Punks, Blessings, Burlesque and Lotus Flowers - Denise Bledsoe Slaughter

“This is a brief story about Pearl Wolf, one of my two mothers, everybody should have a black mother and a Jewish mother. ”

Punks, Blessings, Burlesque and Lotus Flowers

In this episode, five strangers redefine themselves and family in the face of their past. This episode is hosted by Moth Senior Curatorial Producer, Suzanne Rust.  The Moth Radio Hour is produced by The Moth and Jay Allison of Atlantic Public Media.

Eddy Laughter sees her future at her first concert.
Christopher Brune-Horan finds sanctuary in an unlikely location.
Louise Newton-Keogh learns an important lesson about controlling the universe.
Pauline Nguyen reconciles with a harbinger of fear. 
Denise Bledsoe Slaughter gets a second mother when she needs it most.


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Stories in this Episode

06:34
Shared Thoughts

by Eddy Laughter

Eddy Laughter sees her future at her first concert.

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06:43
Gaiety Male Burlesque

by Christopher Brune-Horan

Christopher Brune-Horan finds sanctuary in an unlikely location.

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07:01
The Blesser

by Louise Newton-Keogh

Louise Newton-Keogh learns an important lesson about controlling the universe.

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15:30
Lotus

by Pauline Nguyen

Pauline Nguyen reconciles with a harbinger of fear. 

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05:11
Deal

by Denise Bledsoe Slaughter

Denise Bledsoe Slaughter gets a second mother when she needs it most.

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Extras From This Episode

Punks, Blessings, Burlesque and Lotus Flowers Extras

Eddy Laughter

Eddy Left With Her Friend On The Subway To Her Second Or Third Screaming Females Show

Eddy (left) with her friend on the subway to her second or third Screaming Females show.

Christopher Brune-Horan

Christopher Brune Horan Circa 1985 When The Story Took Place

Christopher circa 195 when the story took place.

Christopher As A Cub Scout  Christopher Says  I’M The Boy The Second From The Right  All The Other Scouts Are Facing The Photographer While I’M Staring At The Boy I Had A Mad Crush On

Christopher as a cub scout. Christopher says, "I'm the boy second from the right. All the other scouts are facing the photographer while I'm staring at the boy I had a mad crush on.

Denise Bledsoe Slaughter

Denise Bledsoe In 1975 At Graduation

Denise in 1975 at her graduation.

Denise With Her Brother Robert At His Bachelors Graduation In 2013

Denise with her brother Robert at his Bachelors Graduation in 2013.

Robert And Denise On Masters Graduation Day In 2019

Robert and Denise on Masters Graduation day in 2019.

Denise At Udc Graduation In 2021

Denise at UDC Graduation in 2021.