Search Interviews

The photo featured here is from 1992, our first year together. When Stonewall happened, neither of us knew. We became a couple in Chicago 23 years later. The chorus of CeCe Peniston's "Finally," a tune that was popular during our...

My father’s name is Alan Johnson. He was born in the year 1957 in Royal Oak, Michigan. He told me that his first job was a caddy at a country club but he didn’t know how to carry the clubs...

Longtime friends Buta Muzuri (49) and Pierre Bashale (54) talk about their respective life journeys, including living as political refugees in Boise, Idaho.

Megan Grandstaff (35) and her colleague Becky Kidd (51) talk about their involvement as volunteer fixers at Community Glue Workshop, a free monthly community repair clinic in Chicago.

Spouses Jamie Koch (71) and Cathy Koch (71) reminisce about their family, life in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, their involvement with the church, historic preservation, and their occupations.

John Ford, a long-time client of EZRA's, sits down with a member of EZRA's Social Action team to discuss his experiences growing up as a Black man in Chicago, working with EZRA, and gentrification in Uptown, Chicago.

Sue Espey Ellis (55) talks with her father, John Espey (83), about growing up in Clearwater, Florida, attending the same college of Florida State University, Chicago, segregation and desegregation of the north and south.

Colleagues Terry Conrad (76) and William Marcus (70) discuss their careers in public radio.

Jennifer "Jen" Euell (50) interviews her friend and mentor, Diane Sands (75), about her career as an activist, a nonprofit founder, an oral historian, and a Montana State Senator.

Best friends Sean Payne (57) and Ronnie Mikrut (57) trade family histories, anecdotes about involvement in community businesses and charities, and stories about growing up in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.

Carlos (40) and Robin (35) discussed the beginning of their relationship, starting in Peru while traveling and ending with their life in Chicago as a married couple.

One Small Step partners Nadene Eads (71) and Helen Poot (70) have a conversation about the need for state services, the fears that drive their choices, and prayer in schools.

Mother-in-law and daughter-in-law Tonia Reaves (51) and Robin Young (23) talk about their experiences in school. They reflect on the impact of racism on their educational upbringings, their experiences adapting to multi-racial school environments, and their hopes for future generations.

My name is Elena Serrano, I'm 15 and I interviewed my mom, Monica Serrano, who is 45. We discussed topics about her childhood. Such as, what she wanted to be when she was younger to the worst trouble she ever...

Janice Peterson (79) interviews friend Sherryl Engstrom (73), who shares excerpts of letters written to her mother by her father during his World War II enlistment.

Jacky Glass (no age given) speaks with Michael Drummond (56) about her experiences with hospice and being a donor to TrinityCare.

John (66) talks to his wife Linda (62) about his parents who were survivors of Nazi concentration camps, how they migrated to the U.S. and the trauma they faced in their lives.

Since 2002, Aisha has received support from La Casa Norte. From housing advocacy to helping her receive full custody of her child, they have been a stable support for her for years.

Today I took time to interview with a Vietnam Veteran named Thomas Sbertoli. He was in the Marines at the time during the war. In this interview he explains life inside Vietnam during the war and how it affects his...

Greg Slawski (55) speaks with his co-worker Pamela Endo (50) about their time together at Gift of Hope and what they've learned about their work.

Dave and Steve interview each other about growing up Baptist, coming out and HIV-AIDS in Chicago in the '80's and '90's.

Me and Elijah talk about his thoughts on graduating middle school and starting fresh.

Tami Owen (49) interviews her uncle Robert Maddock (89) about his life growing up in a military family, his service in the United States Marines Corps, his work, and his two marriages.

Alison Reintjes (45) interviews her husband, Brandon Reintjes (45), about his childhood in Montana and Michigan, his family, his closest friendships, and his experience becoming a father to their children.

Allan "AJ" Anderson (31) shares a conversation with his grandfather John Waters (80) about fishing, Chicago, aging, and death.