Oral Fixation.

Seven Dallasites Share Stories About Pushing The Envelope.

Since 2011, the Dallas storytelling series Oral Fixation has afforded Dallasites a forum and an audience for sharing insights into their day-to-day life experiences. It's a compelling, often uplifting showcase — and one we're proud to work alongside as a podcasting partner. For past episodes, visit our Soundcloud archives.

Back in September, our own Angela Jones became the latest member of our staff to fall for the allure of the Dallas storytelling series Oral Fixation. After attending the show's fifth-season premiere, she wrote that the series spotlights the “kind of performance that makes going to the theater so special.”

Now you can hear why: Today, we're proud to share that night's seven tales, all of which center around a “Pushing The Envelope” theme, as part of our continued podcast relationship with the showcase.

In this episode, you'll hear the following:

• Will Richey of DaVerse Lounge and the Festival of Ideas shares the story behind his passion for helping others express themselves.
• Dallas social change activist Christian Yazdanpanah reveals how his childhood struggle with poverty inspires him to push for educational reform.
• Mary Kreider faces her biggest fear in public speaking class.
• Suzette Drouillard deepens her relationship with her daughter by sending 28 cards in 28 days for her 28th birthday.
• Wayne Applebaum wanders far from his Orthodox Jewish upbringing in NYC to find his limits tested when his son develops leukemia.
• Donald Griswold falls deeply in love with the neglected Russian baby he adopts after a painful chapter in his life.
• Justin Nygren of The Grove takes a huge risk professionally to keep his family afloat.

These stories were each shared on September 16, 2015, at Dallas City Performance Hall. Listen to them below, set to music provided by Daniel Hart and Dark Rooms.