Search Interviews

One Small Step conversation partners LaQuesha Wiley (34) and John Espinosa (25) talk about their families, what it means to be a "moderate," vaccine hesitancy, and how COVID-19 has brought communities together

Tracey Fluegel (55) tells her son Oliver Fluegel-Murray (18) about her young adulthood after growing up in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Going into her struggles in discovering her sexuality and identity while in a culture that...

One Small Step partners Marianne Kast (70) and Jason Johnson (50) have a conversation comparing their experiences working in education and with school resource officers. They talk about the importance of voting and not engaging in political discussions online.

Adrian Tirtanadi (38) and friend Sara Farooqi (37) discuss their journeys of disconnection and reconnection to Christianity and Islam respectively.

Silena Layne (44) speaks with StoryCorps facilitator Jeb Backe (26) about her faith journey in the face of struggle and loss. Silena reflects on her relationship to the Black Church and on the impact of gun violence on her family.

Sedrick (22) and his sister Ruth (27) discuss First Step Communities, an organization that works with the homeless in order to find them homes in Sacramento, CA.

One Small Step conversation partners Luisa Avila (22) and Elise Howell (30) talk about their different backgrounds, the important role mentors have played in their lives, and how their political views have evolved over time.

My name is Matthew Beussman and in this interview I talk with Wei Li who is 50 years old. In this interview, we talked about our cultures and more specifically about our childhood, schooling, different characteristics about our cultures, and...

Best friends Lymon Sanderson (51) and Robert McCord (56) share a conversation about their experiences with addiction, homelessness, recovery, and finding homes. They also discuss the roles family, friendship, and God play in their lives.

I had the opportunity to interview my parents for a school project! Little did I know I’d learn a lot in just 30 minutes. This interview is raw, lighthearted, and heavy at times. It is a bit choppy towards the...

In this interview, conducted in November 2017, Katelyn Stankowski (15) interviews her dad Paul Stankowski (47) about his time on the PGA Tour and his life growing up. Paul Stankowski shares stories of his past and his experiences with golf....

In this interview, Gissell Flores and her aunt, Gabriela Pinedo, talk about some of the lessons life has taught them. Her aunt shares a profound religious experience she had with her younger child, Jacob. She gives teenagers an advice that...

Life experiences

Veteran and Single Father of 3, Eugene Reece (40) speaks with Al Lejarde (37) on how the Easterseals Bob Hope Veteran Support Program assisted Eugene navigate out of homelessness and unemployment during the Holidays back in 2019.

Changes in patterns of life throughout 80 years.

One Small Step partners Leon Hoover (71) and Robert "Bob" Shore (75) talk about their political views and their careers in energy and behavioral health. They reflect on the current state of abortion and energy policy and discuss the influence...

One Small Step Participants Reza Nekumanesh (46) and Joseph "Dennis" Delaney (80) discuss religion, politics, and travel. Reza speaks about his inter-faith work, his political work and his work in non-violence. Dennis speaks about his time as a state senator,...

Dr. Bobbi Alba shares her new inspirational memoir about multiple sudden atypical losses. Topics include: cancer, loss of child, domestic violence, mental illness, homelessness, alcoholism, pet loss, transgender youth, and leaving a living legacy.

Two friends, and long time residents of South OC, chat about the emotional labor, challenges, and solutions for homelessness in south OC.

Korean American Christian girl from Orange County grows up and finds herself working in Skid Row

Dad’s life growing up in Southern Minnesota, Being drafted into the military police, his young married life and his growth in the Lutheran faith.

Southern California Hospice Foundation executive director, Michelle Wulfestieg and development specialist, Dana Howorth discusses their story, purpose and the Heavenly Home Project.

Religion was important to her. She thinks that everything is good and people should remember her as a happy, peppy woman.

Jill talks about her mother, Sylvia, who recently passed away. She shares memories of Sylvia's early childhood, marriage, and family life, and the valuable legacy she left to her family and posterityl

In this interview, conducted on December 15th, 2023, in Santa Monica, California, Andrew Bernknopf (60) talks with his son, Leo Bernknopf (15) about how his Jewish religion and faith in God has shaped his perspective of the world. He shares...