In this episode we go to the Hawks and Reed Performing Arts Center in Greenfield to bring you stories from our second slam of the season. Riffing off the episode theme “sweet and salty,” Christine Stevens tells tales on her middle school students. Then, Sera Rivers shares her thoughts about finding a guy who accepts her real self. Finally, David Bulley brings us more middle schoolers — and more misbehavior.

Valley Voices

Valley Voices #24 - Sweet & Salty

On this episode, you'll hear three of the storytellers from the first show of our sixth Valley Voices season, featuring stories on the theme "Love Me Tinder". We gathered at New City Brewery in Easthampton to hear Sara Rabidoux-Kelsey relate a tale of an internet date that surprised her. Then Andrew Shelffo shared that getting back into the dating scene after 20 years felt a lot like walking a tight rope, and Angela Combest finished off the evening with a story about a date that ended in the emergency room.

Valley Voices #23 - Love Me Tinder

On this episode, you’ll hear the winners from our fifth show of the fifth Valley Voices season. This show had the theme of Open Road and was held at Hawks and Reed Performing Arts Center in downtown Greenfield, Mass. Karen Fisk starts off with a story about one of her hardest moments as a mom. Our next storyteller, Jenny Powers, tells an epic adventure about a trip to the Big Apple. We end this episode with Phil Simon who truly blazed a trail across California with his band mates back in the nineties.

Valley Voices - #22 Open Road

Hear the winners from the Valley Voices Story Slam with the theme “Busted” held at New City Brewery in Easthampton, Mass. Storyteller Kate Mesmer shares why she never got the chance to become a full-fledged Girl Scout. Next, Summer Kaeppel tells her story about the days she was a teenage wedding crasher. We round out this episode with Doug Creighton who explains how his move south of the border was held up.

Valley Voices - #21 Busted

The winners of our "TMI" story slam are featured on the latest Valley Voices podcast. Anna Bowen shares her story about tjust how far she'll go for her mother. Matthew Dicks takes us through an awkard moment on a plastic couch. And we hear from Kevin Gallagher who shares his story about an apprehensive visit to the proctologist.

Valley Voices - #20 TMI

The winners of our "In The Mood" story slam are featured on the latest Valley Voices podcast. Eddie Brennan shares his story about the night he lost his virginity and fathered a child. Valerie Reiss opens up about her condition, vulvar vestibulitis. And we hear from Lauren Ostberg who at sixteen years old was in the mood for a little something different.

Valley Voices - #19 In the Mood

We kick off season 5 of the Valley Voices podcast with the winners of our first slam of the year: Andrea Cohen-Kiener, Hilary Price and David Bulley with their stories. From Big Al’s Bar in Minneapolis, to a car chase in northern Maine, to the banks of the Connecticut River, our storytellers share the stuff of family lore in our “Family Ties” episode.

Valley Voices - #18 Family Ties

The winners of "If I Knew Then" share their stories, and go a little deeper on the latest Valley Voices podcast. Tim Mazur shares love story -- one that could be mistaken as a script for a romantic comedy. Aria Bracci tells the intimate story of how she found her voice, both literally and figuratively. And we hear from Tim Gillis who understands the stress and sacrifice that comes with being a father now, but that wasn't always the case. Be sure to join us at the Best of Valley Voices at the Academy of Music Theatre on October 13 -- Click here for tickets !

Valley Voices - #17 If I Knew Then

Welcome back to the Valley Voices podcast! This time, we’re talking to our winners from our third installment of our story slams surrounding the theme of “Landline.” Dan Glanville teaches us a lesson about the important of human interaction through the tales of his unusual family members. Aimee Loiselle shares a story about the ancient idea of complete aloneness. Tulip Chadhury tells the emotional story of a wrong number turned almost love story. They’ll be competing at the Best of Valley Voices competition coming up on October 13 at the Academy of Music.

Valley Voices - #16 Landline

We’re back with another Valley Voices podcast! This time we’re talking to our winners from the second story slam of season 4, about their “Silver Lining” stories. Katie Drumm shares her family's unusual road trip to track down her sister. Andrew Shelffo tells the tale of the Valentine’s Day that switched his views on humanity. And Teal Van Dyck gives us a humorous and touching recount on their interactions with children as a trans-person. Teal, Andrew, and Katie took home 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place at “Silver Lining” and will go on to compete in the Best of Valley Voices at the Academy of Music on October 13, 2018! Valley Voices is produced in partnership with The Academy of Music.

Valley Voices - #15 Silver Lining

Season four of our Valley Voices Story Slam Series kicked off in March with the theme “Neighbors.” That means we’re back with a brand new Valley Voices podcast! We’ll be talking with three storytellers who made quite an impression the the live audience that night. Eve Brown-Waite tells us about her neighbors across the globe. Kevin Gallagher gives a humorous recount of a night that didn’t go as expected. And Shirlee Williams shares the tale of the night her mother almost committed murder. You’ll hear their stories as they told them that night, plus they sit down with us to share what they couldn’t fit into their five minute story.

Valley Voices - #14 Neighbors

A selection from recent Valley Voices Story Slam featuring "Stories of Exasperation". Michael Kingsbury and Jim Brissette share their tales.

Valley Voices - #13 Stories of Exasperation

We’re back with more stories from your friends and neighbors on the Valley Voices Podcast.

Valley Voices - #12 DIY

This month we're listening back to our top two storytellers from the "Refresh" Story Slam, held at Gateway City Arts in Holyoke. David Bulley was our runner-up for audience favorite, and tells us how well good old fashioned machismo replaces showers at hunting camp. Our winner from the evening, Susanne Schmidt, shares with us one of the more unusual trips to the grocery store she's had with her father. Music here by Broken Social Scene and Bill Monroe.

Valley Voices - #11 Refresh

We’re coming to you this month with our most recent slam, held at Gateway City Arts in Holyoke. The night’s theme was “One Shot.” Starting things off is our runner up favorite for the evening, Terry Wolfisch Cole, who took her “one shot” when things were feeling a bit desperate in Utah. Finally Kerrita Mayfield, our winner from the evening, introduces us to her student "Sunshine." For a chance to have your story featured on the next podcast, share your first line with us for our next event. The best ten lines will be invited to compete on stage at “Refresh,” at Gateway City Arts on March 16th. Music here by Broken Social Scene and Pullman.

Valley Voices - #10 One Shot

Outrageous, funny and heartwarming true stories told in five minutes by your friends and neighbors from around the valley. The audience picks the winner, and the winning stories are featured on the Valley Voices Podcast.Valley Voices is presented by New England Public Radio and the Academy of Music.

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Valley Voices

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