Santiago Arredondo and Aimee Arredondo

Santiago Arredondo, 32, grew up in Southern California, where he learned his strong work ethic from his family.

He recently recorded a StoryCorps interview with his wife, Aimee, to honor the most influential person in his life: his grandfather, Jose Guadalupe Enrique Sanchez, whose portrait he has tattooed on his arm.

Originally aired May 29, 2015, on NPR’s Morning Edition.

You can read more stories like this one in our book Callings: The Purpose and Passion of Work, a collection that celebrate the passion, determination, and courage it takes to pursue the work we feel called to do.

Callings is now available from Penguin Books. Get the book at our neighborhood bookstore, Greenlight Bookstore, or find it at your local bookstore.

Jeff Wilson and Tammie Baird

When Jeff Wilson heard this StoryCorps conversation about a car accident, it brought back bad memories.

In 1984, Jeff was driving to high school when the sun got in his eyes and he struck another student as she was crossing the street.

Jeff told that story in an online comment, and we suggested that he sit down with Tammie Baird, the person he hit 30 years ago.

So they came to a StoryCorps booth and sat face-to-face for the first time since high school.

Originally aired March 27, 2015, on NPR’s Morning Edition.

Daniel Wheeler and Erik Galvan

Lance Corporal Erik Galvan (right) was 19 when he deployed to Afghanistan in 2011.

Three months into his deployment, he was walking ahead of his squad looking for improvised explosive devices when they approached an ominous wooded area.

His squad leader, Sgt. Daniel Wheeler (left), was several feet behind him when he ordered Galvan to proceed.

They sat down for a StoryCorps conversation about the day that war tore their friendship apart.

Originally aired March 7, 2015, on NPR’s Weekend Edition.

Stefanie Pelkey and Thomas Hart

Stefanie Pelkey is a former Army Captain. Her husband, Army Captain Michael Pelkey served in Iraq in 2003. He was diagnosed with PTSD a year after he returned.

Army Sergeant Thomas “TJ” Hart is also a veteran and struggles with PTSD. Stefanie and TJ became friends while volunteering at a Veteran’s Center in Houston, TX.

At StoryCorps, they talked about what happened when Stephanie’s husband came home from war.

The 2012 VA Suicide Data Report found that 22 veterans die every day by suicide. Visit the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America website for more info.

Originally aired January 31, 2015, on NPR’s Weekend Edition Saturday.

Maurice Rowland and Miguel Alvarez

In 2013, Maurice Rowland (left) was working as a cook at Valley Springs Manor, an assisted living home for elderly residents in California. He got his friend Miguel Alvarez (right) a job there as a janitor last fall.

But in October of that year, the company that managed the home suddenly shut it down, leaving many of the elderly residents with nowhere to go.

The staff stopped being paid so they all left—except for Maurice and Miguel.

At StoryCorps they remembered caring for abandoned residents until the fire department and sheriff took over three days later.

Originally aired November 21, 2014, on NPR’s Morning Edition.

Sonia Vasquez and Tina Vasquez

Tina Vasquez grew up just outside of New York City in the 1980s. Her mother, Sonia, raised her with little help, and money was often tight for their family.

At StoryCorps, Sonia told Tina about how she’d take on several jobs to pay the bills.

Originally aired October 3, 2014, on NPR’s Morning Edition.

Willie Davis and Yelitza Castro

Yelitza Castro (right) is an undocumented immigrant who works as a housekeeper in Charlotte, North Carolina. Since 2010, she has also been cooking meals for homeless men and women in her community.

Through this work she met Willie Davis (left), who has been the recipient of many of those meals.

At StoryCorps, Yelitza and Willie talk about the beginnings of their friendship.

Originally aired December 20, 2013, on NPR’s Morning Edition.

Carlos Rocha

When StoryCorps visited Danville Correctional Center in Illinois, one of the inmates who told his story was Carlos Rocha.

Carlos grew up in Chicago, and he, like his brothers, joined a gang. In 1998, he was arrested for weapons possession. Just before he was to be released on bond, Carlos got into a fight with another inmate and killed him. He was sentenced to 24 more years behind bars.

Originally aired May 16, 2014, on NPR’s Morning Edition.

Juan Castillo y Carmen Santos

Carmen Santos y su hermano Juan Castillo crecieron en Los Angeles pensando que su madre los había abandonado cuando vivía en Guatemala. Un día, descubrieron la verdad sobre lo que pasó.

Rogelio Martinez and Lisa Moya King

At the time Rogelio Martinez enrolled in Lisa Moya King’s high school dance class, his father had been deported and he was moving among family members who were abusing him.

After Lisa saw Rogelio’s bruises, she reported the abuse, but days later, after he told her he was going to run away, she offered to help him by allowing him to stay with her and her husband.

At StoryCorps, Lisa and Rogelio, now 21, discuss how grateful he is that she took care of him when he was in need, and how he taught her about being a teacher and a parent.

Originally aired November 29, 2013, on NPR’s Morning Edition.