EP.15 - Navigating Life from Behind the Door: Stephen Bruno on Building Material

In this episode, Elena interviews Stephen Bruno, the author of 'Building Material: The Memoir of a Park Avenue Doorman’. In this coming of age story, Stephen talks about how getting the doorman job helped break his downward spiral from gifted academic kid in the Bronx to selling chicken wings at a fast-food restaurant in the midwest. He also opens up about the upstairs downstairs shenanigans at an exclusive Park Avenue building in New York City. Stephen talks about his unique perspective from twenty years spent serving residents. And while one of the rules of being a doorman is don’t get too close to the residents, they don’t want to be your friend, Stephen did just that and it saved him during a dark time. He talks about how watching a documentary on American black playwright August Wilson reminded him of a core rule or writing. He shares insights into his upbringing in the Bronx, the rules and subtleties of being a doorman, and the challenges he faced both professionally and personally. Stephen’s authentic account delves into themes of identity, class, and the transformative power of storytelling. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:28 07:21 Summer Guy: First Chapter Reading 17:21 Challenges and Turning Points 30:11 Struggles at Hunter College 30:59 Experiences with Fellow Students 32:37 Interactions with Residents 34:33 The Bloom Family's Impact 36:40 Overcoming Challenges in Writing 44:49 Publishing Success and Reactions 53:16 Future Plans and Aspirations 54:12 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Get full access to Elena Meets the Author at elenabowes.substack.com/subscribe