StoryCorps, the national nonprofit organization dedicated to recording, preserving, and sharing the stories of people from all backgrounds and beliefs, comes to the Flathead Valley from May 30 to June 26 to record interviews, in-person and virtually, as part of its Mobile Tour.  

Now in its 20th year, the StoryCorps Mobile Tour has facilitated thousands of meaningful conversations between people who know and care about one another. In the Flathead Valley, StoryCorps will partner with NPR affiliate Montana Public Radio. MTPR will air a selection of the local interviews and create special programs around the project.

StoryCorps may also share excerpts of these stories with the world through the project’s popular weekly NPR broadcasts, animated shorts, digital platforms, and best-selling books.  

“We are honored that StoryCorps has selected Flathead Valley Community College as a stop on its Mobile Tour,” said Jane Karas, president of the college. “At FVCC, we believe in the power of storytelling to connect people, preserve history and strengthen community. Hosting StoryCorps is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the voices and experiences of people across the Flathead Valley.” 

As part of its visit to Kalispell, StoryCorps will host a public listening event on Monday, June 23, at the Wachholz College Center. Produced by Montana Public Radio, the event will showcase selected stories recorded during the Flathead Valley sessions. Admission is free and open to the public.  

Reservations to record will be available at 10 a.m. on May 10 and can be made by following the link at mtpr.org, by calling StoryCorps’ 24-hour toll-free reservation line at 1-800-850-4406, or visiting storycorps.org.  

In a StoryCorps interview, two people record a meaningful conversation with one another about who they are, what they’ve learned in life, and how they want to be remembered. A trained StoryCorps facilitator guides them through the interview process. After each 40-minute recording session, participants receive a digital copy of their interview. With participant permission, a second copy is archived at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress for future generations to hear.  

Founded in 2003 by award-winning documentary producer and MacArthur Fellow Dave Isay, StoryCorps has traveled to every corner of the country to record interviews in the organization’s effort to create a world where we listen closely to each other and recognize the beauty, grace and poetry in the lives and stories we find all around us. 

Anne Hosler, director of University of Montana Broadcast Media Center, who oversees Montana Public Radio, said Montana Public Radio believes in the power of storytelling to deepen understanding and build bridges across differences.  

“StoryCorps aligns beautifully with our mission to enrich minds, connect communities and celebrate Montana voices,” Hosler said. “This partnership gives Montanans the opportunity to preserve their lived experiences, spark meaningful conversations, and contribute to a more informed and connected world.”  

StoryCorps is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.