Our Stories
We will frequently be adding a new Story of the Week that will profile a different interesting and inspirational person. We've done many interviews over this past year, and in the coming weeks we will be putting up profiles of people ranging from Shirley Tilghman, president of Princeton University, David Miller, past mayor of Toronto , Cornel West, well known African American scholar and public intellectual, among many others.
We really encourage you to check back to the site as frequently as possible in order to see the new stories we've put up which will teach important themes, messages and ideas. We hope they serve as a strong source of inspiration.
We really encourage you to check back to the site as frequently as possible in order to see the new stories we've put up which will teach important themes, messages and ideas. We hope they serve as a strong source of inspiration.
Story of the Week- Armando Codina
Armando Codina is a Cuban emigre-turned-businessman. Despite the innumerable challenges he faced in arriving alone in America as a teenager, he worked hard and found success. Today he is a firm believer in the American Dream and a firm advocate of family values and civic service. Read this account of his story to learn how his principles underpinned his great success.
Interview by: Thomas Z. Horton
Written by: Thomas Z. Horton
Click here to read his story
Interview by: Thomas Z. Horton
Written by: Thomas Z. Horton
Click here to read his story
Story of the Week- Dara Torres
Dara Torres is a five time Olympic swimmer (1984, 1988, 1992, 2000, 2008), who has medalled 12 times. In 2008, at age 41, she was the oldest swimmer to ever earn a place on the US Olympic team. She has been a tremendous role model and has been involved with Swim Across America to raise money for cancer research for many years. Learn what her story teaches about perseverance and balance as a mother and world-class athlete.
Interview by: Kathy Qu
Written by: Kathy Qu
Click here to read her story
Interview by: Kathy Qu
Written by: Kathy Qu
Click here to read her story
Story of the Week- Youngsuk Chi
Youngsuk Chi is an international business leader who always finds ways to give back to society. Learn what his story has to say about optimism, chasing dreams and maintaining a valuable sense of perspective in life.
Interview by: Li Ting Ooi
Written by: Li Ting Ooi
Click here to read his story
Interview by: Li Ting Ooi
Written by: Li Ting Ooi
Click here to read his story
Story of the Week- Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish
Dr. Abuelaish, known to many as the Gaza Doctor, lost three daughters and a niece in 2009 in the Gaza War. Yet, rather than responding with hatred or seeking revenge, he responded with a renewed vision for peace and reconciliation in the Middle East. It was this peaceful response that earned him a Nobel Prize nomination and recognition all throughout the world. Learn what his story teaches about the desire for peace, and the ability for love to triumph hate.
Interview by: Ari Satok
Produced by: Ari Satok
Interview by: Ari Satok
Produced by: Ari Satok
Story of the Week- Johann Olav Koss
Johann Olav Koss, the Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year in 1994, is the founder and CEO of Right to Play, a global organization dedicated to improving the lives of children in some of the most disadvantaged areas of the world by using the power of sport. Learn what his story teaches about using sport to create a healthier and safer world.
Interview by: Ari Satok
Written by: Ari Satok
Click here to read his story
Interview by: Ari Satok
Written by: Ari Satok
Click here to read his story
Story of the Week- Maya
Maya grew up in Boulder, Colorado. As a teenager, Maya dealt with many issues including drug abuse, excessive drinking, delinquency, and a brief stint living on the street. In the past three years, she's gone to eight different high schools and has been in juvie three times. Yet, she is determined to turn her life around. Learn what her story teaches about respect, understanding, and finding yourself amidst challenges.
Interview and Production by: Ari Satok
Listen to her story below:
Interview and Production by: Ari Satok
Listen to her story below:
Story of the Week- Jim Farrin
Jim Farrin put an end to his corporate career after twenty years to start a prison tutoring program. Today, the Petey Greene Prisoner Assistance program brings dozens of Princeton students to correctional facilities to give inmates access to education. Learn what his story has to say about giving back to society through volunteering.
Interview by: Roxane Latrèche
Written by: Roxane Latrèche
Click here to read his story
Interview by: Roxane Latrèche
Written by: Roxane Latrèche
Click here to read his story
Story of the Week- Michael Oppenheimer
First inspired by his scientist mother’s interest in the environment, Professor Michael Oppenheimer has served as chief scientist of the Environmental Defense Fund, a nonprofit environmental advocacy group that played a key role in addressing acid rain and developing a program to get an international treaty on climate change. Learn what Oppenheimer’s story has to say about how people with passion can influence the public’s perception to help bring about important changes.
Interview by: Regina Wang
Written by: Regina Wang
Click here to read his story
Interview by: Regina Wang
Written by: Regina Wang
Click here to read his story
Story of the Week- Sonia Gupta
Inspired by a visit to India and research she conducted into HIV/AIDS, Sonia started UAID- United Against Infectious Diseases, an organization that empowers domestic and international communities by promoting research and advocacy in infectious diseases, and providing testing, counseling and awareness initiatives to at-risk populations. Learn what Sonia's story has to say about taking action to change the problems we see in the world around us and the importance of vision and dedication.
Interview by: Josh Satok
Written by: Josh Satok
Click here to read her story
Interview by: Josh Satok
Written by: Josh Satok
Click here to read her story
Story of the Week- Taber
Taber is a remarkably talented young man. He is a tremendous actor, and a phenomenal musician. But his talents didn't translate into success in the public school system. However, as a thriving student at an alternative high school, Taber demonstrates that students have an innate drive to learn, they just need a setting that lets them do it. Learn what his story teaches about the importance of a learning atmosphere that lets one thrive.
Interview and Production by: Ari Satok
Listen to Taber's story below:
Interview and Production by: Ari Satok
Listen to Taber's story below:
Story of the Week- Derik
Derik grew up in Harlem, New York. In his early teenage years he became immersed in gang culture. He began abiding by what he talked about as the "rules of the street", rules that were causing him to make irresponsible decisions. But today, he has realized the errors of his past ways, and has decided to rewrite the rules of the street focusing on one important new rule: strive to overcome. Learn what his story teaches about overcoming gang culture, and forging your own identity.
Interview and Production by: Ari Satok
Listen below:
Interview and Production by: Ari Satok
Listen below:
Story of the Week- Tom Szaky
Tom Szaky dropped out of Princeton halfway through his sophomore year with an idea for a company that would change the way the world sees garbage. Eight years later, he's leading a multimillion-dollar global recycling empire. Learn what his story has to say about taking risks and thinking big to solve global problems.
Interview by: Lauren Zumbach
Written by: Lauren Zumbach
Click here to read Tom's story
Interview by: Lauren Zumbach
Written by: Lauren Zumbach
Click here to read Tom's story
Story of the Week- Marwan
Marwan was born and raised in Saudi Arabia. Throughout middle school he was buillied, which led to feelings of isolation and anger. Rather than responding constructively though, Marwan responded by becoming a bully himself. However, today Marwan could not have moved further from his past as a bully. Learn what his story says about the ability to replace hatred with love, and bullying with kindness.
Interview and Production: By Ari Satok
Listen to his story below
Interview and Production: By Ari Satok
Listen to his story below
Story of the Week- Scottie
Drug abuse has serious consequences. It can cause emotional, physical, and psychological harm. It can lead to crippling dependency and addiction. And, although often not realized, it doesn’t only affect the abuser- it hurts all those around them. Learn what Scottie's story teaches about the consequences of drug abuse and the ability to overcome addiction.
Interview and Production by: Ari Satok
Listen to his story below (approximately 10 minutes):
Interview and Production by: Ari Satok
Listen to his story below (approximately 10 minutes):
Story of the Week -Ni'jaah
Ni'jaah grew up in Trenton, New Jersey. Throughout her childhood she has dealt with anger management issues. However, today, she is overcoming them day by day. Learn what her story teaches about turning anger into calmness, and learning to resolve conflict peacefully.
Interview and Production by: Ari Satok
Listen to her story below:
Interview and Production by: Ari Satok
Listen to her story below:
Story of the Week- Lalo
Lalo grew up in in California and struggled with gang problems. He spent two years of his life in prison. Since getting out though, he was worked tirelessly to turn his life around. Learn what his story demonstrates about opportunity, and the ability to reinvent yourself and overcome your past.
Interview and production by: Ari Satok
Listen to his story below:
Interview and production by: Ari Satok
Listen to his story below:
Story of the Week - Yesenia
Yesenia grew up in the Bronx, in New York. She grew up in poverty, forced to deal with a reality of never being sure whether she'd have a roof over her head that night. Learn what her story teaches about overcoming poverty, and rising above its hardships.
Interview and Production by: Ari Satok
Listen to her story below:
Interview and Production by: Ari Satok
Listen to her story below:
Story of the Week- Spencer West
Spencer West lost both of his legs at the age of five, when they were amputated right below his pelvis. As a result, he has had to confront different challenges and hardships throughout his life.
However, Spencer has managed to rise above his challenges and has become a motivational speaker, using his disability as a source of inspiration for others. In his speaking career, he has shared the stage with people ranging from Jason Mraz to the Dalai Lama.
Learn what Spencer's story teaches about overcoming obstacles, and responding to challenges with optimism and hope.
Interview and Production by: Ari Satok
Listen to Spencer's story below:
However, Spencer has managed to rise above his challenges and has become a motivational speaker, using his disability as a source of inspiration for others. In his speaking career, he has shared the stage with people ranging from Jason Mraz to the Dalai Lama.
Learn what Spencer's story teaches about overcoming obstacles, and responding to challenges with optimism and hope.
Interview and Production by: Ari Satok
Listen to Spencer's story below:
Joey Cheek
Joey Cheek is an Olympic Gold Medalist speed-skater, who donated all of his prize money to Darfur aid. Learn what his story has to say about inspiring social change and pursuing your dreams.
Interview and Production by: Ari Satok
Listen to Joey's story below:
Interview and Production by: Ari Satok
Listen to Joey's story below:
Mandi Schwartz
Mandi Schwartz was a Yale University student and hockey player from a small town in Saskatchewan, Canada, who passed away in April 2011 from leukemia. Learn what her story can teach us about helping others, and how one person can touch so many lives.
Interviews by: Josh Satok
Written by: Josh Satok
Click here to read her story
Interviews by: Josh Satok
Written by: Josh Satok
Click here to read her story
Jimmy McMillan
Jimmy McMillan is the founder of the Rent is Too Damn High political party and is a presidential candidate for the 2012 American election. Learn what his story says about passion, and the rights of poor and working class people.
Interview and Production by: Ari Satok
Link to Jimmy McMillan's story below:
Interview and Production by: Ari Satok
Link to Jimmy McMillan's story below:
Jane Randall
Jane Randall made the final four on America’s Next Top Model. Learn what her story has to say about true beauty.
Interview and Production by: Ari Satok
Listen to Jane's story below:
Interview and Production by: Ari Satok
Listen to Jane's story below:
Cabral "Cabbie" Richards
Cabbie is one of Canada's most beloved sports reporters, having interviewed athletes from Lebron James to Kobe Bryant, from Sidney Crosby to Michael Jordan. Listen to a condensed version of an interview with him to learn what his story teaches about the importance of laughter, and of the need to break the seriousness of life with entertainment.
Interview and Production by: Ari Satok
Listen to the interview with Cabbie below:
Interview and Production by: Ari Satok
Listen to the interview with Cabbie below:
Taylor Francis
Taylor is a 19 year old environmentalist trained by Al Gore. Learn what his story demonstrates about the role of youth in making change in our world, and about our role as global citizens in solving the problem of climate change.
Interview and Production by: Ari Satok
Listen to Taylor's story below:
Interview and Production by: Ari Satok
Listen to Taylor's story below:
Paul Muldoon
Paul Muldoon is a Pulitzer Prize winning poet. Learn what his story has to say about the role of poetry in his own life.
Interview and Production by: Ari Satok
Listen to Paul Muldoon's story below:
Interview and Production by: Ari Satok
Listen to Paul Muldoon's story below: