Atomic Storytelling From the People Who Know
Experts from the world of nuclear threats and international security shared their amusing, poignant and personal accounts from key moments in their professional lives during a virtual storytelling event, “The Countdown: Atomic Storytelling From the People Who Know.”
Scientists, policy analysts and activists all presented five-minute stories of their experiences working for national security in the U.S. and in critical global hotspots. Their stories were honed with help from TV/film writers from Madam Secretary, Designated Survivor, Crazy Rich Asians and others.
The event ended with “The Last Minutes,” a riveting account written by anonymous and read by actor Parisa Fitz-Henley (Jessica Jones; Midnight, Texas), who stars in the upcoming ABC medical drama Triage.
Jennifer Cecil (Private Practice, Notorious), executive producer/writer for Fried Green Tomatoes (NBC), served as the moderator.
Presenters/storytellers included:
• Natasha Bajema—director, Converging Risks Lab, Council on Strategic Risks; story: “Lean into You”
• Michelle Dover—director of programs, Ploughshares Fund; story: “Not the West Wing”
• James McKeon —program officer, Global Nuclear Policy, Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI); story: “The Nuclear Hotline”
• Allegra Harpootlian—communications manager, Peace & Security ReThink Media; story: “When Doomscrolling Is Your Job”
• Laura Rockwood—director, Open Nuclear Network, One Earth Future; story: “Baghdad is Burning”
• Rick Wayman—former president/CEO, Nuclear Age Peace Foundation; story: “The Fear of God”
• Cecili Thompson Williams—executive director, Beyond the Bomb; story: “Optimistic Rage”
• Corey Hinderstein—VP, International Fuel Cycle Strategies, Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI); story: “Mountain Climbing for Policy Wonks”
• Simone Williams—program manager/research associate, Project on Nuclear Issues, CSIS Center for Strategic & International Studies; story: “Dare to Dream”
Storytelling coaches included:
• David Crabb
• Bryan Kett
• Jocelyn Lehrer
• Gail A. Thomas