Today, 9 out of 10 Americans say they are exhausted by the current culture of toxic polarization and are looking for a way out.
Created by StoryCorps, One Small Step is an effort to remind the country of the humanity in all of us—even those with whom we disagree. One Small Step is currently working intensively in four Anchor Communities across the U.S. to bring strangers with different political views together to record a 50-minute conversation—not about politics, but about who we are as people.
Let’s come together to feel less torn apart.
One Small Step Anchor Communities
We are currently focusing our work in four One Small Step Anchor Communities. If you live in or near one of these communities, click below to find out how you can apply to be matched for a conversation.
Want to learn more about One Small Step and how you can help dial down the polarization in your community? Join our email list.
Apply to be Matched
Are you outside one of our Anchor Communities and interested in applying to be matched with an interview partner? Register here to complete a matching questionnaire.
One Small Step Radio Station Hubs
Each year, StoryCorps partners with six public radio stations who offer their own One Small Step program: facilitating, recording, and sharing conversations between community residents. If you live in or near one of these communities, click below to find out how you can record a conversation.
FEATURED VOICES FROM ONE SMALL STEP
About One Small Step
“I recorded a One Small Step conversation. It was a life-giving experience and I am so grateful…One Small Step is a gift to our nation…”
—One Small Step Participant
Piloted in 2018 and launched in 2021, One Small Step brings strangers together for a conversation about their lives–not about politics. Each conversation is archived at the Library of Congress and a small number of interviews are edited into short audio and animated stories that showcase the impact of One Small Step.
One Small Step is based on contact theory, which states that a meaningful interaction between people with opposing views can help turn “thems” into “us-es.” One Small Step’s scientific and systematic approach is supported by a group of advisors that includes social scientists, researchers, and psychologists.
Though anyone, anywhere can participate in One Small Step, the work is currently anchored in Wichita, Kansas; Richmond, Virginia; California’s Fresno/Central Valley region; and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Read about the impact One Small Step is having in The Wichita Eagle. In the coming years, our hope is that One Small Step can convince America that it is our patriotic duty to listen to those with whom we disagree. Learn more about One Small Step.
Partner With Us
StoryCorps is looking for partners who can enlist their constituents to record interviews. If you are interested in working side-by-side with StoryCorps to capture these community-changing conversations, please contact us at [email protected].
Partner Spotlight: find out more about One Small Step’s unique partnership with University of Virginia’s Democracy Initiative.
Support for one small step
One Small Step is made possible by the generous support of The Hearthland Foundation, the Fetzer Institute, the Walmart Foundation, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and Stand Together Trust.
