Family Spotlight is a podcast and storytelling project that uncovers the hidden legacies, forgotten memories, and powerful journeys of everyday families—especially those whose stories have been overlooked by traditional history.

Each episode begins with a submission: a name, a rumor, a photo, or a question. From there, we begin a journey of deep research, community memory, and creative storytelling. We consult public records, oral history archives, census documents, local newspapers, and wherever else the trail leads us. Whether it's a great-grandmother who migrated across the South, a family member lost in war, or an ancestor who built a neighborhood from the ground up—we follow every lead with care and curiosity.

But this isn’t just about dates and documents. Family Spotlight aims to restore the heart of these histories. Through respectful narration, collaboration with descendants, and a focus on cultural depth, we reconstruct family stories with detail, warmth, and truth. We shine a light on where people come from—and what they carried with them.

This show especially highlights stories from marginalized communities, recognizing the gaps and silences in the historical record. For many, the trail doesn't go back to immigration records or clean archives—it vanishes into systemic erasure. Family Spotlight doesn’t shy away from that. Instead, we work with what we have and honor what can be recovered, all while creating a space for descendants to speak, reflect, and reconnect.

This isn’t just a history show. It’s about memory. It's about people. It’s about you.

How It Works

Every family carries something — a memory, a rumor, a name passed down without a story. That’s where I come in.

You start by sharing whatever you have. It might be a name, a photo, a town someone once mentioned — or just a question you’ve always had about where your people came from. However it comes to you, that’s where the process begins.

Once your story reaches me, I begin the search. I look through records, old maps, newspapers, and anything else I can access — not just to find facts, but to piece together something deeper. I follow the threads that seem to matter, the ones that reveal something human, something real.

From there, if it fits the shape of what the podcast is building, I begin writing. The story is crafted into a full episode — not just told, but felt. When it’s ready, you’ll hear it first. And if it’s shared, it’ll be done in a way that honors your people and fits the voice of the show.

Not every story becomes an episode. But every submission is considered, and every name that comes through is handled with care.

Submit Your Family 

This podcast will be built one story at a time — starting with yours. 

I’m creating a podcast that will explore real family histories — especially the ones that have been overlooked, forgotten, or never fully told. If you have a name, a memory, a place, or even a question that’s been passed down in your family, you’re invited to share it.

You don’t need a full story. Just what you know — or what you’ve always wanted to know. Some people might send full write-ups, others might only have a name or neighborhood. Either way, I’ll read every submission and consider how it might fit into the episodes I plan to create.

The stories I feature will be carefully researched and thoughtfully told. Not every submission will become an episode, but every one will be treated with respect. And if your story is chosen, you’ll hear it first before anything is released.

This is the beginning of something much bigger — and I’d love for your family to be part of it.

Link To Submit: bit.ly/famspotsubmissions 

Episodes will be shared through Spotify and other major platforms as the podcast grows. If you're curious, following along, or just want to know when something new drops, Instagram will be the best place to stay updated for now.

This project is still growing — and as it does, more ways to listen and engage will open up. For now, these are the main places to connect:

• Spotify (coming soon) – where episodes will go live
  
  

• Instagram – for updates, previews, and behind-the-scenes looks

• TikTok / Twitter / others – might come later as the project expands
  
  

Follow the journey. Reach out. Stay curious.

FAMILY SPOTLIGHT – CONSENT & PRIVACY TERMS 

Last Updated June 7, 2025

By submitting through our form or email, you acknowledge and agree that:

• Your submission may be researched and shared as part of a Family Spotlight podcast episode.
  
  

• You are voluntarily providing information about your family history and grant permission to share what you've submitted, unless otherwise noted in the “Notes/Concerns” section of the form.
  
  

• You can request partial or full anonymity. This includes:
  
  

  • Use of pseudonyms
    
    

  • Withholding specific names or details
    
    

  • Anonymous voice participation if interviewed
    
    

• If your family is selected, we may contact you for additional information or to participate in a recorded interview.
  
  

• You will have the opportunity to review your segment or story summary before it is published, and you may request edits or withdrawal up to that point.
  
  

Sensitive & Legal Information

We understand that family stories may involve personal, emotional, or difficult topics. Here’s how we handle them:

• You may request that any part of your story not be shared by indicating so in the Notes/Concerns section.
  
  

• We will not include or publish:
  
  

  • Medical information without explicit written consent
    
    

  • Current, active legal records (such as ongoing court cases, restraining orders, or law enforcement matters)
    
    

  • Content involving third parties without permission or appropriate anonymization
    
    

  • Explicit content or depictions of harm unless crucial to historical understanding, and only with consent
    
    

We approach all stories with dignity, historical context, and cultural sensitivity.

How We Use & Store Your Information

• Your submission is stored securely via Google Forms and associated tools (Sheets, Docs, etc.).
  
  

• We do not sell or share your data with any outside companies or advertisers.
  
  

• You may request deletion of your data and withdrawal from the project at any time before publication by contacting us at familyspotlightpodcast@gmail.com.
  
  

Non-English Submissions

We welcome stories from families of all backgrounds and languages. If needed, we will work with trusted translation tools or collaborators to ensure your story is represented accurately and that you understand the consent process clearly. You may also email us directly for help submitting in your preferred language.

Contact: familyspotlightpodcast@gmail.com

Submission Summary

By submitting, you confirm that:

• You are the person submitting the story or have permission to share it.
  
  

• You understand and agree to how your information will be used.
  
  

• You may withdraw or edit your submission at any time before publication.
  
  

Collection

Contact

We welcome your questions, ideas, and support. Please reach out using the method that works best for you.

General Inquiries

For questions about the podcast, submissions, collaborations, or feedback:
Email: familyspotlightpodcast@gmail.com

Technical Support

If you're having trouble submitting your story, viewing documents, or using our form:
Support Email: fslpodcasthelp@gmail.com

Social Media

You can also send us a direct message (DM) on Instagram for quick questions or updates:
Instagram: @familyspotlightpodcast

Response Time: We aim to reply within 3–5 business days, or sooner when possible.

About Family Spotlight

Family Spotlight is a podcast created and hosted by Kaleb Vance, where real families are given space to uncover, preserve, and reflect on their histories — one episode at a time. Through a careful mix of research, storytelling, and cultural context, we help families explore their past and connect it to a larger historical picture.

This project was born from a lifelong passion for history, storytelling, and the quiet, everyday legacies that often go undocumented. As someone who has spent years researching both personal and collective histories — especially those underrepresented in archives — I created this podcast to give those stories space to live.

While I remain behind the scenes, my goal is not to be the focus. Family Spotlight is about you, your family, and the stories that deserve to be remembered. Whether you know your family tree inside out or you only have a name to start from, this podcast was made for you.

With every submission, we aim to treat each story with the dignity it deserves — and to show that history isn't just in textbooks. It's in us.