Sarah Austin Jenness

This is the Moth Radio Hour. I'm Sarah Austin Janess. In this episode, stories told on moth stages around the world. We'll bring you to the coast of Kenya, a remote island off Anchorage, Alaska, a stage in Burlington, Vermont, and a swimming pool in Logan, Utah. All are stories of rites of passage.

Our first storyteller, Jennifer Cohen, shares what it's like to live through the empty nester phase of life. She told this at an open mic story slam in Burlington, Vermont, where we partner with Vermont Public Radio. Here's Jennifer Cohen live at the Mock.

Our first storyteller, Jennifer Cohen, shares what it's like to live through the empty nester phase of life. She told this at an open mic story slam in Burlington, Vermont, where we partner with Vermont Public Radio. Here's Jennifer Cohen live at the Mock.

Our first storyteller, Jennifer Cohen, shares what it's like to live through the empty nester phase of life. She told this at an open mic story slam in Burlington, Vermont, where we partner with Vermont Public Radio. Here's Jennifer Cohen live at the Mock.

That was Jennifer Cohen. Jennifer is still living in Vermont, still teaching high school English, still an empty nester, and still missing her daughters. She hasn't been in any more musicals, but when her daughters came home during COVID, they bought a golden retriever puppy named Leo for their mom. So Leo is kind of a stand-in for the girls now that they're back in college.

That was Jennifer Cohen. Jennifer is still living in Vermont, still teaching high school English, still an empty nester, and still missing her daughters. She hasn't been in any more musicals, but when her daughters came home during COVID, they bought a golden retriever puppy named Leo for their mom. So Leo is kind of a stand-in for the girls now that they're back in college.

That was Jennifer Cohen. Jennifer is still living in Vermont, still teaching high school English, still an empty nester, and still missing her daughters. She hasn't been in any more musicals, but when her daughters came home during COVID, they bought a golden retriever puppy named Leo for their mom. So Leo is kind of a stand-in for the girls now that they're back in college.

To see photos of Jennifer and Leo and Jennifer on stage in Annie, go to our radio extras page at themoth.org. A rite of passage is stepping into a new chapter. It can be uncomfortable. It can be a little risky. But sometimes you need to just dive right in. Literally.

To see photos of Jennifer and Leo and Jennifer on stage in Annie, go to our radio extras page at themoth.org. A rite of passage is stepping into a new chapter. It can be uncomfortable. It can be a little risky. But sometimes you need to just dive right in. Literally.

To see photos of Jennifer and Leo and Jennifer on stage in Annie, go to our radio extras page at themoth.org. A rite of passage is stepping into a new chapter. It can be uncomfortable. It can be a little risky. But sometimes you need to just dive right in. Literally.

Justin Hawkins told our next story at a Moth main stage in Logan, Utah, where we partnered with Utah Public Radio and the Cache Valley Center for the Arts. Here's Justin live at the Moth.

Justin Hawkins told our next story at a Moth main stage in Logan, Utah, where we partnered with Utah Public Radio and the Cache Valley Center for the Arts. Here's Justin live at the Moth.

Justin Hawkins told our next story at a Moth main stage in Logan, Utah, where we partnered with Utah Public Radio and the Cache Valley Center for the Arts. Here's Justin live at the Moth.

That was Justin Hawkins. When this story took place, Justin was a 30-something living in New York City and working in television. But a few years ago, Justin moved to Hollywood to get out of the entertainment industry. Now he and one of his closest friends fabricate furniture together. He still swims, and he jumps in the pool without having to think twice about it.

That was Justin Hawkins. When this story took place, Justin was a 30-something living in New York City and working in television. But a few years ago, Justin moved to Hollywood to get out of the entertainment industry. Now he and one of his closest friends fabricate furniture together. He still swims, and he jumps in the pool without having to think twice about it.

That was Justin Hawkins. When this story took place, Justin was a 30-something living in New York City and working in television. But a few years ago, Justin moved to Hollywood to get out of the entertainment industry. Now he and one of his closest friends fabricate furniture together. He still swims, and he jumps in the pool without having to think twice about it.

To see photos of Justin in the pool, go to themoth.org. After our break, a young woman in Nairobi, Kenya goes against the grain when the Moth Radio Hour continues.

To see photos of Justin in the pool, go to themoth.org. After our break, a young woman in Nairobi, Kenya goes against the grain when the Moth Radio Hour continues.

To see photos of Justin in the pool, go to themoth.org. After our break, a young woman in Nairobi, Kenya goes against the grain when the Moth Radio Hour continues.

This is the Moth Radio Hour. I'm Sarah Austin Janess, and this episode is all about rites of passage that make us who we are. I met Susan Mweni, our next storyteller, in Nairobi, in a workshop with the Moths Global Program, where we help advocates use their stories to change the world.