About us.
Founded in 2025, Story Swap is dedicated to promoting true-life stories told live on stage. We believe in the power of storytelling to connect people, inspire change, and build community. Our mission is to link storytellers with stages and stages with audiences, fostering a vibrant storytelling culture throughout the Midwest.
We collaborate with existing storytelling groups to support live events and provide platforms for storytellers to share their experiences. By strengthening these connections, we help bring authentic, engaging narratives to wider audiences.
Looking ahead, we aspire to produce a half-hour radio program and a weekly podcast, featuring captivating stories recorded from live performances. These projects will further amplify the voices of storytellers and bring the magic of live storytelling to listeners everywhere.
Whether you’re a storyteller looking for a stage or an audience member eager to hear compelling stories, StorySwap.org is your go-to resource for discovering and celebrating the art of true-life storytelling.
Our Amazing Team
These are the people who make live storytelling happen throughout the Midwest. They create the moments of pure magic and provide tellers a place to perform.
Founder & Executive Director
Jackie Andrews
Founder and Executive Director of Story Swap. Jackie has performed as a Moth Mainstage Storyteller, and was included in the Moth’s bestselling books, How to Tell a Story, and Point of Beauty. She is currently a co-producer and emcee for Speak Easy storytelling in Columbus, Ohio.
Executive Producer
Sarah Rose
Sarah Rose is a spoken word artist living on the sunny side of Pittsburgh. She is ranked among the top female poets in the city and has competed at the National Poetry Slam in Atlanta GA. Sarah Rose has been published in multiple poetry compilations, been a regional competitor of The Moth storytelling series on NPR and runs an event planning business BeeTherePGH. Along with raising 5 humans all the way to adulthood while surviving a global pandemic she also possesses the superpower to make anything fun.
Executive Producer
Bridget Flaherty
Bridget Flaherty is a storyteller, facilitator, and business consultant with over 20 years of experience in Information Technology, Business Process Improvement, and Business Architecture. She has helped organizations across industries streamline operations, align strategy, and implement lasting change. Bridget brings a rare blend of analytical precision and human insight to her work—whether she’s guiding a team through complex transformation or sharing a personal story on stage. She is the founder of LORE, a storytelling organization that builds community through shared narrative, a podcast host, and an author. A seasoned performer and coach, Bridget uses the power of storytelling to connect people, spark ideas, and inspire action.
Executive Producer
Bryan Sudduth
Bryan is an experienced storyteller and presenter. He holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration and has a 20+ year career in local government, nonprofits and marketing (client side and agency). Born and raised in Ohio, Bryan attended Murray State University in Kentucky before living in Baton Rouge and the Space Coast of Florida. He is a humble mid-westerner with deep southern family roots. He has a story for every occasion and loves connecting with audiences of all ages. Bryan is a 4-time Moth Storytelling champion, TEDx Speaker, experienced emcee, and keynote speaker. He lives in Kettering Ohio with his wife of 28 years, Melissa, and their two cats. In his free time he serves as an elected member of the Kettering City Council. .
Executive Producer
Dave Levy
David has been interested in storytelling since riding in the back of is parents’ car, as a kid, and listening to the music of Harry Chapin on his “Greatest Stories Live” album (on 8-track!). His leap into true, personal storytelling came upon his “discovery” of The Moth. Once David learned that such a thing existed, he wanted in. Within a year, he had joined Toastmasters (to get over his crippling stage fright and learn a thing or two about public speaking) and started his own storytelling event with a friend in Cincinnati (True Theatre, now in its 15th season).
Executive Producer
Dana Norris
Dana is the founder of Story Club and teaches for Literary Cleveland.She has been featured in Cleveland.com, Cleveland Scene, the Chicago Reader, the Chicago Tribune, as well as on WBEZ and WCPN. Dana has been named one of the funniest women in Ohio by Cleveland.com. In 2015 she was named one of Chicago’s top 50 literary influencers by New City Chicago.
Executive Producer
Alan Olifson
Alan Olifson is an award-winning humor columnist, comedian and was the regular host of Pittsburgh’s monthly Moth StorySlams. He created the acclaimed storytelling series Wordplay at Bricolage theater and now produces the new storytelling/talk show Speakeasy with Arcade Comedy Theater. His book, Manchild: My Life without Adult Supervision from Six Gallery Press is available wherever you buy books—hopefully somewhere local.
Audio Engineer & Composer
Wes Gilbert
Wes Gilbert is an audio engineer and musician based in Columbus, OH. Over the past decade, he’s led live sessions for local artists, done re-recording mixes for national ad campaigns, and made some music of his own.
Composer
Adam W. West
Adam is a gifted harmonica player, teacher, and community engineer. He teaches guitar and harmonica at McCutcheon Music, That MUSIC Place, and Rec 4 Heros. He was named the 2025 Volunteer of the Year by the Boys and Girls Clubs of Dayton, ohio
