Search Interviews

Conversation with my dad just after his 75th birthday—we discuss family, immigration, inspiration, success, and giving back.

Creating Community Through Sharing Stories: Domino Physicist Peter Bloom reflects about his life from his childhood in Newton to learning to be an effective and impactful educator.

Jaime Staengel (29) interviews her friend Michael Hutchinson (75) about his work as a registered nurse.

Darlene Castillo (29) interviews her mentee Jade Vargas (18) about her involvement in modeling and pageantry as a Latina, her experience as an Hermanita with the organization MANA de Albuquerque, and her goals for her future. Jade also reflects on...

Andover Stories of American Identity: Andover resident Kevin O'Leary shares his story about his worldly upbringing, and how it all led to his profession of becoming a psychologist to help wounded veterans heal.

Andover Stories of American Identity: a conversation with Janet Hamlin about her extraordinary childhood and life that gives her perspective to be compassionate and passionate.

Andover Stories of American Identity: Born in Compton, California, Ralph Blesdoe, a descendant of slaves, recounts his amazing journey of becoming a beloved science teacher at Andover High School.

Creating Community Through Sharing Stories: Born in Monessen, Pennsylvania, Janis Baron, a teacher, principal, trainer and entrepreneur, shares her extraordinary life and the life lessons she has learned along the way.

Creating Community Through Sharing Stories: Elizabeth Walther-Grant, adopted from the Bahamas and raised by an Andover family, talks about growing up in Andover, the racism she faced, and what inspired her to found Merrimack Valley Black and Brown Voices. She...

Creating Community Through Sharing Stories: Long-term Andover resident Tina Girdwood shares her impactful life and dedication to helping her community, from founding the Andover Recycling Program, being a school committee member, and eventually leading the initiative to start the Andover...

Sy Barry recounts his story of how he overcame his tough childhood through his passion and love for drawing. Eventually becoming a renowned comic book and comic strip artist, he was able to find success and contentment in both his...

Significant others Jackie Burrell [no age given] and Gerald Cole (52) share a conversation about their relationship. Gerald also talks about writing his first book, the advice he would give to his younger self and his daughters, and what he...

Creating Community Through Sharing Stories: Seema Gupte, born and raised in India, talks about her childhood living between her family’s farm and in the city. After immigrating to America, she adjusted to the many cultural differences. Once she moved to...

Creating Community Through Sharing Stories: IM David Vigorito talks about growing up in Massachusetts, to his brief time in Las Vegas, to returning to his home state. Although he discovered his passion for chess at the later age of 16,...

Dr. Carolyn Pryor (62) interviews her friend and colleague Dr. Jovita Oruwari (55) about her career in breast cancer surgery. They talk about the importance of Black female representation in the medical field and how having a doctor who looks...

Creating Community Through Sharing Stories: Jim Batchelder, with thirteen generations in Massachusetts, recollects his life growing up in Andover. After becoming a beloved art teacher for many years, and working closely with the Andover Center for History and Culture to...

Creating Community Through Sharing Stories: With 5 generations in Andover and as a descendant of slaves, Heidi Lawrence sits down with me to talk about her life and legacy. Her family is one of the five original African-American families to...

In this interview, conducted April 22, 2019, Lauren Weber (21) interviews her father Bob Weber (66) about his life. They discuss growing up in the 1950's, how he met her mother, his reaction to becoming a father in his 40's,...

Creating Community Through Sharing Stories: Linda Love Mesler, whose family has roots in rural Iowa for hundreds of years, talks about her global childhood, from New York to Cambodia. After becoming a technology lawyer, she settled in Andover and is...

Creating Community Through Sharing Stories: Xi Hua Zhao was born in China, where he lived a happy and modest life. He moved to the United States over a decade ago to help his daughter take care of his grandchild, and...

#HinghamSeniors

Interviewing my uncle Greg about his experiences in the Thailand peace corp

Creating Community Through Sharing Stories: Ajita Bhat reflects on her immigration to America in the pursuit of higher education, and how her impressions of the country has evolved. After settling in Andover, she quickly found community, and eventually became the...

Creating Community Through Sharing Stories: Sandis Wright was born in a rural Swedish community in northern Maine, where he always dreamed of living in the big city. After moving to both Chicago and Atlanta, and getting married, he decided to...

Andover Stories of American Identity: Betty Desjardins, shares lots of fond and funny stories about growing up in Andover. With many generations in Andover, she has deep connections and love for her home.