Toolkit Hub

Active Listening Skills Workshop Skill-building: Perspective Taking & Affirmation

A structured session exploring fundamental listening and affirmation skills for meaningful dialogue. Available in both group and self-guided formats with practical exercises.

Coffee and Conversations Event Skill-building: Intentional Communication & Perspective Taking

A casual, facilitated gathering using color-coded question cards to guide small group discussions in a low-pressure environment.

Community Response Board Skill-building: Developing Identity & Intentional communication

Create an interactive display where community members respond to thought-provoking questions. Builds visible participation and connection through shared responses.

Existing Group/Event Integration Skill-building: Collaborative Change & Intentional Communication

Incorporate OSS elements into your current programming like book clubs or community groups. Leverages established audiences and enhances current offerings.

Exploring Assumptions Workshop Skill-building: Developing Identity & Cultivating Empathy

Focused conversations around assumptions and practice asking open questions using selected clips to prompt reflection and discussion. Creates shared understanding through guided exploration.

Information & Solo Listening Station Skill-building:: Developing Identity & Intentional Communication

A self-directed listening station where patrons can experience One Small Step conversations, share reflections, and discover pathways to participate in bridging divides through OSS Connect

Mini Interviews with StoryCorps Connect  Skill-building: Active Listening & Developing Identity

Brief recording sessions where community members practice dialogue skills with a couple select One Small Step questions. Introduces the recording experience in an approachable format.

Themed Listening Event Skill-building: Perspective Taking & Cultivating Empathy

Focused conversations around specific topics using selected clips to prompt reflection and discussion. Creates shared understanding through guided exploration.

Strategic Questioning Workshop Skill-building: Perspective-Taking & Cultivating Empathy

A workshop that introduces participants to strategic questioning as a powerful tool for moving from surface-level questions to deeper questions that foster understanding, explore solutions, and strengthen human connection across differences.

The DIY Planner's Guide  Skill-building: Active Listening & Intentional Communication

The Do-It-Yourself One Small Step Planner's guide is available for testing with step by step instructions on StoryCorp's website. It is useful for planning a robust One Small Step recording engagement in your community. 

For teen and young adult-specific questions, check the Great Questions Inventory and the Youth Question Bank. 

My Story in Six Words Wall Skill-building: Perspective Taking & Cultivating Empathy
A passive program that invites youth patrons to capture their identity, values, or family story in exactly six words, creating a collective display that fosters reflection, empathy, and community connection.

Dialogue Buddies Skill-building: Active Listening & Intentional Communication

A recurring, low-pressure program where youth meet monthly for casual conversations and activities that build comfort with dialogue, empathy, and connection across differences.

Talk Toss Skill-building: Intentional Communication & Perspective-Taking

A drop-in activity where youth roll oversized dice printed with conversation prompts, turning casual play into spontaneous, reflective dialogue that builds comfort with connection and storytelling.

Maps of Me Skill-building: Developing Identity and Cultivating Empathy
A reflective activity where participants create visual identity maps to explore the people, places, and experiences that shape them, fostering self-awareness and connection through guided sharing.