Fast Facts and Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Great Thanksgiving Listen?

The Great Thanksgiving Listen encourages people of all ages to create an oral history of our time by recording an interview with an elder, mentor, friend, or someone they admire using our free tools: the StoryCorps App and StoryCorps Connect. Schools often add The Great Listen to their curriculum, but anyone over 13 years old can participate. Each year thousands of individuals record StoryCorps conversations with loved ones during Thanksgiving.

The StoryCorps App and StoryCorps Connect are available to record year-round. To ensure your interview is a part of The Great Listen, make sure to use the keyword: TheGreatListen2021.

What happens to my interview after I record?

When you complete recording, using the StoryCorps App and StoryCorps Connect, you’ll be able to upload your interview to our online archive. Once the interview is added to the online archive, you can select a privacy setting for easy sharing with the public online or keep it private. Your interview will also become part of the StoryCorps Archive at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress. Learn more about privacy options and StoryCorps’ collection with the Library of Congress in our Help Center.

Should I use the App or StoryCorps Connect?

Both the StoryCorps App and StoryCorps Connect are free to use, but the right tool depends on your technology and whether you and your interview partner will be together in person.
The StoryCorps App, which can be downloaded to your smartphone or tablet, is intended for recording with someone in the same room, however, it cannot record phone calls or long-distance conversations.

StoryCorps Connect is intended for remote conversations, using video conferencing software. It does not require any installation and works through your web browser on desktop computers or mobile devices.

To learn more, check out this guide for teachers on the difference between the StoryCorps App and StoryCorps Connect.

What do I need to participate in The Great Listen? Do I need any special equipment?

To participate in The Great Listen you’ll need:

an interview partner
some prep time to plan your questions
a quiet place where you won’t be interrupted
a smartphone, computer, or tablet with a microphone and reliable access to the internet
an account on archive.storycorps.org
to download the StoryCorps App—if you plan to record with it—from the App Store, Google Play, or the Amazon Store

While some participants use external microphones, no special equipment is required to record and most contemporary smartphones and computers will provide reliable sound quality.

We do not recommend students use a shared classroom device and iPads are not recommended for use with the StoryCorps App.

Is there an age restriction?

Under StoryCorps’ terms of use, children under the age of 13 may not participate in The Great Listen and parental consent is required for those under the age of 18 to register for a StoryCorps Archive Account. Learn more here.

To share your interview online, first publish it to the online archive and select the “public” privacy setting. . Once your interview is saved to the archive, you can share it on social media, over email, and even embed the interview on your own site! For step-by-step sharing instructions, check out this article from our Help Center.

If you’re participating in the classroom, you may find our tips for teachers on collecting classroom interviews helpful. Read them here.

To make sure everyone can find your interview as a part of the Great Listen, don’t forget to use the keyword TheGreatListen2021.

Where can I go for help if I have technical issues?

Our Help Center at support.storycorps.org is full of useful troubleshooting tips for common issues. If you can’t find the answer to your question there, you can also submit a request through our Help Center and StoryCorps’ Public Support team will be happy to provide assistance over email.