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. 

Germaine Caprio designed and patented the first nursing tank for new moms(!) That tank launched her sustainable clothing company, Majamas Earth, and ignited a spark in her to speak up for the environment. Germaine made it her mission to educate the world on the impact fast fashion and plastics have on our planet. She won the BMO Harris Celebrating Women in Sustainable Business Award in 2021 and was nominated for a MacArthur Genius Award in 2005. Germaine began blogging and writing stories more than 15 years ago, and recently won a Moth StorySLAM. She’s also a Master’s Swimmer, avid jump-roper, and vegetarian.

Karina Reyes - born, raised, and mugged in Chicago - is a retired professor of psychology (University of Illinois at Chicago). She started her storytelling practice by crafting engaging lectures for halls full of default-bored students, and her 20-something son provides ongoing fodder for her current tales. During COVID, Karina and her best friend opened Citizen Canine Senior Dog Rescue, and in February 2021 welcomed their first dog, an eight-year-old Lab-Sharpei named Rosie. Since then, they have rescued more than 100 dogs and, through all the ups and downs, somehow remain best friends. #powerofthepup

Christine Ferrera is a 100-year old mole woman who rummages through cultural garbage and cobbles together funny bits of crap. In happier times, she performed in festivals, clubs and crawl spaces across the country. Now, she is a post-pandemic podcast hag and the creator of the network, Live From The Lincoln Lodge! She is also working on an audio book of autobiographical short stories, “Mute Girl,” (her nickname in high school). Chrissy can be found from midnight to 4 a.m. on any given day burrowing underneath what used to be Chicago's thriving comedy scene. 

Lily Be is an award-winning storyteller and first Latina Moth GrandSLAM champion, lives to support the arts and communities through storytelling. She’s the creator and producer of “The Stoop,” a storytelling show featuring stories by people from marginalized communities. Lily also sits on the board of directors of The Hairpin Arts Center and The Prop Theater.

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Steve Miller has been teaching math to high school students 25 years. His favorite topic is algebra and his favorite victims are freshmen. Prior to teaching, Steve was a patent lawyer who specialized in disposable absorbent non woven hygiene products (e.g., tampons and diapers). He likes to believe that spending 2-1/2 hours a day driving to and from work makes him smarter as long as he listens to audiobooks. When not driving, Steve enjoys discussing politics podcasts with his wife and ‘70s music with his stepson. 

Rose Leisner is an actor, singer and producer, currently working as the Program and Outreach Director of Oil Lamp Theater in Glenview. She is new to storytelling but is totally enamored with the warmth and support she has experienced in the community. In addition to performing, Rose loves to cook and fire spin, and has recently taken up embroidery! But her latest project is her best and most important one: being a mom to her nine-month-old daughter Violette.<3

Susan Rohde (community college director of professional development) started to change when she realized she owned her own story. After earning going back to school to earn a bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University at age 35, she realized she could do anything, and went on to careers in both professional development and clinical research. But she is most proud of the family she and her husband created as foster parents for 20+ years. Susan is a three-time Moth StorySLAM winner and Director of Professional Development for a local higher education institution.