Door-to-door Archives - StoryCorps

Carlos Rocha

When StoryCorps visited Danville Correctional Center in Illinois, one of the inmates who told his story was Carlos Rocha.

Carlos grew up in Chicago, and he, like his brothers, joined a gang. In 1998, he was arrested for weapons possession. Just before he was to be released on bond, Carlos got into a fight with another inmate and killed him. He was sentenced to 24 more years behind bars.

Originally aired May 16, 2014, on NPR’s Morning Edition.

Dennis Hale and Barbara Hale

In December 1966, a ship called the SS Daniel J. Morrell was hauling steel across Lake Huron when it became caught in a severe storm. The ship broke apart and sank, and only a few of the 28 members of the crew onboard made it to a life raft. Dennis Hale was the only one of them who survived.

At StoryCorps, Dennis tells his wife, Barbara, about the 38-hour ordeal he went through, and the difficulty and pain of being the sole survivor of this tragedy.

Originally aired December 6, 2013, on NPR’s Morning Edition.

Barbara Handelsman and Aaron Handelsman

Growing up, Barbara Handelsman often felt out of sync with her family.

At StoryCorps, Barbara, 80, talks with her grandson Aaron, 20, about how the two of them have always had a special relationship that includes unconditionally accepting each other for who they are, and finding adventures to go on together.

Barbara passed away two years after this interview was recorded.

Originally aired October 11, 2013, on NPR’s Morning Edition.

Dymond Hayes and her mother Tami

Tami Hayes talks to her daughter, Dymond, about battling breast cancer as a single parent. Dymond was 13 at the time of Tami’s diagnosis.

Originally aired April 23, 2010, on NPR’s Morning Edition.

Sarafina Viviano and Dana Viviano

Ten-year-old Sarafina Viviano asks her mother, Dana, about what motivated her to become a cancer nurse, and about her relationships with her patients.

Originally aired August 7, 2009, on NPR’s Morning Edition.

Tina Nelson and Dottie Copeland

Dottie Copeland tells her daughter Tina Nelson about her breast cancer diagnosis, how she decided to fight the disease like Sylvester Stallone in Rocky, and how beating it changed her life.

Originally aired June 12, 2009, on NPR’s Morning Edition.