Search Interviews

Rebecca Jones Gaston talks with her colleague, Katherine Chon, reflecting on her experiences in social work supporting children and families, the advice she received along the way, and what she has learned about trauma, change, and resilience.

One Small Step conversation partners Gregory "Mike" Brown (66) and Christopher "Chris" Sanchez (35) discuss how faith connects to science and technology, their differing views on abortion, and how we can stop separating ourselves into "tribes."

Charles "Chuck" Mestayer (72) speaks with conversation partner Franchesca Peña [no age given] about surviving a car accident, the passing of his brother, and what he relied on during these difficult times.

[Recorded Friday, September 15, 2023] Tanner (19) from Chesapeake, Virginia, and Alex (18) also from Chesapeake, Virginia participated in this One Small Step conversation as part of their Public Service Pathways 1-credit UNST course at UVA. Tanner shares how his...

[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. Monique Emond (17) is from Warrenton and Isabel Lafrance-Melendez is from Henrico....

One Small Step partners Erin Meadors (39) and Leigh Ann Link (40) discuss how trauma leads to substance abuse and mental illness, experiencing loneliness in their respective careers, and why adapting to technology is "making us sick."

Best friends for over 30 years Christy Thomason (42) and Angelia "Angie" Smith (42) discuss what they have learned from their friendship and Angie's role as an advocate for her community in Mobile, Alabama.

Courtney McSpadden [no age given] talks with Zackary Keys [no age given] about Courtney Creative Chess Club and the programs he runs to encourage learning, self-expression, and access in his community.

One Small Step conversation partners Ree Ann Steep (71) and Lori Izykowski (63) discussed about politics.

One Small Step conversation partners Jesse Hill Jr. (37) and Penny Hogan (73) discuss about politics.

[Recorded Monday, July 17, 2023] David (26) and Chess (34) have a One Small Step Conversation in Charlottesville. David is from Ghana and is a human rights activist advocating for youth empowerment and LGBTQIA+ rights across the African continent. Chess...

A One Small Step conversation between Alexander Muromcew (59) and Kelsey Yarzab (24) at the public library in Jackson Hole, Wyoming where they discuss their beliefs and opinions around Libertarianism and Communitarianism, Capitalism and Socialism, and the role of government....

Long time friends Estevan Rael-Galvez (54) and Edward "Eddie" Joseph Chacón-Lontín (68) share a conversation about Eddie's family heritage, his mother’s practice of silence in the interest of survival, and his experience understanding and embracing his mixed identity. The two...

One Small Step partners Jason Wood (43) and Jennifer "Jen" Smith (41) discuss influences on their political beliefs, affirmative action in workplace employment, and the challenges of police involvement with mental health calls.

Conversation partners Jaxson Brown (21) and Shira Smillie (26) discuss Jaxson’s journey coming out as transgender, navigating trauma, and being himself. Jaxson also talks about the queer community in Colorado Springs and about advocating for change.

Friends Lupita Carrasco (46) and K8e Orr (40) share a conversation about their experiences caring for their mentally ill mothers and making art as a way to heal from these relationships.

Beth & Allie both work on the communications team at Providence Sacred Heart in Spokane. They talk about the time when in a meeting they got word of a school shooting at Lewis & Clark High School in Spokane where...

Daniel S. Moon (96) is interviewed by his daughter, Laura Horowitz Moon (age not given), about his time serving in the army in the Korean War. Dan recounts moments of levity, trauma, and the experience of being an Asian American...

Paul Baresel (69) tells his son Mat Robedee (38) about his father's service as a sniper in World War II. Paul and Mat reflect on Paul's father's story of encountering and sheltering a young woman who had been tortured by...

Childhood friends Farah Mahesri (40) and Sabiha Basrai (40) recollect their upbringing through to their adult lives. They discuss their Muslim identities, their activism, and how those two things interconnect.

[Recorded: Tuesday, March 14th, 2023] Leena (20) and Diana (16) participated in the Karsh Institute of Democracy's first international One Small Step conversation. Leena is a second-year undergraduate student at UVA, and Diana is a high school student from currently...

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.

One Small Step conversation partners Colene Hastings (51) and Guy Graves (73) share stories of loss and political unrest in modern America. The two spend time discussing the direction our country is headed in as well as their respective recollections...

Friends and colleagues Elena Palacios (43) and Victoria Nevarez (24) discuss life on the border, their work with Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center, and their hopes for the future.

One Small Step conversation partners Dimple Dhabalia (47) and Tiffany Gray (43) exchange their lived experiences. They connect on their work in supporting vulnerable populations, and find they have a shared belief in listening to and learning from other people...