The Moth Podcast
Episode: Banned Books Week: The Moth Podcast
Release Date: October 10, 2025
Host: Clayvis Natera
Overview
In honor of Banned Books Week, this episode of The Moth Podcast casts a spotlight on the critical role of storytelling, the fight against censorship, and the courage it takes to speak and read freely. Host and storyteller Clayvis Natera introduces two powerful true stories: one from Mohammed bin Kulaif, recalling the clandestine search for forbidden literature in Saudi Arabia, and another from Toby Price, a Mississippi educator who lost his job after reading a silly children’s book some deemed “inappropriate.” Both stories encapsulate the personal and political stakes of what it means to read, share, and defend books in the face of silencing forces.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Introduction: The Spirit of Banned Books Week
Host: Clayvis Natera
- [02:03] Introduces the episode’s focus on banned books, censorship, and the impact of storytelling.
- Quote: “This week is Banned Books Week, and to honor that, we'll be sharing stories about censorship, courage, and the importance of the written word.” – Clayvis Natera [02:08]
2. Mohammed bin Kulaif: The High-Stakes Game of Reading in Saudi Arabia
[02:41 – 09:14]
Storyteller: Mohammed bin Kulaif
The Reality of Censorship
- Books that discuss evolution, politics, or religion critically are banned outright in Saudi Arabia.
- Acquisition of banned books requires ingenuity, secrecy, and a trusted network.
- Quote: “I wonder how many of you had to meet strangers in parking lot to buy books. Otherwise, you probably never lived in a third world country where censorship impact your buying purchases.” – Mohammed bin Kulaif [02:41]
- Online message boards and friends traveling abroad are crucial for accessing forbidden materials.
The Underground Book Trade
- Bookstores outside Saudi Arabia entice buyers with “Banned in Saudi” sections.
- The annual Riyadh International Book Fair is a rare loophole for obtaining unreviewed “hot” books, but it’s closely policed by authorities.
- Quote: “The agency that enforces banned books are religious police. And they will walk into the book fair chasing down people buying books and they will take them off of their hand…” – Mohammed bin Kulaif [04:39]
The Allure (and Letdown) of Forbidden Knowledge
- Mohammed’s lifelong desire was to read Dostoevsky’s works in the revered translation by Sami Aldrube.
- After a covert (and costly) parking lot purchase, he discovers his prized banned books have, in fact, become widely available that year.
- Quote: “He took advantage of how much I wanted to get banned books and I honestly did not want to read them anymore. They're not hot anymore. They were available at the normal bookstores…” – Mohammed bin Kulaif [08:52]
Memorable, Humorous Moments
- The joy in the tactile, musty smell of old books: “Smells so good. Smells like spiders been having sex all over them. It's so amazing. I don't know if you know that smell. That is so good.” – Mohammed bin Kulaif [07:51]
- Debating censors about “Animal Farm,” mistaken for socialist propaganda: “Animals talking… sounds quite socialist.”
“It's the Animal Farm. That's for kids.” – [05:06]
3. Reflection: The Personal Stakes of Storytelling
Host: Clayvis Natera
[09:14 – 11:50]
- Emphasizes how stories—read and told—connect people, transcend borders, and foster empathy.
- Shares her immigrant experience and how communicating with her father began her storytelling journey.
- Quote: “Those brief and silly stories I told my dad had the power to collapse the thousands of miles between us, make me feel closer to him, find my way during uncertain times.” – Clayvis Natera [10:13]
Impact of Banned Books on Personal Growth
- Clayvis reflects on influential banned books in her own life:
“These books, among so many others, have moved me from a space of awe and contemplation toward inspiration… What could be more dangerous to those who seek to silence us than the certainty that together we are a chorus? That together we could change the world?” [11:19]
4. Toby Price: The School Principal Fired Over a Butt Joke
[14:32 – 26:41]
Storyteller: Toby Price
Becoming a Reader and an Educator
- Childhood reluctance for reading was overcome by finding the right (funny, adventurous) books—especially superhero comics.
- Quote: “Spider man was a nerd, just like me. He was smart. I was smart. He married way out of his league. So did I.” – Toby Price [15:04]
Shared Reading as Family & Pedagogy
- As a father of three (two on the autism spectrum), Toby saw books—especially silly ones—as key to nurturing a love of reading.
The “Controversial” Butt Book Incident
- On Read Across America Week, he read “I Need a New Butt” to twelve second-grade classes. Students loved it.
- “They howled when they saw the little boy slide down the banister and think that he broke his butt because there was a crack in it.” – [19:38]
From Applause to Outrage
- Immediately called to the principal’s office; later to the district office; suspended, then terminated.
- Quote: “They sent me home suspended with pay, pending investigation, because parents are going to call.” – Toby Price [20:58]
The Fight for Justice and What’s at Stake
- With wife’s encouragement, Toby refused to resign, opted to appeal, and endured a grilling by administrators unfamiliar with children’s literature.
- “The superintendent had no idea who Shel Silverstein was… had never heard of Captain Underpants.” – Toby Price [22:41]
- No parent complaints were ever submitted as evidence against him.
- The chilling effect: teachers grow scared of reading fun or subversive books.
- “Teachers like him and teachers like me, they're not going to read those fun, silly books to kids like we want them to. And kids need those books.” [24:54]
- Affirms the value and vulnerability of teachers.
- “Some days as a teacher, you feel like Captain America… Other days you're like Peter Parker… bandaging your wounds… Is this all worth it?” [25:28]
Memorable, Touching Finish
- Ends with the image of reading joyfully with his children while his legal process continues.
5. Closing Thoughts & Resources
Host: Clayvis Natera [26:41]
- Underscores stories as tools for connection, healing, subversion—and for change.
- Encourages listeners to cherish the freedom to read and to tell their stories.
Production Credits [27:18]
- Brief introductions of the team and storytellers.
- For pitching, more stories, or event info, visit themoth.org.
Notable Quotes (with Timestamps)
- “This week is Banned Books Week, and to honor that, we'll be sharing stories about censorship, courage, and the importance of the written word.” – Clayvis Natera [02:08]
- “I wonder how many of you had to meet strangers in parking lot to buy books... you probably never lived in a third world country where censorship impact your buying purchases.” – Mohammed bin Kulaif [02:41]
- “The agency that enforces banned books are religious police… They will walk into the book fair chasing down people buying books and they will take them off of their hand…” – Mohammed bin Kulaif [04:39]
- “Smells so good. Smells like spiders been having sex all over them. It's so amazing… That is so good.” – Mohammed bin Kulaif [07:51]
- “Those brief and silly stories I told my dad had the power to collapse the thousands of miles between us, make me feel closer to him, find my way during uncertain times.” – Clayvis Natera [10:13]
- “Spider man was a nerd, just like me. He was smart. I was smart. He married way out of his league. So did I.” – Toby Price [15:04]
- “They howled when they saw the little boy slide down the banister and think that he broke his butt because there was a crack in it.” – Toby Price [19:38]
- “You do it because it is the hardest job in the world and it's the best job in the world.” – Toby Price [25:52]
- “What could be more dangerous to those who seek to silence us than the certainty that together we are a chorus? That together we could change the world?” – Clayvis Natera [11:40]
Episode Timeline
| Timestamp | Segment | |-------------|------------------------------------------------------| | 02:03 | Introduction by Clayvis Natera | | 02:41 | Mohammed bin Kulaif’s story (Saudi Arabia & books) | | 09:14 | Host reflection on storytelling and banned books | | 14:14 | Introduction to Toby Price’s story | | 14:32 | Toby Price’s story (Teaching & censorship in MS) | | 26:41 | Host closing remarks | | 27:18 | Credits and additional resources |
Tone & Language
The episode intertwines humor, vulnerability, and passion. Stories are told with vivid, conversational energy—at times self-deprecating, always sincere. The atmosphere balances lighthearted moments (the smell of old books, the joy of silly stories) with deep meditations on family, loss, struggle, and the enduring power of the written word.
Takeaway
This episode of The Moth is a moving celebration of books—especially those others want to ban—and a reminder that every story, no matter how silly or subversive, can be a lifeline, a tool for resistance, or a spark for change. Storytellers and listeners are called to cherish and defend both the freedom to read and the courage to share their truths.