Why SoulReel Exists
A Bourbon Tasting That Changed Everything
At my father's 80th birthday weekend, we went bourbon tasting together and spent a lot of time reflecting on his life.
As he shared stories from his childhood, his early career choices, and the challenges he faced as a young adult, it hit me: these experiences shaped who he is — and they shaped the start of my own life. But I realized how little of it I'd ever actually asked him about.
Home movies capture celebrations and big events, but they don't capture the quieter, deeper parts — the memories, the decisions, the values, and the lessons that actually define a person.
What was it really like growing up in a working-class family? Why did he choose the path he did? What were the turning points that mattered most to him?
I realized how much of that I'd never actually asked about. That weekend I started building what became SoulReel — originally just for him.
The Need I Couldn't Ignore
As I got older, I realized the need wasn't just mine. Every family has stories that stay untold — not because people don't care, but because there's never been a simple, guided way to surface them. Sitting down with a blank camera and saying "tell me about your life" doesn't work. People freeze. The stories stay locked inside.
I have a PhD from McGill University and over two decades working in technology. I've spent my career building systems that solve complex problems — but this was the first time I felt compelled to build something for a deeply personal reason. The technology background gave me the tools. The personal experience gave me the purpose.
SoulReel is what emerged: a platform that uses AI-guided conversations to help people record honest video responses to thoughtful, progressive questions about their lives. It starts easy — nostalgic, safe, even fun — and gradually deepens into the territory that actually matters: values, challenges, love, regrets, and the messages you want to leave behind.
What We Believe
Your stories belong to you.
Everything you record — video, transcripts, AI-generated summaries — is yours. Export it, delete it, share it with exactly who you choose. We will never use your content to train AI models or sell to third parties.
Privacy is non-negotiable.
All recordings are encrypted in transit and at rest. There are no ads, no trackers beyond basic analytics, and no data-mining. The business model is a one-time payment, not surveillance.
The questions matter as much as the answers.
SoulReel's seven chapters were designed to progress from light nostalgia to deep meaning. They unlock stories people didn't know they had — memories that surface only when the right question is asked at the right time.
Built for real people, not tech enthusiasts.
If your parent can use a phone, they can use SoulReel. No app to download, no complicated setup. Open a browser, press record, and talk. The AI handles the rest — asking follow-up questions, guiding the conversation deeper, and preserving everything securely.
SoulReel at a Glance
7
Chapters
5
Recordings per chapter
2025
Founded
If you've ever wished you knew more about where your parents or grandparents came from — the real stories behind the person — then you already understand why this exists.
Because the stories that matter most are usually the ones no one thinks to ask about — until someone finally does.
— Oliver, Founder of SoulReel