The holiday season is filled with connection, reflection, and diverse celebrations — from Hanukkah to Christmas to Kwanzaa and more. We love hearing about your festive foods, family quirks, and traditions. So, we want you to share your story by recording a meaningful conversation on the StoryCorps App or StoryCorps Connect with someone special in your life.
At StoryCorps, we also believe the act of listening is an essential part of the holidays, which is why we started The Great Listen. The Great Listen encourages people of all ages to create an oral history of our times by recording an interview with an elder, mentor, friend, or someone they admire.
Listen to — and share — our collection spotlighting classic holiday broadcasts and animations that will get you into the spirit of spreading empathy and compassion this season.
Mama Sug
Affectionately known as “Sug,” Cora Lee Collins captured the hearts of all. At StoryCorps, Sug’s daughter and granddaughter, Penelope Simmons and Suzanne Wayne, come together to reminisce about the wild, fun, and loving household Penelope grew up in and the endearing qualities that made her Mama Sug so cherished by everyone. Read the full transcript.
Julio Diaz
Julio Diaz, a social worker, was returning home to the Bronx after a long day at work. Just after he got off the train, a teenager held him up at knifepoint. This is the story of the unusual way Julio reacted. Read the full transcript.
Two Love Birds Bring The Holiday Spirit To The White House
Growing up in Piura, Peru Hugo Sánchez always noticed his classmate, Marité. But despite his best efforts she didn’t return his feelings. Hugo left Peru for the U.S. with his family at the age of 13, but returned for a summer vacation three years later. This time, there was a spark. The two kicked up a whirlwind romance, but they were ripped apart as he returned to the states. Read the full transcript.
William Lynn Weaver
Dr. William Lynn Weaver grew up during the 1950s and 1960s in Mechanicsville, a black working-class neighborhood in Knoxville, Tennessee. After graduation, Weaver went on to study at Howard University. This story took place when he came home during his freshman year for Christmas break. Read the full transcript.
The Road Home
Eddie Lanier struggled with alcoholism for over 40 years, until his 28th stint in rehab finally led to sobriety. Homeless and hungry, Eddie found a friend in David Wright, a passerby whose frequent donations stood out. Four years after they shared Eddie’s remarkable story with StoryCorps, David persuaded Eddie to move into his home. They still live together to this day. Read the full transcript.
The Little things
Herman Travis and Robert Cochran are neighbors and community leaders in Holly Courts, a low-income housing complex in San Francisco. For fourteen years, Herman and Robert worked together distributing over 1,300 pounds of food from a local food bank to elderly and disabled neighbors. At StoryCorps, Robert thanks Herman for the many ways he helps his community. Read the full transcript.
Meet the Greenbergs
Growing up in her parents’ home in Queens, New York during the 1950s, Laura Greenberg says she didn’t know what normal behavior was. She remembers her family expressing love through hugging, cursing, and oversharing. At StoryCorps, Laura sits down with her daughter Rebecca to reflect on their unconventional love language. Read the full transcript.
Yelitza Castro and Willie Davis
Growing up in her parents’ home in Queens, New York during the 1950s, Laura Greenberg says she didn’t know what normal behavior was. She remembers her family expressing love through hugging, cursing, and oversharing. At StoryCorps, Laura sits down with her daughter Rebecca to reflect on their unconventional love language. Read the full transcript.
“I thought that was going to be a recipe for disaster.”
Hoping to meet someone special, in 2010 Seth Smiley decided to give online dating a try. Eventually he met someone and the two sit down to reflect on their first Christmas together. Read the full transcript.
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Suzanne Jaber grew up in Lebanon, and while her family is Muslim, they were surrounded by many Christian neighbors and their holiday traditions. After moving to the United States and raising a family of her own, she wanted to create her own traditions that melded the celebrations of both cultures. With the help of her husband, Ali Jaber, Suzanne ended up creating something new entirely: a moon tree. Read the full transcript.
Santa Rick
Meet Rick Rosenthal, a modern Orthodox Jew who also happens to be a modern-day Santa Claus. Listen to how one man’s religious faith actually helped him find his spiritual calling. Subscribe to the podcast.
Holiday Gifts That Can’t Be Bought
In this episode of the StoryCorps Podcast, hear stories about a father who helped start the annual tradition of keeping track of Santa Claus as he flies across the globe making his Christmas Eve rounds, a struggling mother reveals how she was able to throw big, memorable holiday celebrations for her children, and a teacher who helped a young boy deal with sadness and loss during most children’s happiest time of the year. Subscribe to the podcast.
In the Spirit
Listen in on a StoryCorps podcast special that celebrate the meaning of the holiday, from stories about piano tuners to cynical Santas. Subscribe to the podcast.