© 2026 Milwaukee Public Media is a service of UW-Milwaukee's College of Letters & Science
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Ex Fabula

Real Stories MKE Hosts

The hosts of Real Stories MKE are Joel Dresang and Kim Shine.

Joel, who has a background in print journalism, got involved in Ex Fabula as a volunteer and storyteller. He then joined Ex Fabula's coaching team in 2015.

Kim is a storyteller and a journalist. She told several stories at Ex Fabula Slams before joining the team of teaching artists in 2021.

The show is edited by Sam Woods, a reporter and podcast producer who first got involved with Ex Fabula as a Public Ally in 2018.

  • At some point in life, you understand that your peace, joy, and success begin with releasing what holds you back.
  • Technology is usually meant to help us. Often, it does—eventually.
  • Water. It flows, it cleanses, it teaches lessons… and in some cases, it takes us underground.
  • Sometimes when we lose someone special to us, we latch on to akeepsake or a customor a quest—something that helps us honor that person’s memory.
  • Dance is the art of movement, expression in one of its freest forms.When you dance, you're connecting with yourself and the people around you.
  • Power comes in many shapes and forms and is something that everyone engages with.
  • Respect – it’s something we owe to ourselves and others. People tend to know when it’s absent and when it’s present.
  • Living to old age is an accomplishment. It’s reflective of a life well-lived and knowledge gained.
  • Defiance can be a good thing. When facing injustice, tyranny or oppression, we all need to stand up for ourselves.
  • Break ups can suck, but they can also be liberatory or necessary.