The Moth
The Moth
On Tuesdays and Fridays The Moth’s podcast feed presents episodes of the Peabody-Award Winning Moth Radio Hour and original episodes of The Moth Podcast. Since its launch in 1997, The Moth has presented thousands of true stories, told live and without notes, to standing-room-only crowds worldwide. Moth storytellers stand alone, under a spotlight, with only a microphone and a roomful of strangers. The storyteller and the audience embark on a high-wire act of shared experience which is both terrifying and exhilarating. Since 2008, The Moth podcast has featured many of our favorite stories told live on Moth stages around the country. For information on all of our programs and live events, visit themoth.org.
Recent Episodes
20 episodesChoose Your Own Theme: The Moth Radio Hour
In this hour, a televised proposal, an unlikely tennis alliance, and a funeral in Cameroon. Is there a theme? You tell us! This episode is hosted by Moth Director Chloe Salmon. The Moth Radio Hour is produced by The Moth and Jay Allison of Atlantic Public Media. Storytellers: Harold Cox overshares during a work presentation. Di Cai takes her last chance at stardom on a reality competition show. Mercedes Hesselroth comes face to face with her low self esteem while caring for her grandfather. Tim Lopez and his frenemy team up for tennis doubles. Akwi Nji returns to Cameroon to bury her father. Podcast # 988
Over My Head: The Moth Podcast
This episode originally aired on September 18th, 2019. This week, we're talking about stepping out of your comfort zone, those moments where you're really wondering if you're going to sink or swim. Hosted by Dan Kennedy Storytellers: Diana Thompson finds herself in a Scottish dancing group, at her mother’s insistence. Karen Crowley, a former store clerk ends up as the supervisor in a residential program for youth. Podcast # 620
Taking Risks: The Moth Radio Hour
This episode originally aired on January 3rd, 2023. In this hour, stories of diving in head first and putting it all on the line. Unconventional gifts, apex predators, and stock car racing. This episode is hosted by Moth producer and director Jodi Powell. The Moth Radio Hour is produced by The Moth and Jay Allison of Atlantic Public Media. Storytellers: Andrew McGill learns more about his father than he bargained for. Aspiring primate veterinarian Estella Z Jones has a shift in perspective about her own life after seeing animals in the wild. Ashamed of not knowing how to ride a bike, Francesca Hays attempts to learn in secret. Michael Corso enters a stock car race for blind drivers. Podcast # 798
Blindsided: The Moth Podcast
When something comes out of the blue, how do you react? Do you freeze? Do you panic? Or do you find a way to move forward? Today, we’ve got two stories about being surprised, dumbfounded, blindsided, in completely different ways. This episode was hosted by Amena Brown, author of the new essay collection 'Never Tell A Black Girl How To Black Girl.'Storytellers:Janell Banks develops a fear of driving after a car crash nearly severs her foot.Amena Brown’s grandma takes a liking to Amena’s new husband.Podcast # 985
Cotton Candy and Revolutionary Rides: The Moth Radio Hour
In this hour, an unconventional church, a bike ride for rights, and burning up the dance floor. This episode is hosted by Moth Executive Producer, Sarah Austin Jenness. The Moth Radio Hour is produced by The Moth and Jay Allison of Atlantic Public Media. Storytellers: Lutheran minister Nadia Bolz Weber starts her own church. Wallflower Audrey Pleasant teaches herself the slide and ends up in the spotlight. Bushra Al-Fusail begins a Yemeni revolution on two wheels. Podcast # 986
Soccer Stories with Tierna Davidson: The Moth Podcast
To celebrate the start of the World Cup, we've got a very special episode hosted by Tierna Davidson - a soccer player for the US Women’s National Team and Gotham FC, and a World Cup winner and Olympic gold medalist. We’re sharing three stories about soccer, but about everything around soccer, too – the competition, the sense of community, the feeling of discovery you get when you push yourself. Storytellers: As an effeminate queer kid, Patrick McGraw learned to associate sports with the bullies at school. As an adult, Patrick decided to join an inclusive soccer league and reclaim his love of sports. Moniek van Rheenen is taught by her soccer coach to be a mean player, and learns a valuable lesson when the coach leaves the team. Franco Catalano's excitement grows as Argentina advances through the World Cup. Podcast # 983
American Dreams: The Moth Radio Hour
In this hour, stories of American Dreams—from a beauty pageant hopeful, a farmhand, and an advocate. This episode is hosted by Jon Goode. The Moth Radio Hour is produced by The Moth and Jay Allison of Atlantic Public Media. With the goal of becoming Miss Alabama, Alexis Barton enters her first beauty pageant. Heather Angell starts working on a farm and bonds with her bosses. Ofia Begum Ali takes on the responsibility of translating for their parents. Amena Brown's grandmother teachers her to cook... but witholds an important recipe. Podcast # 984
Presenting Office Ladies: Work Friendship
Today we’re bringing you an episode from our friends, Office Ladies hosts Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey. In honor of Best Friends Day, we are handing the mic over to the duo who turned a "work friendship" into a lifelong sisterhood. Jenna and Angela reflect on the invisible strings that connect us to our people. Find Office Ladies wherever you get podcasts.
Fabricated, Forged and Forgotten: The Moth Radio Hour
This episode originally aired on November 29th, 2022. In this episode, stories of who we are and what we present to the world. White lies, falsified documents, playing dress up, and big transformations. This show is hosted by Jay Allison of Atlantic Public Media, producer of The Moth Radio Hour. Judit Samper Albero uses her artistic talent to save money. Shaun Gohel accidentally manifests a girlfriend. Dave Moran prepares to argue in front of the Supreme Court. Camille Qurban almost has her cover blown at a child's birthday party. Ishmael Beah describes his transformation from innocent child to cold-hearted soldier. Podcast # 793
Death and What Remains: The Moth Podcast
Whenever a loved one passes away, they leave behind memories: the way they laughed, their famous chocolate chip cookie recipe, the knowledge that you were cared for by someone special. But they also leave behind objects, and those objects can be deeply meaningful. Today, two stories about the things we leave behind - and who takes care of them when we’re gone. This episode was hosted by Marc Sollinger. Storytellers: Kristina Miggiani must decide what to do with her wedding ring after her fiance passes away. After her father passes away, Lisa Shroyer and her siblings have to clean out the RV he was living in. Podcast # 987
You Can't Go Back: The Moth Radio Hour
This Episode originally aired on November 15th, 2022. In this episode, bold attempts to revisit the past. A quarterback makes a trip back home, a wife attempts to understand her husband's past, a young man discovers the rodeo, and an adult is cast in a high school play. This episode is hosted by Moth Senior Director Jenifer Hixson. The Moth Radio Hour is produced by The Moth and Jay Allison of Atlantic Public Media. Ivan McClellan discovers the Black Rodeo. Rachel McCormick attempts to understand her immigrant husband's past. Steve Peebles is offered a role in a high school play, despite being an adult. Kimberly Reed confronts her past, and future, when she is forced to make a trip to her hometown. Podcast # 791
BFFs: The Moth Podcast
In this episode, three stories all about friendship - from how they can be there for you during challenging times, to a friend’s unconditional love, to The Gummi Bears. Don’t worry, we’ll get there. This episode was hosted by Chloe Salmon. Storytellers: Lauren Karch travels around the world with her friends to capture memories before potentially losing her hearing. When Valarie Walker comes out as gay, she worries about the impact on her closest friendship. Matthew Dicks makes a friend at a fast food restaurant. Podcast # 982
Mission: Improbable: The Moth Radio Hour
In this hour, storytellers face down the near-impossible...with mixed results. Skydiving, the first night shift, and training a kitten. This episode is hosted by Jay Allison, producer of this show. Storytellers: Gabi Rome attempts to train a kitten. In desperate need of an easy class to graduate college, Elliot Higgins takes Skydiving 101. Danielle Ofri has a crisis of confidence while working the night-shift at Bellevue. Wendy Irwin believes she can't do hard things. Bryan Kett attempts to move a refrigerator. Podcast # 981
Liberating Yourself with Busy Philipps: The Moth Podcast
On this very special episode of the Moth Podcast we feature stories of women and their liberation. This episode is hosted by actress, author and mega-fan of the Tony-nominated play Liberation, Busy Philipps, and features a conversation with its Pulitzer-Prize-winning playwright Bess Wohl and Obie-winning director Whitney White. The three stories will take us from the middle of the ocean, to a nude spa in Santa Fe, to a rest stop in Texas… but all of them are about breaking free. About discovering yourself. Storytellers: Rescue swimmer Amanda Burrill is left by her ship during a drill, staying deep in the ocean unsure of when her crew would return. Jennifer Kohnhorst vacations at a fancy clothes-optional spa. On a road trip home, Victoria Nguyen is thrust into a dangerous situation. Podcast # 980
Facing Off and Facing Up: The Moth Radio Hour
The Episode originally aired on August 16th, 2022. In this episode, five storytellers work up the courage to face and battle fear and doubt. This episode is hosted by Moth Producer and Director Jodi Powell. The Moth Radio Hour is produced by The Moth and Jay Allison of Atlantic Public Media. Storytellers: Harjas Singh seeks the answer to a haunting question. Antoinette-Marie Williams inherits her family's love of games and shows up on the world stage. Rachel Cain worries she may have taken things too far. Eddy Laughter discovers parts of her identity in an unlikely location. Michael Donovan runs into a "small" problem on the job. Podcast # 778
Wrestling Nerves: The Moth Podcast
Nerves. That feeling you get when you’re standing at the precipice of something big. On this episode, we’ll be visiting two moments of high anxiety, the day of a big work presentation, and the day of a high school wrestling match. This episode was hosted by Suzanne Rust. Storytellers: Chris Bell discovers the reason he’s feeling so tired. Craig Gudorf has to gain a few pounds before a wrestling match. Podcast # 979
Culture Clash: The Moth Radio Hour
This Episode originally aired on September 27th, 2022. In this hour, stories of exposure to unexpected worlds, new traditions, and traversing boundaries. This episode is hosted by Jay Allison of Atlantic Public Media, producer of this show. Jason Kordelos goes on a cruise to nowhere. Marne Litfin finds that they have unexpected responsibilities while working at a Quaker camp. Cheech Marin tries to make sense of nis new life in a new place. Prachi Mehta is shocked by America's obsession with pets. Podcast # 788
Swiftly Flow The Days: The Moth Podcast
This episode originally aired on September 25th, 2020. This week, stories of parenting and being parented. This episode was hosted by the director of MothWorks at The Moth, Kate Tellers, featuring two special surprise guests. Storytellers: Caroline Connolly's realize they've forgotten their theater tickets... about 100 miles into the drive to New York City. Christopher Moncayo-Torres tries to connect with his dad through their shared love of Fiddler on the Roof.
High Wire: The Moth Radio Hour
In this hour, stories of leaps of faith, taking risks, and joining the circus. This episode is hosted by Moth Senior Curatorial Producer, Suzanne Rust. The Moth Radio Hour is produced by The Moth and Jay Allison of Atlantic Public Media. Storytellers: Tiffany McKinney finds an unconventional way to deal with her grief. Dave Lara reflects on being a gay man in the Navy during the Vietnam War. Martha McBrier goes to great heights for her coworkers. Thirteen year old Arshiya Kapadia contends with the death of her mother. Podcast # 978
Mothers and Memories with Padma Lakshmi: The Moth Podcast
In honor of Mother's Day, we've got a special episode hosted by Padma Lakshmi - a Moth storyteller, author, and the host and judge of America’s Culinary Cup. From buying cemetery plots, to learning to swim, to a treasured recipe - the three stories you’ll hear are all about motherhood, but they’re about more than that. They’re about the memories mothers and their children share and the legacy we leave behind once the kids grow up. Storytellers: Mary Mack has the daunting task of selling her mother’s cemetery plots. Parvathy Anantnarayan keeps a promise to her son to learn how to swim. Nikesh Shukla finds a frozen moment in time after the death of his mother.