Mark Espanol shares his personal journey from his time in prison to present life. He explores how a local radio DJ and her show changed his life and we talk about what it was like to tell a very personal story in front of a crowd of strangers.

Taking big leaps isn't something we all are comfortable doing. Danielle shares the wisdom gained and lessons learned from the big leaps she took in life. We enjoyed the connection, conversation, and laughs on this one.

After leaving a toxic relationship during the pandemic, moving in with her sister, Jessica decides to treat herself to a vacation. She gets on an airplane for the first time, travels by herself for the first time, and reconnects with herself on a Florida beach.

When Nitisha was seven years old she saw her mom act with great courage to protect herself, Nitisha, and her younger sister. This moment and her mother's act of bravery has stayed with her. Nitisha developed this story as part of a workshop with the Chazen Museum and Inside Stories podcast.

High school is a time where we often find ourselves and our people. Dave tells a story about being bullied at school and at his church because everyone thought he was gay. He recounts formative moments where he found a strong community of friends with other kids that were considered outsiders and thrived. Dave brings considerable humor, vulnerability, and insight to his stories. We enjoyed the connection, conversation, and laughs on this one.

Jennifer tells a story about one night during high school that brought to the surface the impact of intergenerational trauma from growing up in the U.S. with her immigrant family and undocumented grandmother. She chronicles her family letting go of some of their fears and letting her have more freedom to explore her world, live a fuller life and find her place.

Cynthia has been proposed to five times. She tells this funny story of her second proposal - which happened when she was 17. This story has it all: a prom dress, poetry in a cemetery, a dramatic breakup at a fire station, and a walk in the rain. We talk about the impact of comedy on her storytelling, breakup stories, and the inventory of her skills she had to do during the pandemic.

Esteban tells a story from when he and his girlfriend rented their first apartment in Ecuador. A stolen guitar, some nudity, and father-son bonding all make an appearance in the story. We also talk about the impact of comedy in storytelling, what happens when you quit your job to travel around the country months before a pandemic shuts everything down, and the watercolor drawings he started doing during the pandemic.

In this episode, Otis shares the moments that shaped his manhood and led him to see himself in a different light.

In this episode, Brendon shares his evolving relationship with his grandmother and the last time he was able to see her during the pandemic.

In this episode, Ann shares her small moments of gratitude with introspection and humor as she recounts a pre-pandemic outing with her sons and good friend.

In this episode, Darian Wilson takes advantage of the unexpected time at home during the early months of the pandemic--to share his love of music with his young son. We discuss how he shaped the story and our favorite Reality TV shows we were obsessed with during the pandemic.

Noel told a powerful story about their relationship to birthdays and gifts and how it connects to their sense of identity.

Jeri Perrot reflects on her unexpected pregnancy in the 1970s--before Roe v. Wade was passed. She told this story in June of 2022--a few days before Roe was overturned.

Marisol Gonzalez tells a fun story about teaching herself to ski by watching youtube videos and trying to keep up with her husband and teenager son. We talk about her interest in telling positive stories and why storytelling has become so important to her. Rudy Bankston recorded a Haiku poem he wrote during Covid-19 and talks about why he started writing when he was incarcerated. You can check out his books at https://www.iamweclassics.com/.

Jenie Gao shares a story about winning a blue ribbon when she is 9 years old at a state-wide art contest, how her father's reaction to her prize shaped her young life as an artist, and how understanding evolves over time. Jenie is a working artist and you can learn more about Jenie Gao studio at https://jenie.org/.

From painful childhood fishing trips with her dad telling her that 'boys don't cry' to her “quinceañera on a bus", when she is first recognized as a woman, Dina Martinez shares her story of realizing she is a trans woman. Dina is a comedian, actor, speaker, and empowerment coach and you can learn more about her here: http://dinamartinez.com/.

We asked listeners to record and send us their stories related to Covid-19. This week's episode we have 3 stories. Brian Lee Huynh, (a student at the University of Wisconsin), Laurie Zimmerman, (the rabbi at Congregation Shaarei Shamayim), and Jenie Gao, (an artist).

We asked listeners to record and send us their stories related to Covid-19. This week's episode we have 3 stories, a poem and a PSA about your dog from a rural veterinarian. Stories from Amber Walker, Danielle Hairston-Green, and Catherine Lanser. Poem by Dana Maya. PSA from Bill Stork.

We asked listeners to record and send us their stories related to Covid-19. This week's episode has sports, poetry and politics. Simon Rosenblum-Larson tells his story about being in the minor leagues when MLB suspended its season. Angela Trudell Vasquez shares her experience being Madison's poet laureate when all public events are cancelled. And from Coburn Dukehart we learn what it was like to be a photojournalist covering the April 7th election for Wisconsin Watch, when Wisconsin was forced to vote during a pandemic.