Jay Allison
Appearances
The Moth
The Moth Radio Hour: The Future Looks Bright
This is the Moth Radio Hour from PRX. I'm Jay Allison, and this episode is all about looking ahead to what promises to be a brighter future. Next up is Brenda Williams, who told this story at a New York slam presented by WNYC. Here's Brenda.
The Moth
The Moth Radio Hour: The Future Looks Bright
This is the Moth Radio Hour. I'm Jay Allison, and in this episode, stories about finding the light at the end of the tunnel, bright futures in dark times, and hope even when things seem hopeless. Our first storyteller is Katya Duff. Katya told this story at one of our Open Mic Story Slam competitions in Los Angeles, where we partner with public radio station KCRW. Here's Katya live at the Moth.
The Moth
The Moth Radio Hour: The Future Looks Bright
Brenda Williams is a writer and human resources executive who lives in Brooklyn. Many of her stories focus on Caribbean immigrants in New York and London. Brenda says that when her mother gave her the pot, she was thrilled to have that piece of her family history and thrilled that they would finally be put to use.
The Moth
The Moth Radio Hour: The Future Looks Bright
Her mother has passed away, but not before knowing that Brenda was using the pots regularly. She's still using them. And she says her cooking continues to evolve. Next up, with a tale of finding hope, is Alistair Bain.
The Moth
The Moth Radio Hour: The Future Looks Bright
Alistair has told many stories at the Moth, from slams to the main stage, and here's one from an open mic story slam we produced in Denver, where we partner with public radio station KUNC. A note that the story contains the use of a homosexual slur. Here's Alistair Bain, live at the Moth.
The Moth
The Moth Radio Hour: The Future Looks Bright
Alistair Andrew Bain is an Eastern Shawnee writer, storyteller, and artist. His short stories have appeared in Alone Together, Love, Grief, and Comfort in the Time of COVID-19. Alistair's love of animals hasn't waned. These days he fosters dogs who are feral or who have experienced trauma.
The Moth
The Moth Radio Hour: The Future Looks Bright
Alistair says his dogs have taught him about resilience and healing, that they seem to be able to let go of the past and live in the present. After the break, two more stories of optimism against the odds. The Moth Radio Hour is produced by Atlantic Public Media in Woods Hole, Massachusetts. You're listening to The Moth Radio Hour.
The Moth
The Moth Radio Hour: The Future Looks Bright
In this hour, we're hearing stories from people who have faith in the future even when the present isn't always so promising. No stranger to working against the odds is Kathy Kinnear Hill, who took a difficult campaigning job in a place she felt unwelcome and unsafe. Kathy told this story at a Moth main stage in Jackson Hole, where we were presented by the Center for the Arts.
The Moth
The Moth Radio Hour: The Future Looks Bright
A quick caution that this story includes the use of a toxic racial slur. Here's Kathy Kinnear Hill.
The Moth
The Moth Radio Hour: The Future Looks Bright
Kathy Kinnear Hill grew up in Portland, having been adopted as a baby into a white family in the early 60s. Her dad was a professor at Lewis and Clark College, and her mom taught at Martin Luther King Jr. School, where Kathy is an instructional assistant to a class of kindergartners. Kathy and her husband Dennis have two children and recently became grandparents.
The Moth
The Moth Radio Hour: The Future Looks Bright
To see photos of Kathy working for the Obama campaign, visit themoth.org. Our final story this hour is from Jason Schomer. Jason told this story at a slam in St. Paul, Minnesota.
The Moth
The Moth Radio Hour: The Future Looks Bright
Jason Shomer is a stand-up comedian and storyteller who spent two years as the opening act for comedian Louie Anderson in Las Vegas and continues to tour with Louie regularly. Jason has worked in New York City for the Rosie O'Donnell Show and behind the scenes in Hollywood on the television series Baskets. So that's it for this episode. We hope these stories offer you some comfort and hope.
The Moth
The Moth Radio Hour: The Future Looks Bright
Hope that things can get better even when it feels like they won't. Please join us next time for the Moth Radio Hour. Larry Rosen directed the stories in this show with additional coaching from Jennifer Hickson. The rest of the Moth's directorial staff includes Katherine Burns, Sarah Haberman, Sarah Austin Janess, and Meg Bowles. Production support from Emily Couch.
The Moth
The Moth Radio Hour: The Future Looks Bright
Most stories are true as remembered and affirmed by the storytellers. Our theme music is by The Drift. Other music in this hour from Nigel Kennedy and the Croca Band, Soul Live, Michael Hedges, Blue Dot Sessions, and Wilson Phillips. You can find links to all the music we use at our website.
The Moth
The Moth Radio Hour: The Future Looks Bright
The Moth Radio Hour is produced by me, Jay Allison, with Vicki Merrick at Atlantic Public Media in Woods Hole, Massachusetts. This hour was produced with funds from the National Endowment for the Arts. Special thanks to our friends at Odyssey, including executive producer Leah Reese Dennis.
The Moth
The Moth Radio Hour: The Future Looks Bright
For more about our podcast, for information on pitching us your own story and everything else, go to our website, themoth.org.
The Moth
The Moth Radio Hour: The Future Looks Bright
That was Katya Duft. She is the author of the public transit blog, Tales from the Bus. She's a linguist fluent in English, Russian, and French and works in subtitling and translating. She's a frequent participant in storytelling shows and contests in Los Angeles and is a Moss Story Slam winner. Katya says to this day, this remains the most challenging camping trip she's ever been on.
The Moth
The Moth Radio Hour: The Future Looks Bright
To see a photo of Katya and her father shortly after their trip, visit themoth.org. Up next, we have another moth slammer, Aditya Dakshinamoti. Aditya told his story at the Bell House in New York City, where we're presented by public radio station WNYC. Live from Brooklyn, here's Aditya.
The Moth
The Moth Radio Hour: The Future Looks Bright
That was Aditya Dakshinamurti. Aditya is an airline professional, storyteller, and DJ. He grew up in South India before moving to the U.S. for his master's and currently calls New York City home. He has appeared in Moth Story Slams, as well as many other storytelling shows throughout the U.S.
The Moth
The Moth Radio Hour: The Future Looks Bright
We followed up with Aditya to find out more about his experience job hunting as an international student without a work visa.
The Moth
The Moth Radio Hour: The Future Looks Bright
That was Aditya Dakshinamurthy speaking with Moth producer Emily Couch. When we return, two more stories from our SLAM! series about the things that inspire us to move forward. The Moth Radio Hour is produced by Atlantic Public Media in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, and presented by PRX.