The Moth The Moth Podcast: A Place at the Family Table
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Aug 5, 2025 Swapna Kakani, an advocate for patients with rare diseases, shares her journey through short bowel syndrome and the challenges of organ transplant. Roz Chast, a renowned cartoonist, reflects on the emotional struggle of laying her parents to rest. Adam Wade, a talented storyteller, reminisces about his close-knit relationships with his grandmother and great aunt, revealing the warmth and awkwardness of growing up. Together, their stories weave a tapestry of family ties, loss, and the discovery of one's place amidst it all.
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Sari Ceremony as Coming of Age
- Swapna Kakani shares her coming-of-age sari ceremony marked by cultural tradition and family love.
- She battled a rare intestinal disorder, making ceremonies deeply meaningful amidst medical challenges.
Debutante Ball and Family Strength
- Swapna reluctantly accepts her debutante ball as a fulfillment of immigrant parental pride.
- The moment her mother broke her leg before the event shifted Swapna's view on familial strength and coming of age.
Roz Chast's Journey with Parental Ashes
- Roz Chast shares the challenge of caring for parents who avoided discussing death.
- She kept her parents' cremains in her closet until a stranger helped her locate a family burial site to give them a resting place.
