STORY JAM // music + stories

Story Jam
  • 4.8 (12)
  • PERFORMING ARTS
  • UPDATED BIMONTHLY

WELCOME TO STORY JAM! We offer entertaining personal stories and original songs written for each story. Each episode presents one story and its accompanying custom song. At Story Jam, we believe stories are powerful enough to change lives and influence people to develop compassion and connection. We aim to inspire our audience through the sharing of diverse voices. The Story Jam podcast is lovingly produced in Chicago by Story Jam creator/producer Stephanie Rogers and music director/engineer Danny Shaffer. If you'd like to become a supporter or a sponsor of the Story Jam podcast or our live show, please visit us at storyjamshow.com. You can attend a show or join our classes and trainings by visiting the website. Thank you for listening!

  1. 11/09/2024

    Let Our Love Rise

    Story Jam is a premiere music and storytelling show. In this episode, we're treated to a wonderful story by storytelling maven Margaret Burk. Margaret has been a leader in the Chicago storytelling community for decades. She is an activist, producer, and actor. After the story, we'll hear a song by producer Stephanie Rogers and the Story Jam Band. For more information about STORY JAM, please visit our website.  CREDITS: Podcast Produced by: Stephanie Rogers Audio Mix/Music Production: Danny Shaffer Theme Music: Craig J Snider Voiceover: Kenny Burroughs Story: Margaret Burk "Let Our Love Rise" music & lyrics by Stephanie Rogers Fred Simon, piano Dave Hiltebrand, guitar Lamar Jones, bass Chuck Lacy, drums John Bowes, Sax Sarah Marie Young, vocals Kari Nelson, vocals Toni DiDonato, vocals Support this podcast by becoming a Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/storyjampodcast

    15 min

  2. 09/22/2024

    Thank You Dr. King

    Story Jam is a premiere music and storytelling show. In this episode, we're treated to a wonderful story by David Barish, a fabulously popular storyteller by night and, by day, he's a lawyer. David has been telling stories since the day his mother came home, looked around  and asked, “What happened here?” Since then he has abandoned fiction and has been writing and telling personal narratives on stages around Chicago. After the story, we'll hear a very clever impromptu song which was written by Story Jam's ingenious improvisational songwriter Xoe Wise. Xoe Wise is a singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer originally from a small town in NC, now based in Chicago. She is one of Baby Luca's moms! For more information about STORY JAM, please visit our website.  CREDITS: Podcast Produced by: Stephanie Rogers Audio Mix/Music Production: Danny Shaffer Theme Music: Craig J Snider Voiceover: Kenny Burroughs Story: David Barrish "Thank you Martin Luther King" music & lyrics by Xoe Wise Vocals & guitar by Xoe Wise Support this podcast by becoming a Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/storyjampodcast

    10 min

  3. 01/01/2024

    Running Out of Time

    Story Jam is a premiere music and storytelling show. In this episode, we're treated to a wonderful story by Chicago's own Tracy Baim. Tracy is a famous editor, author, journalist, film maker, former publisher of "The Chicago Reader." Baim founded "Windy City Times" in 1985, and she has written several books and won numerous awards. After the story, we'll hear a song which was written by Story Jam producer Stephanie Rogers and played at our live show. For more information about STORY JAM, please visit our website. RUNNING OUT OF TIME  By Stephanie Rogers © 2020 Story Jam Songs I’m alone in a world I cannot fight Desperation rips me up inside  Does anybody care if I’m alive Do you believe I deserve to die? My struggle lives beyond the words you deny God put here and gave me life I know my time is short and  My name means nothing to you  I don’t want to leave this world behind Every breath I take lives on  In the name of justice  I’m running out…I’m running out of time I can’t live with illness anymore Our legacy is greater than all we endure Brothers sisters keep hope in store  I know my time is short and  My name means nothing to you  Don’t want to leave this world behind Every breath I take lives on  In the name of justice  I’m running out…I’m running out of time Don’t need forever Just a little bit longer… CREDITS: Podcast Produced by: Stephanie Rogers Audio Mix/Music Production: Danny Shaffer Theme Music: Craig J Snider Voiceover: Kenny Burroughs Story: Tracy Baim "Running Out of Time" music & lyrics by Stephanie Rogers Keys by Fred Simon Guitar by Danny Shaffer Bass by Rafe Bradford Drums by Chuck Lacy Vocals & piano by Stephanie Rogers Support this podcast by becoming a Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/storyjampodcast

    14 min

  4. 09/01/2023

    No Celebrity

    Story Jam is a premiere music and storytelling show. In this episode, we're treated to a duologue story by Richard Munchkin and Melissa Reaves. After the story, we'll hear a song which was written by Story Jam producer Steph Rogers and played at our live show by The Story Jam Band.   For more information about STORY JAM, please visit our website. No Celebrity by  Stephanie Rogers When I look around the room Everybody else looks like me And all I see Is that I am still unique Cause I don’t really give a shit About appearing  But who am I if I'm not who I think I am... Hey I am a normal human Hey I read the news I’m common Hey I get my neighbor’s wifi for free I’m no celebrity  Wouldn’t it be fun To star with Denzel Washington Or sail the sea with Pitt and Clooney But I can have my fun Being a librarian Or serving tea at Jerry’s deli But who am I if I’m not who I think I am… Hey I am a normal human I’ve got no fans in Saigon I haven't lost my sanity Hey I never drink Remy Martin Hey there is no film I’ve starred in I’ll never be thin like Twiggy I’m no celebrity… Hey I don’t Tic Toc or Instagram Don't have a weekly cocaine man I never carry a puppy Hey I ride the bus and pay rent Hey I squeeze a dollars from cents Hey I’ve been to Niles and Kankakee I’m no celebrity CREDITS: Podcast Produced by: Stephanie Rogers Audio Mix/Music Production: Danny Shaffer Theme Music: Craig J Snider Voiceover: Kenny Burroughs Story: Richard Munchkin & Melissa Reaves "No Celebrity" music & lyrics by Stephanie Rogers Piano by Fred Simon Guitars by Danny Shaffer Bass by Rafe Bradford Drums by Chuck Lacy Vocals by Stephanie Rogers Arrangement by Danny Shaffer Support this podcast by becoming a Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/storyjampodcast

    13 min

  5. 03/01/2023

    Dead or Alive

    Story Jam is a premiere music and storytelling show. In this episode, we're treated to a riveting story by Anne Purky, storyteller extraordinaire! Anne is a writer, storyteller, and advocate for those with disabilities. After the story, we'll hear a song which was written by and played at our live show by Stephanie Rogers, Story Jam producer and host.   For more information about STORY JAM, please visit our website. DEAD OR ALIVE by Stephanie Rogers Are you dead or alive Is your heart still yearning I've stayed behind To clean up the mess they found All the sirens that blew They came looking for you As they ripped the babe out of your hands Now you're there in the queue After all you've all you've been through I'm afraid to see how it all ends Do you remember a time Free of cracks and bruises Do they let in the light Or are they closing down On your eyes as they cry While they're fighting for life Though they're hardened and sunken and blind Take your place in the cue Someone's waiting for you They don't know that you still have to die Strength will crumble No one will tell you why I've too been to battle And I, too, have sunken eyes Are you dead or alive Does your heart still yearn CREDITS: Podcast Produced by: Stephanie Rogers Audio Mix/Music Production: Danny Shaffer Theme Music: Craig J Snider Voiceover: Kenny Burroughs Story: Anne Purky "Dead or Alive" music & lyrics by Stephanie Rogers Piano by Fred Simon Strings by Craig Snider Bass by Rafe Bradford Vocals by Stephanie Rogers Arrangement by Danny Shaffer Support this podcast by becoming a Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/storyjampodcast

    12 min

  6. 03/01/2023

    Loving Lilly

    Story Jam is a premiere music and storytelling show. In this episode, we're treated to a heartfelt story from our PRIDE series by Northwestern University's Communications, Advocacy and Public Engagement Exec and all-around fabulous teller Roderick Hawkins. After the story, we'll hear a song which was written by and played at our live show by the ever-talented Story Jam favorite, Xoe Wise.   For more information about STORY JAM, please visit our website. LILLY'S LESSONS  by Xoe Wise I have learned the lessons from Lilly I have learned how to stay strong in my car When I'm driving south on Lake Shore and I think about her I hear her voice ringing in my heart And if all of you start crying right now during this song Don't do that...no pity parties, OK? That's from Roderick's mom This is Lilly's lessons... She says turn that frown upside down right now And go get your mama her gala gown  You gotta stay strong against the harm Make sure your dress shows little bit of arm And show some titty...you gotta show some titty You can always change from the food industry at 40 To healthcare? You bet! And when life makes you mad Just blow on something...a clarinet! Lilly's lessons Do say "Gay gay gay," Do what you want with your boday And show a little cleave even on a Monday  When they said three to five years She said seven Just give me my gumbo even if you have to USPS it! Lilly's lessons... Take me on a trip  Just pack my wheelchair Change your career We need you back in healthcare Pack your itinerlillies Cause we got 8 o'clock Obama white house, congress, King Before the photo hide my cane I don't want it in the photo  White house congress take my picture Get the wheelchair out the frame Now wheel me over there take my picture Now please hide my cane And show some titty, show some cleave Nope. No crying. No tears.  Doesn't mean you cant have fears It just means fight with everything And you might get a few more years  With the FIVE Cs... You got Christ, counseling, community, cannabis, c’dick Christ, counseling, community, cannabis, c’dick Christ, counseling, community, cannabis, c’dick Christ, counseling, community, cannabis  We all are full o' shit CREDITS: Podcast Produced by: Stephanie Rogers Audio Mix/Music Production: Danny Shaffer Theme Music: Craig J Snider Voiceover: Kenny Burroughs Story: Roderick Hawkins "Lilly's Lessons" music & lyrics & guitar by Xoe Wise Support our podcast by becoming a Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/storyjampodcast

    17 min

  7. 01/02/2023

    Ms. Valentine

    Story Jam is a music and storytelling show that features top storytellers and original songs written for each story.   In this episode, we hear a personal story by Erica Nicole Clark followed by a song written for the story, then a brief conversation with Margaret and producer Stephanie Rogers.    For more information about STORY JAM, please visit our website. MS. VALENTINE (by Liam Davis) Dear Mrs. T Welcome to Lake Forest, Illinois It's such a joy (she said) To have Erica in class with me I really must say how much I enjoy her company, but... Dear Mrs. T Even though I understand Your husband's on TV Call it intuition a condition Is arousing my suspicion As a trained arithmetician Well it simply does not compute She's guessing, she's probably guessing... Maybe she's cheating, cheating... F Ms. Valentine x4 Dear Mrs. T I understand you didn't make it All the way to college like me But really it is simply public knowledge you see A child from the South Side The outside is automatically unqualified She can't hang It's the order of the universe It's ying yang And so although the way She comes at every problem Makes it easier to solve them I simple have no choice In remedial...math She's guessing, she's probably guessing... Maybe she's cheating, cheating... F Ms. Valentine x4... Credits: Producer: Stephanie Rogers Audio Mix/Music Production: Danny Shaffer Theme music: Craig J Snider Voiceover: Kenny Burroughs Story: Erica Nicole Clark "Ms. Valentine" music & lyrics by Liam Davis Band: Bass: Rafe Bradford Drums: Gerald Dowd Guitar: Danny Shaffer Guitar/Vocals: Liam Davis Vocals: Sarah Marie Young Vocals: Stephanie Rogers Vocals: Kari Nelson Support our podcast  by becoming a Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/storyjampodcast.

    22 min

  8. 01/01/2023

    A Very Dangerous Person

    TRIGGER WARNING: THE SUBJECT MATTER IN THIS STORY IS DISTURBING.  ALSO, MATURE LANGUAGE AND THEMES. Story Jam is a music and storytelling show that features top storytellers and original songs written for each story.   In this first episode of season two, we hear a personal story by Paul Teodo followed by song written for the story and a brief conversation with Paul and Stephanie Rogers.    For more information about STORY JAM, please visit our website. MIRACLE Everybody says run before the trouble comes On the road in the dark Everybody lays low through the afterglow To avoid any harm It would take a miracle to save you Bounty of angels or some light shining through Must be a glow in the deepest dark Heat in the coldest heart Leading the way for a fallen soul When we have lost all hope It would take a miracle to save you Bounty of angels or some light shining through Everybody says run When the trouble comes On the road in the dark Everybody lays low Through the afterglow To avoid harm It would take a miracle to save you Bounty of angels or some light shining through Credits: Producer: Stephanie Rogers Audio Mix/Music Production: Danny Shaffer Theme music: Craig J Snider Voiceover: Kenny Burroughs Story: Paul Teodo "Miracle" music & lyrics by Stephanie Rogers Song arrangement by Danny Shaffer Band: Vocals: Stephanie Rogers Guitars: Danny Shaffer Violin: Anne Harris Support Story Jam by joining our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/storyjampodcast.

    14 min
See All (20)

4.8
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

WELCOME TO STORY JAM! We offer entertaining personal stories and original songs written for each story. Each episode presents one story and its accompanying custom song. At Story Jam, we believe stories are powerful enough to change lives and influence people to develop compassion and connection. We aim to inspire our audience through the sharing of diverse voices. The Story Jam podcast is lovingly produced in Chicago by Story Jam creator/producer Stephanie Rogers and music director/engineer Danny Shaffer. If you'd like to become a supporter or a sponsor of the Story Jam podcast or our live show, please visit us at storyjamshow.com. You can attend a show or join our classes and trainings by visiting the website. Thank you for listening!

Information

  • Creator
    Story Jam
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2024
  • Episodes
    20
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 STORY JAM // music + stories
  • Show Website
    STORY JAM // music + stories