The first StoryCorps story that I listend to was “A Couple Reflects On The Crossroads of Their Relationship.” The StoryCorps is about the first time that JoAn and Tom Peters attempted to become married. The first thing I noticed about this StoryCorp is that I wouldn’t necessarily say that it follows the typical story format. The listener doesn’t get the introduction, rising action, climax, or resolution, or at least not in that order. I would say that this seems more like a cutout of a conversation. The only introduction the listener is given comes from the narrator who says “sometimes people use the StoryCorps booth to share something they never have before” we then hear from the peters that they were going to have a baby but chose not to. We then get a quick cut in from the narrator who shares some background on the couple, how and when the met, but outside of that we know pratically nothing about this couple who just dropped a bomb on the listener.
They have a conversation about calling off their relationship and ending JoAn’s pregnancy. After JoAn shared with Tom that she was pregnant, he proposed to her. Afterwards she asked if he actually wanted to get married or if he feels that it is the right thing to do. He share’s he doesn’t actually want to get married leading to JoAn to get an abortion out of fear that Tom would resent her and the baby, they then return to single life. According to them they reentered each others lives a while later and then got married and had a child. I wouldn’t consider the story a love story per say. The couple doesn’t dress up their relationship and neither does StoryCorps, there no inspirational background music. They share a very real side to adult relationships and how many fall apart due to not being ready for the next step (marriage and kids). To me the ending also wasn’t particularly satisfying or hopeful, we hear of no grand gestures or large scale apologies. I think the charm of the story comes from how real and intimate it is, I felt like I was listening in on a couple reminiscing.
The second StoryCorps story that I listened to was “A Mother Tells Her Daughter About Life As A New Mom And Her Battle With Postpartum Depression” which centers on a mother, Heidi koss, and her struggles with postpartum depression after having her daughter, Elora.
I feel that this StoryCorps was more so formatted as an interview rather than a conversation or one person telling their story. Heidi started by sharing her experience and then Elora contiuned the conversation by asking question. I think this StoryCorp does well without a narrator giving background information or background music because it gives Heidi the space to tell her very serious story. I think this story is engaging just due to the trasparency between a mother and daughter. Elora doesn’t judge her mother and Heidi holds no resentment towards her daughter. One thing I noticed is how Heidi sounds almost detached while talking about her depression but comes back to life so to speak when talking about her current and future relationship with Elora.
I will say something else that I enjoyed about this StoryCorp is how it gives a bigger message on how medical professionals and the world view and treat people struggling with postpartum depression.