The Moth Radio Hour: Hearing Voices – Detailed Summary
Release Date: January 22, 2019
Introduction
The Moth Radio Hour episode titled "Hearing Voices" delves into the profound role that sound and voices play in our lives. Through four compelling true stories, storytellers explore experiences where hearing and sound are central themes, shaping their personal journeys and transformations.
1. Stanley Alpert – A Night in New York
Timestamp: [02:09]
Stanley Alpert recounts a harrowing experience from January 21, 1998, when he was violently kidnapped on a cold New York night. Feeling content after a pleasant evening, Stanley's life took a dramatic turn as he was forcefully dragged into a gang car led by a man named Lucky. The assailants demanded his wallet and PIN, intending to coerce him into assisting in bank robberies.
Notable Quotes:
- Stanley: “I was in a great mood... As I got to the corner of 10th street and 5th Avenue... suddenly... an automatic machine gun sticking in my gut.”
- Stanley: “This was a very sad moment. But I was wrong. Because what happened was someone had broken the window...”
Throughout nearly 24 hours, Stanley endured threats, violence, and psychological torment. However, his keen observational skills—such as recognizing tile patterns and recalling street names—aided authorities in apprehending the gang within 48 hours. Despite the trauma, Stanley reflects on the unintended positive changes in his life post-kidnapping, including personal growth and relationships.
Conclusion: Stanley's ordeal emphasizes resilience and the lasting impact of traumatic experiences, ultimately contributing to his memoir, The Birthday Party: A Memoir of Survival.
2. Faith Ekniabor – Navigating Darkness
Timestamp: [16:18]
Faith Ekniabor shares her journey of losing her sight to glaucoma during her teenage years and the subsequent challenges she faced in her first year of college. Dependent on her friend Toby for assistance, Faith grappled with isolation and the struggle to adapt to her new reality.
Notable Quotes:
- Faith: “Everything stopped for me the moment I lost my sight... I began to live in a lonely world of darkness.”
- Faith: “I just picked up my bag and brought out my guide cane and slowly walked towards the door... This is my freedom.”
Toby’s carefree and neglectful attitude towards studies exacerbated Faith's difficulties, leading to academic struggles and personal frustration. However, a pivotal moment of courage saw Faith decide to venture out alone, marking her first step toward independence. Encouraged by a kind stranger, Faith successfully navigated her way to safety, symbolizing her reclaiming control over her life.
Conclusion: Faith's story is a testament to overcoming adversity, fostering independence, and the significance of supportive relationships in navigating life’s darkest moments.
3. Tee Dixon – The Voice of Hope
Timestamp: [27:25]
Tee Dixon, a trauma surgeon and combat veteran, recounts a particularly intense night when she treated a critically injured 16-year-old girl named Savannah. Battling exhaustion from a grueling residency, Tee faced the emotional and physical demands of her profession head-on.
Notable Quotes:
- Tee Dixon: “In trauma surgery, especially in the intensive care unit... it's a very delicate balance to do this job.”
- Tee Dixon: “If my ass can bring hope to the people, I'm here to help, you know, what can I say?”
Throughout Savannah’s five-month battle for survival, Tee maintained unwavering dedication, continuously communicating with her unconscious patient. An extraordinary encounter occurred when Savannah, now recovered, recognized Tee’s voice, illustrating the profound impact of compassionate care.
Conclusion: Tee's narrative underscores the profound connections formed in moments of crisis and the enduring hope that healthcare professionals can instill in their patients.
4. Anna Schuleit Haber – Turning Silence into Symphony
Timestamp: [39:39]
Anna Schuleit Haber narrates her innovative project to transform an abandoned psychiatric hospital in western Massachusetts into a functional musical instrument. Driven by her encounters with the building’s history and its former patients, Anna sought to honor their stories through art.
Notable Quotes:
- Anna: “Architecture is frozen music. That's what you want to do, isn't it?”
- Anna: “I wanted to create a moment of buoyancy for this building... bringing these people together.”
Overcoming bureaucratic hurdles and financial challenges, Anna secured the necessary funding and expertise to install a 45,000-watt sound system throughout the structure. The project culminated in a moving concert featuring Johann Sebastian Bach's Magnificat, resonating through the building and fostering a communal experience of reflection, healing, and remembrance.
Conclusion: Anna’s endeavor exemplifies the transformative power of art in repurposing spaces of suffering into venues of celebration and collective memory, highlighting the interplay between sound, architecture, and human experience.
Closing Thoughts
"Hearing Voices" illuminates how sound and voices are not merely elements of our environment but are deeply intertwined with our emotional and psychological landscapes. From Stanley's survival story to Faith's journey towards independence, Tee's dedication as a surgeon, and Anna's artistic transformation of a mental institution, each narrative underscores the profound influence that hearing and being heard can have on our lives.
Production Credits
- Host: Sarah Austin Janess
- Directors: Sarah Austin Janess, Kathryn Burns
- Directorial Staff: Sarah Haberman, Meg Bowles, Jennifer Hickson
- Production Support: Timothy Lou Lee, Lola Okasami
- Theme Music: The Drift
- Additional Music: Bonobo, Andy Summers, Benjamin Verdery, Nightmares on Wax, Johann Sebastian Bach
- Sponsors: Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Livegood, Rosetta Stone
- Producer: Jay Allison with Vicki Merrick at Atlantic Public Media, Woods Hole, Massachusetts
- Funding: National Endowment for the Arts
- Presented by: PRX
- More Information: The Moth Website
This summary captures the essence of each story shared in the "Hearing Voices" episode of The Moth Radio Hour, providing an engaging overview for those who have not listened to the original podcast.