Podcast Summary: "Holiday Game Plans: Renata Sancken and Kate Tellers"

Introduction In the December 21, 2018 episode of The Moth titled "Holiday Game Plans: Renata Sancken and Kate Tellers," host Dan Kennedy explores the diverse ways individuals navigate the complexities of the holiday season. This episode features two heartfelt stories from Renata Sancken and Kate Tellers, each offering unique perspectives and strategies for celebrating amidst personal and familial dynamics.

Renata Sancken: Navigating Family Dynamics During the Holidays

Setting the Stage Renata Sancken begins her narrative by addressing the universal sentiment of loving one's family "but" finding challenges in close-knit relationships. She humorously yet poignantly states:

"I love my family, but we get along better if we have a little bit of space between us, especially, like, me and my mom."
[00:47]

Contrasting Personalities Renata delves into the differing personalities within her family, highlighting the tension between her introverted nature and her mother's extroversion. She shares:

"I'm kind of an introvert. I need a lot of alone time to sort of process my life and stay sort of sane. And my mom is an extrovert, and she needs to tell all of her thoughts to everyone as they happen."
[01:15]

These contrasting traits make spending extended time together challenging, especially during the holidays when family gatherings are inevitable.

The Christmas Dilemma Renata recounts her dilemma the previous Christmas when her parents decided to spend the winter in Terlingua, Texas, a remote ghost town with a minimal population. With her only sibling unable to join due to work commitments, Renata found herself considering the trip alone:

"It was like just me and my parents in an RV with 58 other people in Terlingua. But I do love my parents."
[02:07]

The Flight Overbooking Incident On Christmas Eve, Renata faced an overbooked flight from Atlanta to El Paso, the nearest airport to Terlingua. Faced with the option to forgo the trip or accept a delayed flight, she contemplated volunteering to take the next day's flight for a $500 voucher. She reflects:

"I knew that my parents would be really disappointed. And I knew more. They were very excited to see me. So I did not volunteer."
[02:30]

However, circumstances led to her being involuntarily bumped from the flight. Despite initial disappointment, Renata found solace in the airline's compensation and the unexpected opportunity to spend an evening alone in Atlanta:

"I was in my hotel room in Atlanta by myself, eating pizza that the airline had paid for, watching a too cute marathon on Animal Planet. And I loved it."
[07:45]

Conclusion Renata's story underscores the delicate balance between personal needs and familial expectations during the holidays. Her experience reflects a blend of frustration and unexpected joy, ultimately highlighting the importance of flexibility and self-care.

Kate Tellers: Integrating Love and Tradition During the Holidays

A New Relationship Amidst Holiday Traditions Kate Tellers shares her journey of integrating a new romantic relationship into her deeply rooted family holiday traditions. She opens with meeting a "quiet dude with curly hair" during a tumultuous period in her life:

"I had recently... broken up with a guy who everyone thought I was going to marry. It was like the earth fell out from underneath me."
[09:13]

Rebuilding Through Holiday Activities Determined to build a new relationship, Kate describes her proactive approach to introducing her boyfriend to her family's elaborate Christmas traditions:

"So on our second date, I took him to a show. I surprised him at the show with my dear uncle... Then we went to a dance party... and ate like mozzarella sticks and calamari... until we fell into a cab and I fell asleep on him."
[10:05]

Her efforts continued as Christmas approached, focusing on immersing her boyfriend into her family's extensive and spirited celebrations:

"I knew that if this guy and I were gonna work out, he was gonna have to get on board with Christmas."
[11:20]

Deep-Rooted Family Traditions Kate provides a vivid depiction of her family's Christmas traditions, emphasizing their Catholic background and the spirited nature of their celebrations:

"We carol on Christmas Eve. We carol on Christmas day. In between Christmas morning, we wake up at 0800 hours, we exchange gifts... the food of the St. The saddest day of the year is December 26th because we're 364 days away from the Strata."
[12:45]

Overcoming Challenges Together Introducing her boyfriend to these traditions wasn't without challenges. Kate recounts her boyfriend's initial hesitation and eventual acceptance of the intense caroling sessions:

"He was like, kate, these lyrics are really dark. And I was like, what? And he's like, to save us all from Satan's power... and I was like, well, it was nice knowing you."
[14:10]

Despite the rocky start, their shared experiences during the holidays strengthened their relationship. Kate concludes with a heartwarming realization of their compatibility:

"We have planted our two, four, and now eight feet together. And he accepts me. Christmas and all."
[15:00]

Conclusion Kate's narrative exemplifies how embracing and sharing one's traditions can foster deeper connections in new relationships. Her story is a testament to the transformative power of the holiday season in bridging personal histories with present joys.

Reflections and Final Thoughts

Dan Kennedy wraps up the episode by highlighting the continuity and growth in both storytellers' lives. Renata Sancken, a librarian and podcast co-host, expresses her hope that her parents remain unaware of her Moth storytelling to maintain familial peace. Meanwhile, Kate Tellers, a storyteller and writer with a new podcast on the horizon, shares the joyous progression of her family's holiday celebrations, now involving her two young children.

The episode encapsulates the multifaceted nature of the holidays—balancing personal desires, familial obligations, and the joys of creating new memories. Both stories offer listeners relatable insights into managing relationships and traditions during a time that is often both joyous and stressful.

Key Takeaways:

• Balancing Personal Needs and Family Expectations: Both Renata and Kate navigate their personal comfort zones while honoring family traditions, illustrating the delicate balance many face during the holidays.

• Embracing Flexibility: Renata's experience with the overbooked flight highlights the importance of adaptability and finding unexpected positives in challenging situations.

• Integrating New Relationships with Established Traditions: Kate's proactive efforts to introduce her boyfriend to her family's traditions demonstrate the value of shared experiences in strengthening new relationships.

Notable Quotes:

• Renata Sancken on family dynamics:

  "I love my family, but we get along better if we have a little bit of space between us, especially, like, me and my mom."
  [00:47]

• Kate Tellers on introducing her boyfriend to Christmas traditions:

  "If this guy and I were gonna work out, he was gonna have to get on board with Christmas."
  [11:20]

Conclusion This episode of The Moth poignantly captures the essence of holiday experiences, offering listeners both laughter and introspection. Through Renata and Kate's stories, the episode emphasizes the universal challenges and triumphs of celebrating amidst the complexities of modern family life.