About Us

A Glimpse Into Our Careers

John and Jan Goldsmith are video storytellers with more than 50 years combined experience. They have been trusted with documenting life stories of legends such as Roy Rogers, Rolling Stones Guitarist Ronnie Wood, Everglades Photographer Clyde Butcher, singer/songwriter Carly Simon, author James Michener, the Oscar Mayer family reunion, and many many more.

The Goldsmiths have a passion for preserving an individual's life story, and guarantee you will be pleased with the video documentary of your loved one. And from first hand experience, they know it becomes even more valuable with time.

For a glimpse into their decades long career in broadcasting, some of the legends they've interviewed, and how it led to their documenting life story videos, please watch this short video:

Jan T. Goldsmith

Managing Executive Producer / Writer

Jan Goldsmith as a child

Jan Goldsmith on TV Guide CoverJan’s broadcast journey began as a rock & roll radio announcer at WSAI-FM, Cincinnati. Her next stop was across town at WCPO-TV, the CBS affiliate, as Co-Anchor/Reporter of a daily live news magazine. 4 years later, she moved to Washington DC as Executive Producer/Reporter of “Real to Reel”, a nationally syndicated hour long television magazine program that chronicled the works of Catholic Dioceses across the country. Within a year, she was hired by WUSA-TV, the CBS affiliate in Washington DC, as Senior Producer, Reporter, and creator of “Capital Edition”, a highly successful long-running TV news magazine that aired live following the similarly formatted CBS Sunday Morning. While at WUSA-TV, she also produced and hosted numerous award winning prime time documentaries for the station ranging from Alaska to the Chesapeake Bay.

With John, they also produced and hosted a nationally syndicated TV series, which aired on over 120 TV stations across the country. “Picture This America” profiled the people and events that define what is “great” about our country.

Jan’s personal and emotional commitment to Video of a Lifetime stems from her interview with her own Mom…who died unexpectedly four days later. Jan passionately views Video of a Lifetime as an opportunity to share with others what she personally knows is a gift to cherish forever.

John O. Goldsmith

Writer / Producer / Photographer / Editor

John Goldsmith as a child

John Goldsmith on TV Guide Cover

John began his broadcasting career in his hometown of Washington, DC in the 1960s and continued throughout the 90’s in almost every imaginable role …from News Anchor, to White House Correspondent, to Photographer/Editor, to News Reporter, to Managing Editor and Host. He was perhaps best known for his coverage of the Air Florida crash into the Potomac River, for which he not only won numerous awards, but was invited to Germany to explain his coverage.

As the long time Host and Managing Editor of “Capital Edition”, John was highly regarded as one of the best writers in all of broadcast journalism. During his career in Washington DC, at both WUSA-TV and WTTG-TV, he also produced and hosted numerous award winning prime time documentaries from China to riding the rails across the USA.

Through it all and above all, John considers himself a good storyteller. He believes everyone has a fascinating story if you just know how to tell it. And after a half a century of practice, he thinks he’s got the hang of it. And the fact that he has been honored with numerous Emmys and the George Foster Peabody Award for writing is proof enough!

Jan and John Goldsmith Awards


Together ...

Jan & John have won dozens of awards for excellence in broadcasting, including:

  • * 21 Emmys
       ... for writing, producing, and hosting
  • * The Gabriel Award
  • * The Ohio State Award
  • * The George Foster Peabody
      (The Pulitzer Prize of Broadcasting)
Jan and John Goldsmith Awards