Donald Weiss and Ralph Tremonte

Donald Weiss and Ralph Tremonte grew up together, but it wasn’t by choice. As children they were committed to a New York State psychiatric institution.

After their release, they went forty years without seeing each other. Then they were reunited at StoryCorps.

In their conversation, Donald (left) and Ralph (right) remember life in the institution and how the experience affected them.

Originally aired October 21, 2005 on NPR’s Morning Edition.

Doris and Lisa Cohen

Doris Cohen to her daughter, Lisa.

Don “Moses” Lerman

Don “Moses” Lerman is a fierce competitor—but he’s not exactly an athlete. He is a competitive eater attending most major events on the IFOCE (International Federation of Competitive Eating) circuit and can still recall the thrill of winning his first competition.

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

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.

Barbers of Belmont

Hidden deep inside New York’s famed Belmont racetrack, below the grandstand and past rows of betting windows, is a plain sign tucked almost out of sight, which reads, “Barbershop.” There, inside a cavernous cinder-block room with three old-fashioned barbershop chairs, you’ll find the incomparable barbers of Belmont: Sal, Tony, and Uri.

Recorded in Elmont, NY. Premiered October 25, 2004, on Morning Edition.

This documentary comes from Sound Portraits Productions, a mission-driven independent production company that was created by Dave Isay in 1994. Sound Portraits was the predecessor to StoryCorps and was dedicated to telling stories that brought neglected American voices to a national audience.

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.