Founding Host/Emcee
In addition to what I do for Story Night, my hosting skills have been put to the test for comedy shows and fundraisers. Here’s the feedback from one of them:
“We had a Quiz Night FUNdraiser for Relay for Life to benefit the American Cancer Society last year. Our original host ended up being ill and Mr. Gardner graciously stepped in to help us out. He was punctual, organized and very professional throughout the event. The questions he presented were a great mix for our group and his sense of humor kept the game moving and entertaining. I appreciated the fact that he told a personal story of how cancer had personally touched his family. The event was a success in that everyone had a fabulous time and we were able to raise funds for a worthwhile cause. I wholeheartedly recommend Steven as a host for your event.” - Lori Dafoe Business Office Supervisor, The Doctors Clinic; Social Media Lead, Kitsap County Relay for Life
In October 2014, with the help of several coworkers and friends, I launched Story Night. We meet once a month in a bar in Bremerton, the coolest Navy town in America. We went online for 15 months during the pandemic, then back to the bar in July 2021. I tell stories, but my main job is host, and organizer.
Public Speaker
In the 1990s I trained large groups for a personal development training company, and worked with individuals in the training over several weeks. In 2014 I led leadership trainings at the Kitsap Sun for the Scripps company. I regularly tell stories at my own event, Story Night, and occasionally at events such as the Bainbridge Island Story Slam, the Out Loud Story Slam and in Seattle at The Moth. After winning a Moth Story Slam I was invited to participate in a Moth Grand Slam event in Seattle. Here is the story I told.