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Out of the Archives Podcast

Out of the Archives, stories from public housing

Out of the Archives is the National Public Housing Museum’s oral history-based podcast, created from interviews with public housing residents across the United States.

Each episode presents a curated selection of one or more interviews from our oral history archive. Find transcripts, links to full archival interviews, and other notes and resources in each episode description.

Don’t miss an episode—subscribe and find more from Out of the Archives on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, PocketCasts, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.


Season 5 is here!

Out of the Archives season 5 banner with photo of narrators

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Featured Podcast Episodes

  • Out of the Archives, episode 32 banner with title A Beautiful Struggle, with a photo of the narrator Jillian Carew

    Episode 32

    Jillian Carew: “A Beautiful Struggle”

    In this Out of the Archives podcast episode, Jillian Carew shares a life history of dance on Chicago’s Far South Side.
  • Out of the Archives, episode 31 banner with title Another Sense of Existence, with a photo of the narrator Jackie Taylor

    Episode 31

    Jackie Taylor: “Another Sense of Existence”

    In this Out of the Archives podcast episode, Jackie Taylor—playwright, actress, musician, director, and the founder of the Black Ensemble Theatre—shares her story.
  • Out of the Archives, episode 30 banner with title You Hear What I Do, with a photo of the narrator Tom Washington

    Episode 30

    Tom Tom Washington: “You Hear What I Do”

    In this Out of the Archives podcast episode, Tom Tom Washington shares how growing in the Ida B. Wells Homes shaped his prolific career as a musician and composer
  • Out of the Archives, episode 29 banner with title Make Something from Within Yourself, with a photo of the narrator Katherine Davis

    Episode 29

    Katherine Davis: “Make Something from Within Yourself”

    This Out of the Archives podcast episode features narrator Katherine Davis, who shares her journey of becoming a professional musician
  • Out of the Archives, episode 28 banner with title The Bastard Children of House Music, with a photo of the narrator DJ Slugo

    Episode 28

    DJ Slugo: “Bastard Children of House Music”

    This Out of the Archives podcast episode features narrator DJ Slugo, who talks about growing up in the Robert Taylor Homes and the origins of Project House music.
  • Out of the Archives, episode 27 banner with title Nekita Thomas: The Artsy Kid in the Hood, with a photo of the narrator

    Episode 27

    Nekita Thomas: “The Artsy Kid in the Hood”

    This Out of the Archives podcast episode features narrator Nekita Thomas, who talks about Chicago’s Dearborn Homes and the designs of the everyday in public housing.

Support

Out of the Archives is made possible through the generous support of the Gaylord & Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, the Illinois Arts Council, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events.