Mary L. Hoefler is a Chicago-based comedic storyteller whose solo work combines incisive humor, emotional intelligence, and fearless self-examination. She first appeared on The Moth stage in July 2023 after finding herself onstage not once, but twice, during expanded states of consciousness, earning nine StorySlam wins and two Grand Slam victories. She continues to hone her craft on stages across Chicago.

Informed by decades of therapy, giving and receiving, and by her upbringing as the daughter of immigrants who embraced silence as a life skill, Mary’s storytelling explores what happens when “fine” stops working, insight arrives without instructions, and silence finally loses its authority.

Mary’s work is drawn from lived experience rather than expertise, and from a long-standing interest in the gap between what people say out loud and what they keep to themselves. Her stories are less concerned with resolution than recognition, the moment when humor makes something bearable, and telling the truth makes it usable.

Mary lives and works in Chicago, paying attention. For psychotherapy services, visit MLH Psychotherapy.