Blindsided: The Moth Podcast

Summary

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The Moth Podcast – “Blindsided” (July 3, 2026)

Episode Overview

This episode of The Moth Podcast, hosted by Aminah Brown, explores the theme of being “blindsided”—those moments when life catches us off guard and challenges us to react, adapt, or simply laugh. Two storytellers, Janelle Banks and Aminah herself, share true personal stories of surprise and growth: one about overcoming fear after a traumatic accident and the other about the delightful unpredictability of family dynamics.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction to the Theme: Blindsided

• Host Aminah Brown introduces the focus: life’s surprises and moments that catch us off-guard, asking listeners: “When something comes out of the blue, how do you react? Do you freeze? Do you panic? Or do you find a way to move forward?” (02:40)
• The episode features two personal stories highlighting very different but resonant forms of being blindsided.

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First Story: “Steering My Own Destiny” by Janelle Banks

(03:20–14:20)

Main Topics & Story Arc

• The Plan vs. Reality

  • 2003: Janelle moves to St. Joseph, Missouri, ready for college and a law career.
  • Janelle quips: “I'm not sure this school could actually produce lawyers. But let's dream big.” (03:34)

• The Accident & Aftermath

  • Janelle details a traumatic car accident two years prior:
    “I was driving a purple Hyundai Accent ... and I was hit by a Ford F150 and T-boned in a major intersection. My car spun around like a washing machine on its final cycle until it finally stopped like God himself said, ‘That’s enough.’” (03:57–04:19)
  • Her foot was nearly amputated, followed by a grueling recovery, learning to walk again, and adjusting to a “monument of survival.”
    “My foot hoisted high in a cast as thick as drywall ... hanging like a monument of survival.” (04:36)

• Loss of Confidence and License

  • Trauma left Janelle unable to drive, license-less for years, relying on social networks (“my own underground Uber network”) to get around.
  • “At my big age, very embarrassing. But I managed ... powered by sorority sisters and fraternity bros and all of the relationships I built along the way with my brilliant personality.” (07:46)

• Overcoming Fear

  • By her mid-20s, fed up with asking for rides, Janelle is motivated by her stepfather’s offer:
    “He would give me a car for absolutely free and the title, if I got my driver’s license ... To most people, that sounds like a good deal, right? To me, that's like asking for a million dollars.” (09:05)

• Learning to Drive Again

  • Janelle studies, practices, and faces the anxiety of the DMV:
    “But no one tells you how scary the DMV is. It's nasty, it's cold, it's dimly lit.” (10:33)
  • After failing once, she passes the written and driving test—with the parallel parking section nearly foiling her until the examiner says, “Stop. You don't know what you're doing. That will conclude the test. But you’ve passed.” (11:42)
  • The joy at finally earning her license after eight years of fear.

• Claiming Adulthood and Freedom

  • Janelle moves to Houston and even drives to New York: a testimony of growth.
  • She reflects on her tattoo:
    “The symbol 8, which looks like the infinity sign, which ironically is tattooed on my once shattered ankle. And underneath it says ‘Not easily broken.’ That tattoo says it all.” (13:40)
  • Memorable Quote:
    “Because driving or riding in the car as a passenger is one thing, but driving by yourself, that is control and that is freedom, and that is steering your own destiny.” (14:19)

Post-Story Reflection

• Aminah Brown shares that Janelle now teaches her sister to drive, reflecting on the responsibility of driving and noticing every small decision behind the wheel (14:27–15:30).
• Connection to theme: “...adventures are not just bungee jumping—learning to drive can be an adventure, too.” (15:10)

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Second Story: “Grandma May Steal Your Man” by Aminah Brown

(17:28–23:07)

Main Topics & Story Arc

• Family Introductions Gone Awry

  • Aminah recounts the moment she brought her white, red-haired boyfriend (now husband) to meet her Black grandmother—a significant step.
  • Returning from the kitchen, she finds them mid-conversation about swimming and supportive swimsuit straps, with her grandmother pantomiming and oversharing:
    “I see her doing this with her bra straps and I’m just like, why would you be doing that talking to my boyfriend?” (18:10)

• Unexpected Relationship Advice

  • On getting engaged, Grandma offers:
    “Don’t kiss Matt too hard ... 'cause you know, white people bruise easy.” (19:12)
  • Aminah’s mother rushes to interrupt before Grandma shares further “unhealable” wisdom, recalling scenes from The Color Purple:
    “My mother is running towards the kitchen with the same energy Shug Avery is running towards when Celie went to shave Mistah.” (19:37)

• Grandma’s Special Bond with Matt

  • Aminah jokes about “having to keep an eye on your grandmother because she might steal your man.”
  • Grandma continues to show special attention and concern for Matt—even shifting focus from Aminah’s personal news to Matt’s welfare:
    “That sounds wonderful, Mina. What you get for Matt?” (21:28)
  • The pattern repeats with Aminah’s brother-in-law, to her sister-in-law’s amusement:
    “She walks right up to him, squeezes his bicep, looks at his wife, and says, ‘You made a man out of you.’” (22:35)

• Family Rituals & Love

  • Despite joking, Aminah cherishes the unique bond between her husband and grandmother:
    “When she comes over, he makes her coffee and she giggles when she tells him how much sugar and cream to put in it ... as I record this right now my grandma is staying with me.” (23:07)
  • Playful closing line:
    “She’s sweet, but watch her.” (22:59)

Notable Quotes and Moments

• On advice from Grandma:
  “Don’t kiss Matt too hard ... 'cause you know, white people bruise easy.” (19:12)
• On intergenerational love:
  “It is a wonderful and unfortunate thing in your life when you feel like you have to sort of keep an eye on your grandmother because she might steal your man.” (21:54)
• Storytelling Humor:
  “She’s sweet, but watch her.” (22:59)
• Aminah’s on-the-spot dialogue with her grandmother as she recalls telling this story:
  “I told her I was sharing a story about her on this podcast ... She replied, ‘I said that?’ Yes, you said that.” (23:33)

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Episode Ending

• Host Reflection
  • Aminah Brown wraps up:
    “Thanks so much for listening. We hope that this week and every week all your surprises are pleasant.” (23:35)

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Noteworthy Quotes & Timestamps

• Janelle Banks on surviving a traumatic accident:
  “My car spun around like a washing machine on its final cycle until it finally stopped like God himself said, ‘That’s enough.’” (04:09)
• Janelle on reclaiming agency:
  “I am ready to stop letting life drive me and drive this car.” (11:11)
• Aminah Brown’s grandmother on relationships:
  “Make sure you don’t kiss him too hard, Mina. ‘Cause you know, white people bruise easy.” (19:12)
• Aminah’s summary on family dynamics:
  “She’s sweet, but watch her.” (22:59)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 02:40 – Aminah introduces the “blindsided” theme.
• 03:20–14:20 – Janelle Banks’ story of overcoming fear and learning to drive again.
• 14:27–15:59 – Aminah reflects on Janelle’s story and the idea of life’s everyday adventures.
• 17:28–23:07 – Aminah’s own story about introducing her now-husband to her outspoken grandmother and the funny, meaningful bonds they form.

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Summary

This episode of The Moth Podcast, “Blindsided,” masterfully blends humor, vulnerability, and resilience. Janelle Banks’ journey from trauma to empowerment illuminates what it means to reclaim agency after being paralyzed by fear, while Aminah Brown’s story celebrates the messy, hilarious, and heartfelt surprises that family can bring. Both stories together encourage listeners to face the unexpected—not just with courage or adaptability, but sometimes with a sense of adventure and a willingness to laugh at the unpredictable moments that shape our paths.

Transcript

[Moth Representative]

At the Moth, we're using the power of storytelling to connect teachers with their students. Once a student develops their story and voice, they can show up more authentically in the classroom, their relationships and beyond. Which is why we developed the Moth Teacher Institute, an annual conference that brings together educators who want to use the Moth storytelling techniques in their classrooms and communities. The programming features live storytelling, panel discussions and hands on workshops to help help find, shape and tell your own true personal stories. To learn more and apply, visit themoth.org

[Podcast Host]

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[Aminah Brown]

oh hey, welcome to the Moth. I'm Aminah Brown. I'm a Moth storyteller, poet, and the author of the essay collection Never Tell a Black Girl how to Black Girl. When something comes out of the blue, how do you react? Do you freeze?

[Storyteller (Janelle Banks and Mina)]

Do you panic?

[Aminah Brown]

Or do you find a way to move forward? On this episode, we've got two stories about being surprised, dumbfounded, blindsided in completely different ways. Our first story is from Janelle Banks, who told this story at a Kansas City main stage where the theme was daring. Here's Janelle Live at the mall

[Storyteller (Janelle Banks and Mina)]

fall

[Janelle Banks]

2003 when I packed up my hopes, my dreams and too many hoodies and landed in good old St. Joseph, Missouri. Enter Janelle, eager and ambitious and allegedly destined to become a lawyer. At least that's the plan. But I'm not sure this school could actually produce lawyers. But let's dream big. College came at me fast, and not in a partying, late night ramen kind of way, but still, there was a mission in the background to drive. And no, not the motivational drive to succeed. I mean literally learning how to operate a motor vehicle. Here I am in a rural community stuck with no car and transportation is key and you can't get around like you can in the present day by tapping your phone and trusting a stranger with five stars. So yes, I'm afraid to drive. And here I am in a rural space needing a car. Cause you see, two years plus prior I was in an accident where I was driving a purple Hyundai Accent as a newly permanent driver and I was hit by a Ford F150 and T Bone in a major intersection. My car spun around like a washer machine on its final cycle until it finally stopped like God himself said, said, that's enough. That accident nearly took my foot away from me. It crushed all the bones in it and broke it off of my ankle and doctors openly debated whether amputating it was the best option. I still recall being asked to recite the Alphabet backwards before surgery, which was the only calm and normal normalcy before the chaos. I remember waking up in a sterile room with my foot hoisted high in a cast as thick as drywall and it was hanging like a monument of survival. My hospital stay was short but unforgettable and with the help of a morphine pump I was able to learn how to walk on crutches and and dragged the wagon that was now my fragile foot. And from there I was pushed Back into society in the middle of a snowstorm, snowboarded into our third story town home, where I had to move from the third floor to the first floor for safety and convenience. Now that I'm settled in and back to reality without my morphine pump, now comes the next journey, which is physical therapy. And as I can recall, the first sessions were pretty brutal. But little by little, I learned how to walk. Not necessarily because I wanted to, but because I refused to hop, skip and jump everywhere, especially to the bathroom. That accident changed my life. It taught me how to endure pain when, while walking, what my endurance was, and even what shoes I could wear. But most importantly, it changed my relationship with driving. I didn't drive. I stopped. I never got my license. Because now driving came with fear and drama. It just wasn't about a rite of passage. It actually was a roadblock. And you know, in the Midwest, driving is like a form of currency. So now here I am in college, basically cosplaying as a licensed driver because people can understand you not having a car but not having a license. At my big age, very embarrassing. But I managed to maneuver through five years of asking for rides and catching rides and getting all of the favors in. In fact, I had built my own underground Uber network, powered by sorority sisters and fraternity bros and all of the relationships I built along the way with my brilliant personality. Here I am, five years, 18 through 25, without a car, without a license in sight. In fact, I haven't driven once. I haven't come close to a steering wheel. The closest I've come to driving may be a bumper car at an amusement park, which scared me, or PlayStation's Grand Theft Auto. But now, in my mid-20s, I'm a college graduate and I'm tired of asking for rides. In fact, I'm afraid that public transit might be the next step. And I've heard stories. So now it is time to shift. Shift into bravery and get my driver's license or die trying. Now, my stepfather approached me with a good option. He offered me a brand new black Mitsubishi with leather seats and a sunroof, which is a great deal. And the only cost was that I just had to give my driver's license. That's right. This man said he would give me a car for absolutely free and the title if I got my driver's license. And to most people, that sounds like a good deal, right? To me, that's like asking for a million dollars. I didn't have it. But as the great Allen Iverson once said, it's Just practice. It's just practice. So that's what I did. I practiced. I got that stupid blue book from the dmv and I learned the art of driving through online tests and reading that book. And eventually I got some test laps around the neighborhood, supervised in my brand new used Mitsubishi. And I started to feel confident, like I have been driving the last eight years of my life. I mean, I'm driving down these two lane residential streets. Ready? I'm so confident. At some point I paused and wondered, do I actually know how to drive? Or have I just memorized the neighborhood? But now it's time to move forward and take the driver's test. And no one tells you how scary the DMV is. It's nasty, it's cold, it's dimly lit. But here I am taking this test and I'm proud to announce that I emerged from the cold, nasty, dimly lit DMV clutching a passing school score.

[Storyteller (Janelle Banks and Mina)]

Yes,

[Janelle Banks]

only after two tries, which is not bad for a product of an open admissions college. Now, on to the driver's test. I'm nervous. I'm afraid, because again, it's been eight long years, years of fear. But I am ready to stop letting life drive me and drive this car. Unfortunately, though, I have met my match. Because the instructor giving the test is extremely friendly. Like way too friendly. Which led to us having great conversations, which means I missed every turn she told me to take. I was talking with my hands like I had been driving for years. I think the only time I was at 10 to 2 is when we started the car. But now it was time for the final portion of the driver's test, which is parallel parking. The final boss. Before I could even turn the wheel, she said, stop. You don't know what you're doing. That will conclude the test. But you've passed. Now here I was thinking that I was a forever passenger princess. But I heard the words pass. I've passed. I'm a licensed driver. Omg. And life is funny like that. Once I got my license, I didn't just sit around. I decided to relocate from Kansas City, Missouri to Houston, Texas, which is crazy for a person who's only driven on the highway like four times. But it was fun. It was eight long years. Eight long years where I've held myself accountable for not driving. And now I'm driving an 8. The symbol 8, which looks like the infinity sign, which ironically is tattooed on my right once shattered ankle. And underneath it says not easily broken. That tattoo says it all. It says it all. I've triumphed. I've overcome a disability. I've pushed myself out of the cage. I've passed things that took away my adulthood and my womanhood. And now I'm driving. And from Houston I drove all the way to New York City, which is crazy. But life is crazy like that. Because driving or riding in the car as a passenger is one thing, but driving by yourself, that is control and that is freedom, and that is steering your own destiny. Thank you.

[Aminah Brown]

That was Janelle Banks. Janelle is a comedian, actor, storyteller and artist known for blending sharp humor, real life experiences and creative expression into unforgettable experiences. She's also a visual artist, bringing bold energy, authenticity and heart from the stage and screen to every creative space she enters. We asked Janelle what she thought about the events of the story all these years later. She said, I am currently teaching my little sister how to drive, and it made me reflect on how much responsibility comes with being behind the wheel. Once you become a driver, you stop thinking about every step. You just start the car and go. But now I notice every decision, every movement, and every moment it takes to drive safely. One of the things I love about Janelle's story is how she talks about the importance of being willing to sign up for an adventure. Sometimes we think adventures are only ziplining or bungee jumping, but learning how to drive is an adventure too. When I was writing my book of comedic essays, Never Tell a Black Girl how to Black Girl, I really enjoyed writing stories about everyday things that become adventures, like going to a pool party or trying to make new friends. Big thank you to Janelle for reminding us to stay, steer our own destiny, and be open to wherever life takes us. After the break, another story about being blindsided, one that's a little less life changing but a little more surprising. Back in a moment

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[Aminah Brown]

Welcome back. Our next story is one that I know well because I told it. This is from an Atlanta Story slam where the theme was anniversary. Here I am live at the mall

[Storyteller (Janelle Banks and Mina)]

this year. Makes 12 years since I introduced my now husband to my grandmother. He was my boyfriend then, and I had never brought a man home to meet my family. So my mom, my grandmother and my sister knew that this was a very big deal. I'm also bringing a tall white man with red hair home. This is a very big deal. I mistakenly leave my boyfriend in the living room with my grandmother while I'm in the kitchen doing all the things with my mom and my sister. And when I come back, I can't hear what my grandma's saying. All I see is her doing this with her bra straps and I'm just like, why would you be doing that? Talking to my boyfriend? But when I get closer, I realize they're in a conversation about swimming and my boyfriend is telling my grandma how he loves to work out by swimming. And she's like, oh, I try to get these girls to learn how to swim and they won't never learn. And me, I would learn. But you know, I'm top heavy and I would need a swimsuit that would have wide straps so it could really hold me in, you know. And my boyfriend says, grandma, you know, let me know if you ever find that swimsuit. I don't mind, you know, taking you out to the pool or something. You know, I could show you how to float. And she said, oh man. After we got engaged, I go to visit my grandmother and she says, come sit. I got some advice, some relationship advice. And I'm like, please tell me Whatever this is. And she says, I want you to remember, don't kiss Matt too hard. At this point of the story, I'm having to decide, do I want to know why my grandma's telling me not to kiss my then fiance too hard, but I'm too nosy, so I say, go on, make sure you don't kiss him too hard, Mina. Cause you know, white people bruise easy. At this point. I don't know if you've seen the color purple, but at this point, my mother is running towards the kitchen with the same energy Shug Avery is running towards. When Celie went to shave Mistah. And Shug Avery thought that Celie was gonna kill mistah, but my mom thought that my grandma was gonna really tell me something that maybe we can't like unhear. So my mom runs, runs, runs, gets to the kitchen. Mom, listen, you don't need to tell Mina how hard she can kiss Matt or not. They're about to get married. You don't need to worry about that at this point. Point my grandma says, will you tell Mina to watch it right here? Anyways, so by the time Matt and I get married, I realize my grandmother and my now husband have developed this very chummy relationship that apparently we began with a wide strap swimsuit. Conversation further developed to my grandmother noticing a mark I left on my fiance. I don't know the vibes there. And now my grandmother is very concerned about Matt all the time. I come to her and tell her that I've just returned from the mall. Here is the dress I purchased. Here is what I had for lunch. That sounds wonderful, Mina. What you get for Matt? Oh, that sandwich sounds like it was delicious. Did you buy Matt something? And it is a wonderful and unfortunate thing in your life when you feel like you have to sort of keep an eye on your grandmother because she might steal your man. The last moment I had with my grandmother was about my brother in law, who is my husband's younger brother, also a tall redheaded white man came to our home this Thanksgiving. My grandmother walks right up to him, squeezes his bicep, looks at his wife and says, you made a man out of you. And my sister in law had a moment where it's like a couple of thoughts cross her mind, right? Like the first thought is like, wait, what? But then the second thought was actually like pride, you know, Like I think something came across her mind, like maybe I did make a man out of her. And as soon as my grandmother walked away, I turned to my sister in law and I said she's sweet, but watch her.

[Aminah Brown]

To this day, my grandma and my husband still have their own little rituals. When she comes over to our house, he makes her coffee and she giggles when she tells him how much sugar and cream to put in it. I still think she loves him a little more than me as I record this Right now my grandma is staying with me. I told her I was sharing a story about her on this podcast and I told her what she said in this story. She replied, I said that?

[Storyteller (Janelle Banks and Mina)]

Yes, you said that.

[Aminah Brown]

I love how my grandma has selective memory, especially when she says something funny. That brings us to the end of our episode. Thanks so much for listening. We hope that this week and every week all your surprises are pleasant.

[Podcast Producer/Host (Mark Solinger)]

Aminah Brown is a writer, spoken word poet, performing artist and Moth storyteller whose new collection of essays, Never Tell a Black Girl how to Black Girl is available now. If you'd like more Amina we actually just featured another story of hers on the Moth Radio Hour. It's in the episode called American Dreams, which dropped just last week, so take a listen. This episode of the Moth Podcast was produced by Sarah Austin, Janess, Sarah Jane Johnson and me, Mark Solinger. The rest of the Moth's leadership team includes Gina Duncan, Christina Norman, Marina Clouche, Jennifer Hickson, Jordan Cardinale, Caledonia Cairns, Kate Tellers, Suzanne Rust and Patricia Urenia. The Moth Podcast is presented by Odysee. Special thanks to their executive producer, Leah Rees Dennis. All Moth stories are true as remembered by their storytellers. For more about our podcast, information on pitching your own story and everything else, go to our website themoth.org.

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