The Photo Detective Podcast Archives - Maureen Taylor https://maureentaylor.com/category/the-photo-detective/ The Photo Detective Thu, 05 Jun 2025 16:47:26 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://maureentaylor.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/cropped-site-icon-32x32.png The Photo Detective Podcast Archives - Maureen Taylor https://maureentaylor.com/category/the-photo-detective/ 32 32 99869351 Episode 267: How Forever.com is Revolutionizing Digital Memory Preservation https://maureentaylor.com/episode-267-how-forever-com-is-revolutionizing-digital-memory-preservation/ Sun, 08 Jun 2025 04:04:32 +0000 https://maureentaylor.com/?p=83602     In this episode, Maureen Taylor speaks with Glen Meakem, founder and CEO of Forever.com. Glen shares his inspiration for starting the company in 2012—recognizing a gap in long-term, secure, digital storage for family memories. Forever offers users a permanent digital home to store and share photos, videos, and documents with guaranteed access for […]

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In this episode, Maureen Taylor speaks with Glen Meakem, founder and CEO of Forever.com. Glen shares his inspiration for starting the company in 2012—recognizing a gap in long-term, secure, digital storage for family memories. Forever offers users a permanent digital home to store and share photos, videos, and documents with guaranteed access for future generations. Unlike other cloud platforms, Forever emphasizes ownership, privacy, and permanence, supported by a sustainable financial model. Glen also discusses their digitization services, metadata functionality, and commitment to customer support and continuous innovation, highlighting Forever’s mission to preserve memories for lifetimes to come.

Key Bullet Points:

  • Glen Meakem founded Forever.com in 2012 to fill a gap in long-term digital memory preservation.

  • Forever.com provides permanent cloud storage for photos, videos, and documents, guaranteed for your lifetime plus 100 years.

  • The Forever.com Guarantee Fund ensures sustainable digital preservation through an endowment-like financial structure.

  • Services include digitization of analog media, real-time phone backups, photo book printing, and more.

  • Users retain full ownership and control over their data, with options to manage legacy settings and metadata.

  • Forever offers exceptional customer support via ambassadors and dedicated service teams.

  • Constant updates ensure the platform evolves with changing technology.

Episode 260 : The Photo Marketplace Shift: What It Means for Your Memories

Episode 237: How Storied.com Transforms Family HIstory into Captiving Stories

About My Guest:

 

Glen Meakem is the Founder, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of FOREVER, the leading cloud platform for people and families to save, organize, and share their photos, videos, documents, audio files, and stories now and for generations into the future. Learn more at www.forever.com.

Prior to FOREVER, from 2005 through 2012, Mr. Meakem was the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of a technology focused venture capital firm called Meakem Becker Venture Capital (“MBVC”). MBVC made many successful investments and performed in the top quartile of funds from its vintage year of 2006. During this time, Mr. Meakem also hosted a syndicated radio show and podcast called “Glen Meakem on the Weekend.” Prior to this from 1995 through 2004, Mr. Meakem was the Co-Founder, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of FreeMarkets–a successful business-to-business e-commerce company which he took public on the NASDAQ exchange in a record-setting IPO and then led for five years before selling to Ariba (which was later sold to SAP).

Early in his business career, Mr. Meakem was a product manager at Kraft, a consultant with McKinsey & Company, and a manager at General Electric, where he served on Jack Welch’s staff. A former officer in the United States Army Reserve, Mr. Meakem also volunteered and served as a combat engineer platoon leader in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait during the First Gulf War.

Mr. Meakem has won numerous awards including the Anti-Defamation League’s National American Heritage Award, Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award for Western Pennsylvania, and Syracuse University’s Salzberg Medallion for Exceptional Business Achievement. He was also named a Technology Pioneer by the World Economic Forum and was awarded an honorary Ph.D. in Business Administration by Robert Morris University. Mr. Meakem earned his B.A. cum laude from Harvard University, which he attended on a military scholarship, and his MBA from Harvard Business School.

Maureen Taylor:

Maureen Taylor, The Photo Detective® helps clients with photo related genealogical problems. Her pioneering work in historic photo research has earned her the title “the nation’s foremost historical photo detective” by The Wall Street Journal and appearances on The View, The Today Show, Pawn Stars, and others.   Learn more at Maureentaylor.com

Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

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]]> 83602 Episode 266: Military Images Magazine’s Ron Coddington Shares the Stories Behind Civil War Photos https://maureentaylor.com/episode-266-military-images-magazines-ron-coddington-shares-the-stories-behind-civil-war-photos/ Sun, 18 May 2025 04:06:34 +0000 https://maureentaylor.com/?p=83226 Ron Coddington, editor and publisher of Military Images magazine, joins The Photo Detective podcast to share his journey from teenage Civil War photo collector to leading a respected history publication. He discusses the legacy of Civil War portraiture, the vast archive of surviving images, and the magazine’s mission to reconnect forgotten faces with their stories. […]

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Ron Coddington, editor and publisher of Military Images magazine, joins The Photo Detective podcast to share his journey from teenage Civil War photo collector to leading a respected history publication. He discusses the legacy of Civil War portraiture, the vast archive of surviving images, and the magazine’s mission to reconnect forgotten faces with their stories. Coddington highlights his collaboration with historian Kurt Luther, advances in photo sleuthing, and efforts to digitize and exhibit collections nationwide. His passion for preserving and showcasing historical images is evident through high-quality print editions and traveling exhibits celebrating diverse Civil War contributors.

  • The magazine, founded in 1979, showcases rare Civil War portraits and stories behind them.

  • Civil War photography is vast—estimated at 40 million images taken, with millions surviving.

  • Collectors see themselves as “caretakers” of history, preserving identity and legacy.

  • Ron enhanced the magazine’s format, shifting to full-color, high-quality paper.

  • He collaborates with Kurt Luther on photo sleuthing using tech and crowdsourcing.

  • A database of 10,000+ identified soldiers is now available online and via JSTOR.

  • Traveling exhibits like Faces of Freedom bring Civil War stories to new audiences.

Episode 265: Spared and Shared: How One Man Made Civil War History Accessible to All

Episode 259: Digging Into Civil War Pension Files with Brian Rhinehart

Links:

About My Guest:

Ronald S. Coddington began collecting Civil War-era photography as a teenager, and he has never stopped. He has a passion for researching images from this tumultuous period and telling the stories behind them. A journalist by profession, he is the Editor and Publisher of Military Images, a quarterly magazine that showcases, interprets, and preserves Civil War portrait photography. He is the author of the five-volume series, Faces of the Civil War (Johns Hopkins University Press), and Gettysburg Faces: Portraits and Personal Accounts (Gettysburg Publishing). His writings have appeared in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Civil War Monitor, Civil War Times, Civil War News, and elsewhere. You can follow his trips down the research rabbit hole on Life in the Civil War Research Trail weekdays on YouTube.

About Maureen Taylor:

Maureen Taylor, The Photo Detective® helps clients with photo related genealogical problems. Her pioneering work in historic photo research has earned her the title “the nation’s foremost historical photo detective” by The Wall Street Journal and appearances on The View, The Today Show, Pawn Stars, and others.   Learn more at Maureentaylor.com

Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

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]]> 83226 Episode 265: Spared and Shared: How One Man Made Civil War History Accessible to All https://maureentaylor.com/episode-265-spared-and-shared-how-one-man-made-civil-war-history-accessible-to-all/ Sun, 04 May 2025 04:04:34 +0000 https://maureentaylor.com/?p=83216     In this episode, Griff (Bill Griffing), the mind behind the Spared and Shared websites, shares how he turned his post-retirement passion for Civil War history into a monumental historical preservation project. Transcribing over 15,000 letters—mostly from eBay—Griff provides context, authorship, and insight for Civil War correspondence, making them publicly accessible. With no formal […]

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In this episode, Griff (Bill Griffing), the mind behind the Spared and Shared websites, shares how he turned his post-retirement passion for Civil War history into a monumental historical preservation project. Transcribing over 15,000 letters—mostly from eBay—Griff provides context, authorship, and insight for Civil War correspondence, making them publicly accessible. With no formal background in history, his meticulous work bridges genealogical research and historical scholarship. His efforts have supported publications, academic research, and even led to a book on Abraham Lincoln. Griff’s dedication ensures these firsthand historical voices are preserved and searchable for generations.

  • Griff has transcribed over 15,000 historical letters, primarily from the Civil War era.

  • His Spared and Shared project spans over 23 public websites and more than 160 collection-specific sites.

  • His motivation was to preserve history and provide public access to otherwise lost voices.

  • His work is freely available and indexed via the Billy Yank & Johnny Reb Letters site.

  • Griff’s transcriptions support researchers, historians, and genealogists worldwide.

  • A book he co-edited, A Great and Good Man, compiles rare Lincoln accounts from these letters.

Episode 259: Digging Into Civil War Pension Files with Brian Rhinehart  

Episode 245: The Enduring Legacy of Tintypes From Civil War Soldiers to Contemporary Artists

About My Guest:

For the past fifteen years following his retirement, William Griffing dedicated himself to the transcription of letters—encompassing thousands of Civil War era correspondence and diaries that have remained unpublished until now, with most residing in private collections for decades. A significant portion of this work has been presented on various Spared & Shared Webpages or in independent, stand-alone websites.

About Maureen Taylor:

Maureen Taylor, The Photo Detective® helps clients with photo related genealogical problems. Her pioneering work in historic photo research has earned her the title “the nation’s foremost historical photo detective” by The Wall Street Journal and appearances on The View, The Today Show, Pawn Stars, and others.   Learn more at Maureentaylor.com

Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

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]]> 83216 Episode 264: The Art of French Wallpaper: RISD Museum’s Stunning Historical Showcase https://maureentaylor.com/episode-264-the-art-of-french-wallpaper-risd-museums-stunning-historical-showcase/ Sun, 20 Apr 2025 04:03:08 +0000 https://maureentaylor.com/?p=83198   In this episode of The Photo Detective, host Maureen Taylor welcomes Emily Banas, Associate Curator of Decorative Arts and Design at the RISD Museum, to explore the captivating world of French wallpaper. Their discussion centers on The Art of French Wallpaper Design exhibition, diving into the artistry, craftsmanship, and cultural legacy behind these historical […]

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In this episode of The Photo Detective, host Maureen Taylor welcomes Emily Banas, Associate Curator of Decorative Arts and Design at the RISD Museum, to explore the captivating world of French wallpaper. Their discussion centers on The Art of French Wallpaper Design exhibition, diving into the artistry, craftsmanship, and cultural legacy behind these historical wall coverings.

  • The RISD Museum’s collection of 18th and 19th-century French wallpaper—originally acquired in 1934—is showcased for the first time in decades, highlighting woodblock-printed designs from 1770–1840.
  • The collection was assembled by French artist Charles Ard and American author Francis Wilson Ard, who sourced wallpapers for famed interior decorator Nancy McClelland.
  • Visitors learn about the intricate woodblock printing method, with some designs requiring up to 20 blocks. A reproduction project by Delphi Paper Hangings brings these methods to life.

The exhibition emphasizes wallpaper’s role as both functional and artistic, with vibrant colors, non-repeating scenic patterns, and preserved fragments that reveal personal and cultural histories.

Episode 255: The Power of Knitting: History, Healing, and Resilience in Loretta Napoleoni’s Book

Episode 241: The Threads of Life: Unraveling the Rich Tapestry of Sewing with Author Clare Hunter

About My Guest:

Emily Banas is the Associate Curator of Decorative Arts and Design at the RISD Museum in Providence, Rhode Island where she has been working since 2015. Her recent exhibitions span from design works on paper and contemporary enamelwork to historic wallpaper, reflecting a broad, interdisciplinary approach examining form, style, material, and use across 18th to 21st century decorative arts, craft, and design. She earned an MA in decorative arts, design history and material culture from the Bard Graduate Center in 2015, and an MA in art history and museum studies, with a concentration in decorative arts and design, from Georgetown University in 2012.

About Maureen Taylor:

Maureen Taylor, The Photo Detective® helps clients with photo related genealogical problems. Her pioneering work in historic photo research has earned her the title “the nation’s foremost historical photo detective” by The Wall Street Journal and appearances on The View, The Today Show, Pawn Stars, and others.   Learn more at Maureentaylor.com

Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

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]]> 83198 Episode 263: A History of the American Bookstore with Author Evan Friss https://maureentaylor.com/episode-263-a-history-of-the-american-bookstore-with-author-evan-friss/ Sun, 06 Apr 2025 04:05:50 +0000 https://maureentaylor.com/?p=83152   In this episode of The Photo Detective, Maureen Taylor welcomes historian Evan Friss, author of The Bookshop: A History of the American Bookstore. Friss dives deep into the evolution of bookstores in America—from colonial times to the digital age. He shares fascinating insights into their cultural, political, and communal roles throughout history. Listeners learn […]

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In this episode of The Photo Detective, Maureen Taylor welcomes historian Evan Friss, author of The Bookshop: A History of the American Bookstore. Friss dives deep into the evolution of bookstores in America—from colonial times to the digital age. He shares fascinating insights into their cultural, political, and communal roles throughout history. Listeners learn about iconic bookstores, the rise of indie shops, and how bookstores continue to shape communities despite economic and digital challenges. Friss also reflects on the powerful emotional and social experience of reading and connecting through books.

  • Historical Significance: Early American bookstores were cultural and political hubs, vital for disseminating revolutionary ideas and classic literature, despite also selling sundry items.

  • Evolution Over Time: Bookstores evolved from general goods shops to genre-specific havens—feminist, radical, and neighborhood staples—such as NYC’s famous “Book Row.”

  • Community Role: Bookstores act as “third spaces,” offering connection, events, and literary engagement beyond just book sales.

  • Challenges & Resilience: Independent bookstores face small profit margins, rising ebook popularity, and competition from Amazon, yet persist through innovation and community support.

  • Missed Chapters: Friss reflects on excluded topics, like college and religious bookstores, hinting at rich untold stories within the broader narrative.

Episode 198: A Sewing Girl’s Tale with Author John Wood Sweet

Episode 189: Historical Fiction Revealed with Carrie Deming of The Dog Eared Book 

About My Guest:

Evan Friss is a professor of history at James Madison University and the author of two other books: The Cycling City: Bicycles and Urban America in the 1890s and On Bicycles: A 200-Year History of Cycling in New York City. He lives with his wife (a bookseller) and two children (occasional booksellers) in Harrisonburg, Virginia.

About Maureen Taylor:

Maureen Taylor, The Photo Detective® helps clients with photo related genealogical problems. Her pioneering work in historic photo research has earned her the title “the nation’s foremost historical photo detective” by The Wall Street Journal and appearances on The View, The Today Show, Pawn Stars, and others.   Learn more at Maureentaylor.com

Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

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