Search Interviews

Maggie and Joe share their favorite memories of Mollie.

Amy Spiker (43) interviews her father, James Reeves (87) about his time serving as a Marine during WWII. He also talks about his 70-year career as an auto garage owner and his 64-year marriage.

Grandmother Loretta Fitch, along with her daughter Coleen tells granddaughter Olivia Fitch about her life as a child growing up with neither parent. She also tells Olivia about her experience as a mother and how much her children meant to...

2nd generation Irish-American woman interviewed by her grandson

A conversation between Peggy Lipschutz and Peggy Browning. This conversation was recorded at the school on October 14th, 2017. Go to www.oldtownschool.org/StoryCorps to hear selected excerpts from interviews collected as part of the StoryCorps-Old Town School partnership.

Maureen interviews Fr. Jim in Orlando during Sheila’s 70th birthday celebration weekend. Lots of GREAT stories from Fr. Jim!!!

My mom talking about her life story.

In this interview, recorded on November 25th, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois, Linus Mavers (18) interviews his mother Elizabeth Caldwell (57) about her life and childhood. Elizabeth talks about growing up in different cities and moving around as the daughter of...

Priscilla Cortez (18) and Amy Gudino (18) speak on spirituality and its role in Amy's life, living during a pandemic, Black Lives Matter, and hopes for the future.

A conversation between Jane Stracke Bradbury and Old Town School documentarian Mareva Lindo. Jane has been present at every incarnation of the school, even before it began. Daughter of Old Town School co-founder Win Stracke, she recalls memories of her...

Born in St. Louis on August 6th, 1924, and raised on Chicago's South side, Ella Jenkins was the first person in line on the opening night of the Old Town School of Folk Music, December 1st, 1957. At the time,...

One Small Step Partners Ian Campbell (27) and Brice Basquez (44) take an hour to discuss their multi-regional experience with America and how it has shaped their faith and political perspective.

My conversation with Mitch Clark about growing up in Peoria, IL, and his decision to move to Chicago. The interview also includes inspirational figures in Mitch's life and his sporting/gaming experiences.

The interview is conducted by Rosalie Kenward (17) with her father Mark Kenward (50). It was recorded in Oakland, California in November 2017. They discuss childhood, moving, family dynamics, the divorce of his parents and the lessons learned from traumatic...

My dad is not a very opened person and I decided to choose him because I would like for him to open up me about his life and what it was like for him growing up.

Bubbe (Myrna Tyson) and Grampy (Neal Tyson) to age 10!

A conversation between partners and musical collaborators Gregg Ostrom and Tisa Batchelder, who met many years ago at the Old Town School, where they work. They share memories of their first encounters with the school, of their long courtship, and...

I spoke with a very close family friend (a grandfather to me) about his experience in the 60’s. We spoke of Kennedy, the National Guard, Vietnam War, Segregation, and more.

I interviewed my grandma on covid19

Leela talks about her journey from India to America

Using the One Small Step Prompt and using our own questions

Nathan Shapiro (93) is interviewed by his daughter Roberta Shapiro (57) and granddaughter Anya Glandon (19) about his childhood, his time in the army, and his life now.

My mom talks about her childhood, meeting my father, and a few of their adventures together.

It's about Joshua Garcia interviewing his Lilliana Valdez. He interviews her about her decisions in her past that ended her up in position she is now.

Jon Langford and Sally Timms--of The Mekons and countless other projects--have been part of the Old Town School community in a myriad of ways since the 1990s. Just a few months after Langford was honored as a “Music Legend” by...