Ex Fabula

What Ex Fabula does

Ex Fabula is a Milwaukee-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit community storytelling organization, founded in 2009 by Megan McGee and Leah Delaney. Operating in Season 17, it produces a portfolio of live ticketed events, workshops, and media programming built around the practice of true personal storytelling. Core products include StorySlams (themed live events where community members tell 5–7 minute stories without props or notes), the Real Stories MKE podcast and radio show (broadcast on WUWM 89.7 FM and distributed on Apple, Spotify, NPR One, YouTube, and Amazon Alexa), public workshops (StoryStarter for beginners, StoryStretch for advanced), and specialized programs including the Deaf Stories Project (fully ASL-conducted StorySlams with English interpretation), the Brave Space Project (affinity spaces for BIPOC storytellers, including the AfterDark: For the Culture series with HYFIN), Youth Affinity Storytelling with Teen StorySlams, and the Equal Access Project for individuals with disabilities. The organization also runs custom private workshops for team building, diversity and inclusion training, and educational purposes, plus one-on-one storytelling coaching.

The business model is diversified across individual and institutional revenue streams. Individual revenue comes from event tickets ($12 advance / $15 at the door), four tiers of annual memberships (At the Mic $60, During a Meal $120, Around the Fire $250, Keepers of the Story $500+), public and private workshops, one-on-one coaching starting at $120 per session, merchandise (e.g., $28 t-shirts), and electronic gift cards ($12–$100). Institutional revenue is generated through tiered corporate sponsorships (Bronze $250 to Presenting $20,000), grants from approximately eight foundations (including Greater Milwaukee Foundation, Charles E. Kubly Foundation, Cream City Foundation, We Energies Foundation, Milwaukee Arts Board, and others), and fee-for-service workshops delivered to clients such as Medical College of Wisconsin, Cardinal Stritch University, University School of Milwaukee, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Cielo, and Concordia University Wisconsin.

The organization is hyper-local, serving the Greater Milwaukee region exclusively, but uses media partnerships to extend reach well beyond the city: Real Stories MKE reaches 100,000+ weekly broadcast listeners and 200,000+ monthly online listeners. Over 17 seasons Ex Fabula has hosted 1,200+ storytelling events, engaged 50,000 individuals, and brought 2,000+ stories to the stage. It is governed by a Board of Directors (President Alexis B. Outlaw, Secretary Tony Braza, Treasurer Alexis Leineweber, plus Kristina Gómez, Dan Lococo, and Eno Okon) and supported by a small core staff (Executive Director Megan McGee, Marketing Manager Jasmine Gonzalez, Program Coordinator Oliver Moody, Administrative Assistant & Volunteer Coordinator Abby Goelzer) supplemented by contract storytelling coaches. The proprietary "technology" stack is non-algorithmic and consists of facilitation methodologies (Brave Space Framework, UltraShort, Terkel interview, Duo, Rashomon, and ASL-integrated formats) rather than software systems.

Name

Ex Fabula

Legal name

Ex Fabula, Inc.

Website

https://exfabula.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Ex Fabula is a Milwaukee-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded in 2009, that produces live StorySlams, workshops, and the Real Stories MKE podcast and radio show to connect Greater Milwaukee community through true personal storytelling, serving general audiences, BIPOC, Deaf, youth, and disability communities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Storytelling Programs

NAICS

Performing Arts Companies (7111), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (51621)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Scheduled Live Audio Events & Ticketed Rooms (MPACAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Podcast Live & Interactive Podcast Platforms (Live Shows, Call-ins) (MPACADAJ), Interpretation, Captioning & Accessibility Services (Live Translation, ASL, WCAG) (THAHAOAL), Live Event Marketing, Sponsorship & Brand Partnerships (MPAIAFAI)

Keywords

• Live storytelling events
• Storytelling workshops
• Community narrative programs
• Personal story coaching
• Community inclusion programming

Headquarters

HQ city

Milwaukee

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Membership Subscriptions: Annual membership with tiered levels ($60-$500+) providing free tickets, workshops, guest passes, and exclusive event access. Valid for 12 months.
2. Event Tickets: Ticketed admission to StorySlams at $12 advance / $15 at door. Some events are free. Membership holders receive free tickets as benefit.
3. Workshop Fees: Public workshops (StoryStarter, StoryStretch) and private custom workshops for team building, educational, and diversity & inclusion purposes.
4. Corporate Sponsorships: Season sponsorships ranging from $250 to $20,000, including event-specific sponsorships and Real Stories MKE radio/podcast sponsorships.
5. Individual Donations: One-time and recurring donations from community members supporting storytelling programming.
6. One-on-One Coaching: Private storytelling coaching sessions with package pricing for individuals seeking to craft stories or build confidence.
7. Merchandise: Sale of branded merchandise including t-shirts at $28.
8. Gift Cards: Electronic gift certificates in denominations from $12-$100, valid for 1 year for tickets, memberships, and merchandise.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Ex Fabula produces live ticketed StorySlam events, public and private storytelling workshops, and one-on-one coaching for individuals and organizations. It also produces the Real Stories MKE podcast and radio show in partnership with WUWM 89.7 FM, and runs specialized inclusion-focused programs including the Deaf Stories Project (ASL StorySlams), Brave Space Project (BIPOC affinity events), Youth Affinity Storytelling, and the Equal Access Project. Revenue is generated through event tickets, four-tier annual memberships, workshop fees, coaching, corporate sponsorships, donations, merchandise, and gift cards.

Product overview

Ex Fabula is a community storytelling organization offering a portfolio of live event products and storytelling programs centered around its core StorySlams—ticketed live events where community members share true personal stories on themed topics. The main products include: StorySlams (public competitive and non-competitive storytelling events), Real Stories MKE (a podcast and radio show produced with WUWM 89.7 FM), public workshops (StoryStarter and StoryStretch), and youth-focused programming (Youth Affinity Storytelling, Teen StorySlams). Specialized programs include the Deaf Stories Project (ASL-language StorySlams with interpretation), Brave Space Project (affinity spaces for people of color), and AfterDark: For the Culture events. Add-on services include one-on-one storytelling coaching, custom private workshops for organizations (team building, educational, diversity and inclusion), and EXperience events. The organization is supported by a four-tiered membership program. Ex Fabula operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving the Greater Milwaukee region since 2009.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• StorySlams Live ticketed storytelling events where community members share true, personal stories related to a theme, told without props or notes. Features 8-9 tellers per event with options for competitive audience voting or non-competitive formats.
• Real Stories MKE A podcast and radio show featuring true personal stories from the Milwaukee community, produced in partnership with WUWM 89.7 FM. Episodes feature recorded stories from monthly StorySlams organized around select themes, reaching over 100,000 weekly broadcast listeners and 200,000 monthly online listeners.
• StoryStarter Workshop A guided, interactive training for beginners covering the fundamentals of storytelling craft, led by experienced coaches. Participants learn step-by-step story crafting and gain confidence to share stories on stage.
• StoryStretch Workshop An advanced guided training for participants looking to sharpen existing storytelling skills, covering nuance and refinement of the storytelling craft led by experienced coaches.
• Private/Team Building Workshops Customized storytelling workshops for businesses, nonprofits, and community groups. Uses storytelling to build team cohesion, facilitate professional development, and foster collaboration through interactive small-group activities.
• Educational Workshops Storytelling curriculum designed for schools, after-school programs, and youth groups. Tailored to young people with age-appropriate themes and activities.
• Diversity and Inclusion Workshops Workplace equity training leveraging storytelling to advance diversity and inclusion goals. Coaches work with teams to provide intentional and impactful training.
• One-on-One Storytelling Coaching Private storytelling coaching sessions where experienced coaches help individuals craft stories, find narrative throughlines, or build confidence in sharing stories. Includes goal conversation, coach matching, pre-session call, one-hour in-person session, and follow-up call.
• EXperience Events Intimate, one-of-a-kind events behind the scenes of quintessentially Milwaukee institutions and businesses. Combine storytelling, tours, trivia, refreshments, and community building in non-competitive settings. Free for members.
• AfterDark: For the Culture A Brave Space programming series presented in collaboration with HYFIN that centers Black and Brown voices onstage. Features pre-confirmed storytellers, open spots for BIPOC attendees, and includes spoken word and narrative poetry alongside personal stories.
• ALL STARS Season finale event featuring Audience Favorites from Regular StorySlams. Tellers work with storytelling coaches to craft new longer stories, with audience voting to crown a Season Audience Favorite.
• Deaf Stories Project A storytelling initiative that centers the Deaf community through ASL-language StorySlams with interpretation to spoken English. Deaf storytelling coaches lead workshops to build skills, followed by a free StorySlam conducted fully in ASL.
• Brave Space Project Affinity storytelling spaces created for people of the global majority (Black, Latinx, Asian, Indigenous, and other people of color) to share stories. Includes AfterDark: For the Culture events featuring BIPOC storytellers and spoken word artists.
• Youth Affinity Storytelling Program designed to uplift youth voices through storytelling workshops incorporated into school days, after-school Story Clubs, culminating StorySlams, and media collaborations. Helps participants develop self-advocacy skills for post-secondary applications, scholarships, and job interviews.
• Teen StorySlam StorySlam events specifically for youth, often held during Pride Week and other themed occasions. Features young storytellers with support from youth-focused storytelling coaches.
• Equal Access Project Initiative launched to lower access barriers to Ex Fabula programming for individuals with disabilities. Offers free or low-cost workshops and individualized accessibility accommodations for events.
• Ex Fabula Membership Four-tiered annual membership program offering free StorySlam tickets, workshop discounts, EXperience tickets, guest passes, and merchandise discounts. Tiers: At the Mic ($60/year), During a Meal ($120/year), Around the Fire ($250/year), and Keepers of the Story ($500+/year).

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,200 storytelling events hosted across 17 seasons
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• WUWM 89.7 FMcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Radio distribution partner for Real Stories MKE podcast and radio show. WUWM broadcasts the show on their 89.7 FM signal reaching 100,000+ people weekly since 2022. Show airs seasonally Saturdays at 2:30PM and Sundays at 6:30AM.
• HYFINcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration partner for AfterDark: For the Culture programming, a series celebrating Black and Brown voices. HYFIN and Radio Milwaukee are key partners in this Brave Space programming.
• Radio Milwaukee (88.9)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerVenue partner and media collaborator for AfterDark: For the Culture events. Radio Milwaukee provides space and promotional support for BIPOC-centered storytelling events.
• SMACminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProud collaborator with SMAC ( Milwaukee Arts Board?), promoting mutual arts and cultural programming.
• Milwaukee Public LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOriginal partner in the Deaf Stories Project (Gathering Art, Stories and Place project, 2018). Ongoing venue partner for StorySlams and workshops at library branches.
• Medical College of WisconsinminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCase study client for health equity storytelling workshops. Ex Fabula trained Griots program participants in culturally resonant health messaging.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• The Moth: The Moth is the best-known live personal storytelling organization, producing StorySlams and curated Mainstage events globally with a podcast and radio distribution arm. It is the most direct comparable to Ex Fabula's StorySlam-plus-podcast model, though at significantly larger scale and geographic reach.
• StoryCorps: StoryCorps records and archives personal conversations between individuals, distributing via podcast, radio (NPR), and animated shorts. Comparable to Ex Fabula in producing true personal stories from community members with broadcast extension, though StoryCorps is national-scale and dialogic rather than stage-based.
• RISK!: RISK! is a live true-storytelling show and podcast founded by Kevin Allison, focused on true stories people never thought they'd dare to share. Comparable to Ex Fabula in live-storytelling-plus-podcast distribution and emphasis on vulnerability, though more adult-themed.
• The Story Collider: The Story Collider produces live storytelling shows and a podcast featuring true, personal stories about science. Comparable to Ex Fabula in blending live shows, podcast distribution, and curated themed events, though with a narrower thematic focus on science.
• Story District: Story District produces live true-storytelling shows in Washington, DC, including themed StorySlams and specialty programming, with a comparable mix of ticketed events, workshops, and educational outreach. Closest direct operational peer to Ex Fabula at city scale.

Broad incumbents

• Second City: Second City is a long-established Chicago-based comedy and improvisation organization with extensive corporate training and workshop offerings. Comparable to Ex Fabula as a Midwest-based live performance brand with a significant corporate workshop business, though in improv/comedy rather than true personal storytelling.
• National Storytelling Network: The National Storytelling Network is a membership-based organization supporting the broader storytelling arts community through conferences, publications, and networking. It is a broader incumbent serving the category Ex Fabula operates in rather than a direct StorySlam competitor.

Regional players

• Mass Story: Mass Story runs personal storytelling events in the Boston area, including themed StorySlams and community-based programming. Closely mirrors Ex Fabula's regional live-storytelling model but operates in a different metro without the dedicated ASL and BIPOC affinity programming.
• Porchlight Storytelling: Porchlight Storytelling produces live storytelling events in Chicago, often themed and emceed. Comparable in live StorySlam format and Midwest geographic context, though it does not appear to offer the same depth of accessibility or affinity programming as Ex Fabula.
• SpeakeasyDC: SpeakeasyDC is a Washington, DC storytelling organization producing live true-storytelling shows, podcasts, and storytelling workshops. Comparable in live events plus podcast plus training mix, though DC-focused rather than Milwaukee-based.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ExFabula
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCgbAwQr9vqeYxUgD_AZihBA
• Facebookfacebook.com/ExFabula
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/exfabula
• Instagraminstagram.com/exfabula

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ex Fabula