StoryCorps

StoryCorps’ mission is to preserve and share humanity’s stories in order to build connections between people and create a more just and compassionate world.

StoryCorps with Alaska’s military: Nancy Lee Baker & Susan Grace

At StoryCorps, 92-year-old Nancy Baker tells her friend, Susan Grace, what it was like to fly. Nancy flew in a female auxiliary pilot group called the WASP. They flew military aircraft during World War II to free up male pilots for combat. Nancy and other WASP pilots were recently awarded a Congressional Gold Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon civilians by Congress. Listen now:

Bill Hess

Bill Hess lives in Barrow on the northern edge of Alaska. He was semi-adopted by an Inupiaq family - something he came to fully...

Marti Steury

StoryCorps traveled to Alaska in February to record the voices of our service men and women. This story comes to us from Fort Wainwright. The Army brought Marti Steury to Fairbanks in 1975. Life as a woman on an Army base wasn’t easy. Marty talks about her decision to enlist, and what it was like to wear a uniform during the Vietnam War. Listen now:

Ward and Taylor Hurlburt

Ward and Taylor Hurlburt are brothers. They fish commercially for salmon in Bristol Bay. But, the two have never totally put aside their sibling...

One Small Step: Stephanie Hamar and Gregory Stewart on politics and expressing ideas

Up next in our series of One Small Step conversations in Alaska, Stephanie Hamar (33) of Kasaan and Gregory Stewart (26) of Anchorage discuss their political values and the ways others express ideas. 

Da-Ka-Xeen Mehner

Da-Ka-Xeen Mehner is like many people today. His heritage is a stew, but the prodominant ingredient is Tlingit. He's an artist in Fairbanks.  Aldona...

Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson, a Tlingit carver from Kake, Alaska, traces his roots to tribal peacemakers - a tradition that he keeps alive today. He and...

One Small Step: Ryan McKee and Evan Fried on being troubled by people with similar political beliefs and how to inspire more open discussion

Since last summer Alaska Public Media has been facilitating conversations between people with different political views as part of One Small Step – a collaboration with StoryCorps. The goal was to find common ground in a divisive political climate. 

Fredrick Katelnikoff and Innocent Philo

Fredrick Katelnikoff, a security officer at Providence Health & Services Kodiak, shares with Father Innocent Philo, the experience of being a former Village Public Safety Officer (VPSO) and the lessons that now guide him personally and professionally. Thanks for listening!

Jason Smith and Lucia Artacho

StoryCorps traveled to Alaska in February to record the voices of our service men and women. This story comes to us from Fort Wainwright in Fairbanks. At StoryCorps, Army Sergeant Jason Smith tells his wife, Lucia Artacho, about his deployment to Afghanistan in 2010. Lucia tells Jason why she’s decided to enlist in the Army. The couple is starting to notice how their three-year-old is adjusting to having parents who are both soldiers. Listen now:

Willy and Adrienne Shelton

Willy and Adrianne Shelton talk about their son Joel, his twin Nathan and their younger brother, and how Joel’s leukemia diagnosis and treatment has impacted their family, faith and relationships. LISTEN HERE

Ted Sutton

Ted Sutton, a Tlinget man from Southeast Alaska, was conceived during a drunken party in Sitka, Alaska. Authorities took him away from his parents...

Walter Kanulie

Walter Kanulie is a Yupik Eskimo living in Togiak, Alaska where hunting and fishing is a way of life and traditional knowledge is something...

One Small Step: Michelle Goodwin and Christy McMurren on aging, paradigms and building bonds

Since last summer Alaska Public Media has been facilitating conversations between people with different political views as part of One Small Step – a collaboration with StoryCorps. The goal was to find common ground in a divisive political climate. 

Harold Luke

Harold Luke was born in Nenana, Alaska and raised in a series of children's homes in Fairbanks, and by foster parents. When he grew...

One Small Step: Caroline Valentine and Peter Wertz on political beliefs and speaking with a stranger

p next in our series of One Small Step conversations in Alaska Caroline Valentine (76) and Peter Wertz (35) of Anchorage discuss their political beliefs and why they decided to take a chance on speaking with a stranger.

Russell Nelson

Russell Nelson grew up in Dillingham, Alaska where everyone can, goes fishing. He and his neighbor, Fred Torrisi, stopped at a StoryCorps Alaska booth...

Mary Shields and Judy Gottschalk

Mary Shields and Judy Gottschalk's friendship was cemented through decades of adventures in Alaska. They lived like vagabonds, traveling the country on pennies,...

Justin Connaher and John Pennell

Justin Hayward Connaher was named after the lead singer of the 1960s rock group, Moody Blues. At age 5, he knew he was going to be a paratrooper. At 38, he knows he's a survivor. As part of StoryCorps at JBER, Justin spoke with his friend John Pennell about one of his earliest jumps. Listen now:

Johnathon Green

StoryCorps traveled to Alaska in February to record the voices of our service men and women as a part of it’s military voices initiative. This story comes to us from JBER. Military recruiters told Johnathon Green that a hand disability would prevent him from ever serving in the military. They said he couldn’t shoot a gun. Johnathon found his way to Alaska anyway, and eventually into the military’s ranks. Instead of shooting a gun, Johnathon shoots a camera. At StoryCorps, he tells a co-worker about his long path into military service. Listen now: