Calling Interview Process
(Based on the StoryCorps Model: storycorps.org)

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StoryCorps Do-It Yourself Guide
The StoryCorps Do-It-Yourself Guide provides the how-to steps to developing interviews in your setting. 

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• Organize a church-wide storytelling experience and record the audio of each video on your website or a podcasting site.
• Provide a variety of intergenerational suggestions such as grandchildren with grandparents, older members with children and youth, etc.
  
• For guidelines on organizing a church-wide Stories of Calling project, review the DIY resources on the StoryCorps website: storycorps.org/participate/storycorps-diy/​

Video Introduction: Everyone Around You Has a Story the World Needs to Hear

Dave Isay opened the first StoryCorps booth in New York’s Grand Central Terminal in 2003 with the intention of creating a quiet place where a person could honor someone who mattered to them by listening to their story. Since then, StoryCorps has evolved into the single largest collection of human voices ever recorded. His TED Prize wish: to grow this digital archive of the collective wisdom of humanity. 

Conducting a "Calling" Interview 

To record an interview, all you’ll need is a partner, some prep time, and a quiet place. Your partner can be anyone you’d like to get to know better. You can choose your interview questions from question lists provided in the app, or write your own. Arrange a time when both you and your partner will be relaxed, and choose a quiet, comfortable place where you won’t be interrupted. 

Sample Interview Questions on Calling 

• How is God's calling in your life today? 
• How did you recognize God's call?
• When did you first discover you had a calling? 
• Is this a new calling or vocation(e.g., becoming a parent, beginning a career, entering retirement)? 
• How has your calling changed over time?
• How do you live your call or vocation in everyday life? 

Process
Ask Warm-Up Questions: 

• Introduce yourself and your partner. Ask a few warm-up questions, like “Where were you born?” or “Can you describe the first time we met?”

Ask Open-Ended Questions

• Avoid questions that can be answered with a “yes” or a “no.” Instead, use language like “Tell me about…” or “What was it like when…” This lets the storyteller steer you toward what is most important to them.

Ask Follow-Up Questions

• Be prepared to ask follow-ups or diverge from your question list if you’re curious about something. If you’d like to hear more, try “And then what happened?” or “How did that make you feel?” or “What were you thinking in that moment?”

Think of It as a Conversation

• Use your selected questions as a guide, not a script. If your partner goes off topic, go with it. You can redirect them to your original question later. Think of it as a conversation; there’s no right or wrong thing to talk about, as long as it’s meaningful to you.

Tell a Story

• Don’t hesitate to tell a story about your partner, and to bring up your favorite shared memories. This can be a time to tell your partner how much they mean to you, and why you want to record with them today.

Set Up Context

• Keep in mind that future listeners may not be familiar with the specific people and places you mention. Set up context where needed with questions like “Who was Uncle Steve?” and “Why was he such an influence on you?”

Encourage Vivid Details

• Questions that encourage vivid details can make the story special. Invoke the senses by asking your partner to remember these details. For example: “What did your kitchen smell like when you were growing up?” or “What images stand out when you think about Granddad?”

Plan Some Reflective Questions

• Keep an eye on the time so that you are aware of when there are 10 and 5 minutes left. End your interview with reflective questions, such as “What legacy would you like to leave?” or “What advice would you give me about being a parent?”

Relax and Be Yourself

• Enjoy the opportunity to share stories and reflections with your interview partner. Just be yourself, be curious, and let the conversation flow.

For More Information:

• The Six Basic Steps to a StoryCorps Interview: storycorps.org/participate/what-to-expect/