About One Small Step

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. The initiative brings strangers with different political views together to record a 50-minute conversation — not to debate politics, but to learn who we are as people. Audio recordings of each interview are archived at the Library of Congress.

Step-by-Step Instructions

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The first step of every One Small Step facilitated conversation is a confirmation phone call with one of our team members.  In this call we’ll review what to expect during the recording and you are invited to share any thoughts or concerns you have about participating. 

Skip to Virtual

In-Person

Your appointment will take up to 1 hour and 15 minutes, including 10 minutes of orientation, 50 minutes of uninterrupted time to record a meaningful conversation, and 15 minutes at the end for paperwork, photos and debriefing. The conversation recording will include you, a conversation partner, and a StoryCorps Facilitator.

Before the Conversation

• Get familiar with the Conversation Roadmap.
  • Read your partner’s bio.
  • Think about questions you would like to ask your partner that are unique to their experiences and background.

On the Day of the Conversation

Welcome

1. Orientation: The Facilitator greets you, provides an overview, and explains goals and ground rules.
2. Question Cards: You will receive instructions on using kick off question cards.
3. Sound Check: Complete a brief sound check.

Record

4. Start: Once the recording begins, start the conversation using question cards.
5. During: Facilitator manages equipment and may pose additional questions.

Debrief

6. Release Forms: Facilitator explains recording release options on the Release Forms.
7. Data Forms: You have the option to share personal information on the Data Form for archive and research purposes.
8. Photos (optional): With permission, the Facilitator takes photos for inclusion in the archive.

After the Conversation

You’ll receive an email with instructions to access your recording within 4-5 weeks. 

Virtual

Your appointment will take up to 1 hour and 30 minutes, including 15 minutes of orientation, 50 minutes of uninterrupted time to record a meaningful conversation, and 15 minutes at the end for paperwork, photos and debriefing. The conversation recording will include you, a conversation partner, and a StoryCorps Facilitator.

In advance, you’ll receive this guide and your conversation partner’s short bio. You will receive an email with the Virtual Recording Room link 24-28 hours before the appointment.

Before the Conversation

• Get familiar with the Conversation Roadmap:
  • Read your partner’s bio.
  • Think about questions you would like to ask your partner that are unique to their experiences and background.
• Check your technology.
  • Review checklist of technology requirements:
    • A desktop or laptop computer (tablets and phones do not work as well) 
    • A solid internet connection 
    • An up-to-date internet browser (the latest version of Google Chrome works best for these recordings) 
    • A camera and microphone (built-in or external) 
    • Headphones (highly recommended) 
  • Test out your microphone and camera by doing a TokBox Precall Test or by using your own recording/video conferencing software. 

On the Day of the Conversation

Before Joining

• Have the Conversation Roadmap pulled up on your computer or written down. Take note of the specific questions you want to ask your partner based on their bio. 
• Plan to be in a quiet space, away from interruptions.
• Silence notifications on your devices.

Join the Conversation

1. At the agreed-upon time, use the link provided in email to enter the Virtual Recording Room. 
2. Allow browser access to camera and microphone.
3. Complete the connectivity test and enter your name.
4. Choose the correct microphone if using headphones.
5. Click “Join” to enter the virtual recording room.

Welcome & Record

6. Facilitator greets you, provides an overview, and explains goals and ground rules. 
7. Receive instructions on using the Conversation Roadmap.
8. Facilitator will indicate when the recording starts.
9. You will introduce yourselves and read each other’s bios aloud, then you and your partner ask/answer the first question.
10. Facilitator will give time cues and may ask follow-up questions.
11. If you lose connection, reconnect using the original link or reach out to the Facilitator for further assistance.

End & Debrief

12. Facilitator will indicate when your time is up and when the recording is stopped.
13. Facilitator explains recording release options for you to complete the Release Forms.
14. (Optional) Share personal information on the Data Form for archive and research purposes.
15. (Optional) With permission, the Facilitator takes photos for inclusion in the archive.

After the Conversation

You’ll receive an email with instructions to access your recording within 48 hours. 

Things to Consider

• StoryCorps conversations are always intended to be respectful, where two people are coming together to listen and share, with an open mind. We encourage you to ask challenging questions, dig into difficult topics, and answer the questions honestly. 
• These conversations tend to go best when you focus on sharing your own personal experiences. We encourage you to think about personal experiences that have shaped your view of the world and your place in it. 
• These interviews are not for the purposes of debating or reconciling conflict around political issues. These conversations are not meant to be about specific policies or candidates. It is okay to talk about these topics, but we invite you to approach them with curiosity–not an agenda to persuade.You do not have to change your mind, and neither does your interview partner. There are no winners or losers in these conversations. 
• A StoryCorps Facilitator will be present in the recording space.  They are not mediators but will work to keep the conversation productive. They are present to get the conversation started and support you throughout the entire process, please let them know if you need help with anything.Conversations like this can be difficult and emotional — we thank you in advance for keeping all language respectful throughout the entire recording. If at any point you feel uncomfortable and want to stop the interview, let us know. Similarly, we reserve the right to stop the interview at any time, if we think it’s necessary. 
• There is no wrong or right way to do a StoryCorps interview. This is meant to be an informal, comfortable space. Just be yourself. 

Ground Rules

• Refrain from using any harmful or derogatory language. 
• Share time equally. 
• Don’t interrupt each other. 
• Don’t make assumptions about your conversation partner or their beliefs. 
• Speak for yourself and about your own experiences. You do not represent an entire political party or group of people. 
• Respect each other’s differences, do not try to persuade each other. 

Conversation Roadmap

The goal of this experience is to help you and your conversation partner get personal.  Each of you can decide how much you want to share. 

Use this guide as a roadmap to your conversation. If your partner reveals something you’re curious about — even when this feels personal — ask them: “Can you tell me more?” If you don’t want to say more, say “I’d like to pass.” 

One Small Step Conversations start here, both participants ask and answer the following:

1. Why did you want to do this interview today? 
2. Read your partner’s bio out loud as written. What in the bio would you like to know more about? Ask your partner. 
3. Could you briefly describe, in your own words, your personal political values? 

Going deeper, ask your partner a question you already have in mind, or one of the following:

4. Who has been the most influential person in your life? What did they teach you?
5. Have political discussions or arguments strained any of your relationships with friends, family, or coworkers?
6. Was there a moment you witnessed or experienced that most influenced your political beliefs?
7. Tell me about your spiritual beliefs. How does your faith impact your political views?

Closing questions, ask your partner at least one of the following:

8. Is there anything you learned about me today that surprised you?
9. What gives you hope for the future?
10. What’s something you will take away from this conversation?

Tips for Navigating Your Conversation

Taking one small step by having a conversation with someone who you might disagree with can be challenging. If it starts to feel difficult, consider these tips: 

• If you feel misunderstood, clarify what you mean. (“Let me put this another way…”)
• If you feel misheard, ask the listener to repeat what they heard you say and affirm or correct their statement.
• If you feel hurt or disrespected, say so. If possible, describe exactly what you heard or saw that evoked hurt feelings in you. (“When you said x, I felt y…” where “x” refers to specific language.)
• If you feel angry, express the anger directly (“I felt angry when I heard you say x…”) rather than expressing it or acting it out indirectly (by trashing another person’s statement or asking a sarcastic or rhetorical question).
•  If you feel confused, frame a question that seeks clarification or more information. You may prefer to paraphrase what you have heard. (“Are you saying that…?”)
• If you feel uncomfortable with the process, state your discomfort and check in with the group to see how others are experiencing what is happening. (“I’m not comfortable with the tension I’m feeling in the room right now, and I’m wondering how others are feeling.”) If others share your concerns and you have an idea about what would help, offer that idea. (“How about taking a one-minute Time Out to reflect on what we are trying to do together?”)
• If you feel the conversation is going off track, share your perception, and check in with others. (“I thought we were going to discuss X before moving to Y, but it seems that W bypassed X and are focusing on Y.) If at any point you do not wish to continue your conversation, you may exit the conversation room at any time, or select “Report” to pause your conversation and submit a report about your experience.

Excerpted from Fostering Dialogue Across Divides: The Nuts and Bolts Guide from Essential Partners. Maggie Herzig and Laura Chasin. © 2006 Essential Partners, All rights reserved. Published 2017.

Frequently Asked Questions

WHOM SHOULD I BRING TO THE INTERVIEW? 

StoryCorps will match you and schedule you with your conversation partner based on the information that you provided in your matching questionnaire. 

HOW CAN I PREPARE FOR MY INTERVIEW? 

StoryCorps sessions are not scripted. They are intended to be natural conversations. But, it is a good idea to spend some time before your interview thinking about what questions you want to ask or topics you want to explore. The enclosed Conversation Roadmap is a good starting place. Consider bringing your own list questions. But do not over prepare. Just come ready to be yourself. Also, if there is anything you know you do not want to talk about on the recording, please let your facilitator know and they can support you in avoiding the subject.

HOW LONG IS THE INTERVIEW? 

The recorded conversation itself is 50 minutes long. There is some paperwork you will need to fill out before and after the interview, so the entire process takes about one hour and fifteen minutes. If your interview is happening virtually we ask that you secure 90-minutes of uninterrupted time in case you or your partner have any tech needs to troubleshoot.

IS STORYCORPS STAFF PRESENT DURING THE RECORDING SESSION? 

A trained StoryCorps Facilitator is present throughout the entire interview process and handles all technical aspects of the recording. Facilitators also help ensure that you and your conversation partner feel supported throughout the recording. 

WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO MY INTERVIEW AFTER THE RECORDING SESSION? 

With your permission, a copy of the interview will be archived with the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress in Washington, DC. Some interviews are also stored in smaller collections in designated community archives. Within a few weeks of your interview, you will receive a link to claim your recording on our archive website, http://archive.storycorps.org/. From there you can share with your friends, family, and colleagues. Copies of our release forms are attached, for your review. 

WILL MY STORY BE EXCERPTED FOR THE PUBLIC TO HEAR? 

With permission from participants, only a few of the thousands of stories we collect are excerpted/edited for posting on our web site and/or broadcast nationally and locally. 

WHAT IF I DO NOT WANT MY STORY TO BE ARCHIVED? 

If you do not release your interview, you and your conversation partner will decide if you want to receive a copy of the conversation, for personal use. If either participant prefers not to share their interview, we will delete the interview without sharing a copy. This decision is final and cannot be reversed.

Release Forms

Below is a preview of StoryCorps’ digital release forms. You will only be asked to make a decision about releasing your interview after you’ve recorded. Please note that you are never required to release your interview. Your Facilitator will review this with you at the end of your recording appointment.

THANK YOU TO OUR MAJOR FUNDERS

One Small Step is made possible by the generous support of The Hearthland Foundation, the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, The Marcus Foundation, the Walmart Foundation, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the Fetzer Institute, Stand Together Trust, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the Robins Foundation, New Pluralists, and Schwab Charitable Fund made possible by the generosity of Present Progressive Fund.