The Moth Podcast: "Superb Bowls"

Release Date: January 30, 2026
Host: Michelle Jalowski

Overview

This special episode of The Moth Podcast, titled "Superb Bowls," explores stories that orbit around football, but not the game itself. In the spirit of the Super Bowl season, host Michelle Jalowski introduces two heartfelt personal tales: one about a young dog fosterer’s Puppy Bowl dreams and another about generational love, complicated family expectations, and a football-themed stuffed animal. As always, these stories are told live and unscripted, capturing the thrill and vulnerability that define The Moth experience.

Key Discussion Points and Story Highlights

1. The Puppy Bowl Dream – Eliana Smith [03:45 – 09:22]

Summary:
Eliana Smith recounts how, at the age of 12, fostering dogs became her identity. Her story centers on the remarkable experience of preparing a litter of puppies—especially a mischievous pup named Juniper—for the 2017 Puppy Bowl.

Major Points:

• Early Passion for Fostering:
  At just 12, Eliana convinced her parents to foster, quickly taking in over 40 dogs within a year.

• The Birth of Annabelle’s Puppies:
  Their foster dog Annabelle gave birth to 10 puppies on July 4th, overwhelming young Eliana with joy and responsibility.

  “And again, I'm 12 years old and I get to have 10 puppies in my lap at all times. It's incredible.” [04:48]

• The Big Opportunity:
  Animal Planet reached out searching for candidates for the Puppy Bowl. Eliana enthusiastically submitted bios and headshots for the best contenders—focusing on their personalities even at 3 weeks old.

• Juniper, The Star:
  Juniper, the troublemaker and first-born, is selected.

  “She taught all the other puppies, all nine other puppies, to crawl out of their crated area and to escape into the house. She was very interesting.” [05:35]

• A Cruel Twist:
  Eliana learns minors cannot attend the Puppy Bowl studio, so a shelter volunteer escorts Juniper instead.

• Bittersweet Resolution:
  During the public screening, Eliana is approached by the volunteer who took Juniper to the event—an unexpected moment of connection tinged with lingering resentment:

  “In this moment, I knew that I had set this dog up for the best life...But I also knew that that woman stole my moment, and I would never forgive her for it.” [08:58]

Notable Moments:

• The raw joy of youth mixed with the heartbreak of “adulthood” rules.
• Eliana’s enduring impact: all ten puppies and their mom found homes, and Juniper was adopted by a neighbor, allowing continued visits.

2. Football, Family, and Football Mickey – Alex Hyang [12:18 – 16:22]

Summary:
Alex Hyang reflects on a lifetime of resisting sports and his grandpa’s wishes, only to uncover deep, unconditional love beneath a history of misunderstood expectations—all inspired by a long-lost football-themed Mickey Mouse toy.

Major Points:

• Symbol of Discomfort:
  Young Alex was gifted a Football Mickey toy he despised, using it as a “bad guy” in games and harboring resentment towards being pushed toward sports.

• Family Conflict:
  His grandpa repeatedly urged him to play sports and questioned his interests, leading to family clashes:

  “He had asked her who my friends were, who I was hanging out with, what I was doing with my time. And when she told him the truth...he just lost it.” [13:25]

• Reluctance and Grief:
  Alex never loved team sports, and his distaste extended to losing a beloved stuffed rabbit, but not to the football Mickey—a reflection of his feelings towards imposed identity.

• Turning Point—Beyoncé’s Halftime Show:
  Watching Beyoncé’s Super Bowl halftime performance in 2013 opened Alex’s mind to football; for the first time, he enjoyed the game for himself.

• Grandpa’s Final Years:
  Visiting his grandpa in hospice, Alex glimpses unfiltered love and pride:

  “I could see it in his eyes, this kind of love, unfiltered by circumstance or expectation.” [15:30]

• Reconciliation:
  Alex purchases the same Football Mickey on eBay years later, symbolizing an acceptance and cherishing of the complex family relationship.

Notable Moments:

• Heartfelt account of generational misunderstanding and parental advocacy.
• The subtle humor and honesty in Alex’s storytelling:

  “I went out for Little League baseball once, but I just sat in the outfield and made daisy chains. So I decided to quit.” [12:41]

Notable Quotes

• Eliana Smith:

  • “When you’re 12 years old and your entire personality is fostering dogs, this is the Olympics.” [05:13]
  • “I had made a change greater than myself…But I also knew that that woman stole my moment, and I would never forgive her for it.” [08:58]

• Alex Hyang:

  • “I hated that expectation that just because I was a boy, I was supposed to like football.” [12:35]
  • “I never watched [sports] either. In high school, I hated being in the pep band because it forced me to go and watch every single game.” [13:47]
  • “I realize now [that love] had always been there, even when it hurt.” [15:38]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Intro & Theme Set-up: [00:02 – 01:00]
• First Story – Eliana Smith: [03:45 – 09:22]
• Eliana’s Story Recap & Puppy Photo Note: [09:22 – 10:02]
• Second Story – Alex Hyang: [12:18 – 16:22]
• Alex’s Story Recap & Closing: [16:22 – 16:44]

Tone and Style

• Warm, sincere, humorous, and candid—each storyteller bares their hopes, disappointments, and deepest connections with a blend of vulnerability and lightheartedness. The host provides friendly context, maintaining The Moth’s trademark empathy.

Memorable Moments

• Eliana’s "Puppy Bowl is the Olympics" analogy [05:13] and discovery of Juniper’s continued affection years later.
• Alex’s childhood rebellion against Football Mickey and the poignant, cathartic hospice scene with his grandpa [15:30].

Conclusion

This episode encapsulates the power of personal storytelling—the way football, halftime shows, and even dog rescue can become touchstones for bigger themes like family, identity, and unconditional love. It’s an uplifting, relatable listen with a dash of humor and a hefty dose of heart.