Thembi Ngubane was willing to stand up and speak out at a time when few South Africans were willing to say, “I have AIDS.”
Diaries
We give people tape recorders and help them to document their own lives for public radio.
Weasel’s Diary: Deported
A 26-year-old Los Angeles resident gets deported to his parents’ home country of El Salvador, which he has not seen since age five.
The Last Place: Diary of a Retirement Home
A group of residents of The Presbyterian Home use tape recorders to document their lives in retirement.
My So-Called Lungs
Laura Rothenberg tried to live a normal life, with lungs that betrayed her and the awareness that she might not live to see her 30th birthday.
Going Home: Cristel’s Diary
At 15, Cristel attacked a classmate with a razor blade. After 3 years of incarceration, she’s being released.
Serving 9 to 5: Correctional Officers’ Diary
Diaries from officers who work behind bars at Polk Youth Institution.
Doing Time: John’s Diary
As a kid, John dreamed of becoming a police officer, but by the age of 17, John had committed more than 75 armed robberies.
Matthew and the Judge: Juvenile Court Diary
Through their diaries, Matthew and Judge Jeremiah tell the same story from two different sides of the bench.
Amanda’s Diary: Girlfriend
Amanda is gay. Amanda’s family is Catholic. And she’s having a hard time convincing her parents that this is not “just a phase.”
Josh’s Diary, Part 1: Tourette’s
Josh has Tourette’s Syndrome, a neurological disorder that causes uncontrollable tics and involuntary verbal outbursts.
Josh’s Diary, Part 2: First Kiss
In Josh’s second diary, he packs his tape recorder for his first summer away from home.
Melissa’s Diary, Part 1: Teen Mom
Melissa never meant to get pregnant. But now, after 12 years of living in the foster care system, she’s trying to build the family she never had.
Melissa’s Diary, Part 2: Raising Isaaiah
This is Melissa’s second audio diary. Her son Isaaiah is now one-year-old.
Frankie’s Diary, Part 1: Welcome Home, Dad
Frankie always thought his family was pretty normal until the day the FBI showed up.
Frankie’s Diary, Part 2: Football
Frankie’s second audio diary follows his season playing running back for the Valley Head Tigers.
Juan’s Diary, Part 1: Looking at the Rio Grande
Juan and his family crossed the Rio Grande illegally into Texas four years ago.
Juan’s Diary, Part 2: Back to Mexico
In Juan’s second audio diary, he travels back to Mexico to visit his dying grandfather. This is his first time back since he immigrated to the United States.
Jeff’s Diary: Halfrican
More and more these days Jeff finds himself thinking about race as he’s confronted with the question “What are you?”
Randy’s Diary: Remembering Ozell
While living on a farm that was once part of a slave plantation, Randy searches for clues about the life of his great-grandfather, the civil rights leader Ozell Mitchell.
Emily’s Diary: Teenage Days
Emily gives an inside look at “sportos,” “krusties,” “krinkles,” and how being a teenager isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.
Nick’s Diary: Home School to High School
Nick chronicles a turbulent year in his life. He’s 15-years-old and hates school, but somehow he must learn to make friends.
Brina’s Diary: Best Four Years of Your Life
Brina keeps an audio journal of her first year at Brown University.
Ricky’s Diary: What If God….
Ricky’s father is an atheist activist. Ricky is beginning his own search for something to believe in.
