Search Interviews

Join Folklife Director Lesley Schierenbeck as she interviews Nancee Jo Luciani, the New Jersey Decoy Collector & Carver Association's Carver of the Year for 2023, and the first female carver in the history of the organization!

Candy Ketchpaw Childers (74) and Karen Peters Schinke (74) reminisce about Candy's experiences working at the Lake Geneva Playboy Club Resort, the first resort hotel outside of Chicago's Playboy Club.

Aaron Novy (27) talks with his grandfather-in-law, Frank Pomposelli Sr. (87) about his time serving as a P-47 Pilot in Europe during the final period of World War II, reentry to civilian life, playing baseball, meeting the love of his...

Join Folklife Director Lesley Schierenbeck as she interviews Long Beach Island beach badge collector and author, Bob Kugel as he discusses his collection of badges that spans over 55 years!

One Small Step partners Evelyn Fisher (72) and William "Bill" Agress (75) discuss switching political "sides," alternatives to Biden and Trump, and their personal experiences with mental illness.

Carol-Ann Greenslade became involved in local politics “by accident” in the late 1960s when she and her husband lived in Flemington, N.J. For FearringtonStoryCorps, she described her civic contributions from New Jersey through to North Carolina. Soon after she and...

Waldorf School of Princeton founder and former teacher, Caroline Phinney, talks with WSP Parent, Rachel Ullman, about her journey to starting the first and only Waldorf School in the state of New Jersey.

Steve Desroches (49) talks to Billy Hipkins (62) about his work as an actor, as a dresser on Broadway and his videos that went viral in which he lampoons Senator Lindsey Graham.

One Small Step partners Ann Resnick (68) and Nancy Quam (67) have a conversation about avoiding politics with family, the potential complexities of AI, and the experience of politics in their states.

Folklife Director Lesley Schierenbeck interviews Olga Kobryn of the National Ukrainian Women's League Chapter 98 of Monmouth County, New Jersey. Olga is a part of the arts and culture committee that produces exhibits and conducts workshops among many other projects....

Paul Richards (74) sits down with his daughter Neferteri Strickland (44) to discuss his 30 years in the military. The two speak about Paul's childhood in Panama, his early career achievements, and his hopes for the future.

Conversation partners George "Ed" Felder (71) and Cole Johnston (26) talk about George's life and service in the Air Force.

On Small Step partners Dennis Darnoi (54) and James Thomas (56) discuss how to handle friends and neighbors with extreme views, their thoughts on bringing grandchildren into a complicated world, and why they think they "had it better" when they...

Jack Tomasello, owner of Tomasello wines talks with the Tuckerton Seaport about his family's history in the wine industry. From their immigrant routes in Italy to today, Jack discusses the ways in which Tomasello has persevered throughout Prohibition, Covid, and...

The Penza Family, Evelyn & Tony discuss their family history, their immigrant experience in South Jersey, and the dynamic way their Italian-American immigrant-family legacy was created using the foodways of Southern New Jersey.

Join Gretchen Maxwell, Bridgitte Bliss, and John Maxwell as they discuss their 6th generation business of shellfishing on the Barnegat Bay and the surrounding areas. They discuss the tradition of being baymen and what that in particular means to South...

Life-long tradition bearer, Dick Jessen and his family discuss his career in decoy making; his talent for painting, and how this tradition is being passed on to the next generation.

Join Lauren & Rob of Pine Barrens Post as they discuss their homesteading business, the importance of Pinelands traditions, and the ways in which they keep the history and culture alive through their products.

Sheryl Dobson (60) asks her mentor and friend, Rev. Dr. Bessie Duncan (80) about her relationship to God, and her most important experiences and life teachings.

Mark "Paulie" Wenger is interviewed by Kiyomi Locker and talks about the history/geography of the Pine Barrens of New Jersey. They discuss the folklife and folk lore of the Pine Barrens, including popular jargon of words like "Piney" and the...

Allison Pierson, Executive Director for Whitesbog Preservation Trust is interviewed by Kiyomi Locker about her tenure at Whitesbog, where she details the history of the historic site, farming of blueberries and cranberries, as well as the impact of female scientist...

Folklife Director Lesley Schierenbeck interviews Gene Marshall, of Forked River, New Jersey. He discusses his passion for decoy collection, his techniques of carving, his craftsmanship of the working decoy, and his mentor in the field, his father, George Marshall. Photographs...

Siblings Dorothy Davis (69) and Benjamin Davis (67) reflect on their time growing up as children of foreign service workers. They discuss the differences between going to school abroad versus in the United States as Black students during the early...

Folklife Director Lesley Schierenbeck interviews Cape May native decoy carver Jack Murray about his apprenticeship with J.P. Hand of Cape May, his passion for carving, and why decoy carving is a unique folk art.

Mother and daughter Susan Brooks (68) and Anne Adams (38) remember Susan's father Curt Doescher, who served in the Army Air Corps during World War II and spent 18 months as a prisoner of war. They reflect on learning the...