Submit Your Sounds
Be sure to sign up for the newsletter to be informed of new or updated submission requests.
Best Practices for Submissions
We invite you to submit your audio for consideration to be included in the show. Here are some things to keep in mind for the best quality:
- Handling noise is excess sound that comes from moving your hands around on the phone (or whatever recording device you’re using). There are two ways to prevent handling noise — place your phone/device on a surface so it is not being held, if you are stationary while recording. If you are moving while you record, use a selfie-stick to hold the phone/device.
- For voice messages, find a quiet spot to record. It’s best to record away from fans and appliances (especially refrigerators).
- Talk like you would to a friend. Using notes to make sure you remember the main points is helpful, but you don’t need to write it down first (unless you just want to). Speak from your heart.
Submission Requests
Stay up to date on these requests by signing up for the newsletter. Share these requests with your friends! Let’s keep the conversation going.
How would you finish the sentence that begins, “At this moment in America?”
One sentence only!
Read a text you sent or received on January 6, 2021 about the attack on the Capitol.
We are creating a tapestry of the names, ages, and short details about location or relationship to you of victims of gun violence. If you have experienced the loss of someone close to you due to gun violence, please submit the following:
- Name of Victim
- Age of Victim
- Location, either of the violence or where the victim lived
- Optional, your relationship to the victim
Example: “John Doe, 45, Columbus, Ohio, my brother”
Due to the earthquake that is the Dobbs Supreme Court decision, we have two specific requests in relation to this decision and abortion, in general:
- We’re creating a collage of voices saying, “Fuck You!” or “Fuck!!!” or “Fuck Off SCOTUS!” or some variation of that sentiment. These will be layered in quick succession, overlapping, so short and “sweet” is best.
NO THREATENING LANGUAGE! - How are you personally impacted by this decision?
Perhaps you want to write a letter to a specific person (SCOTUS or otherwise) to share your feelings. Maybe you create a poem to reflect how this decision is impacting you. Record yourself reading it and upload, or call us and leave your missive on voicemail.
Many people have a positive relationship with guns. If that describes you, we’d love to share your experience. We acknowledge part of the intransigence of the gun debate is our widely different experiences with guns, a difference that is often drawn along urban and rural lines.
A few prompts to consider, as we are seeking personal stories rather than “gun debate” comments:
- What single experience stands out to you that is a favorite memory with a gun?
- What kinds of guns have you handled and why?
- What traditions in your family are centered on the presence of guns?
- What does gun ownership mean to you?
What’s something about where you’re from that you wish people knew or understood better?
Do you have a reflection on something that has happened to you? This may take the form of poetry, confessional, journal entry, or friendly chat. Check out our Creativity Workshop videos for additional details and prompts, and listen to Waiting… for an example of personal reflection submission.
What does your commute sound like? Your backyard in the morning? Or the evening? The hum of your favorite coffee shop? The sound of dinner being made?
We’d love to heard a few minutes of what your everyday life sounds like. No narration, no need to comment, just record a few minutes of your everyday life. We’re compiling these sounds into a soundtrack for the show that covers an American day, morning to night.
Submission Example
Waiting… is a piece I wrote in response to losing my father to Covid. It is the kind of piece that might emerge from a Story Sharing Workshop. It’s also the kind of piece you might want to write, reflecting on something impactful to you. I look forward to hearing your story!
Check out our
Creativity Workshop
Crafted to prepare participants of our Story Sharing Workshops, this video series is a great primer for (re)connecting to your innate creativity.
Story Sharing Prep
Submit an Audio File Using This Form
You can attach an MP3, WAV, or M4A file type with the "Choose File" option. Alternatively, you can submit your audio file as a link.
Ready to Call?
Click the link above, or dial (828) 333-7330.
Be sure to fill out the form in this section so we can accurately log your call and credit you!
Send Us a Voicemail
Best Practices for Voicemail
- Go to a quiet room, away from a lot of excess noise (including fans).
- Practice what you are going to say, or write it down.
Sometimes it’s helpful to have a few words to stay on track with your message. - Just be yourself! Talk how you would talk to a friend on the phone.
What was your realtime response to the Capitol attack on January 6, 2021?
Use this form to submit texts that capture your realtime response to learning of the Capitol attack. You can upload a screenshot or copy and paste the content of the text into the "Text" box.