StoryCorps Chicago: ‘You Are A Very Important Piece Of A Much Larger Puzzle’

Nora Downing and Phil Ridarelli
Nora Downing and Phil Ridarelli. Courtesy of StoryCorps
Nora Downing and Phil Ridarelli
Nora Downing and Phil Ridarelli. Courtesy of StoryCorps

StoryCorps Chicago: ‘You Are A Very Important Piece Of A Much Larger Puzzle’

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Nora Downing speaks to Phil Ridarelli about meeting at a Starbucks during the Chicago teachers strike of 2019 — and how a small but meaningful gesture on a difficult day led to their friendship.

This interview was facilitated for StoryCorps by Mary Bess Ser.

Bill Healy produces StoryCorps Chicago for WBEZ and teaches journalism at Northwestern University. A podcast he produced was a finalist for the 2021 Pulitzer Prize in Audio Reporting. Follow him @chicagoan.