Palm Beach Post's Storytellers on Growing Up: 5 stories show we all grow closer as we share

A woman who grew up in an Amish family and became a successful financial planner.

A parent who learned how to say “I love you” and started to shout it from the rooftops.

An immigrant who knew he’d have to grow by getting out of his Portuguese-only speaking community in Boynton Beach.

These are some of the stories The Palm Beach Post has brought to the stage as part of its Storytellers Project.

On March 9, more than 150 people gathered at the Lake Park Black Box theater to hear live stories about “Growing Up” from Eddie Stephens, Carlos Pinto, Cassondra Corbin-Thaddies, Ruth Ann Vega, and Tom Elia.

The audience laughed, and cried and remembered what it was like to be part of a community that supports and values one another.

In the spirit of The Moth Radio Hour, The Post’s Storytellers Project seeks stories from across our county, reflecting themes that are common to everyone. Tellers will share them in their own words at live shows that are open to the public.

The Storytellers Project is part of a national USA TODAY program that started in Phoenix in 2011. Since the project's inception, more than 7,000 people have taken the stage to tell their stories in front of audiences across the country.

This endeavor is based on one simple truth: that there are experiences we all share and that we grow closer – as people and as a community – when we share them. In short, we find common ground.

Tales of growing up

Here's what you missed at the March 9 show on 'Growing up'

In our “Growing Up” show, Eddie Stephens talked about how he drew on his childhood, marred by addiction and loss, to inform his work as a divorce lawyer. He learned that the stress and trauma he endured as a child gave him the ability to empathize with people going through any type of situation.

“I learned I had a superpower. I could take my unique abilities, however mischievous they were, and actually help people. And I’ve been doing so one person at a time since then,” he said onstage. “When I was a kid, I used to look for these angels. Now, I look for opportunities to be the angel.”

Carlos Pinto shared about what it was like to move to Boynton Beach from Brazil and decide at the age of 41 that he needed to get a college degree and learn English. When he took the stage at the March 9 show, he spoke publicly in English for the first time.

“It’s very easy for everybody to stay calm and live in the comfort zone,” he said onstage. “We need to move. The comfort zone is good, but it’s not great. I need to face my fears every single day and embrace my challenge.”