About Adam Phillips
“I know from experience that spirit is real and that it lives in us, through us, and sometimes even in spite of us. It is my joy and my honor to offer my service to people as they acknowledge, affirm, and celebrate themselves, to help reveal the radiance in their everyday live and their place in the lives of their loved ones, their community, and the world at large.”
My Own Story
My long life has been full in interesting adventures and experiences – from my childhood in a socially engaged and tony Manhattan family, to my theater years, my “boxcar hobo” days, my lifelong spiritual quest to my many years as a family man. My wanderlust and terrific career have taken me to 48 states and almost 40 countries.
I avidly seek beauty in nature, in the arts and (especially) in other people. Along the way, I’ve experienced boatloads of novelty, fun and meaningful connection
Of course, like any life, mine has had its ups and downs. I have done my best to face, move through, and learn from the various challenges and obstacles in my path. That’s why, when some people tell me about the “roller coaster ride” their life has been, I can easily recognize, empathize and appreciate their stories.
I also understand the deep seated and universal (often under-addressed) desire to be seen and heard for who one truly is in one’s own words. Helping to fulfill this desire in my clients, of only for a few hours, is a huge part of what is meaningful to me in my FamilyLore work.
Why FamilyLore is My Passion
My FamilyLore company is formed of many lifelong passions and pursuits. I’ve always known the power of the past to inform our present understanding of ourselves and our various roles in life, and I’ve always been wildly curious about people’s stories – warts, wonders and all. (Happily, these traits made my long career as a radio journalist a perfect fit.)
Nothing human is alien to me, and I approach my life and my work as shared experiences. In my interviews, I strive to connect with my clients as unique individuals; doing so connects me to the larger human story I also actively participate in.
At the same time. the scope, safety and warmth I bring to my clients creates a vibe where they can feel tender and at ease. This helps them to open up and reflect honestly on their lives and talk about the people and experiences they’ve known, and perhaps gain some clarity on the road ahead. I experience those magic moments with my clients as a gift and they come away with a priceless heirloom they can share and enjoy for years to come. Everybody wins!
My Experience
My 35-year career as an award-winning journalist and documentarian has developed my interviewing skills to a high level of proficiency and skill.
My extensive and varied experience engaging with many kinds of people in a great many walks of life has honed my ability to listen deeply, and to gently guide the conversation while staying open to the moment. I am expert at taking complicated memories and nuanced feelings and helping my interviewees express them in authentic and accessible ways.
Additionally, I am a trained peer counselor and crisis hotline volunteer and have worked in worked in both hospice and eldercare. For several years I helped lead a grassroots fathering group that spread to six cities. I am also an active triply certified and licensed multi-faither minister and Celebrant, as well as an avid photographer, artist, published author and teacher.
Clearly, like every newsmaker or client I’ve come to know, “I contain multitudes.”
My Mission
This excerpt from my 2005 ordination as a multi-faith minister and Celebrant still holds true:
“I know from experience that spirit is real and that it lives in us, through us, and sometimes even in spite of us. It is my joy and my honor to serve my clients as they wish to be served. I will support them as they acknowledge, affirm and celebrate their life and its stories. I will do my best to help them as they unearth and express the poignancy and blessing in their everyday lives, and their place in the lives of their loved ones, their communities, and the world at large.”