The Moth Growing Pains: The Moth Radio Hour
8 snips
Jan 6, 2026 Jennifer Lubin, a writer and attorney recruiter, shares a poignant childhood tale of competing for her mother's affection against a beloved 80s TV character. Journalist Anne Stewart recalls her transformative summer as a switchboard operator during the Watergate scandal, shaping her career path. Stephen Ferrell reflects on the significance of hitting his first baseball amidst personal turmoil. Esther Ngumbi recounts a childhood lie that sparked her academic journey, while novelist Ernesto Quiñonez highlights the musical bond he hopes to share with his daughter during a trip to Graceland.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Growing Up Is A Continuous Process
- Chloe Salmon reflects that growing up isn't a single transformative moment but an ongoing, often awkward process.
- She suggests discovering who you are is messy but worthwhile across a lifetime.
Childhood Jealousy Over TV Heroes
- Jennifer Lubin feared her mother preferred Little Orphan Annie and tried to outperform the fictional girl to keep her mom's affection.
- Her worry eased when the household VCR broke and Annie disappeared from rotation, showing childhood jealousy can be soothed by small changes.
Switchboard Sparks A Career
- Anne Stewart took a switchboard job the summer after high school and found herself relaying major Watergate developments to anxious callers.
- That tiny, behind-the-scenes role confirmed her choice to pursue journalism for the next three decades.