“My mother would tell me, 'If you don’t straighten yourself out, you’re going to end up going to Springer.'”

Larry Hoover tells his granddaughter Anastacia Garcia about his time at The New Mexico Boys' School in Springer, New Mexico.

Recorded in partnership with KRZA in Taos, NM

“I just know this is what I was destined to do.”

Sam Reed, a mortician and the caretaker of Atlanta's historic Oakland Cemetery, talks about how his interest in the funeral business started at a young age.

Recorded in partnership with WABE in Atlanta, GA

“It's like the whole school, all the kids are my family”

53-year-old Willie Jefferson tells Chloe Smith, a student at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic School, about the 23 years he has worked there as a custodian.

Recorded in partnership with WABE in Atlanta, GA

“I had a real extensive comic book collection.”

Sharon Holley, a retired librarian, tells her husband, Kenneth, about preparing for her career at an early age. Holley operated Harambee Books and Crafts, a community black bookstore, for 29 years in Buffalo, NY.

Recorded in partnership with WBFO in Buffalo, NY

“Both of the boys would call me when they were working.”

Retired New York City firefighter John Vigiano Sr. remembers his sons, John Jr., a firefighter, and Joe, a policeman, who both died at the World Trade Center.
To see a photo of the Vigiano brothers, click here.

Recorded in partnership with the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, the Families of September 11 and 9/11 Forward, in Baldwin, NY

“Some call us the Guardians of the Gate.”

Ironworkers Kerry Davis (L) and Ken Hopper (R), who have been working together for 25 years, talk about rescuing suicide jumpers on the Golden Gate Bridge.

For more photos, click here.

Recorded in in partnership with the Contemporary Jewish Museum and KALW in San Francisco, CA

“How's it feel...telling someone they're going to die?”

Sarafina Viviano asks her mother, Dana, about her work as a cancer nurse.

Recorded in partnership with the Siteman Cancer Center at Washington University in St. Louis, MO

“I've been in and around barber shops all of my life.”

Lawrence Anthony (L), who has been cutting hair for over 60 years, and fellow barber David Shirley (R), talk about their work. For more photos, click here.

Recorded in Drexel, NC

“We were working for what they would let us have and that was not a lot.”

Johnny Bradley tells his daughter Kathy about growing up in Georgia as the son of a sharecropper.

Recorded in Savannah, GA

“We used to put out a hurricane section...”

Retired newspaperman Ed Pierce talks to his grandson, Scott, and his daughter, Rebecca, about working as managing editor of the Miami News.

Recorded in Gainesville, FL