Urban Tellers Backstory

When you wake up to who you are and what really matters to you, it can send you down some avenues you never expected to travel. Warren's story, "Falling for MacGuffin", is about faith and how he found it after years of resisting. Lynne Duddy and Lawrence Howard talk with Warren McPherson about his story, his beliefs and how how he has found faith in some very unexpected places. MAY THE NARRATIVE BE WITH YOU!

Nyimoch tells her story, "Crossing The Forbidden Line" about why she made the choice to abandon the hostile culture that she grew up with. Then she talks with Lynne Duddy and Lawrence Howard about her belief that women should be able to choose who they decide to love and marry. It's a fascinating look into the realities of a a culture unfamiliar to many in the United States. MAY THE NARRATIVE BE WITH YOU®

Practicing interconnectedness as spirituality has led Bernal on some pretty unforgettable adventures. He migrated to the US from Guatemala in 1990 seeking asylum and now works with these populations including unaccompanied children -- it's a full circle of sorts in a field that can deplete the most seasoned workers. Lynne Duddy and Lawrence Howard talk with Bernal Cruz-Munoz about his story "Love That Name" and how he has found hope and inspiration in unexpected places.

Audience favorite, Lynn Fitch, sits down with Lynne Duddy and Lawrence Howard to talk about what it means to enter the third act of life, retirement, aging, and how to cope with this major transition that no one really talks about. First you'll hear "Into the Great Wide Open" followed by an intimate, revealing conversation with Lynn Fitch. MAY THE NARRATIVE BE WITH YOU®

Marisol's story, "A Mother’s Mantra," is something we can all relate to: our mother's influence on our lives. In this story, decisions transformed a relationship between a mother and a daughter, creating a bond like no other. Lynne Duddy and Lawrence Howard talk with Marisol about her experience discovering and crafting this story. MAY THE NARRATIVE BE WITH YOU®

Lawrence Howard and Lynne Duddy sit down with Ruiguan Gao to talk with her about her amazing story about a secret that her family kept for 7 years. She has struggled with this secret for 26 years. This secret is like a scar growing within her since she was a baby. This secret is about breaking, hiding, fear, struggle, and blame; it is also about protection, support, understanding, empathy and love.

Mary shares her story, "Breaking The Sound Barrier" about how her anticipated peace of retirement is invaded by a neighbor’s sound system. Then she talks with Lynne Duddy and Lawrence Howard about how even calm and loving people can be driven to the edge of sanity. Ultimately, it means making radical change to take care of yourself. MAY THE NARRATIVE BE WITH YOU®

Jamie Shanahan, who uses her maiden name as her pen name, shares her story about how opposites attract, and it ends - as all comedies do - with a wedding. Jamies talks with Lynne Duddy and Lawrence Howard about how she found her way past dysfunction to a healthy way of life.

Jiao's story touches on some of those things in life that we think we hate but that turn out to be something truly wonderful - such a surprise! And like so many things in life, is tied to her complex relationship with her mother. Jiao shares her heartfelt story and then talks with Lynne Duddy and Lawrence Howard giving us all a glimpse into her struggle for self-identity within the context of family and societal norms. MAY THE NARRATIVE BE WITH YOU®

Preethi Srinivas tells her story "Pretty Young Thing" about what it was like to grow up as a dark skinned girl in a fair skinned obsessed country. Then she talks with Lynne Duddy and Lawrence Howard about her experience in Portland, Oregon that redefined her concept of her beauty. Never did she think that she would find the idea of beauty preserved so differently in different parts of the world. MAY THE NARRATIVE BE WITH YOU®

Rodrigo Aguirre, Perseverance Rodrigo's story, Perseverance, is about how he chose to self-exile in the US after a lifetime journey plagued by obstacles and denial of his personal identity. Through hardship and pain, he found in Portland what was necessary for him to experience a life worth living. He talks with Lynne Duddy and Lawrence Howard about his years of working towards a master’s degree in teaching and how he now works as an elementary school teacher. MAY THE NARRATIVE BE WITH YOU®

As both writer and storyteller, Leigh Hancock is fascinated with how our memories and stories shape who we are. This story, "Peaches," is about revisiting fond memories only to discover that the reality is something very different than the memory. Leigh talks with Lynne Duddy and Lawrence Howard about her process for creating a story, getting to the heart of what matters to her, and how this story triggered some deeply held memories.

Anto shares his story, "Home Is Where I Don't Belong," a story about how he discovered that he should appreciate what he no longer has. Then he talks with Lynne Duddy and Lawrence Howard about the reasons he came to the US, how he is coping with the realities of life here, and what Bali will always be home.

Lily Ningsih-Waldman shares her story "The Voice" about the prejudices she faced coming to America with limited skills in English. In her journey from ESL classes at PCC to graduating with high honors from Lewis & Clark College, she discovered something about herself that had been long suppressed. She talks with Lynne Duddy and Lawrence Howard about this discovery and how it transformed her life.

Yes, the book "Black Beauty" is definitely a gateway drug for little girls to discover who they are. This is the story of a horse who appeared as if by magic and taught Joan-Carrol to anticipate the delights of the universe. Joan-Carrol talks with Lynne Duddy and Lawrence Howard about the ways she is resilient and how she has continued to develop that throughout her life.

There are times when life's journey opens to allow us to touch the tender places and wash the pain of the past with the rains of new beginnings. Amanda talks with Lynne Duddy and Lawrence Howard about how she found her way to work that inspires courage and empowers lives.

There is no "us" and "them" and Maria-Luisa’s point of view makes that clear. Her story takes us from a sense of belonging in Argentina to having to pretend when she arrives in Portland, Oregon. In conversation with Lynne Duddy and Lawrence Howard she talks about how she has finally found her true voice and spirit within herself.

Sometimes there’s no GPS. But Chuck McConnell knows that the only way to travel is by trial and error, cut and try, look and loop back. Chuck shares his story, The Last Place I Knew Where I Was, and then talks with Lynne Duddy and Lawrence Howard about what draws him to storytelling and how he's finding his way back to himself. MAY THE NARRATIVE BE WITH YOU®

Dana Dennis, a geriatric social worker, shares the story of a woman who taught her to love in new ways and to cherish the right of others to make choices in their own lives. Then Dana talks with Lynne Duddy and Lawrence Howard about her love of storytelling and what drew her to this amazing artform. MAY THE NARRATIVE BE WITH YOU®

Steve shares his story of how he loved and cared for his dying wife, Amy, through her battle with breast cancer. Then he talks with Lynne Duddy and Lawrence Howard about this was the toughest job he ever had, how fighting cancer is definitely a team effort and ultimately, it involves loving and caring for your self. MAY THE NARRATIVE BE WITH YOU®

After a lifetime of being a “good girl”, this summer Leah Carey threw out all the rules and departed on a year-long road trip around the country, landing in Portland just in time to take the Art of Personal Narrative workshop with Portland Story Theater. Leah talks with Lynne Duddy and Lawrence Howard about how all along the way, she has been rediscovering her long-buried sense of fun, adventure, and sexuality.

Samuel Willoughby (Samiel Willowbee) shares his story about searching for his biological mother in Guatemala. Then Samuel talks with Lynne Duddy and Lawrence Howard about how his biological brother found him through this story and how they met for the first time in Sweden. MAY THE NARRATIVE BE WITH YOU®

People always say, “It is just politics; don’t take it personal.” But for Zahra Abukar's family the current political climate is very personal! Zahra shares her heartfelt story and then talks with Lynne Duddy and Lawrence Howard giving us all a glimpse into her struggle for self-identity in a world that continues to try to fit her into pre-defined boxes. MAY THE NARRATIVE BE WITH YOU®

Eva shares her story, Accidental Immigrant. Originally from Venezuela, Eva Rotter-Johnson talks with Lynne Duddy and Lawrence Howard about how empathy plays a role in our daily connections in our community. MAY THE NARRATIVE BE WITH YOU®

The relationship with our mothers can be complicated. Sometimes it can take years before we can assert ourselves. But when you finally put your foot down, what could happen? Gigi Rosenberg talks with Lynne Duddy and Lawrence Howard about her approach to story crafting and the backstory for finally setting some boundaries.

Donna shares her story, The Shadow Behind The Light, about working behind the scenes in the spiritual / self-help realm and how she learned that there are sometimes huge gaps between between spiritual leaders' public personas and their private behavior. Then Donna talks with Lynne Duddy and Lawrence Howard about how she got deeply swept up by a particularly dark charismatic teacher and why she decided to tell her story.

Amy shares her story of how she made the startling discovery that she could not, in fact, solve every problem herself. Then she talks with Lynne Duddy and Lawrence Howard about how even the fiercely independent and the most eminently rational people eventually face the need for a new source of wisdom. Ultimately, it involves radical empathy for yourself. MAY THE NARRATIVE BE WITH YOU®

Carrying the burden of childhood fibs can weigh heavily on the spirit. Finally, at 60, as Jeff Burke enters the third act of his life, he is able to tell the story of family dynamics and how he came to forgive himself. Jeff Burke visits the Story House to talk with Lynne Duddy and Lawrence Howard about his story, how it came to be, and what it means to him today.

Many of us hold certain standards of beauty dictated by the cultural norms all around us. It takes a lot of courage to find your own definition of beauty to live by. Sukita sits down with Lawrence Howard and Lynne Duddy to talk about that process and how she came to tell this story at Portland Story Theater's Urban Tellers.

Who are we really? Were we once the persona of the name we claimed? What happens after our names are taken from us? Sifting through his life experiences, Frank sits down with Lynne Duddy and Lawrence Howard to explore his identify through the names he has had throughout his life. MAY THE NARRATIVE BE WITH YOU®

Stefanie shares her story of battling an escalator, an ego, and a broken heart. Then she talks with Lynne Duddy and Lawrence Howard about how she has spent her has been working on the delicate balance between helping others and helping herself. MAY THE NARRATIVE BE WITH YOU®

Kathy Gillis tells her coming-of-age story about playing the hand you are given, making choices and discovering the light within. Then she shares the experience she had discovering and crafting this story with Lynne Duddy and Lawrence Howard of Portland Story Theater. MAY THE NARRATIVE BE WITH YOU®

Since childhood, Yashar Vasef has tackled issues of identity. Most importantly, he is coming to grips with the empowerment that comes through owning a label. Yashar shares his story and then talks with Lynne Duddy and Lawrence Howard of Portland Story Theater about how he came to tell this story. MAY THE NARRATIVE BE WITH YOU®

Beth Rogers comes from a clan of feisty “Pittsburgh Irish” who learned quite a lot about life from her father, including how to box. Beth shares her story about her relationship with her father... even with the ghost of her father, and then talks with Lynne Duddy and Lawrence Howard of Portland Story Theater. MAY THE NARRATIVE BE WITH YOU®

Julie Rosenberg's story takes place during a 10-day Vipassana meditation retreat. In a profound and hilarious process of self-discovery, Julie shares her story and then talks with Lynne Duddy and Lawrence Howard of Portland Story Theater. MAY THE NARRATIVE BE WITH YOU®

Jim Fairchild has had multiple sclerosis (MS) aka Margaret Swanson for almost 20 years. In this episode he talks with Lynne Duddy and Lawrence Howard about the events that led him to tell this story and how he uses story to navigate the ups and downs of living with MS. MAY THE NARRATIVE BE WITH YOU®

The folly of youth, when you often lack good sense, understanding and foresight can be a long the road to forgiveness. Lynn Fitch talks with Lynne Duddy and Lawrence Howard about her approach to story crafting and the backstory on her path to forgiveness. MAY THE NARRATIVE BE WITH YOU®

Sometimes we get lucky and are given the kind of father-love that gives us the resilience to live life to the max. Talen Nikolai Moe talks with Lynne Duddy and Lawrence Howard of Portland Story Theater about his creative process aka 'The Moe Method,' and the story behind his relationship with his Grandfather Petter. MAY THE NARRATIVE BE WITH YOU®

What you think is just a secret creative project can have a much more lasting impact. Beth Duckles talks with Lynne Duddy and Lawrence Howard of Portland Story Theater about how her selfie-a-day project gave her much more than she expected. MAY THE NARRATIVE BE WITH YOU®

What does God expect from us? What does Mom expect? What does “perfect” mean and where do we go when we die? Stay tuned for the answers to these and other important questions when David Dale shares his story and then talks with Lynne Duddy and Lawrence Howard of Portland Story Theater. MAY THE NARRATIVE BE WITH YOU®

Urban Tellers® features a story followed by an in-depth, unscripted interview with the storyteller. Listeners get to hear the story, plus an inside view into the person, their process, and the story behind the story. Produced by PDX Story Theater and Sweetlime Productions