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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

Opinion

National Teachers Initiative

A Vietnam Vet Teaches More Than The Alphabet

Ron Cushman's journey to teaching started when he was severely wounded in the Vietnam War. Having a hook for a hand made him nervous around students until he found a way to make his injury a part of the lesson.

A Vietnam Vet Teaches More Than The Alphabet

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Man Gives U.S. Vets Two Things: Haircuts, And Hope

The barber shop run by Anthony Bravo Esparza — whom everyone knows as "Dreamer" — is a fixture at the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System's West Los Angeles Campus. Paula Berger hide caption

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Paula Berger

Opinion

Man Gives U.S. Vets Two Things: Haircuts, And Hope

To help U.S. troops ease back into civilian life, veteran Anthony Bravo Esparza has set up a trailer in the parking lot of a Veterans Affairs campus. There, he gives the returning soldiers free haircuts — and a friendly, safe space to hang out.

Man Gives U.S. Vets Two Things: Haircuts, And Hope

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Professor Hits A Wall And Falls In Love

Gwendolyn Diaz and her husband, Henry Flores, at StoryCorps in San Antonio. StoryCorps hide caption

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StoryCorps

Opinion

Professor Hits A Wall And Falls In Love

Blinded by blond hair and a flash of ankle, Henry Flores walked into a wall outside Gwendolyn Diaz's new office. Twice. Still, he managed to get her attention, and the two professors have been together ever since.

Professor Hits A Wall And Falls In Love

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Opinion

Scheming Parents Set Their Kids Up — And It Works

When Steven Ketcham met Alexandra Budny's mother, she told him, "I'm going to be your future mother-in-law." There was only one catch: Steven had never met Alexandra. But their parents had already decided they were perfect for each other.

Scheming Parents Set Their Kids Up — And It Works

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Opinion

Operator, Can You Help Me Call The Love Of My Life?

Peter and Jacqueline Headen's courtship story is one of ups and downs — spanning one war, three countries and four decades. It all started in 1958, at a roller-skating rink on the Indian Head naval base in Maryland.

Operator, Can You Help Me Call The Love Of My Life?

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Dropout Has Thanks, Not Blame, For Teacher

Roger Alvarez (left) did not graduate from high school, despite the efforts of his former English teacher, Antero Garcia. At 22, Alvarez still hopes to get his GED. StoryCorps hide caption

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StoryCorps

Opinion

National Teachers Initiative

Dropout Has Thanks, Not Blame, For Teacher

Roger Alvarez dropped out of high school despite the efforts of his English teacher. "You were determined to help me, but what was I willing to give? I could have actually tried," Alvarez says.

Dropout Has Thanks, Not Blame, For Teacher

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Opinion

After Son's Sudden Death, Shock, Grief And Coping

Dennis and Buelah Apple came to StoryCorps to talk about their son Denny. Nearly 21 years ago, Denny came down with mononucleosis. Before going to bed one night, he took some medicine and talked about where he wanted to sleep.

After Son's Sudden Death, Shock, Grief And Coping

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Opinion

Using A New Voice To Enjoy Life After Cancer

In 1999, Rene Foreman was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. Surgery saved her life; it also took her voice box. To speak, she now uses an electrolarynx, a small device that produces an electronic voice. And as Foreman tells her daughter, life's been different — and better — ever since.

Using A New Voice To Enjoy Life After Cancer

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Opinion

Threats And Lies, And 'Who I'm Supposed To Be'

Nathan Hoskins knew from an early age that he was gay. But when he was growing up in rural Kentucky, his mother took extreme steps to convince him otherwise. Looking back on it now, he says, "I am who I'm supposed to be."

Threats And Lies, And 'Who I'm Supposed To Be'

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Opinion

CEO Looks At A Veteran, Sees A Business Partner

In 2008, Richard Bennett had been out of the Marines for nearly three years, after being injured in Iraq. That's when he caught the attention of Craig Williams, who was looking for a partner to help expand his successful business.

CEO Looks At A Veteran, Sees A Business Partner

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On New Year's Eve, An ID Check Helps Love Prosper

Isabel Sobozinsky-Wall and her husband, Scott Wall, visited StoryCorps in San Francisco. StoryCorps hide caption

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StoryCorps

On New Year's Eve, An ID Check Helps Love Prosper

For Isabel Sobozinsky-Wall, New Year's Eve marks a special time. That's when she met her future husband, Scott, during a trip to New York City 20 years ago. But first they had some things to overcome.

On New Year's Eve, An ID Check Helps Love Prosper

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Opinion

National Teachers Initiative

Peace Game Puts 'Weight Of The World' On Students

Teacher John Hunter invented the World Peace Game to get his elementary students to think about major world issues. He also wanted to teach them compassion and kindness. At least two of his former students are on the path he helped to pave.

Peace Game Puts 'Weight Of The World' On Students

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Opinion

A Bowlful Of Memories About A Mama Named Sugar

With fondness and a Southern twang, Penelope Simmons remembers her mother, who was not one to hover. Your foot "could be hanging by a piece of skin," she says, "and Sug would go, 'Oh, baby, go get a Band-Aid. You'll be all right.' "

A Bowlful Of Memories About A Mama Named Sugar

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Opinion

Homeless At 60: 'A Bullet I Didn't See Coming'

Queen Jackson has been homeless for about a year. As she recently told her case manager, Debra MacKillop, it all started in 2009, when she was laid off. Since then, there have been hard moments — and some precious ones, as well.

Homeless At 60: 'A Bullet I Didn't See Coming'

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A Livin' Thing: After Decades, A Couple Reconnects

MaryAnn and Jim Fletcher pose for a photo on the night of their junior prom dance, in the Half Hollow Hills School District of New York's Long Island. Jim Fletcher hide caption

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Jim Fletcher

Opinion

A Livin' Thing: After Decades, A Couple Reconnects

Jim and MaryAnn Fletcher met when they were just children, in the first grade. Later they became high-school sweethearts. But then they split up — until they found each other again, more than 20 years later.

A Livin' Thing: After Decades, A Couple Reconnects

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