Our creator, Nicolas M., explains Sams' Echoes Mission

Sam: Nicolas, thank you for sitting down with me today. You’ve been investigating the realm of personal storytelling for quite some time now. Why did you feel this was a topic worth exploring, especially at this moment in time?

Nicolas Michaud: It’s great to be here, Sam. The idea of personal storytelling has been something I’ve been passionate about for years. As we all know, society is undergoing massive changes—culturally, socially, and especially digitally. For me, the key question was, "Is this moment in time a pivotal one for people to begin sharing their stories?" We’re living in an age of rapid transformation. And I suspect, or rather, I hypothesized, that this is exactly the moment when sharing personal stories—especially across generations—can help us preserve what is deeply meaningful, yet at risk of being overshadowed by digital immediacy. We're moving away from slower, more thoughtful exchanges to something more fast-paced, more driven by immediate accessibility.

Sam: You’re talking about how technology has reshaped the way we interact with stories?

Nicolas Michaud: Exactly. I’m a child of the 70s, and like many of us from that era, I didn’t grow up with the digital tools we have now. I’m more of a "digital adopted" person. I embraced the digital revolution in the 90s, as a young student, during the time when giants like Google and Facebook didn’t exist yet—though Amazon was around. I saw firsthand how technology began to change our lifestyles, and I worked in roles that were directly connected to that transformation. Technology started shaping how we lived, worked, and communicated almost overnight.

One thing I noticed, though, is how quickly this evolution unfolded, especially in terms of information access. Take my son, for instance—he gets frustrated if he can’t find information online within minutes. If something isn’t available on the web in 10 minutes, it might as well not exist to him. And, more troublingly, he might start to think that whatever he does find online is a better alternative just because it’s more accessible.

Sam: That’s fascinating—and kind of concerning. So, what does this mean for more personal, offline stories, like those passed down from relatives? Do they lose significance in the digital age?

Nicolas Michaud: That’s precisely the question. Are the stories of our relatives less significant because they’re not easily accessible or searchable online? That’s where the challenge lies. We have these deep, rich stories from our families—about our roots, our heritage, moments that shaped who we are—and they don’t fit into the "search engine" model of the internet. And yet, these stories are just as important, if not more so, because they connect us to something much bigger than ourselves.

Sam: It’s like the storytelling tradition is competing with the digital age. So, even if these stories exist, do people actually want to hear them?

Nicolas Michaud: That’s a great question. Do people want these stories? And if so, how do they want to receive them? This is another area I’ve spent a lot of time investigating. I’ve explored testimonials, personal experiences, and cultural differences in how stories are shared across the globe. Different cultures have different rituals—some more formal, others more casual. For some, storytelling is a natural part of life, while for others, it’s something they don’t think about until prompted.

But I’ve found that in almost every case, the act of sharing these stories—whether through letters, oral tradition, or even new digital platforms—ends up being an enriching experience. The sharing itself often brings people closer, provides perspective, and sometimes even transforms lives.

Sam: You’ve gathered research on the services and personal experiences related to story-sharing. Can you tell us more about that?

Nicolas Michaud: Over the years, I’ve accumulated a wealth of knowledge on different ways people can preserve and share their personal stories. Some of these methods are provided by professional services—interviewers, biographers, digital archivists—but many are grassroots initiatives, often informal. These offerings are deeply personal, sometimes improvised, often risky, and always filled with effort. But here’s the thing—they’re largely unknown to the wider public.

Despite being largely "under the radar," these services provide something invaluable. They offer a space for people to share their stories, their lives, and their experiences in a way that leaves a lasting impact. Even though they don’t get the recognition they deserve, the results speak for themselves. Sharing stories can truly change perspectives, and sometimes, it changes lives.

Sam: That’s powerful. And now you’re launching The Sams’ Echoes Mission. Can you explain what that’s all about?

Nicolas Michaud: Absolutely. The Sams' Echoes Mission is about giving a name, a concept, and a platform to all these experiences and services. The idea is simple: create a recognized name that becomes synonymous with personal storytelling, with the tools and services that support it. This mission isn’t just about storytelling—it’s about breaking down the barriers that stop people from sharing their stories. These blockers—whether they are technological, emotional, or cultural—need to be identified and then removed.

But to succeed, we need to build a community of like-minded individuals who care about these things. We’re asking people to join the mission, spread the word, and share their own stories on our blog, on social media, or through our newsletter. We want people to bring their experiences, their opinions, and their ideas. We want to connect them with interviewers, biographers, photographers, and digital archivists. And we want to showcase testimonials about the new platforms that make it easier than ever to preserve personal history. Whether it’s stories told around a fireplace with a warm tea, or the digitalization of old photographs, it’s all part of this mission to preserve the essence of who we are.

Sam: That sounds like an amazing project, and it really gives people a way to preserve the stories that matter to them. I love how you've made us, me and my sister Sama, embody this.

Nicolas Michaud: Yes, you both, Sam and Sama, are my fictional characters called "the Sams", but you represent something bigger—everyone who enjoys and practices personal storytelling. You are symbols of empathy and connection. And you are helping me to share anonymized content! Because we're here to say how to can share stories while preserving people's privacy.
Your story is just starting, and so is this mission. It’s about inviting people in, giving them a space to share, and ultimately making sure these stories aren’t lost in the noise of the digital age.

Sam and Sama

Sam: Nicolas, before we wrap up, I’d love to hear more about the origin of Sams’ Echoes. Why did you choose this name, and what does it represent?

Nicolas Michaud: Sams’ Echoes was born out of a need for a brand name that truly embodies the mission of personal storytelling. I wanted something unique, timeless, and positive, while also being short and memorable. The name had to create an identity that people could connect with, while also reflecting the core of what we’re trying to achieve.

The "Sams" represent the listeners and practitioners of personal stories—those empathetic individuals who participate in the sharing process. The "Echoes" stand for the reproduction and continuation of those stories. Together, Sams’ Echoes is about making connections, ensuring that these stories resonate through time and across generations, just like echoes. It’s a name that signifies both the human element of storytelling and the enduring legacy that these stories leave behind.

And, It’s loaded with meaning. It has personal significance for me. "Sam" isn’t just any name—it's tied to my own family’s history. My great-grandfather’s small business was named "SAM," and that business remained in the family until the 80s. So, in a way, the Sams are members of my family. Naming the mission after my family's "SAM" is my own personal storytelling.

Sam: That’s a powerful connection. I didn’t realize it was so personal for you.

Nicolas Michaud: Yes, it’s deeply personal. And that’s why the Sams aren’t just characters—they represent something bigger. They embody the idea that storytelling is universal, and it’s something we all share, across generations, across cultures. But here's the interesting part— the Sams also represent the real author of Samsechoes. It’s also about using modern tools, and especially the artificial intelligence like Large Language Models and image generators.

Sam: How are you using AI in this project?

Nicolas Michaud: I’ve integrated AI tools into almost every aspect of building this blog and the platform. Think of AI as my sparring partner, helping me shape the content, refine the language, and even correct my English style. Tomorrow, AI will also help translate the content into different languages, making the mission even more accessible to people around the world. Let's be clear: everything here are my thoughts and my vision, but the wording, the images, and the presentation are enhanced by AI.

Sam: So, we, the Sams, are part you and part AI?

Nicolas Michaud: Exactly. The Sams are a reflection of this collaborative process. You’re part me, and part AI. And in a way, because large language models like the one we’re working with are fed with knowledge from across the world—across time periods, languages, and cultures—the Sams represent all of us. They’re a blend of human experience and the collective intelligence that AI brings to the table. 

That’s why I chose to have you, Sam, and Sama, represent this duo. It’s the most honest way I could bring the best of both worlds—my personal insight and AI’s global perspective—as authors with a face that is transparently an artefact. It allows me to serve this mission in the most effective, thoughtful way possible. 

The main collaborations I want to have are with real people, real authors! It's just that the Sams, AI and LLM, are great tools to enable us to focus on the message, not on wrapping the gift.

Sam: That’s such an interesting approach. I think people will appreciate the transparency of the process and not forget that it's not about the AI tool but about connecting people. Thank you for sharing that, Nicolas. It’s clear that Sams’ Echoes is more than just a project for you—it’s a mission.

Nicolas Michaud: Thank you, Sam. I’m excited to see where this journey takes us. I really hope that it will convince people to make the step.