Civil discourse is the muscle that holds democracy together. When we sit down and truly listen, we learn who’s standing next to us, what they care about and how we might find common ground.

KHOL has partnered with StoryCorps since 2023, via the One Small Step program that brings people from opposite sides of the political aisle together for conversation. We reinstated an election-focused edition of One Small Step the following year, pairing candidates running for office with the constituents they aimed to represent. In 2025, we brought StoryCorp’s Mobile Tour to Jackson for a two-week visit, recording the stories of over 50 people.

Conversations are archived at the Library of Congress and on the StoryCorps website.

StoryCorps is a national nonprofit dedicated to recording, preserving and sharing the stories of Americans of all backgrounds and beliefs. 

‘Do you have a family?’

Jackson artists say queer rights can’t be taken for granted.

StoryCorps: Pioneering climber reflects on life on the edge

Irene Beardsley and her friend Mary Ashworth discuss what it was like as one of the first women to summit Annapurna.

One Small Step: County commission candidate speaks with hospital board candidate

Len Carlman and Shannon Brennan discuss their backgrounds and what shaped their political beliefs.

One Small Step: County Commissioner in conversation with first time candidate for elected office

Commissioner Natalia Macker and Amy Renova, candidate for Teton County School Board, speak about the influences that shaped them.

One Small Step: Town council candidate and local realtor speaks with school board candidate and lawyer

Devon Viehman and Jerry Bosch discuss their earliest memories of when they became aware of politics as children – and find some common ground.

One Small Step: Town council candidate speaks with Jackson resident

Candidate Perri Stern and resident Paulina Juarez Quiroz met to share their opinions about politics and the issues that concern them.

One Small Step: Town councilor and mayoral candidate speaks with church leader

Town Councilor and mayoral candidate Arne Jorgensen discussed political vitriol, the role of government and fatherhood with Brian Bultema of the Presbyterian Church of Jackson Hole.

One Small Step: Town Councilor talks about leadership with Jackson Hole’s first female ski patroller

Councilwoman Jessica Sell Chambers, who seeks election as Jackson’s mayor, and Melissa Malm discuss collaboration and leadership in a “man’s world”.

One Small Step: Town council candidate speaks with professional mountain guide

For the third installment of KHOL’s election season One Small Step conversation we paired town council candidate Kevin Regan with professional mountain guide Jessica Baker.

One Small Step: Town council candidate speaks with Jackson resident

For the second installment of KHOL’s election season One Small Step conversation we paired town council candidate Scott Anderson with Jackson resident MacKenzie Moore.

One Small Step: County commission candidate speaks with Wilson resident

This election season KHOL revives the StoryCorps initiative to connect Jackson Hole locals for one-on-one conversations. One Small Step brings people with different beliefs into the recording studio to discover common ground.

One Small Step: Two moms discuss education, feminism, abortion and their families

“You’re a person I feel honored to have in my state, to be a fellow citizen with me.”

One Small Step: Former Mayor Pete Muldoon and Town Councilmember Jim Rooks in conversation

The two politicians discussed why they got into politics, their experiences during the 2020 election and how they want to be remembered for their public service.

One Small Step: East Coast transplants discuss the role of government

Yarzab and Muromcew share their beliefs and opinions about libertarianism and communitarianism, capitalism and socialism.

One Small Step: A conversation between two ‘twenty-somethings’

Emma Leither and Toni Walk both grew up Catholic but with different social and political ideologies.

Missed the opportunity to participate in person? Have a virtual conversation.

Visit www.storycorps.org/onesmallstep or https://storycorps.org/participate/to get involved.

Take the One Small Step: DIY participant course here. This will guide you through the process, step by step!

Partners

Strategic partners for KHOL’s One Small Step initiative encompassed a diverse set of ideologies and beliefs: The Teton County GOP and the Teton County Democratic Party, St. John’s Episcopal Church, The Jackson Hole Jewish Community, and Our Lady of the Mountains Catholic Church. The Teton County Library generously allowed us to use their new Wonder Institute Recording Studio for conversations.

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