York Story Slam

Oops!

Welcome to the York Story Slam podcast, where we feature select stories from our monthly open mic storytelling events in York, Pennsylvania.

 

On November 18, nine winners from our monthly open mic story slams returned to compete for the title of Best Storyteller in York. We gathered at the Appell Center for the Performing Arts in downtown York, who have hosted all 10 of our annual Grand Slams in the beautiful Capitol Theatre.

 

The theme for the evening was OOPS. We heard stories about encounters with sea and land creatures, standing up to authority, and lessons learned from a younger generation.

 

In the end, our winner was Matt McDunnell — our very first two-time Grand Slam Champion — who shared his story about an accident with his mother’s glass China cabinet.

 

Matt took home the trophy and bragging rights as the Best Storyteller in York. Next up we have a story from Mike Reed, who told his story about his efforts to make it to vacation in time for the big game.

 

Our final story on this month’s podcast comes from Mark Lentz, who shared his story about developing his approach as a wrestling coach.

 

The themes for our 2026 season have already been announced on our website, YorkStorySlam.com, so take a look. While you’re there, you can sign up for our monthly newsletter, the easiest way to know when tickets go on sale to join us in January and all year long at our NEW location on the first floor of the Grotto Community Center at 17 East Philadelphia Street in the heart of downtown York. You can also follow us on Facebook, and watch videos of all the stories from our events on our YouTube channel.

 

We hope to see you on stage soon! Thanks for listening.

Open Theme 2025

Welcome to the York Story Slam podcast, where we feature select stories from our monthly open mic storytelling events in York, Pennsylvania.

 

On October 21, eight storytellers shared their stories with our audience at The Hangar at New York Wire Works, in downtown York.

 

Our October story slam was open theme. We heard stories about eventful excursions with family, celebrity encounters at the White House, and navigating all the complexities of love and loss.

 

In the end, our winner was Danton Spina, who shared his story about scheming a way to earn the affection of his middle school Spanish teacher.

 

Danton earned a spot in our Grand Slam in November. Our next story comes from Helen Dempsey, who shared a story about her run-in with the law when crossing international borders.

 

Our final story on this month’s podcast comes from Randall Arthur, who told a story of the time he couldn’t muster planting his garden, and nature saved the day.

 

All the winners from this year’s open mic story slam events will return at the end of the season to compete for the title of Best Storyteller in York at our Grand Slam.

 

Updates on our events are available on our website, YorkStorySlam.com, and while you’re there, you can sign up for our monthly newsletter. You can also follow us on Facebook, and watch videos of all the stories from our events on our YouTube channel.

 

We hope to see you on stage soon! Thanks for listening.

WTF?!

Welcome to the York Story Slam podcast, where we feature select stories from our monthly open mic storytelling events in York, Pennsylvania.

 

On September 16, six storytellers shared their stories with our audience at The Hangar at New York Wire Works, in downtown York.

 

The theme for our September story slam was WTF? We heard stories about perplexing childhood experiences, interactions with animals, and one about a wrong turn in an elementary school spelling bee.

 

In the end, our winner was Mike Reed, who shared his story about some of the stupidest questions he’s ever heard.

 

Mike earned a spot in our Grand Slam in November. Our next story comes from Meg Wheeler, who remembers attending a Pride march in DC and seeing the AIDS memorial quilt on display on the National Mall in 1993.

 

Our final story on this month’s podcast comes from Tad Mundis, who told a story of the time he was left in charge of the family dog from his childhood

 

All the winners from this year’s open mic story slam events will return at the end of the season to compete for the title of Best Storyteller in York at our Grand Slam.

 

Updates on our events are available on our website, YorkStorySlam.com, and while you’re there, you can sign up for our monthly newsletter. You can also follow us on Facebook, and watch videos of all the stories from our events on our YouTube channel.

 

We hope to see you on stage soon! Thanks for listening.

Daily Grind

Welcome to the York Story Slam podcast, where we feature select stories from our monthly open mic storytelling events in York, Pennsylvania.

On August 19, seven storytellers shared their stories with our audience at The Hangar at New York Wire Works, in downtown York.

The theme for our August story slam was DAILY GRIND. We heard stories about first jobs, career trajectories, and “other duties as assigned.”

In the end, our winner was Debbie Gable, who shared a story about how much she has always loved to work, and some of her key takeaways as she nears retirement.

Debbie earned a spot in our Grand Slam in November. Our next story comes from Mike Reed, who shared a story about lessons learned in his first jobs as a blacktop paver and a reporter.

Our final story on this month’s podcast comes from Rachael Prensner, who told the story of the chaos she experienced in her first foray into waitressing.

All the winners from this year’s open mic story slam events will return at the end of the season to compete for the title of Best Storyteller in York at our Grand Slam.

Updates on our events are available on our website, YorkStorySlam.com, and while you’re there, you can sign up for our monthly newsletter. You can also follow us on Facebook, and watch videos of all the stories from our events on our YouTube channel.

We hope to see you on stage soon! Thanks for listening.

Old Friends

Welcome to the York Story Slam podcast, where we feature select stories from our monthly open mic storytelling events in York, Pennsylvania. On July 15, eight storytellers shared their stories with our audience at The Hangar at New York Wire Works, in downtown York.

The theme for our July story slam was OLD FRIENDS. We heard stories about making friends on the internet, embarrassing moments only old friends could share, and even one about the draft lottery.

In the end, our winner was Paul Boddy, who shared a story about attending the Army/Navy game over the years with a college friend.

Paul earned a spot in our Grand Slam in November. Our next story comes from Meg Wheeler, who shared a story about her first friends as a child.

Our final story on this month’s podcast comes from Jai Jayaram, who told the story of his oldest friend from the village where he was raised.

All the winners from this year’s open mic story slam events will return at the end of the season to compete for the title of Best Storyteller in York at our Grand Slam.

Updates on our events are available on our website, YorkStorySlam.com, and while you’re there, you can sign up for our monthly newsletter. You can also follow us on Facebook, and watch videos of all the stories from our events on our YouTube channel.

We hope to see you on stage soon! Thanks for listening.

Brush with Death

Welcome to the York Story Slam podcast, where we feature select stories from our monthly open mic storytelling events in York, Pennsylvania.

On June 17, twelve storytellers shared their stories with our audience at The Hangar at New York Wire Works, in downtown York.

The theme for our June story slam was BRUSH WITH DEATH. We heard stories about a camping trip gone awry, a complicated pregnancy, and all sorts of medical emergencies.

In the end, our winner was Tony Crocamo, who shared a story about following orders during his time in the army during the Vietnam War.

Tony earned a spot in our Grand Slam in November. Our next story comes from Natalie Stutzman, who shared about a sudden and extreme illness.

Our final story on this month’s podcast comes from Roth Preap, who told the story of a time during his childhood when he experienced the supernatural.

All the winners from this year’s open mic story slam events will return at the end of the season to compete for the title of Best Storyteller in York at our Grand Slam.

Updates on our events are available on our website, YorkStorySlam.com, and while you’re there, you can sign up for our monthly newsletter. You can also follow us on Facebook, and watch videos of all the stories from our events on our YouTube channel.

We hope to see you on stage soon! Thanks for listening.

All in the Family

Welcome to the York Story Slam podcast, where we feature select stories from our monthly open mic storytelling events in York, Pennsylvania.

On May 20, nine storytellers shared their stories with our audience at The Hangar at New York Wire Works, in downtown York.

The theme for our May story slam was ALL IN THE FAMILY. We heard stories about blood relations, chosen family, sibling pranks, and more.

In the end, our winner was Shaun Carter, who shared a story about his contribution to the family Thanksgiving meal.

Shaun earned a spot in our Grand Slam in November. Our next story comes from Emily Crockett, who shared about losing herself in a young marriage.

Our final story on this month’s podcast comes from Jason Plotkin, who told the story of crashing a wedding in Ireland.

All the winners from this year’s open mic story slam events will return at the end of the season to compete for the title of Best Storyteller in York at our Grand Slam.

Updates on our events are available on our website, YorkStorySlam.com, and while you’re there, you can sign up for our monthly newsletter. You can also follow us on Facebook, and watch videos of all the stories from our events on our YouTube channel.

We hope to see you on stage soon! Thanks for listening.

My Better Half

Welcome to the York Story Slam podcast, where we feature select stories from our monthly open mic storytelling events in York, Pennsylvania.

On April 15, fourteen storytellers shared their stories with our audience at The Hangar at New York Wire Works, in downtown York.

The theme for our April story slam was MY BETTER HALF. We heard stories about meeting future spouses, helping each other through difficult times, and even one about sharing clothing with a partner of similar stature.

In the end, our winner Swapna Deshpande, who shared a story about a patient she worked with through the course of his degenerative illness.

Swapna earned a spot in our Grand Slam in November. Our next story comes from Matt McDunnell, who shared about the magic his mom created for an early birthday.

Our next story comes from Adam Nugent, who shared his story about the positive effect his wife has had on his early-20s shenanigans.

Our final story on this month’s podcast comes from Doc Yoder, who told the story of meeting a beautiful woman in his college years.

All the winners from this year’s open mic story slam events will return at the end of the season to compete for the title of Best Storyteller in York at our Grand Slam.

Updates on our events are available on our website, YorkStorySlam.com, and while you’re there, you can sign up for our monthly newsletter. You can also follow us on Facebook, and watch videos of all the stories from our events on our YouTube channel.

We hope to see you on stage soon! Thanks for listening.

No Hard Feelings

Welcome to the York Story Slam podcast, where we feature select stories from our monthly open mic storytelling events in York, Pennsylvania.

On March 18, nine storytellers shared their stories with our audience at The Hangar at New York Wire Works in downtown York.

The theme for our March story slam was NO HARD FEELINGS. We heard stories about getting tackled in football games, losing items from the lost & found at a Hollywood hostel, learning to let go, and even one story about Kevin Bacon (not that one).

In the end, our winner was Mark Lentz, who shared a story about reflecting on the resentments he carries.

Mark earned a spot in our Grand Slam in November. Our next story comes from Eric Zeltmann, who shared about playing tabletop games with his son, and the consequent lessons on losing and winning.

Our final story on this month’s podcast comes from Megan Hine, who tells the story of her pet pig, Kevin Bacon, and how she and her family were at odds on the best way to honor his memory.

All the winners from this year’s open mic story slam events will return at the end of the season to compete for the title of Best Storyteller in York at our Grand Slam.

Updates on our events are available on our website, YorkStorySlam.com, and while you’re there, you can sign up for our monthly newsletter. You can also follow us on Facebook, and watch videos of all the stories from our events on our YouTube channel.

We hope to see you on stage soon! Thanks for listening.

Culture Shock

Welcome to the York Story Slam podcast, where we feature select stories from our monthly open mic storytelling events in York, Pennsylvania.

On February 18, six storytellers shared their stories with our audience at The Hangar at New York Wire Works, in downtown York.

The theme for our February story slam was CULTURE SHOCK. We heard stories about being made to feel “othered,” what happens when you welcome someone new, and one story about spending a long weekend with four toddlers.

In the end, our winner was Marianne Sheely, who shared a story about getting to know her new neighbor.

Matt earned a spot in our Grand Slam in November. Our next story comes from Phil Broder, who shared about a memorable experience participating in a kite festival in India.

Our final story on this month’s podcast comes from Tim McGuinness, who tells the story of a time he confused the staff at a KFC far from home.

All the winners from this year’s open mic story slam events will return at the end of the season to compete for the title of Best Storyteller in York at our Grand Slam.

Updates on our events are available on our website, YorkStorySlam.com, and while you’re there, you can sign up for our monthly newsletter. You can also follow us on Facebook, and watch videos of all the stories from our events on our YouTube channel.

We hope to see you on stage soon! Thanks for listening.