Shane Foxman’s idea for In Your Own Words, “a podcast for you and your family about you and your family,” came from a very personal place.
“My father passed away when my daughter was still very young. While I keep his memory alive by telling stories about him, I’ve often wished she could hear him tell his story himself – his voice, his memories, his reflections – rather than only hearing them from me,” said Foxman, who had an almost-30-year career in journalism before starting his own production company.
“As a storyteller by profession, that realization stayed with me,” he continued. “I began thinking about how many families wish they had asked more questions, recorded more conversations, or simply preserved a parent or grandparent’s voice while they still could.
“That wish is what led me to create In Your Own Words. It’s almost like a personal podcast – a guided, professionally produced conversation about someone’s life and journey. It’s about memory, voice and capturing the stories that might otherwise be lost. Because, when someone is gone, you don’t care how long the recording is. You just wish you had one.”
Foxman was born and raised in Toronto. His career took him to many places in Canada, including British Columbia in 1998.
“I was working at a television station in Edmonton when I was hired by Global Television to cover the legislature in Victoria,” he said. “After two years as bureau chief there, I was transferred to Vancouver, where I continued covering news and eventually began hosting and producing a variety of programs.
“In 2009, I hosted and co-produced Seeking Stanley, which became one of the most successful television programs in BC history. The live show aired after every Vancouver Canucks playoff game and during the team’s 2011 run to the Stanley Cup Final. Viewership topped one million people an episode in the Lower Mainland.”
Vancouver ultimately became home for Foxman. He met his wife Andrea here, and the couple has a 16-year-old daughter, Arlo.
He is deeply connected to the Jewish community. Most Independent readers will have been at an event emceed by Foxman. He has been on various boards and worked for five years at Vancouver Talmud Torah as associate director of development, retiring from that position last year so he could focus on his company.
Foxman’s decision to switch from journalism to production came just over a decade ago, influenced in part by the changing media landscape.
“Newsrooms were shrinking and budgets were tightening,” he explained. “There was less time and space for deeper, long-form storytelling, the kind of work that really excites me.
“I found myself wanting more creative control and more depth in the kinds of stories I was telling. I wanted to slow things down, spend time with people, and really explore their journeys in a meaningful way.
“Opening my production company allowed me to focus on long-form storytelling. I picked my projects and they weren’t constrained by airtime. It also gave me the flexibility to build something sustainable while still doing what I love most: helping people tell their stories.”
He said, “Every person has a story – about where they came from, what shaped them, the obstacles and challenges they faced and the moments that defined them…. There’s something powerful about giving people space to speak in their own voice. At its best, journalism isn’t just about reporting facts – it’s about capturing humanity.”
One of the first things visitors to Foxman’s website will notice is the photo of him and Andrea (which accompanies this article). It was taken at a charity event they attended a few years ago. The photographer asked what kind of shot they wanted and the couple joked, “We want Andrea to photobomb me.”
“He took one click, dead serious, and said, ‘Got it,’” shared Foxman. “We didn’t believe him at first, but when we saw the picture, I just loved it. I immediately thought, if I ever needed an album cover, this would be it. It perfectly captures both seriousness and fun – two things I hope come through in my work and in life.”
Foxman Productions is “a small, hands-on company,” said Foxman, who is involved in every project, from concept development and interviewing, to editing and final delivery.
“That said, one of the advantages of my years in television is the professional network I’ve built,” he said. “Depending on the project, I bring in experienced camera operators, editors, sound technicians and graphic designers – people I’ve worked with and trust. The team is top-notch.
“Every project is different, so I assemble the right people for the job. Clients get the personal attention of working directly with me, combined with the production quality of seasoned broadcast professionals.
“But, at its core, my role is listener,” he said. “That’s the most important part of the work.”
Foxman’s preparation for an interview involves research and conversation.
“I spend time speaking with the person beforehand to understand the shape of their life – major chapters, turning points and family background. That way, when we sit down to record, the conversation can flow naturally rather than feeling like a checklist,” he explained.
“For the interviewee, it’s all about feeling comfortable and unpressured. It’s not an interrogation or a performance – it’s a guided conversation, often reflective, sometimes emotional, sometimes humorous. There’s no right or wrong way to tell your story – it’s your story.”
The final product can be audio only or video, which may include photos, documents or other visual elements.
“The goal is always to create something that families can return to again and again. It’s not just to remember facts, but to hear tone, laughter and personality,” said Foxman.
“I believe every person and/or family has stories that matter, and every voice deserves to be remembered. Preserving these conversations is more than just creating a record – it’s about connecting generations, sharing lessons, laughter and memories, and leaving something truly meaningful for the future.
For more information about In Your Own Words, go to foxmanproductions.com.