Summary: Of course Catherine Burns has a good story about getting her current gig. It involves MTV and 9/11 and parents in Alabama who were slightly befuddled that their daughter had moved from a planned career as a documentary filmmaker to something called “storytelling” (“like for children?). The Moth’s long-serving Artistic Director helped shepherd the storytelling event from New York City curiosity to cultural phenomenon. These days the organization runs events in cities across the globe and produces one an intensely popular NPR show and podcast. The name has also become synonymous with the show’s unique storytelling style. Fresh off a book tour in support of the organization’s second book, The Moth Presents All These Wonders: True Stories About Facing the Unknown, Burns sat down to discuss story crafting, driving a car off a (small) cliff and how storytelling is like dancing with fire (literally).
