For the past several months, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and the University’s PodLab, managed by Will Davis, have been taking “One Small Step,” an effort to remind the country of the humanity in all of us.
The UTC PodLab, a student podcasting studio for training the next generation of professional podcasters, is one of just six sites in the country selected to host “One Small Step” by StoryCorps, the National Public Radio-affiliated nonprofit that records, preserves and shares stories from everyday Americans. Audio recordings of each interview are archived at the Library of Congress.
During the spring 2023 semester, students in Davis’ Honors College seminar will be involved in every aspect of editing, packaging, promoting and sharing a multi-episode serial podcast based on the Chattanooga One Small Step conversations.
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Tracy and Christopher
The initiative brings strangers together to learn who we are as people. In this brief excerpt from their conversation, Tracy Beamon and Christopher Cooper talk about race.
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Bob and Joda
“One Small Step” also brings together those with whom we disagree, such as this excerpt of a conversation between City of Chattanooga Chief of Staff Joda Thongnopnua—a UTC alum—and former U.S. Sen. Bob Corker.
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Scar and Caleb
In this excerpt from their conversation, Scar Pardue and Caleb Lawen talk about their differences.
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Introducing “One Small Step”
Sneak previews of the three conversations were unveiled at a “One Small Step” listening party on Dec. 8, 2022, at Songbirds Guitar and Pop Culture Museum in Chattanooga. Highlights from the event were captured by WUTC production assistant Nessa Parrish.