Diane Kastiel is the producer, director, 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. Diane has told stories on stage at The Second City, the Park West, Victory Gardens and other theaters - but also in more unconventional settings, including comedy clubs, art galleries, the basement of a tattoo parlor, homeless shelters – she even did a show in the middle of the woods! Diane is an alumna of The Second City Conservatory and the University of Chicago’s Great Books program, and has an MBA from Northwestern University…just in case. 

Jitesh Jaggi is a recent immigrant from India, currently living in Chicago. He ended his seven-year career in finance one day when he lost all the data he forgot to save on an Excel sheet, and realized he just didn't care. That tipping point led to him become a writer; he blogs at http://www.iamthepundit.com and is currently working on a book of essays. A two-time Moth StorySlam winner, Jitesh is also passionate about storytelling (and loves writing bios because he can refer to himself in the third person.) And, just so you know, he can be easily bribed with chocolates and books.

Victoria Reeves, a writer and creativity coach, helps people put words around and map steps to finding their SoulWork! Her clients range from age 16 to 80 and include students, moms returning to work and artists of all sorts, as well as entrepreneurs and corporate executives in the U.S. and across the globe. Most afternoons you can find her sipping an espresso, playing with words and happily contemplating the meaning of life. Victoria has told stories at the Moth and other shows in Chicago, and at the Evanston Storytelling Festival.

Jimmy Carrane is the host of the popular podcast Improv Nerd and former host of Studio 312on WBEZ. He has performed numerous one-man shows including "Living In Dwarf's House" at The Second City and "I am 27, I still live at home and sell office supplies," at The Annoyance Theater. He has been teaching and performing improv in Chicago for more than 25 years and also offers private coaching. For more about Jimmy, visit his website jimmycarrane.com.

Chad the Bird is a journalist, podcaster and contributing writer to several publications including the Chicago Reader. He has been bringing so much logic and truth to his Op-Ed columns and other writings, you'd think he has a mission. And you'd be right but you gotta figure it out for yourself so follow him on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Chad the Podcast on iTunes - or you could get your lazy butt off the Weekend Couch and head to the Green Mill EVERY Saturday at 3:00 for the Paper Macheteand catch him live in the pink with opinions made just for you. He would like to thank you cuz you know what you did. 

Donna Martin grew up in a dance studio and brings that theatricality to everyday life - usually involving accessories and embellishment. During her 35 years teaching high school drama, Donna directed a lot of good stories. Her recent work with the underserved community has taken her down a new and heartbreaking path that requires no embellishment. At home, she’s a collector of vintage costumes and anything kitsch. (You say “drama queen” like it’s a bad thing!)

Annie is a recent graduate of Clark University in Worcester, MA, and a newcomer to Chicago. She works at the Broadway Youth Center as a Youth Development Specialist and lives in a Jewish commune as part of a service year program. In her free time she enjoys taking improv classes at iO, reading, and pretending not to be lost on public transportation. She recently got involved with storytelling through the Moth StorySLAMs and hopes to continue self-exploration through creative writing. Having been raised in Minneapolis, Annie had 18 years to grow to hate the cold - catch her by the lake every single day once it hits a balmy 45 degrees. 

James R. Petersen was the sex editor for Playboy magazine for almost 40 years years. (USA Today once called his column, The Playboy Advisor, “the premier source of sex information in the country.”) As the Playboy Advisor, James did stand-up sex therapy on 125 college campuses, wrote about sex when sex was new, and appeared on the Late Night with David Letterman. (Note: If you followed his advice, or were injured trying the Chinese Basket Trick, be advised that the statute of limitations has run out.)