Wit and wisdom, from all ages
Up next…
Our next show is Wednesday, September 30, 2026 in Red Bank, NJ
“Against My Better Judgement”
Next show: Wednesday, September 30, 2026 in Red Bank, NJ
“AGAINST MY BETTER JUDGEMENT”
This September, six extraordinary women—each from a different decade of life—will take the stage to share true stories of impulsive decisions, questionable choices, bold risks, and moments that probably should've come with a warning label. From glorious miscalculations to split-second decisions that changed everything, these stories prove that following your better judgment is sometimes overrated.
Join us for an evening of hilarious, heartfelt storytelling that celebrates courage, curiosity, and the wonderfully unpredictable ways our lives unfold. Because sometimes the worst ideas make the very best stories.
MEET OUR SEPTEMBER 2026 STORYTELLERS
Team 20s — Ashley Talerico
Ashley Talerico is third-generation born and raised in Red Bank. She earned her Master's in Social Work from Monmouth University and now works at Red Bank Middle School, part-time at Rook Coffee, and occasionally with Project Write Now. She volunteers with the Red Bank Fire Department auxiliary and loves to travel, hit the beach, and journal.
Team 30s — Fatima Carranza
Fatima Carranza (@bigdaddyfati) is the Community Engagement Coordinator for the Borough of Red Bank. She has worked in the community for over 10 years. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time at the beach or exploring trails with her toy poodle, Cici.
Team 40s — Katie Zurich
Katie Zurich is a writer, educator, and storyteller who loves finding meaning in the ordinary moments of everyday life. She is excited to return to the stage and continue exploring her love of storytelling through performance. Katie lives in Madison, NJ, with her husband and two daughters. https://thefortyfiles.com/
Team 50s — Elizabeth Jannuzzi
Elizabeth Jannuzzi is the author of Sober Mom: A Memoir (July 2026). Her work explores themes of loss, motherhood, and recovery from alcoholism, and has appeared in HuffPost, Under the Gum Tree, The Rumpus, Memoir Monday, WOW! Women On Writing, The Brevity Blog, and earned a Best of the Net nomination in 2023. She is the program director at Project Write Nownand engages with her audience through a weekly Substack newsletter.
Team 60s — Peggy (Margaret) O’Donoghue
Peggy (Margaret) O'Donoghue is a retired Rutgers & NYU Social Work Professor who also worked for 30 years in Newark Public Schools. Her published work describes her experiences as an undocumented Irish immigrant in the 1980s, parenting in a biracial family and social work in public schools & universities.
Team 70s - Lucy Brinew
Lucy Brinew is a retired teacher from Pemberton Township High School in New Jersey. These days she's channeling that same love of teaching into community workshops on herbal remedies and plant crafts. When she's not gardening, you'll find her playing with her grandchildren, cooking healthy food, or making art.
“Generation Women gave me a deeper appreciation for the shared human experience of women. Race, color, sexual orientation and faith did not separate us, in fact, our stories brought us closer together.
It was beautiful.”
— Sulma Arzu-Brown, author/activist
