5-minutes to turn
a room full of strangers into
your biggest fan.
Show & Tell for Grown-Ups gathers Chicago's most curious professionals and creatives multiple times every month for 5-minute passion talks.
No algorithm delivered them here.
They're at the show because they're excited.
The enthusiasm of Show & Tell.
But make it for Grown-Ups.
Presenters sign up online for a 5-minute slot to share something they're genuinely obsessed with. Their hobby, an obscure passion, a deep dive intro a historical event, a thing they can't stop thinking about. Then the crowd gets to ask questions to learn more and expand their passion for the subject. The result is something between a TED Talk, an open mic, a TikTok rabbithole, and the best dinner party conversation you've ever had.
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5 minutes to share No ulterior motives, no pitches. Just something they love.
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3–4 minutes of Q&A The audience gets curious. This is where real connections happen.
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Everyone leaves with new friends Strangers become friends over shared curiosity. That's the whole point.
This audience is hard to reach
through traditional channels.
They use ad blockers. They skip pre-rolls. They tune out sponsored content the second it feels like an ad. But they'll remember the brand that made their favorite night out possible.
Zero passive attention
Every person in that room made an active choice to be there. They put it on their calendar, bought a ticket, and showed up. You have their full, undivided attention for 90+ minutes in a phone-down environment.
Association, not interruption
Sponsoring Show & Tell for Grown-Ups means you're associated with curiosity, community, and a genuinely good time. Not an ad break. This audience thanks the people who make nights like this possible.
Word-of-mouth amplified
This crowd talks. They recommend things to each other, they post, they bring friends to the next show. A single event generates organic reach and referrals that outlast the night itself.
Repeat recognition
At nearly every show, about half the room has been before, and they keep coming back. That means your brand isn't seen once and forgotten. It shows up again and again in front of the same loyal, engaged community. Recognition builds the way it's supposed to: over time, in a context people love.
We know what makes people show up, and we're scaling it
Show & Tell for Grown-Ups has grown 2.5x in 5 months and is expanding the team. That growth isn't luck. We know exactly who our audience is, what they care about, and how to keep them engaged. Brands that get in early get the best rates and the most loyal audience as we grow.
Who's in the room.
Highly engaged, educated, culturally curious professionals & creatives. They didn't stumble in. They actively chose this for their Tuesday night.
Age breakdown
Gender
Who they are, not just how old they are.
These are the people with three podcasts going, a running list of books they actually read, and a hobby that turns into a 45-minute conversation at any party. They're professionals, creatives, and lifelong learners who actively seek out experiences different from another hour of scrolling.
They came to Show & Tell for Grown-Ups because someone they trust said it was worth their Tuesday night. That word-of-mouth trust is exactly why they're worth reaching.
People are talking about it.
"Think of it like falling down a Reddit rabbit hole — only live, and way more fun."
"Giving you the stage to talk about what you're really passionate about and learn about something new."
"At a Chicago board game cafe, one can listen to presentations on forgotten Sanrio characters, brain-spotting to process trauma, and cemetery photography."
"Everyone has an interesting story to tell. Bringing people together through curiosity is the key."
Mary spent nearly a decade in employee and community engagement at tech companies focused on engineering consulting, innovation, and product development, where she got very good at bringing smart strangers together and helping them find common ground.
Her lifelong passion is performing and comedy writing. When she realized she could combine that instinct for connection with a live event format, Show & Tell for Grown-Ups was born. Over two years and almost 100 shows later, it's become one of Chicago's most distinctive monthly events.
Mary produces, hosts, and runs every show with her small team. There are many more formats of live events and shows in the works. When you partner with Show & Tell for Grown-Ups, you're working directly with the person who built it, grew it, and knows how to get people excited about something.
"I want to showcase that anybody can be a rockstar. They just need to find their right audience."
Mary Doctor · The Hustle
"People want to get out of the house, but we need different ways to do it. What Show & Tell for Grown-Ups does… is it gives you conversation starters."
Mary Doctor · The Hustle
Want to be in the room?
We'd love to tell you more about what partnership looks like. You're the expert on your brand. We can't wait to tell people how cool it is.
Get in touch heythere@tellmewhyshow.com · tellmewhyshow.com