Stories bring light in all kinds of voices, in all kinds of ways.

 Denise McCormack is a celebrated storyteller and performance artist who shares the breadth and depth of story wisdom with those who choose to listen. Her carefully selected and beloved tales have enchanted audiences on stages near and far, each one possessed of its own unique personality, secrets, and perspectives. As president of Patchwork: A Storytelling Guild, Denise serves as flame-keeper and torch-bearer for this wonderfully vibrant storytelling culture.  

 Michele has been storytelling for over 20 years.  She has performed at various Storytelling conferences and Festivals, at the Mercer Museum in Doylestown, PA, as well as other museums, libraries, and schools in the Philadelphia area. 

Carin's favorite story to tell is that of being descended from mushroom growers on both sides of her family. (True!) She currently works at Grieco Funeral Home in Kennett Square, PA, and regularly gets to tell the stories of people's lives as a funeral and memorial service celebrant,  work that she finds deeply meaningful.  Carin is the mother of two wonderful adults, the wife of Patrick O'Neill, her best friend, and a nature lover through and through. 

Tesia Nicoli is a storyteller, speaker, and acting coach with a background in theatre production and marketing. A Communication Studies graduate and commencement speaker, she blends performance, humor, and practical insight to help people find clarity, momentum, and meaning through story. Tesia teaches, writes, and speaks about the moments that change how we see ourselves and each other.

JR Denson --a Washington, DC native-- is a college professor and a part time emergency medical technician (EMT). He has become increasingly involved in the DMV's storytelling scene ever since accidentally falling into it right before the pandemic. JR has performed for both local and national storytelling organizations such as The Perfect Liar's Club, the Story Collider, and NPR’s The Moth. 

Paul retired early four years ago from a corporate job and now pursues his passion for storytelling. As a StorySLAM champion at The Moth, he has appeared on stage at more than 30 Moth events, honing the art of live narrative. Paul blends strategic insight with creative flair, helping audiences connect through compelling, relatable stories. He has also authored screenplays, a collection of creative non-fiction essays and a memoir.

Karen Reiner is a comedic storyteller and stand-up comic whose ability to find humor in everyday life enabled her to keep a tenuous hold on her sanity throughout her various careers as a Human Resources director, Girl Scout troop leader, mother of four, and golf widow. 

Karen’s stories are appropriate for all ages.  She’s un-bleepable.

You can follow her on Facebook and Instagram at Karen Reiner Comes Clean.

I have defined myself in many ways over the years.  Inner-city daughter of a resilient Colombian widow, then full-ride college student at an Ivy League university, labor negotiator, strategy consultant, day camp director, wife, and now as a 52-year-old mother to two wonderful boys who have challenged me and taught me more than all of the other roles combined.  

Barb Sherf is a grateful storyteller in early sobriety.  She is co-author of "Cowboy Mission: The Best Sermons are Lived...Not Preached" with her late father, and is writing another book tentatively titled: "My Soap Opera to Sobriety -Love Letters, Essays and AHA Moments."  Barb wears many hats -as an award winning print and broadcast journalist, a gifted speech coach, a bio, obit and memoir writer, and capturer or your  or your family story.  .  

Christina Sturgis is an award-winning journalist who was a staff writer at newspapers including the Times Union at Albany. She was a frequent contributor to the Times of Trenton. She now blogs at CLSreal.com and edits the monthly newsletter, The Pulse of DDUUC at the Dorothea Dix Unitarian Universalist Community. 

Chris Wade is a native Washingtonian who has been engaged in the art of storytelling for over a decade.  He has performed at Story Districts Top Shelf at the Lincoln Theater, DMV Made on the National Mall, Bar Talks premier show at Friends, Kitchen and Cocktails, Story Collider, Perfect Liars Club and other venues throughout the region.   His storytelling is rooted in real-life experiences and delivered with authenticity, warmth, and humor.