Punks, Blessings, Burlesque and Lotus Flowers: The Moth Radio Hour

At age nine, poet Javier Zamora began a harrowing 3,000-mile journey from El Salvador to the United States. More than twenty years later, he shared his story, revisiting the fear, endurance, and quiet courage he experienced as a child navigating an unimaginable change. This episode is from A Slight Change of Plans, hosted by cognitive scientist and bestselling author Dr. Maya Shankar. On A Slight Change of Plans, Maya explores how we experience change and provides strategies we can use to better navigate moments of upheaval. Whether it’s a sudden pivot or a slow transformation, each episode reveals how change can give us an opportunity to reimagine who we are and unlock greater possibility. Find A Slight Change of Plans 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

In this hour, stories of jumping, or being thrown, in the deep end—figuratively and literally. Leaving the "nest," reptilian co-workers, and a school swimathon. This episode is hosted by Jay Allison, producer of The Moth Radio Hour. Storytellers: Mukosi Shimaka-Mbasu realizes that participating in the Science Fair means talking to strangers.  Gary Sizer cares for his mother after her ALS diagnosis. During lockdown, Mytrang Nguyen has to share her office with two lizards. While participating in a swimathon, Clare Wallder follows the adage "slow and steady wins the race." College-bound Ianna Banfield practices being away from her mother.  Podcast # 967 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

As America approaches it's 250th anniversary, we’ve decided to explore the American Dream - not just the singular American Dream, but all of them. Because our dreams contain multitudes. We’re dedicating our Spring Mainstage season, as well as some special podcast episodes, to exploring that theme.  To kick that off, on this episode, we have two stories about American Iconography, but with a twist.  This episode was hosted by Suzanne Rust. Storytellers: John Garcia and his father bond over bigfoot. Lynn Swisher Spears and her community help a neighbor see the cornfields one last time. 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 February 14th, 2023. In honor of Valentine's Day, let The Moth whisper sweet somethings in your ear(buds). Stories of falling in love, enduring devotion, and romance that blooms in the most unlikely places—or between the most unlikely people. 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: Inclement weather threatens David Greco's romantic plans for Jazz Fest.  Eva Santiago reconnects with an old friend who is now in prison.  Paola Ayala is worried that her mother found a private letter.   Auburn Shaeffer and her husband share an unlikely first home.  Matthew Mercier uncovers his parents' love story.  Podcast # 803 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

Our stories define us and shape us. They’re beloved treasures passed down or secrets that we hide. Stories can be personal legend or family legacy. In this episode, a little of both, about the memories we leave behind and some of the lessons learned. If you'd like to tell your OWN story, we're publishing a journal called "My Life In Stories," and it has over 150 prompts that will help you sift through your memories and shape them into narratives. You can order it wherever you get your books: https://themoth.org/my-life-in-stories-a-guided-journal-from-the-moth This episode was hosted by Christina Norman. Storytellers: Maxwell Pearce learns some lessons from his grandmother. Adelle Onyango goes to her first protest. 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, a special live show from New York City, featuring storytellers from around the globe. Tales of bold moves, facing fears, and risky decisions. This episode is hosted by Moth Executive Producer, Sarah Austin Jenness, with additional live hosting by Nolo Mokoena. The Moth Radio Hour is produced by The Moth and Jay Allison of Atlantic Public Media. Storytellers: Semiye Michael breaks with tradition to help his mother. Nolo Mokoena practices radical truth-telling on a date. Korto Momolu longs to become a fashion designer, while growing up in Liberia.  Gracia Violeta Ross grows up in her sister's shadow, until the roles are reversed.  Podcast # 964 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 honor of Valentine's Day, we've got a special episode hosted by The Modern Love Podcast's Anna Martin. It's all about the pain and heartache and disaster that true love can lead to… but also, about how love can help ease that pain and heartache. And maybe even help us heal. This episode was hosted by Anna Martin. Storytellers: Patricia Dunphy learns that that great pain is a sign of great love. Peter Aguero does his best to flirt with a woman playing Dr. Fine. Rita Brent marries a man, and realizes that she loves women. 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 June 21, 2022. In this episode, five strangers redefine themselves and family in the face of their past. This episode is hosted by Moth Senior Curatorial Producer, Suzanne Rust. The Moth Radio Hour is produced by The Moth and Jay Allison of Atlantic Public Media. Storytellers: Eddy Laughter sees her future at her first concert. Christopher Brune-Horan finds sanctuary in an unlikely location. Louise Newton-Keogh learns an important lesson about controlling the universe. Pauline Nguyen reconciles with a harbinger of fear.  Denise Bledsoe Slaughter gets a second mother when she needs it most. Podcast # 770 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

It’s that time of year when it feels like everyone is talking about football... so on this episode, two stories related to football that aren’t about the GAME of football - we’re talking half-time shows, big game pageantry, and puppybowls. This episode was hosted by Michelle Jalowski. Storytellers: Elyana Smith trains a dog for the pupybowl. Alexander Heying has a complex relationship with football Mickey. 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 about truth—family secrets, trap questions, and a confession 60 years in the making. 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. Storytellers: Brad Ewell learns about his biological father.  Gaby Fernandez accidentally divulges a family secret.  Harold Cox "borrows" his father's car as a child. Podcast # 961 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