June 2025: Spicy!

Whatever you're into, food, humor, romance … How spicy do you like it?
Do your jokes make 'em blush? Does your chili cause a "fire in the hole?" Does your sex life need a little kung pao?

Listen as five storytellers cook up some peppery tales when Odyssey Storytelling presents: Spicy! Recorded live at 191 Toole in Tucson, Arizona.

The storytellers were:
Jackie Tran
Doug Levy
Liane Hernandez
Mel Blumenthal
Dr. Brett Jones

Produced by Angela Orlando
Curated by Steven Braun and Anna Marie Trester

This episode was recorded and produced by Odyssey Storytelling Podcast host, Steven Braun

The music appearing in this episode was:
"Kansas City Rag" by James Scott
"Surefire Rag" by Henry Lodge
"The Easy Winners" by Scott Joplin

Is that you in the corner? Is that you in the spotlight, losing or finding your religion? Consider this, consider standing on a stage, telling us your story. I thought that I heard them laughing. I thought that I heard them sing. I think I thought I heard applause. But that was just a dream.

The storytellers were:
Monica Elizabeth Bauer
Ron Lancaster
Terry Ahearn
Steven Braun
Ben Tyler
Justine Walford

Produced by Angela Orlando
Curated by Lewis Palmateer and Anna Marie Trester

This episode was recorded and produced by Odyssey Storytelling Podcast host, Steven Braun

The music appearing in this episode was:
"Kansas City Rag" by James Scott
"Surefire Rag" by Henry Lodge
"The Easy Winners" by Scott Joplin

Unbound by a set theme, anything is possible as five local storytellers shared thrilling adventures, unexpected journeys, and defining moments. Join us as we experience surprises, laughter, and—most of all—genuine connection as community members take the Odyssey stage to share their most remarkable true tales.

The storytellers were:
Dr. Nooshie Motaref
Jewels Weissmann
Roscoe Mutz
Susanne Lasseter
Laura Milkins

Produced by Roscoe Mutz
Curated by Mary Jo Pollack and Lisa Stafford

This episode was recorded and produced by Odyssey Storytelling Podcast host, Steven Braun

The music appearing in this episode was:
"Back to Life" by Charles Hunter
"Fluffy Ruffles" by C. Duanne Crabb
"The Easy Winners" by Scott Joplin

On February 6, 2025 five storytellers took the Odyssey stage with "Queens," sharing their unique interpretations of the theme. In this episode you will experience tales that explore facets of queenship, from the regal to the shocking to the amusing.

The storytellers were:
Alexandra "Spiritual Cloud" Gutierrez
Jennifer Teufel Schoenberger
Jennifer Blanco Thomas
Lisa Floran
Rick "Wind" Herrera

Produced by Angela Orlando
Curated by Laura Porfirio

This episode was recorded and produced by Odyssey Storytelling Podcast host, Steven Braun

The music appearing in this episode was:
"Swamptown Shuffle" by Henry W. Jones
"Surefire Rag" by /henry Lodge
"Sentimental Rag" by Mabel Tilton

Whether it's a person we love, a place we cherish, or even just a feeling, a Safe Space brings us peace throughout our life's journey. We rang in 2025, with six members of our Tucson community sharing about how they found their safe spaces!

The storytellers were:
Anna Darian
Jodi Engelberg
Ana Montanez
Elena Acoba
Emily Viola

Produced by Angela Orlando
Curated by Lewis Palmateer

The music appearing in this episode was:
"Kansas City Rag" by James Scott
"Dill Pickles Rag" by Charles Leslie Johnson
"Cannonball Rag" by Merle Travis

This episode was recorded and produced by Odyssey Storytelling Podcast host, Steven Braun

Upcycle: "The act of taking something no longer useful to you and giving it a second life and new function so that the finished product becomes more practical, valuable, and beautiful than it was."

Like turning wooden pallets into patio furniture, leaving a boring job for a new challenge, or saving your kitchen scraps to make beautiful compost. Have you upcycled a relationship lately? What needs to be upcycled in your life?

In this episode of the Odyssey Storytelling Podcast, seven storytellers relate their experiences of Upcycling. Those storytellers include:

Harrison Orr
Natasha Winnik
Mohammed Al-Sammak
Lynne Gillette
Jonathan Grinder
Carmelene Melani Siani

Produced and curated by Penelope Starr and Adam Hostetter

This episode was recorded and produced by Odyssey Storytelling Podcast host, Steven Braun

Strange sounds in the night. Eyes playing tricks (or not). Unexplained phenomena, or wading into unfamiliar territory. Whether you are creeped out or creeped on, enjoy this episode, recorded live at the Screening Room in Tucson, AZ on October 3rd, 2024, where our storytellers will share true stories of unease and fear, or endeavor to dispel general misconceptions of things typically defined as "Creepy."

Produced by Ana Montañez
Curated by Roscoe Mutz

Storytellers include:
Steven Braun
Mary Jo Pollack
Porter McDonald
Ames Granados
Brian Taraz, aka Satan
Candace Ballesteros
Molly McCloy (3-minute impromptu story)

This episode was recorded and produced by Odyssey Storytelling Podcast host, Steven Braun.

Manifestations … embodiments, surprises, gifts, appearances, things going from abstract to reality, findings. Stories about things that happen, sometimes conjured, sometimes unexpected.
On Thursday, September 5, 2024 7 Odyssey storytellers shared their experiences of release and realization, desire, and revelation.

Produced by Roscoe Mutz
Curated by Laura Porfirio

Storytellers include:
Jim Lipson
Jesseca Banchy
Elena Acoba
Niccole Radhe
Jill Hofer
Christina Oré and Ana Ghoreishian

This episode was recorded and produced by Odyssey Storytelling Podcast host, Steven Braun.