In the third and final episode from our World Humanitarian Day storytelling event, we explore one of the most powerful elements of story: surprise.

These three stories—shared by Lisa Parrott, Mark Adams, and Jennifer Yourkavitch—invite us into moments that didn’t go as planned. These moments disrupted expectations, challenged comfort zones, and opened the door to deeper perspective and connection. Through humor, humility, tradition, and song, each storyteller shows how unexpected experiences can reshape belonging and reveal something essential about what we do and who we are.

The Flame Tree Story podcast is produced by Story First Design.