Podcast Summary: The Moth – "Steve Zimmer & Kirby Adams: StorySLAM Favorites"

Release Date: January 23, 2012

Introduction

In this episode of The Moth, host Dan Kennedy presents two standout StorySLAM favorites from storytellers Steve Zimmer and Kirby Adams. These narratives delve into themes of obsession, competition, personal growth, and resilience, all delivered with the authentic, raw emotion characteristic of The Moth's storytelling style.

Steve Zimmer: "Tetris 3D Obsession"

[1:58 – 8:56]

Steve Zimmer captivates the audience with his humorous yet insightful story about his deepening obsession with a game called Tetris 3D at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. What begins as a lighthearted competition among colleagues quickly spirals into an all-consuming pursuit that impacts every facet of his life.

Key Points:

• Introduction to Tetris 3D: Zimmer describes the game as a more complex version of the classic Tetris, viewed from the top, where players must strategically place five-cube pieces to prevent the stack from piling up.

  “Tetris 3D... Each piece is made of five smaller cubes in different odd shapes, except for the elusive rod, which is five long and straight, rare and valuable.” [02:30]

• Workplace Competition: Alongside his coworkers Mark and Alicia, Zimmer becomes intensely competitive, aiming to outscore each other. The friendly rivalry escalates as Alicia discovers a technique to score higher, reigniting her enthusiasm.

• Personal Sacrifices: Zimmer's dedication leads to playing over four hours a day, negatively affecting his work performance and personal relationships.

  “I'm playing now, like, over four hours a day, and it's affecting other aspects of my life. My performance at work suffers, and my girlfriend wants to know why.” [05:20]

• Health and Performance Enhancements: Concerned about his declining performance and well-being, Zimmer seeks medical help and is prescribed Ritalin, which temporarily boosts his gaming performance.

  “The Ritalin is really effective. My scores jump immediately, and I'm now able to play effectively...” [06:40]

• Rivalry Escalates: Mark manipulates the game to maintain his lead, leading to heightened tensions. Despite Zimmer's initial triumph of reaching 306,000 points, the victory feels hollow as it brings personal losses.

  “I've become a laughingstock, hurt my career, annoyed my girlfriend, strained my eyes, and lost a friend. But that's okay because I'm the smartest guy in the pod.” [08:50]

Notable Quotes:

• Zimmer on the Complexity of Tetris 3D:

  “Tetris 3D... Each piece is made of five smaller cubes...” [02:30]

• Zimmer Reflecting on Personal Sacrifices:

  “I'm playing now, like, over four hours a day...” [05:20]

• Zimmer on the Aftermath of His Obsession:

  “I've become a laughingstock... But that's okay...” [08:50]

Kirby Adams: "Chasing the Olympic Dream"

[9:37 – 17:46]

Kirby Adams takes the listeners through her childhood ambition to become an Olympic runner, inspired by her father's legacy as a jet pilot. Her story is a poignant exploration of determination, resilience, and the unintended consequences of relentless pursuit.

Key Points:

• Inspiration and Early Ambition: At nine years old, inspired by her father’s achievements, Adams sets a goal to win a silver medal in the Olympics, believing gold to be too daunting.

  “I started a new school that year... I would get off a bus stop early, and then I would practice my sprinting and get to my bus stop...” [10:15]

• Rigorous Training: Despite lacking proper running gear and facing physical challenges, Adams trains meticulously, developing unique techniques like rolling her socks and skirt to enhance aerodynamics.

• Incident with Steve Southern: A pivotal moment occurs when Adams races her childhood crush, Steve Southern, leading to a fall that results in a lasting scar.

  “I fell down... I had this blonde hair and a big bow... I just like the way it feels.” [13:05]

• Parental Expectations and Realization: After her fall, Adams confronts her father, who addresses her injuries and unmet expectations. This moment marks a shift in her understanding of ambition and personal limits.

  “He should have said, you're my hero, dad... I fell down.” [15:45]

• Long-Term Impact and Achievements: Moving beyond her childhood obsession, Adams channels her determination into adult pursuits, participating in marathons and Olympic trials, ultimately finding balance and embracing her scars as symbols of her journey.

  “The scar that says the most about me is that little crescent moon at the bottom of my knee.” [17:30]

Notable Quotes:

• Adams on Her Training Routine:

  “I would sneak in between the five or six kids who were getting off... and the door shut was my signal to go.” [10:15]

• Adams Reflecting on Her Fall:

  “I just like the way it feels.” [13:05]

• Adams on Her Enduring Scar:

  “The scar that says the most about me is that little crescent moon at the bottom of my knee.” [17:30]

Conclusion

Both Steve Zimmer and Kirby Adams deliver powerful narratives that underscore the thin line between passion and obsession. Zimmer’s humorous yet cautionary tale of workplace competition highlights the personal costs of unchecked ambition, while Adams’ heartfelt recount of childhood dreams and their long-term impact illustrates resilience and the ability to find strength in one’s scars. These stories not only entertain but also provoke reflection on the nature of our pursuits and the balance between striving for excellence and maintaining personal well-being.

Additional Information

• Host Background: Dan Kennedy introduces Steve Zimmer as a long-time participant in The Moth community, emphasizing his years of storytelling and involvement.

  “Steve Zimmer has been attending the moth in New York City since 2004 and telling stories since 2006...” [08:56]

• Kirby Adams’ Credentials: Adams is portrayed as an accomplished journalist with a rich career spanning television, radio, and print media, living in Louisville, Kentucky with her family.

  “Kirby Adams is an award-winning journalist who has been working in television, radio and print for three decades...” [17:46]

• Upcoming Events: The episode also mentions an upcoming Moth main stage event in Los Angeles on March 1st at UCLA’s Royce Hall.

Notable Quotes Summary

• Steve Zimmer:

  • “Tetris 3D... Each piece is made of five smaller cubes...” [02:30]
  • “I'm playing now, like, over four hours a day...” [05:20]
  • “I've become a laughingstock... But that's okay...” [08:50]

• Kirby Adams:

  • “I would sneak in between the five or six kids who were getting off...” [10:15]
  • “I just like the way it feels.” [13:05]
  • “The scar that says the most about me is that little crescent moon at the bottom of my knee.” [17:30]

This episode of The Moth offers a deep dive into personal narratives that explore the complexities of ambition and the human spirit's resilience. Both storytellers leave listeners contemplating their own pursuits and the balance between striving for greatness and maintaining personal harmony.