This was recorded Feb. 2, 2024, at the Next to Normal Story Slam at the McLean County Arts Center. The theme was “Kindness.”

This was recorded Feb. 2, 2024, at the Next to Normal Story Slam at the McLean County Arts Center. The theme was “Kindness.”

This was recorded Feb. 2, 2024, at the Next to Normal Story Slam at the McLean County Arts Center. The theme was “Kindness.”

This was recorded Feb. 2, 2024, at the Next to Normal Story Slam at the McLean County Arts Center. The theme was “Kindness.”

This was recorded Feb. 2, 2024, at the Next to Normal Story Slam at the McLean County Arts Center. The theme was “Kindness.”

This was recorded Feb. 2, 2024, at the Next to Normal Story Slam at the McLean County Arts Center. The theme was “Kindness.”

This was recorded Feb. 2, 2024, at the Next to Normal Story Slam at the McLean County Arts Center. The theme was “Kindness.”

Dennis Mennenga, telling a story about his anxiety in traveling to Las Vegas to work with the unhoused. This story was featured Nov. 10, 2023, at the Story Slam with the theme “Sweaty Palms.”

Terri Ryburn, telling a story about facing her fear of audiences by doing stand-up comedy. This story was featured Nov. 10, 2023, at the Story Slam with the theme “Sweaty Palms.”

Ann White, telling a story about getting detained by the police behind the Iron Curtain. This story was featured Nov. 10, 2023, at the Story Slam with the theme “Sweaty Palms.”

Carol Scott’s story. This story was featured Nov. 10, 2023, at the Story Slam with the theme “Sweaty Palms.”

Bruce Boeck, telling about conquering his fear of heights by not backing out of ziplining. This story was featured Nov. 10, 2023, at the Story Slam with the theme “Sweaty Palms.”

Chris Kaufman’s story. This story was featured Nov. 10, 2023, at the Story Slam with the theme “Sweaty Palms.”

Willie Holton Halbert's story was recorded at the Next to Normal Story Slam on Aug. 18, 2023, at the McLean County Arts Center in Bloomington.

Bill Rau's story was recorded at the Next to Normal Story Slam on Aug. 18, 2023, at the McLean County Arts Center in Bloomington.

Karla Bailey-Smith's story was recorded at the Next to Normal Story Slam on Aug. 18, 2023, at the McLean County Arts Center in Bloomington.

Kamorah Carter's story was recorded at the Next to Normal Story Slam on Aug. 18, 2023, at the McLean County Arts Center in Bloomington.

Diane Mather's story was recorded at the Next to Normal Story Slam on Aug. 18, 2023, at the McLean County Arts Center in Bloomington.

This story from Laurie Bergner was recorded May 5, 2023, during the Next to Normal Story Slam at the McLean County Arts Center in Bloomington. The night’s theme was “It seemed like a good idea at the time...” with all stories centered on that theme. Learn more about upcoming Story Slams at NexttoNormalStorySlam.com.

This story from Mollie Huisman was recorded May 5, 2023, during the Next to Normal Story Slam at the McLean County Arts Center in Bloomington. The night’s theme was “It seemed like a good idea at the time...” with all stories centered on that theme. Learn more about upcoming Story Slams at NexttoNormalStorySlam.com.

This story from Laura DiMascio was recorded May 5, 2023, during the Next to Normal Story Slam at the McLean County Arts Center in Bloomington. The night’s theme was “It seemed like a good idea at the time...” with all stories centered on that theme. Learn more about upcoming Story Slams at NexttoNormalStorySlam.com.

This story from Kim Tingley was recorded May 5, 2023, during the Next to Normal Story Slam at the McLean County Arts Center in Bloomington. The night’s theme was “It seemed like a good idea at the time...” with all stories centered on that theme. Learn more about upcoming Story Slams at NexttoNormalStorySlam.com.

This story from Karla Bailey Smith was recorded Feb. 10, 2023, during the Next to Normal Story Slam at the McLean County Arts Center in Bloomington. The night’s theme was “A brush with...” with all stories centered on that theme. Learn more about upcoming Story Slams at NexttoNormalStorySlam.com.

This story from Sally Hoffman was recorded Feb. 10, 2023, during the Next to Normal Story Slam at the McLean County Arts Center in Bloomington. The night’s theme was “A brush with...” with all stories centered on that theme. Learn more about upcoming Story Slams at NexttoNormalStorySlam.com.

This story from Joe Strupek was recorded Feb. 10, 2023, during the Next to Normal Story Slam at the McLean County Arts Center in Bloomington. The night’s theme was “A brush with...” with all stories centered on that theme. Learn more about upcoming Story Slams at NexttoNormalStorySlam.com.

This story from Mark Nielson was recorded Feb. 10, 2023, during the Next to Normal Story Slam at the McLean County Arts Center in Bloomington. The night’s theme was “A brush with...” with all stories centered on that theme. Learn more about upcoming Story Slams at NexttoNormalStorySlam.com.

This story from Lora Passetti was recorded Feb. 10, 2023, during the Next to Normal Story Slam at the McLean County Arts Center in Bloomington. The night’s theme was “A brush with...” with all stories centered on that theme. Learn more about upcoming Story Slams at NexttoNormalStorySlam.com.

This story from Kathi Davis was recorded Feb. 10, 2023, during the Next to Normal Story Slam at the McLean County Arts Center in Bloomington. The night’s theme was “A brush with...” with all stories centered on that theme. Learn more about upcoming Story Slams at NexttoNormalStorySlam.com.

This story from Dennis Mennenga was recorded Feb. 10, 2023, during the Next to Normal Story Slam at the McLean County Arts Center in Bloomington. The night’s theme was “A brush with...” with all stories centered on that theme. Learn more about upcoming Story Slams at NexttoNormalStorySlam.com.

This story from Scott Myers was recorded Feb. 10, 2023, during the Next to Normal Story Slam at the McLean County Arts Center in Bloomington. The night’s theme was “A brush with...” with all stories centered on that theme. Learn more about upcoming Story Slams at NexttoNormalStorySlam.com.

The Next To Normal Story Slam is back after its pandemic hiatus with a new schedule. Instead of every month, the Story Slam happens every three months at the McLean County Arts Center.

Now, another first-person story from the Next To Normal Story Slam and its special audio series, "Voices From the Pandemic."

Listen to the first episode of a new audio series from the folks at the Next To Normal Story Slam, called “Voices From The Pandemic.”

Bloomington-Normal community members shared their Animal Tales during the latest Next to Normal Story Slam on Feb. 28 at the McLean County Arts Center.

Bloomington-Normal community members shared their Animal Tales during the latest Next to Normal Story Slam on Feb. 28 at the McLean County Arts Center.

Bloomington-Normal community members shared their Animal Tales during the latest Next to Normal Story Slam on Feb. 28 at the McLean County Arts Center.

Bloomington-Normal community members shared their Animal Tales during the latest Next to Normal Story Slam on Feb. 28 at the McLean County Arts Center.

Bloomington-Normal community members shared their Animal Tales during the latest Next to Normal Story Slam on Feb. 28 at the McLean County Arts Center.

Bloomington-Normal community members shared their Animal Tales during the latest Next to Normal Story Slam on Feb. 28 at the McLean County Arts Center.

Bloomington-Normal community members shared their "Aha Moment" or “Eureka!” stories during the latest Next to Normal Story Slam on Jan. 24 at the McLean County Arts Center.

Bloomington-Normal community members shared their "Aha Moment" or “Eureka!” stories during the latest Next to Normal Story Slam on Jan. 24 at the McLean County Arts Center.

Bloomington-Normal community members shared their "Aha Moment" or “Eureka!” stories during the latest Next to Normal Story Slam on Jan. 24 at the McLean County Arts Center.