StoryCorps

08/22/2026

The key to success. 🔐

Father and son, Phil and Philip Mortillaro Jr., share how Phil’s passion for locksmithing opened the door to their family business in Greenwich Village, and how the key to raising a family is doing your best. ❤️

08/21/2026

On the morning of August 27, 2025 at the start of a mass celebrating the beginning of the school year, a shooter attacked the Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis, wounding 28 and killing two.

Both victims were children from the parish school: third grader Fletcher Merkel, and Harper Moyski, who was in the fifth grade.

Harper’s mother, Jackie Flavin, wanted to record this interview to remember her daughter. She chose Harper's best friend, 11-year old Orla McGarvey, as her interview partner.

Heard on NPR Morning Edition ➡️ https://storycor.ps/4c3PLph

08/19/2026

08/16/2026

Lourdes Villanueva grew up a daughter of migrant workers. Her family was constantly on the move, which prevented Lourdes from receiving her high school diploma. Despite the odds stacked against her, she was determined to complete her education all while balancing working in the fields and parenting her children.

✏️🍎 Listen to more stories from our collection ➡️ storycorps.org/backtoschool/

08/15/2026

A story about Hawaiian pizza. Not the kind with pineapple — but pizza from Hawaii. 🍕

Chad Machado and his son, Xavier, rolled out JP’s Pizza, a pizza shop in Kekaha, Kaua’i, at the height of the pandemic. Neither had ever worked in a restaurant before. They share slices of risk, resilience, and what it’s like to run a business together.

08/14/2026

A place to belong. A place to give back.

CaRonda and Patrick Drew run a community center in their home in Shreveport, Louisiana called, “Friendship House.” Neighborhood kids can find everything from a hot meal to a music lesson—but it’s not just the kids who get something out of it.

They speak with two volunteers, Dr. Peggie Jelks and retired pastor Dan Lay, about what keeps them coming back to help.

Listen to both conversations on our website, heard on NPR Morning Edition ➡️ https://storycor.ps/4i2mNtG

08/13/2026

Tag someone you want to record a StoryCorps conversation with! ✨🎙️

Just like Shirley, you can record with someone you love reflecting on an anniversary, a milestone, or just any memory that is important to you! It’s yours to keep and listen to forever!

Don’t wait—download the StoryCorps App and tell your story!

08/12/2026

And just like that, we’ve come to the end of the road on our Southern Sprinter Tour—with our final stop in Charleston! 🎙️✨

We’re grateful to our anchor partner, Trident United Way, for welcoming us and making our time meaningful. To the Charleston community: thank you for opening your hearts and sharing your stories with us. ❤️

From city to city, all summer long, Mercedes-Benz Vans USA, helped us hit the road and preserve voices and stories across the South!

08/09/2026

A young life transformed by the kindness of two librarians.

Judge Olly Neal grew up in Arkansas during the ’50s and didn’t care much for high school. He recounts how a book cover—and a little nudge from two helpful librarians—turned him around academically. 📚❤️

08/08/2026

For almost 50 years, young minds in Charlottesville, Virginia have been taking on the impossible: world peace. Led by schoolteacher John Hunter, The World Peace Game was created to teach the complexities of geopolitics. But over time, the students taught him just as much—and even brought him into the world of real-life global leaders.

Listen to more stories from our Back to School collection → storycorps.org/backtoschool/