If I can do it, you can do it. 🦋
Last night, I attended my first Moth StorySLAM. After reading How to Tell a Story, I wanted to see if there were any events nearby. The Moth StorySLAM is an open-mic storytelling competition in which anyone can share a true, personal, 5-minute story on the night’s theme.
I worked on my story this past weekend, and on Tuesday evening, I threw my name into the hat. Only ten storytellers have an opportunity to share during a StorySLAM.
The theme was “Family Matters”: prepare a five-minute story about the people you’re bound to by blood, marriage, or choice. Siblings, in-laws, step-relatives, or the chosen family who showed up when it mattered most. Tell us about the holiday meltdowns, the group texts gone rogue. Stories of unconditional love, long-held grudges, and the chaos that only family can bring.
I’m a strong believer in the power of stories. We all have them, and they’re meant to be shared. There were nine other great storytellers last night, sharing a range of life experiences and points of view. So put yourself onto The Moth Radio Hour podcast, read How to Tell a Story, and start sharing your experience with others, whether it’s to empower, entertain, empathize, or encourage — don’t keep it to yourself. And maybe one day soon you’ll take that courage to the stage too.
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The Moth is a nonprofit storytelling organization known for its live events where real people tell true, personal stories on stage—without notes. It began in 1997 when poet and novelist George Dawes Green started hosting storytelling nights in his living room in Georgia, inspired by the porch gatherings of his childhood where moths fluttered around the light as friends swapped stories. Wanting to recreate that intimate, magnetic feeling, he brought the idea to New York City, and it grew into a global phenomenon of storytelling shows, podcasts, and radio hours that celebrate the art of honest, human connection.
A year ago, I was recovering from having 15% of my right kidney removed — and with it, the 5 cancer tumors VHL had weaseled into it.
Three months prior, two massive brain tumors were removed, saving my life. Physical activity was limited, and I was too gracious with my diet during recovery. I went from being a very active person to someone who hated looking at himself in the mirror, wondering if I’d ever find my way back.
Being positive doesn’t mean you live without negative moments, mindset struggles, and debilitating self-talk. The frequency of those moments was so much more intense a year ago — and while that time feels far away now, the rawness of it is still just within arm’s reach.
Looking back, and now looking in the mirror in this moment — working out with my husband while on holiday with my brother and his family — I feel compelled to encourage anyone seeing this → look after the body you have. Treat it right. Advocate for it. Use it. And don't take it for granted.
🌈🌊🏄🏻♂️ Wishing you rainbows, surfers, good health, and a quiet moment to soak it all in.
Someone reminded me to take a pause today → and now I'm encouraging you to take a minute to do the same. ✌🏼
@sylvestercancer dance crew at it again → Did we do okay @bobsdanceshop ? 🕺🏻
🪩 A little @madonna in the clinic never nurt nobody — though I think we're in need of a bigger dance area.
“One of the hardest things that I went through was trying to get pregnant. We tried multiple times. We also tried through in vitro fertilization, and it didn’t work a few times.”
This is Solicited Advice. One question. Real people. No script. Real connection.
New episodes weekly.
🟡 @milenabrownart
📍 Miami Beach, Florida
🗓️ April 2026
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In between interviews, I’m writing a book, connecting with other VHL and cancer survivors, and recording podcast episodes – centered around shifting our perspectives, advocating for our health, and unpacking the science that saves lives.
#solicitedadvice #ivf #perspective #pregnancy #miamibeach
May is #VHL Awareness Month.
VHL (Von Hippel-Lindau) is a rare genetic condition that causes tumors to grow in multiple organs — including the kidneys, brain, and eyes. It’s the condition I live with, and it’s one that too few people know about.
Here’s what’s worth knowing: research into VHL has directly advanced our understanding of how cancer cells respond to oxygen — work that helped shape treatments now used in kidney cancer and beyond. Rare doesn’t mean small impact.
This month, sharing matters. Every post, every conversation, every person who learns what VHL is brings us closer to better treatments and, eventually, a cure.
On May 30th, I’m hosting a Global VHL Community Call alongside Kimberly Kreuger-Aguayo, founder of Voices of VHL. It’s a space for connection, conversation, and hope — whether you’re living with VHL, loving someone who is, or just want to learn more.
Link in bio to register. Come as you are.
“Probably the hardest thing I’ve ever been through was the death of my father. He lived with us his last 7 years. He was almost 102 (years old).”
Backstop: a backstop is a physical barrier, support structure, or emergency plan designed to catch, stop, or support something, acting as a final safeguard against failure or to prevent movement. It is commonly used in sports to contain balls, in shooting for safety, and in finance as a guarantee of support.
This is Solicited Advice. One question. Real people. No script. Real connection.
New episodes weekly.
🟡 Mary Macpherson
📍 Huntington Beach, California
🗓️ April 2026
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In between interviews, I’m writing a book, connecting with other VHL and cancer survivors, and recording podcast episodes – centered around shifting our perspectives, advocating for our health, and unpacking the science that saves lives.
#solicitedadvice #losingaparent #death #grit #legacy
“My 75-year-old mom was recently diagnosed with dementia. I’m the only child. So all of a sudden I had to take care of literally everything.” → This is Solicited Advice. One question. Real people. No script. Real connection.
If you have a family member affected by Alzheimers or dementia and would like support and tips, visit the Alzheimers Association → /help-support/caregiving
New episodes weekly.
🟡 Jennie Nau (@jennifernau.nyc )
📍 Fort Lauderdale, Florida
🗓️ February 2026�
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In between interviews, I’m writing a book, connecting with other VHL and cancer survivors, and recording podcast episodes – centered around shifting our perspectives, advocating for our health, and unpacking the science that saves lives.
#solicitedadvice #dementia #runclub #onlychild
Did you take a shift today?
1. Remove 1 thing that slows you down everyday.
2. Set 1 non-negotiable daily anchor.
3. Write 1 thing you need to device on and take action.
Are all 3 too much? Try one for a week, then add on as the habits, mindset, and muscle memory build.
Which shift could you use this week?
