“I Have To Go, Girl”: A Mother And Daughter Get Real About Death
StoryCorps recording booths are places for people to look back on their lives, and sometimes to look ahead to a time when they’re no longer here.
That’s what Nidera Brown chose to discuss with her 66-year-old mother, Conchetta Brown. Conchetta has Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease or COPD, and uses oxygen.
They came to StoryCorps to discuss their close relationship in life, and in death.
Top Photo: Nidera and Conchetta Brown at their StoryCorps interview in San Antonio, TX on November 17, 2022. By Manuela Velasquez for StoryCorps.
This broadcast is supported in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Originally aired January 19, 2024, on NPR’s Morning Edition.
“Try to be happy.” : A Father Shares his Wisdom
Tchin, an artist and metalsmith, has built a distinguished career. He’s an established Indigenous artist, even creating pieces for brands like Cartier.
Tchin and Xiao Hui Star in Santa Fe, NM in 1985. Photo courtesy of Xiao Hui Star.
Growing up in foster homes across Virginia and Rhode Island, Tchin was often one of the few Indigenous people in his community. But he made a life as an artist while raising four daughters in New York City.
At StoryCorps Tchin sat down with his daughter Xiao Hui Star Chin to reflect on all he’s learned.
Xiao Hui with her parents Tchin and WanWoo Chin in Brooklyn, NY in 1988. Photo courtesy of Xiao Hui Star
Top Photo: Xiao Hui Star and Tchin at their StoryCorps interview in Philadelphia, PA on September 16, 2023. By Kayla Lattimore for StoryCorps.
This broadcast is supported in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Originally aired January 12, 2024, on NPR’s Morning Edition.
“He Inherited The Very Same Name”: Remembering Joseph Kahahawai
In 1931, five young Hawaiian men were wrongfully charged of raping the white wife of a U.S. Navy officer stationed at Pearl Harbor. Her name was Thalia Massie, and she alleged it happened around midnight when she decided to go for a walk and get some air. The case was declared a mistrial after the jury was unable to reach a verdict, and the men were released.
In what became known as the Massie trials, the family of the accuser—including her mother and husband—then kidnapped and killed one of the five accused men in January of 1932. He was a Native Hawaiian boxer named Joseph Kahahawai.
Portraits of Joseph “Joe” Kahahawai circa 1931 (left) and his brother, Joseph Kahahawai circa 1954. Photos courtesy of the Library of Congress and the Kahahawai family.
The Massie’s were tried and sentenced to ten years in prison for manslaughter… But under threats of Martial Law from Congress, they were pardoned by the territorial governor of Hawaii, who commuted their sentence to one hour in his office. The Massie family fled to the mainland, and never returned.
After decades of silence, the Kahahawai family has started speaking publicly about the case, and the impact “Joe” Kahahawai’s murder had on their family and the broader Hawaiian community.
At StoryCorps, his nieces, Kim Farrant and Joy Kahahawai-Welch, remember their uncle, and how the family has kept his name and legacy alive.
Joseph Kahahawai’s gravesite, at the Puea Cemetery in Kalihi, Honolulu, HI, on January 8, 2022 (the anniversary of his murder). Courtesy of the Kahahawai family.
Top Photo: Kim Farrant and Joy Kahahawai-Welch at their StoryCorps interview in Honolulu on June 17, 2022. By Ben DeHaven for StoryCorps.
This broadcast is supported in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Originally aired Jan. 5, 2024, on NPR’s Morning Edition.
Uncovering A Family Connection To The Origin Of Kansas City Barbecue
Growing up in Kansas City, Bernetta McKindra was always surrounded by barbecue. But it wasn’t until later in life that she learned more about her grandfather Henry Perry, the man who is credited with creating Kansas City’s iconic barbecue style.
An advertisement that appeared in the Kansas City Sun in 1917
Bernetta came to StoryCorps with her friend, Raymond Mabion II to talk about her grandfather, and the food legacy he’s passed down.
This broadcast is supported in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Originally aired December 29, 2023, on NPR’s Morning Edition.
“It’s important to look after people.” A Big Brother Reflects on What His Younger Brother Taught Him.
The Rigano family lived just north of New York City in New Rochelle. There were five siblings: Denise, Phil, Lola, Adele, and Robbie, who grew up in a loving home in the 1960s. But Robbie held a special place in their hearts.
Left to Right: Phil Rigano school portrait at age 6; Adele, Rob, and Phil Rigano in the 1960s; Lola, Rob, and Denise Rigano on a family vacation to Lake George, NY in 1971. Photos courtesy of Lola Rigano.
Robbie is developmentally disabled, and from a young age was known for getting into sticky situations. He was especially drawn to cars, which led to a number of what his brother Phil described as “shenanigans.”
Phil and Rob Rigano during a visit to California in 2014. Photo courtesy of Phil Rigano.
In 2006 Phil brought Robbie to record a conversation together when theStoryCorps Mobile Tour stopped nearby. Knowing Robbie’s love of cars, Phil knew he’d get a kick out of recording in the iconic Airstream trailer. He came back 17 years later to reflect on that first recording.
Rob Rigano at his job at the Department of Public Works for the City of Larchmont in 1987. Photo courtesy of Lola Rigano.
Top Photo: Rob and Phil Rigano at their StoryCorps interview in San Diego, California on February 11, 2006. By Piya Kochhar for StoryCorps.
This broadcast is supported in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Originally aired December 8, 2023, on NPR’s Morning Edition.
Father and Son Locksmiths Share the Keys to Their Success
For Phil Mortillaro (above right), locksmithing was a summer job that turned into a lifelong passion. He started in the trade shortly after he left school in the 8th grade.
All five of his children spent time in his Greenwich Village shop, but only his youngest son, Philip (above left), has followed in his father’s footsteps.
Philip Jr with his grandmother, Helga Lumen, at Greenwich Locksmiths in 1987.
Father and son sat down for a conversation at StoryCorps to talk about the family business.
Philip Jr. and Phil Mortillaro at Greenwich Locksmiths in 2023. Photo by Brian Pape for The Village View.
Top Photo: Philip Jr. and Phil Mortillaro at their family business, Greenwich Locksmiths, in Manhattan in 2014. Photo by Von Diaz for StoryCorps.
This broadcast is supported in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Originally aired October 17, 2014 and November 24, 2023, on NPR’s Morning Edition.
Nearing The End Of Her Life, They Sat Down For One Last StoryCorps Conversation
In the early 1970s Jackie Miller and her husband adopted their son, Scott.
Thirty-seven years later — in 2008 — Scott came to StoryCorps with Jackie to talk about their relationship and to find out more about the history behind his adoption.
Scott Miller with his parents, Jackie and Percy Miller, in Barbados, in the mid 1970s. Photo courtesy of Scott Miller.
A cut of that recording aired June 11, 2010, on NPR’s Morning Edition. You can listen to it here.
Fifteen years after that initial conversation, Jackie’s health started to decline. Realizing his mom was nearing the end of life, Scott wanted to do one more interview, and share an update on their relationship.
Scott Miller and Jackie Miller at their StoryCorps interview in New York City, NY, on May 30, 2008. By Mike Rauch for StoryCorps.
Click here to watch “Me & You,” an animation of Scott and Jackie’s first story.
Top Photo: Jackie Miller and Scott Miller at their StoryCorps interview in Tarrytown, NY, on October 27, 2023. By Julia Kirschenbaum for StoryCorps.
This broadcast is supported in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Originally aired Nov. 17, 2023, on NPR’s Morning Edition.
“Love Is Limitless”; A Couple Reflects On Sharing Life After Loss.
Christine Berro and Andy Keeler sat down a few months after their marriage in 2007. This was a second marriage for both, who had both lost a partner several years prior..
(Left) Christine Berro and Andy Keeler at their StoryCorps interview in Kalamazoo, on April 15, 2007. By Susan Lee for StoryCorps. (Right) The couple at their StoryCorps interview in Portage, Michigan on October 18, 2023. By Benjamin Green for StoryCorps.
In 2023, Christine and Andy returned to StoryCorps to talk about the 16 years together since they first recorded.
This broadcast is supported in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Originally aired November 3, 2023 on NPR’s Morning Edition.
Amor Eterno: Remembering Ana Guissel Palma on Día de los Muertos
Cesar Viveros in front of his altar in Philadelphia in 2022.
Photo by Neal Santos, courtesy of The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage.
In 2016, Cesar Viveros and his wife Ana Guissel Palma set out to document Day of the Dead altars in South Philadelphia—a thriving Mexican and Central American community. The pair went door-to-door, recording stories across their neighborhood in the hopes of creating a large community altar for people to visit and remember their loved ones.
But two years into the project, Ana became sick, and passed away just before Day of the Dead, leaving Cesar to finish the project on his own.
He came to StoryCorps with his niece, Kathy Lopez, to honor her.
A framed photo of Ana Guissel Palma at an altar created by Cesar Viveros. October 21, 2023 at FDR Park in Philadelphia. By Kayla Lattimore for StoryCorps.
This broadcast is supported in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Originally aired October 27, 2023 on NPR’s Morning Edition.
Mother And Daughter Remember How A Thunderstorm Transformed Their Lives
The odds of being struck by lightning in a given year is less than one in a million, according to the CDC.
But that’s exactly what happened to Donna Salemink the summer of 2014.
Donna was solo parenting her two teenagers in Colorado, when a freak accident altered her life forever.
She came to StoryCorps with her daughter, Melissa, to remember the split second when everything changed.
Melissa Salemink and Donna Salemink in Lafayette, Colorado in 2018. Photo courtesy of Donna Salemink.
Top Photo: Donna Salemink and Melissa Salemink at their StoryCorps interview in Loveland, Colorado on September 19, 2023. By Zanna McKay for StoryCorps.
This broadcast is supported in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Originally aired October 20, 2023, on NPR’s Morning Edition.