Our Host
JON GOODE is an Emmy-nominated author, poet and playwright currently residing in Atlanta, GA. He has been a featured performer on HBO’s Def Poetry, TVOne’s Verses & Flow, and BET’s Lyric Café. Jon’s debut collection of poems and short stories, Conduit, has received, to date, 54 five-star reviews, spent 16 weeks as a #1 title on Amazon, and is the best-reviewed book of poetry on Amazon for 2015/16. Jon has released his first novel, Mydas, which also debuted as a #1 title on Amazon. He is the regular host of The Moth StorySLAM in Atlanta, GA. IG: @jon_goode
Our Storytellers
ALISTAIR BANE is a citizen of the Eastern Shawnee Nation of Oklahoma and currently resides in Denver, CO. Besides being a storyteller, he is also a visual artist. He makes dance regalia, quilts, and paints. In 2016 he was a resident artist for the Denver Art Museum’s Native American Arts Program. In his spare time, he enjoys rehabilitating feral rez dogs, which is a much more relaxing hobby than it might sound like, as long as you don’t mind a tiny bit of growling.
JACOBY COCHRAN is a writer, educator, and storyteller from the South Side of Chicago. He is the host of City Cast Chicago, a daily news podcast about all things Chicago! The podcast was named Best of 2021 by the Chicago Reader, and Chicago Magazine calls it “the essential Chicago podcast.” Jacoby has voiced national campaigns with AT&T, Best Buy, and Kohl’s, and led workshops for Boys & Girls Club, Spotify, and Google. Outside of recording, Jacoby hosts live shows, loves to cook, and can be seen with his camera most of the time.
ANDREA KING COLLIER is an award-winning author, journalist and photographer based in Lansing, MI. Andrea is a 2021-2022 Rosalyn Carter Mental Health Journalism Fellow. She has been married to Darnay Collier for 38 years and is the mother of two adult children. Her favorite title is “GoGo” to two sweet grandsons.
MONTE MONTEPARE is a mountain guide, comedian and storyteller who grew up in Breckenridge, Colorado. At 20 years old, he and his best friend moved into his truck and drove to Alaska. For the better part of the last decade, he lived in Wrangell St Elias NP, taking people on the adventures of a lifetime as one of the co-owners of Kennicott Wilderness Guides. These days, he splits time between the mountains of Alaska and the comedy scene of Los Angeles. Monte is a three-time Moth StorySLAM Winner, a Moth GrandSLAM Champion and is very excited to be here.
At age 10, LORI SYVERSON was a nerd and a wallflower, didn't like working in groups and never considered herself a team player. Fifty years later, she may still be a nerd, but she now works to bring communities closer together as president of a Twin Cities chamber of commerce and visitors bureau. A life-long learner, Lori doesn’t sit still and thrives on challenge. She’s dabbled in community television as a show host and was featured as a TEDx speaker. For the last 10 years, she’s worked with leading researchers and innovators in the field of happiness and purpose to help guide individuals and entire communities to a happier and more purposeful life. She feels most fulfilled when “leaving fingerprints,” touching as many lives as possible in big and small ways.
Our Musician
A Southfield, MI native, RODNEY PAGE began his violin studies at the age of 10. Upon high school graduation, he was awarded a music scholarship to Michigan State University where he earned both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in music education. During his collegiate career, Rodney also studied piano, developing into an accomplished pianist. After graduating from college, Mr. Page taught music in the East Lansing and the St. Johns Public Schools Districts in Michigan. Following his teaching career, Mr. Page became a highly sought-out music clinician throughout the state. Rodney currently resides in Lansing, MI with his wife Kimberly and their two children Jayden and Bryson.