Commonspace

The Storytelling Mind

Tue, 10 Jul 2018 08:29:05 +0000

In this season 2 finale, all-star Commonspace storytellers gather around a table to discuss their craft and creative passion.

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The One Who Laughs Last

Sat, 07 Jul 2018 08:58:36 +0000

Comedian Margaret Cho gives voice to difficulties in her life through comedy.

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Good, Giving, and Game

Thu, 05 Jul 2018 08:57:24 +0000

What do an egg donor, Australian vacationer, and orgy attendee have in common? They’re leaving judgements about sex at the door.

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Feels Like the First Time

Tue, 03 Jul 2018 09:54:03 +0000

The first time trying anything is likely to be awkward and clumsy. Sex does not seem to be an exception.

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A Journey of Her Own

Sat, 30 Jun 2018 08:28:09 +0000

As a child, Sok Be and her family fled Cambodia on a bicycle. Now, she reflects her mother’s bravery and selfless sacrifices.

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A Phoenix Must First Burn

Thu, 28 Jun 2018 07:27:42 +0000

Writers Cecily Kellogg and Charlie O’Hay reflect on losing twin boys and their grieving process.

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Unexpected

Tue, 26 Jun 2018 08:25:22 +0000

From complicated pregnancies to raising children with special needs, these storytellers open up about being a mother in the face of difficult circumstances.

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Breaking the Class Ceiling

Thu, 21 Jun 2018 08:57:21 +0000

If achieving “The American Dream” is a game, how do you play the game? And what forces hold you back? Dr. Daniel Laurison expounds on wealth inequality and systematic class oppression.

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Looking Class

Tue, 19 Jun 2018 08:51:41 +0000

Education, race, sex and age are only a few aspects that make up class in America. These storytellers recount their journeys using art to navigate the class system.

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Pussy Riot Grabs Back

Sat, 16 Jun 2018 09:55:02 +0000

Nadya Tolokonnikova has dedicated her life to disruption and resistance through art. But the fight is far from over.

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Beyond the Watch Tower

Thu, 14 Jun 2018 09:53:20 +0000

Kyra felt prepared to leave the Jehovah’s Witnesses at 15 years old. Then the shunning began.

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She Was Always Amelia

Tue, 12 Jun 2018 09:50:37 +0000

One family’s touching transition meeting the daughter they always had.

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No Man is a Failure Who Has Friends

Sat, 09 Jun 2018 15:57:23 +0000

After his mother’s arrest, a young man is responsible for paying his family’s past-due rent…with a little help from his friends.

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Denied

Thu, 07 Jun 2018 08:55:15 +0000

Even the seemingly best attorneys and absolving witness statements haven’t exonerated Chester Hollman – but his family refuses to give up hope.

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The Waiting Game

Wed, 06 Jun 2018 15:54:48 +0000

Giovanni Reid spent 26 years behind bars. After his release, Giovanni reflects on the trials and tribulations of representing himself from jail.

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Ashes to Ashes

Sat, 02 Jun 2018 04:27:15 +0000

When we die, what do we leave behind? And where does it go?

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Welcome to the End

Thu, 31 May 2018 04:26:06 +0000

Thinking about mortality can be grim. These artists and storytellers don’t want you to fear the reaper.

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Going Out with a Bang

Tue, 29 May 2018 04:04:58 +0000

Sometimes the party doesn’t start until life is over.

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I Am a Man

Fri, 05 Jan 2018 05:35:23 +0000

A doctor, an athlete, an educator, and a veteran join Commonspace host Jamie J. in an honest discussion about living as Black men in America.

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Verse

Fri, 29 Dec 2017 05:55:18 +0000

Many storytellers express their political and personal concerns through poetry. We look back on some of the best poems from Commonspace Season 1, including work from Ross Gay and Emi Mahmoud.

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One Step Forward, One Look Back

Fri, 22 Dec 2017 05:47:41 +0000

From the silence breakers to the bathroom ban and immigrant hardships, Commonspace reflects on 2017 with true, brave stories from those who stood up and spoke out.

Guests: Sonia Sanchez, Nimisha Ladva, Kathleen Lafferty, Amrita Subramanian, Denice Frohman, Raheem Brock, Bea Cordelia, Gabrielle Gibson, Jaden Remy Gibson, Emi Mahmoud, Christy NaMee Eriksen, G. Yamazawa, Ross Gay, Mo Burroughs, Christian A’Xavier Lovehall, Dr. Arthur C. Evans, Russell Walker, Mike Green

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Transforming Traditions

Fri, 08 Dec 2017 05:32:20 +0000

Holiday traditions wax and wane naturally over generations. Three guests share their own renditions of Kwanzaa and Hanukkah.

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Hospice for the Holidays

Fri, 01 Dec 2017 05:42:55 +0000

As a hospice nurse, Nina has spent many holidays with patients who have a difficult decision to make: live or die.

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Holiday Seasoning

Fri, 24 Nov 2017 05:10:56 +0000

Between hiding from family members on Thanksgiving, and sneaking Christmas trees into Saudi Arabia, these storytellers reveal their classic holiday memories.

Guests: Chris Lundy, Megan Hicks, Sara Ray, Geoff Jackson, Dan Gasiewski, Martha Cooney, Dave Hillis, Jamie Brunson, Nina McKissock, Lisa Lapp, Annette John Hall, Marjorie Winther

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Look For the Helpers

Fri, 10 Nov 2017 05:01:25 +0000

Natural disasters are a devastating part of life worldwide. In the face of catastrophe, who takes the lead to help?

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Gen. R(esilient)

Fri, 03 Nov 2017 04:35:53 +0000

Dr. Kenneth Ginsburg’s work at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia centers on building resilience in kids. But how do you teach resilience to a child with a weak support system or traumatic past?

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Haunted

Fri, 27 Oct 2017 04:49:49 +0000

Storytellers reminisce about prevailing over troubling childhood moments— and look to the next generation of courageous kids.

Guests: Amrita Subramanian, Tim McAleer, Lisa Nelson-Haynes, Kathleen Lafferty, Emi Mahmoud, Jay Butera, Dr. Kenneth Ginsburg, Rachel Chaffin

Image: Johanna Austin

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The Path of Peace Resistance

Fri, 13 Oct 2017 14:00:40 +0000

Cathie Berrey Green has participated in large and small-scale protests since she was 16. In a time of great political anxiety, what can people learn from her? Step one: keep your cool.

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App-tivism

Fri, 29 Sep 2017 14:14:23 +0000

Is “slacktivism” real political action, or just feel-good futility? Jumping into political activism can be intimidating and time consuming, but utilizing civic-minded technology is a great place to start. One app helps people stay informed and in contact with representatives with just the click of a button.

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What We’ve Gained & What We’ve Lost

Fri, 08 Sep 2017 04:50:39 +0000

In every Philadelphia neighborhood, the social and architectural history from past generations is still visible. It fills residents with a sense of place and home. But what happens when the old family grocery store is scrapped for a high-rise condominium?

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Won’t You Be My Neighbor?

Fri, 01 Sep 2017 04:52:53 +0000

The debate surrounding gentrification continues in cities across America, including Philadelphia. PlanPhilly reporter Jim Saksa provides context for this debate.

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Gentrified

Fri, 25 Aug 2017 13:25:07 +0000

Is it revitalization or displacement? Hear true stories of the real impact of gentrification.
Guests: Mo Burroughs, Freya Zork, Ociele Hawkins, Dan Gasiewski, Jim Saksa, Ken Finkel, Nathaniel Popkin

Image: Johanna Austin

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Woke-abulary

Fri, 04 Aug 2017 00:55:47 +0000

Words are alive and go through cycles of meaning. The powerful “woke,” political and provocative, has lost some of its punch as it has been adopted and co-opted.

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How much to tell

Fri, 28 Jul 2017 04:57:42 +0000

It takes courage to transform a personal experience into a performance story. That’s what we like about these three risk-taking story tellers.

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Woke

Fri, 28 Jul 2017 04:52:15 +0000

What does it mean to be “woke?” Are YOU woke? And if you’re NOT aware … are you denying reality? Real stories from real people, about whether the truth hit in an instant or set in slowly.
Guests: Megan Hicks, Kitty Hailey, Carlos Roa, Cheyenne Barboza, Dr. Neil Bardhan, Matthew Thompson, Kendra Rosati
Photo: Johanna Austin

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It’s Not Easy Being “B”

Fri, 07 Jul 2017 04:03:35 +0000

Bisexuality is neither a fad nor a statement–it’s an identity. Two bisexual people of color talk about their experiences and the complications brought on by society’s discomfort about anything having to do with gender, sexuality and race.

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Wholeheartedly Trans

Fri, 30 Jun 2017 04:05:23 +0000

Love is hard to find at any time, so what are the chances of a transgender marriage commitment? A trans couple opens up about their journey.

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Gay Pride and Prejudice

Fri, 23 Jun 2017 04:09:39 +0000

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Parades are celebrating LGBTQ rights around the country. More visibility has increased recognition of gay communities as integral parts of American life. But not for everyone; some still view them with contempt – even aggression and outright violence. Our stories explore both worlds.

Guests: Anissa Weinraub, Amber Hikes, Aaron Stella, Christian A’Xavier Lovehall, Kylin Mettler, Bea Cordelia, Mark Davis, Jaden Rogers, Gabby Gibson, Vendetta Washington, Charles Tyson Jr.

Photo: Johanna Austin. Slideshow images courtesy of Jaden Rogers and Gabby Gibson.

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Like Father, Like Son?

Fri, 02 Jun 2017 04:05:49 +0000

Edwin Desamour used to share a prison cell with his father. But today, he’s created a new legacy for his own sons.

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Who’s Your Daddy?

Thu, 25 May 2017 19:30:36 +0000

From a cowboy with a secret obsession to a dad called “Mom,” fathers and children share unexpected and heartfelt stories all about dads.

Guests: Paul Lyons, Louie Ortiz-Fonseca, Chris Davis, Lori Horvitz, Jared Bilski, Rocco Ritorto
Photo: Johanna Austin

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Teachers! Why Do They Do It?

Fri, 12 May 2017 04:05:43 +0000

Taking a cue from memories about the best and the worst teachers they had, these educators talk about the emotional costs and rewards of working with students – and the reasons they continue to do it.

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From Superbowl to Superintendent

Fri, 05 May 2017 04:05:24 +0000

It takes a tough teacher to rise to the level of superintendent. Dr. William Hite talks about his early dreams of football stardom, and the mentors, teachers and students who changed his course. In charge of 300 schools, 8,500 teachers and about 200,000 students, he still remembers his earliest school days, and shares them with us.

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Teachers Tell All

Thu, 27 Apr 2017 19:44:38 +0000

Being a teacher takes passion and compassion…but a sense of humor certainly helps. Educators become storytellers and open up about some of their most challenging (and sometimes hilarious) experiences, including stories about chaperones misbehaving, taking career advice from a psychic, chemistry experiments gone wrong, and more.

Guests: Chris Lundy, Marjorie Winther (pictured), George Dougherty, Anissa Weinraub, Jason Pittman, Dr. William Hite, Donald Deeley, Paul Arendt, Emma Hitchcock

Image: Jen Cleary

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Brain Matters: Reality with a Twist

Thu, 23 Mar 2017 20:27:02 +0000

What do an obsessive hand washer, a biting job applicant, and a kid hiding under his school desk have in common? Five storytellers get real about their mental health.

Featured guests: Justine Cuny, Geoff Jackson, Steve Clark, Aaron (last name withheld), Dr. Lawrence Real, Craig Terry, Meaghon Reid, Dr. Marquita Williams, Khalida Sethi

Photo: Johanna Austin

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Brain Matters: How to Help

Thu, 23 Mar 2017 20:26:05 +0000

Motivated by her own mother’s suicide, Meaghon Reid has dedicated her career to mental health training in the workplace. Learn how to spot signs of distress, provide support, reduce stigma, and how we’re all equipped to make a difference.

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Brain Matters: Women of Color

Thu, 23 Mar 2017 20:25:06 +0000

A doctor and a social worker talk candidly about mental health experiences that are unique to women of color.

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Immigrants: Home of the Brave

Thu, 23 Feb 2017 21:00:33 +0000

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Dare to dream the American dream? Real stories bring to life the bravery, sacrifice, and hope that has defined every wave of US immigration—including, most likely, those of your ancestors.
Featured guests: Sonia Sanchez, Nimisha Ladva, Grant Hollis, Catzie and Aditi Vilayphonh, Ross Gay, Sreedevi Sripathy, and Rebekah Rickards

Banner image: Neil Santos

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Immigrants: Of Thee I Sing

Thu, 23 Feb 2017 20:45:26 +0000

Borders can’t contain the creative spirit of our cultures. From blues to punk, Irish ballads to hip hop, and much more, hear how where we come from breathes new life into art through immigrant music and poetry.

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Immigrants: Painting the Journey

Thu, 23 Feb 2017 20:03:25 +0000

Visual artist Michelle Angela Ortiz celebrates to her family’s immigrant roots by lifting up immigrant narratives in vivid murals across Philadelphia.

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Being a Black Man: It’s a Full Time Job

Thu, 26 Jan 2017 21:02:32 +0000

Black men in America face enduring and discouraging stereotypes. Has anything really changed since the civil rights movement of the 1960s? Storytellers discuss how far we’ve come, and how far we have to go.

Featured guests: Raheem Brock, Dr. Arthur C. Evans Jr., Mister Mann Frisby, Michael Green, Reverend James Lawson, Elmore Nickelberry, Billy Smith, Ozell Ueal, Russell Walker (pictured)

Image: Phil Bradshaw

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Being a Black Man: Father Figures

Thu, 26 Jan 2017 21:01:53 +0000

Jamie J’s father murdered her mother. Hear how Jamie J’s relationships with her father and grandfather – one tragic, one loving – shaped her interactions with other black men in her life.

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Being a Black Man: Preach

Thu, 26 Jan 2017 21:00:11 +0000

The power of preachers reaches beyond the pulpit, and into their communities.

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This is Commonspace

Thu, 19 Jan 2017 15:44:03 +0000

Introducing Commonspace! Commonspace shares remarkable true stories that speak to the pressing issues of our time. Whatever tomorrow’s news cycle may bring, we’ll be here with real life stories to put it all into context. This Commonspace is your springboard for processing today’s headlines, and feeling a bit more connected to the world.

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