Callings

The Purpose and Passion of Work

Author Dave Isay
StoryCorps founder Dave Isay presents unforgettable stories from people doing what they love. Some found their paths at very young ages, others later in life; some overcame great odds or upturned their lives in order to pursue what matters to them. Callings is an inspiring tribute to rewarding work and the American pursuit of happiness.
“StoryCorps founder Isay culls and collects wise words and powerful stories about searching for meaning in work from the more than 65,000 stories recorded in StoryCorps booths across America over the past 12 years. Every one of the stories in this inspiring collection reveals the deep love that motivates the storytellers as they discover and embrace their vocations . . . These wonderful stories reveal that work becomes meaningful to those who choose—or are in some cases chosen by—the calling that motivates, energizes, and inspires them.” Publisher’s Weekly

Callings will inspires readers at every stage of their careers to view work with a new appreciation for the possibilities it holds beyond the mundane.” —Booklist

“Thoughtfully organized and edited, each story is a reminder of the essential role work plays in the pursuit of human happiness. Inspiring, insightful, and thoroughly readable.” —Kirkus
© Harvey Wang
David Isay is the founder of StoryCorps and its parent company, Sound Portraits Productions. Over the past two decades his radio documentary work has won nearly every award in broadcasting, including five Peabody awards. David has also received a Guggenheim Fellowship, a MacArthur Fellowship, and a United States Artists Fellowship. He is the author (or coauthor) of numerous books based on Sound Portraits' radio stories, including Our America: Life and Death on the South Side of Chicago and Flophouse. He and his wife, Jennifer Gonnerman, live in Brooklyn. View titles by Dave Isay

About

StoryCorps founder Dave Isay presents unforgettable stories from people doing what they love. Some found their paths at very young ages, others later in life; some overcame great odds or upturned their lives in order to pursue what matters to them. Callings is an inspiring tribute to rewarding work and the American pursuit of happiness.

Praise

“StoryCorps founder Isay culls and collects wise words and powerful stories about searching for meaning in work from the more than 65,000 stories recorded in StoryCorps booths across America over the past 12 years. Every one of the stories in this inspiring collection reveals the deep love that motivates the storytellers as they discover and embrace their vocations . . . These wonderful stories reveal that work becomes meaningful to those who choose—or are in some cases chosen by—the calling that motivates, energizes, and inspires them.” Publisher’s Weekly

Callings will inspires readers at every stage of their careers to view work with a new appreciation for the possibilities it holds beyond the mundane.” —Booklist

“Thoughtfully organized and edited, each story is a reminder of the essential role work plays in the pursuit of human happiness. Inspiring, insightful, and thoroughly readable.” —Kirkus

Author

© Harvey Wang
David Isay is the founder of StoryCorps and its parent company, Sound Portraits Productions. Over the past two decades his radio documentary work has won nearly every award in broadcasting, including five Peabody awards. David has also received a Guggenheim Fellowship, a MacArthur Fellowship, and a United States Artists Fellowship. He is the author (or coauthor) of numerous books based on Sound Portraits' radio stories, including Our America: Life and Death on the South Side of Chicago and Flophouse. He and his wife, Jennifer Gonnerman, live in Brooklyn. View titles by Dave Isay

Videos from the 2024 First-Year Experience® Conference are now available

We’re pleased to share videos from the 2024 First-Year Experience® Conference. Whether you weren’t able to join us at the conference or would simply like to hear the talks again, please take a moment to view the clips below.   Penguin Random House Author Breakfast Monday, February 19th, 7:15 – 8:45 am PST This event

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