by Jack Uslabar

Ex Fabula recently wrapped up the seventh season of Real Stories MKE, our radio show airing on WUWM 89.7 FM. The program features stories told by community members at Ex Fabula StorySlams, repurposed into episodes focused on a specific theme. In this blog series, we’re introducing you to the people who bring Real Stories MKE to fruition every year. 

Jasmine Gonzalez is the marketing manager at Ex Fabula and the producer of Real Stories MKE. Originally from Mundelein, Illinois, she ended up in Milwaukee as a student at Marquette University, where she double majored in Political Science and History, with a minor in Writing Intensive English.

Jasmine became the marketing manager of Ex Fabula in the summer of 2025 when the job opened up, and was delighted to find that the position was a good fit for both her previous non-profit experience and her creative hobbies. Producing Real Stories MKE was an unexpected yet rewarding part of the job description, as she found herself pulling from the skills she had as a stage performer to fulfill the role.

As producer, she is in charge of assembling every episode together, taking the themes selected by hosts Kim and Joel and making sure the selected stories are all broadcast-ready. From there, she finds themed UltraShorts and reaches out to the storytellers to let them know about the broadcast, get life updates, and confirm name pronunciations. She is also responsible for making promotional material and work behind the scenes.

While binge-listening to Real Stories MKE in preparation for the role, she discovered the episode “Seniors,” which has since become a favorite. In particular, she was struck by a story about skydiving and the storyteller’s shift from first to second person at a pivotal moment.

Outside of Real Stories MKE and Ex Fabula, Jasmine occasionally does improv comedy and volunteers with Ladies Rock MKE. She is a co-founder of The Interchange Theater Co-Operative, and has a passion for the arts, performing, and being on stage.