On May 12 at Le Petit Theatre in New Orleans, Claire Gallagher, Associate Project Director of the Flourishing Sisterhood grant at the Loyola Institute for Ministry, took the stage as a featured storyteller in a GrandSLAM competition hosted by The Moth. Her appearance marked a significant achievement, earned after winning a StorySLAM competition in 2024 and advancing to the GrandSLAM, where past StorySLAM champions return to compete in an evening of exceptional storytelling. Watch Claire’s GrandSLAM Story→

The GrandSLAM’s theme, “Now or Never,” challenged participants to share true stories about pivotal moments of decision, courage, and stepping forward before feeling fully prepared to do so. Claire’s selection as a GrandSLAM storyteller reflects both her talent as a communicator and her commitment to the transformative power of sharing personal narratives.

The accomplishment carries a special connection to her work with the Flourishing Sisterhood grant, an initiative designed to support the well-being and ongoing formation of Catholic sisters in the Gulf South through learning communities and the opportunity to earn Loyola’s Certificate in Spirituality, with a particular focus on spirituality and aging. As part of that work, Claire incorporated The Moth’s book, How to Tell a Story, into a course on the Spirituality of Storytelling offered to participating sisters.

Her success on The Moth stage serves as a fitting example of the very principles she encourages in the program: finding meaning in lived experience, sharing wisdom through story, and embracing opportunities for growth at every stage of life. What began as a teaching resource for the Flourishing Sisterhood community came full circle as Claire demonstrated the art of storytelling at one of the nation’s most respected live storytelling events—proving that the lessons of story, courage, and authenticity continue to bear fruit both in the classroom and on the stage.