Suzanne Rust

This is the Moth Radio Hour. I'm your host, Suzanne Rust. Moth story slams are magical. Each evening has a theme like lost, busted, or love hurts. Brave people from all across the country show up with a five-minute story that relates to the theme and drop their names in a hat for the chance to step on the stage and share it. No notes.

This is the Moth Radio Hour. I'm your host, Suzanne Rust. Moth story slams are magical. Each evening has a theme like lost, busted, or love hurts. Brave people from all across the country show up with a five-minute story that relates to the theme and drop their names in a hat for the chance to step on the stage and share it. No notes.

This is the Moth Radio Hour. I'm your host, Suzanne Rust. Moth story slams are magical. Each evening has a theme like lost, busted, or love hurts. Brave people from all across the country show up with a five-minute story that relates to the theme and drop their names in a hat for the chance to step on the stage and share it. No notes.

This week's hour, which features stories from these slams, explores how we reflect on our worlds at different ages and stages of our lives, from childhood and teens to adulthood and later life. From personal experience and non-scientific observation, I think it's pretty safe to say that in middle school, confidence levels are not at an all-time high.

This week's hour, which features stories from these slams, explores how we reflect on our worlds at different ages and stages of our lives, from childhood and teens to adulthood and later life. From personal experience and non-scientific observation, I think it's pretty safe to say that in middle school, confidence levels are not at an all-time high.

This week's hour, which features stories from these slams, explores how we reflect on our worlds at different ages and stages of our lives, from childhood and teens to adulthood and later life. From personal experience and non-scientific observation, I think it's pretty safe to say that in middle school, confidence levels are not at an all-time high.

So the last thing most kids want is to be the center of attention. Our first storyteller found herself in that position and live to tell the tale. Ann McNamee Keels told this at a Chicago slam where we partner with public radio station WBEZ. Here's Ann, live at the Moth.

So the last thing most kids want is to be the center of attention. Our first storyteller found herself in that position and live to tell the tale. Ann McNamee Keels told this at a Chicago slam where we partner with public radio station WBEZ. Here's Ann, live at the Moth.

So the last thing most kids want is to be the center of attention. Our first storyteller found herself in that position and live to tell the tale. Ann McNamee Keels told this at a Chicago slam where we partner with public radio station WBEZ. Here's Ann, live at the Moth.

That was Anne McManie Keels, an educator and a Moth Grand Slam winner. She is also the host and producer of Lapsed, a podcast about growing up Catholic. Anne lives in Oak Park, Illinois with her family. Anne told me that the most positive thing that came from her experience was realizing how many people she actually had in her corner. She didn't receive any of the blowback she feared.

That was Anne McManie Keels, an educator and a Moth Grand Slam winner. She is also the host and producer of Lapsed, a podcast about growing up Catholic. Anne lives in Oak Park, Illinois with her family. Anne told me that the most positive thing that came from her experience was realizing how many people she actually had in her corner. She didn't receive any of the blowback she feared.

That was Anne McManie Keels, an educator and a Moth Grand Slam winner. She is also the host and producer of Lapsed, a podcast about growing up Catholic. Anne lives in Oak Park, Illinois with her family. Anne told me that the most positive thing that came from her experience was realizing how many people she actually had in her corner. She didn't receive any of the blowback she feared.

Instead, everyone in her life was very supportive, including the intimidating cool girls at her school. She says that it took her years to realize that they were all likely just as insecure and confused as she was at that time in life. To see photos of Anne's 15 minutes of fame, go to themoth.org.

Instead, everyone in her life was very supportive, including the intimidating cool girls at her school. She says that it took her years to realize that they were all likely just as insecure and confused as she was at that time in life. To see photos of Anne's 15 minutes of fame, go to themoth.org.

Instead, everyone in her life was very supportive, including the intimidating cool girls at her school. She says that it took her years to realize that they were all likely just as insecure and confused as she was at that time in life. To see photos of Anne's 15 minutes of fame, go to themoth.org.

Those first jobs that we take as teens often allow us to reinvent ourselves and make new personal discoveries and connections. Our next story, set at a famous fast food franchise, pits two young employees against each other. Matthew Dix told this story at a Boston slam where we partnered with public radio station WBUR. Here's Matthew.

Those first jobs that we take as teens often allow us to reinvent ourselves and make new personal discoveries and connections. Our next story, set at a famous fast food franchise, pits two young employees against each other. Matthew Dix told this story at a Boston slam where we partnered with public radio station WBUR. Here's Matthew.

Those first jobs that we take as teens often allow us to reinvent ourselves and make new personal discoveries and connections. Our next story, set at a famous fast food franchise, pits two young employees against each other. Matthew Dix told this story at a Boston slam where we partnered with public radio station WBUR. Here's Matthew.

That was Matthew Dix. Matthew is an elementary school teacher, best-selling author, and a nine-time Moth Grand Slam champion. Some of his favorite things? Play golf poorly, tickle his children, and stare at his wife. Oh, and also hang out with Benji. They live 15 minutes away from each other and often get together for long walks and talks where they never run out of things to say.

That was Matthew Dix. Matthew is an elementary school teacher, best-selling author, and a nine-time Moth Grand Slam champion. Some of his favorite things? Play golf poorly, tickle his children, and stare at his wife. Oh, and also hang out with Benji. They live 15 minutes away from each other and often get together for long walks and talks where they never run out of things to say.