"They Carried Me Through"

Today on a special episode of #Us - Unique and Shared Experiences, we are teaming up with the Life Design Lab at Johns Hopkins University to share stories told by students about their journeys towards fulfilling careers and lives. Natalia was facing decision paralysis and didn’t know what decision would be the “right” one. Keidai realized his parents only thought they knew him. How would he show them his real self? And Zandy wanted to bring others the joy she felt when hearing birds sing.  Get tickets to our next event: https://firstpersonarts.org/events Join our mailing list: https://firstpersonarts.org/subscribe Support the show: https://firstpersonarts.org/donate Follow us on social media: https://linktr.ee/firstpersonarts   

Marjorie was let go from her job for standing up for what she believed in. And Bill had to learn to let go of his leg intruder to save his own life. Today, we are taking a deep breath, uncurling our clenched fingers, and Letting Go. On this episode we have three amazing stories for you about everything from terrible jobs to beloved pets.   Get Tickets to Our Next Event: https://firstpersonarts.org/events Join Our mailing List: https://firstpersonarts.org/subscribe Support the Show: https://firstpersonarts.org/donate Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firstpersonarts

First Person Arts and the Free Library of Philadelphia have enjoyed crossover programming, partnerships, and a mutual love of stories over the years. Today we are featuring stories from a program we did with the Free Library’s One book One Philadelphia around The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time by Mark Haddon. Join #Us as we share stories from Philadelphians that were sparked by this book.   Get Tickets to Our Next Event: https://firstpersonarts.org/events Join Our mailing List: https://firstpersonarts.org/subscribe Support the Show: https://firstpersonarts.org/donate Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firstpersonarts

Michel filmed a couple in love as one of them was terminally ill. And though it was tragic, their love for one another helped change the world. Lisa’s daughter got everything she wanted for Christmas, but she couldn’t share her new toys with the one person she wanted to play with. When the highs of joy and love crash into the depths of grief and loss, we get this swirl of emotion called bittersweet. Join #Us today as four storytellers share their experiences and help us all get to know the complexity of humanity. Get Tickets to Our Next Event: https://firstpersonarts.org/events Join Our mailing List: https://firstpersonarts.org/subscribe Support the Show: https://firstpersonarts.org/donate Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firstpersonarts  

Description   Today, we celebrate the life and work of a beloved Philadelphia Artist Jerry Pinkney who’s birthday is this month. Jerry’s life and body of work is a testament to the reliance, persistence, and freedom of the human spirit. We come to you with three stories from individuals who connect with these core values as part of their own experiences. So join #Us and lend a listening ear.   Join Our mailing List: https://firstpersonarts.org/subscribe Support the Show: https://firstpersonarts.org/donate Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firstpersonarts Get Tickets to Our Next Event: https://firstpersonarts.org/events  

Lisa almost set her house on fire when the hot oil in a pizza box exploded. Sure, she had started a smaller fire, but she was distracted thinking about another fire that was dwindling – her marriage. Chris was enjoying his first week of college when he got a call from his sister. It was the shortest call they’d ever have, but it is burned in his memory forever. Join #Us and ignite your love of storytelling! Listen to these stories and more in this episode, Burn Baby Burn!   Get Tickets to Our Next Event: https://firstpersonarts.org/events Join Our mailing List: https://firstpersonarts.org/subscribe Support the Show: https://firstpersonarts.org/donate Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firstpersonarts

Can music be a form of storytelling? We at First Person Arts think it can! That’s why we’ve partnered with the Network For New Music to create new original pieces of music that come directly from stories. All of the stories are on the theme of Love and the Philly neighborhood of Germantown. So come join #Us for a special episode celebrating stories, music, and Germantown.   Join Our mailing List: https://firstpersonarts.org/subscribe Support the Show: https://firstpersonarts.org/donate Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firstpersonarts Get Tickets to Our Next Event: https://firstpersonarts.org/events

At age 17, Paul H was almost arrested for a murder he didn’t commit. But the busy bodies in his neighborhood acted as strong alibis and he was saved at the eleventh hour. At age 19, Daralyse was in a wild phase and on a trip to Mexico. She ventured out of the touristy part of town and used what little spanish she knew to haggle the crack she was buying down to 50% off! Whether you’re a Paul trying to get out of a sticky situation, or a Daralyse jumping head first into one, you’re sure to love this episode on the theme Close Calls! Join #Us in listening to five stories where things could have gone drastically wrong, but at the last minute – you’ll have to listen yourself to find out.   Submit your stories to us at [email protected] Join Our mailing List: https://firstpersonarts.org/subscribe Support the Show: https://firstpersonarts.org/donate Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firstpersonarts Get Tickets to Our Next Event: https://firstpersonarts.org/events

At 41, Kevin decided to get kinky. He met the right guy online, bought a blindfold and some rope, and got busy. But his aggressive cat had his own ideas. On the other side of town, Kelsey was ready to get it on, but her date thought it would be better to get that rash on her chest checked out by a doctor. Listen to these and other stories of sex gone awry on this episode of #Us - Unique and Shared experiences. Join Our mailing List: https://firstpersonarts.org/subscribe Support the Show: https://firstpersonarts.org/donate Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firstpersonarts Get Tickets to Our Next Event: https://firstpersonarts.org/events

Pamela is a nurse, no matter where she goes. Whether it's on vacation, or 33,000 feet in the air, she’ll find a way to safely get people home. Kate has a trained ear for a certain kind of breath. And being able to hear it might just save lives. Join #Us, a storytelling podcast from First Person Arts to hear these and others stories on how nurses make the world go round in big and small ways. Join Our mailing List: https://firstpersonarts.org/subscribe Support the Show: https://firstpersonarts.org/donate Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firstpersonarts Get Tickets to Our Next Event: https://firstpersonarts.org/events