Diane Kastiel is the producer and host of First Person Live. A writer and storyteller from Chicago, she’s a three-time winner of the National Public Radio’s Moth StorySLAM; her work has been featured on the Moth Radio Hour, its podcast, and at special events for WBEZ, NPR’s Chicago affiliate. Diane has told stories on stage at The Second City, Steppenwolf, the Park West, Victory Gardens and other theaters as well as comedy clubs, art galleries, the basement of a tattoo parlor - she even did a show in the middle of the woods! Diane works with libraries, schools, community centers and homeless shelters to bring storytelling to a wider audience, and leads storytelling workshops at Northwestern University. Diane is an alumna of The Second City Conservatory and the University of Chicago’s Great Books program. She also has an MBA from Northwestern University…just in case. 

Catherine Durkin Robinson is an end-of-life doula and educator. In her spare time, she enjoys yoga, running, and traveling. You can find Catherine’s humor columns on Medium and her death-positive columns on Substack.

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Kim Scott manages a busy Public Services Department in a suburban library, serving everyone from newborns to nonagenarians. After nearly 20 years in libraries, she’s still in love with the chaos, questions and connection. Outside the library, she performs with her medium-talent improv teams (think: lots of heart, varying results) and tells true stories at live lit shows around Chicagoland. She also hosts As I Was Saying, a storytelling night in Wheaton that celebrates true tales and everyday voices. On weekends, Kim is usually listening to audiobooks, walking her very slow dog, or losing to her eight-year-old in a game of driveway basketball.

Tracy Fowler forged her storytelling skills in the fiery chaos of junior high classrooms, where she survived 40 years armed with only a whiteboard, marker, and a few good tales.These days, she teaches driver’s ed to nervous 15-year-olds with questionable reflexes, bakes bread like it’s a competitive sport, and tunes up cars for fun. Tracy tells stories at Moth StorySLAMs and hosts a monthly open-mic storytelling show in Libertyville.

Mary Schmidt is a retired preschool and first grade teacher. Her interest in storytelling was sparked by her student’s great attention when she put the book down and told them a story, rather than reading one (though both she and her students loved reading!). Mary is an avid story listener and an occasional teller, most recently at a Moth StorySLAM in Berwyn. 

Mari Mortensen is a retired social worker who forgot she retired. She started off being a theatre major, but kept getting cast in scary roles, and couldn't sleep at night. She switched to social work for something more relaxing with great pay. Mari sees a story in every person and animal she meets. She even did a satisfaction survey of toll booth workers on the Chicago skyway! Mari is a Moth StorySLAM winner and put an air tag on her win certificate.

Her license plate bears the name of her favorite beach town in Michigan, where

her family has created countless stories and trusts Mari to embellish them all.

Rajneesh Sehgal hails from the vibrant city of Mumbai, India, where he grew up and studied computer science. His life journey took him across continents to settle in the suburbs of Chicago, where he now cherishes life with his wife and two boys. As CTO and co-founder of SKUforce, he thrives on the challenges of entrepreneurship. Amid a mid-life crisis, Raj sank into depths of depression yet emerged more vital than ever, shedding 70 pounds(!) and conquering not just one but two marathons and eight half-marathons (!!). He discovered storytelling in May 2024, winning the Moth StorySLAM on his second attempt. Raj is driven by mindfulness, curiosity, and a desire to be the change he wishes to see in the world - constantly striving to learn, grow, and find his place in an incomprehensible universe.

Monica Matsakis was born and raised in Toms River, NJ. She’s lived in the Chicago area for over 25 years, currently in Glenview with her husband, two sons and dog Lola. Monica works at a wonderful place called Glenview Jewelers where she uses her storytelling abilities to craft compelling social media content. Besides storytelling, Monica likes to read, paint, watch good television and movies, travel, and garden. She’s grateful to be sharing a story with you tonight.