Adam Fletcher

Adam Fletcher is a bald Englishman living in Berlin, Germany. He primarily writes travel and memoir and has published sixteen books. He is a three-time Der Spiegel bestselling author, a Writer's Digest Memoir of the Year winner, and his work has appeared in The Guardian, The New York Times's Modern Love, Die Zeit, and more. He thanks you for your time and wishes you well.

https://adam-fletcher.co.uk/

Adam’s story is titled: TBA

Alex Saba

Alex, originally from New York and now based in Berlin, is a workshop facilitator and consultant to leadership teams and organizations. She previously directed nonprofit programs in youth employment and mental health in New York City. She’s been drawn to sharing and listening to stories from an early age, and told her first story on stage this year with THE bEAR.

Of Italian, Armenian, and Lebanese descent, Alex grew up surrounded by family members who are natural storytellers. Her stories often center on the complexities of family and relationships, told with warmth, honesty, and heart.

Alex’s story is titled: TBA

Ben McGuire

A passionate believer in the ferocious power of story, Ben McGuire is a lawyer, writer, documentary filmmaker, and photographer. He is yet to find a better compass than story to help us find true north and to celebrate the joys and quirks of life along the way.

Twice a year he leads groups on a unique adventure into one of the most storied landscapes on earth - the Sinai desert in Egypt - with Nomads of the Heart.

BEN’s story is titled: TBA

Deepanker Dua aka Deep

An award-winning storyteller and founding member of THE bEAR’s podcast team True Stories Berlin. Deep regularly hosts the TSB podcast as well as THE bEAR’s live events. Backstage he lends his entrepreneur spirit to helping THE bEAR’s mission to share and spread stories thrive. His company Sales Chakras is a proud supporter of THE bEAR.

Say ‘hello’: deepr@hey.com

DEEP’s story is titled: TBA

Eduard Kirchner

Eduard is studying law in Hamburg. He is the intiator of THE bEAR in Hamburg. The first event is set for fall ‘25 and if you would like to be a part of the upcoming events, say hello: eduard_kirchner@web.de

EDUARD’s story is titled: TBA

Furqan Hameed

Furqan is a curious soul who thrives on meaningful conversations and genuine human connection. Born and raised in Pakistan, he spent years traveling across the world before settling in Berlin, which he’s proudly called home for the past four years. His stories weave together threads from his cultural roots and global adventures, offering a unique perspective grounded in both reflection and lived experience.

Whether he’s engaging in deep conversations or cracking spontaneous jokes, Furqan brings a mix of warmth, humor, and insight to every interaction. He lights up at the sound of a familiar song on a random playlist, the kick of spicy food, and the joy of a great fantasy novel. With a love for storytelling and a playful spirit, he’s always ready to lend his ear, share a moment or a laugh that brings people closer together.

Furqan’s Story:

Furqan’s journey explores the search for love in a culture where arranged marriages dominate. Caught between tradition and modern desires, he faces a personal challenge that questions what it truly means to pursue happiness.

Will he follow tradition or will he seek love on his own terms?

Leonie Ringrose

Leonie Ringrose was born in London, left the UK in 1990, and landed in Berlin in 2015. She has worked as a patent examiner, a grape picker, a cycle courier and a molecular biologist.

She has lived in France, Austria and Germany at various times over the past 34 years. She now divides her time between Berlin and the Odenwald forest. In her research work she combines mathematics and biology to explore the secret life of DNA, which is her favourite molecule.

In April 2024 she left her permanent job as a professor of Molecular Biology at Humboldt University, Berlin, to become a freelance trainer for scientists. Her new venture, Science Kitchen, gives training and coaching for scientists in presentation skills, paper writing, grant writing and improvisation theatre. She believes that every scientist can learn excellent presentation and writing, and that learning those skills can be fun. Her mission: to make science easier and more fun for scientists.

In 2014, Leonie had her first taste of improvisation theatre, and has been learning and using these skills in her teaching and in her life, ever since. Saying yes, letting go of your ideas and finding stories that didn’t exist an instant before. Being aware and present in the moment and listening to your stage partner, these are things that transform everyday life. In

December 2023 she came to THE bEAR for the first time, and was fascinated by a new and different adventure. She loves the challenge of finding a story to fit the topic, putting it together by experimenting, and bringing it alive on stage.

Leonie’s story is titled: three equations for happiness

Terence Mickey

coaches executives on the art of storytelling. He's worked with Chanel, Nike, Prudential, Eli Lilly, among other Fortune 500 companies, as well as groups as diverse as exonerees at the Innocence Project, children of Holocaust survivors at the Jewish Heritage Museum, scientists at the Smithsonian Institute and students at the Harvey Milk High School in NYS. He's created two narrative podcasts, "Memory Motel," and "Self? Help!" featured as must listens in the Guardian , Wired and IndieWire. He co-directed a feature documentary for Starz Network and has written for three seasons of "Still A Mystery" on the Discovery Channel. While living in New York City, he worked for the Moth Corporate and Outreach Programs and performed on the Moth Mainstage. Terence recently co-created “Design the Expat Life You Love,” an innovative workshop with Ayse Birsel, an award winning industrial designer on Fast Company’s “Most Creative People,” list and author of “Design the Life You Love.” The workshop combines narrative principles with design thinking to help people shape their best life abroad.

Terence’s story is titled:

Tim Walters

I’ve been called “a tech analyst god” (anonymous Forrester client), “a brilliant writer” (some dude I worked for), and the creator of the “Best. Keynote. Ever” (Peter Andersen). But really I’m just a modest guy from a tiny logging town in California. 

From the beginning, I combined a teacher’s pet precociousness with an intense desire to challenge convention, question the status quo, and poke the bear. Those qualities have served me well as I have shape shifted from philosophy professor to software marketer to Forrester Research analyst and finally to an independent content creator working (primarily) at the intersection of customer experience, data privacy, and trust. 

Tim’s story is titled: The Pursuit of Happy Camp

Vishal Jodhani

Born in Mumbai, Vishal has spent half his life amidst the vibrant chaos of India’s most dynamic city. The other half? A journey across the globe in search of a place that feels like home. For now, that place is Berlin. Starting his career in advertising and PR, Vishal discovered his passion for the power of stories early on. These days, he channels his storytelling prowess into his role as a business consultant, coach, and facilitator. But when the sun sets, Vishal transforms. He steps onto the stage, ready to weave tales that captivate and inspire. He dreams of one day opening his own speakeasy bar, a haven where stories flow as freely as the cocktails, and everyone’s narrative is celebrated. When he’s not spinning stories, you might find Vishal dancing the night away, savouring a perfectly brewed coffee, or enjoying a well-crafted cocktail. His philosophy?

"Through stories, we find our shared humanity."

Say hello at vishaljodhani@gmail.com

Vishal’s story is titled:

James Harper

is the creator of award-nominated podcast Filter Stories, a show that uses our morning coffee as a lens to understand the world. His narratives explore history, science and sustainability, and he writes the piano music that underscore the stories. 

His podcasts have been heard hundreds of thousands of times, and he has produced narrative podcasts for a wide array of clients, including Porsche (Driven Minds), Duolingo (Spanish Podcast), World Coffee Portal (5THWAVE), Specialty Coffee Association (World Coffee Championships), and others. 

Growing up half Italian in Sydney, he’s lived in Hong Kong and Rome and began his career working for the Bank of England in 2009. However, his passion for coffee was simply too strong to resist, and in 2016 moved to Berlin to become The Barn Coffee Roaster’s Wholesale Manager, and then in early 2018 hopped on a flight to Guatemala to dive deeper into the world of specialty coffee as a documentary podcast producer.

When he is not traveling around the world, James generously accompanies storytellers at THE bEAR adding another delicious layer to our evening.

Teodora Vasilichi

Teodora grew up in Transylvania, Romania, and came to Germany eight years ago to study Business Administration at the University of Mannheim and work in this field.
She has been singing her entire life—this is her breath. Her voice is the greatest gift she can offer to herself and to the world.
She is a self-taught singer and was a semifinalist on Romania’s Got Talent in 2023.
Since 2012, she has performed as a soprano in numerous choirs and as a soloist, wherever she has traveled: Romania, Germany, England, Spain, France, and Portugal.
She has recently started performing at private events in Berlin, such as weddings, baptisms, and funerals.
Music is the best way for her to communicate. It is a universal language that everyone understands, regardless of age, nationality, gender, religion, and more.
She wants to comfort, heal, motivate, and inspire people through her singing.

YouTube: Teodora Vasilichi - Singer - YouTube

Instagram: @teodoravasilichi 

Booking for private events: Teodora Vasilichi | eventpeppers

E-Mail: teodoravasilichi@gmail.com

Dyane Neiman

Founder & Director of THE bEAR. true stories. erzähltes leben.
Host of the Eve of the Champs show

Originally from Philadelphia, Dyane may just be the most German-like American you’ll ever meet. A former theatre director and choreographer, she once told stories with moving bodies — now she tells them with moving words.

By day, Dyane is a sought-after speaker coach and founder of Moving Speaker, as well as co-founder of Female Speaking Berlin.

But every third Friday evening, she transforms into the beating heart of THE bEAR — hosting, charming, persuading, and occasionally arm-twisting Berliners to step into the spotlight and share their stories.

“I believe stories help us make sense of this chaos we call life.”

Explore her latest passion project, created in collaboration with the podcast team:
truestoriesberlin.com

Say hello: dyane@thebear-storytelling.de

is a native of Denver, Colorado who came to Germany in 1987 and landed in Berlin in 2008. She is a trainer for Business English, a coach for Public Speaking/Presentations and has been a moderator at events like TEDx  Potsdam and the 1st International Urban Mobility Dialogue (Berlin 2017).  Creating and holding space for the words and stories of others is at the heart of Wendy's work - a job and a CALLING done with devotion.

She is co-founded and regularly moderates True Stories Berlin podcast as well hosts the “live” storytelling shows at THE bEAR.

Say ‘hello’: weewall@gmail.com

Friday, 20. June 2024

18:30 hrs. Doors open
19 hrs. Stories begin

Tickets available here.

Show hosts: Dyane Neiman; Wendy Husser
Music: James Harper Voice: Teodora Vasilichi

Light Design: Ingo Reinhardt

The Eve of the Champs is made possible by the enthusiasm of our storytellers, our team of volunteers and with our partners: Moving-Speaker.com, Theater-im-Delphi, Galerie Cafe Emma T., Berlin Erleben Youtube Channel, Unmaking Boxes, Sales Chakra, and Female Speaking Berlin.