This has been the mildest winter that I can remember in Missoula. Already, Joyce has planted the start in the greenhouse. With the potential for a winter storm this weekend, we haven’t quite put the snowshovels away, and I don’t think I’ve shoveled more than 2 or 3 times this season. I’ve been grateful for the blue skies, golden sunshine and warmer temperatures.

I am looking forward to a season of growth and connection.

Before I forget, Kendra Mylnechuk-Potter’s play Can’t Drink Salt Water last month was incredible. And one of the things that she did was to provide a list of resources for us to learn more about MMIW, trafficking and how we can help make a difference. You can find that list here.

And it’s my birthday on Friday!

Every year around my birthday, I reflect on the previous year. What have I learned? What habits can I let go of? Where do I want to be in a year?

It’s been a big year for me, full of personal turmoil, growth and uncertainty. For one, last month I celebrated a year of sobriety from alcohol. What a birthday gift top give to myself. I’m so grateful to everyone who has supported me on this journey and I’m so happy with who I am becoming. Doing the repair work where it is warranted, building better habits, finding joy where I can.

And re-committing to the work that Tell Us Something entails.

And this year, I’m filled with self-doubt. Our next event is a ways off (June 16th), and I’m using this time to strengthen existing systems on the backend, identify gaps and build new systems to allow for Tell Us Something’s continued growth and impact. But does what I’m doing even matter? In the face of the continued injustice for lack of accountability and prosecutions of the perpetrators identified in the Epstein Files, a new war in Iran, the continued genocide in Gaza — the list of grief continues to grow. Does storytelling even matter at a time like this?

I hope that it does.

I remember being a kid, telling stories to my mom sitting at the kitchen counter as she made dinner. We were allowed to be outside until the streetlights came on. No cellphones. No leash. No accountability. Just joy, curiosity and play. And I’d come home for a drink of water and sit at the counter and tell Mom all about the adventures I was having. In story. Sharing stories. It’s been part of me ever since I can remember.

And I still remember how powerful it was to feel heard by my community the first time I shared a story on the stage. It was healing, joyful. Potent medicine.

So, I have to believe that work is still important, that it still matters, maybe even more than ever in the face of the horrors that we face every day. I hope you believe it too.

I hope that you feel the power of sitting in a dark room with your community listening to your community share their truths about overcoming great odds stories about love and heartbreak and joy and learning. I hope, if you’re a storyteller, you remember what it was like to be buoyed by your community listening to you perform open soul surgery up there in the bright lights.

And if you want to wish me a happy birthday, I’d love it if you’d donate to Tell Us Something as a way to do so.

WISH MARC A HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Mark Your Calendars: Missoula Gives 2026

Speaking of donations, it is almost time for our community’s favorite 24-hour celebration of local giving! This year, Missoula Gives will take place from April 30 to May 1, 2026.

Whether you are a longtime supporter or looking to discover a new local cause, this is the perfect moment to show our town some love. Keep an eye out for more details as we get closer to the big day!

Call for Storytellers: “The Power of Place”

We are officially seeking storytellers for its upcoming live event. The theme for the showcase is “Power of Place,” inviting community members to share personal, true stories about the locations that have shaped, challenged, or defined them.

Whether it’s a childhood home, a vast wilderness, a bustling city street, or a quiet corner of the world that changed everything, Tell Us Something wants to hear how a specific geography has impacted your life.

“Place is more than just a coordinate on a map,” says Marc Moss, Executive Director of Tell Us Something. “It’s the backdrop to our most formative moments. We are looking for stories that explore that deep connection—how where we are influences who we become.”

Submission Details & Deadlines

Aspiring storytellers must submit their pitches by May 21, 2026. Selected storytellers will be required to attend a Group Workshop on June 6, 2026, where they will receive coaching and feedback to refine their performance. The journey culminates in a Live Event on June 16, 2026.

How to Pitch

Tell Us Something uses a unique “pitch line” to gather stories. To be considered, please:

• Call 406-203-4683 * Leave a voicemail with a summary of your story.
• Ensure your summary includes a clear beginning, middle, and end.

Accessibility Note: Our Deaf friends and neighbors are encouraged to pitch via email by sending their story summaries to info@tellussomething.org.

Podcast Update: Better Late Than Never!

I have fallen a bit behind on the podcast production lately. Life moves fast, and sometimes the editing desk has to wait! However, I am thrilled to announce that the wait is over for our latest release. Part 1 of the October “Walk on the Wild Side” event is now available for your listening pleasure. Recorded live at the Dennison Theatre, this episode features some truly incredible tales from our community. You can stream it here or wherever you get your podcasts. Part 2 is in the works, so stay tuned!

Partner With Us in June

We are already hard at work planning our major June event, and we are looking for community-minded sponsors to help make it our best one yet.

If your business or organization is looking for a way to get involved and support local initiatives, I’d love to chat with you! Shoot me an email [marc [at] tellussomething.org] to discuss sponsorship tiers and how we can work together.

Thank you for being part of the Tell Us Something storytelling family!

Yours in story,

Marc Moss

Executive Director

Tell Us Something