Sharing Stories of Intergenerational Wisdom

"Welcome to The Legacy Project Podcast, where we explore the art of storytelling and the lasting power of personal history. I’m your host, Don Fessenden, and today we’re talking about one of the richest forms of storytelling you can pass down: sharing stories of intergenerational wisdom.

Every family has its keepers of knowledge—grandparents, elders, aunts and uncles who lived through experiences we can only imagine. Their voices carry lessons not found in textbooks. Their stories offer insights forged through time, hardship, joy, and change. And when we listen—really listen—we carry their wisdom into the future.

Today’s episode is about capturing those lessons, those values, and those truths that have been passed down through generations, so they don’t fade away. Whether you’re writing a memoir, preserving oral history, or simply reflecting for your own understanding, this episode will help you shine a light on the timeless wisdom that shaped you—and those who came before you."

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Transcript

Don: 0:12

"Welcome to The Legacy Project Podcast, where we explore the art of storytelling and the lasting power of personal history. I’m your host, Don Fessenden, and today we’re talking about one of the richest forms of storytelling you can pass down: sharing stories of intergenerational wisdom. Every family has its keepers of knowledge: grandparents, elders, aunts and uncles who lived through experiences we can only imagine. Their voices carry lessons not found in textbooks. Their stories offer insights forged through time, hardship, joy, and change. And when we listen: really listen: we carry their wisdom into the future. Today’s episode is about capturing those lessons, those values, and those truths that have been passed down through generations, so they don’t fade away. Whether you’re writing a memoir, preserving oral history, or simply reflecting for your own understanding, this episode will help you shine a light on the timeless wisdom that shaped you: and those who came before you.""When we talk about legacy, we’re really talking about continuity: the passing down of what matters most from one generation to the next. And nothing captures that better than intergenerational wisdom. Wisdom isn’t just about advice: it’s about perspective. It’s about understanding how your great-grandfather weathered the Great Depression, how your grandmother raised five children on sheer resilience, or how your parents navigated cultural shifts, economic change, or family upheaval. These stories shape our values. They anchor us. They remind us that we’re not the first to face uncertainty, to feel lost, to find joy. And if we don’t write them down or re-cord them, we risk losing that treasure forever. Capturing intergenerational wisdom is about preserving not just who they were, but what they knew. And in doing that, we create a bridge between the past and the future.""Intergenerational wisdom often hides in plain sight. It’s not always a dramatic quote or a grand lesson. Sometimes, it’s tucked into a story you’ve heard a hundred times but never paused to really absorb. To uncover these stories, start by asking questions like: What did my elders believe about hard work, love, or faith? How did they react to adversity, loss, or injustice? What habits or sayings did they pass down that still guide me today? I once worked with a storyteller whose grandfather used to say,'Measure twice, cut once.' It was a carpenter’s saying, but it became a life philosophy: think carefully, act wisely. Another wrote about her mother’s habit of always setting an extra plate at the table, just in case someone needed a meal. That quiet gesture carried a legacy of kindness, generosity, and community that rippled through generations. So look again at the routines, the phrases, the decisions: they often hold more wisdom than we realize.""If you still have access to parents, grandparents, or older relatives, now is the time to listen. Ask questions that go beyond the surface. Give them space to remember and reflect. And most importantly: re-cord their answers. You don’t need fancy equipment. A phone recording, a journal entry, even handwritten notes can preserve their words. Start with prompts like: What was the hardest thing you ever had to do, and how did you do it? What advice would you give to your 20-year-old self? What do you hope your grandchildren remember about you? And don’t rush. Let stories unfold naturally. Some of the most profound wisdom reveals itself in the pauses, the tears, or the quiet laughter that surfaces unexpectedly.""Once you’ve collected stories or memories, think about how to weave that wisdom into your writing. You can include direct quotes from your elders, or use their life stories as narrative anchors for the lessons you want to share. For example: Instead of saying,'My grandmother was strong,' tell the story of how she worked two jobs while raising her children, and what she taught you about perseverance. Instead of writing,'My father taught me discipline,' describe how he woke at 5 a.m. every day to work the fields, even when no one was watching. These scenes bring the wisdom to life: and allow your readers to feel the impact, not just hear it. You can also reflect on what those lessons mean to you now. Have you passed them on? Have you interpreted them differently in your own life? Have you struggled with them? That internal dialogue is what turns a family story into a legacy story.""Lastly, when sharing intergenerational wisdom, take a moment to honor those who carried it. Even if they weren’t perfect. Even if their lessons came from hardship or mistakes. Writing about someone’s wisdom is a way of saying, you mattered. What you knew matters. And I will carry it forward. Include their name. Their voice. Their humanity. One storyteller wrote a chapter simply titled‘What I Learned from Papa Joe.’ It was full of short, powerful lessons: some funny, some heartbreaking. But what made it memorable was the love and reverence woven through every word. That’s what legacy writing is about. Not just facts and timelines, but heart.""As we close today’s episode, I want to encourage you to reflect on one piece of wisdom you received from an elder in your life. Write it down. Just one story, one lesson. You don’t have to write a full memoir today. Just start with that one seed: and see where it leads. If today’s episode moved you, I’d love to hear your reflections. Connect with me on social media, or visit my website. And if you want more help bringing your family’s stories and values to life, check out my book, The Legacy Project: A Guide to Sharing Your Story. Thank you for joining me on The Legacy Project Podcast. Your story, and the wisdom passed down to you, matters more than you know. Start writing, start sharing, and leave your mark. I’ll see you next time."