Joseph Alvaro - Co-Creator and Executive Producer of The Lucky Ones
Joseph Alvaro
Joseph Alvaro is the co-creator and executive producer of The Lucky Ones, an online streaming platform which celebrates those we’ve loved and lost in short video exposé. Drawn from the diversity our society, they provide people an opportunity to tell life-affirming stories about that special person in their lives.
Having both lost their wives, television producer Joseph Alvaro and film/television critic Matt Zoller Seitz, editor-at-large at RogertEbert.com and the television critic for New York magazine and Vulture.com, realized that they shared a common bond – their appreciation for the wives they loved. They were, One of The Lucky Ones. They both felt that they were one of “The Lucky Ones.” They also recognized that there wasn’t a platform for people to celebrate and memorialize their loved ones who had passed.
As a result of this “Aha” moment Alvaro and Seitz decided to create The Lucky Ones, a social and video streaming platform.
The Lucky Ones brings to life those we’ve lost in five-minute video vignettes, creating a biographical profile of the special bond shared between two people. At The Lucky Ones, people from all walks of life can celebrate that special someone through the telling of wonderfully sweet stories filled with love, humor, and memories.
While building the platform, they decided to provide their audience with the ability to tell their stories too. Viewers can now create and share their own stories by uploading them to The Lucky Ones. Their users are encouraged to upload and share their own videos or written stories with pictures to share with our followers.
I’m so excited for you to connect with Joseph, check out his work and impact with The Lucky Ones, and follow along as he continues to help others celebrate the the continuing bonds shared with those we’ve loved and lost.
I'd love it if you'd introduce yourself, what you do, and what you're working on.
My name is Joseph Alvaro and I’m the co-creator and executive producer of The Lucky Ones, an online streaming platform which celebrates those we’ve loved and lost in short video exposé. Drawn from the diversity our society, we provide people an opportunity to tell life-affirming stories about that special person in their lives.
Too often, when someone close to us passes we refrain from talking about them. Death can be an uncomfortable topic, but I believe that being able to talk openly about our lost loved ones without fear of stigmatization or discomfort is essential to moving forward. The Lucky Onesgives people an online outlet to tell their stories of the people they loved, remembering them for who they were and the lives they touched. It’s a platform for people to celebrate the continuing bonds they have with those who have passed on.
How did you get started?
The original idea for The Lucky Oneswas much different; originally, it was envisioned as a TV series. We cut a 30-minute pilot with five interviews that we pitched to various networks; everyone loved the idea and the heart behind what we were doing, but it wasn’t a fit. Finally, someone advised that we convert The Lucky Onesinto an open platform, an outlet for anyone and everyone to share their stories.
We took that advice to heart and began developing our concept into a streaming and social networking platform at LuckyOnesTV.com. Realizing that it was important for everyone to have a chance to share their stories, we opened a dedicated section for Viewer Submitted Stories,where anyone can upload 60-90 second videos or written works. In our Featured Storiescategory, we kept those original five-minute interviews and have since added many more.
As we began hiring staff to help with the project, we came up with a “man on the street” format we could use for our social media platforms. In TLO Street Stories,we conduct spontaneous 60-second interviews with individuals we find in parks or on the street. Most recently we’ve added Mindful Minutes,a section devoted to short, themed compilations. It’s so uplifting to see how eager people are to share and celebrate those they’ve lost; it’s a true celebration of life. It’s a testament to our common humanity.
What inspired the work that you're doing?
I created The Lucky Onesin collaboration with my friend, Matt Zoller-Seitz. We were friends for fourteen years before coming up with the idea, having been introduced to each other by my wife Francés. Seven years into our friendship Matt’s wife Jennifer passed suddenly, leaving him with two young children. Three years later my wife passed, leaving me in a similar situation as a widowed father of three children.
Although we stayed in touch, being a single parent is challenging and time-consuming. It took us another couple years to finally meet up, and our conversation inevitably led to the struggles of being a single parent and how we adjusted (or tried to adjust) after our wives passed.
As we spoke, I told Matt how grateful I was to have been married to Francés. And how she was my best friend, my soul mate, and not everyone is lucky enough to experience that in their lifetime. Matt’s face lit up; it wasn’t the first time he’d heard such a sentiment expressed. That night, the idea for The Lucky Ones was born.
I knew right away we’d hit on something special. Death does not define us. It is not the end of the relationship but rather the beginning of a new one. Their absence doesn’t have to be debilitating to our emotions. Instead, we should feel free to share their stories and celebrate how lucky we were to have had them in our lives.
What is your biggest passion? Do you feel like you're living your passion and purpose?
Passion is an interesting word. I don’t think of it as a passion really, but perhaps it is. It is definitely a desire to move our society in a way that allows us to discuss freely how we feel about those who were special to us and how we keep their memories alive. We want people to know it is ok to celebrate those who’ve had an impact in shaping who we are today. Giving people the opportunity to tell their stories, let’s others know that it’s ok to express how they feel too.
What is your joy blueprint? What lights you up, brings you joy, and makes you feel the most alive?
The biggest joy in my life is my son, Bennett and my daughter, Riley; I truly believe that being a father is the most rewarding job a man can have. Both have reached adulthood and I’m so proud of the people they are and the way they show kindness to others. I have no doubt that they’ll both continue to do great things in the future and I’m blessed to be their father.
How do you live intentionally? Are there tools/resources/practices that you rely on to help you stay mindful and grounded?
Put simply, it is my faith, my religion. I try to live up to the ideals that define Christianity. Treat others as you would like to be treated; with kindness and respect.
What would your younger self think about what you're doing now?
I think my younger self would be proud of what I’m doing. I never could have imagined doing something like this when I was younger but I’m grateful for all the opportunities I’ve had and the people who have helped me along the way.
Do you have a go-to mantra or affirmation?
One of my role models is Winston Churchill and my favorite quote of his is, “Never give in- never, never, never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty, never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense.” His words remind me to keep fighting for what I believe in and never compromise my values.
What is your biggest dream?
As a father, my biggest dream is to see my children fulfill their dreams and to live happy and prosperous lives. The best job I ever had/have is being a father. It brings me the greatest joy. I’m so proud of the people my son and daughter have grown up to be. My wife Francés played a huge part in their upbringing and was an incredible mother. I like to think I may have helped as well. Raising them to adulthood is my greatest achievement.
For The Lucky Ones,I hope to see us reach an international audience and help people across the globe through the grieving process by telling the stories of their loved ones. I’ve been overwhelmed by the positive response to The Lucky Ones, and seeing the impact so far has shown me how needed it is. Eventually, I’d love to sign a syndication deal or sell the company to a larger streaming service.
To learn more about Joseph and The Lucky Ones visit their website LuckyOnesTV.com and you can connect with them on Instagram @LuckyOnesTV Facebook @LuckyOnesTV and Twitter @LuckyOnesTV
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