Des Moines Storytellers Project

An evening of live storytelling, the Des Moines Storytellers Project features community members coached by Des Moines Register journalists taking the mic to tell true, first-person stories. We believ…

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210 clip(s) in playlist

Phillip Sitter: I found peace in wartime visiting dear friend in Ukraine
How Des Moines Register reporter Phillip Sitter found himself in Ukraine in the midst of Russia's war to celebrate a friend's birthday. This story was first told during the Des Moines Storytellers Project's "Travel" on June 18, 2024, at Hoyt Sherman Place. The Des Moines Storytellers Project beli…
12:22
Diane Kolmer: How a trip to Paris helped me heal from an eating disorder, find new purpose
The doctor told Diane Kolmer she needed to take a break from her job to relearn to eat and live. A trip to Paris helped change her perspective. This story was first told during the Des Moines Storytellers Project's "Travel" on June 18, 2024, at Hoyt Sherman Place. The Des Moines Storytellers Proj…
13:50
Kory May: I forgot an essential item on vacation and learned an uncomfortable lesson
Kory May found racial profiling didn't stop at the Canadian border. This story was first told during the Des Moines Storytellers Project's "Travel" on June 18, 2024, at Hoyt Sherman Place. The Des Moines Storytellers Project believes everyone has a story and everyone can tell it. Des Moines Stor…
09:05
John Sorrell: How I found myself in the middle of a Turkish coup
John Sorrell landed in Turkey quite literally in the middle of a coup. How he leaned on curiosity to make it home safely. This story was first told during the Des Moines Storytellers Project's "Travel" on June 18, 2024, at Hoyt Sherman Place. The Des Moines Storytellers Project believes everyone …
08:34
Nicole Schrader: How this Iowan learned to make friends with her fear on vacation and in life
Nicole Schrader overcame vacation paralysis to find something meaningful. Now she embraces that fear to live a full life. This story was first told during the Des Moines Storytellers Project's "Travel" on June 18, 2024, at Hoyt Sherman Place. The Des Moines Storytellers Project believes everyone …
11:57
Deborah Svec-Carstens: How I built community through tragedy
Deborah Svec-Carstens found herself by being vulnerable with a tight-knit community in a foreign country after an assault. This story was first told during the Des Moines Storytellers Project's "Community" on Feb. 27, 2024 at Hoyt Sherman Place. The Des Moines Storytellers Project believes every…
15:21
Kenny Gaskin : How I help students find their voice as a Black teacher in Iowa
Kenny Gaskin spent his childhood looking up to his teachers. Now he's a teacher with DMPS inspiring students and building a classroom community. This story was first told during the Des Moines Storytellers Project's "Community" on Feb. 27, 2024 at Hoyt Sherman Place. The Des Moines Storytellers …
09:29
Jordan Brooks: How I use art to inspire and build a community
Jordan Brooks felt like he didn't belong — until he discovered art. Now he uses it to help others build their communities. This story was first told during the Des Moines Storytellers Project's "Community" on Feb. 27, 2024 at Hoyt Sherman Place. The Des Moines Storytellers Project believes every…
10:55
Erlin Kakkanad: My son's curiosity about skin color helped me embrace myself
Erlin Kakkanad wasn't embracing her true self when her son asked an innocent question: "Mama, why am I brown?" It led to a long journey of discovery. This story was first told during the Des Moines Storytellers Project's "Community" on Feb. 27, 2024 at Hoyt Sherman Place. The Des Moines Storytel…
15:48
Jim Sayers: How volunteering at an Iowa prison helped me build a community
Jim Sayers entered an Iowa prison thinking every inmate was the same. He left with a close-knit community. This story was first told during the Des Moines Storytellers Project's "Community" on Feb. 27, 2024 at Hoyt Sherman Place. The Des Moines Storytellers Project believes everyone has a story …
16:46