Storycorps

In 2023, Storycorps partnered with hundreds of organizations to conduct over 19,500 interviews with over 35,000 participants in towns and cities across the united states, 35% of whom self-identified as coming from an historically-underrepresented group. In addition to the interviews facilitated directly by Storycorps, participants uploaded 17,114 conversations using Storycorps connect or our free mobile app. Millions more people experienced Storycorps' multimedia content through its weekly npr broadcasts, animations, podcasts, and digital platforms, and its communication efforts and distribution partnerships helped increase Storycorps' exposure with new audiences. Below is a detailed description of Storycorps' work in 2023 to: (1) collect and preserve authentic stories from across the nation; (2) share and amplify voices that often go unheard; (3) serve diverse communities with Storycorps content, tools, and trainings; and (4) build a culture of listening to foster greater awareness, empathy, and inclusion. (1) collect and preserve authentic stories from across the nationguided by storycorps-trained facilitators, participants are invited to record a 40-minute conversation with a friend or loved one to speak about the things that matter most to them. Participants receive a digital copy of their interview; with their permission, recordings are added to Storycorps' online archive and collection at the library of congress. In 2023, Storycorps conducted approximately 19,500 interviews with over 35,000 participants. This includes 2,369 "signature" interviews (those conducted by trained Storycorps facilitators who guide participants through the process, support the interview experience, and archive these conversations), and 17,114 user-generated interviews collected via Storycorps' free digital platforms (the Storycorps app and Storycorps connect). Storycorps' has visited over 190 cities and towns across 49 states through our flagship mobile touran annual program that visits 10 cities per year with the "mobilebooth," our branded airstream trailer-turned-recording studio. During each visit, staff collaborate with local community organizations to collect stories that reflect the region's demographics. In 2023, we recorded 942 total interviews with participants in el paso, tx; marfa, tx; albuquerque & taos, nm; logan, ut; Colorado springs, co; kalamazoo, mi; green bay, wi; st. louis, mo; mobile, al; and lafayette, la. (2) share and amplify voices that often go unheardin 2023, Storycorps produced 58 audio segments for national broadcast on npr's morning edition (11 million estimated listeners) and weekend edition (over 3 million estimated listeners). These segments featured participants from diverse and underrepresented groups, including 34% black or african american; 10% latine; 6% indigenous; 1% asian american or pacific islander; and 13% lgbtq+ (note: participants may identify with more than one group). Storycorps also released 20 new podcast episodes as themed mini-seasons that included additional interviews, behind-the-scenes content, and a look at Storycorps' history over the past 20 years.storycorps released 13 new animations in 2023, which were organized as two themed mini-seasons and a special collection commemorating Storycorps' 20th anniversary. These animations featured diverse storytellers and wide-ranging topics, from reflections on significant events, such as a couple who worked to pass landmark same-sex marriage legislation within tribes of the oceti sakowin, also known as the sioux nation, to stories recalling Storycorps' early days and reflections on our first ever story that was broadcast on npr. (3) serve diverse communities with Storycorps content, tools, and trainingsstorycorps' work is dependent upon strong community partnershipsfrom community-based organizations in the cities where it tours and records, to organizations that leverage Storycorps' methods and best practices for their own interview collection projects. Storycorps collaborated with 218 organizations in 2023 to reach diverse communities nationwide through its initiatives, including specialized training and online resources to help people record virtual interviews on the app and Storycorps connect. Storycorps provides an innovative way for students to utilize digital technology to strengthen speaking and listening skills, deepen self- and social- awareness, and encourage intergenerational conversations through the great thanksgiving listen (tgtl)an annual campaign that invites students and people of all ages to interview an elder or loved one during the holiday season, from thanksgiving through the end of december. Since its launch in 2015, the campaign has reached classrooms and communities in all 50 states and puerto rico, with 183,000 tgtl interviews recorded with over 367,000 people, including over 15,000 participants recording over 7,900 conversations in 2023. (4) build a culture of listening to foster greater awareness, empathy, and inclusionin addition to its core programming, Storycorps develops special initiatives that elevate the voices of historically-underrepresented populations, or that engender conversation around the key social issues of our time. Storycorps' one small step is a multi-year effort to reduce animosity and dehumanization across political divides by forging new bonds of connection and trust, revealing we can overcome toxic polarization. Storycorps worked locally in richmond, va, wichita, ks, and fresno/central valley, ca, and launched our work in columbus, ga, to collect 585 interviews.storycorps continued its military voices initiative, which shares stories of veterans, active duty service members, and their families, to honor their service and sacrifice, amplify their stories, and let them know that we, as a nation, are listening. In 2023, we recorded and preserved 109 interviews with 192 veterans in portland, me, anchorage, ak, and savannah, ga.