I Will Be Your Father Figure
In this special episode of The Moth, we listen to five stories about fathers — from embarrassing jokes to tender moments shared on the road. The Moth’s Executive Producer, Sarah Austin Jenness, interviews the fathers in her own family. And we hear two pitches from Moth listeners Bob Barin and Eric Wenger. The Moth Radio Hour is produced by The Moth and Jay Allison of Atlantic Public Media.
Adriane McGillis’ father's favorite joke lands him in the hospital.
CJ Hunt reflects on mix-tapes and memories from his past.
Blessing Digha fears she has fallen short of her father’s expectations.
Lauren Thurman navigates life with her many iterations of dads.
Harwood Taylor reaches for a father who is out of touch.
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Stories in this Episode
Extras From This Episode
Adriane McGillis

Per Adriane: My father, brother, and I are the three laughing in the face of the river. This photo was taken on a family vacation when we went white water rafting near Glacier National Forest.

The drawing that started the story! Two men, walking abreast.
CJ Hunt

CJ Hunt with his father. Taken 1-2 years before his story takes place.

The action figures in CJ's father's office!
Lauren Thurman

Skip and Lauren, the day before she left on a six-week backpacking trip of Europe in 2015. Lauren says, "Skip asked me to watch TAKEN with him in advance of the trip. I'm not joking!"

The shadowbox Skip gave Lauren. Lauren says, "It includes pictures of the two of us, the frame of a racing bike he named "Nightfury" in honor of the movie that brought us together, and a crocheted Toothless dragon I made a couple Christmases ago."
Harwood Taylor

Harwood and his Dad on the way to a Houston Rockets Basketball game at The Summit in 1977. Harwood says "I was 13 and my dad was 53. Coincidentally, I’m now one year older than my dad was in this photo."
Eric Wenger
Eric wrote in to tell us:
My son bought me another bottle of the cologne. That way I can save the original she gave me and still wear the brand she picked out for my gift.
If you would like to read more about Kayla Wenger's life, please visit www.KaylaWenger.info

Kayla Wenger

Kayla's elementary school graduation.

Kayla, Madeleine, and Sam Wenger. This was the last day Kayla was home with her family.

Eric's bottles of cologne. One from Kayla, and the other from his son, Sam.