Podcast Summary: "Give Me Liberty: Sue Schmidt & Robin Utz"

Introduction

In the November 2, 2018 episode of The Moth titled "Give Me Liberty," host Dan Kennedy introduces listeners to two powerful and deeply personal stories from Sue Schmidt and Robin Utz. Both narratives explore themes of resilience, courage, and the pursuit of freedom amidst challenging circumstances. This summary delves into the key points, discussions, and emotional journeys presented by the storytellers, enriched with notable quotes and timestamps for reference.

1. Sue Schmidt: "Rocking for Liberty"

Background and Family Legacy

Sue Schmidt opens her story by reflecting on her Italian heritage and the indomitable spirit of her great grandmother. She begins with a poignant memory:

"The first sentence I ever learned in Italian was si prega di portale liberta, which means please bring to me liberty." (02:01)

Sue recounts her great grandmother’s activism for women's suffrage in New York City, encapsulating her relentless fight with the memorable plea for liberty—a request for either freedom or bail money. This legacy of fierce argumentation and determination shaped Sue's upbringing in a family where women were the true decision-makers, excelling in debates much like a "long distance relay" rather than a sprint (03:15).

Pursuit of Ambition

In the summer of 1972, inspired by Karen Carpenter’s drumming performance on television, Sue aspired to become a drummer—a role traditionally dominated by men in her community. She narrates a family dinner conversation where her passion is both challenged and supported:

"Women can play the drums. She can play whatever she wants." (04:25)

Despite initial resistance from her grandfather, her grandmother’s unwavering support ultimately wins the argument, exemplifying the "gold medal" in familial debates awarded to the women. Sue’s perseverance leads her to join a band with nine boys and face obstacles such as stolen sheet music and drumsticks, yet her dedication never wavers.

Triumph and Reflection

Sue describes the culmination of her efforts during the winter concert where she defies expectations. Clad in a long, flowing gown provided by her supportive mother, she overcomes a wardrobe malfunction:

"I stride up to the corner of that stage and I reach down and I pull that dress up between my legs and I tie that frickin thing off at the waist and I sit down at the drum set and I frickin rock that thing." (07:00)

Her performance is met with pride from her family, symbolizing the fulfillment of her great grandmother’s dream of liberty—not just in voting rights but in personal freedoms and achievements. Sue concludes her story by connecting past struggles to present hopes for future generations:

"I think she meant the hope that comes that if you work really hard for something, even if you don't get to achieve it, that one day maybe your daughter or your granddaughter or your great granddaughter will get to be up on stage and they will just get to rock that frickin thing." (08:10)

2. Robin Utz: "Into the Deep"

A Dream Interrupted

Robin Utz shares her heartbreaking journey through pregnancy complications that led to the difficult decision to terminate her pregnancy. She begins by painting a picture of blissful expectation:

"When I met him, I loved how he talked about the things that he loved so much... I was pretty sure about my husband right off the bat." (09:46)

After years of trying to conceive—including in vitro fertilization attempts and a miscarriage—Robin finally becomes pregnant with her daughter, Grace Pearl. The initial joy is swiftly overshadowed during an anatomy scan where troubling signs emerge:

"There’s not a lot of amniotic fluid. I want you to roll on your side and I'm going to talk to the doctor." (13:15)

Facing the Dreaded Diagnosis

Robin describes the devastating moment when the ultrasound technician reveals that Grace’s kidneys are malfunctioning, preventing proper fluid circulation necessary for lung development. The prognosis is grim:

"Our daughter's kidneys are huge. They're full of fluid-filled cysts. Basically, they're not working." (15:00)

As the reality sets in, Robin and her husband Jim grapple with the implications, facing the heart-wrenching choice between terminating the pregnancy or bringing Grace into a life where she would not survive. Legal constraints in Missouri add urgency to their decision-making process.

Processing Grief and Making Peace

Robin details the emotional turmoil and support from her family as they navigate the termination:

"I cried and cried and cried. And the night before the termination, I asked Jim how he wanted to say goodbye to Grace." (19:45)

Jim’s proposal for a "dance party" as a farewell to Grace provides a moment of connection and closure. They create a playlist of songs Grace would have loved, symbolizing their love and the heartbreaking reality of their loss.

Hope and Moving Forward

Despite the profound grief, Robin finds hope in her subsequent pregnancy:

"I'm pregnant again. It's a girl again. I'm so excited. I can't wait to see what she's like and to teach her things." (23:30)

Her story underscores resilience and the enduring hope for a better future, where her new daughter will be valued and free to make her own choices.

Conclusion

Sue Schmidt and Robin Utz deliver compelling narratives that embody the struggle for personal freedom and the courage to face life's most challenging moments. Sue's story celebrates the triumph of ambition and familial support, while Robin's narrative poignantly captures the depths of grief and the strength to persevere. Together, their stories offer profound insights into the human spirit's capacity for resilience and the enduring quest for liberty in various forms.

Notable Quotes:

• "If arguing were an Olympic sport, the women in my family would be gold medalists." – Sue Schmidt (03:15)

• "I stride up to the corner of that stage... and I frickin rock that thing." – Sue Schmidt (07:00)

• "I'm doing this because I love my daughter." – Robin Utz (23:50)

About the Storytellers

• Sue Schmidt is a stand-up comedian and the regional producer for The Moth Story Slam series in Burlington, Vermont. Her work has been featured on New England Public Radio and CBS Sunday Morning. She is a teaching artist at the Flynn Center for the Performing Arts and founder of Say It Forward Productions, aiding nonprofits in storytelling.

• Robin Utz is a professional project manager and avid music fan currently expecting her second child. Her story highlights her personal journey through adversity and the profound impact of choice and support in times of crisis.

For more stories and information on The Moth, visit themoth.org.