As a storytelling organization, we sure have a lot of story-worthy staff members! Join us once a week for a spotlight on one of our Moth wizards. This week, meet Lauren Gonzalez: Associate Producer, Community program.
Title: Associate Producer, Community program.
Hometown: Miami, Florida.
What would the title of the day in your life at The Moth be?
Coffee, conference calls, and checking off to-do's!
What story has impacted your life?
Wow, this is a tough question! So many stories come to mind--it's hard to narrow down to one. One Moth story I've been thinking about a lot came from a college student who signs up for her first ever ballet class after she finds out an old friend has unexpectedly died. It got me thinking a lot about seizing the day and getting the most out of life.
Besides being such an integral part of your career, how else does storytelling affect your daily life?
I journal and write a lot, and I find that thinking about the stories in my life helps me make better sense of things. I'm able to feel a lot better about things once it's out in the open, whether that's in conversation or on a page in my journal.
Why do you think it's important for storytelling to be accessible to global audiences?
I think storytelling already is accessible to global audiences! It's something both historical and universal. I feel lucky to work in a place that is in the business of sharing stories from all walks of life. I think that the more stories we tell and the more we listen, the better we become.
Name a story-worthy moment in your time at The Moth.
On my third day at The Moth, I heard a woman tell a story about her time at the hospital for an illness I had also undergone. Naturally, I started crying--first time a job had ever made me openly weep (in a good way!).