Hey, it's Chloe Salmon from The Moth. As a story director, I talk to a lot of people who say they want to tell a story but don't know where to start. A tip I give them, get specific. What's a moment that meant something to you? Your first home run, that road trip with your dad, the time you bombed at the talent show. Start there, then build on that foundation. You can find tips to help

you identify those moments along with prompts to inspire them in the Moth's new guided journal,

My Life and Stories. Whether you want to find your own story, reflect on your life, or even give it as a

gift, you can order your copy at the moth.org forward slash my life and stories. That's the moth.org

forward slash my life and stories. This is The Moth Radio Hour.

I'm your host, Suzanne Rust.

You don't have to join the circus to perform acts of bravura.

Life itself is a high wire act.

We are constantly putting ourselves on the line, taking risks, and searching for balance.

This episode features stories about finding your equilibrium when life knocks you sideways.

Sometimes you just have to step out on that wire and be brave enough to go across.

But sometimes, like our first teller, you just have to join the circus.

This story was told by Tiffany McKinney at a Detroit slam.

Here's Tiffany live at the moth.

Okay, let me get close and that touched the mic.

Okay.

All right.

All right.

Hey, this is scary.

Okay.

You got it.

I woke up one morning, opened my eyes, and waited.

...