Stories of Love and More | Why to Watch in February
Bring your valentine to these two shows
We are feeling the love in February and sharing it with our audience members in Phoenix and Des Moines with two aptly themed shows. The Arizona Storytellers Project kicks us off on Feb. 9 with "Love and Heartbreak," where we promise you’ll feel the joys, heartbreaks and everything that comes with love in all its forms. Des Moines Storytellers Project presents "Love: Stories of companionship, desire and commitment" on Feb. 15. Journalists and storytelling coaches at the Arizona Republic and Des Moines Register have had the joy of working with 10 people from their communities to fine-tune their stories. Get your season pass or Supporter Seating in Arizona or Des Moines.
If you don't live in those cities, you can still feel all the feels and get into the mood by listening to our "Love" playlist.
Countdown to blast off
We are coming in hot in March with 65 people in 13 U.S. cities sharing true, personal stories about growing up. You’ll feel energized, inspired, and maybe a bit nostalgic. Our tellers were chosen from among more than 250 applicants. If you haven't purchased your tickets yet, they are available for shows in Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Tennessee, Kentucky, Delaware, South Carolina, Texas, Massachusetts and Indiana. We are debuting at some amazing venues — DCU Club in Polar Park, where the Massachusetts-based Worcester Red Sox play minor league baseball, and Black Box Center for the Arts @ The Kelsey Theater, to name a few. Apply to tell a story about neighbors in June.
Celebrating World Day of Social Justice
Listen as Ash-Lee Woodard Henderson, a 35-year-old self-described Affrilachian (Black Appalachian), working-class woman, born and raised in Southeast Tennessee, shares her story about how we all can make a difference as we celebrate World Day of Social Justice on Feb. 20. Working as co-executive director of the Highlander Research & Education Center in New Market, Tennessee, Ash-Lee is a longtime activist, working on environmental racism in central and southern Appalachia and participant in the Movement for Black Lives. She was part of our virtual storytelling night on the work of civil rights. Her story will make you feel like you, too, have the power to make change.
Happy Chinese New Year!
In celebration of the Chinese New Year — Year of the Tiger — on Feb. 1, we bring you this story from Lorraine Longhi. She grew up hiding her family's Chinese traditions from her peers. Then, when she was 18, her father and brother were out of town for the Chinese New Year and her mother invited a friend and her friend's daughter to come over to celebrate. Lorraine feared their reaction to the food and traditions, but to her surprise they loved it. Lorraine went on to build a friendship with the daughter, who then ended up helping her get an internship that later helped her land a job.
Get Inspired
Black Girl Magic | Vanessa Wilson
Living with Mental Illness | Bethany Yeiser
A DREAMer | Brian De Los Santos
Meet our team
Danae King, 29, of Columbus, Ohio, religion and immigration reporter for the Columbus Dispatch and project lead for the Columbus Storytellers Project
Q: Why do you love telling stories?
A: I love telling stories because of how powerful they can be. Storytelling has the power to change minds, forge connections between people, inspire action and much more. It's an honor and a big responsibility to get to tell someone's story and I really love the feeling after it's been told. It's a feeling like no other when you get to see the outcome and reaction of the person whose story has been told as well as the emotion telling the story evokes in other people.
Q: When did you know you would make a career out of it?
A: I spent my childhood writing story after story down in notebooks, crafting characters and plot lines inspired by my imagination, as well as the stories of Nancy Drew and books by Judy Blume. It was only when I got older that I realized I could tell other people's true stories through journalism, and how exciting that could be. I quickly abandoned fiction and began to learn the craft of telling people's true stories for local newspapers.
The results are in
For National Trivia Day on Jan. 4, we tested your Storytellers Project knowledge. And you did pretty well. Most everyone knew Megan Finnerty is our founder and that the Storytellers Project was launched in 2011. Eighty percent knew Fairytale Brownies has provided a sweet ending for every show. What proved to be a little more challenging was the newspaper where the project came from — the Arizona Republic — and who works with our storytellers to help them fine-tune their stories — Paste BN Network journalists. Thanks for playing!
A birthday worth celebrating
She appears on a dollar coin first minted in 1979, but is best known for her work in the women's suffrage movement. Susan B. Anthony's birthday is on Feb. 15, and in celebration we are taking you to our archives for six stories of strength, resilience and fortitude shared during our Women of the Century show brought to you virtually in 2020 in coordination with Paste BN's special project.
A note from our sponsor, Fairytale Brownies
Despite popular belief, Valentine’s Day isn’t just for couples. Family, friends, co-workers — all those who are dear — are worthy of heartfelt attention.
You will win hearts everywhere with Fairytale Brownies’ new shimmering, rose-covered design. First, they’ll adore the packaging, and then they’ll feast on the sweet treats inside. Choose assortments with Belgian chocolate brownies, brownies and blondies, or a combination of brownies, blondies, and cookies. Sugar-free options also are available. All treats are all natural and individually wrapped for freshness.
This year, Fairytale Brownies is celebrating 30 years of delicious brownie baking. Each month, Fairytale Brownies will give away different gifts to two randomly selected winners. This month’s gift is a "Valentine Sprite 16." Enter for a chance to win a brownie gift and receive a discount on a future purchase.