The other day I spent some time with friends who are studying the Enneagram. It is a complicated system of learning about yourself and others through the study of nine personality types. If you don’t know about it here are two links: Enneagram.com and Enneagraminstitute.com. One of the woman, who is a self-described 5, was talking about how small talk is so draining to her. She said if she was never going to see these people again, who cares about their stories. I perked up and said, “I do,” (I am a 7 on the enneagram.)

One of my favorite things is talking with someone I don’t know and discovering something fascinating about them. Even the most unappealing person can have some interest that is a surprise: they are an expert on local bees or they collect antique door knobs or they once were on an Olympic synchronized swimming team.

If you love to hear stories as much as I do, you will enjoy this Great Questions List from StoryCorps. I find it very easy to engage people in conversation if I listen to what they are saying and ask appropriate questions. They enjoy telling their story and I enjoy hearing what they have to say so it is a satisfying exchange.

If this is hard for you and you want to try it, check out the StoryCorps questions and make up your own list and then go find some strangers to listen to.

I was worried that the theme for the last Odyssey Storytelling, “Sliced and Diced: the Surgery Show,” would scare people away. Lots of people are squeamish about hearing “organ recitals” – stories with gory details about medical procedures. I did not know who would be attracted to hear the stories and I really didn’t know who would be interested in telling.

I had quite a surprise at the rehearsal for the show. Associate Producer Adam Hostetter was curator and that means that he gathered the storytellers together either by responding to inquiries or by actively searching them out. The diversity of the stories was stunning and the tellers were equally sincere in telling some astonishing tales.

But it was “heavy” – so much so that I shed a tear or two through a few tellings. As founder of Odyssey and producer for the past 8 years, I am very protective of the audience and I want everyone to have a “good time.” After the rehearsal I confided to Adam and Associate Producer Sarah K. Smith that I felt I should put a warning label on the website, an “R” rating, as it were, to indicate adult themes that included violence and carnage. They were both appalled that I would do such a thing. They had much more confidence in the ability of the listeners to make their own decisions.

And they knew that audience members want to be moved; to have an authentic experience. That’s why the audience is there – even if it involves dealing with difficult subjects. In the past we have heard stories about cruelty and fear, hostility and acts of vengeance along side of stories of redemption, charity and love. So what was my problem?

Upon reflection I had to admit that I was the skittish one when it comes to “slicing and dicing” and I was projecting my fears on the audience. They, of course, rose to the occasion and were appropriately appreciative of the depth of feelings expressed.

Maybe my own subliminal feelings were at work when I created this poster for the event. Creepy, right?

My take-home lesson is to listen to my own words when I insert this disclaimer in the monthly program:

Storytelling is a way to make connections with diverse and different people that you may not meet in your everyday life.  Because people are telling stories from their lives they may be amazing, messy, enlightening, disturbing, profound and entertaining.  Our storytellers have guidelines but they are uncensored.

On Saturday, March 31 from 5 – to 5:45 p.m. at the Women’s Plaza outside Centennial Hall on the UA campus, Tucson teachers will share stories about life in the trenches, what made them want to become teachers, significant moments in their teaching careers, and experiences with influential teachers.

“Tales of Tucson Teachers” is a free UApresents Patio Performance pre-show event before the ticketed Ben Vereen: “Thanks for the Memory.” The Ben Vereen performance is a fundraiser for the UApresents Education and Outreach programs and a celebration of teachers in our community.

“Tales of Tucson Teachers” is a partnership between Odyssey Storytelling, UApresents, Tucson Values Teachers and Teachers Voices.  Teachers Voices is a series on Arizona Public Media

The series consists of two to four-minute pieces modeled after the highly successful NPR StoryCorps. These conversational segments feature teachers, students, superintendents, business leaders and parents in a range of combinations. They emphasize the high levels of professionalism that teachers bring to the classrooms, the amazing programs at the University of Arizona that are benefiting area classrooms, and the alchemy between teachers and students that is part of how students learn.

Segments are produced by Arizona Public Media’s Jim Blackwood, Sr. In addition, the Host of Arizona Spotlight, Mark McLemore, contributes to the quality and success of the segments.

Come celebrate teachers and their stories!