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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.
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StoryCorps

Sharing And Preserving The Stories Of Our Lives
Neither Impeachment Nor An ER Page Could Keep Them Apart

Nina Totenberg and David Reines at their wedding in 2000. Courtesy of Nina Totenberg hide caption

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Courtesy of Nina Totenberg

Opinion

StoryCorps' National Day Of Listening

Neither Impeachment Nor An ER Page Could Keep Them Apart

NPR legal affairs correspondent Nina Totenberg and surgeon David Reines ran into each other not long after their spouses had passed away. Soon — despite a couple of unforeseen events — the pair realized it was kismet that they had found each other.

Neither Impeachment Nor An ER Page Could Keep Them Apart

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An Abuse Survivor Finds Family In A Special Teacher

When he was being abused, Rogelio Martinez says his teacher, Lisa Moya King, showed him that he was not alone. StoryCorps hide caption

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StoryCorps

Opinion

StoryCorps' National Day Of Listening

An Abuse Survivor Finds Family In A Special Teacher

Rogelio Martinez was being abused when he started taking Lisa Moya King's dance class. Soon, Rogelio ran away, and Lisa took him in when he had nowhere to go. "You showed me that I'm not alone," Rogelio says. "That I actually have somebody."

An Abuse Survivor Finds Family In A Special Teacher

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Reflections On A Bond Forged Through Storytelling

Renee Montagne and Jim Wildman in Bamiyan, Afghanistan, in photos they took of each other. In the background is the space where the giant Buddhas were located before the Taliban blasted them out. Courtesy of Jim Wildman/NPR hide caption

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Courtesy of Jim Wildman/NPR

StoryCorps' National Day Of Listening

Reflections On A Bond Forged Through Storytelling

When NPR's Renee Montagne thinks of her longtime producer Jim Wildman, she goes back a few years to their reporting adventures in Afghanistan. The two took five trips there from 2006 to 2011. Wildman will soon leave NPR, and in this National Day of Listening conversation, he says farewell to his friend and colleague.

Reflections On A Bond Forged Through Storytelling

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Remembering When A Teacher Had His Back

NPR's Mike Pesca (right) reminisces about his middle school days with former teacher Kevin Sheehan. Courtesy Mike Pesca hide caption

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Courtesy Mike Pesca

StoryCorps' National Day Of Listening

Remembering When A Teacher Had His Back

Friday is the National Day of Listening, a chance to sit down with a loved one, turn on a tape recorder and ask that person about his or her life. NPR's Mike Pesca chose to talk with his one of his middle school teachers, Kevin Sheehan, about lessons they learned from each other.

Remembering When A Teacher Had His Back

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Witnessing History In A Dallas Emergency Room

Glenda Rike's husband was in the room when President Kennedy received his last rites. She recounted his experience to her son, Larry, on a visit to StoryCorps. StoryCorps hide caption

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StoryCorps

Opinion

The Kennedy Assassination, 50 Years Later

Witnessing History In A Dallas Emergency Room

When he went to work on Nov. 22, 1963, ambulance driver Aubrey Rike had no idea that he would soon be offering a moment of support to Jacqueline Kennedy. "It was unbelievable that something like that happened, and he was part of it," says Rike's widow, Glenda.

Witnessing History In A Dallas Emergency Room

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Making New Connections On A Trapped Subway Train

New York City subway conductor Paquita Williams (left) and passenger Laura Lane became friends after a two-hour train breakdown. StoryCorps hide caption

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StoryCorps

Opinion

Making New Connections On A Trapped Subway Train

Laura Lane was heading to work when her train got stuck. Conductor Paquita Williams was soon walking through the cars, putting passengers at ease in the darkness. Laura was so impressed with how Paquita handled the two-hour ordeal, she wanted to learn more about her.

Making New Connections On A Trapped Subway Train

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Severely Burned Marine Finds Strength In Nascent Marriage

Jessica and Anthony Villarreal in December 2011, more than three years after the explosion that severely burned Anthony in Afghanistan. Courtesy of Jessica Villarreal hide caption

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Courtesy of Jessica Villarreal

Opinion

Severely Burned Marine Finds Strength In Nascent Marriage

Anthony Villarreal and his wife, Jessica, had to rebuild their lives after an explosion almost killed Anthony in Afghanistan. "I didn't even recognize myself," Anthony says, though his new wife was determined to be there for him throughout the painful process.

Severely Burned Marine Finds Strength In Nascent Marriage

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An Unconventional, But 'Perfect,' Path To Parenthood

Robin Share and Rami Aizic hold a photo of their daughter, Bailey, at a visit to StoryCorps in Santa Monica, Calif. StoryCorps hide caption

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StoryCorps

Opinion

An Unconventional, But 'Perfect,' Path To Parenthood

Rami Aizic knew he wanted kids. But as a gay man, he was not going to meet the girl of his dreams. Robin Share wanted a child but hadn't met Mr. Right. Then the two found each other, and 14 years later, they have no regrets.

An Unconventional, But 'Perfect,' Path To Parenthood

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'Never Say Goodbye': A Love And Life Kept Vivid

Danny and Annie Perasa on their wedding day on April 22, 1978. Courtesy of Annie Perasa hide caption

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Courtesy of Annie Perasa

Opinion

'Never Say Goodbye': A Love And Life Kept Vivid

In commemoration of the 10th anniversary of StoryCorps, we revisit Danny and Annie Perasa's story. Danny's big personality and deep love for his wife drew listeners in since their first interview in 2004. He died in 2006. "Danny didn't go," Annie says. "He's not gone because of StoryCorps."

'Never Say Goodbye': A Love And Life Kept Vivid

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A 'Not Normal' Family That Knows How To Laugh At Itself

Laura Greenberg and her daughter Rebecca, in 2011. StoryCorps hide caption

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StoryCorps

Opinion

A 'Not Normal' Family That Knows How To Laugh At Itself

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of StoryCorps, we revisit Laura Greenberg, who told her daughter Rebecca about her gregarious parents — and her awkward first kiss with Rebecca's father, Carl. Now, it's his turn to share his side of the family story.

A 'Not Normal' Family That Knows How To Laugh At Itself

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A Father, A Daughter And Lessons Learned

Wil Smith with his daughter, Olivia, today. StoryCorps hide caption

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StoryCorps

Opinion

A Father, A Daughter And Lessons Learned

In celebration of the 10th anniversary of StoryCorps we hear again from Wil Smith, a single dad who took his infant daughter, Olivia, with him when he went to college. Now, Wil is helping Olivia with her school search, a role he says he's happy to have after a battle with colon cancer.

A Father, A Daughter And Lessons Learned

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For A Father With Alzheimer's, Life 'Came Down To Love'

Priya Morganstern (left) and Bhavani Jaroff visited a StoryCorps booth with their father, Ken Morganstern, in 2006. He passed away a year later. StoryCorps hide caption

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Opinion

For A Father With Alzheimer's, Life 'Came Down To Love'

In commemoration of the 10th anniversary of StoryCorps, we hear again from Ken Morganstern, who shared some of his last memories with his daughters during a 2006 interview.

For A Father With Alzheimer's, Life 'Came Down To Love'

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Air The StoryCorps Theme, Cue The Tears

Radio documentarian Dave Isay stands next to one of two StoryCorps Airstream trailers outfitted with recording studios a few years after the project was launched. StoryCorps is celebrating its 10th anniversary. Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP hide caption

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Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP

Air The StoryCorps Theme, Cue The Tears

At its core, StoryCorps founder Dave Isay says, the project is about letting people know their lives matter and won't be forgotten. The result often means that listeners have a good cry on their way to work. As the oral history project marks its 10th anniversary, NPR will be revisiting some of your favorite stories.

Air The StoryCorps Theme, Cue The Tears

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Best Friends, Sharing 'Two Sides Of The Same Heart'

Starr Cookman (left) says she and Kylee Moreland Fenton have been "connected at the hip" since they were kids in Tucson, Ariz. StoryCorps hide caption

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StoryCorps

Opinion

Best Friends, Sharing 'Two Sides Of The Same Heart'

Starr Cookman and Kylee Moreland Fenton have been the closest of friends for decades. The pair grew even closer when Starr's infant son seemed ill. It's because of Kylee's insistence, Starr says, that 8-day-old Rowan received the heart surgery that saved his life.

Best Friends, Sharing 'Two Sides Of The Same Heart'

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