Des Moines Storytellers Project

Guillermo Romano Ibarra's friend, Justin, was there for him in ways he couldn't anticipate when he was seriously injured in a crash. Guillermo told this story during the Des Moines Storytellers Project's “Generosity” on Dec. 13, 2022 at Hoyt Sherman Place.  The Des Moines Storytellers Project believes everyone has a story and everyone can tell it.  Des Moines Storytellers Project events are filled...

Yenny Soley felt alone coming to the U.S. from Venezuela. The kindness of two strangers that would become like family helped turn her life around. Yenny told this story during the Des Moines Storytellers Project's “Generosity” on Dec. 13, 2022 at Hoyt Sherman Place.  The Des Moines Storytellers Project believes everyone has a story and everyone can tell it.  Des Moines Storytellers Project events...

Rusty Johnson couldn't have survived without the help of his many foster parents, teachers, neighbors and others who supported him along the way. Rusty told this story during the Des Moines Storytellers Project's “Generosity” on Dec. 13, 2022 at Hoyt Sherman Place.  The Des Moines Storytellers Project believes everyone has a story and everyone can tell it.  Des Moines Storytellers Project events a...

A friend helped pay for Stevie Lang's therapy, which put her on a new path in life. Stevie told this story during the Des Moines Storytellers Project's “Generosity” on Dec. 13, 2022 at Hoyt Sherman Place.  The Des Moines Storytellers Project believes everyone has a story and everyone can tell it.  Des Moines Storytellers Project events are filled with neighbors and notables who have a true, first-...

Patsy Shors was out on her brother's paper route when a stranger offered them a ride. The mysterious woman ended up giving them hundreds of dollars in cash. Patsy told this story during the Des Moines Storytellers Project's “Generosity” on Dec. 13, 2022 at Hoyt Sherman Place.  The Des Moines Storytellers Project believes everyone has a story and everyone can tell it.  Des Moines Storytellers Proje...

Billy Weathers, also known as B.WELL, the artist and philanthropist will not compromise until his vision is realized. But his obsession stems beyond that. Billy told this story during the Des Moines Storytellers Project's “Obsessions" on Oct. 25, 2022 at Hoyt Sherman Place.  The Des Moines Storytellers Project believes everyone has a story and everyone can tell it.  Des Moines Storytellers Project...

Cody Goodwin lived and breathed wrestling for 14 years — but he hated it. Now an award-winning journalist at the Des Moines Register, he's fallen back in love with the sport. Cody told this story during the Des Moines Storytellers Project's “Obsessions" on Oct. 25, 2022 at Hoyt Sherman Place.  You can follow his reporting at DesMoinesRegister.com . The Des Moines Storytellers Project believes ever...

Tim Johnson made it his mission to let no Iowan go hungry. His life's calling came after he nearly drowned in Puerto Rico. Tim told this story during the Des Moines Storytellers Project's “Obsessions" on Oct. 25, 2022 at Hoyt Sherman Place.  The Des Moines Storytellers Project believes everyone has a story and everyone can tell it.  Des Moines Storytellers Project events are filled with neighbors...

From an imaginary duck friend named Bego to a children's museum — How Julie Burtnette's imagination has added magic to her life. Julie told this story during the Des Moines Storytellers Project's “Obsessions" on Oct. 25, 2022 at Hoyt Sherman Place.  The Des Moines Storytellers Project believes everyone has a story and everyone can tell it.  Des Moines Storytellers Project events are filled with ne...

It took a two-year stay in federal prison for Randy Brown to turn his life around — for the better. Warning:  This story includes discussion of addiction, the death of children and sexual offenses. Randy told this story during the Des Moines Storytellers Project's "Bad Advice" on Aug. 30, 2022 at Hoyt Sherman Place.  The Des Moines Storytellers Project believes everyone has a story and everyone ca...

Rick Kievits was determined to stay in the United States after a year studying abroad. But he took bad advice that led to a visa denial. Rick told this story during the Des Moines Storytellers Project's "Bad Advice" on Aug. 30, 2022 at Hoyt Sherman Place.  The Des Moines Storytellers Project believes everyone has a story and everyone can tell it.  Des Moines Storytellers Project events are filled...

At 40, Julie Gammack was craving something new. So despite her friends' advice, she left her longtime job — only to have it fall apart 6 weeks later. Julie told this story during the Des Moines Storytellers Project's "Bad Advice" on Aug. 30, 2022 at Hoyt Sherman Place.  The Des Moines Storytellers Project believes everyone has a story and everyone can tell it.  Des Moines Storytellers Project even...

Kiranmai Yarlagadda was taught to keep all emotions to herself, leading to shyness and insecurity. But she overcame that with the help of her daughter. Kiranmai told this story during the Des Moines Storytellers Project's "Bad Advice" on Aug. 30, 2022 at Hoyt Sherman Place.  The Des Moines Storytellers Project believes everyone has a story and everyone can tell it.  Des Moines Storytellers Project...

Gality Levy Freylack knew she should have said no when her father asked to take a secret trip to visit her grandparents in Tel Aviv. Following the trip she spent decades listening to bad advice. Galit told this story during the Des Moines Storytellers Project's "Bad Advice" on Aug. 30, 2022 at Hoyt Sherman Place.  The Des Moines Storytellers Project believes everyone has a story and everyone can t...

It took three trips around the world for Brenda McGuire to find the love of her life — a man she could have met in Des Moines. Brenda told this story during the Des Moines Storytellers Project's "Voyages" on June 14, 2022 at Hoyt Sherman Place.  The Des Moines Storytellers Project believes everyone has a story and everyone can tell it.  Des Moines Storytellers Project events are filled with neighb...

Akwi Nji found herself on a plane back to Africa after her father's sudden death. She feared the distance with family she hadn't seen for two decades. Akwi told this story during the Des Moines Storytellers Project's "Voyages" on June 14, 2022 at Hoyt Sherman Place.  The Des Moines Storytellers Project believes everyone has a story and everyone can tell it.  Des Moines Storytellers Project events...

Erik Dominguez' life in Tucson was awkward and hard. So when he was called back to a conference there, he dreaded what the visit would dredge up. Erik told this story during the Des Moines Storytellers Project's "Voyages" on June 14, 2022 at Hoyt Sherman Place.  The Des Moines Storytellers Project believes everyone has a story and everyone can tell it.  Des Moines Storytellers Project events are f...

When Coral Thede's father died, she traveled the world to find peace and a new outlook on life. Coral told this story during the Des Moines Storytellers Project's "Voyages" on June 14, 2022 at Hoyt Sherman Place.  The Des Moines Storytellers Project believes everyone has a story and everyone can tell it.  Des Moines Storytellers Project events are filled with neighbors and notables who have a true...

What was supposed to be a picturesque family vacation turned into one wild ride for Robert Warren. Think a packed car, contraband cigarettes and a tiny fishing lodge. Robert told this story during the Des Moines Storytellers Project's "Voyages" on June 14, 2022 at Hoyt Sherman Place.  The Des Moines Storytellers Project believes everyone has a story and everyone can tell it.  Des Moines Storytelle...

Every year Tony Dahlman gets a call on his birthday from Saddam Hussein. He shares the backstory and how this tradition showcases an act of familial love.  Tony told this story during the Des Moines Storytellers Project's "Growing Up" on April 26, 2022 at Hoyt Sherman Place.  The Des Moines Storytellers Project believes everyone has a story and everyone can tell it.  Des Moines Stor...

How one Iowan made the bold move to join her small-town boys’ wrestling team and helped pave the way for generations of female athletes to come. Aymi told this story during the Des Moines Storytellers Project's "Growing Up" on April 26, 2022 at Hoyt Sherman Place.  The Des Moines Storytellers Project believes everyone has a story and everyone can tell it.  Des Moines Storytellers P...

Jim Ramm grew up as a half-Asian boy in the Midwest. He shares how he embraced forgiveness after hearing negative stereotypes about his Japanese culture throughout his childhood.  Jim told this story during the Des Moines Storytellers Project's "Growing Up" on April 26, 2022 at Hoyt Sherman Place.  The Des Moines Storytellers Project believes everyone has a story and everyone can tell it...

Jeff Clothier shares how a sabotaged prom date turned into a lifelong friendship. Jeff told this story during the Des Moines Storytellers Project's "Growing Up" on April 26, 2022 at Hoyt Sherman Place.  The Des Moines Storytellers Project believes everyone has a story and everyone can tell it.  Des Moines Storytellers Project events are filled with neighbors and notables who have a true,...

Blake Carlson's grandma "never really grew up." He tells how her eccentricities helped him to embrace his disability.  Blake told this story during the Des Moines Storytellers Project's "Growing Up" on April 26, 2022 at Hoyt Sherman Place.  The Des Moines Storytellers Project believes  everyone  has a story and everyone  can  tell it.  Des Moines Storytellers Pro...

One man’s lessons in writing love songs. Chad Elliot told this story at the Des Moines Storytellers Project's "Love" on Feb. 15, 2022.