In response to my recent post that included data about my Moth success before and after the publishing of “Storyworthy,” a few people asked why I still do it:
Why travel to Boston and New York (and sometimes places beyond) with the hopes of maybe telling a five-minute story for free when I am paid a significant amount of money to travel the country and tell stories, deliver keynotes, and perform standup?
A couple of people were less than kind about this, implying that my continued performances at The Moth were silly, a waste of time, or detrimental to my career. At least one implied that my development as a performer and artist has been compromised by my continued participation in StorySLAMs and similar events.
It’s certainly true that I have been performing at The Moth for a long time. Last week, I was at The Bell House in Brooklyn, and I watched the great Ophira Eisenberg host, and it occurred to me that she and I might be two of the longest performing storytellers at The Moth. When I started telling stories on Moth stages in 2011 — around the same time as Ophira — The Moth existed in only New York City.
Today, the organization has expanded to 26 American cities as well as Melbourne and London.
But the storytelling greats of those early days have since moved on. Storytelling regulars like Steve Zimmer, Adam Wade, Diana Spechler, Kate Greathead, Jim O’Grady, Uncle Frank, Erin Barker, and so many more are no longer gracing the stage of The Moth. Some have become successful authors. Others are running their own show today. Some have left storytelling behind for other pursuits.
Ophira and I remain — Ophira as a host and me as a storyteller. A few other Moth staff members and hots remain from those early days, but I haven’t seen any of those storytellers of yore in a long time.
So why have I stayed while so many others have gone?
A few reasons, but before I offer them, let’s also be clear that my continued involvement with The Moth has certainly not stymied my creative pursuit as some have implied.
Since I told my first story at The Moth back in 20111, I have::
Published four additional novels, expanded into nonfiction, and will be expanding into middle-grade fiction when my next book comes out in 2026.
My books have been translated into more than 25 languages worldwide.
I’ve turned myself into a keynote speaker. I’ve delivered more than a dozen TEDx Talks over the years and travel the country and world speaking on stages large and small.
I’m now a storytelling and communications consultant for organizations like Microsoft, Amazon, nonprofits, start-ups, religious institutions, and even the FBI.
I’ve become a standup, performing in the New York City Comedy Festival in 2022 and 2024.
I’ve co-created “Matt and Jeni Are Unprepared,” a storytelling improv show that has sold out every time we’ve performed it.
Elysha and I launched Speak Up, a Connecticut-based storytelling organization that has produced more than 100 shows throughout New England and featured local storytellers, world-class performers, and one United States Senator.
I’ve written and performed two solo shows in the last four years to sold-out audiences.
I’ve become a humor columnist. I’ve worked for a comic book company. Elysha and I hosted and produced a successful, long-running podcast. I’ve co-written a rock opera and three musicals, all of which have been produced on stages in Connecticut.
Forgive the list, but for anyone who has expressed concern or insinuated that I might be stifled by my continued involvement with The Moth:
You can suck it.
But still, why spend all this time to maybe tell a five-minute story for free, with so many other opportunities available to me?
A few reasons:
- First and foremost, performing at The Moth requires me to keep developing my content. You can’t repeat a story at The Moth, so every time I take that stage, I’m telling something new. This drives me to relentlessly find and craft new stories.
- The stories I tell at The Moth often serve as the basis for other creative endeavors. Both of my solo shows are centered on a Moth story. I’ve used Moth stories in TEDx Talks, keynotes, and other speeches. Moth stories make up the backbone of my newest book. Moth stories become the basis for stand-up sets. The relentless pursuit of the next story affords me the opportunity to use those stories in myriad ways.
- I love The Moth community. So many of the storytellers I meet in Boston and NYC have become friends. Many perform at Speak Up. It’s a shared bond that can only come from telling stories on a stage, competing for the judges’ approval, and honoring the work each of us does. I can’t begin to imagine not having these people in my life.
- The four, five, or even six hours or more it takes to drive to and from Boston or New York for The Moth are always spent with friends, affording me unprecedented time with people I love. I spend more time with friends than anyone I know, and I feel so fortunate to have that time together.
- I have introduced so many of my friends to storytelling via The Moth. Last month, my friend, Ellen, told her first Moth story. Earlier this year, my friend, Kaia, told her first story. A few years back, I brought my friends Plato and Tom to The Moth, and we finished that night in first, second, and third place — quite a night for us. It was also Tom and Plato’s first time onstage at The Moth. I introduced my friend, Jeni, to The Moth, and last year, she won her first StorySLAM. I was there to watch it happen. I have new people in mind for 2026. I love constantly opening this door to new people.
- I like to compete, and the victory totals I have amassed have helped me establish myself as a great storyteller. It’s proof positive of my excellent storytelling skills, and those victories have helped open doors in the publishing, business, and theatrical worlds. As much as the competitive element of The Moth irritates some people, it’s good to have a place where your skill and talent are quantified if you wish to have a future in storytelling.
- I have deep affection for The Moth. I would not be where I am today had they not afforded me a stage, an audience, and an opportunity to shine. Returning to The Moth again and again is a way of honoring what they did for me.
That’s why I continue to drive to Boston and New York, hoping to maybe tell a five-minute story on a stage for free.
I happen to believe it’s a pile of excellent reasons.
Maybe you, too, want to tell a story at The Moth someday. If so, I encourage you to do so next month. The Moth hosts shows in 26 cities nationwide. You can probably find one nearby.
Someday is today. Go tell a story to the kindest, most supportive audience possible:
A Moth audience.
There are lots of very good reasons for doing so.
