Kaitlyn McMurtry and Richard Kirkpatrick
Recorded
August 3, 2023
Archived
August 3, 2023
57:04 minutes
0:00 / 0:00
Id:
osh000019
Description
One Small Step conversation partners Kaitlyn "Katie" McMurtry (30) and Richard "Rick" Kirkpatrick (63) talk about their traumatic experiences. They share thoughts about religion and the roles of the government.Subject Log / Time Code
Katie and Rick begin and ask each other why they wanted to participate in the program. "Safe spaces are few and far between."
Rick reads Katie's bio then Katie reads Rick's bio
Rick asks Katie about Hurricane Katrina ("traumatic") and Katie responds, including describing a family move to Olive Branch, Mississippi.
Katie discusses horseback riding helping to cope from the trauma of Katrina.
Rick explains what "Orthodox Reformed Christian" means and that he was raised as a Presbyterian.
Rick and family lived in Boston for six years, it was "an uncomfortable and useful experience" and that is wife is also a doctor. He discusses Baptist Church of America, Berklee School of Music musical impact on him, and Pittsburgh more "Midwest" rather than East Coast.
Katie asks clarify "Orthodox" and Rick discusses staying true to the history and not following trends.
Katie asks about political events shaping Rick's life and Rick shares about growing up in a mill town in the 1960s in Western Pennsylvania. Oil Embargo, high school graduation, high unemployment rates, to name a few key moments. Ronald Reagan, Paul Volker.
Chris steps in to further direct Rick's story more personally, Rick touches on government and money, leads to topics of Germany, solar and wind power, Russia.
Katie asks if Rick thinks there are ways the government is useful, they find common ground.
Katie describes herself as not a political person, doesn't think things are hopeless, and why One Small Step is a good thing
Katie describes her move from the South and history as a liberal surrounded by conservatives, discusses the importance of bodily autonomy, safety
Chris steps in to get Rick to ask Katie to return the question about person/political event that led Katie to her feelings. She discusses going to college and parents, upbringing.
Rick seeks clarity around Katie's beliefs (political, religious), Katie discusses abortion and bodily autonomy.
Chris steps in to bring Rick's question about government involvement in bodily autonomy to a personal story, and Rick shares experience as doctor and gender, a story. Katie processes.
Katie describes Rick's beliefs based on observations and finds "refreshing" and sometimes feels trapped with having strong convictions.
Katie askes Rick if he feels too confined in belief systems, Rick discusses professional versus personal identities, career, looking to the future and past.
Chris steps in to clarify the phrase "time is very beneficial."
Rick describes daughter being born prematurely, being involved in bad accident (hit and run), the difference between suffering and pain.
Katie discusses physical pain (breaking her back when younger)
Katie discusses following her heart, making decisions, asks Rick how he makes decisions, "Do you trust your gut?" and Rick shares story about midlife when his job was bad, moved to Dallas, might not have been the right move with his family.
Katie and Rick discuss hopes for the future. Rick wants people to be able to talk again, and Katie hopes we accept each other, love, and support people in their evolution.
Participants
- Kaitlyn McMurtry
- Richard Kirkpatrick
Recording Locations
Belfast Free LibraryBelfast Free Library