Podcast Summary: All Of It - "Your Dad's New York Story"

Episode Information

• Title: Your Dad's New York Story
• Host: Alison Stewart
• Guest: Michael Garofalo, Chief Creative Officer for StoryCorps and host of the StoryCorps Podcast
• Release Date: June 13, 2025
• Description: In this Father's Day special episode of All Of It, host Alison Stewart engages with Michael Garofalo to explore heartfelt and inspiring stories about fathers and their unique connections to New York City. Listeners share personal anecdotes that highlight the diverse experiences of dads in the bustling metropolis.

Introduction

[00:27] Alison Stewart opens the episode by greeting listeners and providing a sneak peek into upcoming segments. She mentions conversations with writer-director Celine Song, comedian Michael Aber, and Queens Museum curator Sarah Cho as part of the WNYC Centennial Series. The focus of this episode is on Father's Day, inviting listeners to share their "father's New York story."

Guest Introduction: Michael Garofalo

[00:55] Alison Stewart introduces Michael Garofalo, highlighting his role at StoryCorps and his involvement in bringing along favorite dad stories to share. Michael Garofalo joins the conversation to delve into what makes dad stories unique compared to the well-known dad jokes.

The Uniqueness of Dad Stories

[02:06] Michael Garofalo explains, "With StoryCorps, it's two people who know each other interviewing each other. So what we hear are, you know, you hear the dynamic between a dad and a kid... it's usually something that captures the relationship."

He emphasizes that dad stories often involve lessons learned, memories of fatherly guidance, and the distinctive humor that characterizes paternal interactions. [08:22] Alison Stewart adds that themes like immigrant parents and their expectations frequently surface in these narratives, reflecting the diverse fabric of New York City.

Listener Stories: Celebrating Dads in New York

Sharon from Queens: A Legacy of Sacrifice

[03:27] Sharon shares the story of her late father, Albert Linder, a New York transit worker and naval officer. [04:15] Sharon recounts how her father worked tirelessly to provide for his family, balancing multiple jobs and ensuring his wife could pursue a career. She reflects, "He did this for many, many years, allowing my mom to have a career and also do all the cooking and all the shopping for my household. And I loved him so much."

Rachel from Westchester: A Lifelong Love for Broadway

[05:02] Rachel talks about her 90-year-old father who, after falling in love with theater in a small Kansas town, brought groups to New York City to experience Broadway. She fondly describes his efforts in fostering a love for the performing arts: "He has been bringing people, sometimes up to 85 people at a time, to Broadway and off Broadway ever since."

Leah from Manhattan: Wit and Wisdom from the Bronx

[09:24] Leah shares a humorous and touching encounter her father had in the Bronx during the 1960s. Faced with potential violence, her father used his wit to defuse the situation: "He says to them, will you hold on a second before you beat the crap out of me?... And they really take a second and look at him and decide that he's right."

Jules from Greenpoint: Bridging Generations through Art and Sports

[10:59] Jules describes her father, Larry Small, a Broadway performer and singer who remained active in the city's vibrant arts scene. [11:20] Jules highlights the deepening of their relationship through daily conversations about art, sports, and politics, stating, "Getting closer to him has been one of the best things to happen to me."

Judy from Brooklyn: From Polish Roots to Iconic Encounters

[11:45] Judy reflects on her father's journey from Poland to New York, where he managed a Taylor Shop and occasionally interacted with legends like Amelia Earhart: "He would come to New York, and when we would walk around, he would always point out the architecture and we would second act Broadway shows sometimes."

Carolyn from East Village: Perseverance and Optimism of an Immigrant Dad

[19:11] Carolyn shares her father's immigrant story from Egypt to New York in 1960. Facing initial hardships, her father demonstrated remarkable perseverance: "He went to the local Olivetti store, typed up his resume... and landed a job. I just smiled thinking of him... his perseverance and optimism all the time."

Insights from Michael Garofalo: The Art of Storytelling

[08:43] Michael Garofalo discusses what makes a good story, emphasizing the importance of the relationship between the storytellers: "A good story for us can be something with a great beginning, middle and end... or something that is captured between the two people."

He elaborates on why New York City is a fertile ground for storytelling, citing the city's culture of conversation and inherent storytelling skills: "We love to talk here, right? And you kinda gotta talk louder than everybody else if you wanna be heard... the storytelling skill."

Advice for Capturing Your Own Stories

[15:21] Michael Garofalo offers practical advice for listeners interested in recording their own stories:

• Start Now: "Don't wait. Just do it."
• Be Genuine: "It doesn't have to be as beautiful as these stories we're hearing today."
• Ask Open-Ended Questions: Suggestions include "What are you proudest of?" and "What words of wisdom do you want to pass down to me?"

He encourages using the StoryCorps app or visiting their website to contribute personal narratives that will be archived at the Library of Congress.

Additional Listener Story: D6 from Roebling Steel

[21:22] Michael Garofalo introduces another poignant story from George L'Engel about his father, a steel mill worker in Roebling, New Jersey. [22:01] George recounts how his father inspired him to pursue higher education over joining the family business, highlighting the profound impact of paternal guidance: "He said, son, you're going to college... I was the first in my family to graduate from college."

Conclusion

[25:19] Mona from Stanford, Connecticut shares a heartfelt story about her Egyptian immigrant father who overcame significant challenges to establish himself in New York City: "He didn't have money for a typewriter... he shared the resume with other immigrant men... his perseverance and optimism all the time."

[26:37] Alison Stewart wraps up the episode by thanking Michael Garofalo and the listeners for their moving contributions. She reminds listeners to tune in for more enriching content and highlights WNYC's ongoing coverage and programming.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Michael Garofalo [02:06]: "It's usually something that captures the relationship."
• Sharon [04:15]: "He did this for many, many years, allowing my mom to have a career..."
• Rachel [05:20]: "What a great person. Thank you so much for sharing your story."
• Leah [09:55]: "Do I look like I have any money... I can't even take a girl out on a date."
• Jules [11:20]: "Getting closer to him has been one of the best things to happen to me."
• Carolyn [19:11]: "He went to the local Olivetti store, typed up his resume... and landed a job."
• George L'Engel [22:01]: "I was the first in my family to graduate from college."
• Michael Garofalo [24:48]: "Don't wait. Just do it."

Final Thoughts This Father's Day special of All Of It beautifully encapsulates the myriad ways fathers influence and shape the lives of their children within the vibrant context of New York City. Through personal anecdotes and expert insights, the episode celebrates the enduring legacy of fatherly love, sacrifice, and guidance.