Tell Us A Story

Rukhsana Rahman shares what it is like growing up in culture that is different from your parent’s. She shares the lifelong reality of being a third culture kid. Born in London she returned to her parents native Pakistan for ten years and then spent her teenage and young adult years in in Zambia before finally, as an adult, settling in the United States. Often, we believe that one's culture is...

In this episode Jocelyn Swigger, Professor of Music at Gettysburg College and concert pianist, shares how the discovery of the composer Agnes Tyrrell led her to finding her life’s work in her 50’s. Her story reminds us to always be prepared for new opportunities in life. Jocelyn’s website: https://jocelynswigger.com/ Jocelyn’s TEDx talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJouIL6uaoc For more informa...

In this episode Dr. Bettye Baker shares her experiences growing up in Louisville, Kentucky during segregation. Bettye has been dedicated to promoting racial equality from a young age and shares her experiences of growing up in Louisville and her thoughts for the future. Read the Time Magazine article Bettye references at: https://time.com/archive/6616992/kentucky-sweet-land-of-liberty/ While not p...

In this episode Liliana Arias shares the joys and challenges of growing up in Columbia during the Columbian Internal Armed Conflict and how those experiences guided her after she met and married her husband, a Peace Corp volunteer, and moved to the United States. She also explores how she deals with prejudice and discrimination in new ways as she seeks to create change by starting first within her...

As we begin production of season two, we are presenting a bonus episode recorded in the summer of 2024. In this episode, the Mayor of Gettysburg Pennsylvania, Rita Frealing shares her multifaceted journey through life that ultimately led to her childhood dream of being mayor in Gettysburg coming true. For more information about Tell Us A Story visit our website at: https://tellusastory.info Music...

When one hears about someone entering the Peace Corp it is often assumed that it is a young adult, probably just out of college. Darcy Maier had dreamed of being in the Peace Corp from an early age, shortly after its founding. But for Darcy the experience did not happen in her 20’s but instead in her 60’s.  Darcy shares her story of how this program is changing her and what it means to her as she...

Jan Powers is Professor Emerita of Interdisciplinary Studies and Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at Gettysburg College. In this story Jan shares the challenges she faced being a female in academia. Jan began her career as a college professor in the late 1960’s. Archaic rules from the depression era as well as the cultural biases of the time only served as motivation for her to push the bounda...

At age three Ivana Lopez Espinosa and her family entered the country as undocumented immigrants. In this story she chronicles some of her experiences, both uplifting and heartbreaking, that she encountered along the way. Some people placed roadblocks and discouragement in her path. Other people were her advocates and supporters that guided and encouraged her along the way. To date she has successf...

Pastor David Roberts Sr., Pastor of Amos Tabernacle Church Of God In Christ outside Gettysburg, PA, demonstrates through his story what it means to him to live a life of responsibility. His grandfather told him when he was young “If you mess up, clean up.” That has been one of his guiding principles as he cares for his family, his faith community, and the community at large. In January of 2024 Pas...

Dr. Teresa Smallwood, the James Franklin Kelly and Hope Eyster Kelly Associate Professor of Public Theology at United Lutheran Seminary, shares the story of her life from growing up poor in rural North Carolina, to practice law and ultimately landing as a seminary professor. Dr. Smallwood emphasizes the importance of hope, and the inspiration she received from her mother that has encouraged her ev...

In this episode the Reverend Terrence McCarthy shares his ongoing effort to face and adapt to the challenges present in the last eight years of his life after a Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis and a stroke. He shares why he personally no longer likes the word recovery and why he prefers to focus instead on the power of persistence and striving. Read Terrence’s article in Living Lutheran titled Someth...

In this episode of Tell Us A Story, Erica Duffy, Development Director for the Adams County Library System, shares a deeply personal journey through being diagnosed with bipolar disorder and then living with that diagnosis. She reflects forward and backward in her life story to see not only the challenges, but the positive changes she has been able to make for herself and others. This is a story of...

In this episode of Tell Us A Story, The Rev. Doctor Nelson Strobert, Professor Emeritus at United Lutheran Seminary and Francophile, shares his love of France and the French Language. He explores what drew him, as well as many other African Americans throughout history, to France. For Nelson there were personal as well as historical aspects to his love of the country and its people. He shares the...

In this the first episode of Tell Us A Story Athar Rafiq, Assistant Professor at Mount St. Mary’s University, chronicles his families’ journey as immigrants coming to the United States. We hear what the real costs are that are borne by those who immigrate from one country to another whether by choice or as refugees. History and family are left behind. There are sights, sounds, and smells that one...

Welcome to Tell Us A Story, the podcast dedicated to the stories that connect us through our shared life experiences, as well as the stories that reveal the sometimes stark differences. Only by truly listening to one another can we bridge the gaps that divide us fostering empathy, respect, and kindness with one another. In this brief introduction we are announcing this new podcast that strives to...