Beyond Borders Storytelling

Despite being a very contented B+ student, Aparna engages in a tense rivalry with an overachieving nemesis

JP makes the most of his sad brush with fame.

Newly divorced and following her dream, Julie takes a 3am red-eye to LA to change her life.

Growing up Maureen wanted to be a famous fabulous singer so she reached out to her idol for some tips.

Shinita’s anxiety about deploying for a two-year Peace Corps Volunteer stint in Kenya is made worse by a fellow volunteer-to-be who is a gushing fountain of optimism for their upcoming adventure.

Growing up in Minnesota Vijay often felt like a fish out of water, but at college he finally felt like he had a place and successful role models to lookup to or so he thinks

Janet's friends have been telling her for years that they love her stories. This December she finally threw her hat in the ring and joined the Beyond Borders Storytelling lineup for our Gift Story Jam. This was her first time on stage. As she entered the theater that night she was consumed by nervousness, but a last-minute tip changes her perspective and she goes on to nail her debut story, "Bosses Behaving Badly". Janet shares what it was like preparing for her first show, the reaction of her friends who saw her perform and the tip that changed the scales that night. You can watch to Janet tell her story, "Bosses Behaving Badly" on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhFBQldzAeo Interview By Will Spargur Edited By Will Spargur

At the last story jam I helped produced a few weeks ago, Ian Lovejoy shared the perfect gift giving story about a special present he got his wife one Christmas. So, for everyone who thinks they got the perfect give for a (friend/spouse/family) but are having reservations…. Ian's story is for you. Every year Ian struggles to find a Christmas present for his wife. One year he’s convinced he’s come up with the perfect gift.

Just this week Mike Sela was one of the finalists to perform in the Moth Grand Slam at the Castro Theater. We are sooooo proud, amazed and, awed because in February, on a whim he pitched a story to us about his unique way of making friends. This was his first time on stage but from go had us wrapped around his finger just being himself. Here’s the spark that lit the fire. And if you want to join us on stage, check out our website for details of upcoming storytelling workshops and story jams

A woman in search of her dreams at Grace Cathedral cannot seem to fall asleep

Adriana Calambas was nervous just coming to our workshop. Telling a story scared her on many levels. She’s introverted, quiet and English is her second language to name a few. She never thought she would end up on stage. But last year she did just that. It’s a great story how she faced her fears one step at a time until she was standing behind a mic. You can what her performance on youtube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzHchVEpzAw

We caught up with Jeff Frenster, one of our corporate clients and later a veteran of our stage, to find out what he thought about Beyond Borders Storytelling's corporate offerings. Here's what he had to say. Interview with Justina Wu

It took Nicky two years but she finally built up the courage to tell a story on stage. Better late than never. Hear what gave Nicky her final push to tell her story at our August Story Jam. Interview By Will Spargur Edited By Will Spargur

Mike Sela told a story on stage for the first time at our Obsessed Story Jam in February. A week later he told the same story at The Moth--and won! He says he could not have won without the coaching and guidance he received from Beyond Borders Storytelling.  For this month's podcast we talk to Mike about how he went from being terrified of telling a story on stage to finding himself toe to toe with the best storytellers in the Bay Area. You can view the story Mike told at our Feb 2019 Obsessed Story Jam on youtube here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gE34VQChDFk If you'd like to join us on stage you can pitch your story here http://tinyurl.com/bbsstorypitch

We went behind the scenes with the ever-vibrant Jenn Lo, who bravely tried storytelling for the first time at our Good Times Story Jam in December. Check out this animated podcast where we pick her brain about how she decided to do it, why she chickened out, and her advice for dealing with every storyteller’s worst nightmare: forgetting what to say next. Interview By Will Spargur Edited By Will Spargur

Before his first storytelling performance at our Demons Story Jam last month, Jay Nunez said he felt like his story was not worth anything. He was afraid no one would laugh or be interested in it. So, it was a surprise when, after telling his story, a woman gave him a hug and thanked him because she had a similar experience. In this podcast Jay talks about what motivated him to come to his first workshop and how that environment helped him feel connected with his fellow storytellers to a larger cause. Interview By Will Spargur Edited By Will Spargur

The death of Will's father just as he is starting his Peace Corps Service in Swaziland leads him on a journey of what family means

A yoga demonstration goes horribly wrong

Speaking chinglish and morals about not being afraid to open your mouth.