logo
episode-header-image
Dec 2021
3m 41s

My Unsung Hero: Leah Bartell's Story

Hidden Brain, Shankar Vedantam
About this episode

It's 1994, and two men corner Leah on a dark street as she's walking home. Then she sees a car, and a glimmer of hope.

To hear more stories like this, subscribe to our new podcast, My Unsung Hero. And we'd love to hear your own story: send a voice memo to myunsunghero@hiddenbrain.org.

Up next
Oct 6
Love 2.0: How to Fix Your Marriage, Part 2
When things go wrong in our relationships, we often try to change the way our partners behave. But usually, trying to fix a person only makes things worse. Last week, we talked to psychologist James Cordova about why this tendency can be so damaging, and what to do instead. This ... Show More
1h 44m
Sep 29
Love 2.0: How to Fix Your Marriage, Part 1
Many love stories end when the characters are still in the heady, euphoric early stages of a relationship. But what comes after that intoxicating first phase of love is over? Today, we kick off a new series on the challenges specific to long-term relationships. We'll talk with ps ... Show More
1h 41m
Sep 22
Passion vs. Paycheck
The idea of being driven by a calling goes back centuries. It was the language used to describe religious people who were called to the priesthood. Today, millions of people in secular professions yearn to be similarly galvanized by their work. This week, researcher Jennifer Tost ... Show More
53m 25s
Recommended Episodes
May 2022
Sarah Marshall's Story
During her freshman year of college, Sarah is feeling adrift. But a simple comment from one of her professors helps her understand herself in a new way. If you like the show, you can support us on our Patreon page. And be sure to check out our other podcast, Hidden Brain.Do you h ... Show More
4m 14s
Jul 2022
Juleus Ghunta's Story
Juleus is in elementary school, and he can't read. But then a new teacher convinces him to believe in himself. If you like the show, you can support us on our Patreon page. And please check out our other podcast, Hidden Brain.Do you have your own story of an unsung hero? We'd lov ... Show More
4m 49s
May 2024
The Moth Podcast: Leftovers
On this episode, we share two stories about food and memory.Host: Kate TellersStorytellers: Terry Wolfisch Cole learns a lesson from her father. Michael Imber tries to become his grandmother’s “angel boy.” If you’d like to share your own story, or would just love to hear some inc ... Show More
17m 19s
Jul 2022
Lorrie Paul's Story
A favorite episode from the archives: It's 1996, and Lorrie is visiting her ailing father in the hospital. She's crying in the hallway near his room when a kind stranger walks by.Do you have your own story of an unsung hero? We'd love to hear it! Record a voice memo and email it ... Show More
3m 15s
Jul 2022
Sandra Bailey's Story
Sandra is at her wits' end in her job search — until someone unexpectedly helps her out. If you like the show, you can support us on our Patreon page. And please check out our other podcast, Hidden Brain.Do you have your own story of an unsung hero? We'd love to hear it! Record a ... Show More
5m 13s
Nov 2023
Pigging Out on Thanksgiving: Adam Linn
On this episode of The Moth podcast, we’re reairing a treasured episode from our archives. We thought it would be especially fun for the day after Thanksgiving. And just a reminder -- if you'd like to listen to our 26 year library of Moth stories, check out our story archive at t ... Show More
16m 41s
May 2024
The Moth Podcast: Birmingham
On this episode, we share two stories from Birmingham, Alabama.Host: Suzanne RustStorytellers: Anne Wheeler tries to get a part in a play.Anthony Underwood figures that the best way to get good banana pudding is to make it himself.If you’d like to share your own story, or would j ... Show More
18m 17s
Apr 2024
The Moth Podcast: River City
On this episode, two stories from the Louisville StorySLAMs. Host: Alex Román Peters Storytellers: Ethan Sweetland-May learns about hunting from his grandfather Trevor Nourse gets lost in a cave If you’d like to share your own story, or would just love to hear some incredible liv ... Show More
18m 31s
Jun 2024
The Moth Podcast: True Crimes Told Live
In this episode, we’ve got two stories of tiny crimes. Nothing horrifying happens, nobody gets hurt… it’s all the rush and mischief of trying to get away with it, without any chance of me (or you!) losing sleep. Host: Chloe Salmon Storytellers: Adriana Eraso learns some lessons a ... Show More
15m 31s
Jan 2024
Slamming into the New Year: Liza Cooper and Jim Winship
On this episode, we share two stories, one meta, and one about a mountain music festival. Host: Gabriel Szajnert Storytellers: Liza Cooper tells a story… about telling a moth story. Jim Winship finds healing at a mountain-music festival. If YOU’D like to share your own story, or ... Show More
17m 57s