Moth
Lessons are almost always learned the hard way. But not on Wednesday night.
On Tuesday night my friend, Donna, and I journeyed east to attend a Moth StorySLAM at Laugh Boston, a comedy club in the south end of the city. The theme of the night was Animals. If my name emerged from the bag, I planned to tell the story of approving an expensive, improbable spinal surgery…
Read MoreMy recommendation to you
On Tuesday night, I told a story at a Moth StorySLAM in Cambridge, MA and won. It was my 40th victory in a Moth StorySLAM. When I think back to my very first Moth StorySLAM – back in July of 2011 at the Nuyorican’s Poet’s Cafe in New York City, it would’ve been hard to…
Read MoreI lost The Moth GrandSLAM on Tuesday night. This is how I feel about losing.
On Tuesday night, I competed in a Moth GrandSLAM at the Cutler Majestic in Boston. It was my 25th GrandSLAM championship since 2011, but no matter how many of these championships I compete in, the GrandSLAM never gets old for me. It’s my favorite storytelling show by far. I told what I thought might be…
Read MoreSpeak Up Storytelling: Erica Donahue
On episode #28 of the Speak Up Storytelling podcast, Matthew and Elysha Dicks talk storytelling! In our followup segment, we talk about upcoming Speak Up events, offer insight on Tasmanian Devils, respond to some listener emails about PTSD, and apologize for failing to record a new episode last week. Next, we talk about finding and collecting…
Read MoreA bittersweet moment for a storyteller, and a magical night for all of us
Thought I’d share this little moment of beauty with all you: Last night I competed in a Moth GrandSLAM in Brooklyn. It was an evening filled with fantastic storytellers, a hilarious host, and a world class violinist, but the storyteller who stole the show was not on the stage at all. After winning a Moth…
Read MoreSpeak Up Storytelling #23: Laura Terranova
On episode #23 of the Speak Up Storytelling podcast, Elysha Dicks and I talk storytelling! In our followup segment, we discuss a brand new rule for The Moth’s StorySLAM series. We also talk about why storytelling is a superpower and the many doors that being an effective communicator can open for you. Next, we talk about finding and…
Read MoreStoryworthy in my hands!
One of the many most exciting moments as an author is the moment when the first copy fo your book arrives at your doorstep. This was the fifth time that I experienced such a moment, and I remember each of them with perfectly clarity. The tearing open of a box. The ripping of a mailing…
Read MoreDon’t be selfish. Tell a story.
I tell people to tell stories a lot. I know. It’s my clarion call. But allow me to say it again. Last Wednesday night, I performed in The Moth GrandSLAM at the Cutler Majestic in Boston. My plan was to take the stage and tell a story that was a lot more humor than heart.…
Read MoreRun to The Moth. Allow stories to lighten your load.
Here is my suggestion: Run to The Moth. On the radio, the podcast, or a live show. As you probably know, The Moth changed my life. It gave me a stage to tell stories. It provided me with a platform to be noticed. It opened the door to a new career. A bunch of new…
Read MoreThe best birthday gift for a teacher might surprise you
Here’s one of the beauties of being a teacher. Last night I had the opportunity to perform at the Cutler Majestic Theater in Boston as a part of The Moth’s GrandSLAM championship. It was the 20th GrandSLAM in my storytelling career, and on my birthday no less. The Cutler Majestic is a spectacular theater that…
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