Raised by a single mother, Congressman Ritchie Torres overcame poverty, personal trauma, and systemic barriers to forge a path of advocacy and leadership.

Torres shares his inspiring journey, which began in public housing in the Bronx. His civic interest guided him into politics, and he now serves in the U.S. Congress as one of the first openly gay congressmen of color. He reflects on his dedication to housing reform, his progressive yet independent voice in American politics, and the transformative impact of a visit to Israel.

Drawing inspiration from civil rights leaders who fought for the rights of Black Americans, Torres draws powerful parallels between the historical struggles of Black Americans and the Jewish people. His bold advocacy for Israel and his fight against rising antisemitism have come at great personal and professional cost. Yet, he continues to champion Israel and the Jewish community with unwavering conviction, believing that silence is never an option in the face of hate.

Listen in on this live conversation with Gil and Congressman Torres as they thoughtfully discuss one of the most controversial topics in American politics.

More about storymarkTM

storymark is brought to you by itrek studios. itrek is a non-profit whose mission is to empower leaders to engage their networks in meaningful Israel experiences, fostering an understanding and appreciation of Israel’s unique culture, diversity, richness and complex reality. For more on itrek’s mission, visit itrek.org.

storymark is hosted by Gil Galanos. Our Producer and Editor is Elie Bleier. Our Associate Producer is Rebekah Sebastian. Special thanks to the itrek marketing team.

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As an engineering student, Yariv Bash dedicated countless hours to hands-on work, sacrificing top grades in order to open doors for out-of-this-world opportunities.

After co-founding SpaceIL, Yariv and his team entered the Google Lunar XPrize competition on little more than a whim and a little bit of whiskey. They built and launched Beresheet, the first private interplanetary robotic mission to the moon. Although the landing proved unsuccessful, it did not deter investors from supporting Yariv's subsequent ventures, including his groundbreaking work in the drone delivery space and the establishment of FlyTrex, an on-demand drone delivery service.

While Yariv’s career is punctuated by soaring success, he also experienced a literal rock bottom. 

Join Gil as he delves into Yariv's remarkable achievements, setbacks, and unwavering resilience.

More about storymarkTM

storymark is brought to you by itrek studios. itrek is a non-profit whose mission is to empower leaders to engage their networks in meaningful Israel experiences, fostering an understanding and appreciation of Israel’s unique culture, diversity, richness and complex reality. For more on itrek’s mission, visit itrek.org.

storymark is hosted by Gil Galanos. Our Producer and Editor is Elie Bleier. Our Associate Producer is Rebekah Sebastian. Special thanks to the itrek marketing team.

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Ashager Araro's reverence for dreams extends far beyond mere aspirations or poetic musings; for her, they hold profound significance embedded in Israel’s history, her ancestral roots, and her personal journey.

Born in Ethiopia, Ashager’s family yearned for a life in Jerusalem for generations. However, upon reaching their longed-for destination, the reality was far from their dreams. Struggling against social isolation and racial prejudice as a Black Jew, Ashager's parents fostered a fierce determination within her and helped her practice empathy toward her peers. This unwavering sense of self fueled her dream of a more equitable Israel, and she emerged as a champion for ethnic minorities, particularly for her own Ethiopian community.

Ashager went on to create Battae — Amharic for “home”— which serves as a sanctuary where fellow African Jews can find community and celebrate the richness of their heritage through food, dance, and education.

Join Gil as he gains a deeper understanding of Ashager’s remarkable story, how she utilizes her online reach, and endeavors to help Gil master his very first word in Amharic: "ameseginalehu" (Thank you).

More about storymarkTM

storymark is brought to you by itrek studios. itrek is a non-profit whose mission is to empower leaders to engage their networks in meaningful Israel experiences, fostering an understanding and appreciation of Israel's unique culture, diversity, and complex reality, which they carry back into their own lives and leadership roles. For more on itrek’s mission, visit itrek.org.

storymark is hosted by Gil Galanos. Our Producer and Editor is Elie Bleier. Our Associate Producer is Rebekah Sebastian. Special thanks to the itrek marketing team.

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Today, Uri Buri’s eponymous restaurant “Uri Buri” has garnered international acclaim - but his culinary journey began just steps from home, on Israel’s stunning seaside. Deeply influenced by his family’s tradition of hosting guests from around the world, Uri cultivated a lifelong passion for cooking and community. So, fueled by ambition from a young age, Uri decided to leave school early and pursue his culinary dreams. 

Traveling the globe in a Volkswagen van, Uri spent several years delighting customers with fresh, inventive flavors that would become his signature. Eventually, seeking stability and a place to build a family, Uri opened his restaurant in the historic and culturally rich city of Akko.

In this episode, Uri reflects on a harrowing period in his life and career, revealing an unflappable optimism and resilience. Join Gil as he explores Uri’s insights about his unwavering convictions, commitment to community, and the power of food.

~~

More about storymark

storymark is brought to you by itrek studios. itrek is a non-profit whose mission is to empower leaders to engage their networks in meaningful Israel experiences, fostering an understanding and appreciation of Israel’s unique culture, diversity, richness and complex reality. For more on itrek’s mission, visit itrek.org.

storymark is hosted by Gil Galanos. Our Producer and Editor is Elie Bleier. Our Associate Producer is Rebekah Sebastian. Special thanks to the itrek marketing team.

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Pioneer. Trailblazer. Groundbreaker. These words epitomize today’s guest, Gadeer Kamal-Mreeh. As a member of Israel's Druze religious minority, Gadeer stands out as a symbol of courage, breaking barriers for Druze women and other Israeli minorities alike. Her groundbreaking achievements include being the first non-Jewish anchorwoman to deliver the evening news in Israel—a feat rooted in her lifelong passion for journalism, which began at the tender age of 12. Gadeer was also the first Druze woman elected to the Israeli Knesset. 

In this storymark spotlight episode, Gil delves into Gadeer's remarkable political journey, explores her unwavering commitment to Israel's land beyond politics, and digs into the possibility of her future candidacy.

More about storymark™

storymark is brought to you by itrek studios. itrek is a non-profit whose mission is to empower leaders to engage their networks in meaningful Israel experiences, fostering an understanding and appreciation of Israel’s unique culture, diversity, richness and complex reality. For more on itrek’s mission, visit itrek.org.

storymark is hosted by Gil Galanos. Our Producer and Editor is Elie Bleier. Our Associate Producer is Rebekah Sebastian. Special thanks to the itrek marketing team.

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Growing up as a Palestinian in Israel, Nuseir Yassin grappled with the complexities of his identity, often feeling adrift between two worlds. It wasn’t until he reached Harvard University, 5,500 miles away from home, that he encountered his first Jewish friend. Despite his new location, the weight of Nuseir’s identity remained palpable, presenting challenges to fitting in that mirrored those faced back in Israel. 

After graduating from Harvard, Nuseir worked for a startup in New York City. However, he soon realized he was trading years of his life for a paycheck. Motivated by a desire to find purpose in his work, Nuseir left New York for Kenya and staked his future on the internet.

In 2016, he launched Nas Daily, a daily vlog featuring one-minute videos showcasing people from around the world. He gained worldwide recognition and skillfully integrated social and political stories into his work. 

Join Gil in this live conversation with Nuseir as they delve into his unique journey, and explore how current events have changed the way he identifies.

More about storymark™

storymark is brought to you by itrek studios. itrek is a non-profit whose mission is to empower leaders to engage their networks in meaningful Israel experiences, fostering an understanding and appreciation of Israel’s unique culture, diversity, richness and complex reality.For more on itrek’s mission, visit itrek.org.

storymark is hosted by Gil Galanos. Our Producer and Editor is Elie Bleier. Our Associate Producer is Rebekah Sebastian. Special thanks to the itrek Marketing Team.

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When deciding which professional path to pursue, Tzipi Livni defied the expectations set by her politically active parents and initially chose a career in law. But sometimes a calling transcends pragmatism, and when Israel found itself split down the middle and rife with tension Tzipi was compelled to change direction and run for office.

Tzipi amassed an impressive array of political roles, most famously, Israel’s Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Justice. Each position was accompanied by a chorus of both praise and criticism for the policies she upheld and decisions she made. Reflecting on significant moments during her tenure, Tzipi concedes that the strategic implementation could have been better. Nonetheless, she affirms her decisions, which were all informed by an unwavering commitment to achieve equity and peace.

Join Gil and 100 itrek participants in this captivating live conversation, where Tzipi’s indomitable spirit and steadfast determination truly shine, cementing her as an undeniable force to be reckoned with.

More about storymarkTM

storymark is brought to you by itrek studios. itrek is a non-profit that inspires tomorrow’s leaders through peer-led, week-long Israel Treks to experience Israel’s innovation, diversity and complex reality firsthand. For more on itrek’s mission, visit itrek.org.

storymark is hosted by Gil Galanos. Our Producer is Patrick Emile. Our Associate Producer is Rebekah Sebastian. Our Editor is Zev Levi. Special thanks to the itrek marketing team.

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Seth Siegel has a penchant for following his curiosity and doing the unexpected. As a serial entrepreneur, Seth seamlessly moves from one endeavor to the next. This agility led to a diverse range of experience, from practicing law to licensing trademarks, and from writing an award-winning book on the global water crisis to producing a Broadway show. This unconventional career trajectory may have made his stability-oriented father nervous, but Seth achieved wide success across industries, and is a shining example of forging one's own path.

Join Gil as he queries Seth on his approach to business, investment in the arts, and why he believes the solution to the global water crisis can be found in Israel. 

More about storymarkTM

storymark is brought to you by itrek studios. itrek is a non-profit that inspires tomorrow’s leaders through peer-led, week-long Israel Treks to experience Israel’s innovation, diversity and complex reality firsthand. For more on itrek’s mission, visit itrek.org.

storymark is hosted by Gil Galanos. Our Producer is Patrick Emile. Our Associate Producer is Rebekah Sebastian. Our Editor is Zev Levi. Special thanks to the itrek marketing team.

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Laura Hassner intentionally sought out educational experiences in unfamiliar environments so she could stretch herself personally and intellectually. From opting into a multilingual school setting, to embarking on foreign exchange experiences in Chile and England, Laura truly considers the world her classroom. 

Eager to introduce a global mindset to students, Laura landed her dream job at Berkeley as builder of an entrepreneurship program called The Berkeley Changemaker®. The program empowers students to develop their leadership skills, and to utilize their education and talent to create positive change both locally and globally.

Be inspired as Gil and Laura recount her leadership journey and the personal loss that clarified her purpose.

More about storymarkTM

storymark is brought to you by itrek studios. itrek is a non-profit that inspires tomorrow’s leaders through peer-led, week-long Israel Treks to experience Israel’s innovation, diversity and complex reality firsthand. For more on itrek’s mission, visit itrek.org.

storymark is hosted by Gil Galanos. Our Producer is Patrick Emile. Our Associate Producer is Rebekah Sebastian. Our Editor is Zev Levi. Special thanks to the itrek marketing team.

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Tom Cohen's love for music has deep roots that can be traced back to his childhood home, where he and his parents listened to a wide variety of genres without judgment. This impartiality would prove invaluable as Tom later developed his own sound. 

As the founder and head conductor of the Jerusalem Orchestra East and West, Tom creates a new, integrated musical experience that blends sounds from the East and West, old and new. His innovative approach transcends pre-existing limitations in Israeli classical music and allows audiences to overlook cultural and political conflicts — if only for a few hours.

Enjoy Gil and Tom’s repartee about the gift of music, labor justice, and how even small acts of change can have worldwide impact.

More about storymark™

storymark is brought to you by itrek studios. itrek is a non-profit that inspires tomorrow’s leaders through peer-led, week-long Israel Treks to experience Israel’s innovation, diversity and complex reality firsthand. For more on itrek’s mission, visit itrek.org.

storymark is hosted by Gil Galanos. Our Producer is Patrick Emile. Our Associate Producer is Rebekah Sebastian. Our Editor is Zev Levi. Special thanks to the itrek marketing team.

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Alma and Daniel Hernandez are a dynamic brother-sister duo; each with a powerful story to tell. 

Raised in a loving Mexican-American home, they harnessed their family’s love and support as a springboard to forge their own paths.

During their adolescence, Alma and Daniel each faced unexpected traumas that could have derailed their plans. Instead, they chose to use their healing experiences to help others and turn their struggles into a driving force for service and advocacy.

Their journeys eventually led them to the Arizona House of Representatives, where they each championed unique identity-focused causes. Daniel became a vocal advocate for LGBTQ issues, drawing from his own experiences as a gay man. Alma focused on Holocaust awareness and education, inspired by the discovery of her Jewish heritage.

Listen in as Gil uncovers Daniel and Alma’s incredible stories of resilience and how they shifted their focus outward to heal themselves and help their communities. 

More about storymarkTM

storymark is brought to you by itrek studios. itrek is a non-profit that inspires tomorrow’s leaders through peer-led, week-long Israel Treks to experience Israel’s innovation, diversity and complex reality firsthand. For more on itrek’s mission, visit itrek.org.

storymark is hosted by Gil Galanos. Our Producer is Patrick Emile. Our Associate Producer is Rebekah Sebastian. Our Editor is Zev Levi. Special thanks to the itrek marketing team.

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Felipe Neves takes nothing for granted. Growing up in Brazil, his mother worked tirelessly to provide Felipe with a private education. After graduating from law school in Brazil and working at a law firm for several years, Felipe developed a burning desire to share what he learned about his country’s government and political infrastructure with young Brazilian public school students. This would become Felipe’s modus operandi; learn, grow, share.

Felipe is currently the Head of Google Workspace for Education in Latin America — his achievements and accolades speak for themselves, but he humbly measures his success by the happiness and impact he brings to those around him.

In this storymark spotlight episode, Felipe recounts his participation in a U.S. State Department program which led him to Stanford University. These experiences allowed him to pursue a law degree and lean into his entrepreneurial ambitions.

More about storymarkTM

storymark is brought to you by itrek studios. itrek is a non-profit that inspires tomorrow’s leaders through peer-led, week-long Israel Treks to experience Israel’s innovation, diversity and complex reality firsthand. For more on itrek’s mission, visit itrek.org.

storymark is hosted by Gil Galanos. Our Producer is Patrick Emile. Our Associate Producer is Rebekah Sebastian. Our Editor is Zev Levi. Special thanks to the itrek marketing team.

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You’ve heard of failing upwards and there’s a reason for that. Today’s guest is best-known for inventing the widely used USB memory flash drive. But perhaps Dov Moran should also be revered as an entrepreneur who isn’t afraid to fail, and isn’t afraid to admit it.

As a child, Dov had the characteristics of an entrepreneur; curiosity, aptitude for technology, and perhaps most importantly, the influence of his grandfather — himself a successful entrepreneur. Dov's grandfather exposed him to crucial concepts such as mechanics and money, but also instilled in him a mindset that would prove vital for an innovative life.

Listen closely as Gil discovers the surprising moments Dov considers failures — events that would be considered successful by nearly everyone’s standards. Dov's humble demeanor only enhances his credibility and provides a more holistic view of his entrepreneurial journey.

More about storymarkTM

storymark is brought to you by itrek studios. itrek is a non-profit that inspires tomorrow’s leaders through peer-led, week-long Israel Treks to experience Israel’s innovation, diversity and complex reality firsthand. For more on itrek’s mission, visit itrek.org.

storymark is hosted by Gil Galanos. Our Producer is Patrick Emile. Our Associate Producer is Rebekah Sebastian. Our Editor is Zev Levi. Special thanks to the itrek marketing team.

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Ten days in Israel and an inherited passion for Indonesia were all Niruban Balachandran needed to dedicate his life to cultivating connections between unlikely cultures. Where others saw the likelihood of failure, Niruban saw opportunity. Believing that his global finance background would be instrumental in promoting peace, he leveraged his experience to transition into the field of international aid.

In this storymark spotlight episode, Niruban shares how his grandfather and an Indonesian diplomat played a role in shaping his career. Meanwhile, Gil uncovers the profound impact of Niruban's initial trip to the Middle East.

More about storymarkTM

storymark is brought to you by itrek studios. itrek is a non-profit that inspires tomorrow’s leaders through peer-led, week-long Israel Treks to experience Israel’s innovation, diversity and complex reality firsthand. For more on itrek’s mission, visit itrek.org.

storymark is hosted by Gil Galanos. Our Producer is Patrick Emile. Our Associate Producer is Rebekah Sebastian. Our Editor is Zev Levi. Special thanks to the itrek marketing team.

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For The New York Times best-selling author, Adeena Sussman, cookbooks aren’t just a collection of recipes — they’re love letters.

At just nine years old, Adeena was tackling complicated recipes in her family’s kosher home. Yet, she was more interested in fostering connections than mastering recipes. Adeena relished the shared stories and camaraderie that occurred when family, friends, and guests gathered together for meals. 

Adeena’s early success writing articles for Gourmet Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, and Bon Appetit, positioned her to co-author cookbooks with over a dozen high-profile personalities, most notably, Chrissy Teigen. Eventually, Adeena would re-discover her unique voice and create two cookbooks of her own — a journey that led her to Israel where she used food to navigate a new way of life.

Have a seat at the table as Gil and Adeena explore the cultural dynamics and personal passions that inspire Adeena’s culinary pursuits.

More about storymarkTM

storymark is brought to you by itrek studios. itrek is a non-profit that inspires tomorrow’s leaders through peer-led, week-long Israel Treks to experience Israel’s innovation, diversity and complex reality firsthand. For more on itrek’s mission, visit itrek.org.

storymark is hosted by Gil Galanos. Our Producer is Patrick Emile. Our Associate Producer is Rebekah Sebastian. Our Editor is Zev Levi. Special thanks to the itrek marketing team.

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According to his middle school yearbook, Matti Friedman wanted to be a journalist when he grew up. The only problem? He didn’t really know what that meant. 

But Matti knew that writing was the best way to make sense of a very complicated world. As his career progressed, Matti allowed his life experiences to influence the formation of his work. From his early days in Israel living on a kibbutz, to his first gig as a reporter at The Jerusalem Post, he wrote stories that tackled complex moments in history and his own life. To date, the Canadian-Israeli writer has published four lauded books, and his headlines have appeared in top outlets like The New York Times and The Atlantic. 

Listen in as Gil and Matti travel back in time, wading through memories that take Matti from Canada to various parts of the Middle East, which Matti believes are the key to seeing Israel with new eyes.

More about storymarkTM

storymark is brought to you by itrek studios. itrek is a non-profit that inspires tomorrow’s leaders through peer-led, week-long Israel Treks to experience Israel’s innovation, diversity and complex reality firsthand. For more on itrek’s mission, visit itrek.org.

storymark is hosted by Gil Galanos. Our Producer is Patrick Emile. Our Associate Producer is Rebekah Sebastian. Our Editor is Zev Levi. Special thanks to the itrek marketing team.

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For Adi Altschuler, “inclusion” and “safe spaces” have been a way of life since childhood. More than performative buzzwords, she embodies both by truly seeing and hearing those who are different.

At the age of 16, Adi successfully established Krembo Wings, a social movement for all youth with and without disabilities. The idea blossomed from a beautiful friendship she had with a young boy with cerebral palsy. She would later tackle the Israeli school system, using her skills and connections from her corporate role at Google to create a program that champions inclusivity in the classroom.

Join Gil as he discovers the remarkable ways Adi continues to leave a more kind and equitable mark on the world.

More about storymarkTM

storymark is brought to you by itrek studios. itrek is a non-profit that inspires tomorrow’s leaders through peer-led, week-long Israel Treks to experience Israel’s innovation, diversity and complex reality firsthand. For more on itrek’s mission, visit itrek.org.

storymark is hosted by Gil Galanos. Our Producer is Patrick Emile. Our Associate Producer is Rebekah Sebastian. Our Editor is Zev Levi. Special thanks to the itrek marketing team.

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In an effort to become more comfortable in her own skin, literally, Siqu Mou utilized her joint MBA/MPA degree from Harvard and Stanford to find new solutions to age-old skincare problems. Relying on new technology and her entrepreneurial upbringing she founded HelloAva, the first online smart-skin consultant.

Gil gets a peek into Siqi’s early years where creativity and achievement were modeled first by her parents and later by her first boss at Morgan Stanley. She draws inspiration from both in her own role as a founder and CEO. Gil and Siqi also reminisce about her Israel Trek and its lasting impact on her life.

More about storymarkTM

storymark is brought to you by itrek studios. itrek is a non-profit that inspires tomorrow’s leaders through peer-led, week-long Israel Treks to experience Israel’s innovation, diversity and complex reality firsthand. For more on itrek’s mission, visit itrek.org.

storymark is hosted by Gil Galanos. Our Producer is Patrick Emile. Our Associate Producer is Rebekah Sebastian. Our Editor is Zev Levi. Special thanks to the itrek marketing team.

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Traffic: most of us tense up just thinking about it, but not today’s guest! He studied and obsessed over it — believing there had to be a solution to this aggravating byproduct of modern civilization. He was right. Uri Levine co-founded Waze; the first crowd-sourced, real-time, traffic app. While he didn’t eliminate traffic altogether, he successfully changed the navigation game entirely. Uri’s entrepreneurial success didn’t stop there. He went on to invest, coach, and lead other start-ups, eventually writing a book that aptly reflects his approach to business: Fall in Love with the Problem.

Ride along with Gil and Uri as they travel down memory lane, to learn how and where Uri developed the necessary traits for life as a serial entrepreneur.

You can learn more about Uri on his website: https://urilevine.com/

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storymark is brought to you by itrek studios. itrek is a non-profit that inspires tomorrow’s leaders through peer-led, week-long Israel Treks to experience Israel’s innovation, diversity and complex reality firsthand. For more on itrek’s mission, visit itrek.org.

storymark is hosted by Gil Galanos. Our Producer is Patrick Emile. Our Associate Producer is Rebekah Sebastian. Our Editor is Zev Levi. Special thanks to the itrek marketing team.

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At her very first judo class in the mid-1970’s, Yael Arad was the only girl. The youngest of four, she was used to being a tagalong, but in this class she led the pack. What followed was an unexpected journey that opened up her world and laid the foundation for her future career.  

Yael Arad took to the sport instantly, not only because of her natural athletic aptitude, but for the mental agility and fortitude it required. And it almost goes without saying that eight-year-old Yael enjoyed sending her peers flying through the air.

Yael walks Gil through her triumphant performance at the 1992 Olympics, and how she knew when it was time to retire. Gil discovers Yael’s moves are strategic and inspiring both on and off the mat.

More about storymark™

storymark is brought to you by itrek studios. itrek is a non-profit that inspires tomorrow’s leaders through peer-led, week-long Israel Treks to experience Israel’s innovation, diversity and complex reality firsthand. For more on itrek’s mission, visit itrek.org.

storymark is hosted by Gil Galanos. Our Producer is Patrick Emile. Our Associate Producer is Rebekah Sebastian. Our Editor is Zev Levi. Special thanks to the itrek marketing team.

Connect with storymark

Want to continue the story?

Sign up for the storymark newsletter which will keep you up-to-date on show news and future guests: storymarkpodcast.org

Did you enjoy this episode?

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Please rate and review storymark on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. 

Want to see the faces behind the voices? 

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.