Got a secret? Jot it on a homemade postcard and send it to Frank Warren. Or, better yet, bring it to the Michigan Theater on Friday, December 4 and share the secret in person.

Warren is founder of PostSecret, a community art project he started five years ago that has since blown up into an online phenomenon in which nearly 500,000 people from around the world have shared their deepest secrets via postcard. The cards are displayed on Warren’s web site, PostSecret.com.

“I think the very act of sharing a secret, whether it’s whispering it into a friend’s ear or letting it go to a stranger on a postcard can be transformative,” Warren said. “I get e-mails quite frequently from people who talk about the changes that have come about by releasing a secret to a stranger. It’s not the act itself, (but) it puts them on a longer journey where they get to where they need to be.”

Warren’s stop at the Michigan Theater coincides with the publication of his fifth book, “Confessions on Life, Death, & God,” which recently topped the New York Times best-seller list.

At his programs, Warren reads from the postcards, sharing the stories behind them. Whether divulging secret wishes, secret identities, or secret behaviors, he said the cards show audiences how people are more similar than different, united by shared dreams and experiences.

PostSecret is a safe space where people worldwide can freely reveal themselves, Warren explained.

“I was surprised when these soulful, funny, vulnerable secrets started making their way to my mailbox,” Warren told AnnArbor.com by phone recently from his Maryland home. “I still continue to get about 1,000 each week from all around the world. I think I literally have a ton of people’s secrets on post cards.”

He said the idea for PostSecret started with a dream he had while visiting France. After waking, he got busy creating the same things he saw in his dream on actual postcards. In January 2004, he started “Reluctant Oracle,” a project in which he passed out blank postcards to people on the streets of Washington, D.C., and asked them to return the card to him by mail with their secret written it. Out of that, PostSecret was born.

One reason people may find sharing secrets anonymously appealing, Warren observed, is that it is a good way to get something off their chest. But, he added, that’s not the only reason.

“Sometimes I get postcards with artwork that is so painstakingly created, so beautiful, that I think for some people there’s a deeper reason, that maybe it’s a way to search for greater self understanding, or forgiveness for a friend who’s no longer in their life, or maybe part of a search for grace.”

Traditional talk therapy can help, he observed, but sometimes talking about a secret isn’t the only approach.

“Some people say the process of (sending the postcard) is a way of coming out to themselves about their secret,” said Warren. “One of the things I’ve learned through this process is there are two kinds of secrets: the ones we keep from others and the secrets that we hide from ourselves. … A lot of people come away with the idea that somebody else has their burden, too. It doesn’t make their burden go away, but sometimes when you share it it’s just a little bit lighter and also allows you to feel more comfortable talking about it and taking that next step with a spouse or a psychiatrist or a priest.”

He said his live events usually include some background on the project as well as projections of postcards that were banned by the publisher. “Then, lastly, my favorite part, I go to the audience and we have a no-holds-barred, uncensored discussion about our secrets. It’s a wonderful open conversation that’s very emotional. ... Somehow I am able to bring (the web site) to the real place and, just for a moment, create the environment where people feel open and supported so they can share these amazing stories. Sometimes the stories are pretty funny,” he added,

Warren said that no matter what secret is shared, no one will be judged and the atmosphere will be open and supportive. “Sometimes I will just say ‘thank you for trusting us with that,’” he said.

One person Warren hopes is in the audience is Ann Arborite Davy Rothbart, editor and publisher of FOUND Magazine.

“Found was one of the inspirations for PostSecret,” Warren said. “I’ve toured with Davy — he’s a real special guy.”

Roger LeLievre is a freelance writer who covers entertainment for AnnArbor.com.

PREVIEW An Evening with Frank Warren Who: Michigan Radio and Nicola's Books present the founder and curator of PostSecret, a project in which people share their deepest secrets via postcards that are then displayed on his web site, PostSecret.com. Part of the Ann Arbor Conversations series. What: Warren talks about PostSecret, shares some of his favorite images, and signs copies of his latest book. Where: Michigan Theater, 603 East Liberty Street. When: Friday, Dec. 4, 7:30 p.m. How much: $15-$35. Details: Tickets available through the Ticketmaster web site and all Ticketmaster outlets including Macy’s and the Michigan Union Ticket Office. To charge by phone, call 800-745-3000.