Wane Hailes and Alton Russell

For the past 20 years, StoryCorps has been traveling the country gathering the stories and wisdom of ordinary Americans and archiving them at the Library of Congress. Those stories are usually between two people who know and love each other. 

This is not one of those stories. 

Alton Russell was the long-time Chair of the Republican party in Columbus, Georgia. Wane Hailes was the head of the local NAACP. Although they knew of each other, they had never actually spoken — until they sat down for a One Small Step conversation.  

One Small Step pairs strangers with opposing political beliefs to have one-on-one conversations, not to debate politics, but to find out who each other are as people. The goal is to help reduce toxic polarization in the US — one conversation at a time. StoryCorps began piloting One Small Step in 2017 and since then, more than 5,400 people in over 40 states have participated.

One Small Step conversation partners, Wane and Alton, in Columbus, GA.

This broadcast is supported in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Originally aired July 5th, 2024, on NPR’s Morning Edition.

The post A Republican “Kingmaker” And a Civil Rights Leader Take One Small Step to Heal Toxic Polarization In Columbus, GA appeared first on StoryCorps.

Edward Cage & Nicole Paris

In the 1980s, Ed Cage fell in love with beatboxing through the St. Louis hip hop scene. When he became a dad, his talent became a way to connect with his daughter, Nicole Paris. At StoryCorps, Ed and Nicole talk about how he passed the beat on to the next generation.

Listen to Ed and Nicole’s original StoryCorps interview.

Para subtítulos en español, haga click en el ícono de YouTube en la esquina derecha, y escoja “Spanish” bajo la opción de “settings” y “subtitles/CC.

The post Beat by Beat appeared first on StoryCorps.

Sarah Churchill & Yomi Young

Shortly after giving birth to her third daughter, doctors told Sarah Churchill that her baby had a rare genetic disorder that caused her bones to break under the slightest pressure. They gave Sarah a choice — she could try to raise a child who might not survive or leave her at the hospital. That child was Yomi.

Years later, Sarah and Yomi came to a StoryCorps recording booth to talk about that night.

Listen to Yomi and Sarah’s original StoryCorps interview.

Para subtítulos en español, haga click en el ícono de YouTube en la esquina derecha, y escoja “Spanish” bajo la opción de “settings” y “subtitles/CC.

The post Heart to Heart appeared first on StoryCorps.

Janaki Symon & Melissa Wilbur

As kids, siblings Melissa Wilbur and Janaki Symon hated each other.

At StoryCorps, the sisters get real about how they felt growing up and the turning point in their relationship.

Listen to Janaki and Melissa’s original StoryCorps interview.

Para subtítulos en español, haga click en el ícono de YouTube en la esquina derecha, y escoja “Spanish” bajo la opción de “settings” y “subtitles/CC.

The post Then and Now appeared first on StoryCorps.

Dr. William Lynn Weaver & Kimberly Weaver

In 1964, Lynn was one of 14 Black students who integrated West High School in Knoxville, Tennessee. During this difficult time in his life, there was one man who always made him feel safe and supported—his father, Ted Weaver—who worked as a janitor and chauffeur.

At StoryCorps, Lynn talked to his daughter, Kimberly, about a lesson he learned from his father that extended beyond the classroom.

Listen to Lynn and Kimberly’s original StoryCorps interview.

Para subtítulos en español, haga click en el ícono de YouTube en la esquina derecha, y escoja “Spanish” bajo la opción de “settings” y “subtitles/CC.

The post The Family Equation appeared first on StoryCorps.

Penelope Simmons and Suzanne Wayne

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.

Listen to Penelope and Suzanne’s original StoryCorps interview.

Para subtítulos en español, haga click en el ícono de YouTube en la esquina derecha, y escoja “Spanish” bajo la opción de “settings” y “subtitles/CC.

The post Mama Sug appeared first on StoryCorps.

Madzimoyo Owusu & Johannah Owusu

Side by side, hand in hand—Madzimoyo Owusu remembers always feeling protected by her grandmother, even when they would just sit in silence.

At StoryCorps, she opens up to her daughter, Johannah, about how her grandmother’s gentle, yet powerful spirit—and hands—left a lasting imprint on her life.

Listen to Madzimoyo and Johannah’s original StoryCorps interview.

Para subtítulos en español, haga click en el ícono de YouTube en la esquina derecha, y escoja “Spanish” bajo la opción de “settings” y “subtitles/CC.

The post Grandma’s Hands appeared first on StoryCorps.

Danny & Sydia Bell

Raised in New York City, Maritza Bell never learned how to drive. Later, her husband Danny tried to teach her.

At StoryCorps, Danny and their daughter, Sydia, fondly recall how a driving lesson gone wrong turned into a legendary family story.

Listen to Danny and Sydia’s original StoryCorps interview.

Para subtítulos en español, haga click en el ícono de YouTube en la esquina derecha, y escoja “Spanish” bajo la opción de “settings” y “subtitles/CC.

The post Rules of the Road appeared first on StoryCorps.

Paul Crowley & Dreamer

For decades, Dreamer has been generously offering free haircuts to veterans from a trailer stationed in the heart of the West Los Angeles Veterans Affairs Campus.

At StoryCorps, Dreamer sits down with his friend, Paul Crowley, to discuss the transformative power of a haircut.

Listen to Dreamer & Paul’s original StoryCorps interview.

Para subtítulos en español, haga click en el ícono de YouTube en la esquina derecha, y escoja “Spanish” bajo la opción de “settings” y “subtitles/CC.

The post Dreamer’s Gift appeared first on StoryCorps.

Gilbert Zermeño & Patricia Powers-Zermeño

When Gilbert Zermeño dreamed of joining his school band, he pictured himself playing a shiny saxophone. To his dismay, his family—getting by on the $100 a week that his father made working in the nearby cotton fields—couldn’t afford one. At StoryCorps, he shares with his wife, Patricia Powers-Zermeño, how his musical journey began on a bad note, but ended in harmony. 

Listen to Gilbert and Patricia’s original StoryCorps interview.

Para subtítulos en español, haga click en el ícono de YouTube en la esquina derecha, y escoja “Spanish” bajo la opción de “settings” y “subtitles/CC.

The post Family Harmony appeared first on StoryCorps.