For the regular monthly shows, we almost never edit our storytellers. If someone asks for help, we give them feedback, but we try hard to avoid meddling too much. Too much editing and everyone starts to sound the same. Too much coaching can twist a story into something that’s too slick—the structure is perfect and audience is impressed but the story feels disconnected from the storyteller. We want folks share their truths in their own voice. But that means every month we take a giant leap of faith—because we never really know what folks are going to say when they get behind the microphone. We have to trust total strangers, unpredictable friends and mercurial artists. It’s a gamble every month and, with only a handful of exceptions, we’ve hit the jackpot again and again.

This week’s story started as one of those gambles. Mathiba Kgopa sent us a message on Facebook back in March. She said that she was from South Africa, would only be visiting Denver for two months. She had attended one of our live shows and wanted to share a story of her own. We’re so glad we embraced the unknown. Mathiba has decided to stay in Denver and these days is working with the Flobots as a call-and-response songleader for their project called No Enemies, a gig she discovered through a collaborative performance with The Narrators at the Denver Art Museum.

This story was originally recorded on 15 April 2015 at Buntport Theater in Denver, Colorado and the theme of the evening was “The Flame.” Our theme music is by our friend Whalehawk (aka the Grammy-nominated musician Jake Sanders).

Our next live event in Denver takes place at Buntport Theater on July 15, 2015 at 8:00pm. The theme of the evening will be “Take a Hike.” See you there!