One Small Step is a national project launched by StoryCorps with the goal to break down barriers created by politics. We hope to remember our shared humanity and know that we have more in common than we think, and that treating those with whom we disagree with decency and respect is essential to a functioning democracy.
"If we take the time to listen, we'll find wisdom, wonder, and poetry in the lives and stories of the people all around us." Listening Is an Act of Love, 2007
Utah Public Radio is one of six radio stations from across the country partnering with StoryCorps to create productive conversations in Utah and increase public engagement.
Over the last 15 years, StoryCorps has perfected a method for helping people feel more connected and for reminding us of the inherent worth of every person and every story. People come together to have otherwise impossible conversations. The microphone gives them license to talk about things they otherwise might not discuss. In 2018, StoryCorps began asking people with different political views to record an interview with each other. With One Small Step, we are seeking to counteract intensifying political divides, by facilitating and recording conversations that enable people who disagree to listen to each other with respect.
Anyone can participate! Just click here to fill out our survey.
We will be in the following areas on specific dates to record OSS conversations:
- San Juan and Grand County area on June 19-21
- Uintah Basin area on July 9-11
- St. George area on July 31-August 2
Here's an example of an OSS conversation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rrpy0ZiCU3c&feature=youtu.be
Jenn Stanley is a self-described liberal and a writer. Her father, Peter Stanley, began voting Republican in 1980 and works in construction. When Jenn was a kid, her dad was her best friend. But as she grew older, their views grew further apart, making it difficult for them to talk about the things that are important them—until the 2016 presidential race, when they agreed to avoid discussing politics altogether.
FAQ
WHOM SHOULD I BRING TO THE INTERVIEW? UPR will use a screening survey to find apartner for you for the interview, unless you have been instructed otherwise.
HOW CAN I PREPARE FOR MY INTERVIEW? StoryCorps sessions are not scripted. They are intended to be natural conversations. It is a good idea to spend some time before your interview thinking about what questions you want to ask or topics you want to explore. We will provide some suggested questions. Consider bringing your own list questions. But do not over-prepare. Just come ready to be yourself.
HOW LONG IS THE INTERVIEW? The interview itself is 40 minutes long. There is some paperwork you will need to fill out before and after the interview, so the entire process takes about one hour.
IS STORYCORPS STAFF PRESENT DURING THE RECORDING SESSION? A trained Facilitator is present throughout the entire interview process and handles all technical aspects of the recording. Facilitators also help ensure that you have a comfortable and meaningful experience.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO MY INTERVIEW AFTER THE RECORDING SESSION? With your permission, a copy of the interview will be archived with the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress in Washington, DC. Within a few weeks of your interview, you will receive a digital download link of the audio. We encourage you to make copies of your interview to share with your friends, family, and colleagues.
WILL MY STORY BE EXCERPTED FOR THE PUBLIC TO HEAR? With permission from participants, UPR or StoryCorps may choose to edit your conversation for broadcast, however, only a very small percentage of recordings are ever broadcast on the radio.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO PARTICIPATE? You may participate free of charge.
WHAT IF I DO NOT WANT MY STORY TO BE ARCHIVED? If you do not sign the release form, you will receive the audio, the interview will not be archived and we will not keep a copy. Regardless of whether or not you sign the release form, each interview participant will receive the audio of the conversation to share with family and friends.
StoryCorps is a national nonprofit organization whose mission is to preserve and share humanity’s stories in order to build connections between people and create a more just and compassionate world. Since 2003, over 400,000 people have shared life stories with family and friends through StoryCorps. As part of our signature service, participants receive a copy of their new recording to share and, with permission, StoryCorps sends a second copy to the Library of Congress. StoryCorps is one of the largest oral history projects of its kind, and millions listen to our weekly broadcasts at STORYCORPS.ORG and on NPR’s Morning Edition. We also create award-winning animations that are viewed online and via public and digital media. To learn more about StoryCorps, please visit https://storycorps.org/about
If you have any comments or questions, please contact Dani Hayes. (435)797-3144 or dani.hayes@usu.edu.
