The Moth Radio Hour

The Moth Radio Hour is a weekly radio program and podcast that features true stories told live without notes. Founded by novelist George Dawes Green, the show is an offshoot of the live storytelling organization The Moth. It is distributed by PRX to hundreds of public radio stations across the United States and internationally, captivating audiences with intimate, first-person narratives from a diverse array of voices.

History and origins

The program's roots trace back to 1997 in New York City, where George Dawes Green sought to recreate the atmosphere of storytelling nights on the porch in his native Georgia. He founded The Moth as a live event series, which quickly gained a cult following in venues like The Players Club and Nuyorican Poets Cafe. The success of these live shows, along with a popular podcast launched in 2008, led directly to the creation of the radio hour. It premiered in 2009, originally distributed by PRI, and was designed to bring the raw, compelling energy of the live stage to a national broadcast audience. This expansion mirrored a broader cultural renaissance in oral storytelling, influenced by programs like This American Life and the National Storytelling Festival.

Format and production

Each episode is curated from recordings of live The Moth events held in cities like Los Angeles, Detroit, and London. The stories are tightly edited for radio but retain the spontaneity and emotional authenticity of the original performances. A host, often a The Moth producer or a guest celebrity, provides brief introductions, but the focus remains squarely on the storyteller. Themes for each hour are carefully constructed, weaving together disparate tales around universal concepts like love, risk, or family. The production team, based in New York City, works extensively with storytellers in advance, helping them shape their true personal experiences into a cohesive narrative arc suitable for the stage and, ultimately, for broadcast on stations like WNYC and KQED.

Notable stories and storytellers

The program has featured an astonishing range of voices, from renowned figures like novelist Salman Rushdie, comedian Mike Birbiglia, and musician Rosanne Cash to everyday people with extraordinary experiences. Stories have covered pivotal historical moments, such as a diplomat's account of the fall of the Berlin Wall, and deeply personal struggles, like a scientist's journey with ALS. Other notable contributors include writer Malcolm Gladwell, actress Lucy Liu, and activist V (formerly Eve Ensler). The power of the show often lies in these unexpected perspectives, whether from a NASA engineer, a veteran of the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021), or a teacher from the South Side of Chicago.

Cultural impact and recognition

It has played a significant role in popularizing the modern storytelling movement, influencing television shows, live events, and educational curricula. The program and its parent organization have been honored with numerous awards, including a Peabody Award in 2010 for "reviving the ancient art of storytelling." Its stories are frequently anthologized in best-selling books like *"The Moth: 50 True Stories"* and have been adapted for the stage. The show's ethos of radical empathy and shared human experience has fostered a global community of listeners and has been cited as a model for narrative journalism by institutions like the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.

Related programs and events

Beyond the radio broadcast, The Moth ecosystem includes the massively popular The Moth Podcast, which often features additional stories, and The Moth StorySLAM, competitive open-mic events in dozens of cities worldwide. The organization also runs extensive community and education workshops, such as the Moth Teacher Institute, and produces major themed events like the Moth Mainstage. Its storytelling philosophy aligns with and has influenced other narrative programs including The Story Collider, which focuses on stories about science, and Risk!, which encourages more risqué personal tales. The live events continue to be a cornerstone, regularly selling out prestigious venues like The Town Hall in New York City and the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall in Portland, Oregon.

Category:American radio programs Category:Public radio programs in the United States Category:Storytelling