Podcast Summary: The Moth

Episode: James Foster & Kathleen Miller: SLAM Stories
Release Date: May 30, 2011

Overview

In this episode of The Moth, host Dan Kennedy presents two compelling SLAM stories—competitive, live storytelling performances—with themes revolving around cars and the point of no return. The featured storytellers, James Foster and Kathleen Miller, share personal anecdotes infused with humor, vulnerability, and insightful reflections on their experiences.

Story 1: James Foster – "Car Theft and Resilience"

Recorded: Detroit, 2009
Theme: Cars

Summary: James Foster recounts his harrowing experience of having his 1996 Grand Marquis Mercury stolen in Detroit. The story begins with James receiving the car from his father to facilitate school runs for his daughter. Despite its initial reliability, James's trust is betrayed when he encounters a seemingly honest man needing a jump-start for his van.

Key Points:

• Trust and Deception: James details how the individual he helped exploited his trust, leading to the car's theft. He describes the deceptive tactics used, such as the fake van breakdown and the ultimate theft of his vehicle.

  "I live in Detroit. I've been a lifelong Detroit resident. I'm not easily bamboozled. ... But this guy was good. This guy was real good. He got me." (04:15)

• Emotional Impact: The betrayal leaves James feeling vulnerable and deceived, highlighting the challenges of trust in urban environments.

  "And I said, no. Do you know that they're in the hospital right now having their stomachs pumped? No. ... And I didn’t even know you could do that." (05:30)

• Resilience and Recovery: Despite the loss, James finds solace and a silver lining through the "Cash for Clunkers" program, which allows him to trade in his stolen vehicle for a new car, marking a positive turn in his narrative.

  "So it all worked out, thanks to President Obama and Cash for Clunkers. I traded it in, got the $4500, and got a new car." (05:50)

Notable Quote:

"The best reason to wait in line." – As humorously noted by James, reflecting on his experience with the Metro Times praising his story. (06:02)

Host's Background on James Foster: Dan Kennedy provides context about James's life in Detroit, his family, hobbies, and his recognition by the Metro Times for his engaging story.

Story 2: Kathleen Miller – "Rock Crystal Mischief"

Recorded: New York City, 2010
Theme: Point of No Return

Summary: Kathleen Miller narrates her childhood adventures as a gifted student navigating the challenges of advanced educational programs. Growing up as a military child, she moved frequently, experiencing varied educational standards. Her story peaks with a mischievous prank involving a rock crystal experiment that nearly leads to dire consequences.

Key Points:

• Early Academic Acceleration: Kathleen describes being repeatedly advanced in school due to high intelligence, leading to social challenges and isolation among peers.

  "I fully expected to finish Harvard by 12 and start being an OBGYN, delivering babies in emergency situations by 16." (07:30)

• Social Struggles: Despite her academic prowess, Kathleen struggled to fit in with predominantly male peers in the advanced program, leading to feelings of loneliness and misunderstanding.

  "I couldn’t get in with them, not with my Bloom county jokes, where I made jokes about Casper Weinberger." (09:00)

• The Prank: Kathleen's attempt to fit in and gain acceptance culminates in a prank where she slips her home-made rock crystals into classmates' milk cartons, believing it harmlessly amusing.

  "I put some of this rock crystal in each one and then proceeded to try to get kids to drink it." (11:15)

• Consequences and Resolution: The prank results in an unexpected visit to Principal Britt, where Kathleen fears severe repercussions. However, her mother's intervention reveals that the incident was a minor misunderstanding, leading to an ice cream outing instead of punishment.

  "Nobody went to the hospital. Kids had a stomach ache for a minute. ... She took me for ice cream and to see the Aristocats." (12:30)

Notable Quote:

"Do you know you just poisoned four children?" – Principal Britt's alarming statement heightens the tension before the resolution unfolds. (11:45)

Host's Background on Kathleen Miller: Dan Kennedy shares Kathleen's achievements, including her graduation from Scheimer College and her career as a comedian and portrait photographer. Her resilience and ability to find humor in challenging situations are highlighted.

Conclusion

This episode of The Moth masterfully showcases the art of storytelling through James Foster's tale of loss and recovery and Kathleen Miller's humorous yet insightful look into childhood ingenuity and consequences. Both stories emphasize themes of trust, resilience, and the complexities of social interactions, delivered with authenticity and engaging narratives that resonate with audiences.

Supporting Information

• Host: Dan Kennedy introduces each story, providing background on the storytellers and the themes of their performances.
• Organization: The Moth is a nonprofit dedicated to the art of storytelling, offering live events and a podcast that bring personal narratives to audiences worldwide.

For more stories and episodes, visit themoth.org.