Search Interviews

Michael Tanimura (63) and Michael Takada (61) engage in a conversation about their experiences growing up in Chicago as third (and 2.5) generation Japanese Americans. Anna Takada (25) facilitates their conversation as the oral history studio manager at Alphawood Gallery.

Erica Wood-Bedi (44) has a conversation with her mother Janice Wood (73) about her legacy in early child education and social work in the community of Joliet, Illinois, some of her experiences as the owner of a daycare center, and...

Reveca Torres (34) talks with her co-directors, Matt Lauterbach (36) and Grishma Shah (33) about founding a film festival for people with disabilities. They talk about their inspirations and Matt finds out that Grishma has a prosthetic limb.

Wendy Fiering (53) interviews her brother in law, David Kieschnick (61) about his activism in the LGBTQ Lutheran Community in the 1970s.

George Joens (79) talks with David Mulhena (48) about his Czech heritage, his family, and what it was like being a business owner in the Czech Village.

Barbara Simon (68) talks to her son James "Jay" Simon (32) about her family and memories of growing up in North Lawndale.

Rev. John "Jack" Farry (73) and his niece Kathryn "Kathy" Gaucher (34) talk about Jack's life as a priest in Chicago, his involvement in the Civil Rights Movement, his childhood and what Jack means to their family.

My Great Aunt Mary tells stories. Growing up on a farm in Illinois during the Great Depression; Nursing School/ Nurse Cadet Corp; Joseph Feldner’s (brother) wrestling achievements. April 2017.

David (39) and James "Jim" (75) talk about Jim's parents, particularly Jim's father who worked as a salesman. Jim talks about his mother who was an avid reader and lifelong learner.

Jonta Brickhouse (18) talks to new acquaintance Nancy Zook (55) about graduating from high school and his future goals and interests.

Bridget Skaggs (33) is interviewed by friend and colleague George Cederquist (42) about how she became involved in the Chicago opera scene, the pandemic's effect in the arts, founding the Fourth Coast Ensemble, and how grassroots arts organizations are revitalizing...

My dad is not a very opened person and I decided to choose him because I would like for him to open up me about his life and what it was like for him growing up.

Sterling Tate (49) talks to his friend Jonathan Kelley (48) about growing up on the West Side of Chicago, coaching basketball, and his work with youth on the West Side.

Julianne Macarus (59) speaks to her mother, Dorothy Macarus (84). Dorothy reflects on her time singing in a trio and meeting her husband, David.

Dan Sable (88) was interviewed by Amy Christian (51) about his life.

Kathryn Stone (36) talks with her friends Galen Toby Johnson (28) and Nimisha Gandhi (36) about their "Thursday Night Dinner" potluck tradition.

Rose de Novo (no age given) speaks to her grandson, Sam Paakkonen (24) about their relationship. They reflect on what it's like to live together.

Susan Picker [no age given] interviews her colleague and co-congregant Ami Samuels (62) about his background and how he came to be a member of Central Synagogue.

Dorris Calhoun (73) talks to her friend Jonathan Kelley (48) about her memories of growing up in the North Lawndale neighborhood of Chicago, being a choir director at Stone Temple Baptist Church, her education, her work as a medical transcriptionist,...

Mark Crain (33) interviews his wife, Hazel Gomez (36), about her upbringing in Chicago, her view on motherhood, and her work as a faith leader.

Former colleagues and friends Kathy Klager (65) and Adele Loria (36) discuss their paths to librarianship and what they love about living and working in the Midwest.

Kelly Leonard (46) talks with his friend B.J. Jones (61) about his childhood, his time at Lake Forest College and his career with Second City in Chicago.

English Advanced Honors Project Interviewing Elders

Partners Sarah Goldman (32) and Joshua Stober (32) talk about their relationship and their hopes for their future together.

Leora Zahorick (88) talks with Dave Muhlena (48) about her Czech heritage and family genealogy.