🎙️ From Storytelling to Legacy: How Chance McClain Turned Personal Loss Into Purpose

From Battle to Business

How do you capture the heart of a family legacy before it’s too late? In this powerful episode, Dean Van Dyke sits down with filmmaker, radio host, and Broadway writer Chance McClain—founder of Heritage Films. What started as a favor to a friend became a calling: to preserve the rich, untold stories of everyday heroes before time silences them.

From documenting his stepfather’s battle with pancreatic cancer to filming WWII veterans, Chance reveals how storytelling isn’t just a career—it’s a responsibility. If you’ve ever wondered about your own family’s story or struggled with how to preserve it, this conversation is your sign to start.

🎯 Key Takeaways:

• The emotional moment that led to Heritage Films’ founding
• Why your “ordinary” story matters more than you think
• How family interviews build generational connection
• The power of slowing down and listening with intention
• How legacy storytelling helps with grief and healing
• The difference between preserving a moment and honoring a life
• Storytelling as a leadership tool
• The behind-the-scenes of building a business rooted in meaning

🛠️ Step-by-Step (How Heritage Films Are Made):

1. Conduct the first interview—capture life’s unscripted memories.
2. Gather family photos, videos, and documents.
3. Edit and craft a professional, cinematic story.
4. Deliver a legacy film that the family treasures forever.

💬 Memorable Quotes:

“There was no sign. We were drinking beer by the fire, and then—boom—stage 4 pancreatic cancer.”

“It’s not about celebrity stories. It’s about PawPaw and how he built his life.”

“These aren’t projects. These are family legacies.”

🔗 Resources Mentioned:

• Heritage Films – Boutique documentary service creating custom legacy films for families. https://yourheritagefilm.com

Connect with Chance McClain at

https://yourheritagefilm.com/

Connect with Dean Van Dyke at The Breakthrough Blueprint

https://www.deanvandyke.com

https://www.instagram.com/dhvandyke27/

https://www.facebook.com/thepillarsgroup/

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