Search Interviews

(Updated 1/6/21: Edited to improve sound and decrease overlap caused by delay.) In an overdue reunion, Robin Wilson graced me with an hour of her Sunday to share her story. She passed down a major portion of my teaching-for-justice toolbox...

Friends Timothy Conley (55) and Sean Higginbotham (43) have a conversation about their lives, sobriety, and experiences through recovery center, Victory Mission & Ministry.

Sisters, Judy Mabe (79), Marti Helfrecht (72), and Jill Oswalt (67), remember and reminisce about the life and legacy of their father.

Advisor and advisee, A’dja Jones (33) and Manuela Ngo Tonye Nyemeck (21), have a conversation about their experiences as black women, how covid affected them, and day-to-day life.

interview with Mema

Melanie McMullen (26) and her grandmother, Marie Hewlett (79), sit down for a conversation about their family, Marie’s teaching career, and their shared love of reading.

Brothers Michael Hayes (29) and Matthew Hayes (27) have a conversation about how their relationship has evolved through the difficulties of addiction.

Norma Hawkins(76) shares a glimpse of what it was like when she was growing up in Missouri in the 50s and 60s

Mother and son Barbara J. Bird (82) and Mark C Bird (62) share a conversation about Barbara's memories from growing up, her family, and her schooling.

Amy Coulliette (51) interviews her father, Richard Allen (70), about his childhood in the Tunas, Missouri, his experience serving in the U.S. Navy, his retirement in the Ozarks region, and the characters that he has met along the way.

Tristen Duffey (20) and his grandmother Jeanne Christakos Duffey (76) share a conversation about their family, Greek culture, and Jeanne's experience growing up on "Greek street" in Cahokia, IL.

Cherie Croney (48) interviews her friend Randle Wesley (62) about his experiences being homeless, growing up in Louisiana, moving to Springfield, Missouri, and his journey as a gay man.

Brothers Denys Hansen (75) and James Hansen (72) look back on their childhood memories in Sherwood, Iowa and Springfield, Missouri.

Emma Bentley Ruzicka (34), interviews her grandfather Dr. John Bentley (86) about his time in the Navy, how he met his wife, becoming a doctor, and the experiences that followed him from state to state.

Hayley Norton (36) interviews her grandmother, Gramme Alice (87), about her childhood in rural Missouri and her experience raising her three children.

Friends Todd Parnell (74) and James Leon Combs (87) share memories about their childhood and upbringing between 1940s and 1950s. They also talk about their friendship, books, and experiences in The Ozarks, Missouri.

Friends Candi Lordo (64) and Franny Hall Pasbach (64) celebrate their 50th friendiversary by talking about their shared childhood memories and expressing the meaning of friendship.

One Small Step partners Donna West (68) and Ryan Shinn (44) go down memory lane reflecting on the their experiences with their faith, community, and work that shaped them today.

Linda Kelly Fisler and Sue McEnaw Thompson having a conversation about what it means to have a 55-year friendship starting while having a high-pressure job of saving lives.

I interviewed 21-year-old Susan Dakorson who also goes by Susie, a close friend of mine, of what it was like growing up in America dealing with and breaking the ideal Hair standard in American society for African American women. Susie...

Married couple, Steve Bates (65) and Mona Bates (68), speak about their marriage, connection to Christ, and how Victory Mission & Ministry has influenced their lives.

Calvin (15) Is the son of Dana (42) and are talking about Dana's life experiences.

One Small Step Conversation partners Joseph "Joe" [No name given] (52) and Jennifer "Jen" [No name given](48) talk about their faith, working in law enforcement and the importance of conversations to find understanding.

Married couple, Fran Young (68) and Paul Young (72), recall stories and events that lead them to becoming international teachers, traveling to many countries, culture shocks, and navigating life in Springfield, Missouri after traveling abroad.

Janet Morrison-Lane (48) talked with her dad, Dave Morrison (75) about growing up in Missouri and some of his life choices.