Tell Your Story at VOXRVA

If you love stories and storytellers – then chances are you’ll love VOXRVA, RVA’s newest live storytelling event.

Every month you’ll hear stories from the heart on a different theme. November’s theme is Immigrant Stories: Past and Present.

Storytellers from across RVA will share true tales of migration, adaptation and finding home in a new place. Consider submitting your or your family’s immigration story for storytelling consideration. See guidelines below.

If you’re a fan of the Moth Radio hour, TEDxRVA or Secretly Y’all then this live, in person event is for you! The show is free and open to the public. Please share this announcement with your networks.

The next VOXRVA storytelling event will take place at The Valentine Museum on Thursday, November 20, 2025, from 6:30 - 9 PM. There will be a meetup/happy hour from 6:30 - 7:00 prior to the storytelling.

This event is inspired by the Valentine’s exhibition Generations: Stories of Asian Americans in Richmond. While not required, storytellers are encouraged to incorporate a meaningful object into their narrative.

Storytelling guidelines:

How to submit a story: You may submit audio, video or write a short pitch telling us what your story is about. The pitch should be about 2 minutes long and include your name, email, the title of your story and how it connects to RVA. Summarize the arc of your story (beginning, middle and end) and include anything unexpected that happened and how your experience changed you. Submit your idea here.

Response: We will listen to every story pitch, seeking a variety of stories and ones that have unexpected twists and endings.

If Chosen: If you and your story are chosen, then you should plan to arrive at The Valentine Museum by 6:30p on the night of the show. You will have about 5 - 15 minutes to tell your story.

Release: By applying you are giving VOXRVA permission to broadcast or digitally publish your story in audio and/or video.

Storytelling Tips:

Tell, don't read: Your story should be delivered from memory, not read from a paper, to create a strong connection with the audience.
Start strong: Begin with a great first line that grabs attention and sets up the stakes. Example:
“I move through the world slowly – so the last thing I ever imagined I would do was drive a race car.”
Be authentic: Share your story from the heart to show your authentic self.
RVA Connection: Make sure to mention RVA (Richmond, Henrico, Hanover, Chesterfield, Ashland) at some point in your story.

Want to tell your story? Register here:

Name: Email: Phone: Title of your story: Select Length of your story: Upload your pitch (mp3, mp4, mov, docx, pdf):

Check this box to agree to the release included below prior to submission. I hereby grant VOXRVA the perpetual, worldwide, royalty-free, and irrevocable right and permission to record, use, edit, distribute, broadcast, and publish my image, voice, likeness, story, and performance in all forms of media, including audio and video recordings, for any lawful purpose related to VOXRVA's activities.

This consent includes the right to sublicense and assign these rights to third parties, and I waive any right to inspect or approve the finished product or its uses.

I understand that VOXRVA may use my story and recordings in a variety of contexts including promotional and educational content, online platforms, and live events.

I hereby release and hold harmless VOXRVA, its affiliates, agents, and assigns from any claims, demands, or liabilities arising out of or in connection with the use of my story, voice, likeness, or recordings.

The founders of VOXRVA are Mike Bickett, Co-Founder of Certified Crucial; Steve Lack, Founder of Steve Lack: AUDIO and Meg Lindholm, formerly a Director of Podcasting at VPM. All three have strong ties to RVA’s podcast and storytelling communities. They met through RVA Podcasters – a social meetup group for area podcasters. They realized that the largely Covid-fueled demise of storytelling projects like TEDxRVA and Secretly Y’all left a hole in RVA that sorely needs filling.