Search Interviews

Sonaya Vazquez-Wright (16) interviews Alicia Vazquez (71), her grandmother, about her life stories and memories. They talk about Alicia's childhood in Mexico, her immigration to the US, and about their shared family history.

Myra talks to her family friend Salvador about is life as a Mexican immigrant. This interview was recorded while at Disneyland where the whole family was celebrating him getting his papers.

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...

Baleria Barrera interviews Yajaira Valdez, best friend of nearly 9 years and they revisit Yaya's childhood, family ties, and dreams. Yajaira shares vulnerability in the most beautiful way through deep stories about her parents, career, and aspirations.

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.

Karol Kennedy (59) talks with her mother, Kristina "Kris" Young Smirl (83), about her childhood, parenting, memories, jobs, and hobbies.

Imelda Camarena (47) talks with her daughter, Monserratt Castillo (14) about her childhood and her reaction to 9/11.

Friends David Beebe (49) and Remijio "Primo" Carrasco (76) talk about their friendship and their mutual love of music.

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

Valentina Marin (16) interviews her uncle, Leonardo Villa (54) about his childhood in Colombia and about working at the Twin Towers.

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

Athena Miller, 8th grade, interviews her grandfather, Tom Zemrowski ("Pops"), about how he met her late grandmother ("Gramzie") at Purdue University in 1965. Other interesting glimpses of his past are revealed as well. Recorded during Thanksgiving 2021.

Paul Nilsen (83) is interviewed by his friend and former student Jim Perkins (64) about his work to make sure students with HIV were protected in the school he worked in 1980's in Wilmette, IL.

One Small Step conversation partners Alex North (33) and Gene Lauria (34) talk about how immigration in their families shaped their beliefs and talk through Alex's dilemma of whether to send his child to public or private school.

Miriam Lara (32) interviews her mother, Mary Meloy-Lara (69), as Mary advances in the stages of Alzheimer's disease. Mary talks about her parents, how she eventually moved to Mexico, reminisces about her children when they were younger, commemorates their accomplishments,...

One Small Step conversation partners Bob Hamma (72) and Amber Smith (42) talk about working with immigrants for citizenship and counseling teens in schools.

The person I interviewed was my mom because of her background I felt she would have good stories to tell us. Throughout the interview she talked about her childhood,struggles, and family struggles. Welcome to her life and being part of...

Aidan Bank (14) talks with his mother, Elysa Jimenez (33) about her life being a young mother and how she overcame challenges.

Xavier McElrath-Bey (43) and James Dold (36) reflect on their childhood and the people that helped them become the men they are today.

My Grandfather, John Grey, has had an interesting upbringing moving from place to place with his family. He was raised as a young child in Chicago Illinois, and later moved to Dallas Texas with his family. In this interview, Me...

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...

Michael Stalzer (76) talks to his daughter, Kathy Kubik (46), about growing up on the South Side of Chicago, serving with the 330th Radio Research Company in the Army during the War in Viet Nam, working for ComEd for 38...

One Small Step partners John Ellis (43) and Kara Silva (51) discuss their shared love of the mind-expanding view travel provides. They reflect upon their difference religious views but shared sense of the importance of family and connection with other...

Dale Morgan (78) talks with her friend, Alice Lundstrom (76), about childhood, adulthood, faith, lifelong learning, and legacy.

Sarah "Sally" Butzin (76) interviews her husband, Peter Butzin (77), about his involvement in the draft resistance movement during the Vietnam War.