Des Moines Storytellers Project

Growing up in the 1970s, John Gerken wanted to join the circus. He got his big chance when he was asked to haul a “baby” elephant halfway across the country – in the back of a van.

Van Holmgren discovered his talent for drawing early on, but it took a special person to show him that skill was worth more than money.

Joany Yi is a cataloguer of life as it happens and a student of languages and she’s about to out herself –- as a writer.

Ella Richards was a refugee in need of a friend when she met a woman almost twice her age who would change her life forever.

In rural Missouri, Allen Vaughan’s friends just didn’t get it when he started to proclaim his love for rap music. But when a love became an obsession, Vaughan set down a path that – unbeknownst to him -- would shape the rest of his life.

The ups and downs of Sundie and Brad Ruppert’s life have been challenging, but they made it through by following their arrow(s).

Marjolyn van der Hart’s art is her attempt to capture happy moments like the time she and her father embarked on an unexpected and oh-so-eventful canoe trip.

Britney and her husband struggled with infertility. They found their way to adoption through their experience as foster parents. And then within the space of a single frantic year, Britney got more of a family than she ever bargained for.

Lizzie was unsure about whether she even wanted to become a biological mom. Then she began working with teenage girls in an emergency shelter – young women who relied on her compassion and guidance. Lizzie began to realize a profound new meaning of motherhood.

Just as he’s ready to enjoy his first sip of morning coffee, Clint’s 10-year-old son asks him whether Santa is a lie – with his 6-year-old brother sitting next to them. Hilarity ensues, as well as a conversation that father and son will remember for the rest of their lives.