My Grandfather's Uprising: From Dreams to Reality

Mahendra Shah always wanted to make a “lasting impression” on society. He always wanted to make a change and have a purpose in life. As a child, he believed that having a “last impression” on society was to become a...

Samyuktha Mahadevan and Preetima Moteea

[Recorded Monday, July 17, 2023] Samyuktha (25) and Preetima (25) have a One Small Conversation in Charlottesville. Samyuktha is Programs Manager at the Karsh Institute of Democracy and has experience in politics, campaigning, and grassroots organizing. Preetima has 5+ years’...

Bereket Erecha and Aiche Sy

[Recorded Monday, July 17, 2023] Bereket (33) and Aiche (28) have a One Small Step Conversation in Charlottesville. Bereket has 10+ years experience in peacebuilding, journalism, and public relations and is Program Advisor with Dexis Consulting Group. Aiche has 3+...

Riley Davis and Tom Acklin

[Recorded: Monday, January 16, 2023] Riley (21) and Tom (57) have a virtual One Small Step conversation in Charlottesville, Virginia. Riley is an undergraduate student at the University of Virginia studying psychology and American Studies. Tom is a recovering neurologist...

Deborah Palmer and Terry Maynard

[Recorded Friday, April 28th, 2023] Deborah (64) and Terry (43) have a One Small Step Conversation in Charlottesville, Virginia. Deborah is a mother of two from Richmond, Virginia and works as an Inspector for UVA's Facilities Management. Terry is a...

HC and CG

[Recorded: Wednesday, March 20, 2024] UVA students HC (22) from Arlington VA and CG (22) from US Virgin Islands recorded a one small step conversation as part of their course Lead from Anywhere. They talked about polarization in politics and...

Miles Efron and Marion Dembling

[Recorded: Friday, November 5th, 2021] Miles Efron and Marion Dembling have a One Small Step conversation in Charlottesville, Virginia. Miles works for the Miller Center at UVA, and Marion is a retiree living in the Charlottesville area. During their conversation,...

Identity and Faith: Growing Up Gay in the LDS Church

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...

Arden Luthy and Hewan Kasie

[Recorded Monday, February 19, 2024] UVA students Arden Luthy (19) and Hewan Kasie (19) recorded a One Small Step conversation as part of their course 'Democracy and Public Service.' Some of the major themes that they explored in their conversation...

Kevin Gaines and Richard Litchfield

[Recorded Tuesday, June 7, 2022] Kevin Gaines and Richard Litchfield have a One Small Step conversation in Charlottesville, VA. Kevin is a professor of History and African American Studies at the University of Virginia and Richard is recently retired, having...

What movie stars did you meet?

My grandfather talks about his work experience and some of the most interesting places he has been too. He reminisces’ about good old times with family. He lists off some of the 32 Countries he has been too for business,...

Jacob Saul and Kate-Lin Ly

[Recorded: Friday, September 15, 2023] Jacob Saul (19) from Bristow, VA, and Kate-Lin Ly (19) from Northern Virginia participated in this One Small Step conversation as part of their Public Service Pathways 1-credit UNST course at UVA. Jacob shares how...

Michael Racz and Thara Venkatesan

[Recorded: Friday, July 21, 2023] This One Small Step conversation was recorded in Charlottesville, Virginia as part of the Sorensen Institute’s summer High School Leaders Program in 2023. Michael Racz (15) is from Roanoke and Thara Venkatesan (16) is from...

Tamika Braveheart and Alex Muirhead

[Recorded: January 6, 2023] Tamika (44) and Alex (37) have a One Small Step conversation in Charlottesville, VA. Tamika is a healthcare professional who shares a love for outdoor activities and an appreciation for traveling, particularly as it applied to...

Chris Martin and Sophie Chung

[Recorded: Friday, February 3, 2023] Chris (25) and Sophie (18) have a One Small Step conversation in Charlottesville, Virginia. Chris is the owner of the microbakery “Baker No Bakery” that sells at popups and at farmers’ markets. Sophie is a...

Nada Ismael and Stan Gordon

[Recorded: December 20, 2022] Nada and Stan have a One Small Step Conversation. Nada is an undergraduate at the University of Virginia and advocates strongly for uplifting others. She shares a passion for learning history and addressing several social issues...

Lisa Medders and Gwen Moody

[Recorded Wednesday, March 30, 2022] Gwen Moody and Lisa Medders discuss the impact of their upbringing, parents, and education on their political values. Also, how people who disagree can respect and love each other.

Christopher Joseph and Sarah Reed

[Recorded Friday, February 17, 2023] Christopher (20) and Sarah (34) have a One Small Step conversation in Charlottesville, Virginia. Christopher is involved with student council and is a first generation college student at the University of Virginia. Sarah is originally...

Jessica Smith and Kenneth Fassel

[Recorded: Tuesday, December 14, 2021] Jessica Smith and Kenneth Fassel have a One Small Step conversation in Charlottesville, Virginia. They talk about how their family backgrounds have shaped their lives, mental health issues, diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace,...

Eliza Piché and Isabela Barton

[Recorded: Friday, September 22, 2023] Eliza Piché (19) from Austin, TX, and Isabela Barton (19) from Austin, TX participated in this One Small Step conversation as part of their Public Service Pathways 1-credit UNST course at UVA. The pair were...

Sherica Jones-Lewis and Allison Poindexter

[Recorded: Friday, October 29th, 2021] Sherica Jones-Lewis and Allison Poindexter have a One Small Step conversation in Charlottesville, Virginia. The two women bond over their shared background as educators and talk about teaching and parenting in tenuous times. They also...

Jon del Rosario and Maddy Deal

[Recorded: Tuesday, November 9th, 2021] Jon del Rosario and Maddy Deal have a One Small Step conversation in Charlottesville. Jon shares about his childhood growing up in Virginia Beach and how he has more recently started following politics with his...

Anna Bartlett and Kate Johnson

[Recorded Tuesday, September 12, 2023] Anna (19) from Douglasville, Georgia, and Kate (18) from Somerville, Massachusetts participated in this One Small Step conversation as part of their Public Service Pathways 1-credit UNST course at UVA. Anna discusses finding leadership and...

Ashley Hicks and Katie Rea

[Recorded: Friday, October 20, 2023] Ashley Hicks (19) and Katie Rea (19), both UVA Wise students, have a One Small Step conversation at the VPM office in Charlottesville, Virginia. Their conversation was recorded during Democracy360, the Karsh Institute of Democracy’s...