"Many years ago at New Mexico Highlands University, Dr. Mike Carroll always took the time to talk with me; he made me feel as though I was his most important and brilliant English student. Eventually I believed him, in part because he was a dedicated teacher who spent endless hours commenting on my term papers; his madly scribbled annotations in the margins were equal parts Socratic dialogue and Far Side observation.
"Although he didn't always agree with my ideas, Dr. Carroll always told me why. He was a rigorous scholar and critical mentor. When the time came, he was never too far away from where I stood in my own classroom. And for that I had the rare but sorrowful honor to thank him at his funeral. When we lost Dr. Carroll to suicide a few years ago, I wanted the world to know that he was my most important and brilliant teacher."
--Kevin Farkas, founder and director of The social Voice Project
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the National Day of Listening?
The National Day of Listening is a new national holiday started by StoryCorps in 2008. On the day after Thanksgiving, StoryCorps asks all Americans to take an hour to record an interview with a loved one, using recording equipment that is readily available in most homes, such as computers, iPhones, and tape recorders, along with StoryCorps’ free
Do-It-Yourself Instruction Guide.
Who should I interview?
The National Day of Listening is a time to tell people that their lives matter and that they won’t ever be forgotten. Interview a loved one or a community member whom you would like to honor—your grandfather, your aunt, a neighbor, a mentor, a veteran, or an old friend.
How should I prepare for my interview?
Before you get started, speak with your interview partner about what to expect. It’s also a good idea to create a list of interview questions. StoryCorps’
Question Generator suggests a variety of questions.
It’s helpful to practice with your recording equipment and to prepare a quiet, comfortable recording space. We suggest you spend about 30 minutes getting ready and about 40 minutes conducting your interview. If you wish to spend more time recording, be sure to take breaks and make sure your recording equipment is still working.
Can I do my National Day of Listening interview on another day?
There is recording equipment to fit all kinds of budgets and levels of technical proficiency. Download the
Do-It-Yourself Instruction Guide for equipment recommendations and tips.
You can also use pen and paper to document your interview, or borrow recording equipment from a friend, community organization, school, or library.
How can I preserve my interview?
No matter what recording device you choose, StoryCorps suggests that you handle your interview recordings with care. Label your recordings clearly and completely, including the names of all participants, the date, and interview location. Make multiple copies of your interviews and store them in a safe place that’s easy to remember—among scrapbooks or other mementos, in a filing cabinet, or in a safe deposit box.
Will Do-It-Yourself interviews be archived at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress?
No. Only interviews recorded with StoryCorps’ professional equipment will be archived in the StoryCorps collection at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress. To make a reservation to record your story with StoryCorps, visit
storycorps.org.
Where can I share my interviews?
StoryCorps is an independent nonprofit organization and all contributions are 100% tax-deductible. Your donation helps StoryCorps record, preserve, and share even more stories from communities like yours throughout the United States. Make a secure online donation at
storycorps.org/donate.
Where can I listen to StoryCorps stories?
The holidays are a wonderful time for families and friends to get together and share stories--about the good times . . . and the bad. About growing up, love found and love lost. About what it was like when Grandma was a little girl, and why Grandpa served during the war. The holidays are perfect for sharing stories over a cup of hot chocolate and Mom's cookies. It's a time for sharing our oldest memories with our youngest generation.
