Selected Shorts: "The Stories We Tell Ourselves" Episode Summary

Release Date: April 3, 2025
Host/Author: Symphony Space
Description: Selected Shorts features exceptional actors bringing to life a diverse array of short stories from literature, film, theater, and comedy. Each episode delves into the human condition through narratives that are sometimes humorous, always moving, and rich with diverse voices.

Introduction and Theme

In the April 3, 2025 episode of Selected Shorts, host Brooke Gladstone sets the stage for an evening centered around the theme "The Stories We Tell Ourselves". Emphasizing the profound ways in which narratives shape our identities and perceptions, Brooke invites listeners to explore how characters in various stories define, remember, and understand who they are.

Brooke Gladstone [01:55]: "Each of these stories are, in a way, about stories and the particular ways these characters... use them to define, shape and remember who it is they and we think we are."

First Story: "My Podiatrist Tells Me a Story About a Boy and a Dog" by Mary Gordon

Performers: Bebe Neuwirth and Richard Massaro
Overview:
Mary Gordon's "My Podiatrist Tells Me a Story About a Boy and a Dog" is a beautifully crafted narrative that intertwines the professional relationship between a podiatrist and his patient with deeper reflections on family and personal growth. Bebe Neuwirth and Richard Massaro deliver a compelling two-hand performance that captures the nuanced dialogue and emotional undercurrents of the story.

Key Moments and Quotes:

• Patient's Reluctance and Trust:

  Bebe Neuwirth [04:19]: "Why wouldn't I like seeing him? I first went when I had something called a planter wart beneath my big left toe."

  The patient's initial fear and eventual trust in her podiatrist highlight the vulnerability and healing inherent in their relationship.

• Podiatrist's Backstory:

  Richard Massaro [09:00]: "So I put the muzzle on the dog. She doesn't give any trouble... But she gives me this terrible look when the doctor sticks the needle into her."

  This revelation of the podiatrist's past, marked by personal tragedy and resilience, adds depth to his character and underscores the theme of overcoming adversity through storytelling.

• Emotional Closure:

  Richard Massaro [21:05]: "Maybe it's a story about that for you. For me? For me, it's a wonderful story about a wonderful dog."

  The final lines bring a heartfelt conclusion to the narrative, emphasizing the enduring bond between the characters and the stories they carry with them.

Performers' Reflections:

• Bebe Neuwirth [23:30]: "I also love the story. I think it's beautifully written, it's surprising and it's delightful and it's warm and it's unusual."

• Richard Massaro [23:04]: "I love this story... It’s a delightful little piece."

Both performers expressed admiration for the story's craftsmanship and the characters' depth, highlighting the seamless collaboration that brought Gordon's narrative to life.

Second Story: "A Down Home Meal for these Difficult Times" by Mehran Hedero

Performer: Chinasa Obwagu
Overview:
Mehran Hedero's "A Down Home Meal for these Difficult Times" is an evocative exploration of immigrant life, adaptation, and the role of food in maintaining cultural identity. Through the characters Jazara and Yeshi, the story delves into the challenges and resilience found in building a new life in America while honoring one's heritage.

Key Moments and Quotes:

• Cultural Assimilation Challenges:

  Narrator [27:00]: "It's like no one wants to be indebted to anyone else in this country, jazara said. Yeshi added, this is America, where everyone wants to be independent."

  This exchange captures the tension between fostering community and the prevalent ethos of individualism in American society.

• Adopting American Cooking Traditions:

  Narrator [33:15]: "They chose to focus on perfecting economy holiday foods. Not to celebrate, of course, but to comfort."

  The characters' approach to cooking serves as a metaphor for their efforts to find solace and stability amidst life's upheavals.

• Community Building through Food:

  Narrator [44:50]: "They started to see that what comforted them comforted those around them, too. What fed them, fed others."

  This realization underscores the power of shared meals in creating bonds and fostering a sense of belonging.

Performer’s Insight:

• Chinasa Obwagu [50:51]: "It's a beautiful immigrant story... I love that I'm getting to read something that represents [the positive aspects of immigration]."

Obwagu highlights the story's departure from typical immigrant narratives by focusing on the beauty and affirmation found in creating a new life, rather than solely on its struggles.

Third Story: "Love Your Only Mother" by David Michael Kaplan

Performer: Bebe Neuwirth
Overview:
David Michael Kaplan's "Love Your Only Mother" delves into the complexities of familial relationships and the lingering impact of a mother's absence. Through poignant monologue and introspection, the protagonist grapples with unresolved emotions and the elusive nature of reconnecting with her mother.

Key Moments and Quotes:

• Mysterious Postcards:

  Bebe Neuwirth [52:43]: "A postcard from my mother, I tell my husband, and he grunts... She pursued me. And no matter how far away, you always found me in your way."

  The recurring postcards symbolize a persistent yet unresolved connection, reflecting the protagonist's yearning and uncertainty.

• Imagining Reconnection:

  Bebe Neuwirth [60:04]: "Sometimes, in the middle of the night, I'll sit bolt upright... And I'll say, she's here, she's here and I am terrified that you are here."

  This moment captures the protagonist's internal struggle between hope and fear, embodying the emotional turmoil of searching for a lost relationship.

Performer’s Reflection:

• Bebe Neuwirth [60:04]: "Like a buoy in a fog, your voice, dear Mother, seems to come from everywhere."

Neuwirth conveys the ethereal and omnipresent nature of the mother's presence in the protagonist's life, enhancing the story's emotional depth.

Behind-the-Scenes Insights and Reflections

Brooke Gladstone and Meg Wolitzer shared their thoughts on the stories, emphasizing the importance of personal connection and the universality of storytelling.

• Brooke Gladstone [22:14]: "I read that Mary Gordon... said it was almost verbatim. That's life in New York. I have learned... to listen."

• Meg Wolitzer [49:41]: "I love the way Kaplan deflects the central mystery... storytelling happens all the time, everywhere. Stories matter."

These remarks highlight the deliberate selection of stories that resonate on a personal and communal level, reinforcing the episode's overarching theme.

Performers’ Additional Comments:

• Chinasa Obwagu [50:51]: Appreciates the representation of positive immigrant experiences, distinguishing it from more tragedy-focused narratives.

• Bebe Neuwirth [23:30]: Praises the warmth and uniqueness of Mary Gordon's story, noting the enhancement brought by a two-person performance.

Conclusion and Final Remarks

The episode culminates with Meg Wolitzer reflecting on the power of storytelling and its intrinsic role in shaping our understanding of ourselves and others.

Meg Wolitzer [62:13]: "Life adapts or tries. These roots that cradled their lives were ripped away from time to time, trampled, shook loose, but slowly, slowly pushed through, steadied them."

This metaphor encapsulates the resilience depicted in the stories, underscoring the enduring human spirit in the face of adversity.

Final Thoughts:

Selected Shorts masterfully curated an evening that not only entertained but also provoked deeper contemplation on the narratives we craft and internalize. Through its rich storytelling and stellar performances, the episode "The Stories We Tell Ourselves" invites listeners to reflect on their own lives and the stories that define them.

Notable Quotes Overview

1. Brooke Gladstone [01:55]:
   "Each of these stories are, in a way, about stories and the particular ways these characters... use them to define, shape and remember who it is they and we think we are."

2. Bebe Neuwirth [04:19]:
   "Why wouldn't I like seeing him? I first went when I had something called a planter wart beneath my big left toe."

3. Richard Massaro [09:00]:
   "So I put the muzzle on the dog. She doesn't give any trouble... But she gives me this terrible look when the doctor sticks the needle into her."

4. Chinasa Obwagu [50:51]:
   "It's a beautiful immigrant story... I love that I'm getting to read something that represents [the positive aspects of immigration]."

5. Bebe Neuwirth [52:43]:
   "A postcard from my mother, I tell my husband, and he grunts... She pursued me. And no matter how far away, you always found me in your way."

This summary encapsulates the essence of the April 3, 2025 episode of Selected Shorts, providing a comprehensive overview for both existing listeners and newcomers alike.