Padra must confront his sexuality and those who judge him. Tricia challenges her southern upbringing. Arn uses music to survive Khmer Rouge. The speakers share stories of war, face-offs, and inner struggles in this captivating podcast.
Music and art can be powerful tools for healing, reconciliation, and survival in the face of war and trauma.
Challenging societal norms and expectations can lead to personal growth, liberation, and support from unexpected sources.
Deep dives
Surviving the Khmer Rouge
The speaker shares his harrowing experience as a child during the Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia. He was separated from his family and forced to live in a Buddhist temple turned killing place. The Khmer Rouge would systematically kill people, using an axe to hit them in the back of the head. The speaker and other children were forced to witness these killings. To survive, the speaker played music for the Khmer Rouge leaders, and his skills saved his life multiple times. After the war, he was adopted by Americans and went to live in the United States. He eventually returned to Cambodia and founded the Cambodian Living Arts organization to preserve Cambodia's artistic heritage. Through music and art, he seeks healing and reconciliation in Cambodia and the world.
Confronting Silence
The speaker discusses her journey of breaking out of traditional expectations of being a 'lady'. Growing up in the South, she was taught to dress appropriately, be reserved, and not discuss certain topics like bodily functions. However, she realized that these expectations were hindering her personal growth. After her divorce, she moved to Ireland and became a nude artist model. This experience allowed her to challenge societal norms and embrace her own body and desires. She confronted her mother and sorority sisters with her unconventional choices, finding support and liberation in their acceptance.
Finding Power in Language
The speaker shares his experience of grappling with his sexual identity within a missionary organization. He struggled with the internal conflict of being gay and feeling like an abomination due to his religious beliefs. He endured exorcisms and reparative therapy in an attempt to change his sexual orientation. However, these experiences led him to a realization about the power of language and meaningful conversations. He dedicated himself to fostering dialogue and understanding between conservative individuals and the LGBTQ+ community, using language as a tool for empathy and acceptance.
Healing Through Storytelling
The speaker recalls his time as a survivor of the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia. He was forced to witness and participate in the killings carried out by the Khmer Rouge. Despite the immense hardship and loss, he found solace and survival through music. Learning to play the traditional Cambodian instrument, he played for the Khmer Rouge leaders, which saved his life multiple times. After the war, he founded the Cambodian Magic Music Bus, aiming to reintroduce music and art to children in Cambodia. He dreams of a future where every child can carry a musical instrument instead of a gun, promoting healing, reconciliation, and peace.
In this hour, stories of war, face-offs, and confronting the demons within. A man must come to terms with his sexuality (as well as those who judge him), a woman learns that her ladylike upbringing has lasting marks, and a child fights to survive The Killing Fields of Cambodia. This hour is hosted by The Moth's former Artistic Director, Catherine Burns. The Moth Radio Hour is produced by The Moth and Jay Allison of Atlantic Public Media.
Storytellers:
After finally accepting his sexuality, Pádraig Ó'Tuama uses language to heal rather than harm.
Tricia Rose Burt attempts to break the strictures of her Southern upbringing.
Arn Chorn-Pond uses his musical gift to survive the Khmer Rouge.
