The Moth Podcast 10th Anniversary Special: Shana Creaney, Dennis Oulahan, and Carol Daniel
Release Date: March 31, 2018
Host/Author: The Moth
Duration: Approximately 37 minutes

Introduction

Lauren Gonzalez (Producer), Jodi Powell (Producer), and Chloe Salmon (Producer) open the 10th-anniversary special of The Moth podcast, reflecting on the milestone of producing 500 episodes the previous year. Unlike last year's episode featuring long-time contributors Kathryn Bur, Dan Kennedy, and George Doss Green, this special showcases stories selected by the newer production team members.

Lauren Gonzalez shares her role in the community and education team, Jodi Powell discusses her involvement with the StorySlam team, and Chloe Salmon introduces her work with the Mainstage program.

Story 1: Shana Creaney - Overcoming Adversity in an All-Girl Catholic School

Shana Creaney narrates her challenging experiences at a private Catholic all-girls prep school. She recounts her struggles with Sister John, an English honors teacher who was both condescending and overly strict.

Key Moments:

• Bullying Incident (03:00):
  Shana Creaney describes being publicly humiliated by Sister John for not completing her homework:

  “...she grabs me by my arm and she says, come with me. [...] she sits me in the back of the room and she says, eat your lunch.” (03:00)

• Seeking Support (08:43):
  Shana seeks help from her former English teacher, Mrs. Stout, who advocates for her against Sister John:

  “I felt so validated to hear an adult that I looked up to sticking up for me and saying they believed in me.” (08:43)

• Empowerment and Success (08:43):
  Despite setbacks, Shana gains acceptance into a college writing program, demonstrating resilience and self-belief:

  “I just applied myself.” (09:07)

Host Reactions:

• Lauren Gonzalez relates personally to Shana’s experience, noting similarities in attending an all-girl Catholic school.
• Chloe Salmon admires Shana’s transformation and empowerment.
• Jodi Powell highlights the validation Shana felt from Mrs. Stout’s support, emphasizing the importance of mentorship.

Notable Quote:

“I was humiliated, and I was crying on and off because I had nothing to show her.” – Shana Creaney (07:30)

Story 2: Dennis Oulahan - A Teacher's Day Gift that Symbolizes Honor and Responsibility

Dennis Oulahan shares a heartfelt story from his time teaching in Veracruz, Mexico, during which a student named Erlindo gives him a cherished Matchbox Corvette Stingray as a Teacher's Day gift.

Key Moments:

• Teacher's Day Celebration (11:00):
  Dennis describes the festivities and the heartfelt gifts from students:

  “...parents came and they made this terrific breakfast for all the staff.” (11:00)

• Receiving Erlindo’s Gift (14:30):
  Erlindo gifts Dennis a matchbox car, symbolizing deep respect and admiration:

  “I thought, my God, he's given me one of his toys. I can't take one of his toys.” (15:00)

• Meaning of the Gift (17:05):
  The yellow Corvette becomes a symbol of honor and the responsibility of teaching:

  “The yellow Corvette means honor to me because it's an honor to have been in a profession where the children you interact with every day think enough of you to give you their favorite toy...” (17:05)

Host Reactions:

• Jodi Powell draws parallels between Dennis’s story and Teacher's Day celebrations in Jamaica, emphasizing the universal appreciation for educators.
• Lauren Gonzalez and Chloe Salmon express admiration for the significance of the gift and its lasting impact on Dennis.

Notable Quote:

“...I'm a very wealthy man because I'm the proud owner of a 1979 Corvette Stingray Yellow.” – Dennis Oulahan (16:30)

Story 3: Carol A. Daniel - Navigating Racial Assumptions in Broadcasting

Carol A. Daniel recounts her experiences as a Black woman in the broadcasting industry, where her voice often leads others to misjudge her race. Her story delves into themes of identity, perception, and resilience.

Key Moments:

• Initial Misconceptions (19:29):
  Carol describes being approached based on racial assumptions:

  “A young man approached me [...] I knew you were black.” (19:29)

• Secret Mission to Reveal Her Identity (24:00):
  Carol attempts to assert her identity by dropping cultural hints on air to make others aware of her race.

• Acknowledgment and Validation (31:19):
  A neighbor recognizes Carol after she reveals her identity, marking a poignant moment of acknowledgment:

  “I am that woman. I am Carol Daniel.” (31:19)

Host Reactions and Personal Reflections:

• Chloe Salmon connects deeply with Carol’s struggle, sharing her own experiences of being told she "sounds white" and the internal conflicts it creates.
• Jodi Powell empathizes with the societal pressures Carol faces, recalling her own challenges in meeting stereotypical expectations in broadcast journalism.
• Lauren Gonzalez supports the narrative, highlighting the ongoing nature of such conflicts and the importance of recognizing one’s worth.

Notable Quotes:

“I deserve this job because I am good at what I do.” – Carol A. Daniel (31:19)
“It's about frustration that I feel that I'm not allowed to be a full range of a human being...” – Chloe Salmon (33:50)

Conclusion

The producers reflect on the powerful stories shared by Shana, Dennis, and Carol, discussing the universal themes of overcoming adversity, the profound impact of educators, and the complexities of identity. They invite listeners to participate in a contest to guest host an episode, celebrating the podcast’s 10th anniversary.

Final Host Remarks:

• Chloe Salmon enthusiastically throws her name into the contest.
• Jodi Powell encourages listeners to engage with the contest via themoth.org.
• Lauren Gonzalez wraps up the episode with warm wishes for listeners to have a "story worthy week."

Notable Quote:

“We hope to hear from you.” – Jodi Powell (36:14)

Additional Information

• Shana Creaney: Writer, reader, and native New Yorker pursuing a Master’s in Literature at City College of New York.
• Dennis Oulahan: Author of Short Stories from Life, retired teacher residing in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
• Carol A. Daniel: Campaign organizer, award-winning newspaper columnist, and author of All I Ever Relationships, Marriage, Family.

For more information on The Moth programs and live events, visit themoth.org.

Note: Timestamps are based on the provided transcript and may approximate the actual timing within the podcast episode.