Suzanne Rust

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.

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.

I asked Matthew something that he loved about Benji back then that he still loves about him today.

I asked Matthew something that he loved about Benji back then that he still loves about him today.

I asked Matthew something that he loved about Benji back then that he still loves about him today.

To see some photos of Matthew and Benji, head over to themoth.org. In a moment, youth under a looking glass and adventures on the high seas when the Moth Radio Hour continues.

To see some photos of Matthew and Benji, head over to themoth.org. In a moment, youth under a looking glass and adventures on the high seas when the Moth Radio Hour continues.

To see some photos of Matthew and Benji, head over to themoth.org. In a moment, youth under a looking glass and adventures on the high seas when the Moth Radio Hour continues.

This is the Moth Radio Hour. I'm Suzanne Russ. And in this hour, we're exploring stories that look back on the different ages and stages of our lives. So much of adolescence involves internal dialogue and struggle. And while our friends and family may observe the behavior, the material does not become fodder for the whole country to see. Unless you're Kate Greathead.

This is the Moth Radio Hour. I'm Suzanne Russ. And in this hour, we're exploring stories that look back on the different ages and stages of our lives. So much of adolescence involves internal dialogue and struggle. And while our friends and family may observe the behavior, the material does not become fodder for the whole country to see. Unless you're Kate Greathead.

This is the Moth Radio Hour. I'm Suzanne Russ. And in this hour, we're exploring stories that look back on the different ages and stages of our lives. So much of adolescence involves internal dialogue and struggle. And while our friends and family may observe the behavior, the material does not become fodder for the whole country to see. Unless you're Kate Greathead.