“My dad was subversively funny. He had a whole kind of Rolodex of one-liners for every occasion.”

Billy Collins interviewed by his friend Nancy Cobb.

Recorded in New York, NY.

“I always knew what I wanted to be, from the time I was 8 years old, which was to be a tugboat captain.”

Carl Wennerod interviewed by his son, Roy.

Recorded in New York, NY.

“Everyone would have ice cream for dessert, but I was given a half a grapefruit”

Judith Seixas, 80, interviewed by her friend Louisa Stephens.

Recorded in New York, NY.

“My mother, well, she didn't know how to say 'colander' in English...”

Philomena Luciani interviewed by her granddaughter, Alison.

Recorded in New York, NY.

“I think I might want to be straight with a nice husband, but, of course, I don't have any idea what it's like to have kids, 'cause I am a kid myself.”

Kaitlyn Sever interviewed by her mom, Lynne Lande, who is a lesbian.

Recorded in New York, NY.

“I'm sure for the rest of his life he's had nightmares and he's had a tortured, tortured soul.”

Michael Crowe tells his son about his sergeant during the Vietnam War.

Recorded in New York, NY.

“My father went to work in a chocolate factory. When he'd come home, his hair was all full of chocolate; his pillows were all brown.”

Carmela Pollio tells her grandson, Laurence, and her great grandson, Yoshi, about growing up in Hell's Kitchen.

Recorded in New York, NY.

“You know, when everybody's poor, nobody feels poor.”

Manny Diaz tells his friend Blanca Vazquez about growing up in New York City, during the Depression.

Recorded in New York, NY.

“I think my family saw them one time on the street, and they wouldn't even talk to them.”

Yvonne Powell tells her son, Gordon, about the Jewish family that lived downstairs from her in Germany, during World War II.

Recorded in New York, NY.

“It threw a pall over the house forever. It was like, how can you be happy?”

Martin Jacobson tells his daughter, Beth, about his brother's death.

Recorded in New York, NY.