Overview of Can't Help Falling in Love: The Moth Radio Hour
This episode of The Moth Radio Hour assembles true personal stories centered on romantic love arriving in unexpected ways — in the rain at Jazz Fest, across prison cafeteria tables, through a discovered secret letter, in caregiving after catastrophic injury, and around a kitchen-table “Mass at home.” Each storyteller reflects on how love reshaped identity, family, forgiveness, and everyday life.
Key stories (short summaries)
David Greco — Jazz Fest rain
- Setting: Moth StorySLAM, New Orleans → David, visiting from California, recounts a first festival date.
- Moment: Torrential rain turns a planned perfect Jazz Fest into mud and chaos; his date dances joyfully in the downpour.
- Takeaway: He recognizes her spirit in that moment and knows she’s “the one.” (They later became close friends; relationship ended.)
Eva Santiago — Love from behind bars
- Setting: Moth Mainstage, Los Angeles → Eva receives a FB message from the brother of an incarcerated man, Christopher.
- Story: They write and talk for months, Eva visits the maximum-security facility, their connection grows, and they marry inside the prison visiting room.
- Ongoing: They remain married; Christopher has served decades of a long sentence, is a model inmate earning a degree, and Eva advocates for clemency.
- Bonus: The episode includes a taped phone call between Eva and Christopher, showing warmth, humor, and the couple’s routines to “keep the spark.”
Paola Ayala — Secret letter and coming out
- Setting: Beacon High School (NYC), part of The Moth Education Program.
- Story: At 14, Paola finds a birthday letter from her girlfriend that her mother had apparently been rummaging through. She fears being disowned but is relieved when her parents already knew and are supportive.
- Takeaway: An unintended discovery catalyzes honesty, relief, and acceptance; years later Paola is engaged and supported by family.
Dr. Auburn Schaefer — Home, trauma, and caregiving
- Setting: Moth StorySLAM, Ann Arbor.
- Story: Auburn’s husband, Chuck, suffers a brutal assault leading to severe traumatic brain injury and a long coma. Auburn ages her understanding of “home” as hospital beds, couches, and caregiving routines.
- Takeaway: They rebuild a life despite impairment; love becomes a practice of presence, patience, and gratitude. They forgave the perpetrator; Chuck is now cared for by family.
Matt Mercier — A kitchen-table Mass and family history
- Setting: Moth Mainstage, Brooklyn.
- Story: Childhood memory of Father doing “Mass at home” with Wonder Bread and Carlo Rossi. Later revelations: his father had been a priest, his mother a nun; both left religious life, fell in love, and devoted themselves to social justice.
- Takeaway: The family’s unconventional past reframes shame into pride; “church” becomes a humble kitchen table and a life of service.
Themes & main takeaways
- Love appears in unlikely places: public festivals, prisons, hospital wards, secret letters, and kitchen tables.
- Love as witness and recognition: Small observable moments (dancing in rain, shared laughter) can reveal deep compatibility.
- Love and resilience: Romantic attachment often intersects with caregiving, forgiveness, and long-term struggle.
- Chosen family and acceptance: Coming out, unconventional relationships, and activist communities reshape belonging.
- The moral of ordinary rituals: Simple acts (home Mass, visits, letters) can become the foundation of meaning and commitment.
Notable quotes
- David Greco on the decisive moment: “In the mud and the mayhem and the muck of Jazz Fest I was given a gift…”
- Eva Santiago on identity vs. label: “He’s not a number. He’s a beautiful man, and he’s my husband.”
- Dr. Auburn Schaefer on home and care: “Home is where anybody’s heart is open to mine… I made my home his body.”
- Matt Mercier on parental legacy: “My church is that humble kitchen table with that piece of bread and that Carlo Rossi… about love.”
Practical info & resources mentioned
- The Moth website: themoth.org — photos referenced in stories (e.g., David’s dancing video; Eva & Christopher’s wedding photos; Matt’s family photos).
- My Life in Stories journal: themoth.org/mylifeinstories — a guided journal for memory prompts (mentioned by Emily Couch).
- The Moth Pitch Line: Record a two-minute pitch at themoth.org or call 877-799-MOTH (877-799-6684) to submit your story.
- Eva & Christopher: Eva advocates for clemency and works with Bronx Connect; the episode includes a recorded current call demonstrating their relationship.
Sponsors & production notes (brief)
- Sponsors advertised in this episode: Daily Look, Alma (mental health), IXL Learning, Mint Mobile, Angie, Carvana, Quantum Fiber.
- Production: The Moth Radio Hour produced by Atlantic Public Media; stories are true as remembered and affirmed by storytellers.
- Music credits and project leadership are acknowledged in the episode credits.
If you want the full experience: visit themoth.org to see photos/videos tied to the stories and information about attending or pitching to future Moth events.