Patricia Alvarado Nunez

The Arizona Republic’s Daniel Gonzalez as seen in the season premiere episode of "Stories from the Stage," titled "Flourishing in the Desert."

A national series called, “Stories from the Stage” from "WORLD" (formerly WORLD Channel) premieres tonight on Arizona PBS, which filmed two episodes, each featuring three Arizona storytellers.

The first series episode titled, “Flourishing in the Desert,” spotlights Phoenix residents Daniel Gonzalez and Shareé Hurts. 

"Gonzalez recounts when he returned to school for Spanish lessons and struggled with acceptance from fellow students, while Hurts, who’s a transplant to Phoenix, wonders aloud if she would find a sense of belonging," according to a release.

Gonzalez is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist for the Arizona Republic, and Hurts is an executive with Arizona Public Service.

The episode, which also features Gilbert writer Lisa Abelar, airs Monday night at 9:30 p.m.

It will be followed in November with the second episode titled, "All Connected."

All episodes are "hosted by humorist and storyteller Theresa Okokon and featuring three storytellers performing for a live audience. Storytellers share personal stories that convey universal themes — of heritage, belonging, grit, family, redemption and love," according to the same release.