About The Project

For as long as I can remember, I’ve had a passion for meeting new people, finding ways to connect and uncovering their stories. Nearly everyone has an interesting tale or two to tell.

I launched As They Said in early 2017, while based in Leiden, a charming university city in the Netherlands. Inspired by the American oral historian Studs Terkel and his “Working” project, I spent two years interviewing Leidenaars about their work, probing for insights that emerge when people open up about a central activity of their lives. During this same period, I came across a number of forward-thinking Dutch projects that prompted the Innovators section.

I hope you enjoy these stories and welcome your feedback.

John Doxey