The Odyssey Storytelling Podcast

April 2026: Ouch!

On April 2, 2026, Odyssey Storytelling presented: Ouch!

Recorded live at the Kiva Auditorium on the campus of the University of Arizona in Tucson.

Ouch! is for every story that stings, burns, bruises, embarrasses, or leaves a mark, physical or emotional. From broken bones to broken hearts, from epic fails to tiny paper cuts that felt like the end of the world, this theme embraces all forms of "that hurt!"

Curated and Produced by Angela Orlando

Storytellers: Jodi Engelberg Szifra Birke Susan Smith Matthew Weatherbee Eb Eberlein Dave Kendall

With a three-minute, impromptu story by Jonathan Grinder

This episode was recorded and produced by Odyssey Storytelling Podcast host, Steven Braun

On March 5, 2026, Odyssey Storytelling presented our 22nd anniversary show: Cake!!!

Recorded live at the Kiva Auditorium on the campus of the University of Arizona in Tucson.

Cake was a celebration! We invite you to listen as we marked 22 years of building community through story at Odyssey Storytelling. You'll hear stories of cakes, baking, buying, and tasting them. You will also hear about things that take the cake things that were a piece of cake (or weren't) and maybe a little something about wanting to have it and eat it too!!

Curators: Anna Marie Trester and Ana Montanez

Storytellers: Elena Acoba Kevin B. Pratt Rose Treviso Lisa Stafford Jeffrey Clashman

This episode was recorded and produced by Odyssey Storytelling Podcast host, Steven Braun.

On March 26, 2026, Odyssey Storytelling partnered with the University of Arizona Museum of Art to present Our Bodies are Full of Stories; Bailey Doogan: Ways of Seeing.

Collaborating partners on curating, producing, and hosting:

Willa Ahlschwede, Curator, Academic & Community Engagement at the UA Museum of Art Laura Porfirio, Story Arts Group Programs Director for Odyssey Storytelling

Storytellers: Rachel Rios Nancy Wilsted Chloe Riley Alisha Vasquez Yuchun Zhang Jennifer Nowicki Clark

This episode was recorded and produced by Odyssey Storytelling Podcast host, Steven Braun.

Odyssey Storytelling Partnered with Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum and University of Arizona Institute for Resilience to Present: Sonoran Desert Resilience: Save Our Saguaros

Storytellers include: Jesus Garcia Frankie Foley Amy Juan David Yetman Sonya Norman

Special Musical Guest: Jesus Garcia and Dena Cowan

Produced, Curated and Hosted by; Laura Porfirio - Odyssey Storytelling/Story Arts Programs Director Elizabeth Baldwin - University of Arizona Institute of Resilience Kaitlyn Tyler - Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum Grant & Project Manager

This episode was recorded and produced by Odyssey Storytelling Podcast host, Steven Braun.

February 2026: Whoopsies!

Facepalms, a mouthful of foot, and desires for do-overs and takebacks. We'll hear true stories of mortifying moments, embarrassing gaffes, and more of life's "Whoopsies" from our storytellers this month.

Storytellers: Monica Bauer Mo Goldman Quinn Mark Katie Trushell Dave Mondy

3-Minute Impromptu Storyteller: Tracey Kurtzman

Curators: Roscoe Mutz & Molly McCloy Executive Producer: Angela Orlando

The music in this episode was: Kansas City Rag by James Scott Surefire Rag by Henry Lodge The Easy Winners by Scott Joplin

January 2026: Rebound

Rebound. Rebounds. Rebounding. Think about all the ways we gain possession, react to a setback or crisis or just bounce back. From one-off setbacks to epic comebacks to midlife mishaps and everything in between, this month's show explores six storytellers' funniest, strangest, sweetest, and most surprising rebound moments.

Storytellers include: Jurg Zundel Lance Wilson Ron Lancaster Ana Montanez Daniel Waits Shannon Deady

Produced by Angela Orlando Curated by Jodi Engelberg

This episode was recorded and produced by Odyssey Storytelling Podcast host, Steven Braun.

The music in this episode was: Kansas City Rag by James Scott Surefire Rag by Henry Lodge The Easy Winners by Scott Joplin

"Mythology is the movement of stories and images across time and space, carrying our souls with it." - Phil Cousineau

Have you ever felt as if you've pissed off a god? Ever gone on a quest or ventured into another dimension? Are you, or do you know a trickster, a hero or a creator? Have you ever felt divine inspiration? If so, you've touched the realm of the Mythic.

This week's storytellers include:

• Bella Vivante
• Miles Schneiderman
• Ana Montanez
• Mo Goldman
• Addison Beaux

This episode was performed and recorded at Sea of Glass in Tucson, Arizona, on April 5th, 2018, and is curated by Steve Braun. For more information, please visit www.odysseystorytelling.com

December 2025: Wait, What?!?

Surprise. Confusion. Disbelief. "Wait, what?" invites clarification, enlightenment, understanding, an answer to the question. Whether you need an explanation or you're doing the explaining, handling "wait, what?" requires the telling of a story that helps the listener turn on the mental lightbulb and issue another exclamation: "Ohhh."

Storytellers: Noel Hennessey Stephen Robitaille Gayle Petrillo Steve Pender Amy H. Drewek Peter Axlerod

Produced by Angela Orlando Curated by Steven Braun and Elena Acoba

This episode was recorded and produced by Odyssey Storytelling Podcast host, Steven Braun.

The music in this episode was: Kansas City Rag by James Scott Surefire Rag by Henry Lodge The Easy Winners by Scott Joplin

October 2025: Dark Side

Listening to the devil on your shoulder, tiptoeing over the line, or feeling the call to break bad. Experiencing the paranormal or unexplained, feeling creeped out, or discovering the seedy underbelly. On October 2, 2025 we ventured to the "Dark Side" of life, as 5 storytellers shared true stories on stage at the Gallagher Theater on the campus of the University of Arizona in Tucson. The storytellers were:

Sara Curtis Westlund Terri Haag Eric Aldrich Phyllis Brodsky Jeff Clashman

Produced by Angela Orlando Curated by Roscoe Mutz

This episode was recorded and produced by Odyssey Storytelling Podcast host, Steven Braun.

The music in this episode was: Kansas City Rag by James Scott Surefire Rag by Henry Lodge The Easy Winners by Scott Joplin

August 2025: Belonging: Building a Better Tucson

Belonging: Building a Better Tucson, a Joint Production of Odyssey Storytelling and Iskashitaa Refugee Network

In a time of uncertainty, fear and misinformation, this evening shines a light on truth, resilience, and community. Five refugees and asylum-seekers from around the world—now part of the fabric of Tucson—shared powerful, personal stories of rebuilding, contribution, and hope. These are stories of giving back: learning, growing, creating art, fostering connection, and shaping a stronger community for all of us.

These moving performances remind us what belonging really means—and how we all benefit when everyone has a place to call home. The storytellers are: Shamsadin Zamani Benson Gasanga Rebecca Ursule Audace Mbonyingingo Sara Haghighi

Featuring the Wilondja & Family Singers

Produced and curated by Laura Porfirio and Barbara Eiswerth

This episode was recorded and produced by Odyssey Storytelling Podcast host, Steven Braun

The music appearing in this episode was: Tunashinda by Ray Will