I was putting on a live true storytelling event (think knock-off of the Moth) at the Mill Valley Public Library, called Naked Truth: true.stories.live. It was a pretty popular event for a public library--we would get 300+ people stuffed into the main reading room to listen to other people tell ten minute true stories based on theme.

This was right around the time Ira Glass and Mike Birbiglia were doing a promo for the movie "Sleep Walk With Me" called "Pizza Party With Ira and Mike!".  If you're not familiar, they tried to Skype into as many home viewing parties of the movie as possible. 

I was like, "Oh my God! This is perfect!" I'll put my name in the hat to have them Skype into my event. I'll have a big screen up. The audience will be in shock and awe at the announcement of our special surprise guests. Everyone will love me and I would get to talk with my idol, the Godfather of storytelling, Ira Glass.  

But, I never heard back from Mike or Ira and thought, oh well, it was worth a shot and went on with the show. 

Show was great--a good time had by all, and then I saw the blinking light on my phone and listened to the message...

The missed call

Student podcast producers from San Francisco's St. Ignatius College Prep spent time with the guests and volunteers of Martin de Porres House of Hospitality during an Open Mic Night. Martin's is a free restaurant serving anyone who needs a helping hand.

*This is a revised version for the NPR student podcast challenge that has all copyrighted music removed.

Cara Brancoli Monchicourt

Popular tracks