Podcast

Episodes of the No, YOU Tell It! Podcast

Episode 51 – a Muse (Part 1)

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First up, Pichchenda Bao’s “Speak, Muse” contemplates the roles we are assigned in life and the roles we adopt: refugee, American, daughter, mother, artist, citizen; the compromises we make for survival and the ways we interpret silence, and ultimately how we can expand, not contract, our relationship to each other and the world.

Read for us here by Carolyn Castiglia.

Story partners: Pichchenda Bao and Carolyn Castiglia

Switching it up, in Carolyn Castiglia’ s story “A Friend Request,” the author looks back at a time in her early twenties when she chose comfort over vulnerability and suffering over fulfillment. A small gesture reminds her how people who pass through our lives can show back up on our radar years later to remind us how we’ve weathered life’s storms.

For this 2019 Brooklyn Book Festival event, we partnered with The Astoria Bookshop for a special evening of poets and comedians trading true tales inspired by the theme “aMuse.” Stories performed live on September 17th, 2019.

“Speak, Muse” was directed by Kelly Jean Fitzsimmons.

“A Friend Request” was directed by Erika Iverson.

Podcast narrated by Kelly Jean Fitzsimmons.

September 24, 2019 1 comment Podcast Tags: , , , ,

Episode 50 – Pride and “Snapped!” Bonus

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In celebration of Pride and the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising, for this, our 50th podcast episode, we wanted to share some of our favorite LGBTQ stories from years past.

First up, from our recent “Snapped!” show at Dixon Place, a drag queen offers handy advice about standing one’s ground in “Lessons from The Queen,” written by Robb Leigh Davis and read for us here by story partner and Lambda Literary fellow, Mariam Bazeed.

Pride. Drag Queens. Courage. It’s all in there.

Click here to read Robb’s story, recently published on The Good Men Project.

Left: Robb Leigh Davis and story partner Mariam Bazeed. Right (top to bottom): Nicholas Maistros, Jeff Wills, Ariel Mahler, and Erika Iverson directs Molly Touger.

Next up, we revisit a show from our previous longtime home, Jimmy’s No. 43 in the East Village.  Author Nicholas Maistros writes of unexpected revelations during a visit with his mother in “Collecting.” Read for us here by his story partner, Jeff Wills, as part of our “Outdated” show.

Click here to give a listen to Nick read Jeff Will’s story “Lost Track” in Episode 41. 

Finally, a superfan desperately wants to connect with the Wonderful Wizard of YouTube, Todrick Hall, in Ariel Mahler’s story “Under the Rainbow, Over the Sea.” Presented here by Ariel’s story partner Molly Touger for our “Blowback” show.

Switching it up, click here to hear Ariel’s performance of Molly Touger’s “And in Local News…” in Episode 37

Speaking their partner’s piece aloud gives a No, YOU Tell It! storyteller the chance to step into another person’s shoes and experience their story on stage, a powerful way to amplify queer voices at a time when their true-life tales need to be heard and shared more than ever.

If you enjoyed these stories, please help us spread the word and share them with your podcasting-loving friends!

June 28, 2019 Post Comment Podcast Tags: , , , , , , ,

Episode 49 – Snapped! Queer Storytelling with a Twist

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What begins as a simple cab ride to the airport becomes a shifting contest of power, imagination, and identity in Naomi Gordon-Loebl’s “Can I See It?” read by Kent D. Wolf in the first half of this special team-up show with Lambda Literary in celebration of Pride and the 50th Anniversary of the Stonewall uprising.

This story swap, recorded live at Dixon Place on June 11th, 2019, was directed by Mike Dressel who was also our host for the evening.
Story partners Naomi Gordon-Loebl and Kent D. Wolf

Top left: Naomi Gordon-Loebl and Kent D. Wolf; Top right: Naomi Gordon-Loebl; Bottom left: Kent and Naomi; Bottom right: Hugs! Photo credit: David Trudo

Switching it up, in Kent D. Wolf’s story, escape from the isolation of Midwestern farm life lies in a plane ticket for a semester abroad, but first, he must negotiate permission and withstand the disappointment of both parents. Here is Naomi Gordon-Loebl reading “July 1995.”

Click here to see the full set of “Snapped!” photos and LIKE our page on Facebook for more!

June 20, 2019 1 comment Podcast Tags: , , , , , ,

Episode 48 – Crafty (Part 2)

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Restoring old chairs and cooking dinner may first appear to be common creative acts but stripped down resides a pair of stories about life, death, near death, and second chances.

First up, celebrated author Rebecca Chace (Leaving Rock Harbor, June Sparrow and the Million Dollar Penny) revisits a true-life tale she previously thought of as complete. Here is “Painting Chairs” read live – aboveground N train and all – by Ruthy Kirwan in the second half of our “Crafty” show at The Astoria Bookshop.

Click here to check out the previous version of “Painting Chairs” originally published in The Common, June 27, 2012.

Upper left: Ruthy Kirwan Right: Rebecca Chace

Switching it up, an accomplished chef prepares for a picture-perfect entry in motherhood but is sidelined by postpartum depression. Ruthy Kirwan, author of the recently released “The Healthy Sheet Pan Cookbook,” gives us a glimpse into the unseen ingredients that go into a mother’s recipes.

Give a listen to “Tuna Casserole” read for us here by Rebecca Chace.

March 13, 2019 1 comment Podcast Tags: , , ,

Episode 47 – Crafty (Part 1)

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The stress of planning and executing a family vacation to Las Vegas leaves the narrator of Vaughn M. Watson’s story with a need to escape, resulting in a low-key cannabis caper.

From the first half of our “Crafty” show performed live at The Astoria Bookshop, whoosh of the nearby N train and all, here is Marianthy Karantzes reading “Getting Crafty at the Dispensary.” Directed by Erika Iverson.

Top left: Marianthy Karantzes, right: Vaughn M. Watson

Switching it up, the familiar of rhythms of vacation life on the coast of the Ionian sea lull the protagonist of our next story into a sense of security, until the clues that something may be amiss become too hard to ignore.

Vaughn M. Watson reads “Her Own Personal Ithaca” by Marianthy Karantzes. Directed by Mike Dressel.

Stories were performed live on 2/27/19. Podcast episode narrated by Mike Dressel.

No, YOU Tell It! “Crafty” was made possible (in part) by the Queens Council on the Arts with public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.

March 5, 2019 Post Comment Podcast Tags: , , , ,

Episode 46 – Schooled

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pictured left to right: Tiffany L. Berryman, Andrew Condouris, Eliot Schrefer

Since our own Kelly Jean Fitzsimmons started No, YOU Tell It! six, WOW, yes, six years ago one of her favorite things has been going out to Fairleigh Dickinson University to switch-up stories with students, faculty, and alums from their Creative Writing MFA program.

Earlier this summer, authors Tiffany L. Berryman, Andrew Condouris, and Eliot Schrefer were given the theme “Schooled” to inspire this terrific trio of true-life tales. We all worked together to develop their pieces on the page. Then, on the final morning of FDU’s summer writing residency, they took to the stage to perform each other’s stories:

The Sky Under the Umbrella

written by Eliot Schrefer

performed by Tiffany L. Berryman

 

Every Witch Way

written by Tiffany L. Berryman

performed by Andrew Condouris

 

The Turtle

written by Andrew Condouris

performed by Eliot Schrefer

 

Stories were performed live on Sunday, August 5th, 2018 at FDU. Directed by Kelly Jean Fitzsimmons.

Click here for more pics and to learn more about our switched-up storytellers.

August 14, 2018 Post Comment Podcast

Episode 45 – Mayday (Part 2)

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Angela Cobb’s story is a romantic liaison set against the backdrop of Hurricane Sandy. After the storm subsides, she finds the attempt to recapture that intimacy fraught and even the best-laid plans might require a “Plan B.”

Kicking off the second half of our “Mayday” show, recorded live at The Astoria Bookshop on May 10th, Ryan Holmes performs.

Left: Ryan Holmes and Angela Cobb. Right: Great crowd at The Astoria Bookshop.

Now, switching it up, the narrator of our next story finds his inability to refuse another wedding invitation leading to a series of embarrassing social interactions, forced mirth, and ultimately, a dark conclusion. Here’s Angela Cobb performing “Terror in Virginia” written by Ryan Holmes.

  • Stories directed by Mike Dressel
  • Evening hosted by Kelly Jean Fitzsimmons
  • Podcast narrated by Mike Dressel

For more info on Angela Cobb’s upcoming shows visit

  • Twitter: @angelacobb
  • Instagram: @angelacobbcomedy
  • Facebook: @ Angela Cobb Comedy

Ryan Holmes is the host of the Internet radio show and podcast, BlazinRy Radio, visit http://blazinryradio.com or download the podcast for free at http://bit.ly/blazinryitunes.

May 22, 2018 1 comment Podcast Tags: , ,

Episode 44 – Mayday (Part 1)

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In the first half of our “Mayday” show, recorded live at The Astoria Bookshop on May 10th, Allison Escoto is forced to listen to an unexpected SOS of the heart. Here is M. Skye Holly reading, “Vessel in Distress.”

Top left: M. Skye Holly. Right: Allison Escoto. Group left to right: Kelly Jean Fitzsimmons, M. Skye Holly, Angel Cobb, Ryan Holmes, Allison Escoto, and Mike Dressel

Switching it up, M. Skye Holly goes back to school to receive her MFA in Creative Writing from Fairleigh Dickinson University and learns the difference between the family you’re given and the family you make. Allison Escoto reads, “Higher Degrees of Grief.”

  • Stories directed by Erika Iverson
  • Evening hosted by Kelly Jean Fitzsimmons
  • Podcast narrated by Mike Dressel

Part 2 is coming soon! SUBSCRIBE and SHARE our Podcast today!

May 15, 2018 1 comment Podcast Tags: , ,

Episode 43 – Wild Card (Part 2)

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A young man’s obsessive quest to complete a set of Batman trading cards embroils his extended family in a hunt across the borough of Queens.

First up, from our Wild Card show, Raquel Penzo presents Roger Nassar’s story “The Elusive Card #66”

Left to right: Raquel Penzo, Wild Card artwork by Sarah Gentile, Roger Nasser

Switching it up, author Raquel Penzo’s mother once warned her that the second child is usually “spirited” because it has the potential to be a middle child. With the birth of her second daughter, it seems mom really does know best…

Here’s Roger Nasser reading “My Almost Jan Brady.”

These stories were performed live at Jimmy’s No. 43 on Wed, September 17th, 2014.  Curious what our storytellers have been up to since they traded their true-life tales?

This Saturday, Dec 2nd, is special holiday episode (#26) of It’s Getting Tired Mildred, the serial soap opera for the stage created by Roger Nasser and performing monthly at Under St. Marks, NYC.

Raquel I. Penzo is a writer, editor, and literary event curator. Visit La Pluma y La Tinta, which started with three women workshopping stories in a Brooklyn, New York living room, and morphed into an organization focused on inspiring, elevating, and shining a spotlight on diverse writers and poets. Discover readings, workshops, panel discussions, get inspiration & more. Plus, they post tons of great job postings follow on Twitter @laplumaytinta & Facebook fb.me/laplumaylatinta

 

November 30, 2017 Post Comment Podcast Tags: , , , ,

Episode 42 – My First

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Give a listen to this alternate No, YOU Guess It?! version of our show featuring switched-up stories from students, faculty, and alums of Fairleigh Dickinson University’s MFA in Creative Writing program. Plus, our own Kelly Jean talks about her inspiration behind creating No, YOU Tell It!

These six stories, inspired by the theme “My First,” were written by Aminah Abutayeb, Hayden Bergman, Walter Cummins, Anthony Gramuglia, Amanda Ramirez,  and Gracelyn Weaver. But not in that order! Part of the fun is guessing who wrote what??

“Into the Rapids” artwork by Letisia Cruz. Click here to see more pictures and artwork from FDU’s “My First” show on our Facebook page. And please LIKE us while you’re there!

The stories – My First Plaster & J Sandwich, Sight, Travelers & Malibu, Into the Rapids, The First Time, and My First Failed Driving Exam – were recorded live on August 6th, 2017 as part of FDU’s summer writing residency.

 

September 18, 2017 Post Comment Podcast Tags: , , ,
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