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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

On World AIDS Day, we hear from a man who's spent 40 years caring for people with HIV

In this week's StoryCorps, a conversation with Joseph Rogers Britton, a caregiver who has been working with AIDS patients for four decades.

On World AIDS Day, we hear from a man who's spent 40 years caring for people with HIV

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Father-and-son locksmiths have found the key to happiness

by Liyna Anwar

Phil Mortillaro started Greenwich Locksmiths in Manhattan in 1980. His youngest son Philip followed in his dad's footsteps, and in 2014 talked to him about why he went into the family business.

Father-and-son locksmiths have found the key to happiness

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A mother and son come back to StoryCorps for a final interview

by Jo Corona

Jackie and Scott Miller, a mother and son, first came to StoryCorps in 2008, and Jackie revealed a secret. Jackie is now 88, and her health is declining. They came back for one more conversation.

A mother and son come back to StoryCorps for a final interview

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How friendship helped a Vietnam veteran heal

by Max Jungreis

On this week's Veterans Day Storycorps, Private First Class Eben Olrun speaks to his son, Owen, about how a friendship with another veteran helped him heal from his time in Vietnam.

How friendship helped a Vietnam veteran heal

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Lifelong buddies celebrate a friendship that goes back 80 years

by Esther Honig

Two friends, one Irish American and one Mexican American, talk about growing up together in Tucson, Ariz. Jim Murphy and Carlos Velez-Ibañez remember growing up in a working-class part of town.

Lifelong buddies celebrate a friendship that goes back 80 years

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2 artists spent years documenting Day of the Dead altars in South Philadelphia

by Kayla Lattimore

In this week's StoryCorps, a husband remembers his wife, who helped him document Día de los Muertos altars in the Mexican and Central American communities of South Philadelphia — until she became ill.

2 artists spent years documenting Day of the Dead altars in South Philadelphia

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A Colorado single mom was already struggling — then she was hit by lightning

by Stefan Weiner , Jo Corona

In 2014, Donna Salemink was solo parenting her two teenagers and often struggled to make ends meet. She came to StoryCorps with her daughter Melissa to remember the moment that changed their lives.

A Colorado single mom was already struggling — then she was hit by lightning

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An Oklahoma woman finds healing in her Chickasaw roots

by Jo Corona

Shelby Rowe, a Chickasaw woman in Oklahoma City, describes how her connection to culture helped her heal from life challenges. She became a mom at 18 — followed by three difficult marriages.

An Oklahoma woman finds healing in her Chickasaw roots

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College roommates had no idea the lasting impact they would have on each other

Trey Phillips and Andre Thomas, two former college roommates, including one who is transgender, talk about what they have learned from each other.

College roommates had no idea the lasting impact they would have on each other

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A mother forgives her son's killer and the two forge a friendship

In commemoration of StoryCorps' 20th anniversary, we revisit a conversation between a mother and the young man who had murdered her son. They formed a friendship in the years after his killing.

A mother forgives her son's killer and the two forge a friendship

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

by Kerrie Hillman

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

Listen · 6:15
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StoryCorps traces one remarkable kid's journey into adulthood

by Michael Garofalo

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

by Michael Garofalo

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

by Kerrie Hillman

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

Listen · 3:12
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