The Moth

Ophira Eisenberg, a stand-up comedian, shares a nostalgic and humorous tale of her seventh-grade Halloween dance, complete with an elaborate alien costume and a crush. Ethan Sweetland-May recounts a spine-tingling discovery of a hidden room in his attic after moving into an older house, leading to eerie revelations. Jodi Powell, a Moth director, describes her unsettling experiences at a haunted hotel during production, highlighting the blend of fear and camaraderie in spooky settings.

Ross Jessup, a deputy sheriff and canine handler from Missoula, Montana, shares a gripping search-and-rescue tale after finding a missing baby in the Lolo National Forest. Gregory Pereira, an entrepreneur and educator, reflects on his journey from gang life to finding a loving family and purpose through education. Playwright Joseph Gallo recounts retrieving a cherished book gifted by a dying friend, while screenwriter Aaron Wolfe discusses the emotional transition of moving from New York to Boston, carrying memories of his family's legacy.

Join baseball writer Manish Jain, who dives into the emotional connections of October baseball and how it unites fans. Bridget Flaherty shares a heartwarming tale of taking her son to a Reds practice, highlighting a groundskeeper's kindness. Rob Warren, a former coach, reflects on valuable lessons in teamwork and integrity from youth baseball, emphasizing the importance of respect over competition. Together, they celebrate the magic of the game and its power to create lasting memories and community bonds.

In this hour, stories about fathers and how they show up for their kids. As support systems and sounding boards, buddies and bear huggers. This episode is hosted by Roy Wood Jr. The Moth Radio Hour is produced by The Moth and Jay Allison of Atlantic Public Media. Storytellers: CJ Hunt reflects on mix-tapes and memories from his past. Bailey Richards and their mother meet a sunny stranger.  Eldon Smith knows he was meant to be a father.  Harriett Jernigan gets flustered when she has a chance encounter with Maya Angelou. Alyssa Ladd’s homecoming dance goes awry. Comic Anthony Griffith must earn his living as a clown while suffering the ultimate heartbreak. Podcast # 942 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

Tim Sommers, a former philosophy professor, opens up about his battle with alcoholism and the redemptive journey back to academia. Emma Becker shares a poignant coming-of-age tale centered on her pen-pal letters, sparking an unexpected revelation during a cruise. Kathleen Sheffer bravely recounts her near-death experience and the transformative heart-lung transplant that gave her a second chance at life. Together, these stories explore themes of recovery, love, and the profound moments that change us forever.

Join Pamela Mitchell, a former entertainment exec turned coach, as she shares her journey of career reinvention and the importance of identity. David Levy recounts a heartwarming story of conquering fears during a thrilling amusement park trip with his son. Javier Morillo reflects on the richness of his Puerto Rican heritage while growing up on U.S. Army bases. Finally, Annalise Raziq reveals how her daughter's wish unexpectedly brought a stray dog into their lives, highlighting the magic of believing in possibilities.

Mohammed Bin Khulayf, originally from Riyadh, shares his daring journey to acquire banned books in Saudi Arabia, detailing secretive parking lot exchanges and the thrill of dodging censorship. Toby Price, a children's book writer and former educator, recounts the fallout from reading a humorous picture book to his students, leading to an unexpected suspension. Both stories highlight the essential role of banned literature in fostering creativity and courage, emphasizing the importance of freedom in storytelling.

Join Jordy Ponce, a psychologist and cancer patient, as he shares how a life-altering diagnosis led him to embrace a 'still existing and bucket listing' philosophy. Software engineer Mike Sela confronts his fear of heights to skydive for his daughter's birthday, while animator Eric Schur highlights the stress of planning a dream trip to Pixar. Nonprofit executive Samantha Williams recounts a thrilling yet terrifying whitewater rafting adventure at Victoria Falls, underscoring the unpredictability of life and friendships.

Gabe Woods-Lamanuzzi, an educator and storyteller known for his personal essays, shares his anxiety-filled encounter meeting his girlfriend's intimidating father. Between awkward hugs and sweaty handshakes, Gabe humorously navigates the world of parental approval. April Gallaty follows, tackling the societal pressures of motherhood with her own egg timer metaphor, reflecting on her choice to remain childfree and the impact of her hysterectomy. Both stories delve into the nerves surrounding family expectations and personal choices.

In this captivating hour, storyteller Anagha Mahajan shares a nostalgic tale of childhood mischief in Maharashtra, revealing her family’s quirks. Okeoma Erojikwe opens up about the heart-wrenching experience of concealing her grandfather's death from her grandmother due to cultural customs. Angela Derecas Taylor uncovers a violent family secret regarding her grandmother's tragic fate and seeks to honor her memory. Graham Shelby recounts the surreal moment he sees his biological father on television, leading to a complex and emotional journey of connection.