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StoryCorps: Recording The Lives And Stories Of Everyday Americans StoryCorps is an independent nonprofit project whose mission is to honor and celebrate the lives of everyday Americans by listening to their stories.
StoryCorps

StoryCorps

Sharing And Preserving The Stories Of Our Lives

After Hurricane Katrina, a grocer rebuilds his community a shop at a time

To commemorate the 20th anniversary of StoryCorps, we revisit a mother's conversation with her son, who decided to open the only grocery store in New Orleans' Lower Ninth Ward after Hurricane Katrina.

After Hurricane Katrina, a grocer rebuilds his community a shop at a time

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StoryCorps traces one remarkable kid's journey into adulthood

To commemorate the 20th anniversary of StoryCorps, we revisit some conversations with Joshua Littman, a young man with Autism Spectrum Disorder. His dream job is working at the Library of Congress.

StoryCorps traces one remarkable kid's journey into adulthood

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As StoryCorps marks 20 years, we commemorate a family's service on Sept. 11

We revisit a 2007 conversation with John Vigiano, a New York firefighter, whose sons Joseph and John Vigiano Jr., both died in the line of duty in the attack on the World Trade Center in 2001.

As StoryCorps marks 20 years, we commemorate a family's service on Sept. 11

Listen · 6:33
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Celebrating a couple who got engaged in a StoryCorps booth 2 decades ago

StoryCorps is celebrating its 20th anniversary. Michael Wolmetz and Debora Brakarz got engaged at a StoryCorps booth nearly 20 years ago. They return to share an update about marriage and parenthood.

Celebrating a couple who got engaged in a StoryCorps booth 2 decades ago

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A story of survival that forged a friendship: I felt safe holding on to you

by Max Jungreis

In April 2022, a gunman set off smoke grenades and opened fire on a subway car in Brooklyn, wounding many people. Mayra Kalisch and Eric Acevedo met in the aftermath and later became friends.

A story of survival that forged a friendship: I felt safe holding on to you

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An Oklahoma City woman remembers being a child activist

by Von Diaz

StoryCorps brings us memories of one of the first sit-ins of the Civil Rights Era, a protest at a drug store in Oklahoma City that was organized by children.

An Oklahoma City woman remembers being a child activist

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When they were married, an Atlanta couple had so many pets that they lost count

by Zanna McKay

Christy Stewart and her husband Glenn Turner talked about their animals in 2016. Their marriage ended not too long after that. Both remarried but stayed in each other's — and their animal's – lives.

When they were married, an Atlanta couple had so many pets that they lost count

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How a Mexican mother navigated raising mixed-race children in the U.S.

by Jo Corona

Luz Kenyon grew up in Mexico City, and in the mid 1980s she took a trip to New York City and fell in love with a Jamaican traffic agent. She talks to her daughter about being a mixed-race family.

How a Mexican mother navigated raising mixed-race children in the U.S.

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A family built on the dance floor: Reflections from a father and daughter

by

A father and daughter tell StoryCorp about their love for contra dancing. It's a folk dance similar to square dancing.

A family built on the dance floor: Reflections from a father and daughter

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My father, a migrant worker, sacrificed to make the world better, Johnny Itliong says

by Jey Born

Johnny Itliong grew up in California's grape fields. His father Larry Itliong helped lead the Delano Grape Strike in 1965. Johnny came to StoryCorps to share stories about his dad with his own son.

My father, a migrant worker, sacrificed to make the world better, Johnny Itliong says

Listen · 2:44
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After growing up in the 1950s, a father comes to terms with his own dad

by Shira Smillie , Jey Born

When Tom Badgett sat down for an interview with his daughter Jordan Perelle, he remembered growing up in small-town Tennessee and his complicated relationship with his dad.

After growing up in the 1950s, a father comes to terms with his own dad

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First Black man to win bull riding's world championship remembers life in the rodeo

by Esther Honig

Charlie Sampson rode bulls competitively for 20 years. He told his son Daniel that he found his calling when he visited a carnival as a boy.

First Black man to win bull riding's world championship remembers life in the rodeo

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Lessons learned from a favorite aunt, who decades ago woke up on fire

by Halle Hewitt

Jarie Bradley sat down in a mobile StoryCorps booth in Dallas with her aunt Menaja Obinali, who recounted her survival story. When she was 17, a fire started her bedroom, and she was badly burned.

Lessons learned from a favorite aunt, who decades ago woke up on fire

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2 brothers from Weumpka, Ala., remember their father Ben Davis

by Camila Kerwin

Arguster and Lebronze Davis grew up in the 1950s on their family's farm. The brothers came to StoryCorps to talk about their childhood and the lessons that their father passed down to them.

2 brothers from Weumpka, Ala., remember their father Ben Davis

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A woman remembers visiting her grandmother, a member of the Shoshone Nation in Utah

by Jo Corona

Growing up in the 1950s, Gwen Timbimboo Davis, a Native American, spent most summers visiting the reservation where her grandmother lived. She talks to her daughter about her memories.

A woman remembers visiting her grandmother, a member of the Shoshone Nation in Utah

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2 members of support group for living with mental illness find love in Utah

by Julia Kirschenbaum , Jo Corona

Julianne Larsen, who's been living with schizophrenia since her 20s, and Mar Fenix Nauta, who manages bipolar disorder and PTSD, discuss how they're about to celebrate 13 years as a couple.

2 members of support group for living with mental illness find love in Utah

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Twin brothers, who are morticians, look back on their lives of caring for the dead

by Eleanor Vassili

Twin brothers, Melvin and Marvin Morgan, talk about their thoughts on death. They both have had long careers as morticians in New York City.

Twin brothers, who are morticians, look back on their lives of caring for the dead

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Volunteering at the U.S.-Mexico border helped a nurse find meaning in her work

by Esther Honig

Angelina McCall talks about volunteering as a nurse at a clinic on the U.S.-Mexico border after struggling to work in the ER at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Volunteering at the U.S.-Mexico border helped a nurse find meaning in her work

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Woman who had post-partum depression says she attempted suicide 4 times

by Esther Honig

After Heidi Koss gave birth to her daughter Elora, she suffered from post-partum depression. Elora is now 14 years old, and she spoke to her mom about the experience.

Woman who had post-partum depression says she attempted suicide 4 times

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Couple fights for equality and safety for gay people on tribal land

by Jey Born , Savannah Winchester

Felipa Deleon Mousseau and Monique "Muffie" Mousseau, who grew up on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, talk about falling in love, and gay people not always being accepted.

Couple fights for equality and safety for gay people on tribal land

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Navy yeoman remembers his time as a gay serviceman in the 'Don't Ask Don't Tell' era

by , Julia Kirschenbaum , Jo Corona

Navy Yeoman Jacob Tate remembers his time as a gay serviceman during the "Don't Ask Don't Tell" era, which kept openly LGBTQ service members from serving in the military.

Navy yeoman remembers his time as a gay serviceman in the 'Don't Ask Don't Tell' era

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