WHY / The Question
For over a decade, I’ve street interviewed 1000s of diverse strangers and shared their stories, portraits, and videos. I’ve spoken, authored, podcasted, and created outreach. All the while being vulnerable in publishing the effect this experience has had on me and the lessons taught me by unique individuals I warmly name “Strangers-Now-Friends.” Yet, as I review their faces and the bonding and frightening moments I’ve experienced, I realize there is one very complex question I have not yet asked: Simply, WHY?
So, as you become part of the Radstone Blog community, as you view the world it shares, and examine your perspectives and your relationships—as you take in what you see and feel—both the best and worst of it all, I invite you to reflect on your own why. And as you do, I’ll do my part in publishing the whys of others and the whys I discover.
With warmth and gratitude,
Richard
From Project 365 / 365 consecutive days of meeting strangers.
WHY / The Roots
The roots of Sidewalk Ghosts and Radstone Blog were planted in September 2011, when I began blogging a series of daily essays, portraits, and videos from my street interviews of absolute strangers. For 500 consecutive days—no matter what was going on in the world, how I felt, or where I was—I documented the hope, pain, and perspectives of thousands of diverse individuals. I called it, “Project 365.”
On its 90th day, WordPress featured Project 365 as one of the top ten daily blogs to follow, and overnight, it grew from 10s to 1000s of daily visitors. From that moment, a far-reaching call to action came to life. A was movement born as diverse people from around the globe saw the faces of unique strangers, listened to their perspectives, and responded to a set of challenges I extended to all. A set of unifying perspectives that support the works of Sidewalk Ghosts and Radstone Blog to this day. Those being: Compassion and empathy are more powerful than the fist, we all have burdens and hopes, there is much we can learn if we are willing to look past our bias, and we all have an equal stake in bettering this world we share.
My Story / The day it changed for me.
