Shaping True Stories

For meaningful connections

Cast Iron Storytelling Founder, Jason Tinney, shares his inspiration for building a true storytelling series for southeast Tennessee.

Cast Iron Storytelling 2025

Our second season of true stories told by the folks who lived them is cooking with storytellers who share real life experiences from adventures in living abroad to overcoming trauma, to finding common ground with unlikely allies and more!

"Mileage" Live April 27

Ray Bassett

Ray Bassett is the host and producer of "Scenic Roots," the weekday afternoon talk show on WUTC, the NPR station on the campus of The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He moved here in early 2019 from New York City, where he served in various production jobs at CBS News and The Associated Press for more than twenty years. Ray worked for Charles Osgood as his radio producer at CBS in the final decade of his iconic career in broadcast journalism.

Maria Carrasco

Maria Carrasco is married to her forever love, Jason Everett, and is a proud dog mama to two Labradoodles who fill her life with joy. She owns Dream Home Kitchen & Bath Design and is the founder of 3 For Me: Light, Life, Purpose - helping others move from the sadness of the soul to abundance, three minutes at a time.

Jason Parker

From Texas, to Chicago, and now in Chattanooga, Jason has been teaching, coaching, and performing improv comedy for almost 30 years. Over the years, he has experienced how improv is not only an amazing performing artform, but also how the principles and practices of improv help us grow personally and professionally. It makes us better listeners, deepens connections, sparks creativity, cultivates collaboration, and fosters lasting trust. That’s why he left his 20-year career in advertising to work with individuals and organizations to apply the craft of improv to support leaders, teams, and communities. Jason is also the Executive Director of Improv Chattanooga.

Tanqueray Harper

I’m Tanqueray Harper, an artist and educator who loves storytelling through photography, movement, and playful performances. I’m happiest wandering the city’s hidden corners, dancing spontaneously, or discovering new ways to help people connect with nature, art, and each other—usually with a camera (and snacks!) close by.

Kate Rudder

Grew up on “the back” of Lookout before it got fancy. Joined the Peace Corps straight out of college and spent most of the last 20 years in Africa. I like to talk about books and sing in mediocre bands.

Marcus Patrick Ellsworth

Spoken word artist, event organizer & LGBTQ+ activist. Happily married to their husband and partner of 17 years (they live under the benevolent tyranny of their two cats Judas and Fury).

Jason Tinney

Your co-host for Cast Iron Storytelling Live and Cast Iron founder, mentor, and truth-sayer.

Holly Morse-Ellington

Your co-host for Cast Iron Storytelling Live and all things marketing & sharing the love.

Cast Iron Storytelling 2024

Our first season of true stories told by the folks who lived them was packed with storytellers who shared real life experiences from messy holidays, to church camp rule-breaking, to wild first dates to unexpected encounters with animals--and more!

"Naughty Or Nice" Live December 1

Kiana Copeland

Sharing "A New Love For Christmas"

Josh Robinson

Sharing "Lunch Table Tales: Mother Goose Edition"

Isabel Mendoza

Sharing "Silverspoon Mustang"

Courtenay Cholovich

Sharing "Family Resemblance"

Donivan Brown

Sharing "The Eras Tour: How To Lose A Friend In 20 Years"

Mixy Mixon

Sharing "A College Christmas Carol"

Host Jason Tinney

Your co-host for the evening presenting storytellers and a short true tale, "The Mae West of The West Wing."

Host Holly Morse-Ellington

Your co-host for the evening presenting storytellers and dollops of holiday traditions.

"FEAR/LESS" Live October 20 & 27

Richard D. Allen

Sharing "Kenya: Friday the 13th"

Marvin Parks

Sharing "Faith Over Fear"

Melanie O'Brien

Sharing "Making Friends As the New Me"

Greg Garrison

Sharing "This Is Fear"

Mo Rodriguez Cruz

Sharing "Stabs, Jabs & Tattoos"

Nancy Dwight Seiters

Sharing "Baptized In Blues"

Thomas

Sharing "Backstabbed"

Going Live & Fearless

Presenting true stories on overcoming real fears.

Cast Iron Storytelling FEAR/LESS

October 20 & 27 | Barking Legs Theater

"Summertime" Live June 22 & 23

Kashun Parks, Storyteller

Kashun recently directed and produced an incredible performance of *The Vagina Monologues*. She has a proven track record with directing powerful productions like *Doubt, a Parable* and *Daughters of the Moon* with ETC in Chattanooga. On stage, Kashun’s versatility shines in roles such as Celia in *As You Like It*, Goneriel in *Lear*, and most recently, Charity in *The Butler Did It* with Oak Street Playhouse.

With memorable portrayals in *Precious Little Things* and *The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime*, Kashun holds an MBA in HR Management, a BS in Theatre, and a certification in Organizational Development. She is deeply grateful for her family's unwavering support.

Karlee Ming Jamieson, Storyteller

Karlee Ming Jamieson (she/they) is a transracial adoptee from Taiwan. She grew up in Alabama and Tennessee and is now a student at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. She has always had a passion for storytelling in writing, film, and visual art, and has fallen in love with theatre. This is her first time exploring the world of oral storytelling and is grateful for the experience.

In her free time, she enjoys a good journal by the river and obsessing over her often-shifting special interests, her current one being the British television show Taskmaster.

Michael Ake, Storyteller

Michael has been a band director for the past 27 years. His focus is on middle school students because he loves watching younger students develop a passion for creating and making music together. A dedicated educator and leader, he also holds the rank of 2nd Lieutenant in the Tennessee State Guard and serves as the Assistant Family Services Officer for the 4th Regiment.

Michael loves to hike and is an avid reader. He holds an Amateur Extra radio license and enjoys engaging with other people from around the world. Michael is a devoted husband to Beth and proud father to two children.

Kim Mardis, Storyteller

Kim was born & raised in Birmingham, AL and moved to Chattanooga 4 years ago. She considers herself an all-American Southern girl…if such a thing applies to a black, female, lesbian, raised Catholic. After receiving a pretty much worthless English degree, she made a career in Finance until she unceremoniously quit her corporate job one year ago in June 2023 to join in on her wife’s business Love, EROS. She put aside the monotony of SQL code and financial analysis, to transition into the world of creativity that comes along with working in an experience boutique.

Dandy Reynoso Diaz, Storyteller

My name is Dandy Reynoso Diaz, I am Guatemalan and was born and raised in Chattanooga. I am currently a student at UTC. I am a part of the UTC theater company and have been doing theater since my freshman year of high school. Storytelling has always been a favorite pastime of mine and to tell a story to a group of people is a pleasure for me! I have been in multiple productions, with my most recent one being UTC’s “9-5” by Dolly Parton directed by Steve Ray.

Carolyn Mueller, Storyteller

Graphic designer, Carolyn Mueller, is a graduate of The School of Visual Arts in Manhattan. Her award-winning designs have appeared in venues such as Grand Central Station, MTV at Times Square in NYC, and Union Station in DC.

She has operated her own independent design studio since 2002 and thrives on implementing creative solutions through visual storytelling. Carolyn loves community and the comfort it brings. Her tribe, her family, and her dog Finley are the chattels of her contentment.