Welcome to the show! The Storytellers Project presents "Growing Up" at 4 p.m. PT/7 p.m. ET on April 20.
Many of us know from experience that growing up doesn’t come without sometimes awkward, sometimes funny and sometimes even heartbreaking moments. For some of us, it happens all at once. For others, it's a series of subtler moments. And it often comes at the unlikeliest of times.
Join the USA TODAY Network for an hour of true, first-person stories celebrating our youth and the rites of passage on the way to adulthood.
Our storytellers will share their personal stories from their homes, using their devices and Megan Finnerty, Storytellers Project founder and director, will emcee live!
What do you want listeners to take away from this story?
Love, compassion and generosity prevail over intolerance, violence and divide.
Who or what inspired you to tell this story?
Bhupen Hazarika, a popular Indian singer, and Paul Robeson, a folk singer.
What do you want listeners to take away from this story?
I hope that after hearing my story, listeners will evaluate the places in their lives that feel out of alignment with who they want to be. I hope each person finds their own practice of filling the uncomfortable spaces inside of them with love and compassion. And I hope everyone’s inner child feels like they are getting a big hug.
Who or what inspired you to tell this story?
I wrote pieces of this story in a letter to my friend thanking him for the love he opened up in me (I never sent the letter.) He inspired me to connect to the love I never knew I contained. He may have inspired me, but the love was mine all along.
What do you want listeners to take away from this story?
The complexities of interracial friendship.
Who or what inspired you to tell this story?
A workshop with Lidia Yuknavitch about writing inside the backdrop of history and controversy. This was originally a collage of my diary and Martin Luther King quotes.
What do you want listeners to take away from this story?
Our challenges in life don't define us. They are not all of us or our identity, they are only a part of who we are. Many times, our challenges can be the fuel to finding our greatest gifts and strengths in this lifetime.
Who or what inspired you to tell this story?
So many people are viewing the world through their computers, phones and devices, and see the "perfect" realities of others on social media. But the truth is, we all struggle. And, struggling can be a beautiful part of our journey towards self acceptance and prosperity. I tell my story to help remind people that they are not alone.
What do you want listeners to take away from this story?
In 2012, after graduated college I gave my family two-weeks notice that I was leaving my hometown to follow my dreams. I never knew that leaving was an emotional roller coaster I like to call growing up.
Who or what inspired you to tell this story?
In the next few months, I will be moving back to my hometown of Cleveland, Ohio, and I can not help but reflect on how much I have grown up over the last nine years. My family inspired me to tell this story because I want them to know that without their love and support I would not have grown into the man I am today.
Upcoming shows
Storytellers Project - Motherhood
Welcome to the show! The Storytellers Project presents "Motherhood" at 4 p.m. PT/ 7 p.m. ET on May 4.
It’s complicated. It’s joyful. It’s hard. It’s always a good story. Join USA TODAY for an hour of true, first-person stories celebrating the moms we’re born to, the ones we choose and the ones we make of ourselves.
Our storytellers will share their personal stories from their homes, using their devices, and Storytellers Project founder Megan Finnerty, will emcee live!
Storytellers Project - Entrepreneurship and Hustle show
Welcome to the show! The Storytellers Project presents "Entrepreneurship and Hustle" at 4 p.m. PT/ 7 p.m. ET on May 18.
Big businesses and small start-ups. Hustle-culture and burnout. Join USA TODAY for an hour of true, first-person stories celebrating the innovative people behind some of our favorite businesses.
Our storytellers will share their personal stories from their homes, using their devices, and Storytellers Project founder Megan Finnerty, will emcee live!
Past videos from the
Storytellers Project
Florida Storytellers Project - Growing Up
Welcome to the show! The Florida Storytellers Project presents "Growing Up" at 7 p.m. ET on April 8.
Many of us know from experience that growing up doesn’t come without sometimes awkward, sometimes funny and sometimes even heartbreaking moments. For some of us, it happens all at once. For others, it's a series of subtler moments. And it often comes at the unlikeliest of times.
Join the USA TODAY Network for an hour of true, first-person stories celebrating our youth and the rites of passage on the way to adulthood.
Our storytellers will share their personal stories from their homes, using their devices and Andrew Atkins, a features reporter at the Naples News, will emcee live!
New England and Atlantic Storytellers Project - Growing Up
Welcome to the show! The New England and Atlantic Storytellers Project, which includes Rochester, New York; Asbury Park and Bergen, New Jersey; York, Pennsylvania; and Wilmington, Delaware, presents "Growing Up" at 7 p.m. ET on April 1.
Many of us know from experience that growing up doesn’t come without sometimes awkward, sometimes funny and sometimes even heartbreaking moments. For some of us, it happens all at once. For others, it's a series of subtler moments. And it often comes at the unlikeliest of times.
Join the USA TODAY Network for an hour of true, first-person stories celebrating our youth and the rites of passage on the way to adulthood.
Our storytellers will share their personal stories from their homes, using their devices, and Rochester Democrat & Chronicle Community Engagement Editor Sheila Rayam will emcee live!
South and Southeast Storytellers Project - Growing Up
Welcome to the show! The South and Southeast Storytellers Project, which includes Knoxville and Nashville, Tennessee, as well as Spartanburg, Anderson and Greenville, South Carolina, presents "Growing Up" at 7 p.m. ET on March 25.
Many of us know from experience that growing up doesn’t come without sometimes awkward, sometimes funny and sometimes even heartbreaking moments. For some of us, it happens all at once. For others, it's a series of subtler moments. And it often comes at the unlikeliest of times.
Join the USA TODAY Network for an hour of true, first-person stories celebrating our youth and the rites of passage on the way to adulthood.
Our storytellers will share their personal stories from their homes, using their devices, and the Tennessean's Opinion and Engagement editor, LeBron Hill, will emcee live!
Lafayette Storytellers Project - Growing Up
Welcome to the show! The Lafayette Storytellers Project will present "Growing Up" at 6 p.m. local time on March 23.
Many of us know from experience that growing up doesn’t come without sometimes awkward, sometimes funny and sometimes even heartbreaking moments. For some of us, it happens all at once. For others, it's a series of subtler moments. And it often comes at the unlikeliest of times.
Join the Lafayette Storytellers Project and the Daily Advertiser for an hour of true, first-person stories celebrating our youth and the rites of passage on the way to adulthood.
Our storytellers will share their personal stories from their homes, using their devices, and Daily Advertiser Executive Editor Barbara Leader will emcee live!
Sponsored by Cox. Graciously brought to you by Humana.
Midwest Storytellers Project - Growing Up
Welcome to the show! The Midwest Storytellers Project, which includes Cincinnati, Ohio; Lansing, Michigan; Louisville, Kentucky; and Indianapolis, Indiana, presents "Growing Up" at 7 p.m. ET on March 18.
Many of us know from experience that growing up doesn’t come without sometimes awkward, sometimes funny and sometimes even heartbreaking moments. For some of us, it happens all at once. For others, it's a series of subtler moments. And it often comes at the unlikeliest of times.
Join the USA TODAY Network for an hour of true, first-person stories celebrating our youth and the rites of passage on the way to adulthood.
Our storytellers will share their personal stories from their homes, using their devices, and Louisville Courier journalist Kirby Adams will emcee live!
Storytellers Project - I Made This - Stories about the Arts show
Welcome to the show! The Storytellers Project will present "I Made This: Stories about the Arts" at 4 p.m. PT/7 p.m. ET on March 16.
Music. Movies. Memes. Art is all around us and this event explores the creatives behind the culture. Join USA TODAY for an hour of true, first-person stories celebrating the arts.
Our storytellers will share their personal stories from their homes, using their devices, and Storytellers Project founder Megan Finnerty will emcee live!
West and Sunbelt Storytellers Project - Growing Up
Welcome to the show! The West and Sunbelt Storytellers Project, which includes Phoenix, Arizona; Tucson, Arizona; Ventura County, California; Reno, Nevada; and Salem, Oregon, presents "Growing UP" at 4 p.m. PT on March 4.
Many of us know from experience that growing up doesn’t come without sometimes awkward, sometimes funny and sometimes even heartbreaking moments. For some of us, it happens all at once. For others, it's a series of subtler moments. And it often comes at the unlikeliest of times.
Join the USA TODAY Network for an hour of true, first-person stories celebrating our youth and the rites of passage on the way to adulthood.
Our storytellers will share their personal stories from their homes, using their devices, and Wendy Leung and Brett McGinness, will emcee live!
I Am series from Storytellers Project - I am Black
Welcome to the show! The Storytellers Project presents "I am Black" at 4 p.m. PT/ 7 p.m. ET on March 2.
Join the us for an hour of true, first-person stories celebrating the ways race and ethnicity weave through American identities.
This is the first in a series of five storytelling nights called “I Am” to more fully tell the stories of America. “I Am Black” features personal stories from people who identify as Black. The shows promise insightful, entertaining stories that invite listeners of all identities to consider what we all have in common, and what divides us — a mix of touching moments and hard truths.
Our storytellers will share their personal stories from their homes, using their devices, and Megan Finnerty, will emcee live!
Storytellers Project - Love and Heartbreak show
Welcome to the show! The Storytellers Project presents "Love and Heartbreak" at 4 p.m. PT/ 7 p.m. ET on Feb. 16.
Whether you swipe right or meet cute, or are still looking for “the one,” dating and everything that comes next is complicated and joyful. Join USA TODAY for an hour of true, first-person stories celebrating the breakups and makeups that define us.
Our storytellers will share their personal stories from their homes, using their devices, and Megan Finnerty, will emcee live!
Storytellers Project - New Beginnings show
Welcome to the show! The Storytellers Project presents "New Beginnings" at 4 p.m. PT/ 7 p.m. ET on Jan. 12.
We could all use a fresh start. Sometimes, it can be as small as getting a new haircut, having a baby, deleting a number or a big career pivot. Join USA TODAY for an hour of true, first-person stories about the choices, discoveries and accidents that change our lives.
Our storytellers will share their personal stories from their homes, using their devices, and Megan Finnerty, will emcee live!
10 Years Later: Conversations about courage and resiliency with Gabby Giffords and friends
Welcome to the show! USA TODAY, Arizona Daily Star and The Arizona Republic present "10 Years Later: Conversations about courage and resiliency with Gabby Giffords and friends" at 3 p.m. PT/ 6 p.m. ET on Jan. 7.
Featuring:
Gabby Giffords.
Dr. Fabi Hirsch of the Aphasia Center of Tucson and Arizona Republic journalist Karina Bland.
Arizona House Representative Dr. Randall Friese with former Arizona Daily Star journalist Stephanie Innes, now at the Arizona Republic.
Arizona House Representative Daniel Hernandez.
Survivors Mary Reed and daughter Emma McMahon.
Surviror Patricia Maisch and Sarah Garrecht Gassen, Opinion Editor at the Arizona Daily Star.
Arizona poet laureate Alberto Rios, Director of the Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing at Arizona State University.
Holiday Storytelling Spectacular
Welcome to the show! Arizona Storytellers Project presents "Holiday Storytelling Spectacular" at 7 p.m. MT on Dec. 21.
The holidays can be a time of gleeful surprise, gratitude, wrapping paper disasters or family mishaps. Join The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com for an hour of true, first-person stories celebrating the moments that unite our communities, faiths and families.
Our storytellers will share their personal stories from their homes, using their devices, and Megan Finnerty, will emcee live!
Holidays
Welcome to the show! The Storytellers Project presents "Holidays" at 4 p.m. PT/7 p.m. ET on Dec. 15.
The holidays can be a time of gleeful surprise, gratitude, wrapping paper disasters or family mishaps. Join USA TODAY for an hour of true, first-person stories celebrating the moments that unite our communities, faiths and families.
Our storytellers will share their personal stories from their homes, using their devices, and Megan Finnerty, will emcee live!
I am an American
Welcome to the show! The Storytellers Project presents "I am an American" at 5 p.m. PT/8 p.m. ET on Oct. 29.
These are tough times, but we'll get through it together. Join us for true, first-person stories from the lives of your neighbors, reflecting on what it means to be an American. They will tell their stories from their homes, using their devices, and Megan Finnerty, will emcee live!
Entrepreneurship and Hustle
Welcome to the show! The Storytellers Project presents "Entrepreneurship and Hustle" at 5 p.m. PT/8 p.m. ET on Oct. 1.
These are tough times, but we'll get through it together. Join us for true, first-person stories from the lives of your neighbors about life, the grind, and the sacrifices of building something all your own. They will tell their stories from their homes, using their devices, and Megan Finnerty, will emcee live!
Farthest You'll Ever be from Home
Welcome to the show! The Storytellers Project presents "Farthest You'll Ever be from Home" at 5 p.m. PT/8 p.m. ET on Oct. 21.
These are tough times, but we'll get through it together. Join us for true, first-person stories from the lives of your neighbors, who just happen to be scientists and astronauts, about dealing with loneliness and isolation in space and how that translates to life on Earth, and persevering through it all. They will tell their stories from their homes, using their devices, and Megan Finnerty, will emcee live!
We know you want to feel connected to your community so share news about this event with your friends and family.
