Why this Iowan signed up to go to war at 58 The Des Moines Storytellers Project’s My Great Adventure, produced by the Des Moines Register, on April 23, 2019, at Hoyt Sherman Place in Des Moines.

How a dream to folk-n-roll on the road became an inward journey The Des Moines Storytellers Project’s My Great Adventure, produced by the Des Moines Register, on April 23, 2019, at Hoyt Sherman Place in Des Moines.

How lessons learned in the Alaskan bush make their way into this Iowa teacher’s classroom every day. The Des Moines Storytellers Project’s My Great Adventure, produced by the Des Moines Register, on April 23, 2019, at Hoyt Sherman Place in Des Moines.

How a refugee went from living in a Thailand camp to navigating the hard twists and turns of the United States. The Des Moines Storytellers Project’s My Great Adventure, produced by the Des Moines Register, on April 23, 2019, at Hoyt Sherman Place in Des Moines.

How a self-described ‘moron’ found himself alone above the Arctic Circle. The Des Moines Storytellers Project’s My Great Adventure, produced by the Des Moines Register, on April 23, 2019, at Hoyt Sherman Place in Des Moines.

I was too focused on social media and my relationship suffered.

Finding self-love in the age of social media

How this pastor learned to let go and find love,

How a Republican and Democrat cancelled each other’s votes.

How two activists conquered the world.

Brian Lenz, a retired Air Force fuels officer, was on the last flight out of Vietnam in 1973. He hasn’t spoken about his deployment since.

Before immigrating to America, he spent some of his youth in a Cambodian child labor camp. Here’s why Staff Sgt. James Suong decided to serve.

Major Jodi Marti joined the Iowa Army National Guard — and lead the first female engagement team in Afghanistan.

He signed on the dotted line, but Larry Wohlgemuth had no idea what he was to come. An honorably discharged airman 1st class reflects on his time in bootcamp.

Joining the Iowa National Guard to pay for college, 1st Lt. Miranda Pleggenkuhle’s perspective is transformed when her younger sister joined, too.

Joining the military is family tradition. But it wasn’t until 1st Sgt. Sara Maniscalco Robinson volunteered for a military museum that she realized her calling.

Kay Graham’s big sister, always quick with advice, taught her a new word she’d soon regret using. It was just one piece of an unforgettable trip together.

After immigrating to the U.S. from India, Amar Sinha knew he needed his other siblings to be whole and not wobble.

How his brother’s suicide taught Craig VandeVenter the importance of saying people’s names out loud.

How being the youngest of 11 siblings taught Matt Glenn about family.

Jovan Johnson thought there were cracks in the foundation of his family. Turns out, they opened to a door instead.

For Colleen Kelly Powell, It turns out, Des Moines is an easy place to run into a half-sibling who may or may not know you exist.

How this Iowa family used the NFL draft process to select their prize-winning show pigs.

Brandi Preul grew up in rural Iowa with all the privileges a successful white family could have. Then she heard how other minorities were disdained, which led to some personal reckonings.

Growing up in rural Iowa, Deb Brown was never able to converse with her German-speaking grandmother. But the lessons she learned still resonate.