MISSION Story Slam Podcast

Julie Hancher is the co-founder and editor of Green Philly, the independent journalism outlet covering sustainability in Philadelphia for nearly two decades. A four-time Mission Story Slam storyteller, and a judge at the 12th edition, We finally got Julie onto the podcast. Most recently, she shared her story at Mission Story Slam 14: No Judgment, tracing Green Philly’s journey from a 2008 passion-project blog to a trusted, fiscally sponsored newsroom. Julie and Michael dig into who really bears responsibility for sustainability, SustainPHL, and why she keeps coming back to the Slam.

Links for the show notes:

Charles "Chuck" Black describes himself as a storyteller, organizer, educator, proud Philadelphian, and person who stutters — and he worked nearly every one of those into his story about a workplace bully who badly underestimated him. Chuck won the Judges' Award at MISSION Story Slam 14: No Judgment for the Mazzoni Center. Chuck joined Michael Schweisheimer to talk about turning personal storytelling into advocacy, co-founding Philly Queer Storytelling, and his national work registering student voters.

Carey Searles spent 36 years with SEPTA's Regional Rail — working his way up from conductor to the train yard, including the day he misplaced an entire engine in three feet of snow. His story of that frantic afternoon won the Energy Co-op Crowd Favorite Prize at Mission Story Slam 14: No Judgment. Carey joined Michael Schweisheimer to relive the chase, talk retirement, transit systems on both sides of the Atlantic, and why he still won't touch engine 922.

Kenny Chiu is a teacher who shared a story about his many families at MISSION Story Slam 11: It’s A Family Affair.  Michelle Palmer is Executive Director of Breakthrough of Greater Philadelphia, an academic accelerator that supports highly-motivated and traditionally underserved middle school students and also provides pre-professional teacher training.  Kenny is one of Breakthrough’s many success stories.

Atiyah Harmon is a Social Impact Strategist and Founder & Executive Director Black Girls Love Math, a mission-driven organization that eliminates gender and racial inequalities in math for all who identify as Black girls in grades K-12.  Atiyah shared her origin story and more on the podcast with Michael Schweisheimer.

Mckayla Warwick is Executive Director of Collective Climb a nonprofit that focuses on restorative justice in the BIPOC community. She shared the origin story of Collective Climb and it's rocky road to existence.

Tamica Tanksley is a podcast host, Keynote Speaker Equity & Impact Advocate, Nonprofit Leader, and an Award-Winning Storyteller. She showed her prowess winning MISSION Story Slam 13. Today as Program Director at Compass Pro Bono she specializes in connecting nonpofits and businesses to help build strong communities. She spoke about this and more on a special two-part MISSION Story Slam Podcast with Michael Schweisheimer sponsored by The Philadelphia Citizen as part of Generocity’s PHLanthropy Week

Tamica Tanksley is a podcast host, Keynote Speaker Equity & Impact Advocate, Nonprofit Leader, and an Award-Winning Storyteller. She showed her prowess winning MISSION Story Slam 13. Today as Program Director at Compass Pro Bono she specializes in connecting nonpofits and businesses to help build strong communities. She spoke about this and more on a special two-part MISSION Story Slam Podcast with Michael Schweisheimer sponsored by The Philadelphia Citizen as part of Generocity’s PHLanthropy Week

Deian McBryde returned to MISSION Story Slam 13: Braver Today to tell us his story of finding the courage to be his true self. He tells us more about that and his other experiences on The MISSION Story Slam Podcast with Michael Schweisheimer sponsored by The Philadelphia Citizen as part of Generocity’s PHLanthropy Week

Communication Strategist, Marta Rusek told a funny and touching story of self-discovery at MISSION Story Slam 12 that had the audience hanging on every word. Marta told her story for Women against Abuse. She talks about her story and more on the MISSION Story Slam Podcast with Michael Schweisheimer.

Roz Pichardo’s tragic upbringing was preparation for her life’s mission of saving lives in Philadelphia’s drug-plagued river wards. She has personally administered over 2400 doses of Narcan. Roz founded Operation Save Our City and Sunshine House to give hope to her community. She won MISSION Story Slam 12 Judges’ Award with the story of her work and she talks about it on the MISSION Story Slam Podcast with Michael Schweisheimer.

Che Guerrero, is a journalist, writer, artivist, content creator, and comedian. He also told a riveting story about his personal journey and won $100 for Esperanza Immigration Legal Services

https://www.cheguerrero.com/

Ken is an active entrepreneur, real estate developer and President of the award-winning Philly Office Retail.  Ken co-founded the Mt. Airy Business Improvement District and Jumpstart Germantown. He is joined on the podcast by his wife Judy and their children Ari, Ellie & Noah to discuss their 2009 RV trip across America.

Ken is an active entrepreneur, real estate developer and President of the award-winning Philly Office Retail.  Ken co-founded the Mt. Airy Business Improvement District and Jumpstart Germantown. He is joined on the podcast by his wife Judy and their children Ari, Ellie & Noah to discuss their 2009 RV trip across America.

Eric Marsh is the new Director of Operations at Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting and the founder of the nonprofit Fathering Circle which serves as a form of engagement to men who believe in creating a new vision of parenting that encourages balanced parenting, gender equality and support for fathers and their families.

Adam Teterus is Director of Community at Indy Hall. He shared a story of donating a kidney to his friend and podcast partner. at MISSION Story Slam 11: It's A Family Affair Tuesday December 3, 2024 at National Mechanics in Philly sponsored by PWPvideo.

Jude Husein is Director of State Advocacy for the Pennsylvania State Senate and former Dep. Executive Director of BOLT. She shared a story with us at MISSION Story Slam 10: The Message Tuesday June 4, 2024 at National Mechanics in Philly sponsored by PWPvideo. She is also one of Philly’s Forty Under Forty To Watch. You should listen…

Dr. Jennifer Gardella, is a small business SEO, Blogging and Social Media Consultant and author. She won the Crowd Favorite Award and $100 for A Woman's Place at MISSION Story Slam 10: The Message with her personal story of surviving domestic violence.

Janis Risch, Executive Director of the Mt. Airy Business District, won MISSION Story Slam 10: The Message with this tale of love, loss and angels.

Dr. Neil Bardhan is Director of Applied Storytelling at First Person Arts, Executive Director of the Broad Street Review, and founder of Bardhan Consulting. Neil told a great story at MISSION Story Slam 8 (see below) and joined Michael Schweisheimer to discuss storytelling on the podcast.

Elizabeth Guman is Managing Partner of Strategy Arts, a Philadelphia-based consulting group focusing on strategic planning, sustainability planning and market innovation. Elizabeth told a story at MSS9 about a lunch she shared with Judy Wicks early in her career set her feet on the path toward a life working for a more just, equitable and sustainable world. Judy Wicks is the Godmother of Sustainable Business, founder of The White Dog Cafe and author of Good Morning Beautiful Business. She joins Elizabeth on the podcast to discuss the history and future of the sustainable business model with host, Michael Schweisheimer...

Elizabeth Guman is Managing Partner of Strategy Arts, a Philadelphia-based consulting group focusing on strategic planning, sustainability planning and market innovation. Elizabeth told a story at MSS9 about a lunch she shared with Judy Wicks early in her career set her feet on the path toward a life working for a more just, equitable and sustainable world. Judy Wicks is the Godmother of Sustainable Business, founder of The White Dog Cafe and author of Good Morning Beautiful Business. She joins Elizabeth on the podcast to discuss the history and future of the sustainable business model with host, Michael Schweisheimer.<...

Conrad Benner is the Founder/Editor of StreetsDept.com. A Fishtown, Philadelphia born-and-raised photo-blogger on Instagram and X, curator (Streets Dept Walls and Mural Arts Philadelphia), and podcaster (WHYY's Art Outside), Conrad's work explores the art of our public spaces and the artists who create it. He spoke to host Michael Schweisheimer on this and a wide range of topics on the podcast.

Trenae Nuri is the host of a daily podcast about Philadelphia, City Cast Philly. Trenae won the Judges’ Award and $250 for PhillyCAM with a wonderful story of reconnecting with her grandfather, a member of the Federation of Black Cowboys. Michael Schweisheimer talks with Trenae about storytelling and her podcast on our podcast, The MISSION Story Slam Podcast.

Alex Hillman is a business educator and coach, community builder, author of The Tiny MBA and Founder and Fearless Leader of Philly's Indy Hall, COVID dealt what could have been a death-blow to Philadelphia’s premiere co-work site. Alex shares the story of how he and his team staged a world-class recovery and renaissance of their business and community.

She spoke with PWPvideo Exexcutive Producer Michael Schweisheimer about this and more on Episode 24 of The MISSION Story Slam Podcast.

Alex Hillman is a business educator and coach, community builder, author of The Tiny MBA and Founder and Fearless Leader of Philly's Indy Hall, COVID dealt what could have been a death-blow to Philadelphia’s premiere co-work site. Alex shares the story of how he and his team staged a world-class recovery and renaissance of their business and community.

She spoke with PWPvideo Exexcutive Producer Michael Schweisheimer about this and more on Episode 23 of The MISSION Story Slam Podcast.

Terri Ann DiJulio closed a successful business and career to become a full-time warrior against lung cancer. She started www.TerriAnnDiJulio.com and advocates for lung cancer research and patient support. Terri Ann shared her story at MISSION Story Slam 8: The Next Chapter and won the Crowd Favorite Prize and $100 for GO2 for Lung Cancer.

She spoke with PWPvideo Exexcutive Producer Michael Schweisheimer about this and more on Episode 22of The MISSION Story Slam Podcast.

A self-described “preacher-at-heart,” Angela Brown-Vann certainly can tell a story. She won MISSION Story Slam 8 and $250 for Power Interfaith with the story of her ever-expanding resume and career as a serial career-changer. Her advice to know when to get out of a bad job is an important message for many in the job market today.

She spoke with PWPvideo Exexcutive Producer Michael Schweisheimer about this and more on Episode 21 of The MISSION Story Slam Podcast.

We met Zakya Hall during the COVID scramble to keep nonprofits alive and active during the lockdown when she was working to keep services flowing in Philadelphia neighborhoods at PACDC. We asked her to tell a story at MISSION Story Slam 6 and she told a great one about life in her Strawberry Mansion neighborhood winning the Crowd Favorite Award. Over one year later we wrangled an interview with Zakya about her story and her new work at Community Legal Services of Philadelphia on the MISSION Story Slam Podcast.

Our first MISSION Story Slam back Live and In-Person at Yards Brewing was a celebration. So much had changed since we last gathered to share stories. So many great stories shared that night, but the winner was from Pamela Elaine Nichols, Executive Director of Muddy High Heels entertainment. She spoke about their mission to bring healing and resilience to mothers of color who have experienced abuse. Pamela spoke in-depth with PWPvideo Executive Producer, Michael Schweisheimer.

Jamie J. Brunson is the Executive Director of First Person Arts, an organization with a mission to transform the drama of real life into memoir and documentary art. Jamie discusses storytelling with MISSION Story Slam’s Michael Schweisheimer and how our stories connect us.

When the pandemic hit, MISSION Story Slam went online. And the winner of MISSION Story Slam 6 - over one year ago - was Martha Sharkey, Co-Founder and CEO of Today Is A Good Day, a nonprofit that helps parents manage the challenges of the NICU and premature birth. After so long, Michael Schweisheimer of PWPvideo caught up with Martha to talk about her story and her continuing mission on the MISSION Story Slam Podcast

Something a little different from MISSION Story Slam. In this episode we spotlight an organization we love and support, This Is My Brave, which uses storytelling to empower individuals to put their names and faces on their true stories of recovery from mental illness and addiction. Michael Schweisheimer talks with Executive Director Erin Gallagher about the upcoming This Is My Brave event and the Jaywalkers22 event coming up this month.

This episode was over a year in the making. Like so many other things it was put on hold by COVID, then rescheduled, then postponed again. Here, finally is Michael Schweisheimer’s (second) conversation with Jared Fenton, founder of The Reflect Organization and winner of MISSION STory Slam 5: #Stay Home Edition

MISSION Story Slam - Anuj Gupta, GM Reading Terminal Market MISSION Story Slam Download

ANUJ GUPTA

Former Attorney, Anuj Gupta has been serving the people of Philadelphia in City Government, as the Executive Director of the Mt. Airy Community Development Corporation, General Manager of the Reading Terminal Market and now, as Chief of Staff for Congressman Dwight Evans. Anuj was a judge at the first MISSION Story Slam and was so inspired, he insisted on telling a story as well. He returned to tell a story at MISSION Story Slam 2: Saving Democracy.

MISSION Story Slam Podcast - Dave Davies NPR's Fresh Air MISSION Story Slam Download

DAVE DAVIES

Veteran Journalist and Broadcaster Dave Davies has spent his career reporting on Philadelphia politics. He recently retired as Senior Reporter for WHYY after working as Bureau Chief for KYW News Radio and columnist for the Philadelphia Daily News. He is currently the guest host for Terry Gross on NPR’s Fresh Air.

Dave won Crowd Favorite at MISSION Story Slam 2: Saving Democracy telling a story about covering Congressman Bob Brady and Philly Machine Politics. He donated his pr...

Good Luck or Bad Luck? Who can tell? G. Benjamin Bingham, CFP talks with Michael Schweisheimer about the future of investing with an emphasis on making the world a better place.

PWPvideo Executive Producer Michael Schweisheimer talks with Corinne O’Connell of Habitat For Humanity to talk about how she uses storytelling to help build homes and lives in Philadelphia.

PWPvideo Executiver Producer Michael Schweisheimer talks with MISSION Story Slam 4 winner (and Crowd Favorite) Laura Lacy. Laura and her husband Todd are the founders of Attic Brewing in Germantown Philadelphia. Laura talks about building a brewery that not only serves great beer, but serves the community as well.

Veteran journalist Chris Satullo sits down with PWPvideo Executive Producer Michael Schweisheimer to discuss journalism, hosting MISSION Story Slam, and the inspiration that drives him to slay the gerrymander with Draw The Lines PA.