The Moth Podcast: Mike Dang & Caitlin Brodnick – StorySLAM Favorites

Release Date: August 7, 2012

Introduction

In this episode of The Moth podcast, listeners are treated to two captivating stories from the StorySLAM series, a competitive open mic event held in seven cities across the United States. Hosted by Dan Kennedy, the episode features heartfelt and intense narratives from Mike Dang and Caitlin Brodnick, each exploring unique themes of workplace dynamics and personal transformation.

Mike Dang: Navigating Toxic Leadership

Timestamp: [02:54] – [13:02]

Mike Dang shares a harrowing account of his experience with a manipulative and threatening boss during his tenure as a student housing information center advisor at his college campus. At just 20 years old, Mike recounts the challenges he faced under two different supervisors—Emily and Rick—and the extreme measures Rick took to assert his dominance.

Key Points and Discussions:

• Positive Start with Emily: Mike begins by describing his admiration for his first boss, Emily, highlighting her approachable nature and memorable anecdotes that endeared her to the staff. Emily’s support made Mike feel valued, as she even offered him beer during a staff event:
  “She tells me, Mike, we love you. Everyone here loves you. Yes, we will let you have your job, and you're the only one that we've ever let do this.” ([04:30])

• Transition to Rick: Upon Emily’s promotion, Rick takes over as Mike's supervisor. Initially, Rick's attempts to bond, such as taking weekly walks, seem benign but soon reveal his controlling nature. Mike feels uncomfortable with Rick’s constant attention and insincere compliments:
  “You're so funny. You're such a great tour guide.” ([06:20])

• Unveiling Rick’s Dark Side: The situation escalates when Mike discovers Rick’s blog, which contains disturbing fantasies about harming him. This revelation forces Mike to confront the reality of Rick’s intentions and the potential threat to his safety.

• Institutional Response: Despite presenting evidence to higher-ups, Mike faces institutional neglect. His superior, Kim, advises him to leave work without taking concrete action against Rick, leaving Mike feeling powerless and conflicted:
  “I couldn't be the sort of person who fires someone and have me be the reason why someone is fired.” ([11:15])

• Climactic Confrontation: The episode culminates in a tense confrontation where Rick apologizes, but the damage is done. Mike walks away, recognizing the importance of self-preservation over institutional loyalty.

Notable Quotes:

• “He wants to kill you, and this is not okay. Also, you need to figure out if fantasies actually lead to actual murder.” ([10:50])

• “My face hits the table with a thwack.” – Describing the shock from Rick’s blog revelations ([09:40])

Caitlin Brodnick: The Collapse of a Life Coaching Dream

Timestamp: [13:34] – [19:40]

Caitlin Brodnick narrates her tumultuous experience with a life coach who initially promised to transform her life but ultimately abandoned her, leaving her grappling with self-doubt and identity crises.

Key Points and Discussions:

• Enthusiastic Beginnings: Caitlin expresses her eagerness to reinvent herself through life coaching, motivated by a desire to shed her perceived flaws:
  “I've always wanted to be something completely different. I'm really loud for my family. I'm not good at sports.” ([14:00])

• Initial Progress and Commitment: She details the structured approach of her life coach, involving deep introspection and personal development exercises. Caitlin felt genuinely supported, receiving thoughtful gestures like an expensive bracelet:
  “She gave me a charm, a bracelet charm, that was $57, because I googled it.” ([16:10])

• Sudden Reversal: The narrative takes a turn when the life coach abruptly ends their relationship, citing that Caitlin’s life is too overwhelming and suggesting she seek therapy instead. This unexpected rejection leaves Caitlin feeling devastated and questioning her self-worth:
  “If a coach says to you, 'Your life sucks,' I was like, I'm not gonna kill myself.” ([18:05])

• Self-Reflection and Resilience: Through the pain, Caitlin discovers inner strength and a sense of pride in her resilience. She realizes that the situation highlighted her own worth and capacity to overcome adversity:
  “I felt really proud at that moment. And so through all of this, I found some way to be calm and happy.” ([19:00])

Notable Quotes:

• “Your life is really overwhelming to me and really stressful and I can't handle you.” – Life coach’s justification for ending their relationship ([17:30])

• “I'm the only person I've ever met whose life was too much for a life coach.” – Caitlin’s realization of her uniqueness and strength ([19:10])

Conclusion

This episode delves deep into the complexities of personal and professional relationships. Mike Dang's story underscores the dangers of toxic leadership and institutional inadequacies, while Caitlin Brodnick’s experience highlights the vulnerabilities in seeking personal transformation and the resilience required to overcome unexpected setbacks. Both narratives offer profound insights into human behavior, self-worth, and the journey toward personal empowerment.

About the Speakers:

• Mike Dang: Residing in New York, Mike is a co-editor at the Billfold, where he explores topics related to life and finances. After years of working under others, he now thrives as his own boss.

• Caitlin Brodnick: Originally from Maryland and a Syracuse University alumna, Caitlin moved to New York to co-create Shut Up, an all-female storytelling show at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater. She is a regular performer in the city and has a passion for puppies and ice cream.

Additional Information:

For more stories and live events, visit themoth.org. The Moth continues to inspire audiences with authentic, unscripted storytelling that bridges the gap between storyteller and listener through shared human experiences.