Tenx9 is Nashville's longest-running live storytelling series, with community story night every month for 12 years. Every event has a theme, and every night is free.

For this special edition of Tenx9 at STORY 2025, we’re inviting you to tell a true story from your life on the theme:

Wow.

That one little word we say when we’re struck speechless — by awe, by beauty, by absurdity, or by a moment that flips everything upside down.

Maybe it was what happened hiking to a jaw-dropping view.
Maybe it was a twist you never saw coming in your relationship.
Maybe it was a moment so funny, or awkward, or perfectly timed, you still can’t believe it happened.
Or maybe it was a moment of heartbreak or wonder that opened something up inside you.

Whether your “Wow” made you laugh out loud, weep in gratitude, or just stop and stare at the sky — we want to hear the story.

What's your story about/in/for Nashville? Maybe it’s about the time you first arrived, or the time you almost left. Maybe it’s about something that happened in a hidden corner of the city you love, a run-in with someone unforgettable, or an experience that could only happen here. Perhaps about the flood, or the tornado, or your Nashville Covid-bubble life. Maybe a story about love found in Nashville, or love lost here. The possibilities are endless.

Funny, serious, heartbreaking, heartwarming—give us your Nashville story.

Pitch your story idea here!

Some burns leave a mark. Maybe it was love that scorched you, a betrayal that blindsided you, or a risk that went up in flames. Maybe it was a lesson learned the hard way—or the fire you had to walk through to become who you are.

This month at Tenx9, we’re looking for stories of getting burned. Tell us about the heartbreaks, the harsh truths, the sunburns, the slip-ups, the burn of that first whiskey, and the smoldering moments that still linger.

Whether it left a scar or sparked something new, we want to hear how you got burned—and perhaps even what rose from the ashes.

Pitch your story idea here!

We’ve all been caught—sometimes red-handed, sometimes off guard, sometimes in the middle of something we never saw coming.

This month at Tenx9, we want your stories of getting caught: in a lie, in a moment, in a feeling, in the act. Maybe you were trapped between choices, busted doing something you shouldn’t, or swept up in a situation you couldn’t escape.

Whether it was hilarious, heartbreaking, or totally unexpected—we want to hear how you got caught… and what happened next.

Pitch your story idea here!

Some choices make your heart race. A leap of faith, a bold move, a line crossed. Maybe it was thrilling, maybe it backfired—but either way, you knew you were taking a chance.

This month at Tenx9, we want stories of risk. Tell us about the time you bet big—on love, a job, a dream, or yourself. Maybe you said the thing, made the call, jumped without a net. What happened next?

Whether it paid off or went sideways, we want to hear your tales of guts, gamble, and going for it. Because sometimes, the best stories start with that was risky.

Partnering with the good people at Franklin Theatrical Fellowship for this one!

Pitch your story idea here.

Some things only happen when the lights go out. Maybe you were literally in the dark—lost on a backroad, caught in a blackout, or hiding in the shadows. Or maybe it was metaphorical: kept in the dark, searching for clarity, or walking through a season of not knowing what comes next.

This month at Tenx9, we want stories of mystery, uncertainty, secrecy, or surprise. Times when you couldn’t see the whole picture, when truth was hidden, or when you were fumbling toward something real.

Whether it was eerie, hilarious, or deeply moving—we want to hear what happened in the dark.

Pitch your story here!

Keys, wallets, tempers, minds—sometimes, things just slip away. Maybe you lost something small but meaningful, like a treasured keepsake, or something big, like your way, your patience, or your grip on reality (even just for a moment).

This month at Tenx9, we’re looking for stories of losing and maybe even finding—whether it’s your nerve before a big moment, a friendship that faded, or that one time you truly lost it in spectacular fashion. Was it funny, heartbreaking, or just plain bizarre? We want to hear how it all unraveled.

Pitch your story here!

We’ve all been there—that split second when you realize you’ve made a terrible mistake. The text you definitely shouldn’t have sent. The haircut you thought would be a good idea. The shortcut that led to disaster.

This month at Tenx9, we’re diving into the moments of instant regret and the questionable choices. Whether it was reckless, ridiculous, or just plain dumb, tell us about the time you thought, "Well… shouldn’t have done that."

Come share your best (or worst) mistakes with us—we promise, you’re in good company!

Pitch your story here!

We want your stories of memorable meet-ups, disastrous dinners, or those times you confused a romantic date with a dental appointment (oops). Tell us about the blind dates that should’ve stayed in the dark, the anniversaries you forgot—or nailed—and the moments where timing made all the difference.

Whether it’s a romantic rendezvous, an unforgettable occasion, or a date on the calendar that changed your life, we’re saving this spot just for you.

Got a story? Pitch your story here!

Have you ever found yourself shaking your head in disbelief at life’s twists and turns? That time you ran into your childhood best friend halfway around the world. The day you lost your wallet and won the lottery (okay, probably not). The moment you realized the long shot actually paid off—or didn’t.

This month at Tenx9, we’re asking: What are the odds? Tell us about the improbable coincidences, the near misses, the one-in-a-million chances, and the serendipitous surprises that have shaped your story. Whether the universe felt like it conspired for you or against you, we want to hear how it all played out.

Send us your stories of the unlikely, the unexpected, and the downright absurd. What are the odds we’ll hear something unforgettable? Pretty high, we think.

Pitch your story here!

What’s your “Stranger” story?

Perhaps you have a story of an unexpected meeting with a stranger? Perhaps an expected meeting with a stranger? Perhaps you were a stranger to a place? Or an idea? Perhaps you wished you'd been more of a stranger at one point? Perhaps you wished you'd been less? Maybe something was stranger than you expected?

What's your story? Submit your idea here!

What’s your story? Maybe you have a story of someone who helped you at the exact right moment, or the thing you said that finally ended the conflict. Maybe you have a story of what it finally took for you to leave that marriage, or how you finally figured out how to help your kid have the confidence to try out for the school play. We are looking for stories of impact.

Pitch your story here!

What’s your “Nashville” story? Do you have a story of moving to Nashville, heartbreak in Nashville, visiting Nashville, hating Nashville, loving in Nashville, watching "Nashville," leaving Nashville, dating in Nashville, raising kids in Nashville, grieving in Nashville... What's your story? Remember, we're not looking for reflections on Nashville or rants on the traffic. Tell us an actual story of something that happened to you.

You can pitch your story here.

What’s your story of the heat of the moment? This could be a story of passion (though within reason dear friends…)—love, anger, wonder… Perhaps you have a story of something you said that you wished you hadn’t, or something you chose not to say that made all the difference. Perhaps you have a story of a stressful decision you made under pressure, or a story of competition. Maybe it’s just a story that takes place in the hellish heat of Tennessee summer.

What’s your story? Pitch it here!

What’s your story about a mishap? Think of anything that's gone wrong. Could be a big accident, could be minor. Whether tripping and spilling beer on the people next to us or dating that person we probably shouldn't, we've all had our mishaps. What's yours?

Pitch your story idea here!

We all move. All throughout the day. Sometimes that’s moving from one part of the house to the other, other times it’s moving houses, cities, or countries. Sometimes it’s by choice and longing, sometimes by force and necessity. We move on from relationships, we move to be healthy, we are moved by beautiful and powerful sights and experiences.

What’s your story related to moving? Pitch your story here.

What’s your story about family? This could be about an experience you had with siblings, your children, your parents, aunts and uncles, grandparents, friends that are like family, or family that you wish were just friends. As long as your story is about your experience of something that happened in your life and has something to do with "family," we want to hear it! 

What’s your story? Perhaps you have a story of a prank you pulled, or perhaps of a marriage gone awry. Perhaps you have a story about lying to yourself, or of seeing a mirage in the desert. Perhaps you have a story about being tricked by someone’s words, or the promise of a quick-fix. Perhaps you have a story of being a spy (bonus points if you do)! 

Submit your story proposal here!

Our next night of true storytelling is “Snapshot". For this one, your personal story must center around a photograph. As in, your story should be about or significantly feature the picture itself or what the picture is of. This is not for telling a story about a hike in the mountains and then finding a photo of a mountain. Your picture would need to be of the actual experience.

We will project the photo up on the screen during your story. So, what’s your true personal story of something that happened to you, as told by a photo?

Submit your story idea here!

 Each year we like to do something in February that connects to themes of Valentine's Day or relationships. So this year...our theme is "That Was Weird." :) 

What's your weird story? Maybe something you did on a date? Maybe something they did? Maybe your weird story has nothing to do with dating. Maybe it was about that eccentric character you met on the train ride through Belgium, or that quirk your mom has that finally had a hilarious comeuppance. Maybe you misspoke while public speaking or embarrassed yourself the first time you met your in-laws. Maybe you had a weird moment parenting your kids.