Ellouise Schoettler's story is the fourth and final segment from the “Our City, Our Stories” project. Ellouise tells us about her unexpected entry into the feminist movement. 

The stories from this project have been aired as a series on WAMU's Metro Connection and were funded in part by the Humanities Council of Washington, DC.

This story was produced by Andrew Hiller, with series editor Shea Shackelford.  Andrew is an independent radio producer and commentator. His work can be found at WAMU 88.5.     

Ellouise will be performing a full version of this and other stories in her solo show in this year's Capital Fringe Festival. Visit http://www.ellouisestory.com for info.

To find out more about SpeakeasyDC's events, classes, and professional services or to make a tax-deductible donation that will support this podcast visit www.SpeakeasyDC.org.

In the third story from the “Our City, Our Stories” project, we hear from Rose Oliphant and Debra Frazier.  Rose and Debra are housing activists who helped create Friends and Residents of Arthur Capper and Carrollsburg.

The stories from this project are currently airing as a series on WAMU's Metro Connection.  With funding from the Humanities Council of Washington, DC, SpeakeasyDC has been collecting stories on tape from across the city. We are excited to share the third of four audio documentaries in this series.

This story was produced by Sam Greenspan, along with SpeakeasyDC's Creative Executive Director Amy Saidman, and series editor Shea Shackelford.  Sam is a DC-based radio producer and media educator. His work have been featured on WAMU 88.5, Pacifica Radio, and community radio stations across the country.  Amy Narrates this story.    

To find out more about SpeakeasyDC's events, classes, and professional services or to make a tax-deductible donation that will support this podcast visit www.SpeakeasyDC.org.

Daniel McCowan is a proud product of DC’s foster care system.  In this radio-style audio diary, Daniel shares some of the experiences that shaped his life.

 This is the second story we’re podcasting from the “Our City, Our Stories” project. The stories from this project are currently airing as a on WAMU's Metro Connection With funding from the Humanities Council of Washington, DC, SpeakeasyDC has been collecting stories on tape from across the city. We are excited to share the second of four audio documentaries.

Daniel McCowan co-produced his story with Shea Shackelford through a project with the Art + Media House of the Latin American Youth Center. Shea is an independent documentary producer and co-founder of Big Shed Audio. Shea also managed “Our City, Our Stories” for SpeakeasyDC and provides technical support for the Speakeasy Storycast.

To find out more about SpeakeasyDC's events, classes, and professional services or to make a tax-deductible donation that will support this podcast visit www.SpeakeasyDC.org.

Carolyn Parham faced a life-changing challenge when she received an unexpected check in the mail.  Producer David Schultz shares Ms. Parham’s story with us.  David is a a broadcast journalist based in Washington, DC. He reports for public radio station WAMU, the NPR affiliate in Washington.

This is the first story we’re podcasting from the “Our City, Our Stories” project.  Funded by the Humanities Council of Washington, DC, SpeakeasyDC has been collecting stories on tape from across the city. We are excited to share the first of four audio documentaries.

We are also pleased that Metro Connection on WAMU is airing “Our City, Our Stories” as a series this Winter.

To find out more about SpeakeasyDC's events, classes, and professional services or to make a tax-deductible donation that will support this podcast visit www.SpeakeasyDC.org.

Matt Sherman tells his true story of how he made it through a treachorous motorcycle ride in Thailand. This story was told live on SpeakeasyDC's open mic stage on the theme "Mix Tape: Stories about a single song that made an impact". Matt is a graduate of SpeakeasyDC's Storytelling Boot Camp and a loyal volunteer.

This story was produced as part of SpeakeasyDC's StoryDocs series. To find out more about SpeakeasyDC's events, classes, and professional services or to make a tax-deductible donation that will support this podcast visit www.SpeakeasyDC.org.

Master storyteller, Jon Spelman, tells a true story about his experiences with death. This was performed live as part of SpeakeasyDC's monthly open mic storytelling series and is part of a larger solo piece that he performs called "On the Bedpost Overnight". On this night, all the stories were based on the theme "Game Over: Stories about death, dying, and the afterlife". All stories told on our stage are true and told without notes..

To find out more about SpeakeasyDC's events, classes, and professional services or to make a tax-deductible donation that will support this podcast visit www.SpeakeasyDC.org.

Chris Bolton is a self taught audio producer and musician who lives in portland Oregon.  He recently launched the Storylife Podcast and has been co-producer of the CD Baby DIY Musician Podcast, which was featured as one of the best new podcasts in iTunes 2007.

This story was produced as part of SpeakeasyDC's StoryDocs series. To find out more about SpeakeasyDC's events, classes, and professional services or to make a tax-deductible donation that will support this podcast visit www.SpeakeasyDC.org.

Jennifer Howe shares her cautionary tale about going back to the same man twice. This story was told live on SpeakeasyDC's open mic stage on the theme "Good Intentions: Stories about resolutions, promises, and interventions".  All SpeakeasyDC stories are true and told without notes (i.e. it's storytelling, not a reading).

To find out more about SpeakeasyDC's events, classes, and professional services or to make a tax-deductible donation that will support this podcast visit www.SpeakeasyDC.org.

Andrew Korfhage tells his true story about surviving two near-death experiences in the same day. This story was told live on SpeakeasyDC's open mic stage on the theme "Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My: Stories about Fear".  Andrew is a graduate of SpeakeasyDC's education programs. This story was developed during a four-week Storytelling 101 class.

To find out more about SpeakeasyDC's events, classes, and professional services or to make a tax-deductible donation that will support this podcast visit www.SpeakeasyDC.org.

Catherine Sheehy tells her story about facing her fears. This story was told live on SpeakeasyDC's open mic stage on the theme "Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My: Stories about Fear."  All SpeakeasyDC stories are true and told without notes (i.e. it's storytelling, not a reading).

To find out more about SpeakeasyDC's events, classes, and professional services or to make a tax-deductible donation that will support this podcast visit www.SpeakeasyDC.org.

Katie Arrants is a radio producer, yoga teacher, and case manager for young adults in foster care in Seattle, Washington. Katie enjoys radio’s potential as a medium for intimate story-telling and eventually hopes to help youth use radio as a form of autobiography and self-expression.  Her story about Felix and his family was produced at the Duke Center for Documentary Studies and is part of SpeakeasyDC's StoryDocs series.

This story fits perfectly into the theme for our next open mic on August 11, 2009 - "Little Rascals: Stories about raising, coping with, and learning from children."

To find out more about SpeakeasyDC's events, classes, and professional services or to make a tax-deductible donation that will support this podcast visit www.SpeakeasyDC.org.

Kevin Boggs is an actor in Washington, DC and one of SpeakeasyDC's illustrious instructors. This story was performed live at SpeakeasyDC's open mic on the theme "Slam Dunk: Stories about Sports & Fitness".

Kevin is part of SpeakeasyDC's new show for Capital Fringe 2009 -- THE SIN SHOW -- tickets still available for July 22 and 26.  Kevin's story is about gluttony. Buy tickets here!

To find out more about SpeakeasyDC's events, classes, and professional services or to make a tax-deductible donation that will support this podcast visit www.SpeakeasyDC.org.

Joseph Price tells a true story about infatuation at SpeakeasyDC's monthly open mic storytelling series. The night's theme: "Doh! Stories about sticking your neck out, sticking your foot in your mouth, or just plain sticking out". Joseph is part of SpeakeasyDC's new show for Capital Fringe 2009 -- THE SIN SHOW -- starting July 11 with five shows through July 26.Joe's story is about prides. Buy tickets here! To find out more about SpeakeasyDC's events, classes, and professional services or to make a tax-deductible donation that will support this podcast visit www.SpeakeasyDC.org.

Seaton Smith tells his true tale of one of the lowest points of his career. This story was recorded live at SpeakeasyDC's monthly showcase of true tales told live in Washington, DC. Seaton performs stand-up regularly and his web series can be viewed at www.annoycharliesmith.com. Seaton is part of the cast of The Sin Show, SpeakeasyDC's 2009 performance at Capital Fringe Festival. He will be telling a true story about envy. Info and tickets at www.capfringe.org.

To find out more about SpeakeasyDC's events, classes, and professional services or to make a tax-deductible donation that will support this podcast visit www.SpeakeasyDC.org.

Vivianne Njoku tells her true tale of seeking justice in her Nigerian hometown. This story was recorded live at SpeakeasyDC's monthly showcase of true tales told live in Washington, DC.

To find out more about SpeakeasyDC's events, classes, and professional services or to make a tax-deductible donation that will support this podcast visit www.SpeakeasyDC.org.

Tim Tale tells the true story about a a strange delivery that wreaked havoc on his mother's monthly bridge night. This story was recorded live at SpeakeasyDC's monthly showcase of true tales told live in Washington, DC. This story is the inspiration for "Pepe! The Mail Order Monkey Musical" in this year's Capital Fringe Festival.

To find out more about SpeakeasyDC's events, classes, and professional services or to make a tax-deductible donation that will support this podcast visit www.SpeakeasyDC.org.

When Carol Brobeck was 20, she gave her baby boy away for adoption. Twenty years later, Joel, her son, came looking.  (This polaroid of Joel was given to Carol when the adoption process was completed.)

This piece is part of our StoryDocs series--these stories aren't performed live on our stage, but are created from interviews and produced like a radio story.  The StoryDocs series was produced with support from the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities.

We're excited to report that our story has earned some interest beyond the podcast.  NPR's All Things Considered will be airing the story this afternoon, Mother's Day.  And the Third Coast Filmless Festival screened a longer version of this audio documentary earlier this year, which will be re-screened at the AFI SILVERDOCS festival this Summer. 

Independent audio producers Shea Shackelford and Vige Millington want to thank Carol and Joel for their generous participation in this project.

To find out more about SpeakeasyDC's events, classes, and professional services, or to make a tax-deductible donation that will support the continuation of this podcast, visit www.SpeakeasyDC.org. 

Sherry Geyelin tells the true tale of what can happen when you smoke pot with your children. This was told at SpeakeasyDC's monthly showcase of true tales told live. This month's theme was "Forbidden Fruit: Stories about things you shouldn't have done, said, thought, touched or tasted. Sherry is a long-time storyteller and supporter of SpeakeasyDC.

To find out more about SpeakeasyDC's events, classes, and professional services, or to make a tax-deductible donation that will support the continuation of this podcast, visit www.SpeakeasyDC.org. 

Meredith Maslich tells the true tale of her search for the elusive "nice guy" in the modern-day sea of hook-ups and one-night stands.

Find out more about SpeakeasyDC's events, classes, and professional services at www.SpeakeasyDC.org. 

Latif Doman tells the true tale of how his *8* year old brain put the lessons of his American history class into practice. Latif is a trial lawyer in Washington, DC, and a graduate of SpeakeasyDC's Storytelling 101 four-week course.

Find out more about SpeakeasyDC's events, classes, and professional services at www.SpeakeasyDC.org. 

Marie Latagan brings us "9-to-5." A clever and slightly twisted mind is trapped in a banal and torturous job.  Marie told this story for our theme. The Last Straw: Stories about Quitting, Getting Fired, and Breaking Up.   Marie is a graduate of SpeakeasyDCs Boot Camp.  

Find out more about SpeakeasyDC's events, classes, and professional services at www.SpeakeasyDC.org. 

Since the late 1970s, the low-income Polk Gulch district has been a national destination and home for some of the most underrepresented segments of the LGBT community, including runaway and homeless youth.  The neighborhood is changing, but “The Punk Priest of Polk Street” captures a surprising, personal story from the Rev. River Sims, who serves these youth.  Joey Plaster brings us this story.  Joey is a widely published freelance journalist with experience at The Nation, Alternet, and Z Magazine. He has also worked as an oral historian with the Oberlin College LGBT Community History Project and the GLBT Historical Society's Oral History Initiative.  You can find photos from this story and more at Polk Street: Lives in Transition, an exhibit which captures life in this historic neighborhood.

Find out more about SpeakeasyDC's events, classes, and client services at www.speakeasydc.org.
 

Travis Wright tells his true tale of going from hillbilly clogging champion to discovering his inner Solid Gold dancer.

Find out more about SpeakeasyDC's events, classes, and client services at www.speakeasydc.org.

Vijai Nathan tells her true tale about fitting in, family, and pizza. Told live at SpeakeasyDC's open mic storytelling series. Vijai is a stand-up comedian and solo performer. Her latest solo show is "McGoddess: Big Macs, Karma, & the American Dream". Vijai is also an instructor for SpeakeasyDC's storytelling classes.

Find out about performances, classes, trainings, and more at speakeasydc.org

This piece is part of our StoryDocs series which we will post from time to time. These are stories that are not performed live, but recorded on-location and produced like a radio story.

This story was produced by Alix Blair about her friend Matthew McCue. Matt tells his story about going from a gung-ho solidier in the Iraq war to a peace-loving farmer. Visit www.farmervetco.org for info about the Farmer Veteran Coalition Project.

Alix Blair works as an independent audio producer and photographer and has recently finished collaborating on a multi-year project about migrant agriculture workers in North Carolina with the Center for Documentary Studies and Student Action with Farmworkers. Currently, when not working on documentary projects, she farms with a friend on one acre of land next to the ocean.  

Todd Bowers told this story at SpeakeasyDC's monthly open mic on the theme "Game Over: Stories about Death Dying and the Afterlife".

Find out more about SpeakeasyDC's events and classes at speakeasydc.org

Mike Boyd shares the tale of his near death experience while wearing a large bird suit on the White House lawn. This story was told live at  SpeakeasyDC's monthly showcase of true tales in Washington, DC. The theme that night was "Parallel Universe: Stories about Alternate Lives, What Ifs, & Flip Sides".   Mike is a graduate of SpeakeasyDC's one-day Storyelling Boot Camp, a PR consultant, and much loved volunteer for SpeakeasyDC.

Find out more about SpeakeasyDC's events, classes, coaching, and consulting at speakeasydc.org.

This was recorded live at SpeakeasyDC's monthly open mic storytelling series. The theme was Eureka: Stories about Epiphanies, Discoveries and Other Lightbulb Moments. This was Tabbie's first-time on the SpeakeasyDC stage. She later became part of the cast of Revenge of the Cat-Headed Baby and Other True Tales of Life and Death, a SpeakeasyDC production performed as part of the 2008 Capital Fringe Festival. By day, Tabbie works for the Peace Corps.

Find out more about SpeakeasyDC's events, classes, coaching, and consulting at speakeasydc.org

David de la Cruz tells his sordid true tale of monkeys gone bad. Recorded live at SpeakeasyDC's storytelling open mic in Washington, DC. The theme for the night was "Going Home: Stories about Returns, Reunions, and Regression."

Find out more about SpeakeasyDC's events, classes, coaching, and consulting at speakeasydc.org