Natalie and her partner face a difficult decision that changes them both forever.She told her story at the Raven Narratives events in early October 2024 when the theme was “friendship”.Natalie will always be thrilled to meet people she likes and admires and connects with. She was voted most likely to become the pope by her 8th grade class, which is…

Amanda describes how a close friend helped her find her place.She told her story at the Raven Narratives events in early October 2024 when the theme was "friendship".Amanda has called many places home, including New Jersey, Germany, Utah, and various parts of Colorado. She currently lives in Mancos and has spent her summer working as a farmhand ada…

Jennifer describes how the "divine masters" pointed her towards finding her true love.She told her story at the Raven Narratives events in early October 2024 when the theme was “friendship”.Jennifer is a shamanic practitioner who has worked as a shamanic healer, teacher, and mentor for over 20 years. She is also a professional singer/songwriter who…

Chad describes how his best friend from middle school shaped the person he is today.He told his story at the Raven Narratives events in early October 2024 when the theme was “friendship”.Chad considers himself a gangly man that is Durango raised and heaven bound. Although he looks like a combination of Pete Davidson and Steve Buscemi, he's never le…

Ann goes to her first house party with her high school friends.She told her story at the Raven Narratives events in early October 2024 when the theme was “friendship”.Ann is a Native lady figuring out life and career in the desert. She performs regularly as a stand-up comedian in the the Southwest. Wish her luck as she continues her journey to "fin…

Micheal describes his best friend from college and their attempts to test the boundaries of society.He told his story at the Raven Narratives events in early October 2024 when the theme was “friendship”.Michael is a Fort Lewis College professor and former Mayor of Durango. His free time is spent making music, gardening, backpacking, and spending ti…

Tyler's friends help him take a deeper dive into connection than he ever thought was possible.He told his story at the Raven Narratives events in early October 2024 when the theme was “friendship”.Tyler is a naturalist, herbalist, and medical professional in the four corners region who knows at heart that love and laughter is the best medicine. He …

Kelly tells how working as a woman in a wildfire lookout tower changed her.She told her story at the Raven Narratives events in early June 2024 when the theme was “weather”.Kelly joined a wild land fire crew 24 years ago in Oregon, and has been chasing adrenaline for a living, ever since. Her essay about becoming a wild land firefighter, “Anchor Po…

Shandra tells her story of leaving her family and faith behind so that she can lead a more honest life.She told her story at the Raven Narratives events in early June 2024 when the theme was “weather”.Shandra grew up a religious home schooled kid in the mobile homes of Durango, Colorado and has the skills (and lack thereof) to prove it. She makes h…

Shane describes how he discovered his true place in the world while fishing in the rain in Alaska.He told his story at the Raven Narratives events in early June 2024 when the theme was “weather”.Shane was raised the son of pentecostal preacher. He found his childhood backdrops in Florida, Alaska, North Dakota, Montana and Wyoming. After graduating …

Tess tells the story of her difficult relationship with her mother and how she ultimately found redemption on a rainy beach in Florida.Tess told her story at the Raven Narratives events in early June 2024 when the theme was “weather”.Tess is a nature steward and a Colorado native. She lives a holistic lifestyle that encompasses eating dark chocolat…

Chad describes how becoming a new father brought him face-to-face with his ideas of who he was, and what it means to be a father.He told his story at the Raven Narratives events in early June 2024 when the theme was “weather”.Chad has lived his whole life in Colorado. He was born in Denver but his family quickly fled to the forests of Conifer where…

Jamie describes a difficult time in her life when she had to navigate depression and the loss of a friend, and how an encounter with turkey vultures helped her see things in a new light.She told her story at the Raven Narratives events in early June 2024 when the theme was “weather”.Jamie grew up in Durango, Colorado and after high school left to s…

Tim describes a high altitude adventure where he experienced a rare and terrifying natural phenomenon.Tim told his story at the Raven Narratives events in early June 2024 when the theme was “weather”.Tim Hunter is a builder by trade, a scientist by education, and an outdoor recreationalist by avocation. Tim has pursued a wide range of occupations a…

Christina shares her journey through heartbreaking deception, devastating loss, and the grace of community and continuation.Von Raven Narratives

Tom describes his encounters with fire throughout his life, and how he has come to know fire as an intimate teacher of deep wisdom.Von Raven Narratives

Monique describes leaving her small, rural town to see the world, and the challenges and joys of coming home.Von Raven Narratives

Jim tells his tale of salvaging old wood from railroad snow fences, and how it was too good to last.Von Raven Narratives

Geneva seeks healing in traditional and nontraditional ways, and discovers that uncertainty can be a key to deeper truths.Von Raven Narratives

Margie describes her time as an anthropologist in Alaska and the remarkable woman she met there who survived the Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918.Von Raven Narratives

Curt describes raising his three kids and how it has shown him the joys of parenting in the modern era.Von Raven Narratives

Bailey wrestles with his identity, but ultimately finds the courage to be his true self.Von Raven Narratives

Robin's traveling companion Kate teaches her a profound lesson about friendship and letting go.Von Raven Narratives

Sue describes her experiences as a theater actress and the wisdom she learned along the way.Von Raven Narratives

As a teenager, Kate must contend with the reality of losing her mother, and how it will shape her life going forward.Von Raven Narratives

Ellen describes her path of self-discovery, and the strength and beauty she found along the way.Von Raven Narratives

Andy tries to help their mom recover after a stroke.Von Raven Narratives

Daisy and her family take a risky trip to Mexico to visit her grandmother for the first time.Von Raven Narratives

Featured stories told by audience members at Raven Narratives "home" story SLAMs at the Sunflower Theatre on December 6th and the Durango Arts Center on December 7th, 2019.Including stories told by:Bailey Carlson (1:30)Faith Coyote (11:00)Tyler VanGemert (13:20)Jessica Randell (22:56)Tom Penn (29:25)Barbara Noseworthy (36:20)Dan Jenkins (45:23)Nanc…

While traveling the back roads of Africa with her family, Linda encounters an irritated elephant.Von Raven Narratives

Jeremy and his college buddies navigate the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina as society falls apart around them.Von Raven Narratives

Jodi remembers a terrifying encounter with the supernatural while staying at her grandparents house as a child.Von Raven Narratives

Cody and his friends go on a nighttime adventure in search of the fabled monster, The Mothman.Von Raven Narratives

Kristi goes to visit her sister and meets an unexpected inhabitant in the house on their family ranch.Von Raven Narratives

While training to avoid land mines in the military, John finds a deeper fear within himself.Von Raven Narratives

On his first solo hunt as a boy, Joe has to run for his life.Von Raven Narratives

Ivy remembers a frightful night from her childhood when she inherited a long-standing family fear.Von Raven Narratives

Featured stories told by audience members at the Raven Narratives "dirty work" story SLAM at James Ranch on September 13th, 2019.Including stories by:Curt Brown (00:35)Ken Vernon (8:18)Jonathan Wegener (15:03)Kristi Good (23:04)Scott Johnson (30:15)Sandy Bielenberg (36:03)Devin Reicher (41:17)Von Raven Narratives

Featured stories told by audience members at the Raven Narratives "dirty work" story SLAM at Road X Werx on September 14th, 2019.Including stories by:Elise Goggin (00:36)Matt Cornell (6:30)Nathan Gilpin (15:39)Lille Diane (22:56)John Willard (32:36)Dave Benga (38:14)David Butler (41:40)Von Raven Narratives

Featured stories told by audience members at the Raven Narratives "animals" story SLAM at Fenceline Cider on June 15th, 2019.Including stories by:Ted Packard (00:55)Andrew Phillips (10:30)Amy Wise (15:12)Kellie Pettyjohn (22:45)Dylan Livingston (31:40)Tom Buffaloe (34:00)Chad Close (37:38)Von Raven Narratives

Featured stories told by audience members at the Raven Narratives "animals" story SLAM at the Powerhouse Science Center on June 14th, 2019.Including stories by:Nevada Benton (00:45)Gabriel Bernier (6:30)Angelo Stancampiano (14:15)Dan Jenkins (22:20)Andy Wingerd (31:40)Tracy Farmer (34:53)Von Raven Narratives

As a Buddhist woman, Jane describes her struggles learning to hunt, and the deeper understanding it brought her.Von Raven Narratives

Matt takes a trip to Nevada to realize his dream of becoming the engineer of a railroad steam locomotive.Von Raven Narratives

Callee describes her struggles with self-image, and her path to healing and acceptance.Von Raven Narratives

Mike is leading a group of young people on a cross-country bicycle trip when tragedy strikes.Von Raven Narratives

After growing up Catholic, Cat discovers how to live her truth.Von Raven Narratives

Thomas describes a troubled path that led him to prison, and how he ultimately found redemption.Von Raven Narratives

As a young girl, Nyibol is forced to leave her village after civil war breaks out in South Sudan.Von Raven Narratives

Tammy finds a way to accept her mother after a lifetime of turmoil.Von Raven Narratives

Suzanne remembers a complicated and unexpected relationship.Von Raven Narratives