A SENSE of PLACE

We haven’t prepared an event this year as much as we’ve prepared places. Sitting in one room for several days, listening to lectures is inherently uninspiring. It doesn’t matter what the content is. So we’ve turned the idea of a conference on its head.

We’ve spread the experience of STORY throughout the city. We want you to take-in the magnificent architecture that surrounds us and hear the rattling cars of the L from overhead. We want you to experience not only the performances and presentations of the event, but also the hot dog vendors, the beckoning storefronts and the sights of a city coming alive each morning. This is a festival for the senses.

Environments shape us. And there is no more transformative place than Chicago’s River North. It inspires us to dream bigger, act more courageously, and conquer our fears and learning curves. After all, STORY is not just about this sense of place in Chicago, but your sense of place… your purpose and unique calling in life.

My hope is that you’ll come away from STORY never-the-same… that this experience will be the dividing line between your before and after. This may come from a newfound friendship, a life-altering talk by one of our presenters or an introspective moment while crossing the Dearborn Street Bridge.

However it may come, embrace that vision in spite of all the doubts, concerns, fears and worries that come with it. The STORY community has got your back. But it’s the sheer terror of pursuing an idea that lets you know you’re onto something.

Yours,

Ben Arment, STORY Creator

We haven’t prepared an event this year as much as we’ve prepared places. Sitting in one room for several days, listening to lectures is inherently uninspiring. It doesn’t matter what the content is. So we’ve turned the idea of a conference on its head.

We’ve spread the experience of STORY throughout the city. We want you to take-in the magnificent architecture that surrounds us and hear the rattling cars of the L from overhead. We want you to experience not only the performances and presentations of the event, but also the hot dog vendors, the beckoning storefronts and the sights of a city coming alive each morning. This is a festival for the senses.

Environments shape us. And there is no more transformative place than Chicago’s River North. It inspires us to dream bigger, act more courageously, and conquer our fears and learning curves. After all, STORY is not just about this sense of place in Chicago, but your sense of place… your purpose and unique calling in life.

My hope is that you’ll come away from STORY never-the-same… that this experience will be the dividing line between your before and after. This may come from a newfound friendship, a life-altering talk by one of our presenters or an introspective moment while crossing the Dearborn Street Bridge.

However it may come, embrace that vision in spite of all the doubts, concerns, fears and worries that come with it. The STORY community has got your back. But it’s the sheer terror of pursuing an idea that lets you know you’re onto something.

Yours,

Ben Arment, STORY Creator

ASSIGNMENT / Food Log SCHEDULE / September 18 - 20, 2013

WED, SEPT 18MEAL THUR, SEPT 19 FRI, SEPT 20

Leave a stain as a memento from

every meal you enjoy in Chicago.

DINNER

LUNCH

BREAKFAST

AFTER

LOCATION

LOCATION

LOCATION

LOCATION

LOCATION

LOCATION

LOCATION

LOCATION

LOCATION

LOCATION

LOCATION

LOCATION

NOTE / STAIN

NOTE / STAIN

NOTE / STAIN

NOTE / STAIN

NOTE / STAIN

NOTE / STAIN

NOTE / STAIN

NOTE / STAIN

NOTE / STAIN

NOTE / STAIN

NOTE / STAIN

NOTE / STAIN

WED, SEPT 18 THUR, SEPT 19 FRI, SEPT 20

WELCOME TO STORY /

CHICAGO

STORY will be held in multiple

venues throughout Chicago's River

North area. Watch for our Street

Guides wearing SpiritHoods

positioned at intersections near each

location. If you have questions or

need help finding a venue, text or

call our concierge at (615) 567-3121.

Here is the event schedule:

OPENING NIGHT AT THE

CATHEDRAL

5:00p Marketplace Open

7:00p Show Begins

9:30p Dismiss

AFTERNOON FESTIVAL

SESSIONS

2:00p - 4:00pPhotography & Design - The Ivy Room

Art & Experience - Museum of Broadcast

Film & Storytelling - Gene Siskel Film Center

Faith & Creativity - Instituto Cervantes

THURSDAY EVENING AT

THE CATHEDRAL

5:00p Marketplace Open

7:00p Show Begins

9:00p Dismiss

9:00a Session Begins

10:15a Break

10:30a Session Begins

12:15p Dismiss

MORNING SESSION AT THE

HOUSE OF BLUES

@StoryChicago

StoryChicago.com

StoryChicago#

RESOURCES AVAILABLE AT

STORYCHICAGO.COM/LIVE

Find up-to-the-minute information

on our mobile-friendly live event

website. Our event partners have

also made free resources available

for download.

9:00a Session Begins

10:15a Break

10:30a Session Begins

12:15p Dismiss

MORNING SESSION AT THE

HOUSE OF BLUES

ASSIGNMENT / Food Log SCHEDULE / September 18 - 20, 2013

WED, SEPT 18MEAL THUR, SEPT 19 FRI, SEPT 20

Leave a stain as a memento from

every meal you enjoy in Chicago.

DINNER

LUNCH

BREAKFAST

AFTER

LOCATION

LOCATION

LOCATION

LOCATION

LOCATION

LOCATION

LOCATION

LOCATION

LOCATION

LOCATION

LOCATION

LOCATION

NOTE / STAIN

NOTE / STAIN

NOTE / STAIN

NOTE / STAIN

NOTE / STAIN

NOTE / STAIN

NOTE / STAIN

NOTE / STAIN

NOTE / STAIN

NOTE / STAIN

NOTE / STAIN

NOTE / STAIN

WED, SEPT 18 THUR, SEPT 19 FRI, SEPT 20

WELCOME TO STORY /

CHICAGO

STORY will be held in multiple

venues throughout Chicago's River

North area. Watch for our Street

Guides wearing SpiritHoods

positioned at intersections near each

location. If you have questions or

need help finding a venue, text or

call our concierge at (615) 567-3121.

Here is the event schedule:

OPENING NIGHT AT THE

CATHEDRAL

5:00p Marketplace Open

7:00p Show Begins

9:30p Dismiss

AFTERNOON FESTIVAL

SESSIONS

2:00p - 4:00pPhotography & Design - The Ivy Room

Art & Experience - Museum of Broadcast

Film & Storytelling - Gene Siskel Film Center

Faith & Creativity - Instituto Cervantes

THURSDAY EVENING AT

THE CATHEDRAL

5:00p Marketplace Open

7:00p Show Begins

9:00p Dismiss

9:00a Session Begins

10:15a Break

10:30a Session Begins

12:15p Dismiss

MORNING SESSION AT THE

HOUSE OF BLUES

@StoryChicago

StoryChicago.com

StoryChicago#

RESOURCES AVAILABLE AT

STORYCHICAGO.COM/LIVE

Find up-to-the-minute information

on our mobile-friendly live event

website. Our event partners have

also made free resources available

for download.

9:00a Session Begins

10:15a Break

10:30a Session Begins

12:15p Dismiss

MORNING SESSION AT THE

HOUSE OF BLUES

Blood Brother is an intimate portrait of Rocky Braat, a young man who longed to find a family. As a boy, his mom was a

drug addict with abusive boyfriends, and his father was a mystery to him until the age of seven. He didn't know it, but

this desire would lead him to an AIDS hostel in India, a place of unspeakable hardship, where he would find almost

more love and need than he could bear. Rocky had dreams of becoming a successful graphic designer, until one summer

when he made an impromptu trip to India. He came upon a group of HIV/AIDS orphans and, to everyone’s surprise,

decided to leave behind all that he had accomplished in order to give them what he felt they deserved. Unlike others who

simply passed through their lives, Rocky stayed, dedicating himself to their health and well-being. To these orphans, he

became “Rocky Anna,” which means ‘brother.’ This documentary, directed by Rocky’s longtime friend Steve Hoover,

traces Rocky’s story of working in the village of Tamil Nadu, India since five years to present. The film illustrates his

commitment to the children and their families who face life and death situations on a daily basis. It won best film in the

documentary category at Sundance 2013. To learn how you can help Rocky, visit givethemlight.org.

facebook.com/bloodbrotherilm@bloodbrotherdocbloodbrotherilm.com

BLOOD BROTHER

FEATURING THE SUNDANCE DOCUMENTARY WINNER BLOOD BROTHER

Blood Brother is an intimate portrait of Rocky Braat, a young man who longed to find a family. As a boy, his mom was a

drug addict with abusive boyfriends, and his father was a mystery to him until the age of seven. He didn't know it, but

this desire would lead him to an AIDS hostel in India, a place of unspeakable hardship, where he would find almost

more love and need than he could bear. Rocky had dreams of becoming a successful graphic designer, until one summer

when he made an impromptu trip to India. He came upon a group of HIV/AIDS orphans and, to everyone’s surprise,

decided to leave behind all that he had accomplished in order to give them what he felt they deserved. Unlike others who

simply passed through their lives, Rocky stayed, dedicating himself to their health and well-being. To these orphans, he

became “Rocky Anna,” which means ‘brother.’ This documentary, directed by Rocky’s longtime friend Steve Hoover,

traces Rocky’s story of working in the village of Tamil Nadu, India since five years to present. The film illustrates his

commitment to the children and their families who face life and death situations on a daily basis. It won best film in the

documentary category at Sundance 2013. To learn how you can help Rocky, visit givethemlight.org.

facebook.com/bloodbrotherilm@bloodbrotherdocbloodbrotherilm.com

BLOOD BROTHER

FEATURING THE SUNDANCE DOCUMENTARY WINNER BLOOD BROTHER

THE POWER & USEFULNESS OF WENDELL BERRY’S SENSE OF PLACE | BY FELICITY WHITE

THE PEACE OF WILD THINGS

Wendell Berry, awarded the 2012 Jefferson Lecture by the

National Endowment for the Humanities, is a writer who

defies the use of a single adjective to describe him. Among

his introductions are ”poet, novelist, essayist” and “a writer

of almost incomparable breadth.” Instead of being known

for a single genre, Berry is known for a single message. And

at the heart of that message is a deep and abiding sense of

place.

His writing happens in the margins between plowing

fields, mending fences, and raking hay above the banks of

the Kentucky River. But it isn’t the farm in Kentucky that

appeals to his readers as much as the more general way he

finds his purpose and fulfillment in that farm. He is

famous for rants against industrialized farming and

technological take-over. But readers don’t read Berry to

learn more about Kentucky (although more than a few

have been known to take up bee keeping or plant a row of

cherry tomatoes); they read Berry to learn about how to

find a Kentucky of their own.

The band Paper Route titled their most recent release “The

Peace of Wild Things” after a Wendell Berry poem of the

same name. The poem invokes the same sense of calm that

permeates the final cut on the album, a song called “Calm

My Soul.” In the poem, Berry’s speaker is worried about his

life and the future of his children. In response, he goes out

to the pond on his property and lies down after dark to

@felicitywhitefelicitywhite.com

Felicity White is a creative writing student in the MFA program at Creighton University in

Omaha, Nebraska. She blogs occasionally at felicitywhite.com, where she brags about her four

kids, her forbearing husband, and the new city of which she’s trying to get a sense.

listen to the wood drake and the heron: “I come into the

peace of wild things/ who do not tax their lives with

forethought/ or grief.” The poem closes: “For a time/ I rest

in the grace of the world, and am free”.

The power of a poem is to evoke for the reader a specific

person, place, or emotion. Berry’s poem “The Peace of Wild

Things” describes a rural landscape but it becomes more

than that – as the best poems are meant to do. Suddenly

Berry’s place of peace and calm becomes our place of peace

and calm. I’ve never sat beside a Kentucky pond after dark,

but I have an idea now of what it must feel like. I know

because Berry’s poem established that sense of place for me.

Though it describes a local pond, the poem’s real power is

the way it becomes a universal pond for its readers. Our

pond is Berry’s poem and we find the peace of wild things

in its reading. This is the power and usefulness of Wendell

Berry’s sense of place.

Specifically, that place is a small family farm in rural

Kentucky, the farm once operated by Berry’s ancestors.

From this homestead, Berry writes brilliant poems and

quiet novels and challenging essays. The place Berry

describes is never romanticized but always deemed worthy

of the investment it demands. His literary following may

be small, but they are as ruthlessly devoted to him as he is to

the hillsides and livestock in his care.

THE POWER & USEFULNESS OF WENDELL BERRY’S SENSE OF PLACE | BY FELICITY WHITE

THE PEACE OF WILD THINGS

Wendell Berry, awarded the 2012 Jefferson Lecture by the

National Endowment for the Humanities, is a writer who

defies the use of a single adjective to describe him. Among

his introductions are ”poet, novelist, essayist” and “a writer

of almost incomparable breadth.” Instead of being known

for a single genre, Berry is known for a single message. And

at the heart of that message is a deep and abiding sense of

place.

His writing happens in the margins between plowing

fields, mending fences, and raking hay above the banks of

the Kentucky River. But it isn’t the farm in Kentucky that

appeals to his readers as much as the more general way he

finds his purpose and fulfillment in that farm. He is

famous for rants against industrialized farming and

technological take-over. But readers don’t read Berry to

learn more about Kentucky (although more than a few

have been known to take up bee keeping or plant a row of

cherry tomatoes); they read Berry to learn about how to

find a Kentucky of their own.

The band Paper Route titled their most recent release “The

Peace of Wild Things” after a Wendell Berry poem of the

same name. The poem invokes the same sense of calm that

permeates the final cut on the album, a song called “Calm

My Soul.” In the poem, Berry’s speaker is worried about his

life and the future of his children. In response, he goes out

to the pond on his property and lies down after dark to

@felicitywhitefelicitywhite.com

Felicity White is a creative writing student in the MFA program at Creighton University in

Omaha, Nebraska. She blogs occasionally at felicitywhite.com, where she brags about her four

kids, her forbearing husband, and the new city of which she’s trying to get a sense.

listen to the wood drake and the heron: “I come into the

peace of wild things/ who do not tax their lives with

forethought/ or grief.” The poem closes: “For a time/ I rest

in the grace of the world, and am free”.

The power of a poem is to evoke for the reader a specific

person, place, or emotion. Berry’s poem “The Peace of Wild

Things” describes a rural landscape but it becomes more

than that – as the best poems are meant to do. Suddenly

Berry’s place of peace and calm becomes our place of peace

and calm. I’ve never sat beside a Kentucky pond after dark,

but I have an idea now of what it must feel like. I know

because Berry’s poem established that sense of place for me.

Though it describes a local pond, the poem’s real power is

the way it becomes a universal pond for its readers. Our

pond is Berry’s poem and we find the peace of wild things

in its reading. This is the power and usefulness of Wendell

Berry’s sense of place.

Specifically, that place is a small family farm in rural

Kentucky, the farm once operated by Berry’s ancestors.

From this homestead, Berry writes brilliant poems and

quiet novels and challenging essays. The place Berry

describes is never romanticized but always deemed worthy

of the investment it demands. His literary following may

be small, but they are as ruthlessly devoted to him as he is to

the hillsides and livestock in his care.

ASSIGNMENT / Photo-bomb

Visit a popular tourist spot in Chicago and stand in the background of as

many photos as possible. Become an enduring part of people’s memories.

Follow the hashtag #storychicago on twitter and instagram. Post photos and

tag them too. They may just get featured...

ASSIGNMENT / Photo-bomb

Visit a popular tourist spot in Chicago and stand in the background of as

many photos as possible. Become an enduring part of people’s memories.

Follow the hashtag #storychicago on twitter and instagram. Post photos and

tag them too. They may just get featured...

Face it. You drink soda for the taste, not the workout. Save 2000 bottles a year* when you make fresh, great-tasting, better-for-you soda at home.

HUMAN EVOLUTIONSODA REVOLUTION

@SodaStreamUSA facebook.com/sodastream* Source: Euromonitor International Limited; Global Soft Drinks Metal and Plastic Packaging, total unit volume in 2011.

reddot design awardwinner 2013

Face it. You drink soda for the taste, not the workout. Save 2000 bottles a year* when you make fresh, great-tasting, better-for-you soda at home.

HUMAN EVOLUTIONSODA REVOLUTION

@SodaStreamUSA facebook.com/sodastream* Source: Euromonitor International Limited; Global Soft Drinks Metal and Plastic Packaging, total unit volume in 2011.

reddot design awardwinner 2013

West Chestnut Street

West Ohio Street

West Institute Street

East Chicago Ave

West Ontario Street

West Erie Street

East Huron Street

West Huron Street

West Superior StreetEast Superior Street

East Illinois Street

West Hubbard Street

West Illinois Street

West Wacker Drive

West Lake Street

West Carroll Ave

West Randolph StreetEast Randolph Street

East Ohio Street

West Hubbard Street

East Wacker Drive

East Pearson St

West Kinzie Street

South Water St

East Grand Ave.

West Grand Ave.

North

K

in

gsbu

ry

St

North

H

Sed

gw

ick

St

North

h

ud

son

A

ve

North

O

rlean

s St

North

C

lark

St

North

D

earborn

St

North

State St

North

State St

North

W

abash

A

ve

North

St. C

lair St

North

ru

sh

St

North

M

ich

igan

A

ve

North

L

arabee St

North

Jeferson

St

North

W

ack

er D

rive

North K

ingsbury St

North

C

Lin

ton

St

North

C

an

al St

North

Jeferson

St

North

F

ran

klin

St

North

State St

North

W

abash

A

ve

North

F

ran

klin

St

Mow

er M

ich

igan

A

ve

North C

anal St

East Kinzie St

North

D

esplain

es St

A SENSE of PLACE

HOUSE OF BLUES

329 NORTH DEARBORN

THURS., SEPT 19, 9:00a

West Chestnut Street

West Ohio Street

West Institute Street

East Chicago Ave

West Ontario Street

West Erie Street

East Huron Street

West Huron Street

West Superior StreetEast Superior Street

East Illinois Street

West Hubbard Street

West Illinois Street

West Wacker Drive

West Lake Street

West Carroll Ave

West Randolph StreetEast Randolph Street

East Ohio Street

West Hubbard Street

East Wacker Drive

East Pearson St

West Kinzie Street

South Water St

East Grand Ave.

West Grand Ave.

North

K

in

gsbu

ry

St

North

H

Sed

gw

ick

St

North

h

ud

son

A

ve

North

O

rlean

s St

North

C

lark

St

North

D

earborn

St

North

State St

North

State St

North

W

abash

A

ve

North

St. C

lair St

North

ru

sh

St

North

M

ich

igan

A

ve

North

L

arabee St

North

Jeferson

St

North

W

ack

er D

rive

North K

ingsbury St

North

C

Lin

ton

St

North

C

an

al St

North

Jeferson

St

North

F

ran

klin

St

North

State St

North

W

abash

A

ve

North

F

ran

klin

St

Mow

er M

ich

igan

A

ve

North C

anal St

East Kinzie St

North

D

esplain

es St

A SENSE of PLACE

HOUSE OF BLUES

329 NORTH DEARBORN

THURS., SEPT 19, 9:00a

STORY,YOUR UBER IS ARRIVING NOWRequest a pickup using Uber’s iPhone or Android app. In under �ve minutes, a car will be curbside, ready to take you wherever you need to go.

EVERYONE’S PRIVATE DRIVER™

UBER @UBER_CHI UBER.COM/CHICAGO

USE THE CODE

TO GET A FREE UBERxOR BLACK CAR RIDE

CODE IS VALID IN SEPTEMBER 2013FOR ONE RIDE IN CHICAGO, UP TO $25 OFF

NEW USERS ONLY, NOT VALID ON TAXI

STORY

STORY,YOUR UBER IS ARRIVING NOWRequest a pickup using Uber’s iPhone or Android app. In under �ve minutes, a car will be curbside, ready to take you wherever you need to go.

EVERYONE’S PRIVATE DRIVER™

UBER @UBER_CHI UBER.COM/CHICAGO

USE THE CODE

TO GET A FREE UBERxOR BLACK CAR RIDE

CODE IS VALID IN SEPTEMBER 2013FOR ONE RIDE IN CHICAGO, UP TO $25 OFF

NEW USERS ONLY, NOT VALID ON TAXI

STORY

AN INTERVIEW WITH RADIOLAB’S GENRE-BENDING, OBSESSIVE CO-HOST, JAD ABUMRAD

THE RADIO MAN

Jad Abumrad is the co-host of RadioLab, a radio show and

podcast that explores questions at the intersection of

science and the human experience with an organic,

engaging aesthetic. Over a plate of eggs at WNYC’s New

York studio, ahead of embarking on his 21-city

APOCALYPTICAL tour—featuring a live version of the

show—Jad talked with STORY about his journey from

composer to journalist, learning a craft while no one’s

watching, and why he is a self-described “champion of

obsessives.”

STORY: What was it like to be learning a new craft on

the fly, in your late 20s?

Abumrad: It was the early passage that I had to walk. It took

me a really long time to do anything that I would consider

interesting. So you have this really horrible awareness that

you're not making good things and that most people die a

lonely death in that little tragic gap. So, yeah, that gap was

a long, long stretch for me.

STORY: During this gap, you and your now cohost

Robert Krulwich collaborated on a piece for “This

American Life.” Ira Glass described it as one of the

worst things he had ever heard.

Abumrad: Ira rightfully thought it was the worst thing he

ever heard. And I remember being just stunned at his

reaction. We all pray at the Church of Ira, you know? And

so I was just like, “I'm never going anywhere [again].” But

Robert was like, “No. He's just wrong. He's just wrong.”

And I remember Robert's certainty—irrational certainty

because it really [did] suck. That was what kept me going

initially.

@adamwrenadamwren.net

Adam Wren: Writer & journalist whose work has appeared in Inc. Magazine & Entrepeneur.com.

STORY: How did your big break come along?

Abumrad: For reasons that aren't entirely clear to me, the

a.m. schedule got kind of scrambled and all these spots

opened up on the late at night, in the wee hours when no

one was listening. So the program director at the time just

sort of grabbed me and he was like, “Hey, you want to do

something in this little spot?” And he had the name, “Radio

Lab”, and he was like, “Yeah, just kind of make it a lab.” And

it was a lab in this sort of—not so much the science sense but

more like in the mad scientist sense. A little bit weird. And

so from that moment until now, it's pretty much a blur.

STORY: In your Twitter profile, you describe yourself as

a “champion of obsessives.” Why?

Abumrad: I care about and fuss over the work to a degree

that I used to be ashamed of. Like it just felt unbalanced.

Like why should a little radio story feel like life or death?

Doesn't make any logical sense. But I've come to feel

differently about it. As I've grown older and seen the ups

and downs, letting go isn't quite as hard, and at the same

time I've realized that actually, there's a beauty and a joy in

an endless, irrational devotion to the thing you do.

STORY: You studied creative writing and music

composition at Oberlin College in Ohio. After

graduating in 1995, you composed film scores. How did

you end up in public radio?

Abumrad: It was fortuitous. I ended up getting out of school

and very firmly had the idea that I would go off and try

and be a working film composer, which was an idea I had

for a long, long time. And I tried that for a while. I wrote a

couple of scores for student films and for dance pieces and

for one feature, and it just was really hard. I just kind of had

a wow-this-isn't-working moment. And all through that I

had been trying to freelance write, do some sort of small

stories and write some short stories.

I was talking to my girlfriend, who's now my wife, and she

says, “Why don't you just do radio because that's kind of

middle ground between these two things. You have to

write. It's got a sound. Why don't you just try that?” And I

remember just being like, “Huh. That's an interesting idea.”

And then suddenly I just started volunteering for a

community radio station in Lower Manhattan called

WBAI. And that place was so chaotic that you could just

walk in and they'd hand you a kit and send you out to cover

some news. And one thing led to another and I ended up a

year or two later at WNYC freelancing.

AN INTERVIEW WITH RADIOLAB’S GENRE-BENDING, OBSESSIVE CO-HOST, JAD ABUMRAD

THE RADIO MAN

Jad Abumrad is the co-host of RadioLab, a radio show and

podcast that explores questions at the intersection of

science and the human experience with an organic,

engaging aesthetic. Over a plate of eggs at WNYC’s New

York studio, ahead of embarking on his 21-city

APOCALYPTICAL tour—featuring a live version of the

show—Jad talked with STORY about his journey from

composer to journalist, learning a craft while no one’s

watching, and why he is a self-described “champion of

obsessives.”

STORY: What was it like to be learning a new craft on

the fly, in your late 20s?

Abumrad: It was the early passage that I had to walk. It took

me a really long time to do anything that I would consider

interesting. So you have this really horrible awareness that

you're not making good things and that most people die a

lonely death in that little tragic gap. So, yeah, that gap was

a long, long stretch for me.

STORY: During this gap, you and your now cohost

Robert Krulwich collaborated on a piece for “This

American Life.” Ira Glass described it as one of the

worst things he had ever heard.

Abumrad: Ira rightfully thought it was the worst thing he

ever heard. And I remember being just stunned at his

reaction. We all pray at the Church of Ira, you know? And

so I was just like, “I'm never going anywhere [again].” But

Robert was like, “No. He's just wrong. He's just wrong.”

And I remember Robert's certainty—irrational certainty

because it really [did] suck. That was what kept me going

initially.

@adamwrenadamwren.net

Adam Wren: Writer & journalist whose work has appeared in Inc. Magazine & Entrepeneur.com.

STORY: How did your big break come along?

Abumrad: For reasons that aren't entirely clear to me, the

a.m. schedule got kind of scrambled and all these spots

opened up on the late at night, in the wee hours when no

one was listening. So the program director at the time just

sort of grabbed me and he was like, “Hey, you want to do

something in this little spot?” And he had the name, “Radio

Lab”, and he was like, “Yeah, just kind of make it a lab.” And

it was a lab in this sort of—not so much the science sense but

more like in the mad scientist sense. A little bit weird. And

so from that moment until now, it's pretty much a blur.

STORY: In your Twitter profile, you describe yourself as

a “champion of obsessives.” Why?

Abumrad: I care about and fuss over the work to a degree

that I used to be ashamed of. Like it just felt unbalanced.

Like why should a little radio story feel like life or death?

Doesn't make any logical sense. But I've come to feel

differently about it. As I've grown older and seen the ups

and downs, letting go isn't quite as hard, and at the same

time I've realized that actually, there's a beauty and a joy in

an endless, irrational devotion to the thing you do.

STORY: You studied creative writing and music

composition at Oberlin College in Ohio. After

graduating in 1995, you composed film scores. How did

you end up in public radio?

Abumrad: It was fortuitous. I ended up getting out of school

and very firmly had the idea that I would go off and try

and be a working film composer, which was an idea I had

for a long, long time. And I tried that for a while. I wrote a

couple of scores for student films and for dance pieces and

for one feature, and it just was really hard. I just kind of had

a wow-this-isn't-working moment. And all through that I

had been trying to freelance write, do some sort of small

stories and write some short stories.

I was talking to my girlfriend, who's now my wife, and she

says, “Why don't you just do radio because that's kind of

middle ground between these two things. You have to

write. It's got a sound. Why don't you just try that?” And I

remember just being like, “Huh. That's an interesting idea.”

And then suddenly I just started volunteering for a

community radio station in Lower Manhattan called

WBAI. And that place was so chaotic that you could just

walk in and they'd hand you a kit and send you out to cover

some news. And one thing led to another and I ended up a

year or two later at WNYC freelancing.

NOTES

NOTES

Originally from the Seattle, Howard graduated with a degree in industrial

design from the University of Washington. In 1996, he moved to Portland,

Oregon, where heʼs spent the past 15 years working as a designer and creative

director for Nike. Howard spent three years with Nikeʼs retail design team,

focused on the creation of architecture, interiors and

communication for Niketowns. He then moved to the brand

design division, serving as creative director for the Asia Pacific

region, taking on a variety of projects including events, identity,

communication and brand positioning for cities throughout

Asia and Australia. In 2004, Howard moved to Tokyo full-time

to develop and oversee a small satellite design studio for Nike.

Located in the Nakameguro district, the studio housed a small team of cross-disciplinary designers developing footwear, apparel

and equipment specifically for the Japanese consumer. After 5 years in Tokyo, Howard returned to Portland as global creative

director for store design, overseeing the design and development of Nikeʼs most recent retail program. In January of 2011, Howard

took on the role of global director for creative outreach, overseeing Nikeʼs relationships throughout the global design community,

as well as the onboarding, communication and developmental programming for Nikeʼs internal team of 600+ designers.

@tokyo007 Nike.com

HOWARD LICHTER

GLOBAL DIRECTOR OF CREATIVE OUTREACH, NIKE

NOTES

NOTES

Originally from the Seattle, Howard graduated with a degree in industrial

design from the University of Washington. In 1996, he moved to Portland,

Oregon, where heʼs spent the past 15 years working as a designer and creative

director for Nike. Howard spent three years with Nikeʼs retail design team,

focused on the creation of architecture, interiors and

communication for Niketowns. He then moved to the brand

design division, serving as creative director for the Asia Pacific

region, taking on a variety of projects including events, identity,

communication and brand positioning for cities throughout

Asia and Australia. In 2004, Howard moved to Tokyo full-time

to develop and oversee a small satellite design studio for Nike.

Located in the Nakameguro district, the studio housed a small team of cross-disciplinary designers developing footwear, apparel

and equipment specifically for the Japanese consumer. After 5 years in Tokyo, Howard returned to Portland as global creative

director for store design, overseeing the design and development of Nikeʼs most recent retail program. In January of 2011, Howard

took on the role of global director for creative outreach, overseeing Nikeʼs relationships throughout the global design community,

as well as the onboarding, communication and developmental programming for Nikeʼs internal team of 600+ designers.

@tokyo007 Nike.com

HOWARD LICHTER

GLOBAL DIRECTOR OF CREATIVE OUTREACH, NIKE

september Campaign 2013

photos by @jeremysnell

photo by @jeremysnell

september Campaign 2013

photos by @jeremysnell

photo by @jeremysnell

NOTES

NOTES

Scott Harrison is the founder and president of charity: water, a nonprofit

organization bringing clean and safe drinking water to developing nations.

He spent 10 years as an event promoter in New York City before leaving to

volunteer on a hospital ship off the coast of Liberia as a photojournalist.

Returning home to New York two years later, he founded charity: water to

address the global water crisis and the 1 billion people without clean

water to drink. He created innovative public installations and

unique online fundraising platforms to spread international

awareness of the issue. In four years, with the help of more

than 200,000 donors worldwide, charity: water has funded

more than 3,800 water projects in 17 developing nations. Those

projects will provide over 1.7 million people with clean, safe drinking water. Scott was recently named one of Fast Company’s most

creative people in business.

@scottharrison chartitywater.com

SCOTT HARRISON

FOUNDER OF CHARITY:WATER

NOTES

NOTES

Scott Harrison is the founder and president of charity: water, a nonprofit

organization bringing clean and safe drinking water to developing nations.

He spent 10 years as an event promoter in New York City before leaving to

volunteer on a hospital ship off the coast of Liberia as a photojournalist.

Returning home to New York two years later, he founded charity: water to

address the global water crisis and the 1 billion people without clean

water to drink. He created innovative public installations and

unique online fundraising platforms to spread international

awareness of the issue. In four years, with the help of more

than 200,000 donors worldwide, charity: water has funded

more than 3,800 water projects in 17 developing nations. Those

projects will provide over 1.7 million people with clean, safe drinking water. Scott was recently named one of Fast Company’s most

creative people in business.

@scottharrison chartitywater.com

SCOTT HARRISON

FOUNDER OF CHARITY:WATER

ScarSShow where you have been...

They don’T decide where you’re going

To view the video book trailer, snap this Qr code with your smartphone.

Stepping onto the American Idol™ stage just weeks after his first wife’s unexpected death, danny gokey experienced both the pinnacle of hope and the depth of despair.

as life unfolded, he learned that true purpose is sometimes born out of our darkest moments. he has overcome difficult circumstances by focusing his energy on investing in others.

now danny wants you to experience that same promise of hope. his down-to-earth encouragement and positive outlook will transform your life and show how you can move toward hope and take the next step to truly make a difference.

VISIT US AND WINFind your sense of place with this Retro Party Speaker Suitcasedrawings held 6:00 p.m. wednesday & Thursday at the navPress booth, The cathedral. Must be present to win.

AVAILABLE IN BookSTorES EVEryWhErE

ocToBEr 1, 2013

NavPress_Danny Gokey Story Ad.indd 1 7/30/13 7:46:37 AM

ScarSShow where you have been...

They don’T decide where you’re going

To view the video book trailer, snap this Qr code with your smartphone.

Stepping onto the American Idol™ stage just weeks after his first wife’s unexpected death, danny gokey experienced both the pinnacle of hope and the depth of despair.

as life unfolded, he learned that true purpose is sometimes born out of our darkest moments. he has overcome difficult circumstances by focusing his energy on investing in others.

now danny wants you to experience that same promise of hope. his down-to-earth encouragement and positive outlook will transform your life and show how you can move toward hope and take the next step to truly make a difference.

VISIT US AND WINFind your sense of place with this Retro Party Speaker Suitcasedrawings held 6:00 p.m. wednesday & Thursday at the navPress booth, The cathedral. Must be present to win.

AVAILABLE IN BookSTorES EVEryWhErE

ocToBEr 1, 2013

NavPress_Danny Gokey Story Ad.indd 1 7/30/13 7:46:37 AM

NOTESWest Maple Street

West Chestnut Street

East Chestnut Street

West Ohio Street

West Chestnut Street

West Institute Street

West Locust Street

West Walton Street

West Oak Street

East Oak Street

East Cedar Street

East Bellevue Street

East Chicago Ave

West Ontario Street

West Erie Street

East Huron Street

West Huron Street

West Superior StreetEast Superior Street

East Walton Place

East Delaware Place

East Illinois Street

West Hubbard Street

West Illinois Street

West Wacker Drive

West Lake Street

West Carroll Ave

West Randolph Street

West WashingtonSt

East Randolph Street

West Calhoun Place

East Ohio Street

West Hubbard Street

East Wacker Drive

East Pearson St

West Kinzie Street

East Erie Street

South Water St

East Grand Ave.West Grand Ave.

North

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North C

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West Hill St

Cam

brid

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ve

North C

anal St

East Kinzie St

North

D

esplain

es St

Leave an encouraging message for a future guest in your hotel room

on the complimentary notepad. Leave it a few pages deep so as not to

alert the maid. Record what you wrote below.

ASSIGNMENT / Mystery Note

A SENSE of PLACE

NOTESWest Maple Street

West Chestnut Street

East Chestnut Street

West Ohio Street

West Chestnut Street

West Institute Street

West Locust Street

West Walton Street

West Oak Street

East Oak Street

East Cedar Street

East Bellevue Street

East Chicago Ave

West Ontario Street

West Erie Street

East Huron Street

West Huron Street

West Superior StreetEast Superior Street

East Walton Place

East Delaware Place

East Illinois Street

West Hubbard Street

West Illinois Street

West Wacker Drive

West Lake Street

West Carroll Ave

West Randolph Street

West WashingtonSt

East Randolph Street

West Calhoun Place

East Ohio Street

West Hubbard Street

East Wacker Drive

East Pearson St

West Kinzie Street

East Erie Street

South Water St

East Grand Ave.West Grand Ave.

North

H

ud

son

A

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North

K

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North

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North

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A

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North

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North

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earborn

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North

State St

North

State St

North

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asalle St

North

W

abash

A

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North

St. C

lair St

North

F

ariban

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North

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North

M

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A

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North

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North

Jeferson

St

North

W

ack

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rive

North K

ingsbury St

North

C

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ton

St

North

C

an

al St

North

Jeferson

St

North

F

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North

State St

North

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abash

A

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N. C

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North

F

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klin

St

Mow

er M

ich

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A

ve

N. D

ew

itt P

lace

North C

rosby St

West Hill St

Cam

brid

ge A

ve

North C

anal St

East Kinzie St

North

D

esplain

es St

Leave an encouraging message for a future guest in your hotel room

on the complimentary notepad. Leave it a few pages deep so as not to

alert the maid. Record what you wrote below.

ASSIGNMENT / Mystery Note

A SENSE of PLACE

West Ohio Street

West Institute Street

East Chicago Ave

West Ontario Street

West Erie Street

East Huron Street

West Huron Street

West Superior StreetEast Superior Street

East Illinois Street

West Hubbard Street

West Illinois Street

West Wacker Drive

West Lake Street

West Carroll Ave

West Randolph StreetEast Randolph Street

West Hubbard Street

East Wacker Drive

West Kinzie Street

South Water St

East Grand Ave.

West Grand Ave.

North

H

Sed

gw

ick

St

North

h

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son

A

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North

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rlean

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North

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North

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State St

North

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North

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North

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East Kinzie St

A SENSE of PLACE

DESIGN &

PHOTOGRAPHY

12 E OHIO ST.

THURS., SEPT 19, 2:00p

Ivy Room Festival

Presented by

Ofset.com

NOTES

Chuck Anderson, also known by his studio's name NoPattern, is an artist & designer from Grand Rapids,

MI. Chuck began NoPattern in 2003 in his hometown of Chicago within months of graduating high

school. Since then, Chuck has gone on to work for international brands & agencies such as Microsoft,

Nike, Target, Reebok, ESPN and many more. He has become well known for his use of intense, vibrant

light and unexpected color as well as his often-chaotic illustration style.

CHUCK ANDERSON

@NoPattern NoPattern.com

NOTES

Brooke Shaden was born in March of 1987 in Lancaster, PA, USA. She grew up near the "Amish

Country" until attending Temple University. Brooke was photographically born in December 2008

after graduating from Temple with two degrees: film and English. She now resides in Los Angeles

with her husband and two cats. She began creating self-portraits for ease and to have full control

over the images and has since grown into a self-portrait artist. Self-portraiture for her is not

autobiographical in nature. Instead, she attempts to place herself within worlds she wishes we

could live in, where secrets float out in the open, where the impossible becomes possible.

Brooke works to create new worlds within her photographic frame. By using painterly

techniques as well as the square format, traditional photographic properties are replaced by

otherworldly elements. Brooke's photography questions the definition of what it means to be alive. In 2011, Brooke was one of the

winners of Canon's Project Imagination photo contest.

BROOKE SHADEN

@BrookeShaden BrookeShaden.com

Scott Braut is the Vice President of Content for Shutterstock, a leading global provider of high-quality

stock photography, vectors, illustrations and footage. Within this role, Scott also serves as the Vice

President of Content for Offset, Shutterstock’s recently launched a new brand featuring a curated

collection of extraordinary imagery from top assignment photographers and image collections around

the world. Scott started his career in 1994 at the Associated Press, the world’s largest news

organization and one of the earliest champions of digital imagery. Prior to Shutterstock, Scott

served as the Senior Product Manager at ABCNEWS.com, where he co-led a successful site

redesign, launching a new content presentation framework for lifestyle programs, political

news and investigative journalism.

SCOTT BRAUT

@Ofset Ofset.com

NOTES

NOTES

Brooke Shaden was born in March of 1987 in Lancaster, PA, USA. She grew up near the "Amish

Country" until attending Temple University. Brooke was photographically born in December 2008

after graduating from Temple with two degrees: film and English. She now resides in Los Angeles

with her husband and two cats. She began creating self-portraits for ease and to have full control

over the images and has since grown into a self-portrait artist. Self-portraiture for her is not

autobiographical in nature. Instead, she attempts to place herself within worlds she wishes we

could live in, where secrets float out in the open, where the impossible becomes possible.

Brooke works to create new worlds within her photographic frame. By using painterly

techniques as well as the square format, traditional photographic properties are replaced by

otherworldly elements. Brooke's photography questions the definition of what it means to be alive. In 2011, Brooke was one of the

winners of Canon's Project Imagination photo contest.

BROOKE SHADEN

@BrookeShaden BrookeShaden.com

Scott Braut is the Vice President of Content for Shutterstock, a leading global provider of high-quality

stock photography, vectors, illustrations and footage. Within this role, Scott also serves as the Vice

President of Content for Offset, Shutterstock’s recently launched a new brand featuring a curated

collection of extraordinary imagery from top assignment photographers and image collections around

the world. Scott started his career in 1994 at the Associated Press, the world’s largest news

organization and one of the earliest champions of digital imagery. Prior to Shutterstock, Scott

served as the Senior Product Manager at ABCNEWS.com, where he co-led a successful site

redesign, launching a new content presentation framework for lifestyle programs, political

news and investigative journalism.

SCOTT BRAUT

@Ofset Ofset.com

NOTES

Join Scott Braut, Vice President of Content at Shutterstock,

Join Scott Braut, Vice President of Content at Shutterstock,

Each year, a group of audacious people goes through

a process to achieve a larger-than-life dream over the course of

a year. The participants include everyone from filmmakers and activists to

entrepreneurs and authors. No dream is too big, and no idea is too far-fetched. 

The journey is called Dream Year. 

There are three ways to participate: Attend a weekend retreat, where you'll learn how to bring a

dream to life; pick-up a copy of the soon-to-be-released book Dream Year, which comes with access

to a free online course; or contact us for coaching and on-site training.

Let the journey begin. DREAMYEAR.NET

Each year, a group of audacious people goes through

a process to achieve a larger-than-life dream over the course of

a year. The participants include everyone from filmmakers and activists to

entrepreneurs and authors. No dream is too big, and no idea is too far-fetched. 

The journey is called Dream Year. 

There are three ways to participate: Attend a weekend retreat, where you'll learn how to bring a

dream to life; pick-up a copy of the soon-to-be-released book Dream Year, which comes with access

to a free online course; or contact us for coaching and on-site training.

Let the journey begin. DREAMYEAR.NET

West Ohio Street

West Ontario Street

West Erie Street

East Huron Street

West Huron Street

East Illinois Street

West Hubbard Street

West Illinois Street

West Wacker Drive

West Lake Street

West Carroll Ave

East Ohio Street

West Hubbard Street

East Wacker Drive

West Kinzie Street

South Water St

East Grand Ave.

West Grand Ave.

North

D

earborn

St

North

State St

North

State St

North

W

abash

A

ve

North

St. C

lair St

North

ru

sh

St

North

M

ich

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A

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Mow

er M

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igan

A

ve

East Kinzie St

A SENSE of PLACE ART & EXPERIENCE

360 NORTH STATE THURS., SEPT 19, 2:00p

Museum of Broadcast Festival

Presented by

blurb.com

NOTES

MEL MCGOWAN

Mel McGowan is President and founder of Visioneering Studios, which is a national architecture,

urban planning, and construction firm with offices in Orange County, Phoenix, Denver, Austin,

Chicago, and Charlotte. Mel combined his background in film and urban design during a decade long

stint at the Walt Disney Company. He speaks extensively on sustainable community and is the author

of Design Intervention: Revolutionizing Sacred Space.

@melmcgowan melmcgowan.com

Rick Rothschild has directed and produced over 25 separate Disney attractions during a 30 year tenure

as a creative senior executive at Walt Disney Imagineering. He led a variety of concept development

teams that explored new attractions, theme parks and other resort, recreation and immersive experience

related business lines. His work at Disney included consulting with a number of prestigious museums

and educational institutions. Rick received his degree with honors in Theater Design from Lawrence

University and attended the MFA Theater Arts program at UCLA. He served as scenic and

lighting designer and technical director on over 100 productions prior to joining Disney in 1978.

Now Rick runs FAR Out! Creative Direction, which blends his unique set of entertainment skills,

developed over 40 years in the world of theater, Disney theme parks, media and museums.

RICK ROTHSCHILD

facebook.com/FARout.Rick

NOTES

Stephanie Pereira is the director of arts programs at Kickstarter. She has spent the past 10 years

working with artists and arts organizations to catalyze creative communities through both on- and

offline engagement. Stephanie previously served as Associate Director, Learning & Engagement at

Eyebeam Art + Technology Center, a non-profit residency center in New York City. She holds an

MA in Arts Administration from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and a BFA in Visual

Art from Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University.

STEPHANIE PEREIRA

@happeness kickstarter.com/stephanie

Donna Boyer is a self-confessed product geek obsessed with building smart technology that enables

creative people to innovate. Donna started out at the Harvard Business Review where she

researched and covered the impact of technology on the global economy. Since then she has

focused on how to empower creative people to bring beauty and outstanding user experience

into the digital world. Before Blurb, Donna was VP of Product at Calloway Digital Arts where

she worked with publishers to produce award-winning illustrated books for the iPad. As

Chief Product Officer at Blurb, she is leading the charge into the digital space and helping

design-minded customers optimize their storytelling for a new medium; the tablet.

DONNA BOYER

@donnaboyer blurb.com

NOTES

NOTES

Stephanie Pereira is the director of arts programs at Kickstarter. She has spent the past 10 years

working with artists and arts organizations to catalyze creative communities through both on- and

offline engagement. Stephanie previously served as Associate Director, Learning & Engagement at

Eyebeam Art + Technology Center, a non-profit residency center in New York City. She holds an

MA in Arts Administration from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and a BFA in Visual

Art from Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University.

STEPHANIE PEREIRA

@happeness kickstarter.com/stephanie

Donna Boyer is a self-confessed product geek obsessed with building smart technology that enables

creative people to innovate. Donna started out at the Harvard Business Review where she

researched and covered the impact of technology on the global economy. Since then she has

focused on how to empower creative people to bring beauty and outstanding user experience

into the digital world. Before Blurb, Donna was VP of Product at Calloway Digital Arts where

she worked with publishers to produce award-winning illustrated books for the iPad. As

Chief Product Officer at Blurb, she is leading the charge into the digital space and helping

design-minded customers optimize their storytelling for a new medium; the tablet.

DONNA BOYER

@donnaboyer blurb.com

NOTES

“After working with the family for a few months, I realized that I could never fix everything

that was broken in their situation.”

AUTHOR OF THE INVISIBLE GIRLS SHARES WHAT HOME REALLY IS | BY SARAH THEBARGE

A PLACE TO CALL HOME

When I was a little girl, I had a very concrete sense of home. It

was a simple home in Lancaster, Pennsylvania where I lived

with my parents and siblings. Home had three bedrooms and a

kitchen and a living room and an expansive back yard with a

swing set and a basketball hoop. Home was place I could point

to on a map and say, I belong here.

I grew up, finished grad school on the East Coast, and then

moved to Portland, Oregon, where I met a Somali woman and

her daughters on the train. The woman looked exhausted and

overwhelmed, so I asked for her address. A few days later, I

showed up to find her and her little girls living in a tiny,

freezing cold apartment with no clothes or furniture or food. At

night they huddled together under the only blanket they owned,

trying not to freeze to death.

I started going back, helping the family in any way I could with

food, clothes, and friendship. After working with the family for

a few months, I realized that I could never fix everything that

@SarahThebargeSarahThebarge.com

Sarah Thebarge earned a masters degree in Medical Science from Yale School of Medicine and was

studying Journalism at Columbia University when she was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 27. Her

irst book, The Invisible Girls, was released in April. She currently lives in Portland, Oregon.

was broken in their situation. As badly as I wanted to, I could

never rescue them from all of the pain they’d experienced in

their lives. And I could never move them out of their sparse

apartment.

But what I could do was be with these girls. I could eat dinner

and then dance through the apartment with them. I could help

them with their homework and answer questions they had

about America. I could hold them as they cried for their absent

father, and sing them lullabies until they fell asleep.

As I developed a deepening relationship with the family, my

idea of home started to change. Maybe home isn’t a place with

bedrooms and doorways and staircases and land. Maybe home

isn’t an expensive piece of real estate, but a free gift meant to be

freely given. Maybe, in its truest and most important form,

home is the experience of being loved and accepted. Home is a

warm smile and open arms and a soft whisper assuring us, You

belong here.

“After working with the family for a few months, I realized that I could never fix everything

that was broken in their situation.”

AUTHOR OF THE INVISIBLE GIRLS SHARES WHAT HOME REALLY IS | BY SARAH THEBARGE

A PLACE TO CALL HOME

When I was a little girl, I had a very concrete sense of home. It

was a simple home in Lancaster, Pennsylvania where I lived

with my parents and siblings. Home had three bedrooms and a

kitchen and a living room and an expansive back yard with a

swing set and a basketball hoop. Home was place I could point

to on a map and say, I belong here.

I grew up, finished grad school on the East Coast, and then

moved to Portland, Oregon, where I met a Somali woman and

her daughters on the train. The woman looked exhausted and

overwhelmed, so I asked for her address. A few days later, I

showed up to find her and her little girls living in a tiny,

freezing cold apartment with no clothes or furniture or food. At

night they huddled together under the only blanket they owned,

trying not to freeze to death.

I started going back, helping the family in any way I could with

food, clothes, and friendship. After working with the family for

a few months, I realized that I could never fix everything that

@SarahThebargeSarahThebarge.com

Sarah Thebarge earned a masters degree in Medical Science from Yale School of Medicine and was

studying Journalism at Columbia University when she was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 27. Her

irst book, The Invisible Girls, was released in April. She currently lives in Portland, Oregon.

was broken in their situation. As badly as I wanted to, I could

never rescue them from all of the pain they’d experienced in

their lives. And I could never move them out of their sparse

apartment.

But what I could do was be with these girls. I could eat dinner

and then dance through the apartment with them. I could help

them with their homework and answer questions they had

about America. I could hold them as they cried for their absent

father, and sing them lullabies until they fell asleep.

As I developed a deepening relationship with the family, my

idea of home started to change. Maybe home isn’t a place with

bedrooms and doorways and staircases and land. Maybe home

isn’t an expensive piece of real estate, but a free gift meant to be

freely given. Maybe, in its truest and most important form,

home is the experience of being loved and accepted. Home is a

warm smile and open arms and a soft whisper assuring us, You

belong here.

#povertystops @compassion

#povertystops @compassion

West Ohio Street

East Illinois Street

West Hubbard Street

West Illinois Street

West Wacker Drive

West Lake Street

West Carroll Ave

West Randolph Street

West WashingtonSt

East Randolph Street

West Calhoun Place

West Hubbard Street

East Wacker Drive

West Kinzie Street

South Water St

East Grand Ave.

West Grand Ave.

North

D

earborn

St

North

State St

North

State St

North

W

ack

er D

rive

North

F

ran

klin

St

North

State St

North

W

abash

A

ve

North

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A SENSE of PLACE

FILM &

STORYTELLING

164 NORTH STATE

THURS., SEPT 19, 2:00p

NOTES

KERRY BELLESSA

Kerry Bellessa was born and raised in Seattle, WA, which affected his taste in music (90's grunge forever)

and his demeanor (he always thinks it's going to rain). As a boy, he grew up watching Goonies and

Spaceballs, wishing that one day, he too could make movies. He took that dream to Art Center College of

Design in Pasadena, where he earned a degree in Film and Television and started directing commercials and

music videos. After many attempts at making a feature film, he directed Amber Alert, a found-footage

thriller. Kerry is proof that with patience, hard work and gumption, you can reach your dreams.

@kerrybellessa amberalertthemovie.com

NOTES

Rich Hurrey is the Character Technical Director for Pixar Animation Studios. He is currently

working on Finding Dory and most recently worked on Brave. Rich was also part of the team that

developed Pixar's in-house software. Prior to Pixar, Rich worked on animations for the Narnia and

the Matrix sequels, WALL-E, and several yet to be released productions. In addition to his regular

work on features, Rich recently taught rigging at the Animation Workshop in Viborg, Denmark

and at the Academy of Art in San Francisco.

RICH HURREY

vimeo.com/richhurrey

Bobette Buster is an Adj. Professor in the Peter Stark Producing Program at USC and on the Guest

Faculty of Pixar, Disney Animation, Sony Animation, Twentieth Century Fox, and others. She was

also a Disney Fellows Finalist 2007. Bobette worked with Tony Scott for seven years, in

development (associate producer on Revenge), and was a Production Consultant with Larry

Gelbart (Weapons of Mass Distraction and Barbarians At The Gate). She was also the

Production Coordinator on the PBS Special, “In Search of Excellence.” She is the author of

DO STORY: How To Tell Your Story So The World Listens.

BOBETTE BUSTER

@bobettebuster bobettebuster.com

Mel McGowan is President and founder of Visioneering Studios, which is a national architecture,

urban planning, and construction firm with offices in Orange County, Phoenix, Denver, Austin,

Chicago, and Charlotte. Mel combined his background in film and urban design during a decade

long stint at the Walt Disney Company. He speaks extensively on sustainable community and is the

author of Design Intervention: Revolutionizing Sacred Space

MEL MCGOWAN

@melmcgowan melmcgowan.com

NOTES

NOTES

Rich Hurrey is the Character Technical Director for Pixar Animation Studios. He is currently

working on Finding Dory and most recently worked on Brave. Rich was also part of the team that

developed Pixar's in-house software. Prior to Pixar, Rich worked on animations for the Narnia and

the Matrix sequels, WALL-E, and several yet to be released productions. In addition to his regular

work on features, Rich recently taught rigging at the Animation Workshop in Viborg, Denmark

and at the Academy of Art in San Francisco.

RICH HURREY

vimeo.com/richhurrey

Bobette Buster is an Adj. Professor in the Peter Stark Producing Program at USC and on the Guest

Faculty of Pixar, Disney Animation, Sony Animation, Twentieth Century Fox, and others. She was

also a Disney Fellows Finalist 2007. Bobette worked with Tony Scott for seven years, in

development (associate producer on Revenge), and was a Production Consultant with Larry

Gelbart (Weapons of Mass Distraction and Barbarians At The Gate). She was also the

Production Coordinator on the PBS Special, “In Search of Excellence.” She is the author of

DO STORY: How To Tell Your Story So The World Listens.

BOBETTE BUSTER

@bobettebuster bobettebuster.com

Mel McGowan is President and founder of Visioneering Studios, which is a national architecture,

urban planning, and construction firm with offices in Orange County, Phoenix, Denver, Austin,

Chicago, and Charlotte. Mel combined his background in film and urban design during a decade

long stint at the Walt Disney Company. He speaks extensively on sustainable community and is the

author of Design Intervention: Revolutionizing Sacred Space

MEL MCGOWAN

@melmcgowan melmcgowan.com

NOTES

We are a part of Moody Publishers,

representing this next generation of

followers of Christ through books,

blogs, essays, and more.

We seek to know, love, and serve the

millennial generation with grace and

humility. Each of our books is intended

to challenge and encourage our readers

as they pursue God. To learn more,

visit our website.

Moody Collective brings words of life

to a generation seeking deeper faith.

A few of our recent titles

We are a part of Moody Publishers,

representing this next generation of

followers of Christ through books,

blogs, essays, and more.

We seek to know, love, and serve the

millennial generation with grace and

humility. Each of our books is intended

to challenge and encourage our readers

as they pursue God. To learn more,

visit our website.

Moody Collective brings words of life

to a generation seeking deeper faith.

A few of our recent titles

Leaders need permission to lead not like someone else, but as the best possible version of themselves—embracing idiosyncrasies, personalities, and personal tastes. Name and embrace your inner quirk!

Leaders need permission to lead not like

embrace your inner quirk!

Discover

More great books

Quirkyour inner

To learn more about Abingdon Press books, please visit AbingdonPress.com or call 800.251.3320

QUIRKYLEADERSHIPPERMISSION GRANTED

JOHN VOELZ9781426754913

9781426749506 9781426753244 9781426755156

from

West Chestnut Street

West Ohio Street

West Institute Street

East Chicago Ave

West Ontario Street

West Erie Street

East Huron Street

West Huron Street

West Superior Street East Superior Street

East Illinois Street

West Hubbard Street

West Illinois Street

West Wacker Drive

West Lake Street

West Carroll Ave

West Randolph Street East Randolph Street

West Hubbard Street

East Wacker Drive

West Kinzie Street

South Water St

East Grand Ave.

West Grand Ave.

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A SENSE of PLACE

FAITH &

CREATIVITY

31 WEST OHIO STREET

THURS., SEPT 19, 2:00p

NOTES

DANNY GOKEY

Nashville recording artist Danny Gokey became a favorite of millions of fans as a Top 3 finalist on season

eight of American Idol. In 2010, Gokey released his debut album, My Best Days, which garnered record first

week retail and digital album sales for a male debut artist in his musical genre and peaked at #4 on Billboard’s

Top 200 albums chart. He is also the founder of Sophia’s Heart Foundation in honor of his late wife.

The organization’s goal is to provide hope and help to homeless families, as well as providing

scholarships to deserving students and operating a thriving inner city Music & Arts program.

@dannygokey dannygokey.com

NOTES

Matt Appling teaches Pre-Kindergarten through sixth grade art, as well as high school art history. He

has taught and ministered in a variety of school and church settings. He has also been a popular

blogger for four years, as the author of thechurchofnopeople.com, as a syndicated columnist at

prodigalmagazine.com, and as a featured contributor to many other online publications.

MATT APPLING

mattappling.com@MattTCoNP

Allison Vesterfelt is a writer, thinker, dreamer and the managing editor of Prodigal Magazine, an

online platform for storytellers. She is passionate about helping people live and tell good stories.

She is from Portland, Oregon but lives in Nashville, TN with her husband Darrell.

ALLISON VESTERFELT

@allyvest allisonvesterfelt.com

Tyler Blanski is a writer and musician from Minneapolis, Minnesota. He studied Medieval and

Renaissance Studies in Oxford and holds a Bachelor of Arts from Hillsdale College. Tyler is the

author of four previous books, including Mud and Poetry: Love, Sex, and the Sacred.

TYLER BLANSKI

NOTES

tylerblanski.com@TylerBlanski

NOTES

Matt Appling teaches Pre-Kindergarten through sixth grade art, as well as high school art history. He

has taught and ministered in a variety of school and church settings. He has also been a popular

blogger for four years, as the author of thechurchofnopeople.com, as a syndicated columnist at

prodigalmagazine.com, and as a featured contributor to many other online publications.

MATT APPLING

mattappling.com@MattTCoNP

Allison Vesterfelt is a writer, thinker, dreamer and the managing editor of Prodigal Magazine, an

online platform for storytellers. She is passionate about helping people live and tell good stories.

She is from Portland, Oregon but lives in Nashville, TN with her husband Darrell.

ALLISON VESTERFELT

@allyvest allisonvesterfelt.com

Tyler Blanski is a writer and musician from Minneapolis, Minnesota. He studied Medieval and

Renaissance Studies in Oxford and holds a Bachelor of Arts from Hillsdale College. Tyler is the

author of four previous books, including Mud and Poetry: Love, Sex, and the Sacred.

TYLER BLANSKI

NOTES

tylerblanski.com@TylerBlanski

NOTES

JOHN VOELZ

John Voelz is a semi-tamed rebel, writer, artist, songwriter, painter, musician, aggravator, and pastor. His

love of all things creative in tandem with a severe angst towards mediocrity and religiosity has given him a

unique platform as a voice in the church—local and worldwide. His latest book, Quirky Leadership raises

the bar for ministry—not by jumping through more hoops or focusing on gift deficits but rather by

identifying, communicating, and celebrating the individual truths about identities and for ministry

environments. He is a lead pastor known as The Curator at Westwinds in Jackson, MI.

@shameonyoko johnvoelz.com

Thirsty for a fresh look at christian

faith?

Tyler Blanski is a writer and musician from Minneapolis, Minnesota. He studied Medieval and Renaissance Studies in Oxford and holds a Bachelor of Arts from Hillsdale College. Tyler is the author of four previous books, including Mud & Poetry: Love, Sex, and the Sacred.

www.tylerblanski.com

“ An invitation to let God blow your mind, confound your logic, shatter your boxes, and leave you marveling.”

—Shane Claiborne, author and activist

“ A compelling Pilgrim’s Progress for today.”

—Ephraim Radner, Professor of Historical Theology,

Wycliffe College at the University of Toronto

“ A real tour d’ force!”—Phyllis Tickle,

Author, Emergence Christianity

“ Blanski’s book does just what St. Augustine

says our rhetoric should do.”

—David Bartlett, Professor Emeritus, Columbia Theological Seminary and Yale

Divinity School

American singer/songwriter and author Tyler Blanski was, too. So he set out on a Holy Pilgrimage to rediscover the saints, stars, and beauty of Christianity for the twenty-first century.

Rich with deep application for living in the modern world, When Donkeys Talk is an invitation to become enchanted again with Christ and his world.

ASSIGNMENT / Getting Lost

Intentionally lose your way at some point on this trip. Stumble upon a new

favorite spot in Chicago that you would have never found otherwise.

Describe this place below.

Tag your location using #storychicago on twitter and or instagram. Post a

photo of the new place you discovered. It may just get featured...

West Maple Street

West Chestnut Street

East Chestnut Street

West Ohio Street

West Chestnut Street

West Institute Street

West Locust Street

West Walton Street

West Oak Street

East Oak Street

East Cedar Street

East Bellevue Street

East Chicago Ave

West Ontario Street

West Erie Street

East Huron Street

West Huron Street

West Superior StreetEast Superior Street

East Walton Place

East Delaware Place

East Illinois Street

West Hubbard Street

West Illinois Street

West Wacker Drive

West Lake Street

West Carroll Ave

West Randolph Street

West WashingtonSt

East Randolph Street

West Calhoun Place

East Ohio Street

West Hubbard Street

East Wacker Drive

East Pearson St

West Kinzie Street

South Water St

East Grand Ave.West Grand Ave.

North

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West Maple Street

West Chestnut Street

East Chestnut Street

West Ohio Street

West Chestnut Street

West Institute Street

West Locust Street

West Walton Street

West Oak Street

East Oak Street

East Cedar Street

East Bellevue Street

East Chicago Ave

West Ontario Street

West Erie Street

East Huron Street

West Huron Street

West Superior StreetEast Superior Street

East Walton Place

East Delaware Place

East Illinois Street

West Hubbard Street

West Illinois Street

West Wacker Drive

West Lake Street

West Carroll Ave

West Randolph Street

West WashingtonSt

East Randolph Street

West Calhoun Place

East Ohio Street

West Hubbard Street

East Wacker Drive

East Pearson St

West Kinzie Street

South Water St

East Grand Ave.West Grand Ave.

North

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your church and world vision...

together...building a better world for children

church.worldvision.org @WV_Churches

WVAD.indd 1 7/1/13 11:30 AM

your church and world vision...

together...building a better world for children

church.worldvision.org @WV_Churches

WVAD.indd 1 7/1/13 11:30 AM

WE’RECHANGINGTHE MUSICINDUSTRYSO MUSIC & FILM CAN LIVEIN PERFECT SYNC.

The Music Bed bridges the gap between musicians

and filmmakers to make quality, relevant music

accessible to creatives everywhere. Now you can

ditch the generic music in your productions and join

an influential community of creators who are taking

their work to the next level with unique tracks from

real artists.

We believe music is a majorly consequential aspect

of filmmaking. A properly placed song can create

emotion and carry storytelling responsibility,

which is why we’re dedicated to supply you with an

inspirational collection of high quality tracks for all of

your media projects.

T H E M U S I C B E D . C O M

WE’RECHANGINGTHE MUSICINDUSTRYSO MUSIC & FILM CAN LIVEIN PERFECT SYNC.

The Music Bed bridges the gap between musicians

and filmmakers to make quality, relevant music

accessible to creatives everywhere. Now you can

ditch the generic music in your productions and join

an influential community of creators who are taking

their work to the next level with unique tracks from

real artists.

We believe music is a majorly consequential aspect

of filmmaking. A properly placed song can create

emotion and carry storytelling responsibility,

which is why we’re dedicated to supply you with an

inspirational collection of high quality tracks for all of

your media projects.

T H E M U S I C B E D . C O M

“A L L A R T I S T S N E E D R E M I N D E R S T H AT T H E I R W O R K I S W O R T H PAY I N G F O R A N D T H AT I T I S P O S S I B L E T O C R E AT E A L I V I N G BY M A K I N G S O M E T H I N G

T H AT O T H E R S W I L L E N J OY F O R A LO N G T I M E T O C O M E .”Q U I N N E R W I N / / T H E M U S I C B E D A R T I S T

G E T 1 0 % O F F U S I N G T H E C O U P O N C O D E

S T O R Y 2 0 1 3

“A L L A R T I S T S N E E D R E M I N D E R S T H AT T H E I R W O R K I S W O R T H PAY I N G F O R A N D T H AT I T I S P O S S I B L E T O C R E AT E A L I V I N G BY M A K I N G S O M E T H I N G

T H AT O T H E R S W I L L E N J OY F O R A LO N G T I M E T O C O M E .”Q U I N N E R W I N / / T H E M U S I C B E D A R T I S T

G E T 1 0 % O F F U S I N G T H E C O U P O N C O D E

S T O R Y 2 0 1 3

NOTES

STORY has a “Surprise & Delight” team to help make your experience

here an unforgettable one. But now it’s your turn. Find a way to

surprise and delight someone in the city. Share your experience here.

ASSIGNMENT / Surprise & Delight

A SENSE of PLACE

HOUSE OF BLUES

329 NORTH DEARBORN

FRI., SEPT 20, 9:00a

NOTES

STORY has a “Surprise & Delight” team to help make your experience

here an unforgettable one. But now it’s your turn. Find a way to

surprise and delight someone in the city. Share your experience here.

ASSIGNMENT / Surprise & Delight

A SENSE of PLACE

HOUSE OF BLUES

329 NORTH DEARBORN

FRI., SEPT 20, 9:00a

NOTES

NOTES

Gillian Ferrabee wrote, directed and produced her first long-format play at

the age of 10. She’s has been telling stories in one way, or another, ever

since. Her early training was as a modern dancer at the School of Toronto

Dance Theatre and The Tisch School of the Arts. She performed for more

than 10 years with contemporary dance and physical theatre companies

touring North America, Central America and Europe. She began acting

professionally after she was scouted for a TV series through her acting class.

She joined Cirque du Soleil's casting team in 2004, and for five years

travelled the world meeting and auditioning artists and discovering new

trends in performance. She was assigned to the artistic casting of "The Beatles: LOVE” in 2005 and then became the artistic casting

adviser for the company's touring shows. In 2012, she was named director of the Creative Lab for Cirque Du Soleil Media. She

heads a team of in-house creatives in working together on projects for film, TV and new media, in collaboration with various

outside partners.

@gferrabee cirquedusoleil.com

GILLIAN FERRABEE

DIRECTOR OF CREATIVE LAB, CIRQUE DU SOLEIL MEDIA

NOTES

NOTES

Gillian Ferrabee wrote, directed and produced her first long-format play at

the age of 10. She’s has been telling stories in one way, or another, ever

since. Her early training was as a modern dancer at the School of Toronto

Dance Theatre and The Tisch School of the Arts. She performed for more

than 10 years with contemporary dance and physical theatre companies

touring North America, Central America and Europe. She began acting

professionally after she was scouted for a TV series through her acting class.

She joined Cirque du Soleil's casting team in 2004, and for five years

travelled the world meeting and auditioning artists and discovering new

trends in performance. She was assigned to the artistic casting of "The Beatles: LOVE” in 2005 and then became the artistic casting

adviser for the company's touring shows. In 2012, she was named director of the Creative Lab for Cirque Du Soleil Media. She

heads a team of in-house creatives in working together on projects for film, TV and new media, in collaboration with various

outside partners.

@gferrabee cirquedusoleil.com

GILLIAN FERRABEE

DIRECTOR OF CREATIVE LAB, CIRQUE DU SOLEIL MEDIA

BLEED - 8.75” X 8.75”

TRIM - 8.5” X 8.5”

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BEIGE Not on your itinerary.

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Break free from the beige, bland and generic.

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ALT13031_STORY_Chicago_Booklet.indd 2-3 7/26/13 12:37 PM

Book now and enjoy two free drinks. alofthotels.com

©2013 Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Preferred Guest, SPG, Aloft and their logos are the trademarks of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., or its affiliates. For full terms and conditions, visit alofthotels.com

Break free from the beige, bland and generic.

Designed for those who love open spaces, open thinking and open expression. This is where travel creates possibilities. Where style is necessary. Connectivity keeps up with you. Social scenes are vibrant. And the only direction is forward. This is Aloft Hotels.

Different. By design.

75+ hotels all around the world.

ALT13031_STORY_Chicago_Booklet.indd 2-3 7/26/13 12:37 PM

NOTES

NOTES

Alexander Chen is a Creative Director at Google Creative Lab in New York. In

2011, Alex launched MTA.ME, which transformed a New York subway map

into a string instrument. This personal work led to the conception of the Les

Paul Doodle, a Google doodle with generated 5.1 years worth of shared

music around the world. Chen continued with a visualization of the

Bach Cello Suites based on string physics. In 2012, Alex led the

creative team behind the Project Glass concept video and has

continued to work closely on Glass. Alex's personal projects have

been featured by publications such as The New York Times, Wired,

The Wall Street Journal, and The Guardian. His work has been

shown at Eyebeam (NY) and the Museum of Design (Zurich). As a

musician, Alex is a violist who creates music under the musical monikers The Consulate General and Boy in Static. Alex is

currently living in Brooklyn, NY.

@alexanderchen chenalexander.com

ALEX CHEN

CREATIVE DIRECTOR AT GOOGLE CREATIVE LAB

NOTES

NOTES

Alexander Chen is a Creative Director at Google Creative Lab in New York. In

2011, Alex launched MTA.ME, which transformed a New York subway map

into a string instrument. This personal work led to the conception of the Les

Paul Doodle, a Google doodle with generated 5.1 years worth of shared

music around the world. Chen continued with a visualization of the

Bach Cello Suites based on string physics. In 2012, Alex led the

creative team behind the Project Glass concept video and has

continued to work closely on Glass. Alex's personal projects have

been featured by publications such as The New York Times, Wired,

The Wall Street Journal, and The Guardian. His work has been

shown at Eyebeam (NY) and the Museum of Design (Zurich). As a

musician, Alex is a violist who creates music under the musical monikers The Consulate General and Boy in Static. Alex is

currently living in Brooklyn, NY.

@alexanderchen chenalexander.com

ALEX CHEN

CREATIVE DIRECTOR AT GOOGLE CREATIVE LAB

LEARNING WHAT IT MEANS TO CREATE BELONGING AND REAL COMMUNITY | BY SARAH BRAY

A SMALL NATION OF MY OWN

My parents were dreamers. Where most people would see a

street filled with criminals and junkies, my parents saw a

two-story pillared white Victorian wrapped in wrought iron, all

within their newlywed budget. They bought the house.

If houses have feelings, ours suffered total rejection with bravery.

It was broken into seven times in the five years we lived there.

The neighbors stuck my little brother in a trashcan. Someone

snuck into my second-story bedroom to plug-in an extension

cord and drape it out the window for electricity. I saw shadows in

the leaded glass windows.

When we moved away for my dad to sell it (which took seven

years), neighbors spray-painted the living room, the hallways,

the stairs. I could only imagine what they wrote — I never knew.

My dad would clean it up for it to re-appear weeks later. I

thought it was magic paint.

After that, every ordinary childhood snub felt like rejection to be

suffered with bravery. I started to daydream about becoming the

@sarahjbraysarahjbray.com asmallnation.com

Sarah J. Bray is a writer, designer, and nation-builder.

first female President of the United States. I would bring

acceptance and belonging to this country, or at least to myself, if

only my friends who were older than me would please, please

choose another profession (that was my second biggest fear -

that I would have to resign myself to becoming the second

female President of the United States).

I eventually gave up my idea of becoming President. I was

interested in books and writing and this new thing called the

Internet, and the President didn't seem to have much to do with

those things. After I got home from school, I would stalk

magazines for AOL keywords, sign up for any newsgroup or

Listserv even remotely related to my interests, and “view source,”

“view source,” “view source”.

I grew up, and the Internet grew up with me. I got married,

went to college, and used my spare hours to study design and

entertain myself with code. I started my own web design studio,

specializing in content-driven websites — a concept my local

community wasn't ready for, as evidenced by many awkward

coffee shop meetings. I took myself out of local search.

In removing my work from a hometown that didn't understand

the value in it, I discovered a new set of neighbors — ones not

thrown together by geographical happenstance, but

magnetically drawn together by shared values. It started

with a few people, and then it grew to thousands.

Without knowing it, I had started building my own

nation of people who loved what I loved and wanted what

I wanted. I guess you could say I became President after

all.

I’ve spent the past two years studying what it takes to

create belonging and real community, no matter where

you live. There are so many fascinating issues to think

about — how to be a clear beacon in a noisy world, how to

create financial sustainability without sacrificing

integrity, and how to build real community and not just

the appearance of one. Mostly, I am interested in what

happens when we make it possible for people to be free to

be what they were made to be, in a community where

everyone belongs and no one feels misunderstood or

rejected. There are as many nations to be founded as there

are people in need of one. And if nations have feelings,

this one is full of hope.

“Without knowing it, I had started building my own nation of people who loved what I

loved and wanted what I wanted.”

LEARNING WHAT IT MEANS TO CREATE BELONGING AND REAL COMMUNITY | BY SARAH BRAY

A SMALL NATION OF MY OWN

My parents were dreamers. Where most people would see a

street filled with criminals and junkies, my parents saw a

two-story pillared white Victorian wrapped in wrought iron, all

within their newlywed budget. They bought the house.

If houses have feelings, ours suffered total rejection with bravery.

It was broken into seven times in the five years we lived there.

The neighbors stuck my little brother in a trashcan. Someone

snuck into my second-story bedroom to plug-in an extension

cord and drape it out the window for electricity. I saw shadows in

the leaded glass windows.

When we moved away for my dad to sell it (which took seven

years), neighbors spray-painted the living room, the hallways,

the stairs. I could only imagine what they wrote — I never knew.

My dad would clean it up for it to re-appear weeks later. I

thought it was magic paint.

After that, every ordinary childhood snub felt like rejection to be

suffered with bravery. I started to daydream about becoming the

@sarahjbraysarahjbray.com asmallnation.com

Sarah J. Bray is a writer, designer, and nation-builder.

first female President of the United States. I would bring

acceptance and belonging to this country, or at least to myself, if

only my friends who were older than me would please, please

choose another profession (that was my second biggest fear -

that I would have to resign myself to becoming the second

female President of the United States).

I eventually gave up my idea of becoming President. I was

interested in books and writing and this new thing called the

Internet, and the President didn't seem to have much to do with

those things. After I got home from school, I would stalk

magazines for AOL keywords, sign up for any newsgroup or

Listserv even remotely related to my interests, and “view source,”

“view source,” “view source”.

I grew up, and the Internet grew up with me. I got married,

went to college, and used my spare hours to study design and

entertain myself with code. I started my own web design studio,

specializing in content-driven websites — a concept my local

community wasn't ready for, as evidenced by many awkward

coffee shop meetings. I took myself out of local search.

In removing my work from a hometown that didn't understand

the value in it, I discovered a new set of neighbors — ones not

thrown together by geographical happenstance, but

magnetically drawn together by shared values. It started

with a few people, and then it grew to thousands.

Without knowing it, I had started building my own

nation of people who loved what I loved and wanted what

I wanted. I guess you could say I became President after

all.

I’ve spent the past two years studying what it takes to

create belonging and real community, no matter where

you live. There are so many fascinating issues to think

about — how to be a clear beacon in a noisy world, how to

create financial sustainability without sacrificing

integrity, and how to build real community and not just

the appearance of one. Mostly, I am interested in what

happens when we make it possible for people to be free to

be what they were made to be, in a community where

everyone belongs and no one feels misunderstood or

rejected. There are as many nations to be founded as there

are people in need of one. And if nations have feelings,

this one is full of hope.

“Without knowing it, I had started building my own nation of people who loved what I

loved and wanted what I wanted.”

N

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A SENSE of P

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September 17-19, 2014 Visit the concierge desk or enter code

LIVE at story2014.eventbrite.com

TICKETS ON SALE FOR $199

DURING THIS EVENT ONLY

N

S

E W

A SENSE of P

LA

CE

September 17-19, 2014 Visit the concierge desk or enter code

LIVE at story2014.eventbrite.com

TICKETS ON SALE FOR $199

DURING THIS EVENT ONLY

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