Ronald Ruiz

New York City bus operator Ronald Ruiz remembers one of his passengers on the City Island line in the Bronx.

Originally aired February 25, 2005, on This American Life.

Broadcast July 15, 2005, on NPR’s Morning Edition.

Danny Perasa and Phyllis Johnson

Phyllis Johnson, known as PJ, went from New York City Police Department clerk to beat cop.

She was on the force on September 11, 2001. In the months that followed, she was assigned to search the Staten Island landfill for items to identify those lost in the World Trade Center attacks.

PJ came to StoryCorps with her friend, Danny Perasa, to talk about her first and last days on the force.

Originally aired December 18, 2007 on NPR’s News & Notes.

Jesus Melendez and Frank Perez

Jesus Melendez telling Frank Perez about poet Pedro Pietri’s final moments in an air ambulance.

Originally aired March 3, 2005 on NPR’s Morning Edition.

Jimmy Beatrice and Andrew Vollo

Cab driver Jimmy Beatrice talks to his friend Andrew Vollo.

Nancy Cobb and Billy Collins

Poet Billy Collins and his friend Nancy Cobb remember Billy’s late father. A jokester with a puckish spirit, one of his favorite pranks involved befuddling a colleague by switching hats around.

Originally aired June 18, 2004, on NPR’s Morning Edition.

Carl and Roy Wennerod

Carl Wennerod interviewed by his son, Roy.

Originally aired June 1, 2004 on WNYC’s Brian Lehrer Show.

Philomena Luciani and Alison Purcell

Philomena Luciani, 82, talks with her granddaughter about her own mother and the difficult times she had communicating in English after emigrating to the United States from Italy.

Originally aired May 7, 2004, on NPR’s Morning Edition.

Lynne Lande and Kaitlyn Sever

Ten-year-old Kaitlyn Sever interviewed by her mom, Lynne Lande, who is a lesbian.

Originally broadcast May 7, 2004 on NPR’s Morning Edition.

Carmela Pollio, Laurence Hewitt, and Yoshiharu Hewitt

Carmela Pollio tells her grandson, Laurence, and her great grandson, Yoshi, about growing up in Hell’s Kitchen.

Originally aired April 12, 2004 on WNYC’s Brian Lehrer Show.

Blanca Vazquez and Manny Diaz

Manny Diaz grew up in New York City during the Great Depression. His family shared a tenement building with 10 other families—all with different backgrounds.

Manny came to StoryCorps with his friend Blanca Vazquez to remember how they all came together to support each other and make it through difficult times.

Originally aired October 23, 2009, on Latino USA.