The Moth Podcast Episode Summary: "Travel Tales: Reza Jalali & Emily Matuzek"
Episode Overview
In the September 21, 2018 episode of The Moth, titled "Travel Tales: Reza Jalali & Emily Matuzek," host Dan Kennedy presents two poignant and transformative stories centered around the theme of travel. This episode is the second part of a two-part series exploring the profound impact of journeys—both physical and emotional—on individuals' lives. Listeners are taken on a compelling journey through Reza Jalali's return to his war-torn hometown in Kurdistan and Emily Matuzek's emotional voyage as she prepares for college.
Reza Jalali: Revisiting the Aftermath of War
Reza Jalali's Story begins at [02:11], as he recounts his emotional journey back to his birthplace in Kurdistan, Iran, nearly two decades after the devastating Iran-Iraq war. Reza's primary motivation is to witness the aftermath of the war firsthand and ensure his family's safety, despite the passage of eighteen years since the conflict ended.
Key Themes:
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Nostalgia and Longing: Reza reflects on his childhood memories, painting vivid images of his hometown’s lively summers, communal gatherings, and the serene nights under the stars. He nostalgically describes scenes like, "We slept on raised wooden beds under white cotton mosquito nets, fearful of the tiny yellow scorpions which could be hiding inside our shoes" ([05:30]).
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Conflict Between Memory and Reality: Upon nearing his hometown, Reza confronts the stark contrast between his cherished memories and the current reality shaped by war's destruction. He expresses his disbelief and denial: "I didn't believe them, thinking they were making it up to have me change my mind. How could all the fish and the birds be gone?" ([10:15]).
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Identity and Belonging: Reza grapples with his identity as an outsider returning to a place that has changed beyond recognition. He notes, "With or without a mustache, I was an outsider, a foreigner," highlighting his feeling of alienation despite his deep roots ([13:45]).
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Fear and Hope: The uncertainty of encountering a landscape forever altered by conflict brings Reza to a point of emotional turmoil. Yet, amidst his fears, he clings to the enduring beauty and resilience of his homeland: "Revolutions happen, wars come and go, loved ones age, but the stars rise and shine in the sky." ([14:30]).
Notable Quotes:
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"They had been at home till the war had come, uninvited, unwelcome, like a toothache." ([07:50])
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"I am so ready to get the hell out of there." ([14:00])
Concluding Reflections by Dan Kennedy: After Reza's moving narrative, Dan Kennedy summarizes the profound impacts of political and religious conflicts on personal lives. Reza shares his ongoing anxieties about potential future conflicts and his hope for displaced individuals: "Hope for the future is what helps displaced people carry on when living in exile." ([15:00]).
About Reza Jalali: Reza is a writer, educator, and community activist with teaching stints at Bangor Theological Seminary and the University of Southern Maine. His story underscores the enduring scars of war and the complex emotions tied to revisiting a homeland altered by violence.
Emily Matuzek: The Emotional Voyage to Independence
Emily Matuzek takes the stage at [15:58], sharing her deeply personal story of preparing for college—a journey symbolizing both physical relocation and the emotional threshold of adulthood.
Key Themes:
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Family Dynamics and Support: Emily illustrates the intense family involvement in her transition to college, highlighting her mother's meticulous organization: "There are a variety of different post-it notes, different colors and sizes, and there are backup batteries for the clip-on reading lamp that's going to go on my bed." ([16:30]).
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Independence vs. Dependence: From an early age, Emily's fierce independence is evident. She recounts instances like telling her father, "I'm going to figure it out myself," at six years old ([17:20]), showcasing a lifelong struggle between self-reliance and familial reliance.
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Emotional Turmoil: The departure to college is not just a physical journey but an emotional one. Emily vividly describes her heartbreak and reluctance on move-in day: "I look my dad square in the eyes with kind of the gravity of all of these emotions that I should have been feeling." ([19:50]).
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Growth and Achievement: Despite initial resistance, Emily perseveres, ultimately earning her bachelor's degree from Rice University. Her story culminates in a moment of triumph and familial pride: "the first woman in our whole family to get her bachelor's degree." ([22:00]).
Notable Quotes:
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"This is a big deal. My mom is sending her eldest daughter, her eldest child three states away to go to college." ([16:00])
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"I don't want to do this, Dad. I don't want to do this at all." ([19:00])
Emotional Climax: Emily reaches a breaking point during the college move, expressing a desire to retreat: "Let's pick it all up, let's put it back in the car, and I'm just going to go with you back to Nebraska." ([19:00]). Her father's firm yet loving response underscores the tension between parental support and personal aspirations: "You need to give it a semester and you need to see how it goes." ([19:45]).
Journey to Success: Emily stays committed to her path, ultimately achieving her goal. Her parents' presence at her graduation symbolizes the culmination of years of struggle and determination: "They watched the semi-second person in our family and the first woman in our whole family get her bachelor's degree from Rice University in 2005." ([21:50]).
About Emily Matuzek: Emily is a nonprofit manager passionate about people-watching and capturing life's fleeting moments. Residing in Houston, Texas, near Rice University, she balances her professional life with her roles as a wife and mother to an 8-month-old daughter.
Conclusion
In this episode, The Moth masterfully weaves two narratives that delve into the essence of travel—not just as physical movement but as a catalyst for profound personal transformation. Reza's return to a war-torn homeland and Emily's voyage to academic independence both highlight the intricate interplay between past memories, present realities, and future aspirations. These stories resonate deeply, illustrating how journeys can redefine identity, challenge beliefs, and ultimately shape the trajectories of our lives.
Engage with The Moth: Listeners inspired by Reza and Emily's stories are encouraged to share their own transformative travel experiences. Whether it's a life-altering trip or an adventurous escapade, The Moth invites personal narratives that capture the essence of being "on the road."
For more stories and to submit your own, visit themoth.org.