Blindsided: The Moth Podcast

When something comes out of the blue, how do you react? Do you freeze? Do you panic? Or do you find a way to move forward? Today, we’ve got two stories about being surprised, dumbfounded, blindsided, in completely different ways. This episode was hosted by Amena Brown, author of the new essay collection 'Never Tell A Black Girl How To Black Girl.' Storytellers: Janell Banks develops a fear of driving after a car crash nearly severs her foot. Amena Brown’s grandma takes a liking to Amena’s new husband. Podcast # 985 To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this hour, an unconventional church, a bike ride for rights, and burning up the dance floor. This episode is hosted by Moth Executive Producer, Sarah Austin Jenness. The Moth Radio Hour is produced by The Moth and Jay Allison of Atlantic Public Media. Storytellers: Lutheran minister Nadia Bolz Weber starts her own church.  Wallflower Audrey Pleasant teaches herself the slide and ends up in the spotlight. Bushra Al-Fusail begins a Yemeni revolution on two wheels. Podcast # 986 To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

To celebrate the start of the World Cup, we've got a very special episode hosted by Tierna Davidson - a soccer player for the US Women’s National Team and Gotham FC, and a World Cup winner and Olympic gold medalist. We’re sharing three stories about soccer, but about everything around soccer, too – the competition, the sense of community, the feeling of discovery you get when you push yourself. Storytellers: As an effeminate queer kid, Patrick McGraw learned to associate sports with the bullies at school. As an adult, Patrick decided to join an inclusive soccer league and reclaim his love of sports. Moniek van Rheenen is taught by her soccer coach to be a mean player, and learns a valuable lesson when the coach leaves the team. Franco Catalano's excitement grows as Argentina advances through the World Cup. Podcast # 983 To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this hour, stories of American Dreams—from a beauty pageant hopeful, a farmhand, and an advocate. This episode is hosted by Jon Goode. The Moth Radio Hour is produced by The Moth and Jay Allison of Atlantic Public Media. With the goal of becoming Miss Alabama, Alexis Barton enters her first beauty pageant.  Heather Angell starts working on a farm and bonds with her bosses.  Ofia Begum Ali takes on the responsibility of translating for their parents.  Amena Brown's grandmother teachers her to cook... but witholds an important recipe.  Podcast # 984 To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today we’re bringing you an episode from our friends, Office Ladies hosts Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey. In honor of Best Friends Day, we are handing the mic over to the duo who turned a "work friendship" into a lifelong sisterhood. Jenna and Angela reflect on the invisible strings that connect us to our people. Find Office Ladies wherever you get podcasts. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This episode originally aired on November 29th, 2022. In this episode, stories of who we are and what we present to the world. White lies, falsified documents, playing dress up, and big transformations. This show is hosted by Jay Allison of Atlantic Public Media, producer of The Moth Radio Hour. Judit Samper Albero uses her artistic talent to save money. Shaun Gohel accidentally manifests a girlfriend. Dave Moran prepares to argue in front of the Supreme Court.  Camille Qurban almost has her cover blown at a child's birthday party.  Ishmael Beah describes his transformation from innocent child to cold-hearted soldier. Podcast # 793 To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Whenever a loved one passes away, they leave behind memories: the way they laughed, their famous chocolate chip cookie recipe, the knowledge that you were cared for by someone special. But they also leave behind objects, and those objects can be deeply meaningful. Today, two stories about the things we leave behind - and who takes care of them when we’re gone. This episode was hosted by Marc Sollinger. Storytellers: Kristina Miggiani must decide what to do with her wedding ring after her fiance passes away. After her father passes away, Lisa Shroyer and her siblings have to clean out the RV he was living in. Podcast # 987 To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This Episode originally aired on November 15th, 2022. In this episode, bold attempts to revisit the past. A quarterback makes a trip back home, a wife attempts to understand her husband's past, a young man discovers the rodeo, and an adult is cast in a high school play. This episode is hosted by Moth Senior Director Jenifer Hixson. The Moth Radio Hour is produced by The Moth and Jay Allison of Atlantic Public Media. Ivan McClellan discovers the Black Rodeo. Rachel McCormick  attempts to understand her immigrant husband's past.  Steve Peebles is offered a role in a high school play, despite being an adult.  Kimberly Reed confronts her past, and future, when she is forced to make a trip to her hometown. Podcast # 791 To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, three stories all about friendship - from how they can be there for you during challenging times, to a friend’s unconditional love, to The Gummi Bears. Don’t worry, we’ll get there. This episode was hosted by Chloe Salmon. Storytellers: Lauren Karch travels around the world with her friends to capture memories before potentially losing her hearing. When Valarie Walker comes out as gay, she worries about the impact on her closest friendship. Matthew Dicks makes a friend at a fast food restaurant. Podcast # 982 To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this hour, storytellers face down the near-impossible...with mixed results. Skydiving, the first night shift, and training a kitten. This episode is hosted by Jay Allison, producer of this show. Storytellers: Gabi Rome attempts to train a kitten.  In desperate need of an easy class to graduate college, Elliot Higgins takes Skydiving 101. Danielle Ofri has a crisis of confidence while working the night-shift at Bellevue.  Wendy Irwin believes she can't do hard things.  Bryan Kett attempts to move a refrigerator.  Podcast # 981 To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices