Land Tawney is a 5th generation Montanan prone to wandering & good times. Land earned his Bachelor of Science focused in Wildlife Biology from The University of Montana and has been working his entire adult life to conserve public lands and water and access to them at the local, state, and federal levels. From testifying in front of Congress in Washington DC to organizing grassroots volunteers all across North America, Land walks the walk. He now co-chairs a new non-profit, American Hunters and Anglers Action Network, and works tirelessly to protect our public lands for present and future generations.

Hayley Glassic was driven by a childhood dream of couture and must abandon fashion for a seemingly stable career path, only to have a single brochure unexpectedly reroute her life. A misunderstanding at a job interview for a job in “Cordova, AK” plunges her into the grueling world of salmon hatcheries, where she finds her true calling in the remote wilderness. Hayley calls her story “Origin Story”.

Hayley Glassic migrated from her birthplace in Pennsylvania to Georgia (the state not the country) and eventually to Montana where she has lived for 8 years. Landing in Missoula has been a blessing for friendship, love, heartbreak, growth, and community. After seeing tell us something in 2022, she has been waiting for a prompt that would fit for her to share a story. Hayley was given lots of cheeky feedback from high school friends of how poor of a storyteller she is. By sharing this story, she hopes to break that streak.

Bryan Dalpes hopes to turn his Alaskan summer fling into a real relationship, but ignores food safety for a giant steak, leading to a disastrous morning ritual right outside his would-be love’s A-frame door. When his partner abruptly ends things after returning from a grueling trip, he must navigate gossip and miscommunication to save the relationship. Brian calls his story “The Rile”.

Growing up on the mean streets of suburban Colorado, Bryan found refuge in the punk rock and skateboarding communities. While voyaging on the courageous journey from child to man-child his life course changed when he discovered the moving meditation that is rock climbing. After honing his climbing and alpine skills he spent summers in Alaska guiding ice climbing, glacier exploration, and backcountry trips. Since those years he has continued on to be a guide, instructor, coach, firefighter/EMT, Covid task force specialist, seedling nursery crew lead, mobile beer canner, freelance video editor, graphic artist, handyman, landscaper, ski patroller, house sitter, marketplace hustler…the list goes on. He is the proud dad of a floppy eared, special needs dog named Ron who is regularly recognized on the trail and pined over by complete strangers

Feeling overwhelmed by her spinning “plates” of responsibility, Betsy Funk receives an unexpected invitation to join the Peace Corps in Africa. She risks leaving her daughter and draining her finances to chase a desperate call for help, embarking on a journey that will test her limits and change her perspective on what it means to keep life together. Betsy calls her story “Mother”.

After 40 years of teaching through story, Betsy loves to share stories with folks she encounters. Either listening to or telling them she frames her world around ” what’s your story?” She finds her moments of shared joy and tears continue to make her a better person. She hopes her adventures inspire some wonder and joy in you. The goal is always to make the world a better place.  Be kind…you got this.

You can find Rad on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.

In our next story, Bridget Feerick flies thousands of miles to Peru and connects with a mysterious, motorcycling solo traveler. With a language barrier, a gut feeling, and a wild invitation to ride with him to Canada, she must decide if taking a leap of faith is worth the risk of a true-life adventure. Bridget calls her story “My Gut Says WHAT!?…and it was Awesome!” Thanks for listening.

Bridget Feerick started her journey on this planet being born and raised in Milwaukee, WI. She traveled the world before making her home in Missoula, Montana and has continued to explore this country and the world beyond. Her passion for the outdoors is matched by a deep commitment to community engagement and social justice. Bridget holds people in transitions using her intuitive powers as an organizer, cleaner, birth/postpartum/death doula, yoga instructor, herbalist, reiki and sound healing practitioner, and so on and so forth. Oh, and she likes to get weird whether it’s through her performance art pieces or just trying to be free in a world with too many boxes. She hopes to empower and inspire as many people as she can to tap into their own intuitive powers.

Trying to escape the dark Missoula winter, a staycation house-sitting gig promises a hot tub and mountain views for Marc Moss, and instead, delivers freezing temperatures and the demanding care of a dog, a cat, and eleven chickens. What starts as a simple favor quickly turns into a crisis when a frantic call from Chile reveals an unfortunate fire and a scramble to rehouse the traumatized poultry.

Marc calls his story “The Girls”.

Marc Moss founded Tell Us Something in 2011 and lives with his life partner, Joyce, and their perpetual kitten, Ziggy on Missoula’s historic Northside.

While trekking deep into the Bob Marshall Wilderness to photograph the monumental Chinese Wall, Brian Christianson finally slows down to appreciate the remote mountain solitude with his partner. When a tiny movement catches their eye, they hold their breath for what could be the wildlife encounter of a lifetime.

Brian calls his story “Ridge Lessons”.

Brian Christianson’s love for mountains began on the pages of books while growing up in Southern Minnesota. A family trip to Colorado at age 10 confirmed the future: mountains or bust. He proceeded to study photography and geography at the University of Colorado before moving to Montana in 2008. Brian works as a nature photographer with a curiosity for wilderness in Western Montana. He shares a life with his wife Linds and cat Roo.

Aunvada Being. Aunvada was blessed with a creative Western spirit. She was born in and has lived in Montana for 35 of her 37 years. She is keenly aware of the vast history of all the lands we walk and is deeply grateful to walk them.  She picked magical Missoula as her home after spending a year living off grid near the Garden of the Gods in Colorado.

In our next story, Jilnar Mansour, a Lebanese American volunteer in the volatile heart of a Palestinian refugee camp, confronts the harrowing realities of a strict curfew set by the Israeli Defense Forces. Amidst chaos and desperation, she recounts an extraordinary act of quick thinking and unexpected alliance, leading to a moment where vulnerability became a powerful tool for survival. Listen to Jilnar share the difficult choices that she made, and the blurred lines of impact versus intention in a story that she calls “Who Made Your Breakfast?”

Jilnar Mansour is a person who creates spaces for all to be loved and heard in order to stop generational violence. Jilnar is the daughter of an immigrant.  She is a survivor. Jilnar stands for love.

Steve Schmidt is a rookie police officer in Kansas City in 1997. Steve responds to a seemingly routine recovered property call that quickly escalates into a tense and dangerous encounter of a burglary in progress. What unfolds is a story of split-second decisions, unexpected revelations, and a profound moment that would forever shape his understanding of duty, perception, and the weight of a single choice. Steve calls his story “Get Down On The Ground.  Do It Now!”

Steve Schmidt, also known as Schmidty was born in the small-town of Malta, Montana. Schmidty is dedicated to positive change. With eight years’ experience as a police officer in Kansas City, Schmidty has developed strong skills in law enforcement and community engagement, all while connecting with thousands of fans as a professional mascot. Now based here in Missoula, Schmidty leads Drive Safe Missoula, a traffic safety initiative within Missoula Public Health that’s focused on saving lives through education. His expertise extends nationally, where he speaks on influencing behavior and leveraging AI for road safety and public health.

What begins as an unlikely friendship for Lauren Tobias with a free-spirited dog on The Fort Peck Reservation in northeastern Montana takes a heartbreaking turn when the dog mysteriously disappears. Days of agonizing searching lead to a devastating discovery, a poignant makeshift funeral, and an outpouring of community support. But just as grief settles in, a shocking revelation sends everything spiraling into an unbelievable twist. Lauren calls her story “Off Leash”.

Hammy works in occupational safety, health and risk management, and he’s the founder and creative director of Queer Butte Arts and Culture, a new group celebrating local queer art, queer culture and local queer history. Last year, he was named one of Southwest Montana’s 20 Under 40, and this year he was honored as the Young Professional of the Year by the Butte Local Development Corporation. He is a homosexual, and lives in Butte with his partner Clayton—also a homosexual.

He’s passionate about harm reduction, ending stigma, and walking on his hands. Above all, Hammy believes storytelling can save lives—and he’s thrilled to be here tonight to share his story!

In our next story, Katie Van Dorn recounts a childhood marked by an unexpected physical challenge to a life defined by adventure and a relentless pursuit of wellness. Katie’s journey is filled with extraordinary feats, unexpected setbacks, and profound self-discovery. Katie calls her story “The Cracks are How the Light Gets In”.

Originally from La Jolla, California, Katie Van Dorn studied Exercise Physiology at The University of Montana and earned her B.S & M.S in Exercise Physiology/Preventive Health. Katie is a professional chef and is a Certified International Tour Director as well as a Certified Culinary and Wellness Coach. She is passionate about the outdoors and is a compassionate real estate agent who has been caring for homebuyers and sellers alike in Missoula for over 20 years. Katie loves hiking, XC skiing, swimming, gardening and cooking. You may have heard her Freeforms show on Montana Public Radio where she is a rotating host and producer of Thursday Freeforms.

Karna Sundby goes on a blind date in Seattle leads to a whirlwind romance and a life that feels like a dream. But when an unimaginable tragedy strikes, one woman’s world shatters, forcing her to confront the deepest despair. Follow her incredible journey through loss, unexpected healing, and the profound discovery of purpose amidst the pain. Karna calls her story “Finding the Gift”.

With 30 years involvement in the field of human transformation, Karna Sundby is passionate about helping people make measurable transformations in themselves and their ways of thinking. Working with clients in person and on the phone, she helps clientele overcome their obstacles and manifest their dreams. As a Master NLP Practitioner (Neuro-Linguistic Programming), along with other modalities, Karna specializes in helping clients heal from all kinds of trauma. Karna currently has an office at Peak Health and Wellness on Blue Mountain Road in Missoula, MT. You can reach her via phone or email: karna@inneraccess.org | 406-880-2555.

Kara Adolphson is a college freshman grappling with a secret grief. Kara vows to herself that she will navigate her new life and grief silently. But on the anniversary of a profound loss, an unexpected invitation leads to an art exhibit, a surprising discovery, and a breakthrough moment of joy and healing. Kara calls her story “Finding Humor After Loss”.

Kara Adolphson. Kara is a Montanan, community member, therapist, and storyteller who finds joy in the arts, the outdoors, and bluebird days in Missoula. She believes in the power of vulnerability, humor, and shared experience to bring people together. A lover of language and listening, Kara is committed to fostering connection, whether it’s in the counseling room, on a trail, or around the dinner table. Tonight, she’s honored to be on the Tell Us Something stage, where storytelling becomes a bridge for connection.

Our first story comes to us from Nita Maddox.

Nita Maddox is a multi-generational Montanan, born and raised in Whitefish. She has a passion for adventure, even if it is finding something exciting in the produce area at the grocery store. Nita is here on this planet to be seriously playful on the journey.

Next up is Joyce Gibbs. As a third grader in Montana, Joyce convinces her parents to get pet rabbits, only to discover their true intention is to breed them for food. Despite an early mishap with the first litter, she learns the harsh realities of farm life. This unique upbringing shapes her understanding of where food comes from, leading to a memorable, albeit somewhat grisly, childhood experience. Joyce calls her story, Stew and Pot. Thanks for listening.

Joyce Gibbs was raised in Missoula, Montana, tramping through the woods. She grew up to become an artist, builder, and tiler. She is a resilient, creative, and adventurous woman. After a brief stint in New York City and then in New Orleans, she bought a dilapidated railroad house on Missoula’s Historic Northside and spent the next 15 years remodeling it and making it her own. When she is not busy building beautiful spaces with her tile installations at Joyce of Tile, you can find her riding her motorcycle, gardening and playing.

Amanda Taylor was raised in a devout Christian community, and was committed to purity, vowing to save herself for marriage. This conviction was challenged when she moved to Switzerland and met a captivating man. A spontaneous trip to a luxurious hot spring with him leads to a pivotal moment of self-discovery, forcing her to confront her deeply held beliefs. Amanda calls her story Hallelujah. Thanks for listening.

Amanda Taylor resides in Missoula with her cat Ted. As a child, she spent summers visiting her grandparents in Alder, Montana. Her earliest memory of Butte is her grandma taking her to the Butte Walmart and buying her a Reba McIntyre poster. She no longer has the poster, but she still loves Reba.

Mark Schoenfeld has been a lot of things: a window washer, a screen printer, a public radio host, a middle school teacher, and an adjunct professor to name a few. One thing he’s always been is a writer—of stories, songs, and poems—which led him to earn his MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Montana. A disgruntled Texan, Mark and his family now call western Montana home. His work has appeared in print, online, and on-air, which you can find at markscho.com

In our next story, join Tess Sneeringer, a high school junior on Halloween night 2009, as she navigates an exclusive party, a ninja-clad twin brother, and a sudden police raid that turns into a chaotic scramble for escape. What happens when a misplaced car and a nosy Officer Becky make this unpopular attendee the unlikely culprit for the entire bust? Tess calls her story “A Chance to be Popular”. Thanks for listening.

Tess Sneeringer has lived in Missoula for six years and landed here after spending the first half of her twenties as an outdoor educator across the American West, far away from her childhood home in Washington, DC. Telling a story for Tell Us Something became a Missoula bucket list item after she saw her first show in 2019. So she told a story in 2021. But then she stayed in Missoula longer than she thought she would so figured she’d do it again. Her first appearance featured a survival story set in the Utah desert, and she’s back on this episode of the podcast with another survival tale – this time of high school social life.

In our next story, Kelley Provost shares her raw and honest journey of self-acceptance and defiance, beginning with a lifelong struggle against body image that culminates in a breast reduction. But just as newfound confidence blossoms on a dream European vacation, a phone call in London’s West End, moments before The Lion King, delivers a life-altering diagnosis that changes everything. Kelley calls her story “Careful Whatchya Wish For”. Thanks for listening.

Kelley Provost Kelley Provost  is a survivor, a thriver, a liver, and a lover. She loves Duran Duran, fashion, laughing, and dancing. Watching people be proud of themselves is her favorite thing ever. Her goal is to create a community of people who love themselves so much that they inspire others to do the same. A life coach, a life lover, a life LIVER.

Closing out this episode of the Tell Us Something podcast, Jeff Ducklow embarks on an “adventure wish”. A seminary graduate turned sea kayak guide, Jeff recounts the incredibly dangerous decision to paddle toward and touch a Tidewater glacier in Alaska. What began as a bold pursuit of a memorable death could quickly become a fight for survival against one of nature’s most unpredictable forces. Jeff calls his story “A Terrible Idea”. Thanks for listening.

Jeff Ducklow has always loved nature. As a youngster, he spent most of his free time playing in the woods and felt more at home there than he did anywhere indoors. He considered nature his friend even into adulthood when he decided to turn his passion for nature into a career as an adventure guide. Yes, Jeff felt he and nature were buddies. A belief he wholeheartedly embraced until the events in his story that you just heard shook his faith and gave him more insight into the nature of nature.

Thanks, Jeremy. Jeremy Kenee graduated from the University of Colorado in 1994, landed a 3-month temp job in Missoula and never left. He met his wife, Heather, and they raised two talented daughters who are now flung far and wide in the world. After a long career engineering streets and highways, Jeremy became the City Public Works Director in 2019. When he’s not sailing on Flathead Lake, you might find him riding mountain bikes in the hills around Missoula or playing beer-league hockey at the Glacier Ice Rink.

In our next story, Meco Correia is a former PACU nurse with a heightened awareness of horizons and the lingering echoes of trauma. Discover how a unique self-care practice involving Japanese rope art provides grounding and connection, setting the stage for an extraordinary encounter with the unknown on a quiet Missoula street. Meco calls her story “Eye on the Sky”. 

Meco Correia is a believer that a nourishing meal cooked and shared in LOVE will advance soul healing on this planet. She is a co-creator in a sensual healing touch community, a culinary artist, a watercolor dabbler, a gypsy gardener and an RN that has touched many lives and BODIES in this community for over 25 years.

Tom Attard shares his story about a raw and emotional Christmas Eve encounter at a Kalispell bar, where a man’s heartbreak leads him to his “little” brother, a drywall-delivering, street-fighting, functional alcoholic. Their intertwined lives, marked by a decade of distance and dangerous choices, build to a powerful, desperate conversation about change. Crack a beer and listen along to Tom’s story that he calls “A Ride Home from the Rainbow”.

Tom Attard was born and raised in the great state of Montana and is a father, husband, General Contractor, ultra runner and lover of all things outdoors.  You can find him on most dark winter mornings running a trail on any of the surrounding slopes. In constant motion from birth, Tom rarely sits still. Skiing, rafting, fishing, hunting, running and finding any excuse to get out there.

Kali Neumeister invites you to forget what the movies taught you about pregnancy. This candid account reveals the surprising realities of pregnancy, from a challenging gestational diabetes diagnosis to an unexpected labor during a severe storm. Follow one woman’s unforgettable journey to motherhood, proving that real-life births are far more dramatic and unpredictable than anything on screen. Kali calls her story “A Womb Awakening”

Kali Neumeister. Kali is 33 years old and was born and raised here in Missoula. A counselor by trade, Kali enjoys the quiet life of reading and storytelling and the adventures of skiing and scuba diving.

Back in April of this year, Tell Us Something traveled to Butte, America to bring Tell Us Something to an enthusiastic group of listeners at The Covellite Theatre. Founder and Executive Director Marc Moss shared a story about the first time we held a Tell Us Something event in Butte, which was at The Covellite. The first time in Butte, back in 2019, Marc had to buy time because the evening’s first storyteller, Pat, was late. Listen as Marc shares that story, which is more than just a story of Tell Us Something in Butte, it’s an honoring of his friendship with Pat Williams.

Pat Williams shared this story at Tell Us Something in front of a live audience on February 18th, 2014, at the Top Hat Lounge in Missoula, MT. The theme was “What Are You Waiting For”.

Bing Crosby spends time in Butte, MT to fish and get away from the spotlight fame brought him in the 1940s and 50s. He is mis-recognized by a pedestrian on the street. Bing then shares a story with Pat about Blue the Bear in the Jungle Book (Phil Harris) and drinking whiskey.

Pat Williams • October 30, 1937 – June 25, 2025

Pat Williams, Montana’s longest-serving U.S. House member, dies at 87

Click here to read Pat’s tribute at The Montana Free Press.

On today’s episode of The Trail Listening Post, we bring you a live in-studio conversation from the Trail Lunchbox on Trail 103.3 FM. Host Mike Smith sits down with Marc Moss, the founder and host of Tell Us Something, Missoula’s beloved live storytelling event series.

Marc shared the story behind the event’s signature theme song, the art on this year’s poster, and why Tell Us Something doesn’t announce its storytellers in advance. They dug into what makes live storytelling so powerful, how it brings people together, and what it’s like for someone to take the stage for the very first time.

Plus, hear stories about cops thinking Marc was a cop, the Northside KettleHouse art connection, and what it means to create space for voices across the spectrum—especially in the context of Pride Month.

🎟️ Event Details:
Tell Us Something: Lost & Found
📅 Monday, June 30, 2025
🕕 Doors at 6:00 PM | Stories at 7:00 PM
📍 Ogren Park / Allegiance Field
🎫 Tickets: $20 advance / $23 day-of — available at TellUsSomething.org

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🌲 The Trail Listening Post is a podcast series that archives the real-time radio moments that make Missoula, Missoula – live, local, and straight from the airwaves of Trail 103.3, a station as unique as the community we serve.

Jesse Ballard is a perinatal care coordinator who moonlights as an actor and a birth doula. She lives in Missoula with her husband, 2 kids and 2 cats.

In our next story, Betsy Funk hikes with her adult daughter Kelsey in Glacier National Park on what would become a grueling hike for her daughter. Kelsey’s determination and love for the outdoors pushed them through tears and exhaustion. Betsy calls her story “Glacier Calls”.

Betsy Funk lives in the Flathead Valley of Montana where, surrounded by mountains, she raised her family. A retired health teacher, she now spends her time in that landscape, gardening, hiking, playing music, helping her husband run his craft school and best of all, getting into mischief with her grandchildren. Savoring moments of connection every day. She believes stories are the result of that ability and gift to be in each moment. There is a certain magic in that presence with her life. It offers in each encounter, a chance to be seen, which in the big picture is what might make the world a better place for all of us.

Closing out this episode of the Tell Us Something podcast, Syd Lang is a camp counselor at a small long running camp in Colorado. Listen as she meets a special individual one summer, and watch their friendship blossom amidst laughter, shared stories, and a whole lot of fun! Syd calls her story “Love Sick”.

Sydney Lang grew up in Olympia, Washington and has been living in grand ol’ Missoula, Montana on and off for the past seven years. She attended the University of Montana where she studied Communication and Climate Change. She spends much of her time climbing big rocks and zooming through the trees on her bike. She has been working in the outdoor education world for many years, both in Montana and Colorado.Syd loves to eat bubblegum ice cream, practice slackline by the river, play on local trails, and cook dinner with friends.

The oldest and tallest among dozens of first cousins, James Crosby oddly and infuriatingly found himself outmatched in many backyard sports. He earned scores of nicknames: Stonehands, Butterfingers, Floodpants… all apt descriptions of his athletic “prowess” and Giraffe-like physique. After years of searching for the thing that could make him cool, a summer job with AccesSport America taught him to be something better.

To learn more about the adaptive programs at AccesSport America: visit goaccess.org.

In our next story, Aaron Miller’s autism diagnosis didn’t define him, it fueled his determination. From speech therapy to high school theater, Aaron overcomes his challenges & proves his capabilities. Aaron believes that disabilities aren’t limitations; they’re opportunities for growth. Aaron calls his story “Growing Up”.

📷 kmr studiosAaron Miller is a 16-year-old boy who loves to talk and bond with others. He stands as the youngest in his family and house but is the tallest out of everyone. His dad died of cancer when he was three, so he only had his mom and brother until he turned around nine where he moved across town and had his family join another family. Aaron gained a stepfather, a stepbrother, and a nonbinary stepsister. His autistic mind is what makes him the way he is: funny and responsible. He does theater at Big Sky High School, one of many MCPS schools with talented kids in many fields. Aaron is the fifth in his family to participate in one of Tell Us Something’s events alongside his brother (Alex), stepsister (Rae), stepfather (Brian), and mother (Angela). Aaron is debating what his future will look like since he doesn’t know if he wants to go to college for theater, but he believes in himself and knows that he will go far with many by his side to support him.

Our next storyteller believes in the power of storytelling so much he founded Tell Us Something in 2011. That’s right, our next storyteller is Tell Us Something founder and Executive Director Marc Moss. He calls his story “Is Anybody Alive Out There Tonight”.

Marc Moss is the founder and director of Tell Us Something & live w/my wife Joyce & our kitten Ziggy on Missoula’s Northside.

Rounding out this episode of the Tell Us Something podcast, Karna Sundby gets swept up in a windstorm, while skydiving. Peer pressure and borrowed gear led to a harrowing experience in a story Karna calls “My Last Jump”.

Karna Sundby has always been on her own unique, uncharted path. Her curiosity and spiritual quest has taken her to places that most people would find bizarre, wondrous or enlightening depending on their personal life experience. The one word they would never use to describe Karna is boring. Karna’s gift and curse is being fearless.

Learn more about Karna and her life coaching services at inneraccess.org.

📷 Donal Lakatua

Michelle Reilly is a wilderness specialist and wildlife ecologist who has lived in Missoula for 8 years. She is a wildcrafter, avid backpacker, and devoted mother. If she isn’t deep in the mountains or paddling the rivers, you can find her in her yard tending her gourmet mushroom gardens. She also runs a Missoula Ladies’ Dinner Club and enjoys entertaining in her backyard.

In our next story, Zeke Cork returns to Missoula after many failed escapes to face his demons, find love, and embrace his true self. Please take care of yourselves. Zeke calls his story “Ezekiel Cried”.

Zeke Cork is a writer, train dispatcher and board member of the Western Montana LGBTQ+ Center. He runs and hikes the local trails. He lives in Missoula with his wife and two rescue mutts. He loves tacos and trucker hats.

Ashley Brittner Wells is a self described tomboy in the 1980s who finds courage in the Montana Lady Griz games. It took years to find her own place in the stands and be the inspiration for girls who are like she was then. Ashley calls her story “Made In Montana”.

Ashley Brittner Wells is from East Missoula, Montana. She is a business owner, public servant, and cackler. She is best known as Mel’s wife. She is a lifelong women’s sports fan.

In our first story, Kiki Hubbard, her mother and her grandmother are on a plane returning back to the United States from former Yugoslavia after a trip tracing their ancestry. The grandmother, a strong immigrant who fled war and violence, is frustrated because customs won’t let her bring bacon into the US. Kiki calls her story “What Bacon?”

Kiki Hubbard graduated from the University of Montana’s Environmental Studies program and now works remotely for the University of Wisconsin-Madison as an academic collaborator with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Kiki lives in Missoula, by way of Wisconsin and Washington D.C., and is a national expert in policy issues that affect our nation’s seed supply. She’s passionate about protecting family farms and community food systems from unfair and destructive corporate practices.

Next up is Adria Jwort, who, as a trans woman, wrestles with Montana’s anti-LGBTQ climate and complex relationship with her dad. The Club Q shooting prompts her to return home, prioritizing family despite ongoing struggles. We call her story “From Vegas to Montana — A Father’s Call”.

Adria L. Jawort is a Northern Cheyenne fiction writer and transgender/2 Spirit journalist based in Billings, Montana. Her writing has appeared in the Los Angeles Review of Books, Electric Literature, and Indian Country Today, among other publications. She is the Executive Director of the nonprofit Indigenous Transilience. You can also find her on Instagram.

In our next story, Teri Wing leaves Butte, MT for convent life before leaving and finding love and family. Her journey home was a wild ride. Teri calls her story “Going home: The Long Way Around”.

Teri Wing is a born and raised Montananan. The mother of two and a grandmother of three boys, Teri is a retired educator who loves dogs and other living things. She hasn’t yet climbed tall mountains, run a marathon, or jumped out of a plane, though she says she may put those on her bucket list.

Our final storyteller in this episode, Chloe Williams, searches for happiness in love, places, & self-expression before finally figuring out what love is and where to find it. Chloe calls her story “The Rusty Screeching Turn Toward Home”.

Chloe Williams is many things. She is a seeker, a painter, a middle school teacher, a mother, a partner, and a friend.

Hailing from the West Coast, Chloe was born in Steamboat Springs, Colorado and raised in San Francisco. She spent some summers on a farm in Illinois. Eventually, she spent seventeen years in Portland, Oregon and ten years ago moved to Missoula. Chloe has lived at approximately forty addresses in her life, though she really has lost count.

Storytelling was passed down from her mom in the many long car rides of her childhood and is her favorite thing her mother gave her. Only in the last few years has she been called to try storytelling herself, and it feels like something her spirit needs to do.

In this episode of the Tell Us Something podcast, four storytellers share their true personal story on the theme “Close to the Edge”. Our stories today were recorded live in person in front of a packed house on March 26, 2024, at The George and Jane Dennison Theatre.

Our first storyteller is Kathleen Kennedy. Kathleen’s cherished family cabin, a symbol of precious memories, faces the relentless grip of time and erosion. A cancer diagnosis adds another layer of urgency, forcing a confrontation with impermanence. We call her story “Lessons in Letting Go”.

Kathleen Kennedy grew up in Oakland, CA, and is a science teacher at Big Sky High School, with 24 years teaching experience. She has won a variety of prestigious teaching awards. She won the EcoDaredevil award in 2009, and in 2011 she was a Fulbright Japan-US Teacher in the Exchange Program for Education for Sustainable Development. She was an Adult Participant in American Youth Leadership Program’s Trip to Thailand in 2015 and continues to be passionate about her students and teaching. When she’s not busy saving the world and working towards a sustainable future, you might find her enjoying the beauty Missoula has to offer, rocking out to Pearl Jam, or dancing along to her favorite Dave Matthews song.

In our next story, Susan Waters’ peaceful bike ride takes a horrifying turn. A brutal crash leaves her fighting for life. A mysterious voice asks a question her answer and the resulting outcomes will leave you breathless in a story Susan calls “Fade to White”.

While growing up in Kansas City, Missouri, Susan Waters longed for the days her family would camp and hike in the mountains and swoosh down the slopes of Colorado. She played keyboards in a rock band, worked her way through university as a metal sculptor, then spent 15 years as a film and video writer, producer and director.

In 1997, Susan chucked a successful career and beautiful home, packed her two dogs, two cats, and all her worldly belongings into a U-Haul and followed the call of the mountains to Missoula, Montana, where she knew not a soul and had nowhere to live. She quickly settled in and started Northern Lights Communications, where she continues to write, produce and consult.

Inspired by the alternative health modalities that helped her heal from a near fatal accident, Susan formally studied, trained, then started Water Wellness, where she is a holistic bodyworker and Reiki Master, individual wellness coach, and group instructor.

Susan volunteers in the community and takes full advantage of the outdoors with her human and animal tribe, explores the arts, and thrives in the wonderfully progressive and laid-back vibe of Missoula.

Learn more at SusanWatersWellness.com.

In our next story, Annabelle Winnie, a successful therapist and mother, grapples with a lifelong sense of dissonance. Despite outward competence, she’s navigated years of therapy, seeking answers for a struggle she couldn’t quite grasp. Annabelle calls her story “Belonging.” Or…”Another Way to See.” Or “Another Way to Be.”

Annabelle Winnie has lived in Missoula since 2011. You might find her walking or biking around town, acting as chauffeur for one of her 2 kids, or taming the wild raspberry patch in her backyard.

Rounding out this episode of the Tell Us Something podcast is Amanda Taylor, who learns that the path to love isn’t always smooth, and Amanda and Heather learn that the most powerful relationships can exist outside the box. Amanda calls her story “Heather”.

Thanks, Amanda. Amanda Taylor is a lover of laughter and of love. After sharing a story at Tell Us Something one year ago, she finally followed her dream of trying stand-up comedy. Now she is a local stand-up comedian, even though she feels like an imposter saying that. Amanda is on a lifelong journey of living in alignment with herself and is forever grateful to each person who has loved and continues to love her along the way.

In this episode of the Tell Us Something podcast, four storytellers share their true personal story on the theme “Close to the Edge”. Our stories today were recorded live in person in front of a packed house on March 26, 2024 at The George and Jane Dennison Theatre.

An expired passport throws mother-daughter vacation into chaos! Listen to their dramatic encounter with immigration and how they turned a mishap into an unforgettable experience. We call her story “The Trip of a Lifetime”.

Traci Sylte is a civil engineer and hydrologist who has worked for the U.S. Forest Service for nearly 34 years and is currently the watershed program manager for the Lolo National Forest. She has a passion to maintain healthy watersheds, valley bottoms, rivers, streams, and wetlands. Traci is the product of two very loving parents. Her father taught her to operate a chainsaw and her mother facilitated dresses and piano lessons for her. The love of her life is her daughter, Becca, who is currently in her first year at the University of Washington. Traci continues to grow deeper in love with Missoula each year, because if one wants to learn to weave a basket with pink polka dots on a Tuesday, there’s someone probably doing it here. When Traci is not working, she is grounded by spending time with beloved family and friends, all things water, fly fishing, hiking, playing hockey with amazing Missoula women, fireside guitar serenades, sunrises, sunsets, all things music, and leaving things better than she found them.

Ren Parker embarks on what was supposed to be a relaxing dive off Catalina Island that takes a terrifying turn. After fighting for survival in a desperate ascent, Ren knows that she must get back into the water the next day, and is met with devastating news upon surfacing. Ren calls her story “Deep Blue”.

Ren Parker is passionate about fostering a sense of community and brings that enthusiasm to all of her endeavors. Ren grew up in Hawaii and lived on sailboats that she restored on the Pacific Ocean for seven years. She gave up her nomadic ways and moved back to Missoula to be close to family and has been growing roots here ever since. Ren loves to dance and hike with her faithful dog, Poet, and spend time with her remarkable Missoula friends. She is a regular storyteller at the weekly storytelling event Word Dog, and hosts a weekly storytelling radio show on KFGM Community Radio where she is station manager. Her show is called Once Upon a Radio Wave.

Our next storyteller is Mark Matthews. Mark’s life takes a dramatic turn on a snowy night. He’s a struggling sculptor with seemingly nowhere to go. Listen to Mark’s story of passion, resilience, and rediscovery of the thing that he loves. Mark calls history “Thanks for This Wonderful Gift”.

After earning a BA in literature in 1974 Mark began his artistic career as an aspiring writer and completed his first novel (unpublished) by 1981. During that period, Mark also became interested in sculpting and by that same year was devoting most of his time to making large wooden sculptures, mostly depicting dancers and musicians of all types. From 1982 to 1992 Mark exhibited his work in galleries in Maine, Washington, Montana, California and New Mexico.

In 1992 he stopped making art to concentrate on writing. After earning a Master’s degree in Journalism and an MFA in Creative Writing at the University of Montana, he worked as a freelance writer for scores of publications including The Washington Post, High Country News and Newsweek. He also wrote three nonfiction books published by the University of Oklahoma Press during that period.

In 2012 Mark returned to art full-time. Turning once again to sculpture he expanded his interest to include carving in stone, manipulating found metal objects as well as animal antlers. He also experimented with many different styles and techniques. Mark currently exhibits his newer work at the Roosevelt Arts Center in Red Lodge, MT and the Manifestations Gallery in Eureka, MT. Before moving from Missoula to Hysham in 2016 (because of high rents in western Montana) he regularly participated in showings at the E-3 Convergence Gallery on W. Main Street, and he also set up a sculpture walk at Shy Bear Farm in Arlee.

Mark returned to Missoula in 2022.

In 2018 he began to paint. His oil paintings are also currently on display at the aforementioned institutions in Red Lodge and Eureka. Being a creative writer and journalist, he tends to tell stories in his paintings, whether it be a memory of dancing in the past, a place where he has lived, an adventure he had experienced or of people he has known. Mark tends to work with vibrant colors in a representational style.

In the fall of 2023, he enrolled in the Golden College at the University of Montana to study painting with Kevin Bell and metal sculpture with Trey Hill. His first metal sculpture was displayed in front of the Art Building on the UM campus in April. He was also part of a student exhibit in the student gallery in the Art Building that same month. Next year Mark will be a volunteer worker for the Art Department and has been assigned a private studio on campus.

Although Mark has been living on the edge most of his life, he has continued to devote most of his time to making some kind of art. Even while experiencing two bouts of extended homelessness, he continued to make art. His motto has always been: “Artist make art; they don’t wait on tables.”

Mark also loves to dance. He has been a contra dance caller for the Missoula Folklore Society since 1991 and has traveled to schools across the state since 2009 introducing the magic of dancing to children of all ages as a presenter for Humanities Montana.

Listen to the epilogue of Mark’s story here:

Watch a short film showcasing some of Mark’s sculptures displayed in nature here:

In our final story, Kat Werner is stranded in Alaska, grizzly bears on one side, a father in crisis on the other. In the face of fear, and with the help of her hiking crew, a community rallied and shared burdens. Kat calls her story “The Arctic Pain Cave” Sensitive listeners be aware that Kat’s story discusses someone who has suicidal ideations. Please take care of yourselves.

Kat Werner was a German high school exchange student in South Dakota — some of you might remember her last Tell Us Something story about that experience and meeting her husband there. She has called Missoula home for almost 15 years. Kat is a licensed clinical social worker and faculty member at the University of Montana School of Social Work. Things that fill her soul are: any outdoor or wilderness activity, traveling the world, genuine human connection, cooking and eating good food, and creating and checking off a good to-do list.

Erin Scoles is grateful to have lived such a full life. She’s given birth to 5 children, hitchhiked across the country, lived in a school bus before it was cool, endured huge loss, and loved big. She’s most proud of her Irish heritage and how badass & compassionate her kids are. Erin looks forward to the day when she can focus on just one project at a time and for her kids to finally and truly admit she’s the funniest person that they know.

Jen Certa shares her story about how a simple act of kindness helped eventually house an unhoused person, led to closure for a family, and reaffirmed her hope in humanity. Jen calls her story “Life, Death, and Teaspoons of Water”. Thanks for listening.

Jen Certa is originally from New York and accidentally began a love affair with Montana in 2009. She is a  social worker and currently works as a therapist with kids and families, which basically means she’ll help you process your feelings after she beats you at Uno. When not at work, Jen can most often be found traversing the trails around Missoula with human and dog friends, guessing people’s Enneagram numbers, and/or running late for something.

Next up is Jennifer Robohm. Jennifer recounts her 9/11 experience, witnessing the tragedy, offering help, and cherishing acts of unity amidst chaos and despair in NYC. Jennifer calls her story “As the Dust Settled”.

Jennifer Robohm moved to Montana from the East Coast to be closer to her twin sister and to have an adventure. That adventure turned into a life! Jen is a clinical psychologist who’s been teaching at the University of Montana for close to 20 years. She lives in Missoula with her partner, Nadia; her son, Jack, is a UM senior. Jen loves the Missoula community and the Montana outdoors.

Closing out this episode of the Tell Us Something, podcast, Linds Sanders recounts a series of encounters in which strangers share their deep grief with her, painting profound connections amid loss, teaching empathy, and illuminating the beauty in life’s small, poignant details. Linds calls her story “Peanut Butter & Peonies”

Linds Sanders is a Montanan who has a habit of saying “yes” to experiences that scare her such as saving house spiders, learning to rock climb, working with preteens, and–most recently–sharing a story at Tell Us Something. It’s much easier for her to pursue the passions she loves such as poetry, art, traveling, and spending time with friends and strangers alike. Currently, she is in graduate school pursuing a degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with an interest in grief work. She works as a counseling intern at Tamarack Grief Resource Center where she has the honor of holding close the stories of others.  Learn more about Linds on her website. You can also follow her on Instagram. Learn more about the Tamarack Grief Resource Center here. 

Four storytellers share their true personal stories on the theme “The Kindness of Strangers”. Their stories were recorded live in person in front of a sold-out crowd on December 06, 2023, at The Wilma in Missoula, MT.

Steve Rosbarsky journeys alone to the Junior Nationals tournament in Minneapolis. The absence of parental guidance sets the stage for a misadventure leading to trouble at a hotel. Stranded without a coach, an unexpected savior, Martin Martin, rescues the young athlete from a precarious situation. A series of escapades involving hotel ice baths, wheelchair races, and rooftop pool revelry culminate in a disciplinary showdown with the coaches. Steve calls his story “Three Days, Two Coaches, One Martin Martin“.

Steve Rosbarsky was born and raised in Missoula Montana. He has two beautiful children, Lydia and Eddie. He is so grateful to his partner Gwen and the joy that he feels being the long-term parental type figure to Evani and Cecelia. Steve is also proud of his beautiful granddaughter Ronnie. He owns and operates a Taekwondo School here in Missoula. Steve is a sustainable project coordinator for Missoula Habitat for Humanity. He holds gratitude for all the moments this life has provided. Learn more about Steve at Missoula Taekwondo Center.

Maria Merkley’s traumatic encounter, guided by her sexual assault victim’s advocate’s support, led to resilience and empowered her to begin her healing journey. Maria calls her story “The Advocate”.

Maria LaDonna Merkley is a proud full-time single mother to her beautiful 18-month-old daughter, Sophia- LaDonna Merkley. Maria was born in Whitefish, Montana, and grew up in Hamilton, Montana, and has had the pleasure of calling Oregon, Arizona, and Washington states home. She is a full-time student at the University of Montana, working on her Bachelor’s degree with a major in Psychology and a minor in History, with a Secondary Education licensure. She hopes to share her love for traveling with her daughter and travel to all 50 states before Sophia is ten years old. Her long-term goal is to move abroad to live and teach anywhere there is a mild winter!

In 2020, Mandy faced heart surgery complications, feeling alone in a hospital amid COVID restrictions. Mandy tries to put on a brave face for her family and friends and her emotions and feelings build inside her to a fever pitch. A gruff nurse, Keith, changed everything with empathy, teaching her to accept help and cherish human connection. Mandy calls her story “Open Heart”.

Mandy Northcott is a mom, wife, pet parent, and general outdoors-loving 47-year-old woman.  She left the flatlands of Iowa for the mountains of Montana 25 years ago and hasn’t looked back. Mandy has been a farmer, tree planter, grocery store clerk, stay-at-home mom, and non-traditional student, and now works as a medical coder and biller. She loves hot springs, African drumming, dog walks, deadheading flowers, gazing at trees, and the quiet time in the morning before everyone else is up. Currently, you will find her on the weekends cold dipping in the Clark Fork River and Rattlesnake Creek with like-minded souls. You can find Mandy on Facebook.

Katrina Angelina Schull recalls a community’s resilience that shines post-avalanche. Strangers become neighbors, uniting in kindness and help, showing for Missoula’s strength to endure hardships. Katrina calls her story “Extraordinary Neighbors”.

Katrina Angelina Shull is a born and raised Missoulian who initiated Amplify Film Group in 2009 after studying at the University of Montana. She later worked as a news reporter for KTMF ABC|FOX, focusing on crafting impactful narratives in positive media. Katrina embraces projects with enthusiasm and enjoys aviation, hiking, fishing, and Jiu-Jitsu outside of work. Katrina is committed to visual storytelling, extending her efforts to creative copywriting, and has initiated Be the Light International, supporting communities in need through her team’s work. You can learn more about Katrina and her work at Amplify Film Group.

Ben Catton is Missoula born and raised but spent the majority of his adult life elsewhere, orbiting to Wyoming, Idaho, Wisconsin, Alaska, and Chile. In the midst of those orbits, he studied at the University of Montana to become a teacher and he has taught high school English and Spanish. Currently, he’s pursuing a Masters degree in Public Administration and is back at UM. He and his wife Jessie are doing their best to raise two kiddos to be silly, adventurous, kind, and curious. 

Next up is Ren Parker loves slow travel. She prefers buses and trains and one day finds herself on a train to Cambodia whose tracks end just across the border. Ren calls her story “Slow Travel”.

Ren Parker grew up in Hawaii and lived on sailboats she restored on the Pacific for seven years. She gave up her nomadic ways and moved back to Missoula three years ago to be close to family and has been growing roots here ever since. Ren loves to dance and hike with her faithful dog, Poet. And spend time with her remarkable Missoula friends. She found her passion for storytelling this winter in a weekly open mic, Word Dog.

Next up is Abe Kurien shares his story of woe in which his Indian father mistakenly puts “Sugar Daddy” on the back of his van, thinking it means “one who gives candy to loved ones.” Abe calls his story “Middle East meets the Midwest.”

Abe is married to his best friend and beautiful wife Bonnie who was the American Sign Language interpreter when Abe performed his story.They have 4 children and 2 grandchildren.  He has lived in Montana for the last 24 years after moving here from outside of Chicago, Illinois.Abe has worked for over 30 years in the Film and Television industry.  For over 10 years he has been the camera operator for Griz and Cats football games for the broadcasts on ROOT Sports, KPAX with Scripps Sports and the playoffs on ESPN.  He also worked on the TV shows 1883, 1923 and currently working as the [day lees] Coordinator for the show Yellowstone which is shot right here in Missoula, Montana. His motto is Keep Smiling and his goal is to leave everyone with a smile on their face after meeting them!

Closing out this episode of the podcast, Linda Grinde shares her story about a time she was Lost in translation: Invited to a disco by French speakers, and ended up breaking into her own hostel to get back! Linda calls her story “Dancer in a Strange Land or Disco Damsel in Distress”.

Linda Grinde keeps trying to reinvent herself but just keeps coming back to another version of theater. She recently appeared in an multi-media memory piece – Intangible Objects – at the Westside Theater. Originally from New Jersey, she has a Master’s degree in theater and has danced professionally in New York and Germany, acted in and directed plays in London, Seattle, Dallas, Hawaii and all around Montana. Linda will be traveling to Thailand next year to, you guessed it, teach theater. “Thank you Marc and Tell Us Something for this chance to share a small chapter of my life.”

Chris Hallberg is a family medicine doctor who’s worked with patients in rural Alaska, Montana, the Caribbean, and Central America. He enjoys cooking, making music with friends, and poking around remote corners of Montana with his girlfriend Charlotte and their dog Sidney.

Our next storyteller is Philippa Crawford who leaves her busy life working at an ad agency in San Francisco when she falls in love with the man of her dreams. Phillipa calls her story “Love Found Home”

Philippa Crawford is East Coast-born. She thrived for 8 years in London, enjoyed 10 years in the Bay area, and found a home in delicious Montana 35 years ago. She is a Tapping Practitioner and an Intuitive Coach. These days, she dares new experiences outside her comfort zone. She enjoys finding peace and fascination in nature, and animals, including reptiles and insects. Dancing is her go to along with her big, loving, extraordinary family.

In our next story, Richard Thornton hires a kid to capture an anteater, but the kid comes back with an unknown monster! Richard calls his story “I GET A PET”.

Richard Thornton grew up in Southern California and worked forty years in the TV and motion picture business, mainly as a Sound Boom man.

He is an Army veteran who served as a topographic surveyor, making maps in Ethiopia and The Great Southwest of New Mexico and Arizona.

After his stint in the Army, Richard went back to TV and movies, and during the actors’ strike of 1980, he and his wife came to Montana looking for a home, and after visiting a movie friend in Bigfork, during one of those idyllic September weeks, bought a lousy log house and
stayed.

A couple of years later he quit movies to work exclusively in TV – Sitcoms, commercials, TV specials, and the like – and began many years of commuting to L.A. to work.

Richard retired in 2005 in Kalispell, to live the carefree life of a sixty-three-year-old with three school-age daughters at home to raise.

Our final storyteller in this episode of the podcast is Nita Maddox who organized a mass naked bike ride in Missoula, MT, and received death threats because of it. It was, she says, “quite a lot.” Nita calls her story “Bare as You Dare!”

Nita Maddox is an adventurer in the world. She is a born and raised Montanan who lives a bit feral on planet Earth. She currently works as a social worker and hopes one day to be a published author.

When I talked with Rick, we talked about the story that he told at The Wilma, about podcasting, his writing, his artist residency, and about storytelling.

Rick’s story, which I play after the interview, is called “Mister”.

Read Rick’s interview with Open Air.

Watch Rick talk about his artist in residency below.

Listen to Rick read one of the poems that he wrote during his artist-in-residency below.

Read Rick’s written story “Mister” at High Desert Journal.

Check out Season One of the Freeflow Institute’s podcast.

Charlene Brett is a K-5 teacher in the Bitterroot Valley and has been teaching music for 14 years.  She is a fan of the great outdoors and enjoys escaping into various high-mountain lakes in both Montana and Idaho in the summer to fly fish.  When not backpacking with her family (or her 3 “mom” friends – “Moms of the Traveling Backpacks”), you can find Charlene hiking on her property with her two female golden retrievers and her tortoise-shell cat …who thinks she is a dog.  On those cold Montana evenings, she enjoys working on 1000-piece outdoor image-style puzzles.

Jessie Novak is an indoor person who goes on an outdoor adventure with her sister Stephie in Lewis and Clark Caverns. Jessie calls her story Finding Joy. 

Jessie Novak is an art teacher, quadruplet, and enthusiastic dog mom. Growing up outside of Missoula with her 3 siblings and father, she realized that the only ways to control the chaos of life was living in a small town and teaching, so she decided to do both. She relocated to Billings, received her teaching credentials, and quickly moved to the other end of the state to a tiny town called Noxon. In a town where everyone knows everyone, she teaches K-12 Art, hikes, attempts to grow a large garden (when there isn’t 6 feet of snow), and spoils her fur-child Peggy Sue rotten.

Sydney Holte lands a student teaching gig in India and an unfamiliar green sauce causes her great gastrointestinal distress on her first day of student teaching. Sydney calls her story Green Sauce. 

Sydney Holte was born and raised in Minnesota and now teaches elementary music in Billings, Montana. She enjoys camping and fly fishing whenever she can with her husband, Jacoby. Singing and musical theater have always been a large part of her life as well. She loves canned goods, peeing in lakes, and drinking coffee before the sun rises. 

Stephen Tucker is a third-grade teacher in the Bitterroot Valley with ten years of experience. As a teacher, he has a passion for science, technology, and coaching Lego Robotics. He is a lover of the outdoors and enjoys hiking and spending his days on the lake with his paddleboard. When he is not teaching or enjoying the outdoors, he spends his time watching way too much Youtube and indulging his unhealthy obsession with Taco Bell. 

Our next storyteller is Sandy Sheppard, who details her ordeal of becoming the 1st woman optometrist in Montana in the 1980s. Sandy calls her story “I Will Rise Up, or It Takes a Little Time.”

Sandy Sheppard was a Navy brat. She lived in oceans, bays, and islands. She is thrilled to now be living on the Clark Fork River! Who would have guessed that she would have landed in Missoula, Montana & would have stayed for 41 years! She believes that in her 1st 3 years, she may have been happier landing on the moon!!!

Jolyne O’Brien shares her story about what people never told her about the 4th trimester. Jolyne calls her story “No One Told Me, or, the Fourth Trimester.”

Jolyne O’Brien is a wife of one husband, a mom of two daughters and two sons, and a teacher of hundreds of children. Jolyne is a woman, a daughter, a granddaughter, a sister, an aunt, and a close friend. She is an artist, a portrait photographer, and an incredibly creative writer. She is a human and simply cannot be summed up in five sentences.

Closing out this episode of the podcast is Candace Haster. Candace shares her story of deciding to have a baby and the process by which she did so with a kind sperm donor. Candace calls her story “Well, that’ll be interesting”.  Thanks for listening.

Candice grew up in Kansas City, MO, and moved to and fell in love with Missoula in the 90s. You can find her small-scale ceramic and paper artwork tucked into nooks and crannies around town, in the woods, and possibly in your neighbor’s pocket. She is a parent, a Scorpio, an avid cyclist, and way into tigers. Ask her questions, she loves questions.

Devin Carpenter is a Cali-Rado-Tanan who has lived in Pennsylvania and New York and is joined tonight by his Mom, Patty, and his Dad, Jeff…who do not know he is about to tell this story. Growing up on a military base and moving throughout his life has greatly influenced the way Devin sees the world and how he approaches relationships with others. Devin calls Missoula home and has been deeply involved in building communities through activism and social engagement since he first arrived here to start college at the University of Montana in 2008. Devin left Montana in 2015 to pursue a Master’s Degree in Higher Education at Penn State and found his way right back two years later to take on his current role as the Director of New Student Success at UM, where he serves as an advisor to the UM Advocates and mentors and transitions incoming students through a successful start of their college journey. In his free time, Devin is likely listening to his record collection, cooking a from-scratch meal in his kitchen, drinking a Shady at the (former) Kettlehouse Southside with his friends, dancing in the dark, or some combination of all four.

Sarah Black leaves her husband for another love and another life. Her parents hear the news with a lot of questions and a lot of grace. Though she isn’t as graceful when her spouse brings unexpected news to her, when she leads with love, she knows she’s hearing the news the best way that she can. Sarah calls her story “Lead with Love”.

Sarah grew up in Helena, MT. After high school, she moved around several times and is happy to reside in Missoula and live closer to family. She is fascinated by wellness, art, the outdoors, social justice, storytelling, and all the ways they intersect.

Whitney Peper and his partner make compassionate choices to the news that there is a strange man under his mother-in-law’s bed. Whitney calls his story “The Right House”.

Barron Whitney Peper is an award-winning architect based in Missoula who helps homeowners create new spaces and transform old ones in a way that welcomes nature, community, and health into our lives. He is also co-facilitating an emerging coalition of community members to support the city in reimagining how we can together address housing affordability, and he would love to talk to you about it.//
Barron Whitney Peper

Cathy Scholtens hikes to Hope Lake in Montana with her best friend, where they work out their complex feelings for one another. Cathy calls her story “Friendship, Hope, and Wisdom.” Thanks for listening.

Living her best life amidst the beauty of the Bitterroot Valley, Cathy is an out-of-shape adventure enthusiast. She loves the mountains, waterways, back roads, and MOST people of Montana. When she first came to Montana in 1976, she saw the Milky Way in all its glory for the first time. The wonder and magnificence of the night sky continue to knock her socks off.

Cathy’s heart also lies with a ragbag group of friends and family — her “Family of Choice”. She remains forever grateful for the craziness, the love, and the laughter they bring into her life

Katie calls her story “The Bologna House”.

Katie Condon is a humanitarian at heart. She believes in the connection of all things. Katie is a lover of art and the simple beautiful things this life has to offer.

Our next story comes to us from Reid Reimers. Reid Reimers is recognized for his Montana accent during a trip to Vietnam and is then invited to a neighborhood family wedding.

Reid calls his story “Crashing a Wedding in Vietnam”.

Reid Reimers was born and raised in Missoula and has a Master’s in Theatre from The University of Montana.  You’ve probably seen him hosting numerous events around town, running trivia nights, or strutting his stuff on the stage in local theatre productions, including The Rocky Horror Show. He has a deep love for other cultures and climes, which has taken him to almost 50 different countries.  Because he travels on a tight budget, he has to get creative on those trips, which often leads to unexpected adventures. He also teaches theatre to local kiddos, tends to his plethora of house plants, and recently became a puppy papa to an adorable sociopath named Dewey.

Pascaline Piquard is the French Fulbright Grantee 2023 who is currently an EFL teacher in a public junior high school in Besançon in the east of France. Apart from teaching from Grade 6 to Grade 9, she is a mentor for English teachers-in-training and she is quite involved at her school (gardening club, choir, anti-bullying group, German promotion).

She has studied English Language and Literature, German, Italian, and French as a Second Language at the University of Franche-Comté and at Knox College, Galesburg (Illinois). She also has a master’s degree in International Education and Cultural Project Management (University of Lyon 2). She has worked as an EFL teacher in France in public high schools and at Besançon public hospital (hematology cancer and behavioral problems departments). Besides she has taught FSL and FFL in Canada at the University of Guelph (Ontario), at Fairview CBE school (Alberta), and in Jordan at the University of Amman.

She loves being outdoors, taking pictures, experiencing new adventures, traveling, and learning languages to meet people. She also enjoys having fun with friends, especially doing improvisational theater, dancing, singing, and cooking.

Of course, she loves her two sons, Gaspard and Guillaume, with whom she shared her story first.

Rounding out this episode of the Tell Us Something podcast, Kaegan Bonstein, a short king makes friends with a Native Hawaiian family on the beach and feels safe and comfortable in his skin.

Kaegan calls his story “Short King”  or “Out of the Head and into the Heart”.

Kaegan Bonstein is a lifelong performer excited to take a hand at storytelling tonight. He has twenty-five years of performance experience ranging from musicals to environmental theater to political demonstration. He is also a lifelong food service worker and energy practitioner. He’s very grateful to call Missoula home and for this opportunity.

Jim Harte has worked in the film business for 45 years. He was raised in New Jersey and majored in Drama at Ithaca College in Ithaca NY before moving to Manhattan where he received a BFA in Film and Television at New York University. He lived in Manhattan in the 1970s and 80s before moving to Rochester NY where he was a film editor for Eastman Kodak Company and an Archival Projectionist at George Eastman Museum. Since moving to Missoula Montana in 2021 he has acted in several films produced in Montana. His favorite storyteller is Jean Shepherd.

Abigail Gilbert has to borrow a car when she is traveling for her job in a super small town in Nebraska. She ends up accidentally stealing a car in the process. Abigail calls her story “The Keys to Success”.

Abigail Gilbert is a professional actor, educator and director who originally hails from Duluth, Minnesota. She is proud to work at the Missoula Children’s Theatre as the Tour Marketing Associate and Social Media Specialist and at Studio M as a teacher and vocal instructor. On stage, she was most recently seen as Columbia in The Rocky Horror Picture Show Live right here at the Wilma and as Little Red Riding Hood in Into the Woods at the Missoula Community Theatre. She was recently voted Missoula’s Best Actor in the Missoulian’s “Best of Missoula 2022” contest. She would like to thank her mom, Lisa, and Miles for their support!

Next up is Regina O’Brien. Regina was unable to afford housing and was living in a tipi in the desert. Living in a tipi causes one to notice so many little things that others might miss. Regina calls her story “Little Things Aren’t Little.”

Regina O’Brien put herself through college, working a montage of odd jobs for eleven years.  She graduated with two bachelor’s degrees, and eventually got a career with the federal government. After years of seeing people staying in positions they hated so they could have a secure retirement, having that security bled out by illness, death, or catastrophe, and feeling stressed out and ineffective in her own job, she quit. She got rid of everything that did not fit into her midsize pickup and started driving. Regina has been living around the edges of mainstream society ever since. Regina is a relative newcomer to Montana, and currently lives in Potomac and works in Missoula as a massage therapist.

Closing out this episode of the podcast, Jeremy N. Smith, in 7th grade,  walks around his teacher’s desk all day. The lessons he learned that day has lasted 30+ years. Jeremy calls his story “One Thousand Times”.

Jeremy N. Smith is a journalist, podcaster, and author. He has written for The Atlantic, Discover, Slate, and the New York Times, among other outlets, and he and his work have been featured by CNN, NPR, NBC Nightly News, The Today Show, and Wired.

Jeremy is from Evanston, Illinois, but has lived the last 20 years in Missoula—except for last year, when he spent a family year abroad with his wife Crissie and daughter Rasa in Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca, Mexico.

His latest interest is skateboarding, and he is looking for someone to help teach him how to ollie.

Learn more and make contact at jeremynsmith.com.

Our first story comes to us from Ean Kessler. Ean wrestles with himself and his relationship to his father, whom he barely knows. Ean calls his story “Shaken Ground”.

Ean Miles Kessler is a playwright, theater artist, and storyteller, originally hailing from the East Coast.  A recent transplant to Montana, Ean relocated to Missoula to enroll in Wild-2-Ride Academy, a mustang ranch and equine program, where he learned the process of gentling wild horses.  He’s proud to be a level 6 graduate of that program and thrilled to be sharing his story tonight.  Currently, Ean is working on a debut novel.

Our next storyteller is Hannah Harvey. Hannah finds herself with more than she bargained for when she moved in with her then-boyfriend and the rest of his family ends up moving in with them. A big storm washes an injured frog into the yard and everything begins to change. Hannah calls her story “Frog Rescue”.

Hannah Harvey is an artist and person living in Missoula. Originally from Helena, she is a University of Montana graduate. If you’ve ever visited the Missoula Art Museum, you may recognize her as the face behind the front desk. When she’s not at work, she can be found painting, drinking hot cocoa at Break, and looking for creepy crawlies.

In our next story, Lori Chase wins the housing lottery when she is selected as someone who can place an offer on a house. Now she has to navigate all of the twists and turns involved in financing a house in Missoula, MT. Lori calls her story “Adventures in Home Buying”.

Lori Chase has two almost-adult children, two cats, and two jobs. She teaches yoga and works for GatherBoard, AKA MissoulaEvents.net (the best community event calendar in Missoula, and also a long-time sponsor of Tell Us Something). In her free time, she likes to do all the outdoor things, and dance the Argentine tango.

The final story comes to us from Tell Us Something Executive Director Marc Moss recounts his journey growing Tell Us Something and making the big leap and becoming a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. He calls his story “Journey”.

Marc Moss has been cultivating personal storytelling in Missoula since 2011 with the 501(c)3 non-profit organization Tell Us Something. He brings his expertise in storytelling to recruiting storytellers and to the story coaching workshops that he requires of each storyteller before each Tell Us Something event. He lives on Missoula’s Historic Northside with his wife Joyce and their perpetual kitten Ziggy.

This episode of the podcast was recorded in front of a live audience on July 8, 2010 at The PEAS Farm in Missoula, MT at an event that predates Tell Us Something.  Missoula residents Jeremy N. Smith and Josh Slotnick hosted the event, which they called “Eat our Words”. 5 storytellers shared their true personal story on the theme “Leaving Home”. 

Jeremy Smith recently reached out to me because one of those storytellers recently passed away.

John Engen has graced the Tell Us Something stage twice, and Jeremy suggested that it would be a nice way to honor him to share this story too. John recounts all of the addresses he called home during his time in Missoula and what he learned at each place.

John Engen was born October 27, 1964 in Missoula, MT. During his 57 years on this planet, John touched the lives of many people as a journalist, friend, businessman, Mayor, and all-around great human. He died August 15, 2022 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. 

Listen to more of John’s stories here.

Click here to read John Engen’s obituary.

Thank you to Jeremy N. Smith and Josh Slotnick for providing the audio for this episode of the Tell Us Something podcast. Thanks too, John, wherever you are now.

I remember this “Eat our Words” event as the first time that I experienced true personal storytelling live in-person as a performance. The evening was special, held outdoors at Missoula’s beautiful PEAS Farm on a warm July evening among an intimate crowd sitting on haybales and engaging with each other as community. I am grateful to Jeremy and Josh for the opportunity to share this story from Eat Our Words.

This episode of the podcast was recorded in front of a live audience on August 31, 2022 in Black Rock City at Center Camp at the Burning Man event. 5 storytellers shared their true personal story on the theme “Waking Dreams”. Today we hear from three of those storytellers.

Jack Butler was raised in Kentucky, and found the outdoors and forests to be a great playground. He developed a love of reading at an early age and would lose himself in the adventures and stories. Jack spent 6 years in the military after high school and then another 25 years bouncing around the world as a merchant marine on ships. Jack’s first burn was in 2016, and it began a process of opening his eyes to another world, a different life. 

Jack Butler is the author of two books, Into the Dust – The Virgin – A Burning Man Story and Racing to the Dawn. You can find jack at his website, jacklyonsauthor.com.

Click here to listen to an excerpt from his book.

In our next story, after a long overnight shift patrolling Black Rock City, Ranger Sasquatch is tasked with delivering an exciting message. In the days before cell service on the Playa, Ranger Sasquatch must find his intended recipient the old fashioned way – by interacting with his fellow citizens in a story that we call “Special Delivery”.

Ranger Sasquatch has been a ranger since 2000 and has seen and experienced so many singular things, events and people in his life, which , he thinks, is the point of it all.  Sasquatch is also one of the DJs at Radio Electra, 89.5 on your dusty FM dial.

Rounding out this edition of the Tell Us Something podcast, Missoula resident Katie Condon shares her psychic journey of love with us in a story that we call “Discovery”.

Katie Condon is a humanitarian at heart. She believes in the connection of all things. Katie is a lover of art and the simple beautiful things this life has to offer. 2022 was her first visit to Black Rock City.

Our first story comes to us from Kate Wilburn. Kate loves wood and woodworking. She learned the craft of timber framing 40 years ago, collected materials for a timber frame house, hauled them around for 30 years, and is now ready to let them go. Kate calls her story “Dovetail: A Love Story”.

Kate Wilburn cherishes wild land and is keenly aware of legacy across generations. Her life’s terrain is diverse: from engineering and carpentry to single parenting, permaculture design and teaching. She’s found in Missoula a place to show the beauty and practicality of living simply, of creating an urban yard that is a vibrant ecosystem of perennial food for people, birds, bees and other wild things all at the same time. She seeks green wildness and a neighborhood like a village, even in the city! Kate continues, “In her late 20’s, Kate turned away from the corporate-career-hearth of her time to “Renaissance engineering”– problem-solving grounded on the land– demonstrating and seeking sustainable human life & livelihood.

Parenting in her 40’s made personal her inquiry: how to come through to a kinder & sweeter future than the one we seem aimed for? Teaching middle school then too, Kate saw how physical examples with hands-on learning make the most impact.

Kate arrived in Missoula in 2022, keenly aware of legacy across generations. Kate is committed to standing as an elder deepening into service, alongside and behind all the younger ones. Kate endeavors to stand as an Earth-protector and as a settler-ally to her Indigenous neighbors.

Kate wants regenerative community for each of us. Kate aims to embody simplicity, sustainability and the safeguarding of precious resources. Kate teaches, paints, writes & remains in inquiry. Kate advocates for political & cultural leaders, energy policies and technologies that support social equity, the health of the planet, all species, and future generations. You can find Kate on Instagram.

Working 3rd shift at a late-night copy shop, Marc Moss met all kinds of people. He generally made a connection with most of them, until a regular customer, very grumpy, presented a challenge for him. Marc Calls his story “3rd Shift”.

Marc Moss the Executive Director of the non-profit organization Tell Us Something. He recently hosted a Tell Us Something event at Burning Man, where he’s  literally walked through fire with his life-partner Joyce. They live together on Missoula’s historic Northside with their perpetual kitten Ziggy.

In our next story, Amy McAllister’s dad dies 2 weeks after her mother dies. Amy visits his body in the funeral home and the funeral director assures her that the body he has prepared for her is indeed her father’s in a story that we call, “That’s Not My Dad!”

Amy McAllister comes from a strong and loving family and has lived  in Missoula for 45 years. Amy loves the variety of events offered in Missoula. She was a schoolteacher for 32 years.

Bringing us home in  this episode of the Tell Us Something podcast, Rachel Goo-en, on a trip to New York City with her family and some of their international friends, visits a fancy ballet at The Met after eating pizza.

Rachel calls her story “When Letting Go Stops the Show”.

Rachel Gooen hails from the gorgeous lush state of NJ in a county where there were more cows than people. This is perhaps why it took her so long to learn the art of being cultured. She’s lived in Missoula for 25 years and loves playing in the mountains and rivers of Montana with her partner Jeremy and their pups, along with all of her dear friends in Missoula. She socializes for a living, because she is a “social” worker. You can find Rachel on Instagram.

Our first story comes to us from Susan Shenker. A chance meeting with a stranger in a car wash waiting room leads to a (consensual) ogling of breasts, a feeling up, and much-needed information for Susan on her journey of deciding about breast reconstruction after surviving breast cancer. Susan calls her story “Deconstruction.”

Susan Shenker is originally from Houston and is a retired educator.  She and her husband Mark, have three adult children, one grandson, and one very spoiled puppy. Now living happily ever after in Missoula, Susan enjoys hiking, trail running, yoga, and (surprisingly) long winter evenings.

Our next storyteller is Margi Cates. Margi, in her own words, tells us that her story is “…about the transition between burning with ambition and discovering that the thing you needed has always been inside you. No flames required. Maybe some tears?”

Margi calls her story, “The Body Keeps the Score, and Boy, is She Pissed!”

Missoula born and raised, Margi Cates is a singer, writer and comedian. She has appeared on stages all over Missoula as well as in New Orleans, where she lived and worked for five years. You can find her riding her bike around town, practicing Whitney Houston riffs.

Find Margi on Instagram.

You can also see her on the YouTubes.

In our next story, Michael LaPointe lets go of his daughter’s bike when he’s teaching her to ride. He figures out that this is a metaphor for allowing his daughter Penny to grow up and become her own individual person. He in turn, begins letting go of his ego and embracing his daughter’s humanity in a new light with a story that he calls “I *GOT* This, Dad!”

Michael LaPointe is a regular guy trying to make it in an increasingly complicated world. He finds himself at 40 with dogs, kids, a wife, and a mortgage, not exactly sure how he arrived here or where he’s going next.  He believes that wherever you go, whatever you do, whenever you leave, leave it better than you found it.

Rounding out this episode of the Tell Us Something podcast, is Hazel Wright. Along with her brother, Hazel builds an awesome sledding jump and proceeds to unintentionally flip a 180 after landing, leading to a confused recovery. Hazel calls her story, “Sledding Catastrophe”.

Hazel is a twelve year old who lives in Missoula. She has a younger brother and a dog. She enjoys mountain biking, skateboarding and playing ice hockey. She is attending Washington Middle School as a seventh grader. In her free time she is curled up with a good book, or watching Grey’s Anatomy with her mom. (with permission) Hazel on IG.

Joseph Grady talks about Native spaces, acting, art and storytelling.

Thanks to Sierra Tai-Brownlee for sharing her podcast Impactful Experiences with Sierra Tai-Brownlee.

Rachel Bemis shares her impactful experience of finally deciding to become a teacher after a fulfilling career in other sectors. Sierra Tai-Brownlee, former Tell Us Something Board member, interviews Rachel for her podcast ”

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Tell Us Something Board Secretary Sarah FitzGerald reflects on the impactful experience of volunteering for a Jesuit organization in St. Louis, Missouri.

Tell Us Something Board member Jason Sloat sits down with former Board member Sierra Tai-Brownlee on her podcast Impactful Experiences with Sierra Tai-Brownlee. Jason recalls his impactful experience of visiting Missoula with a buddy and calling an old professor from a payphone – a phone call that changed his life trajectory.

Jason Forges talks about listening to himself, the disconnect that an urban dweller feels from nature and creativity.

Our first story comes to us from Katie Garding. Some bad decisions on a New Years Even lead to a wrongful conviction and 10 years in prison for Katie Garding. Katie calls her story “The Paths We Take”. 

Thanks, Katie. Katie Garding is a humanitarian at heart. She believes in the connection of all things. Katie is a lover of art and the simple beautiful things, that this life has to offer. View more info about Katie’s case here.  Listen to Katie talk about life on parole and her experience with wrongful conviction.

Visit here to learn more about the Montana Innocence Project.

UPDATE! Katie’s conviction was overturned on March 23, 2023.

Next up is Linda Grinde. Linda joins a cabaret show in Hamburg, Germany, and must escape once she learns that she may be working for the Nazis. Linda calls her story “Last Can-Can in Hamburg”.

Linda Grinde is an amateur philosopher and a professional garden beautifier. She leads nature rituals and wild women camping retreats. Linda learned to swim this winter and just last week she competed in the backstroke event at the Senior Olympics. She also competed in the putting and cornhole events. Her team won the gold, in the cornhole event. She will be playing Maureen for the Missoula Backyard Theater production of “Rent or Die” this September. To learn more about rent or die and to get tickets, visit Missoula Backyard Theatre. 

Rounding out this episode of the Tell Us Something podcast is Raymond Ansotegui. 

Raymond learns an important life lesson when he’s in 3rd grade from an inmate in the Montana State Prison. Raymond calls his story “Fruit for Vegetables. (A Fair Trade)”.  

Thanks, Raymond. Raymond Ansotegui was born and raised in Montana. He is a reclamation scientist and spent a decade as a rodeo bullfighter. His wife is a world-renowned artist that shares her life with him on their piece of paradise overlooking the Yellowstone River and the Crazy Mountains. He loves people and the bond of storytelling that holds us all together.

Check out Raymond’s TedX talk about being a bullfighter here.

Our first story comes to us from Rae Scott Rae takes us on a hike up Waterworks Hill in Missoula, MT, where they finally find the mother they’ve always wanted. Rae calls their story “Good Mom Hunting”.

Rae Scott is a theatre nerd through and through. They enjoy animals, and music, and is pretty sure that gingers will ruin their life. With an incredibly large family who puts the “fun” in “dysfunctional”, Rae has a lot of love to give. Rae looks life, directly in the eye — and observes, before responding, with ferocious truth. Rae is an old soul, ready to share their truth on the stage, and in a variety of other to-be-discovered art forms. 

Our next story comes to us from Ann Peacock. Ann is loaded into a cargo plane for a life flight to Seattle, to get a new liver. Ann calls her story  “An Unexpected Plane Ride”.

Ann Peacock escaped the enticement of Madame LaVoux in New Orleans and honored her calling of embodying truth via the alleged fiction of theatre. Ann has been a resident of Missoula since the late 80’s ( which she swears, was just three weeks ago) She now calls Polson, MT her home, and is gradually adjusting to life outside of the big city of Missoula.

Our next storyteller is Ablamvi Agboyibo. Ablamvi sees a cute girl across campus and is persistent in his pursuit of her. Ablamvi calls his story “Love Concretes Everything. Never Give Up”. 

Ablamvi Agboyibo is an English Teacher at Blitta High School in Blitta, Togo, which is in Western Africa. Ablamvi is one of the participants of the  Study of the U.S. Institutes for Global Scholars, or SUSI, which, is a United States Department of State sponsored program for mid-career foreign scholars and educators, designed to improve the teaching, about the United States in academic institutions abroad. SUSI is a program of the Mansfield Center, part of The University of Montana.

Our final story in this episode comes to us from Cathy Scholtens. Cathy goes on a hike with her best friend, to Hope Lake, in Montana. They work out their complicated feelings for each other overnight, and are now celebrating 25 years married! Cathy calls her story “Friendship, Hope and Wisdom”.

You know the importance of storytelling. You know the importance of sharing stories. And some of you have already stepped up to help keep Tell Us Something going. Missoula Gives has been extended through May 13.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

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So far 62 donors have given $6,327 to support Tell Us Something. Every dollar helps. Donating as little as $10 enters you into a raffle to win season tickets for the remainder of 2022.

The giving portal is still open.

For this week’s podcast, we’re exploring why Tell Us Something is important to the storytellers themselves. Let’s hear from the storytellers what they love about Tell Us Something, what they love about their experience sharing their stories.

Storytellers, in order of appearance: (you can click the links to hear their stories)

Dick King

Katrina Farnum

Jeremy N. Smith

Laura King

Melody Rice

Wendy Wollett

Neil McMahon

Travis Doria

Shelby Humphreys

Becca Kelly

Greg Johnson

Ric Parnell

 You subscribe to the podcast. You bought tickets to the live in-person shows. Did you donate to the live-streamed shows that we did in 2020? Because the very first live-streamed show that we did had over 700 attendees watching live. Tell Us Something paid all of the storytellers. Tell Us Something paid the American Sign Language interpreters. The event was donation-based. Did you donate? Because I can tell you that less than 100 people donated for that initial show that we live streamed.

You “like” Tell Us Something on social media. You subscribe to the podcast. Sometimes you are able to attend the in-person events. Sometimes you share your story. Now is the time to help keep Tell Us Something going. We need your help to make up the losses that the pandemic caused. 

Thank you for supporting Tell Us Something during the Missoula Gives event!

Thanks!

The theme that night was “Work”.

We also talk about inequality in the workforce, life in Butte, Montana, and what things were like in regards to COVID in Butte at that time.

It was a 60-degree-below-zero cold snap in Butte that convinced Melody Rice’s Mom to pack up her 3-year-old daughter and head to the warm shores of southern CA. Most summers Melody returned to Montana to fish, camp, and help her granddad build stuff, which created a special place in her heart for crabby old guys. She worked as a barber for 18 years until a shoulder injury required her to find a new profession.  Melody is now a licensed clinical professional counselor and art therapist in private practice in Butte.

Neil McMahon shared his story in front of a live audience at The Wilma Missoula, MT in September of 2016. Neil is working as a carpenter on a construction site in a remote part of Montana when the call comes from his New York City publisher. Neil calls his story “Deus ex Buick”.

Stay tuned after his story to listen to our conversation. I caught up with Neil in July of 2020.

Neil McMahon grew up in Chicago and moved to Montana in 1971. He is the author of a dozen thrillers, his favorite is “Lone Creek”, set near Helena. He’s married to Kim Anderson, who has been deeply involved with the Montana Book Festival since the beginning. Learn more about Neil and his work here.

Our podcast today was recorded in front of a sold-out crowd at The Wilma in Missoula, MT on March 30, 2022. 8 storytellers shared their true personal stories on the theme “Stone Soup”. Today we hear from 4 of those storytellers.

Our first story comes to us from Rachel Bemis. Rachel Bemis visits New York City with her Papa, who sleeps through much of the trip. She sees her Top Chef favorite and yells out the tour bus window, “I’m not your b*tch, b*tch!” at him and no one reacts. Rachel calls her story Sleepy New York” or “An Adventure with Papa”.

Rachel Bemis marks her 20th year in Montana! She is a 4th-grade teacher in the Bitterroot Valley where 1/3 of her students tower over her. She shares her home with her best friend of 21 years and 5-year-old St Bernard Lorelai. She spends her free time binging Gilmore Girls, The Great British Baking Show, 90-Day Fiancé, or any trashy reality show she can stomach. You can find her getting Biga pizza takeout, walking with friends, at the library, or at her favorite consignment shop. She loves Discussing any book except science fiction with her monthly book club.

Our next storyteller is Darius Janczewski. Darius reflects on defecting from Poland in the 1980s and realizes that most things we remember are about departures. Darius calls his story “Departures”.

Darius Janczewski is an author, graphic designer, runner, and refugee who arrived in the United States in 1984 and in Missoula in 1999. Darius deserted from the Polish communist army in 1984 when he represented his country as a runner in Italy. He was preparing for the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics when he decided to defect, not knowing that the Olympiad would be boycotted by most of the communist countries, including Poland. Darius is a published author and is currently working on his collection of short stories titled Minotaur or the Art of Running. Learn more about Darius and see examples of his work at dariuszjanczewski.com.

In our next story, Katrina Farnum runs out of gas in front of Costco on a busy Missoula street and is helped by strangers. She pays it forward when she sees a fellow human in need. Katrina calls her story “When Push Comes To Shove”.

Katrina Farnum is a local dirt-loving herbalist, mother, and educator. She is the developer and owner of Garden Mother, a holistic herb shop and dispensary with locations in Missoula and Kalispell. 

Katrina is passionate about healthy food, community, and continual self-improvement. She spends much of her time creating and engineering things to help others live better lives.

Her spirit animal is the Incredible Hulk and her alter ego is a mixture of Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Butch Cassidy (played by Paul Newman). Katrina leads a team of herbalists and educators over at Garden Mother – a dispensary and organic herbal store founded in 2009. Garden Mother’s mission is to bring holistic mind and body care to the local and greater community. Learn more about her work at gardenmother.com

Bringing us home in this episode of the Tell Us Something podcast, Jeff Ducklow finds himself with a dying cell phone, no water, and only a thin poncho, He is charged by a wild boar and more before his dramatic rescue.- Jeff calls his story “Lost in Kauai”.

Jeff Duck-low is no stranger to adventure. With Portuguese blood coursing through his veins, he inherited all of the wanderlust of his Mediterranean forebears, however, unfortunately, without the accompanying and essential navigational acumen. Simply put, Jeff was born without a sense of direction, so naturally, he chose to become a professional Adventure Guide, guiding men, women, and children oblivious to his affliction, on hikes over mountain passes, rafting down raging rivers, and leading sea kayaking adventures in Alaska in whale infested waters, at times in heavy fog.  He is often quoted as saying, “Is it really an adventure if getting back is a certainty?”Having almost died unnecessarily on numerous occasions, Jeff is now a full-time massage therapist in Missoula who rides his unicycle to work in order to keep an element of danger in his day.  He still loves the outdoors and enjoys recounting his exploits to anyone willing to listen.

Our podcast today was recorded in front of a live audience on March 30, 2022, at The Wilma in Missoula, MT. 8 storytellers shared their true personal stories on the theme “Stone Soup”. Today we hear from 4 of those storytellers.

Our first story comes to us from Tess Sneeringer.

After her friend falls down a hill on rock scree, Tess Sneeringer puts her training to work. She, along with several of her friends, paddle through the night to bring their injured friend to safety.

Tess calls her story “All Aboard the River Ambulance ”.

Tess Sneeringer grew up escaping the suits and the stress of Washington, DC by following her older brother down the current of the Potomac River every summer. She is now settled in Missoula and works for Parks and Recreation.

Our next storyteller is a Tell Us Something storyteller alumni. You can listen to all of the stories that she’s shared right here. Joyce Gibbs has some very special hunting bullets confiscated at TSA, she resolves to get them back.

Joyce calls her story “Only in Missoula. Only on Christmas.” or “If You Don’t Ask, You Can’t Hear Yes.” (Hat tip to Chris LaTray)

Joyce Gibbs is a resilient, creative, and adventurous woman who was raised in Missoula. After a brief stint in New York City and then in New Orleans, she bought a dilapidated railroad house on Missoula’s Northside and spent the next 15 years remodeling it and making it her own. Joyce loves being in nature on Montana’s abundant rivers, and hiking and hunting in the woods. When she is not busy building beautiful spaces with her tile installation at Joyce of Tile, you can find her riding her motorcycle, gardening, going for neighborhood walks with her husband of 12 years, Marc (that’s me!), and their kitten Ziggy.

In our next story, Lizzie Juda finds awakening after middle age in a story that she calls “Something’s Cookin’ in My Pot”.

Lizzi Juda has been a proud resident of the westside of Missoula for nearly 33 years. She is the founder and co-director of Turning the Wheel Missoula and has over 25 years of experience teaching improvisational movement classes, expressive arts groups, and ceremonial rituals. She is passionate about providing opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to play, move and connect deeply with themselves and express their creative spark. She is an absolutely avid advocate for accordion and alliteration artistry and is a wannabe beat poet. She considers movement and touch her first languages and is finding her way with words. She identifies most with being a mojo sprinkling pixie

Rounding out this episode of the Tell Us Something podcast, Brent Ruby buys a jar of pickles for a gathering with friends. No one ever opens the jar of pickles, so he brings it home. The hitchhiker he picks up along the way is very happy to learn about this magic pickle jar.”Paws, Claws, Pickles and a Little Birdie”

Brent Ruby is a research professor at the University of Montana and has been on a nearly 30-year quest to do good science. He also is committed to writing his own brand of ornery poetry during his relentless study of applied human physiology. One of Brent’s research goals is to effectively share his research findings to improve the health and performance of wildland firefighters. Brent spends time outside of his research in the great outdoors of Montana with his wife Jo and their border collies, Wrango and Banjo. Brent also enjoys building hollow wood stand-up paddleboards, woodwork, art, and writing children’s books. Check out his books, download free coloring book pages, and more at wrangoandbanjo.com.

Laura King, a 32 year old married to her high school sweetheart, becomes pregnant and has to juggle that with the stress of being in law school. Her first ultrasound is an internal ultrasound at five weeks and goes well. She returns home and has to go back to the hospital after complications arise.

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As the mom of an 8-year-old boy and his four-year-old brother, Laura King gets the chance to tell two or three stories a day, mostly about spiders, fairies, and superheroes. She was, at the time she shared her story, also a lawyer with the Western Environmental Law Center in Helena. There she told stories about arbitrary and capricious government action (and weaves in spiders, fairies, and superheroes where possible). She has since moved to California to focus on a story that will take a long time for her to tell. We’ll get into that more during our conversation.

I caught up with Laura in June of 2020.

In this episode of the podcast, Brian Upton sits down with Tell Us Something Executive Director Marc Moss to talk about his story “Parting Ways with Henry Miller in Egypt”, which he told live onstage at The Top Hat Lounge in Missoula, MT in June 2015. The theme that night was “Oops! I Changed my Mind!”.

His story was recorded in front of a live audience was recorded on June 9th, 2015 at the Top Hat Lounge in Missoula, MT.

They also talk about his extended family in Egypt, about Henry Miller and separating the art from the artist, and about the atmosphere at a Tell Us Something live in-person event.

Brian Upton buys Henry Miller’s Tropic of Capricorn at Shakespeare and Company in Paris, France. He begins reading the book in Alexandria and discovers that the book is considered pornography in Egypt.

Brian is originally from the Great Lakes country and came to Missoula from Indonesia in the mid-90s to go to the University of Montana.  He has since discovered that Butte is the more interesting place, but is settling for Missoula anyway.

On a mission to buy an Indian sidecar during the Sturgis bike rally. Jim Beyer borrows Greg’s truck to go pick up the sidecar. He is followed several times along the way by police officers. Jim’s story is called “A Mission from God”.

Jim Beyer has been a life-long motorcycle enthusiast since buying his first Harley-Davidson in 1972–which he still has and rides occasionally. Jim attended his first Sturgis Bike Rally in 1977 and rode his bike to Sturgis, South Dakota about a dozen times in the following quarter century. He has not been back since 2003.

Free from jail at 16, Stephanie faces a corrupt system and overcomes an inept foster parent. Stephanie calls her story “The Smartest Girl in the Jail”. Stephanie told her story live on stage at The Top Hat Lounge in Missoula, MT back in October of 2012. The theme that night was “Forgiveness”.

We also talk about her band, her podcasts, and how things in the system don’t seem to have changed much since she was 16.

Stephanie Hohn, raised by wolves, is an activist, artist, and traveler. 

I caught up with Stephanie in July of 2020.

Listen to Stephanie’s podcast Pasture Bedtime.

Listen to Stephanie’s podcast Spookytown.

Check out Stephanie’s ban Aggressive Pedestrian.

Jeremy N. Smith and I chat about his story “Always, Only, At Least”, which he told live onstage at The Top Hat Lounge in Missoula, MT back in October 2014. The theme that night was “The Things We Carry”. We also talk about podcasting, some of the podcasts that he hosts and co-hosts, storytelling, and being in service of others. I caught up with Jeremy in August of 2020.

Finally arriving in London to be with his girlfriend after a long-distance relationship, Jeremy instead takes the train to Amsterdam for an extravagant formal dinner. Over the course of the next year, he cooks all over the world, memorizing portions of Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking by Marcella Hazan. Jeremy calls his story “Always, Only, At Least”.

Jeremy N. Smith is a journalist, podcaster, and author of three acclaimed narrative non-fiction books: Breaking and Entering, Epic Measures, and Growing a Garden City.

Jeremy has written for many outlets including The Atlantic, Discover, Slate, and the New York Times.

He hosts the podcasts The Hacker Next Door, Stimulus & Response (with high-performance coach Damon Valentino), and You Must Know Everything (with his daughter Rasa). Jeremy speaks frequently before diverse national audiences

A graduate of Harvard College and the University of Montana, Jeremy lives in Missoula, Montana, with his wife and daughter.

Our story this episode comes to us from Rosie Ayers and Teresa Waldorf.

Teresa Waldorf and Rosie Ayers build a common story using their different experiences during the pandemic.

They call their story “March 22”.

Our first story comes to us from Sasha Vermel.

When Sasha Vermel tells her husband that she isn’t ready to settle down and wants to travel, he takes her up on it and they learn how difficult being gluten intolerant can be while traveling in China.

Sasha calls her story “Pieces of Home in Far Off Lands”.

Sasha Vermel passionately believes that we all have a basic need to hear and tell stories. By day, she is a real estate agent with a sewing and design habit. Born and raised in Missoula, MT she earned a BFA from U of M. In her former life she worked in theater costume shops across the West and frequently performed on stage at Bona Fide and Bawdy Storytelling events in San Francisco. Learn more about Sasha at her website sashavermel.com.

Our next story comes to us from Sara Close.

Sara Close is feeling hopeless. She picks up the phone and the woman on the other end saves her life and reminds her of the magic in life.

Sensitive listeners, please be aware that Sara’s story mentions suicidal thoughts.

Remember, You are not alone. Reach out. | Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1.800.273.8255 | projecttomorrowmt.org | “text MT” to 741-741

Sara calls her story “A Lesson in Magic”

Sara Close is a strategist and convener of good ideas and good people. Director by day, a yoga teacher by night, but a mom all the time, she’s happiest on the water, on trails, or on the trampoline… but definitely not on snow and is still trying to figure out how to do winter in Montana right.

In our next story, Lauren Gonzalez navigates the complex feelings a new mother has when she brings a daughter into the world when hoping for a son. She calls her story “No Girls Allowed”.

Lauren Gonzalez is a Southern-born thirty-something who writes/edits, climbs, (pretends to learn the) drums, sings, homeschools, and mothers two plucky kids (alongside her partner of 10 years) in beautiful Missoula.

Our next storyteller, Paul Mwingwa, is a refugee from Congo by way of Rwanda. Paul earns that riding the bus is very different across cultures. He uses this knowledge to help other refugees as they navigate learning the bus system in Missoula, MT. We call Paul’s story “Riding the Bus”.

Paul Mwingwa is the Refugee Congress Delegate for Montana. He is a resettled refugee from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and came to the U.S. in November 2018. Mwingwa is studying Computer Network Design, Configuration and Administration Modules at Missoula College. Today, he works as a Swahili language instructor and private contractor at the Lifelong Learning Center and a food service worker at Providence St. Patrick Hospital. In his free time, he enjoys hiking and walking along the river.

Jen Certa originally shared this story in 2020 during one of the Tell Us Something live-streamed events. It is such an important story that we thought she deserved a live in-person audience to hear it. Jen agreed.

Jen Certa’s journey to fix a botched tattoo helps her answer Mary Oliver’s question about how to love this world.

Sensitive listeners be aware that Jen’s story mentions sexual assault.

Jen calls her story “How to Love This World”.

Jen Certa is originally from New York, but accidentally began a love affair with Montana in 2009 and is grateful to have called Missoula home since. Jen works as a mental health therapist at an elementary school, where she spends her days debating the finer points of making fart noises with your slime and playing “the floor is lava.” When not at work, Jen can most often be found hiking with her dogs and running late for something.

Bonnie Bishop talks about what it was like to be the first person in Tell Us Something history to share her story in a live-streamed setting. We talk about the pandemic, about collective grief, and about what it means to begin returning to life beyond quarantine. After our conversation, you can hear the story as Bonnie shared it on the Tell Us Something live-streamed stage.

Bonnie Bishop encounters a personality at work that has some interesting ideas about what constitutes professional attire. Bonnie calls her story “GREATER THAN MY PANTS”.

Bonnie Bishop is originally from Northern Virginia and moved to Missoula site unseen after working a few summers in Yellowstone National Park, where her love for wild things took hold. Since then Bonnie has gotten her Master’s degree in Public & Community Health from the University of Montana, which has fueled her passion for health equity and social justice. Bonnie values authenticity, laughter, empowerment, courage, and swears by blasting Evanescence in the bathtub as the remedy for a bad day.

Tell Us Something believes that everyone has a story. We believe that all stories matter. We believe that storytelling brings us together as a community. We believe that stories connect us as community members, open our hearts, change our minds, change our community and change the world for the better.

A Rhythm Runs Through It podcast helps Montana musicians tell their stories. You get the behind-the-scenes stories of the music, the bands, the musicians. They suggested to Tell Us Something that we have a podcast trade. So here we are!

Listen to this podcast and get ready to hear insights into the non-profit world, into local music, and hear some beautiful music from Maria Zepeda from Montana Area Music Association (MAMA).

Check out Maria playing as Emzee & Silas here.

Find them on Spotify.

You can subscribe to the A Rhythm Runs Through It podcast wherever you get your podcasts.

Learn more about the team behind A Rhythm Runs Through It over at Attack and Release Sound and listen to Maria’s music on her Bandcamp page.

You can learn more about MAMA at their website.

All the IGs:

@arhythmrunsthroughit
@mama4mt
@zealous.medicine

Remember to get your tickets to the live in-person Tell Us Something storytelling event on August 10. Get your tickets here.

Tell Us Something believes that everyone has a story. We believe that all stories matter. We believe that storytelling brings us together as a community. We believe that stories connect us as community members, open our hearts, change our minds, change our community and change the world for the better.

PLEASE, IF YOU CAN, GIVE GENEROUSLY DURING THIS YEAR’S MISSOULA GIVES.

For the past 11 years, Tell Us Something has supported the community through the art of storytelling and reaches people through live events, storytelling workshops, podcasts, our YouTube channel, and now live streaming storytelling events.

After the interview, stick around for the story that Anna calls “Joe + Balthazar”. Anna’s story takes us on a wild horse ride in which she performs a daring horse rescue on a forest service road in Montana.

Kellie Grandone was born and raised in Polson, Montana, and now calls Great Falls home.  She is a mother to 4 wonderful, creative children, and has been married to her husband Ryan for 21 years.  Kellie teaches 7th-grade art in the Great Falls Public Schools and has been teaching art for the last 10 years.  In her spare time, Kellie loves to read, draw, paint, travel, and spend time with her family enjoying Montana’s outdoors. 

Our next storyteller is Jen Certa, who, after years of hating the tattoo on her foot, endeavors to have it covered up with a more meaningful piece of artwork. Sensitive listeners, please be aware that Jen’s story acknowledges sexual trauma.

Jen Certa is originally from New York but accidentally began a love affair with Montana in 2009. She is grateful to have called Missoula home now for the past decade. Jen earned her MSW from the University of Montana in 2016, and currently works as a school-based therapist at Hellgate Elementary School. When not at work, Jen can most often be found hiking with her dogs, listening to podcasts, and running late for something. 

Travis Doria shares his story of three different relationships that left him feeling betrayed, which, with the benefit of time, he was able to forgive and see the humanity in each of these folks who meant a great deal to him at one time. Sensitive listeners be aware that Travis’s story mentions drug use and suicide.

Travis Doria has signed an autograph, cried in public, crowd surfed, defecated in his pants while running in Pattee Canyon, lost a hot dog eating contest, and held a human brain. He currently lives in Missoula with his beautiful wife and daughter.

Willi Prince is the band director at Corvallis School District. She takes her students on a trip to Silverwood amusement park in Idaho, a place with over 70 rides, slides, shows and attractions, the perfect place for a student to get lost.

Willi Prince is the band director at Corvallis School District in the heart of the Bitterroot Valley.  She and her husband play saxophone duets in their spare time when not playing with their 5-year-old daughter, fishing or enjoying the outdoors.  

Reese Jacobson saves the day by donning a uniform when her little brother’s little league team will have to forfeit the big playoff game because they don’t have enough players.

Reese Jacobson teaches 5th grade at Target Range in Missoula.  She spends her non-working hours with her husband, their two boys, and their dog.  She loves playing in the water, hiking in the mountains, and catching fish.

Nerma Dobričanin has been teaching English for 14 years. She loves to play volleyball and is passionate about traveling. One of her childhood dreams was to visit the United States which finally came true when she arrived in the US to participate in the STUDY OF THE U.S. INSTITUTE ON SECONDARY EDUCATION through the Mansfield Center at the University of Montana.

Nerma spoke about her daughter Iskra during the conversation and requested that we share some photos of her daughter. They are below.

Nerma Dobričanin, fresh off the plane from Rožaje, Montenegro, is disoriented by her surroundings in Missoula. Feeling lonely and hungry, she finds a friend who helps her adapt. Nerma calls her story “Resident Evil Fairy Tale” or “Salvation in Missoula”.

The MEDA members who are sharing their stories with you today know that it is with our stories that we can reach people with our mission. They left the graphs and pie charts at the office. They saved the data points for later. Our storytellers today used their true personal stories to share the story of the important work that they do in communities across Montana.

Around 20 or so MEDA members joined me every day for a week. During our two hours every day, I taught them what I know about storytelling. We talked about techniques and structure and helped each other develop and improve our stories. I tailored the workshop specifically for the MEDA members. 

Usually, a Tell Us Something event is focused on a theme. We hadn’t discussed a theme for these stories, but, listening to them, a theme emerged. We can say that the theme is  “Why am I here?” or “Why I do this”. Call it “Passion.” Whatever you call it, you’ll see that these storytellers are personally bonded to the work that they do, and that their passion really comes through in the stories that they share.

Our first storyteller is Gloria O’Rourke. Gloria has been a MEDA member since 1995 and self-employed since 2003. She and her business partner, Mike, share an office and have been married for 44 years.  Mike and Gloria enjoy spoiling their four grandsons and then returning them with sugar highs to their parents. We call Gloria’s story “My Desk”.

To learn more about the Montana Economic Developers Association, visit medamembers.org

Our next storyteller is a world-traveler from a small town. Heather McCartney is a 5th generation Montanan. She works as an outreach and consumer education specialist with the non-profit child care resource and referral agency, Family Connections. Her passions include hunting for good decaf, long reads, and connecting people to great resources. She lives in Choteau with her conservation officer husband, her artistic and whimsical daughter, five freeloading chickens, three cats, and a dog named Bear. Green is her favorite color. We call Heather’s story “Family Connections”.

To learn more about Family Connections, visit familyconnectionsmt.org.

Russ Fletcher is an old retired guy who escaped from San Francisco 25 years ago to live in Missoula with his retired attorney wife, Alexis.  They have two children. His son lives in San Francisco and works for Google. His daughter has “Come Home” from L.A. and works for Hulu. Russ spends a lot of his day looking at a computer screen, drinking coffee, and pondering the future of Montana. Russ calls his story “How I Found My Last Best Job in a Missoula Dive Bar”.

To learn more about Russ’s passion project, Montana Associated Technology Roundtables, visit matr.net.

Teresa Schreiner is the Investment Director at the Great Falls Development Authority. She’s a former ‘Butte Rat’ who teases that she came ‘kicking and screaming’ to Great Falls with her husband, although loves to sell folks on the Electric City. Teresa just celebrated ten years with her larger than life husband, Casey, who equally challenges her efforts. Together they have three scrappy and smart little boys that love to give them a run for their money: Aiden, Liam, and Finn. Teresa calls her story “Nose Down Ass Up”.

You can learn more about the Great Falls Development Authority by visiting growgreatfallsmontana.org

Tabitha Martinez originally hails from Rawlins, Wyoming, and earned a degree in Creative Writing from the University of Montana. she has since dedicated herself to becoming a full-time artist.

Tabitha is a Teaching artist at SPARK Arts Ignite Learning. She lives in Missoula Montana where she rides her bike everywhere, paints on recycled wood materials, and regularly shows her work at Draughtworks Brewery on Missoula’s Westside. You can see the mural that she painted on the outside of the brewery while quaffing a pint or two.

Tabitha knows that art is for keeping wild children busy. Tabitha is still a wild, busy kid, making art under the name BMartinez. She works on wood salvaged locally from neighborhood alleys, Home Resource Center, and scrap bins from places like Superior Hardwoods, BlueDog Furniture…recycled, reclaimed and liberated woods and wood products. You can sometimes visit her at Upcycled on the Hip Strip in Missoula, where you can buy her beautiful custom artwork.

This week on the podcast, Tabitha Martinez chats about being car-free, project bikes, the idea behind her Tell Us Something poster, and more.

Since around July of 2020, I have been interviewing Tell Us Something storyteller alumni about their experience sharing a story on the Tell Us Something stage, why they chose to share a story and what they’ve been up to since having shared their story. I have a lot more of those interviews to share with you. This week, though, I am going to introduce you to one of the Tell Us Something poster artists.

Because storytelling is an art, I’ve always hired local artists to design a poster for each event. The posters of Tell Us Something are amazing in their own right, and I thought that it would be fun to sit down with some of the artists to chat about their process and see what makes them tick. What inspires them, how they work, and how they came to design the poster that they designed for Tell Us Something.

So, this week on the podcast, join me as we go behind the scenes with local artist Courtney Blazon. Courtney designed the poster for the June 2019 show. The theme that night was “What Are the Chances?”

Courtney Blazon is an artist and illustrator living and working in Missoula, MT. She graduated from Parsons School of Design, where she earned her BFA in Illustration. She’s shown her work in Missoula at the Brink Gallery, Dana Gallery Allez! Gallery and the Missoula Art Museum. Outside of Montana, she has shown work in Seattle, Portland, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and most recently at the Center for the Arts Theater Gallery in Jackson, Wyoming.

Courtney’s work has been featured in New American Paintings (Western Edition), Studio Visit Magazine, and juxtapoz.com. She is a past recipient of a Montana Arts Council Artists Innovation Award. She is represented by Radius Gallery in Missoula, MT.

Courtney Blazon’s pen and marker drawings reference fields of science, history, cultural studies, myths, and fairy tales. Her images take us someplace between the known world and dreamscape, a surreal marriage of naturalism and fantasy. The results can be simultaneously whimsical and grotesque, witty as well as disturbing. The tension of these unions suggests our own struggle to achieve balance in a chaotic world.

I caught up with Courtney Blazon last summer. We chatted about the historical context much of her work references, life as a professional artist, and some of the large-scale works that she has done recently before finally talking about the poster that she made for the Tell Us Something show in June 2019.

I’ve also been thinking about these interviews as a record of a specific time in our collective pandemic history. They share glimpses into the moments of life during quarantine, how we’re coping, and how we are somehow continuing to go about our daily lives.

You can also see Courtney’s work in person at the Radius Gallery, and you can shop online there.

Until March 2021, you can check out the historical mural Courtney mentioned in the interview in the alley next to Radius called Allez! Gallery.

To see the detailed process Courtney undertook, head over to her website. While you’re there you can check out her huge body of work, as well as learn more about commission and illustration inquiries.

You can also purchase Courtney’s work at her Etsy shop.

You can also follow her on Instagram: @courtneyblazon .

In today’s show, Tell Us Something Director marc Moss explores the challenges, successes, and opportunities Tell Us Something faced in 2020. We’ll look at some of the things we tried that failed, things that worked, things we learned and opportunities for the future in 2021.

After the conversation, you can hear the story as she shared it with her husband and head honcho of Gecko Designs, Gabriel Silverman.

Melissa Kaplan Silverman & Gabriel Silverman met in Chicago in 2005. Gabriel grew up in Missoula and enjoys all forms of biking and skiing, building things with his hands and creating world-class websites. Melissa is a Detroit-born Missoulian-at-heart who enjoys running and baking. Melissa has been an organizational leader within Gecko Designs since 2005. In addition to her expertise in the customer service and project management arena, Melissa is always the last person to see a final project before it is sent to the client, allowing her to give a thorough and unbiased opinion. Together, Melissa and Gabriel run a graphic design and marketing firm. Tugboat, their Golden Retriever, can be seen sunbathing in the glass window of their office on Higgins when they are not working from home.

A stolen road bike leads Gabriel Silverman & his then-girlfriend Melissa Kaplan to embark on their own little episode of Cops to reclaim the goods.

Their story was recorded in front of a live audience on August 6, 2016, at The PEAS Farm in Missoula, MT. The theme that night was “That’s Not How it Happened”. They call their story “You Stole My Bike!”

For years, Ana Soulia won best physical therapist in the local paper’s Best of Missoula voting. She eventually split away from the office where she worked to form her own practice – Inertia Physiotherapy.

Inertia Physiotherapy helps Missoulians get to the root of their pain and heal their injuries so that they can live the active healthy lifestyle that they enjoy.

Ana sits down with Tell Us Something director Marc Moss to talk about some of her favorite Tell Us Something stories and how we can heal our bodies through movement on the next Tell Us Something podcast. After their conversation, you’ll be able to listen to a story that stood out for her.

The story that Ana selected was from Steven T! Millhouse.

Steven T! Millhouse was born in Bozeman and grew up in Missoula. He graduated from Sentinel Highschool, and the University of Montana. Steven’s story was recorded in front of a live audience on September 24, 2019 at The Wilma in Missoula, MT.

Steven takes us on a journey walking from Missoula, MT to Los Angeles, CA, regaining a lost hope in humanity along the way. He calls his story “Homage for the Homeless”.

When Molly decided to share her story at Tell Us Something, she also extended an offer of in-kind sponsorship to Tell Us Something. Molly is the CEO of Gatherboard.

The Gatherboard.com site tells us that Molly Bradford has been involved in sales and marketing in the greater-Missoula area for nearly 15 years, working with 500+ small businesses on successful marketing and advertising strategies. Through her roles at local businesses and on local volunteer boards, she has delicately guided customers, and even her employers, through grand openings, moves, promotional events, sales and closures. Since coming on board as co-owner of Gatherboard with Colin Hickey in 2009 Molly has co-created GatherBoard and upped the bottom line over 600%.

Molly offered Tell Us Something a great in-kind sponsorship opportunity: a month before each Tell Us Something live event, advertising on MissoulaEvents.net and indoor ads through the Missoula Indoor Ads company that is part of the Gatherboard family. Molly joins me today to chat about the exciting new service that Gatherboard is working on: CheddarBoard!

Dagny is a 2nd-year graduate student at Montana State University where she is the current coordinator for the Sleep and Development Lab. Dagny grew up in the small town of Salmon, Idaho where she has been a whitewater river guide for the past 12 years. Dagny guides on the Middlefork of the Salmon, which is Shoshone-Bannock tribal land. It is her favorite place in the entire world.

If you can’t find her on the Middlefork of the Salmon, expect to find her with her nose in a book, community building, or project managing somewhere. Dagny’s current research focus looks at the intersection of sleep and positive psychology constructs such as mindfulness and self-compassion. When Dagny isn’t working, you can be sure to find her with a paintbrush, on a dancefloor, or cooking good food for good friends.

In 2019, Dagney organized the Stories of Salmon and Steelhead project for the Idaho Conservation League.

Dagny’s story was recorded in front of a live audience on March 29th, 2016, at The Wilma in Missoula, MT. The theme that evening was“Why Didn’t Anyone Tell Me?”. Dagny calls her story “Gettin’ In The Groove”.

Dagney, guiding a river trip on the Salmon River, tries her best to be empathetic to Ken, a client who is having difficulty adapting to being outside in such an unfamiliar environment.

Jenny Pak joins us this week as we talk about her visit to Hong Kong where her in-laws live.

Jenny’s story was recorded in front of a live audience on March 29th, 2016, at The Wilma in Missoula, MT.  The theme was “Why Didn’t Anyone Tell Me?”.

Visiting her brother-in-law in Hong Kong, Jennie had an adverse reaction to all of the walking she’s enduring. In an effort to help her heal, she undergoes a regimen of acupuncture, smudging and drinking a mysterious concoction whipped up by a Chinese Medicine Man.

Jenny calls her story “Drink This, it’s Good for You”.

We mention her story about The Labyrinth during our conversation. If you’d like to watch that story, you can watch it here.

Molly Bradford is the CEO and Co-founder at GatherBoard, the makers of MissoulaEvents.net. Molly takes community connection seriously, as an active member of the Missoula startup ecosystem in addition to her children’s scholastic and community endeavors. Molly is an avid yet amateur gardener, cook, skier, and hunter who likes to put up mass quantities of food for the winter, race her husband and kids down the slopes, and makes telecommuting from Mexico a family priority.

Molly’s story was recorded in front of a live audience on December 10, 2019, at The Wilma in Missoula, MT. The theme was“Tipping Point”.

Molly awakens on the day of the hunt to the sounds of her son coughing with the croup and has to decide if she should cancel the hunt. She calls her story “The Push and the Pull – or – Spilling Milk”

This week on the podcast, Mike Calucchia talks about his dogs that he had in his truck for his story. We also learn about his aspirations to be a painter and hear about how he learned to cook from his Italian grandmother.  After our conversation, you can hear the story as he shared it on the Tell Us Something stage.

Mike Calucchia was first introduced to improvisational comedy five years ago at a workshop taught by a member of the Los Angeles-based Groundlings comedy troupe. He’s been hooked ever since, performing in community theater productions and with local improv groups. Mike’s professional career includes over 20 years of experience in medical sales management. He is also a former restaurateur and whitewater river guide.

Mike shared his story in front of a live audience on June 12, 2019, at The Wilma in Missoula, MT. The theme that night was“What Are the Chances?” Mike calls his story “Prospector!”

Jill Alban is a marketing professional based in Missoula, Montana. She serves as a Coach and Director of Marketing for Handel Group, an international executive life coaching firm based in New York City. Jill completed a two-year training program to become a certified coach in The Handel Method. Besides her full-time work, Jill is a nonfiction author and holds an MFA in Creative Writing from The University of Montana.

Jill is a dynamic public speaker and a natural leader. Over the last ten years, she has organized, facilitated, and spoken at community events in Missoula and beyond. Learn more about Jill at instagram.com/jillalban.

Jill shared her story in front of a live audience on September 15, 2015, at the Top Hat Lounge in Missoula, MT. The theme that night was “Oldest Trick in the Book”. Jill calls her story “Smoke and Mirrors: Watching a Night of Lies Unravel”.

Jill’s Bronco driving friend is a bad influence. She convinces Jill to engage in an herbal adult activity that is becoming increasingly legal. They get caught when Jen thinks she’s having a heart attack during the smoking event. The paramedics arrive. One lie leads to another. Jill must then talk to her hyper-vigilant father about what happened.

Joseph Grady talks about his artistic endeavors, his story, and about his experience sharing it on the Tell Us Something stage. After our conversation, you’ll be able to listen to the story as he shared it on stage.

Joseph Grady has an educational background in Social Work, Cultural, Racial Diversity, and the Arts at the University of Montana. Joseph is a Cultural Competency Trainer in Missoula, MT. He continues putting his heart into all that he does and works hard at building community whenever he can. 

Joseph shared on October 1st, 2015, at The Roxy Theater in Missoula, MT at the opening event of the first annual Montana Film Festival.  The theme was “Reel Stories”. Joseph’s story is called “Conversation With Crow”.

Joseph Grady has an educational background in Social Work, Cultural, Racial Diversity and the Arts at the University of Montana. Joseph is a Cultural Competency Trainer in Missoula, MT. He continues putting his heart into all that he does and works hard at building community whenever he can. His Paypal is joeyg4me@gmail.com.

Karla grew up in Brainerd MN and is based in Missoula, MT, though she is currently working in the Navajo Nation and resides in her RV in Tuba City, AZ. Karla has shared three stories at Tell Us Something. The one she’s asked me to share with you today she shared on February 17th, 2015 at the Top Hat Lounge in Missoula, MT. The theme was “Adventure”.  Karla’s story is called “Guardian Angel Obstacle Course”.

Arthur Weatherwax is an enrolled tribal member of the Blackfeet band of the Blackfoot Nation. Arthur is known by his family and friends, as well as hospital staff from Great Falls Benefits East and West, as a walking, talking miracle. Arthur wakes up every morning remembering the challenges that he has overcome. Arthur also realizes the importance of family and friends who motivated him. He told a story in front of a live audience on October 2, 2018 to a sold-out crowd at The Wilma in Missoula, MT. 8 storytellers shared their true personal story on the theme “It’s Complicated”. Arthur calls his story “Life or Death We All Have Choices”.

Today, I talked with Jenny Buchman Phelps by phone. Jenny Buchman Phelps was born and raised in East Helena, Montana. As a young woman she headed west, like the gold prospectors before her, and settled in Helena. Jenny has been doing hair and listening to stories for 11 years. She lives with her husband Colin, daughters Graycen and Grier, and her dog Lane.

We chatted about life during a pandemic, about storytelling and about how the meaning of a story can change over time, revealing itself with a new perspective. And we talked a lot about white privilege, and how we often don’t even realize that we have privilege. Come sit down with us and listen to our conversation.

She told a story in front of a live audience on May 9, 2019 at The Myrna Loy in Helena, MT. The theme that night was “Getting Away With It”.

Jenny’s story, which I play after the interview, is called “Getting TIPSEE”.

Today, I sit out on the deck, socially distant from Ibrahin Mena. Ibrahin is is from Caracas Venezuela. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Education and a Master degree in Journalism. He has more than ten years of experience teaching at the primary, secondary and university levels. He was honored as teacher of the year in Caracas in 2014. Ibrahin lived in Malta, Europe for a year and half and arrived in Missoula in 2016 to teach at Missoula International School. He loves dancing, writing and traveling.

Ibrahin shared his story at Tell Us Something on March 18, 2019, to a sold-out crowd at The Wilma in Missoula, MT. The theme was “Stranger in a Strange Land”.

When I sat down with Ibrahin, we talked about life in Venezuela, his experience with racism there, and in Europe, when he was traveling. We compared that to his experience with racism here in the United States, talked about his experience with the police in Missoula, Montana and he shares his message of love with us.

Ibrahin’s story, which I play after the interview, is called “What’s Wrong with my Skin?”.

I’m excited to bring you stories from the archives and a behind the scenes look at Tell Us Something. In this new series I’ll sit down with a storyteller every week, and we’ll talk about what they’ve been up to, go more in depth with their story and get to know them a little better. The first episode of this new series features Ibrahin Mena. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast so that you don’t miss any of the episodes and I look forward to you joining us for some good conversation.

Hope you can tune in. The first episode in this series drops on Tuesday July 21.

Thanks for listening. Be well.

Marc Moss

Today we feature four storytellers who worked hard during a Tell Us Something intensive storytelling week-long workshop. They shared their true personal stories from their living rooms, their kitchens, their bedrooms — from their homes —  during our first-ever live-streamed event. The theme for the night was “No Excuses: Stories of Hope and Resilience”.

We didn’t have full control over the sound quality for all of the storytellers, and some of them are somewhat compromised because of Internet connectivity issues. All of the stories are worth hearing and they are all incredible. Thanks for your patience with the limitations of live storytelling during shelter-in-place.

Our first story comes to us from Bonnie Bishop, who encounters a personality at work that has some interesting ideas about what constitutes professional attire. Bonnie calls her story “GREATER THAN MY PANTS”.

Bonnie Bishop is originally from Northern Virginia and moved to Missoula 3 years ago (site unseen) after working a few summers in Yellowstone National Park, where her love for wild things took hold. Since then Bonnie has gotten her master’s degree in Public & Community Health from UM, which has fueled her passion for health equity and social justice. Bonnie values authenticity, laughter, empowerment, courage, and swears by blasting Evanescence in the bathtub as the remedy for a bad day. Described by her family and friends as an Earthy Firecracker, she joins us today to celebrate Taurus season through story.”

Anna Stene finds herself in Brooklyn New York and is walking home one morning when she decides to explore an unfamiliar neighborhood on the way home. She encounters a man who engages her with a surprising question. Anna calls her story “Can’t You See I’m Wearing Headphones?” (or) “If You Must Know”.

Anna Louise Stene is an alumnus of the University of Montana’s Creative Writing program. She is a roustabout who collects stories and, by her own admission needs to get a job. A life long equestrian, she can fly fish off the back of her horse, but can’t manage to catch a damn thing. She currently straddles America with one foot in Montana and one in Brooklyn, casting for a home.

Katie Matthews and her friend Katie share a fantastic day out in nature, running up a mountain and swimming in a mountain lake in the wilds of Montana. Their trip down the gravel road turns nearly disastrous as Katie’s car almost tumbles off the side of the mountain. Ride along with the tow truck driver in a story Katie calls “Tow Truck Troubles”.

Katie Matthews has lived in the Missoula community for the past 14 years. She is currently a 6th-grade teacher. Katie loves sharing her passion for science and the outdoors with her students! When she is not teaching, she is guiding visitors down the Alberton Gorge west of Missoula in the summers.

In our final story, Becca Frucht rallies the neighborhood to save an important long-standing housing development recently inhabited by some very industrious tenants. She calls her story “Let it Stand”.

Becca Frucht is a self-ascribed “Tumbleweed Queen”, whose eclectic personal and professional journey has taken her from the red carpet to the Rocky Mountains. After a decade of big city adventures, she blew up her urbanite existence, to live and work on an 87 thousand -acre ranch, and has been exploring the intersection of open range and open minds, ever since. She is a Program Officer with AMB West Philanthropies, — The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation’s Montana-based endeavor, where she helps support and evaluate West Creek Ranch, an inspired retreat and think tank space. Becca also moonlights as an amateur cowgirl, karaoke professional, conservation cheerleader, and unicorn believer.

Note that the quality of the sound is not as perfect as we would like it to be. These stories are really worthwhile and we want you to hear them. Thank you.

Dave Boulter is an athlete who can no longer play sports. The resulting depression and weight gain drive him to try a sport he never thought he would try — MMA fighting. He calls his story “That Didn’t Hurt So Bad!”

Dave Boulter is a New England boy who moved to Montana early in the Spring of 1993. He graduated from the University of Montana with a degree in Forestry specializing in Recreation Management. He has been making his living as a Stone Mason for approximately 20 years and is a veteran athlete and coach in Mixed Martial Arts.

Ainsley McWha begins her modeling career at 16 and is enthralled by the glitz and glamor before she discovers the dark side of the industry and finally escapes. 

Near the end of Ainsley’s story, an unfortunate thing happens: she is heckled by someone in the audience who is not listening fully to her story. This sort of behavior is never appropriate. At the live event, I made that clear after Ainsly finished. I mention this here because I kept the heckler in the edit and bleeped her comment. Doing so retains the flow of the story and shows Ainsley’s strength in pushing through to finish her story. 

Ainsley calls her story “Seen & Not Heard”.

Ainsley McWha is a writer and essayist whose work appears in the current issue of Barrelhouse Journal and has previously been published in Grist, Tahoma Literary Review, Salon, and the Washington Post, among others. She was recently appointed as the chair of the Parks & Rec committee in the town where she lives. She has never seen the sitcom. 

Read Ainsley’s writing about her experiences as a model at Salon, The Washington Post, Huffington Post (1), and Huffington Post (2).

Mare at ainsleymcwha.com.

John  Haines knows nothing about airplanes and loves a good cause, so he volunteers to help make “Miss Montana” airworthy so she can join the D-Day Squadron and the Daks Over Normandy in commemorating the 75th Anniversary of D-Day on June 6, 2019. (Miss Montana is a historic C-47 aircraft in the Museum of Mountain Flying in Missoula.) John calls his story “75 Years is a Good Start”.

John Haines was born and raised in Plains, MT and lived in Kumamoto, Japan for ten years. John currently works at Ace hardware so he can volunteer at the Museum of Mountain Flying.

Molly Bradford awakens on the day of the hunt to the sounds of her son coughing with the croup and has to decide if she should cancel the hunt. She calls her story “The Push and the Pull – or – Spilling Milk”

Molly Bradford is the CEO and Co-founder at GatherBoard, the makers of MissoulaEvents.net. Molly takes community connection seriously, as an active member of the Missoula startup ecosystem in addition to her children’s scholastic and community endeavors. Molly is an avid yet amateur gardener, cook, skier, and hunter who likes to put up mass quantities of food for the winter, race her husband and kids down the slopes and makes telecommuting from Mexico a family priority.

Note that the quality of the sound is not as perfect as we would like it to be. These stories are really worthwhile and we want you to hear them. Thank you.

In our first story, Annabelle Winne wakes in the middle of the night with the sensation of water in her ear. She soon discovers that the cause of the sensation is worse than she could have imagined. She calls her story “Insanity in my Ear”.

Annabelle Winne moved to Montana 9 years ago, in part, because she only lives in states that start with the letter “M.” Previously, she lived in Maine, Massachusetts and (New) Mexico. She currently works as a clinical social worker in private practice. Past jobs have included research biologist, waitress and burrito roller.

Our next storyteller is Feather Sherman, who falls out of a tree on a camping trip, and is saved from breaking her neck, by an unlikely accomplice. She calls her story “Tree of Enlightenment”.

Feather Sherman earned her Masters in Art Education from the University of Montana. She has a 50-year career, teaching art, and raising her five, wonderful children. She’s passionate about WORLD PEACE, ART and music. For the last seven years, she has devoted her life to being a Volunteer of Loving Kindness and works for free. Living very simply, she has helped with American and World Peace Gatherings, Oceti [SACK-OH-WIN] Sakowin Media Crew at Standing Rock, and Rainbow Hurricane Disaster Relief Kitchens.

Our final storyteller is Greg Munro who, along with his wife, embarks on an adoption journey that results in the very first open adoption in the state of Montana. Greg calls his story “The Tipping Point for Secrecy in Infant Adoptions”.

Greg Munro is the father of two adopted daughters who are now adults with children of their own. In a long career as a trial lawyer, including 30 years as a law professor at the University of Montana, he has made storytelling the core of his advocacy and is awed by this ancient and beautiful communication.

Our first story comes to us from Steven T! Millhouse, who takes us on a journey walking form Missoula, MT to Los Angeles, CA, regaining a lost hope in humanity along the way. He calls his story “Homage for the Homeless”.

Watch Steven’s story.

Steven T! Millhouse was born in Bozeman but grew up in Missoula. He graduated from Sentinel Highschool, and the University of Montana. He is “MONTANA Through and Through.”  He would like to thank his Millhouse and Spaulding Families for their Love and support.

Our next story comes to us from Jennie Pak who introduces us to her aspiring rock star son and allows us to walk through the labyrinth with her on a healing journey through grief. She calls her story ““Out of the Dark””.

Watch Jennie’s story.

Jennie Pak was born and raised in Montana. After living up and down the West Coast, the family settled in Missoula in 1998.  Jennie works as a Senior Caregiver for Home Instead Senior Care. In her spare time, she is a living history presenter, traveling around to libraries, museums, schools and Senior residences, portraying women from Montanas’s wild west days.

In our final story, Jaimie Jacoby and his crew help rescue a horse that has found its way to the wrong side of the Lochsa River during the height of whitewater season. Jaimie calls his story “Badger Crossing”.

Watch Jamie’s story.

Jaimie Jacoby has lived in Missoula for the last 15 years. He works in Physical Therapy and does massage therapy on the side. He enjoys sports, the outdoors, and live music. His many outdoor adventures have led him to experience some, interesting, situations.

This episode of the Tell Us Something podcast was recorded in front of a live audience on August 9, 2019 at Zootown Arts Community Center in Missoula, MT. 7 storytellers shared their true personal story that they developed with me over the course of a weeklong summer camp for youth at The ZACC.

Izzy Slaughter, is our first storyteller, accompanies her competitive jump rope team, the Montana Super Skippers, to the national championships in Disney World, and gives us a peak behind the scenes of a chaotic competition. Her story is called “Jump for Joy”.

Watch Izzy’s story.

Izzy Slaughter was born and raised in Missoula, Montana and is a competitive jump roper. She enjoys eating Big Dipper ice cream, skiing at Snowbowl, crafting and being outdoors.

Ellie Althauser-Vlad’s best friend disappeared unexpectedly and when she returns, Ellie discovers why, offering her support and continued friendship. Her story is called “The Starbucks Cup”.

Watch Ellie’s story.

Ellie Althauser-Vlad was born in Missoula and is an inclusive, open-minded goofy 8th grader at Washington Middle School, except for when her she-demon sister is around. She lives with her parents, sister, cat and dog. If Ellie were an ice cream flavor, she would most definitely be yellow cake, and only from the Big Dipper, of course.

Si Thompson visits La Paz, Mexico and gets up close and personal with a whale shark, one of the largest animals on the planet. We call her story “Snorkeling with a Whale Shark”.

Watch Si’s story.

Si Thompson has lived in Missoula, MT most of her life. She enjoys the arts and crafts, and the outdoors, mostly skiing and swimming. She loves animals — all of them.

Annie Smith loves helping her mom make fudge, and when she has eaten her quota, she retreats to her room, only to sneak out again, and raid the fudge crumbs when her mother isn’t looking. We call her story “Fudge Crumbs on the Sly”.

Watch Annie’s story.

Annie Smith was born and raised in Missoula, Montana and enjoys reading, crafting, traveling, playing sports, playing the violin and piano and being outside. Especially in the water.

Wynter Bradley goes camping with her siblings, father and uncle in the wilds of Montana. She tests the boundaries she was given and strays beyond the sightline of the adults. Listen to her adventure of being lost in the wilderness in a story we call “Lost and Found”.

Watch Wynter’s story.

Wynter Bradley is going into 8th grade. She likes to travel, sing, dance and write. She also really likes gyros and fries.

Hannah Lunde visits Disneyland with her parents and discovers the Guardians of the Galaxy ride is not what they expected. We call this story “Disneyland Dropdown”.

Watch Hannah’s story.

Hannah Lunde is a happy girl going into 7th grade. She loves dance and gymnastics. If she were an animal, she would be a goat.

Our final story comes to us from Gwyneth Puryear, who decides to take AP Chemistry. She takes us on the journey of humor and anxiety that is the final exam. We call her story “Shooting for a 3”.

Watch Gwyneth’s story.

Gwyneth Puryear recently moved to Missoula from England. She’s going to be a junior in high school and loves to perform. She spends her time reading, writing and singing along to her favorite musicals.

While walking near the Yellowstone River with her dog, Kate Cholewa is attacked by a grizzly bear. She calls her story “I Didn’t Die”.

Kate Cholewa has worked in public policy in Montana for more than 20 years. She’s a systems nerd, a marijuana policy consultant, and author of the novel, Shaking Out the Dead.

Our next story comes to us from Elsi Enanga , who is selected to cook meals for a large church group over the course of 3 days. Both of her children fall terribly ill and she must accompany them to the hospital where she holds vigil over them. Elsi’s story is called “Another Chance”.

Elsie Enanga received her BA, MA degrees and High School Teacher’s Diploma in Modern English Letters from the University of Yaounde 1 in Cameroon. She has been an English Language teacher in Government High School Biyem-assi(Lycée de Biyem-Assi)Yaounde, Cameroon since 2006.

Elsie is very keen on poetry writing, she possesses a collection of poems. She received the 2008 Anglophone Cameroon Writers Association(ACWA) Award for her poetry entry.

In our next story, Mike McTee is an environmental scientist for MPG Ranch in the Bitterroot Valley in Montana. During the course of his studies, he learns how lead ammunition is turning up in the bloodstream of living birds of prey and sets about to begin making changes. Mike calls his story “A Gun Nut Goes Green”

Mike McTee has been shooting weapons since before he could recite the alphabet. In 2006, he moved himself–and his weapons–from the outskirts of Seattle, Washington to Missoula, Montana. Mike is now an environmental scientist for MPG Ranch in the Bitterroot Valley where he studies the intersection between chemistry and shooting sports. You can pick up a copy of his book, “Wilted Wings”, here.

In this episode’s final story, Mike Calucchia snorts his crown into his sinus cavity during what was supposed to be a routine visit to the dentist. Mike calls his story “Prospector!”

Mike Calucchia was first introduced to improvisational comedy five years ago at a workshop taught by a member of the Los Angeles-based Groundlings comedy troupe. He’s been hooked ever since, performing in community theater productions and with local improv groups. Mike’s professional career includes over 20 years of experience in medical sales management. He is also a former restaurateur and whitewater river guide.

Our first story comes to us from Mariah Kelly, who shares her tale of how her traveling companion and she end up in jail on drug charges after a traffic stop goes sideways on a road trip in Mississippi. She calls her story “Two Pounds of Undeclared Luggage”

Mariah Kelley recently graduated from the University of Montana in Education and History and then moved to London to pursue a Masters of International Relations at The London School of Economics. She is fascinated by the French language and has the ultimate dream of working for the United Nations. She is an avid, artsy, nomadic student of the world.

Gay Eyman’s son is born with his umbilical cord wrapped around his neck. He survives, grows up to be a wonderful son, and dies unexpectedly. This is Gay’s story of healing and grace. She calls her story “Breath”.

Gay Eyman is a mom of 5 children and 3 grandchildren. She and her husband farm in Helena, which has always been the dream for her hands and her heart. Gay was raised in the Bay Area near San Francisco and has lived in Montana, her father’s home place for over 40 years. Stories are the threads that weave her together in the fabric of grace and love. She is Nana to her grandchildren, like the dog in Peter Pan.

Adam Washerback is ready for love at the 3rd wedding of his “divorce summer”. A tragic accident while horsing around leaves him a quadriplegic, and he does the work required to make a full recovery. Adam calls his story “After the Bubble Bursts”.

Originally from Wisconsin, Adam Washerback moved to Missoula to work as a Wilderness Ranger. For the last 11 seasons, he has spent his summers working with horses, mules, saws, and axes to maintain the trails of the Selway Bitterroot Wilderness. Adam is a traditional skills educator and claims to have near surgical precision with an ax.

Raymond Ansotegui and his campmate hear what they think is a bear outside their tent while camping in grizzly country. They make their escape to the truck and have an unfortunate accident with hilarious results. Raymond calls his story “Hot Sauce on the Backside”.

Raymond Ansotegui was born and raised in Montana. He is a reclamation scientist and spent a decade as a rodeo bullfighter. His wife is a world-renowned artist that patiently deals with his cooking attempts. He loves people and the bond of storytelling that holds us all together.

Aaron Parrett, along with his band of misfits, buys weed from the Deputy Sheriff in Anchorage, Alaska, then have to figure out how to get it across the Canadian border. Aaron calls his story “Dux Femina Facti”.

Aaron Parrett is a professor of English at the University of Providence. His most recent book is MAPLE & LEAD, a collection of short stories with woodcuts by Seth Roby. He also runs The Territorial Press in Helena, Montana, devoted to fine letterpress editions of hand-crafted Montana literature. Learn more about Aaron at aaronparrett.org.

Maddi Weisberg, is on a road trip with her good friend on their way to attend a mutual friend’s wedding. They barely avoid death, as a stray airborne tire smashes into their car. Maddi calls her story “The One Where They Almost Died”.

Madi Weisberg is an adventure seeker, who loves the security of a familiar routine. Born and raised in the flat suburbs of Detroit, she became enamored with the mountains during a love affair with Western North Carolina. She landed in Helena 2 1/2 years ago, wary, but eager to settle down. Now equipped with a dog, a state job, and a reduced tolerance for traffic, Helena is home.

Melissa Quale shares her tale of poor decision making in Europe. She calls her story “Stonechip in the Windscreen and other Misadventures in Ireland”.

Melissa Quale is a native Montanan who returned home about five years ago after living in Seattle, — Washington D.C., and San Francisco. It was in San Francisco that she became interested in storytelling through the Moth story slam events. Melissa is an avid traveler and seeker of adventure.

Virginia Reeves explores the difference between criminals and non-criminals, in a wild ride from Montana, to Ohio and back. She calls her story “Toast”.

Virginia Reeves teaches writing, communications, and literature at Helena College, where she also founded the Necessary Narratives program–a service that helps students identify, craft, and record their own personal stories. Learn about her project, at necessarynarratives.org.

Virginia’s first novel, Work Like Any Other, was long-listed for the 2016 Man Booker Prize, and her second novel, The Behavior of Love, was released in early May 2019.
She’s listened to many stories about criminal records and has realized that the line we draw between criminals and non-criminals, is more about timing and luck, than about actual individuals. Learn more about Virginia and her work at virginia-reeves.com.

Our podcast today was recorded in front of a live audience on May 9, 2019, at The Myrna Loy in Helena, MT. 8 storytellers shared their true personal story on the theme “Getting Away With It”. Today we hear from four of those storytellers.

Our first story comes to us from Gay Eyemon who drops acid with her boyfriend before embarking on a hitchhiking trip to San Francisco for a show at Winterland. Their trip takes an unexpected turn when their driver takes a detour to Oakland to meet up with some friends. Gay calls her story “Just One Look”.

Gay Eyemon is a mom of 5 children and 3 grandchildren. She and her husband farm in Helena, which has always been the dream for her hands *and* her heart. Gay was raised in the Bay Area near San Francisco, and has lived in Montana, her father’s home place, for over 40 years. Stories are the threads that weave her together in the fabric of grace and love. She is Nana to her grandchildren, like the dog in Peter Pan.

Our next story comes to us from Bryan Sharp, who lets us tag along on his mail route as he delivers mail in the neighborhoods of Helena, Montana. Brian’s story is called “A Day in the Life of a Mailman”.

Bryan Sharp started carrying mail before bar codes were used. In 40 years, he has experienced the changes in technology affecting all mail carriers. One thing has *not* changed however, in 40 years, and that is people. People make the job of being a mailman fun and full of surprises.

In our next story, Jenny Buchman Phelps invests the money she earned waiting tables into a new-to-her, Jeep. Knowing that Jeeps are notorious for tipping over, she selects a humorous vanity plate for her rig, with unintended, and unexpected, results. Jenny calls her story “Getting TIPSEE”.

Jenny Buchman Phelps was born and raised in East Helena, Montana. As a young woman she headed west, like the gold prospectors before her, and settled in Helena. Jenny has been doing hair and listening to stories for 11 years. She lives with her husband Colin, daughters Graycen and Grier, and her dog Lane.

In this episode’s final story, Chuck Parrett takes care of a quick chore before church one Sunday & is misdiagnosed with a terrible skin condition as a result. Chuck’s story is called “Sunday Morning Chore”.

Chuck Parrett is a retired water scientist who still likes to play around Montana streams, because, that’s where the fish live. He and his wife Bonnie are native Montanans, who were both born and raised in Butte, America. They have lived most of their lives in Helena, except for a brief stint in Bozeman and a 10-year sojourn in California. They have a son and family in Helena and a daughter and family in California.

Our podcast today was recorded in front of a live audience on March 18, 2019, to a sold-out crowd at The Wilma in Missoula, MT. 8 storytellers shared their true personal story on the theme “Stranger in a Strange Land”. Today we hear from four of those storytellers.

Our first story comes to us from Dick King, who, In the 1970s, is traveling in Iran and has an uncomfortable encounter with the SAVAK, the Shaw’s secret police. Dick calls his story “Being With the People in the Land of the ‘Lynchpin’”

Watch Dick’s story.

Dick King was born and raised on the Hi-Line. He is a sugarbeeter from Chinook, Montana. Dick  attended the University of Montana, and received a masters degree in American history in 1971, after which he became a Peace Corps volunteer, and served four years in Afghanistan. He returned to Montana in 1975 and married Tove Elv-rom in 1980. They have one son, Alex. Dick has  worked in community and economic development, and moved to Missoula in 2000.

Our next story comes to us from Ibrahin Mena who encounters a racist at a local grocery store in Missoula, Montana. The encounter causes him to reflect with empathy despite his anger and hurt, and he responds with love and kindness. He calls his story “What’s Wrong with my Skin?”.

Watch Ibrahin’s story.

Ibrahin Mena is from Caracas Venezuela. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Education and a Master degree in Journalism. He has more than ten years of experience teaching at the primary, secondary and university levels. He was honored as teacher of the year in Caracas in 2014. Ibrahin lived in Malta, Europe for a year and half and arrived in Missoula in 2016 to teach at Missoula International School. He loves dancing, writing and traveling.

Ibrahin created a video about his experience upon returning from the grocery store. You can watch that video below.

Love & Tolerance at the Grocery Store (original Facebook video)

Jesse Ballard grew up in East Africa. Her first visit to an American grocery store leaves her amazed at all of the choices of cereal in the US. Jesse’s story is called “The Cereal Aisle and Other Strange Places”.

Watch Jesse’s story.

Jesse Ballard is a local childbirth educator, lactation counselor and birth doula (in other words, all things birth, boobs and babies.) She is married with two kids and loves travel, international food and being involved in local theatre productions.

In our final story, Carissa Benjamin thinks that she got lucky when a stranger holds the door for her at a pay toilet in Nice, France. She calls her story “Stranger in A Strange Water Closet”.

Watch Carissa’s story.

Carissa Benjamin is originally from Miami FL, and moved to Missoula in 2001, eventually making it her forever home which she shares with her husband, two young children and elderly yellow lab. She works as a physical therapist for Missoula County Public Schools and moonlights as an ice hockey referee. She also owns and operates a mobile physical therapy practice,where she enjoys working with individuals in their natural habitat. She also loves all things story.

Mike Jakupcak, who moves to Missoula from Illinois and has culture shock adjusting to life out West.

Mike Jakupcak is a 76 year old retired professor who was born in South Chicago. Mike has been a Montana resident for over 40 years and is the Grandfather of three boys and three girls. He is a cancer survivor, and has been married to the same woman for nearly 48 years. Mike is a secret shopper and Subaru ambassador.

Jason Forges puts his anger aside to allow curiosity a place in his heart as he attends a Trump rally in an attempt to better understand those with whom he disagrees.

Jason Forges is interested in creating a space where facilitated social issue discussions can be had, while figuring out actionable steps to move forward. Jason is originally from Florida and has triumphantly survived two Missoula winters.

Lily Clarke shares her story of feeling alienated as the only white woman in the rural town of Kholesimal until she befriends a very special 11 year old boy.

Lily Clarke grew up in Condon, Montana where she attended the one-room, K-8 schoolhouse Salmon Prairie School. The frequent wildfires and fire morels that followed, sparked her interest in understanding the ecological and social consequences of wildfire and wild mushroom harvests in rural areas. Following her Fulbright Scholarship in Nepal, she returned to Missoula to pursue graduate studies in wildfire at the University of Montana, and reconnect with Missoula and its people.

Kelsey Stamm Jimenez takes 20 Montana high school students to Cambodia and they encounter an unexpected challenge while hiking in the jungle.

Kelsey Stamm Jimenez is Program Director at the Mansfield Center at the University of  Montana, where she engages students and adults throughout the state, in international educational experiences. Originally from Paradise, Montana, Kelsey is passionate about providing international opportunities in the Big Sky state, and connecting peoples and cultures. When she’s not planning her next adventure, she is busy chasing her 2 year old, with her husband Ben, and their two smelly hounds.

Audience members were invited to anonymously submit their stories on the night’s theme of “Stranger in a Strange Land”. Selected stories were chosen from a hat and read live on stage by Lauren Ciampa and Amy Thompson.

Jim Beyer has ridden motorcycles in Missoula for over 40 years. He says “I used to be cool, now I am  cliche”.

Watch Jim’s story.

Caroline Caldwell is a shepherd in The Falkland Islands when she is invited on a debauchery filled Christmas celebration that lasts for days. Riding her horse through town and drinking excessively with the locals, she didn’t tell Mom about this one until after it happened.

Raised in the midwest, Caroline Caldwell headed up to Maine for college and never looked back. After graduation she was granted a Watson Fellowship, which allowed her to travel to the far ends of the earth to work on sheep and cattle ranches in remote places and extreme environments. After her return to the states, she continued ranching and traveling stateside, until she found her perfect fit with Oxbow Cattle Company in Missoula, and is happy to call Montana home.

Watch Caroline’s story.

Heidi West grew up in Germany and watched the Berlin Wall come down. She shares her story about the after-effects of the wall falling and how that forced her and her family to flee Germany.

In 2009, after a long drive from Stillwater, Oklahoma, Heidi West found home in Missoula’s Northside neighborhood. She raises food and a family, turns pots at the Clay Studio of Missoula, and is immersed in an extensive reinvention of the family’s 1900 house. Heidi develops permanently affordable housing with the North Missoula Community Development Corporation and also holds elected office as Ward 1 City Council Representative. Heidi has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Studio Art with minors in German and Horticulture as well as a Master of Science in Plant and Soil Science, all from Oklahoma State University.

Watch Heidi’s story.

Brad Lane happens on a funk music festival while he is hiking the Pacific Coast Trail.

Watch Brad’s story.

Brad Lane recently moved to Missoula from Iowa. He has had residencies in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia and the Cascades of Washington. He moved to Montana because he wanted to live in the Rockies. His career in freelance writing made Missoula seem like the right place. You can find more of Brad’s work and other adventures at BradLaneWriting.com.

Mignon Hess is a 46-yr-old retired engineer. She enjoys House Hunters international, hockey and Biga Pizza. She loves Missoula’s roundabouts and wishes she was two inches taller.

Watch Mignon’s story.

Shawn Faiella’s Hot Shot crew is on a fire in Nevada when every firefighter’s worst nightmare happens. Shawn calls his story “Lolo Hotshot Justin Beebe and the story of August 13, 2016”.

Watch Shawn’s story.

Shawn Faiella is the Assistant Superintendent of the Lolo Hotshots. View Justin’s memorial page here.

Allison James’ husband gains a pound and their friend Ryan loses a pound when Allison’s husband accepts a donated kidney. Allison calls her story “The Closest Match”.

Watch Alison’s story.

Alison James is a life-long and devoted Montanan. She lives in Missoula, where she spends a lot of time working on conservation and reproductive rights. She loves hiking, good beer, and adventuring with family and friends. She has mixed feelings about water chestnuts, e-books, and Christmas.

Anna Haslund navigates the dating world and has some surprising experiences as a deaf woman dating a hearing man. Anna calls her story “Hopeless Romantic”. Note that Anna is profoundly deaf. Her story is voiced by an interpreter.

Watch Anna’s story.

Anna Haslund is from Seattle WA. She is a very free spirit and a very kind person. She loves being a dancer.

Click the link to watch Anna’s Seek The World story:

Our podcast today was recorded in front of a live audience on October 2, 2018, to a sold-out crowd at The Wilma in Missoula, MT. 8 storytellers shared their true personal story on the theme “It’s Complicated”. Today we hear from four of those storytellers.

Our first story comes to us from Chris LaTray, whose father wants nothing to do with his Native American heritage. As Chris becomes an adult, he begins exploring this heritage, seeking understanding of who he is and where he comes from. Chris calls his story “How’s It Going, Chief?””.

Chris La Tray is a writer, a walker, and a photographer. His freelance writing and photography has appeared in various regional and national publications. His first book, One-Sentence Journal: Short Poems and Essays from the World at Large, was recently released via Riverfeet Press. Chris is Chippewa-Cree Métis, and is an enrolled member of the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians. Follow Chris at chrislatray.com.

Get Chris’ new book:  One-Sentence Journal: Short Poems and Essays from the World at Large

Stephanie Land does the best she can as she navigates escaping and surviving domestic violence while keeping her young daughters safe and writing and promoting her first book and memoir. She calls her story “Setting the Missing Piece Down”.

Stephanie Land’s work has been featured in The New York Times, the New York Review of Books, The Washington Post, The Guardian, Vox, Salon and many other outlets. She lives in Missoula, Montana. Follow Stephanie at stepville.com. Her first book, MAID, Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother’s Will to Survive A Memoir is available starting in January 2019 from Hachette. Pre-order her book now!

Steve Brester, a retired Missoula police officer, recovers from drug addiction and alcoholism after being caught stealing from the state crime evidence lab. Recovery led him to work towards ending unemployment for Missoula’s Low Income, Previously Incarcerated and Homeless Populations. Steve’s story is called “Addiction and Second Chance”.

Steve Brester and his wife are native Missoulians, graduating from Sentinel and Hellgate respectively. They both attended University of Montana and have been married for 34 years. They have three adult children and two grandchildren. Steve is a retired City of Missoula Police Officer who served from 1992-2012. Learn more about Missoula Works.

Betsy Mulligan-Dague’s work as a peace advocate leads her to forge an unlikely friendship with a Vietnam veteran. Together they move past their differences and see the importance of the work that each of them engages in. Betsy calls her story “My Friend Dan”.

Betsy Mulligan-Dague has a 30 year history as a clinical social worker helping families and individuals address challenges in their lives. She has taught numerous groups to look at ways they can understand the emotions and needs behind communication. Since 2005, she has been the Executive Director of the Jeannette Rankin Peace Center, where she has continued to focus on ways people can increase their communication skills to become better at peacemaking and conflict resolution, believing that our difference will never be as important as the things we have in common. She recently was featured in a full-length documentary, Beyond the Divide: The Courage to Find Common Ground about her efforts to build bridges between peace advocates and veterans. Betsy is a past president of the Missoula Sunrise Rotary Club and currently serves as the Chair of the State Peace & Conflict Resolution Committee for Rotary as well as a board member of the Waterton Glacier International Peace Park.

She is available to speak on peace, peacemaking, conflict resolution, team building, nonviolent communication, women’s issues, social activism, the history and importance of Jeannette Rankin as well as specifics of nonprofit management, fair trade and earned income.

See the trailer for “9 Pieces of Peace”

See the trailer for Beyond the Divide

Listen to “A Conversation Between a Peace Activst and a Vietnam Veteran” on PRX.

Our first story comes to us from Liz Boeheim who finds her birth parents and learns that expectations don’t always meet reality as she begins building a relationship with her newfound family. Liz calls her story “Family Doesn’t Always Come Easy”.

Liz Boeheim moved to Montana to work on a dude ranch for the summer after college and just kept finding excuses to stay. The 18 flight connections to get to upstate New York provides a nice buffer from her very large and very loving family. She can most often be found walking the sidewalks and trails of Missoula with her four-legged main squeeze, Hugo.

15-year-old Arthur Weatherwax lived a double life as a ceremonial Native American as a hard-partying youth in Browning MT. A house party on homecoming began a night of choices that would affect Arthur For the rest of his life. Arthur’s story is called “Life or Death We All Have Choices”.

Arthur Weatherwax is an enrolled tribal member of the Blackfeet band of the Blackfoot Nation. Arthur is known by his family and friends, as well as hospital staff from Great Falls Benefits East and West, as a walking, talking miracle. Arthur wakes up every morning remembering the challenges that he has overcome and acknowledges that not everybody works as hard as he did. Arthur also realizes the importance of family and friends who motivated him.

Marcia Williams and her husband go car shopping together and walk off the lot knowing that they will be searching for a used car for a while. Spoiler alert: they settle on something reasonable. She calls her story “The Car”.

Marcia Williams blogs at citygirlgoeswest.com.  She drives a 2010 Subaru which she bought new in a single afternoon years before she visited Montana or even considered moving from Tennessee to Missoula.

Join Ray Risho as he discovers how to cook what becomes his signature dish, veal scaloppine alla marsala. Ray calls his story “Finding My Artistic Signature”.

Ray Risho is a chef, former restaurateur, and an independent scholar teaching and currently working with a team of people to write a book on global cuisine.

Our podcast today was recorded in front of a live audience on June 13, 2018 at The Wilma in Missoula, MT. 8 storytellers shared their true personal story on the theme “Risk”.

Audience members were invited to anonymously submit their stories on the night’s theme of “Risk”. Selected stories were chosen from a hat and read live on stage by Lauren Ciampa and her sister Johanna Ciampa.

Joe Nickell is a leftie writer and the creator and cohost of the first TV series ever broadcast on the Internet. He plays percussion in the Missoula Symphony and drums in the band Motorhome, which once wrote a song inspired by a Tell Us Something story. Joe’s relationship status is complicated, which is how he likes it.  Anyone interested in connecting with the poly community in Montana should look up Joe or the Great Montana Gateway Group on Facebook.

On a motorcycle trip in Baja, Mexico, Geoff Sutton’s companion breaks his ankle in deep sand 90km from town. Geoff shares the story of how they worked together to get Greg and both bikes home safely. Geoff calls his story “Sandbagged”.

Geoff Sutton is an avid traveler and his favorite way to see the world is on a motorcycle. He has ridden across China, the Altai Republic of Russian Siberia, Oman to the North cape of Norway and the most southern point of Africa. He continues to ride and explore new places around the world.

Brihannala Morgan is a political activist protesting at the Chinese Consulate in San Francisco, whose friend almost dies falling from great heights. Brihannala calls her story “Fear and Falling”.

Brihannala Morgan has been working to protect Indonesia’s tropical forests and the people who depend on them for over fifteen years. When she’s not causing trouble in the name of the environment and social justice, she’s working in the garden or wildcrafting and making wine, jam, and other products to preserve the bounty for family and friends. Originally from Madison, Wisconsin, she lives in Missoula with her partner Jonathan, and their amazing whippet cattle-dog mix, Tufa.

In our final story, Mike Robinson quits his steady job to be a horse farrier. He calls his story “Farrier on a Bike”.

Mike Robinson has been a certified journeyman farrier for the past 15 years, working on about 2,500 horses per year. He has worked on just about every type of horse breed and discipline there is, from race horses to trail horses, ranch horses to show horses, drafts to minis, backyard pets to police horses. In addition to horses, he regularly works on mules, donkeys, and burrows, and the occasional llama, sheep, goat, pig and cow, and has tended to the foot care of species of ungulates he can’t even name at the La Crosse Municipal Zoo.

Delany Wascherol is an avid volunteer of many Missoula nonprofits, a backpacking enthusiast, an artist and a self-identified cool girl.

A merit badge in canoeing doesn’t help John Schneeberger on the Lochsa River and he ends up on the wrong side of the river with a friend and his 4-year-old son. John calls his story “Down the Lochsa in a Canoe”.

John Schneeberger lives in the Bitterroot with his wife of 35 years, Karen Coombs. He is employed providing small business assistance with the local economic development authority. He has three adult children who are all splendid human beings. He is often politically active, likes hiking, skiing and doing landscape pastel paintings.

Denise Baker risked her comfortable retirement by facing her daughter’s drug addiction and assuming the responsibility for her daughter’s children. She calls her story “Child of Mine”. Denise Baker is not the storyteller’s real name. She’s asked us to use a pseudonym to protect her daughter’s privacy, which is why there is no photo and we are not posting her bio. The kiddos are happy and healthy, exuberant and curious.

Nerma Dobričanin, fresh off the plane from Rožaje, Montenegro, is disoriented by her surroundings in Missoula. Feeling lonely and hungry, she finds a friend who helps her adapt. Nerma calls her story “Resident Evil Fairy Tale” or “Salvation in Missoula”.

Nerma Dobričanin is a mother of two little girls and a teacher at the Secondary Vocational School in her hometown of Rožaje, Montenegro. Nerma has been teaching English for eleven years. She loves to play volleyball and is passionate about traveling. One of her childhood dreams has been to visit the United States which will has finally come true with the Study of the U. S. Institute on Secondary Education.

Jerry Spencer first came to Montana in 1979, when he got a summer job as Desk Clerk at a lodge in Glacier Park. That is where he met the love of his life and partner, Janet. Jerry is a serial entrepreneur. He has founded several successful companies, and Janet helped found Tidbits the Paper, which is currently published in over 180 locations. Jerry is currently managing a project to revitalize an old iron foundry in Indiana and splitting his time between Indiana and Montana. To learn more about Jerry’s work, check out Intelligent Funding.

Rachel Aagenes loves being in love and has finally found THE ONE. She shares the story of that journey in a tale she calls “Lucky in Love”.

Rachel Aagenes was born in Jackson, Wyoming but has lived in Helena for 23 years. She works as an Insurance Agent. Rachel spends her spare time fishing and hiking, hanging out with her 3 dogs and singing with Helena Symphony. She has one awesome son named Liam and a stepdaughter named Hannah with her recent marriage to Eric Schmitz

“In 1963 Suzy met the love of her life in NYC while studying art. When he returned from a trip around the world he wanted her to go to Montana. She also loved travel and instead ran away to have her own European adventure. After 4 months of hitchhiking across Europe, she got a little more of both than she bargained for when she headed home by freighter.

Once home, she went to Montana after all and was married to Martin for 46 years. Helena has been her home for 40 years. After a 30-year career in librarianship, including 15 years with the Shodair Medical Genetics program, she has resumed her earlier passion for making art. Her photography and paintings have been exhibited in museums and galleries throughout Montana.

Marc Moss shared a story that night too, and a version of it recently appeared on the Tell Us Something podcast. To hear Marc’s story, listen to the final episode of Right Place Right Time here.

Aaron Parrett is a professor of English at the University of Providence. His most recent book is MAPLE & LEAD, a collection of short stories with woodcuts by Seth Roby. He also runs The Territorial Press in Helena, Montana, devoted to fine letterpress editions of hand-crafted Montana literature. Learn more about Aaron at aaronparrett.org.

After years of struggle with the emotional damage that comes from abuse, Elizabeth Rivard comes to believe that the beauty of the world can be found in the human heart. She calls her story “A Beautiful Heart”.

Elizabeth Rivard grew up in a very large family in Buffalo, NY. She fell in love with stories at the family dining room table, where they were a regular occurrence. Being one of the youngest siblings, she was mostly a listener. Her family still shares stories when they get together – it’s one of their favorite things to do.

Chelsia Rice and her partner take a long train ride to Minneapolis where they hope to get better information about Chelsia’s recent cancer diagnosis. In the midst of their fear and confusion about the diagnosis, they are reminded of the kindness of strangers. Chelsia calls her story “On a Train to Cancer Town”.

Chelsia Rice moved to Montana in 2011 to join her partner, and within a year was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive bladder cancer. It was then that she finally learned about the greatness of love that is born of community and sometimes comes from complete strangers. She is an advocate for cancer patients, teens and misfits; a lover of arts and literature, and a writer of nonfiction. She believes in resilience, is a survivor, and is also a crazy bird lady.

Bob Yost certainly didn’t see it coming when he receives a text from his wife as he unpacks the U-Haul after a big move. Bob calls his story “If Love Was Easy”.

His regular daytime career has been working with taxes in Indiana, Oregon, and Montana. His nighttime gigs were playing drums in the bands: Brand-X, Jack Daniels, Sodbusters and last few years, sitting in as the drummer for Tom Catmull in the Clerics, Radio Static, and The Last Resort. His greatest joys come from his family plus helping raise wonderful children that prove he did something right! Learn more about Bob and his music at baptismbar.com

Jane Doherty was born in Southeast England and emigrated to the Philadelphia suburbs with her family when she was ten.

She went to college in New York City and went on teach in public schools there for fifteen years. She moved to Missoula in 2012 and teaches second grade Spanish Immersion at Paxson Elementary.

Our next story comes to us from Ellie Costello. Ellie has a recurring dream in which she hears a man’s voice giving her a disturbing message. Later, that voice manifests into reality on a Montana forest service road late one night. Ellie calls her story “Nobody to Witness”.

Ellie Costello has lived and worked in Montana since 2009. Her love of this place is gradually morphing her into every Missoula cliche: grad student, yoga teacher, distillery cocktailer, distance runner, injured distance runner, small-business owner, nonprofit staffer, farmer, and baker, but not a candlestick maker, fly fisherman, or clay artist…yet. Currently, she is the Director of the MUD Project where she works with a handful of kind and badass Tool Librarians.

Marc Moss is a die-hard Bruce Springsteen fan living in Gardiner Montana when Bruce gets the E Street Band back together for a world tour. The closest they come to Gardiner is Fargo North Dakota, and Marc is determined to see the show. He calls his story “Land of Hope and Dreams”.

Marc Moss is the director and founder of Tell Us Something.  He grew up near Akron, OH and moved to Montana via Yellowstone National Park in 1997. He landed in Missoula in 2003 and has been helping people get their stories heard at Tell Us Something since 2011.

Our final story comes to us from Kat Werner. Kat came to The United States as a German exchange student and is placed in Yankton, SD where she gets a true picture of ‘Merica! She calls her story “Welcome to the Heartland”.

Kat is an immigrant from Germany and proudly represents her country’s stereotypes: She loves being on time and will tell you what she thinks whether you asked for it or not. Kat is an experienced globetrotter and you will find her adventuring and fighting for positive social change both in Montana and around the world.

Our first set of stories features mead sample sippers at a farmers market, love stories in a bookstore, at The Top Hat and Luke’s Bar, true love under the Higgins Street Bridge, and meeting President Obama. These stories and more in this week’s audience participation podcast brought to us by Lauren Ciampa and Sara Raz reading from the anonymously submitted audience participation forms just after intermission at the live event. This act was recorded in front of a live audience on March 20th, 2018 at, The Wilma in Missoula, MT.  The theme was “Right Place Right Time”.

Then, Katy-Robin Garton’s story was recorded in front of a live audience on February 19, 2013 at Monks Bar in Missoula, MT. The theme was “Ten”. Katy-Robin Garton bickers with her sister about who must empty the poop or the pee bag as they hike up Denali, 14,00 feet above where they began. They make a decision about turning back or moving on after an unexpected storm.

Katy-Robin Garton was raised in the Rocky Mountains and now resides in Missoula, Montana. Learn more about Katy and the work she does at sproutfilms.net

And our final story comes to us from Aaron Roos, and is a little longer than the typical Tell Us Something story. There were some people who dropped out at the last minute that night, and I told Aaron that he could run long. This story was recorded in front of a live audience on February 19, 2013 at Monks Bar in Missoula, MT. The theme was “Ten”. In his story, Aaron is near death with sickness but must travel all the way to Africa because of a job he held on a reality television program where he was responsible to quarantine the losers of the show.

Aaron Roos studied Digital Film at the University of Montana. He now is Traffic Manager at The Roxy Theater in Missoula, where he lives with his wife Hailey and their pet pig Louie. Learn more about Aaron and the work he does at Instagram.com/Heartpinewoodworks

Remeber, you can support Tell Us Something during Missoula Gives right now. Click here to make your donation. Thank you!

After years of imagining the life and rhythm of Africa, Heather Adams visits Malawi in Southeast Africa. The moment she steps off the plane she’s vibrating on a higher frequency and her visit provides her more opportunity than she could ever have imagined.

Heather Adams early dance years were spent dancing professionally in Arizona and Philadelphia.  After graduating the University of the Arts in Philly and training in NYC for a spell, a 6 month visit to Missoula turned into a two decade adventure.   Jobs at a newspaper, a restaurant, an art gallery, a university, a children’s theatre and a software company inspired her to found the Downtown Dance Collective in 2007. She still spends a considerable amount doing many other jobs, but now they are all about the arts and building a vibrant community.

After falling in love and marrying the man of her dreams, Sarah Black meets someone new who knows more Ani DiFranco songs than she does and this changes everything.

Sarah Black grew up in Helena, MT. After high school she moved around several times and is happy to currently reside in Missoula and live closer to family. She is fascinated by wellness, storytelling, mind-body work, art, the outdoors, social justice, and all the ways they intersect.