In this fourth episode of Season 3, ATM STORYTELLERS features two compelling works, the first a work of fiction that argues sometimes we can’t change without first being destroyed.:“The Invitation” by Carolynn Kingyens. And that is followed by an essay that acts as an ode to the empowering, feminist masterpieces penned by Betty Friedan and Maggie Doherty: “Feminine Mystique : How Betty Friedan and Maggie Doherty Upended My World” by Claire Wilcox.

Carolynn Kingyens is the author of two poetry collections: Before the Big Bang Makes a Sound and the newly released Coupling, both published by Kelsay Books (Coupling is available on Amazon). In addition to poetry, Kingyens writes essays, book and film reviews, micro fiction, and short stories. Today, she lives in New York and Canada with her husband and two amazing daughters.

Claire Wilcox is an addiction psychiatrist, associate professor of translational neuroscience and writer. She has published essays in the El Portal Literary Journal, Wilderness House Literary Review, New Mexico Wilderness Alliance and elsewhere. She has also written articles for the Santa Fe Reporter, Psychology Today and Science in the News. She authored the book Food Addiction, Obesity and Disorders of Overeating: An Evidence-Based Assessment and Clinical Guide, published by Springer in 2021, and numerous academic articles.

In this third episode of Season 3, we feature an enticing piece of fiction and an inspiring work of nonfiction. First up is a work of flash fiction that acts as an ode to grief, and to queerness, “Lifeway Christian” by Lauren Saxon. That is followed by a deeply affecting recounting of a life lived with cystic fibrosis, “Your Pity Isn’t Welcome Here” by Drew Dotson.

Lauren Saxon is a queer, Black poet and engineer living in Portland, ME. She loves her cats, her Subaru, and spends way too much time on twitter (@Lsax_235). Lauren’s work has been featured in many literary journals and her debut chapbook, “You’re My Favorite” is out now with Thirty West Publishing.

Drew Dotson is an Atlanta-based author who uses her experience with cystic fibrosis, widowhood, and improv to inspire and uplift others. She writes regularly at www.drewdotson.com and is working on a memoir.

In this second episode of Season 3, we feature a story entitled “Ricky and I” by Alan Swyer in which a lifelong friendship is laid bare; the tale of a journey through the years with one of America’s most storied magicians. This is an insider, real life story of famed magician Ricky Jay as told by one of his nearest and dearest.

Alan Swyer is an award-winning filmmaker whose recent documentaries have dealt with Eastern spirituality in the Western world, the criminal justice system, diabetes, boxing, and singer Billy Vera, plus a new one called “When Houston Had The Blues.” In the realm of music, among his productions is an album of Ray Charles love songs. His novel The Beard was recently published by Harvard Square Editions.