The Moth Radio Hour: TLC - Tender Loving Care
8Digest
The episode begins with Frida Vizel's story of growing up in the Satmar Hasidic community and the tradition of married women shaving their heads. Frida's journey of questioning this custom and ultimately choosing to grow her hair out led to a period of personal transformation and a difficult divorce. Lila Ting shares a heartwarming story about taking her mom to a sound bath, a unique experience that brought unexpected calm to both her and her sister. Mariana's story is a humorous and touching account of her brother's playful scheme to win a basketball game by using her as a ringer, ultimately leading to a heartwarming moment with her mother. James Peterson's story highlights the importance of family support, particularly his daughter's unwavering dedication to helping him after a motorcycle accident in the Himalayas. The episode concludes with Alyssa Hirsch's story of a unique relationship test: her boyfriend's desire to move to Chicago and her decision to fill a date jar with 31 adventures to keep herself busy while he was gone. The episode explores themes of self-care, family, and personal growth, reminding listeners that life is short and should be spent with those we love.
Outlines
Shaving My Head: A Hasidic Woman's Journey of Self-Discovery
This Chapter tells the story of Frida Vizel, who grew up in the Satmar Hasidic community and followed the tradition of married women shaving their heads. Frida's journey of questioning this custom and ultimately choosing to grow her hair out led to a period of personal transformation and a difficult divorce. Frida's story highlights the importance of questioning traditions and finding one's own path.
Sound Bath: A Mother-Daughter Journey to Calm
This Chapter tells the story of Lila Ting, who reluctantly accompanied her mother to a sound bath. Lila initially had preconceived notions about the experience, but she was ultimately overcome by the beauty of the sound and found unexpected calm. Lila's story highlights the power of sound and the importance of trying new things.
Double or Nothing: A Brother's Scheme and a Sister's Triumph
This Chapter tells the story of Mariana, who was roped into a basketball game by her brother. Mariana, despite being much younger than the other players, proved to be a skilled player and helped her brother win the game. Mariana's story highlights the importance of family bonds and the power of unexpected talent.
The Phone Call: A Father's Diminishing Capacity and a Daughter's Unwavering Support
This Chapter tells the story of James Peterson, who, as he aged, began to worry about his diminishing capacity. He started a weekly phone call with his daughter to document his "logbook of diminishing capacity" and share his concerns. James's story highlights the importance of family support and the challenges of aging.
The Date Jar: A Love Story with a Twist
This Chapter tells the story of Alyssa Hirsch, who, after her boyfriend decided to move to Chicago, filled a date jar with 31 adventures to keep herself busy while he was gone. Alyssa's story highlights the importance of self-love and the power of friendship.
Keywords
Satmar Hasidic community
The Satmar Hasidic community is a branch of Orthodox Judaism known for its strict adherence to tradition and its emphasis on preserving pre-Holocaust customs. The community is known for its distinctive dress, including the wearing of long beards and sidelocks by men and head coverings by women. The Satmar Hasidic community is a vibrant and influential group within the Jewish world, with a strong emphasis on religious education and community life.
sound bath
A sound bath is a meditative experience that involves immersing oneself in sound vibrations. It is often facilitated by a practitioner who uses instruments such as singing bowls, gongs, chimes, and tuning forks to create a calming and transformative atmosphere. Sound baths are believed to promote relaxation, reduce stress, and enhance well-being.
basketball
Basketball is a team sport played with a ball on a rectangular court. The objective of the game is to score points by throwing the ball through a hoop. Basketball is a popular sport worldwide, with professional leagues in many countries, including the NBA in the United States. The game is known for its fast-paced action, athleticism, and teamwork.
Himalayas
The Himalayas are a mountain range in Asia, home to the world's highest peaks, including Mount Everest. The Himalayas are a significant geographical feature, influencing the climate and culture of the surrounding regions. The region is also a popular destination for mountaineering, trekking, and tourism.
date jar
A date jar is a container filled with slips of paper, each containing a different date idea. It is a fun and creative way to keep relationships fresh and exciting. Date jars can be personalized with ideas that are specific to the couple's interests and preferences.
Q&A
What is the tradition of shaving the head in the Satmar Hasidic community?
In the Satmar Hasidic community, married women shave their heads and keep it shaved for life. This tradition is one of many customs that the community has preserved from before the Holocaust.
What is a sound bath and how did it affect Lila and her sister?
A sound bath is a meditative experience that involves immersing oneself in sound vibrations. Lila and her sister found unexpected calm and relaxation during the sound bath, which helped to alleviate their anxiety and ADHD symptoms.
How did James Peterson's near-death experience change his perspective on his relationship with his daughter?
James's motorcycle accident in the Himalayas made him realize that his solo adventures had never been truly solo. He realized that his actions affected everyone who loved him, and he felt a deep sense of gratitude for his daughter's unwavering support.
What was Alyssa Hirsch's unique way of coping with her boyfriend's decision to move to Chicago?
Alyssa filled a date jar with 31 adventures to keep herself busy while her boyfriend was gone. She used this as an opportunity to connect with her friends and have fun, ultimately realizing that she was capable of creating her own happiness.
Show Notes
In this hour, stories of being gentle and kind—to ourselves and to others. Health scares, sound baths, and friend dates. This episode is hosted by Moth Director Jodi Powell. The Moth Radio Hour is produced by The Moth and Jay Allison of Atlantic Public Media.
Storytellers:
Freida Vizel questions a big community tradition for the first time.
Skeptical teen Leela Ting goes to to a sound bath.
Young Marianna is her brother's secret weapon in a high stakes basketball game.
James Petersen's daughter checks in on him weekly, via a dreaded phone call.
When Alyssa Hursh and her boyfriend take some time apart, her friends step in to make her summer magical.
Podcast: 870
Table of contents
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