The Odyssey Storytelling Podcast

On March 5, 2026, Odyssey Storytelling presented our 22nd anniversary show: Cake!!! Recorded live at the Kiva Auditorium on the campus of the University of Arizona in Tucson. Cake was a celebration! We invite you to listen as we marked 22 years of building community through story at Odyssey Storytelling. You'll hear stories of cakes, baking, buying, and tasting them. You will also hear about thing...

On March 26, 2026, Odyssey Storytelling partnered with the University of Arizona Museum of Art to present Our Bodies are Full of Stories; Bailey Doogan: Ways of Seeing. Collaborating partners on curating, producing, and hosting: Willa Ahlschwede, Curator, Academic & Community Engagement at the UA Museum of Art Laura Porfirio, Story Arts Group Programs Director for Odyssey Storytelling Storytellers...

Odyssey Storytelling Partnered with Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum and University of Arizona Institute for Resilience to Present: Sonoran Desert Resilience: Save Our Saguaros Storytellers include: Jesus Garcia Frankie Foley Amy Juan David Yetman Sonya Norman Special Musical Guest: Jesus Garcia and Dena Cowan Produced, Curated and Hosted by; Laura Porfirio - Odyssey Storytelling/Story Arts Programs D...

February 2026: Whoopsies! Facepalms, a mouthful of foot, and desires for do-overs and takebacks. We'll hear true stories of mortifying moments, embarrassing gaffes, and more of life's "Whoopsies" from our storytellers this month. Storytellers:  Monica Bauer Mo Goldman Quinn Mark Katie Trushell Dave Mondy 3-Minute Impromptu Storyteller: Tracey Kurtzman Curators: Roscoe Mutz & Molly McCloy Executive...

January 2026: Rebound Rebound. Rebounds. Rebounding. Think about all the ways we gain possession, react to a setback or crisis or just bounce back. From one-off setbacks to epic comebacks to midlife mishaps and everything in between, this month's show explores six storytellers' funniest, strangest, sweetest, and most surprising rebound moments. Storytellers include: Jurg Zundel Lance Wilson Ron La...

"Mythology is the movement of stories and images across time and space, carrying our souls with it." - Phil Cousineau Have you ever felt as if you've pissed off a god? Ever gone on a quest or ventured into another dimension? Are you, or do you know a trickster, a hero or a creator? Have you ever felt divine inspiration? If so, you've touched the realm of the Mythic. This week's storytellers includ...

December 2025: Wait, What?!? Surprise. Confusion. Disbelief. "Wait, what?" invites clarification, enlightenment, understanding, an answer to the question. Whether you need an explanation or you're doing the explaining, handling "wait, what?" requires the telling of a story that helps the listener turn on the mental lightbulb and issue another exclamation: "Ohhh." Storytellers: Noel Hennessey Steph...

October 2025: Dark Side Listening to the devil on your shoulder, tiptoeing over the line, or feeling the call to break bad. Experiencing the paranormal or unexplained, feeling creeped out, or discovering the seedy underbelly. On October 2, 2025 we ventured to the "Dark Side" of life, as 5 storytellers shared true stories on stage at the Gallagher Theater on the campus of the University of Arizona...

August 2025: Belonging: Building a Better Tucson Belonging: Building a Better Tucson, a Joint Production of Odyssey Storytelling and Iskashitaa Refugee Network In a time of uncertainty, fear and misinformation, this evening shines a light on truth, resilience, and community. Five refugees and asylum-seekers from around the world—now part of the fabric of Tucson—shared powerful, personal stories of...

July 2025: Grudges Join Odyssey Storytelling as we dive into the depths of grudges—petty, powerful, and poetic. From long-held resentments to fleeting frustrations, our performers will unravel the weight of keeping score, the sting of betrayal, and the catharsis of letting go (or not). Our unforgettable stories might just make you rethink your own grudges. The storytellers were: Jurg Zundel Kevin...

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 Lian...

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 Wal...

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...

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 Prod...

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 appearin...

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...

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 "Cr...

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...

Refugees share powerful stories of home, displacement, and belonging in this live storytelling event that promises to be hilarious, heartbreaking, and everything in between. Produced by Christina Early, Angela Orlando and Steven Braun Curated by Laura Porfirio and Barbara Eiswerth Storytellers include: Nadiia Hordiienko Simba Rusita Marbelis Isabel Ávila Maluenga Richard Otim This episode was reco...

Dreaminess is different for us all. Maybe the American Dream has changed the trajectory of your life. Maybe you feel uber-connected to Carl Jung. Maybe dreaminess to you is all ethereal vibes and symbolism, deeply personal and life-changing. Or perhaps Fleetwood Mac's "Dreams" had a profound impact on you. Come hear 5 stories about how dreaminess has both dragged us down and lifted us out of the d...

On June 15, 2024 Odyssey Storytelling partnered with Southern AZ Senior Pride in celebration of their 20th Anniversary. In the words of Executive Director Mary O'Donoghue, "This celebration is a testament to the dedication and commitment of those who have supported Senior Pride over the years...We acknowledge that while much has been achieved, there is still significant work to be done. As we look...

Seeking a lover, a chimney sweep, a ride to the circus? Need to check your bank balance, play Parcheesi, or crowdfund your wedding? As we all know, "there's an app for that" -- along with almost anything else you can imagine. Join Odyssey storytellers as we tell true stories about all sorts of app experiences! Produced by Roscoe Mutz Curated by Mary Jo Pollack Storytellers include: A.J. Flick Robe...

I'm a fool to do your dirty work, oh yeah. Join us Thursday, May 2 to hear stories of unsavory, unsanitary, and downright filthy jobs, from the unique individuals who choose these lines of work. Produced by Angela Orlando Curated by Joe Silins Storytellers include: Eric Aldrich Lynne Gillette Alex Byron Mark Kugheit Molly McCloy Spontaneous Storytellers: Kathleen Boyle Ginny Price This episode was...

Have your dreams flowed smoothly, like sailing on placid seas - or did you find yuorself crashing on hidden rocks? Everyone's got stories - sublime, tragic, outrageous. Love for another person, a dream, or a cup of coffee. Produced by Ethel Lee-Miller Curated by Bella Vivante Storytellers include: Linda Moran Lewis Palmateer Giuliana Fusco Jonathan Grinder Nino Molinaro Jenn Teufel Schoenberger Th...

Legacy. It could be that antique chair you've coveted or a million dollars from the uncle in Zaire you never knew you had. It could be the bump in your nose or your infectious laugh. It could be the dark memory of a relationship gone bad or a ragged 40-year-old concert T-shirt you stole from your BFF. What does legacy mean to you? Produced and curated by Steven Braun Storytellers include: Beth Lis...