By JONATHAN CHARLES FOX
Since last May, I’ve been hearing about folks discussing something called StoryCorps and One Small Step, in which our local NPR station, WJFF, is involved.
I took a look at Radio Catskill’s website to learn more, and read this: “Created by StoryCorps, One Small Step is an effort to remind the country of the humanity in all of us, even those with whom we disagree.”
I learned that “the initiative brings strangers with different political beliefs together for a conversation—not to debate politics—but to get to know each other as people,” and that “Radio Catskill and StoryCorps invite you to take part in One Small Step, an effort to bring communities together, one conversation at a time.”
Recently, I (JCF) sat down with the local StoryCorps team—project manager Isabel Braverman (IB), facilitator Judy Balaban (JB) and assistant producer Ronald Kelson (RK)—to learn more.
JCF: I guess I should start at the beginning. What is StoryCorps?
IB: StoryCorps is a nationwide project committed to the idea that everyone has an important story to tell and that everyone’s story matters. This part of StoryCorps is called One Small Step, and WJFF was one of seven radio stations chosen to participate in 2024. With participant permission, these conversations will be preserved for future generations at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress.
JCF: It’s my understanding that there is a limited time frame involved with the project, and that you’re actively recruiting locals to participate. Is that the case?
IB: Yes. This project will conclude at the end of the year.
JB: We have a couple of months to complete 26 interviews, and we’re encouraging people to sign up right away because it takes time to match people up, record the conversations and edit them.
JCF: What are the criteria for applying to participate?
IB: Anyone within the WJFF listening area is welcome to apply, including Sullivan County, Wayne County and parts of Pike County as well.
RK: The whole point is to talk with local, real people from all walks of life, because WJFF is a hub for all sorts of residents, and it’s a way of making sure we get a wide range of individuals’ personal stories and core values.
IB: Right. Even though the point of the project is not about politics per se, we’re looking to put people with different political views together.
JCF: Why is political affiliation an issue at all?
JB: I think it’s because the country is so politically divided right now. Part of the mission statement is to get two people who might otherwise never speak with each other, to sit down and have a conversation. So while it might not be specifically about politics, we’re seeking people with different viewpoints.
JCF: I’m not sure I’m grasping this. Can you give me an example of what’s being asked of us on the questionnaire?
IB: Sure. Aside from asking people a number of questions and to rate themselves on a scale of one to 10, where one is most liberal and 10 is most conservative—in relation to those topics, there are questions like “what life-changing experience have you had lately?” Things like “have you moved to a new area recently, started a new job or become a new parent?”
RK: Right. The questionnaire has been developed by the project to learn more about your personality, and how things that have happened in your life make you who you are. Through those responses we are able to determine who might best be paired up to have those conversations from different perspectives.
JB: The computer program developed by StoryCorps then determines which people might make a good match, and that’s how the conversation starts.
JCF: So there’s no predetermined topic, but there’s a moderator? Do you just allow the conversation to organically flow without direction?
IB: Yes. Judy and I are the moderators, but we stay in the background unless needed. Once the conversation is recorded, we ask those involved to approve it after the initial editing process is complete. They are then asked if they’re willing for the end result to be public or private, so people can participate without the conversation being aired on the radio. It’s their choice.
JCF: How does that conversation begin, or evolve? What is the jumping-off point?
RK: Each pair starts off reading the other’s file and bio, and there are a couple of kick-off questions provided by StoryCorps.
JCF: I have to remember that this is not a local project, but one that is part of a national program, and designed by StoryCorps, not WJFF, right? How long has it been around?
IB: Correct. StoryCorps has been in existence since 2003, but this branch of it—One Small Step—was piloted in 2017 and launched in 2021.
JCF: What’s the difference between the two?
RK: StoryCorps produces all sorts of people’s stories, which includes relatives, friends, people who know each other—that sort of thing. The sub-program, One Small Step, was designed to use radio stations to bring two complete strangers with diverse opinions together to [possibly] find common ground.
JCF: This all sounds worthwhile, in my humble opinion. No time like the present, right?
JB: Right. David Isay, who started Story Corps [with Benji Isay] realized that he wanted to do something about the divisiveness in the country, so therefore One Small Step, because that’s a reasonable way to bring people together. That’s what this is about. Just taking one small step toward that goal.
Radio Catskill is teaming up with civic organizations, churches and other community groups and leaders to spread the word and connect residents from all backgrounds who are ready to take One Small Step.
Do you want to get your group or organization involved in the effort? Contact Isabel Braverman for more details. Email isabel@wjffradio.org.
For info on how to apply and see examples of One Small Step conversations, go to www.wjffradio.org/take-one-small-step-upstate-ny-nepa-with-radio-catskill-and-storycorps/.
