#US - Unique & Shared Experiences

What do you know about Ukraine’s history? We all know it was once part of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), then it wasn’t. Ukraine’s history is far-reaching and as complex as its geography and the number of languages that are spoken.  We set out to find a historian who could provide context about Ukraine and its history. That person is John Vsetecka, an assistant professor at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Thank you for listening to  #Us - Unique and Shared Experiences, a storytelling podcast from First Person Arts in Philly. This limited series is a production of First Person Arts and was made possible by the generous support of Elaine Lindy at Stories To Grow By. This podcast was produced by the First Person Arts Applied Storytelling team. We make the power of story work for you. Find out how at https://firstpersonarts.org/hire-us/.  Join our mailing list: https://firstpersonarts.org/subscribe Support the show: https://firstpersonarts.org/donate Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firstpersonarts Get tickets to our next event: https://firstpersonarts.org/events About the #Us podcast from First Person Arts  #Us is an occasional podcast from First Person Arts in Philly. At First Person Arts, we believe that everyone has a story to tell and that the art of storytelling has the power to change lives.  To support the podcast, hit that Subscribe button!

Today on a special episode of #Us - Unique and Shared Experiences, we are teaming up with the Life Design Lab at Johns Hopkins University to share stories told by students about their journeys towards fulfilling careers and lives. Natalia was facing decision paralysis and didn’t know what decision would be the “right” one. Keidai realized his parents only thought they knew him. How would he show them his real self? And Zandy wanted to bring others the joy she felt when hearing birds sing.  Get tickets to our next event: https://firstpersonarts.org/events Join our mailing list: https://firstpersonarts.org/subscribe Support the show: https://firstpersonarts.org/donate Follow us on social media: https://linktr.ee/firstpersonarts   

Marjorie was let go from her job for standing up for what she believed in. And Bill had to learn to let go of his leg intruder to save his own life. Today, we are taking a deep breath, uncurling our clenched fingers, and Letting Go. On this episode, we have three amazing stories for you about everything from terrible jobs to beloved pets.  Join #Us for stories from our January 2023 StorySlam recorded live in Philly.  Get Tickets to our next event: https://firstpersonarts.org/events Join our mailing List: https://firstpersonarts.org/subscribe Support the show: https://firstpersonarts.org/donate Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firstpersonarts

First Person Arts and the Free Library of Philadelphia have enjoyed crossover programming, partnerships, and a mutual love of stories over the years. Today, we're featuring stories from a program we did with the Free Library of Philadelphia's One Book, One Philadelphia around The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time by Mark Haddon. Join #Us as we share stories from Philadelphians that were sparked by this book. Get tickets to our next event: https://firstpersonarts.org/events Join our mailing List: https://firstpersonarts.org/subscribe Support the show: https://firstpersonarts.org/donate Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firstpersonarts

Michel filmed a couple in love as one of them was terminally ill. And though it was tragic, their love for one another helped change the world. Lisa’s daughter got everything she wanted for Christmas, but she couldn’t share her new toys with the one person she wanted to play with. When the highs of joy and love crash into the depths of grief and loss, we get this swirl of emotion called bittersweet. Join #Us today as four storytellers share their experiences and help us all get to know the complexity of humanity. Get Tickets to Our Next Event: https://firstpersonarts.org/events Join Our mailing List: https://firstpersonarts.org/subscribe Support the Show: https://firstpersonarts.org/donate Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firstpersonarts  

Today, we celebrate the life and work of a beloved Philadelphia artist Jerry Pinkney whose birthday is this month. Jerry’s life and body of work is a testament to the resilience, persistence, and freedom of the human spirit. We come to you with three stories from individuals who connect with these core values as part of their own experiences.  So join #Us and lend a listening ear. Join our mailing List: https://firstpersonarts.org/subscribe Support the show: https://firstpersonarts.org/donate Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firstpersonarts Get tickets to our next event: https://firstpersonarts.org/events  

Lisa almost set her house on fire when the hot oil in a pizza box exploded. Sure, she had started a smaller fire, but she was distracted thinking about another fire that was dwindling – her marriage. Chris was enjoying his first week of college when he got a call from his sister. It was the shortest call they’d ever have, but it is burned in his memory forever. Join #Us and ignite your love of storytelling! Listen to these stories and more in this episode, Burn Baby Burn!   Get Tickets to Our Next Event: https://firstpersonarts.org/events Join Our mailing List: https://firstpersonarts.org/subscribe Support the Show: https://firstpersonarts.org/donate Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firstpersonarts

Can music be a form of storytelling? We at First Person Arts think it can! That’s why we’ve partnered with the Network For New Music to create new original pieces of music that come directly from stories. All of the stories are on the theme of love and the Philly neighborhood of Germantown. So come join #Us for a special episode celebrating stories, music, and Germantown. Join our mailing List: https://firstpersonarts.org/subscribe Support the show: https://firstpersonarts.org/donate Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firstpersonarts Get tickets to our next event: https://firstpersonarts.org/events

At age 17, Paul H was almost arrested for a murder he didn’t commit. But the busy bodies in his neighborhood acted as strong alibis and he was saved at the eleventh hour. At age 19, Daralyse was in a wild phase and on a trip to Mexico. She ventured out of the touristy part of town and used what little spanish she knew to haggle the crack she was buying down to 50% off! Whether you’re a Paul trying to get out of a sticky situation, or a Daralyse jumping head first into one, you’re sure to love this episode on the theme Close Calls! Join #Us in listening to five stories where things could have gone drastically wrong, but at the last minute – you’ll have to listen yourself to find out.   Submit your stories to us at stories@firstpersonarts.org Join Our mailing List: https://firstpersonarts.org/subscribe Support the Show: https://firstpersonarts.org/donate Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firstpersonarts Get Tickets to Our Next Event: https://firstpersonarts.org/events

At 41, Kevin decided to get kinky. He met the right guy online, bought a blindfold and some rope, and got busy. But his aggressive cat had his own ideas. On the other side of town, Kelsey was ready to get it on, but her date thought it would be better to get that rash on her chest checked out by a doctor. Listen to these and other stories of sex gone awry on this episode of #Us - Unique and Shared experiences. Join Our mailing List: https://firstpersonarts.org/subscribe Support the Show: https://firstpersonarts.org/donate Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firstpersonarts Get Tickets to Our Next Event: https://firstpersonarts.org/events

Pamela is a nurse, no matter where she goes. Whether it's on vacation, or 33,000 feet in the air, she’ll find a way to safely get people home. Kate has a trained ear for a certain kind of breath. And being able to hear it might just save lives. Join #Us, a storytelling podcast from First Person Arts to hear these and others stories on how nurses make the world go round in big and small ways. Join Our mailing List: https://firstpersonarts.org/subscribe Support the Show: https://firstpersonarts.org/donate Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firstpersonarts Get Tickets to Our Next Event: https://firstpersonarts.org/events

Elizabeth has good intuition, a sixth sense she calls it. The first time she felt it was when she was thirteen. Later that Night her brother was in an accident. This lead to her devoting her live to volonteering and helping others. Join Us, Elizabeth, and two other storytellers for an episode focusing on how they found their purpose through the pain. Join Our mailing List: https://firstpersonarts.org/subscribe Support the Show:https://firstpersonarts.org/donate Follow us on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/firstpersonarts

When Emma was eighteen she was in lust with her best friend. All she could think of was how much she wanted to sleep with him. What got in her way? He was also her boss. In a moment of courage she confessed it to him driving home one day. This and other thrilling lust stories in this episode of #Us as we kick off our second season! Celibrate wth us the pain, gratification, and power that comes with love and sex. Join Our mailing List: https://firstpersonarts.org/subscribe Get Tickets fro Sex-Files and other events:https://firstpersonarts.org/events Support the Show:https://firstpersonarts.org/donate Follow us on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/firstpersonarts/

We're wrapping up our summer programming with an encore presentation of "If I Knew Then", an episode all about looking back at what you can only know with the clear vision of hindsight. This episode has a special guest host - Chris Lundy! If you like having Chris as your host, be sure to join him (and Us) at the Sex-Files StorySlam on September 20th at Under Ground Arts.

Ever feel like you’re reliving the same day? Or stuck in a never ending time loop? Yeah, us too. But luckily, you’re not alone. We’ve got five stories for you about making the same mistakes over and over and over again. But don’t worry, because sometimes repetition is the very tool that gives you a second chance and a new beginning. Join #Us for an encore presentation (the irony is not lost on us) of the fan favorite episode Groundhog Day!

They say that lightning never strikes twice. Well, in this special #US encore it strikes five times! (Metaphorically, of course). We have five stories about the powers beyond our control and how and how to deal with the reminder that no matter how hard we try, us humans can’t control everything. Whether it’s God, Destiny, or Nature, all we can do is brace ourselves and face these mysterious powers together.

In celebrating the life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness that the 4th of July is all about we have a special encore presentation of Five People, One Moment: Flags Of America. This episode features Simon, a big fan of the American flag and the symbols' history. But he doesn't shy away from criticizing this nation or the way the flag's symbolism  has been a painful sight for many. Join us for a fascinating conversation with Simon Joseph about the complex history of the American flag.

Today’s show is all about moving on. Sometimes getting past a hurtle is our a challenge we take on. But other times were left in the wake of someone or something to figure out what to do. So today we have five stories for you exploring how to move on or cope with change.

In the month of May we are sticking with a spring theme, so think bloowing flowers, baby bunnies, and new beguinnigs. In our last epsiode we went out of the nest. Now our storytellers must learn to fly. So in this episode we have five stories of soaring high, falling fast, and discovering independence.

With spring strongly here we are starting to think out of the nest to focus on stories of personal growth, new beginnings and establishing independence. So today we will have five tales for you from storytellers who are going through changes. Join #Us as we explore coming into one's self and discovering all that you can be. Subscribe to our Email List:: https://www.firstpersonarts.org/signup Support #US:  https://www.firstpersonarts.org/donate First Person Arts Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firstpersonarts Amazon Charity: https://tinyurl.com/Amazon-Charity-FPA First Person Arts Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FirstPersonPhilly/ First Person Arts Twitter: https://twitter.com/FirstPersonArts Subscribe to First Person Arts YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/SubscribetoFPA ABOUT UNIQUE & SHARED EXPERIENCES PODCAST Twice a month #US – Unique and Shared Experiences features stories from 20 years of archives curated around common themes. We believe that everyone has a story to tell and that sharing our stories connects us with each other and the world.