The Moth Finding Soul: The Moth Podcast
Dec 5, 2025
Heather McGee, a storyteller and podcaster known for her insights on growing up in a fundamentalist sect, shares her journey of overcoming social anxiety with the help of a bright pink suitcase gifted by her grandmother. This vibrant accessory becomes a symbol of confidence and resilience for her. Ashley McElvey, a performer at live storytelling events, recounts the whirlwind of planning a micro wedding in just six weeks after a health scare prompts urgency. Both stories highlight the power of love, connection, and personal growth.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Pink Suitcase That Changed Ateen
- Heather McGee recounts being a painfully shy homeschooled teen thrust into a 10-day senior trip to Spain with no suitcase.
- Her flamboyant grandmother's loud pink suitcase becomes a symbol that helps Heather embrace visibility and boldness.
Objects Can Reframe Identity
- The suitcase taught Heather that an object's story can reframe personal identity and confidence.
- She learned not to let past trauma define someone's future and to adopt her grandmother's boldness.
Grandmother's Resurrection After Abuse
- Heather describes her grandmother's life after surviving decades of domestic abuse and later flourishing.
- Witnessing her grandmother's post-trauma resurrection taught Heather resilience and living fully.