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How Des Moines reporter Phillip Sitter found himself in Ukraine in the midst of Russia's war to celebrate a friend's birthday. This story was first told during the Des Moines Storytellers Project's "Travel" on June 18, 2024, at Hoyt Sherman Place. The Des Moines Storytellers Project believes everyone has a story and everyone can tell it. Des Moines Storytellers Project events are filled with neighbors and notables who have a true, first-person story they’re willing to share in 8-10 minutes in front of a live audience. See past stories, learn how to share your own or grab tickets to a future show at DesMoines.com/Storytellers.

The doctor told Diane Kolmer she needed to take a break from her job to relearn to eat and live. A trip to Paris helped change her perspective. This story was first told during the Des Moines Storytellers Project's "Travel" on June 18, 2024, at Hoyt Sherman Place. The Des Moines Storytellers Project believes everyone has a story and everyone can tell it. Des Moines Storytellers Project events are filled with neighbors and notables who have a true, first-person story they’re willing to share in 8-10 minutes in front of a live audience. See past stories, learn how to share your own or grab tickets to a future show at DesMoines.com/Storytellers.

Kory May found racial profiling didn't stop at the Canadian border. This story was first told during the Des Moines Storytellers Project's "Travel" on June 18, 2024, at Hoyt Sherman Place. The Des Moines Storytellers Project believes everyone has a story and everyone can tell it. Des Moines Storytellers Project events are filled with neighbors and notables who have a true, first-person story they’re willing to share in 8-10 minutes in front of a live audience. See past stories, learn how to share your own or grab tickets to a future show at DesMoines.com/Storytellers.

John Sorrell landed in Turkey quite literally in the middle of a coup. How he leaned on curiosity to make it home safely. This story was first told during the Des Moines Storytellers Project's "Travel" on June 18, 2024, at Hoyt Sherman Place. The Des Moines Storytellers Project believes everyone has a story and everyone can tell it. Des Moines Storytellers Project events are filled with neighbors and notables who have a true, first-person story they’re willing to share in 8-10 minutes in front of a live audience. See past stories, learn how to share your own or grab tickets to a future show at DesMoines.com/Storytellers.

Nicole Schrader overcame vacation paralysis to find something meaningful. Now she embraces that fear to live a full life. This story was first told during the Des Moines Storytellers Project's "Travel" on June 18, 2024, at Hoyt Sherman Place. The Des Moines Storytellers Project believes everyone has a story and everyone can tell it. Des Moines Storytellers Project events are filled with neighbors and notables who have a true, first-person story they’re willing to share in 8-10 minutes in front of a live audience. See past stories, learn how to share your own or grab tickets to a future show at DesMoines.com/Storytellers.

Deborah Svec-Carstens found herself by being vulnerable with a tight-knit community in a foreign country after an assault. This story was first told during the Des Moines Storytellers Project's "Community" on Feb. 27, 2024 at Hoyt Sherman Place.  The Des Moines Storytellers Project believes everyone has a story and everyone can tell it.  Des Moines Storytellers Project events are filled with neighbors and notables who have a true, first-person story they’re willing to share in 8-10 minutes in front of a live audience. See past stories, learn how to share your own or grab tickets to a future show at DesMoines.com/Storytellers.

Kenny Gaskin spent his childhood looking up to his teachers. Now he's a teacher with DMPS inspiring students and building a classroom community. This story was first told during the Des Moines Storytellers Project's "Community" on Feb. 27, 2024 at Hoyt Sherman Place.  The Des Moines Storytellers Project believes everyone has a story and everyone can tell it.  Des Moines Storytellers Project events are filled with neighbors and notables who have a true, first-person story they’re willing to share in 8-10 minutes in front of a live audience. See past stories, learn how to share your own or grab tickets to a future show at DesMoines.com/Storytellers.

Jordan Brooks felt like he didn't belong — until he discovered art. Now he uses it to help others build their communities. This story was first told during the Des Moines Storytellers Project's "Community" on Feb. 27, 2024 at Hoyt Sherman Place.  The Des Moines Storytellers Project believes everyone has a story and everyone can tell it.  Des Moines Storytellers Project events are filled with neighbors and notables who have a true, first-person story they’re willing to share in 8-10 minutes in front of a live audience. See past stories, learn how to share your own or grab tickets to a future show at DesMoines.com/Storytellers.

Erlin Kakkanad wasn't embracing her true self when her son asked an innocent question: "Mama, why am I brown?" It led to a long journey of discovery. This story was first told during the Des Moines Storytellers Project's "Community" on Feb. 27, 2024 at Hoyt Sherman Place.  The Des Moines Storytellers Project believes everyone has a story and everyone can tell it.  Des Moines Storytellers Project events are filled with neighbors and notables who have a true, first-person story they’re willing to share in 8-10 minutes in front of a live audience. See past stories, learn how to share your own or grab tickets to a future show at DesMoines.com/Storytellers.

Jim Sayers entered an Iowa prison thinking every inmate was the same. He left with a close-knit community. This story was first told during the Des Moines Storytellers Project's "Community" on Feb. 27, 2024 at Hoyt Sherman Place.  The Des Moines Storytellers Project believes everyone has a story and everyone can tell it.  Des Moines Storytellers Project events are filled with neighbors and notables who have a true, first-person story they’re willing to share in 8-10 minutes in front of a live audience. See past stories, learn how to share your own or grab tickets to a future show at DesMoines.com/Storytellers.

From homemade school clothes to weekly chore lists, Louise O'Donnell's parents showed their 13 children what it was like to put family first. This story was first told during the Des Moines Storytellers Project's "Family" on Oct. 24, 2023 at Hoyt Sherman Place.  The Des Moines Storytellers Project believes everyone has a story and everyone can tell it.  Des Moines Storytellers Project events are filled with neighbors and notables who have a true, first-person story they’re willing to share in 8-10 minutes in front of a live audience. See past stories, learn how to share your own or grab tickets to a future show at DesMoines.com/Storytellers.

Ehsan Shaban found family in Iowa when he fled the war in Afghanistan. They were refugees themselves. This story was first told during the Des Moines Storytellers Project's "Family" on Oct. 24, 2023 at Hoyt Sherman Place.  The Des Moines Storytellers Project believes everyone has a story and everyone can tell it.  Des Moines Storytellers Project events are filled with neighbors and notables who have a true, first-person story they’re willing to share in 8-10 minutes in front of a live audience. See past stories, learn how to share your own or grab tickets to a future show at DesMoines.com/Storytellers.

Luisita McBurney found herself alone after arriving in the U.S. So she created the Filipino American Society so other immigrants wouldn't feel stuck This story was first told during the Des Moines Storytellers Project's "Family" on Oct. 24, 2023 at Hoyt Sherman Place.  The Des Moines Storytellers Project believes everyone has a story and everyone can tell it.  Des Moines Storytellers Project events are filled with neighbors and notables who have a true, first-person story they’re willing to share in 8-10 minutes in front of a live audience. See past stories, learn how to share your own or grab tickets to a future show at DesMoines.com/Storytellers.

Sonya Jackson's great aunt Lulu was the first Black woman in Iowa to earn a Ph.D. What lessons she and her grandmother taught her growing up. This story was first told during the Des Moines Storytellers Project's "Family" on Oct. 24, 2023 at Hoyt Sherman Place.  The Des Moines Storytellers Project believes everyone has a story and everyone can tell it.  Des Moines Storytellers Project events are filled with neighbors and notables who have a true, first-person story they’re willing to share in 8-10 minutes in front of a live audience. See past stories, learn how to share your own or grab tickets to a future show at DesMoines.com/Storytellers.

Sam Blum always felt like an outcast, until he found others like him at metal shows across Iowa and the world. This story was first told during the Des Moines Storytellers Project's "Family" on Oct. 24, 2023 at Hoyt Sherman Place.  The Des Moines Storytellers Project believes everyone has a story and everyone can tell it.  Des Moines Storytellers Project events are filled with neighbors and notables who have a true, first-person story they’re willing to share in 8-10 minutes in front of a live audience. See past stories, learn how to share your own or grab tickets to a future show at DesMoines.com/Storytellers.

Monica Leo was part of the only Western puppeteer troupe to be invited to East Berlin in the '80s, where she learned maybe we're more alike than we are different. This story was first told during the Des Moines Storytellers Project's "Travel" on June 20, 2023 at Hoyt Sherman Place.  The Des Moines Storytellers Project believes everyone has a story and everyone can tell it.  Des Moines Storytellers Project events are filled with neighbors and notables who have a true, first-person story they’re willing to share in 8-10 minutes in front of a live audience. See past stories, learn how to share your own or grab tickets to a future show at DesMoines.com/Storytellers.

It wasn't clear that Keith Knapp would make it out of Argentina before the country closed its borders at midnight. He had just minutes to spare. This story was first told during the Des Moines Storytellers Project's "Travel" on June 20, 2023 at Hoyt Sherman Place.  The Des Moines Storytellers Project believes everyone has a story and everyone can tell it.  Des Moines Storytellers Project events are filled with neighbors and notables who have a true, first-person story they’re willing to share in 8-10 minutes in front of a live audience. See past stories, learn how to share your own or grab tickets to a future show at DesMoines.com/Storytellers.

Olesya Holker started traveling as a child with her mother, a Russian actress. Her most notable trip started in Las Vegas and eventually led to Iowa. This story was first told during the Des Moines Storytellers Project's "Travel" on June 20, 2023 at Hoyt Sherman Place.  The Des Moines Storytellers Project believes everyone has a story and everyone can tell it.  Des Moines Storytellers Project events are filled with neighbors and notables who have a true, first-person story they’re willing to share in 8-10 minutes in front of a live audience. See past stories, learn how to share your own or grab tickets to a future show at DesMoines.com/Storytellers.

Shir Agha Safi grew up around war and later fought in the Afghan National Army. Now he's fighting to help other refugees in Iowa live good lives. This story was first told during the Des Moines Storytellers Project's "Travel" on June 20, 2023 at Hoyt Sherman Place.  The Des Moines Storytellers Project believes everyone has a story and everyone can tell it.  Des Moines Storytellers Project events are filled with neighbors and notables who have a true, first-person story they’re willing to share in 8-10 minutes in front of a live audience. See past stories, learn how to share your own or grab tickets to a future show at DesMoines.com/Storytellers.

Susan Sims wanted to see the real China after studying in Taiwan in 1986, though she didn't have much but the clothes on her back. A hilarious adventure ensued. Susan told this story during the Des Moines Storytellers Project's "Travel" on June 20, 2023 at Hoyt Sherman Place.  The Des Moines Storytellers Project believes everyone has a story and everyone can tell it.  Des Moines Storytellers Project events are filled with neighbors and notables who have a true, first-person story they’re willing to share in 8-10 minutes in front of a live audience. See past stories, learn how to share your own or grab tickets to a future show at DesMoines.com/Storytellers.