The StoryCorps approach works well for students who are interested in storytelling and who would like to try composing an audio narrative or a live video interview.
About
StoryCorps is an “independent nonprofit whose mission is to provide people of all backgrounds and beliefs with the opportunity to record, share, and preserve the stories of our lives” (“About Us“). StoryCorps travels around the country with a pro quality sound recording studio and records interviews with volunteers, and the best among these are featured on National Public Radio. But they also accept interviews conducted by “do it yourselfers.”
To learn more about how to do your own StoryCorps style interview, see the resources below:
- Do It Yourself Interview Guide (PDF)
- Great Questions for interviews
- Introduction to StoryCorps (PDF)
Samples
Listen or watch as many StoryCorps interviews as you can to get a feel for how this approach works.
By using an advanced search technique on Google, I was able to find quite a few StoryCorps interviews with people who discuss their sexual orientation (LG or B) or their gender identity (T), and I’ve listed those below. I didn’t find that many on gender norms and gender expression, but it’s possible those are just harder to find.
One way is to browse the StoryCorps Listen archives by topic. Most of the LGBT interviews I found were categorized under Identity, but I suspect others will show up under topics like Romance, Struggle, Friendship, and so on.
Another way is to follow the link at the bottom of the Unheard Voices Curriculum page, which takes you an archive of stories about sexual orientation or race.
Also try doing your own advanced Google search by putting these terms into the Google search box (with your own keyword): keyword site:storycorps.org. That will limit Google’s search results on your keyword to only those pages on the specified site (so it’s a useful search strategy to know for other purposes as well).
Stories with a G&S Focus
I’m sure there are many others, as well as many on topics relating more to gender norms and gender expression. But this is a start for those looking for examples of what a radio interview might sound like.
- http://storycorps.org/listen/john-brown-and-his-brother-paul-corbit-brown/
- http://storycorps.org/listen/robert-madden/
- http://storycorps.org/listen/samuel-taylor-and-connie-casey/
- http://storycorps.org/listen/bryan-and-michael-wilmoth/
- http://storycorps.org/listen/tracy-and-sandra-johnson/
- http://storycorps.org/listen/denny-meyer/
- http://storycorps.org/listen/mj-seide-talks-to-her-granddaughter-genna-alperin/
- http://storycorps.org/listen/les-scott-thea-and-amanda-grantsmith-2/
- http://storycorps.org/listen/august-faustino-and-chris-elardo/
- http://storycorps.org/listen/laura-jacobs-and-katherine-katsanis/