Episode 23: Policy of Truth (or, How to Tell a Good Story)

Tatter

ABOUT THIS EPISODE
Peter Aguero is a Moth storyteller and host, as well as creator and performer of the one-man show Daddy Issues. Tara Clancy is also a Moth storyteller and host, as well as author of the memoir The Clancys of Queens, and a panelist on the quiz show Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me! on NPR. Both Aguero and Clancy are Moth GrandSLAM champions. In this conversation, they're joined by social psychologist and communications researcher Melanie Green, who studies stories. As a former producer of a live storytelling program, and one who always tried to be helpful, host Michael Sargent wants to help novice storytellers hone their craft, and as a selfish, judgmental ass who wants to have an enjoyable experience in the audience, Sargent also wants to help novices hone their craft so that he'll enjoy listening to their stories. Accordingly, he talked with Aguero, Clancy, and Green about how to tell a good story. There's some useful advice in here.

LINKS
Peter Aguero's "Main Event," as told at The Corner
Tara Clancy's "Hail Mary Softball," as published in The New York Times
Melanie Green's profile at the University at Buffalo
Peter Aguero's Daddy Issues show
Peter Aguero's "Me, Her, & It," as told at The Moth
Tara Clancy's "Boom-Boom Waits for Nobody," as told at The Moth
Tara's memoir, The Clancys of Queens
"Why 'getting lost in a book' is so good for you, according to science" (includes quotes by Melanie Green)
Cody LaMontagne's "Havana," as told at The Corner
Michael Sargent's "School Days," as told at The Corner
Shannon Cason's Homemade Stories podcast

Cover art credit: Ben Grey, Speak Your Mind (Wikimedia Commons)

Special Guests: Melanie Green, Peter Aguero, and Tara Clancy.