#US - Unique & Shared Experiences

You are living your BEST LIFE and the people in your orbit cannot STAND it.  Listen as these storytellers share how they learned to love their haters in the most unusual ways. How have you dealt with the haters in your life?  Share your story in the comment section.   Take #US with you and post pics of your summer fun on your favorite social media platform.  #FirstPersonArts #Summer2021 #summerfun...

Dan is a Baker in Pittsburgh. However, days before the U.S. went into covid lockdown he was released from prison after being wrongfully convicted. He shares his story about working with the PA Innocence Project and all that he has done in the last 18 months, including delivering puppies, buying a home, and getting engaged. Thank you to our media sponsor: Metro Newspaper   Subscribe to First Person...

John is a comedian and essential worker. He shares his story about dating during the pandemic and the challenges that ultimately lead to a break-up. Then we chat with him about what his job was like during the pandemic and the new value he's put on self-care. Thank you to our media sponsor: Metro Newspaper   Subscribe to First Person Arts YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/SubscribetoFPA Share your COVI...

Danielle is the Production Manager at First Person Arts. She shares her story of going from living paycheck to paycheck at a retail job to graduating with honors. Then we chatted with her about her past 18 months of working from home with her son. Thank you to our media sponsor: Metro Newspaper   Subscribe to First Person Arts YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/SubscribetoFPA Share your COVID Story: htt...

Brian is a standup comedian in NYC. When the pandemic began, his access to work and self-expression disappeared. He shares his story with us of looking back to his childhood during New York's shutdown and how enjoying nostalgic foods has led him to try new things now that the world around him is opening back up Thank you to our media sponsor: Metro Newspaper   Subscribe to First Person Arts YouTub...

Ellen is a Nurse Coach with NYU Langone. She shares her story about experiencing severe burnout, to the point of wanting to quit nursing all together. But, through becoming a nurse coach she learned more deeply how to care for herself and spread that healing towards others. You can read Ellen's publication in the Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing here . Thank you to our media sponsor: Metro New...

In this episode, we hear stories about how people have experienced changes in their lives.  Change they manifested or change they managed.  Sit by the pool, fire pit, or grill and listen to Turn, Turn, Turn.  How have you navigated change?  Share your story of change in the comment section.   Take #US with you and post pics of your summer fun on your favorite social media platform.  #FirstPersonAr...

Summer heat, thirst, thirsty, joy that cannot be contained, you name it!  That delirious feeling comes about from big and small things.  Get in where you can fit in! Has all this Summer freedom made you delirious yet?  We certainly are! Take #US with you and post pics of your summer fun on your favorite social media platform.  #FirstPersonArts #Summer2021 #summerfun #FPAIs20 #20in2021 Brittany Nic...

Out of the box thinking, pulling something out of a box, or refusing to be boxed in...Let us defy category boundaries set by others. Take #US with you as you travel down the shore or down south, or down under!  #FirstPersonArts #Summer2021 #summerfun #FPAIs20 #20in2021 Robin Mark Sydney Charlie   Kelsey     Thank you to our media sponsor: Metro Newspaper   Subscribe to First Person Arts YouTube: h...

Lots of things can be released into the wild or come from the wild. We have StorySlams in our archive about beasts, letting loose, and getting it in!  It can be a wild party night, a wild hog, a wild ride... Are you getting wild this summer? Show us what you are working with!  Where are you going? Who are you visiting?  Are you flying?   Take #US with you and post on your favorite social media pla...

This episode is all about breaking FREE! Now with summer shining its rays Philly, we figure it's time to let some things go. Episode 17 is all about being released.   And, as we all are being released from the confines of Covid-19 and 2020, we want you to share with us how you are enjoying your summer.  Where are you going? Who are you visiting?  Are you flying?   Take #US with you and post on you...

Whether it's Nature, Destiny, God, or Power, there are forces beyond our control that rule everyone's lives. Join us for five stories about coming face to face with these mysteries in the next episode of #US - Unique and Shared experiences.   Hillary Gianna Bernardo Meradith Kartinka   Thank you to our media sponsor: Metro Newspaper   Subscribe to First Person Arts YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/Sub...

Tarik is a family nurse practitioner. Besides working in a community health center, he's been out administering leftover vaccines to homebound patients. Tarik shares with us what these efforts have consisted of and his hopes for how they might more broadly help to address healthcare inequity.    Thank you to our media sponsor: Metro Newspaper   Subscribe to First Person Arts YouTube: https://tinyu...

Elicia is the executive director of Women's Medical Fund. Initially hesitant about whether to get vaccinated, she ultimately chose to do so. Elicia breaks down her decision for us and discusses the interplay between personal and collective responsibilities and how we relate to people who make different choices than we would.   Thank you to our media sponsor: Metro Newspaper   Subscribe to First Pe...

Andrew is a marketing coordinator for a protein shake meal replacement company. He's generally avoided vaccines, and has struggled at times with concerns about vaccinations for his son. But now, the issue's taken on new, greater significance for his family ever since his wife got vaccinated for COVID-19 – while he's chosen not to.   Thank you to our media sponsor: Metro Newspaper   Subscribe to Fi...

Ashley is a massage therapist and she has to be vaccinated to return to work. But it wasn't a straightforward decision for Ashley. She's had mixed feelings and experiences around vaccination throughout her life – plus her husband has chosen not to get vaccinated. Thank you to our media sponsor: Metro Newspaper   Subscribe to First Person Arts YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/SubscribetoFPA Share your...

Alvin is a physician's assistant for Bebashi, a nonprofit providing health education, healthcare, HIV/AIDS support and social services in communities of color. When the COVID-19 vaccine hit the market, Alvin was initially skeptical. But after reading medical journals, he made his decision to get vaccinated.  Thank you to our media sponsor: Metro Newspaper   Subscribe to First Person Arts YouTube:...

Life is all about give and take, so today we're hearing stories all about gifts given, and items stolen. Whether it's a spoonful of peanut butter, a handmade wallet, or a brand new baby. Some gifts feel more like you've been robbed. But who knows, it just might be a blessing in disguise. Either way, it's yours to keep. Join #US for this episode, "For Keeps"   Martha James MJ Yannick Megan   Thank...

This week is all about job hunting! We have 5 stories all about people shooting for the job of their dreams and seeing where they land - whether it's at the top of a big tech company, interning for their idol, or right back where they started. Join #US for this week's episode, "A Pizza That Says 'Hire Me'" .   Kitty Christine Justine Tiffany Andrew   Thank you to our media sponsor: Metro Newspaper...

Ready for a change? To grow into the next version of yourself? Then this episode is for you! 5 storytellers share their coming or age stories, as they bloom into spring, themselves, and a New Reality. Join #US Claudia Jack Charlie Steve Namisha   Thank you to our media sponsor: Metro Newspaper   Subscribe to First Person Arts YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/SubscribetoFPA Share your COVID Story: http...

We've been home for too long and are feeling restless! So today, we're gonna have five stories about getting into trouble, traveling the distance, and being up all night. Join us for this episode of #US "I Said Yes Just to See".   Rebeka Tevor Tess Jarod Sophia   Thank you to our media sponsor: Metro Newspaper   Subscribe to First Person Arts YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/SubscribetoFPA Share your...

With the start of March and spring right around the corner, here at First Person Arts we're feeling ready  to push away the old and  reach for something new. So, this week we have five stories of people pushing, to sell cars, redefine themselves, or buy a boat from a shady seller.  Join #Us for "I Made this S#!t Happen"   Zeeshan David Lisa Jay Emma   Thank you to our media sponsor: Metro Newspape...

When Kempis 'Ghani' Songster was imprisoned at the age of 15, his mother brought him three books; the autobiography of Malcolm X, Kaffir Boy by Mark Mathabane, and the autobiography of Nelson Mandela. Sentenced to life without parole and released after 30 years, Ghani talks about his process of coming home and the importance of restorative justice practices. #US - Five People. One Moment: - "Love...

Sudan Green is an African-American artist and activist from Germantown. He is the founder of Spirits Up! an organization using yoga, meditation, and art for black liberation. Among many things, Sudan discusses the six days of protests he was involved in and community reinvestment. #US - Five People. One Moment: - "Love in the Heart of the City" provides a window into the hearts and minds of men of...