I’ve been gifted in the process.

In the wake of this magical experience, I’ve thought a lot about the people who helped pave my way to a place where I can do the most meaningful, fulfilling work I could ever imagine. If I have written your life story book, thank you. Thank you for entrusting your memories to me. I have never taken that honor lightly. I have striven to connect with my subjects, ask guided questions during our interviews, marinate in their memories for weeks on end, connect even indiscriminate thoughts into cohesive narrative threads, and meticulously attend to the smallest of details. The greatest reward of all has been seeing what the finished keepsake books mean to my subjects and their families.