The Moth Radio Hour: Bible Salesmen, Ghosts and Strippers
Release Date: March 28, 2017
Host: Jennifer Hixson

Introduction

In this episode of The Moth Radio Hour, host Jennifer Hixson introduces four compelling true stories that delve into unconventional upbringings, the intriguing world of 1950s Bible salesmen, eerie ghostly encounters, and heartfelt tales of maternal love. Each storyteller shares their unique experiences, offering profound insights and emotional depth.

1. April Salazar: An Unconventional Upbringing in a Nudist Family

Timestamp: [02:07]

April Salazar recounts her childhood in Southern California, growing up in a family that embraced nudism. Her mother worked as a stripper to provide for the family, a revelation that initially left April feeling embarrassed but ultimately shaped her understanding of love and acceptance.

Key Points:

• Family Dynamics: April describes the unique environment where her mother was a stripper, and her stepfather was a scientist and cocktail pianist.
• Cultural Acceptance: Growing up in a nudist household normalized nudity for April, challenging societal norms.
• Personal Growth: As April entered puberty, she felt self-conscious about her family's lifestyle, fearing ostracization at school.
• Mother’s Love: Despite societal judgments, her mother ensured April received a strong education and emotional support.

Notable Quotes:

• "You can strip all of that away and what you're left with is heart."
  — April Salazar ([02:07])

• "She paid for that one bachelor party at a time."
  — April Salazar ([14:09])

April’s story culminates in a Halloween party mishap where her classmates discover her mother's secret as a stripper. Surprisingly, instead of ridicule, April receives unexpected acceptance, revealing a deeper appreciation for her mother's unconventional methods of demonstrating love and ensuring their family's well-being.

2. Vincent Patrick: Door-to-Door Bible Salesmen in 1950s Bronx

Timestamp: [15:17]

Vincent Patrick, a writer known for The Pope of Greenwich Village, shares his experience as a young Bible salesman in the Bronx during the 1950s. This tale highlights the challenges and ethical dilemmas of commission-based sales practices.

Key Points:

• Economic Struggles: Dropping out of high school and facing limited job prospects, Vincent turns to door-to-door Bible sales to make ends meet.
• Sales Tactics: He details the rigorous training, including memorizing "canned pitches" and navigating moral questions about selling Bibles.
• Commission Structure: The multi-tiered commission system leaves most of the profit with higher-ups, making it a financially unsustainable venture for salesmen.
• Personal Encounter: Vincent describes a pivotal sales interaction with a man named Joe Six Pack, illustrating the deceptive allure of the sales pitch.

Notable Quotes:

• "It's a sort of legal scam. You're walking this line."
  — Vincent Patrick ([25:16])

• "I pushed my little thing across, and she loves the Bible. She thinks it's all for a good cause."
  — Vincent Patrick ([25:16])

Despite initial success, Vincent becomes disillusioned with the exploitative nature of the job and eventually abandons the sales position, reflecting on how the experience influenced his understanding of integrity and personal values.

3. Craig Chester: Psychics and Ghosts

Timestamp: [31:09]

Craig Chester, an actor-turned-writer, narrates his unnerving encounters with psychics who claim that the spirit of the late actor Montgomery Clift is trying to communicate with him. This story blends elements of the supernatural with personal transformation.

Key Points:

• Psychic Experiences: Craig visits Reverend Catherine, a psychic, who informs him that Montgomery Clift's spirit is guiding him to write a screenplay.
• Recurring Messages: Another psychic, Jose, corroborates these messages, intensifying Craig's belief in the supernatural intervention.
• Mystical Guidance: Craig follows cryptic instructions leading him to Clift’s former residence, where he experiences a surreal encounter.
• Unresolved Mysteries: Despite dedicated efforts, Craig never meets Elizabeth Taylor, leaving the story hanging between reality and the uncanny.

Notable Quotes:

• "Monty wants me. Like, when you have an experience like that, you see the world."
  — Craig Chester ([42:28])

• "This is how it was the whole time. Things would happen, people would appear."
  — Craig Chester ([42:28])

Craig's tale underscores the thin veil between the living and the dead, raising questions about destiny, creativity, and the unseen forces that may influence our lives.

4. Tim Manley: Mother’s Love and Survival

Timestamp: [31:30]

Tim Manley shares a touching story from his childhood when he battled pneumonia and a collapsed lung. His mother's unwavering support and ingenuity helped them navigate a severe medical crisis without succumbing to despair.

Key Points:

• Childhood Illness: At six years old, Tim faces a life-threatening illness with limited financial resources.
• Maternal Bond: His mother's comforting presence and storytelling helped him cope with fear and uncertainty.
• Medical Crisis: Faced with the prospect of a biopsy, Tim and his mother devise a plan to produce a large loogie to prevent the invasive procedure.
• Emotional Reflection: Years later, Tim reflects on his mother's silent struggles and the profound impact of her love and resilience.

Notable Quotes:

• "Because me and my mother, we're in this together."
  — Tim Manley

• "I have absolutely no idea what she went through thinking that her child might die while she was in the hospital."
  — Tim Manley ([50:49])

Tim's story is a poignant testament to the power of maternal love and the lengths a mother will go to protect her child, highlighting themes of courage, hope, and familial bonds.

Conclusion

This episode of The Moth Radio Hour masterfully weaves together stories of unconventional family dynamics, challenging work experiences, supernatural encounters, and the depths of maternal love. Each narrative offers listeners a window into diverse lives, evoking empathy, introspection, and admiration for the storytellers' resilience and authenticity.

For more stories and to share your own, visit themoth.org.

Notable Production Credits:

• Host: Jennifer Hixson
• Storytellers: April Salazar, Vincent Patrick, Craig Chester, Tim Manley
• Production: Jennifer Hixson and Joey Zanders
• Theme Music: The Drift
• Produced by: Jay Allison with Vicki Merrick at Atlantic Public Media

Further Information:
For additional details, including streaming options and pitching your own story, visit themoth.org.