The Moth, an acclaimed storytelling non-profit that has grown its popular Radio Hour series into a national staple, hosted a live event celebrating its new publication: “A Point of Beauty: True Stories of Holding On and Letting Go!”

Books Are Magic, the popular local independent bookstore, was onsite selling hardcopies of “A Point of Beauty,” as host Amber Wallin reminded the audience throughout the event.

Donald Harrison, a Philadelphia-based writer and pianist, was the first to take the mic. He wove an epic tale of his humble beginnings at Tavern on Camac, the city’s oldest gay bar, where he plays piano and sings every Friday night – often in competition with the bar’s boisterous patrons.

The next storyteller was Muneesh Jain, a Kalamazoo, Michigan native whose health journey and subsequent quest to attend a baseball game in all 30 MLB ballparks across the country ultimately helped him reconnect with his mother. 

Mindy Raf, a Brooklyn-based comedian, actress and writer, told a hilarious yet heartfelt account recounting the time she came out as polyamorous to her father and introduced him to her partner after he had already met her wife.

Becky Chan, a retired FBI agent from Hong Kong, talked about the struggle of her own immigrant family, as well as another immigrant nicknamed “Sister Ping,” whom Chan brought into custody for illegally smuggling other Asians into the U.S.

Chan first spoke about her years of FBI work, she says, because of Moth senior producer Jenifer Hixson, who called her up and “was very persistent.”

Hixson has been working with The Moth for over 20 years and helped pioneer their StorySLAMs, where people can volunteer to tell their stories in an open-mic setting.

In addition to directing Chan’s performance, Hixson also worked with Harrison and the evening’s headliner, Brian Jeansonne, a father of five who was diagnosed with ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease, in 2020 and was given only 2 to 5 years to live.

Jeansonne, who took the stage with assistance from his wife, Kristy, gave a moving speech pre-recorded on a computer connected to his smart wheelchair. Without the use of any of his limbs or voice, Jeansonne managed to give the most rousing speech of the evening.

“No matter where your life takes you, remember this: Life is a beautiful clusterf— and love is here,” Jeansonne concluded to raucous applause and a standing ovation. 

For other live storytelling events, you can visit https://themoth.org/events, or listen to The Moth Podcast.