10th Annual Moth Mainstage

Theme: Bound and Determined. Join us for stories of running free, throwing caution to the wind, and trusting your gut. The courage to face change head on or the tenacity to create your own revolution. Leaving expectations behind, diverging from the beaten path, and blazing a trail of one’s own.

Host: Ivy Le is a Vietnamese American comedian, actress, and writer based in Austin, Texas. She is the creator of the critically acclaimed podcast FOGO: Fear of Going Outside, a nature show by the most reluctant host ever. FOGO is featured on Delta flights and recommended by The Guardian, CBC, Oprah and, inexplicably, Outside. She hosts Tongue in Cheek, the only queer comedy open mic in Austin, and performs at comedy festivals all over the country. Follow her on Instagram @IvyLeWithOneE.

Storytellers:

Parvathy Anantnarayan is a mom, an educator, and a collector of stacks of unused notebooks. She came to The Moth through teaching a professional development workshop in NOLA and as a participant in the Moth Teacher Institute in NYC. She loves stories–reading them, listening to them, telling them, and most of all, wondering about all the stories that will never be told.

Esmond Fountain is an East Coast-based storyteller/comedian who proudly counts french fries as a meal. A military brat and Certified Momma’s Boy, he never goes a day without calling Tammy. This April, Esmond debuts his solo show, Desperate: A Beverly Hills Manny, at the Wild Project Theater during the NYC Fringe Festival.

For over 34 years, Jasmine Pickner Bell has captivated audiences worldwide with her breathtaking hoop dancing, a tradition passed down through generations of her family. A World Champion Hoop Dancer, mother, and grandmother, Jasmine seamlessly weaves her family’s heritage into her performances. From prestigious venues like the Kennedy Center and Library of Congress to international stages in Europe, Jasmine shares her powerful story, challenging stereotypes and fostering understanding. Her daughters, Aloysia and Aliyana Bell, are following in her footsteps, creating their own unique legacy in hoop dance. Together, with her world champion singer husband, Luke Bell, Jasmine’s family continues to inspire through their art and educational programs.

Jameer Pond is an award-winning host, storyteller, director, and interviewer who has been creating digital content for 10+ years. A Brooklyn native, Jameer has hosted hit programs and events with the Starz hit series Power, BET, MTV, Hot 97, Buzzfeed, NBC, and more. Jameer’s witty commentary, and silly, intellectual, passionate, and vulnerable attributes have contributed to him catapulting full force into what is now a successful career as an award-winning digital producer and visual media maven. He’s currently a Creative Video Director at Condé Nast. Follow him on Instagram: @jameerpond and on TikTok: @jameerpond1.

As an advocate for native education, Lynette St. Clair is recognized for her work in promoting authentic representation of Shoshone history and language. Her expertise extends to curriculum development and impactful legislative advocacy, earning her the 2019 Wyoming Woman of Influence in Education award. She’s a language coach, contributing to two network series, Outer Range and American Primeval.

Our Musician:

Born and raised in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, Melissa Elliott is a singer, songwriter, and music teacher performing under the alias “Missy Jo.” Her songs explore  observations on the human experience – romance in the midst of apocalypse, her affinity for thrift shopping, the consequences of being in love and getting banned from a small town post office. Between her lyrical vulnerability, genre blending, and soulful voice, Missy Jo’s music welcomes listeners into her world. Her recent release, “Wilson Post Office” is the first single from her upcoming EP “Talk to Me, Baby,” recorded and produced at Three Hearted Recording Studio in Hoback, WY.

Above video: Jeremy Gaitan at the 2024 Moth Mainstage.