Podcast Summary: The Moth Radio Hour – "Doctors, Saints, and Secrets"

Release Date: September 11, 2018
Host: Kathryn Burns

Introduction

In the episode titled "Doctors, Saints, and Secrets", The Moth Radio Hour presents three compelling true stories that delve into the intricacies of human experience, identity, and mortality. Hosted by Kathryn Burns, the episode features narratives from Dr. George Lombardi, writer Bliss Broyard, and oncologist Dr. Siddhartha Mukherjee. Each story is enriched with personal insights, emotional depth, and reflective conclusions, offering listeners a profound exploration of life's pivotal moments.

1. Dr. George Lombardi: A Lifeline to Mother Teresa

Timestamp: [02:53]

Dr. George Lombardi recounts an extraordinary experience where he was urgently summoned from his routine to consult on the deteriorating health of the iconic Mother Teresa in Calcutta, India. Initially reluctant due to his nascent career and expired passport, circumstances rapidly escalated, leading to an impromptu journey orchestrated by a persistent representative.

Key Moments:

• Unexpected Call: Lombardi receives a frantic call seeking his expertise in infectious diseases, leading him to Mother Teresa's bedside.

  "She mentioned that she had gotten my name from a colleague of mine who had told her to call Dr. Lombardi. He knows a lot about very weird things." [03:10]

• Assistance from Unexpected Sources: Accompanied by five nuns who play a crucial role in securing his flight, Lombardi navigates bureaucratic hurdles to reach Mother Teresa.

  "These sisters are little devils. I'M going to tell Mother Teresa what you just did." [14:41]

• Medical Breakthrough: Amidst cultural and procedural challenges, Lombardi identifies a faulty pacemaker as the source of Mother Teresa's septic shock, leading to her recovery.

  "And so I figure, well, I really need to work out this question of what my identity is, because now everybody's reading about it." [19:27]

Insights & Reflections: Lombardi emphasizes the profound impact of his interaction with Mother Teresa and the lifelong relationships forged with the Sisters of Charity.

"They like to see the faces of the other sisters when they were so young. And I said, of course. And we go to the back, and they're oohing and ahhing." [19:09]

Conclusion: Dr. Lombardi's story underscores the intertwining of professional duty and personal faith, illustrating how unexpected challenges can lead to enduring bonds and transformative experiences.

2. Bliss Broyard: Unveiling Family Secrets and Racial Identity

Timestamp: [25:19]

Writer Bliss Broyard shares her poignant journey of discovering her racial identity amidst family secrets. Growing up believing her father was white, she uncovers the hidden truth of his Creole and African heritage, leading her to navigate complex emotions and familial relationships.

Key Moments:

• Dinner Party Revelation: Bliss narrates an awkward encounter where her hostess is unaware of her personal racial background, triggering her introspection.

  "I thought, you know, well, here I am, I'm a WASP from Connecticut having brunch with her black family in South Central." [37:43]

• Search for Identity: Delving into historical and cultural research, Bliss confronts terms and concepts like "passing," "mulatto," and the "one-drop rule" to understand her heritage.

  "So I was like, all right, well, so I headed out to California. I was like, I got to see this for myself." [38:09]

• Family Dynamics: Bliss addresses the emotional turmoil of her family's rejection and the broader implications of racial identity on personal relationships.

  "With my father's family, you know, it was so personal, the rejection. I mean, my father didn't see them." [39:06]

Insights & Reflections: Broyard highlights the universal struggle of self-identification and the societal implications of race, fostering empathy and understanding among listeners.

"I have only eight minutes for mine, I think I'll. I better move on. But, you know, I thought, well, I didn't really know how to identify myself anymore." [37:43]

Conclusion: Bliss Broyard's narrative is a heartfelt exploration of identity, illustrating how familial secrets and societal expectations shape one's understanding of self. Her story resonates with anyone grappling with personal and cultural identity.

3. Dr. Siddhartha Mukherjee: Reflections on Death and Modern Rituals

Timestamp: [40:43]

Oncologist Dr. Siddhartha Mukherjee delves into the evolving perceptions of death and the erosion of traditional death rituals in contemporary society. Through personal anecdotes and medical experiences, he reflects on the spiritual and cultural significance of death.

Key Moments:

• Grandmother's Death: Mukherjee recounts his grandmother's deliberate move from Bangladesh to Calcutta before the Partition of India, symbolizing foresight and resilience.

  "She came with a full suitcase. Had she waited six months, she would have come with an empty suitcase into an over packed city." [40:43]

• Childhood Memories: Recalling a vivid childhood experience witnessing Indian funeral rites in Banaras, Mukherjee juxtaposes the solemnity of death with the vibrancy of life.

  "I had to look. My curiosity was literally morbid." [40:43]

• Modern Clinical Death: Mukherjee describes a contemporary case of a woman who died alone in a hospital, highlighting the disconnect between medical practices and traditional death rituals.

  "It seemed to me sometimes that we're actually actively forgetting how to die." [53:03]

Insights & Reflections: Mukherjee emphasizes the importance of understanding the physical and emotional facets of death, advocating for a rekindling of meaningful death rituals to provide closure and comfort.

"It seems as if sometimes that we're just holding up air." [53:03]

Conclusion: Dr. Mukherjee's story is a contemplative examination of death's place in human experience, urging society to reclaim the emotional and cultural practices that honor the end of life.

Final Thoughts

"The Moth Radio Hour: Doctors, Saints, and Secrets" offers a tapestry of human experiences that traverse professional challenges, personal identity crises, and the profound inevitability of death. Through the authentic storytelling of Dr. Lombardi, Bliss Broyard, and Dr. Mukherjee, listeners are invited to reflect on the complexities of life, the bonds we form, and the legacies we leave behind. This episode exemplifies The Moth's mission to illuminate the shared human journey through true, unscripted narratives.

For more stories from this episode and others, visit themoth.org.