Story Shuffle

It’s one of the biggest and most populous countries in the world. It is as diverse as countries are. And we’ll offer two different perspectives in Episode Seven of Story Shuffle, the weekly, first-draft storytelling podcast, with a theme of India. First, we hear Indian-born Archna Sahay talk about growing up an immigrant kid and building a bubble elsewhere. Next, we’ll hear Kathryn Bezella tell the story about two different versions of traveling in India, business and explorative.

On this crazy mixed up earth, we have to work with those alongside us. And we have some tips for you in Episode Six of Story Shuffle, the weekly, first-draft storytelling podcast, with a theme of Living Together. First, we hear a reading from short story Jared Levy about getting along on a life raft. Then Lansie Sylvia, a designer and organizer, shares a story about growing up and telling on people.

Today love intersects plenty with technology. The fourth episode of weekly first-draft storytelling podcast Story Shuffle is “Crushes and Technology.” First, as recorded in 2014, we hear Allie Ilagan (then Harcharek) recall the importance of video games in understanding her sexuality.  Then, a 2016 recording of Patrick “Big Timbs” McNeil remembering a tricky first date initiated from an online dating site.

As natural as love is, it can also be as complicated as anything. The third episode of weekly first-draft storytelling podcast Story Shuffle is “Learning to Love.” First, as recorded at the very first Story Shuffle ever, in May 2010, photographer and urban farmer Neal Santos tells us his coming out story, by looking back at coming to understand as a kid that he was gay. Next, as recorded in 2014, Story Shuffle creator Christopher Wink remembers a trip to Italy for what might have become love.

The theme of the second episode of weekly first-draft storytelling podcast Story Shuffle is “Phone Calls with Mom.” Everyone has a special kind of relationship with her mom. Good, bad or other, the dynamics insist it is so. This week we have two stories about people with their own unique relationships with mom. First, social worker Michael O’Bryan recalls growing up ‘kinda poor’ and how that has influenced how he works with youth. Second, Kathryn Bezella, an academic executive, tells of her relationship with a bit of family folklore in Wisconsin as told in 2012.

This is the kickoff first episode of Story Shuffle, a first-draft storytelling podcast. For the next six months, every week we’ll share with you two of the best of more than 200 stories told over the last six years. In this first episode, we hear two stories that connect around the theme of LEAVING HOME. First, we hear Stephen Zook tell a story recorded in 2015 about growing up Amish. Second, Uri Pierre Noel shares memories of growing up in a Haitian immigrant family, as recorded at last year’s Philadelphia Podcast Festival. You’ll note some POPPING P’s in this first episode: forgive us, better to come.

After more than six years and 200 recorded stories, 36 events and 85 storytellers, Story Shuffle is launching as a weekly podcast. Hear a bit about what to expect.