Michael Schweisheimer Michael Schweisheimer

Mission Story Slam Podcast 47: Charles Black

Carey Searles spent 36 years with SEPTA's Regional Rail — working his way up from conductor to the train yard, including the day he misplaced an entire engine in three feet of snow. His story of that frantic afternoon won the Energy Co-op Crowd Favorite Prize at MISSION Story Slam 14: No Judgment. Carey joined Michael Schweisheimer to relive the chase, talk of retirement, transit systems on both sides of the Atlantic, and why he still won't touch engine 922.

Mission Story Slam 14: No Judgement

Charles Black

Charles "Chuck" Black describes himself as a storyteller, organizer, educator, proud Philadelphian, and person who stutters — and he worked nearly every one of those into his story about a workplace bully who badly underestimated him. Chuck won the Judges' Award at MISSION Story Slam 14: No Judgment for the Mazzoni Center. Chuck joined Michael Schweisheimer to talk about turning personal storytelling into advocacy, co-founding Philly Queer Storytelling, and his national work registering student voters.

PODCAST TRANSCRIPT

Charles shared a story about their experience with speech therapy, workplace challenges, and the importance of avoiding judgment. The Judges thought it was the best story of the night and Charles won $250 for Philly's Mazzoni Center.

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