#US - Unique & Shared Experiences

For 11 years, First Person Arts has done Valentine's Day our own way with the Ex-Files StorySlam.  #US will be no different.  In this episode, we are going to look at the seedy underbelly of love. Jamie J. will be joined by our StorySlam host, Chris Lundy. Join #US as we hear what's in a cheating heart.   Lauren Kevin Steve Jill Jamie Thank you to our media sponsor: Metro Newspaper   Subscribe to...

This episode we are talking about the relationships that make us who we are. We have five stories about family. Daughters complaining about mothers, fathers hesitant about sons, and a couple other stories about the family ties that bring us home. Join #US for "How Much Do You Love My Mother".   Thank you to our media sponsor: Metro Newspaper   Subscribe to First Person Arts YouTube: https://tinyur...

To commemorate the shortest month of the year, we have an episode dedicated to the brief stories. So join #Us (it won't take long) for our five shorties about first dates, cutting in line, and falling from bridges. Thank you to our media sponsor: Metro Newspaper   Subscribe to First Person Arts YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/SubscribetoFPA Share your COVID Story: https://www.firstpersonarts.org/Stor...

In this special series episode Kelly shares with us her story of surrendering to sobriety after her family intervened. Kelly talks about rebuilding her life after going to a treatment center, finding hope and love in small moments, and what she wishes was more widely known about living with addiction.

In this episode of Five People, One Moment: Sobering, Jamie tells the story of her uncle's addiction and her own self discovery. Jamie reflects on how her uncle's inability to live in recovery shaped her own decisions around family and sobriety.

Betty describes her life before sobriety as "rearranging furniture on the Titanic''. She shares the story of how she went to a meeting in a church basement with no intentions of getting sober only to now be 21 years in recovery. Betty is now a comedian in Philadelphia who brings her authenticity to everything she does on and off the stage.

Roland describes himself as someone in serial recovery. He is continuously examining his own behavior in order to be in service to his community. Roland also talks about his hopes that young people can find inspiration in his story and not sink into the despair he feels is growing in the world today.

When Vickie got sober she did it her own way. She broke a lot of the usual "rules" and went right back on stage after hiding her addiction in the Philadelphia comedy scene. But the family and life she's built for herself during seven years of sobriety are a constant reminder of how much she loves her life, even during the hard moments.

This is the second part of our two part Valentines Day series. Part one was all about hookups. Today we'll have stories about bad breakups, relationships falling apart, and throwing in the towel. So Join #Us for "Quit It". Thank you to our media sponsor: Metro Newspaper   Subscribe to First Person Arts YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/SubscribetoFPA Share your COVID Story: https://www.firstpersonarts....

Today, we have a special episode. Every year for Valentines Day First Person Arts does the Ex-Files show. It's an evening where we can all commiserate together about our terrible exes. And to honor that in podcast form, we are doing a two part series with stories from the Ex-Files. This episode is Hit It, where we have stories about hooking up, getting together, and getting it on. Thank you to our...

Join #Us for a Holiday Encore performance of "I Made This S#!t Happen"   Zeeshan David Lisa Jay Emma   Thank you to our media sponsor: Metro Newspaper   Subscribe to First Person Arts YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/SubscribetoFPA Share your COVID Story: https://www.firstpersonarts.org/Stories/COVID-Stories Amazon Charity: https://tinyurl.com/Amazon-Charity-FPA   First Person Arts ON SOCIAL - #US  #S...

Join #Us for a Holiday Encore performance of "Defining Moments"   Bill - 2012 Fall GrandSlam Dave - Going for it GrandSlam Diane - 2012 Fall GrandSlam Kathy - Going For It GrandSlam Katie -  2012 Fall GrandSlam   First Person Arts YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/SubscribetoFPA Share your COVID Story: https://www.firstpersonarts.org/Stories/COVID-Stories   First Person Arts Instagram: https://www.inst...

Winter is officially here. And although the bitter cold and dark afternoons can be gloomy, when it snows it always feels like there is something to celebrate. Kelsey Chris Jim Kayleigh Chip Thank you to our media sponsor: Metro Newspaper   Subscribe to First Person Arts YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/SubscribetoFPA Share your COVID Story: https://www.firstpersonarts.org/Stories/COVID-Stories Amazon...

Join #Us for a Holiday Encore performance of "Look How Far We've Come".   Kitty Hailey - Hindsight Eric Thomas - Weird Trips  Kelsey Stewart - The Next Day Otis Gray - Untamed Marjorie Winther - Thanks A Lot   Thank you to our media sponsor: Metro Newspaper   Subscribe to First Person Arts YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/SubscribetoFPA Share your COVID Story: https://www.firstpersonarts.org/Stories/C...

Suzanne is a visual artist who had an exhibition on the National Mall in September of 2021. The art installation consisted of white flags, each one repricenting one life that was lost to COVID-19 in the United States. She shares who the exhibition started, what it means to her, and it became a place for people to give the people they'd lost with family, friends, and strangers.   Thank you to our m...

Simon is the creator of the Vexillology Podcast, a subreddit devoted to flags. He shares his story of falling in love with flags, creating an online community where other people could connect over flags and flag design, and the meaning behind some of his favorite flags related to the U.S. Thank you to our media sponsor: Metro Newspaper   Subscribe to First Person Arts YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/...

Amber was the Executive Director of the Philadelphia Mayor's Office of LGBTQ Affairs when they announced the More Colors, More Pide Flag, a flag which added a black and brown stripe to the rainbow flag. They discuss the huge amount of backlash and hatred that came from that announcement and how she never could have imagined how quickly the symbolism of the flag would have gone global.   Thank you...

Emily shares her story about growing up in an area where the confederate flag was a common symbol. She discusses how her understanding of the weight of the simbol has changed and how removing the flag is a step in the right direction but there is more work to be done in our country as a whole when we confront our racist past.   Thank you to our media sponsor: Metro Newspaper   Subscribe to First P...

Matthew Skic is Curator of Exhibitions at the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia. Over the Summer of 2021 The Museum had an expedition on Flags in America. Matthew tells the story of his own personal connection to the Flag of the United States and discusses his favorite flags in the exhibitions and what they can tell modern day viewers about this nation's history.   Thank you to our...

This episode we will be hearing stories that examine the gender binary. These stories take a look at how it is a real force that affects lives, and how gender is a fluid construct we can play with. Join #Us for "Invited Into That Club". Ray Kate Sammie Swift   Thank you to our media sponsor: Metro Newspaper   Subscribe to First Person Arts YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/SubscribetoFPA Share your COV...

The weather is getting crisp, the sun is setting sooner, and the leaves are starting to turn. We all know what that means. It's cuffing season! Time to find someone to curl up with during these cold months. So join #US to celebrate this time of year with five stories of love and romance.  GABBY CAROLINE TORI BRANDON RAKEL   Thank you to our media sponsor: Metro Newspaper   Subscribe to First Perso...

The weather is getting crisp, the sun is setting sooner, and the leaves are starting to turn. We all know what that means. It's cuffing season! Time to find someone to curl up with during these cold months. So join #US to celebrate this time of year with five stories of love and romance.  GABBY CAROLINE TORI BRANDON RAKEL   Thank you to our media sponsor: Metro Newspaper   Subscribe to First Perso...

On this episode we are talking about close encounters of all kinds. So we have stories for you about ghosts, aliens, and robbers. Join #Us for "I Knew it Was Haunted". Ashley JD Kathrine Frank Sara   Thank you to our media sponsor: Metro Newspaper   Subscribe to First Person Arts YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/SubscribetoFPA Share your COVID Story: https://www.firstpersonarts.org/Stories/COVID-Stori...

Repetition can be a second chance, a new perspective, or feeling like you're stuck in groundhog day. This week we have five stories about doing something one more time, to see if the results are any diffrent. Join #Us for "Groundhog Day" R. Eric Thomas Cara Spencer Steve Anissa Thank you to our media sponsor: Metro Newspaper   Subscribe to First Person Arts YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/Subscribeto...

Whether it's embracing the ones you love, a part of yourself, or the circumstances you're in. This episode will be all about holding and accepting things as they are. Alexis Denise Bill Nancy Bea   Thank you to our media sponsor: Metro Newspaper   Subscribe to First Person Arts YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/SubscribetoFPA Share your COVID Story: https://www.firstpersonarts.org/Stories/COVID-Stories...