The Moth Podcast: March Madness – Episode Summary

Release Date: March 28, 2025
Host: Sarah Jane Johnson

Introduction

In this episode of The Moth Podcast, hosted by Sarah Jane Johnson, the focus is on Women’s Basketball March Madness, intertwined with the celebration of Women's History Month. The episode delves into the themes of Title IX, the ongoing quest for equality and respect for women athletes, and memorable moments from women's basketball history. Featuring two compelling stories from Toyah Chester and Dame Wilburn, the episode highlights the triumphs and challenges faced by female athletes.

Story 1: Toyah Chester's Quest for a Thousand Points

Speaker: Toyah Chester
Venue: Boston Main Stage
Theme Night: On Thin Ice
Timestamp: [02:51] – [12:09]

Summary

Toyah Chester shares her passionate journey through basketball, rooted in her family's athletic legacy. Growing up in a small town in central Massachusetts, Toya was deeply influenced by her grandfather's athletic prowess, especially his track and baseball feats. Basketball became her sanctuary and a means to uphold her family's legacy. She recounts her early days playing multiple sports, the pride she felt wearing her basketball jersey, and her aspiration to join the WNBA.

Her determination led her to college basketball, where she set a personal goal of scoring 1,000 points—a milestone celebrated in every college gym. Despite her dedication and improvement, Toya's journey was cut short by an unexpected injury during a crucial game. As she approached her target, Toya suffered a back injury that prevented her from reaching the 1,000-point mark, ending her college basketball career prematurely with 994 points.

Through this experience, Toya emphasizes the importance of resilience and self-forgiveness. She reflects on the lessons learned from her setback, highlighting the emotional and physical challenges of pursuing athletic dreams.

Notable Quotes

• [02:51] Toyah Chester: "Basketball was everything to me. It was the early 2000s. It was a real culture for me and my friends."

• [07:45] Toyah Chester: "I was first in all the sprints. But at the end of my freshman year, I only had 220 points. And that's not on track to make 1,000."

• [11:30] Toyah Chester: "I scored 994 points in my college basketball career. It's almost 1,000. Thanks."

Insights After Toyah's Story

Following Toya’s heartfelt narrative, Sarah Jane Johnson engages with her to learn more about her current relationship with sports.

Speaker: Toyah Chester
Timestamp: [12:09] – [12:56]

Summary

Toyah reveals that while she loves playing sports, she prefers participation over spectating. When asked about her thoughts on professional and college sports, she candidly states her ambivalence towards watching them, emphasizing her preference for active involvement.

Notable Quotes

• [12:35] Toyah Chester: "I don't know. And then they say, oh, you don't like sports? I love sports, but I like to play sports, not watch them."

Story 2: Dame Wilburn's Unexpected Journey in Basketball

Speaker: Dame Wilburn
Venue: Detroit Grand Slam
Theme Night: Out of Bounds
Timestamp: [16:24] – [22:41]

Summary

Dame Wilburn narrates her unintentional foray into basketball during her ninth-grade year at a Detroit Waldorf School. Initially disinterested and unskilled, Dame's participation was a reluctant attempt to connect with her mother, a pioneering African American woman basketball coach in Georgia.

Despite her lack of athletic ability and desire to sit on the sidelines, Dame found herself actively involved in both junior varsity and varsity teams due to limited team membership. Her mother’s coaching style emphasized leveraging her physical presence, training her in ball handling and foul shooting. However, Dame’s guerrilla approach to the game—emulating a linebacker—led to unintended chaos on the court.

The climax of her story occurs during a pivotal game against Tuna High, where Dame unexpectedly scores her first layup, breaking through her perceived limitations. Although her mother was absent from the game due to the team's poor performance, this moment marked a significant personal achievement for Dame.

At the end of the season, Dame shares her official but modest stats, humorously highlighting her minimal contributions in points and an overwhelming number of fouls, underscoring the humorous and humbling aspects of her basketball experience.

Notable Quotes

• [16:45] Dame Wilburn: "I was terrible at school and anything that required movement."

• [18:10] Dame Wilburn: "I decided that I was going to be like, the linebacker equivalent of a basketball player."

• [21:30] Dame Wilburn: "At the end of the school year, my mother shows up, we're at Waldorf. When they call you across the stage, they give your stats and they say, Damian Wilburn. Total number of points for the year 6."

Conclusion

Sarah Jane Johnson wraps up the episode by reflecting on her personal connection to sports and Title IX. She shares her own athletic history as one of the first female high school pole vaulters in Nebraska, attributing her progress to advocacy and support from coaches like her high school track coach, Mr. Sather. This personal anecdote underscores the episode’s broader theme of empowerment and the lasting impact of supportive mentorship in women's sports.

Notable Quotes

• [15:21] Sarah Jane Johnson: "In my high school in the 90s, my March Madness was getting ready for spring training in track and field... Thanks Coach."

Final Thoughts

This episode of The Moth Podcast masterfully intertwines personal narratives with broader social themes, offering listeners an intimate glimpse into the lives of female athletes. Through Toya Chester and Dame Wilburn's stories, the podcast celebrates resilience, passion, and the ongoing journey toward equality in sports. Their experiences highlight both the joyous victories and the poignant setbacks that shape athletic careers, especially for women striving to carve their place in traditionally male-dominated arenas.

Listeners are encouraged to reflect on the transformative power of storytelling and its role in advocating for change and recognition in women's sports. The episode serves as both an homage to past and present female athletes and an inspiration for future generations to pursue their dreams with determination and grace.

For More Information:
Visit themoth.org to explore more stories, attend live events, or learn how to pitch your own narrative.