SULLIVAN COUNTY — WJFF Radio is bringing a new program to its listeners, intended to bring together members of the community who would otherwise have little reason to get to know one another. As anyone who watches national news probably knows, the country is facing a period of intense political division.

One Small Step is a program organized by Story Corps, “a national nonprofit dedicated to helping us believe in each other by illuminating the humanity and possibility in us all, one story at a time.” Each year, Story Corps selects a handful of public and nonprofit community radio stations across the country to participate in the program and receive training by the NPO’s team. This year, WJFF was one of seven to join the ranks, and the first installment will be underway very soon. 

What exactly does One Small Step entail?

Program producer and facilitator Isabel Braverman says, “I want people to know first and foremost that the recordings are not intended to be debates, nor is there any set topic. It’s all about getting to know your community – this is your chance to speak with someone who you might otherwise never meet. I think it will be a poignant and inspiring experience for anyone who participates.”

Topics of discussion will depend on the interests of the guests in each installment, so there’s really no limit on what might be discussed over the course of each show. The host may start the discussion with a poignant question, but where the conversation goes from there is up to the guests. 

As part of Story Corps’ program, WJFF will record a minimum of twenty-five conversations and produce at least three audio segments to be distributed through local broadcast and digital platforms. In addition, with participants’ permission, conversations will be archived at the American Folklife Center in the Library of Congress. 

So far, public outreach efforts have yielded a positive response from Sullivan County residents, and the radio host notes that interest is growing.