True Stories That Matter

Today's episode features two stories from September's Suicide Noted event (Personal Stories by Badass Survivors), which featured a total of five stories, all guests from the Suicide Noted, a weekly podcast where I've been talking candidly with suicide attempt survivors since the summer of 2020.

STORY #1: Ann Vandy Purky (IL)

STORY # 2: Chandreyee Lahiri (MA) & J. Carroll (CA)

Suicide Noted (podcast)

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/grit/donations

Today's episode features two stories from September's Suicide Noted event (Personal Stories by Badass Survivors), which featured a total of five stories, all guests from the Suicide Noted, a weekly podcast where I've been talking candidly with suicide attempt survivors since the summer of 2020.

STORY #1: Erica Blumfield (CA)

STORY # 2: Jamie Brickhouse (NY)

Suicide Noted podcast

Mental Health Happyish Hour (virtual story open mic)

Sunday, November 5

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/grit/donations

Four stories from Grit's open mic honoring and remembering 9/11 (originally aired on 9/11/2021).

UPCOMING EVENTS

Suicide Noted(Personal Stories by Attempt Survivors)

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/grit/donations

Two bold stories from Grit's Mental Health Happyish Hour (virtual) open mic [aka story badassery] from summer 2022 --

STORY #1: Ben battles hate (MA)

STORY #2:Walt tackles loss (FL)

UPCOMING EVENTS

Mental Health Happyish Hour (virtual open mic)

💜 Sunday evening, September 4

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/grit/donations

On this episode I talk with the tall man w/ short name, Mr. Kory Thomas May (Iowa City), who is an accomplished speaker, storyteller, producer, coach, dad and the National Storytelling Network's recently-appointed Chairman of the Board (aka NSN's Superman).

UPCOMING Grit EVENTS

Mental Health Happyish Hour (virtual open mic)

💙 Sunday, September 4

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/grit/donations

Two bold stories from Grit's Mental Health Happyish Hour (virtual) open mic [aka story badassery] from spring 2022 --

STORY #1: Dotty O'Donnell Gets Grounded (MA)

STORY #2: Jameer Pond Talks it Out (NY)

UPCOMING EVENTS

NSN Grand Slam (Saturday, July 30)

MHHH Open Mic (Sunday, August 7)

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/grit/donations

Best of July's 99-Second GRAND SLAM (Season 6)

🍎 Tracey Starin (grand slam champ)

🇲🇽 Carolyn Erickson

🇵🇹 Angela Combest

🇨🇦 Briane Nasimok

☀️ Erica Blumfield

SUMMER EVENTS

MHHH Open Mic (August 7)

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Two bold stories from Grit's Mental Health Happyish Hour (virtual) open mic [aka story badassery] in March 2022 --

STORY #1: Shivani finds right place, right time (SC)

STORY #2: Anthony recognizes real problem (GA)

UPCOMING EVENTS

The 99-Second Story Grand Slam(Season 6)

Sunday, July 17 @ 8pm (eastern)

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/grit/donations

Two stories originally told at 7 by 7 (Grit's curated virtual storytelling series) from March 2021 --

STORY #1:Johanne Pelletier tests time on metro (QB)

STORY #2:Tracey Starin battles with bunny (NY)

UPCOMING EVENTS

Mental Health Happyish Hour (Sunday, July 10)

The 99-Second Story Grand Slam (Sunday, July 17)

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/grit/donations

Two stories originally told at 7 by 7, Grit's curated virtual storytelling series.

STORY #1:Kory Thomas May Confronts Killer (IA)

STORY #2:Harold Cox Dons Merry Red Suit (MA)

UPCOMING EVENTS

Mental Health Happyish Hour (Sunday, July 10)

The 99-Second Grand Slam (Sunday, July 17)

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/grit/donations

Two bold stories from Grit's Mental Health Happyish Hour (virtual) open mic...

STORY #1: Tina McKenna Learns Dads Secret (NY)

STORY #2: Ken Stockton Endures Dads Illness (MI)

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/grit/donations

Two stories from Grit's Mental Health Happyish Hour (virtual) open mic from 2021.

STORY #1:Is James Petersen helping or hurting? (IL)

STORY #2:Sean Wellington has a problem (NC)

UPCOMING EVENTS

The 99-Second Story Slam (Season 6)

Deja True (Original Braided Stories)

Special thanks to Mary Jo Pollack for her help in curating these stories.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/grit/donations

Season 6 (Slam #3)

UPCOMING EVENTS

Mental Health Happyish Hour (open mic badassery)

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Two stories originally told at 7 by 7, Grit's curated virtual storytelling series.

STORY #1: Sue Huggans Seeks Safety (CT)

STORY #2: Mark Modrall Tackles Time (MA)

UPCOMING EVENTS

The 99-Second Story Slam

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/grit/donations

Three bold stories from Grit's Mental Health Happyish Hour (virtual) open mic...

STORY #1: Jeff Stein Learns Hard Way (IL)

STORY #2: Torrey Shine Battles Bully (NY)

STORY #3: Susan Ida Boucaud Blacks Out (ON)

Special thanks to Mary Jo Pollack for her help in curating these stories.

UPCOMING EVENTS

The 99-Second Story Slam

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/grit/donations

Two stories originally told at 7 by 7, Grit's curated virtual storytelling series.

STORY #1: Jack Scheer Says Good Bye Again (MD)

STORY #2: Dave Nelson Reconciles Us v. Them (WI)

UPCOMING EVENTS

The 99-Second Story Slam (6.3)

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/grit/donations

Three bold stories from Grit's Mental Health Happyish Hour (virtual) open mic started in the fall of 2020 (which is still running!)

STORY #1: Sharon Eisner Deflects Death (NC)

STORY #2: Neshama Franklin Flees Scene (CA)

STORY #3: Linda Durrett Escapes Assault (WV)

Special thanks to Mary Jo Pollack for her help in curating these stories.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/grit/donations

Two stories originally told at 7 by 7, Grit's curated virtual storytelling series.

STORY #1: Anne Purky Dances w/ Death (IL)

STORY #2: Chandreyee Lahiri Floors it (MA)

UPCOMING EVENTS

Fundraiser for Ukraine (May 1 in NC)

Motown FLASH!

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/grit/donations

Season 6 (Slam #2)

UPCOMING EVENTS

Mental Health Happyish Hour (Open Mic)

Motown Flash!

Fundraiser for Ukraine (May 1 in NC)

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/grit/donations

A candid (and curious) conversation with the Friday afternoon Swap Shop about taking stories from the page to the stage...

GRIT EVENTS

The 99-Second Story Slam

MHHH Open Mic

Motown FLASH!

Fundraiser for Ukraine (May 1 in NC)

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/grit/donations

A candid conversation with GRIT's Swap Shop about process and practice.

GRIT EVENTS

DISCO Flash!

The 99-Second Story Slam

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Our featured braided stories are from GRIT's virtual event, Deja True IV in February 2022.

UPCOMING EVENTS

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Season 6 (Slam #1)

UPCOMING EVENTS

Mental Health Happyish Hour(Open Mic)

DISCO Flash!

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Stories originally told in the summer of 2020 at 7 by 7, Grit's curated virtual storytelling series.

STORY #1: Sue Schmitt learns from Francis (IA)

STORY #2: Lynne Jassem bumps into Diane (CA)

UPCOMING Grit EVENTS

Deja True IV (Original Braided Stories)

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/grit/donations

Stories originally told in the summer of 2020 at 7 by 7, Grit's curated virtual storytelling series.

STORY #1: David Latham Dances with Dale (CA)

STORY #2: Arlene Malinowski Braves the Storm (IL)

UPCOMING Grit EVENTS

The 99-Second Story Slam (Season 6)

Deja True IV (Original Braided Stories)

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/grit/donations

Three stories from Grit's Mental Health Happyish Hour open mic from 2021.

STORY #1:Lorraine Darnell Sheds Shame (MO)

STORY #2: Ken Stockton Confronts Abuser (MI)

STORY #3:Chuck Fink Embraces Condition (NC)

UPCOMING Grit EVENTS

The 99-Second Story Slam

Deja True(Braided Stories)

Special thanks to Mary Jo Pollack for her help in curating these stories.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/grit/donations

Three stories originally told in the summer of 2020 at 7 by 7, Grit's curated virtual storytelling series.

STORY #1: David Rodriguez (CA)

STORY #2:Tracey Miller Segarra (NY)

STORY #3:Aaron Wolfe(NY)

UPCOMING EVENTS

Mental Health Happyish Hour (open mic)

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/grit/donations

Two stories from Grit's Mental Health Happyish Hour open mic from 2020.

STORY #1: Jeremy Kredlo's anxiety returns (WA)

STORY #2: Ana Varela and the boom boom (CO)

UPCOMING EVENTS

Mental Health Happy Hour (open mic)

Special thanks to Mary Jo Pollack for her help in curating these stories.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/grit/donations

16 Grand Story Slammers battle to qualify for Round 2. Six battle for the title: Season 5's Grand Slam Champion.

Mental Health Happyish Hour(Open Mic)

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Two stories originally told in the summer of 2020 at 7 by 7, Grit's curated virtual storytelling series.

STORY #1: Nestor Gomez (IL)

nestorgomezstoryteller.com

STORY #2:Matthew Dicks (CT)

https://matthewdicks.com

Mental Health Happyish Hour(open mic)

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Two stories from Grit's Mental Health Happyish Hour open mic from 2020.

STORY #1: Wini in Reno battles a rare condition (NV)

STORY #2: Nick Baskerville loses a fire house friend (MD)

https://stop365.blog

UPCOMING EVENTS

99-Second Grand Slam

Special thanks to Mary Jo Pollack for her help in curating these stories.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/grit/donations

Richard Munchkin won Six Feet Apart Production's December (virtual) Slam with this story, as well as telling it in person at Story Jam's open mic in October. He lives in Las Vegas, NV.

Shivani Nadarajah won The Moth with this story and also told it at Stories from the Stage (both is Boston in December). She lives in Waltham, MA.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/grit/donations

The 99-Second Story Slam: Season 5 (Slam #3)

UPCOMING EVENTS

Mental Health Happyish Hour(Open Mic)

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/grit/donations

On today's episode, I talk with Jon Papernick, husband, father, storyteller, teacher and author of several books, including the soon to be releasedI Am My Beloveds. Jon, also a member of the Tribe, is originally from Toronto and now lives outside of Boston with his wife, Kim.

Our conversation takes place in his old car, on our way from Waltham to Braintree (MA), after two days that included stories told at The Moth and Stories from the Stage.

UPCOMING EVENTS

The 99 Second Story Slam

Mental Health Happyish Hour (Open Mic)

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/grit/donations

Truelogues open the stage for two tellers to meet each other’s truths through the telling of their own experience. Both tellers go back and forth, weaving their personal stories - same prompt, different lives.

Our two feature truelogues are from GRIT's Swap Shoppers:

UPCOMING EVENTS

The 99-Second Story Slam

Mental Health Happyish Hour (Open Mic)

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/grit/donations

Truelogues open the stage for two tellers to meet each other’s truths through the telling of their own experience. Both tellers go back and forth, weaving their personal stories - same prompt, different lives.

Our two feature truelogues are from GRIT's virtual event, Deja True III.

UPCOMING EVENTS

MHHH (open mic)

FLASH (improv + story)

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/grit/donations

The 99-Second Story Slam: Season 5 (Slam #2)

UPCOMING EVENTS

DejaTrue III (Truelogues!)

FLASH(Improv + Story)

Mental Health Happyish Hour(Open Mic)

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/grit/donations

A candid conversation with GRIT's Swap Shop about why they tell (and keep telling) personal narrative stories.

GRIT EVENTS

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On today's episode, I talk with Erica Blumfield, who lives in L.A.

Erica will be telling a story at NAMI Washington's Brainpower Chronicles in early November!

GRIT EVENTS

99-Second Story Slam

Deja True 3

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/grit/donations

On today's episode, I talk with New Jersey's Aditya Surendran, author of a recently-published book of delightful short stories (cheesedosa.com).

Our conversation, which focuses on the mundane, the magical and the minutiae, takes place in my car, driving him to RDU Airport, after he and a handful of other storytellers descended on Durham, (NC) where they absolutely crushed the GRIT stage. 

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/grit/donations

A candid conversation with GRIT's Swap Shop about what makes for a great story, and storyteller.

MAIN STAGE #2(Sunday, Oct. 17 @ 2:30 pm eastern)

In Person: atcfestivals.com/allevents

Livestream: facebook.com/truestoriesthatmatter

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/grit/donations

Truelogues open the stage for two tellers to meet each other’s truths through the telling of their own experience. Both tellers go back and forth, weaving their personal stories - same prompt, different lives.

Our two feature truelogues are from GRIT's virtual event, Deja True.

Andrew Shelffo &Story Luck'sDaniel Boyd (KIDS)

Johanne Pelletier & Ronna Levy (HOME)

Deja True III(SCARRED)

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A candid conversation with GRIT's Swap Shop about our story-related pet peeves.

Additional contributions from...

UPCOMING EVENTS

FLASH (Story + Improv!)

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The 99-Second Story Slam: Season 5 (Slam #1) 

Round 1 Winners 

Champion:Harold Cox

Mental Health Happyish Hour(Open Mic)

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3 (short) stories from GRIT's open mic dedicated to 9/11: 20 Years.

The 99-Second Story SLAM

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Truelogues open the stage for two tellers to meet each other’s truths through the telling of their own experience. Both tellers go back and forth, weaving their personal stories - same prompt, different lives.

Our two feature truelogue stories are from GRIT's live (virtual) event, Deja Trie II, in August 2021...

JUSTICE (Neshama Franklin &Story Luck'sDaniel Boyd)

LIBERATION (Torrey Shine& Sean Wellington)

Deja True III(SCARRED)

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/grit/donations

Two stories on redemption from our recent open mic, the Mental Health Happyish Hour.

Patricia Coffiewas born interested and Iowan and she tells stories about that. These are stories filled with love and laughter and, sometimes, tears from a heart that belongs to the Midwest.

Tina McKenna has lived many lives in the past 7 decades. Actress, Model, Caterer, Editor, every possible NYC survival job and has landed where she has belonged all along...writer and storyteller. Nothing of her previous life has gone to waste. It all was waiting to be woven into stories.

If you have a story, or would like to join us in the audience to hear these bold and gritty stories...

Mental Health Happy(ish) Hour Open Mic (September)

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/grit/donations

Sasha Im is a writer and web producer in Seattle. Her stories have been featured on Fresh Ground Stories, The Moth and NAMI. In 2020, she started a food writing group called Table Talesthat helped her conquer her eating disorder.

Linda Durrett is a 'third girl, puts plants in dirt, makes art, writes lots, tells truth, lips love lyrical words, laughs whilst belly dancing, kisses German Shepherd dog, bathes daily.' “As long as you have another breath, you have a story to tell.”

Barbara Peterson is a Chicago storyteller who in her spare time can be found tending her heirloom tomato garden or researching her family tree online, hoping to scale those pesky genealogical brick walls. Upcoming storytelling performances include appearing live on stage in “Broke” for Soul Stories Live at The Beat Kitchen, 2100 W Belmont in Chicago, on Sunday, September 12th, from 1-4pm and on Zoom for the NSN Fringe Event “Spooked”, on October 23rd at 9pm.

Mental Health Happy(ish) Hour Open Mic (August)

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/grit/donations

EPISODE TIMELINE

2:30- Entry into storytelling

3:30- Jessica's 7-minute story (world premiere!)

11:30- Repetition

13:00- Focus

15:00- Why this story now

16:00- Attainable goals

17:30- Written piece

19:00- Better Said Than Done

21:00- Women's Storytelling Festival

22:30- Two pro tips

Jessica Robinson, Founder of Better Said Than Done, has performed at such venues as Atlas Performing Arts Center, The National Women's Equality Monument, and The Miracle Theater. Jessica's solo show, "Tech Babies," premiered at Stories in the Round, and her new solo show “Covid and Kids and Zombies” premiered at The Story Space. Jessica has performed at the International Storytelling Festival, on PBS’ “Stories from the Stage,” and as a featured performer in the Women’s Storytelling Festival. Jessica is co-author of Roar: True Tales of Women Warriors.

Jessica is a teaching artist, leading classes for individuals, as well as for the Brookings Institution, INOVA Fairfax Hospital, Marie Stopes International, George Washington University School of Business, and the World Bank, to name a few.

FLASH (story + improv + courage)

WORKSHOPS

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Erin is the executive director of The Story Collider, a storytelling nonprofit centered around stories about science, and the host and producer of its weekly podcast. As a storyteller, she is the first woman to win The Moth's GrandSLAM storytelling competition twice. Her stories have been featured on public radio multiple times, including on PRX's The Moth Radio Hour, and one of her stories was included in The New York Times-bestselling book The Moth: 50 True Stories. Follow her on Twitter @ErinHBarker

EPISODE TIMELINE

3:00- Erin's story 

9:15- Iterations

11:00- BAD Story

12:00- Attention, Hostility, Trust

14:00- Warmth & competence

16:30- Cow & fence (dramatic tension)

18:30- Transport-ation (scenes)

20:30- Detail overburdening

21:30- Connection & arc

23:30- Pro tip (feedback!)

24:30- Story Collider

Mental Health Happy(ish) Hour

FLASH

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Featuring...

The FLASH

The 99

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EPISODE TIMELINE

2:00- WV Storytelling Guild

5:00- When did you craft this story?

6:00- Linda’s 8-minute story

15:30- What changed?

16:00- Building background

16:30- Sensory detail 

17:30- Linda’s process

18:30- 3 points 

19:30- Challenge of emotions

20:30- Re-living 

21:30- NC Storytelling Guild

23:00- What the best tellers do

24:00- Practice, baby!

25:00- Scenes and guts

27:00- Aunt Irene

28:00- Dad’s change

30:00- Specificity

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/grit/donations

Check out Tracey's Risk!appearance

EPISODE TIMELINE

3:00- Story evolution

4:00- Maspeth, Queens!

6:00: Tracey’s 9-minute story

16:00- Tracey's entry into story

17:30- Story structure

18:30- Tracey's process

20:00- How Tracey's grown

22:00- Six scenes

27:00- Favorite tellers (+ small moments)

29:00- Fantastic things

30:00- Improving her process

31:00- Pro Tips

UPCOMING EVENTS

FLASH (story + improv + courage)

Swap Shop(Fridays 3pm eastern)

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/grit/donations

Learn more about Shweta and her work:

shwetabhatt.com

EPISODE TIMELINE

5:00- Story as a learning mechanism

6:30- Shweta's 5-minute story

12:45- Story evolution 

14:00- Non negotiables/inquiry

15:00- Start IN story

16:00- Strong Island

17:00- STORY in storytelling

19:30- A little less shitty, a little less alone

20:30- TELLING in storytelling

23:30- Flaws and struggle

25:00- Favorite part of story

27:00- shwetabhatt.com

99-Second Story SLAM

Swap Shop (Fridays 3pm eastern)

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/grit/donations

Learn more about Neshama and her work:

Neshama's Blog

You Tube Channel

EPISODE TIMELINE

3:00- Made for story

5:30- What's a story circle?

8:30- S.F. Moth victories

13:00- Neshama’s 7-minute story

21:00- Story evolution

22:00- Story in one line

23:30- Coda

24:30- Essentials

26:30- Wonder of conjunction

28:00- Darkness

30:00- Favorite tellers

31:30- Crafting process

33:00- First/last lines

35:00- Litmus test

UPCOMING CLASSES

99-Second Story Workshop

Beginners Story Bootcamp

UPCOMING EVENTS

The 99 (Second Story Slam)

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/grit/donations

You can learn more about Steph Rogers and Story Jam:

storyjamstudio.com

storyjamshow.com

EPISODE TIMELINE

5:00- Steph's entry into story

10:15- Steph's 5-minute story

15:00- Storytelling on Zoom

16- Swap Shop feedback

17:30- Do stories really need an arc?

18:00- Four scenes

19:00- Two journeys

20:00- Big events myth

21:00- Chicago Moth

22:00- Internal infusion

24:00- Starting in action

25:00- Giving it all away

27:30- Activating imaginations

29:00- Devilish details

30:00- Freezing moments

32:00- Carving & shaping

33:00- Outside eyes (and ears)

35:00- Adding humor

35:30- Pro tip

37:00- Dream role

GRIT

99-Second Story Workshop

Beginner's Story Bootcamp

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/grit/donations

Torrey Shine is a genre-blending writer and performance artist. You can find information about her upcoming shows at facebook.com/TorreyShine

99-Second Story Workshop

Beginner's Story Bootcamp

EPISODE TIMELINE

2:45- Getting started in personal narrative

3:45- Raw truth

5:45- Torrey's 99-second story (#1)

8:00- Heart of moments

9:30- Workshopping

10:30- Word choice

12:30- Why this story

13:30- Everyday moments

14:30- If you could rewrite this story...

16:00- Pro tips

17:30- Practice!

18:30- Honesty

19:30- Endings

20:00- Dealing w/ nerves

21:30- Favorite tellers

22:30- Solo showtime

25:00- Story #2 discussion

28:30- Major dramatic question

29:30- Story community

30:30- Mashed POET-atoes

32:00- Torrey's 99-second story (#2)

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/grit/donations

Melissa Reaves is a Seattle-based storyteller (and improviser) who has appeared on the Moth, Fresh Ground Stories, Ignite Seattle, NAMI and NPR. She is also a public speaking coach and CEO of Story Fruition. She also produces a social impact storytelling series, Melanin Stories Matter, to amplify the voices of Black, Indigenous and People of Color so that their stories are heard. She's a proud mom of two great kids and two great cats.

EPISODE TIMELINE

2:30- Melissa's entry intro story (Mr. Whipple!)

4:00- Workshopping 

6:00- Melissa's 7-minute story

13:00- Performing on Zoom

15:00- Conflict & stakes

17:00- Challenge of where to start

20:00- Storyboarding the mind movie

22:00- Advance & expand

24:00- Storyteller's obligation

26:00- Dialogue!

27:00- Pro tip

29:00: Story Fruition & MSM

32:00- Favorite tellers

99-SECOND SLAM

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/grit/donations

GRIT 99-Second Storytellers

The 99 (Second SLAM)

Beginner's Bootcamp

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GRIT 99-Second Storytellers

The FLASH (Story + Improv + Courage)

The 99 (Second SLAM)

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Mary D'Alba lives in Malden, Massachusetts living her best life as a Psychic Medium and Wellness Coach. She is also an artist, writer, poet, photographer, painter and, of course, storyteller. Many of her stories are about family because she loves them, even during quarantine.

EPISODE TIMELINE

3- Mary's entry into personal narrative story

6- Story as a self-discovery tool

7- Connection and community

9- The story behind this story

11- Mary's 5+ minute story

17- Stakes

18- Mary's start

21- Choosing scenes

22- Chronological structure

24- The end

27- Mary's bullet point process

28- Pro tips (Fun, Vulnerability)

29- Favorite tellers (Zach Stewart, Richard Munchkin)

Mental Health Happy(ish) Hour

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/grit/donations

Mary Jo Pollack transplanted to Tucson July, 2014 via Los Angeles, via San Francisco Bay Area, via Los Angeles, via St. Paul. Artists never completely retire, but she withdrew from the 9-5 grind a decade ago. She is passionate about storytelling and has told stories live in Tucson for Odyssey Storytelling, FST!, and Tucson Tellers of Tales, where she is 2nd vice president. Recently, she told stories on a variety of virtual platforms (including GRIT!) and won the Phoenix Moth Story Slam in July, 2020.

EPISODE TIMELINE

2:30- Why Mary Jo crafted this story last year

3:30- What it's like to beat a Moth legend

4:30- How this stories ties into the theme: Do Over

5:30- Why Mary Jo changed her ending

6:00- Mary Jo's 5-minute story

11:30- What it was like to tell this story again

13:00- Story format v. casual anecdote

14:00- Another potential ending (or new story)

15:00- Discovering the prophet

18:00- Checking facts (v. truth)

19:30- Deciding on details

21:00- How listening to recordings help

21:30- Starting with a date

22:30- Not giving it away

24:00- Emotional honesty

25:00- How adding dialogue helps

26:00- Using voices/accents

28:00- Why awareness matters

29:00- Using the theme in the story

30:00- Favorite tellers

31:30- Mary Jo's tip: moments

33:00- Avoiding filler words

99-Second Story SLAM

99-Second Story WORKSHOP

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/grit/donations

On this week’s episode, Sean talks with Dyan deNapoli, who is better known as The Penguin Lady. Dyan is a penguin expert, TED speaker, and award-winning author. Her first book, The Great Penguin Rescue, chronicles her experiences helping to manage the rescue of 40,000 penguins from an oil spill in South Africa. Her first book for children, All About Penguins, was released this past December. Dyan took care of the penguins at Boston’s New England Aquarium for 9 years, and has been writing and lecturing about these charismatic seabirds for 25 years. She has given four TEDx talks, but this is her first foray into short-form storytelling - and her first time sharing such a deeply personal story.

EPISODE TIMELINE

4:00- Why less (exposition) is usually better

5:45- Dyan's 7-minute story

13:00- How a memory can spark a story

14:00- How one story can fit multiple themes

15:00- The challenge of how and where to start (and stop)

17:00- How Dyan structures/connects her scenes

19:30- One thing Dyan might change

20:30- The beauty of coming full circle 

22:00- Why scary truths matter

23:00- Dyan's fear around her clients

24:00- Teacher Kurt's unexpected response 

25:00- Why Dyan stepped out of her story

26:00- Dyan's pro tip

29:30- Two favorite tellers

31:00- Moms

34:30- Story as a powerful/accessible vehicle for connection

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/grit/donations

On this week's episode of GRIT, host Sean talks with Cat Dean. Cat lives in Carrboro, NC. She is an improv artist, martial artist, storyteller and badass mother of two.

99-Second Story Slam

Beginners Bootcamp

EPISODE TIMELINE

2:30- Cat's 5-minute story

8:30-

11- Beware of the bad guy/gal trap!

12- Making a movie in our minds with scenes/verb tense

13- Cat's 'first three sentences' rule

14- Do not assume we want to hear your story!

15- The danger of over animating and over emoting and why Cat loathes silly accents

16- Know your skill set- then leverage it!

17- People are what’s interesting!

18- The hardest part of crafting this story (nothing happens!) and why Cat had to create pictures more carefully

20- How Cat doesn't 'give anything away'

22- When it's over, end it - without the TED Talk (trust your audience can figure it out!)

23:30- Characterizing ('the kind of'...)

25- Don't ask us to juggle a bunch of facts

26- Why Cat likes mostly sense memories (and not just what happened)

27- Show > tell is usually more satisfying

29- YOU have MANY stories!

30- PRO TIP

30:45- Favorite tellers

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/grit/donations

On this week's episode of GRIT, host Sean talks with Chandreyee Lahiri. Chandreyee is from Kolkata, India (via various countries in the Middle East) and has called the Boston area 'home' for over 20 years. By day she works to protect the Environment as a GIS Specialist. In her free time, she's an aspiring writer, storyteller (telling stories at GRIT's 7 by 7 and 99-Second Story SLAM, among others)

and mother to an entertaining 14 year old son. She believes in incremental change and the value of small moments. VOICES:www.offkendrik.com/voices

3M- Chandreyee's 4-minute story

7M- Structure (arc)

9M- Sequencing

12M-Process

13M- BIG stories

14M- Authenticity

16M- Getting started

20M- Overcrafting

22M- Coaching

26M- Details

30M- Stakes

34M- Relatability 

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/grit/donations

On this week's episode of GRIT, host Sean talks with Marya Morris. Marya is storyteller from the Chicago area who draws inspiration from the momentous, mundane, and mirthful events in her overly complicated life. She works with Story Jamas a producer and storytelling instructor and is a recent, two-time Moth GrandSlam winner. She has also told stories at GRIT's 7 by 7 and 99-Second Story SLAM.

5M- Marya's 9-minute story

15M- Story evolution

17M- Humor + Scared sentences

19M- Emotional details + Change

21M- Style (voice)

22M- Relatability

24M- Stakes

26M- Vulnerability

28M- Marya’s favorite teller

GRIT FB Group(weekly events + workshops)

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/grit/donations

On this week's episode of GRIT, host Sean talks with Ronna Levy. Ronna has been telling stories in the classroom for the past 30 years. She’s now begun telling stories outside the classroom. She’s been featured at “Long Story Short,” “Grackle,” “UCB East,” “Speak Up" and she used to be seen at various in-person open mics throughout New York City. 

Now she can be seen at various Zoom shows, including GRIT's 7 by 7 and 99-Second Story SLAM. She’s toured her one woman show “This Gonna Be on the Test, Miss?” at fringe festivals throughout the northeast.

2M to 7M- Ronna's 7-minute story

10:00- Going from solo shows to stories

11:30- The importance of taking classes and open mics

13:00- The power of the Inner Monologue (aka inner voice)

14:00- Ronna's process of writing, editing, getting feedback

15:30- The challenge of where to start and stop, and getting crystal clear on your story

16:00- The pitfall of reporting/listing

18:00- Where some tellers get it wrong (devilish details!)

20:00- Why awareness matters

21:00- Three favorite local tellers

22:00- Why this story now?

24:00- How did this story change?

25:00- Remembering feelings from many years ago

Sean's Class(Beginners)

99-Second Story Slam

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/grit/donations

THEME: Medical Attention

Feature GRIT 99ers...

KURT's Class: kurtmullen27@gmail.com

SEAN's Class

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On this week's episode, Kurt talks with Johanne Pelletier. Joanne lives in Montreal, Canada, where she works in communications at Concordia University. She uses storytelling to help academics, researchers and startups, better share their ideas in presentations and pitches. 

She started telling stories as a way to better understand what could help improve the way complex ideas are communicated - she has been sharing her work at storytelling shows in English and French since 2017. What started as a one time 'give it a try' thing at a show in 2017 has become an important part of being a communicator - continually trying to better share our stories to reach an audience.

(She is also a certified boxing judge!)

2:40- How long have you been telling stories?

5:00- What kind of advice would you give to someone getting started?

7:45- How did you learn so quickly?

11:30- Any advice for writers?

13:30- How was story changed your writing?

20:30- Were beat writers/poets an influence on you?

23:15- Are these ‘short stories told out loud’ a sign of the times?

35:00: What’s inside of you that makes all of this sustainable?

38:00- How does the world change if more people become storytellers?

38:15- Any favorite tellers?

42:00- What’s the story with boxing?

Contact Kurt: kurtmullen27@gmail.com

GRIT's 7 by 7 Storytelling Series

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/grit/donations

Feature GRIT Storyteller: Dr. Ray Christian

Sean & Kurt's Q: Ready for a classic?

Ray is a retired Army Paratrooper, Combat veteran, Doctor of Education, Fulbright Specialist Expert in Education and Storytelling Narrative and former Adjunct professor teaching African American History and Storytelling at Appalachian State University. 

His stories have appeared in Reader’s Digest’s 2016 Best Stories in America and 2017 American Hero’s editions. As a competitive storyteller, Ray is a 12 time Moth Story Slam Champion, and winner of the 2016 National Storytelling Festival Story Slam. He has toured with the Moth Main Stage and the Snap Judgment Live tour. His stories have been featured multiple times on the “Moth Radio Hour”, “Snap Judgment”, “Back Story Radio” and the “Spooked”, “Story Collider” “AdultISH”and “Risk” podcast among many others.  

He resides in the remote, mountains of Watauga County, NC where he hosts and produces the podcast What’s Ray Saying, a show that uses history and story to explores the Black American experience from a unique perspective.

KURT's Class

GRIT Events

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THEME: Friends & Family

Feature GRIT storytellers

- Stephanie Rogers

- Jeremy Kredlo

- Andrew Shelffo

- Katie Knutson

- Daniel Boyd

- Zach Stewart

- Sharon Eisner

KURT's Class

SEAN's Class

99-Second Story SLAM

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/grit/donations

Feature GRIT storyteller: Johanne Pelletier

Sean & Kurt's Q: Is the devil really in the details?

99-Second Story Grand Slam(Sunday, 1/31)

Johanne works in communications at Concordia University in Montreal, Canada, where her focus is external partnerships that promote university research and using storytelling to help academics, researchers and startups, better share their ideas in presentations and pitches. 

She started telling stories as a way to better understand what could help improve the way complex ideas are communicated - she has been sharing her work at storytelling shows in English and French since 2017, including GRIT's 7 by 7 and 99-Second Story SLAM. What started as a one time 'give it a try' thing at a show in 2017 has become an important part of being a communicator - continually trying to better share our stories to reach an audience.

She is a storytelling teacher and coach, primarily to startups and researchers, and is also a certified boxing judge (official).  

For more on Johanne - jpelletier.ca

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/grit/donations

Feature GRIT storyteller: Jeremy Kredlo

Sean & Kurt's Q: Where do we even begin?

Jeremy Kredlo is a writer, storyteller, public speaker, trainer, self-defense instructor and fierce ally and advocate in the disabilities community. He has been featured on Speak Up, and the upcoming SepTogs Storytellers Lunar New Year show (as well as GRIT's 7 by 7 and 99-Second Story SLAM.) He has also been featured on the Once Upon a Gene and Dat to Dad podcasts.

Jeremy volunteers regularly in the intellectual and developmental disabilities community, through the Washington State Father’s Network and The Arc of King County. He teaches “Telling Your Story with a Purpose”, an advocacy class for parents of children with disabilities, helping them learn to use storytelling techniques to harness the power of their personal experiences with their children to drive systems and policy changes. He also volunteers as a “Helping Parent”, acting as a mentor and support for parents of children with disabilities.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/grit/donations

Sean & Kurt's Q: What's up with your tone?

Feature storyteller: Sean Wellington

Kurt's Email: kurtmullen27@gmail.com

Sean's Email:hello@storygrit.com

Sunday Events

facebook.com/groups/gritthegroup/events

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Feature GRIT storyteller: Howard Lieberman

Sean & Kurt's Q: What are you willing to include? 

Howard Lieberman has done just about everything on stage except sing, which he would love to do if only he could carry a tune. Howard grew up on the North Side of Chicago, but went off to find fame and fortune in New York City, where he lived for 20 years. He never found what he was looking for in New York, and moved to bucolic and staunchly Republican Stillwater Minnesota in 1990 with a New York accent and a jaded sense of humor. Although Howard currently makes a modest living as a mostly retired headhunter for attorneys, his unique blend of performance art and storytelling, has made him a fixture at various performance venues around the Twin Cities, across the US and thanks to Zoom, around the world. He had told stories at GRIT's 7 by 7 and 99-Second Story SLAM (among many others).

KURT's Class

newburyportacting.org/intro-to-storytelling

SEAN's Class

eventbrite.com/e/4-week-beginner-grit-true-stories-that-matter-bootcamp-registration-133806957211

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/grit/donations

These are some more of our favorite 99-second(ish) stories from 2020!

Feature GRIT storytellers:

KURT's Class

newburyportacting.org/intro-to-storytelling

SEAN's Class

eventbrite.com/e/4-week-beginner-grit-true-stories-that-matter-bootcamp-registration-133806957211

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/grit/donations

Feature GRIT storyteller: Ray Christian

Sean & Kurt's Q: Can we get personal? 

Ray is a retired Army Paratrooper, Combat veteran, Doctor of Education, Fulbright Specialist Expert in Education and Storytelling Narrative and former Adjunct professor teaching African American History and Storytelling at Appalachian State University. 

His stories have appeared in Reader’s Digest’s 2016 Best Stories in America and 2017 American Hero’s editions. As a competitive storyteller, Ray is a 12 time Moth Story Slam Champion, and winner of the 2016 National Storytelling Festival Story Slam. He has toured with the Moth Main Stage and the Snap Judgment Live tour. His stories have been featured multiple times on the “Moth Radio Hour”, “Snap Judgment”, “Back Story Radio” and the “Spooked”, “Story Collider” “AdultISH”and “Risk” podcast among many others.  

He resides in the remote, mountains of Watauga County, NC where he hosts and produces the podcast What’s Ray Saying, a show that uses history and story to explores the Black American experience from a unique perspective.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/grit/donations

Feature GRIT storyteller: Gail Thomas

Sean & Kurt's Q: Do we really need to relive our stories?

Gail Thomas is a former lawyer who has performed standup, sketch and improv in NYC and LA. Her voiceover work includes Beavis and Butthead, Angelo Rules and David Letterman, and she appeared on Law & Order SVU. Her short comedy, My BFF, rated 95% funny on Funny or Die and audience favorite at New Filmmakers. As a speechwriter for awards shows, her words were uttered by Oscar winners and fancy people with great clothes. She is a Moth StorySLAM winner and has performed with RISK!, Story Collider, Sideshow Goshko and the Liar Show (and GRITs 7 by 7!) She teaches for The Story Studio.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/grit/donations

Feature GRIT storyteller: Maria Kostas

Sean & Kurt's Q: Do stories really need conflict?

Maria had told stories at GRIT's 7 by 7 and 99-Second Story SLAM (among others).
In addition to storytelling, Maria will be teaching meditation and doing clairvoyant readings in 2021. Follow her on IG @Maria.Kostas

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/grit/donations

Feature GRIT storyteller: Sara Quay

Sean & Kurt's Q: What makes a story - a story? 

Sara is an educator who lives in the Boston area. She is co-founder of the Full Moon Story Slam at the Actor's Studio of Newburyport where she is proud to serve as the story telling timer.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/grit/donations

Feature GRIT storyteller: Don Picard

Seans & Kurt's Q: Does hope matter in storytelling?

Don Picard has worked in the Boston area for 30 years doing software development, and is employed at JobCase, Inc in Kendall Square. Don was a double major in Theatre Arts and Computer Science at Cornell, and chose to work as an engineer in order to be able to live in Cambridge and feed his family. Don enjoys telling live stories about his kids, husband, and extended family as it is fun, therapeutic, and allows him to exercise the other half of his college degree so he doesn't become bitter.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/grit/donations

Feature GRIT storyteller: Laura Packer

Sean & Kurt's Q: When's the right time to tell a tough story? 

Laura Packer is a Minneapolis-based storyteller and author. She has told stories around the world for over 25 years (including GRIT's 7 by 7) and has won many awards and events including the 2018 Minnesota Grand Slam. She believes storytelling can help us connect, grow, and heal.

http://laurapacker.com

Laura's book: audiencetozeal.com

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/grit/donations

Sean & Kurt's Q: Why doeswondermatter in storytelling? (11m 25s)

Feature storyteller: Kurt Mullen (1m 25s)

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Sean & Kurt's Q: Is emotional truth important in storytelling? (10m 50s)

Our feature storyteller: Andrew Shelffo

Andrewis a teacher, writer, storyteller and runner who lives in Easthampton, MA. He has told stories at GRIT's 7 by 7 and 99-Second Story SLAM events (among many others)!

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/grit/donations

Sean and Kurt's Q: Is storytelling a hobby?

Our feature storyteller: Julie Baker (29m 20s)

Julie lives in Boston, Mass. and co-produces Now Listen Here, a live storytelling workshop & open mic series.  

She has told stories at GRIT's 7 by 7 and 99-Second Story SLAM events (among many others)!

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/grit/donations