Next to Normal Story Slam

This story from Laurie Bergner was recorded May 5, 2023, during the Next to Normal Story Slam at the McLean County Arts Center in Bloomington. The night’s theme was “It seemed like a good idea at the time...” with all stories centered on that theme. Learn more about upcoming Story Slams at NexttoNormalStorySlam.com.

This story from Mollie Huisman was recorded May 5, 2023, during the Next to Normal Story Slam at the McLean County Arts Center in Bloomington. The night’s theme was “It seemed like a good idea at the time...” with all stories centered on that theme. Learn more about upcoming Story Slams at NexttoNormalStorySlam.com.

This story from Laura DiMascio was recorded May 5, 2023, during the Next to Normal Story Slam at the McLean County Arts Center in Bloomington. The night’s theme was “It seemed like a good idea at the time...” with all stories centered on that theme. Learn more about upcoming Story Slams at NexttoNormalStorySlam.com.

This story from Kim Tingley was recorded May 5, 2023, during the Next to Normal Story Slam at the McLean County Arts Center in Bloomington. The night’s theme was “It seemed like a good idea at the time...” with all stories centered on that theme. Learn more about upcoming Story Slams at NexttoNormalStorySlam.com.

This story from Karla Bailey Smith was recorded Feb. 10, 2023, during the Next to Normal Story Slam at the McLean County Arts Center in Bloomington. The night’s theme was “A brush with...” with all stories centered on that theme. Learn more about upcoming Story Slams at NexttoNormalStorySlam.com.

This story from Sally Hoffman was recorded Feb. 10, 2023, during the Next to Normal Story Slam at the McLean County Arts Center in Bloomington. The night’s theme was “A brush with...” with all stories centered on that theme. Learn more about upcoming Story Slams at NexttoNormalStorySlam.com.

This story from Joe Strupek was recorded Feb. 10, 2023, during the Next to Normal Story Slam at the McLean County Arts Center in Bloomington. The night’s theme was “A brush with...” with all stories centered on that theme. Learn more about upcoming Story Slams at NexttoNormalStorySlam.com.

This story from Mark Nielson was recorded Feb. 10, 2023, during the Next to Normal Story Slam at the McLean County Arts Center in Bloomington. The night’s theme was “A brush with...” with all stories centered on that theme. Learn more about upcoming Story Slams at NexttoNormalStorySlam.com.

This story from Lora Passetti was recorded Feb. 10, 2023, during the Next to Normal Story Slam at the McLean County Arts Center in Bloomington. The night’s theme was “A brush with...” with all stories centered on that theme. Learn more about upcoming Story Slams at NexttoNormalStorySlam.com.

This story from Kathi Davis was recorded Feb. 10, 2023, during the Next to Normal Story Slam at the McLean County Arts Center in Bloomington. The night’s theme was “A brush with...” with all stories centered on that theme. Learn more about upcoming Story Slams at NexttoNormalStorySlam.com.

This story from Dennis Mennenga was recorded Feb. 10, 2023, during the Next to Normal Story Slam at the McLean County Arts Center in Bloomington. The night’s theme was “A brush with...” with all stories centered on that theme. Learn more about upcoming Story Slams at NexttoNormalStorySlam.com.

This story from Scott Myers was recorded Feb. 10, 2023, during the Next to Normal Story Slam at the McLean County Arts Center in Bloomington. The night’s theme was “A brush with...” with all stories centered on that theme. Learn more about upcoming Story Slams at NexttoNormalStorySlam.com.

The Next To Normal Story Slam is back after its pandemic hiatus with a new schedule. Instead of every month, the Story Slam happens every three months at the McLean County Arts Center.

Listen to the first episode of a new audio series from the folks at the Next To Normal Story Slam, called “Voices From The Pandemic.” This story comes from Jeff Woodard, who works at the McLean County Museum of History and serves on the Western Avenue Community Center board. Find more stories like this by subscribing to our Next To Normal Story Slam podcast.

Now, another first-person story from the Next To Normal Story Slam and its special audio series, "Voices From the Pandemic." Today we hear from Bloomington-Normal community leader and social justice advocate Camille Taylor. Taylor got hit with a bug in late February -- the sickest she's ever felt. And that was a problem because she lives with her 94-year-old mother. Unfortunately, her mother got sick too. By mid-March, Camille was feeling better, and she and her husband were off to see Cubs spring training in Arizona. But at the last-minute -- literally on the ride to the airport -- they called it off. Find more stories like this by subscribing to our Next To Normal Story Slam podcast.

Bloomington-Normal community members shared their Animal Tales during the latest Next to Normal Story Slam on Feb. 28 at the McLean County Arts Center. Susan Ryder was one of the storytellers: The next Story Slam is March 21. The theme is “Luck.” You can hear more segments from Next to Normal Story Slams by subscribing to our podcast .

Bloomington-Normal community members shared their Animal Tales during the latest Next to Normal Story Slam on Feb. 28 at the McLean County Arts Center. Heidi Bowman was one of the storytellers: The next Story Slam is March 21. The theme is “Luck.” You can hear more segments from Next to Normal Story Slams by subscribing to our podcast .

Bloomington-Normal community members shared their Animal Tales during the latest Next to Normal Story Slam on Feb. 28 at the McLean County Arts Center. Cathy Sutliff was one of the storytellers: The next Story Slam is March 21. The theme is “Luck.” You can hear more segments from Next to Normal Story Slams by subscribing to our podcast .

Bloomington-Normal community members shared their Animal Tales during the latest Next to Normal Story Slam on Feb. 28 at the McLean County Arts Center. Sarah Buckmann was one of the storytellers: The next Story Slam is March 21. The theme is “Luck.” You can hear more segments from Next to Normal Story Slams by subscribing to our podcast .

Bloomington-Normal community members shared their Animal Tales during the latest Next to Normal Story Slam on Feb. 28 at the McLean County Arts Center. Bob Ryder was one of the storytellers: The next Story Slam is March 21. The theme is “Luck.” You can hear more segments from Next to Normal Story Slams by subscribing to our podcast .