Rend Smith
HOST • JOURNALIST • COFFEE DRINKER
Rend is a writer by trade and began his relationship with the printed word exploring highbrow and lowbrow storytelling through internships at both Marvel Comics and the Antioch Review. From there, he moved on to the decidedly middlebrow pursuit of journalism. His work has appeared in the Village Voice, Washington City Paper, and New York Times, as well as other publications. His stories have explored the tragedy and comedy of community dynamics, delving into everything from mass shootings to noise ordinances. Since entering the nonprofit world, he’s worked on projects that focus on using narrative as a means to process and communicate disparate human experiences. Rend is the communication director of Working Narratives.
Nick Szuberla
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER • NATIVE OF TOLEDO, OHIO
Nick works nationally as a media artist working to connect the arts, policy, and technology. Nick is the executive director of Working Narratives. He has helped design and lead national public information campaigns on issues ranging from sentencing reform to U.S. energy policy. He has produced award winning documentary films, radio series, and multimedia productions. He has also trained hundreds of youth and adults in how to use low-cost media as an organizing tool, and has done artist residencies in 38 states.
Andrew Parsons
RADIO PRODUCER · EDITOR · RELENTLESS REPORTER
Andrew was an elementary school teacher in Brooklyn, New York when he decided to teach himself radio production. He has since worked for Murray Street Productions, NPR’s On The Media, WNYC’s business desk, NPR’s newscast division and Marketplace.
Maurice Turner
MUSIC AND SOUND EDITOR • HORN PLAYER
Maurice S. Turner, II is co-founder of Turner World Around Productions, Inc. and one-half of the group Men Under Guidance Acting Before Early Extinction, an artistic ensemble composing and performing a blend of jazz, hip-hop, spoken word poetry, and soul music on a totally conscience tip.
Judith Tannabuam
EDUCATION ADVISER • POET
Judith Tannenbaum is a writer and teacher whose work has focused on community arts and issues of cultural democracy. She currently serves as training coordinator for San Francisco’s WritersCorps program.
Paul VanDeCarr
LINE PRODUCER • STORY MAGNET
Paul VanDeCarr is the managing director of Working Narratives. He is also a writer with credits including the New York Times, Christian Science Monitor, San Francisco Magazine, Public Books, Pacifica Radio, and Studio 360.