Unexpected Kindness- Columbus, Ohio

Welcome to Story Swap, the program where true-life stories take center stage. In this episode, we travel to Columbus, Ohio, to visit Speak Easy, a live storytelling series known for an open mic that produces spontaneous, unexpected stories. Host Jackie Andrews is joined by Speak Easy producer Heidi Shapiro, who introduces the evening's theme: Unexpected Kindness. The episode features two moving stories told live on stage. Susan, a longtime storyteller and Ohio State University employee, weaves together science, family, and grief as she reflects on the loss of her father and the small acts of kindness that shaped her experience. Jackie Andrews follows with a deeply personal story that reminds us how compassion often appears when we least expect it. This episode highlights the power of live storytelling to create connection, meaning, and shared humanity.