StoryCorps

StoryCorps is an independent nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide Americans of all backgrounds and beliefs with the opportunity to record, share, and preserve the stories of our lives.

YouTube

After Years Of Hiding, 'Walking In Love' As Transgender()  

Alexis Martinez (left) worried that coming out to daughter Lesley as transgender would mean giving up any relationship with her grandchildren. But she needn't have worried.

May 3, 2013 For decades, Alexis Martinez, born Arthur, had to mask her transgender identity by "being as macho as I could be." But in a visit to StoryCorps, she tells her daughter how, with her family's acceptance, she's finally been able to live as a woman full-time.

Transcript

On Morning EditionPlaylist

From Poor Beginnings To A Wealth Of Knowledge ()  

Herman Blake, left, and Sidney Blake at StoryCorps in New York.

April 26, 2013 Herman Blake and his six siblings struggled so much during the '40s that one brother decided to drop out of school and help support the family. A friend of the family stepped in and made sure that didn't happen, despite her own meager means. That sacrifice taught the Blake children the value of an education.

Transcript

On Morning EditionPlaylist

Losing A Leg, But Gaining A Sense Of Purpose()  

Jack Richmond and his daughter, Reagan, visit StoryCorps in Knoxville, Tenn.

April 19, 2013 Jack Richmond was a young father when his leg was crushed in a work accident. Though in denial at first that it would need to be amputated, he quickly realized he could share his experience to help other amputees, as he tells his daughter, Reagan, on a visit to StoryCorps.

Transcript

On Morning EditionPlaylist

A Pianist's Ultimate Sacrifice: Giving It All To Go To War()  

Staff Sgt. Daniel Hodd on deployment in Anbar Province, Iraq, 2008.

April 13, 2013 At 17, Daniel Hodd was starting a promising career as a concert pianist, but he decided to become a Marine instead. Before his second deployment, he broke a finger and was given a choice: Treat it and stay, or cut it off and deploy.

Transcript

On Weekend Edition SaturdayPlaylist

Adoptive Dad Dreamed A Dream That Brought Him A Son()  

John Curtis with his 11-year-old son, John Wikiera.

April 12, 2013 John Curtis never thought he would be able to be a dad. But in 1998 he held his son against his chest. It was "like we fit," he says.

Transcript

On Morning EditionPlaylist

Drafted To Fight For The Country That Hurt Him()  

Ruben Aguilar (right), 85, spoke with his friend Bill Luna, 77, about being deported to Mexico at age 6: "I grew up when that happened. From 6 years old, all of a sudden I felt like I was 15."

April 5, 2013 Ruben Aguilar, 85, was forcibly deported with his family from the U.S. to Mexico at age 6. While his parents were not American citizens, he was, and at 18, he was drafted by the U.S. Army. Aguilar is a man who "got hurt by his country, came back to this country and is going to die in his country."

Transcript

On Morning EditionPlaylist

Tattoo Removal Artist Helps Clients With Emotional Scars()  

Dawn Maestas has removed tattoos from women who have been branded as a result of domestic violence. She recorded an interview with one of her clients, who wanted to remain anonymous.

March 29, 2013 Dawn Maestas helps women who have been branded with tattoos as a result of domestic violence.

Transcript

On Morning EditionPlaylist

Living And Loving Through The Bubonic Plague()  

John Tull, 63, and Lucinda Marker, 57, survived a bout of the bubonic plague in 2002.

March 22, 2013 Lucinda Marker and her husband, John Tull, fell ill when fleas carrying the bacterial infection bit them in 2002. The plague is so rare in the U.S., they were suspected of being terrorists or bioterrorism victims.

Transcript

On Morning EditionPlaylist

A 'Good Enough' Dad And His Special Son ()  

Tim Harris (right) and his father, Keith, visited StoryCorps in their hometown of Albuquerque, N.M.

March 15, 2013 Tim Harris had wanted to open a restaurant for as long as he could remember. In 2004, with help from his father, Tim, who has Down syndrome, opened Tim's Place in Albuquerque, N.M. He calls it the world's friendliest restaurant, and doles out hugs to customers six days a week.

Transcript

On Morning EditionPlaylist

Returning From Duty, Finding Families' Embrace()  

Luke and Mark Radlinski reunite at the airport after Mark's deployment in 2007.

March 9, 2013 For Navy Lt. Mark Radlinski, coming home from Iraq was both the best and worst day. But his brother had no mixed emotions — it was all positive. When Felicia Banks deployed with the Army, her children were not as aware of what was going on. They knew they were thrilled to have her back, though.

Transcript

On Weekend Edition SaturdayPlaylist

more StoryCorps >

Podcast + RSS Feeds

Podcast RSS

  • Opinion
     
  • StoryCorps
     
 
 

NPR thanks our sponsors

Become an NPR Sponsor

StoryCorps National Teachers Initiative
StoryCorps

The National Teachers Initiative is a project of StoryCorps, the American oral history project. Each month this school year, Weekend Edition Sunday will celebrate stories of public school teachers across the country.

Purchase Featured Books

Mom: A Celebration of Mothers from StoryCorps

Listening Is an Act of Love

[Photo]

Everybody's story matters, every life counts — so make a reservation today.

American Folklife Center

Thousands of stories collected by StoryCorps are being sent to the Library of Congress; they will eventually be available online.

The American Folklife Center supports StoryCorps