The Moth Radio Hour – "The Wisdom of Elders"

Date: January 20, 2026
Host: Angelica Lindsay Ali
Theme: Celebrating the wisdom, love, and resilience passed down from elders through true, personal stories. Each storyteller shares formative experiences with elders, ranging from grandmothers and teachers to strangers in need. These intimate tales highlight survival, care, the power of language, and the ongoing impact of generational wisdom.

Episode Overview

In this special episode, the Moth spotlights stories that honor the wisdom of elders across generations and cultures. Host Angelica Lindsay Ali frames the hour by sharing her own reverence for elders, from family matriarchs to community mentors. Four storytellers—Ismael Beah, Rose Seah, Charlotte Mooney, and Manuelito Wheeler—each recount a defining memory or accomplishment shaped by an elder’s influence.

Key Stories & Highlights

1. Ismael Beah: A Grandmother’s Strength and Survival in Sierra Leone’s War

Timestamps: [03:13]–[18:51]

Story Summary

Ismael Beah recounts the formidable influence of his grandmother in war-torn Sierra Leone.
She defied gender norms—running her own farm, leaving a polygamous marriage without the community’s blessing—and exemplified independence and resilience.
The narrative shifts to the devastation of the 11-year civil war and the personal losses Ismael suffered, including his immediate family.
After years of searching post-war, a deeply emotional reunion with his grandmother reveals her astonishing survival through wit, resourcefulness, and unwavering will.
Their bond rekindles as they share stories and maintain contact across continents, with his grandmother continuously checking if he’s “found a good woman” and encouraging him to pass on family wisdom.

Notable Quotes & Moments

“My grandmother always did whatever she wanted. She didn’t conform to anything at all. That was very uncommon in the community I grew up in.” – Ismael Beah [05:21]
“‘Do you think all these bushes are only cut by men?’” (When she confronts a passerby who mistakes her for a male laborer) – Ismael Beah [06:34]
“A man is only as good as his ability to make his woman loved all the time. Remember that.” – Ismael’s grandfather, advice for Ismael [08:02]
“I spent 10 years going back home... looking for my grandmother constantly.” [11:27]
“I am not old.” – Ismael’s grandmother, when asked how she survived. [13:18]
“If anybody could survive, she was the one who did it because of how she was before the war.” [11:05]
“You must be a really, really big child-chief out there where they are!” – Ismael’s grandmother on being recognized by visitors due to his book [16:31]

Insights

Elders’ wisdom is a touchstone through trauma and diaspora.
The matriarch’s independence taught Ismael lessons about self-sufficiency, dignity, and familial love that transcended even the atrocities of war.
Generational humor and tender persistence provide comfort and continuity after unspeakable loss.

2. Rose Seah: The Teacher Who Saw Me

Timestamps: [23:57]–[30:54]

Story Summary

Rose recalls her fourth-grade year in a Catholic school where teachers were almost always stern nuns, until she and her classmates encounter Ms. Egan—a warm, stylish lay teacher.
Amidst personal struggles—her father incarcerated, mother absent due to work, and financial hardship—Rose’s academic performance slips.
Ms. Egan gradually reaches Rose through compassion, creative teaching, and subtle opportunities for responsibility and encouragement.
A pivotal moment comes when Ms. Egan interprets Rose’s “black” crayon-and-paint drawing as a cry for help, provides understanding and comfort, and discreetly begins bringing her lunch.

Notable Quotes & Moments

“Jesus, Mary and Joseph, she’s got legs!” (A student’s shock at seeing a non-nun teacher) – [24:17]
“All the kids were holding their breaths because we thought she was going to hit him. Instead, she put a book down... ‘Well, I hope you like reading, because that’s what I want you to love.’” – [24:46]
“She told me I could just paint the black again and carve out the flowers, and no one would ever know. And she stayed late so I could do that.” – [28:38]
“[She] handed me a brown paper lunch bag and inside there was a big red apple and a fat sandwich that she had made just for me.” – [30:32]

Insights

Quiet acts of care by elders (or those in that role) can alter a child’s trajectory and sense of worth.
Understanding and advocacy, especially from teachers, ripple forward when a child’s needs otherwise go unseen.
Rose’s current food relief work is rooted in that early kindness—“prepared over 10,000 meals…hopes every kid out there gets to have a teacher like Ms. Egan.” [30:54]

3. Charlotte Mooney: An Encounter with a Lost Elder

Timestamps: [32:01]–[38:11]

Story Summary

Driving home after a difficult week, Charlotte encounters an elderly man wandering in traffic on a busy highway, appearing disoriented but determined.
With her young daughter in tow, Charlotte acts: she stops her car, tries to help the man (Leslie), and is rebuffed initially by the police.
She takes personal responsibility to ensure his safety, engaging his fractured memory in gentle conversation, and comforts him for several hours until police assistance arrives.
The encounter is intimate and surreal—he nibbles apples with precision, tells circuitous stories, and offers Charlotte unexpected comfort when she becomes emotional.

Notable Quotes & Moments

“I'm so sorry, I'm just going for a walk.” – Leslie, after almost stepping into her car’s path [32:46]
“He nibbled off every single shred of peel before he took a single bite. It took him bloody ages.” – [33:35]
“Charlotte, when they take your car, then you’re really stuck.” – Leslie [36:39]
“He tucked into me as we walked across the road as if we were old friends. He kept saying, ‘This is a good day. This is a fine day.’” – [37:20]

Insights

Kindness and presence amid confusion—especially for elders lost in dementia—transcend mere duty and reflect the human obligation to care for the vulnerable.
Charlotte’s open-hearted courage and patience offer dignity in a moment that could have ended in tragedy.

Host’s Transition

“Charlotte says she hasn’t seen Leslie again, but she still keeps an eye out for him every time she drives on the A3.” – [38:11]

4. Manuelito Wheeler: Preserving Navajo Language via Star Wars

Timestamps: [42:44]–[55:35]

Story Summary

Manuelito (“Manny”) Wheeler, Director of the Navajo Nation Museum, shares the quest to keep Navajo language alive amidst its gradual loss.
Sparked by dinner with his family, the idea emerges to dub iconic movies into Navajo, making the language relevant and vibrant for younger generations.
Manny’s decade-long persistence (emailing Lucasfilm, fundraising, rallying community support) is recounted with humor and humility.
Eventually, the Navajo-dubbed version of Star Wars: Episode IV premieres at a rodeo arena to a jubilant crowd; the film’s message and language resonate with Navajo values of interconnectedness, resilience, and hope.

Notable Quotes & Moments

“Language equals culture.” – Manuelito Wheeler [42:52]
“That’s a secret shame that people of my generation... we carry with us.” (On not being fluent in Navajo) [44:14]
“We should do Star Wars… It’s a timeless classic and there are themes that really connect with Navajos: the universe is connected, the choices between good and bad…” – [44:56]
“So here we are… a rodeo had actually happened less than an hour prior to us doing this premiere. Imagine a giant semi driving into the rodeo arena… a movie screen on the side.” – [52:22]
“Those light blue fonts: ‘A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away…’ but it’s in Navajo. And the crowd goes wild.” – [53:23]
“I’m thinking of our grandmothers… our grandfathers… our uncles… our aunts, that I wish were here to see this. This is our culture. And now there was a new hope.” – [54:54]

Insights

The survival of language is inseparable from the survival of culture itself.
Innovation, persistence, and generational teamwork can transform how heritage is experienced.
The wisdom of elders—both past and living—is both honored and projected forward through acts like this.

Episode Reflections & Conclusion

Host Wraps-Up:

The stories collectively explore how elders—related or not—shape our resilience, creativity, and capacity for connection ("I consider myself a grandma-in-training… I share advice I’ve gleaned from elders with women around the world.") [56:23]
Angelica encourages listeners to cherish, learn from, and become the wise “village aunties and uncles” of the future.

Memorable Quotes (with attribution)

Angelica Lindsay Ali: “I have always been attracted to the walking libraries and life lessons that exist in the minds of those who have lived long lives.” [03:49]
Ismael Beah: “There was something within me. I always believed that my grandmother survived.” [11:05]
Rose Seah: “She told me I could just paint the black again and carve out the flowers, and no one would ever know.” [28:38]
Charlotte Mooney: “When they take your car, then you’re really stuck.” (Leslie to Charlotte) [36:39]
Manuelito Wheeler: “Those light blue fonts: ‘A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away…’ but it’s in Navajo. And the crowd goes wild.” [53:23]

Important Timestamps

[03:13] – Introduction by Angelica Lindsay Ali, grandmother archetype and show theme
[04:59] – Ismael Beah recounts his grandmother’s story
[12:54] – Reunion with his grandmother
[18:51] – Ismael’s update and reflections
[23:57] – Rose Seah’s teacher story begins
[28:38] – Rose’s art and emotional breakthrough
[30:54] – Where Rose is now / Host transition
[32:01] – Charlotte Mooney’s encounter with Leslie
[38:11] – Charlotte’s story concludes; update from host
[42:44] – Manuelito Wheeler introduces the Star Wars Navajo project
[53:23] – Premiere of Star Wars in Navajo
[55:35] – Host closing thoughts on language and wisdom

Summary Table

| Storyteller | Main Elder/Theme | Core Lesson/Takeaway | |----------------------|----------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------| | Ismael Beah | Grandmother, Sierra Leone | Independence, resilience, unbroken family bonds | | Rose Seah | Ms. Egan (Teacher) | Love and advocacy can change a child’s direction | | Charlotte Mooney | Stranger/Elder | Kindness and presence dignify the most vulnerable | | Manuelito Wheeler | Navajo Community Elders | Language as living heritage; honoring elders via action|

For those who haven’t listened:
This episode delivers stories that are poignant, often humorous, and deeply moving, each underlining how the presence, tenacity, or care of an elder can resonate through a lifetime and beyond. Whether through the hands-on survival instincts of a Sierra Leonean grandmother, the intuitive embrace of a devoted teacher, an act of highway compassion, or preserving culture through pop culture, “The Wisdom of Elders” is an inspiring tribute to those who guide us—sometimes quietly, often courageously—toward our best selves.

The Moth Radio Hour – "The Wisdom of Elders"

Episode Overview

Key Stories & Highlights

1. Ismael Beah: A Grandmother’s Strength and Survival in Sierra Leone’s War

Timestamps: [03:13]–[18:51]

Story Summary

Ismael Beah recounts the formidable influence of his grandmother in war-torn Sierra Leone.
She defied gender norms—running her own farm, leaving a polygamous marriage without the community’s blessing—and exemplified independence and resilience.
The narrative shifts to the devastation of the 11-year civil war and the personal losses Ismael suffered, including his immediate family.
After years of searching post-war, a deeply emotional reunion with his grandmother reveals her astonishing survival through wit, resourcefulness, and unwavering will.
Their bond rekindles as they share stories and maintain contact across continents, with his grandmother continuously checking if he’s “found a good woman” and encouraging him to pass on family wisdom.

Notable Quotes & Moments

“My grandmother always did whatever she wanted. She didn’t conform to anything at all. That was very uncommon in the community I grew up in.” – Ismael Beah [05:21]
“‘Do you think all these bushes are only cut by men?’” (When she confronts a passerby who mistakes her for a male laborer) – Ismael Beah [06:34]
“A man is only as good as his ability to make his woman loved all the time. Remember that.” – Ismael’s grandfather, advice for Ismael [08:02]
“I spent 10 years going back home... looking for my grandmother constantly.” [11:27]
“I am not old.” – Ismael’s grandmother, when asked how she survived. [13:18]
“If anybody could survive, she was the one who did it because of how she was before the war.” [11:05]
“You must be a really, really big child-chief out there where they are!” – Ismael’s grandmother on being recognized by visitors due to his book [16:31]

Insights

Elders’ wisdom is a touchstone through trauma and diaspora.
The matriarch’s independence taught Ismael lessons about self-sufficiency, dignity, and familial love that transcended even the atrocities of war.
Generational humor and tender persistence provide comfort and continuity after unspeakable loss.

2. Rose Seah: The Teacher Who Saw Me

Timestamps: [23:57]–[30:54]

Story Summary

Rose recalls her fourth-grade year in a Catholic school where teachers were almost always stern nuns, until she and her classmates encounter Ms. Egan—a warm, stylish lay teacher.
Amidst personal struggles—her father incarcerated, mother absent due to work, and financial hardship—Rose’s academic performance slips.
Ms. Egan gradually reaches Rose through compassion, creative teaching, and subtle opportunities for responsibility and encouragement.
A pivotal moment comes when Ms. Egan interprets Rose’s “black” crayon-and-paint drawing as a cry for help, provides understanding and comfort, and discreetly begins bringing her lunch.

Notable Quotes & Moments

“Jesus, Mary and Joseph, she’s got legs!” (A student’s shock at seeing a non-nun teacher) – [24:17]
“All the kids were holding their breaths because we thought she was going to hit him. Instead, she put a book down... ‘Well, I hope you like reading, because that’s what I want you to love.’” – [24:46]
“She told me I could just paint the black again and carve out the flowers, and no one would ever know. And she stayed late so I could do that.” – [28:38]
“[She] handed me a brown paper lunch bag and inside there was a big red apple and a fat sandwich that she had made just for me.” – [30:32]

Insights

Quiet acts of care by elders (or those in that role) can alter a child’s trajectory and sense of worth.
Understanding and advocacy, especially from teachers, ripple forward when a child’s needs otherwise go unseen.
Rose’s current food relief work is rooted in that early kindness—“prepared over 10,000 meals…hopes every kid out there gets to have a teacher like Ms. Egan.” [30:54]

3. Charlotte Mooney: An Encounter with a Lost Elder

Timestamps: [32:01]–[38:11]

Story Summary

Driving home after a difficult week, Charlotte encounters an elderly man wandering in traffic on a busy highway, appearing disoriented but determined.
With her young daughter in tow, Charlotte acts: she stops her car, tries to help the man (Leslie), and is rebuffed initially by the police.
She takes personal responsibility to ensure his safety, engaging his fractured memory in gentle conversation, and comforts him for several hours until police assistance arrives.
The encounter is intimate and surreal—he nibbles apples with precision, tells circuitous stories, and offers Charlotte unexpected comfort when she becomes emotional.

Notable Quotes & Moments

“I'm so sorry, I'm just going for a walk.” – Leslie, after almost stepping into her car’s path [32:46]
“He nibbled off every single shred of peel before he took a single bite. It took him bloody ages.” – [33:35]
“Charlotte, when they take your car, then you’re really stuck.” – Leslie [36:39]
“He tucked into me as we walked across the road as if we were old friends. He kept saying, ‘This is a good day. This is a fine day.’” – [37:20]

Insights

Kindness and presence amid confusion—especially for elders lost in dementia—transcend mere duty and reflect the human obligation to care for the vulnerable.
Charlotte’s open-hearted courage and patience offer dignity in a moment that could have ended in tragedy.

Host’s Transition

“Charlotte says she hasn’t seen Leslie again, but she still keeps an eye out for him every time she drives on the A3.” – [38:11]

4. Manuelito Wheeler: Preserving Navajo Language via Star Wars

Timestamps: [42:44]–[55:35]

Story Summary

Manuelito (“Manny”) Wheeler, Director of the Navajo Nation Museum, shares the quest to keep Navajo language alive amidst its gradual loss.
Sparked by dinner with his family, the idea emerges to dub iconic movies into Navajo, making the language relevant and vibrant for younger generations.
Manny’s decade-long persistence (emailing Lucasfilm, fundraising, rallying community support) is recounted with humor and humility.
Eventually, the Navajo-dubbed version of Star Wars: Episode IV premieres at a rodeo arena to a jubilant crowd; the film’s message and language resonate with Navajo values of interconnectedness, resilience, and hope.

Notable Quotes & Moments

“Language equals culture.” – Manuelito Wheeler [42:52]
“That’s a secret shame that people of my generation... we carry with us.” (On not being fluent in Navajo) [44:14]
“We should do Star Wars… It’s a timeless classic and there are themes that really connect with Navajos: the universe is connected, the choices between good and bad…” – [44:56]
“So here we are… a rodeo had actually happened less than an hour prior to us doing this premiere. Imagine a giant semi driving into the rodeo arena… a movie screen on the side.” – [52:22]
“Those light blue fonts: ‘A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away…’ but it’s in Navajo. And the crowd goes wild.” – [53:23]
“I’m thinking of our grandmothers… our grandfathers… our uncles… our aunts, that I wish were here to see this. This is our culture. And now there was a new hope.” – [54:54]

Insights

The survival of language is inseparable from the survival of culture itself.
Innovation, persistence, and generational teamwork can transform how heritage is experienced.
The wisdom of elders—both past and living—is both honored and projected forward through acts like this.

Episode Reflections & Conclusion

Host Wraps-Up:

The stories collectively explore how elders—related or not—shape our resilience, creativity, and capacity for connection ("I consider myself a grandma-in-training… I share advice I’ve gleaned from elders with women around the world.") [56:23]
Angelica encourages listeners to cherish, learn from, and become the wise “village aunties and uncles” of the future.

Memorable Quotes (with attribution)

Angelica Lindsay Ali: “I have always been attracted to the walking libraries and life lessons that exist in the minds of those who have lived long lives.” [03:49]
Ismael Beah: “There was something within me. I always believed that my grandmother survived.” [11:05]
Rose Seah: “She told me I could just paint the black again and carve out the flowers, and no one would ever know.” [28:38]
Charlotte Mooney: “When they take your car, then you’re really stuck.” (Leslie to Charlotte) [36:39]
Manuelito Wheeler: “Those light blue fonts: ‘A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away…’ but it’s in Navajo. And the crowd goes wild.” [53:23]

Important Timestamps

[03:13] – Introduction by Angelica Lindsay Ali, grandmother archetype and show theme
[04:59] – Ismael Beah recounts his grandmother’s story
[12:54] – Reunion with his grandmother
[18:51] – Ismael’s update and reflections
[23:57] – Rose Seah’s teacher story begins
[28:38] – Rose’s art and emotional breakthrough
[30:54] – Where Rose is now / Host transition
[32:01] – Charlotte Mooney’s encounter with Leslie
[38:11] – Charlotte’s story concludes; update from host
[42:44] – Manuelito Wheeler introduces the Star Wars Navajo project
[53:23] – Premiere of Star Wars in Navajo
[55:35] – Host closing thoughts on language and wisdom

The Wisdom of Elders: The Moth Radio Hour

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Summary

The Moth Radio Hour – "The Wisdom of Elders"

Episode Overview

Key Stories & Highlights

1. Ismael Beah: A Grandmother’s Strength and Survival in Sierra Leone’s War

Story Summary

Notable Quotes & Moments

Insights

2. Rose Seah: The Teacher Who Saw Me

Story Summary

Notable Quotes & Moments

Insights

3. Charlotte Mooney: An Encounter with a Lost Elder

Story Summary

Notable Quotes & Moments

Insights

Host’s Transition

4. Manuelito Wheeler: Preserving Navajo Language via Star Wars

Story Summary

Notable Quotes & Moments

Insights

Episode Reflections & Conclusion

Memorable Quotes (with attribution)

Important Timestamps

Summary Table

Summary

The Moth Radio Hour – "The Wisdom of Elders"

Episode Overview

Key Stories & Highlights

1. Ismael Beah: A Grandmother’s Strength and Survival in Sierra Leone’s War

Story Summary

Notable Quotes & Moments

Insights

2. Rose Seah: The Teacher Who Saw Me

Story Summary

Notable Quotes & Moments

Insights

3. Charlotte Mooney: An Encounter with a Lost Elder

Story Summary

Notable Quotes & Moments

Insights

Host’s Transition

4. Manuelito Wheeler: Preserving Navajo Language via Star Wars

Story Summary

Notable Quotes & Moments

Insights

Episode Reflections & Conclusion

Memorable Quotes (with attribution)

Important Timestamps

Summary Table