The Story Show

In the fall of 2015, Riley Worth brought the first Story Show to Albert Lea, MN. Since then we’ve been producing about two shows a year with the profits from each show going to a different local charitable organization. Each show features at least eight writers with local ties, each sharing a story on a common theme, a theme tied to the show’s dedicated charity. The stories of this community should be shared and passed on. We encourage you to take part in this process of historical preservation and storytelling. Consider writing and sharing a piece for a future Story Show. We all have a story to tell. What’s yours?

The Intersections of Faith, Family, and Food

In this story from our January 2020 Pass the Plate Story Show, chef and musician Bob Tewes shares this piece of fiction about need, service, and shared meals.

07-22
21:40

Seeking Peace - Act 1

Recorded live at the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center in Albert Lea, MN on August 10, 2017, five writers with local ties share original stories on a common theme in Act 1 of the Seeking Peace Story Show. 

04-07
01:02:44

Seeking Peace - Act 2

Four writers with local ties share original stories on a common theme in Act 2 of the Seeking Peace Story Show.

04-08
44:33

The Great Show - Scott Pirsig

Scott Pirsig reflects on a hardcore canoe trip into Canada's Quetico Provincial Park.

04-08
10:59

Peace in a Moment - Ann Austin

Ann Austin's philosophical reflection on seeking peace, from childhood experiences with death to responding to national tragedy.

04-08
10:38

Blue Jay - Jim Wichmann

Jim Wichmann reflects on a cruel act he committed as a boy.

04-08
08:16

A Nut Worth Cracking - Jennifer Vogt-Erickson

Freelance writer and activist Jennifer Vogt-Erickson reflects on responses to violence . . . and Ted Nugent. 

04-08
09:47

The Man in Auschwitz - Ross Pirsig

The story of Auschwitz survivor Kazimierz Piechowski and Ross Pirsig's quest to meet him.  

04-08
10:39

Choosing Peace - Jen Zoller

Jen Zoller reflects on the necessity of choosing peace in the face of tragedy and unexpected change.

04-08
10:11

Allowing Peace - David Larson

A psychologist for 37 years, David Larson reflects on his own journey to peace and the wisdom he has gained from those he's counseled over the years.

04-08
10:07

We Are One - Mai Dang-Huynh

Mai shares encounters with sexism and discrimination through anecdotes of her childhood in Vietnam and her teens in Minnesota.

04-08
13:20

Meeting Kunta Kinte - Mina Lein

Mina shares the challenges of growing up as one of the few African Americans in her predominantly white hometown and her subsequent journey toward authoring her own identity.

04-08
10:57

Story Show Updates and Season 2 Preview: "To Be or Not to Be" by Neal Skaar

Exciting stuff is happening with The Story Show--a new podcast, a new website, and a new show! This episode includes an official call for submissons for our July 26th show with the theme "Let Your Light Shine." The episode concludes with a teaser for Season 2 with Neal Skaar's opening story from January's "Invisibility" show.

05-01
23:51

Submission Reminders and "Fight for My Thoughts" by Maddie Willey

First-year college student Maddie Willey reflects on the challenges of advocating for oneself and for one's thoughts. 

05-22
12:43

Submission Reminders and "Go Bless Yourself" by Tony Johanson

Jeremy urges listeners to submit stories for the July show by June 14th and reflects on Anthony Bourdain's passing. "Go Bless Yourself" by Tony Johanson addresses invisibile conditions.

06-11
12:01

Extended Deadline and "Reclaiming" by Olivia Brown

Jeremy announces an extension of the submission deadline for July's show and reflects on gun violence in America. Olivia Brown shares the story of her brother Spencer's tragic death and the comfort she finds in nature.  

06-18
14:15

Riley's Back and "Inheritance" by Thomas Delano

Jeremy & Riley chat at The Interchange coffee bar in Albert Lea before introducing Thomas Delano's story "Inheritance" from the January 2018 Invisibility Story Show.

06-25
17:29

New Storyteller Reveal and "No Man's Land" by Ella Zelenak

Prior to playing Ella Zelenak's story "No Man's Land," Jeremy, Amanda, and Riley announce the names of the eight storytellers for the July show, and Angie makes two startling confessions about her past. 

07-02
19:25

"Pregnant Pause"

An innocent comment from a child sends a woman into a whirlwind of self doubt in this powerful story, "Pregnant Pause" from the January 2018 Invisibility Story Show.

07-07
14:43

"Granny's Secret"

What's your grandmother hiding? In this hilarious recording from the January 2018 Story Show, Shane Koepke shares a story about being "out of the loop" with family secret.

07-14
18:41

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