Des Moines Storytellers Project

Akwi Nji found herself on a plane back to Africa after her father's sudden death. She feared the distance with family she hadn't seen for two decades.

Akwi told this story during the Des Moines Storytellers Project's "Voyages" on June 14, 2022 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 DesMoinesRegister.com/Storytellers.

Erik Dominguez' life in Tucson was awkward and hard. So when he was called back to a conference there, he dreaded what the visit would dredge up.

Erik told this story during the Des Moines Storytellers Project's "Voyages" on June 14, 2022 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 DesMoinesRegister.com/Storytellers.

When Coral Thede's father died, she traveled the world to find peace and a new outlook on life.

Coral told this story during the Des Moines Storytellers Project's "Voyages" on June 14, 2022 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 DesMoinesRegister.com/Storytellers.

What was supposed to be a picturesque family vacation turned into one wild ride for Robert Warren. Think a packed car, contraband cigarettes and a tiny fishing lodge.

Robert told this story during the Des Moines Storytellers Project's "Voyages" on June 14, 2022 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 DesMoinesRegister.com/Storytellers.

Every year Tony Dahlman gets a call on his birthday from Saddam Hussein. He shares the backstory and how this tradition showcases an act of familial love. 

Tony told this story during the Des Moines Storytellers Project's "Growing Up" on April 26, 2022 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 DesMoinesRegister.com/Storytellers.

How one Iowan made the bold move to join her small-town boys’ wrestling team and helped pave the way for generations of female athletes to come.

Aymi told this story during the Des Moines Storytellers Project's "Growing Up" on April 26, 2022 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 DesMoinesRegister.com/Storytellers.

Jim Ramm grew up as a half-Asian boy in the Midwest. He shares how he embraced forgiveness after hearing negative stereotypes about his Japanese culture throughout his childhood. 

Jim told this story during the Des Moines Storytellers Project's "Growing Up" on April 26, 2022 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 DesMoinesRegister.com/Storytellers.

Jeff Clothier shares how a sabotaged prom date turned into a lifelong friendship.

Jeff told this story during the Des Moines Storytellers Project's "Growing Up" on April 26, 2022 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 DesMoinesRegister.com/Storytellers.

Blake Carlson's grandma "never really grew up." He tells how her eccentricities helped him to embrace his disability. 

Blake told this story during the Des Moines Storytellers Project's "Growing Up" on April 26, 2022 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 DesMoinesRegister.com/Storytellers.

One man’s lessons in writing love songs.

Chad Elliot told this story at the Des Moines Storytellers Project's "Love" on Feb. 15, 2022.