Raven Narratives

Dave Butler told his story at the Raven Narratives on the Sunflower Theatre stage in September 2025 when the theme was "secrets". Dave has been a world traveler and a lover of the obscure and unusual. His creative interests include large, interesting and sometimes difficult projects along with historical research. Vintage equipment, and repurposing space in old homes and buildings are something he enjoys. He also loves deeply serious and funny conversations throughout his southwest community.

Aaron Thomas told his story at the Raven Narratives on the Sunflower Theatre stage in September 2025 when the theme was "secrets". Aaron is a psychotherapist, meditation teacher, and creator of the Authentic Relating Lab – a space for practicing real human connection. He’s passionate about human potential and believes our relationships are where we grow the most. Off the clock, he’s usually exploring the San Juan Mountains, pursuing his own version of whole-hearted living.

TJ Zark told their story at the Raven Narratives on the Sunflower Theatre stage in September 2025 when the theme was "secrets". TJ is a gender-awkward, people-focused, they/them/her creative residing in Southwest Colorado, near a small arts town with two agreeable horses, a dog that wiggles, one that worms, and more friends than one human can count.  Their work as a storyteller holds a cohesive theme, expressed in multiple mediums: music, painting, and the written word, all weaving together the threads of who we are as humans and life in a rural landscape, while striving to be the best versions of ourselves as we inhabit this planet together.

Mark Little told his story at the Raven Narratives on the Sunflower Theatre stage in September 2025 when the theme was "secrets". Mark has done many things. Mark loves cats and sunsets. Mark is unsure about people. Mark tries to make the world a better place by saying things to people in the drive thru at the bank. That’s it. Mark is a simple man.

Dr. Heidi Steltzer told her story at the Raven Narratives on the Sunflower Theatre stage in September 2025 when the theme was "secrets". Heidi is a scientist, theologian, and mystic who recently founded the Center for Earth Theology in Cortez, Colorado. She's a scientist who wanted to save the world, a mystic who shows up at church, a speaker and writer who values connection. She's a forever student and spiritual teacher with a PhD in ecosystem science, 30 years experience in high mountain ecology, and is now getting a master's degree in religious studies.

Robin Mugwort Brodsky told her story at the Raven Narratives on the Sunflower Theatre stage in September 2025 when the theme was "secrets". When Mugwort is not meandering the globe, she can be found (or not) wandering the canyons of the southwest in search of springs, ancient junipers and petroglyphs. Robin holds a Master's degree in Counseling Psychology and has worked in Outdoor Education and Wilderness Therapy. She's just published her first book, "Confessions of a Lazy Cyclist".

Robin Wolthausen told his story at the Raven Narratives on the Sunflower Theatre stage in September 2025 when the theme was "secrets". Robin is a lover of nature, beauty, corn, community, our bodies, soccer, and cold beers on the front stoop on a scorching August day after working all day. He cooks some mean ribs and is tired of therapy but still does it. He used to own alpacas and wants to sell you some rugs made of their fleece. Robin runs men's groups, retreats, and generally helps himself and others sort through the complexity of what it means to be a man.

M Waldron told her story at the Raven Narratives on the Sunflower Theatre stage in September 2025 when the theme was "secrets". M is a poet, performer, explorer, baker, knitter, and geologist. Her one woman show, The Letter C, premiered at The Sunflower Theatre in April 2025 and her book of poetry by the same title is available to purchase. When she isn’t knitting or baking you can find her tenderly descending local trails on her mountain bike.

Shane tells the story of his solo backpacking trip in the Verde River canyon of Arizona, and how things got weird, and then even weirder, when law enforcement descended on him. He told his story at the Raven Narratives events in late February and early March 2025 when the theme was “trees - rocks -birds”. Shane escaped Los Angeles at 22 years old, after experiencing the muggle equivalent of a dementor sucking his soul from his body, a.k.a. working in Hollywood. He stuffed everything he owned into a Jeep that doubled as his bedroom, and spent his early twenties surfing couches, floors, RVs, and more, all in the name of living out Kerouac’s unfinished adventure, hoping to break free from the gravitational pull of city life and find a pulse stronger than the 9-to-5. Eventually, he traded in his vagabond shoes for the (slightly) more stable life of a wilderness guide in Durango, Colorado, where he found his people, which led him back to grad school and eventually to his current evolution as a Psychotherapist in

Claudia talks about her mom's challenges and triumphs late in her life, and how birds played an important role in helping her cope with change. She told her story at the Raven Narratives events in late February and early March 2025 when the theme was “trees - rocks - birds”. After growing up in Cortez, Colorado in the 50s and 60s, Claudia moved back after many decades living mostly in Woodland Park, Colorado. She’s happy to be back living under the shadow of Sleeping Ute Mountain, where all her grandparents homesteaded as children in 1910. She’s a long-time passionate educator, teaching children and teens in diverse schools, from her first job in a two room schoolhouse in Costa Rica, to most recently as a Waldorf teacher in Colorado Springs. She has tried to retire so many times her friends joke she has a retirement punch card! Retirement may actually work this time, because she is thrilled to now live near all her family, volunteer in the community, find new creative outlets, and enjoy the splendor of the

Dave describes a friend who made a deep impression on him, and how some friendships can change you forever. He told his story at the Raven Narratives events in late February and early March 2025 when the theme was “trees - rocks -birds”. Dave has been trying to figure it out for a long time. Considering all the thoughts he’s thunk you would think he’s figured it out, but no, he hasn’t. Apparently it’s about quality, not quantity. Dave really loves people but spends most of his time with vegetables, trees, and his incredibly wise dog. He has been called a hermit, and a social butterfly, but when he dies he would prefer to come back as a porpoise, and is glad that has now been put into writing. He is a total sucker for sunset walks, pie, adventures, games, intense carnival rides, and pie. If given three wishes he would wish for peace for everyone, ALL the food to be grown in community gardens, and three more wishes. Join us for two Raven Narratives SLAM storytelling events when the theme will be “mistake

Dave tells the tale of joining an Alaskan fishing crew on a 24-hour halibut run, and how it nearly ruined him. He told his story at the Raven Narratives events in late February and early March 2025 when the theme was “trees - rocks -birds”. Dave is a long-time Durango, Colorado resident who makes his living and spends his free time mostly with activities that begin with the letter “B”, specifically Beer, Bikes, Books, and most recently, Birds. That said, spending time with the B’s takes second fiddle to spending time with his wife, Julie, his daughter, McCartney, and their two dogs, Morgan and Stewie. Together, they also love to grow and cook as much of their own food as possible. Join us for two Raven Narratives SLAM storytelling events when the theme will be “mistakes” on Friday, June 20th, at the Fenceline Cider in Mancos, and on Saturday, June 21st, at the Ska Brewing in Durango. Storytelling SLAM events feature stories told by audience members, so bring your “mistakes” story and you might get a chance

Tamara describes her time in North Africa studying music and dance, and how her experiences there led to a profound personal transformation. She told her story at the Raven Narratives events in late February and early March 2025 when the theme was “trees - rocks - birds”. Tamara is a Colorado-born mountain lover and music anthropologist, and the world's leading expert in an Algerian ritual healing tradition that nobody has ever heard of. From the melodramatic age of five, she was determined to become "a famous composer" which, indeed, materialized into advanced degrees in music composition and writing music for modern dance and film in her twenties. Fed up with studying dead, European White guys (i.e. Beethoven and the like), her rhythmic curiosity led her to study music in West and North Africa where she has spent more than 20 years conducting extensive musical and anthropological fieldwork on both sides of the Sahara Desert with Sufi communities (a branch of transcendental Islam). Now a senior researcher

Lindsay describes her attempts at raising chickens and ducks, and how she had to acquire some new skills in managing her flock. She told her story at the Raven Narratives events in late February and early March 2025 when the theme was “trees - rocks - birds”. Originally from rural eastern Canada, Lindsay has worked professionally in environmental science and accounting, but her heart is in exploring the human experience through process-oriented visual art that uses human bodies as printmaking tools. She is driven by the desire to find and expand the edges of her capacity for… everything. She currently enjoys living in Durango, Colorado with her sassy, smart, and hilarious almost-grown children. She has been affectionately described as half hippie, half redneck. Said description was accompanied by a picture of a lifted VW van. Join us for two Raven Narratives SLAM storytelling events when the theme will be “mistakes” on Friday, June 20th, at the Fenceline Cider in Mancos, and on Saturday, June 21st, at the

Sara describes the childhood adventures she had on her family's property in Northeast Texas, and how those experiences help her see her grown-up world with more openness and possibility. She told her story at the Raven Narratives events in late February and early March 2025 when the theme was “trees - rocks - birds”. Sara grew up in the middle-of-nowhere Northeast Texas where she spent her childhood battling dragons, frolicking with fairies, and generally getting as muddy and grass stained as possible. She escaped to Durango, Colorado for college and has called it home ever since. Sara still loves a good romp in the mud or dirt or grass and you may have seen her out on the trails or walking around with her nose in a book. Although, she might also be hiding at home writing, drawing, baking, napping with her cats or scheming her next chance at playing outside. Join us for two Raven Narratives SLAM storytelling events when the theme will be “mistakes” on Friday, June 20th, at the Fenceline Cider in Mancos, a

Natalie and her partner face a difficult decision that changes them both forever. She told her story at the Raven Narratives events in early October 2024 when the theme was “friendship”. Natalie will always be thrilled to meet people she likes and admires and connects with. She was voted most likely to become the pope by her 8th grade class, which is clearly problematic for so many reasons. Natalie loves naps and she is continually impressed, moved, heartbroken, inspired, delighted, and overwhelmed by this transient fragile beautiful mortal experience. Join us for two Raven Narratives SLAM storytelling events when the theme will be “holidays” on Friday, December 6th, at the Sunflower Theatre in Cortez, and on Saturday, December 7th, at the Durango Arts Center. Storytelling SLAM events feature stories told by audience members, so bring your “holidays” story and you might get a chance to share it on the stage! Follow us on Instagram and on Facebook for the latest information on ticket sales and more.

Amanda describes how a close friend helped her find her place. She told her story at the Raven Narratives events in early October 2024 when the theme was "friendship". Amanda has called many places home, including New Jersey, Germany, Utah, and various parts of Colorado. She currently lives in Mancos and has spent her summer working as a farmhand adapting to the slower pace of life. She hopes to continue building a sense of community by doing what she does best: hosting potlucks, clothing swaps, and enjoying long walks with the dogs. When she's not working you can probably find her playing around with a film camera and gawking at a sunset somewhere. Join us for two Raven Narratives SLAM storytelling events when the theme will be “holidays” on Friday, December 6th, at the Sunflower Theatre in Cortez, and on Saturday, December 7th, at the Durango Arts Center. Storytelling SLAM events feature stories told by audience members, so bring your “holidays” story and you might get a chance to share it on the stage!

Jennifer describes how the "divine masters" pointed her towards finding her true love. She told her story at the Raven Narratives events in early October 2024 when the theme was “friendship”. Jennifer is a shamanic practitioner who has worked as a shamanic healer, teacher, and mentor for over 20 years. She is also a professional singer/songwriter who toured with Jackson Browne. Nature-based healing and music are all good medicine, but she believes that laughter is truly the best medicine. Join us for two Raven Narratives SLAM storytelling events when the theme will be “holidays” on Friday, December 6th, at the Sunflower Theatre in Cortez, and on Saturday, December 7th, at the Durango Arts Center. Storytelling SLAM events feature stories told by audience members, so bring your “holidays” story and you might get a chance to share it on the stage! Follow us on Instagram and on Facebook for the latest information on ticket sales and more.

Chad describes how his best friend from middle school shaped the person he is today. He told his story at the Raven Narratives events in early October 2024 when the theme was “friendship”. Chad considers himself a gangly man that is Durango raised and heaven bound. Although he looks like a combination of Pete Davidson and Steve Buscemi, he's never let his looks hold him back. He often uses comedy to get out of sticky situations, be he still can't get that gum off his shoe. Join us for two Raven Narratives SLAM storytelling events when the theme will be “holidays” on Friday, December 6th, at the Sunflower Theatre in Cortez, and on Saturday, December 7th, at the Durango Arts Center. Storytelling SLAM events feature stories told by audience members, so bring your “holidays” story and you might get a chance to share it on the stage! Follow us on Instagram and on Facebook for the latest information on ticket sales and more.

Ann goes to her first house party with her high school friends. She told her story at the Raven Narratives events in early October 2024 when the theme was “friendship”. Ann is a Native lady figuring out life and career in the desert. She performs regularly as a stand-up comedian in the the Southwest. Wish her luck as she continues her journey to "find the funny" in life's obstacles. Join us for two Raven Narratives SLAM storytelling events when the theme will be “holidays” on Friday, December 6th, at the Sunflower Theatre in Cortez, and on Saturday, December 7th, at the Durango Arts Center. Storytelling SLAM events feature stories told by audience members, so bring your “holidays” story and you might get a chance to share it on the stage! Follow us on Instagram and on Facebook for the latest information on ticket sales and more.