1. A Big Listening Project
1. A Big Listening Project
1. A Big Listening Project
1. A Big Listening Project
Interview Series
Peggy Bulger
Today’s bonus interview is with folklore expert Dr. Peggy Bulger, who led the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress for a dozen years. Before that, she served as Florida’s first state folklorist. But even before that, when she was doing her graduate research, Dr. Bulger had the foresight to interview Florida legend Stetson Kennedy about his work gathering Florida’s stories and songs. So, when we sat down with Dr. Bulger for The People’s Recorder, we knew she would bring a treasure trove of stories.
And now, for the first time, that conversation is available for you to enjoy.
To hear the full interview, consider joining our Patreon.
David Bradley
When we sat down with Pen/Faulkner Award-winning author David Bradley (The Chaneysville Incident), we knew we were in for an unforgettable conversation. Sharp, funny, and deeply thoughtful, he brought both wit and a grounded perspective to his take on the legacy of the Federal Writers’ Project. But what resonated the most about our conversation was his lasting belief in the power of stories to reveal what the official record often leaves out.
Now, that never-before-released conversation is now available for you to enjoy.
To hear the full interview, consider joining our Patreon.
Dagoberto Gilb
Listen to our never-before-released conversation with award-winning author Dagoberto Gilb. We interviewed Dagoberto for our documentary Soul of a People and were immediately impressed with his way of cutting through pretense with a single line. When we asked him if we could quote him in the outreach for the film, his reply was swift and dry: “Yes, to whatever I said, so long as I look brilliant.” That’s Dagoberto – he disarms with wit, then follows with something unvarnished and true.
In our conversation, Dagoberto reminds us that literature, just like life, is at its best when it insists on being true. He isn’t interesting in polishing myths, and he has no patience for stereotypes and cliches. Instead, he’s here to tell us what’s raw, lived and true.
To hear the full interview, consider joining our Patreon.
Loretta Metoxen
One of our favorite episodes to work on was Episode 6: Native Historians do Stand-up about the WPA project to preserve the Oneida language and history. But that was not the first time we explored this story. We traveled to Oneida, conducting interviews and digging into archives, when we produced our documentary Soul of a People. One of those interviews was with the remarkable Loretta Metoxen.
Until her death in 2021, Metoxen was the Tribal Historian for the Oneida Nation, a position she served in for over two decades. She was tasked with preserving, documenting and interpreting her people’s history, culture, and traditions. Having learned directly from the WPA’s Oscar Archiquette, Metoxen is clear in her reflections on the groundbreaking work of the Oneida writers during the Depression and its huge impact today.
To hear the full interview, consider joining our Patreon.
Studs Terkel
Studs Terkel was many things – a Pulitzer Prize-winning author, oral historian, radio legend, fiery populist, labor advocate and, above all, a master listener. For 45 years, his Chicago radio show invited everyday people to share their stories – the kind of history that often gets forgotten.
In 2006, we turned the tables and asked Studs to tell us his story. This never-before-released interview was one of his last before his death at age 96. Before we left, he signed our copy of his book about the Depression, Hard Times, with a simple message: “Keep up the good work.”
And that’s what we’re trying to do with The People’s Recorder – carry forward Studs’ legacy of person-first storytelling.
To hear the full interview, consider joining our Patreon.
Douglas Brinkley
In 2006, award-winning filmmaker and producer Andrea Kalin sat down for an interview with bestselling author and renowned presidential historian Douglas Brinkley. Now, for the first time ever, that insightful and inspiring conversation is available for you to enjoy.
To hear the full interview, join our Patreon Community
For just $5/month, you can have access to exclusive interviews, episodes and Ask Me Anything events. Support us on Patreon and help keep these stories coming.
Listen wherever you get your podcasts
