Storyteller Sean David Christensen recalls how much "love hurts," when his mother's broken ankle forces him to face the fear of losing touch with his family. Recorded live at The Moth LA's StorySLAM; Busby's East, February 14th, 2018. Special thanks to Gary Buchler and Suzette Burton at The Moth.

Storytelling with The Moth: "Love Hurts," February 14th, 2018

March 29, 2020 in storytelling, writing

I miss my family. This past Tuesday, we all celebrated my 35th birthday as best as those observing social distancing could hope to. Assisted by webcams, our dinner was enjoyed in pools of blue light from our various laptops, glowing within our separate homes. In spite of the distance, we were together. Inspired by my Los Angeles storytelling community who continue to share their lives in these bewildering times ~ I would like to share my first time on The Moth's stage. The theme that night, Valentine’s Day 2018, was "Love Hurts." For me, this spoke to the burden that comes with being woven within a family you don't mind carrying within you. Well, sometimes you mind, but in times like these - a good problem to have.

The Moth LA GrandSLAM: “Lost and Found” (January 28th, 2019)

May 12, 2019 in writing

Recorded live at The Moth LA's GrandSLAM; The Regent Theater, January 28th, 2019.

The evening’s storytellers receive a warm round of applause at the conclusion of another Moth GrandSLAM in Los Angeles, October 22nd, 2018. (From left to right: Host Brian Finkelstein, storytellers Matthew Struski, Jade Driggers, Rich Tackenberg, St… — The evening’s storytellers receive a warm round of applause at the conclusion of another Moth GrandSLAM in Los Angeles, October 22nd, 2018. (From left to right: Host Brian Finkelstein, storytellers Matthew Struski, Jade Driggers, Rich Tackenberg, StorySLAM producer Gary Buchler, Richelle Meiss, Hana Nobel, Ron Hart, Emma Horn & me.) Photo credit: Ricky Steel, courtesy of The Moth.

The Moth GrandSLAM Los Angeles: "The Tipping Point," October 22nd, 2018

November 11, 2018 in storytelling, photography

My memories are still humming from a wonderful evening of storytelling shared with The Moth. The photograph above (by Ricky Steel), taken moments after the winner was announced (go Ron!), gathered all of us together on stage to receive a warm round of applause from the audience. Huddled shoulder to shoulder out there in the darkness were a handful of my friends and my mother, who drove in from Phoenix the day before. I was honored to share such a special night with those closest to me, as well as my growing community of fellow storytellers & writers whom I continue to be inspired by.

The mic awaits at The Regent Theater. (Photo credit: Ricky Steel & The Moth)

The Moth’s LA StorySLAM producer, Gary Buchler, keeps a watchful eye on the evening’s scoreboard with an Expo marker at the ready. (Photo credit: Ricky Steel & The Moth)

The patient feet of a storyteller await their turn at the mic. (Photo credit: Ricky Steel & The Moth)

Storyteller Matthew Struski, live at The Moth GrandSLAM, October 22nd, 2018. (Photo credit: Ricky Steel & The Moth)

The Moth GrandSLAM Championship: October 22nd at The Regent Theatre, Los Angeles

September 30, 2018 in storytelling

Humbled by the opportunity to share a new story at the upcoming The Moth GrandSLAM in Los Angeles: October 22nd at The Regent theatre. Having listened to its podcast since college, I can't wait to do my best to honor the stage that has entertained & inspired me for nearly a decade. To all those who've inspired me to tell my truth, boldly: Thank you. This one's for you.

Source: https://themoth.org/events/grandslam-champ...

The Moth LA StorySLAM Winner: “Manners”

September 06, 2018 in writing

A year ago to the day, I found myself outside Hanoi, steadying my camera upwards to cradle the silver of the moon in the center of its lens. A guest of Thắng Nghiêm Pagoda, I was documenting the Hungry Ghost Festival, traditionally celebrated by Buddhists throughout Southeast Asia during the seventh lunar month as a time to honor the deceased. Offerings such as cigarettes and oranges gathered alongside family photographs beneath sticks of incense, their glowing tails forming columns of smoke, calling their spirits back once more to enjoy what they might've missed since leaving the physical world behind.

Had there been an IHOP nearby, I would've placed one of their Strawberry Belgian Waffles (to go) beside a framed picture of my grandmother, Marie. Towards the end of her life, only visits from her grandson rivaled the excitement of indulging in this particular breakfast treat. Luckily for her, these often came together.

As I stared up at the night sky, I prayed that whatever footage I had travelled to Vietnam to gather for my master's thesis was worth it. This shot of the moon, for example. Whenever it was at its most luminous, my mother called them "Granny Moons." After her passing, these omens kept watch over the years that followed, not all of them good. Nevertheless, whenever these moons would hang in the sky, I would outstretch my hand and clutch it like a pearl. I would then slowly bring my closed fist back into the small of my chest and breathe, when times were bad and deep breaths were hard to come by.

I can't remember if there was a full moon the night I told this story at The Moth LA StorySLAM, but I could feel my grandmother was somewhere in the crowd. That same week, I was in desperate need of a break from editing the Vietnam footage I had shot last September. I ended up going on a whim, listening to the voice inside my head that said: "Go."

I'm glad I did. She always did give good advice.

Special thanks to Gary Buchler & Suzette Burton at The Moth, and all of the volunteers who make their Los Angeles StorySLAMs so special.