Why do we avoid topics that could bring us closer together with a wider understanding? We sidestep the hard, uncomfortable issues out of politeness, awkwardness, or fear—but they’re the very subjects that build connections, heal deep wounds, and move the needle in important ways. We open this session with The Moth-like storytelling that includes author Phill Branch’s tale, the shame of failing at boyhood, and what it means “to feel ruined from the start.” Three storytellers will share testimonies of heartbreak, the courage in navigating difficult conversations, and the resilience of the human spirit.
Branch knows well the power of humor in broaching heavy subjects. In praise of Branch’s book The Double Dutch Fuss, Roy Wood, Jr. (The Man of Many Fathers) notes: “When wielded responsibly, humor can heal and also educate. Phill exhibits this ability with great profundity as he shows us how fathers shape us even when they don’t know how to love us well.” Diana Veiga—whose one-woman show I’m Just Doing My Job premiered at the Capital Fringe Festival in 2022—reveals how working at the public library is already a tough job – now add a tougher customer, mix in a difficult conversation, and stir. Heather Moyer joins us representing Mortified, a multi-modal storytelling show produced by Alexandra Hewett, where brave adults share embarrassing things they created as kids (old diaries, letters, lyrics & more) in front of total strangers. Moyer is a communications professional and one of the founding members of the Baltimore Improv Group. Jess Solomon serves as moderator in conversation with Branch to discuss difficult conversations with equal parts insight, depth, and humor. She is a Baltimore-based organization development practitioner and comedian who spends her days in boardrooms and her nights on stage.
