Get tickets to Best in Show!

This month’s theme is Best in Show: true stories about the animals in our lives. Not just the cuddly-wuddly Instagram versions. The real ones: complicated, convoluted, funny, and sometimes tragic. Often, the relationships we form with animals teach us more about ourselves than the human ones do.

There’s a reason animal stories hit different than most stories. We don’t just love our animals; we build entire emotional worlds around them. We project, we assume, we grieve them before they’re even gone—and sometimes, like storyteller Manuel, we don’t trust them at all. And somehow, that one-sidedness is exactly what makes the bond so specific, so revealing, and so occasionally devastating.

These are stories about what we do with that love (or distrust) that can’t be easily explained. About the unexpected joy that comes from sharing the tedium of daily life with a creature who lives entirely in the moment. About the loss that blindsides you harder than you predicted, because you didn’t know how much of yourself you’d handed to something with fur (or feathers). In these stories, a duck named Luna can carry an entire love story, a stray cat can define a decade, a pet shelter can be a secret, and sometimes, you meet the one dog that makes sure you’ll never tie yourself to an animal again.

Take me to The Sofia for Tickets!

The Storytellers

Chip Powell writes memoir, music essays, and poetry, and serves as Storyteller in Residence at Word of Mouth in Placerville. A regular at The Moth’s StorySLAM, he’s also the proprietor of Police Horse, a ukulele enthusiast, and a man permanently mid-improvement on his chess game.

His story: A stray black cat with more toes than seem physically reasonable found Chip on the worst day of his life. Pure stubbornness (his and the cat’s) has kept them together for years. Come hear about a man and his best friend, who just happens to be a tiny, yellow-eyed panther.

Diane Amos is a San Francisco-based actress, improv artist, and comedian best known as “The Pine-Sol Lady,” a role she has held for over 30 years. Her film credits include Nine Months, Copycat, Angels in the Outfield, and Woody Allen’s Blue Jasmine. She was raised in San Francisco by two lesbian mothers, and it was an improv class at Washington High School that started the whole thing.

Her story: This is the story of the one dog that made sure Diane would never be a pet person.

Zai Gulmohar is a writer, filmmaker, and storyteller whose work explores migration, memory, ecology, and the bonds between humans and other animals. Originally from India and now based in California, she holds a PhD in French Literature from UC Davis and is currently directing a documentary on sound and belonging in western India. Her stories have appeared in print, onstage, and around campfires.

Her story: Zai befriends a beautiful white duck named Luna and becomes wrapped up in the dramas of her life—her romances, her obstacles, and one tragic night that shakes Zai to this day.

Manuel Camacho came to the US as an undocumented immigrant and is now a college professor, short-story writer, poet, and storyteller with three published bilingual (Spanish/English) books to his name.

His story: everyone assumes he doesn’t like dogs. It’s not that; he doesn’t trust them, and there’s a difference. Come find out why.

JP Frary (special guest) never thought he’d end up on a stage. In his mid-50s, he told a story at The Moth about the worst thing that ever happened to him, and now no one can shut him up. He says storytelling is cheaper than therapy, and plus, the therapist never applauded. He’s the Resident Storyteller at Redwood Nights in Fairfax and a 13-time Moth StorySLAM winner.

His story: he and his wife agreed: no more pets. So naturally, JP started secretly volunteering at a pet shelter.

Nutshell is hosted by the one and only Keith Lowell Jensen [HI KEITH!], who will hold the whole beautiful night together with his usual charm and impeccable comic timing. Consider yourself in good hands.

Why you should be at this show:

Here’s what I know about our audience: you are curious, you are open-hearted, and you understand that showing up in real life, in a room with other humans, listening together, is one of the few things that still feels like genuine connection in this world.

That exchange, that quiet, mutual act of showing up, is special. It’s magical! And when it happens, you feel it for days. That’s what you come for. That’s what you carry home. That’s what you’re still thinking about on Monday.

This is one of those nights. Don’t be the person who meant to go. There are no regrets in going!

🎟️ Tickets are here—cheaper in advance, and seats will go early!

I can’t WAIT to see you at this one, humans! You know how much I LOVE seeing you in real life.

xoxo, Maxi the dog’s one and only Amy Bee, Marmalade and Jabberwocky’s Keith Lowell Jensen, and Maxi the dog’s favorite dude, Aaron Carnes)

If you enjoy what we’re building here, one of the most helpful ways to support it is by becoming a paid subscriber. Your support helps us pay storytellers, pay ourselves, keep live shows going, and continue producing the Nutshell True Story Hour podcast for everyone to enjoy. No pressure, but it truly does make a difference.

And as always: showing up, listening, and bringing friends is already real support💜

(You’re receiving this email because you either signed up for it or interacted somehow with Keith, Amy, or Aaron in the past. We’re so glad you’re here!)

This is a short clip from storyteller Alex Paez, who’ll be joining us for NSFW on June 26.

A sexy office romance? Oh hell yeah!

One day, Becky Lynn found herself on the other side of a long-term relationship, finally with enough distance and a healthy headspace to get back out there. It’d been a long time since she’d been on the dating scene, and much had changed. How does one even find “Mr. Right” nowadays? And did she even want a Mr. Right, something serious? She wasn’t totally sure. But then she DID meet Mr. Right, the perfect man, someone she might be able to build a fulfilling life with. So Becky jumped in, heart first.

Soon, something happened that made it clear Mr. Right was living a double life. Faced with the crushing reality that the man she loved had been lying to her, she weighed her options and came up with three solutions. At our live show, Becky tells the audience her three solutions, lets them choose which one she should’ve acted on, and ends her harrowing, emotional story without saying what she ultimately decided.

Fortunately, when we interviewed Becky for this podcast episode, she dishes on all the details, including her choices for dealing with a lying fool and why she handled it the way she did. It’s a fantastic conversation!

We also get updates on her love life. Spoiler alert: Things have gotten much better.

Becky has her feet firmly planted in the storytelling scene and the comedy world. For more info, go here. 

The Nutshell Three:

Amy Bee

Keith Lowell Jensen

Aaron Carnes

Sound Engineer: Chris Reeves

Thank you to:

DJ Yuma Tripp for allowing us to use his song “Lazy Skank” for our episodes and our live show.

Hyperpixel for audio and video services.

Sofia Theatre for a beautiful stage to gather around.

Our photographer, Antonio Lovig.

Babalou and Suzon Lucore for watching over our event table and engaging with people in the best way possible.

We believe stories deserve to be heard and storytellers deserve to be paid, including the ones who make this podcast possible. If The Nutshell True Story Hour has ever made you laugh, cry, or feel a little less alone, consider becoming a paid subscriber. It's the most direct way to keep this going. And we are so grateful for every single person who does. xoxo, Amy

Subscribe now

Hey story friends!

Friday is in three days, and I have one question for you:

Are you coming?

Because if you’ve been thinking about it, and I suspect some of you have, this is me telling you: come. It’s going to be one of those nights you’ll remember.

Can we talk about Dixie De La Tour for a second? Because I want to make sure you understand what it means that she’s coming to Sacramento.

Dixie is the founder of Bawdy Storytelling, aka “The Moth for Pervs,” according to the LA Weekly, and this year marks its 20th anniversary. For two decades, she has created space for people to tell the truth about their bodies, desires, identities, shame, and joy, when almost no one else was doing so. She didn’t just create and produce shows. She built a culture. She changed what was possible to share onstage and in storytelling form. She is, in the storytelling world, genuinely iconic. And one of the warmest humans you’ll ever meet. Go say hi to her after the show. Seriously.

Her story? Well, Dixie is going to take the stage and tell you about the birthday orgy she threw to honor a friend who passed away. It’s the kind of story only Dixie could tell, and she’s gonna tell it to US!

I mean, come on. You HAVE to hear this, right?

We also have three other fabulous tellers with titillating tales: Addy Sakler is gonna tell you about the awakening that came after a lifetime of intimacy that never quite landed. Amber Elektra is going to tell you about a back-page ad and fate stepping in for quality control. And Alex Paez is going to tell you about the lunch that was not a lunch—although there was eating out?—I dunno! You’ll have to come find out yourself!

Four people. Four true stories. One Friday night at The Sofia.

And here’s the thing about this kind of show, the NSFW kind, the bawdy kind, the honest-about-bodies-and-desire-and-ourselves kind: people leave feeling oddly validated and seen, even if the teller’s thing isn’t their thing. It’s kinda life-affirming. It’s definitely magic, like all good storytelling is. 

⚠️ Fair warning: this is an adults-only show. Sex will be discussed honestly, bravely, and yes, sometimes explicitly. If that’s not your cup of tea, no hard feelings (Animal stories in July!). But if it IS your cup of tea, or even if you’re just curious, Friday night is calling.

One more thing: tickets are still cheaper in advance than at the door. That gap closes Friday night. Grab yours now and save 20%.

🎟️ Get your tickets here: 

Get tickets to NSFW

📅 Friday, June 26 | 7pm | The Sofia, Sacramento

Don’t be the person who meant to go!

And finally, I mean this sincerely: shows like this one need an audience to exist. The Sofia is one of Sacramento's great venues, and getting to host a NSFW storytelling show there with Dixie De La Tour headlining is not something we take for granted. If we fill those seats on Friday, we’ll get to do more shows like this one, ones that explore the many twists and turns of being human. If you've ever wanted Sacramento to have more of this kind of night—brave, honest, adult, alive—Friday is how you vote for that. With your presence. In that room.

Come sit with us. You KNOW I can’t wait to see you there in real life, humans!

xoxo, Amy Bee (and her two hot-peppered buddies, Keith and Aaron)

P.S. A birthday orgy, grief, and joy. Three days. Come on. You gotta!

This is a short clip from storyteller Amber Elektra, who’ll be joining us for NSFW on June 26.

Oh man, what a hook! I gotta hear this whole story. Can’t wait!

This is a short clip from storyteller Addy Sakler, who’ll be joining us for NSFW on June 26.

What we want to know is whether Addy brings her unusual microphone to all her shows!

When Joe Klocek was a teenager, he realized he felt more strongly than others, especially lows. When he felt lows, they were really low. So low, he finally attempted suicide.

His parents were well-meaning, but they didn’t know what to do, and decided to have him committed. Maybe the instinct was right, but the mental institution provided very little actual care, and Joe felt like he was being held in prison, wasting his days watching Three’s Company reruns.

Since Joe was a minor, he didn’t have any agency to decide whether or not he had to be institutionalized and eventually went to court to get released.

The problem? His parents went to court too—to fight to keep him committed. What ensued was a battle for Joe’s freedom and sanity, possibly at the cost of his family.

Joe told this story at our February 2026 show, The People Who Made Us. He’d been wanting to tell this tale for years, but as a comedian, felt uncomfortable doing so. But he finally faced this piece of his past on our stage, and wow, was it moving. Our interview with him, a week later (At JP Frary’s house), was also a compelling emotional ride for Joe. We’re honored and appreciative he decided to share his story with us and our audience. And now we get to share it with you, too.

Joe is an iconic SF comedian, and you can check him out here.

The Nutshell Three:

Amy Bee

Keith Lowell Jensen

Aaron Carnes

Sound Engineer: Chris Reeves

Thank you to:

DJ Yuma Tripp for allowing us to use his song “Lazy Skank” for our episodes and our live show.

Hyperpixel for audio and video services.

Sofia Theatre for a beautiful stage to gather around.

Our photographer, Antonio Lovig.

Babalou and Suzon Lucore for watching over our event table and engaging with people in the best way possible.

During his time as a ghost, JP watched. He saw how the weather moved slowly, then suddenly, in the backwoods of his home. He saw the creek burble with motion and then puddle up like wannabe tide pools. He watched the trees. He watched the wildlife. And when his wanderings led him to the backyards and the manicured lawns and the sliding glass doors of families with mothers and fathers and sisters and brothers, well, he watched them, too.

Because JP was a ghost, and that’s what ghosts do.

We’re honored JP shared this story with us and on our stage. Listen to the story first, then hear JP talk with us about how difficult it was to put this particular story together.

The Nutshell Three:

Sound Engineer: Chris Reeves

Thank you to:

DJ Yuma Tripp for allowing us to use his song “Lazy Skank” for our episodes and our live show.

Hyperpixel for audio and video services.

Sofia Theatre for a beautiful stage to gather around.

Our photographer, Antonio Lovig.

Babalou and Suzon Lucore for watching over our event table and engaging with people in the best way possible.

Not because it’s spicy, although it IS spicy, and I want you to know that going in—but because the stories we tell about our bodies, our desires, and our identities are some of the most human stories there are. And for some reason, we don’t talk about them out loud very often. Not really. Let’s change that!

🎟️ Get your tickets here (yes, they’re cheaper in advance than at the door)

A little context, because you deserve it:

When we say NSFW, we mean it. Sex will be discussed. Desire, bodies, intimacy, identity . . . all of it is on the table. If that’s not your thing, no hard feelings, truly. We’ll see you in July (The theme is BEST IN SHOW! Tales about our animal companions).

But if you’ve ever sat with thoughts and feelings about your own body or your own longing and thought, I could never say that out loud, this night is for you. Come watch four people say it out loud. Beautifully. Bravely. Hilariously.

There’s a reason this kind of show exists. And there’s a reason people leave them feeling cracked open in the best possible way. Because the stories we’re most afraid to tell are almost always the ones other people need to hear most. And maybe the stories we’re afraid to hear are the ones we hope one day we’ll be okay with ourselves enough to tell.

That’s what bawdy storytelling actually is, by the way; people standing up and telling the truth about the most vulnerable, confusing, exhilarating, occasionally disastrous parts of being a being, a being burdened with a body and a brain that have wants and desires (often counterintuitive to each other!). These “truths” told through spicy stories can be explicit and hilarious, heartbreaking and cathartic; they can be predictable or inevitable or so confoundingly particular, but whatever they expose, confess, or declare, sooner or later you’ll probably catch yourself nodding along, thinking, yes, oh god, yes, that, and then look around and realize everyone else in the room is nodding, too. And maybe you’ll be a little flushed in the face; maybe not. But you will be tuned in.

Bawdy storytelling is honest in a way that most of us are trained, from a very young age, not to be. And when you hear it done well, candidly and with craft, in a room full of people listening together, it’s like a tight knot in your gut loosens. Like you’ve been given permission to be a little more yourself. And no matter what your mom or your dad or your priest or the gym teacher told you, it’s good to be a little more you.

What if none of what you hear, none of these stories of bodies being, sounds familiar? That’s okay, too. You don’t have to relate. You just have to be willing to listen. Go ahead and be a passenger, enjoy the ride. There’s something powerful about sitting with a story that’s nothing like yours and finding yourself moved by it regardless. That’s called empathy, and it’s exactly what we’re here for.

The Storytellers:

Dixie De La Tour is the woman who literally helped invent this format. As the founder of Bawdy Storytelling (described by the LA Weekly as “The Moth for Pervs” and celebrating its 20th anniversary this year ), Dixie has spent two decades coaxing true, brave, hilarious stories of sex and intimacy out of people who didn’t know they had them. She is a sexual folklorist, a storytelling coach, and one of the most compelling presences you will ever encounter in a room with a microphone. Having her at a Nutshell show feels less like booking a guest and more like a visit from royalty. (But she’s so wonderfully down to earth. Go say Hi to her!)

Her story for June 26th: When a beloved friend passes away, Dixie decides to honor his memory by doing something she swore she would never do: have sex with her friends. A birthday orgy, grief, joy, and a complete rethinking of a lifelong conviction. I mean, come on! I know you wanna hear this!

Addy Sakler is a Sacramento poet, abstract painter, breast cancer survivor, vagabond, and, as of a life-changing diagnosis, a newly self-aware autistic woman discovering, for the first time, what great sex actually feels like. Her story is one beautiful arc: from missed cues and mediocre intimacy to awakening and joy, and it is exactly the kind of story that makes you want to go out afterward and have your own great sex! Addy is a Sacramento original, and we’re so proud to have her on the Nutshell stage.

Amber Elektra is a storyteller and producer of Word of Mouth Storytelling in Placerville, a veteran of both Mortified and Bawdy Storytelling, and a woman who has spent years turning questionable life choices into community entertainment. Her story begins with a back-page ad and ends with fate stepping in for quality control. She will make you laugh at things you probably shouldn’t, and you will love every second of it. Also, her dog is named Dr. Gonzo, and that says it all.

Alex Paez is a Communication Studies professor at American River College, a former Disney character performer, a 2001 national speech champion, and a man who didn’t tell his own stories onstage for 25 years until last year, when he finally started. He is making up for lost time. His story: she said they were going to lunch. When they parked in the back of an empty corporate parking lot, he realized the only item on the menu was him. He knew immediately he had met the most amazing person in his life. For better or worse, we’ve all been there, haven’t we?

Why you should be at this show:

Here’s what I know about our audience: you are curious, you are open-hearted, and you understand that showing up in real life, in a room with other humans, listening together, is one of the few things that still feels like genuine connection in this world.

We need each other. We really do. And there is something about sitting in the dark together while someone tells you the truth about the most tender, complicated, funny, mortifying parts of being human that has become almost radical. We are so rarely truly witnessed. We are so rarely truly present with each other: phones down, nowhere to be, just listening. Two hours where a stranger trusts you with something real, and you trust them back just by staying in your seat. That exchange, that quiet, mutual act of showing up, is special. It’s magical! And when it happens, you feel it for days. That’s what you come for. That’s what you carry home. That’s what you’re still thinking about on Monday.

This is one of those nights. Don’t be the person who meant to go. There are no regrets in going!

🎟️ Tickets are here—cheaper in advance, and seats will go early!

I can’t WAIT to see you at this one, humans! You know how much I LOVE seeing you in real life.

xoxo, Amy Bee, her spicy friend Keith Lowell Jensen, and her hot-tamale guy, Aaron Carnes)

(P.S. Speaking of Keith [HI KEITH!], Nutshell is hosted by the one and only Keith Lowell Jensen, who will hold the whole beautiful, spicy night together with his usual charm and impeccable comic timing. Consider yourself in good hands.)

If you enjoy what we’re building here, one of the most helpful ways to support it is by becoming a paid subscriber. Your support helps us pay storytellers, pay ourselves, keep live shows going, and continue producing the Nutshell True Story Hour podcast for everyone to enjoy. No pressure, but it truly does make a difference.

And as always: showing up, listening, and bringing friends is already real support💜

Subscribe now

(You’re receiving this email because you either signed up for it or interacted somehow with Keith, Amy, or Aaron in the past. We’re so glad you’re here!)

As Kathleen found herself in unpretentious punk clubs surrounded by folks with no sense of shame, she learned a valuable lesson about herself. She may know a lot from books and a big brain, but she has no chill.

We sat down with Kathleen in her beautiful Sacramento home. She was a delight to talk with about her story; it was abundantly clear how different she is now from the person she was back then.

Aside from being a fantastic writer and storyteller, Kathleen is a professor, an Air Force veteran, and the founder of Veteran Women’s Voices, which supports women military veterans in California in developing the writing skills and confidence to express their unique experiences.

The Nutshell Three:

Amy Bee

Keith Lowell Jensen

Aaron Carnes

Sound Engineer: Chris Reeves

Thank you to:

DJ Yuma Tripp for allowing us to use his song “Lazy Skank” for our episodes and our live show.

Hyperpixel for audio and video services.

Sofia Theatre for a beautiful stage to gather around.

Our photographer, Antonio Lovig.

Babalou and Suzon Lucore for watching over our event table and engaging with people in the best way possible.

Buy tickets to In a Nutshell on May 15

We also hope that you do Sacramento a favor and share this with everyone you know. This is a MUST-SEE event! And all your friends will be glad they came along. It doesn’t hurt that we have one of our most compelling themes of the entire 2026 season: Cults, Crackpots and Swindlers!

👉 Read about the May 15 show

🎟️ Get tickets at The Sofia

Share

Time Magazine ranked Snap Judgment as one of the best 100 podcasts of all time. Its host, Glynn Washington, uses it to give a fresh take on storytelling. Not only does he gather some of the most compelling stories ever told, but the episodes are masterfully mixed and edited with just the right music to take them to the next level. Some of the most beloved episodes include "24 Hours in Syria," "The Soundtrack of Silence," "Zoo Nebraska," and "The Real Black Klansman." Truly mind-blowing stories! The show has even been such a success that it spun off a different podcast called Spooked, a true-life supernatural storytelling show, which regularly tours large venues and gives big groups of people the chills! Last October, Glynn hosted a packed evening of scary stories at the legendary Paramount Theatre in Oakland.

Glynn is also an amazing storyteller, unlike anyone else. His stories are raw, unique, surprising and reflect his unusual upbringing and life experiences. For the upcoming In a Nutshell storytelling show on Friday, May 15, at the Sofia, Glynn is the perfect featured storyteller. The theme is Cults, Crackpots & Swindlers. he grew up in rural Michigan in the apocalyptic, white supremacist cult known as The Worldwide Church of God. He has quite a story about it!

Glynn is only one of three people in the world who have had three different podcasts hit #1 on the Apple charts at the same time. (Snap Judgment, Spooked, and his limited series, Heaven’s Gate...which is about a cult, and inspired the HBO docu-series Heaven’s Gate: The Cult of Cults). Snap Judgment is such a big success; it airs on over 400 different NPR affiliate stations.

At the upcoming Nutshell show on May 15, he intends to bring his A-game and will be accompanied by three other masterful storytellers: JP Frary (a Nutshell fan favorite making his 8th appearance on the monthly show), as well as local comedians/storytellers Holly James and Johnny Taylor Jr. You can catch Glynn’s show Snap Judgment on CapRadio on Sundays at 3pm PST. He will be appearing on the CapRadio show Insight on Tuesday, May 12 at approx 12:30 pm PST to talk about his upcoming performance at In a Nutshell Storytelling.

Also be sure to listen to our latest episode of the Nutshell True Story Hour with local legend, John Aubert.

And please grab tickets to Wildcard on May 20. It’ll be our first show at our new venue, Teneral Cellars. We are going to have so much fun!

Subscribe now

The Night

📅 Friday, May 15, 2026

🕖 7pm (doors at 6pm)

📍 The Sofia, Sacramento

👥 Come alone, bring a friend, make it a night out. All are welcome!

If you’ve been to In a Nutshell before, you already know the rhythm: a room full of attentive humans, big laughs, reflective moments, and stories that don’t flatten life into easy lessons.

If you haven’t been yet, April is a great time to start.

🎟️ Tickets are available through The Sofia box office

(And yes, tickets are cheaper in advance than at the door.)

👉 Get tickets at The Sofia

Thank you story friends! We love you and look forward to seeing you in person.

And while each of these forms of transportation were mentioned. It was the automobile that was the focus of his story. There’s nothing quite like hitting the road and making good miles. That was the trip John thought was was having, until he noticed a few peculiar details on his journey. Humiliation ensued.

After the story, we sat down with John at the Sofia Theater to learn why this story was so embarrassing for him to tell on stage. Isn’t pain where all the best stories come from?

The Nutshell True Story Hour is presented by In a Nutshell Storytelling

The Nutshell Three:

Amy Bee

Keith Lowell Jensen

Aaron Carnes

Sound Engineer: Chris Reeves

Thank you to:

DJ Yuma Tripp for allowing us to use his song “Lazy Skank” for our episodes and our live show.

Hyperpixel for audio and video services.

Sofia Theatre for a beautiful stage to gather around.

Babalou and Suzon Lucore for watching over our event table and engaging with people in the best way possible.

YOU can also subscribe for true stories and backstage conversations from the In a Nutshell community.

Subscribe now

What’s the appeal to hearing these seemingly outlandish tales? It’s a very similar reason why people are so drawn to true crime stories. It always feels unreal that it’s reality. And yet, it is. And the question many of us ask ourselves is, would I get sucked into a cult?

Not only that, but what is it like to be in a cult, and how do people get out of them? These are all endlessly fascinating questions. One that we hope to shed some light on at this month’s In a Nutshell storytelling show.

As the title of this month’s show suggests, it isn’t strictly about cults (Though that will be there). But the silimiarity in these stories has to do with how other people warp our realities, and the damaging effect that can have on our fragile souls.

The Storytellers

Glynn Washington

The host of the wildly popular show, Snap Judgment, Glynn Washington, grew up in the Worldwide Church of God, an apocalyptic, white supremacist religious cult. Holly Hell! There is an amazing story here

Holly James

Joining a charismatic religious group is all fun and games until reality bends to the point of breaking. Holly James has a lot to unpack at this upcoming show.

Johnny Taylor Jr.

What happens when your mother doesn’t have a solid grasp on reality? One thinks this might make dealing with the outside world…challenging. For Johnny, it led to him becoming one of our favorite storytellers/comedians.

JP Frary

JP Frary has lived many lives. But in one of them, he stole the image of a popular person in a different community to finally experience what it was like to be…popular. A bit of a cult of personality story

Host Keith “Not For Rehire” Jensen will be there guiding the night—and, as always, probably telling a story or two of his own along the way. Did you know he almost joined a cult when he was younger? We’re glad he didn’t!

The Night

📅 Friday, May 15, 2026

🕖 7pm (doors at 6pm)

📍 The Sofia, Sacramento

👥 Come alone, bring a friend, make it a night out. All are welcome!

If you’ve been to In a Nutshell before, you already know the rhythm: a room full of attentive humans, big laughs, reflective moments, and stories that don’t flatten life into easy lessons.

If you haven’t been yet, April is a great time to start.

🎟️ Tickets are available through The Sofia box office

(And yes, tickets are cheaper in advance than at the door.)

👉 Get tickets at The Sofia

We can’t wait to see you in real life, humans!

xoxo,

Amy Bee

(and her two totally awesome co-workers, Keith & Aaron)

If you enjoy what we’re building here, one of the most helpful ways to support it is by becoming a paid subscriber on Substack. That support helps us pay storytellers, keep live shows going, and keep producing our podcast (now called The Nutshell True Story Hour), which is free for everyone to enjoy.

No pressure at all, but it truly does make a difference.

xoxo, Amy

Subscribe now

When DNA came to In a Nutshell last year to tell his story of running for mayor, the theme was “It’s a beautiful day.” The reason it was a beautiful day for DNA was that he didn’t run his campaign(s) like a normal politician. There were pranks, publicity stunts and jokes. “Nudes for Nader” was one of the most famous publicity stunts that emerged from all of this. Some of it was designed to comment on the foul nature of American politics.

So, when we talked to DNA (In Chico, of course), we got quite philosophical in our conversation. The sour state of politics, the dumbing down of American culture and the hopelessness that any of it will ever get better. It’s a fun listen! Plus, we find out if he still wants to be the mayor of Chico.

The Nutshell True Story Hour is presented by In a Nutshell Storytelling

The Nutshell Three:

Amy Bee

Keith Lowell Jensen

Aaron Carnes

Sound Engineer: Chris Reeves

Thank you to:

DJ Yuma Tripp for allowing us to use his song “Lazy Skank” for our episodes and our live show.

Hyperpixel for audio and video services.

Sofia Theatre for a beautiful stage to gather around.

Babalou and Suzon Lucore for watching over our event table and engaging with people in the best way possible.

SHOUT OUT to Frances Southwick for becoming a paid subscriber and supporting live storytelling! You’re our ride or die, Frances!

YOU can also subscribe for true stories and backstage conversations from the In a Nutshell community.

Subscribe now

We are approaching our fourth show of 2026. We went into this year wanting to continue to build community in Sacramento through storytelling. And guess what, Sacramento365 gave us a very nice review, and they pointed out exactly that!

“In a Nutshell does so much more than just provide entertainment; it connects people with the community. When the world, or even our own personal world, feels so out of control and inhumane, In a Nutshell provides a space for people to gain that humanity back.”

We hope that you come to our next show (April 17^th at The Sofia) and not only enjoy some excellent stories but also become part of this community we are building in Sacramento. And gosh darn it, make a new friend while you’re here!

This month, we have FIVE storytellers (you read that right) who come armed with work stories. We’ve all had that one job, that one boss, that one coworker, rule, regulation, protocol, or expectation that pushed us so far or was so inane, absurd, and unfair that it almost tipped us over from the decent folks we are and turned us into hair-pulling, foot stomping, spit-spewing, whirling dervishes hell bent on revenge or arson or, most-likely, a sitting-in-your-car-bawling social media rant. Basically, these will be VERY relatable stories.

Take This Job And #$%!

Featuring:

Jessica Robinson · Corey Rosen · Gloria Jones · Claire Hennessy · Mike Kornblatt

Hosted by the ever-lovely Keith Lowell Jensen (HI KEITH!)

This month, we have two beloved returnees, one first-time local, and two storytellers from different states. They will all take us through the multitude of emotions that get brought up at work.

If you want a preview (and a closer look at the tellers), you can read the invitation post here:

👉 Read about the April 17 show

🎟️ Get tickets at The Sofia

Ticket sales have been climbing steadily this year, so if you’re thinking about coming, advance purchase is the way to go. And yes, tickets are a little cheaper in advance than at the door.

WILDCARD! April 16

WILDCARD! is our slightly feral storytelling sibling. Same heart as Nutshell, but with a little more chaos and surprise.

This is a very special Wildcard. It will be our last show at Old Soul. We are having a party! Starting in May, we will be doing Wildcard at Teneral Cellars in midtown Sacramento. And it’ll be every third Wednesday of the month.

But also, this month’s Wildcard happened to land the day before our main show, so we are offering our special story friends an amazing deal! Purchase a ticket to our April 17 show at the Sofia, then email Nutshell Aaron your receipt (littleplasticmen@yahoo.com) and get a free ticket to our April 16 Wildcard show. Two nights of storytelling in a row! Can’t beat that.

That’s not all. Jessica Robinson, who will be performing on our main stage on April 17, will also be telling a different story at our April 16^th Wildcard show. You’ve got to go just to hear both of Jessica’s stories. She is coming all the way from Virginia to tell these fantastic tales.

If you’ve been thinking about telling a story of your own, get yer buns over here and put your name in the NOT HAT. This is the place for you!

🎟 Tickets + details here

The Nutshell True Story Hour

Our podcast keeps rolling along! The latest episode features Anne Rutherford, who told an enlightening story about realizing the guy she was with was totally wrong for her. All it took was some vocal peacocks at a silent meditation retreat for her to get the message.

If you haven’t listened yet, it’s a good one.

🎧 Listen to the Anne Rutherford episode

Next up:

April 15: DNA

DNA is a comedian/storyteller based out of Chico, California. He ran for Mayor of Chico five times! And well, that’s what his story is about. We get really philosophical on this episode, and DNA throws in several tales about famous comedians that are a bit fantastical.

Nutshell Friends Doing Cool Things

Why not get ready now for the Bay Area Storytelling Festival? On Sunday, April 26th, they’ll gather to celebrate the vibrant art of storytelling with nationally acclaimed featured tellers like Andy Offutt Irwin, Motoko, and Jasmin Cardenas. It’s a day of award-winning storytelling that brings the ancient art to life for modern audiences.

A small Amy update

Amy is in Spain as we speak, hiking the Camino de Santiago. We can’t wait for her to come back. And we hope that she will tell a story or two about her experience on the Nutshell stage.

Follow her adventure here: 👉 This Might Go Terribly | Amy Bee

Thanks, as always, for being part of this strange, wonderful little storytelling world we’re building together.

We cannot wait to see you in real life.

xoxo, Aaron Carnes (and Keith & Amy)

If you enjoy what we’re building here, one of the most helpful ways to support it is by becoming a paid subscriber. Your support helps us pay storytellers, pay ourselves, keep live shows going, and continue producing the Nutshell True Story Hour podcast for everyone to enjoy. No pressure, but it truly does make a difference.

And as always: showing up, listening, and bringing friends is already real support💜

Subscribe now

Our Ride or Dies:

“What if an umbrella could double as a STOP sign?” That question became a movement to help pedestrians stand out, feel seen, and cross with confidence. The STOP Umbrella is more than just an umbrella; it’s a collapsible STOP sign designed for real life. Curious to find out more? Go to STOP Umbrella and check it out! And thanks for being our Ride or Die!

Turns those creepy crawlies into a fiction! Find him at hansonpestcontrol.com

Looking for things to do in Sacramento?

Sacramento365 is your year-round resource for arts and entertainment in Sacramento County. From festivals and music to theatre and holiday events, you’ll always find something new to do in Sacramento. Visit Sacramento 365 to learn more. And thanks for being our Ride or Die!

Join the best storytelling ambassador we know, John Aubert, at LogOff Brewing for Capital Storytelling’s monthly in-person true storytelling open mic event, Do Tell! At this gathering, you’ll hear true personal stories told by regular folks just like you. In fact, he invites YOU, and anyone else who is interested, to put their name in his AWESOME GIANT HAT for a chance to tell a story.

(You’re receiving this email because you either signed up for it or interacted somehow with Keith, Amy, or Aaron in the past. We’re so glad you’re here!)

Anne Rutherford wasn’t booked on our show, In a Nutshell storytelling. But one of our storytellers got sick, and Anne—an audience member and professional storyteller—volunteered to replace her. Anne stole the show.

The theme that night was “Eureka,” and Anne immediately knew which story she wanted to tell. It involved love (of course), but more specifically, falling for the wrong person. Someone who didn’t seem to be all that interested in her, but she couldn’t stop thinking about him. It took a silent meditation retreat and witnessing the unusual behaviors of some roaming peacocks for Anne to say, “Eureka! This guy isn’t right for me!”

For this episode, we drove up to Anne’s beautiful house in Chico, CA, and discussed her story. We learned a bunch about other storytelling genres besides true and personal. Turns out, Anne does them all! In fact, one of her most popular characters, Clementine, made an appearance during the interview.

The Nutshell True Story Hour is presented by In a Nutshell Storytelling

The Nutshell Three:

Amy Bee

Keith Lowell Jensen

Aaron Carnes

Sound Engineer: Chris Reeves

Thank you to:

DJ Yuma Tripp for allowing us to use his song “Lazy Skank” for our episodes and our live show.

Hyperpixel for audio and video services.

Sofia Theatre for a beautiful stage to gather around.

Babalou and Suzon Lucore for watching over our event table and engaging with people in the best way possible.

SHOUT OUT to Frances Southwick for becoming a paid subscriber and supporting live storytelling! You’re our ride or die, Frances!

YOU can also subscribe for true stories and backstage conversations from the In a Nutshell community.

Subscribe now

We’ve all had that one job, that one boss, that one coworker, rule, regulation, protocol, or expectation that pushed us so far or was so inane, absurd, and unfair that it almost tipped us over from the decent folks we are and turned us into hair-pulling, foot stomping, spit-spewing, whirling dervishes hell bent on revenge or arson or, most-likely, a sitting-in-your-car-bawling social media rant.

We, The Nutshell Three, totally understand your angst, and we’re here to give you a cathartic night of comeuppance, trash talk, fist-shaking, and hearty commiseration over how miserable our jobs can make us feel sometimes. We promise, by the end of the night, you’ll either be dusting off your resumes (or your half-written manuscripts, or maybe you’ll be calling up the members of your old high school ska band) for a new start or feel so drained and seen and validated that, FINE, you can make it back to work on Monday.

Grumble grumble.

The Storytellers

Jessica Robinson

When you want to be a movie director, a natural step on the ladder is to be an Assistant Director, right? For feature films in NYC, even? Great idea. Nothing can go wrong there, right? No big egos at all. Nope.

Corey Rosen

Getting fired from the local Post Office is probably the best way not to go postal, in our opinion. And who cares that your only option left is to work at the local Burger King now? Things can only go up from there, right? RIGHT?!

Gloria Jones

There’s nothing more exciting than being a college sophomore and getting hired by a promising startup. So what that the purveyor, his wife, his ex-wife, and his ex-wife’s lover all sure seem to have a lot of guns lying around. And all that counterfeit cash? Well, there’s probably a perfectly harmless explanation for all of it, right? We’re sure of it!

Claire Hennessy

Our first jobs are often at places we swear we will never work. But it only takes a few weeks of rejections before we’re back at that first place, taking work because beggars can’t be choosers. Some of us get lucky and find out the job we thought we’d hate is actually pretty fun. Until a new boss comes along and ruins everything. No problem, right? We can win that monster—I mean, boss—over, can’t we? It’ll all be fine, just fine!

Mike Kornblatt

A dentist doesn’t have stories about needing to take their job and tell it to #$%! right off, do they? Dentistry is safe, plain, and full of patient, competent coworkers and appreciative clients, yeah? I mean, everyone LOOOOOOVES dentists, don’t they? No problems in this profession, none at all!

Host Keith “Not For Rehire” Jensen will be there guiding the night—and, as always, probably telling a story or two of his own along the way. Did you know he has a lifetime and a comedy special about taking jobs and $%#!? Check it out here:

The Night

📅 Friday, April 17, 2026
🕖 7pm (doors at 6pm)
📍 The Sofia, Sacramento

👥 Come alone, bring a friend, make it a night out. All are welcome!

If you’ve been to In a Nutshell before, you already know the rhythm: a room full of attentive humans, big laughs, reflective moments, and stories that don’t flatten life into easy lessons.

If you haven’t been yet, April is a great time to start.

🎟️ Tickets are available through The Sofia box office
(And yes, tickets are cheaper in advance than at the door.)

👉 Get tickets at The Sofia

We can’t wait to see you in real life, humans!

xoxo,
Amy Bee
(and her two totally awesome co-workers, Keith & Aaron)

If you enjoy what we’re building here, one of the most helpful ways to support it is by becoming a paid subscriber on Substack. That support helps us pay storytellers, keep live shows going, and keep producing our podcast (now called The Nutshell True Story Hour), which is free for everyone to enjoy.

No pressure at all, but it truly does make a difference.
xoxo, Amy

Subscribe now

If you’ve seen Beau before, you already know: this is going to be fun.

Get tickets!

She’s spent years telling Sacramento’s food stories.

Now she’s telling one of her own.

Get tickets!

What we want to know is whether Anne does all her storytelling practice in the snack pantry!

Get tickets!