Callings

Dave Isay is the founder of StoryCorps and its parent company, Sound Portraits Productions. Over the past two decades, his radio documentary work has won numerous broadcasting awards, including five Peabody awards. Isay has also received a Guggenheim Fellowship, a MacArthur Fellowship and a United States Artists Fellowship.

According to the publisher's website, the book is "told through touching conversations between friends, coworkers and family members. From a mom telling her daughter about her bricklaying career to a father sharing his contributions to the space race as an aeromedical field tester, these stories are poignant and heartfelt intergenerational explorations into the journeys people take to find the jobs they are meant to do."

Fall 2026 Signature Book Events

K-State First Book Author Talk - An Evening with Dave Isay

Dave Isay, award-winning radio producer, founder of StoryCorps and author of the 2026 K-State common read "Callings: The Purpose and Passion of Work" will give an hourlong lecture that explores themes from the book. Tuesday, September 29, 7:00 pm, Ballroom, K-State Student Union.

K-State First Book Dialogues - Find Your Calling

Exploring who you are, what you bring, and the path that will help you get you there. This event is an opportunity for students to meaningfully connect with one another, explore the themes from Callings about how passion, perseverance, and purpose can transform a job into a calling, and build a community of support so that students feel seen, connected, and that they have resources at K-State to pursue their passions. Tuesday, November 17, 6:30-8:30 pm, Ballroom, K-State Student Union.

Additional Resources

Callings Teaching and Activity Guide | Author Talk with Dave Isay | Overview and Learning Opportunities | Fall 2026 Events