story

Today's story is all about what happens when you become infatuated with someone you don't really know. And what strange or scary things you might do in order to make real contact with that person. The story is also about youth, love of language, and what you do with all your passion when you have more energy than you know what to do with.  This story is by Jonathan Lethem. He's a writer known for novels such as Motherless Brooklyn and The Fortress of Solitude, as well as short stories, recently collected in his book, A Different Kind of Tension. While he's amazing at crafting great narrative hooks, he's also quite good at recreating the awkward moments of young adulthood, as you'll hear in today's story, "The King of Sentences." The story is read by Brendan Hunt, the longtime writer and theater actor who is best known these days for the series Ted Lasso: Hunt helped to create it, write it, and on the show, he plays Coach Beard. Stay tuned after the story for a fascinating interview between Lethem and host Aparna Nancherla about creative influences, the power and peril of parasocial relationships, and more.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this hour, stories of how music moves us. Guitar lessons, band geeks, and record deals. 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: Alistair Bane learns to play the guitar from a punk musician. Hanif Abdurraqib finds solace in his hometown mall the summer after a family tragedy.  KB Brookins competes to become drum major of their high school's marching band.  Musician Rissi Palmer is offered a life-changing opportunity on her journey to become a country music star. Podcast # 975 To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The casino game everyone thinks they can beat.  Visit thisamericanlife.org/lifepartners to sign up for our premium subscription.Prologue: Host Ira Glass and producer Robyn Semien get a blackjack lesson from Andy Bloch, who played for the MIT blackjack team. He teaches them the basics of card-counting, the technique that gives players an advantage against the house — enough of an advantage that most casinos will ask you to leave if they catch you doing it. (9 minutes)Act One: Jack Hitt tells the story of the Christian card-counting team featured in the documentary Holy Rollers, and why they see no contradiction in being devout Christians who spend their days in casinos. (18 minutes)Act 2: Ira and Robyn go to the casino to try out their newfound card-counting skills. (5 minutes)Act Two: Producer Sarah Koenig tells the story of a woman who sued the casino where she lost her inheritance, saying that it was to blame, not her. (25 minutes)Transcripts are available at thisamericanlife.orgThis American Life privacy policy.Learn more about sponsor message choices.

On this week’s episode, two stories about taking shortcuts. Hosted by Dan Kennedy. Storytellers: Lawrence Wood is too honest with his book club. Amanda Egge gets creative in rehab. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Host Meg Wolitzer presents two stories from the volume Best American Short Stories 2025, selected by guest editor Celeste Ng.  In “An Early Departure,” by Jessica Treadway, a family relationship is altered in a moment at the train station. The reader is Cynthia Nixon.  In “Third Room,” by Julian Robles, an apartment, and its mysterious tenant, take on lives of their own.  The reader is Ivan Hernandez.    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this hour, stories of bearing witness and when it's best to look away. Overheard arguments, recording history, and a view nobody asked for. This episode is hosted by Moth Senior Director Kate Tellers. The Moth Radio Hour is produced by The Moth and Jay Allison of Atlantic Public Media. Storytellers: Ali Griswold's view of her neighbors leaves nothing to the imagination. Misha Mehrel's mother re-invents movies by editing their Blockbuster rentals. Madeline Berenson and her fellow "Spice Grannies" intervene in a fight mid-air. Liz Mills is her daring brother's emergency contact.  Boots Lupenui witnesses magic conjured by the the "heirloom songs" of Kohala. Podcast # 970 To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This Episode originally aired on May 3rd, 2022. In this hour, stories of education, illumination, or just being schooled. The lessons learned from communities new and old, on top of a glacier, and from children. This episode is hosted by Moth host Jon Goode. The Moth Radio Hour is produced by The Moth and Jay Allison of Atlantic Public Media. Storytellers: Dan Souza teaches English and learns about Hungarian karaoke. Jen Rubin plans to be spontaneous.  Matty Struski learns about resiliency, and slides. Diane Harari learns that piano recitals are child's play. Burnell Cotlon returns to the Lower Ninth Ward after Hurricane Katrina to rebuild the community he loves. Podcast # 763 To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There are so many ways a story can move you - it can make you laugh, can make you cry, can make you rethink your place in the world… but sometimes a story can make you go… what?!?! Are you kidding me?!?! That jerk broke up with you via text?!?! After you catsat for him?!?! So, in this episode, two stories that’ll make you go… they did WHAT?!?! This episode was hosted by Chloe Salmon. Storytellers: Becca L realizes that sometimes it’s better to be alone than to be with someone who can’t commit. Allison Orr goes on a very enlightening Bumble date. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We're almost at the Oscars, and to celebrate, we have two stories that feel especially cinematic. This episode was hosted by Jodi Powell. Storytellers: Jitesh Jaggi discovers why his father never taught him to drive. Nick Vega’s fake ID business hits an unexpected snag. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this hour, stories of legends: the people that have left an indelible mark—in our memories or the history books. A steelworker, a Cuban grandmother, and Medgar Evers. This episode is hosted by Moth Director Jodi Powell. The Moth Radio Hour is produced by The Moth and Jay Allison of Atlantic Public Media. Storytellers: Caroline Connolly spends a summer with her grandmother, "the ultimate Cuban matriarch." Stacy Sullivan gains a new appreciation for her father.  Marques Celestine contends that Mardi Gras has "never been as much about the what, but the who with." After moving to a new country, Brenda Williams takes pottery classes with a local elder. Pastor Herbert Broome realizes that a critical piece of history that he was a part of is omitted in his local museum. Podcast # 969 To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

March is women’s history month, and to honor that, we're sharing two stories of women who faced challenges and … woman-ed up. This episode was hosted by Kate Tellers. Storytellers: Alison Stewart gets through a difficult experience, and meets a hot doctor along the way. Tess Birch guides a group of girls through a zoo. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This episode originally aired on April 19th, 2022. In this hour, the people we've loved and lost, their memories preserved in these stories. Mothers, partners, and the colorful residents of a nursing home, with special excerpts from the Moth's audio book. This episode is hosted by Moth Artistic Director, Catherine Burns. The Moth Radio Hour is produced by The Moth and Jay Allison of Atlantic Public Media. Storytellers: Sharon D'Orsie goes on adventures with her aging mother.  Adrienne Lotson worries she's not cut out to be a chaplain. Writer Elizabeth Gilbert shares her struggle in dealing with her partner’s terminal illness and what it taught her about living. Podcast # 761 To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

At age nine, poet Javier Zamora began a harrowing 3,000-mile journey from El Salvador to the United States. More than twenty years later, he shared his story, revisiting the fear, endurance, and quiet courage he experienced as a child navigating an unimaginable change. This episode is from A Slight Change of Plans, hosted by cognitive scientist and bestselling author Dr. Maya Shankar. On A Slight Change of Plans, Maya explores how we experience change and provides strategies we can use to better navigate moments of upheaval. Whether it’s a sudden pivot or a slow transformation, each episode reveals how change can give us an opportunity to reimagine who we are and unlock greater possibility. Find A Slight Change of Plans wherever you get podcasts. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this hour, stories of jumping, or being thrown, in the deep end—figuratively and literally. Leaving the "nest," reptilian co-workers, and a school swimathon. This episode is hosted by Jay Allison, producer of The Moth Radio Hour. Storytellers: Mukosi Shimaka-Mbasu realizes that participating in the Science Fair means talking to strangers.  Gary Sizer cares for his mother after her ALS diagnosis. During lockdown, Mytrang Nguyen has to share her office with two lizards. While participating in a swimathon, Clare Wallder follows the adage "slow and steady wins the race." College-bound Ianna Banfield practices being away from her mother.  Podcast # 967 To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As America approaches it's 250th anniversary, we’ve decided to explore the American Dream - not just the singular American Dream, but all of them. Because our dreams contain multitudes. We’re dedicating our Spring Mainstage season, as well as some special podcast episodes, to exploring that theme.  To kick that off, on this episode, we have two stories about American Iconography, but with a twist.  This episode was hosted by Suzanne Rust. Storytellers: John Garcia and his father bond over bigfoot. Lynn Swisher Spears and her community help a neighbor see the cornfields one last time. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In honor of Valentine's Day, let The Moth whisper sweet somethings in your ear(buds). Stories of falling in love, enduring devotion, and romance that blooms in the most unlikely places—or between the most unlikely people. 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: Inclement weather threatens David Greco's romantic plans for Jazz Fest.  Eva Santiago reconnects with an old friend who is now in prison.  Paola Ayala is worried that her mother found a private letter.   Auburn Shaeffer and her husband share an unlikely first home.  Matthew Mercier uncovers his parents' love story.  Podcast # 803 To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Our stories define us and shape us. They’re beloved treasures passed down or secrets that we hide. Stories can be personal legend or family legacy. In this episode, a little of both, about the memories we leave behind and some of the lessons learned. If you'd like to tell your OWN story, we're publishing a journal called "My Life In Stories," and it has over 150 prompts that will help you sift through your memories and shape them into narratives. You can order it wherever you get your books: https://themoth.org/my-life-in-stories-a-guided-journal-from-the-moth This episode was hosted by Christina Norman. Storytellers: Maxwell Pearce learns some lessons from his grandmother. Adelle Onyango goes to her first protest. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this hour, a special live show from New York City, featuring storytellers from around the globe. Tales of bold moves, facing fears, and risky decisions. This episode is hosted by Moth Executive Producer, Sarah Austin Jenness, with additional live hosting by Nolo Mokoena. The Moth Radio Hour is produced by The Moth and Jay Allison of Atlantic Public Media. Storytellers: Semiye Michael breaks with tradition to help his mother. Nolo Mokoena practices radical truth-telling on a date. Korto Momolu longs to become a fashion designer, while growing up in Liberia.  Gracia Violeta Ross grows up in her sister's shadow, until the roles are reversed.  Podcast # 964 To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices