You will laugh. You might tear up. You will feel deeply connected to people you just met.

This is Stories We Carry.

A live storytelling circle for ordinary people

What if 60 minutes changed the way you see someone you love — or yourself?

I'm so grateful Renée Tillotson said yes. And something tells me you'll be glad she did, too.

This month's Stories We Carry is a special one. We're talking about the people who shaped us — the ones who nudged us forward before we knew we needed it, who believed in us before we believed in ourselves, whose smile at exactly the right moment changed something in us quietly, permanently.

For Renée, that person is her mom. And we cannot wait to hear her story.

Don't overthink it. Just register. It’ll be an extraordinary conversation with a woman who speaks her mind, lives with intention, and has the wisdom and courage to share it.
Next week, Thursday, 60 minutes of pure goodness, true heart and connection.

What Happens at a Stories We Carry Evening

• 12–30 people gathered in a circle

• 5–7 true stories, 7–10 minutes each

• A theme that sparks reflection (this month: Humor 😂)

• No performance. No pressure. Just presence.

This is not a performance night

This is not polished storytelling.
This is not comedy night.
This is not public speaking.

This is real people, sharing real moments, in a room that knows how to listen.

Stories We Carry is for you if…

• You crave real connection

• You’re tired of surface conversations

• You love listening to people’s lived experiences

• You have a story you’ve never told

• You simply want to be in a room that feels human

More on Stories We Carry

Stories We Carry is a thoughtfully held storytelling circle where presence matters more than perfection.

We gather to listen deeply, witness one another’s experiences, and create a space where stories can be shared with care and received with respect.

Every one of us carries stories — moments that shaped us, surprised us, challenged us, or quietly changed the way we see the world. Some are stories of starting over. Some are stories of belonging. Some are stories about the unexpected beauty found in ordinary moments.

In this circle, those stories have a place.

Stories We Carry invites people to slow down, reflect, and share the lived experiences that make us who we are. Stories may be joyful, tender, humorous, awkward, reflective, or profound. What matters most is authenticity.

Because when we share our stories, something powerful happens:
we begin to see ourselves in one another.

The stories we tell — and the stories we listen to — shape who we are and who we can become. In this circle, every voice matters, every story carries weight, and every listener plays a vital role.

A Monthly Gathering of Stories

Stories We Carry brings people together both in person and online, creating space for storytelling and connection across our community and beyond.

Each month we gather:

• In person every second Tuesday of the month at Aina Haina Public Library, Honolulu
• Online every last Thursday of the month, welcoming participants from anywhere in the world

These gatherings are more than events — they are intentional spaces for deep listening, authentic connection, and quiet reflection.

Each month centers around a simple theme that invites reflection and creativity. Sometimes the theme might be a found object, an awe moment, starting over, reclaiming something lost, stepping into a new chapter, or a moment that changed you in ways you never expected.

You don’t need to be a performer or professional storyteller. These are simply real stories shared by real people.

We are building something special together — a monthly tradition of storytelling that honors the voices in our community and creates space for the stories that shape us.

Whether you come to share or to listen, your presence helps create the circle.

How It Works

Stories We Carry gatherings are intentionally simple, welcoming, and human.

Each gathering includes:

• A warm welcome and introduction to the evening’s theme
• A handful of storytellers sharing short true stories from their lives
• Time for listening, reflection, and connection

Stories are typically 7–10 minutes long and based on real personal experiences connected to the theme.

Some people arrive ready to share a story.
Others come simply to listen.

Both are equally important.

Listening here is not passive — it is an act of presence, empathy, and respect.

Ways to Participate

There are several ways to be part of Stories We Carry.

Share a Story

If you feel inspired to share, you can submit a short story idea connected to the monthly theme. Selected storytellers will be invited to share at the gathering.

Join the Circle

Come simply to listen and experience the stories of others. Many people find that listening can be just as moving and meaningful as sharing.

Participate Online

Join the online storytelling circle on the last Thursday of each month from wherever you are in the world.

Submit a Written Story

Community members are also welcome to submit written stories inspired by the monthly themes.

However you choose to participate, your voice and presence are welcome.

Why Storytelling Matters

Storytelling is one of the oldest ways humans make meaning.

Stories help us remember, understand, connect, and imagine new possibilities for ourselves and our communities.

When people share stories honestly — without performance or pretense — something powerful happens. Barriers soften. Empathy grows. People feel seen and heard.

Stories We Carry is built on a simple belief:

Our stories matter.

And when we share them, we create something larger than ourselves — a living tapestry of experience, courage, humor, vulnerability, and humanity.

Voices from the Circle

"Stories We Carry creates a rare kind of space — one where people feel safe enough to be honest and where listening feels just as meaningful as speaking."

— First-time storyteller

"There was laughter, there were quiet moments, and there were stories that stayed with me long after the evening ended. It felt like being part of something truly human."

— Regular attendee

✨ Come listen. Come share. Come be part of the story.