One Small Step Questionnaire – Richmond

Thank you for your interest in participating in StoryCorps’ One Small Step initiative. One Small Step is an effort to remind the country of the humanity in all of us—even those with whom we disagree. The initiative brings strangers with different views together to record a 50-minute conversation, not to debate politics, but to get to know each other as people.

We use this questionnaire to get to know you so that we can match you with the perfect conversation partner—someone we think you’ll connect with, even though you may share different political beliefs. The questionnaire typically takes applicants only about 5 minutes to complete.

Once you submit the form, our team will begin looking for your match. We are thoughtful in this process and it can take some time to find the right partner for everyone. If we are able to match you, a StoryCorps team member will reach out to schedule your interview and prepare you for the conversation.

Let’s get started.

Please note that the questions highlighted with an asterisk are mandatory.

First, some basics:
Name*
First Last
Location (City, State, ZIP)*
City State ZIP Code
Email Address*
Preferred phone number*
If you are a member of the college community, are you a...?
- Student
- Faculty member
- Alumni
- College administrator
How did you find out about the opportunity to participate in StoryCorps' One Small Step?*
Please check all that apply.
- I saw an advertisement (Facebook ad, radio ad, door hanger, poster, etc.)
- I heard about it at an event
- I learned about it from a friend, family member, or colleague
- I heard about it from a group or an organization I'm a part of
- Another way
Hidden
How did you find out about the opportunity to participate in StoryCorps' One Small Step?
- Radio
- Social media
- Email
- Flyer, postcard, or other print advertisement
- Event
- A friend, family member, or colleague
- A group or organization
- Another way
Great! Which one?
Terrific! Can you share their name?
Great! What was the event?
Tell us more!
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Do you know someone you would like to speak with for One Small Step?
If you have a conversation partner in mind, we will get in touch with you for further details.
- No
- Yes
Person's name, and relationship to you
Most One Small Step recordings take place online via a video call. Do you have access to a computer or mobile device (iPad, tablet, etc.) and reliable internet?*
- Yes
- No
If not, don't worry! We want to make this opportunity available to everyone, so we will work with you to find another way to participate.
How do you prefer to participate in a One Small Step conversation?
How often do you engage in conversations with people who have different beliefs than you?
- Often
- Sometimes
- Rarely
- Never
Now, help us understand your political beliefs:
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Do you have access to a computer or mobile device (iPad, tablet, etc.) and reliable internet?
- Yes
- No
If not, don't worry! We want to make this opportunity available to everyone, so we will work with you to find another way to participate.
Where on this scale would you place your thinking on social issues? *
Drag the slider to where you see yourself on the scale, with the left being the most liberal and the right the most conservative.
I prefer not to place myself on this scale.
Briefly describe your thinking on social issues.
Where on this scale would you place your thinking on economic issues? *
Drag the slider to where you see yourself on the scale, with the left being the most liberal and the right the most conservative.
I prefer not to place myself on this scale.
Briefly describe your thinking on economic issues.
How important is religion in your life? *
Drag the slider to where your feelings on religion fit best on the scale, with the left being not at all important and the right extremely important.
I prefer not to place myself on this scale.
- I prefer not to place myself on this scale
Briefly describe the role of religion in your life.
Are you a registered voter in the US?*
- Yes
- No
- Prefer not to answer
Which party are you registered with, if any?
- Democratic
- Republican
- Green
- American Independent
- Libertarian
- No party affiliation/independent
- Another party
Please specify
Help us get to know you better:
Introduce Yourself*

Provide a short biography below (a maximum of 500 characters). We’ll send this to your conversation partner a few days before you meet. You might want to share basic information about who you are and where you’re from, the big life events that have shaped you, and any issues that are especially important to you.
Here’s an example to guide you.
"I am a Christian who is interested in education, lean conservative, believe in public service, and enjoy farming. Am a third and fourth generation, lifelong resident of a rural community and grew up on a farm. I’ve worked in the timber industry starting at age 13. Hunting and fishing are important to me, and I do a lot of work with—and support—public land multiple use and conservation. Married and have adult children and my first grandchildren. I lost one of my children a few years ago."
WHILE ONE SMALL STEP PAIRS STRANGERS WITH DIFFERENT BELIEFS, THE GOAL IS TO REMIND US THAT WE'RE ALL HUMAN AND THAT WE HAVE MORE IN COMMON THAN WE THINK. THE BEST INTERVIEW PARTNERS OFTEN SHARE A PASSION OR SIMILAR LIFE EXPERIENCES. THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS WILL HELP US IN THE PAIRING PROCESS.
Do any of these describe you?
Please select as many as you like.
- Grandparent
- Parent
- Political
- Veteran / From military family
- Active in my community
- Outdoorsy / Nature lover
- Outgoing
- Animal lover
- Religious / Spiritual
- Shy
- Tech-savvy
- Creative
Have you experienced any of these life events recently?
Please select as many as you like.
- Became a parent
- Became a grandparent
- Lost a loved one
- Moved to a new community
- Started a new job
- Lost a job
- Health or health of a loved one impacted by COVID-19
- Got married
- Got divorced / Had a breakup
- Fought with family or friends over politics
- Another major event
Please describe
List up to three (3) additional passions or interests (i.e., hobbies, sports/sports teams, music etc.)
PROVIDING STORYCORPS WITH THE DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION WE ASK FOR BELOW IS OPTIONAL. HAVING MORE INFORMATION ABOUT YOU WILL HELP US MATCH YOU WITH AN INTERVIEW PARTNER, SO WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO PROVIDE AS MUCH INFORMATION AS MAKES YOU COMFORTABLE.
Age
Gender
- Female / Woman
- Male / Man
- Another gender identity
Please specify
Race / Ethnicity
- American Indian or Alaska Native
- Asian
- Black or African American
- Hispanic or Latino/a/x
- Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
- White/Caucasian
- Not listed above
Please specify
Religious affiliation
- Buddhist
- Christian
- Hindu
- Jewish
- Muslim
- Secular/Atheist/Agnostic
- Unitarian Universalist
- Not listed above
Please specify
THANK YOU FOR COMPLETING THIS QUESTIONNAIRE. OUR TEAM WILL NOW BEGIN LOOKING FOR YOUR MATCH. IF WE ARE ABLE TO MATCH YOU, A STORYCORPS TEAM MEMBER WILL REACH OUT TO SCHEDULE YOUR INTERVIEW AND PREPARE YOU FOR THE CONVERSATION.
Please note the information you share in this application will be used only to match you with a conversation partner and to share email updates about One Small Step. We will not use your information for any other purpose.