Return of the iPod Convert:The Moth Podcast

So what is it, you say, that possesses one to obtain a much better Internet connection, and then just stop blogging? I don't know, I have no good excuse. Perhaps it's been the siren's call of Facebook, or just a much-needed break. Whatever it was, I'm back.

I had a bad scare a few weeks back when my hand-me-down iPod started acting up. All is well now, except for an added quirk in ending the sync, but it wasn't until I was facing the possibility of going without my iPod that I realized how very attached I've become. I also use it almost exclusively to listen to podcasts.I still include some basic music when I sync, but it's purely for show or emergency no-radio situations. We're heavy on commercial country stations in my neck of the woods, and I'm not a fan.

I have, however, found a few new podcasts of note. A recent favorite is The Moth Podcast, which is like Selected Shorts took a detour through the studio of This American Life and decided to give amateur stand-up comedy a try. In a good way. Now, The Moth significantly predates the wunderkind This American Life, (another home favorite), but I remained woefully under-exposed to it's existence until last week.

The Moth bills itself as a non-profit storytelling organization and sponsor of "StorySlams." I have to say, the stories that I have listened to so far do have a certain what-the-hell, I'm buzzed anyway, I'll just grab-the-damn-mic quality to them. The live storytelling injects an element of risk and adrenaline, in contrast to the This American Life's cool, smooth and hip production style. The stories are a rush, grab you by the seat of your pants, and not for kids. Some of the guest storytellers are very well known, so it's surprising to catch hold of their nervous energy and hear the relief and joy in their voices as they come into the home stretch of an individual piece. I get the feeling that these are the stories that catch a teller by surprise, like when you end a conversation feeling as if it's been cathartic, but you have no idea how you ended up where you did.

Given the political season, my favorite episode so far is the most recent one, Joe Lockhart's "Impeachment Day." I'm also looking forward to Ritchie DiSalvo's "Anthony the Hat." In iTunes you are provided with "clean" and "explicit" coding for each episode ... I suggest you pay attention to this warning if you often travel with young children in the car (and want to avoid trying not to snort your tea out your nose and look disapproving at the same time. For example.) I had been feeling that my podcast playlist was getting a bit stale, and The Moth is certainly freshening it up.

If you enjoy quirky storytelling and don't mind the unpredictable, I suggest giving The Moth a try. Who knows, you might just end up on stage some day, not sure how you ended up there, but jonesing to tell a good story. Hey, it beats karaoke.