Glenn North, a talented storyteller from the Kansas City StorySLAM, shares a hilarious mishap involving a dirt bike that teaches him a valuable lesson. He explores the theme of 'firsts' through comical anecdotes of young adulthood. The podcast also features moving stories about community and connection, including a woman’s quest for belonging as a lesbian in the 1970s and a couple's journey to create an inclusive home in the 1980s. These vibrant narratives celebrate resilience, love, and the power of storytelling.
Glenn North's story humorously illustrates the unexpected challenges of new beginnings through his dirt bike incident at Lincoln University.
Susan Marie Moreno highlights the importance of community and resilience in overcoming discrimination as a lesbian woman in the 1980s.
Deep dives
The Inaugural Story Slam in Kansas City
The first story slam in Kansas City brought a vibrant atmosphere filled with excitement and community spirit. This event served as a celebration of storytelling, allowing individuals to share personal experiences and connect with others in a unique setting. The theme of the evening was 'firsts,' encouraging storytellers to reflect on significant moments in their lives. This marked a special milestone as it was the first new slam city opened since the pandemic, showcasing resilience and the continued need for communal storytelling.
Glen North's Memorable Firsts
Glen North shared a humorous and poignant story about his experiences during his first days at Lincoln University, notably highlighting the pressures of being student government president. He recounted an incident where he attempted to impress new students by riding a dirt bike, which ended in a painful crash that left him with injuries just before his welcoming speech. Despite his less-than-stellar appearance and a bleeding knee, he used humor to connect with the audience during his speech. This tale illustrated the unpredictability of life and the delightful yet embarrassing moments that accompany new beginnings.
Susan Marie Moreno's Journey in Kansas City
Susan Marie Moreno's story traced her search for community and belonging as a lesbian woman moving from Iowa to Kansas City. She recounted the challenges she faced while trying to buy a house with her partner, highlighting the discrimination they experienced in the 1980s. Despite the obstacles, they became part of an intentional community called Woman Town, where they and others worked together to improve their neighborhood. Her narrative celebrated resilience and the power of community, culminating in the recognition of their contributions to the Kansas City area and the establishment of a supportive, vibrant environment.
On this episode, to celebrate our inaugural Kansas City StorySLAMs, we're featuring two stories from KC.
If hearing the energy of the crowd (take it from everyone who was there, the show was super fun!) has got you hankering to attend a Kansas City StorySLAM, just go to themoth.org/kansascity for tickets and dates. And if you want to attend a StorySLAM in your area, just go to themoth.org/events and hit StorySLAMs in the dropdown menu.
This episode was hosted by Chloe Salmon.
Storytellers:
Glenn North learns a hard lesson involving a dirtbike.
Sue Marie Moreno helps found a nurturing community
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